While the first book had its issues, it was a more than passable post-apocalyptic novel with a few unique flourishes. Fuse abandons the sensical for the sensational. The plot is abandoned and the author leans too hard on the gimmicks of her story. A mess, but one that had potential.

At first, I was very excited to get this book for review. But then I had conflicting thoughts because I didn't know how the story would continue and what was going to happen and if it was going to be any good. I am so happy that the book was even better than I thought it could be. The story went beyond all of my expectations. Since I read Pure like a year ago, I had to refresh my memory of it so I reread the last few chapters of Pure to prepare to read Fuse. Sometimes I wish authors would put a little recap synopsis of the first book in there consecutive sequels. It would make remembering so much easier. If you read Pure, then you know about Baggott's writing style. Her prose are beautiful and very thought provoking and the world she has created is such an amazing concept that it is really unthinkable. Fuse doesn't start off exactly where Pure leaves off. Since I had to jog my memory it took me a little while to get back into the swing of things in this amazing world. When the book opens up all of the characters are separated and doing there own things. Eventually, things start to happen and they all come together to go on another amazing adventure to try and gain the truth of what they need to do. What I love about this book is all of the characters. They are so real and so deep. You can feel there struggles and there pain. You can't help but want to fall in love with them and you want them to become your friends in real life. I felt like I entered there world and had to help them with there goals. If you haven't read this series yet, you need to pick it up. Julianna Baggott is such a genius writer. I have read both books and I still don't know the direction the story is going in and with every flip of the page I get surprised with another event happening. This book series has torn at my core with how awesome it has become. This book has so much depth and so many levels, with different emotions and concepts added into it. I can not wait to see how this story ends and where it will end up. The ending will be very bittersweet because I will not like it to end.

WHY DID I LISTEN TO FUSE BY JULIANNA BAGGOTT?
You know how sometimes a finished series can be out for a long time and you read book one, enjoy it, but kind of get waylaid by other books? Then years go by. All of a sudden, you see the book pop up on Hoopla to borrow as an audiobook. Is this seriously only the story of my life? Anyways, I LOVED Pure when I first read it, years and years ago when it came out. It was weird and different and gritty and interesting. Yet, because I am the worst, I never did get around to reading Fuse basically immediately. Now, nearly four years after release I have FINALLY dived in. Onto Burn which is book three hopefully before another four years passes.

WHAT’S THE STORY HERE?
Fuse by Julianna Baggott essentially picks up where book one, Pure leaves off. So you should read my review of Pure and not spoil yourself if you haven’t already read the first in the series. So, Fuse follows Partridge, Lyda, Pressia, Bradford, and El Capitan. Partridge is going back to the Dome because his Dad is making some threats and killing wretches and has some hostages. Also, Partridge has to uncover some of his dad’s secrets. Pressia, Bradford, and El Capitan are basically traveling together outside the Dome following a Black Box. Lyda is pregnant without knowing how babies are made so there’s that. Yes, this is a book where lots of plot threads are happening and things are going down.

HOW DID I LIKE FUSE?
I was actually kind of worried going into Fuse. Given how long it had been since I’ve read book one, I thought I would be totally confused and feel as though I was left in the lurch. However, this book is really easy to follow and I felt like my memory was being refreshed as I read it. I did not feel lost at all while reading. I was pretty invested. Parts of it made me a little nervous though, like for Lyda. Now that I have a child and have been pregnant, scenes with pregnancy and babies hit me just a little bit harder and actually impact me. So, again, I won’t delve into any spoilers. Suffice to say though, I am ready for book three and won’t be waiting too long after finally finishing up this book.

HOW’S THE NARRATION?
The audiobook has MULTIPLE narrators. The narrators are actually good ones too. Khristine Hvam is among them and she’s kind of a superstar. I can’t name off any of the others off the top of my head. However, they do a superb job. This audiobook is nearly 17 hours but it genuinely goes by quickly. If my library had book three, Burn via audio, I would experience it that way. That’s how much I enjoyed the audiobook version. Unfortunately, it does not, at least yet. Maybe Hoopla will get it soon? Either way this series is phenomenal, even years later, it holds up, I think.