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magikspells's review
2.0
This book was a solid ok for me. I didn't hate it but I also didn't really love it. It was interesting and approached some good questions about what we consider human. I just felt like a lot of the characters were forces and unlikeable. And the story was a little flat sometimes. But all in all, a good single day read.
hhh_111's review
3.0
Creepy and a bit confused about the overall point. Small Plottwist was nice, but gruesome towards the end though
alyssaindira's review
4.0
Hey guys, so I just finished Variant by Robinson Wells and I gotta just sit back and exhale. For it was a wild ride. Gosh. From the first page was I ihrusted into this world. It starts off with Benson arriving to this school, which looks like a prison. And he soon comes to realize, it basically is a prison and he needs to escape. I barely register how they got off with calling this place a "school". They don't have contact with the outside world. No phones, no internet, no freaking calendars?! They are watched and recorded with trackers and cameras. There aren't even any teachers or staff. The kids run everything. In all my years of reading, I've never encountered this situation. That's what makes this book so intriguing. And most of all, they get sent to "detention" if they break one of the "three" big rules. No violent fighting, no refusing punishment, and no trying to escape. Which obviously Benson breaks two of the three. The school is practically run off these things called points and the gangs are assigned different contracts in order to receive these points. Probably getting ahead of myself. The gangs are what run this school, there are three. The Society, Havoc, and the V's(Variants). They all have something to bring to the table but some are more dangerous and conniving then others. So as Benson tries to navigate this crazed rat maze, he encounters enemies, friends, even a love. Then boom! Something horrid happens and I was totally not expecting it. What is this totally shocking climax within this enticing book? You'll have to read it to find out. The second book is called Feedback and I am dying to read it. Once I find it. Lol.
hotandmysteriousreader's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
i was nervous. and it literally took me 3-5 years to finish this book. so take my review w a grain of salt
celjla212's review
4.0
Benson Fisher is a 17 year old who has hopped from foster home to foster home. Needless to say, he is beyond thrilled when he learns that he has the opportunity to move to Arizona to attend a prestigious boarding school. But once Benson arrives at Maxfield Academy, it doesn't take him long to realize that something is very, very wrong.
I wasn't sure how to categorize this book...it's kind of a dystopian, but not really. The entirety of the book takes place within the walls of Maxfield Academy. Benson gets to school and immediately notices that things are weird. The students are locked in there, and there are no teachers--no adults at all on the premises, actually. But the students all attend classes and have a regulated schedule. There are cameras watching their every move.
The students have divided themselves into three distinct groups: the Society, who is basically school administration and security; Havoc, who is intent on being the troublemakers, and the Variants, who are kids who fit into neither of the other two groups, and are mainly concerned with escaping the school.
Benson is a cynical, jaded kid, which I guess I understand given his history in foster care. He went in immediately skeptical and asking questions...he was the harbinger of change after only being there a short time. I can't believe none of the other kids ever attempted to do the things he did.
I was definitely thrown for a loop when the big twist was revealed. As a matter of fact, I think I was more shocked than Benson! After he told the rest of the school what was going on, things moved very quickly. The end was kind of a hot mess...but left with a crazy cliffhanger that I can't wait to explore.
I wasn't sure how to categorize this book...it's kind of a dystopian, but not really. The entirety of the book takes place within the walls of Maxfield Academy. Benson gets to school and immediately notices that things are weird. The students are locked in there, and there are no teachers--no adults at all on the premises, actually. But the students all attend classes and have a regulated schedule. There are cameras watching their every move.
The students have divided themselves into three distinct groups: the Society, who is basically school administration and security; Havoc, who is intent on being the troublemakers, and the Variants, who are kids who fit into neither of the other two groups, and are mainly concerned with escaping the school.
Benson is a cynical, jaded kid, which I guess I understand given his history in foster care. He went in immediately skeptical and asking questions...he was the harbinger of change after only being there a short time. I can't believe none of the other kids ever attempted to do the things he did.
I was definitely thrown for a loop when the big twist was revealed. As a matter of fact, I think I was more shocked than Benson! After he told the rest of the school what was going on, things moved very quickly. The end was kind of a hot mess...but left with a crazy cliffhanger that I can't wait to explore.
christiana's review
3.0
Compelling read with a plot twist I did not see coming AT ALL (and was still freaking out about while it was happening). The ending is so total cliffhanger (WHAT DOES THAT ENDING EVEN MEAN???), but the story was compelling enough for me that I will probably be up for the sequel.
I don't know, I want to say more about it, but I don't really feel strongly about this. It was a decent read and I stayed up late to finish. The characters were okay, but I wasn't attached to any of them. I was genuinely curious in where the story would go and how the story would be resolved, but I just wasn't dazzled. It was better than meh, but not as good as really liked and unfortunately I just can't put my finger on why. I should have liked this better than I did, so chances are it just wasn't the right time for this one.
I don't know, I want to say more about it, but I don't really feel strongly about this. It was a decent read and I stayed up late to finish. The characters were okay, but I wasn't attached to any of them. I was genuinely curious in where the story would go and how the story would be resolved, but I just wasn't dazzled. It was better than meh, but not as good as really liked and unfortunately I just can't put my finger on why. I should have liked this better than I did, so chances are it just wasn't the right time for this one.
amandawhitt___'s review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lanica's review
4.0
PERSONAL REVIEW: I liked this book, despite it's faults. I enjoyed the storyline. Although there were times when I though it was a bit obvious what was happening, I was still surprised when the 'reveal' happened. Not because I hadn't picked in advance what was going to happen and why...but because the timing and the fall out of the reveal were well planned and written. It's not a masterpiece of literature, but it achieved its aim of telling and interesting story in an entertaining way. I will read the next book...simply because I want to know what is going to happen next.
LIBRARIANS REVIEW: It's a good addition to a middle or high-school library. There's a little graphic violence, a few kissing scenes and a whole lot of 'thinking' and 'reasoning' going on as readers try to figure out what's happening in the school. There are wonderful opportunities for discussion and debate and it hints at great topics in education that teachers can pull out of the text to tie into many different subjects.
LIBRARIANS REVIEW: It's a good addition to a middle or high-school library. There's a little graphic violence, a few kissing scenes and a whole lot of 'thinking' and 'reasoning' going on as readers try to figure out what's happening in the school. There are wonderful opportunities for discussion and debate and it hints at great topics in education that teachers can pull out of the text to tie into many different subjects.
books4susie's review
5.0
Seventeen-year-old Benson Fisher has been shuffled between thirty-three foster families since he entered the system at the age of five. Some placements last several months. One only lasted a few hours. Currently with the Coles, all of his free time outside of class is spent working in the family owned gas station without pay. Looking for some stability in his otherwise chaotic life, he applies for a scholarship to Maxfield Academy, a private school in New Mexico. Arriving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Benson is shocked to see that the campus is surrounded by a twelve foot tall chain link fence topped with razor wire and security cameras.
After driving through a thick steel gate set into a tall brick wall, the school representative, Ms. Vaughn, drops Benson off at the main building. She tells him to find Becky Allred and promptly leaves.
Walking up the stairs he notices the upper story windows are crowded with faces looking down on him. Some are banging on the windows and shouting, which he cannot hear, but others just stare. He notices that not everyone is wearing a school uniform. Some are wearing old fashion looking outfits while others are dressed like rappers. Suddenly, the front door opens and a boy and a girl run out chasing after Ms. Vaughn’s car. The boy stops are warns Benson not to listen to Isaiah or Oakland when they say “we can’t get out of here.” He chases after the girl leaving Benson behind.
Benson is greeted by Becky who informs him that she conducts all new student orientations. He begins to question Becky about what he has seen so far. He asks about the kids at the windows and she lets him know that they are just excited to meet him. She avoids answering about the runners by linking arms and entering the building. When Benson asks about Isaiah and Oakland, Becky becomes flustered and states that every school has troublemakers. He demands to see the principal but she states that her job is to be the first person to talk with all new students. Everyone at Maxfield has a job and there are no adults around.
Becky takes Benson to the floor where the boys’ dorms are located and drops him at the door. On the other side, the hallway s packed with boys waiting to meet him. They greet him warmly and one leads him into a quiet room and begins to talk about the gangs. Without the gangs, Maxfield would resemble Lord of the Flies. Isaiah’s group believes in being civilized and the other groups operate like gangs. He and Becky belong to the Society, the largest group at school who believes in following the rules.
Someone begins banging on the door and some of Isaiah’s boys try to keep them out. Isaiah tells Benson that one of the other groups, Havoc, is trying to get in. Society’s jobs include administration, teaching and security. Benson is not happy to learn that they are supposed to keep everyone inside the gate. Finally, the boys in the hallway break into the room and their leader is dressed in a hoodie, wearing gold chains. He also sports a tattoo around one eye and looks like he is itching for a fight. He introduces himself as Oakland and says that his gang takes care of their members. He verbally bullies Isaiah and tells Benson not to believe his nice boy act. Joining up with Havoc means they protect one another’s back.
Looking for a way out and not to assimilate, Benson gets into a fight with Oakland. Between the two of them, Benson can hold his own but is quickly outnumbered when other Havoc members join in. Benson is getting a pretty good beating when Oakland suddenly falls. Behind him stands the guy who chased after Ms. Vaughn’s car, Curtis. "He said he doesn’t want to join Havoc or the Society.” Curtis said. “That means he’s in the V’s.” he looked at Benson. “Isn’t that right?” Benson nods his head and with that he is the newest Variant at Maxfield Academy.
Benson learns that Havoc wants complete rule, the Society thinks that playing by the rules is their ticket out and the V’s consist of everyone else. They aren’t accepting of the situation and are buying their time until they can figure out a way to escape. Everyone at Maxfield is the Benson; no friends, no family, no one to know they are missing. And when Benson comes across the secret behind Maxfield, he realizes that playing by the rules could mean death and escape is nearly impossible.
Is Maxfield Academy a prison, school or laboratory? Who runs Maxfield and what secret does it hold? Will Benson be able to escape and be able to take anyone with him? What is the purpose of holding the students prisoner?
After driving through a thick steel gate set into a tall brick wall, the school representative, Ms. Vaughn, drops Benson off at the main building. She tells him to find Becky Allred and promptly leaves.
Walking up the stairs he notices the upper story windows are crowded with faces looking down on him. Some are banging on the windows and shouting, which he cannot hear, but others just stare. He notices that not everyone is wearing a school uniform. Some are wearing old fashion looking outfits while others are dressed like rappers. Suddenly, the front door opens and a boy and a girl run out chasing after Ms. Vaughn’s car. The boy stops are warns Benson not to listen to Isaiah or Oakland when they say “we can’t get out of here.” He chases after the girl leaving Benson behind.
Benson is greeted by Becky who informs him that she conducts all new student orientations. He begins to question Becky about what he has seen so far. He asks about the kids at the windows and she lets him know that they are just excited to meet him. She avoids answering about the runners by linking arms and entering the building. When Benson asks about Isaiah and Oakland, Becky becomes flustered and states that every school has troublemakers. He demands to see the principal but she states that her job is to be the first person to talk with all new students. Everyone at Maxfield has a job and there are no adults around.
Becky takes Benson to the floor where the boys’ dorms are located and drops him at the door. On the other side, the hallway s packed with boys waiting to meet him. They greet him warmly and one leads him into a quiet room and begins to talk about the gangs. Without the gangs, Maxfield would resemble Lord of the Flies. Isaiah’s group believes in being civilized and the other groups operate like gangs. He and Becky belong to the Society, the largest group at school who believes in following the rules.
Someone begins banging on the door and some of Isaiah’s boys try to keep them out. Isaiah tells Benson that one of the other groups, Havoc, is trying to get in. Society’s jobs include administration, teaching and security. Benson is not happy to learn that they are supposed to keep everyone inside the gate. Finally, the boys in the hallway break into the room and their leader is dressed in a hoodie, wearing gold chains. He also sports a tattoo around one eye and looks like he is itching for a fight. He introduces himself as Oakland and says that his gang takes care of their members. He verbally bullies Isaiah and tells Benson not to believe his nice boy act. Joining up with Havoc means they protect one another’s back.
Looking for a way out and not to assimilate, Benson gets into a fight with Oakland. Between the two of them, Benson can hold his own but is quickly outnumbered when other Havoc members join in. Benson is getting a pretty good beating when Oakland suddenly falls. Behind him stands the guy who chased after Ms. Vaughn’s car, Curtis. "He said he doesn’t want to join Havoc or the Society.” Curtis said. “That means he’s in the V’s.” he looked at Benson. “Isn’t that right?” Benson nods his head and with that he is the newest Variant at Maxfield Academy.
Benson learns that Havoc wants complete rule, the Society thinks that playing by the rules is their ticket out and the V’s consist of everyone else. They aren’t accepting of the situation and are buying their time until they can figure out a way to escape. Everyone at Maxfield is the Benson; no friends, no family, no one to know they are missing. And when Benson comes across the secret behind Maxfield, he realizes that playing by the rules could mean death and escape is nearly impossible.
Is Maxfield Academy a prison, school or laboratory? Who runs Maxfield and what secret does it hold? Will Benson be able to escape and be able to take anyone with him? What is the purpose of holding the students prisoner?