We’ve come full circle, kids. The first book I officially reviewed (not including one certain 4,000 word rant…ahem..The Selection) was This Mortal Coil. And here we are! One year and some months later reviewing This Cruel Design. This fact is irrelevant but there it is and now you can’t unlearn it! Anyways, How do you follow up the wild ride of This Mortal Coil? I mean, it’s like how they’re making a Frozen 2 and a Toy Story 4 in the same year. Can we even handle that? Will they be as good as their predecessors? Time will tell on those. But as far as This Cruel Design goes, I think it stands up well compared to the thrill-ride of This Mortal Coil.
Rating: 5 Shells
That being said, if you continued reading this series merely for Cat and Cole (which, despite given that some foreign publications were named after the main couple of the novel, I would say they aren’t a big enough deal to read solely for but…to each their own.) you will probably not enjoy this second installment as much. Cat and Cole are there (obviously), but Cat has so many identity struggles and Cole gets wrapped up in so much (view spoiler) drama and they really don’t get much screen time here. At least, not enough if you’re one to stick around only for the romance. That being said, the allure of this series has always been the uniquely scientific aspect of it. And in that department, while not as aptly and refreshing as TMC, Suvada did deliver. (Though not without its faults. Obviously. Because can I ever be pleased?)
What I love about the developing technology/science of this world is the discussion of craft hypothesis (as defined by the book, “…the question of whether the human form is good or if it’s just what we’re used to.”) Suvada, thankfully, takes time to build her world less in terms of science here and more in terms of the way science has shaped the population. This isn’t a conversation I would have ever thought to put in the book, but it turned out to be a crucial part of the world building and even the characterization of some people.
In addition to that, Suvada is able to take some time here in the second installment to both clear up any confusion leftover from the first novel, clarify some things, and, in true Suvada style, complicate it all once again. And, for me, that complete avoidance of second book sydrome was vital for my enjoyment of this series. While Suvada shines in originality and plot twists, her writing style itself is somewhat lacking. With recurring use of exclamation points and italics for emphasis instead of actual words that provide emphasis on their own, Suvada’s writing itself is still developing. However, because she keeps her unique talent of creating a perfect blend of confusion and tension and the tiniest bit of clarity to keep the reader craving more, I can ignore the somewhat immature writing style. That being said, Suvada can’t hold up a story on her writing alone (like a lot of people may argue John Green could), so the action is necessary to the plot.
This was my most anticipated release of last year and it lived up to my expectations almost in every way. I love the mystery surrounding Cat’s character and I can’t wait for the last book to tie everything together. I mean, Suvada will let us rest at some point, right? She’s not gonna end her last book on a cliff hanger, right? Guys, I’m sweating over this. My characters are gonna get time to chill, RIGHT?! Anyway, I eagerly await the final book in this trilogy. I just know it’s gonna be epic. Suvada couldn’t be boring if she tried. Full circle moment over.
If there is a design that underpins us, Catarina, then it is cold, it is violent, and it is cruel.
Books by the Water 
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