Raging Star: Dust Lands, Book 3
By Carrie R. Wheadon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Strong nonviolence message in exciting trilogy conclusion.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Saba desperately needs a plan. She's back on the outskirts of New Eden, hiding out from De Malo, the Machiavellian mastermind behind this strict new society where no one is free and families are torn apart for the "greater good." She waits with her small band of rebels during the day and sneaks off to meet her insider contact at night. No one knows Jack's still alive -- a secret she keeps from everyone as he acts as her eyes and ears in New Eden. But there's a bigger secret she's keeping: that Saba slept with De Malo in a moment of weakness. All that comes back to haunt her when her rebels blow up a bridge and she's followed. De Malo hunts Saba down and makes his demands: He will marry her by the blood moon -- in seven days' time -- or all the rebels will be killed, including Jack, as well as Saba's brother and sister. Now Saba really needs a plan. Seeing babies born weak left out to die and families separated gives her an idea -- one that may work without any weapons at all. The only problem is everyone thinks she's crazy and that it will never work, let alone in seven days' time.
Is It Any Good?
The writing is so strong in the Dust Lands series. Author Moira Young has a gift for poetic reflection and the building of fascinating characters. Saba is both tough as nails and a deep thinker, and her band of rebels comprises incredibly colorful characters. The addition of the senile junkyard pilot totally fits in with the motley crew.
Fans of the series will enjoy the conclusion, RAGING STAR, but may find the writer's strengths getting in the way of consistent pacing. Saba broods and doubts herself a bit too long, and the fascinating characters spend a lot of time arguing and posturing -- way too far into the book. The climactic action and the ending feel quite jarring and abrupt as a result. It's also memorable, though, as is the whole series. Readers surely will be on the lookout for whatever this talented writer comes up with next.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Dust Lands trilogy. Did you find Raging Star a satisfying conclusion? Was anything unexpected? Will you read more from author Moira Young?
Why is Saba's idea to fight De Malo without using violence so hard for everyone else to accept?
What nonviolent movements have occurred in history? What made them so powerful?
Book Details
- Author: Moira Young
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Adventures, Brothers and Sisters
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
- Publication date: May 13, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 448
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: February 11, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate