Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Release Date: October 30, 2012
Publisher: Doubleday Canada / Margaret K. McElderry
Pages: 448
Series: Dust Lands #2
Review Source: For review from Edelweiss

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
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 Thoughts:
I freaking adored 'Blood Red Road'. It was one of my favourite reads of 2011, hands down. Needless to say, 'Rebel Heart' was one of my most anticipated reads for this fall. I was so completely excited for it, and I can honestly say it didn’t let me down.

The book is at a bit of a slower pace than 'Blood Red Road', and yet there is still tons of action. I love how these books are broken up by location and that in each place you can be guaranteed something exciting will happen. There’s something so perfect about Moira Young’s writing. She does exposition and description so well, and I love how it has that “unputdownable” quality where you just want to keep reading and reading. Even in quieter moments there’s always the sense of something about to happen.

Moira Young also writes characters so fabulously. Saba is someone who can definitely be unlikeable, and is more than a bit prickly, but she’s also grown so much since the beginning of 'Blood Red Road'. She’s incredibly strong and intelligent, and despite what she shows externally, she’s also deeply caring. She’s learned things about herself and about those around her over the past book, and she uses that awareness. Even when Saba is making decisions that we, as readers, think are absurd, you can always see her decision making process and understand it to an extent. Saba is a perfect example of a flawed character, and almost everyone in the book fits under this description. This really makes them feel all the more real, and you empathize with the characters, feeling their pain and loss, as well as their joy.

I really can’t say enough good about this series. I am already so incredibly excited for the third book to be released because I’m so wrapped up in these characters and the plot. I can easily list this series as one of my favourites, and as one that I will continue to re-read.

The Cover:
I'm still fond of the original Blood Red Road cover, but I do like how this one matches the PB theme. HOWEVER, I am much more of a fan of the Canadian cover (see above) than the American, because I hate how the US cover features the series title more than the actual book title.

Rating:
[5/5]

Find Rebel Heart by Moira Young on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.