Reviews - Year One | The StoryGraph

1.82k reviews for:

Nora Roberts has long been my favorite author. She pushes the boundaries by writing about various topics and under different names. She is more than a “romance novelist “ as many derisively label her and this book proved she can be an author for all.

Taking in the dystopian theme that has been popular as of late, Nora takes our over half of the worlds population with a new plague leaving world weary survivors both if the human and magical sort. Strangers trying to survive become communities and families while trying to make their way through the brave new world. In the midst of all the unknown a new baby yet to be born has brought world of a Savior and the fight to see her born becomes a battle to the death.

I enjoy dystopian novels and can’t wait to read the next installment of the series. I’m just bummed it’s gonna be another year.

larseb13's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed this book! I didn't realize it was sci-fi fantasy at first. I would have enjoyed the story without the sci-fi genre as well. There was a lot going on with fairies, witches, elves it was just a weird mix. I did not like the biblical references mixed in either, but I overall enjoyed it and will read the next one in the series!

jazzijessi's review against another edition

4.25

adventurous lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

yogamom32's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

aimeebix's review against another edition

3.25

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful tense slow-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: Complicated

bookishxobsession's review against another edition

5.0

Man this book was really spooky to be rereading during the pandemic but it is, as is expected of nora, to be full of amazing characters full of depth and personality. Nora really understands humans and how they work so everything is believable. I loved the progression and the multiple pov. I loved the relationships built and the love (platonic and romantic) shown between characters.

ceena's review against another edition

4.0

I started this book without knowing what it was about -- I just knew it was popular and some of my friends were going to read it. So, I picked it up and went "Woah..." I figured the sci-fi, but didn't think it would that much fantasy. Right out the gate too; I know some people say the fantasy really doesn't set in until later-- and there are more fantasy elements later, but it starts with blood in a... was it a mushroom circle? fairy circle? One of those types of things.
So, expect the fantasy more than sci-fi.

There are also some very large time jumps. This book is like a prequel in that everything is explaining how the virus attacked, how people started living, which big bads came out, and we learn who "The One" is. So, the time jumps are necessary in order to cover a whole year. I didn't always like them and at the end of the book I wondered if the multiple POV were even necessary.

There is death in this book and mentions of rape. I was a bit taken aback by the death part -- so shocking with who dies. Then again, this is an apocalyptic world, so I suppose not too crazy.

I did really like this book. It isn't one I had to read in one sitting, I tended towards wanting breaks either from the violence or sadness or just because... well, I'd feel like I should/could stop reading. I don't want to say I lost my interest since well, I didn't, but... I honestly don't know how to talk about this book.UGH.

I thought all the characters were interesting, albeit some felt a little 'holier-than-thou' at times. All the main ones definitely have separate personalities. There wasn't one POV over the other I preferred, although with Lana sometimes I got tired of Max.
The magic wasn't ever explained, but I think this is something the next book will cover. I hope. I want to know why the sickness and everything that happened caused some people to have wings.

All in all, a good book and I'm glad I read it. It is just a bit weird (story and the writing), slower paced, and feels like a set-up for the rest of the story. I will recommend this to people with a love of dystopia with a dash of fantasy and are prepared for a long one.