When Dark Worlds Rise by Zena Shapter

 Today's read is the last in the World of Palude series, one that I've actually read from the very beginning. So far, this has been a very rich world and packed with imagination. It's walked a line between high-tech and fantastic monsters to give it an unique atmosphere as well. I've been looking forward to see how everything finally comes together. So, off we go!

WHEN DARK WORLDS RISE

World of Palude Series

by Zena Shapter

MidnightSun Publishing

YA Fantasy  /   Science Fiction

400 pages

ages 16+

Always be alert. Be ready. In a fractured world overrun by giant water-ants and deadly trees, where vicious tree cats prowl the night for prey and people kill for technology, it’s hard enough to live, let alone love. Sala is torn between protecting her friends, or risking everything to save another.
But when a stranger seeks them out, and a justifiable temptation calls to her, the stakes rise higher than Sala could possibly imagine. What she craves can only lead to her downfall, along with everyone and everything around her. No amount of sacrifice will stop the poison of lies and betrayals now set to bring the explosive world of Palude to its limits. Trust is overrated. Courage is only the beginning. The greatest enemy always hides within.

NewSouth Books

MY TIDBITS

Danger lurks everywhere, and it's not only a extremely deadly, eager monsters that these characters need to beware of.

Sala and her friends have found a fairly safe haven and have managed to rummage a few pieces of valuable tech together, something which is rare. Unfortunately, Kai hasn't returned from his mission to speak with the elders of a nearby large settlement. And while he isn't too much later than he claimed he'd be, Sala refuses to wait to see if he's okay. As soon as the drone is repaired, she wants to head off on her own to fetch him, but her friends spoil her plans and end up accompanying her. As they make their journey, they notice that everything is off. People are gone, bridges purposefully blocked, and an odd silence settles in the air. When Sala finds giant ants preparing to attack the settlement, she speeds forward and not only reunites Kai but finds the town unprepared to protect itself. Worse yet, the leaders don't seemed overly concerned about the looming destruction. Soon, Sala and her friends step into an entirely new level of betrayal, intrigue, and danger...and this one threatens to destroy everything.

These friends have come a long way since the first book, but there is still quite a bit to be settled. This final installment pulls everything together in with tension, high-stakes, and grace. While the already very deadly creatures promise constant harm, Sala and her friends find themselves up against a more difficult enemy. Secrets are exposed and evil intentions come to light. Every moment grabs as she's forced to decide what she is really ready to sacrifice. Then, there is betrayal, and the waters of who to trust grow murky, too. So, nothing is clear, keeping the reader wondering the entire way through.

This last book rounds off the series in a thrilling and satisfying way, and leaves a bit of food for thought as well.

And here she is...

Zena Shapter is a multi-award-winning author, youth writing competition judge, and high school English tutor whose students told her exactly what they wanted to read – escapist stories that resonate with their fears about being unheard, misinformation, the world they’ll inherit, the constant threat of war... and Australian property prices! So she rolled all that into the thrilling carnivorous tree swamp World of Palude! When not writing, Zena loves movies, frogs, chocolate, potatoes and living with her family among Sydney’s beautiful Northern Beaches. Her website at zenashapter.com lists more of her incredible award-winning fiction.