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orangerful's review against another edition
2.0
Listened to this book while driving to and from work. After hearing so much high praise for it, I was very disappointed. While Clayton has a good story idea, her execution of it is very poor. First, this should have been a single book. After 500 pages, I was in no mood for a cliffhanger ending. Second, the writing was not very good. An editor should have told her to give her readers more credit - far too much telling instead of showing. I think 3rd Person Omniscient was a mistake for the narration style, I found it taking me out of the story more than helping me through.
I won't be picking up part 2. Maybe in a few years I'll read her next series and see if she's improved as a writer, or at least hired a better editor.
I won't be picking up part 2. Maybe in a few years I'll read her next series and see if she's improved as a writer, or at least hired a better editor.
trupps's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so much fun! It ties in mystery and science fiction and thrilling stiff all together! I love the futuristic conspiracy between tye government and the people! Who would've ever thought the ending wouldmturn out like that! This book is really cool.
amynbell's review against another edition
4.0
In the future, a plague spreads through all the world's animals. To survive, the humans create a northern wall through Canada, England, etc. Every living thing south of the wall is destroyed while all the people in the world move north of the wall into multi-leveled cities with no plants or animals. Their food is produced from chemicals and mold.
Because of the lack of space, it's 30 years before anyone is allowed to have children. 2 of these children are fraternal twins Ellie and Mika. When Ellie disappears, Mika's parents believe that she's dead. But the strong telepathic bond Mika shares with his twin leads him to believe that she's alive, and he'll do anything to find her again. This leads him to follow along with what the government demands of him even when he senses there's some secret the government is trying to hide from everyone. This includes joining his classmates in learning war games on simulators and competing in competitions that can make his family very rich.
This book is an easy read. You keep turning the pages wondering if the twins will be reunited and if the big secret is what you think it is. It's predictable but enjoyable. It reminds me somewhat of [b:Ender's Game|375802|Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, Book 1)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1214413570s/375802.jpg|2422333] even though Ender's Game is much more compelling. There are also nods to ideas such as twin telepathy across long distances and even into outer space such as in [b:Time for the Stars|10050|Youth in Revolt|C.D. Payne|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166113300s/10050.jpg|40448]. Also there are versions in this series of the animal companions from [b:The Golden Compass|119322|The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Book 1)|Philip Pullman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255984764s/119322.jpg|1536771] and the rest of the His Dark Materials series (although they're not called "daemons" here). I might pick up the sequel when it comes out if I find it at a good price, but it's not a huge compulsion. I'm sure the next book in the series will merely be a book about a battle, but I might be surprised.
Note: While I critique both purchased and free books in the same way, I'm legally obligated to tell you I received this book free through the Amazon Vine program in return for my review. Blah blah blah.
Because of the lack of space, it's 30 years before anyone is allowed to have children. 2 of these children are fraternal twins Ellie and Mika. When Ellie disappears, Mika's parents believe that she's dead. But the strong telepathic bond Mika shares with his twin leads him to believe that she's alive, and he'll do anything to find her again. This leads him to follow along with what the government demands of him even when he senses there's some secret the government is trying to hide from everyone. This includes joining his classmates in learning war games on simulators and competing in competitions that can make his family very rich.
This book is an easy read. You keep turning the pages wondering if the twins will be reunited and if the big secret is what you think it is. It's predictable but enjoyable. It reminds me somewhat of [b:Ender's Game|375802|Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, Book 1)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1214413570s/375802.jpg|2422333] even though Ender's Game is much more compelling. There are also nods to ideas such as twin telepathy across long distances and even into outer space such as in [b:Time for the Stars|10050|Youth in Revolt|C.D. Payne|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166113300s/10050.jpg|40448]. Also there are versions in this series of the animal companions from [b:The Golden Compass|119322|The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Book 1)|Philip Pullman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255984764s/119322.jpg|1536771] and the rest of the His Dark Materials series (although they're not called "daemons" here). I might pick up the sequel when it comes out if I find it at a good price, but it's not a huge compulsion. I'm sure the next book in the series will merely be a book about a battle, but I might be surprised.
Note: While I critique both purchased and free books in the same way, I'm legally obligated to tell you I received this book free through the Amazon Vine program in return for my review. Blah blah blah.
trixie_reads's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the book and liked the characters, but I thought the ending was quite rushed. It seems obvious that there will be a sequel, but I wish she'd written a more complete book. As is, it doesn't really stand on its own.
mhall's review against another edition
4.0
Set in London several decades after the Animal Plague, in which all animals on Earth were destroyed after a disease made them turn against humans, this is incredibly similar to [b:Ender's Game|375802|Ender's Game (Ender's Saga, #1)|Orson Scott Card|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1214413570s/375802.jpg|2422333]. Earth's most talented children are forced into a video-game like training program for an ultimate end that might not be what they expect. Mika is a middle-school student who for years has refused to believe that his twin sister Ellie is dead, and once he begins the mandatory training program, he feels himself getting closer and closer to finding her again.
thereadingknitter's review against another edition
5.0
Oh goodness I loved this book. It had so many twist and turns. I’ve put off reading it for years cause I thought I could only get this first book, but I’m listening to this one and reading the second one. So good!
milkshake_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5