Book: The Fracturing
Author: Tricia Wentworth
Genre: YA Apocalyptic Science Fiction Romance

In the final moments of “The Culling”, Reagan Scott was betrayed. This betrayal changes everything. Not just for the Culling but for the country. As the competition for Presidential Couple continues and the final four are solidified, the campaigning begins, sending Reagan on a tour of the townships to vie for the votes and hearts of the nation. Though she’s finally with the one who has always had her heart, everything else seems to be spinning out of control. With enemies both within the Culling and outside of it, it’s not a matter of if something will happen… but when.

When the world comes crashing down around her, will Reagan break under pressure? How far can she make it in the Culling? And more importantly, how far is she willing to go to protect the ones she loves?

I started this one right after the first one because of the cliff hanger. This one, is unfortunately worse as far as the writing of the story goes. Reagan has made her decision as to whom she loves and in a crazy twist at the end of the previous book, the boy she dumps joins forces with the ‘mean girl’ that everyone hates.

This book bounces between Reagan being so happy and in love, to her being pissed about situations she can’t control. The biggest thing I couldn’t get over is how she (an 18 year old female) is able to yell at and dress down officers in the military and the men (much older, more experienced and actually trained) don’t get upset with her for it. She seems to be surrounded by idiots that can’t think of a good plan on their own and need her to point out everything. It is a little beyond what I could fathom as real, especially in a world where women can be smart, but they are not military trained, nor do they give impute on any military matters.

The ending of this book is another cliff hanger, that (in my opinion) wasn’t written well. The culling is still going on by the end of this book so we don’t know who has won yet, and to me, the author is just trying to extend everything even longer.

As I said, the idea of the story is great, the execution is lacking. There is plenty that the author could have done within their own world for three books. The author isn’t lacking in ideas. If the culling had ended in book one, (or the middle of book two if she wanted the ridiculous twist she added to the end) there was plenty of material to continue with the MC as president and dealing with inside, and outside threats. I’m going to finish the series, but I doubt I’m going to read the spin off series that follows another culling.

I recommend this book to those that enjoy YA dystopian post-apocalyptic romance books, and can look over the fact that the MC is the smartest person in the room (even compared to older, more experienced militarily trained people).