Title: While We Run
Author: Karen Healey (Twitter)
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Publish Date: May 27, 2014
Genre: YA, Sci-Fi, Dystopia
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher

Abdi Taalib thought he was moving to Australia for a music scholarship. But after meeting the beautiful and brazen Tegan Oglietti, his world was turned upside down. Tegan's no ordinary girl - she died in 2027, only to be frozen and brought back to life in Abdi's time, 100 years later.

Now, all they want is for things to return to normal (or as normal as they can be), but the government has other ideas. Especially since the two just spilled the secrets behind Australia's cryonics project to the world. On the run, Abdi and Tegan have no idea who they can trust, and when they uncover startling new details about Project Ark, they realise thousands of lives may be in their hands.

When I read book one in this series, When We Wake, I remember being distinctly impressed by the crossover nature of the novel, perfectly merging science fiction and dystopia into a melting pot of drama. So, naturally, as a series this excited me even more. Author, Karen Healey, has crafted a story in which our protagonists are out of touch with the reality in which they're now forced to live, giving readers a distinct "out of body" sort of impression with her novels. And, while book one offered us the world from Tegan's point of view, While We Run changes things up a little, and we now get to see the world through Abdi's eyes. 

I've always been a fan of the male perspective for young adult novels, in large part because I find it too rare. The voice in While We Run is certainly no exception. Abdi was a hauntingly unique character, and he's one that made it almost a little difficult to trust his voice, offering us a bit of a catch-twenty-two as we're exploring the world and the fallout of Project Ark. In the world in which Tegan and Abdi live, it's difficult, if not impossible, to trust anyone - especially each other. There is a distinct, acrid note of distrust in Abdi's viewpoint, and reading through his eyes, it was amazing to see the ability he had to truly manipulate a situation in his favor when necessary. He could break things, people and events into their tiniest counterparts, analyze them, and rearrange them to benefit him whenever needed, which made him a fascinating but dangerous character to follow.

What I loved most about While We Run though, was that it's more of a follow-up novel to its predecessor than most sequels I've ever read before. Rather than simply throwing us into the melee of a new problem or dilemma, this sequel explores much of the aftermath of the events of the former novel, as well as its significant impact on our characters today. I will say that it frustrated me, at times, to lack the action with whim I'm so familiar in sequels, simply because the stakes are already raised. However, it's a very internalized sort of novel in which you can't help but read, absorb and understand that while, yes, the fallout is happening all around, it's most definitely strongest for Abdi and Tegan, and that's where the power lies. 

While We Run is a bit of an outlier in terms of sequels, simply because it gives us a more open-ended finish than many of us might be used to. While we get a sense of resolution and conclusion, there's also a lot left unfinished, which gives us hope, nerves and undeniable curiosity for what happened next. It's a powerful and well-done tool of Ms. Healey's, and it might be the only time I'll ever enjoy an ending like that. I give this novel a strong 4 out of 5, and I definitely recommend it to fans of YA, especially those who enjoy science-fiction and dystopian novels, as well as a male POV.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

Title: The Shattering
Author: Karen Healey
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR
Publish Date: September 5, 2011
Genre: YA, Mystery
Pages: 305
Source: Publisher

Seventeen-year-old Keri likes to plan for every possibility. She knows what to do if you break an arm, or get caught in an earthquake or fire. But she wasn't prepared for her brother's suicide, and his death has left her shattered with grief. When her childhood friend Janna tells her it was murder, not suicide, Keri wants to believe her. After all, Janna's brother died under similar circumstances years ago, and Janna insists a visiting tourist, Sione, who also lost a brother to apparent suicide that year, has helped her find some answers.

As the three dig deeper, disturbing facts begin to pile up: one boy killed every year; all older brothers; all had spent New Year's Eve in the idyllic town of Summerton. But when their search for the serial killer takes an unexpected turn, suspicion is cast on those they trust the most.

As secrets shatter around them, can they save the next victim? Or will they become victims themselves?

Keri is used to being in control. She knows how to prepare, and she's ready for every twist and turn, but when her brother suddenly dies, she's thrown for a loop. Jake wasn't the type to commit suicide. He would never have simply left her, and she's so convinced of the fact that when a childhood friend suggests the possibility of murder, Keri is on board. So, she's got a goal again. Keri will find out who killed her brother, and while she's at it, she, Janna and Sione might uncover more than they were searching for.

The Shattering is an eerie book, to say the least. There's a darkness in the prose that resonates throughout, growing and expanding with each turning page and twist of the mystery. Karen Healey, author of Guardian of the Dead, has nailed down the suspense-factor, spinning riveting tales that are equal parts harrowing and mind-bending. By developing a fully-fleshed plot, relatable characters and a storyline that doesn't quit, The Shattering grips the reader in a world they can easily become lost and terrified in.

There are parts about The Shattering that I loved, while there were aspects of the book that were a bit puzzling for me, I'll admit. First of all, the author has placed The Shattering in a small New Zealand town, letting the richness of the landscape and environment sing through the pages and make the story that much more tangible. Then, she's placed a cast of characters within her dynamic backdrop and given them personalities, backgrounds and motives that make them accessible to the reader. Keri, for example, was brilliant. She had a quiet, steady strength that, while wavering at times, was powerful and a true presence. Plus, the way The Shattering combined folklore, grief, suicide and coming out was delicate and creative, ensuring that each element and theme played an equal part. That said, I will say that I felt the mystery element often overshadowed some of the others - namely the grief. It seemed as though it was meant to be a driving force, and it got lost sometimes. Furthermore, I felt that there were a few plot hiccups as the pacing slowed, then sped too fast. Like I said though, the strengths and weeknesses did balance.

Overall, The Shattering was another solid and entertaining novel from an established author. I give it a 4 out of 5, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoy YA, especially those who like mysteries and dark stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.