For teens grappling with questions of justice and identity in a world that tries to silence them, this gripping dystopian mystery explores courage and self-discovery.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is wrestling with feelings of being an outsider or is beginning to question the fairness of the world around them. Part of a gripping series, this dystopian mystery follows Ember, a girl with the unique ability to access the memories of living things. In a future that hunts and controls anyone with powers, Ember must go on the run to find her missing friend and uncover the dangerous secrets of her own identity and the corrupt government. The story powerfully explores themes of justice, resilience, and finding strength in one's cultural heritage. It's a fantastic choice for teens who love fast-paced sci-fi and are ready for a story that encourages deep thinking about power, history, and discrimination.
Deals with themes of loss, grief, stolen generations, and the destruction of culture.
Character DeathModerate
Significant secondary characters are killed.
Sensitive Topics
The book's core conflict is a direct, though fictionalized, allegory for the colonization and systemic oppression of Indigenous peoples, particularly in Australia. It deals with concepts of cultural genocide, stolen generations, and the fight for sovereignty. The approach is direct within its sci-fi framework. Violence occurs, including fights and the deaths of secondary characters. The resolution of the book (and series) is ultimately hopeful, but it is a hard-won hope that acknowledges the immense struggle and sacrifice required for justice.
Ideal Reader
A thoughtful teen, 14-18, who loves dystopian fiction like 'The Hunger Games' but is ready for something with more direct social and political commentary. They are likely interested in social justice, questioning authority, and enjoy complex world-building and mystery. This is a perfect fit for a reader seeking powerful representation of Indigenous characters and perspectives.
Parent Prep
No specific pages need to be previewed, but parents should be aware that the story is a powerful allegory for real-world historical trauma. A brief conversation about the history of colonization in Australia could enrich the reading experience, though the book stands on its own. The themes are mature, but handled appropriately for the intended age group. The parent has a teen who is expressing frustration with injustice in the world, or perhaps is exploring their own cultural identity. They might have just finished a more mainstream dystopian series and the parent is looking for a book that offers a similar thrill but with greater depth and a non-Eurocentric worldview.
Age Experience
A younger reader (12-14) will likely connect most with the action, the mystery of Ember's past, and the unique sci-fi abilities. An older teen (15-18) will more deeply appreciate the sophisticated allegorical layers relating to colonialism, cultural erasure, ancestral memory, and the importance of one's connection to land and history.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many dystopian novels, this book is explicitly rooted in an Indigenous futurism perspective. The world-building, the 'magic' system (abilities), and the core themes are inseparable from the author's Palyku cultural background. It’s not just a story with a diverse protagonist; it's a story told from a worldview that offers a profound and necessary alternative to the genre's conventions.
Read plot summary
This is the second book in 'The Tribe' trilogy. The protagonist, Ember Crow, is an orphan with a powerful and forbidden ability to access the collective memory of all living things. In a tightly controlled future society, people with such abilities are feared and institutionalized. After her friend is abducted, Ember escapes her confinement and embarks on a desperate search for him. Her journey forces her to confront the lies of the ruling organization, discover the truth of her own Indigenous heritage, and decide who to trust in a rebellion that could change the fate of their world.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Ember's ability connects her to the 'memory of all living things.' How does this power relate to the importance of history and storytelling in a culture? What happens to a people when their history is erased or controlled by others?
2
Throughout the story, Ember has to decide who to trust. Think about her interactions with Cas and with the members of the resistance. What factors influenced her decisions, and were there moments you disagreed with her choices?
3
The author describes a deep connection between the people and the land, or 'country.' How is this relationship different from the way the Balance organization views the land? Why is this connection so important to Ember's identity and power?
4
This book is the second in a series. How does Ember's understanding of herself and her mission change from the beginning of the book to the end? What key events trigger these changes?
