Rebel Heart (Dust Lands #2)

Author: Moira Young
Recommended Age: Young Adult
Publisher:   Doubleday Canada
ISBN: 978-0-385-67186-6
Year Published: 2012
No. Pages: 424
Genre: Science Fiction/ Dystopian Fiction
Main Character Gender: Female
Read & Reviewed by: Brandon



In this follow-up to Blood Red Road, Saba has rescued her twin brother Lugh from the Tonton, fallen in love and is now heading west in hopes of a better life. When Saba discovers that her boyfriend, Jack is in trouble, she does not hesitate in turning around and going right back the way she came from, no matter the danger. It is said that Jack is now with the Tonton, a rumor Saba finds absurd. Does Saba really know Jack and is she willing to risk everything to save him?

Moira Young captivated me, the reader, in her plot and writing. She writes with depth and precise wording. Young also captures the reader with the suspense and the drama that she weaves into the story. I found that the writing was suspenseful because it made me want to know what was going to happen on the next page, the next chapter and the next book. She used vivid words that painted a picture in my head and helped me better understand her characters thoughts. She has a specific writing style that identifies the characters' strong personalities. She gave her characters a slurred accent and this fit the dystopian plot as education was rare and societies were fragmented.

Saba only discovered her true power as a fighter and as a survivor two months earlier, after leaving Silverlake. She is sensitive but she is also one of the best fighters in the Dust Lands. This makes her more of a three-dimensional character because she is neither overly emotional nor unfeeling. She is protective of her friends. Since she is new to their modern society, it is difficult for her to fit in. Robbery, murder and drugs are common in this life although they strike Saba as unusual. Her first encouters and experiences with this “modern” society gave me, the reader, someone to share my first impressions with.

Saba feels strongly towards Jack and this romantic link annoys everyone else in their group. Their devotion is unique because they are in a chaotic setting and because of the couple's personalities. Jack has a rule that if you save someone's life three times, it’s yours. Saba and Jack are both at two. Jack also saved Lugh from the Tonton so this made me interested in seeing how the story worked out for Saba as well as what would happen in terms of her relationship with Jack.

This book made me think about how society would work after a world-wide collapse. Sadly in Blood Red Road, and Rebel Heart, this futuristic world has become ruled by dictators and drugs. Young made the setting descriptive. So much so that I could see it as a movie behind my eyelids which enabled me to understand this post-apocalyptic world a little better. Roadside holdups and robberies were a normal part of life in this world. Young created a plot that made me think how I take things for granted everyday. Saba is focused on short-term survival rather than her future. In the Dust Lands, water is scarce causing chaos. The inclusion of “death water”, a water that is poisoned by toxic waste and lethal to anyone who drinks it, was a detail that enhanced the perils of this new world and made me curious as to how the characters would fair. Poisoned water is a reality for us today if we do not do something to conserve our lakes, streams and other water sources.

I would rate this novel a 9/10. It is an action-packed dystopian fiction novel. This book is appropriate for mature readers who can handle strong language. I enjoyed this book more than most of the books I've read this year. The first book in this series is Blood Red Road and the third will hopefully be published soon.