Reviews

The Underlighters by Michelle Browne

ninjabunneh's review against another edition

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1.0

I probably wouldn't even be writing a review on this book. Yet, here I am because it is an arc. Had it not been an arc, it would have been my very first DNF.
I never read other reviews before starting a book. I don't want to get influenced by them. I do, however, look at stars ratings. And, wow, this one has a 5.0 rating. I was itching to request such a book that must be so fuckawesome. I have learned a valuable lesson. Never judge a book by it's star rating.
I don't know if I read a different book than everyone else, or if my brain functions on a different wavelength.
The characters in this book are completely, well, forgettable. I couldn't get myself to care about any of them. The book is intended to be the journal of Janelle, our mc. What struck me as odd was the full conversations that are quoted in said journal. Who is able to do that? Hell, I'm lucky if I can remember what I ate for breakfast. So, yeh, a little unbelievable.
The book was also slow. So slow. I can deal with that. So what made me almost DNF? It's something so small that even I cannot believe it almost made me rage quit.
It's a word. A term. A simple name. Cuntgirl.
 photo Hercules_zps35d0d041.gif
Cuntgirl, apparently, is the name in that world for hooker or prostitute. I can curse like the best of them. In fact, I have a mouth on me worse than you can probably imagine coming out of someone like me. Honestly, it just ended up leaving a bad taste in my mouth. It made me cringe. That, along with underdeveloped characters, average plot and writing, and even some just extremely odd parts of the story, I cannot recommend this book.

bookish_satty's review against another edition

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5.0

I got this book from the author, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side.

Firstly I would like to thank Michelle Browne, author of The Underwriters fro giving me this wonderful opportunity of reading and reviewing this special book of hers.

I totally was blown away by this story, it's really really awesome and excellently executed by the author through her remarkable words.

I never before read a dystopian novel with the horror element woven so intricately with each and every scene and let me tell you that it really scared me to death when I imagined of stepping into the shoes of Janelle.

She was really awesome and the true soul and blood of this book and anyone who heart themselves a kick-ass and confident heroine who can take some serious matters on her strong shoulders then Janelle is the 'IT' girl for you.

The emotional whirlwind that the characters faces, the fear, hopelessness, the despair, the loneliness, the remembrance of the lost ones will really touch your heart and you'll fail in stopping the overflowing tears when the author will take you through the experience of these hard-core emotions.

The concept of DUST being the actual destroyer and problem creator is unique and quite unheard of but don't worry you'll be truly surprised by the thoughts of the author and the way she led the story through the rough and dangerous paths. The felt the underground live to be quite interesting though a little scary but this book really is one of the best dystopian novels ever read by me.

It's been a while since I stopped being scared of monsters but this book really brought out that part of me and I really had to sit on the edge of my sofa and constantly bit my nails off when thees monsters arrived.

This story encompasses all the segments that should be present in a really excellent story and in making the horror part alive the author didn't introduce gory descriptions which really feels nasty and eerie.

All in all a superb read and I bet ya all would be spooked like me at the end of the book so grab your copy and get on the ride.

shirleycuypers's review against another edition

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5.0

When I was reading the first few pages I already liked it. The writing is easy and likeable to read.

The protagonist is Janelle and I love her personality. She's kinda boyish what makes me like her more. Most of the time writers create really girlish protagonists so I like that Michelle made Janelle less girlish.
I also liked that Janelle was once with Raheed, then with Chloe and now with Una and Nathu. Most of the time characters are straight so it was lovely to read someting different.

Once you've started, it's hard to stop reading. You just want to know how Janelle's story continues. It's getting more interesting when you read further.

Reading the last few chapters was killing me. I was very nervous. I didn't know how the book was going to end.

Conclusion: I've never read something like this and I definetly recommend The Underlighters to everyone who's into something new! I loved every bit of it!

-I want to thank Michelle Browne for the ARC!

solelylu's review against another edition

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2.0

Original posting on Gaga Over Books

I got this book in exchange of an honest review. A GR group Shut Up and Read is doing this R2R for indie authors. And I wanted to check such program. As I have never really participated in other group R2R's.

Anyway, I signed up for this book and started reading it but my experience with this book sadly was not a good one.

The start had me excited. Dragons. But then confusion struck me. She was writing a journal right from the beginning and I failed to see that until she mentioned it. The entries would merge. And that kind of killed the journaling effect. And there were no dragons but that's not why I didn't like the book. Nearly around 50 pages I got a little bored with the book (it took hold more strongly at this point) and well, the premise of this book what with dust being involved was kind of unique and I would have liked it a lot if only it had worked for me. I wasn’t feeling the book. I was so prolonging reading this book. I am so sorry for not really feeling this book. I skimmed a lot of pages. I didn't like her circle of friends. I didn’t like Janelle that much either. I thought this book would be more enjoyable-- I forced myself to finish the book because that’s only fair but I am sorry I didn’t and stopped after almost 200 pages-- I couldn’t care less about how the story ended or whatever else happened.

Btw, I love the cover. And I am giving this 1.5 stars because I like the cover and I did stick with it for 200 pages or tried to at least.

Teaser:
He spoke slowly, like I was an imbecile. “Dragons aren’t real.”

ciannareider's review against another edition

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5.0

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

So in all honesty, I got a slow start on this book, which might’ve been due to my own hectic brain, but though the book started slow for me, I’m incredibly glad I finished this book. I adore The Underlighters. This book takes City of Ember, increases the age, add the dystopian society and even mixes in some Neil Gaiman “Sandman”-like creepiness. It was wonderful. I love dystopian novels, and then, the first page mentions a dragon, I mean, where can you go wrong? The idea behind this plot is original, smart, and very very well organized.

Janelle Cohen, main character, is incredibly well developed. This book, while painting us a dystopian style society fraught with a nightmare mystery, is also working on the idea of sexual awakening and understanding. It’s an interesting issue to face, and I thought it was really well done throughout this book. There was only one scene dealing with this sexual idea that threw me out of the plot for a second, but the author ties it in perfectly, and continues on with the story. This is an wonderful subplot.

As for the main plot, after chapter one, I was captivated. Chapter one was slow going for me but once I got to the second one, I couldn’t put it down. I basically flew through the whole novel in my 3 hour flight. It was perfect. Mysterious, confusing in the right way, and there were clues everywhere. It’s smart and organized and detailed and it’s wonderful. I love the idea of walking nightmares, and the Dust is so imaginative and interesting, and I just kept reading because I had to know more!

This novel is definitely one to read. It’s very well written, presents a dystopian society I haven’t met with before (and that’s saying a lot, because I have read almost every dystopian novel out there, I love them) and gives you a edge of your seat mystery to boot! I loved every minute of the novel and I didn’t want it to end, and I think there is still more the author can explore in this plot area, and I’d be willing and ready to read it when she does, because this was one outstanding book! :)

*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
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