Ally Condie is back with a vengeance in her first YA novel in six years, The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe!
The revenge thriller with a steampunk edge tells the story of Poe Blythe, a young woman hellbent on killing the raiders that killed her boyfriend with the help of her deadly, high-tech river dredge. But when it becomes evident that there’s a traitor in the crew, Poe will have to work harder than ever to keep things afloat in the midst of wild frontier dangers.
In honor of Poe and her tale, we’ve created a new playlist! It’s definitely got some sorrow and hard edges to reflect Poe’s heartbreak and rage, but there’s some light shining through too. Check it out!
Three Days Grace – “I Am Machine”
This song pretty much works as an anthem for the whole book, as it’s all about someone struggling to come to terms with their humanity.
I wish I knew what it was like
To care about what’s right or wrong
I wish someone could help me find
Find a place where I belong, butI am machine
Five Finger Death Punch – “Gone Away (Cover)”
This song is originally by The Offspring, but the original is actually upbeat. This version turns it into a hard rock dirge. It definitely works for Poe’s sense of loss.
Leaving flowers on your grave
Show that I still care
But black roses and Hail Mary’s
Can’t bring back what’s taken from me
I reach to the sky
And call out your name
And if I could trade
I would
Adele – “Rolling In The Deep”
Badass lady angry for ruining her dreams and vowing to take the person who wrong her down with her– Once again, it’s all Poe!
The scars of your love remind me of us
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all
The scars of your love they leave me breathless, I can’t help feeling
We could have had it all (You’re gonna wish you never had met me)
Tacocat – “Men Explain Things To Me”
And here’s the most dance-able song on the list! While this novel isn’t a feminist manifesto, Poe is constantly under-estimated, so we know she feels the frustration in this one.
Though I know all about
The words you’re spitting out
The floor is yours without a doubtI already know
How this is gonna go
How this is gonna goTell me to calm down
Tell me to calm down
Tell me to calm down again
The Cranberries – “Zombie”
Time to dig a little deeper and consider the ongoing perpetuation of violence between Poe’s leader, The Admiral, and the raiders. Because there’s always more than one side to a story!
Another head hangs lowly
Child is slowly taken
And the violence, caused such silence
Who are we mistaken?
The Strumbellas – “Spirits”
Poe has been through a lot of trauma, but she’s not mindlessly savage. This song follows someone going through a tough time due to war or violence (“guns in my head and they won’t go”) and their consideration in its wake.
I spent a lot of nights on the run
And I think oh, like I’m lost and can’t be found
I’m just waiting for my day to come
And I think oh, I don’t wanna let you down
‘Cause something inside has changed
And maybe we don’t wanna stay the same
Jack’s Mannequin – “Swim (Music Box Version)”
Finally, we’re left with the pure urge to simply survive, to overcome your obstacles and see what’s next. We love the dreamy quality this music box version brings to this powerful tune.
You gotta swim
For wars without cause
Swim for these lost politicians
Who don’t see their greed is a flaw
The currents will pull us
Away from our love
Just keep your head above
Hopefully, this collection of songs inspired you to snag a copy of The Last Voyage of Poe Blythe and read all the details!
The novel is currently available wherever books are sold– Consider snagging a copy via Amazon or support your local independent bookstore via Indiebound!
Who do you become when you have nothing left to lose?
There is something Poe Blythe, the seventeen-year-old captain of the Outpost’s last mining ship, wants far more than the gold they tear from the Serpentine River.
Revenge.
Poe has vowed to annihilate the river raiders who robbed her of everything two years ago. But as she navigates the treacherous waters of the Serpentine and realizes there might be a traitor among her crew, she must also reckon with who she has become, who she wants to be, and the ways love can change and shape you. Even—and especially—when you think all is lost.