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A review by olivialandryxo
Catalyst by Lydia Kang
5.0
Blog review.
Contains mild spoilers for book one.
I loved [b:Control|22521558|Control|Lydia Kang|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407109463s/22521558.jpg|18621042], so I'm not sure why I took so long to read the sequel. It was fast-paced, thrilling, and everything I had hoped for to conclude this duology.
If I thought the plot in the first book was crazy, then this one was absolutely nuts. It was full of twists and feels, and everything I didn't expect to happen did. Some might say it was rushed, but I thought it was fabulously thrilling. There was another betrayal, and it didn't impact me as much as the one in the first book, but it still completely shocked me. Lydia is good like that.
If I loved Zel before, I love her even more now. She was a very intelligent geneticist with a longevity trait, and was trying her hardest to keep everyone she cared about safe and sound – her sister Dyl, her boyfriend (??) Cy, and the other "mutants" that had become her family. I loved her attitude. She was sassy, determined, and caring. I can't say a lot about her without spoiling something, but I think I've done a decent job. ;)
To prevent this review from being a mile long, I made a list of my thoughts about other characters.
- Dyl was equally as sassy and determined as her sister, and equally as loving. She's one of those sweet characters you want to protect at all costs.
- Cy was still a bit like the broody guy he was in the first book, but he did change. He was more open and loving toward Zel, and not as overprotective. He hid some things, but it was definitely an improvement.
- Caliga was completely different from the way she was in the first book. She was much nicer and more accepting, and a loyal friend dedicated to making up for the trouble she inflicted previously.
- Micah was a complete jerk in the last book, and I wasn't sure what to make of him for most of this one. He seemed to switch back and forth, and evade straight, honest answers. In the end he proved himself. I wouldn't say I liked him, but I was much more tolerant of him.
And in terms of relationships, this book had everything. Zel and Dyl had a strong sisterly bond, and care about one another more than anyone or anything else. Zel and Caliga had a strong friendship, and I loved how much the dynamic between them changed: from enemies to allies, and then friends. Zel and Cy were dating (basically) and had a wonderful, healthy romance. I shipped them so much, and I'm glad things worked out...especially after the first book's ending. Then, of course, all of the "mutants" were a big, metaphorical family, and I loved that to pieces.
So, long story short, I just loved this book. I loved everything about it. While I'm aware that there won't be a third book, if there ever was one I would devour it. I love these characters, and the one-of-a-kind sci-fi world, and the strong bonds between everyone. It's just so fantastic, and if you haven't read it (or the first one) you definitely should. It's easily one of my favorite duologies.
Contains mild spoilers for book one.
I loved [b:Control|22521558|Control|Lydia Kang|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1407109463s/22521558.jpg|18621042], so I'm not sure why I took so long to read the sequel. It was fast-paced, thrilling, and everything I had hoped for to conclude this duology.
If I thought the plot in the first book was crazy, then this one was absolutely nuts. It was full of twists and feels, and everything I didn't expect to happen did. Some might say it was rushed, but I thought it was fabulously thrilling. There was another betrayal, and it didn't impact me as much as the one in the first book, but it still completely shocked me. Lydia is good like that.
If I loved Zel before, I love her even more now. She was a very intelligent geneticist with a longevity trait, and was trying her hardest to keep everyone she cared about safe and sound – her sister Dyl, her boyfriend (??) Cy, and the other "mutants" that had become her family. I loved her attitude. She was sassy, determined, and caring. I can't say a lot about her without spoiling something, but I think I've done a decent job. ;)
To prevent this review from being a mile long, I made a list of my thoughts about other characters.
- Dyl was equally as sassy and determined as her sister, and equally as loving. She's one of those sweet characters you want to protect at all costs.
- Cy was still a bit like the broody guy he was in the first book, but he did change. He was more open and loving toward Zel, and not as overprotective. He hid some things, but it was definitely an improvement.
- Caliga was completely different from the way she was in the first book. She was much nicer and more accepting, and a loyal friend dedicated to making up for the trouble she inflicted previously.
- Micah was a complete jerk in the last book, and I wasn't sure what to make of him for most of this one. He seemed to switch back and forth, and evade straight, honest answers. In the end he proved himself. I wouldn't say I liked him, but I was much more tolerant of him.
And in terms of relationships, this book had everything. Zel and Dyl had a strong sisterly bond, and care about one another more than anyone or anything else. Zel and Caliga had a strong friendship, and I loved how much the dynamic between them changed: from enemies to allies, and then friends. Zel and Cy were dating (basically) and had a wonderful, healthy romance. I shipped them so much, and I'm glad things worked out...especially after the first book's ending. Then, of course, all of the "mutants" were a big, metaphorical family, and I loved that to pieces.
So, long story short, I just loved this book. I loved everything about it. While I'm aware that there won't be a third book, if there ever was one I would devour it. I love these characters, and the one-of-a-kind sci-fi world, and the strong bonds between everyone. It's just so fantastic, and if you haven't read it (or the first one) you definitely should. It's easily one of my favorite duologies.