Rising: After the Thaw

In the prequel to this book, Burning, we met Magnus and Amity, Mercy and Callix. Rising introduces us to the next generation of Askala. Nova, kind and gentle to everyone. Kian, bold and brave. Dex, second-guessing himself, always feeling like he has more to prove because of his missing arm. And Wren, the girl no one anticipated.

We learned in Burning that, if Remnants can reach the shore of Askala, they will be allowed to stay. Wren is a Remnant who does just that, and she is of an age to take part in the Proving with Nova, Kian, Dex, and the others. Wren thinks the whole idea is stupid, and seems determined to try as hard as she can NOT to pass. Her disdain for Askala and anything to do with working for its good is clear, and I wondered what her motive was in risking her life to get there if she hated all it stood for. (I'll tell you this - at the end of the book, you still may not be sure of what her motive is.) The Proving isn't easy, nor is it intended to be - Callix has developed very, very challenging tests that leave the teens sometimes second-guessing what the right thing is to do, and sometimes requiring them to figure out if the thing that seems like it would pass the test is the right thing to do. Their loyalties and consciences are put to the test and their hearts are run through the wringer. Who will stand and who will fall?

Sloan and Catherine weave an engrossing story here. I love the post-apocalyptic world they've created in this series. It's a fascinating idea - those chosen as most responsible and most caring will be in charge of managing resources and making decisions for the good of all; those not chosen will live a life free of responsibility and have all their needs cared for, but will give up their ability/right to bear children. The leaders must believe in the good of Askala over their own individual good, indeed, over any one person's individual good. What happens when someone shows up who doesn't share that vision? How will that one very different opinion change things? Or will it?

I like the character development, too. Nova is so sweet and gentle, sometimes I want to hug her and sometimes I want to say, oh, honey, you need to take those rose-colored glasses right off and see how things really are. Felicia isn't one of the major characters, but she is quite the pot-stirrer at times. And Wren. Wren is the surprise of the story for me. I think she and I would get along well. I'm interested to see what her backstory is. We get bits and pieces of it here, but not all of it.

I'm anxious to read the rest of the series to find out! I'm not going to give any spoilers here. Want to find out who passes the Proving and who doesn't? Grab a copy of Rising and get to reading.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of the book from the authors. All opinions here are mine, and I don't say nice things about books I don't like.