3.5

Oh wow. Probably the best character development this book had, since the 1st one.

Sam acknowledging his mistakes.
Astrid realizing she’s not as smart as she thought she was; and very arrogant and manipulative too.
Diana having morals.
Howard thinking for himself; seeing both Astrid and Sam as liars, and not following them anymore.
Edilio standing up to Sam, also telling him directly that he doesn’t support him anymore.

Maybe some more developments here and there, but nothing major I think. Although it took 300-400 pages to get there... well, technically around 1500, if we count the previous 2 books, as we should.

The most ironic thing about this is, that it didn’t grip me as much as the 2nd book did. Although I was more satisfied with the ending, and the characters had a better development. And I liked Diana much more.
Hmm, perhaps it was because it took so long to get there. And because the 300 pages until then were so slow-paced. Well, I mean it was still action-packed, but the main protagonists annoyed me for the most part.
Especially things like:
- sam running off while the town is burning down; at the same time being cranky that he’s not the one in charge (but when he has the decision to make, he runs off).
- Astrid spilling out Mary’s secret (bulimia), just so the crowd won’t fed on Astrid’s lies, but rather on Mary’s “craziness” (I hate Astrid for this).
- Albert being like a 2nd Astrid, but with money. When danger comes, he hides. But tells others to back off. (Basically only talking without doing)
- Penny and her crush on Caine. Annoying and completely unnecessary. Also has not been shown at all, until she said it. Completely random and out of nowhere.
- Caine. There’s nothing more to say. He’s annoying, boring and I couldn’t care less about him. Him being on the island is cool; hopefully we’ll hear less about him. Hopefully he won’t find a way off this island anytime soon. Just stay there a couple of years; no one will miss you.

I found it especially hard to keep reading during the religious themes. Religion is always a difficult debate, or beliefs in general, because no one has proof of what could be true.
I’m just wondering how some still cling on to god, while starving in the FAYZ. It’s literally hell there.
And the question whether or not someone pops back to the other side, on their 15th birthday. Like, is there an other side? I don’t think so.
Whatever Pete did at the end, I think it was just an illusion. There’s no way the adults are still alive. It’s more like the sun exploded, wiped out all earth and the FAYZ now is some kind of dwarf planet. A very little copy of earth. Or maybe they’re all already dead and this is hell. Who knows.
Either way, in my theory, when you poof out, it’s only benefiting the gaiaphage. I don’t know how exactly, but yeah.

But I did like the new characters from the island. Tho I’m afraid the author will mess them up real bad in the 4th book. I hope not, but that seems to be a hobby of the author, so the stakes aren’t high.

I’m basically just continuing for the background characters. Quinn. Lana. Edilio. Dekka. Sanjit. Choo. Pete. Roger. Howard. Brittney. Brianna.
And I’m kinda curious about whether the adults are alive, or if there’s the other side, or not.