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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
I got this book as a birthday gift and decided to give it a try over break, and boy was it mediocre. Honestly, the story itself isn't too bad, but it just seems really uninspired. You can tell that the author has something to say about the horrific class structure of modern society, but does so in such an overt way that it feels like you're just reading social commentary, rather than an actual story.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love some good social commentary, but if you're going to write it, please don't frame it as a YA story. And the thing is, I AGREE WITH MOST OF THE THINS GILES IS SAYING. It's not even BAD social commentary, just a really boring story.
I think that this book is good for a fun beach read if you're bored, but not much else.
Now, don't get me wrong, I love some good social commentary, but if you're going to write it, please don't frame it as a YA story. And the thing is, I AGREE WITH MOST OF THE THINS GILES IS SAYING. It's not even BAD social commentary, just a really boring story.
I think that this book is good for a fun beach read if you're bored, but not much else.
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so good and I'm so glad I listened to it versus reading the print book. The voice actors really did their thing! Kept me on the edge of my seat, those damn Trustee's! I wanted to fight all of them and their raggedy kids!!! Please give me more dystopian Black teen fiction!!!
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow, this was extremely well written! Every time I read something written by Lamar Giles I am truly in awe of what he brings to the YA genre from the lens of a young, black teenage boy. I truly feel as if we need more representation for this specific niche of YA.
*Contains little Spoilers*
The overall concept and idea of this novel is quite interesting! Right off the bat we are introduced to all of our main characters who reside within the walls the world famous resort Karloff Country, which is blocked off from the rest of the outside world/society. The residents who actually live inside Karloff Country not only work and live here but go to school here as well. But everything is as normal as it can be until one of the main characters goes missing without a trace and without any answers. As out main character Jay begins trying to snoop around to get some answers, things get strange FAST. Soon we are thrusted into a dystopian thriller story that also has deep lore surrounding racism, classism and violence while there is almost what is essentially an impending apocalypse happening outside the walls of Karloff Country. Lamar Giles did a great job of fusing all of these elements together to create this story! I enjoyed!
*Contains little Spoilers*
The overall concept and idea of this novel is quite interesting! Right off the bat we are introduced to all of our main characters who reside within the walls the world famous resort Karloff Country, which is blocked off from the rest of the outside world/society. The residents who actually live inside Karloff Country not only work and live here but go to school here as well. But everything is as normal as it can be until one of the main characters goes missing without a trace and without any answers. As out main character Jay begins trying to snoop around to get some answers, things get strange FAST. Soon we are thrusted into a dystopian thriller story that also has deep lore surrounding racism, classism and violence while there is almost what is essentially an impending apocalypse happening outside the walls of Karloff Country. Lamar Giles did a great job of fusing all of these elements together to create this story! I enjoyed!