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everybody's review against another edition
3.0
What makes this book exceptional to me is the intensity with which emotions are conveyed.
There are not a lot of dystopian novels that described the feel of living in one this well.
The despair and the coping, the hope, especially in the first half was incredibly believable to me. I was fully consumed in the emotional world of the characters which has become rare for me.
Now let's get to the flaws.
(all spoilers are mild)
There was a lot of hinting at stuff that never had any relevance. Lots of breadcrumbs that lead nowhere.
After experiencing the initial things meander for quite some time. We have lots of the usual tropes of dystopia. Evil people that are evil for the sake of being evil. The and lots of the other usual things none of which are particularly well executed. Most of it feels very formulaic which I find especially frustrating because the characters themselves, as well as the world, are well nuanced and lifelike. Not only that but a lot of all that ultimately leads nowhere. There is no payoff for at least 70% of the book's content. (This might all still come to fruition in later books and if that's the case scrap that part of the criticism.)
Finally, this book did something that was hinted at throughout and that I hate which is probably the main reason this didn't get 4 stars from me.
I almost always hate the whole prophecy chosen one thing.
Regardless of how many times characters are told that nothing is set in stone and free will is still a thing, I as a reader know. I know it will all occur. It takes a lot of the story away. Together with the heavy-handed foreshadowing all major plot twist and developments were predictable from a mile away which especially if they are bad always leave this dreadfull and depressing atmosphere over everything until they happen. Which might be the point but at the same time they assure you that certain things will not happen. In most cases they just give things away without adding anything.
There are examples of how prophecy can be done well but it always carries some problems. What is the point of a prophecy that only makes sense after the fact and if it doesn't its basically just a spoiler that narrows possibility and makes it hard to surprise the reader.
I find it is used way too much and often without adding anything to the story like in this case.
There are not a lot of dystopian novels that described the feel of living in one this well.
The despair and the coping, the hope, especially in the first half was incredibly believable to me. I was fully consumed in the emotional world of the characters which has become rare for me.
Now let's get to the flaws.
(all spoilers are mild)
There was a lot of hinting at stuff that never had any relevance. Lots of breadcrumbs that lead nowhere.
After experiencing the initial
Spoiler
apocalypseSpoiler
Small survivor town bigotry against people that are different.Spoiler
religious radicalsFinally, this book did something that was hinted at throughout and that I hate which is probably the main reason this didn't get 4 stars from me.
I almost always hate the whole prophecy chosen one thing.
Regardless of how many times characters are told that nothing is set in stone and free will is still a thing, I as a reader know. I know it will all occur. It takes a lot of the story away. Together with the heavy-handed foreshadowing all major plot twist and developments were predictable from a mile away which especially if they are bad always leave this dreadfull and depressing atmosphere over everything until they happen. Which might be the point but at the same time they assure you that certain things will not happen. In most cases they just give things away without adding anything.
There are examples of how prophecy can be done well but it always carries some problems. What is the point of a prophecy that only makes sense after the fact and if it doesn't its basically just a spoiler that narrows possibility and makes it hard to surprise the reader.
I find it is used way too much and often without adding anything to the story like in this case.
eneasen's review against another edition
2.0
The world is descending into apocalypse, an inherently fascinating concept. Initially, this book intrigued me because the setup is grand and opens up so many interesting possibilities. As we go on the paths are not explored to their potential, and so I’m left deflated.
In short, it’s a bit simple. The world is quickly divided into good and bad, virtually without nuance. The same goes for the characters who are either of the light or of the dark, that being the extent of their personalities. A big theme seems to be hatred of the “other”, fitting our zeitgeist. Sadly, this isn’t explored beyond the evil portion of people blindly hating and using a lot of profanity.
The book sets up major questions that are never answered. Why did the apocalypse happen, besides a random bird being shot? Why do some people have powers and other not? From where spawns evil and good, now that they are so clear cut?
There are lots of books in this series, maybe the questions are answered eventually. I won’t continue reading them to find out.
In short, it’s a bit simple. The world is quickly divided into good and bad, virtually without nuance. The same goes for the characters who are either of the light or of the dark, that being the extent of their personalities. A big theme seems to be hatred of the “other”, fitting our zeitgeist. Sadly, this isn’t explored beyond the evil portion of people blindly hating and using a lot of profanity.
The book sets up major questions that are never answered. Why did the apocalypse happen, besides a random bird being shot? Why do some people have powers and other not? From where spawns evil and good, now that they are so clear cut?
There are lots of books in this series, maybe the questions are answered eventually. I won’t continue reading them to find out.
katko123's review against another edition
3.0
Actually 3,5 stars.
I had no idea what to expect. I just opened kindle and kind of randomly picked a title. Normally I would check reviews and opinions, ask peopled whom I trust. Not this time, don´t ask why. I don´t know myself.
Cottage, snow, family gathering, remote village somewhere in Scotland, xmas/new year holiday period = awesome climate that I fell into since very first page. Where to go to from there?
Twist.
New York and a sweet, sugary sweet couple in a loft. Not my cup of tea. But it wasn`t too bad, actually.
Twist. Plague. People are starting to die. Many people. Many, many people.
World as we now has ended but not life. Some people made it through. Who, how and why?
So without spoiling the pleasure of reading I can tell you, that this book surprised me. I thought, judging by the name of the author, I had stupid romance book in my hands. Instead I had a few interesting nights in post-apo world. Yes, there is romance but, again, not too bad.
I like the idea, characters evolving, darkness and mystery swirling with goodness and hope. Easy language, a lot of dialogues, sometimes too easy and too many. Also there are some gaps in logic, not everything is well thought through.
So if you are looking for an entertainment then this is a good choice. If you are looking for intelectual entertainment, without logic gaps and serious questions (it´s called literature) than go for Jose Saramago´s "Blindness".
I had no idea what to expect. I just opened kindle and kind of randomly picked a title. Normally I would check reviews and opinions, ask peopled whom I trust. Not this time, don´t ask why. I don´t know myself.
Cottage, snow, family gathering, remote village somewhere in Scotland, xmas/new year holiday period = awesome climate that I fell into since very first page. Where to go to from there?
Twist.
New York and a sweet, sugary sweet couple in a loft. Not my cup of tea. But it wasn`t too bad, actually.
Twist. Plague. People are starting to die. Many people. Many, many people.
World as we now has ended but not life. Some people made it through. Who, how and why?
So without spoiling the pleasure of reading I can tell you, that this book surprised me. I thought, judging by the name of the author, I had stupid romance book in my hands. Instead I had a few interesting nights in post-apo world. Yes, there is romance but, again, not too bad.
I like the idea, characters evolving, darkness and mystery swirling with goodness and hope. Easy language, a lot of dialogues, sometimes too easy and too many. Also there are some gaps in logic, not everything is well thought through.
So if you are looking for an entertainment then this is a good choice. If you are looking for intelectual entertainment, without logic gaps and serious questions (it´s called literature) than go for Jose Saramago´s "Blindness".
ajblack's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
jol69's review against another edition
3.0
I've read very few of Nora Robert's books, this was an okay dystopian novel with fantasy elements - and yes some of her typical romance. Perhaps I was in the mood for an easy read but I enjoyed it for what it is. 2.5 to 3 stars. And I will continue with series, at least the next book.
juliaduyve's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lilpeache's review against another edition
4.0
I quite enjoyed this book. Bringing in well known creatures from the fantasy genre but adding a unique twist to them was refreshing. The discrimination and hate towards the "uncanny" is all too real, and a good touch in something that is meant to take place in the present day. The only thing I wished for, at times, was for it to be more spooky. Overall though it was a great read and I look forward to continuing the trilogy!
againanew's review against another edition
1.0
I listened to this one on Audible. The narrator does a good job is all can say for this. I really wanted to quit this book shortly after I started it. I don't know what kept me trudging along honestly. Just sheer stubbornness I suppose. I don't like when people review books they didn't even finish though so damn it, I finished it. And.... It did not get better.
There is not one single original idea in this book. If you have read The Stand (and if you haven't do yourself a favor and read that instead), or even Swan Song by Robert McCammon... You've read this book. In fact you've read much better versions of this book.
Oh, and did anyone else find themselves rolling their eyes during every part of the 'romance' aspect? Uuggghhhh. I dreaded when the plot would turn back to the couple.
There's a second book I'm sure but I honestly do not care what happens to these characters.
There is not one single original idea in this book. If you have read The Stand (and if you haven't do yourself a favor and read that instead), or even Swan Song by Robert McCammon... You've read this book. In fact you've read much better versions of this book.
Oh, and did anyone else find themselves rolling their eyes during every part of the 'romance' aspect? Uuggghhhh. I dreaded when the plot would turn back to the couple.
There's a second book I'm sure but I honestly do not care what happens to these characters.
mbpartlow's review against another edition
5.0
While I can see the influence of previous writers who have chosen the apocalypse as their medium, I found this book highly enjoyable. Loved the way magic is woven in. Love the explanation for what is happening to the world. Love the survivors.
If you're a regular Nora reader, be warned that this is not a romance. Read it anyway, because it's a really good book.
If you're a regular Nora reader, be warned that this is not a romance. Read it anyway, because it's a really good book.
kay34's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5