Rage Within by Jeyn Roberts

 

Published: September 2012

Published: Simon and Schuster

Pages: 368

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

In this apocalyptic sequel to Dark Inside’s “well-balanced, realistic suspense” (Kirkus Reviews), four teens continue the struggle for survival as they face a world gone mad.

Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael have survived the first wave of the apocalypse that wiped out most of the world’s population, and turned many of the rest into murderous Baggers. Now, they’re hiding out in an abandoned house in Vancouver with a ragtag group of surviving teens, and trying to figure out their next move.

Aries is trying to lead, but it’s hard to be a leader when there are no easy answers, and every move feels wrong. Clementine is desperate to find her brother Heath, but it’s impossible to know where he’d be, even if he is still alive. Michael is still haunted by the memories of his actions during his harrowing struggle to survive. And Mason is struggling with something far worse: the fear that he may be a danger to his friends.

As the Baggers begin to create a new world order, Aries, Clementine, Mason and Michael will have to trust and rely on each other in order to survive.

It has taken me a while to get around to reading this sequel to Dark Inside, not sure why.  Yet again, Ms. Roberts takes the reader on a wild ride.  We get to reconnect with the characters and situations that occurred

The events occur in a complex apocalyptic future and are narrated through the eyes of 4 teens, Mason, Michael, Clementine and Aries.  Then there is 'Nothing' who narrates the odd chapter and really gives me the collywobbles.  Who is this Nothing?  Is he/she going to betray the others? At the end of the second book, we still don't know, so I'm assuming there will be a big reveal in #3. 

With so many different pov's I find it a little confusing sometimes, and I have to admit that it took me several chapters to get back into the world and remember what had happened.  I do have one question though.  If the 'Baggers' are supposed to be so violent, mad and sociopathic, how come they are the ones that are getting organized and running around in all white vans, and not the 'regular' survivors?  I'm still not sure about that one.

There are some interesting events that occur - no spoilers this time and the action is yet again tense and engrossing, but I didn't find Rage Within quite as spellbinding as Dark Inside.  I'd definitely recommend it for lovers of the genre though.  Just make sure you read the series in order, or you will be completely lost.