Once again it's time for my new blog-hop Review Appreciation Day! The aim of RAD is to incorporate all the fun of a blog-hop whilst at the same time getting some much needed and appreciated love for our reviews!
This week there is an optional theme of DYSTOPIAN so feel free to link up your dystopian reviews below. However, you can still take part in the blog-hop with a normal review!
The rules are:
***Please link your review to my blog so everyone knows where to sign up!!***
-Only one link per person please!
-Your link will go directly to a review, either a new one or an old one of your choosing (or one that fit the weekly theme)
-The title of your link should be the name of your blog, not the name of the book you review
-Visit as many blogs and read as many reviews as you can!
This week I'm also hosting my Graduation Giveaway, and taking part in the bloghop this week will get you an extra entry into this! Simply go to the post here and fill out the form!
To claim your extra entry for taking part in RAD, leave a comment on THIS post with your email address!
My review for this week is Released by Megan Duncan:
Released (Agents of Evil #1) by Megan Duncan
Published: 1st April 2011
Publisher: Self Published
Buy: Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Goodreads description:
After a demon apocalypse kills their parents and everyone they know, 17-year old Abby Phillips, her brother, Carter, and friend, Max flee their home to travel through what has become the wastelands of America. When radio transmissions of a resistance offering shelter and safety cease, Abby is tempted to give up. Struggling to overcome life-threatening obstacles in their dangerous journey, Abby and her companions quickly discover there are much worse things lurking in the dark than they could have ever imagined.
My thoughts:
This book was definitely one where the plot was the most important element and it really didn’t disappoint on that front. There was just enough action to have me on the edge of my seat, frantically following every gunshot hoping that it would all work out, but not too much that I felt overwhelmed or as though plot development had been sacrificed in favour of endless fight scenes. I wasn’t sure how I felt at the hinted at religious aspect, I’ll have to wait and see to make my mind up on that. The ending couldn’t have happened any other way really, so whilst predictable it wasn’t negatively so.
I really liked Abby as a character, she was resilient and brave in the face of an unimaginable situation. I liked Taya too, though she occasionally got on my nerves but then-she got on Abby’s nerves occasionally too. It was the whole little sister syndrome and it worked and was portrayed perfectly. The boys I could take or leave to be honest, I felt their characters were a bit underdeveloped-like I said the book was more plot driven which worked well for this particular story. I felt a lot of the secondary characters were basically cannon fodder-a way for the story to seem more realistic without losing a main character. They kinda reminded me of the red shirted crewmen in Star Trek? The ones you never see until they go on an away mission and get killed?
The writing was very straightforward-no flowery language or creative metaphors which fit the story and allowed it to be read smoothly and quickly. This was an exceptionally quick read for me but I enjoyed every second of it. There were very few editing issues for a self-published novel which is to be commended.
Published: 1st April 2011
Publisher: Self Published
Buy: Amazon.com/Amazon.co.uk
Goodreads description:
After a demon apocalypse kills their parents and everyone they know, 17-year old Abby Phillips, her brother, Carter, and friend, Max flee their home to travel through what has become the wastelands of America. When radio transmissions of a resistance offering shelter and safety cease, Abby is tempted to give up. Struggling to overcome life-threatening obstacles in their dangerous journey, Abby and her companions quickly discover there are much worse things lurking in the dark than they could have ever imagined.
My thoughts:
I’m not usually a huge fan of dystopians, don’t ask me why I’m not too sure. Probably just unfamiliarity with the genre, but this book had had some good reviews, so when I was asked to read it I said yes.
The story reminded me slightly of 28 days later and it gripped me straight away. I loved the first person narration from Abby the main character, it felt so real. The romance element was very well played which I appreciated a great deal. It was very subtle and realistic, very well written indeed.
This book was definitely one where the plot was the most important element and it really didn’t disappoint on that front. There was just enough action to have me on the edge of my seat, frantically following every gunshot hoping that it would all work out, but not too much that I felt overwhelmed or as though plot development had been sacrificed in favour of endless fight scenes. I wasn’t sure how I felt at the hinted at religious aspect, I’ll have to wait and see to make my mind up on that. The ending couldn’t have happened any other way really, so whilst predictable it wasn’t negatively so.
I really liked Abby as a character, she was resilient and brave in the face of an unimaginable situation. I liked Taya too, though she occasionally got on my nerves but then-she got on Abby’s nerves occasionally too. It was the whole little sister syndrome and it worked and was portrayed perfectly. The boys I could take or leave to be honest, I felt their characters were a bit underdeveloped-like I said the book was more plot driven which worked well for this particular story. I felt a lot of the secondary characters were basically cannon fodder-a way for the story to seem more realistic without losing a main character. They kinda reminded me of the red shirted crewmen in Star Trek? The ones you never see until they go on an away mission and get killed?
The writing was very straightforward-no flowery language or creative metaphors which fit the story and allowed it to be read smoothly and quickly. This was an exceptionally quick read for me but I enjoyed every second of it. There were very few editing issues for a self-published novel which is to be commended.
Overall this is a fantastic quick read if you’re looking for some intense heart-in-your-mouth action. An excellent gritty dystopian-I’d recommend it to anyone. 4/5
Now for the blog hop fun! Simply follow the rules above, and insert your links to your reviews in the linky below! I look forward to reading all your dystopian and otherwise reviews!!
That sounds pretty interesting. Like you I don't read too many dystopian novels. I'm kind of easing into them though, much like steampunk.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good book! I remember reading the summary on Goodreads, but I wasn't sure if it could be a book for me... Anyway, after reading your great review Cait I think I'll give it a try! ;)
ReplyDeleteSilvia
darkestsinSilvia@gmail.com
This does sound like a great book!
ReplyDeleteJules.ablaw[at]gmail[dot]com
Hey Cait, I read this book a little while ago, I liked it but nothing really got answered. like where the hell did all these demons come from in the first place? Great review!!
ReplyDeleteExtra Grad Giveaway entry =)
tristan210(at)live(dot)ca
28 Days Later scared the mess out of me. Not sure if I could read a book that was similar. =)
ReplyDeleteI love this hop idea, BTW. It's brilliant.
flashlightreader@gmail.com
I haven't really read any dystopian yet, but I love action. Maybe I'll pick up this book? Thanks for the review. Happy RAD Day!
ReplyDeleteExtra Grad Giveaway entry: thebookelement[at]gmail[dot]com
Crap! What's next week, so I can know to link to here when I post?
ReplyDeleteOoh I love Dystopian so I'm glad you liked this! I haven't read it but I think I'll keep an eye out for it now - thanks!
ReplyDeleteTHis is probably exactly what I need,,,Ive been trying to get the review thing down and have a wrote a couple,,so this would be perfect for any advise ,,thanks
ReplyDeletethis is my first time so if i did wrong,,
sorry,,
Jennifer
Sorry, Cait. Don't know if I'm blind or if you didn't have it before, but I didn't see the red required link to your blog. I posted an old dystopian one, though, so I don't think anyone will visit it anyways. Will make sure to do it next week. Do you already have a theme in mind?
ReplyDeleteSorry hun, I didn't get online last night to join in your review appreciation day! :(
ReplyDeleteI am a big fan of dystopian these days but I have never checked out 28 Days later but I will definitely have to check this out :)
ReplyDelete★Leila
withinpages @ hotmail dot com
I have to be honest: I would have completely judged this book by its cover. It's not one that would draw me to read it. You sound very enthusiastic about it, though, so maybe I should give it a try?
ReplyDeletefunnywool[at]live[dot]com