Book Review - In the Afterlight

Title: In The Afterlight
Author: Alexandra Bracken
Series: The Darkest Minds (Book 3)
Publisher: Quercus Children's Books
Release Date: 17 Nov. 2016
ISBN-13: 978-1786540201

Synopsis
Ruby can't look back. Fractured by an unbearable loss, she and the kids who survived the government's attack on Los Angeles travel north to regroup. With them is a prisoner: Clancy Gray, son of the president, and one of the few people Ruby has encountered with abilities like hers. Only Ruby has any power over him, and just one slip could lead to Clancy wreaking havoc on their minds.
They are armed only with a volatile secret: proof of a government conspiracy to cover up the real cause of IAAN, the disease that has killed most of America's children and left Ruby and others like her with powers the government will kill to keep contained. But internal strife may destroy their only chance to free the "rehabilitation camps" housing thousands of other Psi kids.
Meanwhile, reunited with Liam, the boy she would-and did-sacrifice everything for to keep alive, Ruby must face the painful repercussions of having tampered with his memories of her. She turns to Cole, his older brother, to provide the intense training she knows she will need to take down Gray and the government. But Cole has demons of his own, and one fatal mistake may be the spark that sets the world on fire. 

My Review
Having raced through book 1 and 2, I was desperate to get straight into the third book. Especially with how book 2 ended - talk about cliffhangers! I had to know what would happen to Ruby and her friends, especially after the horrific death (i can't say who as I don't want to give spoilers!) This book picks up just where the last book left off, we are straight back into the heart of the action and wondering what Ruby is going to do next. 
The group have very few options left, they are constantly in danger and not sure who to trust. They have a few plans to try and change their destinies but with obstacles in their way everywhere they turn, you know it's not going to be easy.
This book focuses much more on Ruby and Cole - the growing relationship of them as leaders with the odd hint of romance, though you know the only one for her is Liam! They are volatile and opinionated but work well together and the growing tension between Ruby and her other friends creates a tense atmosphere. 
I read the first half fairly quickly then struggled to find time to read, this may combine with a slightly slower pace towards the middle of the book, but I found myself beginning to drag my feet with reading it. I lost a bit of passion for the story and felt like I wanted things to just move a little quicker. I found myself in a bit of a lull with the book. There is a lot of discussions and planning what will happen, but not much action so the pace really does slow down. However I persevered with it and quickly enough the story started to pick up again. Bracken throws in some twists and turns just at the right moment to reignite your passion. At one point I was shouting at the book - I couldn't believe she would do that!!!
The ending rises in climax and gets very exciting again, I read the last 150 pages very quickly. Overall it is a perfect conclusion to the trilogy and everything comes together nicely without everything being tied up. There is hope for the future for the characters we have come to love and yet enough to make it a satisfying ending.
Though I am very excited to find out there is an extra book that follows told from Zu's point of view.
If you haven't read this series, I would highly recommend it. This series will take you by the horns and shake you up. I have really enjoyed it and will be sorry to say goodbye to these characters. 

My Rating