First I would like to show my gratitude for being able to have access to this e arc! I did go back and read the first book before reading this one... I think I have found a new must buy author. Let's start with the things I didn't like, or would have wanted to see done a bit differently. I just want more... another book or the current ones made into full length novels I don't mind. The world is ravaged by sickness and the ecological collapse but Reid (mc) is focused on change for the better. They apply to go to university that demands them to leave their community behind for 4 years and embark on a terrifying and dangerous journey to get there. This book follows Reid on the journey and what happens there after is mind-blowing! There's so many elements of social commentary and the ways humans can and do behave in the face of life changing situations. I think you could read this without having read the first one, but I would recommend reading both. This is mainly because they are both novella length books and reading both just allows you to have a little more time to connect with the characters and understand the world. I don't know if Premee Mohamed will be writing more in this series but I really would be excited to read more in this world and with this characters. 
Now for the spoiler section of this review.... I liked that the story carried on where it left off in the first book and that certain aspects were not forgotten... like the death of one of the characters. It became an integral part of the motivations of Reid and I really appreciated that. I did however, think it was strange that the university were open to Reid going back to their Mum... it wasn't clear if that was because Reid was causing problems with testing the boundaries or wether it was what they would have done anyway. If it was the first reason then it was a bit soon considering the pattern in change of behaviour that St Martin pointed out.