Dark Matter: Deception: Book 2

Deception is the second book in the Dark Matter series (the first is Contagion) by Teri Terry and is another rollercoaster ride. As the epidemic spreads, survivors are being hunted like witches, for the authorities fear their strange new powers. Kai is desperate to trace Shay, who tricked him and disappeared. Meanwhile, Shay is searching for the truth behind the origins of the epidemic. The plot is pacy and full of twists and turns that will keep the reader engaged until the end, leaving them wanting more! In this part of the story we have three narratives, Shay, Kai and Callie, this helps the pace and stops the story from being too information loaded with all the science stuff about the epidemic. As the story progresses, the reader learns more about each character and about the deadly virus that has spread the country. Between them they pick up more survivors that I hope are still around in the final chapter. You get so engrossed in Teri Terry novels and this story is no exception, even though there are two story lines going on and the 3 POV's you still managed to follow the plot. This series combines the very real threat of virus outbreak with futuristic theories which was really interesting and thought provoking. Overall, this is a great sequel that is heart wrenching in places, (the twist with Callie at the end, though very brave, left me feeling a little sad) and characters that can really frustrate you and question 'Why would you do that!!'. It is fantastically thought out, well written with short chapters. Great for sci-fi / dystopian readers of 12+, also for reluctant readers of the same age group, as along with the first book, due to the short chapters you get a real sense of achievement when you realise how much you have read. I am looking forward to reading the last book in this series, Evolution, which I believe is out in August. 448 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 11+