Review: Resistance

Author: Jenna Black
Series: Replica, #2
Released: May 11th 2015
Publisher: Tor Teen
Lenght: 368 pages
Source: Publisher for review
Buy: Amazon

Nate Hayes is a Replica.

The real Nate was viciously murdered, but thanks to Paxco’s groundbreaking human replication technology, a duplicate was created that holds all of the personality and the memories of the original. Or...almost all. Nate’s backup didn't extend to the days preceding his murder, leaving him searching for answers about who would kill him, and why. Now, after weeks spent attempting to solve his own murder with the help of his best friend and betrothed, Nadia Lake, Nate has found the answers he was seeking...and he doesn’t like what he’s discovered.

The original Nate was killed because he knew a secret that could change everything. Thanks to Nadia’s quick thinking, the two of them hold the cards now—or think they do.

Unfortunately, neither of them fully understands just how deep the conspiracy runs.

It seems to me that this wonderful trilogy by Jenna Black isn’t getting nearly the attention it deserves. I’ve always liked her adult urban fantasy books, but I have to admit I’m enjoying her YA work even more. There are a few things that make her stand out completely and they are exactly the things I appreciate.

For one, Replica was almost completely romance-free, which allowed us to focus on more important matters like the great social injustice of Jenna Black’s world. Nate and Nadia might have been unofficially engaged since they were six years old, but a true romance between them is impossible for reasons I’d rather let you discover for yourselves. Resistance continues on the same path, with a hint of romance for Nadia this time, but nothing more than that. The priority is still their fight against the Chairman and the entire social structure he supports.

Nate and Nadia may have leverage over Nate’s father, but the Chairman isn’t without his resources, and he’s determined to make their lives miserable. Divide and conquer is his strategy when it comes to his rebellious son and his soon-to-be fiancé so he sends Nadia to a spa retread/prison and he finds a different fiancé for Nate, a silly, meek girl who doesn’t have what it takes to be the future Chairman’s wife. Nate and Nadia are pretty desperate – the change in Nadia’s status means that her reputation is ruined forever, and neither of them knows who to trust. Even Nate’s boyfriend Kurt, the boy he thought he could trust absolutely, is working for the Resistance.

I’m happy to say that Resistance doesn’t suffer from the dreaded middle book syndrome. Some very important things happen in this book, and a few jaw-dropping moments were thrown into the mix. If anything, this book is more exciting than its predecessor. The stakes are higher, the danger is greater, and both Nadia and Nate have much more to lose. Now more than ever, the lines between good and evil are blurring and its difficult for them to choose a side. The rebels may have a just cause, but their methods are questionable and their moral compass has been seriously damaged along the way, and with replicas completely out of the picture, death has become permanent and a far more frightening possibility.

The third and final book is being released in November and I for one can’t wait to get my hands on it.

A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purpses. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have inflluenced the opinions expressed in this review.