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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
Is there another book with a similar plot to this? I feel like there must be some sort of trope or something because so many of the basic plot elements felt so familiar. The whole idea of the girl begins to suspect something is up in the dystopian society, nobody believes her, her boyfriend is conflicted, and then she ends up being right and being captured in the end.
Like, somebody help. What's another YA book with a similar plot because I swear I read something like this.
Like, somebody help. What's another YA book with a similar plot because I swear I read something like this.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Imagine a school for bright and creative students that also acts as a reality TV show. There are cameras and microphones everywhere except the restroom. The viewers can see their favorite students for 12 hours a day in real time, or watch the replay each night while the students sleep. Rosie has survived the cut that sends half the new students home and is excited about learning to be a filmmaker. All she has to do is follow the rules and she will have three years of very exclusive education paid for. But then she begins to notice things about the school and to suspect that something sinister is happening while the students sleep. She has to decide if trying to uncover the secret is worth the risk of being sent home. The more clues she finds, the stranger the truth seems to be.
Although the Forge School is imaginary (I hope), the author must have as much creativity as the students in the story. This is a mix of so many things - the reality show (like "Big Brother"), the love story of Rosie's relationship with Linus, and the thriller aspect of the school's hidden side. Together the various elements combine to make a story that you will stay up late to finish.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Although the Forge School is imaginary (I hope), the author must have as much creativity as the students in the story. This is a mix of so many things - the reality show (like "Big Brother"), the love story of Rosie's relationship with Linus, and the thriller aspect of the school's hidden side. Together the various elements combine to make a story that you will stay up late to finish.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
I was a huge fan of this. If I had the time, I would have sat down and finished the whole thing in one sitting, but I had to get my wisdom teeth taken out, so I was out of it yesterday. The plot of this novel is super original, I've never really read another book quite like it. Bits and pieces of ideas relate to other stories, like the reality TV aspect, which reminds me a bit of the Hunger Games, but it is used in a unique way. I didn't want to put it down, so there wasn't a dull moment in the story.
4/5 stars because I wish some of the characters were a bit more developed, like Burnham and Janice. I got to see a lot of Rosie, as the narrator, and Linus, since she spent so much time with him, but I really wanted to know more about Burnham in particular and his character development was definitely lacking. Rosie could also get a bit annoying sometimes, but it wasn't to a massive degree that made me want to stop reading.
4/5 stars because I wish some of the characters were a bit more developed, like Burnham and Janice. I got to see a lot of Rosie, as the narrator, and Linus, since she spent so much time with him, but I really wanted to know more about Burnham in particular and his character development was definitely lacking. Rosie could also get a bit annoying sometimes, but it wasn't to a massive degree that made me want to stop reading.
On the ultimate reality show, nothing is quite what it seems.
While I am not a conspiracy theorist (I really don't think people can keep the kinds of secrets required for major conspiracies), I always enjoy a good thriller driven by conspiracy. And when it's in the young adult genre, it's pretty easy for me to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride.
The Vault of Dreamers is precisely the kind of conspiracy thriller I enjoy most (plus the cover's cool). The premise (a reality show called the Forge Show, filmed at a prestigious fine arts high school) is uncomfortably familiar. There are a few shows on channels that used to play music (I won't give names, but you all know what I'm talking about), that are coming dangerously close to something like the Forge Show. Granted, on the Forge Show the students are artistic prodigies, and getting pregnant is severely frowned upon. But the students are filmed twelve hours per day, and they sleep the remaining twelve hours with the help of mandatory sleeping pills (creepy, right?).
Anyway, there's the usual (seemingly) unremarkable heroine, a romance that springs out of nowhere with a forbidden hottie (bizarrely named Linus), and the third wheel guy who pines for her and pays the price. I don't mind the somewhat formulaic character relationships, because the story is good anyway. Rosie (the above-referenced heroine) skips her sleeping pills and sees disturbing goings-on at night.
The set up for the whole thing took a bit longer than I would have liked, but at the same time it lulled me into a feeling of complacency that made the increasing pace of the story all the more fun. As in any good thriller, the story raced to a finish, where it all felt like everything was happening too fast (for Rosie as well as for me). And the finish, while not shocking, was still interesting enough to leave me satisfied.
Take It
Amazon
P.S. - Forgive the excessive parentheses (I didn't sleep much last night what with the Outlander premiere on Starz).
While I am not a conspiracy theorist (I really don't think people can keep the kinds of secrets required for major conspiracies), I always enjoy a good thriller driven by conspiracy. And when it's in the young adult genre, it's pretty easy for me to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride.
The Vault of Dreamers is precisely the kind of conspiracy thriller I enjoy most (plus the cover's cool). The premise (a reality show called the Forge Show, filmed at a prestigious fine arts high school) is uncomfortably familiar. There are a few shows on channels that used to play music (I won't give names, but you all know what I'm talking about), that are coming dangerously close to something like the Forge Show. Granted, on the Forge Show the students are artistic prodigies, and getting pregnant is severely frowned upon. But the students are filmed twelve hours per day, and they sleep the remaining twelve hours with the help of mandatory sleeping pills (creepy, right?).
Anyway, there's the usual (seemingly) unremarkable heroine, a romance that springs out of nowhere with a forbidden hottie (bizarrely named Linus), and the third wheel guy who pines for her and pays the price. I don't mind the somewhat formulaic character relationships, because the story is good anyway. Rosie (the above-referenced heroine) skips her sleeping pills and sees disturbing goings-on at night.
The set up for the whole thing took a bit longer than I would have liked, but at the same time it lulled me into a feeling of complacency that made the increasing pace of the story all the more fun. As in any good thriller, the story raced to a finish, where it all felt like everything was happening too fast (for Rosie as well as for me). And the finish, while not shocking, was still interesting enough to leave me satisfied.
Take It
Amazon
P.S. - Forgive the excessive parentheses (I didn't sleep much last night what with the Outlander premiere on Starz).
A great concept. Love this author. I was skeptical about this book about half way through but then realized that I had to have faith in the author.
What a fantastic read!
Highly recommend.
What a fantastic read!
Highly recommend.
At first I really really liked this book, but as it went I started to like it less and less. I don't know. It was weird.
I thought this was a really interesting take on the future-dystopia-that-takes-reality-television-way-too-far in the same vein as The Hunger Game trilogy. Rosie's was a fun, dynamic perspective to experience the events of the story and the characterization was quite good.
I just wish there had been a bit more establishing exposition at the beginning, maybe having her arrive at the Forge Academy or even a little prologue introducing the school and the show together (maybe someone announcing the new season?) just to set the scene as it were. Most of the book is well paced but the beginning feels rushed and little too jarring to be dropped into a situation where a girl is supposed to be taking sleeping pills but doesn't and that's "against the rules" apparently. A little more information on the front end would have made the introduction to the dystopic elements smoother.
On the other hand, I read it in a single sitting so it was engaging enough, I just wish there had been a bit more worldbuilding and communication of those details to the readers at the beginning.
I just wish there had been a bit more establishing exposition at the beginning, maybe having her arrive at the Forge Academy or even a little prologue introducing the school and the show together (maybe someone announcing the new season?) just to set the scene as it were. Most of the book is well paced but the beginning feels rushed and little too jarring to be dropped into a situation where a girl is supposed to be taking sleeping pills but doesn't and that's "against the rules" apparently. A little more information on the front end would have made the introduction to the dystopic elements smoother.
On the other hand, I read it in a single sitting so it was engaging enough, I just wish there had been a bit more worldbuilding and communication of those details to the readers at the beginning.
I really liked the mystery of it all - is something going on, or is Rosie an unreliable narrator?
Almost 4 stars, but the ending rubbed me the wrong way. Too long, confusing, and a weird cliffhanger. Not a fan.
All around pretty good.
Almost 4 stars, but the ending rubbed me the wrong way. Too long, confusing, and a weird cliffhanger. Not a fan.
All around pretty good.
I listened to this on overdrive.
I dont know if I want to stick with 2 stars or 2.5.
The first problem I'm having is that this book was so slow. It took forever to get to any major plot point and when it did, the scene was fast ending and in my opinion, not worth the long wait to get to.
The second problem was the complete lack of interest I had in the characters. They seemed to have a small amount of depth to them but they didnt have any character, they were simply boring.
Third is the small amount of predictability. When I got to the part where everything was explained I wasn't surprised. I guessed the what and how, just not the why.
The very end is the only reason I want to give 2.5 and the only reason I'm considering reading the next book.
I dont know if I want to stick with 2 stars or 2.5.
The first problem I'm having is that this book was so slow. It took forever to get to any major plot point and when it did, the scene was fast ending and in my opinion, not worth the long wait to get to.
The second problem was the complete lack of interest I had in the characters. They seemed to have a small amount of depth to them but they didnt have any character, they were simply boring.
Third is the small amount of predictability. When I got to the part where everything was explained I wasn't surprised. I guessed the what and how, just not the why.
The very end is the only reason I want to give 2.5 and the only reason I'm considering reading the next book.