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knittyreader's review against another edition
5.0
I received a free copy through Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
Oh how hard it was to put this book down!
The characters were wonderful; believable, great, mostly likeable, but never perfect. My favourite character was Wilky, the 'strange', smart little brother. He reminded me of my Aspie husband all the time, although the husband is a little more talkative ;-) In the end, Wilky is the real hero of this book, together with Piers, although their sister is the main character.
The worldbuilding was dystopian, but kind of medieval too - mostly like a dystopian King Arthur tale. For me this was just as it should be, and Altabef made it all fit seamlessly together.
Then there was quite a lot of action, enough to keep this book fast-paced, while it slowed down enough to not get crammed. There was just enough romance, without it getting too much. And there were exactly the right amount of characters, although the writer and publisher seemed to think those might be a little much. I never had to use the character sheet though, to me it was all easy enough to follow, even with the different POV's.
Overall conclusion: everyone should read this book!
Oh how hard it was to put this book down!
The characters were wonderful; believable, great, mostly likeable, but never perfect. My favourite character was Wilky, the 'strange', smart little brother. He reminded me of my Aspie husband all the time, although the husband is a little more talkative ;-) In the end, Wilky is the real hero of this book, together with Piers, although their sister is the main character.
The worldbuilding was dystopian, but kind of medieval too - mostly like a dystopian King Arthur tale. For me this was just as it should be, and Altabef made it all fit seamlessly together.
Then there was quite a lot of action, enough to keep this book fast-paced, while it slowed down enough to not get crammed. There was just enough romance, without it getting too much. And there were exactly the right amount of characters, although the writer and publisher seemed to think those might be a little much. I never had to use the character sheet though, to me it was all easy enough to follow, even with the different POV's.
Overall conclusion: everyone should read this book!
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
Despite not being fully committed in the beginning, I still found this to be an enjoyable read. I like the world that the author built. Very dystopian. This is important for readers who are a fan of this type of genre. Which I am a fan. The world plays a very important part in these books.
Aaliss is a good, strong female heroine. Her brother, Wilky brought a nice element to the story. He had this innocence about him that was refreshing. This was great because the story as a whole and the most of the other characters are dark. Wilky is the light. Yet, I do agree with another reader's comment that there were a lot of characters introduced to me in the beginning and it was hard to keep them all straight. The short chapters also did not help as I the reader would barely get to know one of the characters and then the next chapter would be a different voice. A good book overall with a nice tie into the next as the world and characters have all been set now in this first book.
Aaliss is a good, strong female heroine. Her brother, Wilky brought a nice element to the story. He had this innocence about him that was refreshing. This was great because the story as a whole and the most of the other characters are dark. Wilky is the light. Yet, I do agree with another reader's comment that there were a lot of characters introduced to me in the beginning and it was hard to keep them all straight. The short chapters also did not help as I the reader would barely get to know one of the characters and then the next chapter would be a different voice. A good book overall with a nice tie into the next as the world and characters have all been set now in this first book.
bookishlifetime's review against another edition
4.0
This is a phenomenal novel. It's a mix of Science-Fiction and Midieval Times which is an extremely interesting World to get to know. The worldbuilding itself is also very detailed and well-written. Normally, I hate different POVs but they only made this book better. *Also because of the fact that they split up, it was interesting to know what happened to the different tribes/people* Jeff Altabef is an amazing writer and I'm looking forward to The Ghost King (book 2) because I'm sying to know what happens next!!
raeanne's review against another edition
3.0
Trigger Warning Icon Young Adult Icon Apocalypse Icon Dystopian Icon paranormal Romance Icon Others Icon ’Clean’ Icon
Insta-Love Icon Not For Me Icon Problematic Icon Status Quo Icon
Red Death instantly grabbed my attention and didn't let go. Sounds corny and cliché, I know but that's the best way to describe it. It has classic dystopian elements and is a great recommendation for fans of the genre. You'll see some events coming in the beginning as it's all set up and follows the typical dystopian path. If you're an avid fan of the genre, you'll be able to spot more. For me, the characters and action made up for when I was being able to see what was around the bend.
There’s multiple POV’s that switch around and eventually converge. It saves on having to give back story once the paths cross. This is done very well. There’s no way to mix them up and was one of the best parts for me.
It’s full of action and adventure. Once Aaliss and Wilky get out with the soulless it picks up even quicker. I loved Aaliss in the beginning and the end, but in the middle, she’s dragged down by insta-love.
Can’t say I like or dislike Wilky as he isn’t a real person. He’s a plot device, trope, and stereotype. He’ll be catatonic and then pop up with whatever his companions need. If you’re sensitive to autistic portrayals in fiction, I’d steer clear. It’s highly annoying at the very least.
Piers, the oldest brother to Aaliss and Wilky, and Eamon, the brother to the king of the Butcher tribe, are the second-best characters. Eamon suffered the same fate as Aaliss with the middle drag. Piers however started meh and got better all the way to the end.
The rest of the cast is women, young and old, and a couple of Bad Guy villains. Not much time is spent with the Painted Ones, which I’d really like to know more of, or the tribe to the north of them or the rest of the damn world.
Now that the players are introduced and in place, the sequel will have war planning and Eden’s inhabitants to deal with. How it’s going to work out, I don’t know exactly.
Keep in Mind:
--Highly religious, would call it Christian fiction
--Dystopian world building in the past but the present focuses on paranormal souls and visions to move forward
--Small map is included to visualize the travels but there are no identifying marks where this takes place in the U.S.A.
--No idea about the rest of the world either.
--Plenty of graphic violence – fighting and murder but barely any romantic touching.
--Instalove
--Felt long in the middle
--What kind of fucking name is Wilky? Especially given to the autistic presenting kid? There’s no reason or meaning given, it just is. Also, he’s Magical™. And calling him “strange” makes it more problematic, not less.
--Appearance descriptions are mostly about faces, hair and eye color. The skin tone isn’t described but the people of Eden are white. There are several tribes of Soulless outside of Eden, but again skin tone isn’t described. I always buck the “white as default” bullshit in my mind’s eye but doing that in Red Death makes Wilky a white savior to native tribes. *sigh*
--Attempted Rape Scene early on. It doesn't get far beyond threats.
I did enjoy the ride, the actual characters are solid, and the plot has plenty going for it but it is problematic in several ways, the mystical religious part lowered it in my esteem (I’m not Christian so I would’ve skipped it had I known), and the instalove was annoying at first.
While I wouldn't say I regret reading it as it was easy, quick, and fun to read at the time but I wouldn't have chosen to promote or read it if other reviews had included this information.
It sucks not being able to recommend it more because of its issues as I'd get over the unexplained paranormal parts for the cast and plot but the more I think about Red Death the more uncomfortable I get with continuing the series.
shai3d's review against another edition
4.0
My first thought when I read the blurb for this book is that it is either going to be really good or a complete washout. I am happy to say that it is really good. The characters just seem to come to life off of the pages.
I found myself rooting for Aaliss and her brother Wilky almost from the very beginning. She is so grounded in reality while Wilky is a bit different. He is brilliant but not too good on communicating. He reminds me of some autistic kids I have met.
We also get a chance to meet the people from two different 'Soulless' villages and I am really impressed by how far their culture has grown considering that people tend to die really early from the Red Death.
I did run across some editing errors but they weren't enough to pull me from the story. I do recommend this book to any of my readers who enjoy reading dystopian storylines.
*** I received this book at no charge from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed within are my own.
annabellasbooks's review against another edition
3.0
***I was provided with a free e-copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.***
I liked it well enough, but I felt that some of the characters were a bit flat. The dialog was often ditzy sounding and the characters only showed devotion to their driving cause by repeating it as though it were a mantra... I bit strange....
I did find the plot to be quite interesting and rather original but I think it could have been better.
Overall it was okay, but not great.
I liked it well enough, but I felt that some of the characters were a bit flat. The dialog was often ditzy sounding and the characters only showed devotion to their driving cause by repeating it as though it were a mantra... I bit strange....
I did find the plot to be quite interesting and rather original but I think it could have been better.
Overall it was okay, but not great.
bookwormbunny's review against another edition
5.0
Red Death by Jeff Altabef is book 1 of his Red Death Series. In this book we are immediately thrown into a world that is strange and different but still a bit familiar. We are immediately introduced to Aaliss and her two brothers: Piers and Wilky. They live in a place called Eden where Aaliss is a Guardian who helps protect Eden from the Soulless, Piers is a Priest and Wilky is a researcher trying to find a cure for the disease called the Red Death. Aaliss captures or kills those who are called the Soulless who live outside of Eden and brings in some to be experimented on to try and help them find the cure for the Red Death. But one night Aaliss hears the High Priest and her uncle discussing that a cure has been found and that now it is time to get rid of her and her brother Wilky because it was him who discovered the cure. Aaliss knows that if she is going to survive she must run and take her brother. But in doing so they are branded traitors by the High Priest.
Her and Wilky run leaving behind their brother Piers but she knows that for a time that he will be safe. But her and her brother must run and they take a Soulless girl with them because Wilky would not have left without her because he told his sister she was essential. They face many dangers along the way but they also meet new people and make new friends. But the question stands…will they find what they need to make the cure and will they ever be able to return home? Are there more dangers to come and if so…what will they do?
This story in the beginning had me a bit confused as to what was going on. There are three tribes: Eden, The Painted Ones and the Butcher Tribe. I was a bit thrown when the other tribes are described as basically living like medievals but then Eden has electricity and labs. The creatures are new and strange but unique and beautiful just the same. The characters are dynamic, unique and engaging.
In the beginning I will admit that I was disappointed when there was no back story (prologue) to bring us up on what happened to bring about the world as it exists especially when you learn that there is a place called “The City of Bones” where there are old buildings from before everything that happened, but I will say this…the author has done a really good job covering that when the time is right. There are so many characters that add to this storyline and each one is unique and tells the story beautifully. For me once I got engaged in this story it was hard to put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Now, this story isn’t fast paced but has a nice steady pace that at times will make you want to jump ahead but just read along, it will be worth it.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and I honestly cannot wait for the next book in this series. There is so much that I want to know more about concerning the characters, the situations that we find them in when the story ends and what will happen next because nothing is ever as it seems and danger is coming quickly. I give this book 5 out 5 stars and two thumbs up. Really enjoyable dystopian book with some fantasy wrapped in in a very unique way.
Her and Wilky run leaving behind their brother Piers but she knows that for a time that he will be safe. But her and her brother must run and they take a Soulless girl with them because Wilky would not have left without her because he told his sister she was essential. They face many dangers along the way but they also meet new people and make new friends. But the question stands…will they find what they need to make the cure and will they ever be able to return home? Are there more dangers to come and if so…what will they do?
This story in the beginning had me a bit confused as to what was going on. There are three tribes: Eden, The Painted Ones and the Butcher Tribe. I was a bit thrown when the other tribes are described as basically living like medievals but then Eden has electricity and labs. The creatures are new and strange but unique and beautiful just the same. The characters are dynamic, unique and engaging.
In the beginning I will admit that I was disappointed when there was no back story (prologue) to bring us up on what happened to bring about the world as it exists especially when you learn that there is a place called “The City of Bones” where there are old buildings from before everything that happened, but I will say this…the author has done a really good job covering that when the time is right. There are so many characters that add to this storyline and each one is unique and tells the story beautifully. For me once I got engaged in this story it was hard to put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. Now, this story isn’t fast paced but has a nice steady pace that at times will make you want to jump ahead but just read along, it will be worth it.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and I honestly cannot wait for the next book in this series. There is so much that I want to know more about concerning the characters, the situations that we find them in when the story ends and what will happen next because nothing is ever as it seems and danger is coming quickly. I give this book 5 out 5 stars and two thumbs up. Really enjoyable dystopian book with some fantasy wrapped in in a very unique way.
ashleysue14's review against another edition
5.0
Love this book it is amazing great characters and great story line.
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