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Gr 9 Up—If Consider was a thrilling, thought-provoking adventure, this series installment is an absolute mind bender. Alexandra Lucas becomes the consummate reluctant hero from the moment she enters the vertex at the end of the previous volume. As Earth's refugees are isolated in an attempt to successfully integrate them into this new, perfect world, Alex begins to suspect that the people from the future are not all they seem. The utopia has a catch: humans are offered a life of leisure in exchange for their contribution to the neural network after they die. Many humans are willing to agree to that deal, not realizing that they will join the enslaved holograms who currently serve the growing populace. Alex quickly becomes part of a resistance movement that uncovers the truth behind the meritocracy. In order to preserve the holographic illusion, the meritocracy pillages the resources of the planets and exploits the inhabitants. Alex is a realistically flawed main character. Her anxiety continues to plague her as she resists using the technology designed to mitigate her panic attacks. Acevedo inserts pithy observations about the world and individuals' responsibilities to community as part of the teen's self-reflections. The change of setting does little to slow the frenetic pace despite Alex's occasional wallowing. A warp-speed resolution provides a satisfying ending to the duology but seems to resign Alex to ignominy in her return to Earth.