Another fluff-read for bedtime.

Juvenile writing and characterization.

Author has no understanding of some of the things she's writing about. In one case, someone is shot, and receives a "grazing" wound, but later on in the book, this is transformed into a "through-and-through." Not the same thing.

Another character undergoes brainwashing for 2-3 weeks, but then miraculously recovers because he finally realizes people care about him. And half the people he's thinking care about him were news to me.

The "bad guys" are really cartoonish. The protagonist and her buddies aren't very well developed characters.

These are just a couple of examples.

I will go on to read the final volume, just because I need something to read before bed. I am kind of interested in what ends up happening and maybe about the rest of this world, but only mildly. ( )

I didn't read the first book and knowing this was a trilogy I did worry that I would have trouble following the book. I didn't have problems at all. In fact I forgot this was the second book. There were only a couple of times when I felt as if I missed something, but even then I didn't think what I missed was a big deal for this book. I think that is because this book marks a beginning for all the characters on a new adventure. So yes, you can read this one without feeling lost.

I did like Mia's character. Willing to learn she starts out as a mouse and really starts to grow into her own person. Even when presented with what seems like an incredible offer she stops to ponder what it means for her and her new life. I liked that rather than jumping blindly into things. In fact, she becomes a pretty good strategist. I also like the secondary characters. Riley was my favorite secondary character and I hope we meet her again in the final book. I really want to know more of her story.

My biggest complaint about the book was the focus on the Registry. Yes, I do understand it is a list which promotes and controls young women in this world. However, I don't think that just taking down the Registry would accomplish taking down a whole country. There were more issues and problems and it just seemed to over simplify things. It just did't make sense to think this was solving a much bigger problem.

I give this book 3 stars. If you missed the first book, don't worry you can read this one easily out of order. I am curious to see what happens next and I'm guessing that it would be more important to read this book before reading the last. Things set up the last book too well. I'm looking forward to the trilogy's end. ( )

I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing in exchange for my honest opinion. And that opinion: I like this series, but the writing kind of bothers me. I noticed this in the first book, The Registry, but in this book it started to grate on me. Maybe it's just my inner editor, but the entirety of this book is telling and not showing. So, I know I can be guilty of this in my own writing, but I do try to avoid it. This book, however, is entirely full of it, which is okay I guess, but makes it hard to really get in touch with the characters, or feel any emotional depth to their experiences. The story is engaging, though deeply disturbing in the way women are treated and thought of, which was interesting enough to keep me reading. I have to admit, though, that I felt like it was far too easy to fall out of the story when I'd stumble across a line that made me want to turn on track-changes. Anyhow, I enjoy the incredibly horrific storyline of these, but I will sample the next book before I buy it, to see if the writing is any more to my liking. ( )

The Registry is the second book in Shannon Stoker's Collection trilogy. I read the first book and really enjoyed it,and was looking forward to reading this book. For me, the second book did not disappoint.

Warning: Spoilers may follow.

The book follows Mia, Andrew, and Carter after their escape from America into Mexico. Almost immediately Andrew and Carter are captured by the local militia, while Mia hides and is eventually rescued by Riley, a government agent for Ireland. I really liked Riley. She was fun! While Andrew and Carter are being brainwashed by the militia, Riley begins to train Mia to be able to overtake the militia and get the boys back. Riley offers to help Mia because they have a common goal. Riley has reason to believe that her husband Nathan is also being held by the militia. I won't get into all the details, but Mia is able to save Andrew and Carter and they are once again on the run. They are on the way to Guatemala to an American refugee safe haven. Once they reach this safe haven, known as Affinity, they learn the true nature of this safe haven. They are a group of rebels working to take down the Registry.

We get to meet a lot of new characters in this book. There's Sarah, also known as S. She was the person who initially reached out to Mia over the internet and told her how to find her way to Affinity. There is Zack, the new leader of Affinity. I am unsure on how I feel about him. I didn't like or dislike him. Then there is Rex. I really don't trust him, but there is a third book. Maybe he can change.

I am really looking forward to the third book. There are a lot of unanswered questions.

Will Carter betray Mia? Has Rex truly changed? Will the Registry be brought down? Will Riley find Nathan? (I hope so! I love happy cheesy endings.)

Even though some parts of the book were a little far fetched, I really enjoyed the book. I loved the concept and it was very well written. Very enjoyable read. ( )

This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
The Collection by Shannon Stoker

This is the second book in the Registry series. I did not read the first book, Registry, but the story was fine to read stand-alone. It is a dystopian type book about a lady who escapes her evil husband in America, where the girls are raised, and sold, to be wives. This story contained a bit more on the military type training, and tactical planning, than I enjoy. I was a bit disappointed.

The story flowed well and was easy to follow. The main character is likeable. Good read if you enjoy this type of book. ( )