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lassarina's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a lot of fun to read. I wish I had realized earlier that there was a glossary (I feel like that's harder to notice in an ebook), because my familiarity with Korean language and culture is basically nil, but to this book's credit, almost all of the terms I later found in the glossary were evident from context, so I was never really lost.
I liked Jaewon a lot as a lead character; he's kind and loyal (even when he doesn't want to be), and his frustration and struggle feels very real. I also really liked the cast. They were varied and complex and thoughtfully done. I liked the way the romance grew, and the little details of how Jaewon's past kept coming back to bite him. Also, Sela was a great addition to the cast.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
I liked Jaewon a lot as a lead character; he's kind and loyal (even when he doesn't want to be), and his frustration and struggle feels very real. I also really liked the cast. They were varied and complex and thoughtfully done. I liked the way the romance grew, and the little details of how Jaewon's past kept coming back to bite him. Also, Sela was a great addition to the cast.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book!
sugasbeanie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
paperbackjedi's review against another edition
4.0
Rebel Seoul is equal parts kdrama and scifi thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire way through. It has a healthy mix of angst and heart mixed in with adrenaline to fuel a story that's centered around politics, science, and battlegrounds and where you make your stand.
Lee Jaewon is the type of character you want on your squad when the chips are down. He's the number one military tactician at his school full of potential operatives. He's selected for a top secret, dangerous mission involving Tera, a human test subject funded by the government to pilot giant robots in a never ending war against a rebellion that seems to be rising more and more every day. Jaewon has to decide soon which side of history he wants to stand on and what he's willing to lose in that choice.
This is very much my jam being a fan of both kdrama and Pacific Rim. Overall the story is fast-paced and fun and the characters are likable, though not as fleshed out as I would have wanted them to be. I think this is definitely more of a plot book than a character book. The plot makes for good entertainment and quick reading with healthy doses of intrigue and scandal. You end up disgusted, raging, and hurt on behalf of many of the characters, waiting to see where the chips fall next and what they'll eventually sacrifice in the name of their humanity to get where they need to go and do what they need to do. I had a great time reading this book and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Lee Jaewon is the type of character you want on your squad when the chips are down. He's the number one military tactician at his school full of potential operatives. He's selected for a top secret, dangerous mission involving Tera, a human test subject funded by the government to pilot giant robots in a never ending war against a rebellion that seems to be rising more and more every day. Jaewon has to decide soon which side of history he wants to stand on and what he's willing to lose in that choice.
This is very much my jam being a fan of both kdrama and Pacific Rim. Overall the story is fast-paced and fun and the characters are likable, though not as fleshed out as I would have wanted them to be. I think this is definitely more of a plot book than a character book. The plot makes for good entertainment and quick reading with healthy doses of intrigue and scandal. You end up disgusted, raging, and hurt on behalf of many of the characters, waiting to see where the chips fall next and what they'll eventually sacrifice in the name of their humanity to get where they need to go and do what they need to do. I had a great time reading this book and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
storytimed's review against another edition
4.0
It's.... this is an anime.
In a good way, I mean: Rebel Seoul has access to a kind of storytelling that is immediate and kinetic, with teens and mechs and genetically-engineered supersoldiers galore. Tera is strong in the stereotypical Battle Girlfriend way, but Jaewon's personality and skills are complementary, and he's happy to play a supporting role in what's really her story.
I loved the shiny cyberpunk worldbuilding and the melodramatic twists. I do wish we had more space for Tera and Jaewon's relationship to breathe, but I feel the same way about most YA romances.
In a good way, I mean: Rebel Seoul has access to a kind of storytelling that is immediate and kinetic, with teens and mechs and genetically-engineered supersoldiers galore. Tera is strong in the stereotypical Battle Girlfriend way, but Jaewon's personality and skills are complementary, and he's happy to play a supporting role in what's really her story.
I loved the shiny cyberpunk worldbuilding and the melodramatic twists. I do wish we had more space for Tera and Jaewon's relationship to breathe, but I feel the same way about most YA romances.
fkshg8465's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
I can easily visualize this being made into a movie. Grateful for Korean writers like this one. She has a fresh voice with a clear understanding of our home culture. I feel more connected to my country through her writing, even if it is eons in the future. Can’t wait to read the sequel!
gskramstad's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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? It's complicated
3.25
vee615's review against another edition
4.0
Do you enjoy action films? How about the anime Gundam Wing? Ever want to read it in book form? That is pretty much what this is like. It as actually a pretty refreshing YA novel, it read like an action movie script and the characters were well written and believable. While there is a bit of a romance element it isn't overwhelming which is nice in a YA novel. This is the first in a series so while the ending wasn't too much of a cliff hanger it still left room for the next book. Overall I really enjoyed this book and it avoided some of the debut YA book pitfalls which I appreciated.
thebookguru's review against another edition
3.0
The pitch for this book: 'Pacific Rim meets K-Dramas' and I 100% agree.
The God Machines really did remind me of the Jaegers in Pacific Rim.
Anyways, thanks to my kdrama addiction i recognised and understood a lot of the korean words in the book lol.
i liked the friendship between Alex and Jaewon and i love Young and his gang and i would have preferred bore backstory on that tbh. There was A LOT of world building which was boring at times and made it slow to read but i wanted to know how Jaewon would end up a 'rebel' etc so i kept reading. I felt the secondary characters Bora and Minwoo served no purpose....they were not intriguing or anything BUT i can see how they would be in a kdrama. Also i totes had a feeling there would be a huge plot twist with Sela.
Of course i loved the romance element which was INCREDIBLY cliche and so kdrama like lol especially since it came from NOWHERE and then because they spent a lot of time together it just HAPPENED.
If you liked Warcross by Marie Lu then you will probably like this as there are similair things but i didn't actually like Warcross...and didn't end up finishing it but THIS book i did enjoy reading...although it was predictable, I still liked it.
If you like KDramas and Sci-Fi then try this...but also if you're looking for a different kind of sci fi then give this a go!
The God Machines really did remind me of the Jaegers in Pacific Rim.
Anyways, thanks to my kdrama addiction i recognised and understood a lot of the korean words in the book lol.
i liked the friendship between Alex and Jaewon and i love Young and his gang and i would have preferred bore backstory on that tbh. There was A LOT of world building which was boring at times and made it slow to read but i wanted to know how Jaewon would end up a 'rebel' etc so i kept reading. I felt the secondary characters Bora and Minwoo served no purpose....they were not intriguing or anything BUT i can see how they would be in a kdrama. Also i totes had a feeling there would be a huge plot twist with Sela.
Of course i loved the romance element which was INCREDIBLY cliche and so kdrama like lol especially since it came from NOWHERE and then because they spent a lot of time together it just HAPPENED.
If you liked Warcross by Marie Lu then you will probably like this as there are similair things but i didn't actually like Warcross...and didn't end up finishing it but THIS book i did enjoy reading...although it was predictable, I still liked it.
If you like KDramas and Sci-Fi then try this...but also if you're looking for a different kind of sci fi then give this a go!