A Review for Raging Star (Dustlands #3) by Moira Young

Posted by Donna
Release Date: May 8th, 2014

Finished Date: April 21st, 2014
Publishers: Scholastic
Genre: YA, Dystopia

Source: For Review
Format: Paperback
Pages: 344

Buy: Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

When the star reader, Auriel Tai, challenged Saba to seize her destiny and defeat DeMalo and the Tonton, Saba was so confident in her purpose. Then she met DeMalo and he confounded all expectations with his seductive vision of a healed earth, a New Eden. DeMalo and Saba had an intense and passionate encounter - physical, emotional and psychic - that changed her life, and now he wants Saba to join him, in life and work, to create and build a healthy, stable, sustainable world…for the chosen few.

Jack’s choice is clear: to fight DeMalo and try to stop his dangerous New Eden project. Still uncertain, her connection with DeMalo a secret, Saba commits herself to the fight. Joined by her brother Lugh, anxious for the land in New Eden, Saba leads an inexperienced guerilla band against the powerfully charismatic DeMalo, in command of his settlers and the Tonton militia.

What chance do they have? Saba must act. And be willing to pay the price.

The Review: What a read! Raging Star is a surprisingly different read from what I anticipated but it was still go good that I couldn’t put it down, and it’s definitely an unforgettable finale! 

Moira Young is back with the long awaited finale in her Dustlands series, and this time we see Saba, Jack and the guerilla band trying to take down DeMalo and his Tonton militia in a number of different ways. Saba’s hiding many secrets – especially her connection with DeMalo and that one weak moment where Saba gives into him, that moment where Jack can never find out about. But now she knows that DeMalo is evil, his visions are lies and she is more determined than ever to try and win this war the right way. Can Saba do the impossible and save New Eden from DeMalo? But most importantly can she keep all her loves ones safe?

Raging Star is every bit enjoyable as Blood Red Road and Rebel Heart, and it’s one that’s left me emotionally drained because there’s just so much going on that your emotions are tugged all over the place – but in a such a good way. I am completely fascinated with Moira Young’s writing and her unique story telling about these amazing characters and their journey for survival. It was one heck of a journey and I still can’t believe it’s over! 

I’ve always been a fan of Saba’s. I love that she isn’t perfect and makes mistakes like any normal person. I like that she’s hard-headed and stands up for what she believes in, but mostly I love her love for her family, friends and of course Jack. Without her lover for them, she would be a completely different person. Their love is what makes her stronger, makes her work harder at achieving the life they all want. Even when people do wrong by her, she still continues to love them. I admire her for that. She’s strong and brave and even when she doesn’t know the right direction to go in, she tries and tries until she find a solution. 

It’s her relationship with Jack that I love the most though. These two are perfect together – sure they fight but they love too and that’s what is most important. Saba does a lot of thinking about Jack in Raging Star, she never wants him to find out about DeMalo and it plays on her mind, she can’t risk losing him. I was expecting a little more time in their relationship  during this book, but if you read the story, you will see why their time was very limited. But I definitely think the hardships that they’ve gone through definitely makes them stronger in the end. And the story wouldn’t have been the same without Molly, Emmi, Slim, Tommo and Lugh. One of these characters I really came to dislike by the end of the book, no matter their good intentions, I found myself quiet relieved with that particular characters ending, and I just couldn’t feel sorry for them. 

The plot of the story was exciting and all though it’s not as action driven as the first two books, it’s still a very driven story. It’s unpredictable and nerve-racking, full of suspense and more importantly, has a great ending. 

In all, Saba and Jack are going to be very hard characters to leave behind. Their journey was hard and tough but it was definitely unforgettable, and it’s one that I’ll hold close to my heart for a long time! 

Favourite Quote:  "When did you git so gawdamn virtuous? He swipes a gentle finger down my cheek. I dunno, he says. The moment I seen yer face?" Saba & Jack

Thank you to Scholastic for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review!