Review: Resist by Sarah Crossan

Resist by Sarah Crossan

Book Two of the Breathe series

Publisher: Greenwillow

Publication Date: October 8, 2013

Rating: 3 stars

Source: eARC from Edelweiss

Summary (from Goodreads):

The sequel—and conclusion—to Sarah Crossan's Breathe. Three teen outlaws must survive on their own in a world without air, exiled outside the glass dome that protects what's left of human civilization. Gripping action, provocative ideas, and shocking revelations in a dystopian novel that fans of Patrick Ness and Veronica Roth will devour.

Bea, Alina, and Quinn are on the run. They started a rebellion and were thrown out of the pod, the only place where there's enough oxygen to breathe. Bea has lost her family. Alina has lost her home. And Quinn has lost his privileged life. Can they survive in the perilous Outlands? Can they finish the revolution they began? Especially when a young operative from the pod's Special Forces is sent after them. Their only chance is to stand together, even when terrible circumstances force them apart. When the future of human society is in danger, these four teens must decide where their allegiances lie. Sarah Crossan has created a dangerous, and shattered society in this wrenching, thought-provoking, and unforgettable post-apocalyptic novel.

What I Liked:

For me, Resist was an... interesting conclusion to the Breathe duology. I expected more, but at the same time, I wasn't too broken up that I didn't get a better end to the series. My interest in this stemmed from Crossan's integration of environmental issues and themes, and I'm happy that the series was so concretely based on the environment. The story itself is pretty good, but in this book, it wasn't BETTER than in the first book - in fact, it wasn't as good.

Bea and Quinn survived the destruction of The Grove, but were separated from Alina, Silas, Song, Bruce, Maude, and the others. The latter journey to find Sequoia, what seems to be the last non-pod refuge, and eventually Quinn leaves Bea and a new-found (but injured) companion to find Sequoia as well. But things in Sequoia are sooo not ideal - in fact, they're worse than in The Grove, or in the pod. 

There are FOUR perspectives in this book - Alina, Quinn, Bea, and Ronan (Ronan is the son of someone really important politically in Breathe, but I can't really remember the father's position). Each teen has a very important role in this book. I liked all four of them quite a bit, which was nice, because in Breathe, I really was not a fan of Alina. Alina is tough, Bea is unshakable, Quinn is matured, and Ronan, well, Ronan makes decisions that affect the outcome of this novel. Good for him.

Life in Sequoia was so weird, and definitely dystopian. I was totally grossed out when I read some of things that went on in Sequoia, but at the same time, I expected it. I think it was admirable that Crossan included such a society in this series - she's showing readers what could happen. It reminds me a bit of In the After by Demitria Lunnetta.

For the most part, I enjoyed the story, but I had problems with major plot points (see below). What I did absolutely LOVE was the environmental science part of this series. It didn't seem as prevalent in this book as it did in Breathe, but I love that Crossan made it a central theme in the book (and series). What happens when air is not breathable? Find out in Breathe and Resist.

I may have had problems with the plot (the climax, specifically), but I liked the ending. It seemed a bit vague - I would have wanted to know more about the new society, but I'll accept it as it is and move on. Crossan does take the ax to a few characters, but I think it was necessary. I kind of wanted to know what happened to other characters, like Quinn's parents, but whatever. I enjoyed this book, for the most part, and I'm glad I read the series!

What I Did Not Like:

This book was not as good as the first book. It sucks that sequels get compared to their predecessors, but it's bound to happen. I expect books in series to get better and better as the series goes on, or at least, the same level of "great" with which the series started. This book felt like a bit of a letdown, even if overall, it was a satisfying read.

For one, I had to skim or almost peruse parts of the book. Unlike the first book, not everything grabbed my attention. The FOUR alternating perspectives started to wear on me, and I found that I didn't always want to read next perspective that I encountered. Like, I would quickly read Ronan's part, in order to get to Bea's part. At some points in the book, some characters had more boring perspectives than others. Or, others had more interesting perspectives than others.

It seemed too easy, when Alina and the rest of the refugees at Sequoia escaped. It didn't seem realistic. Like, EVERYONE got away, unhurt, perfect, free. And then they reached the pod? Where did the children go? I was confused about that - where did everyone else go? I know Alina, Silas, and a few others made it to the pod, but where were the others? 

The same goes for the actual fight for the pod - who was fighting who? Vanya versus the pod? Who was fighting for the pod, the rebels, the Resistance, the pod's army? A combination of everyone? I really didn't understand the climax (the final battle), and that kind of sucked (to not understand). 

Would I Recommend It:

Overall, as a single book, not entirely? If you read the first book, I think you should read this one - it's important for closer and whatnot. Finishing series is important, and the first book was GREAT. This book wasn't as good as the first book, but it wasn't horrible or anything.

As a series, I would recommend this series to people interested in environmental science, like me. This duology will always stick out to me (i.e., I will always remember it) because of the heavy environmental science content. That is easily my favorite "thing" about this book - how involved it is with environmental issues. So, as a series, if you're interested in the science, read it! 

If you weren't dying to read the series, then skipping it wouldn't hurt. It's not a majorly popular series, and it probably won't be the next Twilight, so don't feel bad about skipping it. But I think it's worth the read, for science-y people out there, like me.

Rating:

3 stars. This was a pretty okay conclusion to the series! Sarah Crossan is definitely a solid author, and I'm looking forward to reading her next project!

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Review: Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Book One of the Breathe series

Publisher: Greenwillow

Publication Date: October 2, 2012

Rating: 4 stars

Source: ARC won from a giveaway

Summary (from Goodreads):

The world has no air. If you want to survive, you pay to breathe. But what if you can't? And what if you think everything could be different? Three teens will leave everything they know behind in Sarah Crossan's gripping and original dystopian teen novel of danger, longing, and glimmering hope that will appeal to fans of Patrick Ness and Veronica Roth.

Ever since the Switch, when the oxygen levels plummeted and most of humanity died, the survivors have been protected in glass domes full of manufactured air. Protected . . . or trapped? Or controlled? Alina's a revolutionary who believes we can save the environment. Quinn's a Premium who's never had to worry about having enough air. His best friend, Bea, is an Auxiliary who's never worried about anything but having enough air. When the three cross paths, they will change everything. Sarah Crossan's thrilling and provocative novel is about passion, about yearning for something better, and about breaking free for the very first time.

What I Liked:

What a refreshingly amazing dystopian novel! I am so, so happy that I got the chance to read this book. Lately, I've been in a slump when it comes to dystopia novels. I've read so many, and they all start to sound very similar. This book was so different! And there is a key part of this book that I absolutely LOVED. Watch as I ramble about that part, a few paragraphs down.

This book is written in the points-of-view of three characters: Bea, Quinn, and Alina. In the beginning of the book, we are introduced to Alina, who steals a plant with a friend. We are introduced to Bea and Quinn, who live within the dystopian society and are more privileged than Alina. Well, at least, Quinn is more privileged than both Alina and Bea.

Bea and Quinn are best friends. Bea is totally in love with Quinn. Both of them don't meet Alina until a few chapters in - and when that happens, Quinn is intrigued and interested in Alina. Immediately, I didn't like Alina. Although Alina had no romantic interest in Quinn, I still didn't like that she received his attention over Bea.

I think the author definitely did an EXCELLENT job with that - clearly showing how each character felt about the others. I thought it would be difficult to understand things, with the fragmented chapters in different points-of-view. I mean, one chapter with get Alina, the next Quinn, back to Alina, then Bea... I thought the book would be choppy. BUT, Crossan does an amazing job with keeping the story going despite characters being in different places (sometimes), and despite the differing thoughts and emotions running high.

Anyway. So, the thing about the plants. In the beginning of the book, Alina steals a plant. In this story, there are very, very little sources of natural oxygen left in the world. There are no trees. Think the Lorax - no trees, no oxygen. The society is protected in a bubble, and if people go outside the bubble, they need crazy expensive oxygen tanks and masks.

Well. Bea and Quinn are going to take a trip out of the bubble. Alina is trying to escape the bubble with the plant, but doesn't have clearance. So, guess how everyone meets? With prince Quinn pretending Alina is his girlfriend, and the two of them going through the easy, privileged Premium line, and Bea left to go through the other, slower, less privileged line.

I love this part of the book - the no trees thing. I love the inclusion of an environmental sustainability theme. As an environmental engineering major, I really like seeing authors include real-world hazards in terms of the environment, especially plausible occurrences, like deforestation.

The story of this book is so fascinating! Alina, Bea, and Quinn all get out of the bubble, and Alina finds her way to the revolutionaries. But of course, Bea and Quinn are dragged into her mess. I love how nice and wonderful Bea was throughout the book, but then when she wanted or needed to be, she was tough and strong. Her character development was superb - I could clearly see her growth as a character.

The same can be said for Quinn - he developed from a single-minded follower to a free-thinking leader. I was kind of on and off in terms of how I felt about him throughout the book, but by the end, he had made enough decisions that I thought deserved of my approval.

Alina... I don't know how to feel about her. She definitely is my least favorite character of the three, but it's not like I don't like her, I just like her the least. I spent the majority of the book disliking her because of Quinn's feelings for her, and how she handled some situations. I still don't know if I like her or not, but I like her role in this book.

In terms of romance, I'm actually not going to comment on that aspect, because it's complicated. There is a love triangle, BUT, it's the type of love triangle that I don't mind, because... well, you'll have to read the book to find out! I absolutely abhor love triangles, but this book's love triangle wasn't all that bad.

The plot of this book is pretty great! I have a few complaints (see below), but I enjoyed it for the most part. I was definitely left wanting more by the end of the book. Good thing I have Resist!

What I Did Not Like:

I already established that I didn't really like Alina, throughout the book. I'm interested in seeing how Crossan will use her in book two. I think Crossan wanted readers to dislike Alina a little, but I think I dislike her more than most people. Her decision-making skills are a little poor, in my opinion (Alina's, I mean).

I also thought the plot of this book was a bit slow at times. I totally understand that with the three points-of-view, it's hard to keep the story going, because there is three times the amount of content to condense into a normal-sized book. But the book dragged on at times, like in the middle, and at the very end. I felt like the climax was a bit cliche, and lacking. But that could be the me that has read way too many dystopia novels talking. 

Would I Recommend It:

YES! Especially since there is a very important environmental theme running through this book. Love it!

Rating:

4.5 stars -> rounded down to 4 stars. I'm so glad I have Resist! I cannot wait to dive in!

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Swoon Thursday (#33): Breathe by Sarah Crossan

Swoon Thursday is a hot meme hosted by the fabulous ladies at YA Bound!

- From the book you’re currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering

- Try to make the swoon excerpt 140 characters (or less), if you are going to tweet about it. Use the hashtag #YABOUND when tweeting

This week, my swoon is from Breathe by Sarah Crossan!

"You're alive," I say, allowing my weight to fall back into my toes and our noses to touch. And that's when it happens: he kisses me. I expect him to pull away, to keep the kiss platonic, but he doesn't; his lips stay locked to mine until I feel them part slightly and Quinn breathes into me. I reach my arms up, fold them behind his neck, and press my body into his. Finally he steps back and looks at me again.

"You have green eyes. I never noticed that," he says.

"Yes," I say. "They've always been green."

And he kisses me again.

- ARC, page 257

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I loved this book! I can't believe I waited so long to read it. I have the second book, and I'll be reading that on soon!