Book Review: A City Called Smoke: The Territory 2 by Justin Woolley

This is a good second in the series with plenty of danger and a few more twists.
A City Called Smoke: The Territory 2
by Justin Woolley

File Size: 493 KB
Print Length: 251 pages
Publisher: Momentum (July 9, 2015)
Publication Date: July 9, 2015
ASIN: B00OIKC85I
Genre: Sci Fi, Action and Adventure
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

The battle was only the beginning; the real danger is beyond the fence ...
The Diggers have been destroyed, a horde of ghouls is moving inland and the High Priestess has seized control of the Central Territory. Together with Nim, a Nomad boy seeking vengeance against the ghouls, Squid and Lynn begin their long journey toward the city of Big Smoke, a city that may not even exist.
Pursued by forces that wish to see them fail, facing threats on all sides and conflict from within, Squid, Lynn and Nim search for a weapon against the ghouls. It is a search that will lead them into forbidden lands where long-held beliefs about their world are tested and Squid may finally unravel the truth of his identity.
But even if they survive their journey, the teenagers on whom the fate of the Territory now rests have no idea what dangers await them beyond the fence.
Perfect for fans of James Dashner's Maze Runner series and Michael Grant's Gone series.

Review:
Squid and Lynn have begun their trip east across Central Territory to the lands beyond the fence. Squid is the boy of prophesy and Lynn is his friend who has been banished and committed herself to traveling with him even though she doesn’t believe. The High Priestess has seized control of the city of Alice and the territory. She has made plans to mis-direct Squid and Lynn to her ally, the Black Sisters at the edge of the fence.

Squid and Lynn secured a ride inside a freighter and are surprised when Nim breaks into their container. Nim is a Nomad boy who lost his twin sister to a ghoul attack. He chose to journey to the lands beyond to find the Storm Man. The nomadic legend holds that the Storm Man can defeat the ghoul hordes. The three young people band together to continue their quest although Squid becomes jealous and remote as Lynn and Nim become closer.

As the trio of youth try to evade a pirate attack, two strange men, Stix and Stownes, arrive suddenly, appearing to attack Squid. It takes a bit of time to realize their true purpose. Lynn meets her stepbrother, Melbourne, with the pirates and challenges him to shake off his cowardice. The trio travel on with unexpected help, facing sandstorm and ghoul horde before they reach the outer fence. Once they pass the fence, they quickly face new enemies.

Finally Squid and Nim battle their way to arrive at the City of Smoke. There they find surprises and the vaccine that might help safe the people. But they do not know how to use it and the ghoul horde waits outside the doors where they must exit to return to the city.

The story is fast paced with plenty of action and, as in the first book, A Town Called Dust: The Territory 1, the characters are engaging. The story is so much more than just a zombie battle. I liked the different views being shared from the perspectives of wealth (Lynn), poverty (Squid) and respecters of nature (Nim). There are many other human elements - jealousy, greed, power, cowardice, dedication, love, loyalty and courage - that are woven throughout the story. Sad to say, the ending is a complete cliff hanger. Still, this is fast paced entertainment with strong character and story beyond the zombie threat. I recommend the story to those who enjoy strong, entertaining, action sci fi.

I received this through NetGalley for an honest review. It is part of my NetGalley challenge.