Rebel Heart by Moira Young

Series: Dust Lands, Book Two

Publisher: Marion Lloyd Books

Format: ARC

Published: 2^nd August 2012

Number of Pages: 304

Book: For Review*

Genre: Dystopia, Science-Fiction, Romance, Thriller, Suspense, Action-Adventure, YA

Recommended Age: 12+

Contains: Death, Swearing, Violence, Alcohol References

No Drug References

Author's Blog: Moira Young's Official Author Page

There’s a price on Saba’s head.

They call her the Angel of Death.  She defeated a tyrant, but victory has come at a cost.  Haunted by the ghosts of her past, she needs Jack.  His moonlit eyes, his reckless courage, his wild heart.  But Jack has left, and a ruthless new enemy searches for Saba across the Dustlands…

                                                                   Review:

'What happens to you changes you.  Fer good or ill, yer changed ferever.  There ain't no goin back.  No matter how many tears you cry.  It sounds simple, but it ain't.'

Saba, once known as The "Angel of Death", has gotten her twin Lugh back and defeated the Tonton, destroying a dangerous society. 

Everything should be good, but little do they know that their actions have sparked a new and deadly chain of events...

And, of course, Saba is without Jack, the one her heart desires.  She's torturing herself over her past, being haunted by it, and those she killed, and the only one who could make everything better has vanished. 

And worse, Jack can no longer be trusted. 

And the new enemy is rising...

And it wants the Angel of Death...

My first reaction upon seeing the press release and that Jack "can no longer" be trusted was to have a minor heart attack.  What could Jack have possibly done?  Once I'd gotten my head round it, I dove into Rebel Heart (which is a totally fitting name, btw).  I loved Blood Red Road to absolute pieces and I had such high hopes for this one.  Small issues aside, Rebel Heart really outshone my expectations!  I do love this series and how real Young makes the world and characters.  And the insane addictiveness that had me reading way into the wee hours; hooked to every word: Every. Single. Word - my God, Young is pure magic!  I can't wait for her next book.  I need the next book.  I'm going to go insane waiting for it.  Like actually insane. 

I adore all the characters in this book.  I love all the main characters to pieces, flaws and all.    Saba, whose spirit is what I loved best in Blood Red Road, was so hurt now, broken.  But broken as she was, she still had that Saba-stubbornness, that aspect that made her tougher than nails.  And I must say, the brokenness of her almost made her more human, gave her actions deeper meaning, developed her character. And, weirdly, made her more honest about her feelings.  We did get to see the Angel, but she wasn’t as hard as she was.  Which was good.  Till she did something stupid...  But Jack, oh how I love him!  He's cute, sweet, adorable.  And learning about his past... it just made me love him more.  As for Lugh - no more golden boy.  He was lost too and I felt sorry for him, but the way he always thought he was right just bugged me.  Though seeing it from his side did make me understand more...  Emmi is just my favourite though - I love Em!  And the minor-ish characters are just as brilliant.  Auriel was a particular favourite.  Slim too.  But most if all, I love the animals.  Hermes the brilliant horse.  Tracker the tame wolfdog - fierce, loyal, protective.  And obviously most of all my Nero!  He is the coolest pet ever!  Smart, loyal, protective, caring.  He makes me wanna get a crow!

Even as distant ad Lugh and Saba were, they were still so protective of one another.  Always looking out for one another.  Even if they don't like where it took them.  The relationship between Saba and Lugh was really more normal in this one, not as... romantic as in Blood Red Road.  And I loved that Em and Saba were closer in this one - I so do want them to be close!

I adore the writing in this series.  It's so unique, so addictive and vivid.  I could hear Saba's voice, see what she saw.  I love how Young's words paint a picture without losing the Saba-touch.  And, my God, do I love the Saba Touch!  I must say, the plot in this one was even better than Blood Red Road.  There were so many questions, so much suspense, so much action.  And it was even more complex, even darker.  And despite all the psychological suspense, the plot was fast paced and still totally, ridiculously addictive. 

Again, I must mention the world: 'cause it's so rich.  I loved seeing more of it, seeing some of the tribes and other people.  Per example, the head-hunters on ostriches (emus?) - hehe!  And the camel whose owner wore a pink dress (and no, said owner is not female).

There were lots of things I wanted from this book as I went in.  I wanted Saba and Em to be closer.  I wanted to see the Free Hawks again.  I wanted to know more about DeMalo, about Jack's past.  I wanted Saba and Jack to be together...  I could go on, but I won't.  I must say, some weren't in the book, or not like I wanted them to be.  And the whole broken-Saba wasn't something I wanted, but it did make sense.  I mean, the girl had to shoot her best friend.  What do you expect?!  But most of all, my main complaint is not enough Jack by far!  Though, this one bit I really didn't get.  I'm not sure why it was in the book.  And if Saba is what she might be, I'm going to cry.  I'm sorry for the cryptic-ness but I don't want to give anything away!   I don't really know how it fit in with the plot - unless what I don't want to happen, happens.  Then again, this might all be stemming from my love of Jack...  Maybe. 

But overall, this more than lived up to Blood Red Road.  I loved this book, minor niggles and all. 

With complex characters, a kickbutt world and an assortment of brilliant animals, the Dust Land series is unlike any other.  I really can't recommend it enough, can't say how addictive it is.  How it's not perfect and all the more perfect because of that.  I just loved every second it spent wrapped up in Rebel Heart - I'm desperate for the next in the series.  The last in the series.  I need to know how it ends.  And at the same time, I never, ever want it to end.  Ever.  

And when I'd finished, I was left with this... hole.  Like a part of me was missing.  I may not like all the characters all the time, bits may annoy me and confuse me.  But no matter what, this book packed a punch.  Pulled me right in.  Didn't let me go, especially after I put the book down.  The kind of book that burns in you and keeps on burning even when you aren't reading it any more. 

And, again, I'm so sorry for the rambling!

Star Rating:
4¾ Out of 5

Read this book if you liked:

Dust Lands by Moira Young
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Legend by Marie Lu
Insignia by S.J. Kincaid

Challenges It's Taking Part In:

100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2012 (Hosted by Book Chick City)

Happy Reading

Megan

* This book was received from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review