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awebster92's review
4.0
Read this review and more at The Bohemian Housewife Blog
My review for Immurement is going to be hard to put into words. It's a rather easy read. It's one of the books that once you get into it, you just can't put it down. I enjoyed how Derry was learning who she was as a person throughout the book. One of her quirks was her indecisiveness; While it was frustrating on occasion, I think it was so human like and believable. In my opinion, it goes nicely with the other character's quirks throughout the story. Immurement's cast was very diverse in its personalities. I believe the young adult genre could use a wider range of temperaments. I think Norma Hinkens deserves an A+ in that field. All her characters came off as people, not just words in a book.
I enjoyed the story line behind the change in the world. I know a few might have an issue with the un-scientific aspects of it, but It's fiction! Not everything in fiction needs to be realistic. Sometimes you need to just agree with the reality the author creates! Immurement had an unusual storyline, and I thought it was positively exciting! I know I didn't see the main twist coming, which is rare! I thought the plot was going in a way difference direction. My only real complaint is that the beginning of the book didn't flow well for me, but after the first 30-40 pages it took off. I couldn't stop reading after that point. I'm looking forward to reading the second when I have the time, and Norma Hinkens is on my radar!
My review for Immurement is going to be hard to put into words. It's a rather easy read. It's one of the books that once you get into it, you just can't put it down. I enjoyed how Derry was learning who she was as a person throughout the book. One of her quirks was her indecisiveness; While it was frustrating on occasion, I think it was so human like and believable. In my opinion, it goes nicely with the other character's quirks throughout the story. Immurement's cast was very diverse in its personalities. I believe the young adult genre could use a wider range of temperaments. I think Norma Hinkens deserves an A+ in that field. All her characters came off as people, not just words in a book.
I enjoyed the story line behind the change in the world. I know a few might have an issue with the un-scientific aspects of it, but It's fiction! Not everything in fiction needs to be realistic. Sometimes you need to just agree with the reality the author creates! Immurement had an unusual storyline, and I thought it was positively exciting! I know I didn't see the main twist coming, which is rare! I thought the plot was going in a way difference direction. My only real complaint is that the beginning of the book didn't flow well for me, but after the first 30-40 pages it took off. I couldn't stop reading after that point. I'm looking forward to reading the second when I have the time, and Norma Hinkens is on my radar!
robertlslater's review
4.0
Actually 4.5 stars or so. Really great debut novel. I don't usually like reading in present tense, but Hinkens does it so well, that I didn't notice. Strong female protag and believable post-apocalyptic universe. If you like this, you'll probably like my Deserted Lands and vice versa.
urlphantomhive's review
2.0
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I think I've reached the point where I should take a break from the Dystopian future. This is the newest reading experience in a growing string of books from the genre that I didn't like. I think I might have saturated my need for Dystopian stories for a while. At least for the ones that don't seem to make a lot of sense.
Derry and her family and friends live in underground bunkers out of fear for the Sweepers who abduct people into aircrafts. The description is not unlike alien abduction. When her brother is taken, Derry will do everything she can to rescue him, at least until the love interest shows up. A girl and her priorities, I guess?
There are certain things that could have saved the novel, but unfortunately didn't. One of which was Derry's character. She was rather annoying, and the easy way in which she seems to forget her goals doesn't speak for her either. She's supposed to be the kick-ass heroine familiar to the genre, but instead she usually gets into trouble and needs to be rescued by a group of strong men. Also, I was quite disappointed with the reveal about the Sweepers. It didn't make a lot of sense to me, but to be completely honest, I was past really caring at that point.
Immurement is the first book of the Undergrounders.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I think I've reached the point where I should take a break from the Dystopian future. This is the newest reading experience in a growing string of books from the genre that I didn't like. I think I might have saturated my need for Dystopian stories for a while. At least for the ones that don't seem to make a lot of sense.
Derry and her family and friends live in underground bunkers out of fear for the Sweepers who abduct people into aircrafts. The description is not unlike alien abduction. When her brother is taken, Derry will do everything she can to rescue him, at least until the love interest shows up. A girl and her priorities, I guess?
There are certain things that could have saved the novel, but unfortunately didn't. One of which was Derry's character. She was rather annoying, and the easy way in which she seems to forget her goals doesn't speak for her either. She's supposed to be the kick-ass heroine familiar to the genre, but instead she usually gets into trouble and needs to be rescued by a group of strong men. Also, I was quite disappointed with the reveal about the Sweepers. It didn't make a lot of sense to me, but to be completely honest, I was past really caring at that point.
Immurement is the first book of the Undergrounders.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
jeanz's review
5.0
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I am looking forward to reading this one, and checking out the bunker map etc. This one sounds like a great post apocalyptic read and as I recently joined Norma Hinkens Street Team it was about time I read one of her books!"
THOUGHTS WHILST READING
9% "Instantly hooked!"
14% "Oh no! where is Owen? ... Can the mountain man prepper Big Ed, ex military man Mason help Derry to find n rescue her brother Owen?"
31% "What is up in the rafters and will it lessen the danger Derry is in or male things worse and increase. I think I know who/what it could be.....?"
50% "Oh no! **** shot! What a tear jerker scene."
65% "so much action in this book.....but sad parts too...I keep thinking What now? What else can happen to Derry..."
74% "So where are Owen & Jakob, can they trust anything the revolting. decaying Dr Lyong tells them, is he giving away any truthful information, or is he merely playing mind games with them?"
84% "Whose hand is giving Derry tingles?? Jacob's? Mason's ?or Sven's maybe?"
REVIEW
I downloaded a free via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The cover has a female dressed in practical trousers and clothes in colours that fade into the landscape. She also has her hair fastened back in plait, and has her hand up to her head looking off into the distance. The surrounding landscape looks desolate and there's smoke from a possible fire in the distance. Would the cover make me pick this book up to learn more about it? I'd be sure to pick this one up from a bookstore shelf after looking at the post apocalyptic feel of the cover.
The over view of the book is that a "meltdown" occurred and now society is separated. There are two main types of humanity still in existence the undergrounder's, and the sweepers.
The undergrounder's have a fairly bleak existence, living in underground bunkers in small communities and only really going above ground at night to hunt for food etc when the skies are free of the air crafts that carry the dreaded sweepers.
The sweepers reside in Craniopolis, a place of scientific work and experimentation. There are lots of rumours and tale tales about what actually does go on there. The sweepers use their special aircraft (called Hovermedes)to fly around the areaand spot and capture any young (teenaged) remaining human survivors. When one is spotted, the unlucky teen is targeted by a sedation dart and then a long tube is sent down from the hovermedes toliterally suck up their body.
The main characters are 16 year old Derry Connolly who lives in the under ground bunker in her families section of the bunker with her 18year old brother Owen, her Da and their fiercely loyal and protective dog Tucker. Derry's mother died and her father has never been the same turning to drink and really leaving the difficulties of this life to Owen and Derry.Other occupants of their bunker are a group of Sephites, who are a peace loving, quiet, traditionalist race of religious people used to living an "off grid" simplistic lifestyle. Derry has been having a secret flirtation/relationship with Jakob Miller. Her brother Owen teases her about the fact she has grown her hair and now wears it in a plait because Jakob likes her with long hair. The leader of their bunker is a young teenager called Prentice Carter (Prat behind his back!) who was guaranteed his place in the bunker due to his families financial status prior to the meltdown.
It is a precarious and tough existence that faces any survivors of the "meltdown". There's a sort of simmering tension all the way through the book. The thing that really sparks off the chain of events that give this book is great story is that a young teen called Sam who lives in a nearby bunker has been taken by the sweepers! It seems that there are more and more sweepers that are catching and kidnapping increasing numbers of teens. In fact it's almost like these sweepers know exactly where to go to find the teens. Could they be being tipped off by a "bunker snitch"?. That is what Frank also from Sam's bunker has come to discuss with Derry's bunker occupants. It's decided that Frank will return to his bunker and will be followed later by a group of people from Derry's bunker to discuss the latest developments.It is this planned trip that begins the chain of events that will change Derry's life forever as she learns of her brothers disappearance and she then finds herself to be part of a mission to Craniopolis she wouldn't have thought she would have dreamt of undertaking.
So I guess I should tell you a little about Craniopolis . . . it's a large settlement, with scientists at the helm of it. These scientists have been given permission by the government to find a way for humanity to go on in some form.
The scientists have been experimenting with genetics and the like creating extra strong beings that form a kind of army which enables the scientists to capture more subjects to work on and in their opinion improve. Another source of "being" to be experimented on was also supplied by the government (but you'll read about them in the book for yourself). Not all the scientists experiments work which lead to a society of "deviations" who exist in Craniopolis.
The final type of survivor in this book are the Rogues which are the "bad guys" out for themselves, looking to steal, kill or do whatever is necessary for them to have an easier life in general.
There is a growing necessity for something to be done to stop the sweepers and in turn the scientists. Who will band with who for the greater good? Can such an alliance ever work? Can Craniopolis ever be beaten? Is it possible to enter Craniopolis to rescue those who have been kidnapped? And if you do find them will they still be human enough to want to escape?Lots and lots of questions raised throughout the book that have clues to the answers within the action packed chapters of this book. The pace of the book is fast, there is always something happening as well as the scene being set for the next event to take place. I became hooked into this book after a mere 9%. I was sure I was going to love it and I did. I smiled, chuckled, smirked, puzzled and teared up on more than one occasion. I do love the dystopic & post apocalyptic genre's but this book doesn't just slot in to those genre's. The book has action, adventure, betrayal, danger, emotion, some romance, as well as also having futuristic, sci-fi elements too. The book also has everyone different backgrounds, their lives, the reasons why they are what they are.
If I were to choose favourite characters (well I can't just choose only one!!) who would they be and why? The first and main favourite would have to be .....Derry, the girl trying to keep her family together and alive, still too young for the responsibilities of the world after the meltdown. Derry is both a tough kick butt character who does still have a soft emotional side as well as a well defined sense of what is right and wrong. I love her relationship with her brother Owen, thinking she knows everything about him and what he does. She is both younger sister to him, yet at the same time tries to look after him as their mother is no longer around. I even teared up at Derry's relationship with her father.
Finally I also love the character's of Mason and Sven who appears tough, capable, a great fighter, yet is there a softer side to them. I also cannot end my review without mentioning the most loyal,protective,, mood lifting Tucker.
Did I enjoy this book? Totally adored the book. This book made me want to put off those chores, turn off the TV and curl up and read! Would I recommend the book? Definitely and you really don't have to be a big dystopic or post apocalyptic fan/reader. I think there are many readers that this book will suit. Would I like to read more of this Series? Yes, I have to read more of this series!I have BK2 on my kindle ready to read and Bk3 is right there on my WTRW/MH List (Want To Read Wishlist/ Must Have List). Would I want to read other books by this author? I would always take a closer look at anything written by this author, after reading this book.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Highly addictive, action packed, drama & emotion filled read! Highly recommend reading this one. Loved it! I now need to organise some time to read the next book in this series!
I really could go on and on and on about this book.
I am looking forward to reading this one, and checking out the bunker map etc. This one sounds like a great post apocalyptic read and as I recently joined Norma Hinkens Street Team it was about time I read one of her books!"
THOUGHTS WHILST READING
9% "Instantly hooked!"
14% "Oh no! where is Owen? ... Can the mountain man prepper Big Ed, ex military man Mason help Derry to find n rescue her brother Owen?"
31% "What is up in the rafters and will it lessen the danger Derry is in or male things worse and increase. I think I know who/what it could be.....?"
50% "Oh no! **** shot! What a tear jerker scene."
65% "so much action in this book.....but sad parts too...I keep thinking What now? What else can happen to Derry..."
74% "So where are Owen & Jakob, can they trust anything the revolting. decaying Dr Lyong tells them, is he giving away any truthful information, or is he merely playing mind games with them?"
84% "Whose hand is giving Derry tingles?? Jacob's? Mason's ?or Sven's maybe?"
REVIEW
I downloaded a free via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. The cover has a female dressed in practical trousers and clothes in colours that fade into the landscape. She also has her hair fastened back in plait, and has her hand up to her head looking off into the distance. The surrounding landscape looks desolate and there's smoke from a possible fire in the distance. Would the cover make me pick this book up to learn more about it? I'd be sure to pick this one up from a bookstore shelf after looking at the post apocalyptic feel of the cover.
The over view of the book is that a "meltdown" occurred and now society is separated. There are two main types of humanity still in existence the undergrounder's, and the sweepers.
The undergrounder's have a fairly bleak existence, living in underground bunkers in small communities and only really going above ground at night to hunt for food etc when the skies are free of the air crafts that carry the dreaded sweepers.
The sweepers reside in Craniopolis, a place of scientific work and experimentation. There are lots of rumours and tale tales about what actually does go on there. The sweepers use their special aircraft (called Hovermedes)to fly around the areaand spot and capture any young (teenaged) remaining human survivors. When one is spotted, the unlucky teen is targeted by a sedation dart and then a long tube is sent down from the hovermedes toliterally suck up their body.
The main characters are 16 year old Derry Connolly who lives in the under ground bunker in her families section of the bunker with her 18year old brother Owen, her Da and their fiercely loyal and protective dog Tucker. Derry's mother died and her father has never been the same turning to drink and really leaving the difficulties of this life to Owen and Derry.Other occupants of their bunker are a group of Sephites, who are a peace loving, quiet, traditionalist race of religious people used to living an "off grid" simplistic lifestyle. Derry has been having a secret flirtation/relationship with Jakob Miller. Her brother Owen teases her about the fact she has grown her hair and now wears it in a plait because Jakob likes her with long hair. The leader of their bunker is a young teenager called Prentice Carter (Prat behind his back!) who was guaranteed his place in the bunker due to his families financial status prior to the meltdown.
It is a precarious and tough existence that faces any survivors of the "meltdown". There's a sort of simmering tension all the way through the book. The thing that really sparks off the chain of events that give this book is great story is that a young teen called Sam who lives in a nearby bunker has been taken by the sweepers! It seems that there are more and more sweepers that are catching and kidnapping increasing numbers of teens. In fact it's almost like these sweepers know exactly where to go to find the teens. Could they be being tipped off by a "bunker snitch"?. That is what Frank also from Sam's bunker has come to discuss with Derry's bunker occupants. It's decided that Frank will return to his bunker and will be followed later by a group of people from Derry's bunker to discuss the latest developments.It is this planned trip that begins the chain of events that will change Derry's life forever as she learns of her brothers disappearance and she then finds herself to be part of a mission to Craniopolis she wouldn't have thought she would have dreamt of undertaking.
So I guess I should tell you a little about Craniopolis . . . it's a large settlement, with scientists at the helm of it. These scientists have been given permission by the government to find a way for humanity to go on in some form.
The scientists have been experimenting with genetics and the like creating extra strong beings that form a kind of army which enables the scientists to capture more subjects to work on and in their opinion improve. Another source of "being" to be experimented on was also supplied by the government (but you'll read about them in the book for yourself). Not all the scientists experiments work which lead to a society of "deviations" who exist in Craniopolis.
The final type of survivor in this book are the Rogues which are the "bad guys" out for themselves, looking to steal, kill or do whatever is necessary for them to have an easier life in general.
There is a growing necessity for something to be done to stop the sweepers and in turn the scientists. Who will band with who for the greater good? Can such an alliance ever work? Can Craniopolis ever be beaten? Is it possible to enter Craniopolis to rescue those who have been kidnapped? And if you do find them will they still be human enough to want to escape?Lots and lots of questions raised throughout the book that have clues to the answers within the action packed chapters of this book. The pace of the book is fast, there is always something happening as well as the scene being set for the next event to take place. I became hooked into this book after a mere 9%. I was sure I was going to love it and I did. I smiled, chuckled, smirked, puzzled and teared up on more than one occasion. I do love the dystopic & post apocalyptic genre's but this book doesn't just slot in to those genre's. The book has action, adventure, betrayal, danger, emotion, some romance, as well as also having futuristic, sci-fi elements too. The book also has everyone different backgrounds, their lives, the reasons why they are what they are.
If I were to choose favourite characters (well I can't just choose only one!!) who would they be and why? The first and main favourite would have to be .....Derry, the girl trying to keep her family together and alive, still too young for the responsibilities of the world after the meltdown. Derry is both a tough kick butt character who does still have a soft emotional side as well as a well defined sense of what is right and wrong. I love her relationship with her brother Owen, thinking she knows everything about him and what he does. She is both younger sister to him, yet at the same time tries to look after him as their mother is no longer around. I even teared up at Derry's relationship with her father.
Finally I also love the character's of Mason and Sven who appears tough, capable, a great fighter, yet is there a softer side to them. I also cannot end my review without mentioning the most loyal,protective,, mood lifting Tucker.
Did I enjoy this book? Totally adored the book. This book made me want to put off those chores, turn off the TV and curl up and read! Would I recommend the book? Definitely and you really don't have to be a big dystopic or post apocalyptic fan/reader. I think there are many readers that this book will suit. Would I like to read more of this Series? Yes, I have to read more of this series!I have BK2 on my kindle ready to read and Bk3 is right there on my WTRW/MH List (Want To Read Wishlist/ Must Have List). Would I want to read other books by this author? I would always take a closer look at anything written by this author, after reading this book.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Highly addictive, action packed, drama & emotion filled read! Highly recommend reading this one. Loved it! I now need to organise some time to read the next book in this series!
I really could go on and on and on about this book.
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