The Reckoning Review | Marisa Noelle

Having enjoyed the first two books, I was looking forward to the adventure continuing for Silver and friends. When given the chance to be part of the blog tour, it was my guarantee of reading the book before forgetting the previous events. Today, I’m sharing my review on The Reckoning.

Publisher: Question Mark Press | Date: 2021 | Genre: Science Fiction

Plot: 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?

I received The Reckoning as part of a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Reckoning Review

I’ve enjoyed the adventures and the powers depicted in the first two books. I had issues with Silver’s character in book two, but she redeemed herself and I was intrigued about where the new threat was going to take things. I was looking forward to The Reckoning.

Characters

It’s an interesting choice when an author deliberately sends her main character on a negative development arc. Silver spends the first half of the book arrogant, selfish and so self-absorbed that I wanted someone (preferably a bulk) to shake some sense into her. I really went off her.

As the story and Silver’s development progresses, she comes full circle and you root for her again. I wish we could’ve seen more of the other characters and their abilities, rather than the narration fixating on Silver and Eli – especially as it’s impossible to connect to the latter because you know not to trust him.

I don’t cry. I don’t despair. I’m more accepting than I thought I’d be.

But I won’t give up either. I won’t. I can’t. It’s not who I am.

The Reckoning by Marisa Noelle

Writing

In true Noelle form, however, it comes together seamlessly.

Silver comes back to herself, the threat manifests, and our band of survivors have to come together to face impossible odds (again). The pacing takes a long time to build, with a large portion of the book being character-focused. Once events gain momentum, you don’t have time to figure out what’s going on: the danger is here and it’s real. It made the character development more pronounced, although the tension may have benefitted from longer to build.

The enemy was unclear. It wasn’t a person or a known threat. Formless and menacing, it’s hard to identify exactly what it was, which undermined it for me: a deranged, power-hungry maniac had more impact than something illusive.

Themes

The book was a lot of fun. As a young adult science-fiction novel, it touches on a lot of important themes, not least that no one is incorruptible and that relationships are complicated. There were times I identified with the messages, and times I sensed it was aimed at a younger audience. It was a good balance between the fate of the world, and personal problems.

Given the current climate, it’s easy to identify with the despair and helplessness of humanity trying to survive when the world turns against you. An invisible, deadly threat is something we can all relate to.

I enjoyed this book, and liked watching everything come together. Very mixed feelings on the ending (no spoilers) but it does make me intrigued where this will go next.

Final Thoughts

If you’re enjoying the series, or looking for a new YA science-fiction to binge, then The Unadjusteds books are entertaining reads. The Reckoning works for a late-teen audience reaching the point in their lives where they want to establish who they are. If that’s your thing, then a definite recommendation. 

Have you been reading The Unadjusteds series? Does this sound like your kind of book?

Also in the series:

• Book One: The Unadjusteds
• Book Two: The Rise of the Altereds

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram