For someone who didn't read the original series, I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to follow The Darkest Legacy to its full enjoyment since I didn't know the back story. The Darkest Legacy delivered an amazing read for a stand alone book, and it now opens up a world for me to read the prior novels. That's a win for any reader!
The world that Alexander Bracken delivers to the reader is scary as hell as she brings to life the dilemma of what a government grapples with once it attempts to reunite children who have been separated from parents by its very own regime or as it determines what services to put in place with children who can't be returned to their parents. As it turns out, this new authority is far from perfect. The government is authoritarian, dark, and repressive. Zu is a poster child for the Cruz regime, not realizing how imperfect the Cruz world is, but Zu gets a quick and horrifying introduction at a university public appearances when the regimented world turns into chaos with explosions, shooting, death, and mayhem.
This university appearance is when the action in the book turns into a journey for Zu where her eyes are opened to the horrifying realities of corporations and the government's continuing abuse and mistreatment of the Psi youth. Along Zu's travels, Zu is accompanied by Roman and Priyanka, and they are part of Zu's education into the real world. We also get to meet up with Zu's compatriots from her earlier days.
This book is full of emotional turmoil, plot twists and break neck action. Finishing The Darkest Legacy, I was left with competing reactions: a sense of despair that humans will never learn to overcome their darkest powers and yet a sense of hope that there is enlightenment and grace with each successive generation.
The world that Alexander Bracken delivers to the reader is scary as hell as she brings to life the dilemma of what a government grapples with once it attempts to reunite children who have been separated from parents by its very own regime or as it determines what services to put in place with children who can't be returned to their parents. As it turns out, this new authority is far from perfect. The government is authoritarian, dark, and repressive. Zu is a poster child for the Cruz regime, not realizing how imperfect the Cruz world is, but Zu gets a quick and horrifying introduction at a university public appearances when the regimented world turns into chaos with explosions, shooting, death, and mayhem.
This university appearance is when the action in the book turns into a journey for Zu where her eyes are opened to the horrifying realities of corporations and the government's continuing abuse and mistreatment of the Psi youth. Along Zu's travels, Zu is accompanied by Roman and Priyanka, and they are part of Zu's education into the real world. We also get to meet up with Zu's compatriots from her earlier days.
This book is full of emotional turmoil, plot twists and break neck action. Finishing The Darkest Legacy, I was left with competing reactions: a sense of despair that humans will never learn to overcome their darkest powers and yet a sense of hope that there is enlightenment and grace with each successive generation.