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Children of Eden #2
Edeno išrinktieji
Jarou priklauso elitui. Ji – vienos galingiausių Edeno moterų duktė. Turtinga, valdinga, užprogramuota šlovei, gali apkartinti gyvenimą bet kuriam elitinės „Ąžuolų" internatinės mokyklos mokiniui, stojusiam jai skersai kelio. Jarou gyvenimas buvo nesibaigiantys pašėlę vakarėliai... kol sutiko žavią mergaitę alyviniais plaukais.
Rovenai visą gyvenimą teko slapstytis arba nuo ko nors bėgti. Ji – neteisėtas antras vaikas šeimoje ir kelia grėsmę griežtai reguliuojamai visuomenei, todėl yra pasmerkta mirčiai arba... dar baisesnei bausmei. Kai tėvas išdavė šeimą, o su mama susidorojo vyriausybė, Rovena rado prieglobstį požeminiame mieste. Čia gyvena atstumtieji ir auga vienintelis Žemėje likęs gyvas medis. Čia ji sutiko bebaimį Laklaną, galintį pasiūlyti daugiau nei tik draugystę. Tačiau ją sučiumpa valdžios pareigūnai, ir nuo tada Rovenos likimas nežinomas.
Kai dvi mergaitės atras jas siejančią giją, grius prisiminimus saugojusi užtvanka ir jų gyvenimai pasikeis neatpažįstamai. Toks kaip iki šiol nebebus ir Edenas, dirbtinio intelekto valdomas miestas po „kupolu".
Rovenai visą gyvenimą teko slapstytis arba nuo ko nors bėgti. Ji – neteisėtas antras vaikas šeimoje ir kelia grėsmę griežtai reguliuojamai visuomenei, todėl yra pasmerkta mirčiai arba... dar baisesnei bausmei. Kai tėvas išdavė šeimą, o su mama susidorojo vyriausybė, Rovena rado prieglobstį požeminiame mieste. Čia gyvena atstumtieji ir auga vienintelis Žemėje likęs gyvas medis. Čia ji sutiko bebaimį Laklaną, galintį pasiūlyti daugiau nei tik draugystę. Tačiau ją sučiumpa valdžios pareigūnai, ir nuo tada Rovenos likimas nežinomas.
Kai dvi mergaitės atras jas siejančią giją, grius prisiminimus saugojusi užtvanka ir jų gyvenimai pasikeis neatpažįstamai. Toks kaip iki šiol nebebus ir Edenas, dirbtinio intelekto valdomas miestas po „kupolu".
368 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2017
278 people are currently reading
5405 people want to read
About the author
Joey Graceffa
9 books1,138 followersJoey Graceffa is one of the fastest-growing personalities on YouTube. A popular brand ambassador, he has partnered with Topshop, Audible, eBay, and H&R Block. In 2013, between his daily vlogs and gameplay videos, Joey produced and starred in his own Kickstarter–funded supernatural series, “Storytellers,” for which he won a Streamy Award. He also starred in The Amazing Race on CBS and returned in 2014 for the all-star edition. He grew up with his family in Boston before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in entertainment.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 459 reviews
November 7, 2017
3.5*
I really like this series! It is fun, enthralling, and just overall unique. This installment really sets up for an exciting third book (that I hope comes out VERY soon)!
Overall it was great to see the plot take new turns and advance the story. Will be fun to see where it goes in the next book!
I really like this series! It is fun, enthralling, and just overall unique. This installment really sets up for an exciting third book (that I hope comes out VERY soon)!
Overall it was great to see the plot take new turns and advance the story. Will be fun to see where it goes in the next book!
November 6, 2017
I haven't stayed up late reading a book in a long time and I just couldn't put this one down. I really hope there's a third cause I have so many unanswered questions. And maybe a companion novel for the moms point of view/story arch???
June 24, 2017
A riveting, surprising, thought-provoking, and incredibly timely follow-up to Children of Eden - fans of the first will devour it and demand the next immediately.
November 20, 2017
Utterly ridiculous. Yarrow/Rowan oscillates from weeping helpless female to trained operative and triage doctor???!?!? The plot was dull and predictable since other books have already told this story. A society being lied to about the now-healed world? Check. Been there, done that better in City of Embers. An all-seeing sinister AI? Check. Been there, done that better in Aliens with HAL. There is even a cackling villain at the end to tell us all about how they are going to take over the world. Sigh. Don't even get me started on the over-the-top melodrama of the love triangle/square. Hokey and unreal. I skimmed this book and would have never even bothered to finish it unless I had to professionally review it.
I suspect many of the high reviews of this book are far more to do with liking the YouTube personality than the actual book. Many seem to give it five stars with the review of "I love Joey and I will probably like this book once I read it". Sad.
I suspect many of the high reviews of this book are far more to do with liking the YouTube personality than the actual book. Many seem to give it five stars with the review of "I love Joey and I will probably like this book once I read it". Sad.
November 10, 2017
4.5 stars
Well. That was really good. There are SO many factors that go into my review and rating of this book though.
Just to get it out of the way, the things I didn't love: I felt like the writing was better than the first in the series, yes, but still slightly awkward at times. I think this is attributed to the fact that it's written by someone who I guess hasn't really written much before, together with someone who has. It could be jarring at times to see two completely different styles that sometimes didn't blend all that well. Aslo the beginning was a bit slow, but that wasn't a huge issue. Just took a bit to get into. Last thing I "disliked" was that *most* of the book felt like a filler, and like it could've been split up and part of it added to book 1 and/or what I assume is book 3 to come.
Okay, but I loved so much more than I disliked. I loooved the romances, especially how, though it was a focus in some ways, it wasn't overly done and the plot moved forward plenty without the romance. Also, I don't know if I've ever been as truly torn as I am right now about a love triangle like this. I love both love interests so much and I have different reasons for rooting for each of them and the thought of one "losing" kills me.
The tying together of so many threads that I thought would just be dropped like in the first book. This book was definitely put together much better than the first and it was exciting and fun once it got flowing, and definitely well-woven in terms of plot.
Sooo quotable. I think I'll need paper copies instead of audio so I can note all my favorite quotes in this series. Really, they're fantastic.
And the deeper meanings. Even if I hated the book, the deeper meanings behind almost everything in this series are so poignant, so important. This series touches majorly on the impact of humans and what our carelessness is doing to the planet, but also the things we do to each other. Man I just get chills thinking about some of the concepts this book pointed out, making you really, really think about the way you're living your life and especially about all the horrible things (shootings, bombings, shitty political moves that hurt people like you and me, etc.) that have been happening lately.
Phew. I just really liked this book and everything it stands for and in my opinion, it is a fun read, but more importantly, a necessary one. I'm sure I'll be back to add some more thoughts on this book, but I'm excited that there will be another book (I assume) because so much is still left to be resolved. I think this series will be getting a permanent spot on my bookshelf.
Well. That was really good. There are SO many factors that go into my review and rating of this book though.
Just to get it out of the way, the things I didn't love: I felt like the writing was better than the first in the series, yes, but still slightly awkward at times. I think this is attributed to the fact that it's written by someone who I guess hasn't really written much before, together with someone who has. It could be jarring at times to see two completely different styles that sometimes didn't blend all that well. Aslo the beginning was a bit slow, but that wasn't a huge issue. Just took a bit to get into. Last thing I "disliked" was that *most* of the book felt like a filler, and like it could've been split up and part of it added to book 1 and/or what I assume is book 3 to come.
Okay, but I loved so much more than I disliked. I loooved the romances, especially how, though it was a focus in some ways, it wasn't overly done and the plot moved forward plenty without the romance. Also, I don't know if I've ever been as truly torn as I am right now about a love triangle like this. I love both love interests so much and I have different reasons for rooting for each of them and the thought of one "losing" kills me.
The tying together of so many threads that I thought would just be dropped like in the first book. This book was definitely put together much better than the first and it was exciting and fun once it got flowing, and definitely well-woven in terms of plot.
Sooo quotable. I think I'll need paper copies instead of audio so I can note all my favorite quotes in this series. Really, they're fantastic.
And the deeper meanings. Even if I hated the book, the deeper meanings behind almost everything in this series are so poignant, so important. This series touches majorly on the impact of humans and what our carelessness is doing to the planet, but also the things we do to each other. Man I just get chills thinking about some of the concepts this book pointed out, making you really, really think about the way you're living your life and especially about all the horrible things (shootings, bombings, shitty political moves that hurt people like you and me, etc.) that have been happening lately.
Phew. I just really liked this book and everything it stands for and in my opinion, it is a fun read, but more importantly, a necessary one. I'm sure I'll be back to add some more thoughts on this book, but I'm excited that there will be another book (I assume) because so much is still left to be resolved. I think this series will be getting a permanent spot on my bookshelf.
June 25, 2019
Skiriu 5 žvaigždutes. Šitoje dalyje buvo visko daugiau... nuotykių, praradimų, atradimų ir aiškumo kas iš tikrųjų vyksta ir kokia yra tikroji Edeno paskirtis. Prisipažinsiu - galvojau, kad antra dalis bus panaši arba net prastesnė už pirmąją, bet klydau. Knygą perskaičiau per dvi dienas, nesitikėjau, kad taip įtrauks YA knyga :D
Savo video Joey visada turi tiek daug visko pasakyti ir dabar aš suprantu, kad jam reikėjo labai pasistengti, kad viską sutalpintų TIK į 3 knygas :)
Savo video Joey visada turi tiek daug visko pasakyti ir dabar aš suprantu, kad jam reikėjo labai pasistengti, kad viską sutalpintų TIK į 3 knygas :)
May 30, 2021
nie mogę doczekać się trzeciej części
February 25, 2020
A nice read, a quick and easy read too. However this is more YA than I remember the first book being. The beginning (first 50 pages or so!) is like reading Mean Girls, then we move on and get back to the real action from the first book.
For the most part the story is a little simple, not the most complex. This is a continuation of the first book in the trilogy: same place, same rules and same characters, which were all more interesting the first time around. I went off the central character of Rowan, she’s a little too perfect - strong and beautiful and everyone loves her, she is also naive and reckless but she has a good heart so that makes it all ok (a little sickening really).
The baddie as it were was kinda evil sure but a bit like a Bond villain, they were lacking in any depth of character. A bit uninventive.
Having said all that this is a nice read, nothing too taxing, a little bit of fun if that’s what you want. The ending was not what I was expecting at the outset, a little convenient and cheesy but ok. I can see what will happen in book three but I am still going to go and read it.
Apart from the last 15 pages there’s not a lot I can say in this review that isn’t repeating my review of the first book. I gave the first book 3.5*/5 and rounded up to 4, this time I shall round down, but it is still worth a 3.5*/5, not bad but really not amazing.
For the most part the story is a little simple, not the most complex. This is a continuation of the first book in the trilogy: same place, same rules and same characters, which were all more interesting the first time around. I went off the central character of Rowan, she’s a little too perfect - strong and beautiful and everyone loves her, she is also naive and reckless but she has a good heart so that makes it all ok (a little sickening really).
The baddie as it were was kinda evil sure but a bit like a Bond villain, they were lacking in any depth of character. A bit uninventive.
Having said all that this is a nice read, nothing too taxing, a little bit of fun if that’s what you want. The ending was not what I was expecting at the outset, a little convenient and cheesy but ok. I can see what will happen in book three but I am still going to go and read it.
Apart from the last 15 pages there’s not a lot I can say in this review that isn’t repeating my review of the first book. I gave the first book 3.5*/5 and rounded up to 4, this time I shall round down, but it is still worth a 3.5*/5, not bad but really not amazing.
August 24, 2024
I am so excited about this series. I didn't think I would find a series that I liked almost as much as Hunger Games, and second books of a three book series are usually filler, but this book actually continued the story brilliantly, throwing us into a new environment as Rowan, now Yarrow, navigates her way around boarding school as one of the elite.
This gave us time to flesh out the world of Eden even more, adding new characters, villains and challenges as Rowan struggles with her dual selves. I'm interested to see where the love triangle goes, and I don't mind that there is one, because Rowan being bisexual actually makes this interesting -and I can fully understand why she would be attracted to both Lark and Lachlan.
I did not predict the ending, which has promised another brand new environment to explore in book three and a killer ending. Fingers crossed the series ending is just as good as the first two books have been.
This gave us time to flesh out the world of Eden even more, adding new characters, villains and challenges as Rowan struggles with her dual selves. I'm interested to see where the love triangle goes, and I don't mind that there is one, because Rowan being bisexual actually makes this interesting -and I can fully understand why she would be attracted to both Lark and Lachlan.
I did not predict the ending, which has promised another brand new environment to explore in book three and a killer ending. Fingers crossed the series ending is just as good as the first two books have been.
August 18, 2018
Elites of Eden is a fantastic sequel to Joey Graceffa's dystopian novel Children of Eden I won't say much in this review because I don't want to give anything away if you haven't yet read the first book. However, if you have, you definitely want to find out what happens to Lark and the other second children next! I loved this book even more than the first, very exciting, not overly gory or violent, and we learn more about the Eco-pan and what's really going on with those in power. Fans of dystopia will love this series!
February 13, 2022
It's been a while since I read the first book in this trilogy. I have to admit that I remember that I quite liked it, but that I still felt like the story was missing something. However, for a reading challenge I needed a book where the title starts with the last letter of the title from my previous book and from all the books with an E this was the one I was actually excited about. So, this afternoon, when I finished said previous book, I dived in with low expectations.
This book, for some reason, worked better for me than the previous book. Firstly because this book gives quite a lot of answers, shows us how the rich live and also gives our characters finally some sort of direction, an idea what they're actually fighting for. I mean, of course it's clear that second born children deserve much better than being murdered, but it felt like the issue was much bigger than that and it seems that the author and this book agreed with me.
I therefore quite enjoyed all the world building in this book. It's clear that Graceffa really thought about this world. He thought about why it started, which is a very plausible and even justified reason. He thought about how all those years have been like and he also thought about the endgoal. Of course, I should have known that if you build a smart computer system to get something done, solving your issues starts with having a closer look at said system.
However, I also think that the main character in this book works better than the main character in the previous book, partly because Yarrow seems to actually go somewhere. She's not just running around, without a clue what the goal is and what she's actually fighting for. Therefore her personality traits, understanding, kindness, compassion and forgiveness, are highlighted way more, which makes her easier to like and therefore even easier to root for.
I'm quite excited to read the conclusion. There's quite some work to be done!
This book, for some reason, worked better for me than the previous book. Firstly because this book gives quite a lot of answers, shows us how the rich live and also gives our characters finally some sort of direction, an idea what they're actually fighting for. I mean, of course it's clear that second born children deserve much better than being murdered, but it felt like the issue was much bigger than that and it seems that the author and this book agreed with me.
I therefore quite enjoyed all the world building in this book. It's clear that Graceffa really thought about this world. He thought about why it started, which is a very plausible and even justified reason. He thought about how all those years have been like and he also thought about the endgoal. Of course, I should have known that if you build a smart computer system to get something done, solving your issues starts with having a closer look at said system.
However, I also think that the main character in this book works better than the main character in the previous book, partly because Yarrow seems to actually go somewhere. She's not just running around, without a clue what the goal is and what she's actually fighting for. Therefore her personality traits, understanding, kindness, compassion and forgiveness, are highlighted way more, which makes her easier to like and therefore even easier to root for.
I'm quite excited to read the conclusion. There's quite some work to be done!
September 1, 2019
Elites of Eden is a dystopian young adult novel by American Joey Graceffa. It is the sequel to Children of Eden and was released on October 3, 2017
I love this series, I have fallen for all the main characters and it just keeps getting better!
Excellent writing ✍️
Exciting storyline
Can’t wait for the next ❣️
I love this series, I have fallen for all the main characters and it just keeps getting better!
Excellent writing ✍️
Exciting storyline
Can’t wait for the next ❣️
December 28, 2018
4.5/5 stars.
Wow this was amazing. That ending has me shooketh to the core. I can't wait to finish up this series and find out how everything is going to be solved. I love the characters in this series and how realistic they are as no one is perfect. They all have their flaws which makes me love them even more.
Wow this was amazing. That ending has me shooketh to the core. I can't wait to finish up this series and find out how everything is going to be solved. I love the characters in this series and how realistic they are as no one is perfect. They all have their flaws which makes me love them even more.
January 1, 2018
I have many thoughts on this book and I will be doing a video on my channel sometime soon but for now I will provide a short summary of my 3 star rating.
The plot was complex but there were no details. The author attempts to build up a high-detail dystopian world but there's truly no world building.
The writing rule "show-not-tell" does not apply to this book. Everything is telling.
The story itself was fun and quick but the writing was so bad that I truly had to force myself to actually finish the book.
I hate doing negative reviews, truly. I've maybe only done one or two before and especially to do one on a series Ioved when it first came out... i really wish I liked it better. But I can't lie and say it was anything better than average.
The plot was complex but there were no details. The author attempts to build up a high-detail dystopian world but there's truly no world building.
The writing rule "show-not-tell" does not apply to this book. Everything is telling.
The story itself was fun and quick but the writing was so bad that I truly had to force myself to actually finish the book.
I hate doing negative reviews, truly. I've maybe only done one or two before and especially to do one on a series Ioved when it first came out... i really wish I liked it better. But I can't lie and say it was anything better than average.
March 2, 2018
Way better than the first!!!
First was alright. Great ideas and world. But this book just took it and RAN. Fantastic!! I literally couldn’t put it down.
First was alright. Great ideas and world. But this book just took it and RAN. Fantastic!! I literally couldn’t put it down.
November 21, 2017
Title: Elites of Eden (Children of Eden #2)
Author: Joey Graceffa
Publisher: Atria/Keywords Press, 2017 (Oct 3)
Genre: YA Dystopian, YA Science Fiction
**I received a copy of this free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA's Tumblr, or myGoodreadspage
Review (#2):
This is the one I really am excited to review!! I loved the first book, Children of Eden and I have been dying for the sequel. And now it looks like there is another book coming and I'm super excited!
I reviewed Children of Eden here: Children of Eden Review
I will tell you all about this one, but there might be some slight spoilers from book one. I'll try to avoid them - the book itself is pretty good at being accessible to those who haven't read the first one!
Ok, so I'm going to tell you about Elites of Eden...
Yarrow has everything she could ever want: she's rich, popular, and pretty. Her mother is the Chief of Intelligence in Eden, the society where the only human survivors all live. She goes to Oaks, an exclusive private school. She has all that she needs, and with her best friend Pearl, she can go where she wants and do what she wants. As a teen, it's a privileged life.
However, Yarrow is bored. And she feels strange about how desperate she is to please people, especially Pearl and the friends in her group. When a lilac-haired girl named Lark joins Oaks, Pearl immediately wants to make her life hell, and she knows just how she can: make Yarrow befriend her, and then ruin her. But Yarrow is torn - something about Lark makes her question herself and her motives...and also her perfect life in Eden,
When a night goes horribly wrong for Yarrow as Pearl attempts to ruin Lark's reputation, she learns about Rowan, a girl from the Underground of Eden, and a second child. Second children are illegal in Eden, so Rowan's very existence is illegal as well.
However, Yarrow and Rowan will soon realize they have more in common than anyone thought...anyone but the lilac-haired new girl Lark.
This book is INTENSE. Graceffa writes like no one I have read before. I know most people know him as a YouTube sensation and am outlandish guy, but he writes Elites of Eden as if he's written so many books before. It flows right from where Children left off, and I was sucked in from the beginning...I literally couldn't put it down. You almost feel like you are Yarrow. Her feelings are raw and consume you. The man is talented.
I added this to the mini reviews because Elites is most definitely a segue book. It doesn't end and it doesn't technically begin the story...there is another book to come. I would and have mentioned that Children is an excellent book for a classroom setting, but Elites is too frantic unless paired with Children. Yes, the book makes sense on its own, but there would be a major loss of connection to Rowan's character unless Children is read first.
So I'm going straight for the gusto here and giving Elites of Eden ★★★★★...and I encourage anyone that has read Children to continue with Elites. It is definitely worth the continued adventure. Yes, I was frustrated knowing I would have to wait for another book with no publication date in sight, but I'm hoping that the success of the first book will carry to the second, which will cause Graceffa to finish the Eden saga. Too often books are cut off at midpoint because book two sales aren't as good as book one.
So I'll tell you right now: if there isn't a conclusion to this series, I WILL riot.
What are you reading?
Author: Joey Graceffa
Publisher: Atria/Keywords Press, 2017 (Oct 3)
Genre: YA Dystopian, YA Science Fiction
**I received a copy of this free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
This review can be found on my Blog, TeacherofYA's Tumblr, or myGoodreadspage
Review (#2):
This is the one I really am excited to review!! I loved the first book, Children of Eden and I have been dying for the sequel. And now it looks like there is another book coming and I'm super excited!
I reviewed Children of Eden here: Children of Eden Review
I will tell you all about this one, but there might be some slight spoilers from book one. I'll try to avoid them - the book itself is pretty good at being accessible to those who haven't read the first one!
Ok, so I'm going to tell you about Elites of Eden...
Yarrow has everything she could ever want: she's rich, popular, and pretty. Her mother is the Chief of Intelligence in Eden, the society where the only human survivors all live. She goes to Oaks, an exclusive private school. She has all that she needs, and with her best friend Pearl, she can go where she wants and do what she wants. As a teen, it's a privileged life.
However, Yarrow is bored. And she feels strange about how desperate she is to please people, especially Pearl and the friends in her group. When a lilac-haired girl named Lark joins Oaks, Pearl immediately wants to make her life hell, and she knows just how she can: make Yarrow befriend her, and then ruin her. But Yarrow is torn - something about Lark makes her question herself and her motives...and also her perfect life in Eden,
When a night goes horribly wrong for Yarrow as Pearl attempts to ruin Lark's reputation, she learns about Rowan, a girl from the Underground of Eden, and a second child. Second children are illegal in Eden, so Rowan's very existence is illegal as well.
However, Yarrow and Rowan will soon realize they have more in common than anyone thought...anyone but the lilac-haired new girl Lark.
This book is INTENSE. Graceffa writes like no one I have read before. I know most people know him as a YouTube sensation and am outlandish guy, but he writes Elites of Eden as if he's written so many books before. It flows right from where Children left off, and I was sucked in from the beginning...I literally couldn't put it down. You almost feel like you are Yarrow. Her feelings are raw and consume you. The man is talented.
I added this to the mini reviews because Elites is most definitely a segue book. It doesn't end and it doesn't technically begin the story...there is another book to come. I would and have mentioned that Children is an excellent book for a classroom setting, but Elites is too frantic unless paired with Children. Yes, the book makes sense on its own, but there would be a major loss of connection to Rowan's character unless Children is read first.
So I'm going straight for the gusto here and giving Elites of Eden ★★★★★...and I encourage anyone that has read Children to continue with Elites. It is definitely worth the continued adventure. Yes, I was frustrated knowing I would have to wait for another book with no publication date in sight, but I'm hoping that the success of the first book will carry to the second, which will cause Graceffa to finish the Eden saga. Too often books are cut off at midpoint because book two sales aren't as good as book one.
So I'll tell you right now: if there isn't a conclusion to this series, I WILL riot.
What are you reading?
July 7, 2018
Rowan is back in action, but under a new name: Yarrow. She is now living in the Center of Eden absent of her former memories. New life, new memories. But along comes Lark... and everything unravels. This book wasn't much better than its predecessor. There's definitely an overuse of exclamation points and the writing style is a bit juvenile. But the plot is pretty decent. I really felt for the lives of the characters and still want to see how everything plays out.
March 10, 2020
A very stretched 3-star rating. I definitely was enjoying the beginning with the Mean Girls vibe but since that doesn't last too long my liking slipped a bit. The writing is sliiightly better which helped and I'm optimistic about the last book which I will start as soon as I finish typing this.
April 15, 2019
A bit predictable, a bit over-the-top love triangle/square, but it's a pretty fun quick read. I am eager to see where it goes in the next book!
July 30, 2024
2.75/5
Nie moja bajka. Zdecydowanie.
Nie moja bajka. Zdecydowanie.
March 6, 2019
I liked it a lot, but I really didn't like it when she was Yarrow. It wasn't how I would see Rowan. But it was still really good.
February 14, 2020
This series is AMAZING!
December 20, 2017
Awesome. I couldn't stop reading!
November 29, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! There were some things wrong with it, but overall, I was here for the ride. I liked how the novel explored memories and what truly makes a person if they’ve been altered? Who is the real person underneath? I felt like a lot of the characters had growth and complexities. They weren’t just one-dimensional. I liked the mean girl trope with the popular girls at this new elite school. Yarrow (Rowan’s new identity with her changed memories) is new to school, but she befriends the popular girl, Pearl. Lynx and Copper are the two other girls that are trying to take over Yarrow’s second in command position. We don’t get much from them, but that didn’t bother me. They were the typical followers and their side comments drove the mean girl trope. I wasn’t mad about the continuation of the love triangle between Rowan, Lachlan, and Lark. However, I didn’t enjoy the fact that they fell in love with Rowan after two days of knowing her lmao that’s why I don’t ship anyone at this point. I want their relationships to have epic scenes and development. Less telling—more showing!! But like I said before, I love the LGBTQ+ representation, so I’m rooting for the Rowan + Lark ending. It either has to end with either Lachlan or Lark sacrificing themselves to save Rowan, Rowan chooses none of them and goes on a journey of self discovery, or she chooses both lmao. So we will see what happens with that, but I’m here for the ride! I do like how Rowan is not really focused on the love aspect of everything and is just trying to survive. Very Katniss of her. Overall I enjoyed the novel! But there seemed to be a lack of plot and the pacing was slow. I thought maybe this book could’ve been a shortened and maybe made into a duology combined with the third book? I don’t like books that tend to feel like fillers.
I really liked the concepts in this book. At Yarrow (Rowan’s) new school, they have immersive pods called The Egg. Love. And the night clubs all having different themes. I liked the club Tidal being ocean themed—again, back to the extinction of animals and how people long for a world from before. People dressing up as animals or changing their bodies to look like them—love this concept. I also liked the play on villains—are the Underground better than the Elite when they are so quick to murder outsiders and beat them up? It’s a good message of who really is the villain? Is there such thing as good versus bad—I don’t think so. Everybody is morally grey and thinks their actions are justifiable. I thought this added depth.
Yarrow being a people pleaser and thinking that she is best friends with Pearl. Yarrow/Rowan is very codependent on this friendship and seeks validation from the top mean girl. Like I said before, I love the play on memory! Who is someone’s real personality if their memories have been altered? I love how Yarrow’s walls start to break down when she meets Lark, the new girl at school aka Rowan’s love interest—she just doesn’t know it yet. Yarrow starts to have character development when she starts to question why she’s even friends with Pearl and the others. She wants to save Lark from being humiliated by Pearl. LOVE.
Yarrow/Rowan getting the surgery to take out her lenses. She remembers everything, but is blind and one eye because one of the lenses couldn’t be removed. Rowan getting her memories back and remembering that the world is full of animals and trees past the desert. Lachlan leaves to see the truth. Ash, Rowan, Lark go across the desert to find Lachlan. I really thought Lark was dead because it would’ve been the reason for Rowan and Lachlan to be together (I predicted someone sacrificing themselves to save Rowan). But NOPE. Lark is alive!!! THANK GOODNESS. The nanosand didn’t kill her, it saved her and put her in a cell at the Center. I liked how this explanation of the desert came full circle because we never really knew what the nanosand did to people once it sucked you under. This just goes to show misinformation and propaganda can make any society believe in anything. SCARY.
I enjoyed Pearl’s character and the depth she had. I always love to find out the “why” behind somebody’s mean girl persona. WHO HURT YOU??? We find out Pearl was blackmailed in order to save her family and herself. Not sure what their secret is, but it was enough that they were going be kicked out and sent to the outer circles by Chief Ellena— who is head of intelligence for the Center and Rowan’s fake mother. I’m interested to find out what Pearl’s secret is. And more to Pearl’s story—wow, she was being experimented on by the Chief, too. She was made to be a cruel girl, but in reality, she was really kind. The experiments are to make people complacent, happy, and not fight back. I’m excited to see who Pearl truly is—I love a redemption arc.
Omg the chapters of the Greenshirts attacking The Underground. I knew it was coming because there has to be war/high stakes…but nooooo. SO SAD. The last remaining tree burning 😭🌲🔥
Page 217: “There’s always a choice. Sometimes the choice means you suffer so someone else doesn’t have to. Sometimes it means you give your life so someone else can live.” Rowan to Pearl as she tells her she has to promises not to tell the Center anything. The end of this speech to Pearl, reminds me how Lark gave her life up to save Ash. But luckily, Lark didn’t really die.
Ooohhh the Chief doesn’t know about the real world outside. There are trees and animals. The ending where it is revealed that the EcoPan kept the outside a secret because only the best kind of soul/human are allowed to live in the healed earth. I knew AI/EcoPan was going to be the main reason why the outside world is a secret, I just didn’t know *why*. Loved this ending!! The EcoPan offered Rowan absolute freedom by joining the chosen few that live in the outside world. The true Elites of Eden. Wow. And the EcoPan put her in the new city. The healed Earth. Her mother is there too—she never died. WHAT!!! Omg I’m so so happy she is alive!!! Rowan ends with promising herself she will go back for her brother and those she loves. She will destroy Eden. YAS QUEEN. Can’t wait to find out what happens in the last book!
I really liked the concepts in this book. At Yarrow (Rowan’s) new school, they have immersive pods called The Egg. Love. And the night clubs all having different themes. I liked the club Tidal being ocean themed—again, back to the extinction of animals and how people long for a world from before. People dressing up as animals or changing their bodies to look like them—love this concept. I also liked the play on villains—are the Underground better than the Elite when they are so quick to murder outsiders and beat them up? It’s a good message of who really is the villain? Is there such thing as good versus bad—I don’t think so. Everybody is morally grey and thinks their actions are justifiable. I thought this added depth.
Yarrow being a people pleaser and thinking that she is best friends with Pearl. Yarrow/Rowan is very codependent on this friendship and seeks validation from the top mean girl. Like I said before, I love the play on memory! Who is someone’s real personality if their memories have been altered? I love how Yarrow’s walls start to break down when she meets Lark, the new girl at school aka Rowan’s love interest—she just doesn’t know it yet. Yarrow starts to have character development when she starts to question why she’s even friends with Pearl and the others. She wants to save Lark from being humiliated by Pearl. LOVE.
Yarrow/Rowan getting the surgery to take out her lenses. She remembers everything, but is blind and one eye because one of the lenses couldn’t be removed. Rowan getting her memories back and remembering that the world is full of animals and trees past the desert. Lachlan leaves to see the truth. Ash, Rowan, Lark go across the desert to find Lachlan. I really thought Lark was dead because it would’ve been the reason for Rowan and Lachlan to be together (I predicted someone sacrificing themselves to save Rowan). But NOPE. Lark is alive!!! THANK GOODNESS. The nanosand didn’t kill her, it saved her and put her in a cell at the Center. I liked how this explanation of the desert came full circle because we never really knew what the nanosand did to people once it sucked you under. This just goes to show misinformation and propaganda can make any society believe in anything. SCARY.
I enjoyed Pearl’s character and the depth she had. I always love to find out the “why” behind somebody’s mean girl persona. WHO HURT YOU??? We find out Pearl was blackmailed in order to save her family and herself. Not sure what their secret is, but it was enough that they were going be kicked out and sent to the outer circles by Chief Ellena— who is head of intelligence for the Center and Rowan’s fake mother. I’m interested to find out what Pearl’s secret is. And more to Pearl’s story—wow, she was being experimented on by the Chief, too. She was made to be a cruel girl, but in reality, she was really kind. The experiments are to make people complacent, happy, and not fight back. I’m excited to see who Pearl truly is—I love a redemption arc.
Omg the chapters of the Greenshirts attacking The Underground. I knew it was coming because there has to be war/high stakes…but nooooo. SO SAD. The last remaining tree burning 😭🌲🔥
Page 217: “There’s always a choice. Sometimes the choice means you suffer so someone else doesn’t have to. Sometimes it means you give your life so someone else can live.” Rowan to Pearl as she tells her she has to promises not to tell the Center anything. The end of this speech to Pearl, reminds me how Lark gave her life up to save Ash. But luckily, Lark didn’t really die.
Ooohhh the Chief doesn’t know about the real world outside. There are trees and animals. The ending where it is revealed that the EcoPan kept the outside a secret because only the best kind of soul/human are allowed to live in the healed earth. I knew AI/EcoPan was going to be the main reason why the outside world is a secret, I just didn’t know *why*. Loved this ending!! The EcoPan offered Rowan absolute freedom by joining the chosen few that live in the outside world. The true Elites of Eden. Wow. And the EcoPan put her in the new city. The healed Earth. Her mother is there too—she never died. WHAT!!! Omg I’m so so happy she is alive!!! Rowan ends with promising herself she will go back for her brother and those she loves. She will destroy Eden. YAS QUEEN. Can’t wait to find out what happens in the last book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2019
So this was a disappointment.
The plot was boring and predictable, throughout the whole book nothing really happened. There was no character development, no world-building, so having in mind that the book consisted of meandering and staying in one characters head, that was quite boring.
Anyway, I didn't see the point of this book and I think it could be summarized in a few chapters and be a part of a duology instead.
The plot was boring and predictable, throughout the whole book nothing really happened. There was no character development, no world-building, so having in mind that the book consisted of meandering and staying in one characters head, that was quite boring.
Anyway, I didn't see the point of this book and I think it could be summarized in a few chapters and be a part of a duology instead.
November 15, 2017
I had to stop reading it for a few days because of the death. I was in denial. And then it turns out Lark didn’t actually die!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2018
really enjoyed this second book in the children of eden series. With the first book being left on a cliff hanger it was interesting to se that Rowan now yarrow had been taken by the center and turned into an experiment and a student of the school. I wasn't too keen with Yarrows friends who portrayed the snobby popular student down to a T. I liked how we slowly began to see some of the characters from the first book come into the story again when Lark turn up at school. I loved when they finally got to go back to the underground and Rowan got to see her brother again. I love happy reunions. we still have the love story which I can see why it works but I'm still team Lachlan as I feel that they have more of a connection. I have nothing against lark though I think I just feel that her feelings towards rowan were rushed and I feel a bit bad for ash as hes liked Lark all along. Again this book was left on such a cliffhanger and was slightly confusing at the end.
This book would have been 5 stars if I wasn't so confused at the end so because of that I'm giving it a 4 stars but its more like a 4.5 stars.
This book would have been 5 stars if I wasn't so confused at the end so because of that I'm giving it a 4 stars but its more like a 4.5 stars.
November 29, 2017
I’ll be honest, I really hated the beginning (first like 50-60 pages). I know now that is probably the point, but I think that’s why I wasn’t compelled to pick this back up after starting it. Luckily, the excitement and focus came back not much after that initial 50 pages. I like the direction the story has taken and think that most of the choices were logical and reasonable. The main critique I have is that some world elements weren’t consistent. One I noticed right away was that the residents of Eden aren’t supposed to have last names, but then there is a statement later in the book that directly contradicts that information. Also I didn’t feel as much character development as I would like for Lachlan specifically, that is just me nitpicking though. I think the story development in this second installment is witty and exciting. I’m excited to see where the third book will take us!
April 25, 2021
This was definitely better than Children Of Eden, however not quite good enough to get 4 stars. I felt the storylines of the second book were more interesting than the first book such as the Yarrow storylines at Oaks and Rowan's experience at the Centre. I also liked the ending of the book and it was left on a really good cliffhanger for the final book in the series.
However, there were still some predictable elements of the book, at times the story felt quite childish and it lacked detail in areas.
But it's definitely better than book one, so if you didn't love book one I'd still recommend reading book two.
However, there were still some predictable elements of the book, at times the story felt quite childish and it lacked detail in areas.
But it's definitely better than book one, so if you didn't love book one I'd still recommend reading book two.
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