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thebookishunicorn's review
3.0
Actual rating 3.5
I feel this book would have been much better if it was stretched over 2 books. There wasn't much time for character development and the plot was good but rushed. I still enjoyed it since it was an easy and fast read.
I feel this book would have been much better if it was stretched over 2 books. There wasn't much time for character development and the plot was good but rushed. I still enjoyed it since it was an easy and fast read.
lucie16's review against another edition
4.0
Ce livre est une belle ode à la culture et à la liberté. Les personnages sont tous différents, avec leurs défauts et leurs qualité, certains très attachants et d'autres beaucoup moins.
L'intrigue est trépidante, je ne me suis pas ennuyée du début à la fin. Le monde dans lequel l'histoire se passe, bien qu'imaginaire, est très riche et développé.
Jean-Claude Mourlevat ne m'a pas déçue, il reste toujours un de mes auteurs favoris !
L'intrigue est trépidante, je ne me suis pas ennuyée du début à la fin. Le monde dans lequel l'histoire se passe, bien qu'imaginaire, est très riche et développé.
Jean-Claude Mourlevat ne m'a pas déçue, il reste toujours un de mes auteurs favoris !
astridmalmhester's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
seven_of_ten's review
3.0
I was SOOO upset by the ending of Milos...if it had not happened this book would have got 4 stars :/
samantha_89's review
4.0
This was the kind of book that I just did not care when it ended. Honestly, I only read it because I wanted to read a translated book. I think that there was a lot going on and the author was taking too much on with all the different points of view and plot lines.
solntzesolntze's review
4.0
I actually quite liked the book... The key point is that I don't really like when people mix up some realism things and some fantasy ones. Still it is unusual and a little bit of fascinating. Maybe that's why it gained such popularity in Russia. And the language is also quite good. I think it's more for children around 12 than for adults. Anyway, 4 out of 5
lumos_libros's review
3.0
The whole premise of this book was very promising: oppressive government, four teenagers escape their boarding schools, there is a whole underground rebellion in the works, and to seal the deal we get a glimpse of the new kind of gladitor games. Sounds awesome right? Well it was interesting and kept my attention, but it fell a little flat.
Milena, Helen, Milos and Bartolomeo are the protagonists of this story and each contribute their own unique perspectives. Unbeknowest to them they have been put into boarding schools not just because they are orphans, but because their parents were part of a rebellion. All their parents were killed and now it will fall on their shoulders to bring change again. Can they do it? Or will they fail like their parents before them?
It's kind of unfair to this book that there are so many great dystopian novels out there; it really had to bring something pretty original and mind-blowing to the table. It didn't necessarily have to be extremely impressive but have that epic feel to it. There were some really fascinating aspects like when we get to the part where a character has to compete in the gladitor games, but the book's main focus isn't that. My real problem was the dialogue sounded unrealistic, but that might be due to it's translation from French. I didn't get a good sense of where they were or even what time period it was. There is of course the whole love thing between the characters, which was sweet but not done as well as it could have been. Kind of far-fetched ending but it did try to keep it real in other aspects. Not everything is sunshine and roses and the idea of the cart-horse men was neat.
Towards the end I serioulsy got sad, so I did get attached to the characters, but not to the extent I am used to. Number one mistake is that it didn't have enough suspense. How do you expect us to get invested without that? Could have been epic but it is a solid story that will remind people that split-second decisions sometimes do really make all the difference.
Milena, Helen, Milos and Bartolomeo are the protagonists of this story and each contribute their own unique perspectives. Unbeknowest to them they have been put into boarding schools not just because they are orphans, but because their parents were part of a rebellion. All their parents were killed and now it will fall on their shoulders to bring change again. Can they do it? Or will they fail like their parents before them?
It's kind of unfair to this book that there are so many great dystopian novels out there; it really had to bring something pretty original and mind-blowing to the table. It didn't necessarily have to be extremely impressive but have that epic feel to it. There were some really fascinating aspects like when we get to the part where a character has to compete in the gladitor games, but the book's main focus isn't that. My real problem was the dialogue sounded unrealistic, but that might be due to it's translation from French. I didn't get a good sense of where they were or even what time period it was. There is of course the whole love thing between the characters, which was sweet but not done as well as it could have been. Kind of far-fetched ending but it did try to keep it real in other aspects. Not everything is sunshine and roses and the idea of the cart-horse men was neat.
Towards the end I serioulsy got sad, so I did get attached to the characters, but not to the extent I am used to. Number one mistake is that it didn't have enough suspense. How do you expect us to get invested without that? Could have been epic but it is a solid story that will remind people that split-second decisions sometimes do really make all the difference.
itaby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jasmyn9's review
3.0
Several years ago there was a political coup and the Phalangist took over. A group of children were sent off to incredibly strict boarding school so the government could keep an eye on them. Four of these children have managed to escape their boarding schools and are making a run to join the new revolution to overthrow the Phalange.
These four children each have their own role to play as they find out more of their past, their parents, and why they have been locked up at school for so long. A very interesting look at the world, but the characters were a little stagnant. They did adapt and learn new things, but it always seemed to be with the same attitude.
3/5
These four children each have their own role to play as they find out more of their past, their parents, and why they have been locked up at school for so long. A very interesting look at the world, but the characters were a little stagnant. They did adapt and learn new things, but it always seemed to be with the same attitude.
3/5