Emmy Laybourne

Savage Drift by Emmy Laybourne is the third book in the Monument 14 trilogy about a group of young people and children caught up in a catastrophic disaster. While most of the group has made it to the safety of a Canadian refugee camp and some have even even reunited with their families, Josie is still missing and Astrid is suffering through a difficult pregnancy.

First they discover that Josie is alive but being held in a brutal prison-like camp in Missouri, then they learn that pregnant females are being taken for medical testing. Dean, Jake, Nico and Astrid decide to leave and rescue Josie and find a safe place for Astrid’s baby to be born. The narration of the story is divided between Josie and the violence and danger she is involved in and, Dean, as he tells how the small group is trying to reach Josie and bring both the girls to safety.

Savage Drift was a satisfying end to the trilogy. While there isn’t a lot of character development, it is a fast-paced, action packed thriller. The characters, especially Dean and Jake could really get on one’s nerves but the book did tackle some interesting issues like teen pregnancy and substance abuse and the characters were racially diverse.… (meer)

Sky on Fire by Emmy Laybourne is the second book in her Monument 14 trilogy. The first book describes the horrific events that were triggered by climate change that included a chemical spill that affects people different according to their blood type. Book one ended with a group of children having taken shelter in a giant superstore now splitting up with some going to try to make it to a Denver rescue centre.

The story follows the two groups, those on the bus trying to make it to Denver and those left behind in the store. Both groups have to deal with marauders but the travelling group does eventually reach Denver, only to learn that the government is about to release a series of bombs to burn away the chemicals. They realize that they must save the ones that they left behind or they will be destroyed by the bombs.

The author keeps the tension and action levels high in the book and the pages turn quickly which allowed me to settle into the story and overlook the writing flaws of which there are a few. Overall, I am enjoying this YA story and looking forward to the final book in the trilogy.… (meer)