Reviews - Year One | The StoryGraph

1.8k reviews for:

I used to enjoy NR romances, but this book was an embarrassment. I'm not sure I've ever seen a more transparent ripoff of Stephen King's The Stand, I mean right down to dialogue and sequences of events, not just overall plot elements. It's bad, though. Random fairies and magical white people (one token black guy, though - NR always has one of those) and no explanation that makes any sense at all. just terrible, I only finished because I'm a librarian and all the buzz this book has gotten.

tchstroo's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

artful_el's review against another edition

3.0

To start with.... no dogs were harmed, that I can remember. This is very important when considering a book to read.
Beyond that, Year One was alright.
I've never read a dystopian fantasy before. Usually dystopian is more science fiction.
I will admit, that I did prefer the storyline of Fred, Arlys, Jonah, and Rachel over Max and Lana. So, I am a little disappointed that this series is following Lana and going down the Chosen One, magical child route.
What can you do though, it's a classic trope. Done to death, and likely to be done forever.
It ended well enough that I will consider adding the rest of the series to my list.

marieburton2004's review against another edition

5.0

Mere words cannot express the fluidity of this novel. I am pretty certain but cannot recall if I have read a book by Roberts, but I shall never forget this one.

he_j's review against another edition

4.0

Great, keeps you on the page, Pandemic aftermath story! Will follow the trilogy.

cloubie's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I both liked and disliked this book. I enjoyed the focus on the deadly virus and how people reacted to this and survived in the aftermath. However I felt that the inclusion of magic and the chosen one was unnecessary and didn't fit with the story. It felt like the author was just trying to squeeze in some fantasy aspects to tick a box. I absolutely hated the 'visions' that came from Lana, these prophecies were not well written and just didn't go with the flow of the story. I usually love fantasy stories but this one just didn't do it for me.

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