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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
The most impressive part of this book was the fact that Brandon Sanderson finally wrote a book I did not really enjoy that much. It was just an exercise in terrible metaphors.
They can't all be winners.
They can't all be winners.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I love the book's overall plot - an unexplained phenomenon that leads to individuals acquiring superhero-like powers. This dissection of powers vs no-powers becomes a class system in which the power folks rule as dictators leaving the rest living in a dystopian reality.
I thought the dark plot was quite novel; however, conversely, the characters and dialogue were quite childish. Unfortunately, it distracted from the plot quite heavily. I wish Sanderson leaned all the way into the adult themes of a "super-hero" story, it really felt that he was straddling the line which contributed to an "OK" rating.
I thought the dark plot was quite novel; however, conversely, the characters and dialogue were quite childish. Unfortunately, it distracted from the plot quite heavily. I wish Sanderson leaned all the way into the adult themes of a "super-hero" story, it really felt that he was straddling the line which contributed to an "OK" rating.
Having loved the [b:Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set: The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages|23353924|Mistborn Trilogy Boxed Set The Final Empire, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages|Brandon Sanderson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1434450276s/23353924.jpg|6798109] and [b:The Rithmatist|17562700|The Rithmatist|Brandon Sanderson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362675716s/17562700.jpg|15035866], I thought it was great time that I read another Sanderson book. The premise picked my curiosity: at the appearance of a celestial body, people start developing powers, each more deadly, and the inevitable happens - they take over the world, killing humans and treating them as slaves. However, all of these 'Epics' have a weakness, key to their destruction, and rebels make it their mission to unearth the clues in order to assassinate these monsters, to defend humanity. The novel follows a young man bent on vengeance for the death of his father at the hands of one of the most invulnerable epic. David not only saw the murder but he barely escaped with his life for witnessing Steelheart bleed. Since then he has been gathering all the data he can to drive his plan to fruition...but he will need the help of the Reckoners.
The narrative throws you from one exploding scene to the next making it a relentless and fast read. The plot and action are obviously at the forefront but the author does also create a motley crew, not without humour. David is a likeable character, both in his geeky intelligence and in his courage. Although we don't get much information on the development of epics and the real nature of Calamity, the world building worked pretty well for me (more scifi than fantasy, not that this matter in the least), but I hope this is addressed in the following books. I also liked Sanderson's take on "absolute power corrupts absolutely".
Needless to say that [b:Firefight|21965074|Firefight (Reckoners #2)|Brandon Sanderson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413219322s/21965074.jpg|21979689] is on my to-buy list.
The narrative throws you from one exploding scene to the next making it a relentless and fast read. The plot and action are obviously at the forefront but the author does also create a motley crew, not without humour. David is a likeable character, both in his geeky intelligence and in his courage. Although we don't get much information on the development of epics and the real nature of Calamity, the world building worked pretty well for me (more scifi than fantasy, not that this matter in the least), but I hope this is addressed in the following books. I also liked Sanderson's take on "absolute power corrupts absolutely".
Needless to say that [b:Firefight|21965074|Firefight (Reckoners #2)|Brandon Sanderson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413219322s/21965074.jpg|21979689] is on my to-buy list.
Pretty good for a YA near-future dystopian novel. It wasn't trying to be the Hunger Games, thank you Mr. Sanderson! If you need something geared towards boys, this is a good option. Superheros are the villains, teenage boy who uses his noggin as underdog protagonist, and minimal love story mucking up the action. Only slightly predictable, but it is written for teenagers. I will be reading the trilogy.
Not bad. Wasn't expecting that ending. On actually writing and story if give it 5 stars. I don't know though... The story just didn't suck me in. It was fun but it was missing the angst I love.
Good for what it was doing, just more action and romance than I happened to be looking for while reading it.
3.5 stars* This was well-written, for sure. Just had some boring parts. The last 40 pages or so were AWESOME.
This was a light, entertaining read but I never got that into the story. The writing was good, but the content was not engaging enough for me. There was too much action (it felt like I was watching an action movie of car chase after car chase), in my opinion, and not enough character development. This book just did not have enough depth to me. It felt like a book meant for 12-year-olds.
I like Brandon Sanderson's books, usually. He does an great job of world-building and inserts great characters into them. I did not like this book like I do most of his. The world-building was spot-on - superb, and the supporting characters were interesting. I did not like David. When he wasn't busy being perfect and amazing, he was being annoying - that mostly when he was pining after the girl. The pace of this book reminded me of those animated cartoon series on TV (Spiderman, et al.) - fast, gung-ho, and excited. I suppose that makes sense, given that this book was geared more towards the young adult market. This book was just not my cup of tea. Not gonna continue the series, unless Sanderson writes one about the rest of the Reckoners - excluding David.