You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
I don’t think I’ve ever been more angry about a betrayal in a book
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this free ARC.
The Stranded is an original take on post-apocalyptic dystopia. With intrigue, action and suspense, it's perfect for those of us that enjoy a grittier story.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The Stranded is an original take on post-apocalyptic dystopia. With intrigue, action and suspense, it's perfect for those of us that enjoy a grittier story.
I thoroughly enjoyed it!
It started out a little slow as the world’s reality was established, I prefer a faster start. I’m not sure what could have been done differently to speed it up. In the end, it was a foundation worth the time. You can build several books on what was built here.
The ending was fairly predictable, but then, I was wrong!
Do they win? … Do they lose? … Read it and you find your own answers. It’s worth your time and effort to arrive at your own conclusions.
The ending was fairly predictable, but then, I was wrong!
Do they win? … Do they lose? … Read it and you find your own answers. It’s worth your time and effort to arrive at your own conclusions.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
The concept of this book was very interesting to me, but unfortunately it fell short. The idea of a dystopian world where people are protentially being kept prisoner on a cruise ship seems super creepy and opens up a lot of oportunity for horror. I guess it's my bad that I was expecting something this book was not. Otherwise, I enjoyed the relationships between the characters and the "Big Brother Is Watching" energy the people running the ship was giving off.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing me with an eBook copy to review.
"The Stranded" by Sarah Daniels presents a compelling near-future dystopian world set in the year 2094 aboard the Arcadia, a once-luxurious cruise ship turned refugee camp due to an apocalyptic war. The storyline deftly weaves drama, tension, and anxiety, creating a gripping narrative that is hard to put down. The author successfully captures the essence of a fractured USA, portraying a society on the brink where extreme social disparities, gangs, and makeshift shelters define daily life.
Within this setting, the characters of Esther, a loyal citizen striving for a chance at a normal life as a medic on dry land, and Nik, a rebel with ambitions to liberate the Arcadia, are skillfully intertwined. Their convergence sets off a chain of events that not only transforms their lives but also impacts everyone on the ship. The multiple points of view employed in the storytelling enhance the depth and complexity of the narrative, allowing readers to engage with different perspectives.
The book aptly fits the criteria of a young adult dystopian novel, with a realistic portrayal that draws parallels to our own world, especially in the aftermath of recent global events like the pandemic. The hint of romance and rebellion adds an extra layer of intrigue, making it a well-rounded and emotionally resonant tale. As the first installment of a two-part series, "The Stranded" leaves readers eagerly anticipating the continuation of this thought-provoking and immersive dystopian saga.
Within this setting, the characters of Esther, a loyal citizen striving for a chance at a normal life as a medic on dry land, and Nik, a rebel with ambitions to liberate the Arcadia, are skillfully intertwined. Their convergence sets off a chain of events that not only transforms their lives but also impacts everyone on the ship. The multiple points of view employed in the storytelling enhance the depth and complexity of the narrative, allowing readers to engage with different perspectives.
The book aptly fits the criteria of a young adult dystopian novel, with a realistic portrayal that draws parallels to our own world, especially in the aftermath of recent global events like the pandemic. The hint of romance and rebellion adds an extra layer of intrigue, making it a well-rounded and emotionally resonant tale. As the first installment of a two-part series, "The Stranded" leaves readers eagerly anticipating the continuation of this thought-provoking and immersive dystopian saga.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The cover of this book immediately captured my attention. I was aware that this book had been previously published and it was just getting a glow up, but comparing the new and old cover it seemed like night and day. I'm always down for books getting a refresh, and good on the author for realizing this book needed it!
The Stranded takes place in a dystopian future where the inhabitants of the cruise ship Arcadia are exiled from Europe. There is a call to liberate Arcadia and the passengers aboard the ship and the comparisons to The Hunger Games and Divergent was a smart call. I definitely got those vibes, and more. There were multiple POVs (which is always a win for me) and I thought the pacing and flow was spot on.
Usually when I read YA I tend to gravitate towards more romance or fantasy focused genres but this was a hit for me and it definitely urged me to read outside of my niche.
The cover of this book immediately captured my attention. I was aware that this book had been previously published and it was just getting a glow up, but comparing the new and old cover it seemed like night and day. I'm always down for books getting a refresh, and good on the author for realizing this book needed it!
The Stranded takes place in a dystopian future where the inhabitants of the cruise ship Arcadia are exiled from Europe. There is a call to liberate Arcadia and the passengers aboard the ship and the comparisons to The Hunger Games and Divergent was a smart call. I definitely got those vibes, and more. There were multiple POVs (which is always a win for me) and I thought the pacing and flow was spot on.
Usually when I read YA I tend to gravitate towards more romance or fantasy focused genres but this was a hit for me and it definitely urged me to read outside of my niche.
This was such a unique story. I really didn't know what to expect going in, but it was a dystopian story for sure! I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the quarantine aspect of the story, but it wasn't bad at all. I actually think this would make a great movie with all the action. I also enjoyed the multiple perspectives that we got, especially from different sides of the battle. There were parts that I felt got a little long or bogged down by details, but overall the book was good. I'm not sure if I'll pick up a sequel, but I am curious what happens next. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-book arc.
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Stranded by Sarah Daniels has a lot of potential, but I found the execution to be lacking. The residents aboard the ship Arcadia have been at sea for 40 years after a virus and war plagues Europe. Floating off the cost of the Federated States (formerly the United States), no one is will allow the passengers to disembark onto firm land.
The story rotates between three points of view. Nik's dad was taken away when he was a boy because he was planning a rebellion and now Nik has taken up the cause. Esther is a rule follower and her hopes hinge on acceptance into medical school in the Federated States. Hadley is basically the ships enforcer and the villain in the story.
Where I struggled to connect with the book was in the details. The plot starts with the rebellion, and wile there is some before information thrown in, I never got a clear picture of how the ship operated. There are different levels and each level is determined by wealth and power. Beyond that, I don't really get it. I was also recently on a cruise ship for vacation and struggled to envision how it could have been broken down into this class system while still functioning.
The story felt a bit long. The beginning had a lot of action and angst, while the middle dragged a bit and the ending was a massive cliffhanger. Thankfully the next book is out so you don't have to wait to see how it all turns out.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted review copy.
The story rotates between three points of view. Nik's dad was taken away when he was a boy because he was planning a rebellion and now Nik has taken up the cause. Esther is a rule follower and her hopes hinge on acceptance into medical school in the Federated States. Hadley is basically the ships enforcer and the villain in the story.
Where I struggled to connect with the book was in the details. The plot starts with the rebellion, and wile there is some before information thrown in, I never got a clear picture of how the ship operated. There are different levels and each level is determined by wealth and power. Beyond that, I don't really get it. I was also recently on a cruise ship for vacation and struggled to envision how it could have been broken down into this class system while still functioning.
The story felt a bit long. The beginning had a lot of action and angst, while the middle dragged a bit and the ending was a massive cliffhanger. Thankfully the next book is out so you don't have to wait to see how it all turns out.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted review copy.