Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons

Release Date: February 12, 2013
Publisher: Tor Teen
Pages: 400
Series: Article 5 #2
Review Source: eARC from Tor Teen via Raincoast Books

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
The second installment in Kristen Simmons's fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series.

After faking their deaths to escape from prison, Ember Miller and Chase Jennings have only one goal: to lay low until the Federal Bureau of Reformation forgets they ever existed.

Near-celebrities now for the increasingly sensationalized tales of their struggles with the government, Ember and Chase are recognized and taken in by the Resistance—an underground organization working to systematically take down the government. At headquarters, all eyes are on the sniper, an anonymous assassin taking out FBR soldiers one by one. Rumors are flying about the sniper’s true identity, and Ember and Chase welcome the diversion….

Until the government posts its most-wanted list, and their number one suspect is Ember herself.

Orders are shoot to kill, and soldiers are cleared to fire on suspicion alone. Suddenly Ember can’t even step onto the street without fear of being recognized, and “laying low” is a joke. Even members of the Resistance are starting to look at her sideways.

With Chase urging her to run, Ember must decide: Go into hiding…or fight back?

My Thoughts:
Goodreads calls this series fast-paced and gripping, and that is no exaggeration. These books are epic! Something about the characters and the action is just so awesome and addicting. I really loved ‘Article 5’, and in my review I mentioned how it sticks out from other dystopians because of its characters and its heart. This continues to be true in ‘Breaking Point’, where we get to know new characters from the rebellion, and fall even more in love with characters from the first novel.

As you can tell, the characters, and the relationships between those characters, is one main reason why I love this series so much. In ‘Article 5’ Ember was naive and pretty sheltered, but in ‘Breaking Point’ we get to know a whole new Ember. She’s been through so much and seen so many things that she can’t help but be changed in certain ways. Even though it took some horrible events for this stronger Ember to emerge I really loved how she stepped up to the plate and was so brave in situations where it would have been easier to just hide away. And then there’s Chase. I’ve described Chase as “the best type of boy, fiercely loyal to and in love with Ember,” and this, of course, remains the same. Chase has also been through some incredibly tough times, but he stays strong when it's needed, especially when it comes to taking care of Ember. These two together are one of my favourite YA couples: they take care of each other, always stick together, and they have years and years of history between them. They seem to understand and “get” each other, which makes them a perfect fit.

The other main reason why I love this series so much is the action. Holy moly, the action! No second book syndrome here, not at all. Sometimes in books, especially dystopians where the characters have to physically journey somewhere, it can take forever for characters to complete their mission. I’m so grateful that this isn’t the case here. Even when different circumstances pop up, the characters are always still aware of their original goal. There are different journeys that get completed throughout the book, but the characters are never sidetracked from Sean and Ember’s plan to rescue Rebecca.

What else can I say about this book and this series?! Fabulous characters, incredible action, and just so many awesome aspects in general. I loved how we got to know more about the resistance and about how the present government came to be. I loved how there were hints about the centre of the resistance movement, which I suspect will be a big part of the third book. I also loved how even when there was success, nothing came easily for the main characters. There’s nothing worse than when characters skip easily from task to task, getting by on technicalities that seem completely fake. These books feel like they have real danger and real consequences, and I really appreciate that about them.

Basically: do yourself a favour and check out ‘Breaking Point’, or pick up ‘Article 5’ if you haven’t already.

The Cover:
Not my fave, but I like it... probably better in person, too.

Rating:
[5/5]

Find Breaking Point by Kristen Simmons on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.