The Rooster's Garden

The Tasha Trilogy #2

by Olivia A. Cole

In this heart-stopping sequel to Panther in the Hive, Tasha Lockett is on the move again. As Chicago’s Apiary smolders in the rearview mirror, Tasha and her friends (plus a skinny poodle) push west. With only the digital trail of a mad scientist and a three-line letter from Tasha’s estranged sister to guide them, the journey is fraught with danger—and not just from the armies of Minkers that swarm the States. Even as Tasha encounters new allies, peril shadows her every if there is a cure for the disaster that has swept the nation, it is guarded fiercely. A kitchen knife was enough to get her out of Chicago, but will it be enough to protect her from what’s ahead?

Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Zombies, Dystopia

548 pages, Paperback

Published February 9, 2016

About the author

Olivia Cole is an author and blogger from Louisville, Kentucky. She spent eight years in Chicago and two in South Florida before finding her way back home. She is the author of PANTHER IN THE HIVE and its sequel, THE ROOSTER’S GARDEN, as well as her latest young adult series, A CONSPIRACY OF STARS and its sequel AN ANATOMY OF BEASTS. She is on the Creative Writing faculty at the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts and is the founder of the sci-fi art show for young Kentucky women, KINDRED: MAKING SPACE IN SPACE.

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Panther in the Hive last year and I was anxiously awaiting the release of the sequel. To say I was not disappointed was an understatement. I read a lot of YA dystopian books, and so the genre isn't new to me and the plot of a shady government interfering with lives isn't new. However, what I love about this series, and what The Rooster's Garden was able to do even better than it's predecessor, was bring in a lot of nuance about race, disenfranchisement of People of Color, even some of the issues between POC (for example, it never dawned on Z that neither Tasha nor LaBrenda would be able to get NuSkin in their complexion. Reminds me of a lot of the discussion that happens regarding makeup brands that do not have color dark/deep enough for darker skinned WOC), etc. The scene with Wholefoods Amy (as I call her) just really pissed me off and reminded me of the unequal reporting of the Hurricane Katrina aftermath. It was all skillfully done, but without a "very special episode" feel to it. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if some people miss it.

This book definitely answered more questions, but there's so much I need to know!! Also, while I'm never one to ship book characters, can I say that I'm loving Tasha and Ish? AND, OMG, the revelation at the end!! WHEN IS BOOK 3 COMING?? I NEED IT!

So, basically, if you like YA dystopian fic, want to read a book staring POC that delves into some specific nuance, enjoy zombies and fashion refs, this is the series for you. I like this book even more than part1!

[Damien · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congratulations to Olivia Cole for a fantastic sequel in The Rooster's Garden, which I've just finished after devouring in a couple of marathon sessions. I'm so excited for how far her writing, voice, and characters have come. To say I was nervous when I first heard it was 500+ pages is an understatement: Visions of the Sophomore Slump, and Terence Trent D'Arby-style excess danced in my thoughts. Surely, an editor's pen hasn't touched this. But not at all! 500+ pages and it's bursting with action, gravitas, hints of romance, humor, and tension, and still I want MORE. Five hundred pages has never felt this lean. Give me part 3, damn it! You don't need to eat or sleep! Just WRITE!

This isn't a post-apocalyptic world, but let's call it "apocalpyse-adjacent", for simplicity, Chicago's Tasha Lockett and her damaged band of strays and misfit toys continue across a decimated country seeking the promised peace of the west coast, fending off the mindless and hungry zombie-esque masses, themselves the willing victims of not ever having read Apple's Terms of Service agreements (a joke... or is it? cue Twilight Zone horns).

Will they make it to Cali? Does Cali still stand? Is everyone in the crew really squad? Why don't any of the cars ever have working radios??? (Really, I just want a scene of Minkers in a convertible playing Vanessa Carlton, dammit) Why would stopping in a Wal-Mart in middle America EVER sound like a good idea, pre-, post-, or mid-apocalypse???

I thought I loved Tasha, but now I'm in a triangle with her and LaBrenda, and it's all Olivia's fault! This is awkward! We're riding in the same SUV, ferchrissakes! You couldn't have warned me before I promised to come along?!?! Jeez...

[Joi]

I love, love, love the Tasha Trilogy! After reading Panther in the Hive, I couldn't wait to get my hands on The Rooster's Garden. The fast-paced action, engaging and humorous dialogue, and witty writing is even better in Book 2. I also appreciate Cole's fierce female characters, all of them POC and treated with such verisimilitude. My only critique—and it's a small one for a book of this genre—is that an unbelievable number of coincidences drive a lot of the action. Suspend belief and keep going because it's a fun read.

[TC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting off slowly where Panther in the Hive ended, this second of three novels in the Tasha Trilogy gathers steam until it's like being in a car barreling down a mountain with no brakes. One of the more exciting rides I've been on in a long while.

Love the feminism of this series, adore the characters, enjoy the world-building of this near-future dystopia. Like the first of the series, there is a bit more coincidence driving the plot than is ideal, but this lady can write a book you can't put down. The action and fight scenes are especially well-done, and now I'm so revved up by the climax of this one, I'd gladly dive right into the final book though it's midnight now. Greatly looking forward to the final chapter.

[pamela stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story!

I enjoyed reading a dystopian that had people of color leading the story. I look forward to reading the next installment.

[Laura J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I read this book or did this book read me. What a RIDE

[jewell lay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

Interesting would not put down till finished
Surprise ending
DNt wait to read more books in this series excellent writer

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! I can't wait for number 3!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good. Seriously heart-pounding thriller! These books would make great movies. Love the underlying social critiques and all the apocalyptic stuff.

[Bethany Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always a delight to come across unexpectedly wonderful books, and this series is DEFINITELY a great example of that. I had no idea what to expect when I read the first book, but the summary grabbed me (and that title!), and then I read the whole thing in less than 24 hour.

And then I breathed a sigh of relief that this book was already out!

(Please don't ask me how I'm going to handle the weight till the third book gets published; I am so ready to push that pre-order button.)

This book gives us everything great about this first book -- badass fight scenes, great characters, a terrifying conspiracy -- and turns it up to eleven. Again, I was sneak-reading at my desk!

I realize this is an odd thing to say, but I'm weirdly pleased that the characters are actually getting a bit beaten up -- not that I want them to be injured, but it adds a layer of risk and realism to the story. Every action the characters take has to be weighed for its possible benefits.

Some of the coincidences seem like they strain credulity, but the major reveal at the end of the book was set up at the beginning of book one, and I get the feeling Cole is playing a long game that will blow our heads wide open in the conclusion of the trilogy.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to sit patiently and mentally cheer on Cole while she works on book three (and also check out the rest of her work, too!).

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked this 2nd book a lot, definitely more then the first, which I think is kind of typical of a series since the first one has to set the world up so much. But the overly quirky writing that kinda bothered me in the first book seems to be more tempered in the 2nd (or I just got more used to it). I am really enjoying the worldbuilding and the story overall, the political commentary embedded within the story is interesting, the characters are great and they feel like real people, the pacing in this book is just non-stop and I really enjoyed that, you really just can't put it down. I'm definitely excited to read the next book in the series and bummed I have to wait to do that :)

Slight spoiler for anyone sensitive to reading books with animals: the 1st book had a lot of animals in it, the 2nd only has the one dog and thankfully she establishes that the "zombie" people do not go after dogs, I'm not sure I could have read the book is I was worried about the dog the entire time. The dog gets mildly hurt, but survives.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like the majority of this book as much as Panther in the Hive. Having a core group of characters traveling across so much of the country meant they kept meeting and then leaving other groups, which started to feel like a neverending blur of similar action. But the last fifth, man. The last fifth redeemed it all. I probably should have seen the reveal on the last page coming, but it made for a nice, "haha, of course!" moment. I need the next one. Now, preferably.

Edit: Let me just add, Olivia A. Cole doesn't write (so far) in my preferred genres. I will read everything she writes from now on, though. The friendships in her books are really well done and so enjoyable to read.

[Cate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really, really enjoyed it. I love the world building aspects especially and I love that the author has created a world in which poor people of colour are those most likely to survive the apocalypse, instead of the ones being constantly erased. There is so much depth here both in the future tech and in the implications of it and I really loved following Tasha's journey. There were definitely some pacing issues and I felt like some sections stretched on longer than they should. Too many detours full of exposition, but all in all it was a great ride that had me fully engaged down the to the last page. Can't wait until the next installment!

[Troy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy for this. The first one, set in Chicago, really imagined the city well, and in this one, headed to California, is a lot more action packed. We flesh out the characters more, and while I enjoyed the first more, this is necessary in setting more of the relationships and motivations behind the characters we just met in the first, as well as the ones the book kind of centers around. Definitely enjoying this series.

[Rouchswalwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not every book that makes your heart beat in time with the words on the page. Ms. Cole has penned a tale that made me react and think. And what a tale! Tasha's trilogy ... I am so happy that there is a third book to look forward to. I will be waiting on tenterhooks.

[Aerion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave me chills

Second book was as great as the first. So much suspense, so much technology and reimagining the future, I cannot wait for the final book of this trilogy. What an ending!

[Terra Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times the story was a little too predictable, but entertaining nonetheless.