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jplayjames's review against another edition
3.0
I file it under M for Mid.
It did some good work redeeming itself from a shaky start (and I will admit to a lack of faith in it that made it easy to get very bugged by things like a joke that wouldn't work in the multiple languages it was told in, etc.)
It did feel a bit cartoonishly evil, a little paint by numbers, and the ending made it very clear that if you don't expect to read all three there is not really any point reading this book. But it was fairly easy to get invested in through the middle section in particular.
It did some good work redeeming itself from a shaky start (and I will admit to a lack of faith in it that made it easy to get very bugged by things like a joke that wouldn't work in the multiple languages it was told in, etc.)
It did feel a bit cartoonishly evil, a little paint by numbers, and the ending made it very clear that if you don't expect to read all three there is not really any point reading this book. But it was fairly easy to get invested in through the middle section in particular.
rongrong's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Solid narration but sometimes the voice feels off. Took awhile to pick up and feel worth continuing, then got curious about what would happen with a couple mysteries, then some love at first sight nonsense, and some cliched enemies and duels to the death.
jamesbouzanis's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ralphiereads76's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting and plausible premise, but the world-building never came into focus and most of the characters were one-notes. I wanted more of the main character's rage, honestly, and it seems like there was a great story to tell about generational trauma as a result of a racist society... but he never got around to telling it. Just this key that appeared a few times to symbolically say what the author didn't actually dig into. Compared to other hard-hitting books on the Project LIT Book Club lists like Hey, Kiddo, THUG and Dear Martin, this one was disappointing.
mhmissey's review against another edition
5.0
Great start and brutal, if you love iron age you will love this
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
4.0
3.75
Emmett Atwater has been selected for a mission to another planet to mine the most precious substance in the universe - Nyxia. He's been selected with 9 other teens who will go to the planet's surface and mine the precious substance, because the Adamites (the planet's intelligent life) don't trust adults, but revere children. However, Babel, the company running this mission, keeps changing the game, challenging the teens in ways they never expected.
I have enough unanswered questions I may continue this series, but it was pretty dark, and then alternately, the point that Emmett is ultimately a "good person" felt a touch forced. I can't quite put my finger on why the evidence of that conclusion didn't quite feel real to me, but it kept jarring at various points through the book.
This will appeal to sci-fi fans and action junkies. The trials Babel puts them through offer plenty of opportunity for heart-racing suspense. There's also a bit of character development as the teens find their place on their team, alliances form, and enemies are made. Mostly though, it's a thriller, where we wait to find out what Babel is hiding. This book reveals some of the answers, but I suspect the big reveal will be in book 2.
Emmett Atwater has been selected for a mission to another planet to mine the most precious substance in the universe - Nyxia. He's been selected with 9 other teens who will go to the planet's surface and mine the precious substance, because the Adamites (the planet's intelligent life) don't trust adults, but revere children. However, Babel, the company running this mission, keeps changing the game, challenging the teens in ways they never expected.
I have enough unanswered questions I may continue this series, but it was pretty dark, and then alternately, the point that Emmett is ultimately a "good person" felt a touch forced. I can't quite put my finger on why the evidence of that conclusion didn't quite feel real to me, but it kept jarring at various points through the book.
This will appeal to sci-fi fans and action junkies. The trials Babel puts them through offer plenty of opportunity for heart-racing suspense. There's also a bit of character development as the teens find their place on their team, alliances form, and enemies are made. Mostly though, it's a thriller, where we wait to find out what Babel is hiding. This book reveals some of the answers, but I suspect the big reveal will be in book 2.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 Stars
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
First off, I have to say that I listened to this audiobook along with my 15-year-old son and he LOVED it. In fact, he got tired of waiting for me (since I was pretty much only listening in the car) and he took it upon himself to forge ahead of me.
I really loved this book too, though I was a little disappointed to learn that there was a competition element to the story. I would have loved to have focused more on their actual mission than on a battle to be one of the ones chosen to go. The competition did lead to a lot of cut-throat action, though! The best thing about this book, in my opinion, is the distinct voice of the MC (which is perfectly portrayed in the audio by the narrator, Dominic Hoffman). I loved the sort of urban sci-fi vibe that the book exudes. And the rest of the cast of characters is incredibly diverse, so we have that as a plus as well.
There are some major twists that kept things interesting, and I’m definitely eager to find out what will happen next. I probably would have given this book 4 stars, but my son’s enthusiasm bumps me up to a 4.5—what can I say, it’s infectious!
Loved the narrators for this book, by the way!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
First off, I have to say that I listened to this audiobook along with my 15-year-old son and he LOVED it. In fact, he got tired of waiting for me (since I was pretty much only listening in the car) and he took it upon himself to forge ahead of me.
I really loved this book too, though I was a little disappointed to learn that there was a competition element to the story. I would have loved to have focused more on their actual mission than on a battle to be one of the ones chosen to go. The competition did lead to a lot of cut-throat action, though! The best thing about this book, in my opinion, is the distinct voice of the MC (which is perfectly portrayed in the audio by the narrator, Dominic Hoffman). I loved the sort of urban sci-fi vibe that the book exudes. And the rest of the cast of characters is incredibly diverse, so we have that as a plus as well.
There are some major twists that kept things interesting, and I’m definitely eager to find out what will happen next. I probably would have given this book 4 stars, but my son’s enthusiasm bumps me up to a 4.5—what can I say, it’s infectious!
Loved the narrators for this book, by the way!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
fontofstrife30's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.5
It's been a while but I remember being enthralled by these books. I think I may have disliked something about the writing style but that was it. Great to read. Great adventure. High stakes but without feeling stressful.
agent88's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
allicinda's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25