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aarealreadsstuff's review
4.0
I wanted a dystopian alien book and I got a dystopian alien book! I really liked the male MC in this one. Really interesting.
kynan's review
3.0
TL;DR: A "YA" relationship-in-times-of-adversity page-turner set amidst the destruction of life as we know it by not very nice aliens.
TL: This is an interesting story that falls into the apocalyptic first-contact genre. It's marketed as being a Young Adult book but I have trouble with that designation as I don't think "YA" really equates to anything. In fact, according to Wikipedia, it doesn't: "There are no distinguishable differences in genre styles between YA fiction and adult fiction". So, it's about content, and I suspect that specifically YA fiction tries to come off as less "talk-downey" and to be a little more grimdark than the traditional rose-tinted and nostalgic view of youth that adults come up with. Point being, I think that sometimes "YA" is used as an excuse to ease up on the plotting a little, take some literary shortcuts, and I don't think that's really fair to all the YAs and I do think that is what happened here.
The story is told from two points of view, the main protagonist and majority narrator "Raven" is a "troubled youth", fresh off being busted with a group of her friends, all of whom have been sentenced to shared community service acting as camp counselors to a summer camp (a fact that I had a hard time believing, but some explanation was made as to why a bunch of juvies were employed as social leaders and guardian, I still don't buy it
TL: This is an interesting story that falls into the apocalyptic first-contact genre. It's marketed as being a Young Adult book but I have trouble with that designation as I don't think "YA" really equates to anything. In fact, according to Wikipedia, it doesn't: "There are no distinguishable differences in genre styles between YA fiction and adult fiction". So, it's about content, and I suspect that specifically YA fiction tries to come off as less "talk-downey" and to be a little more grimdark than the traditional rose-tinted and nostalgic view of youth that adults come up with. Point being, I think that sometimes "YA" is used as an excuse to ease up on the plotting a little, take some literary shortcuts, and I don't think that's really fair to all the YAs and I do think that is what happened here.
The story is told from two points of view, the main protagonist and majority narrator "Raven" is a "troubled youth", fresh off being busted with a group of her friends, all of whom have been sentenced to shared community service acting as camp counselors to a summer camp (a fact that I had a hard time believing, but some explanation was made as to why a bunch of juvies were employed as social leaders and guardian, I still don't buy it
msmoodyreader's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sidneyellwood's review
3.0
I haven't read much sci-fi this year so I was pretty excited to read this - aliens are cool. And part of the narrative from the alien side of view seemed really intriguing, especially how Eighth was humanized and set apart from the other Nahx. The premise was incredible, but the execution was not as I expected. It's slower paced, more of an exploration of human survival - which I did like, and it was fascinating to watch.
Except - the romance subplot. I could not deal with the romance subplot between Eighth and Raven, because it was definitely instalove, and it was ... kind of weird when you're looking at it from the perspective of Eighth as an alien. I liked Raven, and I liked seeing Eighth from Raven's point of view but not him on his own, especially for the first half of the novel. I feel like Eighth could have been omitted from the first half and nothing would have changed. I don't feel like Eighth was nearly as dynamic as Raven.
One thing I really loved was the setting, because not only is it Canadian, it takes place in and around my hometown, Calgary, something I wasn't expecting at all. The characters are Calgarian. I take trips into the mountains a lot, so I could imagine the setting so much more clearly than other places. Some of the action took place in Calgary itself and the Saddledome and Stampede grounds (I presume, I don't pay attention to sports, so that is the only stadium I know of). Even if I couldn't really connect to any other traits of the characters, I connected to that, because wow, it is so cool to see your hometown in a book.
While I did like this book, I wasn't expecting the slow pace and the romance subplot - but if you like romance and sad characters, go for it.
This review and more can be found on my blog!
Except - the romance subplot. I could not deal with the romance subplot between Eighth and Raven, because it was definitely instalove, and it was ... kind of weird when you're looking at it from the perspective of Eighth as an alien. I liked Raven, and I liked seeing Eighth from Raven's point of view but not him on his own, especially for the first half of the novel. I feel like Eighth could have been omitted from the first half and nothing would have changed. I don't feel like Eighth was nearly as dynamic as Raven.
One thing I really loved was the setting, because not only is it Canadian, it takes place in and around my hometown, Calgary, something I wasn't expecting at all. The characters are Calgarian. I take trips into the mountains a lot, so I could imagine the setting so much more clearly than other places. Some of the action took place in Calgary itself and the Saddledome and Stampede grounds (I presume, I don't pay attention to sports, so that is the only stadium I know of). Even if I couldn't really connect to any other traits of the characters, I connected to that, because wow, it is so cool to see your hometown in a book.
While I did like this book, I wasn't expecting the slow pace and the romance subplot - but if you like romance and sad characters, go for it.
This review and more can be found on my blog!
alivet97's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
z_bookfluencer's review
4.0
Before going into my review, I would like to say that Zero Repeat Forever is a very well written dystopian story, with some gothic influences. This is a multiple perspective story, mainly told through Raven and Eighth. Zero Repeat Forever is divided into four parts, and each part has sections labeled by the perspectives of which the story is currently being told. The story was intriguing, and I became more engaged in the story the more I read. There were a few scenes that were quite moving and powerful.
My first initial impressions when I started reading Zero Repeat Forever is that the characters and events were set up in a way that they could potentially be relatable, but I couldn't connect with the story or the characters. It took me a while to find an agreeable reading rhythm. I feel like upon reaching a third of the book, I was invested in the story, and the plot started picking up a little bit. That being said, there is not some sweeping plot. More of one of these is what is happening, and these are the character reactions to what is happening and the characters reacting to other characters.
I feel like this young adult, dystopian, went into some themes not usually explored as much as it was in Zero Repeat Forever. Specifically, it is very much implied and sometimes shows that the characters enjoy sex, drugs, and alcohol. There were no explicit intimacy scenes, though there were a few scenes that involved groping.
There is a certain level of social dramatics that took place in the story ARC. There are multiple relationships that take place that are a bit toxic and ungenuine. The main relationship between the two main characters, Raven and Eighth, was severely toxic and abusive.
Truthfully, I didn't really like any of the characters. A few of the characters did have some likable qualities.
The alien, or Nahx, are ranked by their ability to form complete thoughts and obey direct orders. Female Nahx are typically ranked higher and appear to be in charge. With the fact that the Nahx are ranked by their abilities to form complete bod's and obey direct orders, the main character, Eighth, his beginning perspectives to read were a bit stilted. I have a few predictions as to who the Nahx truly are and their plans for Earth. I would hope those answers would be given in the next installment.
Overall, Zero Repeat Forever was certainly well written. I'm still unsure how I feel about it. Some aspects of the story worked for me, and a lot of other aspects and characters did not. Zero Repeat Forever felt quite grim, dark, and gothci. I feel like Zero Repeat Forever would work for readers who enjoy a dystopian setting with alien invasion, characters who enjoy intoxication, and character relationship development. I am unsure if I would read the next installment, and I don't think i would give Zero Repeat Forever a reread. I am satisfied with the time I afforded in reading this novel.
Contend Guide:
Implied Intimancy. Groping. Drugs. Alcohol. Corpses from young infants to elderly. Guns. Prisoner/Kidnapping. Relationship Abuse. Blood.
My first initial impressions when I started reading Zero Repeat Forever is that the characters and events were set up in a way that they could potentially be relatable, but I couldn't connect with the story or the characters. It took me a while to find an agreeable reading rhythm. I feel like upon reaching a third of the book, I was invested in the story, and the plot started picking up a little bit. That being said, there is not some sweeping plot. More of one of these is what is happening, and these are the character reactions to what is happening and the characters reacting to other characters.
I feel like this young adult, dystopian, went into some themes not usually explored as much as it was in Zero Repeat Forever. Specifically, it is very much implied and sometimes shows that the characters enjoy sex, drugs, and alcohol. There were no explicit intimacy scenes, though there were a few scenes that involved groping.
There is a certain level of social dramatics that took place in the story ARC. There are multiple relationships that take place that are a bit toxic and ungenuine. The main relationship between the two main characters, Raven and Eighth, was severely toxic and abusive.
Truthfully, I didn't really like any of the characters. A few of the characters did have some likable qualities.
The alien, or Nahx, are ranked by their ability to form complete thoughts and obey direct orders. Female Nahx are typically ranked higher and appear to be in charge. With the fact that the Nahx are ranked by their abilities to form complete bod's and obey direct orders, the main character, Eighth, his beginning perspectives to read were a bit stilted. I have a few predictions as to who the Nahx truly are and their plans for Earth. I would hope those answers would be given in the next installment.
Overall, Zero Repeat Forever was certainly well written. I'm still unsure how I feel about it. Some aspects of the story worked for me, and a lot of other aspects and characters did not. Zero Repeat Forever felt quite grim, dark, and gothci. I feel like Zero Repeat Forever would work for readers who enjoy a dystopian setting with alien invasion, characters who enjoy intoxication, and character relationship development. I am unsure if I would read the next installment, and I don't think i would give Zero Repeat Forever a reread. I am satisfied with the time I afforded in reading this novel.
Contend Guide:
Implied Intimancy. Groping. Drugs. Alcohol. Corpses from young infants to elderly. Guns. Prisoner/Kidnapping. Relationship Abuse. Blood.
shannonxo's review
5.0
Well, that was a whirlwind of a book. I solidly enjoyed this.
It’s basically The Walking Dead with aliens. I didn’t find out until after I finished it that it’s actually being pitched as The Fifth Wave meets Beauty and the Beast. I’ve never read T5W, but I got the Beauty and the Beast vibe immediately. The Beast romance aspect weirded me out a little, but it’s not a deal breaker, trust me.
Do not let the first few chapters deter you. Prendergast's style is very choppy and concise here, but for the story as a whole it works. The first chapter was hands-down confusing and almost impossible to follow, but now that I've finished the book, it makes perfect sense, as does the title and cover image.
The Canadian setting was a winner. As a Canadian myself, I was thrilled to get a chance to read about my fellow countrymen being bad-ass to the core. I'm a white middle class female, so this was my special representation novel.
As antagonists, the Nahx are a fantastic choice. I wish the details about them came a bit sooner as I had a very hard time picturing them, but in the slow reveal was highly satisfying.
Would definitely recommend, and look forward to the loose ends and questions being answered in book 2.
It’s basically The Walking Dead with aliens. I didn’t find out until after I finished it that it’s actually being pitched as The Fifth Wave meets Beauty and the Beast. I’ve never read T5W, but I got the Beauty and the Beast vibe immediately. The Beast romance aspect weirded me out a little, but it’s not a deal breaker, trust me.
Do not let the first few chapters deter you. Prendergast's style is very choppy and concise here, but for the story as a whole it works. The first chapter was hands-down confusing and almost impossible to follow, but now that I've finished the book, it makes perfect sense, as does the title and cover image.
The Canadian setting was a winner. As a Canadian myself, I was thrilled to get a chance to read about my fellow countrymen being bad-ass to the core. I'm a white middle class female, so this was my special representation novel.
As antagonists, the Nahx are a fantastic choice. I wish the details about them came a bit sooner as I had a very hard time picturing them, but in the slow reveal was highly satisfying.
Would definitely recommend, and look forward to the loose ends and questions being answered in book 2.