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shiqingxuan34's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
This book had a great premise, but I was a little bit disappointed. It felt incredibly unrealistic, and I totally agree with other reviewers who said it felt like there wasn't a sense of urgency. I mean... you're going to have metal weapons? How did you make those? Sure, chiselled knives made out of rocks are fine, but it was just too much. The only person who had a realistic reaction was a guy I forget the name of. The British guy who died.-wip-
This book had a great premise, but I was a little bit disappointed. It felt incredibly unrealistic, and I totally agree with other reviewers who said it felt like there wasn't a sense of urgency. I mean... you're going to have metal weapons? How did you make those? Sure, chiselled knives made out of rocks are fine, but it was just too much. The only person who had a realistic reaction was a guy I forget the name of. The British guy who died.-wip-
harleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this. It was fast-paced, intense and just left you wanting more. This book had many flaws, but it was just so enjoyable to read that it didn't matter. It was like an intense version of Survivor.
The Things I didn't like:
1. The Romance, It just felt cheesy and while I felt a little romance it fine, it just took up to much of the book.
2. How similar Thad's and Charley's POV were. It made it hard to distinguish whose POV we were in.
3. How it answered some questions but not all. Like how are the people who did escape?
4. How we didn't see who being on Nil affect everyone.
5. How secluded Nil city felt from the rest of the island.
The Things I did like:
1. How fast-paced it was.
2. Just how it was a really enjoyable read.
3. Charley. I felt that she was an interesting character to read about.
All in all I found this to be a very enjoyable read that kept you wanting to turn the page to see what's gonna happen next. I can't wait to get my hands on the second one.
The Things I didn't like:
1. The Romance, It just felt cheesy and while I felt a little romance it fine, it just took up to much of the book.
2. How similar Thad's and Charley's POV were. It made it hard to distinguish whose POV we were in.
3. How it answered some questions but not all. Like how are the people who did escape?
4. How we didn't see who being on Nil affect everyone.
5. How secluded Nil city felt from the rest of the island.
The Things I did like:
1. How fast-paced it was.
2. Just how it was a really enjoyable read.
3. Charley. I felt that she was an interesting character to read about.
All in all I found this to be a very enjoyable read that kept you wanting to turn the page to see what's gonna happen next. I can't wait to get my hands on the second one.
cala_p's review
5.0
At first I couldn't get into it and almost put it down. While reading the first few chapters, it had a Hunger Games-ish feel to it, and I didn't feel like reading a book that just copies it. I was tempted to put it down, but decided to give it a bit longer of a shot.
Shortly after that decision was made, it was a good one. Not long after, the book sucked me in and I couldn't stop reading it. I loved the mix of survival and romance here.
It is also really cool how they named the island Nil and made it seem as it ("she") is alive and is playing with all of them.
*spoilers*
About halfway, I guessed that ending. When Thad was thinking about how he wanted to stay with Charley right up until the last day, I had a feeling that when his time came, he'd push her in instead and allow her to go home. So when it happened I wasn't surprised. But it did leave me wondering how/if he'd get home.
The book definitely kept me riveted. Every time someone had an opening of escape, my heart pounded wanting to know if they'll make it. I'm happy Natalie made it home. I wish List did, too. I felt really bad for her.
The only thing I wished this novel had (but it'd be impossible, because it's told in dual POV) was a way to tell us if Jason (I believe his name is), the best Spotter, and Rives, Thad's second got home. Actually, it's not impossible. An epilogue told a few weeks later would make it work. We just have to use our imagination and hope. I liked those two guys, plus for all the work they do for the City, they deserve to go home. And epilogue when the two guys find Charley and Thad, and maybe even meeting up with Natalie and her boyfriend, would have been awesome.
All in all, though, a fantastic book!
Shortly after that decision was made, it was a good one. Not long after, the book sucked me in and I couldn't stop reading it. I loved the mix of survival and romance here.
It is also really cool how they named the island Nil and made it seem as it ("she") is alive and is playing with all of them.
*spoilers*
About halfway, I guessed that ending. When Thad was thinking about how he wanted to stay with Charley right up until the last day, I had a feeling that when his time came, he'd push her in instead and allow her to go home. So when it happened I wasn't surprised. But it did leave me wondering how/if he'd get home.
The book definitely kept me riveted. Every time someone had an opening of escape, my heart pounded wanting to know if they'll make it. I'm happy Natalie made it home. I wish List did, too. I felt really bad for her.
The only thing I wished this novel had (but it'd be impossible, because it's told in dual POV) was a way to tell us if Jason (I believe his name is), the best Spotter, and Rives, Thad's second got home. Actually, it's not impossible. An epilogue told a few weeks later would make it work. We just have to use our imagination and hope. I liked those two guys, plus for all the work they do for the City, they deserve to go home. And epilogue when the two guys find Charley and Thad, and maybe even meeting up with Natalie and her boyfriend, would have been awesome.
All in all, though, a fantastic book!
ambeesbookishpages's review
3.0
This review and more can be found at The Book Bratz!
The idea behind Nil was interesting. Teenagers between the ages of thirteen and nineteen randomly being dumped in the middle of an uncharted island, with out there clothes and the memory that they got there through a shimmering gate. But the book raised more questions then the author actually answered.
I liked the characters. At the start of the book Thad is running out of time to get off the island, in 99 days he would either be home or die on the island of Nil, that gave her inhabitants 365 days to escape or die. I liked Thad more then Charley. I felt like I didn't know enough about her, just that she had a boy troubles, liked to have her hair combed, and loved sprite with crushed ice. What I didn't like what we didn't see into their pasts, they talked about it, but very briefly that I had a hard time grasping who they were before. Sure, Charley played volley ball and Thad was a snow border, what else is there to them?
The book was slow, I was expecting something different. Maybe the government was involved or something big like that. But we don't learn what actually causes it. There is a theory about a solar flare but hat was it. It leaves me questioning now. I was eager for a big ah-ha moment but there really wasn't one. I considered DNFing this book a few times. Some parts were slow, others felt repetitive and the language was corny. I understand Thad and Charley fell in love, I was shipping them from the start, but you can only repeat your goodbyes so many times before it starts getting real annoying. Or the amount of times Charley asked Thad to sleep with her, I just didn't like it.
The book had its good points though. Wanting to know about Nil kept you turning the pages, and who was going to die, who was catching a gate or who got killed by an animal. The ending got me, it has me content and happy though. But there is Nil Unlocked coming out in 2015 that has my eyebrows raised. The way Matson left the book off doesn't seem like there could be a sequel. So is the sequel about the secrets of the island? Or what happens to the characters left on the island? I am curious about them. I wish I could have liked this book more, but it was just blah to me.
RATING: ★★★
The idea behind Nil was interesting. Teenagers between the ages of thirteen and nineteen randomly being dumped in the middle of an uncharted island, with out there clothes and the memory that they got there through a shimmering gate. But the book raised more questions then the author actually answered.
I liked the characters. At the start of the book Thad is running out of time to get off the island, in 99 days he would either be home or die on the island of Nil, that gave her inhabitants 365 days to escape or die. I liked Thad more then Charley. I felt like I didn't know enough about her, just that she had a boy troubles, liked to have her hair combed, and loved sprite with crushed ice. What I didn't like what we didn't see into their pasts, they talked about it, but very briefly that I had a hard time grasping who they were before. Sure, Charley played volley ball and Thad was a snow border, what else is there to them?
The book was slow, I was expecting something different. Maybe the government was involved or something big like that. But we don't learn what actually causes it. There is a theory about a solar flare but hat was it. It leaves me questioning now. I was eager for a big ah-ha moment but there really wasn't one. I considered DNFing this book a few times. Some parts were slow, others felt repetitive and the language was corny. I understand Thad and Charley fell in love, I was shipping them from the start, but you can only repeat your goodbyes so many times before it starts getting real annoying. Or the amount of times Charley asked Thad to sleep with her, I just didn't like it.
The book had its good points though. Wanting to know about Nil kept you turning the pages, and who was going to die, who was catching a gate or who got killed by an animal. The ending got me, it has me content and happy though. But there is Nil Unlocked coming out in 2015 that has my eyebrows raised. The way Matson left the book off doesn't seem like there could be a sequel. So is the sequel about the secrets of the island? Or what happens to the characters left on the island? I am curious about them. I wish I could have liked this book more, but it was just blah to me.
RATING: ★★★
exlibrislynne's review against another edition
4.25
Lord of the Flies meets Lost is the inaugural novel of a forgotten YA trilogy. After a slow start, Nil turns into a gripping tale of love and survival. In a dual narrative, Matson interweaves themes of community, self-purpose, loss, and sacrifice.
If you miss reading about Edward and Bella, you might enjoy the adventurous romance of Charley and Thad.
If you miss reading about Edward and Bella, you might enjoy the adventurous romance of Charley and Thad.
charly_charlot's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
ashtonebemis's review
5.0
NIL was a fast-paced read, and I truly enjoyed it. I couldn't put it down! I loved how Matson brought a level of religion/prayer that many authors, especially YA authors, ignore. I found it interesting and unifying. Can't wait to read 2 and 3!
bookish_maddie's review
1.0
This book had so much potential and delivered so little. They should have been struggling to survive and escape on an island that had it out for them. Instead...Mary Sue falls for Gray Stu and together they escape the island after many Island Parties. If I could delete this book from my brain, I would.
bridget_coe's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0