Rebels by Jill Williamson

This is the third and final novel in The Safe Lands series. If you have not read the previous two, you would probably have difficulty following this one.

Most of the Outsiders are living with the Rebels. As they go in to free more women, Jemma is recaptured and taken to the harem. She is found to be already pregnant.

Omar and Mason are sentenced to be liberated and we finally get to find out what that is. We also get to find out a little more about the plague. And the Owl actually takes to the air.

This has been an interesting series taking place in 2088. There have been lots of advanced technical gadgets like SimTags that yield an individual's location and SimSight contact lenses that transmit everything the person sees.

There are also issues covered in this book beyond just the science fiction aspect. One is how our animals are raised and slaughtered. Many of us would not like to think about the conditions animals live in that are destined for our dinner plates.

Another issue is sexual pairing and impregnating. While there is nothing graphic in this novel, just the subject matter and how impregnating females is dealt with by those in authority suggests that this book, and the series, should be read by older teens. The use of addicting substances also makes this suitable only for older teens.

There was a surprising theological issue on this novel. One of the Rebels has a fanatic wife. She abhors technology and will not allow it. “Whoever is a friend of the world is an enemy of God.” “The technology of the devil is not allowed...” (151) Wow. I can see some interesting discussions about that topic in a teen reading group. A discussion guide has been included.

This is a great series for older teens. The characters are well developed and have matured over the eight months as they have faced life's temptations and challenges. Some have succumbed while others have remained steadfast.

This novel provides an exciting end to the series. Can the Outcasts manage to reveal the lies and free the people?

Jill Williamson is a novelist, dreamer, and believer. She wrote her first novel in 2010, winning the Christy Award. She loves working with teenagers and gives writing workshops at libraries, schools, camps, and churches. She lives in Oregon with her husband and two children. Find out more at www.jillwilliamson.com.

I am taking part in the CSFF Blog Tour of this book. Below are links to the blogs of others participating in this tour.

Julie Bihn Thomas Fletcher Booher Beckie Burnham Jeff Chapman Vicky DealSharingAunt April Erwin Carol Gehringer Victor Gentile Rebekah Gyger Jeremy Harder Jason Joyner Carol Keen Shannon McDermott Meagan @ Blooming with Books Melanie @ Christian Bookshelf Reviews Rebecca LuElla Miller Nissa Writer Rani Audrey Sauble Chawna Schroeder Jojo Sutis Elizabeth Williams

Blink (a division of Zondervan), 400 pages. You can buy the book here.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in conjunction with the Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy Tour, for the purpose of an independent and honest review.