We all knew I was going to love Journey to the Heart of the Abyss. The conclusion to the Light the Abyss duology was action packed and fantastic. I actually read a beta version of this book, but reading it after edits was fabulous. I have loved to witness Shah’s career grow and am so excited for you all to read! Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Leyla McQueen has finally reunited with her father after breaking him out of Broadmoor, the illegal government prison—but his freedom comes at a terrible cost. As Leyla celebrates his return, she must grapple with the pain of losing Ari. Now separated from the boy who has her heart and labeled the nation’s number one enemy, Leyla must risk illegal travel through unchartered waters in her quest for the truth behind her father’s arrest.
Across Britain, the fallout from Leyla’s actions has escalated tensions between Anthropoid and non-Anthropoid communities, bringing them to an all-time high. And, as Leyla and her friends fight to uncover the startling truths about their world, she discovers her own shocking past—and the horrifying secrets behind her father’s abduction and arrest. But as these long-buried truths finally begin to surface, so, too, do the authorities’ terrible future plans. And if the ever-pervasive fear prevents the people from taking a stand now, the abyss could stay in the dark forever.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Journey to the Heart of the Abyss has phenomenal world building. I’m always impressed with Shah’s ability to bring this underworld to life. In real life, I wouldn’t have even made it because I am pretty terrified of the water, so Shah’s ability to transport me is even more remarkable. Journey to the Heart of the Abyss feels almost a hop away from real life. The rhetoric of intolerance and misinformation.
Action packed from the beginning, Journey to the Heart of the Abyss features a father/daughter relationship which made my heart soar. Since we are familiar with the characters, Shah allows the action to take off. With emotions, this finale highlights moments of highs and lows. It discusses how we cannot let our fears control us. While I’ve been feeling pessimistic about the world, Shah’s finale asks us whether the world, and people, are capable of change.
Journey to the Heart of the Abyss explores the gap between ignorance and intolerance. It asks whether people are able to change if we let them see who we truly are. If we show them that there’s much more. With a fabulous pacing which sweeps you away, Journey to the Heart of the Abyss illustrates that we can never go back to our past. We must choose the future, to surround ourselves with people we love, and to fight for what’s right.
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