Kelley Armstrong
HarperCollins
Published January 1, 2013
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Maya and her friends have been on the run since they discovered their roles as test subjects in an experiment to resurrect supernatural abilities. Worse than that, they’ve now become mixed up in a war between rival groups, both of whom want the supernatural teens for their own use. With nowhere to go and only one possible contact left, Maya seeks a meeting with someone who might help. Turns out his help means putting up with an awful lot of attitude and a part of Maya’s past she’s not ready to face. More than that, as Maya and her friend Corey’s abilities continue to develop, so do the frightening side effects. Experiment leaders, the St. Cloud and Nast Cabals may be able to counter the side effects with medication, but access to the treatment means surrender and a life in a gilded cage for Maya’s team. Protecting her freedom means Maya has to discover a way to negotiate with the Cabals.
Fraught with angst and romantic tension, The Rising delivers a story of desperate teens battling for independence, desperately trying to sort out who they can trust and addresses issues of adoption, abandonment and what it takes to make a family. While Armstrong nails some of the tense moments with keen dialogue, she often summarizes scenes which would have deepened the story and more fully developed its characters. Nonetheless, readers who enjoyed Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver will likely enjoy this paranormal novel as well.
Moderate language.
Sexual Content
Kissing/ “making out.” When Maya shifts from her cougar form, she is naked, but the others are respectful and protect her privacy.
Spiritual Content
None.
Violence
An accident is referenced in which a character was hit by a car. One character is shot, but not fatally. Maya slashes an enemy with her claws. A girl attempts to suffocate Maya. No graphic details to any of these events.
Drug Content
Maya’s parents are very permissive about alcohol and allow underage drinking, though no one consumes alcohol during the story.
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Interesting plot. It really is. But you didn’t tell me whether or not her writing style was engaging, which is an element for me, except that you mentioned that she didn’t exploit scenes that could have enhanced the story. And unfortunately, I have not read Shiver, so I couldn’t make the comparison. It sounds fairly safe, which is good. Keep on with these great reviews!
You know, honestly I didn’t feel like I was really engaged by the characters. The ideas were really interesting, but it kind of fell flat to me. Maya’s brother was a really great character, but many of the others were just okay, in my opinion.