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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
I wanted to enjoy this a lot more, based on the concept and the fact it was the first in what seemed to be a series. However, lack of pacing and tension building really robbed this of its potential. Most of the tension was spoiled by the rotating POVs where we were told or shown certain aspects. By the time the action kicks in at around 75%, nothing is truly surprising. I was also confused by why everyone sort of accepts the status quo, and no one seems to have inter-neighborhood friendships, which seems like it would be a thing for people who have been living on a ship for two generations. The threat from Coalys and the semi-futuristic surveillance system would not necessarily have prevented day to day mingling.
I think the biggest flaw was having Esther be in a relationship. From the beginning, we see Esther be uncomfortable with Alex, and doubt whether they would get married. While she does not question his temper or weird reactions (and this may be where I show my age), it is clear she does not want to be with him. This would allow for some midway tension, if they ended their relationship, and it certainly would lead to a more believable betrayal (I don’t believe that Esther would have trusted him implicitly). It would also make the inevitable Nik-Esther set up less weird.
I’ll still read the sequel but hopefully issues of pacing are worked out. It was enjoyable, albeit not very memorable in terms of YA dystopian lit.
I think the biggest flaw was having Esther be in a relationship. From the beginning, we see Esther be uncomfortable with Alex, and doubt whether they would get married. While she does not question his temper or weird reactions (and this may be where I show my age), it is clear she does not want to be with him. This would allow for some midway tension, if they ended their relationship, and it certainly would lead to a more believable betrayal (I don’t believe that Esther would have trusted him implicitly). It would also make the inevitable Nik-Esther set up less weird.
I’ll still read the sequel but hopefully issues of pacing are worked out. It was enjoyable, albeit not very memorable in terms of YA dystopian lit.
Welcome to the Arcadia. Where reading in public could get you imprisoned, the land is a distant dream and the slightest misstep could garner the attention of the coalies, which you would do well to avoid. There’s a revolution afoot, but can the residents of the ship Arcadia finally break free of the iron ruling of Hadley and those who would not see them walk on land for fear for spreading a viral contagion, despite there being no confirmed cases aboard.
What a great debut novel! I could tell from the first page this was going to be a book I loved and I absolutely loved it! It’s one of those where I wish I could give it 10 stars and will adamantly recommend to everyone to read. Seriously, you can not fall out with this book. It’s guaranteed to entertain and keep you turning pages.
I also loved the authors effortless writing style, which was so easy to read and enjoy. The characters were great, the plot was fab, it was seemless. I seemed to blink and the pages disappeared and I was truly hooked! And after that ending… oooof! Certainly need more. I really can’t wait to read more from this author in the future!
Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
Edit: also reread this book and listened to it on audible to recap before I read the second in the series and it was just as good as I remembered! And the narrators were all awesome.
What a great debut novel! I could tell from the first page this was going to be a book I loved and I absolutely loved it! It’s one of those where I wish I could give it 10 stars and will adamantly recommend to everyone to read. Seriously, you can not fall out with this book. It’s guaranteed to entertain and keep you turning pages.
I also loved the authors effortless writing style, which was so easy to read and enjoy. The characters were great, the plot was fab, it was seemless. I seemed to blink and the pages disappeared and I was truly hooked! And after that ending… oooof! Certainly need more. I really can’t wait to read more from this author in the future!
Thank you to the author and publisher via NetGalley for this book in return for my honest thoughts and review.
Edit: also reread this book and listened to it on audible to recap before I read the second in the series and it was just as good as I remembered! And the narrators were all awesome.
"The Stranded" is a dystopian read that follows the passengers of the Arcadia, an ocean liner that has been sheltering refugees who sought safety after a biological war broke out forty years ago, one that killed millions in the first week. Border walls were erected, the union was fractured, and those who were on the ship were never allowed to leave. For the last few years, a resistance has been brewing and they are ready to execute their plan, no matter the cost.
Wow! This is truly a unique book to freshen up the dystopian genre, which seems oversaturated with the same storylines. The author delivers a fantastic, action packed plot. Told from multiple points of view, with well developed and strong characters, it was very easy to get lost in the pages and become fully immersed in the danger and adventure. This book encapsulates everything one would expect from a story set in 2094, including a changed landscape, futuristic dialect, fancy gadgets and amazing technology. Without a doubt, this is my favorite dystopian read of 2022! Please tell me there is a sequel planned!
I would like to thank Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for providing me an advance copy ahead of its January 3, 2023 publication date in exchange for an objective review.
Wow! This is truly a unique book to freshen up the dystopian genre, which seems oversaturated with the same storylines. The author delivers a fantastic, action packed plot. Told from multiple points of view, with well developed and strong characters, it was very easy to get lost in the pages and become fully immersed in the danger and adventure. This book encapsulates everything one would expect from a story set in 2094, including a changed landscape, futuristic dialect, fancy gadgets and amazing technology. Without a doubt, this is my favorite dystopian read of 2022! Please tell me there is a sequel planned!
I would like to thank Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for providing me an advance copy ahead of its January 3, 2023 publication date in exchange for an objective review.
This book was fantastic! It was a dystopian adventure set on an old cruise shop. I liked the alternating POVs from the different characters. The only thing I didn’t like is that it’s marketed as YA but was fairly violent. I couldn’t put this one down and cannot wait for the next one!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
This is a hefty book and I lost motivation to keep reading it a few times. I was seeking a young adult dystopian romance but this lacked the romance. You see I quite like the end of the world impassioned love stories because I think it’ll be the last thing on my mind at the end of the world. But also because these are the classic ‘Love conquers all’ metaphors.
This book had all the ingredients. It had the jaded male teen. It had the good girl. It had a rebel girl who was the good girl’s elder sister. It had the love-hungry teen. There looked to be a love triangle and a sibling clash.
Instead it was a plot driven book with little depth and no deeper message of worldly politics. The story couldn’t be translated to a different scenario, time or place. It was just what and where it was, nothing more. There was no universal lesson. The story and the characters will be forgotten. I don’t think this is one that will build a similar fan base to the Divergent series, for example.
I received this book through Netgalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own and they are completely honest.
This book had all the ingredients. It had the jaded male teen. It had the good girl. It had a rebel girl who was the good girl’s elder sister. It had the love-hungry teen. There looked to be a love triangle and a sibling clash.
Instead it was a plot driven book with little depth and no deeper message of worldly politics. The story couldn’t be translated to a different scenario, time or place. It was just what and where it was, nothing more. There was no universal lesson. The story and the characters will be forgotten. I don’t think this is one that will build a similar fan base to the Divergent series, for example.
I received this book through Netgalley for review consideration. All opinions are my own and they are completely honest.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC of The Stranded in exchange for an honest review!
This is a young adult distorts book. The people that f this book have been stuck on a luxury boat for 40 years sent away from Europe which had an apocalyptic war and they are now moored by the coast of the Federated States. This book is told with three different view points. One of Ester who is a medical student hoping to be sent to the Federated States to practice medicine, Nik who is a rebel hoping to liberate the boat and Hadley who is the bad guy tormenting the citizens of the ship.
Mi really enjoyed this story! There was a lot going on, and it all came together in the end. I was interested right from the beginning and would have read it in one sitting if I hadn’t started 10:30 at night. I can’t wait for the second part of this duology comes out!
This is a young adult distorts book. The people that f this book have been stuck on a luxury boat for 40 years sent away from Europe which had an apocalyptic war and they are now moored by the coast of the Federated States. This book is told with three different view points. One of Ester who is a medical student hoping to be sent to the Federated States to practice medicine, Nik who is a rebel hoping to liberate the boat and Hadley who is the bad guy tormenting the citizens of the ship.
Mi really enjoyed this story! There was a lot going on, and it all came together in the end. I was interested right from the beginning and would have read it in one sitting if I hadn’t started 10:30 at night. I can’t wait for the second part of this duology comes out!
… many thoughts, not too many feelings.
I’ll definitely be reading the second book in the series because this ending felt a little garbled. Storyline Started off strong, a little slow in the middle, & finished very chaotically.
INTENSE characters & I do wonder how this author will spin Nik & Esther together because it seems that is the direction we found ourselves in…
I am just confusion
I’ll definitely be reading the second book in the series because this ending felt a little garbled. Storyline Started off strong, a little slow in the middle, & finished very chaotically.
INTENSE characters & I do wonder how this author will spin Nik & Esther together because it seems that is the direction we found ourselves in…
I am just confusion
Great atmospheric read. Descriptive writing that makes you feel like you’re on the boat living the experience with the characters. You can feel the salt spray in your face and the harsh weather. Loved this dystopian read and will look for more by this author. So glad I got the chance to read an advanced copy, thank you NetGalley! Highly recommend, suspenseful page turner that draws you in, with multiple points of view and a different take on a dystopian situation for the world I hadn’t seen done before. Cool idea from a book point of view .
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes