sneakyawe's review against another edition
4.0
I really seriously enjoyed this book. I think I enjoyed it even more because I recently tried to give Chuck Wendig's Miriam series a go and I just didn't like it at all. I love Chuck's blog and I think he's fantastic at giving advice and making me laugh with his vulgarity, so I was really happy to find that I finally do love his writing too!
Of course I'd already read the first book in the series and liked it, but it really takes a great author (at least in my mind) to write an awesome book two. So, YAY! Can't wait for the rest!!
Of course I'd already read the first book in the series and liked it, but it really takes a great author (at least in my mind) to write an awesome book two. So, YAY! Can't wait for the rest!!
simply_sam's review against another edition
4.0
I think this was a solid second book.
We're thrown right back into the story, but the action is now broken up between those on the flotilla and those on the ground hoping to rescue them. I still think the corn is completely bizarre, and in this book we get to take a closer look at the blight, though it is still not really explained. It's just so strange and more than a little horrifying. We learn that life on the flotilla is not all that it is cracked up to be (imagine that!) and that Cael's father has even more secrets up his sleeve. Cael and his cohorts end up teamed up with the rebel group, The Sleeping Dogs, on the ground, all while being pursued by Boyland and his new crew. Meanwhile Gwennie is roped into assisting the rebels in the air with a very reluctant Merelda in tow. The action comes to a head when the rebel group decides it's time for the flotilla to experience life in the Heartland and puts into action a plan to tear it from the sky.
There's a few new faces introduced, a lot of action, and even more creepy plant goodness. I really enjoyed it. I'm interested to see how this story concludes. On to the next one!
Oh, and I just want to add, I listened to the audio version of this book. I think the narrator did a fantastic job with this story (again!). I have limited experience with audio books, though, so I'm not sure how much weight my opinion carries on the matter, but there it is :)
We're thrown right back into the story, but the action is now broken up between those on the flotilla and those on the ground hoping to rescue them. I still think the corn is completely bizarre, and in this book we get to take a closer look at the blight, though it is still not really explained. It's just so strange and more than a little horrifying. We learn that life on the flotilla is not all that it is cracked up to be (imagine that!) and that Cael's father has even more secrets up his sleeve. Cael and his cohorts end up teamed up with the rebel group, The Sleeping Dogs, on the ground, all while being pursued by Boyland and his new crew. Meanwhile Gwennie is roped into assisting the rebels in the air with a very reluctant Merelda in tow. The action comes to a head when the rebel group decides it's time for the flotilla to experience life in the Heartland and puts into action a plan to tear it from the sky.
There's a few new faces introduced, a lot of action, and even more creepy plant goodness. I really enjoyed it. I'm interested to see how this story concludes. On to the next one!
Oh, and I just want to add, I listened to the audio version of this book. I think the narrator did a fantastic job with this story (again!). I have limited experience with audio books, though, so I'm not sure how much weight my opinion carries on the matter, but there it is :)
alexthelibrarian's review
4.0
Better than the first book in the series. The characters became much more interesting and the action scenes were good fun. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
mmelibertine's review
5.0
This book, this SERIES, is so good I think I'm going to be sick. I didn't want it to end, least of all where it DID. Lane, sweet Lane, WHAT HAPPENS, I MUST KNOW.
In all seriousness, BLIGHTBORN is as well paced and tightly plotted as its predecessor. The characters are remarkable. They're deep and complex and difficult, and they tug at my heartstrings and surprise me in the best and most painful of ways.
I have to comment on the wonderful representation in the book, too. There's no punching down to be found here. There's a fat kid who isn't craven and cowardly, but brave, steadfast, strong, and a quick thinker. There's a gay kid who's multidimensional and not demonized or mocked by the narrative (though yes, he does face the fears and lashing-out of those who don't understand). And people of color! Who aren't cannon fodder! Confetti everywhere!
I'm literally salivating over the thought of the next book. I can't even deal, you guys.
In all seriousness, BLIGHTBORN is as well paced and tightly plotted as its predecessor. The characters are remarkable. They're deep and complex and difficult, and they tug at my heartstrings and surprise me in the best and most painful of ways.
I have to comment on the wonderful representation in the book, too. There's no punching down to be found here. There's a fat kid who isn't craven and cowardly, but brave, steadfast, strong, and a quick thinker. There's a gay kid who's multidimensional and not demonized or mocked by the narrative (though yes, he does face the fears and lashing-out of those who don't understand). And people of color! Who aren't cannon fodder! Confetti everywhere!
I'm literally salivating over the thought of the next book. I can't even deal, you guys.
ruhlen's review
3.0
While I felt this book was better than the first, it did seem to take a really roundabout way to get to the climax. It definitely had more drive than the first - a stronger end-goal, but I was ready to be done with it just over half way through. it just kept going. Still, a good follow-up to the first book, and I look forward to the next.
angrywombat's review against another edition
4.0
OK, that was probably the first book in a long time that kept me reading.
Pretty much finished this in a single (long) sitting. Something about the way it is written just lends a great sense of immediacy and tension. This has everything from the first book, but now we get to see the privileged people of the floating cities in all their (disgusting) glory.
The plot deepens - the hints from the first book are exposed a little more. Who was Cael's father, what happens to the people who "win" the lottery to go up and live in the floating cities? Yes, it is explained. What is "the Blight" that everyone was so fearful of?
Part of what I like about this series, and what makes it easy to read, is that it is so easy to see the real-world analogies of what is being described.
The ONLY thing I didn't like was the weird religion of the Flotilla people. Odd thing to get stuck on, but it just didn't seem to fit.
3rd book already locked and loaded.
Pretty much finished this in a single (long) sitting. Something about the way it is written just lends a great sense of immediacy and tension. This has everything from the first book, but now we get to see the privileged people of the floating cities in all their (disgusting) glory.
The plot deepens - the hints from the first book are exposed a little more. Who was Cael's father, what happens to the people who "win" the lottery to go up and live in the floating cities? Yes, it is explained. What is "the Blight" that everyone was so fearful of?
Part of what I like about this series, and what makes it easy to read, is that it is so easy to see the real-world analogies of what is being described.
The ONLY thing I didn't like was the weird religion of the Flotilla people. Odd thing to get stuck on, but it just didn't seem to fit.
3rd book already locked and loaded.
shaanananaaa's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
cj_jones's review against another edition
3.0
When I finished this, I went back and checked my review of the first book. This wasn't a bad story, I enjoyed it and all, the characters were good, but I wasn't burning to read the third book, and I was curious as to why I had burned so to read the second. I dunno.
EDIT: a couple of days ago Amazon sent me a direct mailing offering me the third book for 99p. And I shrugged and said why the hell not? I can give this a dollar and a few days of reading to get to the end of the story.
EDIT: a couple of days ago Amazon sent me a direct mailing offering me the third book for 99p. And I shrugged and said why the hell not? I can give this a dollar and a few days of reading to get to the end of the story.