Raging Star, 3 (Dust Lands, #3)

by Moira Young

Saba leads a group of guerrillas against DeMalo and the Tonton, all while contemplating DeMalo's invitation to join him in building a New Eden.

• ISBN10: 1442430028
• ISBN13: 9781442430020
• Publish Date: 13 May 2014 (first published 1 May 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 448
• Language: English

Reviews

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/10/raging-star-by-moira-young.html
Raging Star was brilliant and quite a surprising and bittersweet ending to the Dustlands Trilogy. Our main protagonist is one of my favourite young adult characters. She's tough, sassy and isn't afraid to fight for the greater good. Where she differs from most young adult heroines, that she isn't perfect. Not even close. She's loyal to those around her, can admit when she's in the wrong and lives for her twin brother Lugh and little sister Emmi. But Saba lives in a ravaged world that is seemingly beyond repair. Where buildings and technology are left behind by prior generations known as the Wreckers, and DeMalo believes he can heal the world.

But not every battle needs to be fought, and I really enjoyed seeing the rational and gentle side of Saba, who finds her Free Hawks beginning to destabilise and lose faith in her leadership. Unlike both Blood Red Road and Rebel Heart, Raging Star delves into Saba learning to ask questions first, then act. Her character growth has been incredible, from the wild girl that only lived for her brother, to the young woman who now fights for the freedom of all. Unlike Katniss in The Hunger Games, Saba charges into battle rather than becoming the reluctant heroine.

But it's not the incredible desolate world building that endears the Dustlands Trilogy as a phenomenal post apocalyptic series, it's the raw characters. Imperfect, yet are written with absolute perfection. Moira Young has become one of my favourite authors, she's incredible and considering this is her debut series, she'll definitely be an author to watch.

If you're yet to pick up the Dustlands series, you really are denying yourself the opportunity of reading one of the best young adult series. Ever.

[shannonmiz]

This book was one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I knew that there would be twists and turns, and sadness and loss. And for a pretty decent portion of the book, I was able to roll with it all. I was into it, patiently waiting for the big conclusion. I enjoyed a lot of the character interactions, and loved the little third-person narratives spliced throughout. They gave insight beyond Saba's point of view without giving away too much information, and even added to the building suspense.

Saba is still wonderful, and full of spunk. I love that she makes mistakes and then owns them. I enjoyed watching everyone's relationships evolve, often in unexpected ways. I loved the betrayal, and scheming, and trying to figure out which character was up to some shady shenanigans, and who was truly on the "right" side of things. I loved trying to figure out the insane and quite frankly, depressing as hell, world they live in.

My problem came when it was time for the conclusion to said suspense. A lot went down in a very, very short period of time, and I felt.... nothing. I just wasn't moved by it. I don't know if it was how quickly the plot was moving, or the characters' reactions to things, but in places that I should have been having some very strong feelings or anticipation, I was just kind of emotionless.

I guess that it wasn't the ending itself that bugged me, just that I didn't understand why things were happening. I kept thinking there'd end up being some kind of bigger picture at the end, some reason for these twists, and there simply wasn't.

Bottom line: I still love Saba and company, am insanely intrigued by their world, but I just wish they'd been giving a more complete, more fitting send-off.