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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I start with the comment that I wanted to love this book. It sounded original and different. However, it fell flat for me. I wanted more world building. It took me a third of the book to realize that Hadley was an adult, though I will say that he was an excellent villain. As a matter of fact, he was really the only character that I really connected with.
ARC from netgalley.
ARC from netgalley.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A dystopian novel on a cruise ship? Yes please!
Short Synopsis:
The Arcadia has been floating for forty years. The residents aren’t allowed on land for fear that they carry a virus that hasn’t existed for decades. Ester is training to be a medic to one day leave the ship, but then gets caught up in her sisters secrets.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this one! The characters were well developed. The twists were great. It has everything you want in a dystopian YA novel - corrupt government, brave heroine, drama, rebellion, relatable social issues and action. So much action.
It’s like Black Mirror meets The Hunger Games. And now I have to impatiently wait to read the conclusion of this duology.
Short Synopsis:
The Arcadia has been floating for forty years. The residents aren’t allowed on land for fear that they carry a virus that hasn’t existed for decades. Ester is training to be a medic to one day leave the ship, but then gets caught up in her sisters secrets.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this one! The characters were well developed. The twists were great. It has everything you want in a dystopian YA novel - corrupt government, brave heroine, drama, rebellion, relatable social issues and action. So much action.
It’s like Black Mirror meets The Hunger Games. And now I have to impatiently wait to read the conclusion of this duology.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I know YA dystopian novels are a bit passé these days, but I'm still a fan, so THE STRANDED sounded tantalizing to me. The setting—a luxury cruise liner that unwittingly became a refugee ship 40 years ago when a deadly virus decimated Europe—is an intriguing one that I haven't encountered before. Although Daniels doesn't spend enough time explaining ship culture and how it has evolved over time, I think what she does describe makes for an interesting start. The novel is narrated by three different people, two teens and one adult (their nemesis, the cruel overlord who's in charge of the ship's security forces). All of them, unfortunately, are pretty much one-dimensional clichés in need of fleshing out. I cared about what was going to happen to Esther and May without feeling all that connected to either of them. As far as action goes, there was enough of it to keep me turning pages. Daniels tells the story in short sentences and quick chapters, which makes it feel like it's moving along at a fair clip. Still, it gets overly long in places (it IS long, at just under 500 pages). The plot is fairly generic, so the book doesn't feel as fresh as I hoped it would. All that being said, I enjoyed THE STRANDED for the most part. It kept me engrossed and entertained. While I didn't feel as invested in the characters and story as I wanted to, I'm up for another book. This one ends on a cliffhanger; I admit I'm interested to see what happens next.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. Since I can't, I rounded up.
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars. Since I can't, I rounded up.
The Stranded
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 1/3/23
Author: Sarah Daniels
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 464
GR: 3.89
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: I loved the premise of this story. Apocalyptic war with a deadly virus on board a cruise line. In a way, it built upon Covid, magnified. Being an avid cruiser myself, it gives you pause. The story opens up directly into the plot of conflict. The story is narrated by Esther, Nik, and Hadley, through their perspectives, in an alternating POV. This story does have some darker content, but it is geared more towards a younger reader. I did enjoy the story, although I felt it was a little long. The story primarily focuses on 3 characters, Esther, Nik, and Hadley (there are others, but these are focused). Esther is a naive teenager training to become a medic on the ship with hopes of medical school once on land. Nik is strong and rebellious in nature while questioning the status of things, also desperate to escape. Lastly, Hadley, the not so nice leader, is in charge, using drones and soldiers to keep all passengers inline. This is a slow burn thriller and it takes awhile to get “heated” up. The characters were developed well with depth, mystery, and were intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, creative, and keeps you engaged. The only con is the length of the book. If you love Hunger Games or Divergent, then I would recommend this book! Out today!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 1/3/23
Author: Sarah Daniels
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Pages: 464
GR: 3.89
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
My Thoughts: I loved the premise of this story. Apocalyptic war with a deadly virus on board a cruise line. In a way, it built upon Covid, magnified. Being an avid cruiser myself, it gives you pause. The story opens up directly into the plot of conflict. The story is narrated by Esther, Nik, and Hadley, through their perspectives, in an alternating POV. This story does have some darker content, but it is geared more towards a younger reader. I did enjoy the story, although I felt it was a little long. The story primarily focuses on 3 characters, Esther, Nik, and Hadley (there are others, but these are focused). Esther is a naive teenager training to become a medic on the ship with hopes of medical school once on land. Nik is strong and rebellious in nature while questioning the status of things, also desperate to escape. Lastly, Hadley, the not so nice leader, is in charge, using drones and soldiers to keep all passengers inline. This is a slow burn thriller and it takes awhile to get “heated” up. The characters were developed well with depth, mystery, and were intriguing. The author’s writing style was complex, suspenseful, creative, and keeps you engaged. The only con is the length of the book. If you love Hunger Games or Divergent, then I would recommend this book! Out today!!
I want to thank NetGalley for an early copy of The Stranded by Sarah Daniels. I always enjoy dystopian young adult books. This one being set on a cruise ship where they have lived for many, many, many years, Forty years!! All because of a virus, sound familiar? The story is told from multiple points of view., including one that is the villain. An original take on a dystopian world. It was fast paced and action packed. I can’t wait for the next book to come out.
The Stranded is a great thriller, filled with strong use of multiple POVs (nice use of a villain voice!), solid pacing, and dystopian themes that are well executed. I kind of secretly love YA books that have teens coming into their ow, realizing the word is a messy and scary place but also one they are a part of, one they can have a say in and a word maybe they can take back. I was reminded of my love for the hunger games and also perhaps for the 90s buffy/scream movie type vibes that this evoked in me.
So appreciative of the chance to read this book from Sarah Daniels, I think many dystopian fans will be pleased with the action suspene thriller!
So appreciative of the chance to read this book from Sarah Daniels, I think many dystopian fans will be pleased with the action suspene thriller!
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No