2013-12-01
This simplistic dystopia delivers formulaic romance and a large dose of religious faith. In the second installment of the Anomaly Trilogy, naïve musician Thalli and her friends, newly escaped from the evil Scientists and the underground State (Anomaly, 2003), arrive at New Hope, a small agricultural community that survived the Nuclear War 40 years ago. But alas, New Hope finds itself constantly threatened by Athens, a whole city that survived the War largely by developing never-described, constantly mentioned "pharmaceuticals." Thalli goes to Athens to convince evil King Jason not to attack and meets his son, Alex, who seems like a nice guy. Sadly, Alex turns on a dime into a threatening character. Thalli feels certain that she can escape if she relies on the Designer (apparently the future name for God). McGee appears to have two goals here: to write an entertaining dystopian novel and to promote religious faith. She mostly meets her first goal, although frequent sudden storyline reversals, such as Alex's transformation, can cause whiplash. She relies, clearly intentionally, on frequent deus ex machina plot turns to promote the second goal. The roughly third-grade-level prose, dialogue that mostly avoids contractions, avoidance of necessary description and cardboard-cutout characterizations seem to pitch the book toward an expected audience of poor readers. The faithful may enjoy it. (Dystopian romance. 10-14)
Thalli thought escaping to the surface would mean freedom. But is she any less of an anomaly aboveground?
After escaping an underground annihilation chamber, Thalli, Berk, Rhen, and John find themselves fleeing across the former United States, aboveground for the first time. As the defectors cross the for gotten landscape, the three youths see things the y had only read about on screens: horses, rain, real books-and a colony of unsanctioned survivors living the ancient way in a town called New Hope.
When the citizens of New Hope reveal the truth of what happened years ago, Thalli is left unsettled and skeptical of everything she's ever been told. Can she trust anything from the State, including her own feelings for Berk? When she volunteers for a peace mission to New Hope's violent neighbor, Athens, her confusion mounts as the supposedly ruthless Prince Ale x turns out to be kind and charming. Although everyone in New Hope warned her not to, she can't help but fall for him.
Meanwhile, John's unwavering faith in the goodness of the Designer begins to make its mark on Thalli's heart. But can Thalli really come to trust in a generous, protective Designer who rules over all things? Would that not be setting herself up for another betrayal?
The time for her to decide is now . . . because the State is closing in.
“McGee once again blends a Christian message within a horrific science fiction plot . . . death, torture, and confusing love triangles.” -Booklist
“McGee blends the determination of faith, the malevolence of those who extol power over decency, and the assertion of individual integrity in a humane glimpse at youthful courage.” -Publisher's Weekly
Thalli thought escaping to the surface would mean freedom. But is she any less of an anomaly aboveground?
After escaping an underground annihilation chamber, Thalli, Berk, Rhen, and John find themselves fleeing across the former United States, aboveground for the first time. As the defectors cross the for gotten landscape, the three youths see things the y had only read about on screens: horses, rain, real books-and a colony of unsanctioned survivors living the ancient way in a town called New Hope.
When the citizens of New Hope reveal the truth of what happened years ago, Thalli is left unsettled and skeptical of everything she's ever been told. Can she trust anything from the State, including her own feelings for Berk? When she volunteers for a peace mission to New Hope's violent neighbor, Athens, her confusion mounts as the supposedly ruthless Prince Ale x turns out to be kind and charming. Although everyone in New Hope warned her not to, she can't help but fall for him.
Meanwhile, John's unwavering faith in the goodness of the Designer begins to make its mark on Thalli's heart. But can Thalli really come to trust in a generous, protective Designer who rules over all things? Would that not be setting herself up for another betrayal?
The time for her to decide is now . . . because the State is closing in.
“McGee once again blends a Christian message within a horrific science fiction plot . . . death, torture, and confusing love triangles.” -Booklist
“McGee blends the determination of faith, the malevolence of those who extol power over decency, and the assertion of individual integrity in a humane glimpse at youthful courage.” -Publisher's Weekly
Editorial Reviews
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940176930962 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Nelson, Thomas, Inc. |
| Publication date: | 09/05/2023 |
| Series: | Anomaly , #2 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
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