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cathiedalziel's review against another edition
4.0
Not sure how I feel about this book. Baggott does a very good job in building a world that is totally depraved. A world that has no value or sentiment for human life.
Did I like this book. No. But a review shouldn't be based on what I like. A book review's purpose is to let other's know if the book is well written, if the story is original, if the plot makes you feel emotions. This book is all that; hence my 4 stars.
My recommendation is to take a lot of gravol while reading this one. My stomach was quesy and I had bile in my throat more than once. This book is graphic and it succeeds in evoking strong emotions (at least it did in me). It is definitely one of the creepiest and darkest YA dystopias I've read so far.
I hope we never get to this level of human commodity exchange for the ultimate purpose.
I'm not sure how I feel about Pressia, the main character. She is more stoic and brave than I ever will be or ever want to be.
The ending surprised me (the epilogue)in that it was sweet and emotional and dared to believe in hope for the future; real hope of goodness not just a wish. It fit with the story but was not like the story that was told to that point. Think of Terminator 2 with the gritty tale of life now and then the ending of emotion that made your heart feel when it was not use to feeling, and you'll get the point.
I may just read the next book in the series [b:Fuse|9752754|Fuse (Pure #2)|Julianna Baggott|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362017479s/9752754.jpg|14642009][bc:Fuse|9752754|Fuse (Pure #2)|Julianna Baggott|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362017479s/9752754.jpg|14642009] to see whether their hopes ever come true. Before I do I will have to line my stomach with steel and get blotto (100% Moonshine), so it may be awhile before you see that review.
If you're a gore fan, you will probably relish this read. It's brutal and it takes you into a world not for the squemish.
Did I like this book. No. But a review shouldn't be based on what I like. A book review's purpose is to let other's know if the book is well written, if the story is original, if the plot makes you feel emotions. This book is all that; hence my 4 stars.
My recommendation is to take a lot of gravol while reading this one. My stomach was quesy and I had bile in my throat more than once. This book is graphic and it succeeds in evoking strong emotions (at least it did in me). It is definitely one of the creepiest and darkest YA dystopias I've read so far.
I hope we never get to this level of human commodity exchange for the ultimate purpose.
I'm not sure how I feel about Pressia, the main character. She is more stoic and brave than I ever will be or ever want to be.
The ending surprised me (the epilogue)in that it was sweet and emotional and dared to believe in hope for the future; real hope of goodness not just a wish. It fit with the story but was not like the story that was told to that point. Think of Terminator 2 with the gritty tale of life now and then the ending of emotion that made your heart feel when it was not use to feeling, and you'll get the point.
I may just read the next book in the series [b:Fuse|9752754|Fuse (Pure #2)|Julianna Baggott|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362017479s/9752754.jpg|14642009][bc:Fuse|9752754|Fuse (Pure #2)|Julianna Baggott|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362017479s/9752754.jpg|14642009] to see whether their hopes ever come true. Before I do I will have to line my stomach with steel and get blotto (100% Moonshine), so it may be awhile before you see that review.
If you're a gore fan, you will probably relish this read. It's brutal and it takes you into a world not for the squemish.
feistyiris's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jessameseed's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tiffanywang29's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. I have to say that this was probably one of the best love plots I've read. None of it was cheesy, love-at-first-sight stuff. Don't get me wrong-that's romantic and cute, but kinda stupid if it is the main plot of the book. Well I guess I can't rant anymore without going <-- Anyone who read the book shouldn't be too lazy to click the "spoiler" button!
For the rest of the book, I have to say it started off kind of slow, but by the end I could not put it down. I even took the risk of getting a headache by reading it in the car. The twists were definitely twists and they partially surprised me (either it's just me, or the foreshadowing was very foreshadow-y). The little blurb thing on the back/book jacket was cheesy with the, "When they meet, their lives are changed forever" thing, but it's okay because the book made up for that! I 100% recommend this book, and can't wait for Book 2! (I'm assuming there's a Book 2 because it says "End of Book 1")
Spoiler
all Bradwell and Pressia are so cute together!!! It was adorable when he went, "My selfish reason was you." I knew from the very beginning that they were going to fall in love! =DFor the rest of the book, I have to say it started off kind of slow, but by the end I could not put it down. I even took the risk of getting a headache by reading it in the car. The twists were definitely twists and they partially surprised me (either it's just me, or the foreshadowing was very foreshadow-y). The little blurb thing on the back/book jacket was cheesy with the, "When they meet, their lives are changed forever" thing, but it's okay because the book made up for that! I 100% recommend this book, and can't wait for Book 2! (I'm assuming there's a Book 2 because it says "End of Book 1")
jon_sgf's review against another edition
3.0
good book if you are recovering from a hunger games hangover. neat concept and created world. not much depth. I'll read the rest of the trilogy in time to see if it goes anywhere
ja3m3's review against another edition
4.0
Pure is another YA dsytopian novel and I know it seems that we have been inundated with post-apocalyptic novels, but this one is really worth a read. Baggot has created a world that is gruesome with the reality of what could happen if we use biochemical bombs. Living creatures would fuse with whatever they are touching. If, for example, you were talking on your cell phone your cell phone would be fused to your head – it becomes a part of you – and your hand would be fused to the phone. You would be in that position forever – if you survived the detonations. Baggot's world is visually creepy and stunning in its rich details.
The characters are diverse and Pressia the main protagonist is not your typical hero. She is a young girl who has just turned 16 which means she will be rounded up by the militia and deemed worthy to live – all she wants to do is survive. In her struggle to be free she will collect an eclectic group of people who will be called on to fight for their right to live and to possibly change the world.
Pure is the first part of a three part series and I can’t wait for the second book Fuse to be released in February 2013. If you are a fan of dystopia novels, you will love this unique book.
Note: I won this book in a First-Reads give-away.
The characters are diverse and Pressia the main protagonist is not your typical hero. She is a young girl who has just turned 16 which means she will be rounded up by the militia and deemed worthy to live – all she wants to do is survive. In her struggle to be free she will collect an eclectic group of people who will be called on to fight for their right to live and to possibly change the world.
Pure is the first part of a three part series and I can’t wait for the second book Fuse to be released in February 2013. If you are a fan of dystopia novels, you will love this unique book.
Note: I won this book in a First-Reads give-away.
sparklingreader's review against another edition
4.0
Title: Pure
Author: Julianna Baggott
Genre: YA science fiction
Grade: B+
This is a big book, and I’m not talking just size. It is not a light story as it deals with dystopian subjects like government conspiracies, mutations, betrayal, family issues, revenge, and more. The world building is phenomenal, the characters strong and believable.
The story revolves around two main characters – Pressia and Partridge. Partridge is a “Pure” meaning he is human. He lives inside the Dome, a place that was protected when the Detonation happened. Pressia and others like her were not so lucky. They were on the outside and merged with whatever happened to be close to them at that moment. In Pressia’s case, her left arm ends in a doll’s head. She was one of the lucky ones.
I thought the story very well developed. The characters are strong, horrific, disturbing, yet vulnerable and endearing. It is a mixture of horror, romance, mystery, and more. I really liked the story.
What I didn’t like was the style of the book – and this is strictly a personal issue. It has nothing to do with the quality of the story, which is excellent. That being said, I am not a huge fan of books where each chapter is dedicated to a different character. Basically, you have a chapter in Pressia’s point of view, then one in Partridge’s, then someone else, and so on. By the time we get back to Pressia, I’ve lost her issues. Plus this kind of writing leads to repetition by giving the same scene from different points of view. In addition, it was written in first person present tense which can be confusing in multiple points of view. As I said, personal issues.
Other than this, Pure is a strong story that fans of dystopian science fiction will definitely enjoy.
Author: Julianna Baggott
Genre: YA science fiction
Grade: B+
This is a big book, and I’m not talking just size. It is not a light story as it deals with dystopian subjects like government conspiracies, mutations, betrayal, family issues, revenge, and more. The world building is phenomenal, the characters strong and believable.
The story revolves around two main characters – Pressia and Partridge. Partridge is a “Pure” meaning he is human. He lives inside the Dome, a place that was protected when the Detonation happened. Pressia and others like her were not so lucky. They were on the outside and merged with whatever happened to be close to them at that moment. In Pressia’s case, her left arm ends in a doll’s head. She was one of the lucky ones.
I thought the story very well developed. The characters are strong, horrific, disturbing, yet vulnerable and endearing. It is a mixture of horror, romance, mystery, and more. I really liked the story.
What I didn’t like was the style of the book – and this is strictly a personal issue. It has nothing to do with the quality of the story, which is excellent. That being said, I am not a huge fan of books where each chapter is dedicated to a different character. Basically, you have a chapter in Pressia’s point of view, then one in Partridge’s, then someone else, and so on. By the time we get back to Pressia, I’ve lost her issues. Plus this kind of writing leads to repetition by giving the same scene from different points of view. In addition, it was written in first person present tense which can be confusing in multiple points of view. As I said, personal issues.
Other than this, Pure is a strong story that fans of dystopian science fiction will definitely enjoy.
carolineroche's review against another edition
5.0
A dark and gritty dystopian story this - far darker than all of the rest I've read and definitely for Year 9 upwards. But it is excellent with strong male and female characters. A book to give you nightmares - and remember. I recommend it.
sarahbethbrown's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite first book in a trilogy since Hunger Games. This book was kinda grody, since the characters were morphed with inanimate objects after a series of mysterious detonations. But then I got past that, and just got really into the story. I think that there were too many characters, but I suspect that much of the loose ends will get tied togetehr in future installments. Not a great plan, but it worked. I'm actually invested in what is going to happen next, and pleased that this broke from the trope of girls lives in oppressive society, meets boy who doesn't believe in said society, questions everything she believes in, gets in trouble and has to run away. This has some of that, but only about to the degree of the Hunger Games.
Do read this. It's also not specifically YA or Adult, and thus fits a little better into both than books that are specifically one or the other.
Do read this. It's also not specifically YA or Adult, and thus fits a little better into both than books that are specifically one or the other.
lernstreads's review against another edition
3.0
The storyline is well done and interesting. However, sometimes it feels as though the story jumps to expected events or jumps to expected events without setting up the plot to get us there.