Mini Review: Havoc by Jane Higgins

May contain spoilers. See my review for The Bridge

Havoc
Southside Novels Book Two
Written by Jane Higgins
Dystopian, War
Published February 25th 2015
368 Pages
Thank you to Text Publishing
Add to Goodreads
★★★★
The ceasefire is barely holding. Southside waits, with a kind of hope that feels like defeat. Then Cityside blows up the bridge. And amid the chaos and rubble Nik and Lanya are drawn into a complex web of power, fear and betrayal.

Who is the girl found crying out from the bombed bridge? What is her connection to the secret experiments taking place at Pitkerrin Marsh? And why does she cry Havoc? But before Nik can find out he must find his father, and face the hardest decision of his life.
Nik is now living in Southside, living with the consequences of the prisoner exchange that neither side will claim responsibility for. His estranged father is missing, assumed to be over the river when the first missile struck the bridge. Cityside has retreated on the strained ceasefire and is hungry for conflict. But amidst the rubble lies a strange young woman, from neither South or Cityside and warning of Havoc.

Southside is in lockdown, Cityside now holding those who survived as prisoners within their own city. Along with Lanya and Breken swindler Sandor, Nik takes it upon himself to flee the war torn community for answers on Cityside, finding his father in the process. But what he uncovers will change the way this unbalanced war is fought, who he can place his trust in and why the mystery girl is crying Havoc.

Kelly's Thoughts

Havoc is a brilliant follow up to The Bridge, but darker and more enthralling than the original. Tensions between Southside and Cityside have never been higher, and Nik with the blood from the failed exchange on his hands. His former life is in tatters and he now lives in limbo, no longer welcome in Cityside and not quite a Southsider either. In Havoc, the reader is introduced to One City, where the community is believe to be working with Southside and now a target for a Cityside infiltration. Nik isn't the leader of a revolution, but is determined to play a hand in finding the truth beyond the war torn landscape, discovering who he is along the way.

The biggest drawcard of the Southside series is the characters and political unrest. It's tense and provides the reader with a sense of rightness as Nik emerges from once a brainwashed teen, into a brave young man who isn't afraid to ask the difficult questions, no matter the answers.

It's simply an intelligent read for dystopian readers. Jane Higgins doesn't follow the usual tropes, but creates her own path. The political aspects are suspenseful and delicious. I adored it. It's hard to fathom that Southside stems from a debut novelist, and I can't wait to see what Jane brings out next. She's definitely an author to watch out for. 

18 comments

  1. Just skimmed your review Kelly because I haven't read The Bridge yet. But looks like the series os going well and that's a good indication to start the series. Thanks for the review <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, you have to read it Paula. The Bridge is one of the more unique dystopians I've read in a long time. It focuses more on it's characters, flaws and all. I love the politics of their world. It's incredible.

      Delete
  2. It's nice to find a dystopian that isn't cliche or as familiar as other popular dystopian novels. Glad to see you are enjoying this series. I've never heard of it until now! Woohoo :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hadn't either until recently, but so glad I picked up book one. As far as dystopians went, I thought I'd read them all. The same tropes over and over until they all start to mesh together. But this series is not only unique, but it feels different. The style of writing really added to my love of the series.

      Delete
  3. What???? How long has it been?! I read The Bridge years and years ago, it seems. I wonder if I'll have a better experience with it this time? I didn't like it the first time around. Lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had the same issue the first time I'd read Throne of Glass Joy, I didn't like it at all and couldn't understand what everyone else saw in it. But I picked it up a year later and after having read a few other fantasy novels, and the second time around? I absolutely loved it! The Bridge could be YOUR Throne of Glass. You should pick it up again, you may really enjoy it the second time around.

      Delete
  4. I haven't read The Bridge yet, but I'm going to try to get my hands on a copy of it ASAP because the sequel sounds amazing. I'm so glad this didn't fall for the stereotypical dystopian cliches and that the author managed to create something that was unique and her own. That's something I wish all dystopian authors had the ability to do. ;)

    Thanks for sharing Kelly and, as always, fabulous review! ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is an awesome read Zoe, and by debut author as well. I love that it focused on the characters, world building and politics, and none of the eye rolling drama that we usually expect in young adult. I can't wait to see what you think of it Zoe.

      Delete
  5. Great review Kelly, it's good to hear that this book met your expectations! I am yet to read this series, but now I really want to since it does sound different to the typical YA dystopian - it's so refreshing when an author comes up with something completely different and puts their own spin on the usual tropes. Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really is isn't it. I love dystopian, it's still my favourite genre. But haven't read so many, they all start to sound the same after a while, so this series which focused heavily on the politics of their world, it was really a breath of fresh air. I hope you can pick up a copy soon, I'd love to see what you think of it.

      Delete
  6. Ooh, doesn't follow usual tropes? I am not intrigued by the series. Haven't heard of it before, but I think it's going to have to be put on my TBR list. Glad you liked it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was awesome Kara, and really unique compared to most other dystopian series out there.

      Delete
  7. Oh is this a sequel! I thought it was a companion/standalone. Better get myself a copy of The Bridge before starting this one then!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did that too Nara, and so glad that I did. The series is incredible. I can't wait to see what Jane Higgins tries next. I've got my fingers crossed for fantasy, as her world building is brilliant.

      Delete
  8. Hmm an original dystopian novel, I've read so many with the same the concepts over and over again. It's nice to read a different voice in books these days, this one does sound wonderful overall & I'm glad you enjoyed it for the most part Kelly <3 Benish| Feminist Reflections

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too Benish, so when I read book one it really was like a breath of fresh air. I absolutely loved the politics and world building. You should definitely give this series a go, I think you'd really enjoy it.

      Delete
  9. I'm still not sure whether this one is my thing, I've just read so many subpar dystopians that it's made me jaded in this area. However, I'm glad it worked for you thought Kelly! Lovely review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jeann. It's more than your average dystopian series though, more politically charged and warfare infused. I really enjoyed it and looking forward to seeing what's next from Jane Higgins.

      Delete

© Diva Booknerd. Design by Fearne.