It’s Rosie’s seventeenth year and she’s starting her first year at Orbitcorp Academy, but it’s not going to be all parties and pilot training. Helios hasn’t forgotten her – and she certainly hasn’t forgotten them. Bent on revenge Rosie is still working in secret to try to take them down.
But a terrible miscalculation will send Rosie once more on the run, this time into the unknown lands of the north, Gondwana Nation, where word has it Helios is building something big.
There will be a new friend and a new boy – the handsome and wealthy Dalton Curtis – who will surprise Rosie with a secret she can’t begin to guess. And Pip will return, but how does he feel about Rosie, and where has he been?
Pursued again and on the run, Rosie might not have time to find out all the answers, but what she will learn is that a capacity for evil can be equalled by a capacity for good - and she will be forced to make a choice that will change her future forever.
3 stars because it was fun and sometimes I require nothing more from a book than entertainment and distraction.
I love that everything is so crazy over-the-top in this book – Lara Morgan’s vision of Newperth is nothing if not imaginative – and it really seems like she has fun building Rosie’s world and the gadgetry it comes with. It’s all artificial intelligence, and pulse guns, and helijets, and bullet trains up the west coast of Australia and nanobots.. Just don’t ask for detailed explanations, because the book’s answer is basically: ‘because SCIENCE and THE FUTURE, that’s why.’
So if you’re willing to forego intense scrutiny of every aspect of the technology, Rosie Black’s cyber-punk(ish) world is vivid and interesting, particularly when it comes to Morgan’s depiction of social order and class. Despite the fact that Newperth has become a multicultural melting pot of sorts, the lines between the haves and have-nots are clearly delineated, down to the physical areas of the city they occupy.
The plot is heavily action-based, throwing Rosie back into the path of Helios and their nefarious deeds, while forging new alliances and reuniting with familiar faces. Rosie is compelled to make and reflect on some tough choices, but those moments of introspection are sandwiched between high-speed chases, gun-fights and espionage. Morgan rarely takes her foot of the pacing accelerator through the entirety of the book, and Rosie and company spend most of the novel in fight or flight mode, which makes for quick reading.
The story sees the addition of a couple of new characters, and I was initially wary that these were going to fall into ready-made cliches: the cute new guy and the "bitchy" hot girl. Thankfully, Morgan steers clear of perpetuating the stereotypes, and both Dalton and Cassie make interesting additions to the cast and change up the dynamic of the character interactions.
If I’m going to nitpick about the book it’s that some of the plot developments just seem all a bit too convenient. A number of times, the necessary piece of equipment or knowledge or skill just happens to be within easy reach. Dalton, for example, is a wealthy, intelligent student who’s parents are conveniently out-of-sight, with access to vast resources, and happens to be a pretty brilliant pilot, has a subversive streak and some underground contacts, oh and did I mention he also knows how to whip up some bombs with stuff just lying around – MacGyver style? Handy, no? Why don’t I have a friend like that?
If you were a fan of Genesis, Equinox is a fun, high octane follow up, raising the stakes believably for what promises to be a strong finale.
The Short Story? - Another heart pounding adventure! This is a brilliant sequel filled with action, saving the world and a great romance! Morgan has written a YA for everyone to enjoy! Dystopian like nothing you have ever read before! Beautifully written, fantastic character development and an adventure that just keeps getting better!
The Long Story? - I enjoyed this novel so much more than the first novel, Genesis. Two main reasons - a) The novel is shorter b) the romance definitely picked up! I have a feeling this is going to be one of those series that is just going to get better and better. Following the dystopian trend, social inequality and saving the world are huge elements of the novel. Fast-paced, great pace and filled with cat and mouse chases, if you like your novels jam-packed with no boring moments, this is the novel for you! I loved, loved, LOVED this novel! Beautifully written, a very well organised plot and very good setting, Morgan has written a structured YA novel that will definitely by a winner!
I am most thankful that the romance picked up! As a romance junkie I NEED my daily fix! A great love story, I'm smelling out a love triangle but I could be wrong. In any case, it would definitely make the novel even better! I've chosen my team and I'm sticking to THE man! That said, without the characters, the romance wouldn't be haven't been so good! Quite a lot of character development in this novel, I'm growing to really understand and like Rosie. She's not perfect and she makes silly mistakes but she's a teen and she's saving the world - cut her some slack! Pip is definitely one stunner of a badass! I'm still not really sure what he looks like but I love his sense of humour and his wit! Dalton, the new guy on the block as stolen my heart. He's nice, he's smexy and I'm totally Team Dalton! Great characterisation!
Authentically Australian and authentically YA, Morgan has written a destined bestseller! Follow Rosie on her adventures! Saving the world, evil geniuses, deliciously dystopian and an epic love story! Beautifully written, I can't wait to read the next book in the series after that KILLER ending! Do yourself a favour and pick up this fantastic YA novel!
Equinox was very different it was something i didn't expect. There are some twists and turn some suprises. Dalton was one of my favourite character in this book, he's a very likeable character very charming. Cassie was another suprise she was mostly a bitch but she seemed more nicer towards the end especially to Rosie. What i really hated about the book was that some of the thoughts for the characters where put in italics. That was so annoying it pissed me off every single time so that is why i gave a book a 4. Other that i have no other complains in the book. Hope there is more actiom in the next book.
Equinox is one of my favourite books. Morgan starts right off where "Genesis" left and she has successfully continued Rosie's journey. She went into detail about what Rosie and Pip thought of each other which was very nice. Dalton is probably my favourite character: his charisma and personality adds a light sense of humour. The plot is written well and this is one of those books where you have to reread again and again.
Even better than the first! Second novels in a trilogy risk just being a bridge between stare and finish, but not this. the only problem I have with this book is that I lost a lot of sleep because I could not stop. the characters grow, while staying true to themselves. New characters develop as well. Rosie kicks arse.
Equinox continues right there where Genesis left off. True to all the twists and turns encountered in the first book of the trilogy, this book serves up many surprises. In the same vain, it was also confusing. Once again, questions spring to mind about who belongs to Helios, who belongs to the Senate and who is following Riley. With all the double crossing and switching sides business, I do recommend reading the books one after the other instead of waiting it out and forgetting about the plot altogether.
A new boy enters her life, Dalton Curtis. He's popular. He's charming. Every girl has eyes for him. Except Rosie. She knows Helios hasn't forgotten about her, so she's trying to lay low. Doesn't help that Dalton has noticed her and she has no idea why. With Pip still in the picture, I'd say that as a result, the plot hovers dangerously around another love triangle. Thankfully, The Rosie Black Chronicles is more about the action and a lot less about the romance, so it didn't bother me all too much who liked who.
The writing is solid, the plot well thought out, and the characters all have a reason for existing. Lara Morgan knows how to keep her readers on their toes because nothing is necessarily what it seems at first. Just like Rosie, readers can't be sure who is an ally and who is an enemy. The narrative was very thoughtfully put together. I enjoyed the third person omniscient perspective, which definitely helped propel the plot forward from the beginning all the way to the end.
Since this is the second book in the trilogy, a cliffhanger is to be expected. I don't think it's a secret that I dislike cliffhangers. They tend to be so abrupt that the books in hand feel incomplete and really just exist, so that readers will buy the next book. But I didn't mind it so much with Equinox. Perhaps knowing I could immediately crack open the next book helped. Still, I think issues pertaining to this particular book were wrapped up well, while at the same time paving the way to the concluding book.
Well, I liked it, th story-line in general, and the pace of everything unfolding. The action-y conspiracy stuff is exactly what I enjoy. I don't know why, but at times I feel like I just... tuned out. Some parts just didn't hold my attention, but I don't know if that's just personal.
Also, the characters were starting to get annoying. Sorry Rosie, Pip - the angst was seeping in. And with Dalton around, it's just a setup for those annoying love-triangles. Sort've tired of those too.
But then, at the same time, I love how Lara Morgan writes. I was paying a little more attention to te style, and it's so simple but... sufficient. As in, she doesn't really need a lot of complex description to make a vivid scene. I feel like her writing style is something I can relate to.
... oh yeah, awkward side note: you know when you read a book and then FACEPALM OMG I AM WRITING THIS STORY WHAT THE FLIP?! Yeah. I see parallels between this and my story Chipped :( How can that be? I started writing Chipped way before! I'm hoping I'm just paranoid.
i choose this book because i have read the first book and really wanted to read the second book. i enjoyed the second one better than the first.the category the book goes on in my bingo chart is 'A book written in 2011 or 2012. my favourite quote from this book is " Is it how much you missed me?" i liked this quote because the two charcters Rosie and Pip were always so angry at each other so it was really cute.1 thing i hae learned from this book is that a desease can be made to kill people one by one.the thing i found interesting was that after all rosie went through she still went back to the bad side i founf it interesting because it was something i thought wasnt going to happen.
This is the second book in a YA dystopian fantasy by a WA writer Lara Morgan, who lives in Geraldton. Unusually, I enjoyed this more than the first book, and I am eagerly anticipating the conclusion. The books are set in a future Perth, which like most of the rest of the world has been ravaged by climate change and water shortages. The protagonist Rosie, is everything you want in a teen heroine - smart, plucky, capable, but also unsure of herself, especially when it comes to her relation (or lack of it) with Pip. in this volume, Rosie's fight against the shadowy corporation Helios is getting darker and more desperate, and of course, the plot keeps thickening...
Title: Equinox Series: Rosie Black Chronicles (#2) Author: Lara Morgan Genre: Sci Fi/ Dystopian Rating: 5 stars
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK! (:
Fantastic world building. Fantastic characters - absolutely adore the love triangle tension, though I also like the fact that things didn't dawdle there, that "important" matters weren't overshadowed.
BEST SEQUEL EVER! Usually sequels can't compare to the first book or at the most achieve a "good" status - but personally, I feel that this one is even better than the first. *I love the action *I love the additional characters *It's easy link from book 1 to book 2
Full of drama and thrills! Totally worth five stars (If only there was six!)It only took me two days to read this and I wish that the story was longer. I immediately started reading the next book as soon as I finished this one! Can someone explain to me why Rosie did what she did, seriously is she stupid or is it all a part of this big scam to take down Helois? The things that she does makes me want to rip my hair out!. I can't wait to finish the next book and write my review!
Very well written, paced well but doesn't really breaking any new ground. It acts as a set up for the next book introducing some new characters but doesn't really expand its world too much. The West Australian setting is of interest me - it would be great to see a map of future WA at some stage.
I am not hanging out for the next book but will definitely read it.
Won this book from Goodreads First Read Giveaway! Thank you so much to Lara for sending me a personalized signed copy!
Cover looks cool! It's exactly like the first book's cover although it's like the negative version (black coloured background) instead of the white and black colours in the first book!
I can't wait to read this! Definitely need to read this soon!
OH MY GOSH! Just finished reading it, and OH MY GOSH! I really enjoyed this action-packed entertaining novel. I adored the ending, just as I wanted it to end! However I really wished I hadn't read the epilogue!! Nsst! I was so upset that she went along with it!! I can't wait to read the next instalment in this fantastic series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Katharine is a judge for the Sara Douglass 'Book Series' Award. This entry is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
I won't be recording my thoughts (if I choose to) here until after the AA are over.
I'm really enjoying this series. There's a few too many little typos in the two books itself that the editors should have picked up though. Maybe that's why these were cheap. Otherwise good value. I really like the characters.
I am falling in love with this series. While not as good as the first it still rocked ass!! Face paced, adventurous, romantic, futuristic....everything i love in a book. Well done Ms Morgan!