story craft

Genre: YA Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Reasons to love: 

-more Ava and Elm
-strong friendships
-surprising allies
-imperfect heroine
-sweet romance
-mystery
-found family

Cautions: There’s definitely more violence in this book than in Vivid, but there are healers to prevent anyone from having serious injuries. There are more battles, more manipulations, imprisonments, escapes, and betrayals. But nothing too bloody. The romance in this book is sweet and innocent, with just a few kisses, some embraces, and some flirting among some of the ensemble characters

Main themes: freedom, rescue, embracing differences

Main characters: Ava, Elm, Blake, Nikki, Brie, Jazz, Blanca, Kaito, Samantha, Dr. Iris, Marabell, Dr. Root, Ivan, Lucas Locke, Mrs. Locke, Sarah, Selene

Favorite quote: “If the thought makes you uncomfortable, change it.”

Review:

When the world as you thought you knew it isn’t the world that exists—and that word is more expansive than you ever dared to dream—what’s your first response? Do you want to tug the covers over your head and leave it alone? Do you run headlong into danger, trusting the people who have your back will follow without question? Do you make a plan and fret when parts of the plan fall to pieces?

We all respond to broken ideals, hopes, and dreams differently. And sometimes our response depends on what kind of day we’re having, especially as we’re just learning to flex new muscles as we step into the unknown. This is where we find Ava and Elm after the end of Vivid. These two helped other students at Prism see the reality of their situation—yellow magic isn’t evil and neither are those who wield it. But once several students join them at their hideout, the question on everyone’s minds is “Now what?” 

Beyond the question of what to do next is who to trust. Many still struggle with the idea of trusting Elm, his mysterious childhood friend, Samantha, and even Ava because of their ties to yellow magic. As they struggle and learn to work together, they’re forced to lean on new people and travel to places many of them didn’t even know existed. Like many of us, these students have to learn to trust each other, to believe not everyone in authority over them is bad, and to figure out how to move forward when their best-laid plans fall apart. 

Once again, Ashley describes her colorful world in vibrant detail, using different colors of magic to help us see how embracing our differences—even when we don’t fully understand each other—isn’t just the best way to thrive; it’s the only way to thrive. 

I loved continuing Ava and Elm’s story and getting to know some of the secondary characters a little better. Seeing Ava grow more as a leader and start learning to trust and forgive was such a gift. Honestly, as one who has experienced emotional manipulation from people I trusted—both those in authority over me and my peers—Ava’s journey of learning to trust again really hit home. So much of our world is filled with deceit, and I feel like this is such an important book for teen readers. Ashley really helped me feel seen, and I think that’ll be the case for younger readers too. I can’t wait to see what she continues to show us through Ava’s story.

And it looks like Ashley has set us up for another book, so I guess I’ll have to wait just a little longer to see how it all turns out for them.

Either way, I’m here for it.

My take:

After your concept of truth and others’ identities gets shattered, rebuilding trust feels impossible—even when the people you want to trust have only proved honest and trustworthy. But we can’t walk through life alone, especially when trying to create change in a world completely hostile to it. We need each other—even as we heal.