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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
Pretty cool, very action movie-esque. I am having fun trying to figure out what is going on! Gotta love cliffhanger endings. These kids are pretty BA fir getting through everything that happens especially since most of them are quite young!
Pemberwick Island is a small community off the coast of Maine. Tucker Pierce is happy there. His family moved there five years earlier and unlike other teens on the island, he has no plans to leave. Then the star football player dies at the end of a game and he needs to step up and be the replacement. A stranger named Feit offers him a nutritional supplement called Ruby and tells Tucker that it will give him strength and speed naturally and legally. Tucker has small problems. Should he take the Ruby, should he pursue Tori as a girlfriend and does he have dreams beyond this sleepy island? All of these small problems evaporate instantly when Pemberwick Island is invaded by SYLO, an unknown branch of the U.S. military. Residents are told they are being quarantined due to a virus, but when Tucker and Quinn hack into the hospital computers they discover there is no virus and both of their parents are involved in some way.
It is now up to Tucker, Quinn and Tori to discover what is happening on their island. Why is the CDC quarantining the island? What is SYLO, and why are they involved? What is this Ruby that Feit is pushing? Is any of this related to the “singing” aircraft that are only seen at night? MacHale creates an adventure story that hints at the end of the world as we know it. Readers will be drawn into the easy life of Tucker and then become quickly drenched in adrenaline as they experience this journey with him. SYLO is the first book in the series, but the unanswered questions only become evident toward the end so the book doesn’t seem like one big set up for the series.
It is now up to Tucker, Quinn and Tori to discover what is happening on their island. Why is the CDC quarantining the island? What is SYLO, and why are they involved? What is this Ruby that Feit is pushing? Is any of this related to the “singing” aircraft that are only seen at night? MacHale creates an adventure story that hints at the end of the world as we know it. Readers will be drawn into the easy life of Tucker and then become quickly drenched in adrenaline as they experience this journey with him. SYLO is the first book in the series, but the unanswered questions only become evident toward the end so the book doesn’t seem like one big set up for the series.
I am very split about this: either the author did a very good job of giving us a untrustworthy narrator or it was pure luck.
The story was well written but there were a couple places were the actions of the characters did not make any sense.
The story was well written but there were a couple places were the actions of the characters did not make any sense.
FIRST IMPRESSION:: Yes! This is the kind of “Chapter One” I like. Start off with a bang and don't beat around the bush with unnecessary pretense! A perfectly healthy, all-star football player, Marty Wiggins, drops dead after celebrating the final touchdown in a blowout game. And that was just the first death in a "Night of Deaths." Our main character, the all-stars back up, who's more interested in cheerleaders than football. A not-so-obvious hero. A possible villain - a surfer-looking guy scribbling furiously in a notebook during play who is the only one not paying attention to the game and the only one missing from the stands when Marty dies. Im I intrigued... Uh, heck yeah!
THE STORY:: I must begin on the negative and address my major two criticisms of the book because, I came down hard from my first chapter high. First, it was a bit of overkill on the aspects of the island. The theme of this book’s Forward, McHales's love of travel, seeped into the story a little too much form. The idyllic atmosphere of the island was explored more than the plot was, which annoyed me because the central plot was really interesting.
Secondly, it's Tucker. He just doesn't seem like a strong enough lead. I didn't mind him being an antihero in the beginning, but as the story goes on he's so disillusioned with life. For a fourteen year old, it's pretty sad. Also, a coward in a distracting way. I'm assuming he's going to do some kind of 180, but I don't know. When the big decision the trio had to make a about whether or not to leave the island, he didn't want to go. Tucker's reasoning -- a defiant stance about not wanting to leave life on the island despite his world going to hell and his need to put 100% faith in his parents though he just learned they're working with the enemy -- was just odd. I guess it goes back to Quinn's criticism of him not wanting to take risks, though he did run race toward armed SYLO soldiers when they chased down the two guys they murdered. I don't know, I guess he was just a little inconsistent for me. However, I do have to say agree with Tucker's philosophy about working hard. Hard work in school and a degree doesn't really equal anything anymore.
Everything that I just said, this relates to the first half of the book. Which was a slow burn to the action. Because the second half explodes like a powder keg. The plot goes from having sinister undertones to all out warfare. I have to admit, while it was an abrupt shift it was a needed one. As soon as Tucker is face with major conflict and has no choice but to step up too the plate after loosing Quinn and his parents support, he does. He was faced with adversity and fought through it. I can appreciate it. Brave Tuck showed up, and things really got good. Classic MacHale action!
FINAL THOUGHTS:: I won't reveal this books big reveal, but I'm genuinely interested and I'm invested. I've already started the second book.
MY THOUGHTS ON THE NARRATOR:: Andrew Bates is new to me and I thought he was perfect. It was a performance rather than just a reading, which I love. He definitely contributed a lot to my enjoyment of this story. I really thought he got the essence of the characters, the plot, and Pemberwick Island.
THE STORY:: I must begin on the negative and address my major two criticisms of the book because, I came down hard from my first chapter high. First, it was a bit of overkill on the aspects of the island. The theme of this book’s Forward, McHales's love of travel, seeped into the story a little too much form. The idyllic atmosphere of the island was explored more than the plot was, which annoyed me because the central plot was really interesting.
Secondly, it's Tucker. He just doesn't seem like a strong enough lead. I didn't mind him being an antihero in the beginning, but as the story goes on he's so disillusioned with life. For a fourteen year old, it's pretty sad. Also, a coward in a distracting way. I'm assuming he's going to do some kind of 180, but I don't know. When the big decision the trio had to make a about whether or not to leave the island, he didn't want to go. Tucker's reasoning -- a defiant stance about not wanting to leave life on the island despite his world going to hell and his need to put 100% faith in his parents though he just learned they're working with the enemy -- was just odd. I guess it goes back to Quinn's criticism of him not wanting to take risks, though he did run race toward armed SYLO soldiers when they chased down the two guys they murdered. I don't know, I guess he was just a little inconsistent for me. However, I do have to say agree with Tucker's philosophy about working hard. Hard work in school and a degree doesn't really equal anything anymore.
Everything that I just said, this relates to the first half of the book. Which was a slow burn to the action. Because the second half explodes like a powder keg. The plot goes from having sinister undertones to all out warfare. I have to admit, while it was an abrupt shift it was a needed one. As soon as Tucker is face with major conflict and has no choice but to step up too the plate after loosing Quinn and his parents support, he does. He was faced with adversity and fought through it. I can appreciate it. Brave Tuck showed up, and things really got good. Classic MacHale action!
FINAL THOUGHTS:: I won't reveal this books big reveal, but I'm genuinely interested and I'm invested. I've already started the second book.
MY THOUGHTS ON THE NARRATOR:: Andrew Bates is new to me and I thought he was perfect. It was a performance rather than just a reading, which I love. He definitely contributed a lot to my enjoyment of this story. I really thought he got the essence of the characters, the plot, and Pemberwick Island.
Some books you read and you know what is going to happen from the beginning; some books you figure out half way through; and some books you finish and really have no idea what is going on. That is the case with Sylo. I read it and the entire time I was thinking "what the heck is happening here? what is going on?". That isn't to say that it wasn't fun and entertaining, because it was. It just didn't explain enough for me. I have no idea who the bad guys were, who the good guys where, who is fighting who? It is all very confusing.
Basically, the story takes place on an island off the coast of Maine. There are mysterious deaths and a weird off-islander pushing a new drug (ruby dust that makes you superhuman and might kill you). Then the Navy arrives and quarantines the island. Everyone is stuck and the Sylo guys mean it when they say no one leaves the island. They will stop at nothing (including murder) to make sure the quarantine holds. Then there are these mysterious flying objects and air battles with the Navy ships. The Sylo group also starts rounding people up and putting them in camps. It all seems to be connected to the strange "Ruby" that has appeared on the island. I am not going to give away the ending because it is a huge plot twist but it basically sets this up as a series. I sincerely hope future books give a little more explanation, because this one leave you scratching your head.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers on Netgalley.
Basically, the story takes place on an island off the coast of Maine. There are mysterious deaths and a weird off-islander pushing a new drug (ruby dust that makes you superhuman and might kill you). Then the Navy arrives and quarantines the island. Everyone is stuck and the Sylo guys mean it when they say no one leaves the island. They will stop at nothing (including murder) to make sure the quarantine holds. Then there are these mysterious flying objects and air battles with the Navy ships. The Sylo group also starts rounding people up and putting them in camps. It all seems to be connected to the strange "Ruby" that has appeared on the island. I am not going to give away the ending because it is a huge plot twist but it basically sets this up as a series. I sincerely hope future books give a little more explanation, because this one leave you scratching your head.
I received a copy of this book from the publishers on Netgalley.
If you are looking for strong character development and a plot that isn't completely implausible sounding...this probably isn't the best choice.
However, I liked it quite a bit as a book that was just pure entertainment. It's fast paced science fiction that is bound to have fans, particularly those that liked the Michael Vey series. Plus, given the extra gore and violence that so many books are relying on these days, I appreciate that content-wise I can comfortably give it to my younger teens.
However, I liked it quite a bit as a book that was just pure entertainment. It's fast paced science fiction that is bound to have fans, particularly those that liked the Michael Vey series. Plus, given the extra gore and violence that so many books are relying on these days, I appreciate that content-wise I can comfortably give it to my younger teens.
Frustrating book. The main character did everything but follow his own instincts and it kept getting him in trouble. It ended without answering enough questions for me. However, MG/YA readers (especially those in my library) will love this and be clamoring for book two!
3.5 stars. Tucker is bumbling through his freshman year without much ambition or risk. He lives on an island of the coast of Maine, a transplant a few years previously. His parents are loving and "cool," no parental angst save for his mother worrying about him getting hurt playing football and his dad dragging him out of bed early on a Saturday morning to help with his landscape business. His best friend is super smart, super nerdy, and self possessed. Girls notice him but not the girl he is interested in. In short, his life is placidly normal. Until the night of the first home football game when a teammate suddenly drops dead after playing the game of his life. Within days, the island is in complete disarray and being quarantined for a mysterious, potentially deadly virus. The island is locked down and it's not long before Tucker and his friends realize that nothing is adding up and it's unclear who, if anyone, can be trusted. There's a mysterious red substance that imbues amazing physical strength, dark, musical shapes that loom ominously over the water, parental betrayal, and a menacing military commander. Action, adventure, mystery.
I had lots of questions but the first book doesn't give up many answers. The dialogue and narration are stiff, but the story seems interesting enough to overlook this to see if it improves in the next installment.
I had lots of questions but the first book doesn't give up many answers. The dialogue and narration are stiff, but the story seems interesting enough to overlook this to see if it improves in the next installment.
Written 10 years ago there are some uncanny similarities to what went down in the Covid years. Solid action book which could have been a little shorter.
Ends on a cliffhanger
Ends on a cliffhanger