The Resistance by Gemma MalleySeries: The Declaration Trilogy (Book 2 of 3)
The Declaration (Book 1) | The Legacy (Book 3)
Genre: Sci-Fi > Dystopia
Age Group:Young Adult
Publisher: Allen and Unwin AU (Bloomsbury)
Release Date:July 2009
Format: Paperback, 336 pages
ISBN-13: 9780747587729
RRP: $17.99 AUD
Source: Book provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Cover love? I adore the Declaration covers, and while this one is slightly darker, it is still amazingly beautiful.
Synopsis
The year is 2140. Peter and Anna are now living on the Outside as Legals. As an agent in the Underground, Peter is tasked with infiltrating Pincent Pharma Corporation and find out what's happening in the secret Longevity programme. Peter must feign a reconciliation and win the trust of his grandfather, Richard Pincent, one of the most powerful men on the planet, whose company, Pincent Pharma, is chasing the holy grail of modern science - a drug which will reverse ageing and make people look young again.
But his grandfather has his own plans for Peter - plans which involve Peter and Anna signing the Declaration and endorsing Longevity+. Richard Pincent will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even if it means ripping Peter and Anna's new life apart.
At the heart of the organisation he most despises, Peter stumbles across something more sinister than he could ever have imagined, as powerful forces are gathering to crush the young couple's dreams.
Review
The Resistance is the exciting sequel to Gemma Malley's bestselling young adult debut novel, The Declaration, and my mind is still reeling from it's gripping plotline.
The world Gemma Malley paints is set in the future, year 2140, where the "battle against ageing has been won and people can now live forever" through pills known as Longevity. Immortality is a concept that has fascinated mankind for eons, and Gemma Malley explores it with depth and intelligence, combining the science of cell rejuvenation with a captivating story. She has cleverly imagined a future where the consequences of human immortality quickly depletes finite resources. The end result is population limitations, where illegally born children are shipped off to Surplus Halls, and labelled a "Surplus". Anna is one of them.
The second installment is largely forcused on Peter, another illegal child, and Anna's boyfriend? Spouse? (How would you describe two mature teenagers who are virtually married?) I'll settle for "partner". Anyway, Peter takes the reins in The Resistance as he goes undercover into Pincent Pharma in order to discover the haunting secret within it's depths - the plan revolving Longevity that not only keeps people alive, but will make them eternally young.
Gemma Malley's writing is easy to understand, but manages to convey the deeper themes hidden between the lines. While her central characters are well-rounded in terms of having both strengths and weaknesses, they are typical of an adventure storyline - the boy who is a natural hero, the girl who is shy and kind, but brave and fierce when she needs to be, and the fearless leader of the rebellion who is willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good. Despite the typical roles, each character possesses a depth to them that is crucial to the story.
The novel that ensues is part of a heartstopping saga that takes ethical questions to the next level whilst delivering a captivating plot, perfect for all ages.
Rating:
Links:
The Resistance Official Website | The Resistance at Allen & Unwin AU | Goodreads
