ALA Booklist

Carey's sequel (and finale) picks up right where Blackbird (2014) left off, with the boy from Sunny's fragmented memories appearing in the train station. Unlike her, Rafe has gotten his memories back, and he is able to tell Sunny her real name na d what happened on the island where they were hunted by the AAE, an organization of wealthy, powerful people playing the most dangerous game. Rafe has also made contact with other targets (hunted individuals), so the pair heads to New York, determined to identify the AAE's leader and bring the organization down before the hunters find them. Like the previous novel, this action-packed thriller is narrated in pitch-perfect second person, which gives the primary plotline urgency; however, the effectiveness of this narrative technique is slightly mitigated, as Carey has to rely on secondary viewpoints to tell the rest of the story. This story may have worked better as one book rather than two uneven volumes, but there's no denying its energy and readability. The final scenes impart emotional impact and narrative satisfaction.

Voice of Youth Advocates (Tue Feb 28 00:00:00 CST 2023)

She remembers nothing, not even the boy next to her. But she does know that she has to keep moving because someone is trying to kill her. She is the target of a Hunter, the prey in an elaborate, sick game that began when her memory was wiped clean. This is the plight of Lena Marcus, introduced in Carey's Blackbird (HarperCollins, 2014), who is still running for her life even after narrowly escaping the island. Now she is in New York City with Rafe, another target, who has won Lena's cautious trust and love. After learning that other teen targets are somewhere in the big city, Lena and Rafe follow clues to find their hiding place. Lena convinces the targets that their only chance of survival is to go after the Hunters and end the game. But is that the right move?Carey uses New York City as the playing ground for this deadly game of cat and mouse, taking the action through subways and recognizable landmarks. At one point, for example, Lena is trapped inside the public library on Fifth Avenue. Lena's second-person narration creates a sense of immediacy, since she has little knowledge of her past or future. Although readers of Blackbird will recognize the set-up and characters, Lena's amnesia helps this sequel stand on its own. Her memories serve as explanations of the past. Recommend this to fans of James Patterson's action-packed novels.Diane Colson.

School Library Journal (Fri May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2015)

Gr 6-9 In this sequel to Blackbird (HarperCollins, 2014), the author orchestrates an action-driven sci-fi narrative sure to entertain fans of the first volume. Lena and a small cast of characters grapple with a cruel underground organization that hunts humans for recreation and prestige. Lena struggles to piece together information regarding the organization in hopes of mending the unspeakable atrocities committed by the "hunters." Themes include the nature of humanity, fairness, love, and violence. Carey's prose is straightforward and natural. It is well suited to the characters and the readership alike. The author effectively creates a dark mood with a short sentence structure and conveys the urgency of the characters' peril. The tale is suspenseful yet heavily dialogue-driven. Fans of strong female protagonists will take solace in Lena's scrappy and street-smart style. Teens will easily come along for the ride, but the characters are underdeveloped. The villainous hunters are one-dimensional and predictable. The plot-driven story is entertaining but lacks in real substance. VERDICT This title does not stand alone, but is a must-have for rabid fans of the first book. Katie Flynn, Williston Northampton School Library, MA