Bloom

Part 2 consists of only one chapter, which is set one week after the events of the preceding chapter and forms the narrative arc’s resolution. Some tension is maintained even after the climax, as the new herbicide doesn’t show immediate results and the protagonists worry it might not work at all. Allusions to unanswered questions foreshadow plot developments for Books 2 and 3 of the series. For example, Anaya’s dad asks, “If you guys were supposed to be specimens, who’s been studying you? Where’ve the cryptogens been all this time?” (303). Readers must continue the series to find out. In a more subtle example, in Seth’s dream, he feels as if “someone was expecting him, and was eager for his arrival” (304). He’s already demonstrated a connection to the cryptogens through his dreams, giving significance to this sense that he’s being pulled somewhere new. The book’s cliffhanger ending, a depiction of egg-like droplets coming to Earth in another big rain and beginning to hatch, indicates the battle to save Earth from alien invasion is far from over. The threat will continue, speaking to Global Crisis, Heroism, and Togetherness, as the teens have come together to fight the threat of this book but will now have to come together with many teens like them across the world to continue the fight against this threat in subsequent books.

Seth overhears Dr. Weber and Mr. Riggs mention how the plants’ methane emissions could eventually alter the planet’s chemical composition, making its atmosphere warmer. This subtle allusion to climate change elicits a vision of Earth as the novel’s setting, not just Salt Spring Island, creating a sense of unity with the rest of the world against a larger, extraterrestrial enemy. It can also be seen as a topical allusion to modern-day aerospace programs with visions of humans becoming a multiplanetary species, specifically by terraforming Mars. Considering it from the viewpoint of a planet’s native inhabitants fighting off an alien invasion may prompt readers to consider the ethics of such endeavors. Likening this threat to other threats of climate change, however, continues to speak to Global Crisis, Heroism, and Togetherness as the author argues that threats will happen in the real world due to ecological crises. It will require togetherness to fight these global issues, rather than division across countries, groups, and other categories.

The effects of what Anaya has been through manifest in her reaction to seeing her mom again. She describes a “complicated tangle of emotions,” which include love and relief but not “the feeling of safety she’d yearned for” (290-91). Anaya’s realization that her mom can’t solve all her problems and keep her safe represents a common theme in stories about children and teenagers coming of age—the loss of innocence. Her sense of self and of the world must change as she gains more independence. However, just as she feels a distance with her mother, she also feels stronger within herself and more of a connection to others like her, such as her friends. This underlines Alienation From One Group as Belonging to Another. She does not feel as united with her mother, but that only makes her more united with Petra and Seth, and this will be the source of their strength against the plants. Petra’s inner conflict, too, forces her to choose between fighting the changes happening in her body and continuing to strive for normalcy, or accepting a new idea of who and what she is. Learning there are other teenagers similar to her, Anaya, and Seth, reassures Petra and helps her feel less alone. Acceptance is not her choice yet, but it becomes a possibility for the future. She will realize this feeling of alienation only unites her more closely to her friends and to other teens like them, and this will help her embrace her identity.

The initial state of Seth’s character arc is detachment. Being moved from one foster home to another has convinced him there’s not much point in making an effort to form meaningful relationships. His friendships with Anaya and Petra are a pleasant surprise—they come easily and are based on a latent connection he doesn’t fully understand. Seth experiences true happiness, however, when Dr. Weber suggests she become his guardian, making him feel wanted and cared for by an adult after so many have made him feel abandoned. Anaya, Petra, and Seth help each other cope with feeling different. Learning about the existence of other teens that are likely cryptogen hybrids, just like them, changes the equation entirely. They’re no longer “solitary freaks” but part of something bigger (303), moving them from alienation to belonging. There’s still plenty for them to process as they come to terms with their new sense of identity, especially once they realize the conflict between humans and cryptogens isn’t over. However, the novel emphasizes Friendship and Loyalty as a Source of Strength. The teens understand that it is their friendship that helps them get through this crisis and that will be a source of their power against and understanding of the alien species.