The Resistance

THE RESISTANCE is the much-anticipated sequel to THE DECLARATION. It picks up where THE DECLARATION left off and is told through Peter's eyes. He and Anna live together with Ben, Anna's brother, in a rundown house trying to keep out of the way. Peter and Anna aren't comfortable being Legal yet, and find the stares and nasty comments coming from the other citizens unsettling. Peter and Anna work for the Underground whenever they can. They both want to see the Declaration a thing of the past. Peter gets his chance when his grandfather, head of Pincent Pharma, offers him a position at the company. Pincent Pharma is responsible for Longevity, the drug that makes an extended life possible. Peter uses this opportunity to get information for the Underground. What he finds causes him to question his beliefs about the Declaration, the Underground, and his relationship with Anna. It takes uncovering a horrible secret to put him back on track. THE RESISTANCE was just as good as THE DECLARATION. The suspense keeps you turning page after page. Peter's character is so likeable and his devotion to Anna is heartwarming. Gemma Malley leaves it open for another story, and I for one can't wait to see what happens next. Reviewed by: Karin Librarian

A pharmaceutical company takes unethical activity to the edge, in Gemma Malley's THE RESISTANCE. Fifteen-year-olds Anna and Peter are now Legal, and have the opportunity to change society from the inside. Both had sworn they'd never sign the Declaration come age sixteen, but doubts are setting in. Bowing to pressure, signing becomes increasingly appealing - if only to settle guilty consciences. And as Peter works for his grandfather's PharmaCorp, he expects corruption, but the extent of it is still shocking. You can't trust your family. Can't trust your friends. Can't trust your allies. And at the end of the day, you can't even trust yourself, either. Like THE DECLARATION, THE RESISTANCE continues with the themes of liberation, freedom of choice, and oddly believable economics. Further explored here are trust and bioethics, and the internal - as well as external - conflicts are ramped up to the maximum. This is a wrenching, thought-provoking novel, and a sequel that even stretches beyond its fascinating predecessor. You'll feel the characters' frustration as well as your own, and be emotionally drained from the more harrowing scenes (including one I was planning for my own writing, damn it). Get this duology, people - you need these gripping reads.

Just finished this book and thought it was a very suspenseful, interesting follow up to The Declaration! The only hesitation I have in writing this 5 star review is that I'm not sure what part of "young adult" this book is aimed at. Sure, the main characters are young adults, but some of the issues tackled in this book (And the 1st one) may be big moral/ethics topics some may have issues with.. Loved it, though and looking(hopefully) forward to the 3rd?