Book Review: Until the Beginning by Amy Plum

Book #2 of the After the End duology
Genre: YA Paranormal
Publication: May 2015 by HarperTeen
Acquisition: won an ARC

Synopsis:

When Juneau's clan disappeared, she lost so much more than her friends and family. She soon discovered everything she thought she knew about her life was a lie. Her people's gifts were actually secret abilities that others wanted, desperately enough to kidnap an entire village.

Juneau and her new companion Miles's cross-country journey to find her clan has led them to a game preserve in New Mexico. Now Juneau's people are finally within reach, and she will stop at nothing to save them. But she has a target on her back too, because unbeknownst to her she is the key to unlocking everything. To rescue her people - and herself - Juneau must discover what she, and her abilities, are truly capable of.

(from Goodreads)

4 / 5 Stars

Book 1, After the End, ended in a way that pretty much ensured I would gobble up book 2 as fast as can be. Gotta say - I love a duology!

With Until The Beginning, I was thrown right back into Juneau's world - no unnecessary recapping. The situation is just as horrible and Juneau is just as tough.

I said it before and I'll say it again - I absolutely love Juneau! She is everything a young female MC should be. Nowhere near perfect but entirely honest with herself. Scared but determined -- even if she fails, she knows she'll be alright.

In book 1 we learned a little bit about the 'science' behind Juneau and her tribes special abilities. In book 2, more explanation is given - especially surrounding the motives of certain characters and while it all made sense...it was a little cloudy. There seemed to be a very complex system at at work but the power play involved with the control of this system felt scattered and a bit dodgy.

I'm really nit picking here because overall, Until The Beginning was a fabulous read for me. I can see myself recommending this series for years to come.

The story kept me turning the page, while the characters kept me engaged -- pretty perfect combo!

I <3 Juneau ;)