I can't do this right now. It's not the right time for something this deep, moving, and full of pain. Yes, the writing is amazing. I could see this beI can't do this right now. It's not the right time for something this deep, moving, and full of pain. Yes, the writing is amazing. I could see this being a HUGE book because of how it grips you. But, the hell-in-a-handbasket ride is taking all of my focus right now and the last thing I need is for Debbie Downer to jump in my handbasket with me.
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Maybe I will pick this back up when happy-happy-fun-times return. Or, you know, normal life.
For a dystopia to work it needs to either be so far from possible that it's basically fantasy or close enough to possible to be belEye rollingly lame.
For a dystopia to work it needs to either be so far from possible that it's basically fantasy or close enough to possible to be believable. This one failed both ways, although it was supposed to be some sort of cautionary tale of what could happen. Plus, there was such a corniness to it all. I mean, come on, they were taking people's children away and sending them to "farms"? So, they recommended that you have a last great day with them before they have to go. Take them to do all their favorite things and see all their favorite people!
[image] At least they can visit all their old pets.
So lame. Plus, the old wise lady who was conveniently a first-hand witness to the Holocaust tells the "how to boil a frog" story. Puleaze! That story is more played than the definition of insanity.
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Our protagonist is basically Serena from The Handmaid's Tale. She is married to the guy in charge of this ridiculous system in which children are "graded" and sent to schools according to the Q levels - a rating system. Her past unfolds in occasional chapters to show that she is basically an asshole who wanted to make all the cool kids pay for being cooler than her. She helped set-up this system, but now regrets it because her youngest daughter is not cutting it.
At the start we find out she hates her husband because he plays favorites with the older daughter and disregards the younger. She's way better than him! The horrible monster! until..... She abandons the older daughter for the younger one. Her husband is such a cruel monster that she is a bit afraid of him, but hey, the older daughter will be fine being left alone with dad. Kids are way less vulnerable than adults, right?
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I didn't relate to this woman at all. She did not come off as a real person at all, but as a book character. You know what I mean? Someone who popped into existence with a backstory and personality that was very inconsistent.
As for the idea that there would be a faction out there that would possibly be interested in this kind of school set-up? It also makes no sense. That was the brilliance of The Handmaid's Tale. There was a believable, but terrifying idea that extreme groups would want to set-up a world that uses twisted takes on the bible to enslave women. But, there is no group that would want ratings on kids that could get them 'sent to the farms'. The extreme right would never allow their kids to be taken away. They often homeschool and believe in parental rights ahead of government rights. The extreme left thinks the government needs to protect children ahead of parental rights, but they would never allow the obvious discrimination in this rating system. Plus, and most importantly, let's face it - we Americans couldn't even make it through a quarantine to protect ourselves and others against death because our freedom was being jeopardized. Do we really seem like the kind of people who would let the government take our kids away if they fail math?
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Because of this I never felt that disturbing fear that something like this could be possible. Instead I just rolled my eyes and even laughed at the ridiculousness a few times....more
Think of this as 50 Shades of a Brave New World. It's a dystopian with the main character working as an investigator for the government and his case bThink of this as 50 Shades of a Brave New World. It's a dystopian with the main character working as an investigator for the government and his case being a possible corporate espionage situation in a world where corporations are gods.
[image] Yes, it's nothing like reality. Really.
I saw this book being reviewed a lot and was always interested because there was a supposed sociopath that I would love, plus dystopia=fun. But, I was frankly a little disappointed at how un-sociopathic the hero seemed to me. I was even wondering if it was a bad sign that I didn't see it. To me, he was just a slutty guy with an amusing inner monologue. Like Dexter. But, he was often pretty nice to people and never seemed to live up to his whole "torturer personality". So, I wondered: Is it me? Is Jilly a sociopath? Is that why I don't see it, or should I know Jilly is a sociopath because I refer to myself in the third person all too often? Or is it that I don't know the answer to this question:
[image] Although, to be fair, I did raise a teenage girl. The amount of crying a teenage girl does can desensitize anyone.
So, I was happy later when I finally started noticing some of his sociopathic traits. Plus, he finally tortured someone - although it was pretty mild. I mean, come on, the whole book talks about how he is this massive torturer and we only get one measly mild torture scene towards the end? That was a little bit of a let-down. It's like telling someone that you are going to bring them the best donuts they've ever had and then bringing them a donut hole a week later. Or worse, a pack of those waxy things disguised as donuts at the grocery store. *shudder* No donuts is almost better. Almost.
[image] Yeah. You would definitely learn the meaning of the word torture if I get hold of you after giving me a mayonnaise donut.
The other thing that I didn't really expect when I picked up the book was the BDSM stuff. I don't know how that didn't hit my radar beforehand. I'm not a fan of the BDSM. It's costumes and exercise and tying knots and humiliation... well the exact reasons why I wasn't a fan of the scouts. A lot of work for the chance to be a door to door salesman for a corporate overlord.
[image] Yes, I can't wait to spend my weekends pimping cookies in front of the grocery store. Sounds so much better than reading a book in bed while eating that corn dog.
Still, the book was pretty engaging after I got over all of that. Oh, and the fact that it took a long time to get going, and there were a lot of slow times.... and some of the tech explanations were really boring..... So.... yeah, I am slowly talking myself out of liking it. How did I come away with being all happy to read the next one with all of these problems? Huh. I guess a happy ending really does help make an experience more enjoyable.
[image] I now understand men. Thank you, internet....more
I've never been able to finish reading an entire satire book. I start them, laugh at the absurdity and have a great time for a while, but then I quit I've never been able to finish reading an entire satire book. I start them, laugh at the absurdity and have a great time for a while, but then I quit reading them. Once I've got the point they are trying to make, and have a few laughs at whatever-they-are-making-fun-of's expense, I don't see the point of going on. It gets monotonous and loses its humor for me.
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This book is a dystopian set in an extreme consumer-driven world. Basically, a company that is definitely not Amazon has taken over and all pretense of us not being not-Amazon's bitch has been dropped. We have admitted that we have a problem and not-Amazon has solved it for us. With stuff and free shipping.
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There are alternating stories going on, with little blurbs that are "advertising" for Qualityland in between, but the main hero is a complete loser named Peter. He runs a shop that scraps used robots and other broken electronics because it is now illegal to fix or recycle things. Buy a new one instead! But, as I said, he's a loser, so he can't even kill robots correctly. Instead he keeps a basement full of broken robots and they are his only friends.... and maybe potential army? Let's face it, this guy has incel written all over him.
[image] Kinda brutal, kitty. But, true!
Since in this world not-Amazon is god, packages are automatically delivered to each person according to what they want and need (as determined by the company). There is no more of that pesky ordering or shopping... or control of your own finances. But, one day Peter gets a delivery of a pink dolphin vibrator that he doesn't want or need. Trying to take it back is harder than cancelling a gym membership.
[image] Ooooh, a strongly worded letter. That'll show 'em.
Like I said, I didn't finish the book because it was just too much after a while. It is like binge-watching Black Mirror or being stuck in a room with an uppity hipster.. Eventually you just want to say, "Enough already! I get it! Technology evil. People suck. Robots are going to kill us all. Whatever."
[image] I've got my robot-apocalypse guide.
If you are a fan of Black Mirror, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, or Brave New World, you might like this....more
I think this book will end up being a loved it/hated it thing because people have strong feelings about whether President Snow should be the protagoniI think this book will end up being a loved it/hated it thing because people have strong feelings about whether President Snow should be the protagonist. I am in the loved it category which is a little shocking because I loathe most prequels. As a matter of fact, if you want to get me going off on a profane tangent, just talk about the first three Star Wars prequels. Like, what the everloving fuck?
[image] Jar Jar Binks is worse than the coronavirus. There, I said it. You know you all were thinking it.
So, yes, this book is about an 18 yr old President Snow. I know you don't like him. None of us did. But, isn't that the point? Not liking a villain means they were a good villain. We all loved the Joker movies right?
The good news is that this book isn't about redeeming him and making everyone love Snow. It's about getting the understanding of how he became the psychotic monster who gets off on kid-killing. I thought it did a pretty good job with that because you see the way things were shaping him as it goes on. I mean, it takes a lot of ingredients to make a monster.
[image] Um,yeah. This one needs a little more work. It looks like Homer Simpson in a homemade Halloween costume.
The book starts off right before the 10th annual Hunger Games. They are certainly nothing like the spectacle that we know they become. At this time they are just throwing kids in a arena with a bunch of weapons and waiting for them to kill each other gladiator-style. It is broadcast, without sound, but nobody really watches it or cares. The war was so bad that they have a hatred for the district people, including the kids, and feel nothing about them suffering or dying. It's kind of how we feel about those rich assholes on House Hunters when they are buying a "vacation home" and complain about the wall colors like we should give even the slightest of craps about it.
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The districts' rebellion had really hurt the Capital. They were besieged and starved and bombed day and night. They lost their loved ones and are barely recovered 10 years later. So, there is no sympathy for the district's punishment through the Hunger Games. The district people are seen as little more than animals.
This year, for the first time, they are going to get some promising graduating high school students involved in the games by making them mentors to the kids who were picked. Snow comes from a prominent family, although they are penniless now, so he is one of the mentors. However, the principal of the school hates him, so he tries to give him the least desirable kid to mentor - the girl from District 12. It's like letting someone ride in the Kentucky Derby, but giving them a pony to ride. Kind of making them a joke.
However, his girl is surprising. And, I have to say, she's got some Katniss-like qualities to her. So, it makes you wonder if he thinks of this girl later when he meets Katniss from the same district and everything.
The students are asked to do more than mentor the tributes. They are supposed to come up with ways to make the Hunger Games more interesting to the viewers. Of course Snow has a lot of ideas. I found it kind of fun to see the start towards what we know the Games become.
As for Coriolanus Snow? Most people are worried that this book will romanticize him and try to make us sympathize and maybe love him. I don't think it did that. Although there are times when you can definitely feel bad for him, there is also his inner thoughts that show that he has deeply ingrained elitism and prioritizes ambition over people. He's not evil or cruel yet, and he is even disgusted by another character who is (the scientist creating the "mutts"), but you can see him on a slippery slope as he makes decisions throughout the book. I think the demon on his shoulder was a hella lot stronger than the angel on his other one.
[image] Well, if by "rocks" you mean becoming a psychopathic killer, sure, lead on.
The writing is just as it was in the Hunger Games - very engaging. I am now inspired to reread it and see how things changed from the book I just finished....more
I LOVED Fight Club. Of course, I only saw the movie and didn't read the book. Totally brilliant! So, when I saw this, I thought I would be blown away I LOVED Fight Club. Of course, I only saw the movie and didn't read the book. Totally brilliant! So, when I saw this, I thought I would be blown away and that there would be some awesome twisty stuff. But, neither of those things happened. It was disappointing.
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The set-up is a crazy end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it in the U.S.. There is a take-over and re-shuffling. It is parody of what is going on in our society, but it was a little over the top with silliness. I wished it was grittier, but it is mostly silly.
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Also, it was long. Like waaaaay too long for what it was. If it was half the length, I think it would have been a strange little parody on American politics and the war between the Boomers and the Millennials. It just missed the mark by going on and on, and having things get so ridiculously out there. Which leads to the next point:
This book offends everyone. It is an equal opportunity offender. So politically ridiculously over the top! Everyone is getting raped. Eye-raped, ear-raped, mind-raped, stomach-raped.... I saw the humor in using the term raped the way he did, because it really was timely, but again, offensive as hell.
My advice is to stay away. It isn't as clever or funny or even biting as he thinks it is.
ETA: Hey, are you someone who is considering writing some dissertation on why my review is wrong and I'm stupid? Do you feel that you are the one tETA: Hey, are you someone who is considering writing some dissertation on why my review is wrong and I'm stupid? Do you feel that you are the one that needs to correct my path, or even just punish me for having the nerve to write this review?
Well, guess what? There is a solution for your problem. It's called "Write your own damn review"!! That's right. You have the power to write your own opinions in your own review.
But, then how will everyone know that you think I'm wrong?
Guess what again? People can make their own informed decisions by reading a variety of opinions that differ on a subject. Or, they may even decide to read the book themselves and write their own, unique, review.
It's crazy stuff, but try it.
But, if you're so angry that you need to get on here and call me names and shit, feel free. Just know that I'm not going to argue with you at all. You will simply be deleted and blocked and nobody will see what you spent all that time and thought writing. So, maybe save yourself the trouble.
Oh, and....
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My unique review:
My reasons for disliking this book are complicated. My main feelings about it is that it's a hacky piece of work that is trying very hard to be politically profound, but failing in execution.
First, let's talk about why it fails (in my eyes) as a dystopian novel. And, no, I don't mean its lack of a teenager falling in love with a rebel boy or the fact that they don't seem to all be dressed as emo soldiers (although there are plenty of soldiers).
[image] See? This is how it's done.
There are two ways to go about building a good dystopia: 1. Make it so far-fetched that it is fantasy and therefore the reader is not comparing it to reality. or 2. Make it close to reality with an event that changes it enough to be dystopia, regardless of whether the event itself is realistic.
[image] Another essential element.
This book is trying to be modeled by the second option, but falls short in enough ways to suspend believability and make the reader question the timeline and events in the context of what we know to be true.
[image] Aww, now this is more like it. Totally believable.
The event that is supposed to be the break from our timeline is a second Civil War in America. The problem was that the book pretty much just recycled the real Civil War and changed a few things, like fossil fuel for slavery. If this war was meant to be in any way believable, we would have to agree that our country learned nothing the first time and were willing to do the exact same thing a couple hundred years later. And yes, fossil fuel usage is a pretty Southern thing, but in this world the polar ice caps have melted and many cities are underwater. I think at that point people would probably give up the idea of global warming not being true.
[image] Why couldn't the Titanic sink in Carribbean instead? Or have Rose scoot over a bit? They done Leo wrong, man!
Next, let's talk about why it fails as a political commentary. In this reality, the Arab nations and Africa all unite to become a super-country that is the bestest most prosperous and stablest place on Earth. Now, I'm not going to say anything crazy like "this could never happen", but let's face it, this book isn't set far enough in the future to resolve every problem in the Middle East and Africa - which are very different problems by the way.
[image] Don't forget Africa while you are at it, Bob. Thanks!
Not only this, but in so many other ways, the book was eye-rolling in its desire to pander to an audience who would be super excited about the idea that America will suffer and fall. And, not just us, folks. You over there in the European area - your people are desperately trying to cross the borders into the safe sweet arms of the Middle East as well. We all want a piece of that pie.
[image] Maybe we can make a trade...
There is such thinly veiled hate for America in this book that it's hidden about as well as an Easter Egg at the blind-kid school.
[image] Sometimes things are obvious.
During this second Civil War, we are living off the generosity of China's aid in the form of food and blankets, we are displaced from our homes and put into refugee camps, we are being turned into suicide bombers with the financial aid of Egypt, and we even have our own little Guantanamo where our Southern Belles are being tortured (yes, waterboarding happens).
[image] Southern girls have already been tortured by Southern mamas all their lives. Haven't they suffered enough?
Is someone pissed at us?
Has someone been having little "Death to America" dreams that they needed to get down on paper?
What fresh hell is this?? What is this salty discharge leaking from my eyes??
And... there's a movie? I will never watch it. Ever. I will give up my NetWhat fresh hell is this?? What is this salty discharge leaking from my eyes??
And... there's a movie? I will never watch it. Ever. I will give up my Netflix account, break my tv, and move out to Amish country to avoid it.
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Oh, thank God I don't work! Dodged that bullet!...more
The aftermath of the apocalypse is when life will get interesting. —Dr. Frank X. Harmony, Philosophies
True. I've learned a few things about how thThe aftermath of the apocalypse is when life will get interesting. —Dr. Frank X. Harmony, Philosophies
True. I've learned a few things about how things will be after the apocalypse through books:
1. We will all choose to dress in black and wear boots. In this book, they must have raided a Hot Topics in the mall because they are all dressing in cool vintage band t-shirts. I'm a little jealous. But, overall, the survivors of the apocalypse all dress like they are on some sort of emo sports team.
[image] With my luck, I'd get with the group that only had a clown's costume shop to raid after the apocalypse. Sure, there would be plenty of knives, but the clothes! Ugh!
2. Only those with cool names will survive. In this book, we have Jax, Raze, Tace, Grey, Damon, and some of the girls have boy names like Sami and Vinnie. I have yet to meet a Marvin, Fred, or Herbert in the apocalypse. They must have died first.
[image] That's cuz all the Bob's are dead.
3. Since we no longer have television or internet, we will spend our days "training" - which translates to beating the shit out of each other to make us stronger. Apparently, we will have better healing capacity after everyone else dies. This sounds like a plus to me. As it is, I cry when I stub my toe and I have mystery bruises occasionally that must somehow be sitting-around-reading related. I could use a little toughening up.
[image] I might be able to take this guy.
4. Even though we can no longer bathe and must stink to high heaven, the survivors will apparently engage in a lot more sexual activity. Good thing they always seem to have a never-ending supply of condoms. Sure, they have little food and water, but condoms? Just grab a few from the bowl, dude!
[image] As long as you name them Stone, Slayer, and Styxx.
5. Men will revert back into cavemen and women will find that super cute and sexy. Luckily, in this book our female is a soldier, but in the previous ones the women are all cute little things that need a big strong man to protect them.
I did, however, find the reaction of her fellow soldiers super funny when she actually broke down and cried about something:
“I kinda feel like you’re my little sister.” At those words, those kind words, she lost her anger and burst into tears. “Holy fuck no.” Jax backed away, shaking his hands. “Don’t do that. God, don’t do that.” “You made her cry,” Damon snapped. “I’m…not…crying,” she sobbed. “Jesus.” Jax moved in and put both arms around her, patting her back like she was choking. Her ribs rattled. “It’s okay. Um, let it out.” … “Make her stop crying, you asshole,” Damon growled.”
Nothing like girl tears to make the toughest guy in the room completely freak-out.
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This book was the best one so far in the series. The world keeps getting better and better, and the characters are all really good. I like how we continue to see the interaction between the first couple, Jax and Lynn. Jax is a total sweetheart. The only negative is that the president and vice-president are getting almost cartoonish in their villainy at this point. They are like a pair of Bond villains with the power to survive ridiculous things. When they showed up in a helicopter like the Joker or something, I actually laughed out loud at the silliness. Even though the helicopter crashes, don't worry, they will be fine. They are basically like Wile E Coyote. You can blow them up, but these guys just won't die.
[image] Dress for the job you want. Not for the job you have....more
I admit that I have about 10 books going right now. Hurricane Harvey has thrown me off my groove. I have attempted to start books and then set them doI admit that I have about 10 books going right now. Hurricane Harvey has thrown me off my groove. I have attempted to start books and then set them down to deal with shitty reality for a while, and then not gotten back to them. But, I picked this one up and devoured it. It was so compelling to me.
Of course, I love dystopia. I want the future to be seriously fucked-up. I want people to be eating weird pellets that are probably made out of people, an evil overlord with some sort of hatred of children for some reason, flying cars and everything robotic - but evil robots - not good ones, an unfair class system that holds the plebs down, a scrappy resistance with a sexy (although dirty) leader, lots of senseless killing and violence, and of course - death games. This book was about the death games.
[image] Okay, maybe some of those ideas aren't exactly fresh.
So, this is set in the 1970's maybe, but an alternate reality, I guess, because I don't remember there being a gameshow/competition where 100 teenage boys walked day and night until only one was left alive. I may have just been born, but I'm pretty sure I would have heard about it.
The deal is that they have to keep a continuous pace of 4mph. If they slow down or stop, they are given three warnings. If they still can't keep up, they are shot in the head. Now, I just want to say that someone would absolutely have to threaten to shoot me in the head before you get my ass out there doing a fast-walk for miles and miles. Ah, who am I kidding, I would be the first one shot. And, I wouldn't even mind. Beats walking like a chump.
So, all of these boys, who are definitely chumps, are walking day and night and getting all weird. Of course it messes with their minds a bit. They make little friendships, examine their life choices, and prepare to die. Seriously, how bad are your life choices when you sign up for this deal?? It's not like the Hunger Games where they have no choice. These chumps not only signed up for this shit, but they had to pass mental and physical tests to do it. Youth these days. So stupid. I mean those days. So stupid. One chump even tells his story about how he entered on a dare/whim/lark and it went too far. Dude!!!
[image] Peer pressure. Not even once.
The rest of them are suicidal for some reason. Oh, maybe it's because they are teenagers living in an oppressive dystopian world. I mean, depressing teenagers is pretty damn easy on a good day.
[image] Holy shit! Where can I purchase this horse? He's glorious!
The book is not filled with action and adventure, although there is killing. It is more of the inner struggle of the characters. I could talk about how it's possible to see some symbolism in the walk as being a journey in life with the general being an all-powerful being who is promising the person who makes it to the end the prize of anything their heart desires. It is also the ultimate in the carrot and stick analogy , but I'm not that deep. I just liked that a bunch of stupid chumps learned that you should never sign up for anything that has the promise of untold riches. It's always a sucker deal. Unlike what I've got going on. There is a Nigerian prince who wants me to distribute millions of dollars in any way I want, including keeping it for myself. All I need to do is send him my banking information and those millions are on their way.
Oh, and forget the horse. I want one of these guys. Look at those smiles! Only good things can come from me owning an alpaca in my suburban home. They swim, right?
Let me give you the most important information you need before you read this book:
Do not read the forward by Stephen King before you read the story!Let me give you the most important information you need before you read this book:
Do not read the forward by Stephen King before you read the story!! He spoils his own book's ending in it!
Yeah, that really sucked because I knew what would eventually happen and it was so suspenseful that it would have been awesome to be kept wondering if this poor shlub would actually make it. But, even knowing what I unfortunately knew, I was still on the edge of my seat for the entire book. That Stephen King always gets me. He's the master.
[image] Okay, maybe I don't like him THIS much. But, he's damn good.
So, this book was written in the 1980's and basically shows that SK was a psychic or something because he predicted reality television shows would rule the world by now. Granted, they are a little more brutal than what we have right now, but within the next few years, when the book is set, I'm sure we'll have advanced to this level of evil entertainment.
Here are the names of some of the reality shows that are popular:
Swim with Crocodiles Fun Guns How Hot can You Take it? Dig your own Grave and Treadmill to Bucks (you have to have a heart condition to play this one)
In some of these shows, you are just maimed or end up in a hospital, but the biggest show, "Running Man", is the most popular. The contestant in that one ends up dead. But, hey, they rack up $100. for every hour they survive for their family, so unless dad is a selfish ass, he will do it for his family.
[image] Sometimes you just have to take one for the team.
Our MC is on Running Man. His goal is to stay alive as long as possible while there is a nationwide man-hunt for him. He's given money and a head-start, and then there are hunters looking for him. Viewers get $100. if they spot him and call in, and $1,000. if it leads to capture/death. The contestants are always portrayed as horrible criminals, so the public generally wants to see them killed and feel it is justified.
The funny thing is that there was a real reality show that had this same premise, but without the killing part. It wasn't very interesting to me. Maybe if they had added in the killing I would have watched. So, in other words, we are totally ready for this. And, with our new president and most-likely entry into our own dystopia, maybe it will be soon.
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It's either the Hunger Games or the Apes. Maybe we can have another vote on which one we prefer?
[image] Or, you can write-in Ants.
This book was non-stop action and I really couldn't put it down. You are rooting for him, but he's not likable. You are disgusted by the society, and there is also a feeling of despair and depression. It's not hopeful, but it's hard not to hope that he will somehow topple the powers that be. If I hadn't been spoiled, I'm not really sure how I would have handled the ending, but it was a helluva ending.
Trigger warnings: everything. There is so much offensive crap in this book that you might not even want to try it if you are sensitive in any way. There is racism, homophobia, offensive language, and gruesome violence....more
I read this as part of a reading challenge. I've never seen the movie either, and now that I've read it, I don't think I want to.
[image] This is what iI read this as part of a reading challenge. I've never seen the movie either, and now that I've read it, I don't think I want to.
[image] This is what it would take to make me watch a movie that includes this as a scene.
It's really hard to review this book because it has been studied, picked apart, and written about for years and years. So, I'm going to approach it as I would any book: what an average American shlub thinks about it. No scholarly dissertation, no thesis, no talking about the symbolism. Just how it made me feel.
The biggest thing about this book is the fact that it is harder than hell to read. It's like decoding hieroglyphics. The language is some sort of made-up slang that will annoy the crap out of you when you start the book. And, this slang language is ridiculous. Many of the words are silly sounding and rhyming. (It is supposed to be an off-shoot of Cockney Rhyming Slang). You may just want to shoot yourself in the head after a few pages.
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It's like Dr. Seuss broke bad or something. Seriously annoying.
The next big thing is the senseless, brutal violence in this story. There is killing, raping, and torture. It's horrible stuff. In this case, the stupid language actually helps because the words used for everything takes you a step-back from the violence.
The torture of our narrator was really the most important part of the story. Everything the book is saying comes down to whether the torture was a good thing or bad thing. There are complex issues that are explored, like crime & punishment, free will vs. determinism, parental and governmental responsibility, etc... This is why so much has been written about a book that calls eggs "eggiwegs". It had better be deep if one is willing to slosh through that much annoyingness. It's like running through a Lego gauntlet. There had better be something good at the end.
The version I read of this book included an extra chapter that was originally edited out of the American version of it. When I noted where it would have cut-off, I actually thought it would have been a much better story if it ended there. I guess that means the editor understood us Americans. But, in the forward that was written by the author, he whines and bitches about the editing. He actually whined and bitched about a lot of things. He was pretty bitter about the book and about Stanley Kubrick making a buttload of money off the movie. His own protagonist would have bitch-slapped him, cut him up a bit, and raped his mother if he met his creator. Seriously, the guy was a self-important weenie.
[image] Luckily, this author is dead, so I get to trash him without remorse.
So, would I recommend anyone reading this book? No freaking way. I just finished it and I have a headache, am slightly depressed, and will be afraid of teenagers from now on. Just skip this and read something that will make you happy....more
This book totally surprised me. It was the Donald Trump of books because it really grabbed my attention and wouldn't let it go.
[image] *whispers* neverThis book totally surprised me. It was the Donald Trump of books because it really grabbed my attention and wouldn't let it go.
[image] *whispers* never let me go...
If you were a fan of Red Rising, you will really like this one. It has the same feel with a fake identity, court & political intrigues, twisty turns, lots of bloody death, and a bunch of insanity. There were so many times when you weren't sure who was trying to kill who. I loved that!
Our heroine is Nemesis, who is a genetically engineered bodyguard. She protects the daughter of a senator who has pissed off the evil emperor. Because the emperor is so evil, he decides to take the daughter hostage to keep the father in line. Of course, the parents have no intention of sending their daughter to the emperor's court, so they give a makeover to Nemesis and send her in the daughter's place.
Open the beauty parlor!
[image] She's going to need that knife at court
The "court" where all the political players are assembled is something out of the Capital from the Hunger Games. Insane style's, complete debauchery, and serious danger. The emperor is a sadistic bastard, so this book isn't for the faint-hearted. There is a lot of cruelty and bloodshed. In other words, it's a lot of fun to read for a bloodthirsty person like myself. :D
[image] real life picture of me as a youth. Stupid dinosaurs had it coming.
Oh, have I mentioned that all of this is set in space? Yeah! Cool! We have one scene where our girl travels to a planet for the first time and she is absolutely disgusted by all of the germs, messiness, and weather. Also, the sky freaks her out. In other words, a heartless killer is afraid of mosquitoes. And, they aren't even Texas mosquitoes.
[image] We could use them as free public transportation. Well, you do pay. In blood.
I got this book in my cool Birchbox for books package (https://quarterly.co/products/literar...) and it even included a bunch of notes from the author. That part of it was awesome because the insights in those notes made me understand a lot of the choices that were made. I think all authors should give us notes on what they were thinking when they write certain things. Some of them have some 'splainin' to do. (Tris dying? Prim dying? Bella being interesting enough for a book? SMH) ...more
I know a lot of reviewers are telling you that you could read this series without having read the "Beyond" series by the same authors, but if you haveI know a lot of reviewers are telling you that you could read this series without having read the "Beyond" series by the same authors, but if you haven't read Beyond, you will be more lost than an elderly man in Victoria's Secret. You will find yourself thinking "huh?" a lot, and you will wonder if you missed out on something important. Again: lost old man.
[image] You shouldn't have, honey. Really. Don't do it again.
This series is set in a dystopian world where food and electricity are scarce but condoms are more than plentiful. The future world people are having a lot more sex than today-people. You would think that building a new society, scavenging for food, and not having a shower would put a damper on the sexy times. But, you'd be wrong. These people are trying to repopulate the world, dammit!!
Surprisingly, though, the district featured in this book is more religious than our last series' districts. This means that they are having more monogamous sex and less three-ways, four-ways, and whatever-the-hell-those-people-are-doing sex. But, this is still smut, don't worry! It just means we have to let the couple build their relationship a little bit first. And, then it's on!!
Ashwin is our guy and he is some sort of mutated super-soldier who is unable to feel emotions. Supposedly. But, he is feeling all kinds of things about Kora. Look at this emotional confession he makes to one of the other guys:
"Seeing her sad is... unsatisfactory."
Ashwin, you romantic devil you! You had me at unsatisfactory.
Kora is also a mutated freak but doesn't know it. Her problem is feeling too much. She is emotional and oozes empathy. This relationship is going to work out great!!
She was just as helpless as Ashwin when it came to emotion - he couldn't feel it, and she felt too much.
[image] Creepy Spidey is right. I see great things for their future. Mainly her crying and screaming at him while he is completely clueless. You know, marriage.
So, basically the book is setting us up in this world, introducing us to all of the guys who will undoubtedly be getting their books next, and waiting for the tin man to get his heart from the wizard.
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If you liked the Beyond series a lot, but maybe thought the smut got a little too out of control and you were so ashamed of yourself that you bought extra girl scout cookies to help charity (not at all for the thin mints), then this is the book for you. If you are a smut-loving machine with no remorse who thought the Beyond series was a "starter" book for the porn, this one may not have enough bow-chicka-bow-wow for you....more
For some reason, there is a common dystopian trend of there being a shortage of females. Women become a commodity and in this case, the last remainingFor some reason, there is a common dystopian trend of there being a shortage of females. Women become a commodity and in this case, the last remaining females are locked up in a prison-like environment until they are 21. At the magical age of 21, they are given a ceremony and released to live in a utopian paradise with their parents. I'm just wondering, in this world, what color is the sky? The girls who have survived, are they also somehow missing the capacity to smell a load of bullshit when it is being handed to her?
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This book made absolutely no sense. I can allow room for imagination, I don't need perfect "science" to buy a book's premise, but this one....
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Here are some of the problems:
The girls are stolen as babies and raised in a prison, treated like animals, punished cruelly, and yet told that they are "special and important" to society. What's the point of treating them so badly? If they are the "hope of the world", why not treat them well? Then, they may not only want to actually live, but they might be happy to help the world out with their magic ovaries.
The whole bit about them being reunited with their parents and living in a wonderful "safe zone" at the age of 21. Why not come up with a more believable story? You can say they will get to pick a husband, that they will donate eggs and then go free, that they will get to board a spaceship and travel to the planet of endless chocolate. Any of those would be better stories than the idiotic one being told.
The idea that the cause of the shortage of female births is somehow related to the females themselves. Um... biology 101: the sperm determines the sex of the child. Why don't they lock up the men and experiment on their sperm instead? It would be more productive than their current plan.
Why wait until the girl's are 21 at all? Once later revelations come out, there is absolutely no reason for this. None.
There were a total of six girls at this facility. With tons of guards, sniper towers, walls and cameras, special forces, and tons of technology to keep them in place. It seems like a lot of over-kill. They could have probably housed these girls in a nice condo in Boca. It was the equivalent of housing a hamster in a penthouse apartment in Manhattan. Just... too much...
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But, even if you can somehow wrap your mind around the world, be prepared to just feel depressed. Our 20 yr old girl is as angsty as a pubescent teen.
In other words, if you haven't read it - don't bother....more
Alpha males. Sometimes I love them. Sometimes I want to cut off their testicles and use them like those squeezy stress balls while I'm reading [image]
Alpha males. Sometimes I love them. Sometimes I want to cut off their testicles and use them like those squeezy stress balls while I'm reading about them.
[image] Tell me again about how women have to obey their men?
I have noticed there are two types in books: the tough-guy who will protect his woman at all costs with a heart of gold, and the borderline abuser guy who treats his woman like an errant child. The first two books has Alpha number ones. This book had the second guy and I spent much of my time simmering in boiling hatred of him.
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The series itself is really cool. It is dystopia, with smut. Smutopia. And reminds me a little bit of the Beyond series by Kit Rocha. The survivors in this post-apocalyptic world are trying to survive - as their name implies, and it ain't easy because the bacteria that killed most of the population turned some of them into psychotic killers. Some are just bat-shit crazy, and some are organized serial killers who love to inflict pain. Sounds fun, huh? Oh, and the president is one of the second kind. He is a total sadistic lunatic. Good thing this is fiction. It would suck to have a crazy president, wouldn't it?
[image] Damn. Well, maybe tomorrow...
In this series we are following a group of survivors in a camp that has soldier-types protecting a large group of civilians, including women and children. The main characters are all interesting and well-developed. But, in this book we are focusing on the guy who never really talks. He's a badass. But, to me, he is boring as hell. I see nothing attractive in a man who refuses to speak more than two words at a time. And, this isn't because he lacks the ability to speak or anything. He just chooses to be an asshole. It's his love-story. Yay.
So, our asshole is named Raze, and his love interest is Vinnie (a girl). Vinnie was in the last book being tortured by the president of the United States and the group rescued her. She is a bit messed-up from the experience, so what does she need now more than anything? A guy to push her around, threaten to beat her, and tie her to a radiator to make her stay in her room. Yup, he's a gem... How could she resist falling for him?
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Now, Vinnie is no prize herself. She has crazy moments when she hallucinates, but she is lucid most of the time. She was a brilliant profiler for the FBI before society collapsed - a doctor of psychology. So, we expect some sort of brains from her, right? yeah, no. Vinnie may have a PHD, but she calls her vagina her "girly parts". She also uses the medical terminology of "looney" when describing a patient's mental status. Combining that with her choice in men and I am wondering if anyone asked to see her identification to prove who she was. I'm thinking some bimbo on the street looked similar and took her place. There is no evidence to support this woman's claim of intelligence.
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Still. Does she deserve to be tied to a radiator by her "boyfriend"? Okay. Maybe.
So, I truly hated the main couple in this book, but I still enjoyed the story overall. I like all of the other characters and the world. And, I'm really looking forward to our funny Texan guy's book next.
If you took the book "1984" and put it in today's world with the internet and technology, this book would be well titled as "1983". Just like anythingIf you took the book "1984" and put it in today's world with the internet and technology, this book would be well titled as "1983". Just like anything that turns into a complete clusterfuck, it all has to start somewhere. And, usually the beginnings of said CF's come from well-meaning people who are trying to do something helpful and then it goes slowly bad. I mean, most cult-leaders are described as "charismatic and charming" at first. They start out all candy and unicorns, but then a year later you find yourself worshiping snakes, giving your 12-yr old daughter to someone's married grandpa as his second wife, and deciding that mass suicide IS a good idea if the government ever decides to try and take your guns.
[image] Well done, Dale. Cut through the crap!
You just know that all of these dystopian societies started with some great ideas to help everyone and make life better. It's all Hey, our kids need to get outside and play more one day, then the next thing you know:
[image] If they opened with that, it never would have caught on...
So, our protagonist is Mae, who is in her 20's and very insecure. She is coming from the opposite side of what we are used to in these novels as she is totally on board with TeamDystopia. She gets her validation from strangers on-line and is desperate to do a good job for the future Big Brother boss. And, really this is a refreshing point of view. How often do we get to see the other side of the picture? Those people who worked hard to build the dome, arrange the class systems, set-up a giant maze, or give everyone tattoos to make things easier? A little respect for the hard workers who got things done.
[image] looks like someone's not a team player....
Mae gets this great job at the Circle, which is basically the evil version of Google with a side of Twitter. She wants to do a good job, but that means not only doing her job but being completely immersed in Circle society. She doesn't have to participate in the social activities outside of work, but is strongly encouraged to. As a matter of fact, they pull her into the boss's office to ask her why she dared to spend the weekend at her parent's house instead of socializing at work. They stress that it isn't required, but if she wants to succeed in the company...
[image] they ate their parents..
So Mae gets deeper and deeper into the Circle until she becomes the poster-girl for the company and agrees to wear a camera around her neck in the name of "transparency". Then she finds that her contacts in real life are, for some reason, uncomfortable around her. She even has an ex-boyfriend who tries to reason with her:
"It's not that I'm not social. I'm social enough. But the tools you guys create actually manufacture unnaturally extreme social needs. No one needs the level of contact you're purveying. It improves nothing."
"..like everything else you guys are pushing, it sounds perfect, sounds progressive, but it carries with it more control, more central tracking of everything we do.."
But, Mae is indoctrinated. Completely sold on the idea of giving up privacy in order to fix society's ills. She considers the knowledge and experiences of each person to be rightfully shared with the world. She even comes up with their catchy new slogan: Privacy is theft. And since she got a lot of "likes" for this idea, she feels pretty good about it.
So, I guess the next reasonable step in this society is to come up with the group uniforms that seems to always happen in dystopias. I vote for them to be black. It's a slimming color.
My last trip into Smutopia for a little while. I need to go back to non-smut books for a bit because I'm getting a bit jaded to it all. I'm finding itMy last trip into Smutopia for a little while. I need to go back to non-smut books for a bit because I'm getting a bit jaded to it all. I'm finding it too easy to skim over sex-scenes while eating Cheez-its. Rule of Thumb: if you can casually stuff your face with cheesy crackers while reading a steamy sex scene - you've read too much. You are thoroughly desensitized and need to go back to non-smut in order to be shockable again. At this point, if I walked into Walmart and saw people getting it on in the middle of the aisle, I wouldn't simply reach over them to buy my toothpaste. Well, of course that's Walmart, where things like this happen:
[image] Seriously, you have to check out the peopleofwalmart.com website. It will give you nightmares.
This book was still really good. As I mentioned, in between all the sex, there is a pretty cool story developing. But the romance was a good one too. It involved a guy who has been a side character for all of the previous books and I was waiting for his story. Since I don't care about the next person's story, it's a perfect time to take a break. I'll be back. Every girl has to get her smut-fix once in a while.
[image] I'll be back when the hormones kick in.... Or I get bored......more
Strangely, I am actually starting to like the dystopian story in this series. After 5 books, there is an actual story developing, and that's saying soStrangely, I am actually starting to like the dystopian story in this series. After 5 books, there is an actual story developing, and that's saying something because these books are 90% sex, 10% story. Eventually, that 10% adds up. It's like porn where you get a little glimpse into the pizza boy's life with each movie. Five movies later and you're dying to know if pizza boy's mom got her liver transplant or not. And, how's his sister doing? Did she dump that jerk yet?
[image] But, I look so happy riding my rocket.
So, usually we get to know the people who will be doing the featured banging in the next book and we are rooting for them to bang. But, in this book, the main girl - Trix/Tracy is as bland and nondescript as a white sock. We know she has red hair, but that's about it as far as personality goes. I guess being a ginger is all we need to know about a person.
[image] okay, well we do know that Trix burns easily and has no soul. That's a start.
On the good side, Finn, her bang-buddy is a pretty good character. It's good to have a character that you like in porn. You can root for them while they are having sex - like a cheerleader. Go, Finn, Go!!
[image] My dad is so embarrassing sometimes. He totally has the wrong colored pom poms!
But, in between all of the sex there is some fun stuff with a world that has the typical city-in-control, and the sectors on the outside who each specialize in one thing. Our people are in sector four and they make alcohol. Gotta get the people drunk to have all the public sex after all. But, there is a war coming between the sectors. And, if they have war, the city might just decide to bomb them all and destroy their life-style of debauchery. So, along with all of the sex, we get some killing, fighting, and kidnapping. It livens things up a bit. I approve....more
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