Book Review: The Expedition

I'm not going to put the review for the first book, The Initiation, up on my blog simply for time sake but I really think this series isn't getting enough attention. I know there are a lot of dystopian authors trying to capture the success that The Hunger Games or even Divergent got and I'm not sure this series is at that level but they aren't something to ignore, either.

The Expedition (The Initiation #2) - Chris Babu

Drayden and his friends thought nothing could be harder than the Initiation. Little did they know it had only been a warmup for the challenge that lay ahead.

With New America’s situation dire, Drayden and the pledges venture out into the unexplored world outside the walls, escorted by a team of elite Guardians. The group seeks to contact another civilization in what remains of Boston, but Drayden has secret goals of his own.

Dangers abound in the real world, including Aeru, the deadly superbug that wiped out humanity. While they battle the elements of a desolate landscape, a power struggle emerges within their ranks. The Guardians seem to be carrying out a covert mission themselves, and the quest turns everything they thought they knew about New America upside down. 

I will echo what a lot of readers had to say, it's hard to put down. You absolutely have to read the first book for anything in this one to make sense and certainly to understand the characters. I also have to say, the author really started a BIG story here and I was kind of worried that it would prove to maybe be too big and some pieces would get lost in trying to explain different elements but so far, that isn't the case. It feels like there are almost two stories moving here, New America is struggling and that's fine but then you have the Guardians kind of doing their own thing and you know it's all going to come together but at what end?

Given the relatively dark nature of this book, I really appreciate the author's efforts to break through that with humor sprinkled in. I love how realistic it feels, like any and all of this could burst into our reality at any time, I love how once again- it's teenagers saving the day. It always makes me laugh when adults shake their fist at the millennials and younger because I want to ask, haven't you ever read a dystopian novel? The old people go first, man. It's the kids who make it in the end. Every time. Ha!

My favorite parts of a book is dialogue, I want to feel like I'm eavesdropping on a conversation. Unfortunately, I didn't get my fix on that so much here and what we do have is kind of... teenagerish? I know it's teenagers so we aren't going to get sophisticated monologues or plans but it kind of feels immature and cheesy? I can't even say it's terrible but just some parts kind of annoyed me and made it hard to believe.

Overall though? I'm giving this a good 4 stars. It's a pretty quick read and if you're a fan of YA Dystopia books you are going to really enjoy these. I feel like these are the movies that are fun to watch at theaters because we always go in with at "what if" and "that would never happen" mindset simultaneously. Bottom line, this would make for a pretty cool movie.

   

   

Big thanks to TLC Book Tours for the books in exchange for an honest review! If you want to see what others are saying about the book, check out their website read more about it.