Maybe I've just forgotten too much of what's already happened in this series, or maybe it's just that I never really connected with Emma (especially compared to Jess and Bells). Or maybe I'm burning out on dystopia again.

In any case, I had more trouble getting invested in this book than I would like to admit. While I know firsthand how frustrating it is to be constantly dismissed and sidelined, especially when you've already contributed so much to the team, Emma seemed too ready to resort to dramatic measures with minimal regard for her own safety or that of her friends, and not a moment's thought given to the adults' concerns possibly being valid or well-intentioned. Which turns the narrative into a binary "kids are right, adults are wrong if they don't completely agree" and isn't all that sympathy-inducing.

Probably I'll finish the series because the rep really is great and I care enough about some of the characters to want to see them get a happy ending, but at this point I honestly don't have very high hopes.

rep:

Spoiler

Latina aroace/questioning MC, Black trans bi/pan major character & love interest, Chinese- & Vietnamese-American bi secondary character, WLW secondary character, secondary established F/F relationship, diverse minor characters (including hijabi, nonbinary/genderqueer, demiromantic ace) & relationships (including F/F, M/M, M/F/M polyam)

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CONVERSION: 8.4 / 15 = 3 stars

Prose: 4 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 6 / 10
Emotional Impact: 4 / 10
Development / Flow: 6 / 10
Setting: 7 / 10

Diversity & Social Themes: 4 / 5
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: N/A
Memorability: 2 / 5