+Wonderful development of the main character
-Minor character is named Bonner. Really?
+Gripping action, readers will not be able to put it down
+Excellent use of sensory details to make the settings come alive
9/10
After finishing the second book in the series, Among the Imposters, I was apprehensive to start reading the third book– Among the Betrayed. An agreement was formed in my head: if Among the Betrayed fails to deliver a suspenseful, power punch of a story, than I will put the series down entirely.
Readers will be hooked from the first few pages, pacing of this novel is strong, it feels progressive, and I connect to the characters because I feel the realism. On a consistent basis, I wonder what the main character is going to do next.
Development of the main character is the strongest suit for this novel. An attachment to the main character means readers are inclined to buy into the story, to continue page turning, and write glowing reviews like this one. There are many instances in the story where the main character is doing something to progress the story, and these doings all relate to her character. Sensory details also aid with the character’s development, the settings assist with making readers feel attached to her, as she faces a woman vs society conflict. Here’s a memorable quotation taken from the text:
“Everything that had happened to Nina was real. She had real handcuffs on her wrists, real scars on her back, real fear flooding her mind.”
There was a character named Bonner in this book, but I kept reading him as a Boner. I am sure the author could have created another name for this minor character.
In terms of pacing, this book was difficult to put down. I read until 12:50am on a school night. Many of the chapters end with a few lines of prose that make me want to read further. Not only was the story itself engaging, but I felt immersed into the settings the characters trudged through.
Sensory details evoke several images in this book for me, which makes me present in Haddix’s dystopia. Details were appropriate, and did not influence the pacing of the text at all.
Overall, Among the Betrayed has rekindled the Shadow Children Series for me. It keeps a stronger pace than its predecessor, Among the Imposters.
