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nannyf's review against another edition
4.0
I have loved Dystopian books for quite sometime now, and have read a lot. This one, however, sounded unique as it is a book written by many authors but reading like a novel. I was intrigued to see if this idea would work or not.
The idea came from a Facebook group which has now grow to over 2,370 members. I only just found the group after reading this book, and I am so glad I did!
Individually the stories which these authors have written are all different as they deal with slightly different points in a timeline. However put them together and they create a single timeline which does, indeed, do what it promised. It reads like a novel as if it were from one single author.
I loved the fact that throughout the book we discover different sides of the same picture at various points. We meet one character who, in turn, has an interaction with another. Later in the book we see things from the second characters point of view which, in turn, also involves the initial character we met! It does sound complicated but I can't really give anything away. Suffice to say that each 'chapter' doesn't mean the end for the characters we meet.
I would love to see this idea used again because, at least in this instance, it does appear to work.
For fans of post-apocalyptic and dystopian books this is a must read.
The idea came from a Facebook group which has now grow to over 2,370 members. I only just found the group after reading this book, and I am so glad I did!
Individually the stories which these authors have written are all different as they deal with slightly different points in a timeline. However put them together and they create a single timeline which does, indeed, do what it promised. It reads like a novel as if it were from one single author.
I loved the fact that throughout the book we discover different sides of the same picture at various points. We meet one character who, in turn, has an interaction with another. Later in the book we see things from the second characters point of view which, in turn, also involves the initial character we met! It does sound complicated but I can't really give anything away. Suffice to say that each 'chapter' doesn't mean the end for the characters we meet.
I would love to see this idea used again because, at least in this instance, it does appear to work.
For fans of post-apocalyptic and dystopian books this is a must read.
planreadrepeat's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
A unique concept, and one that worked well: a group of writers, each writing a short story about the same dystopian current/near-future event, but instead of making a disparate anthology it's actually a novel, building one large story from multiple different pieces. It's almost like a spiraling mosaic path, where each piece is different but the pieces together take you on a journey, occasionally crossing but all the while progressing.
It reminds you that despite depictions in movies there are no NPC. Each person is a friend, a father, a sister, a child.
The characters are diverse in age, outlook, location and preparedness, but all face the same issues: who to trust, who to blame, where to go, and naturally what happens now. (You probably shouldn't read it if you feel paranoid.) The writing was generally good - there was only one that felt notably weaker than the others - and flowed well, with no jarring stylistic changes. The writers were all new to me, which was also a pleasant surprise.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It reminds you that despite depictions in movies there are no NPC. Each person is a friend, a father, a sister, a child.
The characters are diverse in age, outlook, location and preparedness, but all face the same issues: who to trust, who to blame, where to go, and naturally what happens now. (You probably shouldn't read it if you feel paranoid.) The writing was generally good - there was only one that felt notably weaker than the others - and flowed well, with no jarring stylistic changes. The writers were all new to me, which was also a pleasant surprise.
Spoiler
I just wish there had been a couple more sections about the effects outside the United States, as this was a worldwide event. It would have made the effect even stronger, and increased the impact.Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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