#Review - The Gauntlet by Megan Shepherd #YA #SyFy

Series: The Cage # 3
Format: Hardcover, 400 pages
Release Date: May 23, 2017
Publisher: HarperCollins
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Science Fiction

The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in the final novel in the gripping and romantic Cage series, about teens abducted from Earth by an otherworldly race.

Cora and her friends have escaped the Kindred station and landed at Armstrong—a supposed safe haven on a small moon—where they plan to regroup and figure out how to win the Gauntlet, the challenging competition to prove humanity’s intelligence and set them free. But Armstrong is no paradise; ruled by a power-hungry sheriff, it’s a violent world where the teens are enslaved and put to work in mines. As Nok’s due date grows closer, and Mali and Leon journey across space to rescue Cassian, the former inhabitants of the cage are up against impossible odds.

With the whole universe at stake, Cora will do whatever it takes, including pushing her body and mind to the breaking point, to escape Armstrong and run the Gauntlet. But it isn’t just a deranged sheriff she has to overcome: the other intelligent species—the Axion, Kindred, Gatherers, and Mosca—all have their own reasons to stop her. Not knowing who to trust, Cora must rely on her own instincts to win the competition, which could change the world—though it might destroy her in the process.

 

 “The wolves are strong. But the rabbits are clever.”

 

The Gauntlet is the third and final installment in author Megan Shepherd's The Cage trilogy. In this final book in the Cage series, Cora must do whatever she can to run the Gauntlet, and prove humanity’s intelligence. Otherwise, it is likely that Cora will never see Earth again. The Gauntlet is full of dramatic twists and turns sure to shock readers and keep them on the edges of their seats until the action-packed final scenes. With the whole series now available with the publication of The Gauntlet, these are perfect books for a summer binge-read. 

The Gauntlet picks up just after the end of The Hunt, with Cora and Co. on Armstrong Preserve, a planet they've been led to believe will be their safe haven. Humans are sent here when they turn 19. What they find is a dangerous place ruled by a power-hungry sheriff named Ellis who wears a metal badge on her face. She decides who is a slave, and who will be one of her Deputy's. Slaves find themselves put to work in root mines. They quickly learn all is not as they've been promised, however, and the action begins again almost immediately. 

The original crew finds itself split into three different groups all working towards a common goal - save the humans and win their spot among intelligent species. In this universe, there are for intelligent species: Mosca oversea trade and business; Gatherers handle spirited matters; Kindred are the peacekeepers, police, army and judiciary; and Axion in charge of technology and are the original intelligent species. They also consume humans to give them power. Other species failed the Gauntlet and have all but disappeared.

Unfortunately for Cora, she only has 40 days to escape Armstrong and make her way to where the Gauntlet is being held. As Nok’s due date grows closer, and Mali and Leon journey across space to rescue Cassian, the former inhabitants of the cage are up against impossible odds when the planet is invaded by Axion's. Cora must push her body and mind to the breaking point, to escape Armstrong and run the Gauntlet. But it isn’t just a deranged sheriff she has to overcome: the other intelligent species—the Axion, Kindred, Gatherers, and Mosca—all have their own reasons to stop her. 

One of those who failed, Willa, is an intelligent primate who becomes an part of Cora's crew and offers some hints to how Cora can survive the Gauntlet. The Gauntlet is a series of 12 puzzles that must be solved to prove humanities intelligence or humanity will be written off.  Cora has discovered her powers—extrasensory telekinetic ability the Kindred don’t believe humans can achieve—and now she has to prove she knows how to use them. If Cora succeeds, an evolutionary jump will boost humans' natural abilities and help them overthrew the powerful species that is hunting them. 

If she fails, she'll die, and so will all of the other humans, and the Kindred too. It's do or die, and it all comes down to the Gauntlet. In terms of the romance, there are three solid romances. Rolf and Nok are a solid couple, and despite their current circumstances. Leon and Mali are adorable together - they're both combative, which is funny to watch. Cassian and Cora are a pair who have had their ups and downs, and ends up on a good point.  

There are some pretty plot twists in this book which really confused me. I shall not spoil it. I shall just say that be the end of this book, I was glad it was finished. 

Amazon | Audible | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository