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graff_fuller's review
4.0
3.5 Stars
- Reminded me a little of Full Metal Jacket's boot camp scene within this West Point pleeb year.
- X-Men academy @ The Academy. Had ha, ha.
- Military Harry Potter school.
- Piers Anthony's A Spell for Chameleon - her gift is for protection, not offensive (until it wasn't).
- Room 17 - like the X-Files (you are not alone).
- Level 3 - unique. Absorbs and rereleases energy.
- Don't like the idea of hurting other people to reach their potential (especially male against female).
- Life-long slacker.
- The enemy that started the whole story (within the house). Oh, the prophet that was at the beginning of the story.
- Bleak story, for sure.
- Jagger is a sink for power. He needs Scarlet.
- Who are the bad guys? The Point and Rhodes OR High Rollers and Jagger?
- Oh, I see what he did. Interesting. Will you be able to trust anyone, after this?
- Is there going to be a sequel?
- Reminded me a little of Full Metal Jacket's boot camp scene within this West Point pleeb year.
- X-Men academy @ The Academy. Had ha, ha.
- Military Harry Potter school.
- Piers Anthony's A Spell for Chameleon - her gift is for protection, not offensive (until it wasn't).
- Room 17 - like the X-Files (you are not alone).
- Level 3 - unique. Absorbs and rereleases energy.
- Don't like the idea of hurting other people to reach their potential (especially male against female).
- Life-long slacker.
- The enemy that started the whole story (within the house). Oh, the prophet that was at the beginning of the story.
- Bleak story, for sure.
- Jagger is a sink for power. He needs Scarlet.
- Who are the bad guys? The Point and Rhodes OR High Rollers and Jagger?
- Oh, I see what he did. Interesting. Will you be able to trust anyone, after this?
- Is there going to be a sequel?
dark_reader's review
3.0
This showed up on my public library's 'New Books' SF/F shelf one day (back in the Before Times when one could physically enter the libray and browse) and it went on my TBR list. Unlike many other titles, it survived subsequent cullings of said list. Most of its fellows went the route of, "Meh, I don't really care if I read this or not."
Was The Point worth the wait? *shrug emoji*. It was fine, but it didn't thrill me. The big moments lacked visceral impact, and I couldn't generate strong interest in the story. The point of The Point was The Point and everything that happens there, but restricting all of the story to this limited setting gave it a small-scale feel, despite the ostensible global impact of certain events.
'The Point' is an underground compound beneath West Point army training academy, where young people with super powers are indoctrinated to serve America as a "posthuman" fighting force. The existence of super-powered persons is a recent development, and the public is only aware of them because of recent terrorist attacks. This story follows Scarlett, a troubled 18-year-old discovering her abilities and being forced into this military program. The story hits all the right notes, with characters dealing with traumatic histories, friendships and romance, self-identity and all that jazz along with their special abilities, but the emotion didn't resonate personally.
Was The Point worth the wait? *shrug emoji*. It was fine, but it didn't thrill me. The big moments lacked visceral impact, and I couldn't generate strong interest in the story. The point of The Point was The Point and everything that happens there, but restricting all of the story to this limited setting gave it a small-scale feel, despite the ostensible global impact of certain events.
'The Point' is an underground compound beneath West Point army training academy, where young people with super powers are indoctrinated to serve America as a "posthuman" fighting force. The existence of super-powered persons is a recent development, and the public is only aware of them because of recent terrorist attacks. This story follows Scarlett, a troubled 18-year-old discovering her abilities and being forced into this military program. The story hits all the right notes, with characters dealing with traumatic histories, friendships and romance, self-identity and all that jazz along with their special abilities, but the emotion didn't resonate personally.
tome15's review
2.0
Dixon, John. The Point. Del Rey, 2018.
I picked this book up because I have been a sucker for military science fiction coming of age stories since I read Heinlein’s Space Cadet as a kid. I do not think that John Dixon’s contribution to the genre is destined to become a classic, or even, I think, the lynchpin of a new series. Set at a secret, literally underground, base at a near-future West Point, it tells the story of some kids with attitude problems and various paranormal abilities being trained on the downlow to fight “posthuman terrorism.” Our heroine, Scarlet, learns to absorb energy from everything from punches to explosions and then release it at a time and in a direction of her choosing. It has quite a bit of flash-bang violence and some PG-13 eroticism, but the story drags on like a Model-T climbing a steep hill. It could also do with a lot less emo sentimentality and a bit more humor. Bottom line: a dull story that takes itself way too seriously.
I picked this book up because I have been a sucker for military science fiction coming of age stories since I read Heinlein’s Space Cadet as a kid. I do not think that John Dixon’s contribution to the genre is destined to become a classic, or even, I think, the lynchpin of a new series. Set at a secret, literally underground, base at a near-future West Point, it tells the story of some kids with attitude problems and various paranormal abilities being trained on the downlow to fight “posthuman terrorism.” Our heroine, Scarlet, learns to absorb energy from everything from punches to explosions and then release it at a time and in a direction of her choosing. It has quite a bit of flash-bang violence and some PG-13 eroticism, but the story drags on like a Model-T climbing a steep hill. It could also do with a lot less emo sentimentality and a bit more humor. Bottom line: a dull story that takes itself way too seriously.
longtimereader's review
4.0
In spite of some classic troupe issues, I liked this book! West Point or prison is quite a choice, isn't it? So Scarlett does what she has to, and finds she has powers. Lots of action, superpowers, decisions to be made, classic in all those aspects.
The downsides, Scarlett is a drug user, with an abusive father, the combination of which have caused her to have low self-esteem and bad morals. Now, can she pull out of that with some training and her powers?
I appreciate the Sci-Fi aspects. That gained this book stars it might have lost otherwise.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
The downsides, Scarlett is a drug user, with an abusive father, the combination of which have caused her to have low self-esteem and bad morals. Now, can she pull out of that with some training and her powers?
I appreciate the Sci-Fi aspects. That gained this book stars it might have lost otherwise.
My copy came from Net Galley. My thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is left of my own free volition.
brandongallant's review
2.0
I liked the setup for the book, but could not get around my dislike for the verbal abuse at The Point.
daniisafangirl's review
5.0
This was good. It took like more than the half the book to get into the main main plot but, I really enjoyed it. I liked most the characters (the ones I didn't like... let's just say it was a good decision). :D I also enjoyed the West Point, Army aspect. It was so cool.
buttercupsobsession's review
2.0
This was OK. I had much higher expectations for this and didn't end up loving it. I think it is a great YA urban fantasy/sci-fi book. I just couldn't connect with the characters or the storyline. I felt like the characters were much to immature for my reading tastes and the pacing was too slow for my liking. I think young adult readers will really enjoy this story and really love Scarlett.
Scarlett Winter is a selfish, brat who doesn't care about anyone but herself and doesn't care if her actions hurt anyone. She doesn't apply herself at school, sports, or pretty much anything even though she is bright, athletic, and compeltely capable. She just doesn't care about anything enough to apply herself. After getting in trouble one to many times, her father is ready to ship her off to the Army. Scarlett wants to go backpacking through Europe instead. This causes yet another family fued, but this time her older brother is involved. Their dad abused Scarlett's brother Dan, who turned the abuse onto her as they got older. This time when Dan starts a fight with Scarlett, she hits him back with more force than should be possible. This isn't the first time Scarlett has done something out of the ordinary. Scarlett decides to lay low after the family fight and crash a friends graduation party when she happens upon and stops a terrorist bombing. Enter Colonel Rhodes from West Point, he is aware that Scarlett may have superhuman or posthuman powers and those powers can be honed at The Point, as secret school with West Point.
Scarlett isn't left with many options at this point, take the blame for the bombing or join the Army and learn to control her powers. She chooses door number 2 and becomes a Cadet. Army life does not suit stubborn, outspoken, rebel Scarlett, but she quickly finds her place at The Point with people who understand her. While Scarlett is learning how to harness her powers, there are a rouge group of posthumans that want to eradicate non-posthumans. This part feels kind of rushed at the end of the book, and is very chaotic. The bad guy, Jagger, incites chaos which is part of the action, but it was hard for me to keep track of what was going on. The book takes quite a while to introduce you to Jagger, then it is all over in a few chapters. The buildup was pretty significant for the small amount of action we get. I just wanted more action from a book like this, they spend a lot of time at school training.
As far as the book goes, I wanted a little more character development. As I stated earlier, I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I didn’t like Scarlett at all, she was kind of selfish, jerk and while she is the heroine she never really redeems herself in my opinion. I feel like she will always be selfish and disrespectful. There are plenty of side characters, but I needed more from all of them. The plot was decent; I really liked the combination of the military academy with the idea of the posthuman. I think young adult readers will really enjoy this. It has some decent humor and puts a unique spin on super human powers that I haven't read before.
Scarlett Winter is a selfish, brat who doesn't care about anyone but herself and doesn't care if her actions hurt anyone. She doesn't apply herself at school, sports, or pretty much anything even though she is bright, athletic, and compeltely capable. She just doesn't care about anything enough to apply herself. After getting in trouble one to many times, her father is ready to ship her off to the Army. Scarlett wants to go backpacking through Europe instead. This causes yet another family fued, but this time her older brother is involved. Their dad abused Scarlett's brother Dan, who turned the abuse onto her as they got older. This time when Dan starts a fight with Scarlett, she hits him back with more force than should be possible. This isn't the first time Scarlett has done something out of the ordinary. Scarlett decides to lay low after the family fight and crash a friends graduation party when she happens upon and stops a terrorist bombing. Enter Colonel Rhodes from West Point, he is aware that Scarlett may have superhuman or posthuman powers and those powers can be honed at The Point, as secret school with West Point.
Scarlett isn't left with many options at this point, take the blame for the bombing or join the Army and learn to control her powers. She chooses door number 2 and becomes a Cadet. Army life does not suit stubborn, outspoken, rebel Scarlett, but she quickly finds her place at The Point with people who understand her. While Scarlett is learning how to harness her powers, there are a rouge group of posthumans that want to eradicate non-posthumans. This part feels kind of rushed at the end of the book, and is very chaotic. The bad guy, Jagger, incites chaos which is part of the action, but it was hard for me to keep track of what was going on. The book takes quite a while to introduce you to Jagger, then it is all over in a few chapters. The buildup was pretty significant for the small amount of action we get. I just wanted more action from a book like this, they spend a lot of time at school training.
As far as the book goes, I wanted a little more character development. As I stated earlier, I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I didn’t like Scarlett at all, she was kind of selfish, jerk and while she is the heroine she never really redeems herself in my opinion. I feel like she will always be selfish and disrespectful. There are plenty of side characters, but I needed more from all of them. The plot was decent; I really liked the combination of the military academy with the idea of the posthuman. I think young adult readers will really enjoy this. It has some decent humor and puts a unique spin on super human powers that I haven't read before.
bookwormmichelle's review
4.0
OK. This is the X-Men. Different people, different abilities, still classed by a number system. Except instead of being educated at the Professor Xavier's school, we decide to send them all to West Point. Yes, it goes just like you think it would from there.
bookcaptivated's review
5.0
Pitched as X-men meets the Military, this isn't a book I would normally pick up. I liked that Scarlett is a screw-up and that she blows off her high school graduation even though she knows her parents will be there. The backstory of The Point was well though out but I felt like I needed more explanation as to how the villian's power worked. I understand how they affected others but not the other part. It seemed like that part was glossed over. Overall I liked this book a lot.
I received free books from Penguin Random House in exchange for this review.
I received free books from Penguin Random House in exchange for this review.
sunsoar25's review
4.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Scarlett Winter has always been an outsider as a daredevil and troublemaker, but she's hiding special powers she doesn't understand. She has no choice after graduation - either go to West Point or jail. She expects that she'll just be joining the army like her father before her, but she's actually joining a special unit of others with powers like her. Scarlett and her fellow students are learning to more accurately use their abilities, from telekinetic combat to running recon missions through strangers' dreamscapes, for eventual government service. Scarlett may have the strongest ability in her year with her power to control energy and use it as a weapon, she's a bomb waiting to explode, and she's not sure she can control herself for much longer. When a dangerous threat arises from the school's dark past, Scarlett will need to decide if she can truly step up and be a hero.
The Point by John Dixon is an addicting sci-fi thriller with a great central premise. Honestly, as soon as I heard military training, X-Men, and a secret West Point unit I was absolutely sold. Some of my favorite moments of the story are the training sequences and seeing the cadets powers in action. As for Scarlett, Dixon has created a pretty fantastic character arc for our leading lady. She really comes into her own as a part of a the Long Gray Line and through her training. That being said she never loses herself in the process, though she does seem to change her ways a little too quickly for my tastes. By the way, when it comes to Scarlett's power did anyone else think of Sebastian Shaw from X-Men? Anyway, one of my few issues is that I wish the world-building had been handled a little more thoroughly for the posthumans. I enjoyed what we got about they came to be, but it wasn't quite enough for me - bit of a missed opportunity there.
Overall, The Point by John Dixon is a great standalone sci-fi for fans of X-Men. This story isn't terribly unique, but it's still a fun read that you can quickly devour. It is an older YA read, but I think that it could make a great adult crossover story as well. This novel was my first read by this author, but I think now I'm going to have to read more of his work - I think a great starting place would be Phoenix Island which inspired the tv show Intelligence with Josh Holloway.
Scarlett Winter has always been an outsider as a daredevil and troublemaker, but she's hiding special powers she doesn't understand. She has no choice after graduation - either go to West Point or jail. She expects that she'll just be joining the army like her father before her, but she's actually joining a special unit of others with powers like her. Scarlett and her fellow students are learning to more accurately use their abilities, from telekinetic combat to running recon missions through strangers' dreamscapes, for eventual government service. Scarlett may have the strongest ability in her year with her power to control energy and use it as a weapon, she's a bomb waiting to explode, and she's not sure she can control herself for much longer. When a dangerous threat arises from the school's dark past, Scarlett will need to decide if she can truly step up and be a hero.
The Point by John Dixon is an addicting sci-fi thriller with a great central premise. Honestly, as soon as I heard military training, X-Men, and a secret West Point unit I was absolutely sold. Some of my favorite moments of the story are the training sequences and seeing the cadets powers in action. As for Scarlett, Dixon has created a pretty fantastic character arc for our leading lady. She really comes into her own as a part of a the Long Gray Line and through her training. That being said she never loses herself in the process, though she does seem to change her ways a little too quickly for my tastes. By the way, when it comes to Scarlett's power did anyone else think of Sebastian Shaw from X-Men? Anyway, one of my few issues is that I wish the world-building had been handled a little more thoroughly for the posthumans. I enjoyed what we got about they came to be, but it wasn't quite enough for me - bit of a missed opportunity there.
Overall, The Point by John Dixon is a great standalone sci-fi for fans of X-Men. This story isn't terribly unique, but it's still a fun read that you can quickly devour. It is an older YA read, but I think that it could make a great adult crossover story as well. This novel was my first read by this author, but I think now I'm going to have to read more of his work - I think a great starting place would be Phoenix Island which inspired the tv show Intelligence with Josh Holloway.
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