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Internal Defense #2
Necessary Sacrifices
A year and a half ago, Becca Dalcourt joined the resistance. Three months ago, she started working undercover inside Internal Defense. A year from now, she’ll probably be dead. She knows the odds. She’s seen how the life of a double agent ends.
All she wants is a chance to do something with what little time she has left. Something big. Something meaningful. But the resistance doesn’t trust her, and her job transcribing torture sessions hasn’t given her anything but the names of dissidents whose lives, according to her resistance contact, aren’t worth saving.
So when she discovers a secret government program designed to brainwash dissidents into loyal citizens, she resolves to shut it down, no matter the cost. Even if her plan puts everyone she loves in danger. Even if the most experienced resistance fighters say it can’t be done. Even if it means betraying the only person who sees past the mask she wears every day.
Even if she has to do it alone.
The sequel to The Torturer’s Daughter, which has been praised for its dark realism, Necessary Sacrifices asks how you fight an enemy that can't be defeated... and what sacrifices are worth making along the way.
All she wants is a chance to do something with what little time she has left. Something big. Something meaningful. But the resistance doesn’t trust her, and her job transcribing torture sessions hasn’t given her anything but the names of dissidents whose lives, according to her resistance contact, aren’t worth saving.
So when she discovers a secret government program designed to brainwash dissidents into loyal citizens, she resolves to shut it down, no matter the cost. Even if her plan puts everyone she loves in danger. Even if the most experienced resistance fighters say it can’t be done. Even if it means betraying the only person who sees past the mask she wears every day.
Even if she has to do it alone.
The sequel to The Torturer’s Daughter, which has been praised for its dark realism, Necessary Sacrifices asks how you fight an enemy that can't be defeated... and what sacrifices are worth making along the way.
- GenresYoung AdultDystopia
364 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2013
2 people are currently reading
2109 people want to read
About the author
Zoe Cannon
115 books233 followers** I no longer use Goodreads to track my reading. My subjective rating and review standards aren’t likely to be useful to other readers--how would it help anyone else to see that I rated a book 5 stars because I read it at the exact right time in my life, or 2 stars because it used a popular trope I dislike?--and I’m not comfortable with the idea of readers and even authors taking them as objective measurements, or worse, constructive criticism. I now track my reading privately, but send out monthly book recommendations through my mailing list at https://www.zoecannon.com/newsletter. My old ratings and reviews are still here, but don’t take them as anything other than personal reactions. I may not see messages and friend requests. **
Zoe Cannon may or may not be a supervillain out to conquer the world through writing. When not writing, she can be found perfecting her schemes for world domination, plotting against her archenemies, and staying up too late reading a book. Her secret lair is rumored to be located somewhere in southern New Hampshire.
Zoe Cannon may or may not be a supervillain out to conquer the world through writing. When not writing, she can be found perfecting her schemes for world domination, plotting against her archenemies, and staying up too late reading a book. Her secret lair is rumored to be located somewhere in southern New Hampshire.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 16, 2013
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review)
ABOUT THE BOOK
"A year and a half ago, Becca Dalcourt joined the resistance. Three months ago, she started working undercover inside Internal Defense. A year from now, she’ll probably be dead. She knows the odds. She’s seen how the life of a double agent ends.
All she wants is a chance to do something with what little time she has left. Something big. Something meaningful. But the resistance doesn’t trust her, and her job transcribing torture sessions hasn’t given her anything but the names of dissidents whose lives, according to her resistance contact, aren’t worth saving.
So when she discovers a secret government program designed to brainwash dissidents into loyal citizens, she resolves to shut it down, no matter the cost. Even if her plan puts everyone she loves in danger. Even if the most experienced resistance fighters say it can’t be done. Even if it means betraying the only person who sees past the mask she wears every day.
Even if she has to do it alone.
The sequel to The Torturer’s Daughter, which has been praised for its dark realism, Necessary Sacrifices asks how you fight an enemy that can't be defeated... and what sacrifices are worth making along the way."
MY THOUGHTS:
This sequel to 'The Torturer's Daughter' continues the tension and struggle admirably. There is more violence in here than in the first book, however I would still say it is suitable for the older YA, as well as the adult reader. If you like dystopian tales, you'll like this series of books. The main character, Becca, has to keep a tight lid on her emotions, and builds a mask behind which she hides whenever she is around other people. Nonetheless, the reader gets to see her responses, her terror, her determination.
THE STRUCTURE:
The book is 364 pages in length, and I read it in two sittings. Although the author often writes with 'ing' formulations, there is nothing passive about this book. The POV is told from that of the main protagonist, and remains consistent throughout. The ending is well rounded and complete, despite being part of a series. The plot pace is a good one, and will keep your attention throughout. There are a couple of good twists included, which add to the enjoyment of the read. The proof reading has been done to a high standard.
SUMMARY:
I loved this book as much as I did the first in the series. I have also read the novella which follows (The First Evil Thing), for more on which see my review. I look forward to the next in the series coming out in 2014. Although I read these books for review, I am a new fan of Zoe Cannon. We still don't get much in the way of backdrop, but quite honestly, it's not needed. It would probably only detract from the main action. On the whole, a well written and entertaining read.
ABOUT THE BOOK
"A year and a half ago, Becca Dalcourt joined the resistance. Three months ago, she started working undercover inside Internal Defense. A year from now, she’ll probably be dead. She knows the odds. She’s seen how the life of a double agent ends.
All she wants is a chance to do something with what little time she has left. Something big. Something meaningful. But the resistance doesn’t trust her, and her job transcribing torture sessions hasn’t given her anything but the names of dissidents whose lives, according to her resistance contact, aren’t worth saving.
So when she discovers a secret government program designed to brainwash dissidents into loyal citizens, she resolves to shut it down, no matter the cost. Even if her plan puts everyone she loves in danger. Even if the most experienced resistance fighters say it can’t be done. Even if it means betraying the only person who sees past the mask she wears every day.
Even if she has to do it alone.
The sequel to The Torturer’s Daughter, which has been praised for its dark realism, Necessary Sacrifices asks how you fight an enemy that can't be defeated... and what sacrifices are worth making along the way."
MY THOUGHTS:
This sequel to 'The Torturer's Daughter' continues the tension and struggle admirably. There is more violence in here than in the first book, however I would still say it is suitable for the older YA, as well as the adult reader. If you like dystopian tales, you'll like this series of books. The main character, Becca, has to keep a tight lid on her emotions, and builds a mask behind which she hides whenever she is around other people. Nonetheless, the reader gets to see her responses, her terror, her determination.
THE STRUCTURE:
The book is 364 pages in length, and I read it in two sittings. Although the author often writes with 'ing' formulations, there is nothing passive about this book. The POV is told from that of the main protagonist, and remains consistent throughout. The ending is well rounded and complete, despite being part of a series. The plot pace is a good one, and will keep your attention throughout. There are a couple of good twists included, which add to the enjoyment of the read. The proof reading has been done to a high standard.
SUMMARY:
I loved this book as much as I did the first in the series. I have also read the novella which follows (The First Evil Thing), for more on which see my review. I look forward to the next in the series coming out in 2014. Although I read these books for review, I am a new fan of Zoe Cannon. We still don't get much in the way of backdrop, but quite honestly, it's not needed. It would probably only detract from the main action. On the whole, a well written and entertaining read.
July 24, 2013
A year after her trials in The Torturer's Daughter, Becca has graduated from high school and works as an informant in the same processing center as her mother. In an attempt to protect herself and others, she has distanced herself from everyone. Unfortunately, to make the changes she dreams of and to save innocent lives she will have to get close to an old group of friends, including Heather.
Review:
The tension present in the end of The Torturer's Daughter was immediately apparent in Necessary Sacrifices. I actually found the first half of the book to be a little stressful to read. While this is a sequel, I believe that you could possibly read it as a stand alone. That said, it probably works far better if you read them in order.
I found it interesting where the author had taken Becca in the time between the two books. She had become so dissociated with world around her, pretty much focused on transcribing the torture sessions of dissidents she couldn't save in hopes that the names they dropped when they broke could result in saved lives. It seemed like she was punishing herself so much by forcing her to watch the most despicable thing she could think of day in and day out and telling herself that she was making a difference. She knows that her time is short, but instead of personally making a change, she was depending on others to do it for her. I was happy to see her stand up and make the difference she needed.
It was also really fascinating to watch the arc between the two books where she starts out so open and social in the beginning of the first book, becoming completely closed off, and then being forced to let people in again. Most of Becca's emotions and interactions felt very flat in the novel, however, I assumed that the author meant to write it that way to show how closed off Becca was from herself.
Overall, I found it to be a quick and enjoyable read. I liked how she set up for additional books, but also ended at a point that felt natural and conclusive.
My Recommendation:
If you enjoyed The Torturer's Daughter you'll like this too. This sequel certainly did not fall short of the bar set by the first novel. 4.5/5 - I really really liked it.
Review:
The tension present in the end of The Torturer's Daughter was immediately apparent in Necessary Sacrifices. I actually found the first half of the book to be a little stressful to read. While this is a sequel, I believe that you could possibly read it as a stand alone. That said, it probably works far better if you read them in order.
I found it interesting where the author had taken Becca in the time between the two books. She had become so dissociated with world around her, pretty much focused on transcribing the torture sessions of dissidents she couldn't save in hopes that the names they dropped when they broke could result in saved lives. It seemed like she was punishing herself so much by forcing her to watch the most despicable thing she could think of day in and day out and telling herself that she was making a difference. She knows that her time is short, but instead of personally making a change, she was depending on others to do it for her. I was happy to see her stand up and make the difference she needed.
It was also really fascinating to watch the arc between the two books where she starts out so open and social in the beginning of the first book, becoming completely closed off, and then being forced to let people in again. Most of Becca's emotions and interactions felt very flat in the novel, however, I assumed that the author meant to write it that way to show how closed off Becca was from herself.
Overall, I found it to be a quick and enjoyable read. I liked how she set up for additional books, but also ended at a point that felt natural and conclusive.
My Recommendation:
If you enjoyed The Torturer's Daughter you'll like this too. This sequel certainly did not fall short of the bar set by the first novel. 4.5/5 - I really really liked it.
June 18, 2014
An absolutely captivating book. Makes you wonder how people used to live in East Germany before the Wall fell... kind of like this. Always scared of the government, always afraid your neighbors might turn you in if you even seemed slightly suspicious. Miss Cannon does a very good job of bringing this kind of world to life. It's a more 'grown-up' dystopian story, this one. It is YA, but at the same time, I feel it could have been about adults, too. In fact, the kids in the previous book grew up and have all taken their place in the world governed by Internal, Enforcement and all those other horrible institutes described in the first book.
September 14, 2015
I was pretty much blown away by this one. It does all the things many YA novels seem afraid to do: poses difficult questions, puts the main character in harrowing situations with no real, good choices, and addresses the idea of the small ripples that don't necessarily make a huge difference. More complete review to come.
February 22, 2014
I remembered liking the first book, so I decided to get the second. WOW. For four bucks, it's a steal.
Personally I liked it better than the first, there is tons of character development in this book and we get to see the motivations of everyone. While Internal isn't a character, it is also definitely fleshed out by getting a look at the people who work there. It's not some completely awful system, though it does extremely distasteful things. However, the dissident group makes their own "necessary sacrifices". They both want a better world, they disagree on how to do that, they make choices. That I can appreciate. I also really, really loved the characterization of Heather. She's grown up quite a bit, and I found it fascinating that she and Becca are now two sides of the same coin.
I feel like there was less overt action in this book, but to be fair it's been a while since I read the first. The tension is palpable, and I loved being inside Becca's head. Some parts were predictable, but at the end, nothing turned out the way I expected.
My main criticism is that in the end, everything ended up a bit too neatly. Everyone had their story lines more or less tied up, when I feel like about half the people should have died. But even then, Cannon makes it plausible. Too unlikely for my tastes, but definitely plausible.
Finally, I loved how this book has brought up several difficult questions and has a main character that's fallible. Frankly, she's so cold in this book I wouldn't hesitate to say she's even a little dislikable. What if your actions never make a difference? What is an acceptable loss? How do you live with yourself after condemning another person to death, especially when it was for your ideals and not theirs? What's the difference between you and them, if for both of you the ends justify the means?
Ah. Just release the third book. Please. :)
Personally I liked it better than the first, there is tons of character development in this book and we get to see the motivations of everyone. While Internal isn't a character, it is also definitely fleshed out by getting a look at the people who work there. It's not some completely awful system, though it does extremely distasteful things. However, the dissident group makes their own "necessary sacrifices". They both want a better world, they disagree on how to do that, they make choices. That I can appreciate. I also really, really loved the characterization of Heather. She's grown up quite a bit, and I found it fascinating that she and Becca are now two sides of the same coin.
I feel like there was less overt action in this book, but to be fair it's been a while since I read the first. The tension is palpable, and I loved being inside Becca's head. Some parts were predictable, but at the end, nothing turned out the way I expected.
My main criticism is that in the end, everything ended up a bit too neatly. Everyone had their story lines more or less tied up, when I feel like about half the people should have died. But even then, Cannon makes it plausible. Too unlikely for my tastes, but definitely plausible.
Finally, I loved how this book has brought up several difficult questions and has a main character that's fallible. Frankly, she's so cold in this book I wouldn't hesitate to say she's even a little dislikable. What if your actions never make a difference? What is an acceptable loss? How do you live with yourself after condemning another person to death, especially when it was for your ideals and not theirs? What's the difference between you and them, if for both of you the ends justify the means?
Ah. Just release the third book. Please. :)
July 30, 2014
If you have read the Torturer’s Daughter then it is definitely a must to read the sequel. If you haven’t read the first book then I think it’s time to pick up the book and read it. I’d say it is definitely worth it. The books come under the genre of Dystopian Fiction and are much like The Hunger Games in that the government functions a certain way and there are people who support it and who do not. True to the meaning of dystopia, this story revolves around the way the government controls everything that happens and how people are labelled rebels and punished for crimes they may not have even committed.
Necessary Sacrifices is the sequel to The Torturer’s Daughter. The story follows Becca as she starts supporting the resistance and tries to make a difference while having joined Internal (the government). Though she doesn’t like what her mother has done, she still loves her the same. Her job is to transcribe the interviews conducted with people who have been caught for dissident activity.
The story progresses well and provides a better insight into how the people are trying to retaliate against Internal. We gain more insight into the functioning of the resistance and Becca’s association with them. Though the daughter of the most powerful lady in Internal, Becca realises that she is a dissident at heart and nothing can change that. She realises she can relate to their point of view as she thinks the same way. A more mature side of her is portrayed in this story.
The well developed character sketches and the twists in the plot keep the reader hooked on to the book. The book is definitely worth reading and is a wonderful sequel to the first. For all the fans of Dystopian fiction or just the Hunger Games, this series is definitely worth a read.
Necessary Sacrifices is the sequel to The Torturer’s Daughter. The story follows Becca as she starts supporting the resistance and tries to make a difference while having joined Internal (the government). Though she doesn’t like what her mother has done, she still loves her the same. Her job is to transcribe the interviews conducted with people who have been caught for dissident activity.
The story progresses well and provides a better insight into how the people are trying to retaliate against Internal. We gain more insight into the functioning of the resistance and Becca’s association with them. Though the daughter of the most powerful lady in Internal, Becca realises that she is a dissident at heart and nothing can change that. She realises she can relate to their point of view as she thinks the same way. A more mature side of her is portrayed in this story.
The well developed character sketches and the twists in the plot keep the reader hooked on to the book. The book is definitely worth reading and is a wonderful sequel to the first. For all the fans of Dystopian fiction or just the Hunger Games, this series is definitely worth a read.
August 4, 2013
I didn't really know what to expect going into this book. I knew it would have something to do with Becca and the resistance. Well, it was quite the ride and was full of non-stop action. There wasn't a whole lot of lulls in the book. It follows the continuing story of Becca and her fight against the regime, her relationship with her mother and also with her former friend Heather, and her trying to settle into a double-life working for Processing. I thought I knew where the book was going but it ended up taking a lot of turns here and there and pleasantly surprised me. Becca really develops and grows a tremendous amount in this novel, as well as some of the other characters (like Heather). I don't want to give too much away but suffice to say Becca and a few others are constantly being barraged with tough moral choices and impossible situations. There is a bit of romance as well. The book wraps up fairly nicely but doesn't necessarily resolve the problems in the world so it could go either way as to whether a third book is written. But if you liked the first book, then you'll like this one as well as it is very similar, only turned up in intensity.
NOTE: I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
See my reviews at http://www.michaelscifan.us
NOTE: I received this book for free in return for an honest review.
See my reviews at http://www.michaelscifan.us
April 4, 2015
These books are not phenomenal. The concept is good and I can get behind almost everything, but the "heroine" really rubs me the wrong way. She is the very definition of a TSTL character. There is NO WAY that this girl would not be worm food by now. She doesn't seem to have much ability to school her emotions or control her responses at all. I just wish she would finally die and have Kara take over the main role. However, the author does a good job of ending it on just enough of a cliffhanger in the last 20 pages or so that I know I will continue reading. At least the stupid twit finally bought some furniture. Here's a hint, if you want to fit in and look normal, then don't decorate your apartment with nothing but a TV and a folding chair! Anybody walking into that apartment (Becca's mom, all her friends, Milo) all should have identified that this is a sign of a girl who's not expecting to live long, and therefore likely a dissident. It's things like that that are so clunky and hard to believe that just tears me out of the world and makes me annoyed with the book as a whole. Like I said though, the overall concept is intriguing, even if Cannon does a pretty questionable job in the presentation and construction of the story.
December 14, 2013
Necessary Sacrifices is the second book of the Internal Defense series. Sadly it wasn't as good as the first book. Even though it was still a good read, it didn't have as much flare as the first book.
It was really slow in the first two parts until things really started to pick up and it became very predicable in some cases. For example, the moment Beca discovered the secret program, I knew from then that we would see Jake again but as it was predicable, it wasn't. I loved the moment when Beca betrayed Milo. That was something that I wasn't expecting. I also loved that Heather has grown from the person she was in the first book.
There really was some strong character developments in this book which I love and the whole government conspiracy moving along. Once again, like the first book, we learned a few lessons. Just like the title, we learned that we have to make sacrifices no matter how hard they are to move on. We also learn that even though we can't defeat our enemy but that doesn't mean that we have to give up. We can win with one small battle at a time.
It was really slow in the first two parts until things really started to pick up and it became very predicable in some cases. For example, the moment Beca discovered the secret program, I knew from then that we would see Jake again but as it was predicable, it wasn't. I loved the moment when Beca betrayed Milo. That was something that I wasn't expecting. I also loved that Heather has grown from the person she was in the first book.
There really was some strong character developments in this book which I love and the whole government conspiracy moving along. Once again, like the first book, we learned a few lessons. Just like the title, we learned that we have to make sacrifices no matter how hard they are to move on. We also learn that even though we can't defeat our enemy but that doesn't mean that we have to give up. We can win with one small battle at a time.
February 20, 2014
Cannon is a top-notch author whose characters are well-rounded and thoroughly credible. The pace of this book is perfect, with just enough suspense to keep me going without going over the top.
I don't believe I've ever read an entire trilogy before. Usually I love the first book, the second pales in comparison, therefore I never get to the third in the series. Cannon's trilogy is different. This second book was just as good as the first ("The Torturer's Daughter"), and I'm eagerly awaiting the third.
Highly recommended.
I don't believe I've ever read an entire trilogy before. Usually I love the first book, the second pales in comparison, therefore I never get to the third in the series. Cannon's trilogy is different. This second book was just as good as the first ("The Torturer's Daughter"), and I'm eagerly awaiting the third.
Highly recommended.
November 21, 2013
this book was given by the author in exchange for a honest review..
HOLY SHIT!!!! between this series.. and the crewl series.... ive said that quite alot, and I mean EVERY bit of it.. it gets darker..... more painful....a story.. and a series plot starts to develop... Yes I want to know more... i sure as hell hope/can't wait for book 3 and perhaps more after that.. Well done Zoe.. more people need to read this series....
HOLY SHIT!!!! between this series.. and the crewl series.... ive said that quite alot, and I mean EVERY bit of it.. it gets darker..... more painful....a story.. and a series plot starts to develop... Yes I want to know more... i sure as hell hope/can't wait for book 3 and perhaps more after that.. Well done Zoe.. more people need to read this series....
March 30, 2014
This book was a good exploration of what a person can justify to themselves in the name of Justice and what is "right." I really enjoyed this book, but as with the first, really wanted to know why this regime came to be in the first place. Give us some backstory, Zoe! Even if it is just a few paragraphs, explain A: What the resistance is fighting against to begin with, and B: How did the governmnet become so twisted in the first place. Other than that, great book.
Want to read
July 10, 2013This looks awesome - and I love the cover!
January 28, 2014
Interesting reading
February 16, 2014
Even better than the first book, which I loved. Lots of gripping action and excellent character development. I love Becca's growth over the course of this novel.
March 9, 2014
Review to come.
October 24, 2015
Fantastic Story. Could not put it down.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews