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kim3100's review
4.0
I received this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I liked this story. I really felt for the protagonists. The story is beautifully written and quick paced.
I liked this story. I really felt for the protagonists. The story is beautifully written and quick paced.
kaylakaotik's review
4.0
Sci-fi isn't my first genre choice when reading, so I'm always hesitant to agree to read and review these types of books (even more so when the book has so few reviews already). But there was something different about Chimera that intrigued me. It was written/edited by three people. THREE! I'm pretty sure three people is a first for me. So, that was my original draw into agreeing to read and review this book. Thankfully, that's not all Chimera has going for it.
It took me a couple of chapters to really become interested in the story, but then I was hooked. I was slightly more interested in Theo than Selena, but both characters were able to hold my attention. This book has it all: solid writing, realistic characters, and an entertaining story.
Chimera is an interesting book and a promising start to a series. I would definitely recommend it to those that enjoy sci-fi.
* This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review. *
It took me a couple of chapters to really become interested in the story, but then I was hooked. I was slightly more interested in Theo than Selena, but both characters were able to hold my attention. This book has it all: solid writing, realistic characters, and an entertaining story.
Chimera is an interesting book and a promising start to a series. I would definitely recommend it to those that enjoy sci-fi.
* This book was received from the author in exchange for an honest review. *
aly36's review
5.0
I loved this book. The author took the time to develop a beautiful world with characters I enjoyed. I thought the pace of Chimera was very good throughout, and by the end of the book, I cared about Theo, Meghan and Selena. Nathan Beauchamp does a wonderful job creating a world that is vivid to me. The character development was well done. Chimera is a great book for all ages. I will be glad to read the next books in the series. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
akatrinaschu's review
5.0
I’ve read a lot of YA fiction books. I enjoy them because they’re quick reads and easy to digest—and it wasn’t all that long ago that I was also considered part of the target audience.
I think what I like most about Young Adult literature is the focus on family. The families might not always be traditional and they might have a lot of problems, but that struggle is very real and relatable. Chimera is no exception. Theo, the male protagonist, lives with his parents and much younger sister. We see how he struggles to find his part of the family and his part in the community. Selena, the female protagonist, lived with her dad on a space ship for most of her life after her mother died. Living on a space ship might not be relatable—but living alone with your dad in the middle of nowhere might be.
The trend in the genre is to put teens in physically difficult situations (thank you, Hunger Games) where the possibility of death is high or encouraged. To me it seems like a lot of the books that follow this trend have the societies in their books believing that teenagers are expendable. Chimera is refreshingly different. The society values teens because they are the generation that will get them home. While Theo and Selena do undergo physically challenging and dangerous situations it’s not because a group of old men decided that they should fight to the death.
The protagonists of the story take tests to see if they are worthy of being part of the Selection. I found this to be an interesting commentary on our own society where we put a lot of weight on different standardized tests. I know that teens will relate to this concept—and be amused by Theo’s approach to making the cut.
Chimera plays with the tropes of the genre while still presenting new and exciting material. I highly recommend this book to any young adult (or adult) who enjoys science fiction.
I think what I like most about Young Adult literature is the focus on family. The families might not always be traditional and they might have a lot of problems, but that struggle is very real and relatable. Chimera is no exception. Theo, the male protagonist, lives with his parents and much younger sister. We see how he struggles to find his part of the family and his part in the community. Selena, the female protagonist, lived with her dad on a space ship for most of her life after her mother died. Living on a space ship might not be relatable—but living alone with your dad in the middle of nowhere might be.
The trend in the genre is to put teens in physically difficult situations (thank you, Hunger Games) where the possibility of death is high or encouraged. To me it seems like a lot of the books that follow this trend have the societies in their books believing that teenagers are expendable. Chimera is refreshingly different. The society values teens because they are the generation that will get them home. While Theo and Selena do undergo physically challenging and dangerous situations it’s not because a group of old men decided that they should fight to the death.
The protagonists of the story take tests to see if they are worthy of being part of the Selection. I found this to be an interesting commentary on our own society where we put a lot of weight on different standardized tests. I know that teens will relate to this concept—and be amused by Theo’s approach to making the cut.
Chimera plays with the tropes of the genre while still presenting new and exciting material. I highly recommend this book to any young adult (or adult) who enjoys science fiction.
michael_gallipo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jessieeastwood's review
4.0
I'm usually not a big fan of young adult novels or sci-fi/dystopian books either, but I really liked this book! The writing style seemed more advanced than other books of this genre, which I appreciated. The plot was engaging, the characters were interesting, and the book was a refreshing read. I actually didn't want to put it down. Now I am looking forward to reading the other two books!
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