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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
No
adventurous
mysterious
tense
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Reminded me too much of the giver, which I did not like, and the absolute lack of critical thinking in this book just about drove me insane. Hypotheses on things that have no real bounds to be even true are prevalent in so many aspects of this book that I was frustrated with all of the characters. World building? thumbs down, likeable characters? thumbs down, interesting/engaging story? thumbs down, writing style? thumbs down. But it’s a middle grade book, so what can you really expect?
2.5/5 stars.
Whenever I had this book out with me, people would constantly tell me how much they loved this book. I knew this book had a bit of a cult following, yet I was pretty disappointed in it.
The writing left a lot to be desired. I could rant about this, but just because a book is written for children, does NOT mean the writing has to be childish. Plenty of books avoid this issue, but I saw it numerous time. Each time my skin crawled when it said something like "it was a bad thing."
The characters felt lacking, as well. They were one-dimensional with zero complexity. The antagonist was just "evil" in the sense that there was nothing more to him/her. The only character who showed maybe a two-dimension quality was Lizzie, but even then, her character one appeared in a couple of scenes.
The world had minuscule world-building. I wanted more, but I was left feeling unsatisfied. What did the city look as a whole? How did the "sky" look? How did most things look?
The plot holes and suspension of belief were the biggest issues for me. Seriously, no one questioned anything for 250+ years? Impossible. Also, how could it end in that way? It was too much of a coincidence, and it seemed forced in a way.
I promise I am finished with my ranting. Besides the above points that I make, the moral of the story is worht the read for children. Question everything, and not every authority figure morally selfless or in the right. I think if I would have read this as I child, I would have appreciated ten times more. However, here we are, and I still cannot excuse its exposes.
Whenever I had this book out with me, people would constantly tell me how much they loved this book. I knew this book had a bit of a cult following, yet I was pretty disappointed in it.
The writing left a lot to be desired. I could rant about this, but just because a book is written for children, does NOT mean the writing has to be childish. Plenty of books avoid this issue, but I saw it numerous time. Each time my skin crawled when it said something like "it was a bad thing."
The characters felt lacking, as well. They were one-dimensional with zero complexity. The antagonist was just "evil" in the sense that there was nothing more to him/her. The only character who showed maybe a two-dimension quality was Lizzie, but even then, her character one appeared in a couple of scenes.
The world had minuscule world-building. I wanted more, but I was left feeling unsatisfied. What did the city look as a whole? How did the "sky" look? How did most things look?
The plot holes and suspension of belief were the biggest issues for me. Seriously, no one questioned anything for 250+ years? Impossible. Also, how could it end in that way? It was too much of a coincidence, and it seemed forced in a way.
I promise I am finished with my ranting. Besides the above points that I make, the moral of the story is worht the read for children. Question everything, and not every authority figure morally selfless or in the right. I think if I would have read this as I child, I would have appreciated ten times more. However, here we are, and I still cannot excuse its exposes.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
I enjoyed this as much as an adult as I remember enjoying it when I was a kid! It’s a well-written, clean, family-friendly book, with lovable characters, an intriguing plot, and good themes to learn from. I can’t wait to read this with my son when he’s old enough!
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Can I have more stars, please? Seriously, this book was *that* awesome. It's about an underground city, built to ensure the human race survives. Only now, they are running out of supplies, and the systems are breaking down. Of course, they don't know that anything else exists beyond their little town. One girl thinks there must be a way out to.... somewhere. Fantastically imagined, with fabulous characters and a cliff-hanger ending. Sadly, Book #2 was checked out of my library, so I have to wait. And the waiting is just going to kill me. Go read this NOW.