Review: In the End (In the After #2) by Demitria Lunetta

Author: Demitria Lunetta
Series: In the After #2
Genre: Horror, Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: June 24, 2014
Links: Goodreads Amazon

It’s been three months since Amy escaped New Hope, and she’s been surviving on her own, like she did in the After. Until one day, her former fellow Guardian’s voice rings out in her earpiece. And in a desperate tone, Kay utters the four words Amy had hoped she would never hear: Dr. Reynolds has Baby.

Now it’s a race against time, for Baby is in imminent danger, her life threatened by the malevolent doctor who had helped start the end of the world. In order to save Baby, Amy must make her way to Fort Black, a prison-turned-survivor-colony, where she will need to find Ken, Kay’s brother. He alone holds the key to Baby’s survival.

One small slip-up on this quest could spark a downward spiral that would not only cost Baby and Amy their lives, but threaten the very survival of the people in the After.

*Spoilers Below*

Review In the End is the sequel and conclusion to Demitira Lunetta's In the After series. While I originally was very happy with the idea of this being a duology I now eat those words after being deeply unsatisfied by the way in which it turned out.   One of my biggest issues with the story is it read like a middle book not one that was supposed to wrap up the series. The ending was completely rushed and the "bad guy" subdued so easily that it's a wonder why they didn't just do that in the first place. Even his reasons for the entire pandemic had me rolling my eyes. How many stories now have a mad scientist starting an apocalypse because they take issue with the path society is taking? I mean geeze, really?? That's what you came up with?? Another thing I took issue with was the unnecessary love triangle. Again this takes place at the end and poor Rice is just left clueless because Amy has her knickers in a twist for the other guy. Sure, I guess I can understand why she chose Jacks since he protected her in the prison but then again, how much did he turn a blind eye to because he was desperately scared of what existed beyond the walls? He wouldn't even leave to ensure Amy remain safe or to help her in her search for Baby. Sure on the other hand one can argue Rice didn't leave New Hope either but at least he had important research and was keeping as best an eye on Baby as he could while Amy was gone.  Lastly, I really disliked Amy in this one. Every single time someone would tell her to stay she'd do the opposite. She also knew she was supposed to act as Jack's girlfriend but instead she goes around acting all annoyed with having to be "claimed by a man" despite knowing this is how society functions in Fort Black. Also predictably this naturally puts her in many uncomfortable and dangerous situations that could've easily been avoided had she just followed the rules as asked.  Now despite my issues, I did like a few things about In the End.  First off, I really liked Brenna. She was spunky and I liked her no nonsense attitude when it came to the goings on at Fort Black. Also it was genuinely nice to see a Lesbian character even if you never actually get to see her act upon her feelings with the girl she liked. Secondly, I liked that we did get to see New Hope again. I was afraid she might never head back with how much time was being spent inside Fort Black. We also got to see how much had changed now that Dr. Reynolds had dove off the proverbial deep end. Although all the "normal" citizens were still clueless and that did bug me a bit.  Lastly, I really liked Fort Black. It was depressing as hell and a place even in an Apocalypse I wouldn't want to be. Yet, despite all the horrors a real community was formed and in it friendships. I found it interesting to see how people made themselves useful and kept themselves fed despite lack of currency or any real job market and no it wasn't just by pimping out the women to the overabundance of men as I sort of expected it would be.  Final Thoughts Despite my many issues with In the End I'm happy that I ultimately read this series. Amy's bond with baby was so genuine and the uniqueness of the florae and how they took over the country really made these books memorable. Although it must be said that I can't help but hope the Author re-examines the story and decides to write a proper conclusion to the series because the one we received simply did not cut it. Heck, at the very least I'd be happy with a companion novella from baby's pov a couple of years down the road to get us all up to speed on things.  With that being said, I'll be rating In the End by Demitria Lunetta ★★★.  *Copy reviewed provided by Edelweiss.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in an which way  for providing them.

About the Author

Demitria Lunetta writes young adult science fiction and fantasy. A Chicago native, she holds a BA in Human Ecology and has spent countless hours studying the many ways in which people are capable of bringing about their own destruction. In case the end is near, she always carries a good book and a chocolate bar--the two items essential for post-apocalyptic survival.

IN THE AFTER is her debut novel and is an ABA (American Booksellers Association) 2013 ABC Best Books for Children and has been chosen as an Amazon Top Twenty Teen Book for 2013. Her second novel, IN THE END will be available June 24th, 2014. Find her on her blog demitrialunetta.blogspot.com, twitter @demitrialunetta and on Facebook facebook/demitrialunettaauthor.