Chasing a book cover...
921188
The book caught my attention by the book cover.  I seem to enjoy all the books the blond "Prince" is in. I absolutely loved this book, it was funny and tear jerking. Great ending too!
2197786
Go to your local used bookstore and find an old copy - you can share the wonderful stories without that abysmal cover! (Oh wait, maybe the marketing department thought they were reading Lolita)
644699
If this cover didn't draw you into an obsession, then I will be shocked. Because that's exactly what it did for me. I absolutely adore the covers and vision it gives for the book. So it breaks my heart to admit that the cover is the best part of this book. As it got closer to the release for this book, I began to see a lot of less-desirable thoughts on this book. Of course I was really hoping I wouldn't follow the flow of that, and that I'd really like the book. But alas and alack, it was not to be so.

For starters, we have Gray. From the start, you are in the head of a guy who is pretty rash and easily swayed by his emotions. In some ways, it can be annoying, but I let it pass. It felt natural with the things he was dealing with. No jump ahead 30% into the book. Instead of a boy who acts on impulse, we now have a big fat jerk. He ticked me off so much. I don't know what happened but he was becoming rude in places he didn't need to be! It was kinda shocking.

For example: [mild spoiler]
{Gray was just put before a council where a vote would be made whether he lives or dies. He's given his life, but after that, when one of the people who voted NAY did something, and another council member defended him, he just scoffs and has the nerve to be angry.} What the heck?! You just got your life and you're not letting it brush off? Oh and then there is the fact that he's always getting angry as his first reaction. Get a life bro. Point is, his attitude when from passable to jerkface. Not very impressive.

The other main issue I had was the love plot. Two words: Insta-Love. It was SOOO obvious to me. By 25% into the book the L word is used. Before that THERE WAS NO DEVELOPMENT AT ALL. Basically he likes a girl. She doesn't like him that much. They go on a "date". On that "date" she starts to be nicer to him. Then we have maybe a few more pages of describing that they hung out a lot and little more than that...and then BAM. They are kissing.

So now let's talk pacing. This book felt REALLY rushed to me. And not just in the romance. You know that intensely exciting premise that fits perfectly well with the gorgeous cover? Yeah that's over before we even hit the 25% mark. Way. Too. Easy. To elaborate more, I was missing details. Yes in the romance building, but also in the world building. We're in Claysoot for such a short time that I didn't get enough ground before she throws a few curveballs at us.

And that's another thing. This book was WAAAY predictable. I figured out a few major revelations a while before it happened. Because of that, it felt like the book lacked depth for me. Lots of things are happening but I wasn't feeling anything. It was words on a page. Not events and actions in a story.

Lastly, the only other thing I really want to touch up on was the plotting and elements of the story. It was very interesting to me because of the Claysoot Heist we read about in the premise. But since that's all over so quick, this plot looses a lot of it's originality. So many things just screaming cliche to me. I mean [mild spoiler] a rebel base hidden in a valley? How often has that happened before? Just things like that were kept at the very basic dystopian level so I missed out on a lot of cool and exciting things.

But enough sad negative stuff. This story, despite my dislike, was interesting enough to keep me reading past the halfway mark. I didn't get far enough into the love triangle to have anything to say on that, but heck, I already know Bree is the best. Bree for the win!!! And with that, I shut the door on book with a sad heart. I really hope you like this more than me. I really do. I know some people love it! So if you're hoping to love it, keep those awesome hopes up for it. Don't let my bummed-out-ness drag you down....

Content: Mild
[some mild language-innuendo-drinking]
525711
The cover is very eye catching and the title an attention getter. A good book for reluctant readers. Recommended for ages 8-12.
3639750
how tf u gonna call it a battle royale guide book, but make the cover a picture of save the world trash book made by someone trying to make money off of a uprising game.
3235612
Need pictures to be able to fallow.....and get enthusiastic.....with out nah ! ! ! !  love the cover that's what got me.....
4765662
I enjoyed reading the first three in this series even though it reminded me of a Twilight spin-off.
What really annoyed me was the book cover quality. It's a bit preposterous to pay $10 plus shipping for a book that does not even have a decent book cover. The image is stretched out across the cover and blurry! I pay $8 for a book from a well known author and get a great read AND a great book cover, and there is no excuse why Amanda Hocking can't do the same. If she isn't ready to print QUALITY books then she should stick to kindle editions until she's ready.

I love her as an author especially for the Tryelle series! C'mon Amanda; we're rooting for you!
4623946
Despite the terrible cover (which is why my rating is 4 stars instead of 5), this was a very good book. I past by this book many times, simply due to the cover. "Don't judge a book by it's cover" is a true statement.  But, again, the story was good and I'd love too see a sequel.
2796590
can someone please make a poster version of the cover? it would look so good. or at least tell me how I could manage this
3888514
As the old saying goes: you can't judge a book by its cover. Although, with this book, that's exactly what I did. This cover immediately caught my attention and I was thrilled when I ended up getting this book for free through Amazon. I was eager to read it and blew through the first few chapters, however, after I got about 100 pages in, the storyline completely lost my attention. The book jumps into the apocalypse right away, as the story follows Amo who ends up being the last survivor in America after he has sex with a girl that he met at his coffee shop. I'll give the author credit for that idea; I never thought this kind of action would cause the extinction of humans but it worked well.

I'm giving this book 3 stars because Mr. Grist did come up with a rather unique idea for the basis of this book, as well as this series. However, I found the writing confusing at times and rather dull. I put the book down several times and wound up forcing myself to finish it. The cover is fantastic, as are the others in his Zombie Ocean series but I won't be reading them anytime soon. This book just didn't intrigue me enough to make me want to read any further.
1253271
A message from the author: This book has been issued with a new cover.  The new cover is yellow with blue lettering. Nothing else about the book has changed.  The content inside the two different covers is identical.  The book with this  older cover black and white cover is being sold for two to three times the cost of the book with the newer yellow and blue cover. Why spend the extra money? -- David Gerstel, Author of the Running a Successful Construction Company
73295
Has a plot and story line for a book with such a terrible cover. Pretty good! Held my interest surprisingly!
1703915
If the cover alone doesn't make you want to read this book, the prologue will.
3972167
I can't commit to buying this book unless I have a chance to see more than the cover. If you're willing to list this for list this book for more than $100, then you should provide a few pages with regards to the contents...
1302666
The cover of the book is ripped apart. totally, it's really close it totally taring apart. I want another book please... It's not even just damaged
2609337
Bought it just for the cover ... the story is nice, but the cover!!! Ok  back to my regular programming....
2248107
I just got the book from the library and it is a doorstopper; however I noticed that all the prepress and editorial reviews were all glowing while the true readers from Amazon less than glowing. I give the Amazon reviewers more credence and I'll post after I've finished reading, if I can finish! I give it 3 stars for the cover art improvement.