Savage Drift by Emmy LaybourneMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Toto, we're not in Monument anymore.
The Monument 14 kids have finally been rescued and taken to a refugee camp in western Canada. It's not the best of situations. In fact, it's not even as good a situation the kids had in the Greenway store from the first book. It is believable but sad, portraying the bureaucracy of the management of a natural disaster. It is reminiscent of the way FEMA handled the survivors of Hurricane Katrina but with a heavier hand. The camp is a place of refuge certainly, but it is also contained. The refugees aren't able to immediately leave and there is some funny business going on.
This final installment encompasses escape, adventure and serious danger in a way that goes beyond the first and second books. There is an element of the horrors of a concentration camp. There is a madman with a bit of power who is determined to wield it in a demeaning, destructive way. There are victims of the chemical weapons spill who are left to deal with the devastation they have caused while under its influence. And there are Dean, Astrid, Jake and Niko who are determined to rescue Josie and ultimately find their way to true safety.
The great thing about this book is the way the characters have naturally evolved. They still aren't adults but are teenagers who have been weathered by circumstance. They've gotten tough and have cast off any illusions about their situations. They don't condemn or hate adults but are smart enough to be wary of them. Dean is still struggling with a jealous resentment of Jake. Jake is still a jerk. Astrid is still conflicted. Niko is doggedly determined.
The action is steady as is the pacing. This is a page turner. Things get pretty desperate and some adult themes are referenced but not completely explored. It is age appropriate.
On audio the book is narrated by Todd Haberkorn, who has been the voice of Dean throughout the series. He was the perfect choice for a narrator. His ability to interpret the dialogue and narrative are absolutely expert.
This is a wonderful end to a great post-apocalyptic series. I'm sad to see these characters go! There are a series of novellas that go along with the series and they are worth checking out. They only add to what is already a thrilling tale of survival. Don't miss this series.
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