What we must study is humanity. In order to rule, ours must be the study of political, psychological, and behavioral science - how desperate human bei
What we must study is humanity. In order to rule, ours must be the study of political, psychological, and behavioral science - how desperate human beings react to one another, how packs form, how armies function, how things fall apart and why.
4.5 stars I've not read any dystopias in a while, but this was worth the wait. I thoroughly enjoyed Red Rising. Think a mashup of all the best bits of Hunger Games, (a violent) Harry Potter, and even some Divergent and Percy Jackson thrown into the mix. I know that makes it sound like a rip-off, but it didn't feel like it at all. The characters were all interesting, the worldbuilding superb and the pace exhilarating. Also no insta-love. The only reason it does not get five stars is because the first quarter of the book is quite slow, and very different to the rest of the story. I would also have liked to see Darrow being more human, and getting things wrong every now and again, but then I suppose that's true of all dystopian heroes/heroines. I already bought the second book, and will read it shortly - Can't wait!!
The Story: It has been 700 years since mankind colonized other planets. Sixteen-year-old Darrow is a Red, one of the miners who toil beneath the surface of Mars as part of humanity's effort to terraform the planet and someday make it habitable. But when he discovers the treachery of the ruling class known as the Golds, Darrow is galvanized to action by his beloved wife Eo's sacrifice and put to use by the shadowy organization called the Sons of Ares. His appearance changed and his body enhanced, Darrow is tasked to infiltrate the world of the Golds, rise to a position of power and destroy the Society from within. But as challenging as it is to gain entrance to the Institute, the training academy for elite young Golds, Darrow soon finds that their war games are far more brutal and deadly than he could have imagined....more
We start with one pure and concentrated version of ourselves, then we modify and mold, we layer defense over pretense over convention.
3.5 stars. This
We start with one pure and concentrated version of ourselves, then we modify and mold, we layer defense over pretense over convention.
3.5 stars. This is a very different YA book, much darker, more introspective and beautifully written. The author brilliantly describes the thoughts of a teenager, how this is a time of extreme self-centredness. We also get to live through the change from innocent child to mature adult - Lumen, the main character, struggles with this transition. Something I feel a lot of sympathy for, as even now, I sometimes have a problem trying to assimilate something I did/feel with my bigger personality. "They might be a lot of different things," I said, "but they can only be one thing at a time." For me this was a book about good vs evil, but within yourself, and the unique setting allowed the author to intensify these emotions. The story: Lumen grew up in a small town with a unique secret: when local youth reach puberty, on the full moon of each month for approximately a year they "go breach." When teens breach they essentially succumb entirely to animal instinct, running wild around town naked and destroying anything they please, fighting, having sex and generally wreaking havoc. Everyone not in the throes of the breach, young and old, remains indoors and tries to ignore the screams and howls from outside, ignores the scratches and bruises on the neighborhood teens the next morning....more
"We're used to nature trying to kill us here," said Olivia, with obscene good cheer. "It's been doing that for centuries, and we refused to let it, mo
"We're used to nature trying to kill us here," said Olivia, with obscene good cheer. "It's been doing that for centuries, and we refused to let it, mostly because we want to piss it off by surviving. It's the Australian way..."
I really enjoy this series, and even these little novellas, which is weird for me, because I don't normally like short stories. Loved the humour in this one, and thought it was really nice to see how different countries would cope with zombies. The author always has really interesting ideas, and the rabbit-proof fence and the whole conservation thing just proved that again. If you like dystopians then this is for you....more
Although I did not like Shaun any beter in this instalment, I think I have a better understanding of him. I was also very glad that he
Words have power
Although I did not like Shaun any beter in this instalment, I think I have a better understanding of him. I was also very glad that he was not the only narrator. As always I enjoyed the "science" and the explanations, but I have to admit I got a bit tires of the sarcastic YA banter whenever they had to fight their way out of a situation. I will be reading the novellas though....more
2.5 stars. The other two books in the series were much better I thought. I think this was because her mom played such a small part in this story, and 2.5 stars. The other two books in the series were much better I thought. I think this was because her mom played such a small part in this story, and I also though the ending did not fit the story at all, it felt forced, and Raffe suddenly changed his whole character....more
All his life, Adam had wanted to be a writer. The problem was: he was too good at reading.
2.5 stars. This dystopian novella was a quick piece of escap
All his life, Adam had wanted to be a writer. The problem was: he was too good at reading.
2.5 stars. This dystopian novella was a quick piece of escapism, my favorite part being Adam's job. I think I could do that for a living - go to simulated worlds and read the whole day until you find the next big thing, then memorize it and bring it back to our world. The ending was a bit predictable, and I could not understand why they could not just copy the books?...more
3.5 stars. I really liked that the author looked at how different people would react in a post-apocalyptic world – som
because survival is insufficient
3.5 stars. I really liked that the author looked at how different people would react in a post-apocalyptic world – some just manage to cope, some excel under pressure and others needed a reason, and if there wasn't one, they created one and got others to follow (read cult). Mandel also subtly manages to show that the only thing really worth missing is the people you love – and that sometimes today’s technology actually gets in the way of these relationships. The portrayal of how we would react to a world-wide pandemic was brilliantly described, as I agree that most people would underestimate the seriousness of the situation - maybe also a symptom of media over-exposure? This was my first adult dystopian and I really enjoyed it (especially the fact that there was no teenage romance), but it was a bit slower than I expected.
The Story: The novel is set in the near future in a world ravaged by the effects of a virus and follows a troupe of Shakespearian actors who travel from town to town around the Great Lakes region. ...more
It belonged only to her, and the secret of it had become as precious as the object itself.
I think this is the first adult dystopian I've read, and I r
It belonged only to her, and the secret of it had become as precious as the object itself.
I think this is the first adult dystopian I've read, and I really enjoyed it. Unlike most books in this genre it's not fast-paced and action packed, but rather had me feeling unsettled through the whole book. Although it sort of off explains what has happened to our world in this not so distant vision of the future, the focus is most definitely on how it affects people and their relationships. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic stories, I recommend this well-written and intelligent debut novel. ...more
I don't normally like short stories or novellas as I take some time to get invested in the story and characters. I also find that with a lot of these I don't normally like short stories or novellas as I take some time to get invested in the story and characters. I also find that with a lot of these new dystopian series, it really is just a money making scheme and there is not much to the stories. I am very happy to say that this is not true of the Newsflesh trilogy novella's. They are well written and can almost be read a stand alones. They provide inside into areas of the story not covered by the main books. I will definitely be reading the rest of them....more
3.5 stars. If you are interested to find out more about exactly how the Kellis-Amberlee virus came in to existance then read this. I love how this aut3.5 stars. If you are interested to find out more about exactly how the Kellis-Amberlee virus came in to existance then read this. I love how this author alway looks at the smallest details when explaining cause and effect....more
I did not enjoy this book as much as the first one, and the only reason for that was because of the change in narrator. I do not like being in Shaun'sI did not enjoy this book as much as the first one, and the only reason for that was because of the change in narrator. I do not like being in Shaun's head, he is all about emotion (almost all selfish), with very little intellectual thoughts passing through. What I do like about this series: 1. The fact that the author focuses more at the changes in society - things like the health-care system and air travel etc- caused by the zombie outbreak, than at the actual zombies. 2. The explanation about the origin of the zombies. 3. The twist endings at the end of every book. Will I be reading book 3? For sure! ...more
I don't scare easily, and when I do read a book that terrifies me it's normally a book about crime, genocide and war, reminding me how quickly a countI don't scare easily, and when I do read a book that terrifies me it's normally a book about crime, genocide and war, reminding me how quickly a country can slide into hell. Living in Africa these matters are always at the back of my mind. I don't however get frightened by vampires, ghosts or any other fantasy creatures. So I did not expect my reaction to Bird Box at all. I started reading quite late one evening, got to 75% and then was so terrified that I struggled falling asleep, when I finally did I had horrible nightmares. I made sure to finish it very early the next evening, and to follow it up with some very light reading before bedtime.
I think the reason I has this reaction is because Josh Malerman never shows or tells you what you are frightened of. This works much better for me, as the unknown is always scarier than any known element. This is not a book with a lot of action or dialogue, but I loved the suspense and I thoroughly enjoyed being scared witless....more
Unwinding-when you love them enough to let them go.
I really enjoyed this dystopian. I am glad that I was pre-warned that this is the third out of four
Unwinding-when you love them enough to let them go.
I really enjoyed this dystopian. I am glad that I was pre-warned that this is the third out of four books, and not the final one. So I did not expect everything to be tied up neatly at the end. My favorite things about the series is the author's innovative ideas, who else would have thought of things like revival communities, and the web-links in most chapters. For example go to http://www.paulpearsall.com/info/pres... to read some riveting articles about organ transplants and cellular memories. What I liked about this specific title is that there were so many characters. In almost all other dystopians I've read there are only two POV's potrayed - the main character and the love interest.
The Story: Connor, Lev and Risa continue to uncover shocking secrets about the process of 'Unwinding' and the company, Proactive Citizenry, which created Cam, a teen made completely from parts taken from 'unwound' teens. There are plans to mass produce rewound teens like Cam for military purposes, and below the surface of that potential horror lies a sinister layer of intrigue… Proactive Citizenry has been suppressing technology that could make unwinding completely unnecessary. ...more
I liked that: 1. It was a quick, easy read 2. That the author researched what could cause an apocolypse and what it would probably look like afterwards 3I liked that: 1. It was a quick, easy read 2. That the author researched what could cause an apocolypse and what it would probably look like afterwards 3. No insta-love
What I didn't like: 1. No humour 2. No new idea - underground factions feels like it's been done before
So although I enjoyed it, I won't be reading the next in the series
The Story: In a post-apocalyptic future, fifteen-year-old Deuce, a loyal Huntress, brings back meat while avoiding the Freaks outside her enclave, but when she is partnered with the mysterious outsider, Fade, she begins to see that the strict ways of the elders may be wrong--and dangerous...more
3.5 stars. I loved the world the author created, and I'm not talking about OASIS. I can truly see reality going towards his vision with more and more 3.5 stars. I loved the world the author created, and I'm not talking about OASIS. I can truly see reality going towards his vision with more and more people wanting to live an online life. I enjoyed the quest, and all the 80's references. The first quarter of the book just felt like there were too many definitions, descriptions and explanations of all the technological stuff, but to be fair that's probably only because I'm a bit of a techno-phobe. The second part of the book was pure fun, and I look forward to reading more by this author.
The Story: It's the year 2044, and the real world has become an ugly place. We're out of oil. We've wrecked the climate. Famine, poverty, and disease are widespread. Like most of humanity, Wade Watts escapes this depressing reality by spending his waking hours jacked into the OASIS, a sprawling virtual utopia where you can be anything you want to be, where you can live and play and fall in love on any of ten thousand planets. And like most of humanity, Wade is obsessed by the ultimate lottery ticket that lies concealed within this alternate reality: OASIS founder James Halliday, who dies with no heir, has promised that control of the OASIS - and his massive fortune - will go to the person who can solve the riddles he has left scattered throughout his creation....more
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this easy-reading dystopian novel. It was well-written, and I found all the characters beli
How far would a parent go for a child?
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this easy-reading dystopian novel. It was well-written, and I found all the characters believable. I liked the use of dictionary descriptions to explain the different meanings of the words that Jenna lost. If you liked the Unwind series I think you will love this. The world building is not as thorough, but I found the journey to be more emotional, probably because there is only one point of view.
The Story: In the not-too-distant future, when biotechnological advances have made synthetic bodies and brains possible but illegal, a seventeen-year-old girl, recovering from a serious accident and suffering from memory lapses, learns a startling secret about her existence. ...more
I started Allegiant with quite low expectations, as I've read quite a few negative reviews, and maybe because of this I was pleasantly suprised. I couI started Allegiant with quite low expectations, as I've read quite a few negative reviews, and maybe because of this I was pleasantly suprised. I could also read the book in two or three sittings as I'm on holiday, and I think this also helped. I enjoyed getting to know Four, and found it quite refreshing to come across a "hero" in a YA novel that is not perfect, full of self-doubt, and makes bad decisions. The ending came as a suprise, but I am pleased that the author went with the most realistic option. So even though Allegiant is not as fast-paced or action-packed as the first two installments in the series, I would still highly recommend it to all dystopian lovers....more
Veronica Rossi understands that there are only a few reasons why you should be writing short stories to include in a series. This one was written as aVeronica Rossi understands that there are only a few reasons why you should be writing short stories to include in a series. This one was written as a quick reminder of where the previous book in the series left us. Very neccessary for me as I usually read these when they are published. Another good reason for a novella is to give us the perspective of one of the smaller characters in the big story. I liked getting to know Brooke, especially as she did not really feature in the previous books. I can't wait for book 3. This is without a doubt one of my favorite candyfloss series!...more
3.5 stars. This was exactly what a YA dystopian should be - action-packed, almost predictable while still being enjoyable, and light on the romance. I3.5 stars. This was exactly what a YA dystopian should be - action-packed, almost predictable while still being enjoyable, and light on the romance. I liked both the main characters, but would have liked to know more about the history of the America they stay in, hopefully that gets explored in book two, which I'll be reading soon....more
A quick, fluffy dystopian read. I liked the sense of humour, the schizoprenic mom, the non insta-love. The only thing that really bugged me is that PeA quick, fluffy dystopian read. I liked the sense of humour, the schizoprenic mom, the non insta-love. The only thing that really bugged me is that Penryn, a 100 pound teenage girl with no formal training, could kick everyone's asses - soldiers, street gang members, angels etc. Even though I easily "believed" in the more fantastical elements in World After like fallen angels, zombie sisters, and scorpions bred from humans, the supergirl part of the book just did not work for me....more
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