ALA Booklist

In this final installment of the Tankborn trilogy, readers' attention will be stretched taut between following the course of the revolution and the love story of Devak and Kayla. Following a devastating explosion, each has been told the other is dead. Yet they suspect or hope for a different truth and fight their way through complicated plot twists, insurmountable obstacles, and fascinating political schemes. This ought to be immensely satisfying to fans of this dystopian sf series d utterly bewildering to anyone who hasn't read the first two books. Bonus: an intriguing multicultural cast raises interesting questions about race and status.

Horn Book (Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

When he discovers that Kayla survived the explosion that nearly killed them both, Deepak sacrifices everything in order to find her. Kayla, meanwhile, is trapped in FHE headquarters with its charismatic leader, Ohin, who is planning a rebellion that could destroy Svarga. With its diverse cast, fascinating world-building, and thought-provoking themes, this is a satisfying conclusion to the drama that began with Tankborn.

School Library Journal (Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 CDT 2014)

Gr 8 Up-Readers who enjoyed Tankborn (2011) and Awakening (2013, both Lee &; Low), will relish the final installment of the trilogy . Set on the planet of Loka, a primarily inhabitable place where survivors took refuge after Earth's complete annihilation, the series focuses on the starcrossed romance between Kayla (a genetically engineered nonhuman, or GEN) and Derek, a wealthy, upper class trueborn (human). The pair lives in a technologically advanced, but complicated society that is defined by status. Both become involved with an underground organization that seeks freedom for all GENs, but when the movement splinters and terrorist bombs are dropped on innocent people, the lines between good and bad and human and nonhuman, become blurred. Having been separated by a devastating explosion in the previous volume, they are each told the other is dead. The opening chapters are slow-going, setting up the scene and characters for the uninitiated, and follow Kayla and Derek as they begin their separate journeys to find each other. Midway, the chapters shorten significantly, allowing the storyline to accommodate the increasingly quick and dramatic plot action. A helpful glossary on unique names in the dystopian world is appended. Sandler, a former software engineer, uses her technology experience to craft a richly detailed story where electronic circuitry controls everythingfrom reproduction and parenting to memories, travel, and even life. Best read sequentially to appreciate the characters' development, this conclusion will delight fans of Kayla and Derek's love story. Anne Jung-Mathews, Plymouth State University, NH

Voice of Youth Advocates

In the Tankborn trilogy's final installment, Rebellion comes as a welcome and fulfilling end. Sandler's world is as complicated and thought-provoking as its predecessors. Reeling from a bomb blast, Kayla and Devak are under the impression that their futures together do not exist because both are told the other did not survive. Readers know this to be false and hope that both characters will find themselves and each other in their new roles: Kayla working for an underground terrorist organization, and Devak as a minor-status trueborn who still pines for Kayla, a GEN, or genetically engineered nonhuman. Their love should not exist and makes for a romantically themed science fiction trilogy.The adventure and genetically engineered world are equally enchanting; however, it is frustrating that this complicated science fiction thriller does not have a glossary. Fans of the series will have already been exposed to similar jargon in other novels, like Anderson's Feed (Candlewick, 2003/VOYA December 2002) or Westerfeld's Uglies series, and will easily move through the book. The Tankborn trilogy will sit well on the shelves for those who appreciate richly developed worlds and complicated story lines, culture, and relationships. To that end, Rebellion cannot be read without first reading the others, and followers will want to see it through.Alicia Abdul. (Editor's note: Publisher indicates a glossary is included in final publication of this title.)