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jstamper2022's review
5.0
The first USJ was good, but this one was even better, IMO. Never would have picked these up had USJ not came as part of a mystery pack of books. Glad it did. Very enjoyable, fast paced books. Guess I'll order the third book...
stephanylectora12's review
5.0
4.8 đ
Quiero creer que habra una continuaciĂłn , de verdad quiero creerlo porque la necesito.
Las Ășltimas pĂĄginas estuvieron de infarto y es que hubo un punto en que decayo el ritmo al que venĂa acostumbrada desde un principio pero mejora.
No sĂ© encariñen con ningĂșn personaje , no lo hagan.
Hay bastante palabras en japonĂ©s y me ha encantado leerlas a lo largo del libro otra cosa que me gustĂł fue el tema de la comida. CrĂ©anme cuando les digo que se la pasaban mĂĄs comiendo que estando en batalla đ .
Las batallas fueron increĂbles , bastantes descriptivas y que decir de la descripciĂłn de las mechas wow.
Quiero creer que habra una continuaciĂłn , de verdad quiero creerlo porque la necesito.
Las Ășltimas pĂĄginas estuvieron de infarto y es que hubo un punto en que decayo el ritmo al que venĂa acostumbrada desde un principio pero mejora.
No sĂ© encariñen con ningĂșn personaje , no lo hagan.
Hay bastante palabras en japonĂ©s y me ha encantado leerlas a lo largo del libro otra cosa que me gustĂł fue el tema de la comida. CrĂ©anme cuando les digo que se la pasaban mĂĄs comiendo que estando en batalla đ .
Las batallas fueron increĂbles , bastantes descriptivas y que decir de la descripciĂłn de las mechas wow.
radinsh's review
adventurous
dark
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The world building is strong, depicting an America split between the Japanese empire and the Nazis (naturally a continuation of Philip K Dick's a "man in the high castle").
The plot, however, is a somewhat juvenile boy fantasy centered around the journey of a young man from being an underachieving high school student to becoming military pilot of a GIANT MECHA ROBOT, KICKING NAZI A** with GIANT SAMURAI SWORDS and MAGNETIC YO YO! If that's your thing, you'll love the book. Sadly, it is not mine.
(Now, it's true that the book's title does give strong hint about the plot. It's not as if I have unknowingly read a book about giant mecha robots. I was indeed given a fair warning. However, in my defense I will say that I had to read this book for a book club).
The plot, however, is a somewhat juvenile boy fantasy centered around the journey of a young man from being an underachieving high school student to becoming military pilot of a GIANT MECHA ROBOT, KICKING NAZI A** with GIANT SAMURAI SWORDS and MAGNETIC YO YO! If that's your thing, you'll love the book. Sadly, it is not mine.
(Now, it's true that the book's title does give strong hint about the plot. It's not as if I have unknowingly read a book about giant mecha robots. I was indeed given a fair warning. However, in my defense I will say that I had to read this book for a book club).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, and War
scostner's review
4.0
In this complex story of alternate history in which Japan and Germany have conquered the world, teens in the United States of Japan are studying hard for their exams, hoping to finish high school and become mecha pilots. Being accepted as a crew member for one of the enormous combat robots is an incredible honor and highly competitive. Makoto Fujimoto is an orphan whose parents both served on mechas and died in combat. He and his friends spend their time playing video games on their porticals (a wireless device) when they aren't doing homework. In class they learn about things like "Abraham Lincoln, an old American warlord who savagely crushed a rebellion started by the southern half of the United States." What they don't seem to realize is how political the appointments to the military academy are, or how very slim their chances of earning a spot.
As readers follow the fates of Mac (Makoto), Hideki, Griselda, Nori, and the others, the events that led to this alternate version of the U.S. are slowly revealed. There are rebels like the "George Washingtons" who want to free the states from Japanese rule, and there are tensions between the Japanese and German forces who divided North America after WWII. The Nazis have their own combat devices known as biomechs, which operate differently from the mecha warriors of the USJ. Not as much is disclosed about the biomechs since the story is told from a USJ citizen's point of view.
Between the historical changes, the resulting cultural changes (Vegas with a Japanese makeover for instance), and watching the struggles of an orphan without connections trying to compete with students who come from prominent families - there is plenty to hold the reader's attention. It may also cause some questioning and wondering what our world would look like today if WWII had ended differently.
Anyone who enjoys stories with a military setting, alternate history, or robot battles (major robot smackdowns), should give this a try. Recommended for ages 12 and up. I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
As readers follow the fates of Mac (Makoto), Hideki, Griselda, Nori, and the others, the events that led to this alternate version of the U.S. are slowly revealed. There are rebels like the "George Washingtons" who want to free the states from Japanese rule, and there are tensions between the Japanese and German forces who divided North America after WWII. The Nazis have their own combat devices known as biomechs, which operate differently from the mecha warriors of the USJ. Not as much is disclosed about the biomechs since the story is told from a USJ citizen's point of view.
Between the historical changes, the resulting cultural changes (Vegas with a Japanese makeover for instance), and watching the struggles of an orphan without connections trying to compete with students who come from prominent families - there is plenty to hold the reader's attention. It may also cause some questioning and wondering what our world would look like today if WWII had ended differently.
Anyone who enjoys stories with a military setting, alternate history, or robot battles (major robot smackdowns), should give this a try. Recommended for ages 12 and up. I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
adrianwelsh's review against another edition
4.0
I wasnât sure what to expect with this book, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I read The [b:United States of Japan|25809801|United States of Japan|Peter Tieryas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1448422383s/25809801.jpg|45665794] a couple of years ago when it came out but did not remember much from it. So, when the author says that this book is a standalone book in the USJ world, I totally believe it! I imagine there are small things I am missing but the book is fulfilling enough to where I donât feel lost. I hope Peter Tieryas writes more books!
Audiobook narrator [a:Joel de la Fuente|18405995|Joel de la Fuente|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] rating: 4.5 stars
The narrator was great! He had various accents for different peoples (Japanese, German, etc.) and pronounced his Japanese words great.
Audiobook narrator [a:Joel de la Fuente|18405995|Joel de la Fuente|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] rating: 4.5 stars
The narrator was great! He had various accents for different peoples (Japanese, German, etc.) and pronounced his Japanese words great.
alejandro_montero's review
5.0
A really fun read, that gives us a different adventure in this world, changing the tone quite a bit from the other one but still being captivating! Can't wait to read more in this universe
fusrofabulous's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
While it started out slow, this ended up being a fairly fun read! The action scenes were clear and exciting, and the main cast of characters that was established in the final act had an entertaining dynamic. The first-person POV led to some awkward narration at times, but it never becomes too distracting.
The story seemed to try and tell a "war is hell" story (think Mobile Suit Gundam), but struggled to commit to that perspective. Despite putting the characters through hell, the story never seems to want to fully commit to being anti-war.
The story seemed to try and tell a "war is hell" story (think Mobile Suit Gundam), but struggled to commit to that perspective. Despite putting the characters through hell, the story never seems to want to fully commit to being anti-war.
patrick_'s review against another edition
4.0
Longer than the previous installment and written in a different tone, almost young adult in feel. Thereâs more mecha action in a straightforward plot.