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The Rig #1
The Rig
Fifteen-year-old Will Drake has made a career of breaking out from high-security prisons. His talents have landed him at The Rig, a specialist juvenile holding facility in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. No one can escape from The Rig. No one except for Drake...
After making some escape plans and meeting the first real friends of his life, Drake quickly realises that all is not as it seems on The Rig. The Warden is obsessed with the mysterious Crystal-X - a blue, glowing substance that appears to give superpowers to the teens exposed to it. Drake, Tristan and Irene are banking on a bid for freedom - but can they survive long enough to make it?
Drake is an action hero to rival Jason Bourne and the CHERUB team in this debut author's fantastically imagined sci-‐fi nightmare.
After making some escape plans and meeting the first real friends of his life, Drake quickly realises that all is not as it seems on The Rig. The Warden is obsessed with the mysterious Crystal-X - a blue, glowing substance that appears to give superpowers to the teens exposed to it. Drake, Tristan and Irene are banking on a bid for freedom - but can they survive long enough to make it?
Drake is an action hero to rival Jason Bourne and the CHERUB team in this debut author's fantastically imagined sci-‐fi nightmare.
368 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2013
About the author
Joe Ducie
18 books103 followersJoe Ducie (1987-) is a writer from Perth, Western Australia. By day, he charges a toll to cross a bridge he doesn’t own. Yet by night, in a haze of scotch-fuelled insanity, he works tirelessly on an array of stories both short and long. Joe possesses a fierce love of a smooth finish. Under no circumstances should you ask him just what that means.
Joe was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria in November 1987, and currently resides in Perth, Western Australia. He is primarily an author of urban fantasy and science fiction aimed at young adults. His current stories include Distant Star, Upon Crystal Shores, Red vs. Blue, and The Forgetful Library.
Joe attended Edith Cowan University and graduated in 2010 with a Degree of Counterterrorism, Security and Intelligence. He went back, the idiot, and completed post-graduate studies in Security Science in 2011. Joe has also studied Creative and Professional Writing at Curtin University.
When not talking about himself in the third person, Joe enjoys devouring books at an absurdly disgusting rate and sampling fine scotch.
Website: joeducie.net
Twitter: @joeducie
Facebook: /jducie
Joe was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria in November 1987, and currently resides in Perth, Western Australia. He is primarily an author of urban fantasy and science fiction aimed at young adults. His current stories include Distant Star, Upon Crystal Shores, Red vs. Blue, and The Forgetful Library.
Joe attended Edith Cowan University and graduated in 2010 with a Degree of Counterterrorism, Security and Intelligence. He went back, the idiot, and completed post-graduate studies in Security Science in 2011. Joe has also studied Creative and Professional Writing at Curtin University.
When not talking about himself in the third person, Joe enjoys devouring books at an absurdly disgusting rate and sampling fine scotch.
Website: joeducie.net
Twitter: @joeducie
Facebook: /jducie
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
October 5, 2013
This review has been posted on Happy Indulgence. Check it out for your chance to win a paperback copy (Australians only until 13/10/13)
Reading The Rig is like putting together a puzzle – you know how it’s going to end, but you don’t know how it’s going to get there. From a seemingly impossible situation, to one that slowly and surely unravels as opportunities arise, The Rig presented a perfectly paced story about imprisonment and escape.
As a fan of the show Prison Break, I had to see how The Rig approached the topic and made it unique. Set in an oil rig in the middle of the ocean, where prisoners are chained to trackers which monitor their every movement, this prison could be the cruelest and most difficult place to escape. If anyone was to do it, it would be Will Drake, two time escapist from two other juvenile prisons.
For the first half of the book, the author takes us through Will Drake’s seemingly endless schedule where his tracker records his every movement. From meal times, to his grubby job cleaning up The Tubes, to free time, any step outside his timed schedule will cause a warning to be sent out. This is the time where Drake spends his time observing his surroundings, testing the waters, and getting to know some of the other inhabitants – including his tech smart room mate Tristan, the trustworthy Dr Lambros, the guard Brand and the disciplinary Warden Storm. Pacing is slow during this time, but it allowed the suspense to really build up and the reader to understand the inner workings of The Rig and the impossibility of the situation.
Drake was an interesting character, one that was guarded and overconfident at the start, but definitely warmed up towards the end. He’s always been alone and determined to stay distant, but soon realises that he needs to count on the people around him to help him achieve the impossible feat. The friendship he builds with Tristan and Irene was reliant at first but he eventually begins to enjoy their company and companionship, where we really see him grow as a character. The character development over the course of the novel was amazing, as we began to connect with him when he let other people in.
My only one gripe is the predictability of the ending, save for the dark secrets that the prison holds. I don’t think there was any other direction you could take a prison break novel though, and there was certainly enough here to add to the genre.
The Rig’s build up and suspense was its most compelling part, as it makes a seemingly impossible feat possible over the course of the novel. The depth of the world building is amazing, as we discover the inner workings of the rig itself and how it is used as a prison. With the added bonus of the dark secret and mystery itself, I found this book really hard to put down. The Rig was intense, gripping and suspenseful, and I definitely recommend it to all readers.
I received The Rig from Five Mile Press in exchange for an honest review.
Reading The Rig is like putting together a puzzle – you know how it’s going to end, but you don’t know how it’s going to get there. From a seemingly impossible situation, to one that slowly and surely unravels as opportunities arise, The Rig presented a perfectly paced story about imprisonment and escape.
As a fan of the show Prison Break, I had to see how The Rig approached the topic and made it unique. Set in an oil rig in the middle of the ocean, where prisoners are chained to trackers which monitor their every movement, this prison could be the cruelest and most difficult place to escape. If anyone was to do it, it would be Will Drake, two time escapist from two other juvenile prisons.
For the first half of the book, the author takes us through Will Drake’s seemingly endless schedule where his tracker records his every movement. From meal times, to his grubby job cleaning up The Tubes, to free time, any step outside his timed schedule will cause a warning to be sent out. This is the time where Drake spends his time observing his surroundings, testing the waters, and getting to know some of the other inhabitants – including his tech smart room mate Tristan, the trustworthy Dr Lambros, the guard Brand and the disciplinary Warden Storm. Pacing is slow during this time, but it allowed the suspense to really build up and the reader to understand the inner workings of The Rig and the impossibility of the situation.
Drake was an interesting character, one that was guarded and overconfident at the start, but definitely warmed up towards the end. He’s always been alone and determined to stay distant, but soon realises that he needs to count on the people around him to help him achieve the impossible feat. The friendship he builds with Tristan and Irene was reliant at first but he eventually begins to enjoy their company and companionship, where we really see him grow as a character. The character development over the course of the novel was amazing, as we began to connect with him when he let other people in.
My only one gripe is the predictability of the ending, save for the dark secrets that the prison holds. I don’t think there was any other direction you could take a prison break novel though, and there was certainly enough here to add to the genre.
The Rig’s build up and suspense was its most compelling part, as it makes a seemingly impossible feat possible over the course of the novel. The depth of the world building is amazing, as we discover the inner workings of the rig itself and how it is used as a prison. With the added bonus of the dark secret and mystery itself, I found this book really hard to put down. The Rig was intense, gripping and suspenseful, and I definitely recommend it to all readers.
I received The Rig from Five Mile Press in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2015
After having escaped from a few juvie prisons, 15-year old Will Drake is sent to maximum security version on a remote oil rig. Will narrowly escapes a confrontation with the prison bully, and is assigned the worst possible job, mucking the pipes. However, he defends his cellmate, who in turn helps Will remove his tracking device so Will can work on his escape plan as well as discover what the privately-owned prison operator is really doing in its remote location. I liked the backstories of the characters, but found Will's character very uneven. 3.5 stars.
May 2, 2013
I read this book, as a judge for the Hot Key Books/Guardian Young Writers Prize and loved it! I'm a school librarian and many of my students read the book, to help me judge also. They all loved it - Loads of them said it was the best book they have ever read - and still talk to me about it! I can't wait to get my hands on a proper copy of this book! Definitely worth a read!
September 18, 2013
Will Drake has already escaped from three maximum security juvenile detention facilities. But he’s seen nothing like the Rig. Located in the middle of the Arctic Ocean at a former oil rig, it’s not just the conditions that are brutal. With a tracker accounting for each inmates every move and guards who are crueller than the weather – it seems like there’s no escape for Will. But he’s determined. With a techno-genius for a cell mate and a girl who helps Will discover some of the secrets the Rig holds, there’s nothing going to stop Will escaping… not even the mysterious Crystal-X.
From the first page of The Rig I felt like I was watching a movie. There’s so much cinematic potential for this book. From the helicopters landing on one of the five old oil platforms now turned prison for criminal youth to the brilliant sport Ducie came up with “Rig Ball” – I felt like I could see all the action playing out like a film.
Will is a great character to let us into the secrets of the Rig. He’s street smart and practical but he’s nobodies fool. We get to find out as we read that whilst he may be an inmate of one of the world’s toughest juvenile facilities, he’s not a bad guy. That said – he can hold his own even against super enhanced bullies. There’s more than meets the eye to Will – and we get to see that as hardened as prison has made him he still cares for his family and friends. Tristan – Will’s cell mate – is an oddly likeable guy. He’s a quiet guy who just wants to do his time and get out – the opposite in many ways to Will – but he’s willing to stand up for his friends no matter the consequences to himself. I liked him. His interaction with Irene, a female detainee on the other side of the Rig, was somewhat adorable to read as it unfolded and added a little to the comic relief for what is a mostly serious novel.
The action is this novel is brilliant. There’s a lot going on and Ducie has come up with some great concepts. The idea for his magnetized lacrosse game – known as Rig Ball - is as fun as it is absolutely brutal. The trackers which not only detect location but also keep track of how much the inmates owe the establishment for their stay is an interesting design that I thought was pretty cool. The plot around Crystal-X is something that I wish was developed a little further. There’s a lot about the blue crystal that I thought had a lot of potential however it felt a little out of place. This book is suspenseful and a great contemporary thriller up until about half way though when the Crystal-X is introduced and it brought me out of the story a little. The alien mineral gave the novel a paranormal element which just felt a little odd considering the rest of what was going on.
I enjoyed reading this book. Great characters with a setting so vivid I felt like I could be there on the Rig with Will and the others – this book was a brilliant read.
From the first page of The Rig I felt like I was watching a movie. There’s so much cinematic potential for this book. From the helicopters landing on one of the five old oil platforms now turned prison for criminal youth to the brilliant sport Ducie came up with “Rig Ball” – I felt like I could see all the action playing out like a film.
Will is a great character to let us into the secrets of the Rig. He’s street smart and practical but he’s nobodies fool. We get to find out as we read that whilst he may be an inmate of one of the world’s toughest juvenile facilities, he’s not a bad guy. That said – he can hold his own even against super enhanced bullies. There’s more than meets the eye to Will – and we get to see that as hardened as prison has made him he still cares for his family and friends. Tristan – Will’s cell mate – is an oddly likeable guy. He’s a quiet guy who just wants to do his time and get out – the opposite in many ways to Will – but he’s willing to stand up for his friends no matter the consequences to himself. I liked him. His interaction with Irene, a female detainee on the other side of the Rig, was somewhat adorable to read as it unfolded and added a little to the comic relief for what is a mostly serious novel.
The action is this novel is brilliant. There’s a lot going on and Ducie has come up with some great concepts. The idea for his magnetized lacrosse game – known as Rig Ball - is as fun as it is absolutely brutal. The trackers which not only detect location but also keep track of how much the inmates owe the establishment for their stay is an interesting design that I thought was pretty cool. The plot around Crystal-X is something that I wish was developed a little further. There’s a lot about the blue crystal that I thought had a lot of potential however it felt a little out of place. This book is suspenseful and a great contemporary thriller up until about half way though when the Crystal-X is introduced and it brought me out of the story a little. The alien mineral gave the novel a paranormal element which just felt a little odd considering the rest of what was going on.
I enjoyed reading this book. Great characters with a setting so vivid I felt like I could be there on the Rig with Will and the others – this book was a brilliant read.
September 20, 2013
Wow!
For me, YA sometimes walks the line of feeling a bit filtered, but not in this case. Joe does a great job of creating interesting characters with just enough backstory to make them interesting without getting bogged down with detail, and an interesting near-future world.
The story moves briskly, and the supporting characters each feel like they definitely have their own stories.
I can't wait for the sequel!
For me, YA sometimes walks the line of feeling a bit filtered, but not in this case. Joe does a great job of creating interesting characters with just enough backstory to make them interesting without getting bogged down with detail, and an interesting near-future world.
The story moves briskly, and the supporting characters each feel like they definitely have their own stories.
I can't wait for the sequel!
October 3, 2014
This was a action packed adventure story. I loved the characters, especially Tristan. My imagination went wild with the description of the underwater level of the prison. Eerie, cold, magical.......fantastic.
September 19, 2015
My thanks to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This book irked me a lot. It wasn't bad, per say, but it had a lot of my new pet peeve and a few other things that really annoyed me.
First thing that annoyed me, the Big Bad was a former US military man, who had gone to fat (he jiggled, waddled and had bulk) and who liked fine clothing and Stetson hats. Slightly trope-y. And honestly, I'm tired of Americans, especially military, being the bad guys in books.
Second, the Big Bad worked for the Biggest Bad, an evil money grubbing corporation. It just seems too easy for the Biggest Bad to be an evil corporation. Not horrible, but it seemed like an easy out.
Last, but not least, my new pet peeve, MC's that are too "good" and "noble" to kill to save themselves.
Now, I did talk this over with a friend of mine who is what I would call of a pacifistic nature. She doesn't have the temperament to kill, even if it meant that she and all of her loved ones would die. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she did it, pure and simple. Maybe more people are like that then I think, BUT, to have EVERY single MC in the last few newer books that I have read ALL be unable to do what is necessary to survive, that is just teaching the reader to also not fight back and defend themselves.
I'm not saying killing is the only way to stop the bad person from hurting the good guy/innocent people, but sometimes it's the only way.
Examples that are spoilers follow.
1) Bad Guy adult shoots 15 year old MC, hits him in the shoulder. Bad Guy adult then holds the pistol on the MC's forehead, and asks if anybody would miss him once he was dead. That is some really SERIOUS "I'm about to kill you in about two seconds" mojo right there. Then the MC gets superpowers and has a lasso of energy around the Bad Guy adult's neck. The Bad Guy asks, "Are you going to kill me?" AND THE MC DOESN'T KNOW!!!! Please keep in mind, the Bad Guy adult has already killed someone the MC liked, tried to kill the MC and told the MC he is going to kill the MC's only friends after he kills the MC. In this situation, the only possible way to stop the Bag Guy adult seems to be to kill him. This guy is bad to the bone and won't stop until the MC and his friends are dead, because they know the truth about what was happening at the rig and the truth can't get out. Life or death situation, killing the Bad Guy in this instance is warranted and possibly the only way to stop him. Not a nice thing to have to do, but it beats being shot between the eyes. MC doesn't do it, deus ex machina does it for him.
2) Bad Guy juvie had been trying to kill the MC throughout the ENTIRE book. He would have succeeded if the MC's friend didn't help the MC in time. Facing off, the superpower Bad Guy juvie is trying to crush the MC's head like a bug. They struggle and Bad Guy juvie ends up in the ocean. Rather than walking away and trying to find his friends who are handcuffed to a sinking ship, he tries to get the Bad Guy juvie out of the water and save him.
That's right, he tries to save the person who was JUST trying to kill him, rather than to try to find and save his friends.
Bad Guy juvie thanks the MC by trying to kill him. Deus ex machina also saves the day, cuz our hero can't do it himself.
3) Big Bad and MC are having a conversation, not life or death, and the Big Bad says something along the lines of "Even if you kill me, they won't stop looking for you." Our hero says, "I'm not going to kill you. I'm better than you."
Ok, in this situation, it's not life or death, THOUGH it could be argued that the Big Bad ordered the death of a person the MC liked and had no compunction about using children for illegal science experiments and that if he could, he would kill the MC, so it could be considered self-preservation if the MC DID kill the Big Bad, though it would be morally ambiguous. This scene didn't upset me as much, EXCEPT for the MC equating killing someone with being a bad thing.
Killing people IS WRONG, but sometimes, it is necessary for self-defense and defense of innocent people. That's all I'm saying. In the first two incidents listed above, killing or not trying to save the bad guy was justified. Not a happy thing, not something to relish and enjoy, but necessary for self-preservation.
I'm just SO TIRED of the "we're good guys, so we're better than bad guys and we don't kill EVER, no matter who else gets hurt by the bad guys we could have stopped" mentality. I'm not being bloodthirsty, I'm being practical.
Now, if this isn't an issue for you, you may enjoy reading this book. It was interesting seeing the MC try to figure out how to escape from the rig and I liked his friendship with his cellmate and the nursing assistant.
The sci-fi twist was pretty interesting too. I liked it. I know some reviewers didn't, but it didn't bother me in the slightest.
This book wasn't bad, but it just hit a couple of really discordant notes for me that made this a 2.5 star book for me. I know it sounds like I really didn't like it, but the writing wasn't bad. It had adventure and action and friendship. And Rig Quidditch...that also kinda irked me.
Also, if the kid had been a bit more circumspect re: what got him arrested in the first place, the whole book wouldn't have happened. But kids don't necessarily make great decisions at times, so we'll let that one slide.
So don't let my pet peeve dissuade you from reading this book. It tanked the book for me, but may be a non-issue for you. 2.5 stars. Rounded up to three because the writing was good.
This book irked me a lot. It wasn't bad, per say, but it had a lot of my new pet peeve and a few other things that really annoyed me.
First thing that annoyed me, the Big Bad was a former US military man, who had gone to fat (he jiggled, waddled and had bulk) and who liked fine clothing and Stetson hats. Slightly trope-y. And honestly, I'm tired of Americans, especially military, being the bad guys in books.
Second, the Big Bad worked for the Biggest Bad, an evil money grubbing corporation. It just seems too easy for the Biggest Bad to be an evil corporation. Not horrible, but it seemed like an easy out.
Last, but not least, my new pet peeve, MC's that are too "good" and "noble" to kill to save themselves.
Now, I did talk this over with a friend of mine who is what I would call of a pacifistic nature. She doesn't have the temperament to kill, even if it meant that she and all of her loved ones would die. She wouldn't be able to live with herself if she did it, pure and simple. Maybe more people are like that then I think, BUT, to have EVERY single MC in the last few newer books that I have read ALL be unable to do what is necessary to survive, that is just teaching the reader to also not fight back and defend themselves.
I'm not saying killing is the only way to stop the bad person from hurting the good guy/innocent people, but sometimes it's the only way.
Examples that are spoilers follow.
1) Bad Guy adult shoots 15 year old MC, hits him in the shoulder. Bad Guy adult then holds the pistol on the MC's forehead, and asks if anybody would miss him once he was dead. That is some really SERIOUS "I'm about to kill you in about two seconds" mojo right there. Then the MC gets superpowers and has a lasso of energy around the Bad Guy adult's neck. The Bad Guy asks, "Are you going to kill me?" AND THE MC DOESN'T KNOW!!!! Please keep in mind, the Bad Guy adult has already killed someone the MC liked, tried to kill the MC and told the MC he is going to kill the MC's only friends after he kills the MC. In this situation, the only possible way to stop the Bag Guy adult seems to be to kill him. This guy is bad to the bone and won't stop until the MC and his friends are dead, because they know the truth about what was happening at the rig and the truth can't get out. Life or death situation, killing the Bad Guy in this instance is warranted and possibly the only way to stop him. Not a nice thing to have to do, but it beats being shot between the eyes. MC doesn't do it, deus ex machina does it for him.
2) Bad Guy juvie had been trying to kill the MC throughout the ENTIRE book. He would have succeeded if the MC's friend didn't help the MC in time. Facing off, the superpower Bad Guy juvie is trying to crush the MC's head like a bug. They struggle and Bad Guy juvie ends up in the ocean. Rather than walking away and trying to find his friends who are handcuffed to a sinking ship, he tries to get the Bad Guy juvie out of the water and save him.
That's right, he tries to save the person who was JUST trying to kill him, rather than to try to find and save his friends.
Bad Guy juvie thanks the MC by trying to kill him. Deus ex machina also saves the day, cuz our hero can't do it himself.
3) Big Bad and MC are having a conversation, not life or death, and the Big Bad says something along the lines of "Even if you kill me, they won't stop looking for you." Our hero says, "I'm not going to kill you. I'm better than you."
Ok, in this situation, it's not life or death, THOUGH it could be argued that the Big Bad ordered the death of a person the MC liked and had no compunction about using children for illegal science experiments and that if he could, he would kill the MC, so it could be considered self-preservation if the MC DID kill the Big Bad, though it would be morally ambiguous. This scene didn't upset me as much, EXCEPT for the MC equating killing someone with being a bad thing.
Killing people IS WRONG, but sometimes, it is necessary for self-defense and defense of innocent people. That's all I'm saying. In the first two incidents listed above, killing or not trying to save the bad guy was justified. Not a happy thing, not something to relish and enjoy, but necessary for self-preservation.
I'm just SO TIRED of the "we're good guys, so we're better than bad guys and we don't kill EVER, no matter who else gets hurt by the bad guys we could have stopped" mentality. I'm not being bloodthirsty, I'm being practical.
Now, if this isn't an issue for you, you may enjoy reading this book. It was interesting seeing the MC try to figure out how to escape from the rig and I liked his friendship with his cellmate and the nursing assistant.
The sci-fi twist was pretty interesting too. I liked it. I know some reviewers didn't, but it didn't bother me in the slightest.
This book wasn't bad, but it just hit a couple of really discordant notes for me that made this a 2.5 star book for me. I know it sounds like I really didn't like it, but the writing wasn't bad. It had adventure and action and friendship. And Rig Quidditch...that also kinda irked me.
Also, if the kid had been a bit more circumspect re: what got him arrested in the first place, the whole book wouldn't have happened. But kids don't necessarily make great decisions at times, so we'll let that one slide.
So don't let my pet peeve dissuade you from reading this book. It tanked the book for me, but may be a non-issue for you. 2.5 stars. Rounded up to three because the writing was good.
October 21, 2013
Joe Ducie's debut Young Adult novel, The Rig, is about prison-break expert and anti-authoritarian teen, Will Drake. Sent to a maximum security middle-of-nowhere oil rig - which has been transformed into a juvenile prison - Drake immediately yearns to escape, as he has done from every other penitentiary he's been thrown in.
Written in a fast-paced, accessible voice, I enjoyed reading this book because there was a definite sense of "place" with it. I knew I was on an oil rig with all the main characters at all times; the claustrophobia and entrapment by the shadowy organisation, The Alliance, who run the prison (and apparently half the world according to the little detail we get of the outside world), comes across very well.
This is a "light" dystopian sci-fi prison thriller, and Drake is a central character full of hate for authority and what they've done to him. Drake's a bit wishy-washy at times, but he gets some great one-liners and is a worthy action hero.
There were times when some of the descriptions about technical equipment and the geography of where Will, Tristan and Irene (Drake's friends) were in relation to everything else on the rig got quite confusing. It did feel slightly like Ducie wasn't sure where he was on the rig in his imagination, so myself as a reader didn't either. But this was probably down to excessive equipment description and a way round it to help could be to have a blueprint of the rig at the beginning of the novel? Might be a cool idea?
There were also times in the middle of the book - where the characters describe what they're in prison for, and where there is a hint of a jealous love-triangle between Irene, Tristan and Drake - that did make the story slow down to a bit of a crawl. It started feeling too long. But, when we discovered the REAL sci-fi element (the mysterious, all-powerful Crystal-X mineral which does strange things to the rig's inmates...I won't tell you what so as not to spoil the story!) the story picks up again. So much, in fact, I found myself really wanting Drake to escape so he could bring down the evil Alliance.
I would say, to, that as the pace picked up I thought the book felt like a movie. The action was solid, believable and really quite epic. So, despite some really minor pace things, I loved The Rig and I'm hoping there will be a sequel. The problem is I'm not sure if this is in the pipeline (see what I did there?...rig...oil...pipeline...eurgh, okay!).
I totally recommend this book for Young Adults. Go Joe Ducie! :-)
Written in a fast-paced, accessible voice, I enjoyed reading this book because there was a definite sense of "place" with it. I knew I was on an oil rig with all the main characters at all times; the claustrophobia and entrapment by the shadowy organisation, The Alliance, who run the prison (and apparently half the world according to the little detail we get of the outside world), comes across very well.
This is a "light" dystopian sci-fi prison thriller, and Drake is a central character full of hate for authority and what they've done to him. Drake's a bit wishy-washy at times, but he gets some great one-liners and is a worthy action hero.
There were times when some of the descriptions about technical equipment and the geography of where Will, Tristan and Irene (Drake's friends) were in relation to everything else on the rig got quite confusing. It did feel slightly like Ducie wasn't sure where he was on the rig in his imagination, so myself as a reader didn't either. But this was probably down to excessive equipment description and a way round it to help could be to have a blueprint of the rig at the beginning of the novel? Might be a cool idea?
There were also times in the middle of the book - where the characters describe what they're in prison for, and where there is a hint of a jealous love-triangle between Irene, Tristan and Drake - that did make the story slow down to a bit of a crawl. It started feeling too long. But, when we discovered the REAL sci-fi element (the mysterious, all-powerful Crystal-X mineral which does strange things to the rig's inmates...I won't tell you what so as not to spoil the story!) the story picks up again. So much, in fact, I found myself really wanting Drake to escape so he could bring down the evil Alliance.
I would say, to, that as the pace picked up I thought the book felt like a movie. The action was solid, believable and really quite epic. So, despite some really minor pace things, I loved The Rig and I'm hoping there will be a sequel. The problem is I'm not sure if this is in the pipeline (see what I did there?...rig...oil...pipeline...eurgh, okay!).
I totally recommend this book for Young Adults. Go Joe Ducie! :-)
July 7, 2019
I have reread this book a few times now. When I read it, each time I fail to put it down. Its plot twists are erfectly timed and produce such an intriguing story. Its a complete pleasure to have a book such as this in your Read list.
March 25, 2016
Will Drake doesn’t believe in impossible.There is no escape from the Rig. A maximum security juvenile prison stranded in the middle of the Arctic Ocean- every movement is tracked, every door is locked. But Will Drake likes a challenge, and this will be the biggest one yet. Imprisoned in an impossibly secure institution for the very worst of the world’s kids, Drake knows two things- he will have have to be tough to survive, and there is always a way out. But the Rig holds a dark secret. The Rig is more than just a prison. The Rig is going to change the world.
The Rig is an amazing novel following the story of Will Drake from his entrance to the top maximum security prison, of course, called The Rig. From the very beginning of the book, Drake came across with an air of complete nonchalance and seemingly unbothered by being locked up with 100 miles of ocean between him and anything else. To counteract Drake’s attitude, Marcus Brand and Warden Storm were introduced, both of whom, Drake and I took an immediate disliking to, although he managed to cop it on the chin pretty well. Almost immediately after the two baddies were introduced, Michael Tristan was inserted into the story. At first it seems like Tristan is the complete opposite to Drake; small, skinny with a slightly nervous demeanour but it does become apparent that they are both willing to fight and stand up to people, most noticeably, the asshole, Alan Gray. The storyline then follows Drake through life on the Rig including Rigball, meeting Irene and getting the tracker off (which was quite technical). The next part of plot was entirely unexpected but definitely not unwelcome; a new genre was established when Drake and Irene found Crystal-X and the horrible experiments the Alliance were doing but also when they saw the videos of people levitating and creating objects out of nothing, and to be honest, this does explain a lot of questions previously raised by Drake. This is now past half way through the book and after this point the storyline picks up exponentially. For a while, Drake, Tristan and Irene merely talk abstractly of escape in the old control room until everything reaches a boiling point after Rigball, admittedly he got a bit overexcited and throw a ball into the staff seating several times, but Brand still beat him so he was unconscious for days. This causes a cascade of events where the three friends manage to escape The Rig, leaving behind them considerable damage which I wont go into for spoiler reasons and because it’s probably the best part of the book.
This is honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read, it was written incredibly well and has a unique and fascinating storyline. I started reading it at about 8:30 in the morning and finished it by 2:30 that afternoon. Originally I thought this book would be just another dystopian/fantasy/urban fiction kind of story but within the first chapter I was absolutely hooked. My favourite character was definitely Will Drake. Perhaps it was the chilled attitude and ability for casual banter that made him so appealing, or maybe it was the lengths he went to for his mother. I think Drake being 15 was both a positive and negative of his character; him being younger made him a more relatable character in the sense that more readers will have gone through being 15, he was also a fairly mature 15 year old to his and the authors credit, however, especially at the start after it was established he had only just had his birthday, I was worried I was reading a book for a 13 year old. Although I was 100% wrong and in fact this book can be for really anyone, I think this is a lesson in not judging too quickly by simple, trivial things. It helps the way the book was written, I know Joe Ducie is in his late 20’s so a 15 year old character should even out to someone with the maturity of around a 20 year old. My favourite part of this book was the thought provoking nature of how to escape. Drake had escaped from 3 previous prisons and the whole time I was reading I was trying to figure out how to escape as well and even at the end while they were escaping, I still couldn’t completely see it but once it happened and Drake successfully ‘played the man’, I could see how genius the plan was and maybe I didn’t pick throughout the book but it was so entertaining, reading about Drake’s observations; guard counts, routes out and shipping times whilst all along the way out was not to manipulate the system but to manipulate its players.
Two of the most important characters (other than Drake) that deserve some discussion are Irene Finlay and Michael Tristan. Tristan is introduced first, he is rarely referred to as Mike or Michael and for some reason it didn’t suit his character anyway. He is at first characterised as small in stature with a quiet, nervous demeanour which gradually develops into someone still small in stature but with a mild confidence who was less weak and more endearing, his computer skills were also very impressive, using the magnets to unlock the trackers was ingenious and a brilliant idea by Joe Ducie. The interaction between Tristan and Drake was unbalanced initially; Drake obviously held power over Tristan, certainly due to his size and considering their actual ‘friendship’ started after he fought and beat Gray. After an incident where Tristan managed to use his size to lend to agility, and helped Drake out in a fight he couldn’t win, their relationship become more equal where they could both act as the physical and mental strengths. The relationship between Tristan and Irene was also an interesting one; one I wish could have been explored more and I’m hoping will be in the second book, from the readers point of view, it seemed like Tristan had a bit of a crush on Irene, especially seen when she kisses him and he is completely flustered. Irene is a fun character; she is a flirt to amusing degree but is a strong personality in her own right. At first, I thought she was simply funny, as she suggestively flirted with Drake for the longest time until, months later, he finally meets her for a midnight adventure, which is not what it sounds like although there are still some minor innuendo cleverly slipped in. I really enjoyed whenever Irene turned up, she wasn’t insanely smart and awkward like Tristan or calm and cool like Drake but she was witty and charming, providing almost comedic relief from otherwise serious situations. One more character that needs a quick mention is Mario, has an absolutely gorgeous nature and a permanent smile on his face even if he was cleaning out sewage pipes or getting beaten to a pulp in Rigball. He honestly made me smile anytime he did anything, he was just so sweet.
Overall, the relationships in this book are quite intricate for a book that focusing majorly on the plot, the development of the relationships and the characters involved were as realistic as it could be in a situation where they are stranded in a prison with literally 100 miles of ocean to the closest land and are on top of a meteorite that gives people superhuman powers when absorbed into their skin. Not to mention the futuristic setting where the world has had some major changes like the fall of the Health Care System and the overwhelming control of the Alliance System. This book had me wholeheartedly hooked from the very beginning.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It could be read as I did, in one intense sitting or a bit every day if you have less time but it really is a must read. I know I will be reading the next book, Crystal Force, as soon as possible.
The Rig is an amazing novel following the story of Will Drake from his entrance to the top maximum security prison, of course, called The Rig. From the very beginning of the book, Drake came across with an air of complete nonchalance and seemingly unbothered by being locked up with 100 miles of ocean between him and anything else. To counteract Drake’s attitude, Marcus Brand and Warden Storm were introduced, both of whom, Drake and I took an immediate disliking to, although he managed to cop it on the chin pretty well. Almost immediately after the two baddies were introduced, Michael Tristan was inserted into the story. At first it seems like Tristan is the complete opposite to Drake; small, skinny with a slightly nervous demeanour but it does become apparent that they are both willing to fight and stand up to people, most noticeably, the asshole, Alan Gray. The storyline then follows Drake through life on the Rig including Rigball, meeting Irene and getting the tracker off (which was quite technical). The next part of plot was entirely unexpected but definitely not unwelcome; a new genre was established when Drake and Irene found Crystal-X and the horrible experiments the Alliance were doing but also when they saw the videos of people levitating and creating objects out of nothing, and to be honest, this does explain a lot of questions previously raised by Drake. This is now past half way through the book and after this point the storyline picks up exponentially. For a while, Drake, Tristan and Irene merely talk abstractly of escape in the old control room until everything reaches a boiling point after Rigball, admittedly he got a bit overexcited and throw a ball into the staff seating several times, but Brand still beat him so he was unconscious for days. This causes a cascade of events where the three friends manage to escape The Rig, leaving behind them considerable damage which I wont go into for spoiler reasons and because it’s probably the best part of the book.
This is honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read, it was written incredibly well and has a unique and fascinating storyline. I started reading it at about 8:30 in the morning and finished it by 2:30 that afternoon. Originally I thought this book would be just another dystopian/fantasy/urban fiction kind of story but within the first chapter I was absolutely hooked. My favourite character was definitely Will Drake. Perhaps it was the chilled attitude and ability for casual banter that made him so appealing, or maybe it was the lengths he went to for his mother. I think Drake being 15 was both a positive and negative of his character; him being younger made him a more relatable character in the sense that more readers will have gone through being 15, he was also a fairly mature 15 year old to his and the authors credit, however, especially at the start after it was established he had only just had his birthday, I was worried I was reading a book for a 13 year old. Although I was 100% wrong and in fact this book can be for really anyone, I think this is a lesson in not judging too quickly by simple, trivial things. It helps the way the book was written, I know Joe Ducie is in his late 20’s so a 15 year old character should even out to someone with the maturity of around a 20 year old. My favourite part of this book was the thought provoking nature of how to escape. Drake had escaped from 3 previous prisons and the whole time I was reading I was trying to figure out how to escape as well and even at the end while they were escaping, I still couldn’t completely see it but once it happened and Drake successfully ‘played the man’, I could see how genius the plan was and maybe I didn’t pick throughout the book but it was so entertaining, reading about Drake’s observations; guard counts, routes out and shipping times whilst all along the way out was not to manipulate the system but to manipulate its players.
Two of the most important characters (other than Drake) that deserve some discussion are Irene Finlay and Michael Tristan. Tristan is introduced first, he is rarely referred to as Mike or Michael and for some reason it didn’t suit his character anyway. He is at first characterised as small in stature with a quiet, nervous demeanour which gradually develops into someone still small in stature but with a mild confidence who was less weak and more endearing, his computer skills were also very impressive, using the magnets to unlock the trackers was ingenious and a brilliant idea by Joe Ducie. The interaction between Tristan and Drake was unbalanced initially; Drake obviously held power over Tristan, certainly due to his size and considering their actual ‘friendship’ started after he fought and beat Gray. After an incident where Tristan managed to use his size to lend to agility, and helped Drake out in a fight he couldn’t win, their relationship become more equal where they could both act as the physical and mental strengths. The relationship between Tristan and Irene was also an interesting one; one I wish could have been explored more and I’m hoping will be in the second book, from the readers point of view, it seemed like Tristan had a bit of a crush on Irene, especially seen when she kisses him and he is completely flustered. Irene is a fun character; she is a flirt to amusing degree but is a strong personality in her own right. At first, I thought she was simply funny, as she suggestively flirted with Drake for the longest time until, months later, he finally meets her for a midnight adventure, which is not what it sounds like although there are still some minor innuendo cleverly slipped in. I really enjoyed whenever Irene turned up, she wasn’t insanely smart and awkward like Tristan or calm and cool like Drake but she was witty and charming, providing almost comedic relief from otherwise serious situations. One more character that needs a quick mention is Mario, has an absolutely gorgeous nature and a permanent smile on his face even if he was cleaning out sewage pipes or getting beaten to a pulp in Rigball. He honestly made me smile anytime he did anything, he was just so sweet.
Overall, the relationships in this book are quite intricate for a book that focusing majorly on the plot, the development of the relationships and the characters involved were as realistic as it could be in a situation where they are stranded in a prison with literally 100 miles of ocean to the closest land and are on top of a meteorite that gives people superhuman powers when absorbed into their skin. Not to mention the futuristic setting where the world has had some major changes like the fall of the Health Care System and the overwhelming control of the Alliance System. This book had me wholeheartedly hooked from the very beginning.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It could be read as I did, in one intense sitting or a bit every day if you have less time but it really is a must read. I know I will be reading the next book, Crystal Force, as soon as possible.
October 24, 2018
When you pull a book of a bookshelf, you read it. Sometimes you like the book other times you love it. But it's still just a book off an ordinary bookshelf. Imagine there is a bookshelf filled with only the most extrodinary books in the world. Sure enough The Rig is guaranteed to be on one of the shelves.
The Rig is told from a character's perspective that makes the book distinctive from the rest. I fell in love with the main character named William Drake. Unlike most books characters who are noble and heroic, Drake is the oppisite he is a criminal who has a talent of escaping any prison. Drakes personality is captivating, from his humor, ( that made me laugh out loud multiple times, when I was supposed to be quiet) quick wit, to his righteous anger. The book was set in the future, it was hard to relate too because of the time periods. Though Joe Ducie does a fabulous job making the characters relatable. One of the most emotion filled parts of the book is when Drake finds Doctor Lambo's dead body in one of the crates. This scene is a prime example, demonstrating Drake's righteous rage for the people he cares about. ( This scene made me break out into true heartfelt sobs, then I got angry and had to put the book down. My sister was sitting next to me while I was reading this and she couldn't figure why I was in tears.) My favorite part of the book is when Drake confronts Warden Storm about the inhuman expierments they are doing with the crystal-X. My favorite quote is from Drake " People say we chose our paths' but we had no choice we did it to save our loved ones."
The Rig is told from a character's perspective that makes the book distinctive from the rest. I fell in love with the main character named William Drake. Unlike most books characters who are noble and heroic, Drake is the oppisite he is a criminal who has a talent of escaping any prison. Drakes personality is captivating, from his humor, ( that made me laugh out loud multiple times, when I was supposed to be quiet) quick wit, to his righteous anger. The book was set in the future, it was hard to relate too because of the time periods. Though Joe Ducie does a fabulous job making the characters relatable. One of the most emotion filled parts of the book is when Drake finds Doctor Lambo's dead body in one of the crates. This scene is a prime example, demonstrating Drake's righteous rage for the people he cares about. ( This scene made me break out into true heartfelt sobs, then I got angry and had to put the book down. My sister was sitting next to me while I was reading this and she couldn't figure why I was in tears.) My favorite part of the book is when Drake confronts Warden Storm about the inhuman expierments they are doing with the crystal-X. My favorite quote is from Drake " People say we chose our paths' but we had no choice we did it to save our loved ones."
Read
May 18, 2017So far, this is the best book i have ever read.
August 4, 2020
Crazy and wild story. A prison in the middle of the ocean, with strange things going on... Lots of violence, some stretches of the imagination and corruption. A wild read.
January 22, 2024
The first book I read of my own accord. This was a really enjoyable read with interesting characters and premise. Thanks mom for buying this for me, love you always.
November 16, 2022
The Rig by Joe Ducie is a thrilling story about a juvenile prison in the middle of the Arctic Ocean with no chance of escape. The worst kids were sent to the rig and it was much more than an inescapable prison. Will Drake, a juvenile, has escaped many prisons in the past and is sent to the rig. Will Drake thinks nothing is impossible. Through patience, observation, and determination, Will Drake struggles to try aJoe DucieThe Rignd overcome the impossible. Thrill seekers should read this book, it will keep you interested as new discoveries unfold.
October 15, 2015
Originally posted over at fANGIRLconfessions
4 1/2 stars!
So this is how it feels to be pleasantly surprised? When I first picked up The Rig, I honestly had no clue what to expect. I used to watch Prison Break all the time, (I thought Wentworth Miller was kinda cute) and the synopsis just screamed this show. So I dived in expecting to be thoroughly entertained, and boy did Joe Ducie deliver! Not only did he give me a fast paced plot, (something I desperately needed btw), but he was able to cook up some hilariously witty characters, and mix them with a smoking hot concept that kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Tika is one happy camper folks.
15 year old Will Drake had such an interesting perspective to read from. He's been in and out of juvenile facilities for years, but definitely not for good behavior or because he served a complete sentence, nope our boy is a true escape artist. Successfully escaping EVERY maximum security facility he's been locked down in, I was curious to see how he'd take down the challenge of The Rig, an old oil platform converted into a rehabilitation center for teens . . . that just so happens to be built in the center of the Arctic Ocean. The situation didn't look too promising for him, but Drake is certainly more clever than he let's on.
What worked so well for me, was the fact that the story was just so . . . thrilling. From the moment Drake and other inmates arrived to the new facility, you can feel his desperation to escape. I enjoyed how level-headed and methodical he was, scoping out his surroundings, using his wit to pull information from others, his brain to sort out routes. I was literally on edge with anticipation, not only wondering if he could actually pull it off, but rooting for him to do so.
For someone that enjoys watching documentaries about prison life, (shut up, don't judge me) I knew for sure the setting of this novel would be a huge hit for me. Of course it operates like most juvenile facilities, but what sets it apart, is that The Rig wasn't exactly what it appeared to be. Upon arriving, each inmate received an electronic device that tracks your every movement. It gives a blueprint of where you are in the facility, tells you when your next tasks starts/ends, (schooling, meals, your job) and shows you how much money you owe the system, or have made from whatever job you've been assigned. Hello Apple Watch in 10 years.
" I've been secretly whittling a canoe out of soap, elbow grease, unicorn tears, and a teaspoon of shenanigans. Almost ready to set sail, if only I could get this damn tracker off. "
Ducie pulled out all stops to make sure he kept up the momentum of the plot and the reader's attention. From the secondary characters that had their own individual stories, the bullies that made life on the rig a living hell, the electronic lacrosse sport of Rig ball which is by far one of the best fictional sports I've ever read about, all the way to the mystery of Crystal -X and what the warden of The Rig was doing with it, he left no room for us not to be entertained.
The Rig consisted of so many enjoyable elements that it was absolutely impossible to put down. The writing was quite simple but fluid, pairing well with the fast pacing of the plot. The characters were sharp tongued, clever, and down right comical. The action scenes kept everything alive and climatic, creating drama where it was most needed, and seriously, besides the ending wrapping up too quickly for my tastes, there's nothing about this book that I wouldn't praise. Perfect for readers of all ages and lovers of genres other than sci-fi, The Rig is a debut that's sure to be loved by most.
Oh, and about if Drake escaped or not . . .
You'll just have to pick it up to find out!
4 1/2 stars!
So this is how it feels to be pleasantly surprised? When I first picked up The Rig, I honestly had no clue what to expect. I used to watch Prison Break all the time, (I thought Wentworth Miller was kinda cute) and the synopsis just screamed this show. So I dived in expecting to be thoroughly entertained, and boy did Joe Ducie deliver! Not only did he give me a fast paced plot, (something I desperately needed btw), but he was able to cook up some hilariously witty characters, and mix them with a smoking hot concept that kept me intrigued from beginning to end. Tika is one happy camper folks.
15 year old Will Drake had such an interesting perspective to read from. He's been in and out of juvenile facilities for years, but definitely not for good behavior or because he served a complete sentence, nope our boy is a true escape artist. Successfully escaping EVERY maximum security facility he's been locked down in, I was curious to see how he'd take down the challenge of The Rig, an old oil platform converted into a rehabilitation center for teens . . . that just so happens to be built in the center of the Arctic Ocean. The situation didn't look too promising for him, but Drake is certainly more clever than he let's on.
What worked so well for me, was the fact that the story was just so . . . thrilling. From the moment Drake and other inmates arrived to the new facility, you can feel his desperation to escape. I enjoyed how level-headed and methodical he was, scoping out his surroundings, using his wit to pull information from others, his brain to sort out routes. I was literally on edge with anticipation, not only wondering if he could actually pull it off, but rooting for him to do so.
For someone that enjoys watching documentaries about prison life, (shut up, don't judge me) I knew for sure the setting of this novel would be a huge hit for me. Of course it operates like most juvenile facilities, but what sets it apart, is that The Rig wasn't exactly what it appeared to be. Upon arriving, each inmate received an electronic device that tracks your every movement. It gives a blueprint of where you are in the facility, tells you when your next tasks starts/ends, (schooling, meals, your job) and shows you how much money you owe the system, or have made from whatever job you've been assigned. Hello Apple Watch in 10 years.
" I've been secretly whittling a canoe out of soap, elbow grease, unicorn tears, and a teaspoon of shenanigans. Almost ready to set sail, if only I could get this damn tracker off. "
Ducie pulled out all stops to make sure he kept up the momentum of the plot and the reader's attention. From the secondary characters that had their own individual stories, the bullies that made life on the rig a living hell, the electronic lacrosse sport of Rig ball which is by far one of the best fictional sports I've ever read about, all the way to the mystery of Crystal -X and what the warden of The Rig was doing with it, he left no room for us not to be entertained.
The Rig consisted of so many enjoyable elements that it was absolutely impossible to put down. The writing was quite simple but fluid, pairing well with the fast pacing of the plot. The characters were sharp tongued, clever, and down right comical. The action scenes kept everything alive and climatic, creating drama where it was most needed, and seriously, besides the ending wrapping up too quickly for my tastes, there's nothing about this book that I wouldn't praise. Perfect for readers of all ages and lovers of genres other than sci-fi, The Rig is a debut that's sure to be loved by most.
Oh, and about if Drake escaped or not . . .
You'll just have to pick it up to find out!
November 30, 2022
THE RIG, by Joe Ducie, is mainly about Will Drake, a teenage boy, probably 15 years old, who had escaped from many detention centers. After escaping from many of his previous places, Will landed at The Rig, a high security detention center for teenagers with behavioral issues. The Rig is located in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, near Newfoundland, Canada. Later, Drake is starting to plan his escape from The Rig. During the planning of his escape, Drake was climbing in the air vents with someone named Hall and as they made their way closer to the bottom, Hall fell into the water and into the shark tank where she was eaten to death. Later, Drake saves The Rig and is planning to escape. The protagonist in this book would be Will Drake because the author makes connections to him and talks about him more than anyone else. Plus, he's at the center of nearly everything. Personally, I would recommend this book to Sci-Fi lovers and people my age who love interesting and action packed books.
July 27, 2015
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
Fans of the Percy Jackson or Alex Rider spy/adventures stories will find a lot to like here: smart-mouthed 15 year old who uses ingenuity and observation skills in order to break out of maximum security prisons. In this case, our hero, Will Drake, is a bit more serious and there is a supernatural element that will greatly impact future books in the series. But there are enough explosions and wanton destruction to keep readers happy even if the end is known by the first page. It's never about if Drake will get out - it's how.Story: In a near future world where a mega corporation dictates a lot of the world's rules, Will Drake has been in 3 different prison systems - and broke out of each. And for good reason: health care rules have prevented his mother from affording needed medicine or she will die. And Drake will do what needs to be done (stealing the medicine and getting it to his mother) to ensure that does not happen. But after the third escape, when he is caught with his mother he is sent to a new prison made from an offshore drilling rig somewhere near Nova Scotia. If the sharks don't get him while he attempts escape, the cold water would - and it looks like Drake may be stuck permanently. But never count him out, for Drake always has an escape plan.
The Rig is a fun ride. Missing only 'sharks with lasers', it's a good mix of action and supernatural that keeps the story grounded but also nicely fantastical. Like the Great Escape, Drake has to deal with other prisoners (both good and bad), make the right friends (a computer genius best friend and girl with medical skills help), and avoid the guards' attention (which is aimed squarely at the boy known for escapes). Unlike Alex Rider, Drake is very serious and goes about his plans methodically. There are some fun quips in the book but it's not about Drake getting to smart-mouth the adults so much as out-smart them.
The fantastical came at the end of the book and somewhat out of nowhere. Yes, if an adult stops to think about it, it is kind of silly ("Crystal-X"???). But then, the world building was decently done (even taking into consideration that this story took place entirely on the rig) and the near-future dystopian setting believable.
Although there is a lot of violence at the end as everything blows up, this is more than suitable for teens and perhaps even tweens. It should keep them riveted as they wait to see how Drake will manage to escape this predicament. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
January 4, 2016
I love me a good prison book. The Rig was a humorous, light hearted book that I picked off the shelf simply for the interesting look of the cover as I am guilty at always judging a book by that. I read the first couple of pages and knew I wouldn't hate it entirely, so I bought the book and proceeded to finish it that day and even stayed up slightly later than I should have to finish. That being said, I have some issues with the book.
My biggest pet peeve is when an author fails to make his character well rounded and developed. Ducie did a good job at showing the good and the bad of Drake and I do believe Drake to be a well written character, but something about him feels as if his transformation from untrusting to trusting was slightly rushed, however this is more of a fault of the setup of the book. It begins as one kind of story and abruptly changes to a very different kind of book for supernatural tones that were only slightly foreshadowed a little after halfway into the book. With so much development in the second half of the book in terms of plot, I would have expected to see a shift in the speed or at least method of Drake's development, but it stayed rather consistent, which in a way made it feel less real and plausible.
The supernatural tone was very abrupt and was something that frustrated me. I usually very much enjoy the kind of books where the second half of this went, but it seemed so random to me that I had to put down the book and think, "Really? We're doing this now?" That being said, I liked the idea Ducie had, just think it could have been executed more effectively with slightly more foreshadowing and explanations as to how long these other prisoners were at their "advanced lessons". There were also inconsistencies later in the book the really bothered me, but I am happy to see that these inconsistencies have a chance to be rectified in the second book.
All in all, I would recommend this.
My biggest pet peeve is when an author fails to make his character well rounded and developed. Ducie did a good job at showing the good and the bad of Drake and I do believe Drake to be a well written character, but something about him feels as if his transformation from untrusting to trusting was slightly rushed, however this is more of a fault of the setup of the book. It begins as one kind of story and abruptly changes to a very different kind of book for supernatural tones that were only slightly foreshadowed a little after halfway into the book. With so much development in the second half of the book in terms of plot, I would have expected to see a shift in the speed or at least method of Drake's development, but it stayed rather consistent, which in a way made it feel less real and plausible.
The supernatural tone was very abrupt and was something that frustrated me. I usually very much enjoy the kind of books where the second half of this went, but it seemed so random to me that I had to put down the book and think, "Really? We're doing this now?" That being said, I liked the idea Ducie had, just think it could have been executed more effectively with slightly more foreshadowing and explanations as to how long these other prisoners were at their "advanced lessons". There were also inconsistencies later in the book the really bothered me, but I am happy to see that these inconsistencies have a chance to be rectified in the second book.
All in all, I would recommend this.
November 12, 2016
I must admit I started this book not really knowing what I was letting myself into and worrying that it might be a bit too much of a boy book (note there is no such thing as a 'boy' book you naughty book blogger) but I must say from the first page I was utterly hooked.
Firstly this book is so fast paced you barely get a moment to draw breathe let alone anything else. I needed to keep reading to find out what happened next and found that I flew through it in a matter of hours.
I loved that it was a little bit different to everything else I have read for a long while in its setting and feel yet in saying that I did feel that it almost had a boarding school school feel. I don't mean this in a bad way at all but in that there was this camaraderie between the main characters as they snuck round the building not always doing what they should be doing. There's even a competitive sport the inmates play Think Harry Potter but set in a prison and you are half way there. I don't think it is just me who made that observation but I'd be interested to know.
For me this book was about unravelling both the mysteries of the rig which were cascading but also the stories behind the teenage characters who have been judged to be so dangerous they are sent to a high security prison in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. I loved getting to the bottom of the story about each of them.
The only thing that bugged me about it as a story was that it seems to finish and wrap up a bit too quickly. Granted I'd take them over a drawn out series any day but I did feel it maybe needed a little more.
All in all a book I didn't expect to enjoy but really did and one I'd certainly recommend.
You'll love this is you love
Prison Break
Insignia by SJ Kincaid
Firstly this book is so fast paced you barely get a moment to draw breathe let alone anything else. I needed to keep reading to find out what happened next and found that I flew through it in a matter of hours.
I loved that it was a little bit different to everything else I have read for a long while in its setting and feel yet in saying that I did feel that it almost had a boarding school school feel. I don't mean this in a bad way at all but in that there was this camaraderie between the main characters as they snuck round the building not always doing what they should be doing. There's even a competitive sport the inmates play Think Harry Potter but set in a prison and you are half way there. I don't think it is just me who made that observation but I'd be interested to know.
For me this book was about unravelling both the mysteries of the rig which were cascading but also the stories behind the teenage characters who have been judged to be so dangerous they are sent to a high security prison in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. I loved getting to the bottom of the story about each of them.
The only thing that bugged me about it as a story was that it seems to finish and wrap up a bit too quickly. Granted I'd take them over a drawn out series any day but I did feel it maybe needed a little more.
All in all a book I didn't expect to enjoy but really did and one I'd certainly recommend.
You'll love this is you love
Prison Break
Insignia by SJ Kincaid
September 4, 2013
Rating: 3 . 5 stars.
Click Link for Review: http://adventuresofateenagebookworm.b...
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I was actually jumping up and down with joy when I received this book for review. One look at the cover and the blurb and I knew it would be unlike any other book I'd read before. Thanks again to Hot Key Books for sending me the novel ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly I'd like to say that I was a little disappointed with the novel. I did enjoy the book but there were aspects that I felt left the novel feeling and reading a little flat. Let's discuss the characters in the novel. Immediately, I liked Will Drake, commonly referred to solely as Drake in the novel. He is the protagonist of the story and was a very unique character. I thought he had both good and bad qualities, he was quite flawed, but was overall a really enjoyable character. He was very brave and courageous and had a very quick mind.Doctor Lambros was one of my favourite characters too. Other characters in the book, such as Warden Storm and Officer Hal, were characters I loved to hate. They were villains done right. I really do enjoy a good evil character now and again.
I did have a little bit of a problem with some of the other characters. I felt like Tristan had an interesting past with his ex roommate storyline and his backstory but I didn't feel that they developed his character in anyway. Tristan was a shy boy who did grow a little into a more confident boy but I felt a little like his character was just skimmed over and not really engaged with. . . .
Click This Link to see the REST of the FULL Review: http://adventuresofateenagebookworm.b...
Click Link for Review: http://adventuresofateenagebookworm.b...
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I was actually jumping up and down with joy when I received this book for review. One look at the cover and the blurb and I knew it would be unlike any other book I'd read before. Thanks again to Hot Key Books for sending me the novel ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly I'd like to say that I was a little disappointed with the novel. I did enjoy the book but there were aspects that I felt left the novel feeling and reading a little flat. Let's discuss the characters in the novel. Immediately, I liked Will Drake, commonly referred to solely as Drake in the novel. He is the protagonist of the story and was a very unique character. I thought he had both good and bad qualities, he was quite flawed, but was overall a really enjoyable character. He was very brave and courageous and had a very quick mind.Doctor Lambros was one of my favourite characters too. Other characters in the book, such as Warden Storm and Officer Hal, were characters I loved to hate. They were villains done right. I really do enjoy a good evil character now and again.
I did have a little bit of a problem with some of the other characters. I felt like Tristan had an interesting past with his ex roommate storyline and his backstory but I didn't feel that they developed his character in anyway. Tristan was a shy boy who did grow a little into a more confident boy but I felt a little like his character was just skimmed over and not really engaged with. . . .
Click This Link to see the REST of the FULL Review: http://adventuresofateenagebookworm.b...
February 8, 2016
Will Drake has a perfect track record of breaking out of prisons, and he is sure the Rig will be no exception. In spite of the fact that he’s in the middle of the ocean with a tracker that logs every single movement (and fines him for being out of bounds), he is sure that a weakness will present itself, and he can exploit the very routines used to confine him to attain his freedom. But there is a dark secret lurking on the Rig. Inmates seem to have special powers. Will’s favorite psychologist disappears with no warning. The question is not just will he make it out, but will he make it out alive?
While I enjoyed the premise of the Rig, the book ended up having a sci-fi/dystopian direction that I didn’t really care for. It has at least one of the elements of dystopian that I don’t really care for – the little guy against the world power machine (called the Alliance in this book).
I also knew going into the book that in order for me to be on Will’s side, the author was going to have to do some ‘splainin’ about why he was in prison. The reasons ended up being altruistic, but not super satisfying – there was a section with some fatalistic stuff about how there aren’t any bad or good choices, just a “path that had to be taken,” and how that means that Will and his friends aren’t really bad for being in prison. Nice try, but that’s a terribly unlivable oversimplification that is contradicted within the book itself.
Bottom line, this was an action-packed story that went a direction I didn’t really care for. I still thought the plotting and writing were pretty decent, but I don’t think I’ll pick up the next one.
While I enjoyed the premise of the Rig, the book ended up having a sci-fi/dystopian direction that I didn’t really care for. It has at least one of the elements of dystopian that I don’t really care for – the little guy against the world power machine (called the Alliance in this book).
I also knew going into the book that in order for me to be on Will’s side, the author was going to have to do some ‘splainin’ about why he was in prison. The reasons ended up being altruistic, but not super satisfying – there was a section with some fatalistic stuff about how there aren’t any bad or good choices, just a “path that had to be taken,” and how that means that Will and his friends aren’t really bad for being in prison. Nice try, but that’s a terribly unlivable oversimplification that is contradicted within the book itself.
Bottom line, this was an action-packed story that went a direction I didn’t really care for. I still thought the plotting and writing were pretty decent, but I don’t think I’ll pick up the next one.
May 18, 2017
3.5 stars.
The Rig was a predictable, but exciting ride all the same. It was like a roller coaster. You know what is going to happen, but the twists and turns along the way still make it exciting.
I will admit, I had trouble warming up to William Drake. I found him a bit too self-assured and too capable. He didn't speak like a fifteen year old for most of the book. In fact, none of the inmates did. I caught myself multiple times thinking they were the same age as some of the guards. This improved as the story went on, but some of Drake's fellow inmates still resonated as much older than they were. Perhaps that was the intention, but it was still jarring and it took me out of it occasionally.
Sometimes, I find myself rating a story based on its villain, and this is where the book gets much of my praise. This book has villains in droves, all formidable in their own ways. My initial worry was that the main character would end up duping them at every turn, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that did not happen. Though,
This was a fun read, but I felt the ending wrapped up nicely in a predictable bow. I know there is a sequel, but I am not dying to read it. If this had been a one-off, I would have been satisfied.
The Rig was a predictable, but exciting ride all the same. It was like a roller coaster. You know what is going to happen, but the twists and turns along the way still make it exciting.
I will admit, I had trouble warming up to William Drake. I found him a bit too self-assured and too capable. He didn't speak like a fifteen year old for most of the book. In fact, none of the inmates did. I caught myself multiple times thinking they were the same age as some of the guards. This improved as the story went on, but some of Drake's fellow inmates still resonated as much older than they were. Perhaps that was the intention, but it was still jarring and it took me out of it occasionally.
Sometimes, I find myself rating a story based on its villain, and this is where the book gets much of my praise. This book has villains in droves, all formidable in their own ways. My initial worry was that the main character would end up duping them at every turn, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that did not happen. Though,
This was a fun read, but I felt the ending wrapped up nicely in a predictable bow. I know there is a sequel, but I am not dying to read it. If this had been a one-off, I would have been satisfied.
May 6, 2014
Review by Jack - Year 8
Will Drake, a fifteen year old boy has become an escape artist, breaking out of high security prisons. His skills have landed him in The Rig, a juvenile detention facility in the Arctic Ocean. The warden at The Rig is obsessed with a glowing substance “Crystal-X” which gives exposed individuals powerful abilities. He thought the rig was inescapable, until he met Will…
In the past, Will escaped high security prisons all over the world but he kept getting caught within weeks of his escapes. In The Rig he shows extreme bravery, standing up to armed mobs and muscular beasts to maintain his respect. But with every moment of his life on The Rig monitored by trackers, escape seems impossible: Will knows there’s always a way out.
The way that Ducie tells the story is very successful. He combines the character’s thoughts and lives into one idea due to the low level of privacy on The Rig which means even the teenager’s thoughts are not secret.
His style of writing along with the surprising and tense story line would definitely encourage me to read other titles in this series. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a story full of suspense and action.
Will Drake, a fifteen year old boy has become an escape artist, breaking out of high security prisons. His skills have landed him in The Rig, a juvenile detention facility in the Arctic Ocean. The warden at The Rig is obsessed with a glowing substance “Crystal-X” which gives exposed individuals powerful abilities. He thought the rig was inescapable, until he met Will…
In the past, Will escaped high security prisons all over the world but he kept getting caught within weeks of his escapes. In The Rig he shows extreme bravery, standing up to armed mobs and muscular beasts to maintain his respect. But with every moment of his life on The Rig monitored by trackers, escape seems impossible: Will knows there’s always a way out.
The way that Ducie tells the story is very successful. He combines the character’s thoughts and lives into one idea due to the low level of privacy on The Rig which means even the teenager’s thoughts are not secret.
His style of writing along with the surprising and tense story line would definitely encourage me to read other titles in this series. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a story full of suspense and action.
November 14, 2013
A very interesting YA prison break story with a twist set in a near, somewhat dystopian future. It was nearly impossible to put down before finishing, and I really liked it that the main character was male, because I find them be much rarer in YA literature (at least in the genres I usually read), so it was interesting to read about.
POV: third person.
Locations: takes place almost solely on The Rig, a high security juvenile prison in the middle of an ocean.
Violence: enough to realize that you'd never want to be imprisoned yourself, but still acceptable in a YA novel. (At least, I can imagine a whole lot more of much nastier things happening in a prison place like this.)
Romance content: less than 1% - no insta-love and soppy moon-gazing here.
Sequels: at the moment it's stand-alone, with the ending wrapped up sufficiently, but open enough for possible sequels. I personally would be interested to read more, if not about the same characters, then a book set in the same universe.
(I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but all opinions in this review are my own).
POV: third person.
Locations: takes place almost solely on The Rig, a high security juvenile prison in the middle of an ocean.
Violence: enough to realize that you'd never want to be imprisoned yourself, but still acceptable in a YA novel. (At least, I can imagine a whole lot more of much nastier things happening in a prison place like this.)
Romance content: less than 1% - no insta-love and soppy moon-gazing here.
Sequels: at the moment it's stand-alone, with the ending wrapped up sufficiently, but open enough for possible sequels. I personally would be interested to read more, if not about the same characters, then a book set in the same universe.
(I received this book in a Goodreads giveaway, but all opinions in this review are my own).
June 2, 2014
Will has been put on The Rig – an oil rig that has been extended and converted into an inescapable prison, hundreds of miles out to sea, surrounded by sharks and run by clockwork by a tough Warden. All prisoners wear a bracelet that alerts the wearer to where they are supposed to be, how many credits they have earned (by working on the rig – Will’s job is the worst – cleaning out the tubes that block up daily with the rig’s waste) and how much they owe for each night they spend on the rig, each meal they eat etc. Will is over a thousand points negative for overstepping his boundaries as he looks for a flaw in the rig’s security. They are watched by heavily armed guards everywhere but in their rooms where they are locked in every night they are left alone in the warden's belief that their bracelets are security enough. But what if Will can find a way to take it off? Why has his doctor suddenly disappeared and why are some students going to different lessons - getting stronger and stronger?
This was a great read, full of action and heart in a tough setting.
This was a great read, full of action and heart in a tough setting.
October 6, 2015
What would you call a prison break story that's also a super soldier story that's also sort of like The Hunger Games but really more like any other dystopia going? I think The Rig tries to be that. It's a solid story about a kid, jailed multiple times for multiple questionable offenses, who uncovers a pretty crazy secret at the oil rig-style prison he's stuck on in the Arctic Ocean. The secret is more than a little bit of a game changer and really changes the tone of the story completely, but is still pretty interesting on its own.
The book is pretty straightforward in its action and dialogue, making it ripe for reluctant readers of a certain age. The twist in the very end is a strange one, but one I didn't *not* enjoy. Without being able to fully root for anyone, it creates an odd space where you feel like you're more of an observer than fully immersed or engaged, but that might be more me than the book. Overall, there are a lot of readers who might be excited for this. As an adult reader, there might not be a ton here for you, though.
The book is pretty straightforward in its action and dialogue, making it ripe for reluctant readers of a certain age. The twist in the very end is a strange one, but one I didn't *not* enjoy. Without being able to fully root for anyone, it creates an odd space where you feel like you're more of an observer than fully immersed or engaged, but that might be more me than the book. Overall, there are a lot of readers who might be excited for this. As an adult reader, there might not be a ton here for you, though.
September 16, 2020
Best book I have ever read. I had gotten it quite some years ago at a library and had it for a while but never finished it and ended up having to return it. A year or two later my sister bought it for me and I read maybe half of it. I came back to it a year later and read the whole thing, it was such an epic book, 15 year old William Drake is sent to a prison built off of an old oil rig for the worst of kids in the year 2025, for having escaped other prisons and for setting fire to a facility that had pills to cure an illness his mother had, and he was sent to many juvenile prisons and had escaped them all. But little does he know, the Rig holds a dark secret. Over all, this is an amazing story Joe Ducie had put a lot of work into and the characters are amazing and the story line is a solid 11/10. There is mild curseing, S*** , a** and b**** not that much of it. and violence throughout, but meh. Would definitely recommend for ages maybe 11-99. To be able to enjoy the story you need to be into prisons and violence and stuff.
September 14, 2013
An extremely action packed story about a kid who wants to save his mother fighting a powerful global corporation. A few surprising twists and turns keep the reader guessing. A good solid read I'd recommend, particularly for teenage boys.
January 18, 2017
This book is a gripping sci-fi prison book that is about a boy who is amassing at escaping prisons until he ends up In a maximum security decommissioned oil rig which has a secret experiment going on in the background.
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