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The Line #2
Away
After crossing the Line, Rachel finds herself in a world where survival is never guaranteed - a world where bizarre creatures roam the woods and people have strange abilities. Everything has gone to ruin Away and the survivors have banded into warring clans. Rachel finds her father being held prisoner by a tribe of Others, and she and her new friends set out to rescue him. But when they cross back over the Line, Rachel and Pathik make a foolish decision, bringing them into further danger that can only be resolved with an unthinkable sacrifice.
An adventure filled with life-and-death choices, dark conspiracies, and heart-poundingly suspenseful moments, this sequel delivers.
An adventure filled with life-and-death choices, dark conspiracies, and heart-poundingly suspenseful moments, this sequel delivers.
234 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2011
About the author
Teri Hall
14 books289 followersTeri Hall’s work includes the YA trilogy The Line, Away, and The Island. Her newest book, Murmurations, was written well prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic, which makes the author wary of possible prophetic powers and cautious about her choice of new projects. Teri has always been drawn to themes of courage, integrity and what love really looks like. She lives in a small community in the Pacific Northwest with some rescue pets, one of whom—Tyrone, so sorely missed—was the inspiration for the Tyrone in Murmurations.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
January 1, 2012
2.5 stars
I’m not really sure what to say about this book. On one hand, I did actually enjoy this a fraction more than The Line. On the other, it was a case of “more of the same” in terms of the writing, pacing and overall issues I had with the first book.
Away picks up the story shortly after the conclusion of the The Line. Rachel has Crossed and is living with the Others in their camp. Vivian and Mrs Moore are back on the Property, unsure whether they have been betrayed. Rachel finds out that her father is alive and is being held captive by another group of Others.
But honestly, I just found both of these books far too thin and flat to really hold my interest. The prose is impersonal and distancing, told in third person and leaping from viewpoint to viewpoint of the various characters. Again, we are told what each of these characters are feeling, but it doesn’t translate into engaging storytelling. The characters purportedly feel pain, loss, love, hope – yet it all felt blandly monotone to me.
For such a captivating premise, I also wish the world had been better fleshed out. The scant detail provided about the way of life of the Others raises more questions and than are answered. The ending itself was outright abrupt and rang strangely hollow, which is an odd sensation after the investment of reading the two books in their entirety. I’m unsure whether there is going to be a third book in the series, but the ending of Away doesn’t really provide closure, nor does it linger all that much.
But onto what you really want to know. What about the sheep-cats?
They do, in fact, exist on the other side of the Line. But I was expecting something like, maybe, this:
or, this:
The “sheep-cats” of rumour turn out to be Woollies, which are described as something like a woolly lynx.
Disappointing.
That said, Nipper was my favourite character of the book. He definitely exhibited the most personality, in my opinion.
For all the promise of the synopsis, I ultimately felt somewhat underwhelmed by both The Line and Away. However, as a lower YA dystopia, they are adequately thought-provoking and offer a slightly different take a sobering situation.
I’m not really sure what to say about this book. On one hand, I did actually enjoy this a fraction more than The Line. On the other, it was a case of “more of the same” in terms of the writing, pacing and overall issues I had with the first book.
Away picks up the story shortly after the conclusion of the The Line. Rachel has Crossed and is living with the Others in their camp. Vivian and Mrs Moore are back on the Property, unsure whether they have been betrayed. Rachel finds out that her father is alive and is being held captive by another group of Others.
But honestly, I just found both of these books far too thin and flat to really hold my interest. The prose is impersonal and distancing, told in third person and leaping from viewpoint to viewpoint of the various characters. Again, we are told what each of these characters are feeling, but it doesn’t translate into engaging storytelling. The characters purportedly feel pain, loss, love, hope – yet it all felt blandly monotone to me.
For such a captivating premise, I also wish the world had been better fleshed out. The scant detail provided about the way of life of the Others raises more questions and than are answered. The ending itself was outright abrupt and rang strangely hollow, which is an odd sensation after the investment of reading the two books in their entirety. I’m unsure whether there is going to be a third book in the series, but the ending of Away doesn’t really provide closure, nor does it linger all that much.
But onto what you really want to know. What about the sheep-cats?
They do, in fact, exist on the other side of the Line. But I was expecting something like, maybe, this:
or, this:
The “sheep-cats” of rumour turn out to be Woollies, which are described as something like a woolly lynx.
Disappointing.
That said, Nipper was my favourite character of the book. He definitely exhibited the most personality, in my opinion.
For all the promise of the synopsis, I ultimately felt somewhat underwhelmed by both The Line and Away. However, as a lower YA dystopia, they are adequately thought-provoking and offer a slightly different take a sobering situation.
August 11, 2023
Good second book to the series.
December 15, 2020
2.5 stars
This in the next book in the Line series. As you can tell by my rating, I didn't enjoy this book much. This has one of my main pet peeves when characters make really dumb decisions and other people have to pay for/sacrifice themselves to fix someone else's mistakes. Any time that happens in a book, I get so angry.
This in the next book in the Line series. As you can tell by my rating, I didn't enjoy this book much. This has one of my main pet peeves when characters make really dumb decisions and other people have to pay for/sacrifice themselves to fix someone else's mistakes. Any time that happens in a book, I get so angry.
October 5, 2011
Such a good premise, but mired down by wooden writing and a lack of character development. It's a shame really and I feel bad saying it. Also (as with "The Line") plot elements often feel like kludges, or crude & inelegant means to fix the narrative arc. And yes, they do take the plot from point "A", to the writer's desired point "B"...but they often feel more expedient than truly character driven.
The world Teri Hall builds is quite captivating, with a strong premise, full of much promise. But, when populated with characters who lack depth and range, it becomes difficult to know them, to believe in them, to empathize with them, and thus we are rudderless in the sea of text, with no way home and without access to the story.
The world Teri Hall builds is quite captivating, with a strong premise, full of much promise. But, when populated with characters who lack depth and range, it becomes difficult to know them, to believe in them, to empathize with them, and thus we are rudderless in the sea of text, with no way home and without access to the story.
October 7, 2011
I don't know about this book...it had potential & it was kind of interesting, but in a lethargic, sleepy, uncaring kind of way. Their thoughts, actions, and speech were just...I don't know, static? Like being underwater? Slow? Unemotional? I am really having a hard times putting it in words.
I didn't connect with any of the characters. I mean I honestly just didn't care about any of them. For lack of a better word, "blah" pretty much sums Away for me.
I will read the next book in the series though - I don't want to give up quite yet. I need to find out about Nipper. It's pretty sad that Nipper is the only character that I'm semi-emotionlly invested in.
I'm left feeling a little disappointed and a whole lot of blah.
I didn't connect with any of the characters. I mean I honestly just didn't care about any of them. For lack of a better word, "blah" pretty much sums Away for me.
I will read the next book in the series though - I don't want to give up quite yet. I need to find out about Nipper. It's pretty sad that Nipper is the only character that I'm semi-emotionlly invested in.
I'm left feeling a little disappointed and a whole lot of blah.
April 1, 2014
Now that Rachel has met Pathik and crossed The Line, life is nothing like she new! Away is a land of warring clans and people with gifts! She knows that now that she has crossed she may never get back. But there are many surprises in store for Rachel!
This was a wonderful continuation of the first book, The Line! It held me captive until I finished! The author did a wonderful job of developing the characters and making them true to life.
Thanks, Teri, for your imagination. This was inspiring!
This was a wonderful continuation of the first book, The Line! It held me captive until I finished! The author did a wonderful job of developing the characters and making them true to life.
Thanks, Teri, for your imagination. This was inspiring!
September 30, 2011
I NEED TO READ IT.
July 8, 2019
I finally read this after having read the first book 8 years ago. It is similar to all of the other dystopian books out there and near the end I was ok with the idea of all of the characters dying.
Good for ages 12 and up.
Good for ages 12 and up.
May 16, 2023
I already started book 3. This book left off on a cliffhanger.
November 8, 2011
3.5 stars. What the heck...I'll give it 4.
It's hard for me to put into words why I like this series. I'm going to say some things now that might seem insulting to the book/author, but I'll explain later.
* This story is boring...not alot of action.
* The characters are pretty flat and uninteresting. They show very little emotion, unless highly scared or mildly confused.
* The author only gives crumbs when it comes to world building. I want big chunks of buttery bread with jam...but I get crumbs.
* There is no romance. NONE.
BUT STILL... I find the story interesting. Sparse Prose, maybe meant to reflect the sparseness of the time they are living in.
* The story: yes, a little boring, nuttin' much happens. And when it does happen, it's still pretty sparse. Maybe the author uses the lack of showy words and world building to allow you the reader to build it for yourself. Coming in a 235 pages, this is ok. If this book was say, 500 pages of this, I would throw it against the wall in frustration.
* The characters: Flat, I tell you. But again, they seem like real people. So many books nowadays just try too darn hard to make the characters interesting. They all have a favorite book, they all play an instrument, they are all amazing at _____ but love to point out that they suck at _____. Again, I think the author leaves it in to your hands to decide about the characters.
Rachel seems like your average teen girl from the future who has been sequestered away from her peer group and has no idea how to interact with people.
Pathik, too. Only growing up with a few his age, I'm glad he's not this sassy, smirking fool that is trying to sweep Rachel off her feet. He's trying, but the past has shown him love only brings pain and loss.
* Crumbs: There is NO world building. I shouldn't say there isn't any at all...but you only know 3 or 4 very vague things about this time. There was a war...the people are segregated by The Line...The Others have mutated enough that some have powers...It's rough out there in Away.
That's it. Oh, and the Government wants to use the Others with Powers for something.
* Romance...Yeah, they occasionally hold hands, and there is a little kiss near the end. Thank God there are no 'knowing glances, and raised eyebrows, and smirky smirks, and lips brushing collar bones, and fingers in hair' stuff. See "Sparse Prose" above. If anything, neither of them would know any of that stuff because both grew up in a place with people who weren't with those they loved. They wouldn't have seen real courtship and affection. So it works.
I might be TOTALLY off base with all of this, but this is how I feel. The author could really pull an awesome rabbit out of her hat and have the next book be a real Door Stopper (like 500+ pages), and just really thoroughly explain everything... and throw in a little more emotion.
It's hard for me to put into words why I like this series. I'm going to say some things now that might seem insulting to the book/author, but I'll explain later.
* This story is boring...not alot of action.
* The characters are pretty flat and uninteresting. They show very little emotion, unless highly scared or mildly confused.
* The author only gives crumbs when it comes to world building. I want big chunks of buttery bread with jam...but I get crumbs.
* There is no romance. NONE.
BUT STILL... I find the story interesting. Sparse Prose, maybe meant to reflect the sparseness of the time they are living in.
* The story: yes, a little boring, nuttin' much happens. And when it does happen, it's still pretty sparse. Maybe the author uses the lack of showy words and world building to allow you the reader to build it for yourself. Coming in a 235 pages, this is ok. If this book was say, 500 pages of this, I would throw it against the wall in frustration.
* The characters: Flat, I tell you. But again, they seem like real people. So many books nowadays just try too darn hard to make the characters interesting. They all have a favorite book, they all play an instrument, they are all amazing at _____ but love to point out that they suck at _____. Again, I think the author leaves it in to your hands to decide about the characters.
Rachel seems like your average teen girl from the future who has been sequestered away from her peer group and has no idea how to interact with people.
Pathik, too. Only growing up with a few his age, I'm glad he's not this sassy, smirking fool that is trying to sweep Rachel off her feet. He's trying, but the past has shown him love only brings pain and loss.
* Crumbs: There is NO world building. I shouldn't say there isn't any at all...but you only know 3 or 4 very vague things about this time. There was a war...the people are segregated by The Line...The Others have mutated enough that some have powers...It's rough out there in Away.
That's it. Oh, and the Government wants to use the Others with Powers for something.
* Romance...Yeah, they occasionally hold hands, and there is a little kiss near the end. Thank God there are no 'knowing glances, and raised eyebrows, and smirky smirks, and lips brushing collar bones, and fingers in hair' stuff. See "Sparse Prose" above. If anything, neither of them would know any of that stuff because both grew up in a place with people who weren't with those they loved. They wouldn't have seen real courtship and affection. So it works.
I might be TOTALLY off base with all of this, but this is how I feel. The author could really pull an awesome rabbit out of her hat and have the next book be a real Door Stopper (like 500+ pages), and just really thoroughly explain everything... and throw in a little more emotion.
May 28, 2013
This worthy sequel to Hall’s The Line (2010) continues to build a dystopian world with suspense and moral choices. Rachel enters “Away,” the wild area on the other side of the “Line,” the border of the “Unified States.” Life has evolved in Away. There, Rachel meets Pathik, and others of his family and group, many of whom have a supernatural power. Rachel rescues her father from a rival camp. Indigo, Pathik’s grandfather and leader of their camp, decides they should relocate to an island that may offer real safety. Hall tackles morality in the use of the characters’ supernatural powers. Indigo, for example, can kill with his mind. Her dystopian world is vividly shown, and her characters stand out. The Away people live without electricity, but they live freely. As they make their way to their new life readers will be waiting for them. Overall, this book expands the imagination and portrays how unexpected life can be. I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it.
January 14, 2012
I really enjoyed The Line, though did think it dragged a bit in the beginning. This sequel doesn't drag at all. It pulled me in from the beginning and kept me turning the pages. I loved getting to learn about the world of Away and its inhabitants, The Others. The search for Rachel's father was really suspenseful and action-packed.
Crossing back over the Line to get Rachel's mom and friends was fun to read about and then the "foolish decision" (from the summary) of Pathik and Rachel really raised the stakes and I was a bit shocked at the way it ended up. It was an interesting way of resolving that situation. The ending was like that of The Line- it ends this book's adventure and I was satisfied, but there could definitely be more coming and I wouldn't mind reading more about this world and these characters.
Overall, a great follow-up and I can't wait to read more from Hall.
Crossing back over the Line to get Rachel's mom and friends was fun to read about and then the "foolish decision" (from the summary) of Pathik and Rachel really raised the stakes and I was a bit shocked at the way it ended up. It was an interesting way of resolving that situation. The ending was like that of The Line- it ends this book's adventure and I was satisfied, but there could definitely be more coming and I wouldn't mind reading more about this world and these characters.
Overall, a great follow-up and I can't wait to read more from Hall.
April 18, 2011
While not as good as "The Line", the first book, still a compelling read. I really want more about the history of the collapse of the society, and how people who were living per usual before the collapse adjusted their lives ... so maybe Ms. Hall can help me out with some more info on that point? These books seem to come in threes, so I'm hoping if there is a third it will be better than this one and answer some more lingering questions about this world.
May 9, 2012
"Give people something simple to hate and fear, and they will hate and fear with a passion."
This book was a lot better than the first one! (The first book was definitely necessary to understand this one) It was nice to read a book where not everything ended up happy. I did like the love tension-it was very well written, definitely not overdone.
This book was a lot better than the first one! (The first book was definitely necessary to understand this one) It was nice to read a book where not everything ended up happy. I did like the love tension-it was very well written, definitely not overdone.
May 23, 2013
This was so good it had me in tears near the end. The story leaves a lot of questions unanswered, so I can't wait for the third one in the series. Action packed, heart wrenching, and engrossing, this story will grab readers from the beginning and just not let go.
December 3, 2020
Review coming soon...
April 21, 2023
I wish the characters were more fully developed, especially as this was the second book. Although the world was interesting, and the premise had a lot that could happen, unfortunately the story never fully took us there. Some of the situations could have so easily been avoided (nudge, come on Indigo!) so it was a bit disappointing when the plot took the easy way out. I will still probably read the third because I do want to see how it all ends. I just hope that there is more to the third book than the first two. I want to know more about the world that they live in. There is so much potential that is being skirted around.
August 14, 2017
Shortish installment story
Short, again, felt like an installment and not a full book, like half a book. Got online through overdrive library. Interesting story, but would need 4 to 6 of these installments to consider it a full story arc. I am guessing Wool is why it's broken up this way, except with that one you were told you were getting a serial. This seems to be a trend now, stretched out installment stories, that they don't tell you up front. Or maybe they hope it stands on it's own, but, no.
Short, again, felt like an installment and not a full book, like half a book. Got online through overdrive library. Interesting story, but would need 4 to 6 of these installments to consider it a full story arc. I am guessing Wool is why it's broken up this way, except with that one you were told you were getting a serial. This seems to be a trend now, stretched out installment stories, that they don't tell you up front. Or maybe they hope it stands on it's own, but, no.
July 1, 2018
COPIED FROM GOODREADS SITE: After crossing the Line, Rachel finds herself in a world where survival is never guaranteed - a world where bizarre creatures roam the woods and people have strange abilities. Everything has gone to ruin Away and the survivors have banded into warring clans. Rachel finds her father being held prisoner by a tribe of Others, and she and her new friends set out to rescue him. But when they cross back over the Line, Rachel and Pathik make a foolish decision, bringing them into further danger that can only be resolved with an unthinkable sacrifice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2019
In my opinion, this book was better than the first one. So many things got revealed, and there were also some very sad deaths, as well as some very stupid moments that led to those deaths. I'm not sure if there's a third book already published or if it's coming out, but if there is, I'm definitely reading it!
April 23, 2025
Away focuses on what's beyond "the Line" and introduces many new characters into the story. But Away is a dangerous place to live and if the first book of the trilogy was a bit slow, in this second book things start happening faster and there is a little bit of romance showing up. By the time you get to the end you feel that you must read the third book to see how this story ends!
January 26, 2019
All of these characters are morons.
September 19, 2019
Surprisingly sweet with a sad undertone. I skipped to the second and it was pretty easy to figure out what was going on.
August 14, 2020
B. fiction, YA, dystopian, series, (The Line, #2)
September 4, 2020
Love the emotions you feel in this book. It’s truly amazing.
March 23, 2021
Book one rolled me in to only get to book 2 that turned pretty flat for me.
August 2, 2022
Great book!! Too bad they didn't get a proofreader.
October 22, 2023
2.5* Very predictable plot. Everything was going so smooth that of course there needed to be bad luck at some point. How it was happened was just so unnecessary
March 6, 2026
Easy to read with characters that you care about. Can't wait to read the final book in this trilogy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews