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!

A Review for Rebel Heart (Dust Land #2) by Moria Young

Posted by Donna
Release Date: August 2nd, 2012

Finished Date: November 16th, 2012

Publishers: Marion Lloyd Books
Source: For Review 

Format: Paperback

Pages: 393
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Nothing is certain and no one is safe in the second book in the highly praised Dust Lands trilogy, which MTV’s Hollywood Crush blog called “better than The Hunger Games.”

It seemed so simple: Defeat the Tonton, rescue her kidnapped brother, Lugh, and then order would be restored to Saba’s world. Simplicity, however, has proved to be elusive. Now, Saba and her family travel west, headed for a better life and a longed-for reunion with Jack. But the fight for Lugh’s freedom has unleashed a new power in the dust lands, and a formidable new enemy is on the rise.

What is the truth about Jack? And how far will Saba go to get what she wants? In this much-anticipated follow-up to the riveting Blood Red Road, a fierce heroine finds herself at the crossroads of danger and destiny, betrayal and passion

The Review: After reading Blood Red Road, I couldn’t wait to pick up Rebel Heart. Luckily for me, I already had it sitting and waiting on my shelf, so of course I dived straight in and it was definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made.

You all know how much Blood Red Road impressed me and I have to say, I was almost nervous to start Rebel Heart – mainly because of the dreaded second book syndrome but I’m so pleased to say, this book doesn’t even fit into that category.  It’s just as unique, engaging and enthralling as the first book and I so want more. 

Moria Young definitely starts this book off with a bang, and I mean with a bang because we get a fantastic treat because the first chapter is in Jack’s point of view. After the ending in Blood Red Road, we see Jack go on his own mission, so it was very interesting to see what he was up to and how he was feeling. I really enjoyed his conversations with Molly because she could read him like an open book and so many good things come from it. You learn how he truly feels about Saba and how much he can’t wait to return to her. 

“You couldn't find nobody more pig-headed if you tried, he says. An she's always thinkin she knows best, even when she don't, especially when she don't. She's prickly and stubborn an everythin you'd put at the bottom of a list if you was makin a... a list of that kind. Which I aint. I didn't. 
But? says Molly. 
But ohmigawd Molly, she shines so bright, he says. The fire of life burns so strong in her. I never realized till I met her... I bin cold my whole life, Moll.
I know, she says softly. 
It's jest that... aw, hell. She thinks I'm a better man than I really am.
Well, yer a better man than you think you are.”

Speaking of Saba, who would have thought her journey would only get harder? After all the trouble she went to, to save Lugh – whose finally back, but he’s definitely not the same. Saba worries for him and she also worries for Jack who she so desperately wants to see. Not only that, she’s plagued by hallucinations of the dead and the new person in charge has put a price on her head. It’s safe to say, it’s still a very dangerous time for Saba. I thought she grew more in this book, she really opens herself up to people and even though she does makes some mistakes, but she’s a young girl and mistakes are a way of life, so I truly understand why she does the things she does. 

There’s one character in particular I was looking to get to know more in Rebel Heart and that’s DeMalo. It was pretty clear from the start that he would have a bigger role to play but it was simply the case what would his role be. Now I know, I really like him – even though he is supposed to be the bad guy. And yes, there is a hint of a love triangle but I don’t think us Team Jack fans have anything to worry about! 

As much as I think Rebel Heart is a fantastic sequel, I did have a minor problem with it. I easily could have rated it top marks if I hadn’t missed Jack so much. He’s only present at the start and end of the book, so I would have liked more chapters from him to see what he was actually up too but other than that, Moria Young has pulled me in and made me a huge fan of this series, and now I’m dying to know what’s next in store for these loveable characters. 

“Be with me, Jack, I says. Burn with me. Shine with me.
 I'll stay till moonpath fades, he says.”

Thank you to Scholastic for giving me the opportunity to review this book. 

A Review for Blood Red Road (Dust Lands #1) by Moria Young

Posted by Donna
Release Date: January 4th, 2012

Finished Date: November 14th, 2012

Publishers: Marion Lloyd Books
Source: For Review 

Format: Paperback

Pages: 417
Buy : Amazon UK / Amazon US / The Book Depo

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

The Review: Blood Red Road is one of them books that I have seen all over the bloggosphere for some time now, and truthfully, I was never really interested in reading it. I’m not sure why, I guess it just didn’t appeal to me but luckily for me, the lovely people over at Scholastic gave me the opportunity to read it – so I took and well, I was completely captivated and utterly enthralled with it. 

It’s not often that I read a book that really seems to stand out from all the others I have read. Don’t get me wrong, I have read some amazing books this year – some of which are my favourite but when I look at Blood Red Road, I can really seem the difference. To compare Blood Red Road to other books – well, it you just can't because it is so fantastically unique that it honestly speaks for itself, and yes I’m talking about how this book was written. Who would have thought something like this work?; “We're on our own. An I feel calm. It seems crazy . . . but I'm calm. Because now I see what I gotta do. An what I ain't gotta do, which is waste time thinkin that anybody's gonna help us. That somebody's gonna come along an rescue us. I cain't count on nobody but me.”

See what I mean? But you know what, it works so well. The style of writing Moria Young uses in Blood Red Road is fresh, beautiful and so, so different that once again, this book stands out from all others. I admit, it does take some time to get used to and it may put some people off but once you get the hang of it, it reads like any other book and soon you’ll find yourself not wanting to stop reading. 

Not only is the style of writing a highlight but the characters are too. Saba as the main character, is feisty, stubborn and brutal. She knows what she has to do to survive and she’ll do whatever it takes. At times, it’s was hard to warm to Saba especially during the moments with her younger sister, Emmi but as the book progresses, Saba really changes and in the end, she becomes a very loveable character rather than just a likeable one. I believe the turning point for Saba comes when she meets Jack. She's never really looked at boys before but it all changes when she meets him. He opens her up and really shows her how she is and how mean she is to her sister. However, despite Saba's faults it's clear how much he cares for her. Their romance is a slow one but it's one you constantly root for through-out the book and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of them together in Rebel Heart. 

“Yer in my blood, Saba, he says. Yer in my head. Yer in my breath, yer in my bones...gawd help me, yer everywhere. You have bin since the first moment I set eyes on you.” 

The story itself is full of danger, mystery and scary things that go bump in the night. There's cage fighting, giant worms, bad people and of course, the evil King. Blood Red Road is isn't short of exciting and highly charged scenes and it's definitely very unpredictable. It's safe to say, I'm so pleased I had the opportunity to read this book because I would have been missing out if I didn't, so a big thank you to Hannah at Scholastic!