Review: The Gauntlet (The Cage #3) by Megan Shepherd

 

 Title: The Gauntlet (The Cage #3)

Author: Megan Shepherd

Published by: Balzer + Bray

Released: 2017

Source: Library

Synopsis: The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in the final novel in the gripping and romantic Cage series, about teens abducted from Earth by an otherworldly race.  

Cora and her friends have escaped the Kindred station and landed at Armstrong—a supposed safe haven on a small moon—where they plan to regroup and figure out how to win the Gauntlet, the challenging competition to prove humanity’s intelligence and set them free. But Armstrong is no paradise; ruled by a power-hungry sheriff, it’s a violent world where the teens are enslaved and put to work in mines. As Nok’s due date grows closer, and Mali and Leon journey across space to rescue Cassian, the former inhabitants of the cage are up against impossible odds.

With the whole universe at stake, Cora will do whatever it takes, including pushing her body and mind to the breaking point, to escape Armstrong and run the Gauntlet. But it isn’t just a deranged sheriff she has to overcome: the other intelligent species—the Axion, Kindred, Gatherers, and Mosca—all have their own reasons to stop her. Not knowing who to trust, Cora must rely on her own instincts to win the competition, which could change the world—though it might destroy her in the process. (Synopsis from Goodreads)

 

My Thoughts: I did it! I finished another series! I'm proud of myself. I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again, I'm a big fan of Megan Shepherd. I've read almost everything she's written. I like her stories, I like her writing. I just always enjoy whatever story she's telling. I will admit that I do find The Cage Series to be kind of weird. It's fun, but it's weird.

This finale was pretty exciting. It was full of action and I was never bored. I was kind of surprised by how little time was actually spent on Armstrong. It was kind of like Cora was there for two seconds, then she left. I mean, I'm exagerrating, but it did feel that way.

I found The Gauntlet part to be very exciting. I would never have been able to pass The Gauntlet, humanity would have been doomed. Everything that happened around The Gauntlet was exciting, surprising, and just fun reading. I did get a little irritated at Cora at times. She was focusing more on outside things then The Gauntlet, which got a little frustrating.

I'm also not the biggest fan of the Cassian/Cora romance. I just find it weird. This book tried to make it more "acceptable," but I don't ship it. Cassian is just too alien for me.

I really enjoyed following this cast of characters, and being on this journey. There were some shocks and sadness in this finale, but there were also some triumphs. The ending was a bit open. I would have like more closure, more scenes of after. That's just me though, I like getting all the closure I can.

I enjoyed this finale. This was a weird series, but I liked it. If you're looking for an alien abduction, captive romance kind of thing, with a lot of other fun stuff, check this out! Megan Shepherd is my fave and I can't wait to read what she writes next.

BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5

An Exciting Finale!