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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
SPOILERS. LAST WARNING.
This is partially my fault. I did not know, despite reading tons of reviews, that this is somewhat of a prequel for a series being written. For some reason I thought this was about before the disaster and not just post-disaster. I thought that was an interesting and lesser done premise. It is very specifically post-apocalypse, so I'm not counting that against the book. That's my bad.
Pros:
Some interesting characters
Interesting premise at first.
It's really nice to see YA taking place outside of the USA
Cons:
1. WAY too many spoilers and foreshadowing in the book itself. Let us do some guessing. It makes it more interesting if we DON'T know something hugely bad is about to happen.
2. The end felt like a rip off of Hunger Games. The details are different, but the idea is pretty much the same.
3. The love triangle. Really?
4. While the main character as a girl mostly interested in fashion is definitely different than a lot of the "strong girl" YA dystopian types, it seems very out of place here. Really, the population is decimated, there are "Living Corpses" attacking, you're cut off from the rest of the world which let's face it, sucks, and you want to be a fashion designer and the government actually opens a job as fashion designer? Um, ok.
5. It's been 30 years since the big stuff first went down, right? And it looks like the society has very little problems and runs better than most governments today. Well, good for them. But it does take away from the believability. I guess maybe where and how they get all of this stuff will come up in later books, but even the vaccine origination seems really iffy. Where are you getting the power, the equipment, the specialized chemicals, and the know-how 30 years down the line?
I would have counted this a solid 3.5 star book until the end.
This is partially my fault. I did not know, despite reading tons of reviews, that this is somewhat of a prequel for a series being written. For some reason I thought this was about before the disaster and not just post-disaster. I thought that was an interesting and lesser done premise. It is very specifically post-apocalypse, so I'm not counting that against the book. That's my bad.
Pros:
Some interesting characters
Interesting premise at first.
It's really nice to see YA taking place outside of the USA
Cons:
1. WAY too many spoilers and foreshadowing in the book itself. Let us do some guessing. It makes it more interesting if we DON'T know something hugely bad is about to happen.
2. The end felt like a rip off of Hunger Games. The details are different, but the idea is pretty much the same.
3. The love triangle. Really?
4. While the main character as a girl mostly interested in fashion is definitely different than a lot of the "strong girl" YA dystopian types, it seems very out of place here. Really, the population is decimated, there are "Living Corpses" attacking, you're cut off from the rest of the world which let's face it, sucks, and you want to be a fashion designer and the government actually opens a job as fashion designer? Um, ok.
5. It's been 30 years since the big stuff first went down, right? And it looks like the society has very little problems and runs better than most governments today. Well, good for them. But it does take away from the believability. I guess maybe where and how they get all of this stuff will come up in later books, but even the vaccine origination seems really iffy. Where are you getting the power, the equipment, the specialized chemicals, and the know-how 30 years down the line?
I would have counted this a solid 3.5 star book until the end.
The only world that Lake Devlin has ever known is one that is flooded by climate change. Only several cities remain in the waterlogged world. Locked deep in the melting ice sheets, the world received another surprise, a virus that turns people into rabid monsters or Living Corpses. Inside the city walls Lake, her family and friends are relatively safe, approved babies are vaccinated from the virus and The Guard patrols the walls. Upon graduation, Lake and her friends Ava and Ralley decide to carry out their voluntary term within The Guard. Lake thought she would take a cushy fashion apprenticeship, but when her best friend Ash returns on leave from The Guard and things heat up between the two, Lake decides to do her civic duty. The Guards may not be as easy as Lake thought and Ash may not be all that she thought either. When the four friends are chosen for a special assignment, they learn of dangerous secrets that their government has been holding from everyone.
I was really interested in the plot of this book,a dystopian world destroyed by global warming plus zombies, awesome. This book took a little while for me to get into, the first half was pretty much an average teen-aged girl's life in a very different world. I was very interested in the virus and how the world was handled the increasing water levels, unfortunately a lot of this wasn't explained. There were some glimpses of this at the very end with the reveal of the secrets. The plot picked up for me when Lake, Ava and Ralley entered The Guard. The Living Corpses were intriguing, but there wasn't much action with them until the end. I was a little disappointed in Lake's reaction to everything The Guard tried to teach her, it seemed that she was not even trying to learn anything in The Guard, especially after she meets up with Ash again, and even more so when a love triangle is revealed. I was also extremely disappointed with the fact that Lake and Ava are expected to be pawns, but we will see. Overall, an ok dystopian young adult novel with an interesting plot. not-so-strong female characters and a cliffhanger ending.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
I was really interested in the plot of this book,a dystopian world destroyed by global warming plus zombies, awesome. This book took a little while for me to get into, the first half was pretty much an average teen-aged girl's life in a very different world. I was very interested in the virus and how the world was handled the increasing water levels, unfortunately a lot of this wasn't explained. There were some glimpses of this at the very end with the reveal of the secrets. The plot picked up for me when Lake, Ava and Ralley entered The Guard. The Living Corpses were intriguing, but there wasn't much action with them until the end. I was a little disappointed in Lake's reaction to everything The Guard tried to teach her, it seemed that she was not even trying to learn anything in The Guard, especially after she meets up with Ash again, and even more so when a love triangle is revealed. I was also extremely disappointed with the fact that Lake and Ava are expected to be pawns, but we will see. Overall, an ok dystopian young adult novel with an interesting plot. not-so-strong female characters and a cliffhanger ending.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Many thanks to Book Enthusiast Promotions, via NetGalley, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
3.5
That being said, I won't spoil it any more for those who have not read it and wish to do so. :) The similarity to the Hunger Games was something I saw coming at about 50% through the novel, although I wasn't entirely sure how it was going to play out. And I'll also be honest -- the fact that there are similar aspects was the clincher that made this book go from a 4 star to a 3.5.
Anyway! Aside from that, I enjoyed this book. There were a few problems with UK/US adaptations, as other reviewers have mentioned, but the only one that really stuck out to me was when Lake was making a joke to herself about how a "gift from the Gods" and a "gift from the Guards" sounded exactly the same. As someone who speaks "American English," god and guard sound totally different. EDITED: Apparently this is confusing to British readers as well, since those two words don't necessarily sound the exact same in British English either.
But that's a small part of the book.
I normally don't go for zombipocalyptic novels, but I did enjoy Broken Lies. Lake was likable, although I felt like she was super consumed with guys (but at the same time, managed to be herself without having to "belong" either to Ash or Thomas). I didn't particularly like anyone except for Ava in terms of Lake's group, although I didn't super dislike anyone either.
Ending was quick and at about 30% I had predicted that it would be a cliffhanger-esque ending... but that's okay. I do want to read the next book in the series and granted, I do dislike it when authors use the cliffhanger endings to get readers to read their next novel... but... *sigh* What can ya do?
3.5
Spoiler
Okay, I'm just gonna say it at the start: this book has some similarities with the Hunger Games trilogy.That being said, I won't spoil it any more for those who have not read it and wish to do so. :) The similarity to the Hunger Games was something I saw coming at about 50% through the novel, although I wasn't entirely sure how it was going to play out. And I'll also be honest -- the fact that there are similar aspects was the clincher that made this book go from a 4 star to a 3.5.
Anyway! Aside from that, I enjoyed this book. There were a few problems with UK/US adaptations, as other reviewers have mentioned, but the only one that really stuck out to me was when Lake was making a joke to herself about how a "gift from the Gods" and a "gift from the Guards" sounded exactly the same. As someone who speaks "American English," god and guard sound totally different. EDITED: Apparently this is confusing to British readers as well, since those two words don't necessarily sound the exact same in British English either.
But that's a small part of the book.
I normally don't go for zombipocalyptic novels, but I did enjoy Broken Lies. Lake was likable, although I felt like she was super consumed with guys (but at the same time, managed to be herself without having to "belong" either to Ash or Thomas). I didn't particularly like anyone except for Ava in terms of Lake's group, although I didn't super dislike anyone either.
Ending was quick and at about 30% I had predicted that it would be a cliffhanger-esque ending... but that's okay. I do want to read the next book in the series and granted, I do dislike it when authors use the cliffhanger endings to get readers to read their next novel... but... *sigh* What can ya do?
Great book! Though it always bugs the hell out of me when something ends on such a cliffhanger. Good choice for anyone interested in dystopian fantasy or a post-apocalyptic love story.
*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
I'm not one for zombie stories (they're Living Corpses here - not technically dead, but close enough) so the fact that I finished this and immediately started wanting the next one should tell you something.
It's set in England, so the Americanisations threw me somewhat. (English students are not "seniors", nor do they have a "Mom". And the things growing in brambles are "blackberries".) I'm putting that down to the publisher helpfully "fixing" things for Americans, who can't possibly be exposed to unfamiliar vocabulary or spellings. Except for words like "tosser", which thankfully remained unfixed... Okay, rant over. Back to the story.
Lake is a relatively normal teenager in a world devastated by climate change and then a terrible virus, making things we take for granted (like the internet) a relic of the past, available only for historical purposes. She lives safely within the city walls with her mother until she sees her safe option vanishing, and then her life begins to change.
I love Lake's realism. Her honest - though horrific - thoughts in times of crisis, her feelings of cowardice under stress and the raw emotions carried through the story.
The ending was a little strange, and almost abrupt, but it sets the scene well for the next book. I'll be looking for it.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It's set in England, so the Americanisations threw me somewhat. (English students are not "seniors", nor do they have a "Mom". And the things growing in brambles are "blackberries".) I'm putting that down to the publisher helpfully "fixing" things for Americans, who can't possibly be exposed to unfamiliar vocabulary or spellings. Except for words like "tosser", which thankfully remained unfixed... Okay, rant over. Back to the story.
Lake is a relatively normal teenager in a world devastated by climate change and then a terrible virus, making things we take for granted (like the internet) a relic of the past, available only for historical purposes. She lives safely within the city walls with her mother until she sees her safe option vanishing, and then her life begins to change.
I love Lake's realism. Her honest - though horrific - thoughts in times of crisis, her feelings of cowardice under stress and the raw emotions carried through the story.
Spoiler
I loved the way she values her friendship with Ash. It's precious to her, and it should be. Friends who make you want to be a better person are worth keeping. I love that she doesn't rush into choosing a boyfriend, and her confusion when trying to separate herself and her history with friend-Ash from betraying-Ash-she-loves. I wasn't quite as keen on Yet Another Love Triangle, but it was handled well.The ending was a little strange, and almost abrupt, but it sets the scene well for the next book. I'll be looking for it.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I just finished Broken Lies by Claire Vale.
When I first started this book it took a little time to get into the story, but once the story picked up I actually really enjoyed it. Lake is a character I think a lot of teenagers will relate to as she is trying to find her place in a new world. She is an interesting character. Though this book was okay I am not sure I would pick up the 2nd book to read.
If you enjoy stories about 'zombies' in this case Living Corpses this is a good book to read and I would recommend it. There are parts that seem to be cut short and parts I feel could be elaborated in more detail but overall it was an interesting read.
*note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I first started this book it took a little time to get into the story, but once the story picked up I actually really enjoyed it. Lake is a character I think a lot of teenagers will relate to as she is trying to find her place in a new world. She is an interesting character. Though this book was okay I am not sure I would pick up the 2nd book to read.
If you enjoy stories about 'zombies' in this case Living Corpses this is a good book to read and I would recommend it. There are parts that seem to be cut short and parts I feel could be elaborated in more detail but overall it was an interesting read.
*note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
While this book took a little while to get me interested, once it did I had trouble putting it down. The biggest pull for me is how realistic I felt the ‘zombie’ aspect was. I’m able to appreciate the zombie genre in it’s many forms. I often find that many of the methods of becoming a zombie aren’t all that plausible. While it may not be scientifically sound (I’ve no clue) in my mind this method seemed the most likely to happen. I was also curious about the caste system in which Lack lives and wished there had been more information about this. It felt at best glossed over without much detail. I loved the story line but felt I ran into some contradictions in it as well. While Lake is often scared she’s also just as often nonchalant about the real danger going on around her. This may have been defense mechanism on her part but it put me off a bit. I also couldn’t quite wrap my head around the repetitiveness of how ‘safe’ and ‘well meaning’ the government was. I had trouble computing a wonderful government in with the other world building going on. I enjoyed the characters but also had trouble understanding and connecting to them at times. The love triangle that begins to unfold perplexed me because I ended up not being able to like either of the males involved. There were certain aspects of this romantic aspect to the story that just felt unnecessary to me. I am curious to see how it unfolds in the next book of the series because the ending did leave me with a bunch of questions. I do recommend this for fans of the zombie trend going on right now – it’s an interesting take on the genre and worth checking out.
This eGalley was provided free from the author through Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion and I was compensated in no other manner.
This eGalley was provided free from the author through Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion and I was compensated in no other manner.
*I received the ebook version of this from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.
Broken Lies is full of strength, bravery, survival, growth, deceit, friendship (there's some seriously strong bonds), and even a dash of romance (perhaps a little too much for my taste, the way it was written, but even so it wasn't so bad). We mainly follow a group of four friends, also considered as two couples: Lake and Ash, and Ava and Ralley. All four are very important characters, and then add Thomas to spice things up a little, and suddenly you have more humour, a love triangle, and growth in a certain character.
See my full review here: Library of Books
Broken Lies is full of strength, bravery, survival, growth, deceit, friendship (there's some seriously strong bonds), and even a dash of romance (perhaps a little too much for my taste, the way it was written, but even so it wasn't so bad). We mainly follow a group of four friends, also considered as two couples: Lake and Ash, and Ava and Ralley. All four are very important characters, and then add Thomas to spice things up a little, and suddenly you have more humour, a love triangle, and growth in a certain character.
See my full review here: Library of Books