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3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
science fiction / setting England / characters could use some development / liked mystery of what happened
Musím se přiznat, že nejsem fanoušek sci-fi (s výjimkou dystopií) a tuto knížku jsem neměla v plánu vůbec číst. Narazila jsem na ni ale náhodou v knihovně a jelikož je to taková úzká knížečka, půjčila jsem si ji. Nakonec jsem ji přečetla během jednoho odpoledne, četlo se to vážně dobře. Jak už jsem psala, sci-fi nemusím, ale přesto uznávám, že mě to celkem bavilo. Nevím, jestli se mi to přímo líbilo, ale bylo to zajímavé. Originální. Proto hodnotím 4 hvězdičkami, je to dobrá "jednohubka".
Wow. That was fast.
This is a great one for reluctant readers, with a high-concept premise and fast-paced, easy-to-read storytelling.
Lots of short, one-sentence paragraphs in a row.
Kind of like this.
It can be annoying but it's used effectively in this story.
I had to keep reading just to find out the answers to the intriguing set-up, Kyle, the narrator, records his story on some old cassette tapes and leaves them to be found, and the frame tale basically sets up how we're reading the transcription of his story from the POV of an academic in the future. A few narrative quirks bugged me (the brief authorial notes defining Kyle's outmoded phrases and pop culture struck me as being too "winky winky" and in love with its own cleverness, especially the opening explaining what a book is, which just reminded me of that internet meme) but they show up less and less as the story goes on, which is smart, since then the furious pace isn't so broken up at crucial moments. I am kind of amused at the idea of future people analyzing Kyle's story with that same style of theoretical navel-gazing that I am so familiar with from graduate school, so that made some of the asides worth it.
The characters don't get much development, but that's sort of the point; they're sketched in enough to be relatable, but this is one of those science fiction books more about the idea than the people. The ending could go either way -- sequel or no sequel -- and I kind of hope for no sequel. I like how the characters get answers but not solutions. It's like the first Matrix and how there maybe shouldn't have been a second and third -- once there's a sequel that tries to work out where a premise like this should go, it's ruined. It's not tidy, and that could bother some readers, but I think it could also foster some interesting discussions.
This is a great one for reluctant readers, with a high-concept premise and fast-paced, easy-to-read storytelling.
Lots of short, one-sentence paragraphs in a row.
Kind of like this.
It can be annoying but it's used effectively in this story.
I had to keep reading just to find out the answers to the intriguing set-up,
Spoiler
in which most of humanity is "upgraded" but a few people, for various reasons, are disregarded and therefore rendered obsolete.The characters don't get much development, but that's sort of the point; they're sketched in enough to be relatable, but this is one of those science fiction books more about the idea than the people. The ending could go either way -- sequel or no sequel -- and I kind of hope for no sequel. I like how the characters get answers but not solutions. It's like the first Matrix and how there maybe shouldn't have been a second and third -- once there's a sequel that tries to work out where a premise like this should go, it's ruined. It's not tidy, and that could bother some readers, but I think it could also foster some interesting discussions.
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A futuristic cautionary tale about the possibilities of the digital evolution of humans, told by a young boy, who was "left behind". A quick read; almost a novella of sorts.
Was going to be a 3-3.5 book, but the ending really got me. Started off not sure of the narrative style, but partway through I got hooked. Longer review later.
RATING: 3.5 stars.
0.4 is a small book that can be read in a few hours (which is, in fact what I've done). The concept is somewhat innovative in the YA sci-fi world. The problem was that it read like a short story and everything was rushed. There was little to no character development and in spite of it being well written enough to be captivating I didn't feel like it was anything special right up until the final chapters.
Overall, 0.4 had a good concept but the brevity and shallow development were a bit annoying and made most of this book feel pretty 'average'. Then the author had to go and make it interesting in the last chapters, which is why I gave it this rating (I really want to know what happens next now).
0.4 is a small book that can be read in a few hours (which is, in fact what I've done). The concept is somewhat innovative in the YA sci-fi world. The problem was that it read like a short story and everything was rushed. There was little to no character development and in spite of it being well written enough to be captivating I didn't feel like it was anything special right up until the final chapters.
Overall, 0.4 had a good concept but the brevity and shallow development were a bit annoying and made most of this book feel pretty 'average'. Then the author had to go and make it interesting in the last chapters, which is why I gave it this rating (I really want to know what happens next now).
I read this book years ago, and honestly, it was such a letdown. I read this whole book in a day for a book club, and for the most part, it intrigued me as to where it was going; however, the big reveal at the end was such a letdown that all enjoyment I had for this book suddenly disappeared and I was left with this empty feeling and regret wasting my day reading this. Looking back on it, the characters weren't memorable (like the story, all I remember is the ending), and the story just falls flat on its face. A potentially interesting idea was seemingly ruined by what felt like lazy writing and an author who gave up near the end.