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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
3.5/5.0
I remember loving this one when I first read it in middle school but some of the YA aspects didn’t quite hold up over the years. Eli isn’t the most sympathetic main character- he’s a little whiny. I understand the author was trying to make him a spoiled rich kid who finds his humanity but I just had a hard time not finding him ridiculous for the first chunk of the story. But it was still an entertaining read and I’ll definitely read the sequel!
I remember loving this one when I first read it in middle school but some of the YA aspects didn’t quite hold up over the years. Eli isn’t the most sympathetic main character- he’s a little whiny. I understand the author was trying to make him a spoiled rich kid who finds his humanity but I just had a hard time not finding him ridiculous for the first chunk of the story. But it was still an entertaining read and I’ll definitely read the sequel!
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Fun, fast-paced page-turner. Great premise, if a little predictable in places. This was a simply written, “pulpy” book, but with high energy and lots of suspense. Highly recommended for reluctant readers.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I contemplated putting this in my "dystopia" category, but then realized it wasn't really much of one (unless you count the family stuck inside the Compound). Anyway, this was certainly...weird and just a wee bit (sic) disturbing. No, really, it was.
The most that did stick out was the turducken, to be honest, but I blame my siblings for that. The second and third things that did amuse me, though, were the Supplements and the source of "milk" in the Compound, both were just a wee bit insane, especially with the environment they lived in. Just...I'm not even sure where to go with that one.
And finally, I can't help but get geeky and start to think of Vault 101 in Bethesda's Fallout 3. Might be something about vaults and nuclear wars. Yep.
The most that did stick out was the turducken, to be honest, but I blame my siblings for that. The second and third things that did amuse me, though, were the Supplements and the source of "milk" in the Compound, both were just a wee bit insane, especially with the environment they lived in. Just...I'm not even sure where to go with that one.
And finally, I can't help but get geeky and start to think of Vault 101 in Bethesda's Fallout 3. Might be something about vaults and nuclear wars. Yep.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I would have enjoyed it much more if the writing style wasn’t so juvenile. The main character first person describing himself as a broody, angsty bad boy was nauseating. They were all pretty one dimensional, as characters, and Eli pretty much changed his whole attitude overnight. It was just way to fast and sloppily written.
Compound was a good read. I thought it was a unique read that hasn't been done before. I will say it was pretty predictable though. You got an idea very early on what exactly was going to happen, so it didn't really leave you hoping or guessing anywhere. I'm not sure if I want to read book two.
A re-read....in anticipation of teaching it to my 9th graders next year. This book still hooked me. Off to reread the sequel.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes