Aw man. Trying to review this without spoilers is going to be kind of hard. We’ve entered into junior year, and things are going to be way different now! At the end of last year, Nick was far too clever for his own good, and now everyone is paying the price, in a way. We learn about everyone’s eventful summers and we see how it was an important one for each person’s growth.
While we tend to focus on our main cast of characters, others are getting more time as they develop as well. Chad is learning that he has a long way to go in social situations, and Thomas discovers something about himself that he has to deal with. At one point, we get to see Mr. Numbers kick ass, and it’s kind of awesome. (I’m guessing that Mr. Transport and Mr. Numbers never went into the HCP and went directly to their jobs at the company for training, but there’s been no confirmation either way.)
I do like how you wonder or assume certain things, and Hayes drops them in like they aren’t that big of a deal. And then there are things that are a big deal that he drops like bombs out of nowhere! There’s one big one where I was like, aw man, why’d you do that? But then I should have more faith in the character, because it appears it might end up being okay.
We get a big event happening halfway through the book. This book is twice the length of the first, so I guess we were due. It’s the kind of thing we should expect at this point, I suppose.
There’s a lot more mind stuff in this book. We had a few instances of it in the last book, but Mary and Nick spend a lot of time in mindscapes this year.
The students are growing as people. They all know how to accept a loss in certain situations, and Roy has grown enough to ask for help. As they learn more, they understand that they have limitations.
And the things! The things are happening! And it’s awesome! And I’m going to have to wait forever (not really) for the audiobook for Year 4 to come out. Damn you Hayes, why must you be so addictive!!!