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The Reservation Trilogy, #2
Stowaway
Twelve years ago, Nathan was forcibly transferred into governmental custody.
Once a brother, a son, and an outsider, he is now little more than an instrument of the Continental Order.
At least, that's what his superiors think.
Now, the Order is shipping out, and a resurgence of destruction lies in wait for the continent.
Will Nathan break free and embrace the hostile outside world, or will he take his place on the last train scheduled for the Reservation?
Once a brother, a son, and an outsider, he is now little more than an instrument of the Continental Order.
At least, that's what his superiors think.
Now, the Order is shipping out, and a resurgence of destruction lies in wait for the continent.
Will Nathan break free and embrace the hostile outside world, or will he take his place on the last train scheduled for the Reservation?
- GenresYoung Adult
Unknown Binding
Published October 15, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 11, 2017
Original Review on: http://pastriesandnovelthoughts.weebl...
Can the third book be out already??
Stowaway is the sequel to Cargo by Jen Castleberry. Instead of seeing through Cass' eyes we follow Nate on his journey to go keep his sister safe. Along the way Nate has to deal with a lot of mental stuff when it comes to Cass, his sister, the bunker kids he's transported, et. But also bumps into patrol men, deals with a traitor and "visits" a nun. Stowaway quickly depicts Nate as a troubled guy who seems to be hard but really is a big softy (called it!), I was worried about this book being in Nate's point of view but for the most part had nothing to worry for. Although Nate is shown as vulnerable hes still a kick-butt dude.
Things I didn't like: I have three problems with this book. One - It bothers me when people use the Lords name in vain. Two - Although I liked this book a lot, I had trouble with the first handful of chapters. While I was reading I bumped into a lot of metaphors and they kept coming before you could even take the time to appreciate the metaphor before a new one came round. But as the book went on metaphors weren't so heavily used as it was in the beginning of the book. Three - I feel like although this book has more action scenes (to me at least), Nate's journey to the city through the desert and patrol men and sketchy people wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been.
Here's my theory - The Reservation Trilogy is based more on the characters in this dystopian world rather than the actual dystopian world. I think that's why this new world isn't heavily focused on. I think that's why the knowledge of this new world that we have from Cargo and its sequel, Stowaway , is enough background to understand the Character's story.
Does that make sense?
I feel like this series kinda reminds me of The selection series by Kiera Cass, in the sense that, The Selection wasn't so heavily focused on the dystopian world that was created but rather the characters themselves and the situation that only those particular characters were in. Maybe Jen will explain more of the dystopian world in the last installation of the trilogy but if she doesn't this is my theory on why and I've made my peace haha.
Things I liked: I really liked Nate's character growth and his well developed background. I think Jen did a really wonderful job of weaving Nate's memories and past actions from Cargo into Stowaway . A lot of things that Nate did or said in Cargo were explained and talked about in this book. I think Nate is a good person who just lost a lot in his life. I think the action in this book was crazy but not in a bad way (a bit gruesome in one scene but besides that).
I think Stowaway's plot was good, it had a lot of elements that Cargo didn't but lacked the one thing I really wanted to know. What is Cass doing while Nate is on his journey? I think that even though I enjoyed this book thoroughly I just needed a bit more from it. But lets say that the cliffhanger makes up for it and it has me as they say "shook".
Although I needed a bit more from Stowaway, I cant wait for book three already haha.
***I received a paperback copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest ***
Can the third book be out already??
Stowaway is the sequel to Cargo by Jen Castleberry. Instead of seeing through Cass' eyes we follow Nate on his journey to go keep his sister safe. Along the way Nate has to deal with a lot of mental stuff when it comes to Cass, his sister, the bunker kids he's transported, et. But also bumps into patrol men, deals with a traitor and "visits" a nun. Stowaway quickly depicts Nate as a troubled guy who seems to be hard but really is a big softy (called it!), I was worried about this book being in Nate's point of view but for the most part had nothing to worry for. Although Nate is shown as vulnerable hes still a kick-butt dude.
Outsiders let go of unnecessary things, or die with the petty baggage they could not bare to sacrifice.
Things I didn't like: I have three problems with this book. One - It bothers me when people use the Lords name in vain. Two - Although I liked this book a lot, I had trouble with the first handful of chapters. While I was reading I bumped into a lot of metaphors and they kept coming before you could even take the time to appreciate the metaphor before a new one came round. But as the book went on metaphors weren't so heavily used as it was in the beginning of the book. Three - I feel like although this book has more action scenes (to me at least), Nate's journey to the city through the desert and patrol men and sketchy people wasn't as fleshed out as it could have been.
Here's my theory - The Reservation Trilogy is based more on the characters in this dystopian world rather than the actual dystopian world. I think that's why this new world isn't heavily focused on. I think that's why the knowledge of this new world that we have from Cargo and its sequel, Stowaway , is enough background to understand the Character's story.
Does that make sense?
I feel like this series kinda reminds me of The selection series by Kiera Cass, in the sense that, The Selection wasn't so heavily focused on the dystopian world that was created but rather the characters themselves and the situation that only those particular characters were in. Maybe Jen will explain more of the dystopian world in the last installation of the trilogy but if she doesn't this is my theory on why and I've made my peace haha.
"I am her brother. She will keep me. She will."
Things I liked: I really liked Nate's character growth and his well developed background. I think Jen did a really wonderful job of weaving Nate's memories and past actions from Cargo into Stowaway . A lot of things that Nate did or said in Cargo were explained and talked about in this book. I think Nate is a good person who just lost a lot in his life. I think the action in this book was crazy but not in a bad way (a bit gruesome in one scene but besides that).
I think Stowaway's plot was good, it had a lot of elements that Cargo didn't but lacked the one thing I really wanted to know. What is Cass doing while Nate is on his journey? I think that even though I enjoyed this book thoroughly I just needed a bit more from it. But lets say that the cliffhanger makes up for it and it has me as they say "shook".
Although I needed a bit more from Stowaway, I cant wait for book three already haha.
***I received a paperback copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest ***
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March 21, 2017Review posting on the blog 10/20.
February 16, 2017
Stowaway, book two in The Reservation Trilogy, is the follow-up to Cargo, and in this installment, readers get to read from main character (and hybrid!) Nathan's point of view. Who knew so much was going on in Nathan's head? His often poetic, soft thoughts don't mesh with his outward appearance and actions, so this perspective is a delightful change of pace.
Since Nathan is alone and/or alone with his thoughts for much of the book, his non-stop internal monologue is what keeps him (and the story) moving forward. It makes sense that he'd talk through so much, as he leads an intentionally lonely life and spends time talking himself out of having feelings (especially about Cassidy, the main character in Cargo) that would jeopardize his lone wolf status.
Readers must be patient the first quarter of the book, as it's primarily world building and reflection, with very little action. However, author Jen Castleberry writes highly descriptive passages, one after another, using a variety of figurative language devices. For example, Nathan says (to himself),
The sun “caresses every part of me, sweeping out the old draft of the garage, soothing my body like a swallow of bread, straight off the coals.”
While the similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, and symbolism are more striking than not, the sheer volume of literary devices was a bit overwhelming. However, as a glass-half-full kind of gal and former language teacher, I kept thinking about what a fabulous high school literary devices lesson this book would make, especially given the story length.
The story is short -- a novella, really -- and well-written with just a few errors, none of which interfere with reading. At times, it is difficult to believe that a seventeen-year-old male could think and process things the way Nathan does, but then, Nathan isn't fully human . . . or is he more human than those who have the genetics to be categorized that way?
Sensitive readers need to be aware that there is violence, and it is sometimes fairly graphic. Several characters use expletives and blasphemous language, and there are references to sexual situations but none are overly descriptive.
Thank you to the author for providing me a print copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. This review and extra materials will be posted 2/17/17 on Hall Ways Blog http://bit.ly/2lpiBYu
Since Nathan is alone and/or alone with his thoughts for much of the book, his non-stop internal monologue is what keeps him (and the story) moving forward. It makes sense that he'd talk through so much, as he leads an intentionally lonely life and spends time talking himself out of having feelings (especially about Cassidy, the main character in Cargo) that would jeopardize his lone wolf status.
Readers must be patient the first quarter of the book, as it's primarily world building and reflection, with very little action. However, author Jen Castleberry writes highly descriptive passages, one after another, using a variety of figurative language devices. For example, Nathan says (to himself),
The sun “caresses every part of me, sweeping out the old draft of the garage, soothing my body like a swallow of bread, straight off the coals.”
While the similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, and symbolism are more striking than not, the sheer volume of literary devices was a bit overwhelming. However, as a glass-half-full kind of gal and former language teacher, I kept thinking about what a fabulous high school literary devices lesson this book would make, especially given the story length.
The story is short -- a novella, really -- and well-written with just a few errors, none of which interfere with reading. At times, it is difficult to believe that a seventeen-year-old male could think and process things the way Nathan does, but then, Nathan isn't fully human . . . or is he more human than those who have the genetics to be categorized that way?
Sensitive readers need to be aware that there is violence, and it is sometimes fairly graphic. Several characters use expletives and blasphemous language, and there are references to sexual situations but none are overly descriptive.
Thank you to the author for providing me a print copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give. This review and extra materials will be posted 2/17/17 on Hall Ways Blog http://bit.ly/2lpiBYu
October 24, 2016
If you read my review of Cargo, then you know I saw this series starting out decent and getting stronger, as long as the world building and character growth continued. Wouldn't you know, I'm a fortune teller, LOL. I was really pleased with this second installment in the Reservation Trilogy, especially getting a new pov while still expounding on what we learned and saw in book 1. It can be tricky to maintain consistency when you switch up the view point, but Castleberry did a great job in doing just that, as well as keeping up the pace and immersing us in the world she created once more. I'm still not sure about a couple of details, but I'm betting we'll get more answers in the final book, and I can't wait to find out what's in store. With some more honing of her voice and sense of originality, this could be one of my favorite dystopian series of the year (and a half technically.) Clean reading so safe for most ages providing they aren't too young to understand the difference in fact, fiction, and realistic fantasy.
My thanks to the author and FFBC for the review opportunity!
My thanks to the author and FFBC for the review opportunity!
October 17, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book! When I finished reading the first one, Cargo, I was hoping this next book would allow us to get into Nate's head and that's exactly what the author did. This book answers some questions from Cargo but still leaves you wanting more. I am so excited to see how the author ties the story together with her final book. The detail in the authors writing is incredible and it is an overall fun read. I highly recommend to readers who enjoy some romance with their sci-fi!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews