Scan barcode
ambeesbookishpages's review
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
*Thank you so much HMH Books and NetGalley for letting me read and review CUT OFF*
First things to know about me: Lost is my favorite TV show and Warcross is one of my favorite books of all time. If you tell me that a book is going to appeal to fans of that show and book, you know for a fact I am going to read it. Here is my dilemma with Cut Off, I think the idea behind it is really cool. You have the Lost vibes, I can see why they compare it to Warcross and at some points I even got The Hunger Games vibes from it. It has that thrill and mystery factor to it that had me wanting to keep reading. But the bad points outweighed the good ones with Cut Off. I had no interest in the characters at all and I could form no connection with any of them. I mention it in tons of my reviews, if I can't connect with any characters, I am going to struggle with the book. Second, I DNFed Cut Off at 35%, that far in and nothing had enticing happened that pulled me into the story more. I was ready for all of the science fiction aspects and the mind bending I was promised and just nothing. I am sad I had to DNF this one because I was really excited for it, but sadly it just wasn't for me.
*Thank you so much HMH Books and NetGalley for letting me read and review CUT OFF*
First things to know about me: Lost is my favorite TV show and Warcross is one of my favorite books of all time. If you tell me that a book is going to appeal to fans of that show and book, you know for a fact I am going to read it. Here is my dilemma with Cut Off, I think the idea behind it is really cool. You have the Lost vibes, I can see why they compare it to Warcross and at some points I even got The Hunger Games vibes from it. It has that thrill and mystery factor to it that had me wanting to keep reading. But the bad points outweighed the good ones with Cut Off. I had no interest in the characters at all and I could form no connection with any of them. I mention it in tons of my reviews, if I can't connect with any characters, I am going to struggle with the book. Second, I DNFed Cut Off at 35%, that far in and nothing had enticing happened that pulled me into the story more. I was ready for all of the science fiction aspects and the mind bending I was promised and just nothing. I am sad I had to DNF this one because I was really excited for it, but sadly it just wasn't for me.
malreynolds111's review
3.0
I disliked the way that this book ended. I felt like the author said when how the heck am I going to finish this. It didn't seem to fit with the whole rest of the book. I gave it 3 stars because I was enjoying it up until the final 1/4 of the book.
ARC from netgalley for honest review.
ARC from netgalley for honest review.
alongreader's review
4.0
Well. That wasn't what I was expecting.
This is a very difficult book to review, because I don't want to give away anything about the plot. A lot of the book relies on you not knowing what's happening, at least the first time around. There are hints and clues you'll pick up on a reread.
The only complaint I have, and this is a minor thing, is that the POV switches from chapter to chapter, but there are no headings to tell the reader whose POV we're in now. So about half the time I was reading, thinking we were in one person's POV before discovering it was actually another's. It's a small thing, but it did throw me a few times.
Otherwise, this is an exciting, pacy read. The characters mesh well together, there are SO MANY twists, and even though the sciency stuff was complicated ... oops! Mini spoiler, sorry ... I was able to follow it. Channel your inner Trekkie if you're having problems.
I really enjoyed this read and I'll be looking out for more by this author.
This is a very difficult book to review, because I don't want to give away anything about the plot. A lot of the book relies on you not knowing what's happening, at least the first time around. There are hints and clues you'll pick up on a reread.
The only complaint I have, and this is a minor thing, is that the POV switches from chapter to chapter, but there are no headings to tell the reader whose POV we're in now. So about half the time I was reading, thinking we were in one person's POV before discovering it was actually another's. It's a small thing, but it did throw me a few times.
Otherwise, this is an exciting, pacy read. The characters mesh well together, there are SO MANY twists, and even though the sciency stuff was complicated ... oops! Mini spoiler, sorry ... I was able to follow it. Channel your inner Trekkie if you're having problems.
I really enjoyed this read and I'll be looking out for more by this author.
whatjennahreads's review
1.0
I really wanted to like this book. It had such an interesting premise that I was sure to like. Starting off, the book was like a mash of Survivor and Hunger Games but without the assistance factor. The book was exactly what you thought it was going to be from the synopsis for like 20% but then everything changed. Imagine like Hunger Games, Fantasy Island and Antman had a really really bad child who confused everyone. That's this book.
Once the contestants realized they couldn't leave the show, the book took a lot of really strange and random turns. It was like the author didn't know what direction to take. One chapter we were working on fears and how they were physically manifesting into the world, and the next we're figuring out the multiverse.
I was literally so confused throughout this entire book. I kept reading and finished it (which was a complete struggle) just to figure out if it got any better or if there was any clarification. Which if you're wondering… no there wasn't.
1 star because honestly l couldn't tell you anything about this book without it making it sound like I was that kid in high school who made up their book report because they didn't read the book.
Thank you for Edelweiss and HMH Books for Young Readers for this advanced copy. I have read and reviewed it of my own honest thoughts and opinions.
Once the contestants realized they couldn't leave the show, the book took a lot of really strange and random turns. It was like the author didn't know what direction to take. One chapter we were working on fears and how they were physically manifesting into the world, and the next we're figuring out the multiverse.
I was literally so confused throughout this entire book. I kept reading and finished it (which was a complete struggle) just to figure out if it got any better or if there was any clarification. Which if you're wondering… no there wasn't.
1 star because honestly l couldn't tell you anything about this book without it making it sound like I was that kid in high school who made up their book report because they didn't read the book.
Thank you for Edelweiss and HMH Books for Young Readers for this advanced copy. I have read and reviewed it of my own honest thoughts and opinions.
latelykelsey's review
3.0
I. What even was this? It sounded like an interesting premise, but it quickly went off the rails. I really hate it when books start off as I'd the reader knows the world from the jump. I wish the book had been about the actual premise if the reality show not this multiverse situation.
zbrarian's review
4.0
Good. Different. Almost felt let down at the end. Was it a twist? Are they back to “their world” or one where they think they are satisfied? This was probably one of the better sci fi books I have read recently.
cloverbooks's review
2.0
I wanted so desperately to like this book, survivor shows are my not-so-guilty pleasure. The premise is sort of Lost meets Black Mirror, which is awesome. However, it's like the author had ideas for several different stories but decided to save the energy and cram them into one book.
The first two parts of this book are solid. Interesting characters and good pacing. I found it was fairly easy to guess what was going on with the fear influence and VR, the foreshadowing rather in your face. I liked the characters but felt no investment in them. The romantic relationship between Cam and River, in particular, felt like pointless filler. It felt awkwardly developed and forced. And even then I didn't mind because the book was well-written enough and it drew me in. But by the third act, The Mainland, I couldn't wait for it to be over.
The plot goes completely off the rails. Started as a survival show and ended up a terrible take of Sliders (fantastic show check it out lol). Ignoring how the science of it makes absolutely no sense, the ending managed to feel both rushed and too long all at once.
I think what this book suffers from its over-complication of a great concept. The idea was cool, the characters were meh, and the ending the equivalent of a confused shrug.
The first two parts of this book are solid. Interesting characters and good pacing. I found it was fairly easy to guess what was going on with the fear influence and VR, the foreshadowing rather in your face. I liked the characters but felt no investment in them. The romantic relationship between Cam and River, in particular, felt like pointless filler. It felt awkwardly developed and forced. And even then I didn't mind because the book was well-written enough and it drew me in. But by the third act, The Mainland, I couldn't wait for it to be over.
The plot goes completely off the rails. Started as a survival show and ended up a terrible take of Sliders (fantastic show check it out lol).
Spoiler
Random girl with a VR somehow opens portals to the multiverse?? What???I think what this book suffers from its over-complication of a great concept. The idea was cool, the characters were meh, and the ending the equivalent of a confused shrug.