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emleemay's review against another edition
4.0
Look, I really enjoyed this book, probably even more than the first one when I got into it but the author went and did exactly the same thing again... created a happy ending.
It's annoying me. Both books follow the same format of Problem > Panic > Solution > The End. I finished the first book thinking "hey, that was a really original story" but I only half-heartedly purchased the second one because the first one had ended with both Anna and Peter alive, well and no longer on the run. There is no "oh my god, I must know what happens next" and Gemma Malley went and did it again with the second in the series.
But, aside from that fact, I am completely in love with this dystopia that Gemma Malley has created. Anna was far more bearable in this book than the last, and I liked the twist in the story (that I'm obviously not going to give away and ruin for other readers). It employed some crazily good elements of mystery, horror and science-fiction; it also made me sure that I would be getting the next book in the series, even if the ending didn't call urgently for it.
So, yeah, overall it was a really good read. But next time, I demand cliffhangers.
steviehamlington's review against another edition
4.0
Yet another amazing read from Gemma Malley.
This book follows Peter as he begins a career working with his grandfather Richard Pincent at Pincent Pharma, where they produce the longevity drugs.
With so many twists and turns, I am so glad I read this book. Sadly it fell slightly short of the declaration in my opinion but honestly it was still a great read, and after the first 10 chapters, I couldn’t put it down.
Amazing book, with amazing character development. I definitely recommend people who have read the declaration to read this one next.
This book follows Peter as he begins a career working with his grandfather Richard Pincent at Pincent Pharma, where they produce the longevity drugs.
With so many twists and turns, I am so glad I read this book. Sadly it fell slightly short of the declaration in my opinion but honestly it was still a great read, and after the first 10 chapters, I couldn’t put it down.
Amazing book, with amazing character development. I definitely recommend people who have read the declaration to read this one next.
savage_book_review's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book made me react in ways I've never done before while reading. I hesitate to use the word 'triggered', as I can't say there's anything in books that would send me into a complete nervous breakdown or have me clutching my pearls, but equally I've never picked up and put down a book so many times! I could only ever digest a couple of chapters at a time, before a feeling of overwhelming anxiety? Annoyance? Nervousness? overtook me and I had to step away for a few minutes before my next attempt. And for a young adult book to have that sort of impact, I have to give kudos to the author!
The upside is that, as I hit about 3/4 of the way through, the book seemed to find its rhythm, action started happening and there was more to keep me invested. I still had to stop a couple of times, but I managed to read a larger chunk to finish it off in one hit. And I am still intending on reading book three in the series! The premise is really good, and the development of the themes throughout really hammers home the terrifying nature of eternal life and what people will do to attain it.
As with 'The Declaration', the story itself is quite simplistic, but it's definitely darker in tone and there is more depth in places. In particular, where the story focuses on Peter, we get to learn more about his character and he begins to become fleshed out. Likewise, it is again fairly predictable, but this in no way spoiled my enjoyment of the story. The only issue I found with this added layering is that it feels like all the worldbuilding that was missing from book one has been 'infodumped' in book two. For example, we finally get to understand what 'The Declaration' is as the full text of it is included. IMO, this is something that should have been set out much earlier.
I will admit to struggling a bit with the difference in dynamic between Anna and Peter in this one. The book seemingly only takes place a few months after the end of book one, and yet they both feel like they have aged a good few years in that time - it's very much an 'old married couple' vibe. Similarly, a big part of this book is the choice they face between signing the Declaration and Opting Out, and propagating the next generation. Indeed, almost at the very start of the book it is mentioned in passing Peter recalling the first time he and Anna made love. Now, I get that this is a world where there are basically no children, and so I'd expect that the concept of someone being under age is probably non-existent. Similarly, the idea of childhood being something 'separate' is only seen through the lens of them being surplus to requirements. But when you bear in mind how immature and, yes, indoctrinated Anna was in book one, and the fact that she had barely turned fifteen then... There was just something about the whole idea of these young, vulnerable people living life as if they are much older that just felt a bit disconcerting to me.
The writing has aged up a little too. I'm certain that this book isn't suitable for that middle grade audience this time around! There are still elements of the storytelling that could be improved upon, but it does read better than 'The Declaration' in terms of maturity. Strangely, I think the presentation of the book is perhaps the issue here - the font type and size gives it the feel of a 'Scholastic' book, which I associate with slightly younger readers, so some part of my brain struggles to comprehend the darker scenes that appear as being appropriate.
A very different reading experience for me. Not one that I particularly want to repeat, but I come back to the fact that the book must have something going for it to get that kind of reaction!
The upside is that, as I hit about 3/4 of the way through, the book seemed to find its rhythm, action started happening and there was more to keep me invested. I still had to stop a couple of times, but I managed to read a larger chunk to finish it off in one hit. And I am still intending on reading book three in the series! The premise is really good, and the development of the themes throughout really hammers home the terrifying nature of eternal life and what people will do to attain it.
As with 'The Declaration', the story itself is quite simplistic, but it's definitely darker in tone and there is more depth in places. In particular, where the story focuses on Peter, we get to learn more about his character and he begins to become fleshed out. Likewise, it is again fairly predictable, but this in no way spoiled my enjoyment of the story. The only issue I found with this added layering is that it feels like all the worldbuilding that was missing from book one has been 'infodumped' in book two. For example, we finally get to understand what 'The Declaration' is as the full text of it is included. IMO, this is something that should have been set out much earlier.
I will admit to struggling a bit with the difference in dynamic between Anna and Peter in this one. The book seemingly only takes place a few months after the end of book one, and yet they both feel like they have aged a good few years in that time - it's very much an 'old married couple' vibe. Similarly, a big part of this book is the choice they face between signing the Declaration and Opting Out, and propagating the next generation. Indeed, almost at the very start of the book it is mentioned in passing Peter recalling the first time he and Anna made love. Now, I get that this is a world where there are basically no children, and so I'd expect that the concept of someone being under age is probably non-existent. Similarly, the idea of childhood being something 'separate' is only seen through the lens of them being surplus to requirements. But when you bear in mind how immature and, yes, indoctrinated Anna was in book one, and the fact that she had barely turned fifteen then... There was just something about the whole idea of these young, vulnerable people living life as if they are much older that just felt a bit disconcerting to me.
The writing has aged up a little too. I'm certain that this book isn't suitable for that middle grade audience this time around! There are still elements of the storytelling that could be improved upon, but it does read better than 'The Declaration' in terms of maturity. Strangely, I think the presentation of the book is perhaps the issue here - the font type and size gives it the feel of a 'Scholastic' book, which I associate with slightly younger readers, so some part of my brain struggles to comprehend the darker scenes that appear as being appropriate.
A very different reading experience for me. Not one that I particularly want to repeat, but I come back to the fact that the book must have something going for it to get that kind of reaction!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Gun violence, Infertility, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Child death, Sexual content, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
etinney's review against another edition
4.0
I would give this three and a half stars. I did not like it as much as the first one. I feel like this one went a little slow at the beginning. I am definitely going to read the third one when it comes out though!!
lisaar91's review against another edition
4.0
I definitely preferred the first one however after this I'm eager to read the third
allybea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
_niamhss_'s review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sophiab426's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lawbooks600's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Representation: N/A
Score: Six points out of ten.
One year ago, I read the first instalment of the Declaration trilogy, The Declaration. Unfortunately, it ultimately disappointed me. One year later, it was time to read the second part, The Resistance, which initially sounded promising. However, the author didn't improve her writing as she underwhelmed me again with this one. I should've lowered my expectations after seeing the low ratings and reviews.
It starts (more like continues) with the first character I see, Peter, whose surname I forgot, living in London after escaping from the Surplus Hall. After a few pages I soon observe Peter secretly entering the Pincent Pharma complex, the home of the immortal drug, Longevity, and surprisingly, his grandfather, Richard Pincent. They have a new drug in the works that promises to be even better than its predecessor: Longevity+, which uses stem cells to stop and reverse aging. However, it comes with a price; to be immortal, one cannot have children (their official names are Surpluses.) Peter abhors this idea because it only allows old people to live and no new people to be born as a measure of controlling the population. I was wondering how all the people are immortal, well now I know, but come on, stem cells? Really? Is that all it takes to cheat death? I don't believe that. This time the characters weren't annoying but boring and I couldn't connect or relate to them. The pacing was another weakness in The Resistance as the first 200 pages had nothing much happening in them, but the last 100 were faster paced and ended on a cliffhanger. The final part, The Legacy, is up next.
Score: Six points out of ten.
One year ago, I read the first instalment of the Declaration trilogy, The Declaration. Unfortunately, it ultimately disappointed me. One year later, it was time to read the second part, The Resistance, which initially sounded promising. However, the author didn't improve her writing as she underwhelmed me again with this one. I should've lowered my expectations after seeing the low ratings and reviews.
It starts (more like continues) with the first character I see, Peter, whose surname I forgot, living in London after escaping from the Surplus Hall. After a few pages I soon observe Peter secretly entering the Pincent Pharma complex, the home of the immortal drug, Longevity, and surprisingly, his grandfather, Richard Pincent. They have a new drug in the works that promises to be even better than its predecessor: Longevity+, which uses stem cells to stop and reverse aging. However, it comes with a price; to be immortal, one cannot have children (their official names are Surpluses.) Peter abhors this idea because it only allows old people to live and no new people to be born as a measure of controlling the population. I was wondering how all the people are immortal, well now I know, but come on, stem cells? Really? Is that all it takes to cheat death? I don't believe that. This time the characters weren't annoying but boring and I couldn't connect or relate to them. The pacing was another weakness in The Resistance as the first 200 pages had nothing much happening in them, but the last 100 were faster paced and ended on a cliffhanger. The final part, The Legacy, is up next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Pregnancy
katricia's review against another edition
4.0
It's much better than the first book, so I'm glad I decided to keep reading the series. Some of the twists took me completely by surprise, others were foreshadowed just enough that I figured out what was going to happen, but not so much that I didn't enjoy the ride. Good book.