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kaitrosereads's review against another edition
5.0
Taken, Erin Bowman's debut novel, completely blew me away. I had high expectations from the very beginning and all my expectations were met, if not exceeded.
Taken is told from a male point-of-view but it is written by a female author. In the past I've found that female authors either get it perfect or fail miserably. In this case, Erin Bowman definitely got it perfect. Gray lives in a futuristic society but he still thinks like your average teenage boy. He worries about girls, family, and growing up. However, he also has the Heist to worry about. His mind is a jumble of worries for himself, his friends, and his family. He's an honorable guy who is impossible not to love. He's strong, brave, smart, and funny. He's not perfect, by any means, but he's pretty dang close.
I adored the world that Erin Bowman created. To me it came across as a mix of fantasy and dystopian, a lot like Defiance by C.J. Redwine, actually. The people of Claysoot lived like people of the past. They had very little technology and they lived off the land. However, there are many secrets in Claysoot and things definitely aren't as they first appear. Let's just say that Claysoot isn't as rooted in the past as it's citizens think. I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.
The story is completely pulse-pounding and impossible to put down. Erin Bowman managed to blend action and information perfectly. From the very first page readers are thrown into Gray's world and his problems and they aren't anything like the problems of a typical teenage guy. There's mystery, suspense, action, romance, and so much more.
As for the romance, it's not typical either. There is a love triangle but in this case it's one boy and two girls. Neither romance is spur of the moment though. Both girls take the time to get to know Gray before starting anything with him. Honestly, I like both girls and I think Gray could be happy with either of them. It's a dilemma for me since normally I'm very decisive about who I want a character to end up with. Also, both girls are different but they have some similarities. One of those similarities is that they are very kick-ass although in very different ways. One is a very skilled healer who dives into situations where people need her help. The other is a very skilled fighter who doesn't appear to be afraid of anything. Even though Taken is told from a male point-of-view, the females in the story still get plenty of recognition.
Overall, Taken is at the top of my list of recommendations. Readers will not be disappointed with this debut novel and it will leave you wanting more!
Taken is told from a male point-of-view but it is written by a female author. In the past I've found that female authors either get it perfect or fail miserably. In this case, Erin Bowman definitely got it perfect. Gray lives in a futuristic society but he still thinks like your average teenage boy. He worries about girls, family, and growing up. However, he also has the Heist to worry about. His mind is a jumble of worries for himself, his friends, and his family. He's an honorable guy who is impossible not to love. He's strong, brave, smart, and funny. He's not perfect, by any means, but he's pretty dang close.
I adored the world that Erin Bowman created. To me it came across as a mix of fantasy and dystopian, a lot like Defiance by C.J. Redwine, actually. The people of Claysoot lived like people of the past. They had very little technology and they lived off the land. However, there are many secrets in Claysoot and things definitely aren't as they first appear. Let's just say that Claysoot isn't as rooted in the past as it's citizens think. I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.
The story is completely pulse-pounding and impossible to put down. Erin Bowman managed to blend action and information perfectly. From the very first page readers are thrown into Gray's world and his problems and they aren't anything like the problems of a typical teenage guy. There's mystery, suspense, action, romance, and so much more.
As for the romance, it's not typical either. There is a love triangle but in this case it's one boy and two girls. Neither romance is spur of the moment though. Both girls take the time to get to know Gray before starting anything with him. Honestly, I like both girls and I think Gray could be happy with either of them. It's a dilemma for me since normally I'm very decisive about who I want a character to end up with. Also, both girls are different but they have some similarities. One of those similarities is that they are very kick-ass although in very different ways. One is a very skilled healer who dives into situations where people need her help. The other is a very skilled fighter who doesn't appear to be afraid of anything. Even though Taken is told from a male point-of-view, the females in the story still get plenty of recognition.
Overall, Taken is at the top of my list of recommendations. Readers will not be disappointed with this debut novel and it will leave you wanting more!
kel_pru's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars more like. I loved the first 50 pages or so. Interesting premise. Male narrator. Into it. By the end, I was just a bit bored.
carmelita89's review against another edition
5.0
I thought this book was fantastic! I received a copy of the second book in this series, Frozen, from the author for first reads. I didn't want to start in the middle so I ran out and bought the other two. In some ways it was similar to Maze Runner but I still really enjoyed it! Would definitely recommend it!
heather4994's review against another edition
5.0
Taken is one of those books I feel like I've been waiting forever to read. But once I started reading it, I felt like I'd just started it and it was already ending. I have been dying to know, what happens to the boys during the Heist? Where do they go? How does the population survive? Since the first time I saw the premise of this book, it has probably hooked me better than any other book I've ever read a premise for simply because boys disappearing right in front of everyone?? That's a scary thought.
Gray has an older brother, Blaine who is taken in the beginning of the story. I've never had a book made me swallow the lump in my throat by the third chapter, but when Gray talked about how lonely he was, I was about to bawl! He's this big strong boy that hunts and takes care of himself, but inside, he's this scared kid. He's lost everyone he loves and he has no one to talk to about his feelings. It is really sad.
The world is very Hunger Games like. Except the men aren't men. They are boys. Otherwise it kind of reminds me of a town in a western movie. There is no technology and rudimentary medical supplies. They have no electricity or running water. No indoor plumbing. But except for the Heist, people seem satisfied with their lives, not living in poverty.
Then there is the Wall. It's as if it's a living breathing thing. It Walls the people of Claysoot in and the rest of whatever else is out there, out. Brave or scared individuals have climbed the tree that reaches the top of the wall and tried to look past the wall. All that's visible is black nothingness. Anyone that goes over the wall, their body turns up the next day, charred and burned. Some boys do this to escape the Heist.
I am stopping my review here. I haven't told you anything past the summary because I'm not going to spoil anything for you. But that is just one quarter of the book. It took me only a couple of hours to read this book, I couldn't put it down. Plus, I had to know what was going on. I LOVE Gray Weathersby. He is impulsive and rash, but he has so much fire and life to him, he's such a great character. He wants to save everyone and I love him for that! The writing is easy and as you might have guessed, fast paced. There is a lot of character growth and a lot of action. Things that could have been over explained were thankfully only gone over once. Everything was explained just enough, but not in too much detail, to make it interesting but not cumbersome. And no cliffhangers or insta love!
I'm ready for the next book, please! Can I be a Beta reader? Please!!!
Great start to a new dystopian series! Recommended for lovers of dystopians with some romance, maybe a bit of sci-fi and great characters.
Let me know if you read it and what you thought!
I received an E-Arc of this novel from HarperTeen through Edelweiss for review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
Heather
Gray has an older brother, Blaine who is taken in the beginning of the story. I've never had a book made me swallow the lump in my throat by the third chapter, but when Gray talked about how lonely he was, I was about to bawl! He's this big strong boy that hunts and takes care of himself, but inside, he's this scared kid. He's lost everyone he loves and he has no one to talk to about his feelings. It is really sad.
The world is very Hunger Games like. Except the men aren't men. They are boys. Otherwise it kind of reminds me of a town in a western movie. There is no technology and rudimentary medical supplies. They have no electricity or running water. No indoor plumbing. But except for the Heist, people seem satisfied with their lives, not living in poverty.
Then there is the Wall. It's as if it's a living breathing thing. It Walls the people of Claysoot in and the rest of whatever else is out there, out. Brave or scared individuals have climbed the tree that reaches the top of the wall and tried to look past the wall. All that's visible is black nothingness. Anyone that goes over the wall, their body turns up the next day, charred and burned. Some boys do this to escape the Heist.
I am stopping my review here. I haven't told you anything past the summary because I'm not going to spoil anything for you. But that is just one quarter of the book. It took me only a couple of hours to read this book, I couldn't put it down. Plus, I had to know what was going on. I LOVE Gray Weathersby. He is impulsive and rash, but he has so much fire and life to him, he's such a great character. He wants to save everyone and I love him for that! The writing is easy and as you might have guessed, fast paced. There is a lot of character growth and a lot of action. Things that could have been over explained were thankfully only gone over once. Everything was explained just enough, but not in too much detail, to make it interesting but not cumbersome. And no cliffhangers or insta love!
I'm ready for the next book, please! Can I be a Beta reader? Please!!!
Great start to a new dystopian series! Recommended for lovers of dystopians with some romance, maybe a bit of sci-fi and great characters.
Let me know if you read it and what you thought!
I received an E-Arc of this novel from HarperTeen through Edelweiss for review. The opinions expressed are my own. I was not compensated for my review.
Heather
minseigle's review against another edition
4.0
I give this book 3.5-4 stars. It reminded me very much of the Maze Runner. (I don't want to say too much here for fear of exposing the story). I was still interested in seeing what happened and how....and I'm still anxious to read the next books in the series.
kelliemw's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
"Second chances are not the same as forgiveness"
This book started out strong and bold. A new world, a very different life and a character I could love. Grey is bold, strong and has huge impulse issues. He's stubborn and grumpy and demanding. And yet, I really like him. He tells it how he sees it and doesn't shy away from the tough questions.
But about midway the story just...I don't know, it got slow. The plot was still good but it was starting to lose me in all the details. Who told who and who started what with who who was so and so's brother. Bah! my eyes started to cross.
And I'm kind of sad the whole love thing didn't get worked out. Just pick already, Grey. Your love issues are the least of the concerns!
This book started out strong and bold. A new world, a very different life and a character I could love. Grey is bold, strong and has huge impulse issues. He's stubborn and grumpy and demanding. And yet, I really like him. He tells it how he sees it and doesn't shy away from the tough questions.
But about midway the story just...I don't know, it got slow. The plot was still good but it was starting to lose me in all the details. Who told who and who started what with who who was so and so's brother. Bah! my eyes started to cross.
And I'm kind of sad the whole love thing didn't get worked out. Just pick already, Grey. Your love issues are the least of the concerns!
readingoverbreathing's review against another edition
3.0
"I want the truth the way I crave to breathe. It is subconscious and it plagues me."
I won this book in an Epic Reads giveaway probably about five years ago now, and it has sat at the bottom of my stack of unread books since then. However, after all this time, I have finally, finally made my way through that pile, and, boy, does it feel good, almost surreal, honestly. Overall, I was surprised by how much I ultimately enjoyed this, how much it stood through time. My expectations were low, but they have certainly been surmounted.
I definitely would have loved this more if I had read it when it initially came into my possession, but, regardless, I did still have a good time. The beginning was the best for me, when we were still in Claysoot and had little to no answers yet. Bowman does an excellent job of building the curiosity and suspense there, and I found the whole concept of the Heist, while admittedly very typical YA, to be intriguing.
Once we moved on, however, this started to feel like a book I've read before, one I've read many, many iterations of across this genre. I wasn't a fan of some of the pacing
Spoiler
(the part where Gray must survive with an injured Blaine in the wilderness, for example),Spoiler
the love triangle with Bree that was introduced later on.I'm not really feeling that motivated to carry on with this series, but as far as mid-2010s YA dystopian fiction goes, I was relatively impressed with this one. Perhaps it was the rush from finally demolishing that stack of unread books in my dormer, but I did have a good time reading this. It was quick and relatively interesting, and sometimes that's all you want from a little YA.
inabookishworld29's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the plot and the characters! Can't wait to read the second book!