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Tankborn #3
Rebellion (Tankborn #3): A Tankborn Novel
In this final installment of the Tankborn series, Kayla has been kidnapped by the group that has been bombing GEN warehouses, and she must pretend to sympathize with them in order to escape.
In the wake of a devastating bomb blast, severely injured Kayla has been brought to the headquarters of the organization that planted the bomb-and many others like it in GEN food warehouses and homes. Her biological mother tells her that Devak is dead and that Kayla must join her in the terrorist group, which is ramping up for something big. Now Kayla must pretend that she embraces this new role in an underground compound full of paranoia as she plots a way to escape and save her friends. Meanwhile, Devak has emerged from his healing in a gen-tank, only to be told that Kayla is dead and his family has fallen from grace. Can he overcome his grief at the loss of his power to see the clues that point to Kayla being alive? As Kayla and Devak overcome the multiple obstacles put between them while trying to free GENs without further bloodshed, the Tankborn trilogy rushes to a thrilling conclusion!
In the wake of a devastating bomb blast, severely injured Kayla has been brought to the headquarters of the organization that planted the bomb-and many others like it in GEN food warehouses and homes. Her biological mother tells her that Devak is dead and that Kayla must join her in the terrorist group, which is ramping up for something big. Now Kayla must pretend that she embraces this new role in an underground compound full of paranoia as she plots a way to escape and save her friends. Meanwhile, Devak has emerged from his healing in a gen-tank, only to be told that Kayla is dead and his family has fallen from grace. Can he overcome his grief at the loss of his power to see the clues that point to Kayla being alive? As Kayla and Devak overcome the multiple obstacles put between them while trying to free GENs without further bloodshed, the Tankborn trilogy rushes to a thrilling conclusion!
400 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2014
4 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
About the author
Karen Sandler
76 books85 followersKaren Sandler grew up in L.A. County’s South Bay, fishing for bonito off the Redondo Beach pier, crunching on sand in her tuna sandwiches, and roasting in the sun until she was lobster-red.
By age 9, she knew she wanted to be a writer without having the slightest notion what that involved. She was practical enough to earn a BA in math & physics and an MS in computer science (hence her love of science fiction), but her software engineering career took a sharp U-turn when she quit to write full-time.
She's the author of numerous novels, screenwriter of a few short films, and now knows exactly what a writer does—tell stories that linger in the hearts of her audience.
By age 9, she knew she wanted to be a writer without having the slightest notion what that involved. She was practical enough to earn a BA in math & physics and an MS in computer science (hence her love of science fiction), but her software engineering career took a sharp U-turn when she quit to write full-time.
She's the author of numerous novels, screenwriter of a few short films, and now knows exactly what a writer does—tell stories that linger in the hearts of her audience.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 14, 2014
I love this series hands down. It really just changed the face on dystopian fiction for me. I hope to see more authors who willing to write from a different point of view culturally.
January 8, 2020
Note: I had to read and rate this book as part of a freelance opportunity.
I haven't read the other two books from the Tankborn trilogy, so I went into this one a bit apprehensively. Not being familiar with the jargon, the world, or any of the characters, I knew it would be a challenge to get into it.
That being said, after the first half of the book (which I spent constantly referencing the handy-dandy glossary on the back), the setting-specific jargon started to stick, I was starting to distinguish one character from the next, and I cruised through the second half.
It was a pretty standard YA dystopian sci-fi, with a very heavy focus on diversity. I do appreciate that the author wrote so many People of Color into the story, including the protagonists. (Semi-spoiler alert coming right up...) It was also a huge thrill to see not one, but TWO LGBT+ couples (two men, two women), and NONE OF THEM DIED!!! No Bury Your Gays trope in this trilogy's conclusion, friends. That was great.
I absolutely LOVED the bhimkay. I used to hate spiders, but around the time I was in college I started to feel sort of endeared towards them (this was due in part to a time I chose not to kill a house spider and instead gently swept her off my keyboard with a tissue and set her down on the floor, and she just kinda chilled there under my desk for a couple hours; I thought she was dead, but when I finally poked her again with the corner of another tissue, she scurried away, so I hope she's out there living her best life now). Anyway, it was great to see some positive, spider-friendly sci-fi for once instead of the stereotypical "Giant Spiders equal Big Bad" trope. I LOVED Tak so much that I literally had to contain tears when Kayla said goodbye to her, and resist the urge to cheer for her when Shakki reappeared in the final battle with her to save the day. (I read this in public, so.)
Overall, 3/5 stars. I think I would have appreciated it more if I'd read the other books first. Maybe someday I'll go back and revisit them when I don't have to read and rate a gazillion books for work.
I haven't read the other two books from the Tankborn trilogy, so I went into this one a bit apprehensively. Not being familiar with the jargon, the world, or any of the characters, I knew it would be a challenge to get into it.
That being said, after the first half of the book (which I spent constantly referencing the handy-dandy glossary on the back), the setting-specific jargon started to stick, I was starting to distinguish one character from the next, and I cruised through the second half.
It was a pretty standard YA dystopian sci-fi, with a very heavy focus on diversity. I do appreciate that the author wrote so many People of Color into the story, including the protagonists. (Semi-spoiler alert coming right up...) It was also a huge thrill to see not one, but TWO LGBT+ couples (two men, two women), and NONE OF THEM DIED!!! No Bury Your Gays trope in this trilogy's conclusion, friends. That was great.
I absolutely LOVED the bhimkay. I used to hate spiders, but around the time I was in college I started to feel sort of endeared towards them (this was due in part to a time I chose not to kill a house spider and instead gently swept her off my keyboard with a tissue and set her down on the floor, and she just kinda chilled there under my desk for a couple hours; I thought she was dead, but when I finally poked her again with the corner of another tissue, she scurried away, so I hope she's out there living her best life now). Anyway, it was great to see some positive, spider-friendly sci-fi for once instead of the stereotypical "Giant Spiders equal Big Bad" trope. I LOVED Tak so much that I literally had to contain tears when Kayla said goodbye to her, and resist the urge to cheer for her when Shakki reappeared in the final battle with her to save the day. (I read this in public, so.)
Overall, 3/5 stars. I think I would have appreciated it more if I'd read the other books first. Maybe someday I'll go back and revisit them when I don't have to read and rate a gazillion books for work.
October 30, 2017
Disappointed.
Kayla and Devak are again apart the whole time, and what a surprise, more unnecessary travel.
Usi and Junjie seems forced. Like the editor said there wasn't enough of the gay love story. They'd barely talked on the phone, as far as Junjie knows Usi is a murderer, but yeah. They're super in love.
Kayla's first escape attempt is stupid, Mishalla is hardly around, and I don't understand why Kayla and devak couldn't ride the spiders, but others just as inexperienced could.
Kayla and Devak are again apart the whole time, and what a surprise, more unnecessary travel.
Usi and Junjie seems forced. Like the editor said there wasn't enough of the gay love story. They'd barely talked on the phone, as far as Junjie knows Usi is a murderer, but yeah. They're super in love.
Kayla's first escape attempt is stupid, Mishalla is hardly around, and I don't understand why Kayla and devak couldn't ride the spiders, but others just as inexperienced could.
April 22, 2014
Pros: realistic political, racial and cultural complications; bhimkays; satisfying ending
Cons: Kayla’s suspicious actions in her room would have brought attention to her schemes; rushed secondary romance
This is the third book in Sandler’s excellent Tankborn trilogy. I will try to keep this review spoiler free, but there will be hints of plot that you may wish to avoid if you haven’t read the previous books.
This book picks up two months after the events of Awakening. Kayla and Devak, separated by events, still long for each other. The Kindred’s goals have shifted and the FHE’s mysterious - and deadly - goals are reaching fruition.
As with the previous books the world building is phenomenal. I loved that we got to see more of the bhimkays (giant spiders).
In a few ways this book reminded me of Mockingjay, another YA novel that dealt with rebellion in a dystopian society. As with that book, Rebellion shows that no sides in such conflicts have the welfare of the general population in mind. In some ways Rebellion does a better job than Mockingjay, as it has dual protagonists, one at the bottom of society and one at the top. And it’s interesting seeing how different strata of society respond to the bombings and breakdown of security. The GENs (genetically engineered non-humans, the ’tankborns’ of the series name), slaves of the trueborns, always getting the worst of every situation, become angry, some wanting to fight but others only wanting freedom. The high status trueborns meanwhile, try to maintain control, even when it makes things worse for themselves and the trueborns below them in status, with more and more restrictions and potential abuses of power. Even Devak, in love with a GEN and actively working to change society discovers how difficult it is to erase years of social conditioning - both concerning his own status and how he reacts to the GENs around him, who don’t know him or how he’s helped their cause.
Sandler doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to examining race and social status in this book. And it’s refreshing to see someone ask difficult questions. There are no easy answers here - or in real life - and she shows that these issues are complex for everyone. The GENs want freedom but the way FHE goes about achieving it makes life harder for those they’re ostensibly trying to help. Meanwhile it’s easy to see how the trueborns, used to privilege and power, refuse to give those up. And this includes the trueborns involved with both the Kindred and the FHE. It’s easy to talk about equality for all, but it’s hard to realize it - for all sides.
I personally found the ending satisfying, with enough closure to make readers happy but with enough things about society still in flux to be believable given all that happened.
One thing about the book that I questioned was that Kayla and her roommate start talking over their internal communications systems to avoid the monitoring of their room. I wondered why no one ever questioned what they were doing, sitting silently in their room. Once or twice one of them responds aloud, an act I would have assumed would give them away.
These next two items didn’t bother me as much, but some aspects of Devak’s quest happened too coincidentally to be believable and Junjie’s relationship was too rushed, as the two barely knew each other.
Rebellion is a good conclusion to a great series that asks some tough questions while telling an interesting story. If you haven’t picked these up yet, you’re really missing out.
Cons: Kayla’s suspicious actions in her room would have brought attention to her schemes; rushed secondary romance
This is the third book in Sandler’s excellent Tankborn trilogy. I will try to keep this review spoiler free, but there will be hints of plot that you may wish to avoid if you haven’t read the previous books.
This book picks up two months after the events of Awakening. Kayla and Devak, separated by events, still long for each other. The Kindred’s goals have shifted and the FHE’s mysterious - and deadly - goals are reaching fruition.
As with the previous books the world building is phenomenal. I loved that we got to see more of the bhimkays (giant spiders).
In a few ways this book reminded me of Mockingjay, another YA novel that dealt with rebellion in a dystopian society. As with that book, Rebellion shows that no sides in such conflicts have the welfare of the general population in mind. In some ways Rebellion does a better job than Mockingjay, as it has dual protagonists, one at the bottom of society and one at the top. And it’s interesting seeing how different strata of society respond to the bombings and breakdown of security. The GENs (genetically engineered non-humans, the ’tankborns’ of the series name), slaves of the trueborns, always getting the worst of every situation, become angry, some wanting to fight but others only wanting freedom. The high status trueborns meanwhile, try to maintain control, even when it makes things worse for themselves and the trueborns below them in status, with more and more restrictions and potential abuses of power. Even Devak, in love with a GEN and actively working to change society discovers how difficult it is to erase years of social conditioning - both concerning his own status and how he reacts to the GENs around him, who don’t know him or how he’s helped their cause.
Sandler doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to examining race and social status in this book. And it’s refreshing to see someone ask difficult questions. There are no easy answers here - or in real life - and she shows that these issues are complex for everyone. The GENs want freedom but the way FHE goes about achieving it makes life harder for those they’re ostensibly trying to help. Meanwhile it’s easy to see how the trueborns, used to privilege and power, refuse to give those up. And this includes the trueborns involved with both the Kindred and the FHE. It’s easy to talk about equality for all, but it’s hard to realize it - for all sides.
I personally found the ending satisfying, with enough closure to make readers happy but with enough things about society still in flux to be believable given all that happened.
One thing about the book that I questioned was that Kayla and her roommate start talking over their internal communications systems to avoid the monitoring of their room. I wondered why no one ever questioned what they were doing, sitting silently in their room. Once or twice one of them responds aloud, an act I would have assumed would give them away.
These next two items didn’t bother me as much, but some aspects of Devak’s quest happened too coincidentally to be believable and Junjie’s relationship was too rushed, as the two barely knew each other.
Rebellion is a good conclusion to a great series that asks some tough questions while telling an interesting story. If you haven’t picked these up yet, you’re really missing out.
January 2, 2015
Disclaimer: Received ARC from publisher in exchange for a review.
Being the third and concluding book of a series about teenagers working to over throw a system of oppression, I expected Rebellion to be about the big battles of a revolution, but instead it is more of a story about two people fighting for their love against the individuals who wish to keep them apart. I was quite surprised that the ending of the Tankborn series was actually not about a global revolution but a personal fight for freedom; the ability to make one’s own choices. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but as I continued to read and get more involved with Kayla’s and Devak’s struggle, I enjoyed the change from a “rebel against society” to a personal rebellion. Both Kayla and Devak have been manipulated by two different factions, the FHE and the Kinship respectively, who want to use the teens for their own means. Instead, because both Kayla and Devak are smart, neither really trust what they’ve been told and set out to discover the truth. This sets in motion the personal rebellion by each to find the other. This key change, this personal struggle for freedom, made me really enjoy Sandler’s novel. In a landscape of books about teens challenging and winning against an corrupt government, to have two young people who just want to be together and work hard to achieve that goal was refreshing.
Sandler doesn’t make the journey easy for both Kayla and Devak and both experience setbacks in their search. Maybe I’m sick and like to see characters suffer, but if the journey to find each other had been to easy (as the love story is in some books) then the pay off would not have been worth it. Through the first two books Kayla and Devak learned that rebellion against society is hard and comes with a price, and in Rebellion, both learn that the same costs come with fighting for one’s own freedom. Both experience some losses, but their determination to be free from the organizations who wish to use them and be able to love each other, is what keeps them fighting. I loved that aspect of both of their characterizations and it felt realistic. It took them two books to realize how much they love each other and in this book, they were willing to do something about it. I really loved this aspect of the story and rooted for Kayla’s and Devak’s happy ending.
Like the other two books, Sandler’s world is just as engrossing as ever. In Rebellion, the story takes on a broader scope and we travel with Devak, and Kayla to a certain extent, to the outer areas of Svarga and even spend some time in the Badlands. The way Sandler writes her world, it feels so real, that when I was done reading I wasn’t ready to leave Kayla and Devak. In fact, I’m hoping that Sandler is willing to write a fourth book, or even another book set in this unique world. The way she describes Svarga, including all the little details, makes me imagine that Kayla’s & Devak’s world actually exists somewhere in this wide universe of ours.
Recommendation: If you haven’t read the series, go buy it and if you’re anxiously awaiting Rebellion - get it as soon as it comes out.
P.S. I just adore the cover. I could stare at it all day. It's just that beautiful.
Review originally posted at Rich in Color http://richincolor.com/2014/05/book-r...
Being the third and concluding book of a series about teenagers working to over throw a system of oppression, I expected Rebellion to be about the big battles of a revolution, but instead it is more of a story about two people fighting for their love against the individuals who wish to keep them apart. I was quite surprised that the ending of the Tankborn series was actually not about a global revolution but a personal fight for freedom; the ability to make one’s own choices. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about it, but as I continued to read and get more involved with Kayla’s and Devak’s struggle, I enjoyed the change from a “rebel against society” to a personal rebellion. Both Kayla and Devak have been manipulated by two different factions, the FHE and the Kinship respectively, who want to use the teens for their own means. Instead, because both Kayla and Devak are smart, neither really trust what they’ve been told and set out to discover the truth. This sets in motion the personal rebellion by each to find the other. This key change, this personal struggle for freedom, made me really enjoy Sandler’s novel. In a landscape of books about teens challenging and winning against an corrupt government, to have two young people who just want to be together and work hard to achieve that goal was refreshing.
Sandler doesn’t make the journey easy for both Kayla and Devak and both experience setbacks in their search. Maybe I’m sick and like to see characters suffer, but if the journey to find each other had been to easy (as the love story is in some books) then the pay off would not have been worth it. Through the first two books Kayla and Devak learned that rebellion against society is hard and comes with a price, and in Rebellion, both learn that the same costs come with fighting for one’s own freedom. Both experience some losses, but their determination to be free from the organizations who wish to use them and be able to love each other, is what keeps them fighting. I loved that aspect of both of their characterizations and it felt realistic. It took them two books to realize how much they love each other and in this book, they were willing to do something about it. I really loved this aspect of the story and rooted for Kayla’s and Devak’s happy ending.
Like the other two books, Sandler’s world is just as engrossing as ever. In Rebellion, the story takes on a broader scope and we travel with Devak, and Kayla to a certain extent, to the outer areas of Svarga and even spend some time in the Badlands. The way Sandler writes her world, it feels so real, that when I was done reading I wasn’t ready to leave Kayla and Devak. In fact, I’m hoping that Sandler is willing to write a fourth book, or even another book set in this unique world. The way she describes Svarga, including all the little details, makes me imagine that Kayla’s & Devak’s world actually exists somewhere in this wide universe of ours.
Recommendation: If you haven’t read the series, go buy it and if you’re anxiously awaiting Rebellion - get it as soon as it comes out.
P.S. I just adore the cover. I could stare at it all day. It's just that beautiful.
Review originally posted at Rich in Color http://richincolor.com/2014/05/book-r...
July 8, 2016
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
Rebellion is the third book in the Tankborn trilogy, a YA dystopian series featuring diverse protagonists, cyborgs, and (you guessed it!) a rebellion. Minor spoilers from the previous two books, but I’ll try to keep them as minimal as possible.
Kayla is a GEN, or genetically engineered human. Devak is a highborn. The two of them shouldn’t be in love, but they are, even as the world falls apart around them as GENS begin to fight for their rights. The previous book ends with an explosion, and both point-of-view characters think that the other is dead.
Devak wakes up after healing in a GEN tank (think the bacta tank from Star Wars) to find that his social status has been demoted, and that his grandfather has sacrificed almost everything they own to heal him. He learns of Kayla’s death, but doesn’t want to believe it. When he discovers that she might be alive, he’ll do everything in his power to reunite with her–but now that he’s no longer a highborn, he has to learn how to navigate the world from a different perspective.
Meanwhile, Kayla has been kidnapped by her mother, who is one of the leaders of a terrorist/extremist group known as the FHE. She’s pretty much a hostage, but soon begins to realize that the FHE wants her for a reason, and attempts to uncover their secrets.
The Tankborn trilogy is very similar in structure to the Hunger Games, and I saw a lot of similarities between Rebellion and Mockingjay. But while I did enjoy the sociopolitical commentary, I found Rebellion a bit lacking, especially compared to the rest of the trilogy. This is mostly because Kayla is an idiot. She made a lot of stupid and avoidable mistakes that should have given her away, and yet she manages to plot against the FHE with almost total impunity. I had a hard time believing she could lack so much discretion, especially for someone who has TWO BRAINS. I mean, yes, she is a teenager, but c’mon. She had way too much plot armor to be believable.
If it weren’t for my annoyance with Kayla, the book would have been much more enjoyable, especially because it has so many cool elements–cyborgs, commentary on social class and extremism, fighting on the backs of giant spiders in the desert, etc.
Overall verdict: Great idea, but mediocre execution.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/20...
Rebellion is the third book in the Tankborn trilogy, a YA dystopian series featuring diverse protagonists, cyborgs, and (you guessed it!) a rebellion. Minor spoilers from the previous two books, but I’ll try to keep them as minimal as possible.
Kayla is a GEN, or genetically engineered human. Devak is a highborn. The two of them shouldn’t be in love, but they are, even as the world falls apart around them as GENS begin to fight for their rights. The previous book ends with an explosion, and both point-of-view characters think that the other is dead.
Devak wakes up after healing in a GEN tank (think the bacta tank from Star Wars) to find that his social status has been demoted, and that his grandfather has sacrificed almost everything they own to heal him. He learns of Kayla’s death, but doesn’t want to believe it. When he discovers that she might be alive, he’ll do everything in his power to reunite with her–but now that he’s no longer a highborn, he has to learn how to navigate the world from a different perspective.
Meanwhile, Kayla has been kidnapped by her mother, who is one of the leaders of a terrorist/extremist group known as the FHE. She’s pretty much a hostage, but soon begins to realize that the FHE wants her for a reason, and attempts to uncover their secrets.
The Tankborn trilogy is very similar in structure to the Hunger Games, and I saw a lot of similarities between Rebellion and Mockingjay. But while I did enjoy the sociopolitical commentary, I found Rebellion a bit lacking, especially compared to the rest of the trilogy. This is mostly because Kayla is an idiot. She made a lot of stupid and avoidable mistakes that should have given her away, and yet she manages to plot against the FHE with almost total impunity. I had a hard time believing she could lack so much discretion, especially for someone who has TWO BRAINS. I mean, yes, she is a teenager, but c’mon. She had way too much plot armor to be believable.
If it weren’t for my annoyance with Kayla, the book would have been much more enjoyable, especially because it has so many cool elements–cyborgs, commentary on social class and extremism, fighting on the backs of giant spiders in the desert, etc.
Overall verdict: Great idea, but mediocre execution.
February 1, 2017
Loved this infamous dystopian trilogy!
Although not an original idea of the author, the concept of genetically modified non-humans is very well developed, along with all other characters.
I think what I loved the most was author's ability to link empathy between characters and the reader. For instance, the encounter with vidrohi was a good view of GENS struggles in a nutshell where Mey's innocence tore my heart into feeling guilty and responsible on a personal level. Moreover, using Bhimkays and Nagas to depict how the feared wild animals are capable of showing love and care is beautiful. Learning the Naga just wanted to cuddle after me nearly having a heart attack had me cracking up! Both gay and lesbian couples were portrayed very lovable and without even saying it straightforward, she raised the question of why sexuality is frowned upon in our world when even in a place as messed up as Loka, it is the least of problems. Kudos to having a black protagonist, too.
However.....
I rated all books 4 stars because each has room for improvement. I feel like the final book is great up untill close to the end. Later on it feels rushed off as if the author tried to wrap things up too quick. The war could have been developed more. There are a few loose ends which I would like to know the end of- for example what happened of Abran later and whether he did or not betray Kayla. Philosophy on god and religion was thought provoking in the first book but grew weak as the trilogy continued on. In many parts plots were predictable. Maybe its just me but a mostly happy ending to a war seems too optimistic to be true. The man who tried to give rise to the hugest rebellion in the history of Loka dying so quick felt incomplete. The book ended with Zul basically being on the brink of death since book one; I think I would have appreciated a good farewell to that old man, at least in the epilogue.
Tankborn trilogy is a good emblem of a fatal flaw in most if not all societies and its heavily branched effects with the heaviest blow landing on the poor. Like I said, the end could have been developed more and there is scope for improvement in all the books. Nevertheless, overall I enjoyed my journey through Loka to a great extent- anyone into dystopian sci-fi would be SANAKI to not read this trilogy!
Although not an original idea of the author, the concept of genetically modified non-humans is very well developed, along with all other characters.
I think what I loved the most was author's ability to link empathy between characters and the reader. For instance, the encounter with vidrohi was a good view of GENS struggles in a nutshell where Mey's innocence tore my heart into feeling guilty and responsible on a personal level. Moreover, using Bhimkays and Nagas to depict how the feared wild animals are capable of showing love and care is beautiful. Learning the Naga just wanted to cuddle after me nearly having a heart attack had me cracking up! Both gay and lesbian couples were portrayed very lovable and without even saying it straightforward, she raised the question of why sexuality is frowned upon in our world when even in a place as messed up as Loka, it is the least of problems. Kudos to having a black protagonist, too.
However.....
I rated all books 4 stars because each has room for improvement. I feel like the final book is great up untill close to the end. Later on it feels rushed off as if the author tried to wrap things up too quick. The war could have been developed more. There are a few loose ends which I would like to know the end of- for example what happened of Abran later and whether he did or not betray Kayla. Philosophy on god and religion was thought provoking in the first book but grew weak as the trilogy continued on. In many parts plots were predictable. Maybe its just me but a mostly happy ending to a war seems too optimistic to be true. The man who tried to give rise to the hugest rebellion in the history of Loka dying so quick felt incomplete. The book ended with Zul basically being on the brink of death since book one; I think I would have appreciated a good farewell to that old man, at least in the epilogue.
Tankborn trilogy is a good emblem of a fatal flaw in most if not all societies and its heavily branched effects with the heaviest blow landing on the poor. Like I said, the end could have been developed more and there is scope for improvement in all the books. Nevertheless, overall I enjoyed my journey through Loka to a great extent- anyone into dystopian sci-fi would be SANAKI to not read this trilogy!
August 29, 2014
The Story-
Kayla awakes from the bomb blast from the end of book two to find herself in FHE's hidden headquarters. She is told that Devak, her boyfriend, died in the blast and that now she must join the terrorist GEN (genetically engineered nonhuman) organization. She is reunited with her biological mother and introduced to the FHE leader, Ohin. But, something just isn't right and Kayla is determined to find out what it is and then escape.
Devak awakes inside a gen-tank two months after the blast. His spine is still injured, but his grandfather has used up their entire inheritance and he is kicked out of treatment. Without his inheritance, both Devak and his grandfather go from being high trueborns to lowborns. Devak is told that Kayla died, but he has strange memories of someone carrying her body away from the bombed building. He decides to use whatever strength he has to find out the truth about Kayla.
As Kayla and Devak try to find each other, FHE has other plans, plans that involve freeing all GEN's, but at the cost of hundreds of lives, including all trueborns.
My Thoughts-
All three books have done a great job in dealing with racism and prejudice. This one brings everything full circle, with an ending that puts everyone on a more level playing field. I enjoyed the story being told in two different parts, it added depth to the plot and the characters.
Kayla is underground, a prisoner. She knows her one chance is to escape, but everyone who helps her seems to disappear. She finally teams up with Shakki, another girl attempting escape. Together they come up with a brilliant plan and it is fun to read about their endeavors.
Devak is loyal and true. He knows in his heart that Kayla isn't dead and will risk everything to find her. His journey is actually his final remaking. As a lowborn, he sees how the other half live and while on the run he meets GENs and others that are considered inhuman. When he reaches Kayla he is truly ready to accept their relationship.
A really good wrap-up to a unique series. 4 stars!
Kayla awakes from the bomb blast from the end of book two to find herself in FHE's hidden headquarters. She is told that Devak, her boyfriend, died in the blast and that now she must join the terrorist GEN (genetically engineered nonhuman) organization. She is reunited with her biological mother and introduced to the FHE leader, Ohin. But, something just isn't right and Kayla is determined to find out what it is and then escape.
Devak awakes inside a gen-tank two months after the blast. His spine is still injured, but his grandfather has used up their entire inheritance and he is kicked out of treatment. Without his inheritance, both Devak and his grandfather go from being high trueborns to lowborns. Devak is told that Kayla died, but he has strange memories of someone carrying her body away from the bombed building. He decides to use whatever strength he has to find out the truth about Kayla.
As Kayla and Devak try to find each other, FHE has other plans, plans that involve freeing all GEN's, but at the cost of hundreds of lives, including all trueborns.
My Thoughts-
All three books have done a great job in dealing with racism and prejudice. This one brings everything full circle, with an ending that puts everyone on a more level playing field. I enjoyed the story being told in two different parts, it added depth to the plot and the characters.
Kayla is underground, a prisoner. She knows her one chance is to escape, but everyone who helps her seems to disappear. She finally teams up with Shakki, another girl attempting escape. Together they come up with a brilliant plan and it is fun to read about their endeavors.
Devak is loyal and true. He knows in his heart that Kayla isn't dead and will risk everything to find her. His journey is actually his final remaking. As a lowborn, he sees how the other half live and while on the run he meets GENs and others that are considered inhuman. When he reaches Kayla he is truly ready to accept their relationship.
A really good wrap-up to a unique series. 4 stars!
February 24, 2015
*******spoiler spoiler spoiler this review is one HUGE!!!! spoiler***
This review contains my feelings on the entire Tankbork series. I LOVED!!! the first book so much that I read it twice. I was excited when I found out there where 2 other books in the series and read them one on top of the other. Don't read book 2 or 3 they where a complet let down. The storys floated all over the place... to much going on... to maney new people... all the charicters I loved got scaterd to the wind. The interactions and dynamic between all the characters changes. Devak was a moron for way to long. I the first book things where always a surprise while in the second book I was actual yelling out loud he is a FAKER!!!!! I could see things coming from a mile off. Book 3 was a little better but still just a runaway story of just to much to much. The best part of book three was the Epilogue if she trimmed the story lines of book 2 and 3 to fit into one book then took the epilogue to make up the last book that would have been wonderful. Book 3 got weird as well with random stuff tossed in. In book 2 we have a same sex couple sort of out of the blue but whatever it was not really a part of the story just a passing thing... then in book 3 it is shoved in your face ... with this one random line about narrow minded people. It was weird no mention ever before that this world practiced that and all of the sudden it was like we where suppose to expect that this character felt this way it was just weird and did not fit the existing president set by the first book. Then at the end of book 3 the author gets this obsession with pooping. The girls both crawl down a ditch to relive them selves twice then the spiders cop a squat and pop in a hole... what dose that have to do with anything. In 3 books no bathroom moment received any attention now in the last 10 pages we get to expirace that 3 times... WHY? All in all the first book was AMAZING!!!!!! the other 2 books I whish I would have never read.
This review contains my feelings on the entire Tankbork series. I LOVED!!! the first book so much that I read it twice. I was excited when I found out there where 2 other books in the series and read them one on top of the other. Don't read book 2 or 3 they where a complet let down. The storys floated all over the place... to much going on... to maney new people... all the charicters I loved got scaterd to the wind. The interactions and dynamic between all the characters changes. Devak was a moron for way to long. I the first book things where always a surprise while in the second book I was actual yelling out loud he is a FAKER!!!!! I could see things coming from a mile off. Book 3 was a little better but still just a runaway story of just to much to much. The best part of book three was the Epilogue if she trimmed the story lines of book 2 and 3 to fit into one book then took the epilogue to make up the last book that would have been wonderful. Book 3 got weird as well with random stuff tossed in. In book 2 we have a same sex couple sort of out of the blue but whatever it was not really a part of the story just a passing thing... then in book 3 it is shoved in your face ... with this one random line about narrow minded people. It was weird no mention ever before that this world practiced that and all of the sudden it was like we where suppose to expect that this character felt this way it was just weird and did not fit the existing president set by the first book. Then at the end of book 3 the author gets this obsession with pooping. The girls both crawl down a ditch to relive them selves twice then the spiders cop a squat and pop in a hole... what dose that have to do with anything. In 3 books no bathroom moment received any attention now in the last 10 pages we get to expirace that 3 times... WHY? All in all the first book was AMAZING!!!!!! the other 2 books I whish I would have never read.
May 4, 2014
In the Tankborn trilogy’s final installment, Rebellion comes as a welcome and fulfilling end. Sandborn’s world is as complicated and thought-provoking as its predecessors. Reeling from a bomb blast, both Kayla and Devak are under the impression that their futures together do not exist because both are told the other did not survive. Yet readers know this to be false and hope that both characters will find themselves and each other in their new roles: Kayla working for an underground terrorist organization, and Devak as a minor-status trueborn who still pines for Kayla, a GEN or genetically-engineered nonhuman. Their love should not exist and makes for a romantically-themed science fiction trilogy.
The adventure and genetically engineered world is equally enchanting as it is frustrating because this complicated science fiction thriller needs a glossary, included at the end. Fans of the series will have already been exposed to the jargon similar to past novels like Anderson’s Feed or Westerfeld’s Uglies series and will easily move through the book. The Tankborn trilogy will sit well on the shelves for those who appreciate richly-developed worlds and complicated storylines, culture, and relationships. To that end, Rebellion cannot be read without first reading the others and followers will want to see it through.
The adventure and genetically engineered world is equally enchanting as it is frustrating because this complicated science fiction thriller needs a glossary, included at the end. Fans of the series will have already been exposed to the jargon similar to past novels like Anderson’s Feed or Westerfeld’s Uglies series and will easily move through the book. The Tankborn trilogy will sit well on the shelves for those who appreciate richly-developed worlds and complicated storylines, culture, and relationships. To that end, Rebellion cannot be read without first reading the others and followers will want to see it through.
December 15, 2014
The Tankborn (GENS) are those genetically modified humans who can receive special powers. They are also various shades of brown to black. And have tattoos on their face so you will be sure to understand that this is a slave. The trueborns are a caste above, whiter in skin, with all the privileges. There is a caste system within each of these groups, of course.
Kayla is a GEN, although originally trueborn. Devak is trueborn, now moved down in the caste system to pay for his treatments after the bombing. In the first two novels, they have fallen in love but separated by a bomb blast in the rebellion where each thinks the other is dead. This last in the series brings the rebellion to a close in a satisfying, commanding tale. While you probably want to read the first two, this last is so well scripted, extra reading isn’t necessary.
The parallels to our society are obvious. What saves this from being stereotypical is the handling of the nuances within the caste system. The political intrigue is spot on, and the creatures are fantastic: bhimkays, for example- giant spiders that are trained for riding. This is a very realistic and striking world. The novel moves between the two stories, and each is totally intriguing. Well done by an adult fiction writer entering the YA field. Hopefully more are coming.
Kayla is a GEN, although originally trueborn. Devak is trueborn, now moved down in the caste system to pay for his treatments after the bombing. In the first two novels, they have fallen in love but separated by a bomb blast in the rebellion where each thinks the other is dead. This last in the series brings the rebellion to a close in a satisfying, commanding tale. While you probably want to read the first two, this last is so well scripted, extra reading isn’t necessary.
The parallels to our society are obvious. What saves this from being stereotypical is the handling of the nuances within the caste system. The political intrigue is spot on, and the creatures are fantastic: bhimkays, for example- giant spiders that are trained for riding. This is a very realistic and striking world. The novel moves between the two stories, and each is totally intriguing. Well done by an adult fiction writer entering the YA field. Hopefully more are coming.
August 8, 2015
Great series, only the too neat ending kept it from receiving a higher rating
I really enjoyed Kayla's struggles for both survival and to change her world. The struggle for hope and against oppression is age old and the author does a great job in developing a story many will find relatable and relevant, even in the fictional world of Lokka. And this struggle against a repressive society is not one dimensional, the oppressed have choices to make in terms of what is moral, what direction will they take and how will that manifest itself and play out. Worthwhile read. Give it a try! Happy Reading!
Tim
I really enjoyed Kayla's struggles for both survival and to change her world. The struggle for hope and against oppression is age old and the author does a great job in developing a story many will find relatable and relevant, even in the fictional world of Lokka. And this struggle against a repressive society is not one dimensional, the oppressed have choices to make in terms of what is moral, what direction will they take and how will that manifest itself and play out. Worthwhile read. Give it a try! Happy Reading!
Tim
February 10, 2016
Although this was a third book, it was still pretty good and managed to keep an interesting plot. Alternating between Kayla and Devak's points of view, it picks up about two months after the explosion. Both are alive, yet hidden. As Devak races to find Kayla, she finds herself caught in the middle of a rebellion, one bigger than anyone ever dreamed. She must make it back home and find her friends in order to stop it. There was a lot more world building in this book, and the political tangles in both the rebellion and the traditional society grow more complicated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2014
SO HAPPY TO HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO THIS SERIES!!!! (Hallelujah to NetGalley for that)
I loved Rebellion. It moved so well and was as rich as thereat of the series. I do wish there was more closure with the characters from the previous novels here, perhaps in an epilogue, BUT there was so much story here I didn't feel I missed out completely. I just made me miss the characters more when I was done with Rebellion. :)
I loved Rebellion. It moved so well and was as rich as thereat of the series. I do wish there was more closure with the characters from the previous novels here, perhaps in an epilogue, BUT there was so much story here I didn't feel I missed out completely. I just made me miss the characters more when I was done with Rebellion. :)
February 21, 2016
A good end to the series! Full of great plot twists and wonderful writing and descriptions, we're brought back to the fully fleshed, and fully formed world of Loka. Wraps things up nicely, but could have given a little more at the end for character closure.
October 19, 2014
An okay bit a bit disappointing conclusion to the Tankborn trilogy. The majority of the book goes into great detail about everything and then the whole book is quickly wrapped up in the last few chapters.
August 30, 2015
Overall this wasn't a bad end to the Tankborn series, and I think all three books together are enjoyable but not amazing. I think for me this was just an ok scifi series, I felt like I struggled over some of the story and the names of people and places.
July 25, 2015
I thought this was a great ending to an amazing series. I felt so connected to the characters in this book. I already miss them all. I wish there was more.
October 6, 2015
third book in the series- some interesting new additions to the plot but the first one was still my favorite
December 2, 2015
It was a pretty satisfying ending. I think the author did a great job with the series. It was a thought-provoking book in a futurustic world. I really enjoyed it. Was a unique read. :)
Read
March 29, 2016Unfortunately I read this without having read the first 2 and was pretty lost.
July 7, 2016
Rebellion. Karen Sandler. The larger plot is incidental to reuniting the separated lovers thru increasingly implausible coincidences.
Reviewed @reallyReads
Reviewed @reallyReads
Read
February 10, 2015It was very nice and interesting.
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