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nataliegiraffe's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Super cute book
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
3.0
Hovering between 3 and 4 stars. I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would because the characters were sympathetic, but I was confused about the intended audience. I felt that this book was pitched at middle grade, but much of the content would be more accessible for older kids.
At times it also seemed like there was just too much variety in both people and animals.
I was puzzled by the altered animals that played such key roles in gaining access to the world of tech. Why would anyone invest so much effort in a raccoon or a dog?
Aside from all that, the action moved along briskly and kept my interest and the ideas were thought provoking.
At times it also seemed like there was just too much variety in both people and animals.
I was puzzled by the altered animals that played such key roles in gaining access to the world of tech. Why would anyone invest so much effort in a raccoon or a dog?
Aside from all that, the action moved along briskly and kept my interest and the ideas were thought provoking.
lobeliaparides's review against another edition
3.0
It was kinda sad, but I still liked it. I hope everything works out (and if there is another one someone will tell me)
christajls's review against another edition
4.0
Originally reviewed at Hooked on Books
When I started reading Above World I was expecting a pretty basic middle grade title. A fun fantasy story that I could lose myself in for a little while. Something along the lines of Disney's The Little Mermaid. What I found, however, was a delightful fantasy mixed with some science fiction and a strong story I could really get behind.
Unlike many fantasy stories, this book takes place in a futuristic version of our world. In the future, over-population has led humans to find more creative places to reside – the ocean, the mountains, the desert. Various advances in technology have allowed humans to adapt to these environments and for awhile everything is fine. However, when the technology begins to fail, one young mermaid (or Kampii) Aluna makes her way to the surface to find the solution to the problem and save her underwater people. I was fascinated by this futuristic society and the unique ways humans adapted.
I also enjoyed that this novel revolved around a full, strong cast of characters. Though Aluna is a key character, it is not simply the case of one amazing do-it-all heroine, surrounded by a bunch of side kicks. All four characters – Aluna, Hoku, Calli and Dash – are unqiue, they come from different worlds and they all have something important to contribute.
I found there were some important messages in this book – in particular the dangers of relying to heavily on technology. This is a particularly relevant and insightful message given how “plugged in” the younger generation (as well as my own) has become. Above World is an enchanting and inventive middle grade title, with a stunning cast of characters and an interesting way of looking at the future. I may have been expecting a standard mermaid tale but instead I got something much more complex and engaging.
When I started reading Above World I was expecting a pretty basic middle grade title. A fun fantasy story that I could lose myself in for a little while. Something along the lines of Disney's The Little Mermaid. What I found, however, was a delightful fantasy mixed with some science fiction and a strong story I could really get behind.
Unlike many fantasy stories, this book takes place in a futuristic version of our world. In the future, over-population has led humans to find more creative places to reside – the ocean, the mountains, the desert. Various advances in technology have allowed humans to adapt to these environments and for awhile everything is fine. However, when the technology begins to fail, one young mermaid (or Kampii) Aluna makes her way to the surface to find the solution to the problem and save her underwater people. I was fascinated by this futuristic society and the unique ways humans adapted.
I also enjoyed that this novel revolved around a full, strong cast of characters. Though Aluna is a key character, it is not simply the case of one amazing do-it-all heroine, surrounded by a bunch of side kicks. All four characters – Aluna, Hoku, Calli and Dash – are unqiue, they come from different worlds and they all have something important to contribute.
I found there were some important messages in this book – in particular the dangers of relying to heavily on technology. This is a particularly relevant and insightful message given how “plugged in” the younger generation (as well as my own) has become. Above World is an enchanting and inventive middle grade title, with a stunning cast of characters and an interesting way of looking at the future. I may have been expecting a standard mermaid tale but instead I got something much more complex and engaging.
brandypainter's review against another edition
5.0
Originally posted at Random Musings of a Bibliophile.
I was a little hesitant to pick up Above World by Jenn Reese despite the numerous glowing reviews and comments for it I had read. It sounded dystopian, and I don't like dystopian. Finally all the praise had me curious enough to pick it up. (Also it has a beautiful cover.) Yes, it does have some shades of dystopian, but this is a book that is so much more than that. Reese sets her story in a futuristic world that is so foreign that it could be another world entirely. Into this she added myths and legends for the peoples she created. All of these elements combined with engaging characters to make an adventurous tale of bravery, loyalty, and friendship.
I was extremely impressed by the world building. Extremely. Reese created a future world in which pockets of humans who submitted to technological changes in their biology to adapt them to live in places humans normally couldn't inhabit. High altitudes, the desert, underwater. Centuries have passed since the pioneers of these colonies started them. Their descendents are reliant upon the technology that changed them and now that technology is failing. From the underwater home of Aluna and Hoku to the sky residence of the Aviars to the wild forests of the land, Resse did a phenomenal job describing them all and bringing them to life. She also gave just enough background to make the place believable and to demonstrate the motivations of those long ago pioneers who brought this world into being. I found it particularly interesting that, while this is a futuristic story and the civilizations in it rely on extremely advanced technology and science, the pocket groups that live in the various places have developed their own myths and legends for their people over the intervening centuries.
Aluna and Hoku are contrasting characters, and this story belongs to both of them. Aluna is a brave warrior who often leaps in before she thinks. Both in action and words. Hoku is cautious and strategical in what he does often to the point of inaction. Together they make a great team because they force each other to be less extreme in their personalities. Aluna's leaving Coral Kampii causes Hoku to leave as well. He may never have been moved to action but for her rebellion. At the same time Hoku's critical thinking saves Aluna from her own reckless heroics more than once. I loved this part when they were being pursued and cornered by enemies:
"Then I'll stay," Aluna said. Besides if anyone was going to sacrifice herself for the greater good, it was going to be her.
"How about none of us stay," said Hoku.
He then proceeds to create a distraction that enables them to escape. This short interaction perfectly sums up both of them and how they work as a team. I really enjoyed the fact that their relationship was 100% a friendship. Not that there is no hint of romance. There is, just not between the two of them. They meet in their journeys Calli, a young Aviar, and Dash, an exiled Equine, who provide them with romantic interests. I felt this was yet another strength of the novel. This is a MG novel and the characters are 12-13 (Dash may be a little older-I'm not sure) and Reese did an excellent job of describing the innocent giddy stirrings of young love and-all its confusion-experienced at this age:
She hobbled over and sat a foot or so away from Dash, close enough but not too close. At least that's what she hoped he would think. Had he wanted her to sit closer?
and
He sat next to Callli, grateful that she never seemed to mind. Her hand rested on the ground just a few millimeters from his. And yet...those millimeters meant everything. Would he ever be brave enough to cross that distance.
These feelings of young attraction and romance are kept to a minimum and never overshadow or detract from the greater conflict playing out. And Calli and Dash are both interesting characters with fascinating backstories in their own rights, separate from their romantic functions. They are both important members of this team that has formed and bring their own strengths to the quest to save the Kampii.
The conflict faced by Aluna and Hoku started out small as the world they came from, and grew bigger as their world grew bigger and they realized the importance of needing and working with others. There is a lot of food for thought about ethics in technology and bio-engineering here. The story does not force this on the reader, but a thoughtful reader will certainly have much to chew on after reading this.
Most of all it is an enjoyable adventure about kids who are brave enough to challenge their world and fight for the future and hope. I'm very excited to see where the story will be going in the second book, which is called Mirage and is expected to be published in 2013.
I was a little hesitant to pick up Above World by Jenn Reese despite the numerous glowing reviews and comments for it I had read. It sounded dystopian, and I don't like dystopian. Finally all the praise had me curious enough to pick it up. (Also it has a beautiful cover.) Yes, it does have some shades of dystopian, but this is a book that is so much more than that. Reese sets her story in a futuristic world that is so foreign that it could be another world entirely. Into this she added myths and legends for the peoples she created. All of these elements combined with engaging characters to make an adventurous tale of bravery, loyalty, and friendship.
I was extremely impressed by the world building. Extremely. Reese created a future world in which pockets of humans who submitted to technological changes in their biology to adapt them to live in places humans normally couldn't inhabit. High altitudes, the desert, underwater. Centuries have passed since the pioneers of these colonies started them. Their descendents are reliant upon the technology that changed them and now that technology is failing. From the underwater home of Aluna and Hoku to the sky residence of the Aviars to the wild forests of the land, Resse did a phenomenal job describing them all and bringing them to life. She also gave just enough background to make the place believable and to demonstrate the motivations of those long ago pioneers who brought this world into being. I found it particularly interesting that, while this is a futuristic story and the civilizations in it rely on extremely advanced technology and science, the pocket groups that live in the various places have developed their own myths and legends for their people over the intervening centuries.
Aluna and Hoku are contrasting characters, and this story belongs to both of them. Aluna is a brave warrior who often leaps in before she thinks. Both in action and words. Hoku is cautious and strategical in what he does often to the point of inaction. Together they make a great team because they force each other to be less extreme in their personalities. Aluna's leaving Coral Kampii causes Hoku to leave as well. He may never have been moved to action but for her rebellion. At the same time Hoku's critical thinking saves Aluna from her own reckless heroics more than once. I loved this part when they were being pursued and cornered by enemies:
"Then I'll stay," Aluna said. Besides if anyone was going to sacrifice herself for the greater good, it was going to be her.
"How about none of us stay," said Hoku.
He then proceeds to create a distraction that enables them to escape. This short interaction perfectly sums up both of them and how they work as a team. I really enjoyed the fact that their relationship was 100% a friendship. Not that there is no hint of romance. There is, just not between the two of them. They meet in their journeys Calli, a young Aviar, and Dash, an exiled Equine, who provide them with romantic interests. I felt this was yet another strength of the novel. This is a MG novel and the characters are 12-13 (Dash may be a little older-I'm not sure) and Reese did an excellent job of describing the innocent giddy stirrings of young love and-all its confusion-experienced at this age:
She hobbled over and sat a foot or so away from Dash, close enough but not too close. At least that's what she hoped he would think. Had he wanted her to sit closer?
and
He sat next to Callli, grateful that she never seemed to mind. Her hand rested on the ground just a few millimeters from his. And yet...those millimeters meant everything. Would he ever be brave enough to cross that distance.
These feelings of young attraction and romance are kept to a minimum and never overshadow or detract from the greater conflict playing out. And Calli and Dash are both interesting characters with fascinating backstories in their own rights, separate from their romantic functions. They are both important members of this team that has formed and bring their own strengths to the quest to save the Kampii.
The conflict faced by Aluna and Hoku started out small as the world they came from, and grew bigger as their world grew bigger and they realized the importance of needing and working with others. There is a lot of food for thought about ethics in technology and bio-engineering here. The story does not force this on the reader, but a thoughtful reader will certainly have much to chew on after reading this.
Most of all it is an enjoyable adventure about kids who are brave enough to challenge their world and fight for the future and hope. I'm very excited to see where the story will be going in the second book, which is called Mirage and is expected to be published in 2013.
bookishvice's review
5.0
I was hesitant when I saw it classified as a middle-grade novel, but then I was so thrilled with how Above World presented me with this remarkably built and detailed world where humans have had to adapt themselves and their bodies to live in extremely harsh environments like the deep oceans, the arid deserts, and the incredible heights of mountains. From the technology, to the incredible races (Kampii, Deepfell, Aviars, Equines), and the fast paced plot, Above World had me captivated in the story from page one!
Aluna, a Coral Kampii, is outraged at the way the elders are reacting to the malfunction of their breathing necklaces. The elders believe that in keeping to themselves they would be safe from the Above World, but this idea will probably lead to their extinction as they don’t have the tech to fix their necklaces. It’ll be up to Aluna and her friend Hoku, to defy the elders in an effort to save their people. Our young heroes journey to the world above, a place that has been ravaged by technology, war and time. Their goal is to find HydroTek, the company that made the Kampii’s breathing necklaces, in an effort to find answers as to why they’re failing.
The characters were all so alive; from strong willed Aluna, to super smart and sweet Hoku, to handsome and valiant Dash, and shy but determined Calli. These are characters you’ll want to meet! Theirs is a journey filled with action, self-discovery, and thrilling emotions of first love. It will open their eyes, making them realize there is strength knowledge, and collaborating with other races could save them all. I believe it is a really important message, and it’s why I love these three quotes:
The world needs us, and we need each other. We must not hide forever.
~
We are not alone. We were not meant to be alone.
~
You make me stronger than I am by myself.
Above World has become one of my favorite dystopian novels so far, because of this positive message. People, this is not just a mermaid story! It’s a story of friendship, courage, and taking action to make a difference in a destroyed world. You won’t want to miss this wonderful book coming this February 2012.
*I received this book via Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
Aluna, a Coral Kampii, is outraged at the way the elders are reacting to the malfunction of their breathing necklaces. The elders believe that in keeping to themselves they would be safe from the Above World, but this idea will probably lead to their extinction as they don’t have the tech to fix their necklaces. It’ll be up to Aluna and her friend Hoku, to defy the elders in an effort to save their people. Our young heroes journey to the world above, a place that has been ravaged by technology, war and time. Their goal is to find HydroTek, the company that made the Kampii’s breathing necklaces, in an effort to find answers as to why they’re failing.
The characters were all so alive; from strong willed Aluna, to super smart and sweet Hoku, to handsome and valiant Dash, and shy but determined Calli. These are characters you’ll want to meet! Theirs is a journey filled with action, self-discovery, and thrilling emotions of first love. It will open their eyes, making them realize there is strength knowledge, and collaborating with other races could save them all. I believe it is a really important message, and it’s why I love these three quotes:
The world needs us, and we need each other. We must not hide forever.
~
We are not alone. We were not meant to be alone.
~
You make me stronger than I am by myself.
Above World has become one of my favorite dystopian novels so far, because of this positive message. People, this is not just a mermaid story! It’s a story of friendship, courage, and taking action to make a difference in a destroyed world. You won’t want to miss this wonderful book coming this February 2012.
*I received this book via Netgalley from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
jennysuegamboa's review
5.0
I liked this book so much that I emailed the author (that was the first time I had ever done that) and she wrote me back encouraging me about my own writing endeavors! Jenn Reese rocks!
bearsleuth8's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
zeeeniiia's review
4.0
So, I tried to pick this book up a few years age. At the time I didn't like it all, but I decided to give it another shot...
AND I'M SO GLAD I DID!!!!!
Loved it, very cute and super interesting, could hardly put it down.
-Zee xx
AND I'M SO GLAD I DID!!!!!
Loved it, very cute and super interesting, could hardly put it down.
-Zee xx