Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Quarantine: The Saints (Quarantine #2) by Lex Thomas

Quarantine #2
400p.
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Source: ARC from Media Masters for review
Nothing was worse than being locked in—until they opened the door... 
McKinley High has been a battle ground for eighteen months since a virus outbreak led to a military quarantine of the school. When the doors finally open, Will and Lucy will think their nightmare is finished. But they are gravely mistaken. 
As a new group of teens enters the school and gains popularity, Will and Lucy join new gangs. An epic party on the quad full of real food and drinks, where kids hookup and actually interact with members of other gangs seemed to signal a new, easier existence. Soom after though, the world inside McKinley takes a startling turn for the worse, and Will and Lucy will have to fight harder than ever to survive. 
The Saints brings readers back to the dark and deadly halls of McKinley High and the QUARANTINE series.
My thoughts:
Ah this book seemed to take some of my criticism of the parts that left me befuddled and gave me some of the answers I craved. We get to know where the parents have gone (some) and how those girls never seem to get pregnant. I'm glad that cleared those major things up so the parts that still are left unanswered didn't bother me as much. I did need a few pieces of that puzzle. I still want to know how they survive without getting infections from their wounds.

In a sense this is much like the last book in terms of the kids behaving in a wild manner. The plot is mostly about what happens when kids are left to their own devices. While I wanted more of the inner workings of the kids I got a bit of it, but not much again. Still, this isn't about character growth as much as it is about survival.

There is one aspect I thought I'd mention. The girls interactions seemed very male to me. They way they spoke and joked with each other was more male than female. However, it didn't bother me to take me out of the story, just something I noticed. I will also say this: At least the girls talked about something other than boys. They were also concerned about survival.

I give this book 3 stars. I did like it a bit better than the first and the ending, while not a cliffie, really left you with some questions that might be answered within the next book. You really do want to know what happens to these characters. I do suggest this one to the older YA crowd due to the prevalence of sex and extreme violence. It can get quite gory.

20 comments:

  1. I didn't read your review of the first book so I'll have to go back and read it. This series was one I wasn't sure about. Being locked in the school roving like wild animals, not so sure still. But the girls acting like the guys, that is interesting. Maybe...

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    1. Well, I admit the girls part is better than when authors have them whining. At least this one didn't bother me, I just took notice of it. :)

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  2. Sounds like a fun series but not too much more than that. Thanks for your honest thoughts. Glad the second novel gave you some of your answers though!

    -Lauren

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  3. Sounds like a schlumpy middle book. Sadness. Extreme violence might get some of my students reading it, though. That and sex. But yahoo for no massive cliffie! I can handle loose ends as long as they're tied up in the next book.

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    1. Oh I think a lot of the kids might enjoy this one... especially the guys. Those that love gore. :)

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  4. Thanks for sharing this review!

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  5. Girls acting more like boys wouldn't bother me. I think this would be interesting but I am disappointed it didn't wow you more :(

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  6. I do like when girls talk about something other than boys! :-)

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  7. I'm glad you got some of your questions answered in this one Melissa! There are clearly some flaws still, but it's nice some of the major issues that caused confusion were cleared up. Hopefully that trend continues and you get even more answers in book 3!

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  8. I am so glad you got some answers. The girls talk like boys *raises eyebrow* you do have me curious, and I may grab this series yet!

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  9. Well that's good that there are some answers in this one! I think that this is a series that probably wouldn't work for me, but I'm glad you managed to enjoy it.

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  10. I just got the first one, haven't gotten a chance to read it yet. Glad that the next one will come out at some point in the near future so if I get interested in the series I can get my hands on it too.

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  11. I haven't read any of these, but sorry to hear that the interactions seemed more male and that the ending didn't give more closure

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  12. I really think you and April have the same tastes in books - she just finished this the other night too!

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  13. This series has been present on your blog this whole week and I must confess I'm interested. I'm glad your questions were answered in this one, even if it did leave you with a new set of unanswered things. :) At least you liked it better than the first.

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  14. I'm glad you liked this more than the first one, though I think the girls talking like guys might annoy me. Also, I have a limited tolerance for gore and violence, but I guess after reading the Gone series and loving it, it's been raised somewhat, as long as the story is exciting. Great balanced review!

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