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graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Inside Out (Insider, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Having not read many dystopian or post-apocalyptic books, I went into this book with fresh eyes. Although the plot and setting are both very interesting, they could have been more clearly described; yet they still are good enough to set the stage for the characters and events. Trella, the main character, is the type who always interests me; she's a loner, doesn't trust easily, is independent, and is "street" smart, so to speak. Yes, she can be slightly abrasive, but only to others in the book, and I found her sympathetic and understandable; even when she was being difficult in one aspect or the other. The book moves at a nice and swift pace, which made it easy to read since I was eager to find out what happens at the end. Even though the book isn't very surprising overall, it's a pretty light-weight book, it's entertaining and well-thought-out; I truly had fun reading INSIDE OUT. I can't believe I'm saying this, but I think the book could have benefited from having an extra fifty pages to fill it out more. The ending is a little too pat, but not terrible by any means, and it sets the stage for the sequel. I'm anxious to read what that might include, who's involved, and what or who the main antagonist will be the next go-'round. I heartily recommend this if you like sci-fi, dystopian societies, or just a darn good read that's on the lighter side.
Sam (74 KP) rated Matched (Matched #1) in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this at the beginning. I rarely read dystopia. I can’t say exactly why I’ve always disliked it – I can only put it down to how in the past, I used to always avoid the popular books. This means I was never a Hunger Games reader when there was the hype for that. And I think that the fact I don’t read dystopia comes from my old tendency to avoid popular books.
I really got along with the majority of the characters in this book. I loved Cassia and her determination to get what she wants, even if it is frowned upon by society. She plays by her own rules even though she is terrified of the repercussions because of her being practically perfect.
The only character I wasn’t completely onboard with was Xander. I didn’t really like him from the start as much as I feel as I was supposed to because I just felt like he was a bit full of himself, and I definitely believe there is more to the story behind him matching with Cassia.
I loved the Banquet and how the whole story stems from that one night. It’s a different take on a prom which made it quite relatable and not too dystopian.
I will definitely be reading more of this series – the next book is waiting on my Wishlist! I’m going to stop saying that I don’t usually like dystopia now because as the past few dystopian novels I have read have proved – I actually do love it!
I really got along with the majority of the characters in this book. I loved Cassia and her determination to get what she wants, even if it is frowned upon by society. She plays by her own rules even though she is terrified of the repercussions because of her being practically perfect.
The only character I wasn’t completely onboard with was Xander. I didn’t really like him from the start as much as I feel as I was supposed to because I just felt like he was a bit full of himself, and I definitely believe there is more to the story behind him matching with Cassia.
I loved the Banquet and how the whole story stems from that one night. It’s a different take on a prom which made it quite relatable and not too dystopian.
I will definitely be reading more of this series – the next book is waiting on my Wishlist! I’m going to stop saying that I don’t usually like dystopia now because as the past few dystopian novels I have read have proved – I actually do love it!
shayneyh (3 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
Jun 6, 2017
Great and Gripping Story (2 more)
Fantastic Characters
The References
Loved Everything About This Book!
This book lived up to the hype that had surrounded it and I was not disappointed. It is 80s pop culture, meets video games, meets a dystopian world in the most perfect of ways. The best part is, it doesn't matter if you don't know too much about each of the topic because it all gets explained or you're too into the story to mind. This was one of the first books that I listened to as an audio book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so, that I now want to go and buy the actual book so I can go and read it for myself. Couldn't recommend it enough.
Jaime Lynch (18 KP) rated The Handmaid's Tale in Books
Jul 3, 2017
A dystopian novel not of the YA variety
I originally read this book because it was part of the Bioethics curriculum that I inherited at a high school I worked at. As I was reading it, I realized it wasn't your average high school blah fest. (That being said, now that I am rereading some of the books assigned in high school, those high school books aren't actually all that bad...it's amazing what reading for pleasure vs. reading for assignments can do) Some parts were like-...what...? and other parts were like WHAT??!??!?!?!??! Definitely kept me interested throughout. Just the right amount of backstory sprinkled throughout to help keep you following but still keep you wondering.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Exit West in Books
Jul 24, 2017
A dystopian current affairs magical realistic fiction
A deeply tragic account of how two people can be caught in circumstances of war, how easy it is to lose everything and the potential hope that humanity offers. Saeed and Nadia attempt to face an apocalyptic situation in the face of adversity despite having a tenuous connection to one another. It is quite a depressing read especially given the current situation in the Middle East - but Hamid does a great job in humanising the characters. They are just two simple people attempting to make a relationship work under intense circumstances. A beautiful account, I just wished the story was slightly more developed as it tended to run from one scene to another.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Jewel (The Lone City, #1) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
Oh my god!! If you haven't picked up this book yet, do it and read it as soon as you possibly can!!! The story line is awesome and intriguing. The characters keep you interested. And the suspense, holy crap, it is insane!!! I don't know how much I can say about this book other than you have to read it now. If you have read it, you know what I am talking about. One of my favorite parts about this book is that there is not a single annoying live triangle!!! Yay for that!!! If you like dystopian novels with lots of twists and turns, go on and read this book!! I can't wait for the next book to come out!!
My son really enjoyed it and asked me to read it as well., I was not as impressed as he was. Feels like a mix of Hunger Games and Divergent, with a few other dystopian ideas tossed into a blender and mashed up to create a new world. It wasn't horrible, but not what I would consider a great book. I will give it points that the end did leave you wanting to know what happens next, so made me want to move on to the next in the series. I will give it brownie points for capturing my son's attention. He is very picky about books, and mainly chooses non-fiction, so any fiction book that captures him deserves some credit.
Cat Country
Lao She and Ian Johnson
Book
When a traveller from China crash-lands on Mars, he finds himself in a country inhabited entirely by...
