At sixteen years old when most people are given their assigned careers, Rosaline Thatcher was given her country to run. After a bit of shock, Rosaline stepped into her role with gusto and was ready to make United America the best it could be. What Rosaline wasn't expecting was the division that was kept a secret from everyone in the country, including her. When the Council refused to see her or answer her questions Rosaline takes matters into her own hands and goes to visit the place known as The Outcast territory. Once Rosaline discovers how wrong the Ministry was to ban these people she has a very important decision to make. Does she stay in a place where she feels accepted and guilt free of the secrets she must keep from her friends and family? Or will she return to her position and take on the Council? Can a sixteen-year old girl not only run a country, but save it from deception?
Wow. Wow and finally wow. I have to pick my jaw off the floor. I loved the first book and I mean loved it and then came the sequel. I feel like a young girl in love again. I found the book series of my heart. Once again, I was blown away by the writing and the storyline.
The sequel continues Roz's presidency. She finds out that the Ministry has been keeping a secret group of people secluded and banished in a remote part of the United America. She is bound and determined to make all of United America united so she goes to see who these people are and their way of life. She comes to find out that they chose to be there and their way of life is actually pretty good. It has it highs and lows but they are happy and truly united. She makes it her goal to find a balance.
One I still love Roz. She is even better because she has matured some and her heart is still full and pure. She makes my heart swell and I just adore her. Now the one thing I wish I could change is I did not see enough of Wes. He is so awesome so I hope he has a bigger presence in the next book. Masters is a character that surprised me. I didn't think I was going to be too fond of him but now I'm smitten by him. I want a Masters in my life. A new character that we were introduced to was Grace and that sweet little girl won my heart as well. The next new character I want to talk about is Dexter. He is a complicated character. He is dark and broody but I like him. He is well balanced and I like him. My favorite part of the story is when she took RJ to the zoo. It was a special moment that had me sobbing. It was tender and it was just a reminder of who Roz is.
Overall, I love this series. I found myself devouring it and seemed to fill my craving. I look forward to reading the next book of the series. I just can't seem to get enough of this story and the characters.
Wow, what a thrilling progression of the United trilogy! While not quite as griping as the first book was for me, this book was every bit as inspiring. Roz makes such a fantastic leader, always coming up with amazing ways to improve her society & make life better for her people. Honestly, America today could really take some notes!
My one critique for this book would be that I wished the story would slow down sometimes, rather than skipping along to the next big thing that Roz had in store for her people. I’m glad we got to see some of her tour to the sick homes and her interactions with a couple of its people. I wish we could’ve lingered along a bit more with her interactions with the citizens of United America. As it was though, not a bad story at all. Highly recommend!
Ok, so let's talk awesome sequel!! I was already a fan of Roz from book one, but seeing her take on this huge responsibility by herself- yes she goes to the outside community and stays there- was just awe inspiring. You see, she needs to know what happened to make the outcasts exactly that, outcasts. Why were they banned. You know almost immediately it isn't because of war threats. You just talk to a few of them and they are awesome people. They weren't requesting a lot, a little less lies, a little more privacy and some respect. The group is a wonderful addition to the characters that were from book one. We see Kevin Masters, who has become a favorite of mine, and Sebastian, my crush, as well as Molly and Wes, but not so much as before. Roz is learning to stand in her own because sometimes, you can't tell your best friends everything and that means making choices without help. But we also get to meet Dex and his little sister. She absolutely broke my heart. That poor little girl is broken- and wait until your had the bomb dropped on you of who she is. And who her brother is. And that big Ole secret might just tear apart the whole relationship Roz worked so hard for throughout the whole damn book. I think my heart broke for Roz in the last chapter because it really is heart wrenching. She was willing to give oh so much just to have not just Dex and his sister, but the whole compound freed and Dex couldn't even tell her who he was. I am completely heart broken. And I also see Roz loosing, or staining, a good friendship because of him. But I'm also ranting.... Roz has grown so much and a part of me is so proud of her. But another part of me is sad, because her fun spirit, her loving kind dance party days may be over because of what she has seen and learned. But I'm so proud of her fight!! I'm so very very proud of how she stood up to the council members. I'm cheering for how she find so much love and kindness for everyone and yet sometimes she forgets to take care of the little things for herself.
The writing is just fabulous. I never thought such a simple concept could have me glued to the pages and begging for more. I'm such a fantasy buff- fantasy action, fantasy mystery, paranornal horror... Seeing a trend? I like the high energy type books and yet, this one is different but it's just as cool. With conspiracy type mysteries behind closed doors and the fact that the dystopian world has made a 16 year old president and she is doing a better job than any adult man has ever done is just plain neat! Yes I said neat! I absolutely must have book three as soon as humanly possible because I just KNOW it's going to blow my mind. I want so many thing for Roz and her friends and I want a happily ever after but I have a feeling the author is not going to give me an easy out here. I honestly don't know if Dex can continue to be so pretty as I thought, not after the ending. And I am cheering for Kevin and Nat ;) and even Wes has a chance.... But Dex, is he is worth it, better get his act together because I feel like he left a tornado disaster path when he came through the doors for Roz to clean up and fix- mostly in her heart. Yeah I'm taking this secret really to heart but I think it's because I had so much holding on to them making it through. Anyways I loved this one!! :) 5 PAWS!!
Divided, the second book in author Jaci Wheeler's United Trilogy, continues in the same excellent direction as the first book, United. Unfortunately, a few weak spots begin to appear in the trilogy's treatment of social issues (particularly President Rosaline's simplistic overhaul of the criminal justice and prison systems), which will limit the series' appeal to older teens with a more complex worldview. Still, the series' characters continue to sparkle for tweens and younger teens in this sequel.
And the story continues for Roz as we pick up after learning of the Council's deception and her earnest desire to lead a united America. Love how we get to meet some mover and shakers and the developing entanglement of Dex. There were some good sub characters that made an appearance in this book and I look forward to seeing how the trilogy wraps up in the next read.
Jaci Wheeler this book is fantastic!! I was up and down and up and down.... Dex!!!!! I have grown more in love with each charter, but I do have to say.. Wes and his little outburst had me snorting! Well written, engaging, and addictive!! Dowie