Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It was kind of a slow start and it was hard to get used to the broken language but it was about a world where words were banned so that makes sense. I wish I could do half stars bc it would be a 3.5.
Painful to get through. I like the idea of it but its REALLY slow and it it NOT a good read. If you really feel like it, then sure read it, but I found it wasn't worth it.
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The book really started to pick up about 250 pages in. You don't really get to the main problem of the story for a while but I think that's because it's a YA book. I still really enjoyed it, especially the last 150 pages or so.
"The List" is a compelling take on the dystopian post-apocalyptic genre- a world were just a few have survived the Melting, and are eking out an existence in the Ark. Life is constrained by the limits of their space, and by the dictates of their leader John Noa. Noa believes that words are the reason that mankind self-destructed, and that words will lead man down the path of destruction again, if they are not controlled. Language is restricted to the List - just five hundred words, all that can be used without fear of punishment. As an apprentice Wordsmith, Letta is charged with copying the List for citizens, and seeking out words to preserve, against some future need. When her Master dies, Letta suddenly finds herself the Wordsmith, and discovers the language is in far more danger than she could have imagined. Can she find it in herself to fight to save the language, and go against everything she believes.
Imaginative, unique and compelling, the world of Ark draws the reader in. Forde has created a work of simple beauty, filled with hope and resilience. Whilst nominally aimed at young adults, this book is equally engaging for the adult reader. The author has left me wanting more.
Imaginative, unique and compelling, the world of Ark draws the reader in. Forde has created a work of simple beauty, filled with hope and resilience. Whilst nominally aimed at young adults, this book is equally engaging for the adult reader. The author has left me wanting more.
I'm at a loss for words because the 1st half was really boring, and I was debating weather or not to keep reading. It got better as the story went on, but the whole thing was realy quite predictable and not all that exciting. The general consept was verry interesting and creative, but I don't feel like that creativity was carried throughout the story. Also, I feel time passed much to quickly and it wasn't shown in any way more elaborate than 'two days after.' I also would have liked to see a better ending, because the one written I felt is really disappointing and doesn't contain enough emotion, and was definitely much too short. If the concept itself got any better I'd be amazed because that was spectacular already, but if it didn't the story wouldn't be ruined. If the plot was better I would recommend this book without hesitation, but the way it is it's just another book in my opinion, not a favorite.
DNF @ 36%
Actual Rating: 2.5
In the future, global warming has led to a mass-melting, which has flooded the world and destroyed most of the written word. Words no longer exist as they once did, and everyone speaks List: a language that is strictly controlled. List only allows people to speak certain words, and if you are caught speaking non-List, you risk banishment.
In the town of Ark, the wordsmith Benjamin and his apprentice, Letta, are in charge of finding and collecting the words of old so as the language will never truly be forgotten. Their job is to store words that are removed from circulation, and to also supply specialised word-sets to those requiring specific words for each individual profession.
When Benjamin leaves town on a word-collecting trip, Letta crosses paths with a young boy named Marlo who is a desecrator - one who does not obey the List. Injured and being hunted by gavvers, Letta decides to help the boy get back to his own people, risking her own livelihood in doing so.
The whole idea behind this book is incredibly unique, but I just don't know if it's something that can be portrayed all too well in a novel. It reminded me a bit of The Book of Eli, so I think it would be a story much better suited to a film, and something that I'd willingly pay money to see. In novel form however, the story is very slow going, and I often felt my attention drifting.
The List-speak was interesting, though it did mess with the flow of text when used in dialogue. All I could think of whenever anyone spoke was the voice of a stereotypical neanderthal. Ya know, deep, gruff, and unintelligent. I just couldn't wrap my head completely around it, and a lot of the talk - whilst extremely simple - was completely lost on me.
All-in-all the idea behind The List is a unique one, but it's a story that's difficult to tell. Forde has done an excellent job creating an interesting world that is no longer ruled by words, but where words are ruled by humans. I am sure there are many people who would gain pleasure from this story, but it's unfortunately just a little too slow going for my liking.
I may very well come back to this one in the future, but for now I need to put it on hold.
Actual Rating: 2.5
In the future, global warming has led to a mass-melting, which has flooded the world and destroyed most of the written word. Words no longer exist as they once did, and everyone speaks List: a language that is strictly controlled. List only allows people to speak certain words, and if you are caught speaking non-List, you risk banishment.
In the town of Ark, the wordsmith Benjamin and his apprentice, Letta, are in charge of finding and collecting the words of old so as the language will never truly be forgotten. Their job is to store words that are removed from circulation, and to also supply specialised word-sets to those requiring specific words for each individual profession.
When Benjamin leaves town on a word-collecting trip, Letta crosses paths with a young boy named Marlo who is a desecrator - one who does not obey the List. Injured and being hunted by gavvers, Letta decides to help the boy get back to his own people, risking her own livelihood in doing so.
The whole idea behind this book is incredibly unique, but I just don't know if it's something that can be portrayed all too well in a novel. It reminded me a bit of The Book of Eli, so I think it would be a story much better suited to a film, and something that I'd willingly pay money to see. In novel form however, the story is very slow going, and I often felt my attention drifting.
The List-speak was interesting, though it did mess with the flow of text when used in dialogue. All I could think of whenever anyone spoke was the voice of a stereotypical neanderthal. Ya know, deep, gruff, and unintelligent. I just couldn't wrap my head completely around it, and a lot of the talk - whilst extremely simple - was completely lost on me.
All-in-all the idea behind The List is a unique one, but it's a story that's difficult to tell. Forde has done an excellent job creating an interesting world that is no longer ruled by words, but where words are ruled by humans. I am sure there are many people who would gain pleasure from this story, but it's unfortunately just a little too slow going for my liking.
I may very well come back to this one in the future, but for now I need to put it on hold.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No