Scan barcode
gotta13happy's review against another edition
1.0
I want to start by saying thanks Imbrifex Audio and NetGalley for a copy of “Travelers” by Brett Riley.
I should start by saying that I did not realize this was the second book in the series and I DID NOT read the first book. However, this book discusses in pretty great detail what I believe to be the plot of the first book which allowed me to feel like I understood where they were coming from despite not having read it.
The Plot: We follow high school sophomores, a group of misfits the “Freaks” who are starting fresh this school year in their quiet town of Quapaw City, Arkansas. Together they deal with some of the most ordinary experiences of adolescence like maintaining friendships, getting their first cars, and having crushes. While they appear to be the most normal teenagers they all have their own secret powers and a secret-agent task force is determined to capture or kill them - whichever happens first.
What I Enjoyed: The narrator in this book was FANTASTIC an easy 10/10. They are dynamic and engaging and do a good job of creating clarity when the perspectives change. The book is “inclusive” and includes details from modern times. One of the characters is non-binary, and there are several instances of recent events being referenced.
What I Wish was DIfferent: In all honesty, this was the first ARC book that I could not finish. The book just didn't have a flow that seemed coherent or engaging, and the characters were just very very flat for me. I started this book and thought that a quick break with a better book before coming back to finish would help but instead, it just continued to show that the book wasn’t as well executed as it should have been.
Sadly this book will be a DNF at 1 star.
I should start by saying that I did not realize this was the second book in the series and I DID NOT read the first book. However, this book discusses in pretty great detail what I believe to be the plot of the first book which allowed me to feel like I understood where they were coming from despite not having read it.
The Plot: We follow high school sophomores, a group of misfits the “Freaks” who are starting fresh this school year in their quiet town of Quapaw City, Arkansas. Together they deal with some of the most ordinary experiences of adolescence like maintaining friendships, getting their first cars, and having crushes. While they appear to be the most normal teenagers they all have their own secret powers and a secret-agent task force is determined to capture or kill them - whichever happens first.
What I Enjoyed: The narrator in this book was FANTASTIC an easy 10/10. They are dynamic and engaging and do a good job of creating clarity when the perspectives change. The book is “inclusive” and includes details from modern times. One of the characters is non-binary, and there are several instances of recent events being referenced.
What I Wish was DIfferent: In all honesty, this was the first ARC book that I could not finish. The book just didn't have a flow that seemed coherent or engaging, and the characters were just very very flat for me. I started this book and thought that a quick break with a better book before coming back to finish would help but instead, it just continued to show that the book wasn’t as well executed as it should have been.
Sadly this book will be a DNF at 1 star.
pio_near's review against another edition
3.0
In its sophomore story, the Freaks series continues to be... pretty good.
As we have developed characters in the first book (Freaks), the action starts basically right away here, with yet another extradimentional threat that our broken hero must fend off... all while keeping a low profile and evading the authorities.
What I like: There were some really good moments of teamwork in this one that shows our non-conformity friends are learning to work together, putting aside feelings. I feel like this is a key component that can't be overlooked, but often is just assumed. Also, I feel like the villain really amped up in this one, with some great factual Lore backing the story up.... chefs kiss.
What I didn't like: Dialogue still felt stilted and one-dimensional, not really giving any character depth or showing growth. I'm still in awe of the lack of parental oversight being brought up, with MANY loose threads being left all over, which taxed even MY suspension of belief. With cleaner writing, or maybe more invested editing this could be a quick fix... low hanging fruit. Finally, I feel like this grapped with some complex issues.... but kinda didnt...? Like, it just throws them at the reader, saying "This Is A Thing"... but its not reflected in the rest of the story or actual character growth. Instead of deeply meaningful windows into a characters motives, it felt a little hot-buttoney, which put me off.
Overall, a good ending with a solid hook at the end that will probably have me coming back.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As we have developed characters in the first book (Freaks), the action starts basically right away here, with yet another extradimentional threat that our broken hero must fend off... all while keeping a low profile and evading the authorities.
What I like: There were some really good moments of teamwork in this one that shows our non-conformity friends are learning to work together, putting aside feelings. I feel like this is a key component that can't be overlooked, but often is just assumed. Also, I feel like the villain really amped up in this one, with some great factual Lore backing the story up.... chefs kiss.
What I didn't like: Dialogue still felt stilted and one-dimensional, not really giving any character depth or showing growth. I'm still in awe of the lack of parental oversight being brought up, with MANY loose threads being left all over, which taxed even MY suspension of belief. With cleaner writing, or maybe more invested editing this could be a quick fix... low hanging fruit. Finally, I feel like this grapped with some complex issues.... but kinda didnt...? Like, it just throws them at the reader, saying "This Is A Thing"... but its not reflected in the rest of the story or actual character growth. Instead of deeply meaningful windows into a characters motives, it felt a little hot-buttoney, which put me off.
Overall, a good ending with a solid hook at the end that will probably have me coming back.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
mikefromarkansas's review against another edition
4.0
This is the 2nd book in the Freaks series. I read the third book as an ARC. I read book 1 then 3, so I had to come back for book 2 to bridge the books I already read. I really love this series of teenagers from an Arkansas town having to battle mystic beings to save their town. They have obtained special powers. Plus they deal with day to day teenage angsts. Secret agents are also after them. This book the deal with a shift changer god that looks like a rabbit unless it has taken on one of the Freaks’ persona. Highly recommend to the YA readers.
ante_k's review against another edition
3.0
Refreshing with a ya where there are multiple factions fighting for their own goal, whether it is survival, justice or simply following orders from above. How these teenagers deal with making and keeping the friends they have been set up with because of a spell gone wrong is fun and frustrating with plenty of conflict keeping the story interesting between the action scenes. I generally liked the story and plot, however there are some minor issues I have with how its written.
We love a non-binary character, but as a fellow queer and pronounce user myself I have never come across someone writing out their pronounce as they/their/them, it's simply they/them. Nit picky I know but maybe the author has seen someone use they/their/them.
I'm a young millennial/old gen Z and I know 90s slang when I read it. Do not write teenagers using slag if you do not know how kids talk
We love a non-binary character, but as a fellow queer and pronounce user myself I have never come across someone writing out their pronounce as they/their/them, it's simply they/them. Nit picky I know but maybe the author has seen someone use they/their/them.
I'm a young millennial/old gen Z and I know 90s slang when I read it. Do not write teenagers using slag if you do not know how kids talk
chantalsbookstuff's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is the second instalment in the Freaks trilogy. The characters is well established and the storyline took off running. There was bit of a lull in the middle but ended pretty good. This book had a good take on modern world, and still gives the readers that bit of fantasy we all crave now and then.
This is the second instalment in the Freaks trilogy. The characters is well established and the storyline took off running. There was bit of a lull in the middle but ended pretty good. This book had a good take on modern world, and still gives the readers that bit of fantasy we all crave now and then.
kirstycarson1's review
adventurous
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
3.0
marcirenee1974's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was not great, at least for me. Sci-Fi is not my fave genre, so perhaps it was that. I will not be reading more books in this series if there are any. I didn't really love the first book in the series, Freaks, but feel that it was better than this one. I finished this one to say that I listened to it all but I really wasn't here for it. I am sure that people who like this type of book will enjoy it as the book seemed to be well-written and cohesive.
#Travelers
#NetGalley
#Travelers
#NetGalley
d2dragon's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book in the Freaks series. The narrator, PJ Morgan, does a great job. The story continues with a new character coming in. This new character is an uncle that was supposedly dead but somehow is not. The main characters are still dealing with loss and the government watching them. One of the main characters even has a bad run-in with the government. The main "villain' in the story has an interesting story arc. I enjoyed the story and can't wait to see what happens next.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.*
*I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.*
jjbookaday's review against another edition
4.0
This book was provided to me from Netgalley!
If you’re a fan of the powers of “Animorphs” and the Saturday morning super hero-y feel, with a tad bit of Riverdale, you’ll like this. It can feel like a CW drama but one thing I will say is that unlike the CW shows these characters see very decent development and the tasteful introduction and handling of the non binary character was something I, as a queer person deeply respect. While this book has its issues such as varying cliches I found myself enjoying the villain as well and how cute little Rabbits are secretly very dangerous creatures (those teeth!). All in all, this book was awesome. Not perfect but awesome. 4 out of 5 stars from me!
If you’re a fan of the powers of “Animorphs” and the Saturday morning super hero-y feel, with a tad bit of Riverdale, you’ll like this. It can feel like a CW drama but one thing I will say is that unlike the CW shows these characters see very decent development and the tasteful introduction and handling of the non binary character was something I, as a queer person deeply respect. While this book has its issues such as varying cliches I found myself enjoying the villain as well and how cute little Rabbits are secretly very dangerous creatures (those teeth!). All in all, this book was awesome. Not perfect but awesome. 4 out of 5 stars from me!