Happy Thursday, fellow readers! I am so pleased to be talking with you about The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe by Ally Condie from Dutton Books for Young Readers. Most recognized as the author of the wildly popular Matched trilogy, this was actually my first Ally Condie book and I blew through the book and audiobook in less than a day.
This book is out NOW and you can follow the links below to grab your own copy. The physical book is absolutely stunning (I mean, look at those deep blue and gold tones, swoon!) and the audiobook was well done. Whatever format you prefer, this is a new YA release you NEED on your shelves.
Thank you to Dutton Books for Young Readers (Penguin Teen) for sending me a finished copy and inviting me to be a host on the blog tour. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have been included.
DESCRIPTION
Who do you become when you have nothing left to lose?
There is something Poe Blythe, the seventeen-year-old captain of the Outpost’s last mining ship, wants far more than the gold they tear from the Serpentine River.
Revenge.
Poe has vowed to annihilate the river raiders who robbed her of everything two years ago. But as she navigates the treacherous waters of the Serpentine and realizes there might be a traitor among her crew, she must also reckon with who she has become, who she wants to be, and the ways love can change and shape you. Even–and especially–when you think all is lost.
Intricately crafted and emotionally gripping, The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe is the compelling story of one young woman’s journey to move beyond the grief and anger that control her and find the inner strength to chart her own course.
REVIEW
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe is one of those books that sneaks up on you. Its strong in a silent sort of way, stringing you along page after page until you realize, near the end, that the story is more powerful than you could have ever imagined it to be. It’s a desperate story of survival and touching in its own sort of feral and savage way. It shows us that living is more than just waking the following day and going about our routines.
The story focuses primarily on Poe Blythe, her story of revenge and seeking her own form of survival – through some of the most barbaric means. From the very first chapter, this book will pull at your heart strings. I felt such a fierce pull toward this story from just that first chapter, which does a superb job of setting the stage for the rest of the book.
In addition to Poe’s story, Condie has created a fascinating dystopian world that I would absolutely read more of. I loved every aspect we were given, from Poe’s settlement, to the river mining to how those outside the settlement live. It is clear that Condie put her heart into every aspect of creating this story.
Additionally, there is a huge mystery subplot – as Poe tries to discover who on her team can be trusted and who is seeking every opportunity to betray her trust. I did NOT see those plot twists coming and by the end I couldn’t help but to think, “I wish this wasn’t a standalone!” Seriously, I would read the next chapter in this story immediately.
Overall, this book is so incredibly underrated and deserves all of the praise, word-of-mouth and readership. I loved every underlying theme, particularly how one can find a path, a place they belong, even after everything has been ripped away from them. The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe is a must read new release, with fantastic crossover appeal and will absolutely be one of my favorite reads of the 2019.
Order The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe from these booksellers
Library in the Country 
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