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owlyreadsalot's review
4.0
I’ve had this book on my shelves for awhile now and definitely wanted to read it much sooner, but it didn’t work out that way as I had many other books ahead of it. Either way, I was finally able to get to it and I have to say it didn’t disappoint. I’ve heard many a mixed review when it comes to this novel, but for me it really worked. I got into The Mortal Coil from the first page and I kept on reading, getting more into the storyline as it progressed. The characters that came into this story absolutely helped.
There were a few times when it left me scratching my head, mostly all the DNA/Coding jargon, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying this read. As I got farther into the novel I was introduced to a few characters I very much liked such as Agnes, Cole (without a doubt), and Leoben. I mean, I liked Cat and all, but it was those three characters that stood out the most to me and kept me very much invested in this story and where it was going to end up.
The first half of this book is more about those sciency talks and a love story that might seem a little too predictable, but as it moves along their stories and all that talk really helps build up the second half of the book. When I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy the way the characters were being set up in this novel, I was nicely surprised by the way the author shifted their storylines. My mind quickly changed from an okay read to a pretty good one that I can place on my top faves for the year.
I’m looking forward to finding out what’s going to happen in the next novel, as yes, it was left on a cliffhanger, but I didn’t mind that at all. There was so much that went on already in this first installment that I don’t mind a little bit of a wait for what’s to come next for the main characters. I’m hoping for a definite showdown with the big bad evil that’s running this whole world and where that’s going to leave all my faves.
***I received this copy from Simon Pulse in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
There were a few times when it left me scratching my head, mostly all the DNA/Coding jargon, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying this read. As I got farther into the novel I was introduced to a few characters I very much liked such as Agnes, Cole (without a doubt), and Leoben. I mean, I liked Cat and all, but it was those three characters that stood out the most to me and kept me very much invested in this story and where it was going to end up.
The first half of this book is more about those sciency talks and a love story that might seem a little too predictable, but as it moves along their stories and all that talk really helps build up the second half of the book. When I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy the way the characters were being set up in this novel, I was nicely surprised by the way the author shifted their storylines. My mind quickly changed from an okay read to a pretty good one that I can place on my top faves for the year.
I’m looking forward to finding out what’s going to happen in the next novel, as yes, it was left on a cliffhanger, but I didn’t mind that at all. There was so much that went on already in this first installment that I don’t mind a little bit of a wait for what’s to come next for the main characters. I’m hoping for a definite showdown with the big bad evil that’s running this whole world and where that’s going to leave all my faves.
***I received this copy from Simon Pulse in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
sabrinamay123's review
5.0
I've been pushing myself out of my realistic fiction genre and I'm becoming obsessed with fantasy/sci-fi !! I couldn't put this book down, it just had me hooked from the beginning.
sknberg's review
dark
emotional
tense
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? No
2.0
nicolleelizabeth's review against another edition
5.0
This book astonished me as much the second time as the first.
The world that has been created here is marvellous and the explanation and use of tech throughout is fantastic.
The twist at the end is still as gut wrenching the second time as the first.
There are some YA typicals in there but I don't even care, it was still an original and unique piece with lots to explore.
I am glad that this time I can jump straight into the second book.
The world that has been created here is marvellous and the explanation and use of tech throughout is fantastic.
The twist at the end is still as gut wrenching the second time as the first.
There are some YA typicals in there but I don't even care, it was still an original and unique piece with lots to explore.
I am glad that this time I can jump straight into the second book.
ahpotts's review
4.0
Maybe 3.5? Fast-paced beginning & some interesting world building (the disease - the Hydra - is interesting, as is the way tech is part of the human body. Catarina and Cole hit obstacle after obstacle throughout the novel, so I barely registered the gory descriptions. I found the romance pretty flat, but I'm kind of down on YA romances in the middle of not-romance books, so I'm not the best judge. Basically, I tore through this novel & now I'm sitting here trying to explain that I know it was really a pretty average YA post-apocalypse novel but I've still put the next one on hold.
issytriestoread's review
3.0
Emily Suvada did fantastically to integrate technological ideas about DNA and genetics into her YA sci-fic. However, the novel fell short in its construction beyond this initial plot-point. Unfortunately, it fell into the trap of many tropes. By the end of the novel, the world-building itself did not feel extensive and felt like a reflection of the characters actions, working only to extend the plot. The events that occurred removed the standalone part of the novel: the genetics, as Suvada's dystopian ideas fell apart in order to build some sort of 'tension'. Ultimately, the novel had a good base but its characters and events felt flat in their constant search for attention/action/tension.
kindrameda's review
5.0
I loved everything about this book, from the post apocalyptic vibe, to the coding aspect, to the romance. I literally couldn’t put this book down! Maybe I got a lot out of it because I also code but I thought it was brilliant, and the plot twists were incredible. Also I love a good book with a strong female lead with a female author, and no spoilers but there’s a badass feminist ending to this book that made me so happy.
Can’t wait to finish the next one!
Can’t wait to finish the next one!