Away by Terri Hall

After crossing the Line, Rachel finds herself in a world where survival is never guaranteed - a world where bizarre creatures roam the woods and people have strange abilities. Everything has gone to ruin Away and the survivors have banded into warring clans. Rachel finds her father being held prisoner by a tribe of Others, and she and her new friends set out to rescue him. But when they cross back over the Line, Rachel and Pathik make a foolish decision, bringing them into further danger that can only be resolved with an unthinkable sacrifice.

An adventure filled with life-and-death choices, dark conspiracies, and heart-poundingly suspenseful moments, this sequel delivers.

 

Summary taken from Goodreads.  

 

Away was a vast improvement over the Line. The pacing was much better. I think the Line just had too much back story, but once that was out of the way, Away was really able to shine. 

 

This book was one rescue mission after another, but somehow managed to not feel forced. the reunions in it were touching and heartfelt. The separations were painful and heart wrenching. I cried a few times for very different reasons.  There was a few bits that were a little repetitive (like the rescue mission and one line was actually repeated word for word). That was my only real complaint.

The government in this is just plain scary. The things they do to people, they just disappear off the street and no one even blinks. And can't forget what they did to the people in the Away. They abandoned them and now are stealing them to experiment on them. It's just terrifying. And totally plausible, which makes it that much more terrifying. 

Pathik and his family are my favorite. Their life in Away is so much different than anything we have ever known, and hopefully ever will.

I hope we haven't seen the last of this world. There's so much more to be had here!