This
is the second book in Calhoun's dystopian Stone Braide Chronicles.
(You can see the review of the first one, Thunder, here.)
At
the end of Thunder, Selah had finally found her real father. She and
the others had escaped from the Mountain but still had work to do.
Selah wants to be reunited with her mother and younger brother. When
evidence is found that they have been taken to the Mountain, Selah
wants to go back there and rescue them. To add to the drama, Selah's
father indicates that something terrible will happen to Selah in nine
months if they cannot find The Third Protocol. Unless Glade can find
a way west through the mountains, Selah will fragment – her brain
and physical functions will fall apart.
We
learn a bit more about the post-apocalyptic world Selah inhabits. The
native Landers were once ordinary humans who had left the Mountain
before the great disaster. They changed afterward, somehow taking on
incredible powers. We also find out that Selah, as the novarium, has
elements in her blood that some think might heal or produce
immortality.
Traveling
back to the Mountain is dangerous. There are splinter groups that
would like to capture Selah and sell her to the highest bidder. Even
some who appear to want to protect Selah are traitors. We meet some
interesting people too, such as those who live in trees. I felt this
part of the novel was a bit slow and did not move the plot forward
well.
Much
of the action in this novel takes place back in the Mountain. I found
that lack of description frequently detracted from my appreciation of
the action. There is plenty of action but I had difficulty
visualizing it. The group travels within the Mountain to cities with
different color designations but I was unclear what made them
different. Even within the Mountain there are many factions and
people warring against each other.
One
aspect of the plot that I got tired of was the animosity between
Glade and Bodhi. It just seemed they would argue, come to terms,
repeat.
Selah
is an interesting heroine. There were times when she was amazingly
effective while other times she was nearly overwhelmed. I had to keep
reminding myself she was an eighteen year old developing superhuman
powers and then her actions generally made sense and are appropriate
for this young adult fiction.
I
enjoyed this book in the series. I am still looking for some “Christian”
or otherwise redemptive aspect to the book. There is mention of
future good and evil so I trust it is coming in the sequel.
You
can read the first chapter here.
My
rating: 4/5 stars.
Bonnie
S. Calhoun is Director of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance and is
owner/publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine, now in its
seventh year. She is the author of three previous novels and is a web
specialist. She and her husband live on 15 acres with a pond. You can
find out more at http://bonniescalhoun.com/.
Revell,
416 pages.
I
received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for
the purpose of an independent and honest review.
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