A review by kaylo88
The Toll by Neal Shusterman

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series. Shusterman's writing is incredibly clever; he creates a world that feels entirely believable.

I was heartbroken when one of my favourite characters, who I won’t name to avoid spoilers, didn't return after sacrificing themselves for others. I was also disappointed by the lack of storyline for Citra and Rowan at the beginning of this book.

That said, the introduction of new characters like Jeri was fantastic. I absolutely loved Jeri, and the thoughtful portrayal of their non-binary upbringing was refreshing.

Goddard, one of the antagonists, was truly despicable. I didn’t think it was possible to hate him more, but his narcissistic selfishness throughout the book proved me wrong.

While I can’t say I loved this book quite as much as the first two, the numerous twists and turns kept me guessing until the end. I did enjoy the outcome and how all the different storylines came together. It still deserves a solid five stars.