The Reckoning

The Reckoning.

The final installment in the Unadjusteds series by Marisa Noelle!

I learned about this series when I participated in a blog tour for the first book in the series, The Unadjusteds. You can read my review here!

I loved the story, and have since gobbled up the second book in the series, The Rise of the Altereds, as well. You can read my review for the second installment in my Fall 2020 Reading Round Up!

When the opportunity to review the final book in the series arrived I snatched it up! I had really enjoyed reading the first two. They are fun, full of adventure, and have an element of mystery, along with all the excitement of a big finale in a sci-fi thriller!

So what is going on in this third, and final, installment?

THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER.

A NEW NEMESIS HAS AWOKEN.

Sinister visions of an evil entity with looming yellow eyes haunt Silver’s dreams, threatening to destroy the new world she and her friends have created. The terrifying omens push Silver to experiment with her abilities, but awaken a burgeoning thirst for more power.

As Silver walks a fine line between good and evil, her friends become wary of her intimidating abilities. She finds understanding in a sympathetic newcomer, but their deepening friendship drives an even deeper wedge between Silver and her suspicious friends.

Tragedy strikes during preparations for the final stand, bringing a terrible choice. Grief drives Silver toward reckless actions that may doom the final battle. Can she repair the relationships with her friends and control her powers before her vision becomes reality?

Marisa Noelle is the writer of middle grade & young adult novels in the genres of science-fiction, fantasy & mental health who, along with The Unadjusteds Trilogy, has written The Shadow Keepers, and The Mermaid Chronicles – Secrets of the Deep.

While the middle grade and young adult novels are quick reads for me, the story is enjoyable, and the kinds of books I would want to read with the pre-teens and young adults in my life! As my nieces and nephews gets older and shift from picture books, to read alongs, to getting into their first chapter books, I have this series book marked as a series we could read and discuss together! And not just The Unadjusteds, but Noelle's other stories as well!

One of the things I love about these stories is how Silver is scared and nervous, but powers through! With the help of her friends, guardians, and sometimes just through her own strength. The science aspects, the bad guys, the adventure, are all great. But having a main character who is a girl overcome so much, can be so empowering!

In the third installment, what I appreciated most is that Silver gets help when she is overwhelmed and unable to manage her anxiety and emotions, and trauma from all the near death experiences and loss she suffers in the first two books. Because while giving kids strong characters is important, I also don't want perfect, or unstoppable characters that no one can live up to either.

That Silver works with her friends to get things done, that she and Matt work like a team when they plan things, and that she goes to therapy when she is overwhelmed are all signs of strength.

While I don't want to give away any spoilers about this book, I want to encourage you to give this series a shot! The best part is, when I read the first and second books, each time, I didn't feel like I was left with an unbearable cliff hanger. The books main issue was resolved while a new adventure was hinted at. So if you're like me and think sci-fi isn't your thing, and you're hesitant to give it a shot, there's very low risk in not finishing the series.

But I have a feeling it won't come to that! If you're like me, you'll enjoy the story, the adventure, and the characters, and get swept away in it all. And luckily, you won't have to wait for the next one like I did!

As always, my recommended book pairings!

1. 52 Lists for Calm by Moorea Seal

I mentioned how much I appreciate that Silver gets help when she needs it. Not just in tackling the bad guys, but in tackling her anxiety. This guided journal is in no way a replacement for professional therapy. However, it's not lost on me that access to therapy does not come easily to most people in the US. Costs, insurance, time, can all play a huge role in whether or not people can get the help they need.

So while this isn't a replacement for therapy, it can be a great way for someone struggling to reflect on the things that stress them out and how to best deal with it, using the tools they have!

2. The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations

While I enjoy these dystopian stories and love the adventure, they're also a huge reminder that I'm completely unprepared for most situations. Despite thinking of myself as a planner, I realized I've never actually prepared for any emergency that doesn't involve my workplace, or planning a party.

All those emergencies that can happen in real life? Please let there be another adult around!

But that doesn't have to be the case! The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook could be just what you need to survive in Silver's dystopian new world!

3. A Lizzo Inspired Cross Stitch

Altering DNA is a huge part of this series. In fact it's the catalyst for everything that happens! And while my brain is racing thinking about the ethics of it, as well as the crazy power dynamics that unfold, it also couldn't help but think of Lizzo.

While reading this book I had this iconic line from Lizzo's hit single Truth Hurts stuck in my head, and between the Sci-Fi DNA story line, and the total badass main character, Silver, I felt unstoppable!

You can grab this awesome cross stitch pattern from Etsy and both find your next creative project and keep that incredible confident energy front and center in your space!

I really hope you'll give the Unadjusteds Trilogy a shot! You can grab The Unadjusteds, The Rise of the Altereds, and The Reckoning on Amazon.

Still not sure? You can check out all of the reviews featured in The Reckoning Blog Tour from Zooloo Book Tours!

Happy reading!