In the last installment in the series we didn’t get to spend a lot of time with June and Day together, and I think the author took advantage of the opportunity to do so in this book. We get to see Day and June spend more time together and therefore also see them disagree on how they want to approach the problems they are facing. It becomes very clear pretty quickly that they are still getting to know each other. I’m not at a point where I am in love with any of the characters in the series so far. They are likeable enough and are interesting to see in action, but they’re not in my top list of favorite characters. However, I care enough about them to keep going with the series and enough to have an interest to what happens to them. 

 The part I most appreciated about this installment is that The Colonies and The Republic are being depicted as something other than just “good” or “evil”. They are respective countries that are both run by governments with ulterior motives. Just like the rebels have people working for them that don’t have the best interests of the disenfranchised in mind, the same happens with The Republic. Anden is a character that reflects the movement within The Republic that wants to change the current government to fight for basic human rights within the nation. On the other hand, Day in many ways represents many of the poorer sectors of the Republic that are resentful towards the government. Despite this, Day, through his escape from The Republic discovers his own sense of patriotism and how he wants to fight for a better future for his homeland. 

 At the end of the novel it is quite upsetting to find out that Day has essentially received a death sentence. Although, I also think it will serve him as a point of motivation to do as much as he can before he’s gone. It’s also quite sad that his brother, Eden, went through so much experimentation that he is currently disabled. I’m hoping that the poor kid can recover. I don’t currently see a future for June and Day’s relationship. At this point I’m honestly expecting him to die, which yes, is upsetting, but I think the story would merit something like that happening. This is a dystopian world with high stakes after all.