Starred review from September 7, 2015
In Coyle's pointed sequel to Vivian Apple at the End of the World, Vivian and her best friend, Harp, have just finished their cross-country adventure in a post-Rapture world. After falling in with a group of militia fighters and reconnecting with Vivian's sister, they launch a new mission: to save Vivian's love interest, Peter, who has been captured by the Church of America. Coyle dials back the urgency of her debut, adopting a more languid pace while still delivering plenty of action. This time, Vivian's journey is less personally transformative, instead taking a broader look at the sacrifices others have made to survive as the Church of America churns out merchandise from a global network of sweatshops and allows the rich and elite to dodge the stringent rules that keep the rest of the devout in line. As Vivian and Harp attempt to solve the mystery of the faked Rapture in an effort to expose the Church as a fraud, Coyle again offers searing commentary on present-day religiosity and consumerism. Ages 12âup. Agent: Sarah Burnes, Gernert Company.
