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lostinagoodread's review
4.0
This review and others can be found on Cozy Up With A Good Read
Oh my gosh, this book was intense, and impossible to stop reading once I started. This is definitely an amazing suspense novel with some interesting scientific ideas behind it. So much that happened in this book completely blew my mind, and I found myself surprised at the twists that kept coming. What really made this story is how it makes readers think about where the future of humanity could go, if some of these scientific advancements actually happened.
The world building in this story is disturbing but not unsurprising, it is reminiscent of THE HANDMAID'S TALE by Margaret Atwood (a classic book). Fertility is at an all-time low during this time and girls are trained to become wives of the richest men in the world. It's scary to think that the world could turn into something like this.
ARCHETYPE gives readers an amazing main character that is truly someone I admire. Emma wakes up with no memory of the past, and as much as she tries to remember she just can't. Her dreams give her a view of a life that contradicts what she has been told, she doesn't know which story to believe. Slowly her memory begins to come back to her, as we see two parts to one person, it was interesting to bring these two characters together as a new person. Emma is a character that learns to fight for what she believes in,a dn for the freedom of the female population.
The one small issue with this book that made it difficult to love the story was the romance aspect. It seemed overdone and Emma gave in to easily to trust just because she was told she loved this person. Neither of these two male characters treat Emma with any respect (in my opinion), and I don't believe that either of those characters were a right match for Emma. Though both male characters were intriguing and I definitely wanted to know more about each of them.
Overall this book was amazing, and intense, it's addictive because you want to know the truth behind what happened to Emma. The ending of this book is crazy and M.D. Waters leaves you needing more as soon as possible (I'm glad that the next book will be out soon). I am excited to see what is next for Emma, and how she deals with the revelations that came out in this book.
Oh my gosh, this book was intense, and impossible to stop reading once I started. This is definitely an amazing suspense novel with some interesting scientific ideas behind it. So much that happened in this book completely blew my mind, and I found myself surprised at the twists that kept coming. What really made this story is how it makes readers think about where the future of humanity could go, if some of these scientific advancements actually happened.
The world building in this story is disturbing but not unsurprising, it is reminiscent of THE HANDMAID'S TALE by Margaret Atwood (a classic book). Fertility is at an all-time low during this time and girls are trained to become wives of the richest men in the world. It's scary to think that the world could turn into something like this.
ARCHETYPE gives readers an amazing main character that is truly someone I admire. Emma wakes up with no memory of the past, and as much as she tries to remember she just can't. Her dreams give her a view of a life that contradicts what she has been told, she doesn't know which story to believe. Slowly her memory begins to come back to her, as we see two parts to one person, it was interesting to bring these two characters together as a new person. Emma is a character that learns to fight for what she believes in,a dn for the freedom of the female population.
The one small issue with this book that made it difficult to love the story was the romance aspect. It seemed overdone and Emma gave in to easily to trust just because she was told she loved this person. Neither of these two male characters treat Emma with any respect (in my opinion), and I don't believe that either of those characters were a right match for Emma. Though both male characters were intriguing and I definitely wanted to know more about each of them.
Overall this book was amazing, and intense, it's addictive because you want to know the truth behind what happened to Emma. The ending of this book is crazy and M.D. Waters leaves you needing more as soon as possible (I'm glad that the next book will be out soon). I am excited to see what is next for Emma, and how she deals with the revelations that came out in this book.
elsiemookow's review against another edition
3.0
Fun book, definitely in the category of beach read because it was so predictable. I'll pick up the sequel simply because I've been trying to intersperse my heavier novels with some fun action type novels.
booksarethenewblack's review
4.0
So I didn't know anything about his book until it was in my hands at work. I started to read about it and thought it sounded interesting. I decided to bring it home and see if I ever got around to reading it. I actually just picked it up and then couldn't put it down.
I'm not much into a science fiction book when there is a lot of vocabulary and plot that's all about science and such. I wasn't sure how I would like this book because of the genre. I was surprised. It actually had a good plot and I was intrigued from the beginning. I just had to know what happened and why this girl couldn't remember anything. I thought that maybe she had her memories wiped and that's why she was getting bits and pieces of her past life. I got the step ford wives feeling from the very beginning. Her husband seems so sweet and willing to help but at the same time, what kind of husband would have something like this done to someone he cared about? It takes the word controlling to a whole new level.
In the end, I think that he really did love her. I'm not sure how I feel about there being a love triangle in every book I read these days. In this book, it's not really the main focus. I think the focus is what is going on with her and the science behind it. The last couple chapters really grab you. I couldn't believe what actually happened and then the back and forth was heart wrenching at the end. I am curious to see how this plays out in the next book.
I'm not much into a science fiction book when there is a lot of vocabulary and plot that's all about science and such. I wasn't sure how I would like this book because of the genre. I was surprised. It actually had a good plot and I was intrigued from the beginning. I just had to know what happened and why this girl couldn't remember anything. I thought that maybe she had her memories wiped and that's why she was getting bits and pieces of her past life. I got the step ford wives feeling from the very beginning. Her husband seems so sweet and willing to help but at the same time, what kind of husband would have something like this done to someone he cared about? It takes the word controlling to a whole new level.
In the end, I think that he really did love her. I'm not sure how I feel about there being a love triangle in every book I read these days. In this book, it's not really the main focus. I think the focus is what is going on with her and the science behind it. The last couple chapters really grab you. I couldn't believe what actually happened and then the back and forth was heart wrenching at the end. I am curious to see how this plays out in the next book.
haykyn's review against another edition
4.0
For fans of Hunger Games and a Handmaids Tale, but for the adult crowd. N fast read, looking forward to the sequel!
loveisnotatriangle's review
4.0
I only discovered Archetype because I ran across the author's signing at ALA. I'm so glad I did, because this book and its follow-up Prototype is an extremely readable and addicting series. I had to know what was going on NOW, and couldn't stop reading until I unraveled everything. This is the type of story where you start knowing something very small and it takes time to unravel the full picture. Of course that makes this book very hard to talk about in advance, but I've done my best to give a flavor of it without spoilers.
Archetype also has a love triangle, and shockingly I read it just after another love triangle series that broke me. BUT I liked how this one was set up and handled. It was not about an indecisive girl who can't choose between two hot pining guys (though there are 2 hot guys in this book). The set up is quite intriguing:
Emma Burke wakes up in a hospital not knowing who she is. She has to be told her name and learn simple terms, including what the word husband means when she's introduced to him. Her husband, Declan Burke, tells Emma about their life together, none of which she remembers. But he is kind and patient, and she adores how much he loves her. Slowly, they begin to rebuild their life together.
After an accident that nearly took Emma's life, she's finally on the road to health and the life she wants with the man she's falling in love with (again?). Except Emma keeps having vivid dreams of a completely different life and man. Is she remembering someone else's life? Is it her own? When someone from her dream life appears in her current world, Emma begins to question everything she knows and has been told.
A few specific things about this book:
1) Emma lives in a future world. This book could be labeled somewhere between dystopian and science fiction, but one that is also dangerously realistic. Emma lives in a future version of our world that could be possible if certain elements came to pass. Some things this story deals with are reproductive issues, women's rights and genetics, which all play a serious role in the way this society has been constructed. But there are also fun sci-fi elements like teleporting and cool holograph rooms that help create the flavor of this world.
2) Although dystopian, this is the story of one girl. Archetype is not about a revolution plot to change the society, which it seems characterizes 99% of YA dystopian fiction. Although some larger issues are tackled, Emma's story is the main focus. We follow her personal journey through both books, and I felt so much for her. The information she uncovers and issues she deals with as a result are intense and quite complicated. This is an adult book, and Emma's choices and desires are not always the same as a teen's would be. However, they were themes that I could relate to well.
3) Love triangle. For those of you who dislike these as much as me, I will say that the love triangle is not created just to add tension, but is wrapped up in the mystery of who Emma is and what her dreams really are. It doesn't involve back and forth. It's more of an emotional pulling inside of Emma, and once she makes a decision, she sticks to it. I also thought the direction of the romance was clear, and it resolves itself after book one. When taken over the entire series, it turns into a pretty epic love story.
4) The romantic interests: I really enjoyed figuring out these two characters. Nothing is simple about either of them, and Emma has to decide how what she knows and perceives about them intersects and diverges from the reality. I like when the direction of the romance is clear from the beginning, but I wish we'd been allowed a bit more sympathy for one of the guys. I think it would have made the psychological aspects of the overall story even more complex. Still, the romance and Emma's personal story is intense and knotted, and I enjoyed the entire experience. I also think the way the book ended felt right.
5) Surprising. I thought I knew where this was headed, and though I guessed some things, I was very surprised about others. I enjoyed discovering the story and world along the way. But it does take a fair bit of time to unravel everything, which is one reason why I couldn't put this down. What we find out in the latter part of the book made me think a lot. I just can't even imagine some of the things going on in this world and the way it personally affects the characters.
Love Triangle Factor: High - internally/Mild - actively. I know High is a scary word, but it's direction was never a mystery to me, and it was resolved by the end of the book. It's more of a struggle in Emma's mind and heart, and doesn't involve cheating. Because of that, it wasn't emotionally stressful for me.
Cliffhanger Scale: Low- Medium. Book written as a set. This part of the story is done, but the story flows together in one overall arc.
Find this and other reviews on my blog Love is not a triangle.
Archetype also has a love triangle, and shockingly I read it just after another love triangle series that broke me. BUT I liked how this one was set up and handled. It was not about an indecisive girl who can't choose between two hot pining guys (though there are 2 hot guys in this book). The set up is quite intriguing:
Emma Burke wakes up in a hospital not knowing who she is. She has to be told her name and learn simple terms, including what the word husband means when she's introduced to him. Her husband, Declan Burke, tells Emma about their life together, none of which she remembers. But he is kind and patient, and she adores how much he loves her. Slowly, they begin to rebuild their life together.
After an accident that nearly took Emma's life, she's finally on the road to health and the life she wants with the man she's falling in love with (again?). Except Emma keeps having vivid dreams of a completely different life and man. Is she remembering someone else's life? Is it her own? When someone from her dream life appears in her current world, Emma begins to question everything she knows and has been told.
A few specific things about this book:
1) Emma lives in a future world. This book could be labeled somewhere between dystopian and science fiction, but one that is also dangerously realistic. Emma lives in a future version of our world that could be possible if certain elements came to pass. Some things this story deals with are reproductive issues, women's rights and genetics, which all play a serious role in the way this society has been constructed. But there are also fun sci-fi elements like teleporting and cool holograph rooms that help create the flavor of this world.
2) Although dystopian, this is the story of one girl. Archetype is not about a revolution plot to change the society, which it seems characterizes 99% of YA dystopian fiction. Although some larger issues are tackled, Emma's story is the main focus. We follow her personal journey through both books, and I felt so much for her. The information she uncovers and issues she deals with as a result are intense and quite complicated. This is an adult book, and Emma's choices and desires are not always the same as a teen's would be. However, they were themes that I could relate to well.
3) Love triangle. For those of you who dislike these as much as me, I will say that the love triangle is not created just to add tension, but is wrapped up in the mystery of who Emma is and what her dreams really are. It doesn't involve back and forth. It's more of an emotional pulling inside of Emma, and once she makes a decision, she sticks to it. I also thought the direction of the romance was clear, and it resolves itself after book one. When taken over the entire series, it turns into a pretty epic love story.
4) The romantic interests: I really enjoyed figuring out these two characters. Nothing is simple about either of them, and Emma has to decide how what she knows and perceives about them intersects and diverges from the reality. I like when the direction of the romance is clear from the beginning, but I wish we'd been allowed a bit more sympathy for one of the guys. I think it would have made the psychological aspects of the overall story even more complex. Still, the romance and Emma's personal story is intense and knotted, and I enjoyed the entire experience. I also think the way the book ended felt right.
5) Surprising. I thought I knew where this was headed, and though I guessed some things, I was very surprised about others. I enjoyed discovering the story and world along the way. But it does take a fair bit of time to unravel everything, which is one reason why I couldn't put this down. What we find out in the latter part of the book made me think a lot. I just can't even imagine some of the things going on in this world and the way it personally affects the characters.
Love Triangle Factor: High - internally/Mild - actively. I know High is a scary word, but it's direction was never a mystery to me, and it was resolved by the end of the book. It's more of a struggle in Emma's mind and heart, and doesn't involve cheating. Because of that, it wasn't emotionally stressful for me.
Cliffhanger Scale: Low- Medium. Book written as a set. This part of the story is done, but the story flows together in one overall arc.
Find this and other reviews on my blog Love is not a triangle.
marshie's review
4.0
If you haven't read the synopsis yet, DON'T. Seriously the synopsis is basically the first 150-200 pages. Thankfully I didn't remember reading it when I started the book or I could have seen this being a very slow read.
All you need to know is that Emma wakes up in a hospital with no memory and there's some science fiction stuff that goes on.
Not gonna lie, this was a weird one but I really enjoyed the suspense and Emma's growth into a badass by the end.
Minus 1 star for the ending, characters were stubborn and made stupid choices for reasons that don't really make sense with who they were in the rest of the book and the facts that were discovered. I understand that there's a second book, but the segue into it feels awkward. Though, I did like the rest of the book enough to probably read the second.
All you need to know is that Emma wakes up in a hospital with no memory and there's some science fiction stuff that goes on.
Not gonna lie, this was a weird one but I really enjoyed the suspense and Emma's growth into a badass by the end.
Minus 1 star for the ending, characters were stubborn and made stupid choices for reasons that don't really make sense with who they were in the rest of the book and the facts that were discovered. I understand that there's a second book, but the segue into it feels awkward. Though, I did like the rest of the book enough to probably read the second.
bookprocrastinator85's review
5.0
Review found on The Life/Times of a Book Addict.
What can I say about Archetype? The premise sounded interesting when I first read it. I mean I thought that I would like it, but I was unprepared for how much I ended up enjoying it. Even when I put the book down to go about my day, I was still thinking about the story and its characters. I loved it.
Emma is a 26 year old woman who lives in a world were roughly a hundred years ago a war erupted. Women in the west are free to live their life whereas women who live in the east like Emma are few and far between. Women are only considered worth marrying if they are fertile and men are desperate to claim and manipulate them.
Emma is such a fighter. I loved that about her. She goes along with some things, but she does ask questions and she is relentless when it comes to finding out about her past and who she is.
Just when I thought I knew what was going on or what was about to happen, turned out I was wrong. I think that is the re-occurring theme in this book. Expect the unexpected. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me on my toes. I don’t want to reveal too much, because this is a book where you will want to discover things for yourself.
Archetype is the very first futuristic science fiction suspense/thriller story-line that I have ever read and I am glad I decided to try something a little new and different. Everything flowed at a great pace. The flashbacks of Emma’s past and the goings-on of her present didn't confuse me even a little bit and I enjoyed getting to know Emma’s life. Pieces were sprinkled in, little by little until I began to see the bigger picture. And that ending? Left me wanting more…like now. Thankfully the second and last book in this series, Prototype releases July 24, 2014. Not too long of a wait.
Readers who enjoy Futuristic Sci-Fi Thrillers will like this one.
**I received this book on behalf of the Publisher in exchange for nothing but my honest opinion.**
What can I say about Archetype? The premise sounded interesting when I first read it. I mean I thought that I would like it, but I was unprepared for how much I ended up enjoying it. Even when I put the book down to go about my day, I was still thinking about the story and its characters. I loved it.
Emma is a 26 year old woman who lives in a world were roughly a hundred years ago a war erupted. Women in the west are free to live their life whereas women who live in the east like Emma are few and far between. Women are only considered worth marrying if they are fertile and men are desperate to claim and manipulate them.
Emma is such a fighter. I loved that about her. She goes along with some things, but she does ask questions and she is relentless when it comes to finding out about her past and who she is.
Just when I thought I knew what was going on or what was about to happen, turned out I was wrong. I think that is the re-occurring theme in this book. Expect the unexpected. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me on my toes. I don’t want to reveal too much, because this is a book where you will want to discover things for yourself.
Archetype is the very first futuristic science fiction suspense/thriller story-line that I have ever read and I am glad I decided to try something a little new and different. Everything flowed at a great pace. The flashbacks of Emma’s past and the goings-on of her present didn't confuse me even a little bit and I enjoyed getting to know Emma’s life. Pieces were sprinkled in, little by little until I began to see the bigger picture. And that ending? Left me wanting more…like now. Thankfully the second and last book in this series, Prototype releases July 24, 2014. Not too long of a wait.
Readers who enjoy Futuristic Sci-Fi Thrillers will like this one.
**I received this book on behalf of the Publisher in exchange for nothing but my honest opinion.**
zeirazeira's review
5.0
I received this book as the result of a first read giveaway.
Holy, flipping, moly!
I wasn't sure where this book was going 100%, at first...I mean, I had an inkling of an idea, just not the whole picture. Which was exactly what our main character was going through. I will not ruin this book but I can tell you that at the half way point, my husband asked me what the book was about and I honestly looked at him and said, " I'm not quite sure, yet." To which he laughed and then I had to explain what I could to him. Don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful kind of cluelessness. I love that the author was able to keep me guessing and on my toes.
I actually enjoyed the characters. Both heroes and villains. I found the main character Emma interesting and smart, to the point that while she may not have reacted in the way I wanted her to, she did it in a way to bring her safely closer to the truth, most times.
Expect some action and intrigue mixed into the plot. You won't get everything at once and it isn't until the final chapters that the lights are all turned on for the reader to see the full extent of the story. I suggest you don't read the end first, enjoy the ride.
The climax was what I was hoping for and the end had me wondering when the next book will be released. This one smells of a movie deal, once all the shelves are empty at the bookstores.
Great editing, which for me seals the deal for a full 5 stars.
Holy, flipping, moly!
I wasn't sure where this book was going 100%, at first...I mean, I had an inkling of an idea, just not the whole picture. Which was exactly what our main character was going through. I will not ruin this book but I can tell you that at the half way point, my husband asked me what the book was about and I honestly looked at him and said, " I'm not quite sure, yet." To which he laughed and then I had to explain what I could to him. Don't get me wrong, it was a wonderful kind of cluelessness. I love that the author was able to keep me guessing and on my toes.
I actually enjoyed the characters. Both heroes and villains. I found the main character Emma interesting and smart, to the point that while she may not have reacted in the way I wanted her to, she did it in a way to bring her safely closer to the truth, most times.
Expect some action and intrigue mixed into the plot. You won't get everything at once and it isn't until the final chapters that the lights are all turned on for the reader to see the full extent of the story. I suggest you don't read the end first, enjoy the ride.
The climax was what I was hoping for and the end had me wondering when the next book will be released. This one smells of a movie deal, once all the shelves are empty at the bookstores.
Great editing, which for me seals the deal for a full 5 stars.
rubenstein's review
4.0
http://theprettygoodgatsby.wordpress.com/2014/06/18/archetype-by-m-d-waters/
Emma wakes with no memories: she has no idea where she is, what happened to her, or even who she is. She soon learns there was an accident but she's making incredible progress and will be back on her feet in no time. Although Dr. Travista runs his daily tests and her husband is patient and doting, Emma can't help but feel that something isn't right. Her recurring nightmares - and, at times, waking flashbacks - feature another man, a man she knows she fiercely loved, and there's a little voice in her head that guides her in what she should (and shouldn't) say. She wants to believe Declan when he tells her stories of how they met, but why can't she remember their wedding and why would their honeymoon take place overseas when she's deathly afraid of flying?
There's always an exception to the rule and Achetype is it. I've been burned by dystopian novels so many times in the past that I nearly passed on this one, but something made me go for it and I'm so glad I did! Despite my enjoyment, it's incredibly hard coming up with the right words to describe it. In the beginning, Emma is extremely vulnerable - she readily accepts whatever someone tells her (she has no reason to believe otherwise). Over time, however, she notices small cracks in the seemingly perfect life she has with Declan and starts questioning her surroundings.
I will say that were it not for a few futuristic pieces of technology (transporters, lasers that heal cuts, etc) and a throwaway line about a war and America splitting in two, Achetype could be mistaken for a contemporary novel - probably the reason I enjoyed it so much? As Emma digs deeper into her life before the accident, we learn about a resistance but even that felt a little vague. I think the reasoning for this dealt with Emma's confusion and memory loss. Once she regains her memory, her past comes more into play and it seems the resistance will serve a larger role in the second book. As it stands, Archetype focuses more on the romance and, for once, I didn't have a problem with the love triangle. It's clear from the beginning who the 'winner' will be.
While I definitely enjoyed this novel and tore through it, my recommendation comes with reservations. This new society is very misogynistic. There's a shortage of females and only those who are able to bear children are married - usually after they are bought by the highest bidder. Girls are sent to WTCs - Women's Training Centers - where they are basically taught to become dutiful wives. Women who are not married or who are unable to have children end up doing menial work no one else wants. The women who are married off are branded so that, if she were to go out in public, men would know she's another man's property. This entire mindset would not sit well with many readers and I completely understand that!
As someone who does not enjoy dystopia, I was shocked to find myself so drawn to this novel! It's an incredibly quick read and kept me thoroughly entertained. The offhand remarks about a war made for some shoddy backstory and the way women were treated as items to be bought and sold made me uncomfortable, but there was something about Archetype I couldn't ignore. This duology won't be for everyone, but I'm certainly looking forward to Prototype!
Emma wakes with no memories: she has no idea where she is, what happened to her, or even who she is. She soon learns there was an accident but she's making incredible progress and will be back on her feet in no time. Although Dr. Travista runs his daily tests and her husband is patient and doting, Emma can't help but feel that something isn't right. Her recurring nightmares - and, at times, waking flashbacks - feature another man, a man she knows she fiercely loved, and there's a little voice in her head that guides her in what she should (and shouldn't) say. She wants to believe Declan when he tells her stories of how they met, but why can't she remember their wedding and why would their honeymoon take place overseas when she's deathly afraid of flying?
There's always an exception to the rule and Achetype is it. I've been burned by dystopian novels so many times in the past that I nearly passed on this one, but something made me go for it and I'm so glad I did! Despite my enjoyment, it's incredibly hard coming up with the right words to describe it. In the beginning, Emma is extremely vulnerable - she readily accepts whatever someone tells her (she has no reason to believe otherwise). Over time, however, she notices small cracks in the seemingly perfect life she has with Declan and starts questioning her surroundings.
I will say that were it not for a few futuristic pieces of technology (transporters, lasers that heal cuts, etc) and a throwaway line about a war and America splitting in two, Achetype could be mistaken for a contemporary novel - probably the reason I enjoyed it so much? As Emma digs deeper into her life before the accident, we learn about a resistance but even that felt a little vague. I think the reasoning for this dealt with Emma's confusion and memory loss. Once she regains her memory, her past comes more into play and it seems the resistance will serve a larger role in the second book. As it stands, Archetype focuses more on the romance and, for once, I didn't have a problem with the love triangle. It's clear from the beginning who the 'winner' will be.
While I definitely enjoyed this novel and tore through it, my recommendation comes with reservations. This new society is very misogynistic. There's a shortage of females and only those who are able to bear children are married - usually after they are bought by the highest bidder. Girls are sent to WTCs - Women's Training Centers - where they are basically taught to become dutiful wives. Women who are not married or who are unable to have children end up doing menial work no one else wants. The women who are married off are branded so that, if she were to go out in public, men would know she's another man's property. This entire mindset would not sit well with many readers and I completely understand that!
As someone who does not enjoy dystopia, I was shocked to find myself so drawn to this novel! It's an incredibly quick read and kept me thoroughly entertained. The offhand remarks about a war made for some shoddy backstory and the way women were treated as items to be bought and sold made me uncomfortable, but there was something about Archetype I couldn't ignore. This duology won't be for everyone, but I'm certainly looking forward to Prototype!