Author: Karen Bao
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication date: February 23, 2016
Pages: 336
Source/format: ARC from Penguin
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Synopsis (from goodreads.com):
The thrilling follow-up to the groundbreaking debut Dove Arising.
Phaet Theta fled the Moon and has been hiding on Earth with her friend Wes and his family. But Phaet’s past catches up with her when the Lunar Bases attack the community and reveal that Phaet is a fugitive. She’s torn between staying on Earth with Wes—whom she’s just discovered her feelings for—and stowing away on a Moon-bound ship to rescue her siblings from the wrath of the government who killed their mother. But when Phaet makes the agonizing decision to return to the Moon, she finds the rebel movement there has turned her into their “Girl Sage,” a symbol of their struggle. She’s the biggest celebrity on the Moon: half the people worship her, and the other half want her dead.
Phaet, reborn as Fay, is known as a former engine room slave from Pacifia instead of being known as the fugitive and Lunar's rebel daughter. Phaet takes refuge with Wes' family at Saint Oda on Earth. However, the Odans detest the Lunars and believe they are Godless demons. Odans remind me of Amity and Agnegation factions from Divergent. They do not like weaponry and fighting. They tolerate peace and helping each other. However, when Tourmalinians show a torture video of Phaet's brother back on the moon, Phaet feels guilty leaving her family with the totalitarian Lunar government. Things take a turn when Phaet finds out the Lunars allied themselves with Pacifica and are going to take Saint Oda.
At first it was hard for me to get into Dove Exiled. Set four months after the events in Dove Arising, I had difficulty learning all the new characters and about the Odans. However, after time I became invested with the plot line. The pace is slow for the first third of the book but it definitely picks up for the remaining two thirds. It's interesting how Wes is willing to help out Phaet even though his parents don't agree with his actions.
Phaet is willing to help Wes despite the fact that she has to wait to save her family a little bit longer. The friendship between Phaet and Wes is strong. They will do anything for each other. Transitioning from Earth to the Moon is a little bit rocky but I am glad that I am able to see what is going on both planets. Reading about how Lunars and Earthens are affected by the Committee is crucial.
It is fascinating to see the Base IV again and the Militia Phaet and Wes trained with only to be targeted as enemies now. However, not everyone on the lunar base is hunting Phaet and Wes. The couple is in trouble as Phaet tries to save her family while Wes tries to save his. Phaet can only trust a few people on Base IV. Phaet and Wes show some romantic interest in each other but each have their own priorities and they agreed to carry out saving their families first. I admire that. They don't let lust cloud their vision of what's important.
"In the midst of war, with our families clinging to life, we've declared some sort of allegiance to each other." - ARC
Karen Bao definitely did a lot of research about terrains and ecosystems. She spent time weaving her interests in biology and chemistry into her novel. As a lover of biology, I appreciated how clever she incorporates the science facts within the novel. It adds some depth to the story.
Phaet, known as Girl Sage to the Dovetailers, represents hope like Katniss does as the Mockingjay. Dove Exiled is a solid sequel to Dove Arising. It will satisfy readers who enjoy The Hunger Games trilogy and the Divergent trilogy.
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