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The Declaration #3
The Legacy
When a Pincent Pharmaceutical van is ambushed by the rebel group known as the Underground, its contents come as a huge surprise – not drugs, but corpses in a horrible state.
It appears that the pharmaceutical company’s top drug, Longevity – which is supposed to eradicate disease and ensure eternal life – isn’t living up to its promises. Now a virus is sweeping the country, killing hundreds in its wake, and Longevity is powerless to fight it.
But when the unscrupulous head of Pincent claims that the Underground is responsible for releasing the virus, it’s up to Peter, Anna, and their friends to alert the world to the terrifying truth behind Longevity before it’s too late.
It appears that the pharmaceutical company’s top drug, Longevity – which is supposed to eradicate disease and ensure eternal life – isn’t living up to its promises. Now a virus is sweeping the country, killing hundreds in its wake, and Longevity is powerless to fight it.
But when the unscrupulous head of Pincent claims that the Underground is responsible for releasing the virus, it’s up to Peter, Anna, and their friends to alert the world to the terrifying truth behind Longevity before it’s too late.
272 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2010
76 people are currently reading
4292 people want to read
About the author
Gemma Malley
12 books467 followersGemma Malley studied Philosophy at Reading University before working as a journalist. She edited several business magazines and contributed regularly to Company magazine and the Sunday Telegraph before moving into the Civil Service in a senior communications role at Ofsted. The Declaration, her first novel for a teenage audience, and its sequel, The Resistance, were published to critical acclaim. She lives in South London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 327 reviews
March 15, 2018
"That will be my legacy...actually, not a legacy. You have to die to have a legacy, and I don't intend to."
What a thrilling conclusion! The Legacy continued the series so well, I was gripped from start to finish.
Peter and Anna have been hiding in Scotland, while the war against Longevity continues. When people begin getting ill and dying, Richard from Pincent Pharma is panicking - have the Longevity tablets stopped working? What will he tell the public? Is this the end of his reign over nature?
"If Longevity can't fight this virus, then...we're all going to die."
As mass hysteria spreads, Richard refers to those who have died as 'The Missing' claiming they were terrorists, and have been taken for the protection of everyone else - when in reality they are burning hundreds upon hundreds of corpses. At times very dark, this book deals with the heaviest themes.
As Jude and Sheila fight with the Underground, as numbers dwindle and fear spreads like wildfire, the virus epidemic is spreading - who will be left alive?
Loved, loved, loved this series! It is so relatable, and asked questions that everyone has asked before. Highly recommend this trilogy!
What a thrilling conclusion! The Legacy continued the series so well, I was gripped from start to finish.
Peter and Anna have been hiding in Scotland, while the war against Longevity continues. When people begin getting ill and dying, Richard from Pincent Pharma is panicking - have the Longevity tablets stopped working? What will he tell the public? Is this the end of his reign over nature?
"If Longevity can't fight this virus, then...we're all going to die."
As mass hysteria spreads, Richard refers to those who have died as 'The Missing' claiming they were terrorists, and have been taken for the protection of everyone else - when in reality they are burning hundreds upon hundreds of corpses. At times very dark, this book deals with the heaviest themes.
As Jude and Sheila fight with the Underground, as numbers dwindle and fear spreads like wildfire, the virus epidemic is spreading - who will be left alive?
Loved, loved, loved this series! It is so relatable, and asked questions that everyone has asked before. Highly recommend this trilogy!
June 10, 2011
So, this is the end of the Declaration series as it currently stands and I found The Legacy to be a moving and befitting ending to a series that has kept me on my toes, questioned philosophical and ethical matters and delivered them in Gemma Malley's beautiful writing.
However, it has to be said that the first three quarters of the novel would have given it three stars. I did enjoy the story and the development of Jude but it didn't have the panic and urgency that the other two books did, I found it quite slow at times. Also, I don't think I will ever like Anna or Peter has characters. Anna is whiny, pathetic and behaves like a 5 year old, I can't find any kind of endearment towards her. Equally, Peter is moody, selfish and at times seemingly sexist also; there is a sense that the men must protect their women in this whole series which aggravated me. By the way, Sheila is an awful character.
So, how did the last quarter redeem itself? Well, the ending was fantastic. Seriously, I never saw the twist coming, I even feel confident in pointing out there's a twist and that you still won't see it coming until the last minute. I want to say more about the ending and the revelation that came about but I simply won't ruin it for other readers, but trust me that the slow start is worth every paragraph.
The genre is questionable. It is in some ways a science-fiction novel because of the future society, longevity drugs, etc, etc. But it is a lot more focused on relationships and people than the science aspect. It doesn't lack much for it but it would of course be better if the people were likeable, which most of the time they are not. And aside from the ending, I think my favourite part of the book is when Julia and her husband make the decision to die naturally together, I found it incredibly touching and just a really sweet sideplot. I can say that I hope this isn't the last we hear of Gemma Malley.
However, it has to be said that the first three quarters of the novel would have given it three stars. I did enjoy the story and the development of Jude but it didn't have the panic and urgency that the other two books did, I found it quite slow at times. Also, I don't think I will ever like Anna or Peter has characters. Anna is whiny, pathetic and behaves like a 5 year old, I can't find any kind of endearment towards her. Equally, Peter is moody, selfish and at times seemingly sexist also; there is a sense that the men must protect their women in this whole series which aggravated me. By the way, Sheila is an awful character.
So, how did the last quarter redeem itself? Well, the ending was fantastic. Seriously, I never saw the twist coming, I even feel confident in pointing out there's a twist and that you still won't see it coming until the last minute. I want to say more about the ending and the revelation that came about but I simply won't ruin it for other readers, but trust me that the slow start is worth every paragraph.
The genre is questionable. It is in some ways a science-fiction novel because of the future society, longevity drugs, etc, etc. But it is a lot more focused on relationships and people than the science aspect. It doesn't lack much for it but it would of course be better if the people were likeable, which most of the time they are not. And aside from the ending, I think my favourite part of the book is when Julia and her husband make the decision to die naturally together, I found it incredibly touching and just a really sweet sideplot. I can say that I hope this isn't the last we hear of Gemma Malley.
January 14, 2022
Güzel başladı, kötü bitti. Miras’ı sık sık satır atlayarak okudum. İnsanların iç dünyasına fazlaca sıkışıp kalmış, aynı monologları tekrar etmekten öteye gidememiş yazar son kitabında maalesef. Okurken yordu. Öngörülebilirdi.
April 22, 2014
It was sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo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good
good
February 13, 2024
Representation: N/A
Trigger warnings: Death of a person, pandemic mentioned
Score: Six points out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
That's it. I finished The Declaration Trilogy. Here's a recap: I read The Declaration, the first in the series, one year ago, but it ultimately disappointed me. One year later, I read the second instalment, The Resistance, but that underwhelmed me. I picked up the final part, The Legacy, hoping it would be better than The Declaration and The Resistance. It wasn't.
It starts (more like continues) with two new characters, Jude and Sheila, who lead The Underground while Peter and Anna hide in Scotland. In Pincent Pharma, a character tells Richard Pincent that Longevity failed because a virus killed someone. Soon, the virus spreads into an epidemic, infecting and killing hundreds more people, leading them to question Longevity. It doesn't work as promised anymore. It can't make one immortal or reverse aging, so what's the point of taking it? The Legacy is the best out of the three, but the author could improve it. Like The Resistance, the characters are uninteresting and difficult for me to connect or relate to. The pacing in book three was as atrocious as the previous two as the first 200 pages had nothing much happening, and only in the last 80 pages did something happen. At least the concluding pages and the epilogue, where Longevity is long gone--and the world returned to normality, finished The Legacy on a high note.
Trigger warnings: Death of a person, pandemic mentioned
Score: Six points out of ten.
Find this review on The StoryGraph.
That's it. I finished The Declaration Trilogy. Here's a recap: I read The Declaration, the first in the series, one year ago, but it ultimately disappointed me. One year later, I read the second instalment, The Resistance, but that underwhelmed me. I picked up the final part, The Legacy, hoping it would be better than The Declaration and The Resistance. It wasn't.
It starts (more like continues) with two new characters, Jude and Sheila, who lead The Underground while Peter and Anna hide in Scotland. In Pincent Pharma, a character tells Richard Pincent that Longevity failed because a virus killed someone. Soon, the virus spreads into an epidemic, infecting and killing hundreds more people, leading them to question Longevity. It doesn't work as promised anymore. It can't make one immortal or reverse aging, so what's the point of taking it? The Legacy is the best out of the three, but the author could improve it. Like The Resistance, the characters are uninteresting and difficult for me to connect or relate to. The pacing in book three was as atrocious as the previous two as the first 200 pages had nothing much happening, and only in the last 80 pages did something happen. At least the concluding pages and the epilogue, where Longevity is long gone--and the world returned to normality, finished The Legacy on a high note.
May 19, 2012
I finished reading this book and The Resistance in two days. The concept {a super virus emerging that none of the Legals immune system can handle} was such an interesting premis, not to mention a logical one. The lengths that Pincet Pharma goes to cover up the drugs failings was also interesting and a plot twist I found believable.
The characters {though they are teenagers} are so petulant, moody and emotional. Jude in the corner brooding away at his computer and mooning {inexplicably} over Shelia, Peter brooding at missing all the action when he should be caring for Molly, Ben and Anna...Anna and Shelia I can sympathize with more because of their experiences at Grange Hall, but Peter and Jude were so...whiny and self centered. Though Jude cared for Shelia it was only because he seemed to think she needed his protection as his "princess." I get he wanted to keep her safe, but I thought it was creepy considering he barely knew her and she didn't seem to want his help. I was frustrated by the boys grousing about trying to be Big Strong Men while Shelia and Anna were just left to care for the children and try to calm down their irrational heros. Which, obviously caring for the children is important, but something that only the girls cared about. For Peter and Jude everything was about fighting and "fun" and being leaders. Anna seemed to be the only rational one who realized that if the ultimate goal was to become the parents of a new generation, perhaps they should protect the new generation they were raising at home instead of whining about missing the fun and not being Pip's trusted friend.
I thought Malley did a great job of tying up all the loose ends at the end of the book and brining the trilogy to a satisfying end. I'm conflicted on whether I should support a certain someone at the end because of his role in creating so much misery for a greater outcome. But, it's an interesting conflict and one that makes the book even more worth discussing.
I enjoyed the questions that were brought up in this book {life, death, survival of the fittest, the triumph of Science over Nature, what makes a life worthwhile}, but the characters were irritating at best, irrational and stereotyped at worst.
The characters {though they are teenagers} are so petulant, moody and emotional. Jude in the corner brooding away at his computer and mooning {inexplicably} over Shelia, Peter brooding at missing all the action when he should be caring for Molly, Ben and Anna...Anna and Shelia I can sympathize with more because of their experiences at Grange Hall, but Peter and Jude were so...whiny and self centered. Though Jude cared for Shelia it was only because he seemed to think she needed his protection as his "princess." I get he wanted to keep her safe, but I thought it was creepy considering he barely knew her and she didn't seem to want his help. I was frustrated by the boys grousing about trying to be Big Strong Men while Shelia and Anna were just left to care for the children and try to calm down their irrational heros. Which, obviously caring for the children is important, but something that only the girls cared about. For Peter and Jude everything was about fighting and "fun" and being leaders. Anna seemed to be the only rational one who realized that if the ultimate goal was to become the parents of a new generation, perhaps they should protect the new generation they were raising at home instead of whining about missing the fun and not being Pip's trusted friend.
I thought Malley did a great job of tying up all the loose ends at the end of the book and brining the trilogy to a satisfying end. I'm conflicted on whether I should support a certain someone at the end because of his role in creating so much misery for a greater outcome. But, it's an interesting conflict and one that makes the book even more worth discussing.
I enjoyed the questions that were brought up in this book {life, death, survival of the fittest, the triumph of Science over Nature, what makes a life worthwhile}, but the characters were irritating at best, irrational and stereotyped at worst.
October 30, 2016
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Basic Info
Format: Kindle
Pages/Length: n/a
Genre: Young Adult; Dystopia
Reason For Reading: Finish series
At A Glance
Love Triangle/Insta Love/Obsession?: No
Cliff Hanger: No
Triggers: n/a
Rating: 1.5 stars
Score Sheet
All out of ten
Cover: 6
Plot: 6
Characters: 4
World Building: 5
Flow: 6
Series Congruity: 7
Writing: 6
Ending: 8
Total: 6
In Depth
Best Part: The twist!
Worst Part: Peter, Shelia, Anna....
Thoughts Had: That was a good attempt.
Conclusion
Continuing the Series: n/a
Recommending: Sure
Short Review: OH book 3, how you have failed me so. Boring. No major events happening. No real action. Yes you provided me a twist, one i did not see coming at all, but even with that you didn't even amp it up or anything, just here have this and throw it at me. *sigh* Peter was a selfish D in this book, wanted to be with the "action" vs his family. Bad. Anna was a wet noodle. Ben was super cute thou! Shelia was a selfish B, i grew to like her last book, but now, i don't like her at all. I don't have anything else to say, i'm just sad and disappointed.
Misc.
Book Boyfriend: Jude
Best Friend Material: Pass.
Review in GIF Form:
January 10, 2019
On the edge of my seat the whole way through - non-stop action, suspense, & included the perfect ending.
January 6, 2023
3.5, rounded up
I really admire how well Gemma Malley balances her subject matter and her audience. There's nothing in here that I'd have any qualms about giving to a teenager to read but it's still incredibly thought provoking for an adult reader.
The Legacy isn't quite as good as the books before in that it feels a little like a long epilogue. It ties the story up with a neat little bow, albeit with one thread left dangling. That feels like a shame to me. I don't want the easy resolution. I don't want the fade to black. I wanted to see the struggle towards a changed world. In a book a mere 272 pages long, there was space.
There were a few typos in my edition, towards the end.
I really admire how well Gemma Malley balances her subject matter and her audience. There's nothing in here that I'd have any qualms about giving to a teenager to read but it's still incredibly thought provoking for an adult reader.
The Legacy isn't quite as good as the books before in that it feels a little like a long epilogue. It ties the story up with a neat little bow, albeit with one thread left dangling. That feels like a shame to me. I don't want the easy resolution. I don't want the fade to black. I wanted to see the struggle towards a changed world. In a book a mere 272 pages long, there was space.
There were a few typos in my edition, towards the end.
April 29, 2014
THE LEGACY est une lecture hyper prenante ! J'ai adoré ce troisième volet ! Les héros sont toujours aussi attachants, les rebondissements s'entrechoquent sans arrêt, les enjeux sont de plus en plus élevés... Bref, tout est mis en place pour nous garder en haleine et nous captiver de la première à la dernière page.
L'ambiance est ULTRA saisissante. On veut toujours en savoir plus, recevoir plus d'explications, être immergés un peu plus dans ce monde utopique en apparence et pourtant destructeur et chaotique. On sent bien que tout s'accélère, que tout est sur le point de changer et c'est juste HYPER excitant.
Les dernier chapitres sont haletants au possible, on perd nos repères, tout s'intensifie. C'est juste de la folie !
La conclusion est vraiment satisfaisante : nous avons absolument toutes les réponses à nos questions mais un ultime twist se manifeste. C'est brillant !
La trilogie THE DECLARATION est parfaitement bien maîtrisée et véritablement saisissante. J'ai vraiment beaucoup aim�� cette saga et vous la recommande fortement !
L'ambiance est ULTRA saisissante. On veut toujours en savoir plus, recevoir plus d'explications, être immergés un peu plus dans ce monde utopique en apparence et pourtant destructeur et chaotique. On sent bien que tout s'accélère, que tout est sur le point de changer et c'est juste HYPER excitant.
Les dernier chapitres sont haletants au possible, on perd nos repères, tout s'intensifie. C'est juste de la folie !
La conclusion est vraiment satisfaisante : nous avons absolument toutes les réponses à nos questions mais un ultime twist se manifeste. C'est brillant !
La trilogie THE DECLARATION est parfaitement bien maîtrisée et véritablement saisissante. J'ai vraiment beaucoup aim�� cette saga et vous la recommande fortement !
November 4, 2015
More like 3.5 but it was a good ending to what's been an enjoyable trilogy.
August 12, 2022
This book was great,just like the other 2 books of this series.The most shocking part that made it great was the unexpected ending and the things that where revealed.The epilogue was enlightening as well,as it showed how life gradually changed after the end of longevity,and how much a like it was to older times before technology.I’m only giving 4 stars to this book,because I’m comparing it to the second one of the series ,which was more thrilling in my opinion.P.s I’m glad that the main characters of this book where Jude and Sheila,instead of Peter and Anna,and we got to see their relationship blossom(such a cute ship,I love them so much and was screaming at their cute moments kfkskdkskd)
January 30, 2024
Thought this was an excellent final chapter! Loved the multiple character perspective again and enjoyed the looking back at the beginning. Literally dropped my jaw earlier at one of the final twists - such good writing and not what I expected at all! As YA dystopians go, this has been a series that is up there for me! Sad I didn't discover it when I was a teenager but really loved reading it now!
July 7, 2019
So I really enjoyed the first two books in this series and I think the overall concept and plot line is really really cool. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing style in the first two but it was bearable. In this one however it got pretty bad. There was so much character jumping that half the time I couldn’t figure out who I was reading about. Also, I enjoyed how she ended the series but it was really hard to read and I had to skim over it because I was getting annoyed.
January 9, 2026
"Les exigences de l'éternité étaient peut-être trop lourdes à supporter."
January 3, 2025
pretty good ending to the series, now that i’ve finished it i would give the series 3.5⭐️ overall, one criticism i have is that the books were a bit hard to follow at points because of all the povs and randomly bringing in a new pov and sometimes the a different pov would start up in the middle of a chapter
March 28, 2016
This is going to be more of a review of the complete trilogy than of this instalment.
I've bought and read the whole trilogy, and I certainly admire Malley's world-building and the initial concept of this trilogy - the idea of people attaining eternal life through Longevity drugs, the illegal-isation of children, and the problems that causes to the 'surplus' population. The novels appear to be very well researched in the science and philosophy departments, but unfortunately, Malley's writing just doesn't equate to the power of the idea she had.
The first book was formulaic and predictable, relying upon overdone plot devices, coincidences, and clichés - the only thing that kept me reading was the original idea. A genius idea that I'd never really thought of before that was interesting and played on the mind. However, the actual story around the Longevity concept just doesn't seem to get off the ground. It felt rushed and rather forced. Though the novels are fast-paced with action and drama, they never seem to escape that snare of predictability and cliché. It had so much potential and could have been a really intriguing start of something, but all that resulted was a poor YA novel series full of the completely obvious. It's a real shame.
All the way through the series I kept hoping Malley would do something original and unexpected with this idea, but it didn't really happen. There were moments when I thought something might be cooking, but those feelings usually faded when the predictable element pushed it aside. Almost every step of the characters' journeys are obvious and seriously unsurprising, through all three books. The writing is shallow and brief, making this a quick read that doesn't stray far from the straightforward, and the dialogue is at times rather annoyingly coy. I think as this trilogy is intended for teens rather than children, as such, the style is rather too basic, which is unfortunate.
[Beware possible spoilers]
The characters are also rather shallow - their morals and personalities usually uncomplex and formulaic, despite the very complex world they live in. Stereotypes abound, but somehow they seem to stay out of the 'sue' categories. Pip and Margaret were two of the most interesting characters as they both revealed very little and appeared to have bigger things at play, but both of their 'unmaskings/reveals' also very Scooby-Doo `Oh it's you!' and disappointing.
The ending to this books was like a typical exposition of Malley's banal plot twisting, reminding me of the closing scenes of old Scooby Doo episodes where the characters all gather together to tell everyone how everything was done, strings and all, unravelling everything for all to see so we go `ohhhhh' and wonder how we didn't see it. Except I did, and I doubt I was the only one, and this just felt like an insult. It felt very false and like she was pointing at her awesomeness, expecting me to congratulate her. And if it couldn't get worse, the final chapter goes all mysterious and 'dun-dun-duhhh' with the Jumangi drums in the sand. Like, no, just no. >.<
I didn't start this review intending to be so negative. I enjoyed the series as a light and very quick read, but I can't escape the disappointment of such an intriguing, and, unfortunately, wasted idea such as Malley's. For pre-teens/early teens looking for something a bit darker and realistic than Jacqueline Wilson, this is a good introduction to YA novels, and will probably be enjoyed by that kind of age group. It's certainly a trilogy that gets you thinking about morals, independence, authority, and how people treat each other, which is always a good thing in my opinion.
I've bought and read the whole trilogy, and I certainly admire Malley's world-building and the initial concept of this trilogy - the idea of people attaining eternal life through Longevity drugs, the illegal-isation of children, and the problems that causes to the 'surplus' population. The novels appear to be very well researched in the science and philosophy departments, but unfortunately, Malley's writing just doesn't equate to the power of the idea she had.
The first book was formulaic and predictable, relying upon overdone plot devices, coincidences, and clichés - the only thing that kept me reading was the original idea. A genius idea that I'd never really thought of before that was interesting and played on the mind. However, the actual story around the Longevity concept just doesn't seem to get off the ground. It felt rushed and rather forced. Though the novels are fast-paced with action and drama, they never seem to escape that snare of predictability and cliché. It had so much potential and could have been a really intriguing start of something, but all that resulted was a poor YA novel series full of the completely obvious. It's a real shame.
All the way through the series I kept hoping Malley would do something original and unexpected with this idea, but it didn't really happen. There were moments when I thought something might be cooking, but those feelings usually faded when the predictable element pushed it aside. Almost every step of the characters' journeys are obvious and seriously unsurprising, through all three books. The writing is shallow and brief, making this a quick read that doesn't stray far from the straightforward, and the dialogue is at times rather annoyingly coy. I think as this trilogy is intended for teens rather than children, as such, the style is rather too basic, which is unfortunate.
[Beware possible spoilers]
The characters are also rather shallow - their morals and personalities usually uncomplex and formulaic, despite the very complex world they live in. Stereotypes abound, but somehow they seem to stay out of the 'sue' categories. Pip and Margaret were two of the most interesting characters as they both revealed very little and appeared to have bigger things at play, but both of their 'unmaskings/reveals' also very Scooby-Doo `Oh it's you!' and disappointing.
The ending to this books was like a typical exposition of Malley's banal plot twisting, reminding me of the closing scenes of old Scooby Doo episodes where the characters all gather together to tell everyone how everything was done, strings and all, unravelling everything for all to see so we go `ohhhhh' and wonder how we didn't see it. Except I did, and I doubt I was the only one, and this just felt like an insult. It felt very false and like she was pointing at her awesomeness, expecting me to congratulate her. And if it couldn't get worse, the final chapter goes all mysterious and 'dun-dun-duhhh' with the Jumangi drums in the sand. Like, no, just no. >.<
I didn't start this review intending to be so negative. I enjoyed the series as a light and very quick read, but I can't escape the disappointment of such an intriguing, and, unfortunately, wasted idea such as Malley's. For pre-teens/early teens looking for something a bit darker and realistic than Jacqueline Wilson, this is a good introduction to YA novels, and will probably be enjoyed by that kind of age group. It's certainly a trilogy that gets you thinking about morals, independence, authority, and how people treat each other, which is always a good thing in my opinion.
January 18, 2024
Actual rating: 3.5.
Honestly speaking, there is a lack of character development and building that just saddens me because I like the idea of the book. I really wouldn't mind if she added a few hundred pages to this series. The female main character lacks backbone and whines too much; the male main character is just not my type, really, with a very short fuse. Although I understand he's only a teenager, the only character I love would be Jude, but she's not really talking about him that much, so he's underdeveloped.
Honestly speaking, there is a lack of character development and building that just saddens me because I like the idea of the book. I really wouldn't mind if she added a few hundred pages to this series. The female main character lacks backbone and whines too much; the male main character is just not my type, really, with a very short fuse. Although I understand he's only a teenager, the only character I love would be Jude, but she's not really talking about him that much, so he's underdeveloped.
August 16, 2016
This series blew me away when I first read it. The entire concept was awesome. The world seems ideal - no one dies as drugs have been developed meaning that no one gets old, or ill and can live forever. As a price for eternal life people are no longer allowed to have children unless they opt out of the drugs. The first two books look in more depth at this world and what happens to those children who are born illegally. The are awesome - if you haven't had a chance to read them do so.
This book starts off with the revelation that the drugs that have been produced to grant eternal life are no longer working and deals with the fallout as more and more people die. The whole incident is blamed on the underground contaimnating drugs when in fact the drugs themselves have stopped working as they have been copied time and time again from an original sample.
I don't want to go into much detail as it will spoil the first two books in the series as well as this one but I wanted to put a brief review on to say that this book ties up the entire series excellently. I loved the political background of the story and love the underground and how they fight back in a society where they are villianised. I didn't see the twists coming at all and was very very satisfied with the ending. The best thing about this series is that it is quite realistic and you could almost imagine it happening, especially the ideas that the world is overcrowded and all the natural resources such as food and petrol have run out.
A fab series which doesn't receive the recognition it should - if you haven't read it do so (especially if you like your dsytopian fiction). A real gem!
I am probably going to reread the entire series and then edit this review once I've read them all back to back as it has been a while since I've read book 1 and 2.
This book starts off with the revelation that the drugs that have been produced to grant eternal life are no longer working and deals with the fallout as more and more people die. The whole incident is blamed on the underground contaimnating drugs when in fact the drugs themselves have stopped working as they have been copied time and time again from an original sample.
I don't want to go into much detail as it will spoil the first two books in the series as well as this one but I wanted to put a brief review on to say that this book ties up the entire series excellently. I loved the political background of the story and love the underground and how they fight back in a society where they are villianised. I didn't see the twists coming at all and was very very satisfied with the ending. The best thing about this series is that it is quite realistic and you could almost imagine it happening, especially the ideas that the world is overcrowded and all the natural resources such as food and petrol have run out.
A fab series which doesn't receive the recognition it should - if you haven't read it do so (especially if you like your dsytopian fiction). A real gem!
I am probably going to reread the entire series and then edit this review once I've read them all back to back as it has been a while since I've read book 1 and 2.
January 1, 2016
Ce livre est le troisième tome d’une trilogie que j’aime beaucoup.
Dans ce roman, il n’y a pas un seul personnage central comme dans les deux tomes précédents à savoir Anna et Peter. Ici, ces deux personnages sont bien sur présents, mais il y a aussi d’autres points de vue comme Jude, le demi-frère de Peter et Richard, le PDG de Pincent Pharma, la firme qui fabrique les pilules de Longévité.
Le fait d’alterner plusieurs points de vue nous permet d’avoir plusieurs révélations sur la longévité. On comprend aussi que Richard est prêt à tout pour conserver son leardership sur le monde. On voit aussi que le gouvernement au pouvoir est aussi capable de tout pour masquer les problèmes que rencontre son système.
Ce que j’ai aussi beaucoup aimé dans ce livre, c’est qu’il commence avec un flashback de plus de cent ans avant les deux précédents tomes. On découvre ainsi la découverte par hasard du traitement de longévité.
Je dois dire que comme les autres tomes, ce roman met du temps à démarrer. Mais une fois parti, les découvertes et non les actions s’enchainent.
Comme je l’ai dit au début, les points de vue alternent donc difficile de s’attacher à un personnage. Mais je dois dire que Jude m’a bien surprise dans ce tome. J’ai aimé qu’il soit moins effacé que dans le tome précédent et qu’il prenne des risques.
La fin de ce roman est remplie de révélations et je dois dire que je ne les ai pas vu venir surtout concernant Paul, le chef de la révolte.
C’est une belle fin pour cette trilogie hors du commun. Cette dystopie sur le thème de l’immortalité est vraiment prenante. Dommage qu’il n’y ai pas eu beaucoup d’action.
Dans ce roman, il n’y a pas un seul personnage central comme dans les deux tomes précédents à savoir Anna et Peter. Ici, ces deux personnages sont bien sur présents, mais il y a aussi d’autres points de vue comme Jude, le demi-frère de Peter et Richard, le PDG de Pincent Pharma, la firme qui fabrique les pilules de Longévité.
Le fait d’alterner plusieurs points de vue nous permet d’avoir plusieurs révélations sur la longévité. On comprend aussi que Richard est prêt à tout pour conserver son leardership sur le monde. On voit aussi que le gouvernement au pouvoir est aussi capable de tout pour masquer les problèmes que rencontre son système.
Ce que j’ai aussi beaucoup aimé dans ce livre, c’est qu’il commence avec un flashback de plus de cent ans avant les deux précédents tomes. On découvre ainsi la découverte par hasard du traitement de longévité.
Je dois dire que comme les autres tomes, ce roman met du temps à démarrer. Mais une fois parti, les découvertes et non les actions s’enchainent.
Comme je l’ai dit au début, les points de vue alternent donc difficile de s’attacher à un personnage. Mais je dois dire que Jude m’a bien surprise dans ce tome. J’ai aimé qu’il soit moins effacé que dans le tome précédent et qu’il prenne des risques.
La fin de ce roman est remplie de révélations et je dois dire que je ne les ai pas vu venir surtout concernant Paul, le chef de la révolte.
C’est une belle fin pour cette trilogie hors du commun. Cette dystopie sur le thème de l’immortalité est vraiment prenante. Dommage qu’il n’y ai pas eu beaucoup d’action.
February 14, 2017
The Legacy brengt een zeer slimme en spannende ontknoping voor The Declarationtrilogie van Gemma Malley. Zowel de geschetste toekomst als het plot zitten vol details en onverwachte twists, waardoor het verhaal spannend doch realistisch is. De personages zijn levensecht, maar af en toe een beetje vermoeiend in hun ouderwetse opvattingen. Met uitzonderingen van de epiloog - die me stiekem een beetje droevig achterliet - vond ik dit een zeer sterk en onverwacht einde. Een heerlijk vlot geschreven trilogie die je aan het denken zet over de sterfelijkheid van de mens.
Mijn complete recensie lees je op Oog op de Toekomst.
-- 2015 --
I loved The Declaration series a lot, and The Legacy is a great final installment in my opinion. The writing from Gemma Malley is beautiful and the books are impossible to put down. I can't wait to read more books from this author :)
The plot twist towards the ending was really good; I didn't see it coming at all. But I didn't like everything about the ending..
I loved reading this series!
★★★★
Mijn complete recensie lees je op Oog op de Toekomst.
-- 2015 --
I loved The Declaration series a lot, and The Legacy is a great final installment in my opinion. The writing from Gemma Malley is beautiful and the books are impossible to put down. I can't wait to read more books from this author :)
The plot twist towards the ending was really good; I didn't see it coming at all. But I didn't like everything about the ending..
I loved reading this series!
★★★★
March 21, 2019
[Read in French.]
I think this book just isn't for me.
I read a lot of positive reviews and I don't understand what people love about the series. I liked it OK but that's it -- and it's all because of the feel of the book, the world building. The rest seemed pointless to me.
People seem to have enjoyed the "twist" but I found it easy. I saw it coming from book 2, and I then thought it would be a big reveal at the end . When it wasn't, I thought it was kind of lame and put that idea away, but then the first chapter of The Legacy awakened my suspicion and I spent the rest of the book trying to figure why was anybody doing what they were doing. I'm still trying. This seems like a awful lot of trouble. I'm not convinced by anyone's motivations.
There's a lot (more) in this book that bothered me. Sometimes, it was nonsense, like a character who is said to be "several hundred years" when it's only been 120 or so years since the Longevity. Sure 200 years is several hundred years, just like 2 apples are indeed several apples, and this character could have been 80 or over when he began to take the pill but this does't seem like efficient storystelling . This exemple could be a translation mishap (maybe in English it says "a couple" and you're wondering what I'm obsessing about) but I don't still get the timeline. The youngest people to have know the "before era" would be 120 (and since the Declaration was only introduced after 40 years, there should be a lot of 80+ years olds too). There are people who live past 100 today, it's not that impressive. I'm pretty sure not all of them are super-bored too. Take your grand-parents: if they'd still had their significant other and a very strong health, wouldn't they be living their best life? I know mine would/ are.
Maybe this would bother me less if most of the protagonists weren't so young. I read book 1 about 10 years ago and it didn't strike me as weird back then - then I actually was the target audience and I'm not today - but Anna, Peter, Jude and Sheila are veeeery young. Did they really need to be mid-teens? In a world where most people are over 120, 18, 20, 25 or even 40 would be young too. Why is it that either the people are ancient, either they are children? Is there no middle ground? This makes me want to discuss about how exactly the pill withdrawal works but I'm not gonna. The fact that our heroes are young is weird because they and their leaders are obsessed with their child-making abilities. It's unsettling. They are children. They have time to enjoy life, isn't that the whole point of the books? I added two years to everyone's age in my head -- I had to or it was impossible to enjoy Anna's passages. They're still no that great (there's baby talk, and only Lemony Snicket can pull that off) but at least it didn't feel like I was watching a child play house.
This brings me to another issue: wow is this book sexist. Actually I don't think sexist is the right term, maybe gendered would be better, but I'm not an English speaker and you get the point. Women (well, girls, really) want families. Men (and boys) want to fight ans prove themselves and protect the women and children. And that's just our main characters: we get some of the antagonists' POV and they're talking shit about girls for no reason at all. Apparently girls are vicious and annoying. It's like the bad guys all are from the last century but that doesn't quite work with the timeline now, does it ? (Wait. Maybe it does. Sidenote: we're not doing that great as a society/) Sure those guys are evil but still, taking into acount that other thing that there is no female character with an actual personality, the book isn't doing a lot to show us that the bad guys are wrong. There couldn't have been one brave woman who wanted to fight for the future because it's the right thing to do ? Or even because she wanted revange or to prove herself ? There are plenty men.
This review is too long already but there's one last thing that really bothered me: the repetitions. Some things are said over and over and over again. I'm not talking about exposition for the people who have forgotten the last two books. I'm talking about details that are repeated throughout the book to make it very clear for the people who skipped a chapter or two or just didn't bother to read the first half of the book (I'm guessing because if not that, why?) For example, did you know that staying married is hard when you have eternity to live for? I do. Because the book said it. Three times. And two of those were from the same character's POV who then went on commenting on how good their marriage was, both of the times and with very similar wordings too. I felt like I was reading a master thesis conclusion, but in that case that's OK because you know your assessor's going to skim through most of what you've written. This is a book, have faith in your reader. For those wondering about what makes a stable marriage: the key is actually liking the other person. Crazy, isn't it ?
It might seem this is all bad because that's what I remember but I honestly think that this book just isn't for me. I'm usually a good sport, but once I get hang up on a couple of things I have a hard time letting it go. Nonsense really bugs me. Plus I didn't have the worst time. As I said before, I enjoyed the world in which the series takes place. It's dark and sad and the result of overpopulation and global warming -- my kind of nighmares. I wish we could have explored it more effectively (maybe instead of the many descriptions of people dying all in the same way ?)
I still kind of enjoyed myself but I don't know it was either reading the book or actually playing with the children I'm babysitting and I am no Anna.
I think this book just isn't for me.
I read a lot of positive reviews and I don't understand what people love about the series. I liked it OK but that's it -- and it's all because of the feel of the book, the world building. The rest seemed pointless to me.
People seem to have enjoyed the "twist" but I found it easy. I saw it coming from book 2, and I then thought it would be a big reveal at the end . When it wasn't, I thought it was kind of lame and put that idea away, but then the first chapter of The Legacy awakened my suspicion and I spent the rest of the book trying to figure why was anybody doing what they were doing. I'm still trying. This seems like a awful lot of trouble. I'm not convinced by anyone's motivations.
There's a lot (more) in this book that bothered me. Sometimes, it was nonsense, like a character who is said to be "several hundred years" when it's only been 120 or so years since the Longevity. Sure 200 years is several hundred years, just like 2 apples are indeed several apples, and this character could have been 80 or over when he began to take the pill but this does't seem like efficient storystelling . This exemple could be a translation mishap (maybe in English it says "a couple" and you're wondering what I'm obsessing about) but I don't still get the timeline. The youngest people to have know the "before era" would be 120 (and since the Declaration was only introduced after 40 years, there should be a lot of 80+ years olds too). There are people who live past 100 today, it's not that impressive. I'm pretty sure not all of them are super-bored too. Take your grand-parents: if they'd still had their significant other and a very strong health, wouldn't they be living their best life? I know mine would/ are.
Maybe this would bother me less if most of the protagonists weren't so young. I read book 1 about 10 years ago and it didn't strike me as weird back then - then I actually was the target audience and I'm not today - but Anna, Peter, Jude and Sheila are veeeery young. Did they really need to be mid-teens? In a world where most people are over 120, 18, 20, 25 or even 40 would be young too. Why is it that either the people are ancient, either they are children? Is there no middle ground? This makes me want to discuss about how exactly the pill withdrawal works but I'm not gonna. The fact that our heroes are young is weird because they and their leaders are obsessed with their child-making abilities. It's unsettling. They are children. They have time to enjoy life, isn't that the whole point of the books? I added two years to everyone's age in my head -- I had to or it was impossible to enjoy Anna's passages. They're still no that great (there's baby talk, and only Lemony Snicket can pull that off) but at least it didn't feel like I was watching a child play house.
This brings me to another issue: wow is this book sexist. Actually I don't think sexist is the right term, maybe gendered would be better, but I'm not an English speaker and you get the point. Women (well, girls, really) want families. Men (and boys) want to fight ans prove themselves and protect the women and children. And that's just our main characters: we get some of the antagonists' POV and they're talking shit about girls for no reason at all. Apparently girls are vicious and annoying. It's like the bad guys all are from the last century but that doesn't quite work with the timeline now, does it ? (Wait. Maybe it does. Sidenote: we're not doing that great as a society/) Sure those guys are evil but still, taking into acount that other thing that there is no female character with an actual personality, the book isn't doing a lot to show us that the bad guys are wrong. There couldn't have been one brave woman who wanted to fight for the future because it's the right thing to do ? Or even because she wanted revange or to prove herself ? There are plenty men.
This review is too long already but there's one last thing that really bothered me: the repetitions. Some things are said over and over and over again. I'm not talking about exposition for the people who have forgotten the last two books. I'm talking about details that are repeated throughout the book to make it very clear for the people who skipped a chapter or two or just didn't bother to read the first half of the book (I'm guessing because if not that, why?) For example, did you know that staying married is hard when you have eternity to live for? I do. Because the book said it. Three times. And two of those were from the same character's POV who then went on commenting on how good their marriage was, both of the times and with very similar wordings too. I felt like I was reading a master thesis conclusion, but in that case that's OK because you know your assessor's going to skim through most of what you've written. This is a book, have faith in your reader. For those wondering about what makes a stable marriage: the key is actually liking the other person. Crazy, isn't it ?
It might seem this is all bad because that's what I remember but I honestly think that this book just isn't for me. I'm usually a good sport, but once I get hang up on a couple of things I have a hard time letting it go. Nonsense really bugs me. Plus I didn't have the worst time. As I said before, I enjoyed the world in which the series takes place. It's dark and sad and the result of overpopulation and global warming -- my kind of nighmares. I wish we could have explored it more effectively (maybe instead of the many descriptions of people dying all in the same way ?)
I still kind of enjoyed myself but I don't know it was either reading the book or actually playing with the children I'm babysitting and I am no Anna.
May 2, 2011
This is the third and sadly the last book in Gemma Malley's Declaration trilogy.
I loved this book as much as loved the previous two books in this series, in my opinion Gemma Malley is a brilliant author. She can make her characters come to life on the pages, and make the reader feel exactly what the characters feel.
This book follows on from where we left Peter and Anna in The Resistance. They are now hidden away with their small family, working and living off the land. The first part of the book is a little slow paced, which is understandable when you realise there is a lot of information to take in at the beginning. As the book goes on however, and the reader is more aware of the main story and what is happening it does pick up the pace.
I do not want to ruin the ending of this series for anyone, but lets just say that the ending was completely unexpected and was a massive twist for the story. I really enjoyed the ending and believed that it brought the three book story to a final close.
I loved this book as much as loved the previous two books in this series, in my opinion Gemma Malley is a brilliant author. She can make her characters come to life on the pages, and make the reader feel exactly what the characters feel.
This book follows on from where we left Peter and Anna in The Resistance. They are now hidden away with their small family, working and living off the land. The first part of the book is a little slow paced, which is understandable when you realise there is a lot of information to take in at the beginning. As the book goes on however, and the reader is more aware of the main story and what is happening it does pick up the pace.
I do not want to ruin the ending of this series for anyone, but lets just say that the ending was completely unexpected and was a massive twist for the story. I really enjoyed the ending and believed that it brought the three book story to a final close.
March 2, 2011
I didn't read the second book of this trilogy but that really didn't affect this because the author spends a lot of time in the beginning recapping both books. I usually like dystopian worlds where society is strictly controlled, with the small band of brothers resistance group fighting the control and trying to get the world back to a more realistic vision of humanity. But not this one.
This is definitely a plot driven book, with pretty wooden and stereotypical characters. No one's very complex. The dialogue between them, while not horrible, is not impressive. The effect of eternal life is spelled out pretty clearly, but that's the problem - it's spelled out, not shown, and there's no real springboard for deeper discussion or thought. The end is saccharine, all turns out well, and it takes far too long for all to turn out well. The first book was better, but not by huge margins.
I just felt by the end that there's better dystopian fiction out there.
This is definitely a plot driven book, with pretty wooden and stereotypical characters. No one's very complex. The dialogue between them, while not horrible, is not impressive. The effect of eternal life is spelled out pretty clearly, but that's the problem - it's spelled out, not shown, and there's no real springboard for deeper discussion or thought. The end is saccharine, all turns out well, and it takes far too long for all to turn out well. The first book was better, but not by huge margins.
I just felt by the end that there's better dystopian fiction out there.
July 28, 2017
What a horrible series! Can't believe this stuff actually gets published. I should have stopped at book 2. Minus one halfway decent plot twist at the end, this book has nothing going for it. The characters are poorly written, the prose is amateurish, and the story line is cliched and uninteresting. And I am actually being nice here!
July 28, 2012
the epilog was brilliant!! in general i am not a fan of them but this one was perfect!!!
i thought the mention of the flower on the ring being made of all sciecne numbers and symbols was so...AHHH!!! it was so well thought through!! :)
i thought the mention of the flower on the ring being made of all sciecne numbers and symbols was so...AHHH!!! it was so well thought through!! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2017
Way better than Hunger Games... I honestly think this should be a part of the High School English 'dystopian' unit.
August 2, 2024
Something is happening to those who take the Longevity pill. Those who are supposed to live forever are getting ill. And worse, they're dying. Richard Pincent has to find out why his drugs are no longer working, or risk his entire empire crumbling. Could Anna and Peter hold the key? Or has Mother Nature finally had enough of being denied?
This is certainly the best flowing of the three stories - the reader is comfortable enough with the world now that it's easier to fall straight into the narrative. It maintains a good pace throughout, keeping things moving while also allowing the characters to have moments of stillness, and the building of tension is steady almost until the climax. There are a few perspective shifts throughout, not just to each of the main characters but some supporting cast too. Surprisingly, this doesn't have a huge impact on the flow of things, but there is still a momentary jolt when you switch to a lesser character and it takes a moment to remember how they fit into the story.
If my maths is right, we're about 10 months on from the end of 'The Resistance', but Anna and Peter's relationship has shifted again, this time feeling like a couple on the brink. To me, Jude has the most realistic development, and Sheila almost feels like she's regressed rather than progressed, so to some extent the feeling of time that has passed between the end of the last book and now feels inconsistent. It's not a comfortable dynamic for either pair, but it works for the tale being told. It also reminds you how young these characters are, which again sometimes feels at odds with the way they are portrayed.
The twists and turns do make for a few surprises; some bits you'll be able to predict, others not so much. However, the resolution is a little rushed for my liking - without spoiling anything, I wasn't particularly impressed with a scientist who thinks they've been able to thoroughly investigate an item in literally 30 seconds. As the whole story hangs on their discovery (or lack thereof), I do feel that the story could have been taken in a slightly different direction so as to make these investigations feel more realistic and dramatic. There are a couple of revelations that are also squeezed into the same scene, and so it came across to me as if the author had forgotten her word limit and realised she was a bit too close to it. Likewise, there are a couple of seemingly loose threads through the book that feel important when you're reading them, but don't actually lead anywhere.
Overall, I think the premise of the trilogy makes for a great story and I really enjoyed the ideas set forth, even if the writing style wasn't always to my taste. I would love to see this developed into a TV or film series, as I think that medium would allow for some additional exploration of this particular dystopia. For once, I don't think I'd complain if they went "off-book" as there is so much more that could be done with this world and these characters.
A good end to a good series.
This is certainly the best flowing of the three stories - the reader is comfortable enough with the world now that it's easier to fall straight into the narrative. It maintains a good pace throughout, keeping things moving while also allowing the characters to have moments of stillness, and the building of tension is steady almost until the climax. There are a few perspective shifts throughout, not just to each of the main characters but some supporting cast too. Surprisingly, this doesn't have a huge impact on the flow of things, but there is still a momentary jolt when you switch to a lesser character and it takes a moment to remember how they fit into the story.
If my maths is right, we're about 10 months on from the end of 'The Resistance', but Anna and Peter's relationship has shifted again, this time feeling like a couple on the brink. To me, Jude has the most realistic development, and Sheila almost feels like she's regressed rather than progressed, so to some extent the feeling of time that has passed between the end of the last book and now feels inconsistent. It's not a comfortable dynamic for either pair, but it works for the tale being told. It also reminds you how young these characters are, which again sometimes feels at odds with the way they are portrayed.
The twists and turns do make for a few surprises; some bits you'll be able to predict, others not so much. However, the resolution is a little rushed for my liking - without spoiling anything, I wasn't particularly impressed with a scientist who thinks they've been able to thoroughly investigate an item in literally 30 seconds. As the whole story hangs on their discovery (or lack thereof), I do feel that the story could have been taken in a slightly different direction so as to make these investigations feel more realistic and dramatic. There are a couple of revelations that are also squeezed into the same scene, and so it came across to me as if the author had forgotten her word limit and realised she was a bit too close to it. Likewise, there are a couple of seemingly loose threads through the book that feel important when you're reading them, but don't actually lead anywhere.
Overall, I think the premise of the trilogy makes for a great story and I really enjoyed the ideas set forth, even if the writing style wasn't always to my taste. I would love to see this developed into a TV or film series, as I think that medium would allow for some additional exploration of this particular dystopia. For once, I don't think I'd complain if they went "off-book" as there is so much more that could be done with this world and these characters.
A good end to a good series.
February 26, 2019
I am currently a senior in high school that had the opportunity to choose a book for my Science Fiction class. The book I chose was The Legacy by Gemma Malley, published in the United States in January 2011. What had me hooked on this book was the concept of having a medicine/drug that can give eternal life although eventually stops working, and causes a massive effect on humanity.
I found it very useful when Malley used dreams and flashback to move further into the plot and tie different events together. This helped the book flow easier. An example of this was when Anna, has dreams that the The Catchers will take her child away from her family, “Anna sat bolt upright, her heart thudding in her chest, sweat pouring from her forehead” (pg 25). With this quote, even though other readers could possibly see this as slowing down the plot, for me it helps it flow and connect all the events together. This allows for the reader to be very attentive of what is going on within the characters. fragment
I really liked how Malley characterizes the characters using connotation to make each of them very unique in the book. This also gave a picture in your head and what kind of person they are. “Richard was looking at him menacingly. ‘I said, give me the formula now, Albert. Otherwise you’ll regret it’” (pg 11). The word choice and assertive dialogue from Richard, gives off a vibe that he is strong and sort of manipulative in a way. The words like ‘now’, ‘regret’, and ‘menacingly’, all show that strong connotation. Malley does this the most characters and you can really picture in your mind who they are and how they act.
I enjoyed the idea of, What if there was some sort of drug that promised eternal life? A quote that wraps up this entire theme is, “‘I’m suggesting that we have a big problem,’ Dr Thomas said, his voice cracking. ‘I’m saying that if Longevity can’t fight this virus, then… then…’ He took a deep breath. “Then we’re all going to die’” (pg 17). The reason this quote stands out to me in because it enhances the sci-fi question the book is trying to tell. The idea is very fascinating, and that's what sci fi is all about. It also makes a great story to go along with.
Overall, The Legacy by Gemma Malley is a great book to read and has all the components to an interesting plot. I recommend this book to anyone who is a sci fi fanatic but can still really closely relate to reality.
I found it very useful when Malley used dreams and flashback to move further into the plot and tie different events together. This helped the book flow easier. An example of this was when Anna, has dreams that the The Catchers will take her child away from her family, “Anna sat bolt upright, her heart thudding in her chest, sweat pouring from her forehead” (pg 25). With this quote, even though other readers could possibly see this as slowing down the plot, for me it helps it flow and connect all the events together. This allows for the reader to be very attentive of what is going on within the characters. fragment
I really liked how Malley characterizes the characters using connotation to make each of them very unique in the book. This also gave a picture in your head and what kind of person they are. “Richard was looking at him menacingly. ‘I said, give me the formula now, Albert. Otherwise you’ll regret it’” (pg 11). The word choice and assertive dialogue from Richard, gives off a vibe that he is strong and sort of manipulative in a way. The words like ‘now’, ‘regret’, and ‘menacingly’, all show that strong connotation. Malley does this the most characters and you can really picture in your mind who they are and how they act.
I enjoyed the idea of, What if there was some sort of drug that promised eternal life? A quote that wraps up this entire theme is, “‘I’m suggesting that we have a big problem,’ Dr Thomas said, his voice cracking. ‘I’m saying that if Longevity can’t fight this virus, then… then…’ He took a deep breath. “Then we’re all going to die’” (pg 17). The reason this quote stands out to me in because it enhances the sci-fi question the book is trying to tell. The idea is very fascinating, and that's what sci fi is all about. It also makes a great story to go along with.
Overall, The Legacy by Gemma Malley is a great book to read and has all the components to an interesting plot. I recommend this book to anyone who is a sci fi fanatic but can still really closely relate to reality.
June 2, 2021
Wow, I have just finished the last part of this three-part book trilogy. It was epic. It all came about because of a trip to the charity shop, I just love to get bargain books and also support a charity. Nothing could prepare me for what I’ve just read, not even the pandemic. A glimpse into a dystopian 22nd Century, but one that our scientific research is probably capable of creating in the future.
An end to all illness and also the promise of eternal life. With technology advancing as fast as it is, the cloning of animals, body parts being manufactured and new drugs being discovered each year this trilogy really gets the cogs turning.
In the year 2030, a scientist creates Longevity, a drug which prevents death but does not halt the aging process. People continue to have children although there are no longer any deaths, and this quickly leads to over population. As a result, in the year 2065, the Declaration is introduced. This is a document which must be signed before an individual is allowed to take Longevity, and in doing so they agree not to have any children. There are exceptions to this. For example, wealthy politicians may take the drug and still have children.
Many people are resistant to the Declaration. They still want to have families, but cannot give up the chance to live for an eternity. Children born to these individuals are offensively referred to as “Surplus”. In some countries, the Surpluses are killed the moment they are born, but in countries such as Britain, they are taken from their parents at birth to live in “Surplus Halls.”
They are taught that their existence is a crime against Nature, and that the only way they can atone for their parents’ sins is through hard and constant labour. Obedient Surpluses can rise through the ranks at Grange Hall to become a “Valuable Asset.” Valuable Assets are allowed to go and work as servants in the homes of Legals (non-Surplus citizens). This trilogy follows Peter and Anna, two surplus children.
During the final book there is a virus that is sweeping the country, killing thousands in a grim and horrifying way, they appear to die from the inside out. Is there something wrong with the drug or is it something more sinister? Its a brilliant, thought provoking story of advances in technology versus global pandemics, which when read during a pandemic can really mess with the mind. I loved it from start to finish! Luckily the book I got from the charity shop was the first of the trilogy, so I ordered the other two to read straight after.
An end to all illness and also the promise of eternal life. With technology advancing as fast as it is, the cloning of animals, body parts being manufactured and new drugs being discovered each year this trilogy really gets the cogs turning.
In the year 2030, a scientist creates Longevity, a drug which prevents death but does not halt the aging process. People continue to have children although there are no longer any deaths, and this quickly leads to over population. As a result, in the year 2065, the Declaration is introduced. This is a document which must be signed before an individual is allowed to take Longevity, and in doing so they agree not to have any children. There are exceptions to this. For example, wealthy politicians may take the drug and still have children.
Many people are resistant to the Declaration. They still want to have families, but cannot give up the chance to live for an eternity. Children born to these individuals are offensively referred to as “Surplus”. In some countries, the Surpluses are killed the moment they are born, but in countries such as Britain, they are taken from their parents at birth to live in “Surplus Halls.”
They are taught that their existence is a crime against Nature, and that the only way they can atone for their parents’ sins is through hard and constant labour. Obedient Surpluses can rise through the ranks at Grange Hall to become a “Valuable Asset.” Valuable Assets are allowed to go and work as servants in the homes of Legals (non-Surplus citizens). This trilogy follows Peter and Anna, two surplus children.
During the final book there is a virus that is sweeping the country, killing thousands in a grim and horrifying way, they appear to die from the inside out. Is there something wrong with the drug or is it something more sinister? Its a brilliant, thought provoking story of advances in technology versus global pandemics, which when read during a pandemic can really mess with the mind. I loved it from start to finish! Luckily the book I got from the charity shop was the first of the trilogy, so I ordered the other two to read straight after.
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