Return of the Continuums, the second book in the Continuum Trilogy, is a YA dystopian/sci-fi novel.
Return of the Continuums picks up where the first book left off: 1000 years ago, a weapon destroyed the earth, and humans hid away in 13 continuums (colonies), awaiting the day when they can return to the surface of the earth. That time has come, but it isn’t going how the founders intended. Only a few continuums survived, and they are internally divided about whether to return to earth ... if they even know it’s possible. A two groups of teens from the two known, surviving continuums made it to the surface of the earth, but they now face the harrowing jointing of traveling thousands of miles cross-country to the First Continuum, which will hopefully contain the answers they are seeking.
Return of the Continuums was an enjoyable read. It was a satisfactory continuation of the series. I liked watching Myra, Arrow, and the rest of the characters grow as people as they face difficult decisions and try to survive. There was a bit of a love quadrangle going on, and I don’t think I can predict how it will end. (Unpredictability is a complement!)
The setting and plot was very similar to other books in the genre, but it was still unique enough to provide a compelling story and interesting setting.
A topic throughout the series is the idea of human nature. Humans bent on destruction were the ones that sent the Doom on the earth. And now humans are causing issues inside the continuums because of a lust for power and greed. Not everyone is that way, but the ones who are seem to cause destruction and death. Can humanity change? I want to know where the end of the series takes the topic and have found it an engaging idea so far.
As for the content, it is somewhat clean. The worst things are the following: There is minimal, if any, swearing. There is a decent amount of violence, although it isn’t described in too great of detail — lots of people being killed, cannibalism, torture, horrific dreams, and more. And one couple jumps into a physical relationship very quickly; there is very little description, even of kissing, but a romantic pair “coupled,” as they put it.
I enjoyed this book as a whole and would recommend it to fans of The City of Ember.
I received a complementary copy of this book. All opinions are my own, and I am not obligated to provide a positive review.