Review: The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe by Ally Condie

Publisher: Penguin
Published: 4th April 2019

Synopsis:
Poe Blythe, the seventeen-year-old captain of the Outpost's last mining ship has revenge on her mind as she and her crew voyage up the Serpentine River in search of gold. But there is something Poe wants even more than gold, however - to annihilate the river raiders who, two years ago, killed the boy she loved.

As Poe navigates the treacherous waters of the Serpentine and realizes there might be a traitor among her crew, she must also reckon with who she has become, who she wants to be, and the ways love can change, even and especially when you think all is lost.

Review:
I've read all of Ally Condie's previous books and 'The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe' featured heavily on my list of the 2019 new releases I was looking forward to reading. It sounded intriguing and my interest was piqued by the thought of a dystopian adventure set at sea and featuring rival factions who are fighting over gold. That's pretty much what was delivered and on the whole I enjoyed Condie's latest offering.

The majority of the story is set on-board the Gilded Lily - a ship captained by Poe Blythe. The ship's mission is to dredge the Serpentine River of gold and return it to The Outpost, where it will be delivered into the hands of the Admiral. Poe has always followed orders in the past but this time she wants revenge on the river raiders who killed the boy she loved and was planning to escape with. She has designed a wicked and deadly set of armor to protect the ship and is determined to make the raiders pay for what they took from her. It's a unique and inventive story concept which kept me glued to the pages as Poe's journey unfolds.

The pace was a little slow at the very beginning of the book but then the sense of adventure kicked in and I could almost sense the motion of the ship, the claustrophobia of the crew and the smell of the sea. Anything vaguely pirate related and I'm there, so this was an aspect of the story that I particularly enjoyed.

The one thing that I thought was missing a little bit from the book was more insight into some of the characters. As the main protagonist, the story revolves around Poe who was a character that I greatly liked and admired. She is stubborn and tough, incredibly brave and not used to letting people in. She does however learn how to rely on others for support when she is given a new crew to take with her on her mission. I would have loved to have known more about some of the secondary characters. Her second-in-command Brig was quite a dark horse, who Poe is never quite sure if she can trust or not. I wanted to know more about him as a person and his past. Part of me wonders if this was a deliberate choice by Condie because it means that like Poe, the reader is never sure either who can be trusted on the ship and who is attempting to sabotage the mission and help the raiders.

As far as I'm concerned, the ending tied up some but not all of the threads of the story. So while, I believe that this is currently a stand-alone, I would not be surprised to see Condie return to this world and these characters. I'll definitely be along for the journey.

If you have enjoyed reading this review and would like to buy the book, please consider purchasing via my affiliate links from Amazon or the Book Depository.

And if this sounds like a book you would enjoy, then why not watch the official trailer:

Cover reveal: Atlantia - Ally Condie

I'm very excited about Ally Condie's forthcoming new book 'Atlantia'.  The cover was revealed a couple of days ago, so here it is.  What do you think?  I really like the cover art which is simple but extremely striking. 

In Atlantia, the heroine, Rio, is thrown into a precarious and upsetting situation after her twin sister, Bay, opts to leave their underwater world for "Above" first. Since only one family member can leave for the surface, Rio is then "left with increasingly dangerous questions about the complex political and religious system constructed to govern the fragile divide between land and sea."

 

Dutton Children's publisher Julie Strauss-Gabel said Atlantia features "an underwater world as complex and surprising as the one Cassia must unravel in Matched, and a heroine who must, literally, gain strength and confidence to find her true voice." For Condie, the new book was all about her heroine.

 

The author said that she always wanted to create an underwater world – which is one reason she wrote Atlantia – but what kept her coming back to the story was Rio. "When I left the manuscript to take care of something else, I always felt that she was calling me back.”

 

Source: publishersweekly.com

Review: Reached - Ally Condie

Reached by Ally Condie, published by Penguin on 30th November 2012

Goodreads synopsis:
After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising—and each other—Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.

Review:
'Reached' is the third and concluding part of Ally Condie's incredible trilogy.  My expectations were high as I loved the previous two books and couldn't wait to see how the story of Cassia, Xander and Ky was going to be wrapped up.  I was also excited to see which boy Cassia would finally commit her heart to as the love triangle between the three main characters has lain at the heart of much of the books.

Firstly, 'Reached' is a big book at 512 pages long.  I have to say that at times I almost felt that it was too long and too drawn out.  A large part of the story deals with a plague which hits society but although this was in itself interesting, I think so much attention was given to this one single element that other aspects of the story suffered.  At certain points in the book it really felt like not much was actually happening.  As I've come to expect from Condie, her character development is extraordinary but I would have liked to have seen a little less of this in the final instalment of the series and instead more of a focus on wrapping up all the threads of the plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that the story combines three separate viewpoints; those of Cassia, Xander and Ky.  It was lovely to finally get to hear from Xander in particular as he has always been my favourite character in the series.  I learnt a lot more about him as a person, his feelings and aspirations and by the end I felt I could understand where he was coming from and what he hoped for the future.  Each characters' voice is distinctive and well written and this meant that I was never confused about who was telling what part of the story.

If I'd had a little more time, I would probably have gone back and reread the other two books in the series first before starting this one.  Because the release dates have been a year apart, I couldn't remember as many details as I would have liked and I think it would be interesting to read the whole trilogy in one continuous flow. 

Although I did think that the pace of the story was extremely slow, I loved the ending of the book.  The series has always been about the struggle for freedom and the right for the individual to choose and make decisions for oneself.  Ally Condie has always stayed true to this message and 'Reached' exemplifies this with the characters all choosing the path which they must walk.

The concluding instalment may not have been quite what I was expecting from the finale of this tremendous series but after having invested so much in the incredible world that Condie has invented, along with her wonderful characters, it was great to finally see how the story concluded.  I hope to read much more by this hugely talented author in the future. 

Trailer: Reached - Ally Condie

The wait is nearly over for the final part of Ally Condie's Matched trilogy.  The third and final instalment 'Reached' is due to be published by Penguin on 30th November 2012.  I'm really looking forward to finding out how the story is going to end as this is one of the first series I read when I started blogging. Take a look at the fabulous trailer and start getting excited now!

 
After leaving Society and desperately searching for the Rising—and each other—Cassia and Ky have found what they were looking for, but at the cost of losing each other yet again: Cassia has been assigned to work for the Rising from within Society, while Ky has been stationed outside its borders. But nothing is as predicted, and all too soon the veil lifts and things shift once again.

In this gripping conclusion to the #1 New York Times-bestselling Matched Trilogy, Cassia will reconcile the difficulties of challenging a life too confining, seeking a freedom she never dreamed possible, and honoring a love she cannot live without.

Review: Crossed - Ally Condie

Crossed by Ally Condie, published by Puffin on 24th November 2011

Goodreads synopsis:
Rules are different outside the Society.

Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky-taken by the Society to his certain death-only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices everything to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game once again.

Narrated from both Cassia's and Ky's points of view, this hotly anticipated sequel to Matched will take them both to the edge of Society, where nothing is as expected and crosses and double crosses make their path more twisted than ever...

Review:
'Crossed' is the sequel to the fantastic 'Matched' by Ally Condie which has been one of my favourite dystopian books of the last few years.  The ending left me hanging, so I couldn't wait to get started on this one as soon as it arrived.  I have to admit that I was feverish with excitement because I'd been waiting for this book to be published for months and was dying to find out what was going to happen on the next step in Cassia's journey. 

After Ky is sent away to the Outer Provinces, Cassia is determined to find him so sets about leaving everything she loves behind - her family, friends and more importantly Xander, to track him down.  The narrative is split between Ky and Cassia who tell the story in alternate chapters, providing greater insight into both of their feelings and motivations.  I wasn't a huge fan of Ky in the first book, but I enjoyed getting the opportunity to find out more about his background and family history.  Although he is growing on me, I still love Xander and was a bit disappointed that we didn't get to see more of him. 

My main problem with 'Crossed' is that the plot was very slow to progress.  I think it did suffer a little from middle book syndrome and it felt like there was much more to come but it was all being saved for the last book in the trilogy.  There are still a lot of unanswered questions, there was no real resolution to the Cassia, Ky and Xander love triangle and although more was gleaned about the the Society and the Rising, it wasn't enough to feel like a substantial step forward had been taken with the story.  Ally Condie is obviously keeping a lot up her sleeve!

I liked the fact that both characters were not only on a physical journey, but also a mental and emotional one.  Cassia discovers that her path and Ky's may not lead them in the same direction and has a lot of time to think about what she actually wants out of life and more importantly, who she wants to spend the rest of her life with. 

Some interesting secondary characters were introduced, such as Eli, who reminds Ky of Cassia's younger brother Bram and Indie, who Cassia journeys with to try and find Ky.  I loved Eli who may be young but is also incredibly brave and resilient and I liked finding out about the enigmatic Indie who there's a lot more to than meets the eye.

The third and concluding part of the trilogy is due to be published next year and although this book didn't quite meet my very high expectations, I have a feeling that the final part is still going to be amazing and will answer all those questions that I'm still puzzling about!   

Trailer: Crossed - Ally Condie

Here's the incredible trailer for 'Crossed' by Ally Condie, which is published by Puffin in the UK on 24th November. I was a huge fan of 'Matched', the first in this phenomenal series and I'm counting down the days until the sequel. In the meantime, watch the awesome trailer which will really whet your appetite!



Rules are different outside the Society.

Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky-taken by the Society to his certain death-only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices everything to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game once again.

Narrated from both Cassia's and Ky's points of view, this hotly anticipated sequel to Matched will take them both to the edge of Society, where nothing is as expected and crosses and double crosses make their path more twisted than ever...

Sneak Extract: Crossed - Ally Condie

The wait is nearly over as the hotly anticipated sequel to international bestseller, 'Matched' by Ally Condie is finally coming!  'Matched' was one of my favourite debut novels of last year (you can read my review of it here) and I've been feverishly awaiting the sequel ever since. 

Rules are different outside the Society.

Chasing down an uncertain future, Cassia makes her way to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky-taken by the Society to his certain death-only to find that he has escaped into the majestic, but treacherous, canyons. On this wild frontier are glimmers of a different life and the enthralling promise of rebellion. But even as Cassia sacrifices everything to reunite with Ky, ingenious surprises from Xander may change the game once again.

Narrated from both Cassia's and Ky's points of view, this hotly anticipated sequel to Matched will take them both to the edge of Society, where nothing is as expected and crosses and double crosses make their path more twisted than ever...

'Crossed' is due to be published in the UK by Puffin on 24th November 2011.  If you can't wait that long then you can read a sneak peak exclusively at EW.com:
Read it here first: opening chapters of ‘Crossed’, sequel to ‘Matched’ by Ally Condie — EXCLUSIVE

Hotly anticipated sequels #1

I've read so many amazing novels over the last few months that I have lots of new and wonderful authors to add to my list of favourites.  Many of these have actually been the first in a trilogy, so I'm hotly anticipating the sequels coming out either later in the year, or in some cases, next year (which is way too long to have to wait!).  Here, are a few of the sequels which can't be published soon enough for me! 

I'll be featuring some of my other picks over the next few weeks. 

Crossed (Matched #2) by Ally Condie

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky - taken by the Society to his certain death - only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

 

Cassia's quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander - who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia's heart - change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.

I was blown away by Ally Condie's 'Matched' last year.  I loved the whole concept and I thought the story was brilliantly executed and wonderfully written.  It ended on quite a cliffhanger and I can't wait to follow Cassia and see how the triangle between Cassia, Ky and Xander is going to work out.  There's no UK release date for this one yet but it's published in the US by Dutton Juvenile on 1st November 2011.

Vanish (Firelight #2) by Sophie Jordan  

To save the life of the boy she loves, Jacinda did the unthinkable: She betrayed the most closely-guarded secret of her kind. Now she must return to the protection of her pride knowing she might never see Will again—and worse, that because his mind has been shaded, Will’s memories of that fateful night and why she had to flee are gone.

Back home, Jacinda is greeted with hostility and must work to prove her loyalty for both her sake and her family’s. Among the few who will even talk to her are Cassian, the pride’s heir apparent who has always wanted her, and her sister, Tamra, who has been forever changed by a twist of fate. Jacinda knows that she should forget Will and move on—that if he managed to remember and keep his promise to find her, it would only endanger them both. Yet she clings to the hope that someday they will be together again. When the chance arrives to follow her heart, will she risk everything for love?

Boys and dragons.  It's a combination that really does work, as proved by Sophie Jordan in her debut novel 'Firelight'.  I'm very excited about the sequel to this one!  I think that this series would be amazing on the big screen too.  It's published in the US on 6th November 2011 (and I've featured the US cover) and tentatively scheduled for a September release here in the UK.  

Everlasting (The Immortals #6) by Alyson Noel 

Ever and Damen have spent centuries facing down bitter rivals, jealous friends and their own worst fears-all in the hope of being together forever. Now in Everlasting, their destiny is finally within reach.

Will they be united-or torn apart forever?This is the final book in The Immortals series and hopefully we'll get a happy ending for Ever and Damen at long last.  I'm hoping that they'll be able to overcome all the barriers that have come between them and that this one will feature plenty of kissing ;)  There's not too long to wait luckily, as it's published in the UK by Macmillan Children's Books on 1st July 2011 and you lucky US readers can get your hands on it on 7th June 2011 when it's published by St Martin's Press.

Beautiful Days (Bright Young Things #2) by Anna Godbersen

In this must-have sequel to Bright Young Things, Cordelia and Letty are small-town girls no longer. Letty is ready at last to chase her Broadway dreams. Cordelia thought she lost her true love, but a chance meeting will change her fortune—and her future. The unflappable flapper Astrid Donal has promised herself to Charlie Grey, Cordelia’s half-brother, but isn’t sure their love is true enough to survive. And a bitter rivalry will ensnare them all in a dangerous feud played out in the speakeasies of Manhattan and on the great lawns of Long Island. As these bright young things live out their beautiful days in the summer of 1929, they find romance and heartbreak, adventure and intrigue, new friends and unexpected rivals. 

Anna Godbersen's books always have the most beautiful covers and this one is no exception.  I love having these adorning my shelves.  'Bright Young Things' is published in the UK on 1st September 2011 by Puffin and in the US on 20th September 2011 by HarperTeen.

Review: Matched - Ally Condie

Matched by Ally Condie, published 2nd December 2010 by Puffin

Goodreads synopsis:
In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die.

Cassia has always trusted their choices. It’s barely any price to pay for a long life, the perfect job, the ideal mate. So when her best friend appears on the Matching screen, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is the one . . . until she sees another face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. Now Cassia is faced with impossible choices: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path no one else has ever dared follow—between perfection and passion.

Review:
I'm a big fan of dystopian fiction but when I thought back to which books I'd actually read, not many sprang to mind, except for the fabulous 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood and more recently 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy.  I don't think I'll have any problem remembering 'Matched' however.  I absolutely loved it and it's a perfect example of dystopian fiction which lives and breathes in your hands and your head.  I know it's only January but I have a feeling that this is already going to be competing for my book of the year. 

What I enjoy most about this genre is reading about the imagined world as it may become in the future.  Yes, obviously we can't see into the future but who's to say that these things won't actually happen.  We have no idea what awaits humanity.  It's both chilling and frightening and intriguing all at the same time.  Cassia lives in a perfect society governed by officials who make all the rules and decisions for people - who they marry, how many children they have, when they will die, where they will live, what job they have and so it goes on.  People are given pre-packed meals catering to their individual dietary requirements and there has been a cull of art, poetry and books with only a hundred items of each selected to remain in popular culture.  The latter is horrifying!  I'm someone who loves culture and being surrounded by literature and theatre and art.  I can't imagine only being able to read a prescribed 100 poems and not having the ability to write and create. 

All choice and free will has been eradicated in cultivation of what the officials call an equal society.  Cassia believes in the virtues preached to ber by the officials and the story begins as she is about to attend the ceremony that will 'match' her with her future husband.  All goes well until a mistake is made and Cassia's whole life is turned upside down.  Her future is no longer clear cut.  Cassia is a strong central character who begins to question the rules and regulations which are imposed upon society.  She finally starts to see things clearly for the first time in her life and fights back against the bonds which are imposed upon her.

The love triangle between Cassia, her best friend Xander and neighbour Ky is dealt with sensitively and thoughtfully.  When Cassia does finally make her choice, I liked the fact that it wasn't necessarily a choice which would isolate her from one or the other.   She loves both boys but in different ways and it was nice to see those feelings explored.  She has known Xander all her life and they've grown up together so the potential is there for them to have a long and happy life with each other but there's also Ky with whom she feels the first blossomings of a love that's new and exciting and real.  He teaches her about things she has no knowledge of and they learn and grow together. 

Hope is a significant theme in the book.  The idea that there's always something to hope for and that however much you may have to struggle and however futile things may seem at times, hope always remains.  That meant that the book ended on what I thought was quite an uplifting, rather than bleak, note.

Ally Condie's prose is exquisite.  I savoured every single word.  I felt like I was living Cassia's story with her and experiencing the same emotions and feelings.  I'm hugely impressed by this sensational debut and thrilled that Condie is planning a whole trilogy.  There's so much more to come and I'm excited to see where the story is going to go next.  The film rights have also been sold to Disney so there's a big screen outing for 'Matched' sometime in the future too.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me this one.

If anyone has any suggestions for great books in the dystopian genre it would be great if you could drop me a comment.  I know that there are heaps of books out there and I really want to read more like this.