Darlene's Book Nook: Audiobook Review: Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Audiobook Review: Rebel Heart by Moira Young

SERIES: Dust Lands, Book #2
AUTHOR: Moira Young

PUBLISHER: Simon & Schuster Audio
PUBLICATION DATE: October 30, 2012

FORMAT: Unabridged audiobook, 11 hrs and 22 mins
GENRE: Young Adult, Science Fiction/Dystopia
ISBN: 9781442348851

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.

MY REVIEW:

I received this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own.

This second book in the Dust Lands trilogy picks up right where Blood Red Road left off. Jack is heading for the storm belt to find Ike's girlfriend, Molly Pratt, to give her the bad news that Ike is dead.

Following the death of Vicar Pinch during the battle atop Pine Top Hill, someone named The Pathfinder has taken his place and his stewards say that he is going to heal the earth. Who is the mysterious Pathfinder?

When word gets back to Saba that Jack is running with the Tonton, she can't believe her ears. She thinks that it must be a mistake because Jack would never betray her or work with the Tonton. Is this all part of Jack's plot to destroy the Tonton from the inside, or has he been playing Saba all along?

I enjoyed Rebel Heart so much more than Blood Red Road! I like this new and improved version of Saba, the one who doesn't worship the ground that Lugh walks on and doesn't put him on a pedestal. Saba realizes that what she has gone through has changed her, and she isn't the same person anymore...and neither is Lugh. Saba has much more strength and confidence than she did before, and she is so much better for it! She is also much more caring towards Emmi; it was her lack of love and concern for Emmi that bugged me so much in Blood Red Road.

I want to know more about the Pathfinder and how he figures into Saba's future. I have my suspicions, and I can't wait to find out if I'm right!

In my opinion, Young's sophomore book is stronger than her debut. I love the character arcs that she has developed, and I am really intrigued to see how everything pulls together in the last book of the trilogy, which is slated for release in January 2014.

I even enjoyed Heather Lind's narration more this time around. I think that it is her vocalization of Jack that I dislike, and his role in this book is not as prominent.

MY RATING:

4 stars!! It was really good! You should put it on your "To Be Read" list! A big thanks to Simon Audio for the opportunity to review this audiobook!