By Mary E. Pearson
Genre YA science fiction/dystopian
Pages 304
Recommended by Me
First sentence My hands close around the heavy drape, twisting it into a thick cord.
Synopsis
Locke and Kara's minds have been trapped in computers for two hundred and sixty years. Given bodies made of Bioperfect with enhanced abilities was gift enough, but being set free was the real gift. But the man that set them free has an agenda of his own and being locked in their minds for two hundred and sixty years has Kara and Locke suffering side effects as they race to find their old friend Jenna.
What it has going for it
First off, I have to give some love to Mary E Pearson's writing. It's simple and beautiful and I thoroughly enjoy it. The first half of this book sucked me in and, as I guessed, had much more of a story than the first book in the series. The future world Pearson created was freakishly scary in its believability! The ideas she came up with were the type I can totally see happening in our own future world. I loved the characters in this one too! The good guys were worth rooting for and the bad guys were perfectly hateable. I was on pins and needles while Kara and Locke went on the run and that first half of the book was read in one sitting....
What's lacking
And then I got to the second half of the book. :( What a let down. Not only did this awesome world start to unravel with discrepancies and holes, but it was as if the author tried too hard to bring in some of the symbolism and messages from the first book. It would have been better if she'd just finished with a great story and not tried so hard. Mainly I just got bored with the story and irritated with all the holes that littered the second half. What a shame.
Favorite moment
Any moment with Dot. I just loved her!
Yea or Nay?
For the world building yes, but for the fall of that world...not so much. I don't know what to tell you. Read at your own risk.
WOW I love that cover! So cool! The idea behind the story does sound interesting too, but I don't know if I'll be rushing to read this...
ReplyDeleteCatherine :)
The Book Parade
Yeah, the covers are cool.
DeleteI may have to read it because of the first book. I've just been so disappointed with books these day's I can't seem to find an author that understands and writes reality, truth, substance they all seem to be trying to create some new WOW and try to play on the concept that morals don't exist anymore and anything goes. GAG!! The really good books always have a distinct line between right and wrong. As far as writing style.... I could careless how beautiful it is if they don't have a backbone. Whew.......let me just jump down now. Sooo should I read it? or will I be disgusted with it as well?
ReplyDeleteWell this one wasn't so "ethical" centered. It had more of a story. It was exciting for the first half but then sorta crashed and burned.
DeleteThis is such a shame! I've heard so many good things about the first book but if the second is a let down I refuse to set myself up for disappointment. It happens so much in YA and I really don't know why....
ReplyDeleteIf you read the first one you don't have to read the second.
DeleteI keep meaning to read the first book in this series! That sucks that you were let down by the second one! Did you enjoy the first one at least? Should I read it?
ReplyDeleteThe first one was pretty good. A great one for discussion. And it stand alone fine so there's no need to read the second.
DeleteI don't remember there being a distinct difference in the first and second halves, but it's been a while. Too bad it wasn't as good as you first thought. I loved the ethical dilemmas she put in the book.
ReplyDeleteThe second one had way more story than the first in my opinion. I also didn't think there were that many ethical dilemmas in this one either.
DeleteI'm sorry the second half was a let down! I really want to read this series anyway. There are just so many books out there that I want to read!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel! There's just too many books and bookish events and not enough time!
DeleteI was sort of on the fence about the first one. Sound like this suffers similar issues. Great idea, but difficulties wrapping up the great idea in a believable way. Still, I may read this one just for the writing. I also have another one by Pearson on my shelves that I've been meaning to get to...A ROOM ON LORELEI STREET.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of any of her other books. I like her writing enough that I might check it out.
DeleteScribbler of Dreams... a retelling sort of Romeo and Juliet thing... I loved it. :)
DeleteAh, I think I've heard of that one.
DeleteCan I just say that this title is all kinds of awesome? I wish I'd come up with that! What a cool premise for a series also. I haven't read the first book but I'm sure going to now. Sucks about the second half of this one though. Must always steer clear of symbolism.
ReplyDeleteThe Symbolism worked OK in the first one just not in this one...at all!
DeleteThis book... still sitting on the shelf... one year later....
ReplyDeleteI only got to it as fast as I did because I got it at the library.
DeleteBummer this wasn't very good! I like the cover and the premise sounds cool. I love near-future dystopias that feel like they could be around the corner. Sorry the second half wasn't so good!
ReplyDeleteYeah the ending was a disappointment. I hate when that happens. :(
Delete