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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
This one was a bit rough in the first half, but I'm glad I made it through. Most of the first half is quite teenage cringe, I rolled my eyes frequently and often yelled at the book for being so annoying, but it was an easy read and the real character development happened at the midway point. After that, the main character became more tolerable, real relationships formed, and the story took a nice turn. It was nice to actually see the characters interact and grow with each other rather than always be at odds. Nyxia and Babel still have many secrets to share, and that should make for more interesting stories to come.
Overall the characters were well written and likeable and the story moves at a good pace, but I still can't get over how poorly written the first half of the book is. The author will mention something like the reader knows what it is, give no explanation, then never mention it again. It is mentioned numerous times that there is a specific reason Emmett has such a "tough guy" demeanor, but then that is never actually revealed. Good thing it's a trilogy, right? The whole "File A for Annoying" thing made me roll my eyes every time, even after learning where he got it from. So dumb.
Overall the characters were well written and likeable and the story moves at a good pace, but I still can't get over how poorly written the first half of the book is. The author will mention something like the reader knows what it is, give no explanation, then never mention it again. It is mentioned numerous times that there is a specific reason Emmett has such a "tough guy" demeanor, but then that is never actually revealed. Good thing it's a trilogy, right? The whole "File A for Annoying" thing made me roll my eyes every time, even after learning where he got it from. So dumb.
This book didn't do it for me. I mainly had issues with the characters and the plot, so essentially the whole book. I was excited to see what kind of world Eden would be and what the Adamites would look like and then it's kinda like Earth and Adamites are just humans but with wider set eyes? What?
Then there are suddenly 15 characters, half of whom you know nothing about but you are supposed to care about them as part of this team. Who the crap is Noor? Why is there a sudden love story between Omar and the one girl? And what the hell is the point of the Isadora subplot? I can only guess it is setting something up for the third book. Most of the team I completely forgot about and was like "oh they're still around?" every time they were mentioned. Holly went through a terrible ordeal that was a huge part of the plot then once she's cured nothing is done with her character. I think there in lies the problem for me, this book sacrificed the characters for the sake of moving the plot. A few
The teenagers come into the Imago city and are suddenly all high and mighty and befriending the "poor" people of the sixth circle. Absolutely nothing was gained from any of this subplot. The team didn't bother to try to learn why people were in the sixth circle. They just somehow were like "yes, I am the same as this beggar on the street even though I come from a lower middle class two parent home." The attempt to draw a parallel between the social status of the team and the sixth just fell flat.
I could go on, but I will stop. It was not a terrible read, but I am just very dissatisfied with the way the book turned.
Then there are suddenly 15 characters, half of whom you know nothing about but you are supposed to care about them as part of this team. Who the crap is Noor? Why is there a sudden love story between Omar and the one girl? And what the hell is the point of the Isadora subplot? I can only guess it is setting something up for the third book. Most of the team I completely forgot about and was like "oh they're still around?" every time they were mentioned. Holly went through a terrible ordeal that was a huge part of the plot then once she's cured nothing is done with her character. I think there in lies the problem for me, this book sacrificed the characters for the sake of moving the plot. A few
The teenagers come into the Imago city and are suddenly all high and mighty and befriending the "poor" people of the sixth circle. Absolutely nothing was gained from any of this subplot. The team didn't bother to try to learn why people were in the sixth circle. They just somehow were like "yes, I am the same as this beggar on the street even though I come from a lower middle class two parent home." The attempt to draw a parallel between the social status of the team and the sixth just fell flat.
I could go on, but I will stop. It was not a terrible read, but I am just very dissatisfied with the way the book turned.
Wow, this book was so good! Very different than I expected.
I am surprised this book gets such great reviews on Goodreads because it was a struggle for me to give it a 3/5 stars. I listened to the audio version, and if it hadn't been selected as a Gateway Nominee, I wouldn't have slogged through. With that said, however, I have many boys that loved Pierce Brown's "Red Rising" series (the first being a past Gateway pick) who will also love "Nyxia." It's a book that blends elements of "Red Rising" with "Zero Boxer," and "Hunger Games," and it's the first in a series, so its ending leaves the reader hanging.
"Nyxia" is set aboard a lightship known as Genesis 11, destined for the planet Eden on a journey that will take a year. Emmett Atwater, our main character, has been recruited by the mysterious company, Babel, to travel to Eden to collect nyxia, a resource said to be the most powerful and valuable in the universe. Emmett is one of 10 young people who sign contracts with Babel; each is guaranteed a large sum of money to benefit his/her family and the adventure of a lifetime. What Emmett and the others don't know when they sign their contracts is that only eight of them will be given the opportunity to set foot on Eden. The others will, at best, receive a consolation prize. And during their year-long journey, the recruits will compete against each other in a series of physically and mentally demanding challenges that determine their chances of setting foot on Eden. Some of the recruits are more blood-thirsty than others, and Babel is hiding both their true intentions and a dangerous secret on board; Genesis 11 is no paradise, but Emmett is willing to die trying to secure his place on Eden.
In my opinion, there are too many characters to follow in this book and not enough character development. The majority of the book focuses on the challenges Babel sets for the recruits, and then there is a hasty romance thrown in at the end. It didn't speak to me. I won't be reading the other books in the series, but I will recommend it to my "Red Rising" fans.
"Nyxia" is set aboard a lightship known as Genesis 11, destined for the planet Eden on a journey that will take a year. Emmett Atwater, our main character, has been recruited by the mysterious company, Babel, to travel to Eden to collect nyxia, a resource said to be the most powerful and valuable in the universe. Emmett is one of 10 young people who sign contracts with Babel; each is guaranteed a large sum of money to benefit his/her family and the adventure of a lifetime. What Emmett and the others don't know when they sign their contracts is that only eight of them will be given the opportunity to set foot on Eden. The others will, at best, receive a consolation prize. And during their year-long journey, the recruits will compete against each other in a series of physically and mentally demanding challenges that determine their chances of setting foot on Eden. Some of the recruits are more blood-thirsty than others, and Babel is hiding both their true intentions and a dangerous secret on board; Genesis 11 is no paradise, but Emmett is willing to die trying to secure his place on Eden.
In my opinion, there are too many characters to follow in this book and not enough character development. The majority of the book focuses on the challenges Babel sets for the recruits, and then there is a hasty romance thrown in at the end. It didn't speak to me. I won't be reading the other books in the series, but I will recommend it to my "Red Rising" fans.
This is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. It’s a must read.
Couldn’t get into it at all. I’m not surprised as sequels never live up to their first book.
3.5 stars
This came out of nowhere. I picked it up at the library not knowing what it was, cracked it open, started reading, and couldn't stop. It wasn't at all what I would have expected, but Sci Fi teenager competition in space seemed to work just fine for me. The characters were all interesting, and while the author tried to add some complexity with the histories of the characters, it just didn't seem important. The focus was clearly on the competition and the corporation, and the attempt to add humanity fell a little flat to me, still, I really liked this. I'm interested to see what the next one brings.
This came out of nowhere. I picked it up at the library not knowing what it was, cracked it open, started reading, and couldn't stop. It wasn't at all what I would have expected, but Sci Fi teenager competition in space seemed to work just fine for me. The characters were all interesting, and while the author tried to add some complexity with the histories of the characters, it just didn't seem important. The focus was clearly on the competition and the corporation, and the attempt to add humanity fell a little flat to me, still, I really liked this. I'm interested to see what the next one brings.
"File this book under A for Amazing." -Jay Kristoff, New York Times bestselling author
Discover book two in the sci-fi space trilogy that Bustle described as "The 100 meets Illuminae" and Marie Lu called, "a high-octane thriller."
Emmett Atwater thought Babel's game sounded easy. Get points. Get paid. Go home. But it didn't take long for him to learn that Babel's competition was full of broken promises, none darker or more damaging than the last one.
Now Emmett and the rest of the Genesis spaceship survivors must rally and forge their own path through a new world. Their mission from Babel is simple: extract nyxia, the most valuable material in the universe, and play nice with the indigenous Adamite population.
But Emmett and the others quickly realize they are caught between two powerful forces-Babel and the Adamites-with clashing desires. Will the Genesis team make it out alive before it's too late?
Praise for Book 1 in The Nyxia Triad:
"A high-octane thriller . . . Nyxia grabs you from the first line and never lets go." -Marie Lu,#1 New York Times bestselling author of the Young Elites series
"Brilliant concept meets stellar execution in this fast-paced deep space adventure. I was hooked from page one." -Victoria Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Discover book two in the sci-fi space trilogy that Bustle described as "The 100 meets Illuminae" and Marie Lu called, "a high-octane thriller."
Emmett Atwater thought Babel's game sounded easy. Get points. Get paid. Go home. But it didn't take long for him to learn that Babel's competition was full of broken promises, none darker or more damaging than the last one.
Now Emmett and the rest of the Genesis spaceship survivors must rally and forge their own path through a new world. Their mission from Babel is simple: extract nyxia, the most valuable material in the universe, and play nice with the indigenous Adamite population.
But Emmett and the others quickly realize they are caught between two powerful forces-Babel and the Adamites-with clashing desires. Will the Genesis team make it out alive before it's too late?
Praise for Book 1 in The Nyxia Triad:
"A high-octane thriller . . . Nyxia grabs you from the first line and never lets go." -Marie Lu,#1 New York Times bestselling author of the Young Elites series
"Brilliant concept meets stellar execution in this fast-paced deep space adventure. I was hooked from page one." -Victoria Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Read within 24 hours. Fantastic, high paced story! Felt Ender's Game vibes and really enjoyed.