Monday, August 10, 2015

#Review - City 1 by Gregg Rosenblum (Young Adult/Dystopian)

Series: Revolution 19 # 3
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Library 
Genre: Young Adult/Dystopian

In the explosive conclusion to the thrilling Revolution 19 series, the time has come to win the cities back from the bots—or die trying.

After finally reuniting at a rebel camp, siblings Nick, Kevin, and Cass are willing to do anything to stay together—and free their parents from bot rule. But the leader of the rebel camp has her own ideas. Cruel and determined, General Clay won’t let anything stand in the way of her plan to destroy the robots and all the brainwashed humans. This means their parents’ lives are at stake, but Nick, Kevin, and Cass can’t desert the rebels when they’re so close to freedom. How far will they go to save the world they believe in?

Created in conjunction with Alloy Entertainment; Howard Gordon, the showrunner of 24 and Showtime’s Emmy Award– and Golden Globe–winning Homeland; and James Wong, the executive producer of American Horror StoryCity 1 is the gripping finale to the exhilarating Revolution 19 series.



City 1 is the final installment in the REVOLUTION 19 trilogy by author Gregg Rosenblum. This is a trilogy that has revolved around a post-robot-apocalypse society that is trying to fight back and regain control of the cities that are now centers for pro-robot, brainwashed humans including Kevin, Nick, and Cass's parents. City 1 picks up right where Fugitive X left off, so, if you haven't yet read either of the previous books, stop now, or go forward at your own risk of being spoiled. I did enjoy getting to see the perspectives of each of the siblings. 

They've come a long way since Revolution 19 when their home was destroyed and their parents were taken away to the CITY for reeducation by the robots. Let's start with Kevin. Kevin is a tech genius, not unlike his grandfather he met in Fugitive X. Kevin watched as he was shot in the back, and he truly believes he is dead. There's a surprising twist surrounding that, and in the end, it's impossible for anything that happens to have occurred without his assistance. Kevin becomes an major part of the rebels plans when he creates a camouflage suit that they can use to infiltrate and attack the robot led cities. Kevin is put under tremendous pressure by General Clay and her second in command Grennel. He is still young, and makes some tremendous mistakes. But, I still like that he is able to do so much with so little time.

While Kevin is struggling with the aftermath of watching his grandfather get shot, Cass hasn't fully regained all her memories after being re-educated and meeting her parents and sister. She isn't fully trusted by General Clay who keeps her around as her servant since her loyalties are challenged. Cass's relationship with Farryn is interesting enough, but it really doesn't make the story any better or worse by having it added to the story. I think Cass's challenge in getting to her "birth" parents and sister makes her a character to care about. I think Cass really tries to do the best with what she is given at the time, and I do like that she ends up having an actual relationship with Penny who is forced to view the world in an entirely different way.

Nick, as the oldest, is the last of the siblings to write about. The siblings don't really spend a whole lot of time together. They are all busy with their own issues. Nick and Erica, for example. have an interesting relationship, once based on issues from the previous books. Erica is a traitor, but Nick doesn't want to see her hurt. Instead, he wants to use her to get to the bots. Nick, who was captured, sent to re-education camp, and given a bot eye to replace his missing one, is in a holding patter with Lexi who understandably is frustrated by Nick's apparent lack of romance. Nick is a fierce soldier, but cares deeply about his brother and sister. He wants his parents back, and is willing to go the extra mile to fight for them.  

I'm sad to say that this book didn't fully impress me. There are a whole lot of gaps left to be closed up. There are way more questions, than answers given. It would have been interesting if Cass and Nick were able to actually meet their grandfather. It would have been interesting to see what happens to the bot survivors after the final scene. I don't think that they will go quietly into that good night now that they've been altered. In the end, Cass and Farryn are definitely a couple, while Nick and Lexi are left in a holding pattern wondering what will happen next. 




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