Book Review: Once (Eve #2) by Anna Carey

Summary: 

When you're being hunted, who can you trust?

For the first time since she escaped from her school many months ago, Eve can sleep soundly. She's living in Califia, a haven for women, protected from the terrifying fate that awaits orphaned girls in The New America.

But her safety came at a price: She was forced to abandon Caleb, the boy she loves, wounded and alone at the city gates. When Eve gets word that Caleb is in trouble, she sets out into the wild again to rescue him, only to be captured and brought to the City of Sand, the capital of The New America.

Trapped inside the City walls, Eve uncovers a shocking secret about her past--and is forced to confront the harsh reality of her future. When she discovers Caleb is alive, Eve attempts to flee her prison so they can be together--but the consequences could be deadly. She must make a desperate choice to save the ones she loves . . . or risk losing Caleb forever.

In this breathless sequel to "Eve," Anna Carey returns to her tale of romance, adventure, and sacrifice in a world that is both wonderfully strange and chillingly familiar.

Release Date: July 3, 2012

Age Group: YA

Source: Purchased

Review:

I liked Eve but didn't love it.  Read my review here.  In fact, when I just now went back and read my original review, I'm surprised that I purchased Once.  Eve was a good book, but not as good as other dystopian novels.  However, Carey really took the story in a good and new direction in Once.  I liked Once much more than Eve, and feel that the third book will be even better.

I wasn't really crazy about Eve as a character in the first book.  But, she really grew on me in Once.  She had a lot more gumption and concern for others.  I loved watching her fall in love with Caleb, and their sweet relationship was a high point of the book for me.

Eve's journey to the City of Sand, and her adventures there, were what made this book so good for me.  I loved getting to know the motivation behind the King's actions.  The imagery was outstanding...especially how lavish The City of Sand is, being in the middle of the desert, and built on the backs of slaves.  There was such a discrepancy between the classes, one that Eve is now fully aware of, and wants to change.  

The ending was a real "DREAMS SHATTERED" moment for me, and I'm hopeful for a resurrection of sorts in book three.  I really liked Once and I'm excited for the final book in the trilogy!