ARC Review: Don't Look Now by Michelle Gagnon

Don't Look Now

Author: Michelle Gagnon

Publication: HarperCollins (August 27, 2013)

Description: This stunning second book in the critically acclaimed Don’t Turn Around trilogy raises the stakes to their absolute limit and will leave readers begging for the exciting conclusion.

Noa Torsen is on the run. Having outsmarted the sinister Project Persephone, Noa and her friend Zeke now move stealthily across the country, protecting runaways before they become test subjects for the Project’s horrific experiments. Noa knows all too well what that feels like: Whatever was done to her has left her exhausted and scared.

Back in Boston, Peter anxiously follows Noa’s movements from his computer, using his hacker skills to feed her the information she needs to stay alive. But he’s desperate to do something more, especially when he learns what the Project has done to his ex-girlfriend, Amanda.

Then, in an explosive confrontation, Noa and her team are trapped in the one place they thought was safe. It will take everything Noa and Peter have to bring down the Project before it gets them first. And with no one to trust and enemies hiding at every turn, they may be the only people alive who can.

My Thoughts: The middle book in the Don't Turn Around trilogy has Noa working with Zeke and some others in the Southwest United States. Peter remains in Boston where he is doing the computer work for the group. Peter is also involved again with his old girlfriend Amanda who has been infected with PEMA. He is still trying to find evidence that the large corporation is still kidnapping and experimenting on street kids in order to be the first to find a cure for PEMA. He is also still trying to get something on Mason who is the one who threatened Peter and caused Amanda to be infected.

In the Southwest, Noa and group are still raiding the secret clinics they find to free the kids who are being experimented on. They have a safe house in Roy and Monica who are retired doctors who somehow made a fortune. This is the first time Noa ever remembers having a home and feeling safe. Unfortunately, a raid in Phoenix goes bad and trouble follows them home to Roy and Monica's.

The story switches viewpoint frequently between Noa, Peter and Amanda. All three are interesting people and well drawn characters. The story is filled with excitement as a group of kids try to go up against a major corporation. It is a real David and Goliath situation.

I look forward to reading the third book in the trilogy to see how the story concludes.

Favorite Quote:

And then there was Noa.

Which was crazy, and ridiculous. But even though nothing had happened between them, and there was a good chance he'd never see her in person again, she occupied most of his thoughts. And his dreams, if he was honest.

I got this ARC at ALA. You can buy your copy here.