Rachel, understandably, is filled with grief and vengeance, and appears to have PTSD triggered at the sight of blood. Logan breaks out of his introverted shell and leads the best way he knows how: by coming up with as many intelligent plans and back-up plans as possible. The character development improved ten-fold, as well. So neat, seeing how the separation of the survivors turned out vastly different cultures. Rowansmark is technologically advanced, Carrington runs like a military state, Baalboden was uneducated and backward, and Lankenshire is very knowledgeable, advanced, and aware of the history of the city-states. I also found the differences between each city-state fascinating. It’s rather eerie, just how close to modern day this takes place. Some of the weary Baalboden travelers remember their childhood before the city-states, and comment on the city-scapes, structures, and a Ferris wheel they pass.

The reader finally gets a glimpse of just how much time has passed since the Cursed One burst through the earth. I loved how Redwine goes into depth to explain the territory and history of the Wastelands. Someone within their band of travelers is a killer. But the travels prove harsh, and Rachel’s grief and sanity is tried and tested. The only way to stay out of the Commander’s grasp, Rowansmark’s eyes, and Carrington’s army is to flee through the Wasteland to Lankenshire, a scholarly city-state that may be able to help Logan recreate the device that controls the Cursed One.

Under constant threat from rival Carrington’s army, who is after the device that controls the Cursed One, the group decides to abandon the ruins of their home and take their chances in the Wasteland.īut soon their problems intensify tenfold: someone-possibly inside their ranks-is sabotaging the survivors, picking them off one by one.Īfter the fire that destroyed Baalboden, Logan and Rachel do their best to lead, train, and care for the 150 survivors.

With their ragged group of survivors struggling to forge a future, it’s up to Logan to become the leader they need-with Rachel by his side. And Rachel, grief stricken over her father’s death, needs Logan more than ever. The brutal Commander’s whereabouts are unknown. Genre: young adult, dystopian, post-apocalypticīaalboden has been ravaged.

Deception by cj redwine