{Audiobook} Review: Raging Star by Moira Young

Title: Raging Star
Author: Moira Young
Narrator(s): Heather Lind
Series: Dust Lands, book #3
Length: 11 hrs 7 mins
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
Publication Date: May 13, 2014
Source: purchased
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

Saba is ready to seize her destiny and defeat DeMalo and the Tonton...until she meets him and he confounds all her expectations with his seductive vision of a healed earth, a New Eden. DeMalo wants Saba to join him, in life and work, to create and build a healthy, stable, sustainable world…for the chosen few. The few who can pay.

Jack’s choice is clear: to fight DeMalo and try to stop New Eden. Still uncertain, her connection with DeMalo a secret, Saba commits herself to the fight. Joined by her brother, Lugh, anxious for the land in New Eden, Saba leads an inexperienced guerilla band against the powerfully charismatic DeMalo, in command of his settlers and the Tonton militia. What chance do they have? Saba must act. And be willing to pay the price.

Blood Red Road was a very strong debut. Rebel Heart was an epic sequel. And Raging Star was...well, it was beyond my wildest dreams. Moira Young certainly didn't pull any punches with the ending to the Dust Lands trilogy, that's for damn sure. Makes it worth that extra-long wait between the second and third books. ;) But I'm going to keep this as succinct as possible, just to give you a feel for the novel without spoiling anything.

What I loved best about this series finale was the fact that it was just so unpredictable. I had certain expectations going into this final book -- and they were met, boy howdy, were they met! -- but I still didn't see half of what this book was throwin' at me until it hit me square in the face. And I'm usually one to figure out the twists way before I'm meant to and then I hate myself for making so many educated guesses in the first place and ruining the book for myself. So, yeah, the surprises in this story were pleasant, indeed. Well, on one level, anyway.

Saba and crew are still on their mission to free the people of New Eden, though if you'll remember, they're short a few. Tensions are running high in this group, and not everyone's on board with Saba's new plan. In-fighting, treachery, and betrayal are high on Saba's list of problems. If you thought you knew these characters, you thought wrong. As we discover more about each character and what they're capable of, they're all learning more about each other and themselves. And it ain't all rainbows and pixie dust. I thought what Saba suffered in Rebel Heart was pretty trying, but that was nothing compared to what she's facing in this final installment.

And despite everything, DeMalo still wants to claim her as his own. But there is no love triangle. I repeat, there is no love triangle. So if you were one of those who were worried about this series for that reason, let me assuage your doubts now. I think it's pretty clear from the first book with whom Saba's heart lies, but there were some major hiccups along the way. Saba's known all along that she's been making mistakes left and right: with Emmi, with Jack, even with Tommo. And in this book, she's making amends as best she can, but there are some things she just can't change. Some matters of the heart can't be taken back, but they can be moved past with some effort.

Suffering, sacrifice, and betrayal...all aspects that come together to make this story this series heartbreaking yet hopeful. And definitely worthy of many re-reads. I purchased the hardcover to finish up my set, but I also downloaded the audio so that I could get to the story that much sooner. That's also after (re)listening to the first two audiobooks in anticipation of this final book. And I still maintain that Heather Lind is the perfect narrator for this series. I can't imagine anyone else providing the voice for Saba and everyone else, and after seeing her as Anna Strong in Turn, I can see why. She is great in the role as the strong-willed, outspoken spy, which plays right into the characterization of Saba. Seriously, I'll listen to anything she narrates.

And I'll gladly read anything Moira Young writes. I can still remember how hesitant I was to start this series because of the writing style and the fact that it's written in the vernacular. But I'm glad I gave it a try...it's become one of my very favorite series, and that's saying a lot because I don't rank very many dystopian/post-apocalyptic novels very highly these days. But this one is epic, and this final installment was pretty phenomenal.

GIF it to me straight:

Yep. Pretty much. But I loved it, and I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat.

About the author:

Moira Young has been by turns an actress, dancer, and opera singer, but her first loves are books and writing. A native Canadian, she now lives in the UK with her husband. Blood Red Road is her first novel.

Find Moira:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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Labels: audiobooks, dustlands, dystopian, favorites, moira young, must-read, post-apocalyptic, reviews, simon schuster

Waiting on Wednesday: Raging Star by Moira Young

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

Title: Raging Star
Author: Moira Young
Series: Dust Lands, book #3
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date: April 15, 2014

When the star reader, Auriel Tai, challenged Saba to seize her destiny and defeat DeMalo and the Tonton, Saba was so confident in her purpose. Then she met DeMalo and he confounded all expectations with his seductive vision of a healed earth, a New Eden. DeMalo and Saba had an intense and passionate encounter - physical, emotional and psychic - that changed her life, and now he wants Saba to join him, in life and work, to create and build a healthy, stable, sustainable world…for the chosen few.

Jack’s choice is clear: to fight DeMalo and try to stop his dangerous New Eden project. Still uncertain, her connection with DeMalo a secret, Saba commits herself to the fight. Joined by her brother Lugh, anxious for the land in New Eden, Saba leads an inexperienced guerilla band against the powerfully charismatic DeMalo, in command of his settlers and the Tonton militia.

What chance do they have? Saba must act. And be willing to pay the price.

I've been wanting to re-read Blood Red Road and Rebel Heart, but since this third book isn't releasing until April, I guess I have time.  I heard the audio was good, so maybe I'll go that route.  I do enjoy seeing how a story differs in print versus hearing it.  I can't wait to see what happens, though, especially after that very steamy encounter between Saba and DeMalo.  And I wonder what Jack will have to say about it!  Oh, and don't those covers look great together?!?  Like a stoplight, lol.

Now that you know what I'm dying to read, what are you waiting on this week?  Feel free to share it in the comments or leave a link so I can stop by!

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Labels: dustlands, dystopian, favorites, moira young, must-read, post-apocalyptic, simon schuster, waiting on wednesday (wow)

Review: Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Title:  Rebel Heart
Author:  Moira Young
Series:  Dust Lands, Book #2
Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date:  October 30, 2012
Source:  ARC from publisher
Purchase:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Nothing is certain and no one is safe in the second book in the highly praised Dust Lands trilogy, which MTV’s Hollywood Crush blog called “better than The Hunger Games.”

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.

Hurt.

Betrayed.

Deceived.

Those are the last three words of this book, but they sum up the whole of this novel beautifully.  Those same words appear over and over in the novel, and the characters feel them time and again.  I think every reader will come to know them as truth by the end, as well.  (I know I felt gutted by the time I finished, anyway.)

If Blood Red Road was a strong debut, then Rebel Heart is an epic sequel.  Remember all the crazy from BRR?  The cage-fighting?  The giant sand worms a la Beetlejuice?  The epic battle for freedom?  Young does not disappoint with her follow-up novel.  In fact, I may have enjoyed Rebel Heart even more than Blood Red Road, if that's even possible.  It was an emotional crazy, in addition to all of the other epic craziness.

I truly love books centered around a quest...especially quests to find loved ones.  That's why I loved BRR in the first place.  But Saba's on a new quest now.  And she's truly finding herself along the way, even if the path is a little bumpy.  Okay, A LOT bumpy.  Saba is a truly flawed character:  she's gutsy but impetuous and she often causes trouble for herself and her companions because of that combination.  She's grown even more as a character in Rebel Heart, but that girl has a lot of growing yet to do.  And boy does Lugh like to remind her of that.  As if he'd have had the fortitude to rescue her had she been the one taken instead.

By the end of the book, everything that's happened becomes Saba's fault.  Maybe she did set everything that's happening in motion, but she's plagued by ghosts of her own.  Lugh's got a serious chip on his shoulder throughout this book, and there were times when I wanted to grab him by the collar of his shirt and give him a few good shakes.  Does he not remember that he'd possibly maybe probably be dead if it weren't for his sister?

Another thing I loved about this sequel is that the secondary cast of characters gets a lot of attention, even that stubborn, pig-headed Lugh.  Oh, oh, oh...also, DeMalo.  Yep.  You didn't think we'd seen the last of him, did you?  His character, although a bit player in the first book, intrigued me to no end.  That intense look he shared with Saba...what was that all about?  Maybe you'll find out in Rebel Heart and maybe you won't...you'll just have to read it to find out.  :P  There are some new characters that I took a real shine, too, as well, including a large man wearing a frilly pink dress.  (The story on that one was quite entertaining.)

Rebel Heart might have been a bit slow-going in the very beginning with only sporadic action sequences, but once that pony sets her pace, she is off on a gallop and you won't know what hit you!  This novel was engaging and humorous and ruthless and tragic, and I cannot believe I have to wait another year for the next installment.  Also, I still can't tell you for sure if that's Jack on the cover.  That would be my best guess since Lugh has long hair when we meet him, but we all know that the cover models don't always mirror the description in the text of the book.  At any rate, the new covers have grown on me, much as the dialect and rugged nature of the books did.  These are some of my favorite books to see sitting on my shelves.

Favorite quotes:

"If restless spirits ride the Wraithway, they ain't Wreckers.  They're nature spirits.  The spirits of earth an water.  Of air an plants an creatures.  With every right to ride vengeance on men."

"An all the time, Lugh's goin, Yer the boss, Maev.  Yer the daddy.  Maev knows what she's doin, Lugh.  Hijackin an horse stealin's her business.  Newsflash, girls.  This ain't no horse.  It's a gawdamn camel!"

"Fleas plague you, she says.  Swamp skitters can kill you, an a little thorn--so small you hardly notice--it can work its way unner the skin an after a bit, yer hand's infected.  Maybe you lose a couple of fingers, maybe the whole hand.  Maybe yer blood goes bad an you die.  Tiny things can cause plenty of trouble.  Cheer up, people!"

Rating: 

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Labels: dustlands, dystopian, favorites, moira young, must-read, post-apocalyptic, reviews, simon schuster

Teaser Tuesday #29: Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


This week's teaser comes from the following book:

Title:  Rebel Heart
Author:  Moira Young
Series:  Dust Lands, Book #2
Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date:  October 30, 2012
Source:  ARC from publisher
Purchase:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Nothing is certain and no one is safe in the second book in the highly praised Dust Lands trilogy, which MTV’s Hollywood Crush blog called “better than The Hunger Games.”

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 teaser:

"All of a sudden, he don't seem like the same person.  His voice, his gaze, even his big body, they've gone sharp an tight.  He looks tough.  No mean feat fer a man wearin a pink dress." -- p. 240 of ARC

Huh...wonder what that's all about!?!  :P  So excited to be back in the crazy world of the Dust Lands.  I've missed Saba and Jack and Emmi but most especially Nero.  :D  Saba is just as fierce and stubborn as ever and I loooooove it.  =)

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Labels: dustlands, dystopian, moira young, post-apocalyptic, simon schuster, src 2012, teaser tuesday

Waiting on Wednesday: Rebel Heart by Moira Young

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's WoW selection is...

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Title:  Rebel Heart
Author:  Moira Young
Series:  2nd book in the Dust Lands series

Publisher:  Margaret K. McElderry
Publication Date:  October 30, 2012

The Tonton have been defeated. Lugh has been rescued.
The heartstone has brought Saba and Jack together.
Now, Saba and her family head west to meet him and start a new life. All should be well.
But shadows of the dead are stalking Saba.
And another kind of shadow is creeping over the dustlands.
Then a messenger shows up.
With news of Jack.

Why I'm waiting:  I LOVED the gritty, captivating rescue story that was Blood Red Road.  I loved Saba's crassness, I loved Jack's unflinching honesty, and I loved the way that the story was told.  I can't wait to see what trouble our wayward wanderers run into in this next installment.  Also, I miss Jack.  And Nero -- I want a crow like that!  And I'm curious to know what's up with DeMalo.

Aside:  What do you think of the cover redesign?  I usually find myself liking the old covers better, but I like the new covers equally as well as the old ones in this case.  This way, I get Jack on the cover.  This makes me happy.  :0)

What are you waiting patiently -- or maybe not so patiently -- for this week?  Share it in the comments so I can add it to my massive TBR list!

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Labels: dustlands, dystopian, favorites, moira young, must-read, simon schuster, waiting on wednesday (wow)