The rule of many

Twins Ava and Mira are now the reluctant poster girls for the factions that want to overthrow the rule of one one child per family in post-apocalyptic America. As they work with the underground group known as the Common, they are desperate to outthink and outrun the vast resources of Texas Governor Roth, a man on a mission to control what remains of the country. Along the way they discover that they are not the only multiples, and family secrets could be the key to their enemy's downfall. This sequel to The Rule of One (2018) continues its action-oriented plot, so readers will be better satisfied and clued in to relationships and the severity of the situation if they start with the first book. Rarely pausing for introspection, this chase-and-capture tale also includes elements of romance. It, like its predecessor, is timely in its expressions of political hardball and greed. There are suspicious coincidences, as twins and multiples seem to appear everywhere, but fans of the first will enjoy the thrill of the second.--Cindy Welch Copyright 2019 Booklist

Newly connected with leaders of the rebellion, twins Ava and Mira Goodwin set their sights on revolution in this sequel to The Rule of One (2018).A futuristic United States, short on resources and high on advanced tech, allows families only one child. After a lifetime of hiding their existence, now Ava and Mira work with members of the Common, a rebel group determined to flip the loyalties of state leaders and bring down the tyrannous Texas governor Roth. The cross-country quest begins in Calgary and ends in the girls' hometown of Dallas. Though action-packed, the linear plot lacks tension. High-stakes challenges are predictably achieved, leading to sometimes far-fetched victories that feel too easy (such as whole groups of citizens making split decisions to join the rebellion). The most compelling aspect of the first bookthe protagonists' experience as identical twins, as written by twin authorsdoesn't get a lot of attention here, and the girls' characters don't see much development. There is some expansion, such as the welcome addition of new narrative perspectives, including Owen, a dark-skinned programmer, and Zee, a mysterious work camp prisoner with ties to the Goodwins. The twins have green eyes and red hair, the Roth family is Tejano, and some character's names hint at a somewhat diverse cast.The revolution rolls on, but readers may find their interest lagging. (Science fiction. 13-17) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.