Review: Riveting Sequel to "Fervor"-both are must-read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 15, 2012
"Elevation" is the sequel to "Fervor," which is a disturbing, perturbing, intense, emotionally involving, thought-provoking, frightening, romantic, terrifying, engrossing novel. Yes, it's all of that. So is "Elevation." That said, let me add a caution: often a sequel or a later novel in a series can function well as a stand-alone (though usually better if the series is read as an entirety). However, "Elevation" is an immediate sequel to "Fervor," picking up exactly where "Fervor" leaves off. I don't recommend starting on "Elevation" until you've read "Fervor." In fact, before starting "Elevation" myself, I returned to "Fervor" for a re-read and then proceeded straight on into "Elevation." Believe me, it works better that way-so much better.In "Fervor," a group of children and adolescents finds itself suddenly alone on the island of Fervor, the only home they can remember; all the adults-their teachers and minders-are no more. Only two small groups of the "Bigs" (young adolescent age) know anything or remember anything-the Controls and the Tellers. Among the talent-groups-Fixers, Finders, Keepers, Watchers-the Keepers (also Bigs) hold the memory, so they know how to magic the home appliances, and they "remember." All the children except the Controls are in the "Connection," a mental channel or web which links each one to all the others-except the Controls, who are excluded from that, supposedly as a balance.When "Elevation" commences, four Controls, 2 Bigs (a Keeper and a Watcher), and 2 former Littles (a Fixer and a Finder) are flying in a recovered hover from the island of Fervor to the mainland, hoping to be found by a group of latents and taken to a safe house. The main hope is that they can live new lives, unhindered by the scholars who designed the experiments of Fervor island. I don't wish to go into much detail about "Elevation," in order not to give away the plot lines either from this book or from "Fervor." I will just say, you owe it to yourself to acquire both of these deeply moving novels, and read them in succession. You won't be sorry you did so.