Another Dystopian Series--But Worth Reading
594385
I really liked this one, and just ordered the next one in the trilogy.  There were times I disagreed with the author when it came to certain outcomes, but that's the sign of a good book: arguing about what happens, and what I would do differently.
329271
4.5 Stars

At this point in my reading life, I feel like I've read enough dystopian novels to realize that I have a love/hate relationship with them.  When I can immerse myself in the world and think, hey, this could really happen, we're OK.  When the world lacks enough details of how it came into existence or worse, is just nonsensical, well, we have a problem.  Knowing our rocky history together, I now try to be extra selective about the dystopians I choose to read.  I'm still bound to make mistakes, but happily, Persistence of Vision was not one of them.

This book revolves around the idea that in the future, the human brain will be mapped, its inner workings unlocked like never before.  Tapping into the power of previously unused areas of the brain has made abilities like healing and telekinesis possible.  As with all discoveries, however, there are some who would exploit this knowledge for nefarious purposes, and that is the scenario Persistence of Vision poses.  The majority of the population lives in collectives, linked together through the mind.  A group of individuals, of which the protagonist, Maggie, is a part, fights to free those in the collectives.  I loved this concept and the crystal clear manner in which the formation of the collectives was explained.  Liesel K. Hill's world building is top-notch here.  I never felt overwhelmed by scientific facts and jargon; the details were presented in a logical, eloquent flow that made this world easy both to understand and to find plausible.

Although most of the story focuses on Maggie, I thought that the book had an ensemble feel to it as well because of how fleshed out the supporting characters are.  It's quite fitting because working as a team is so vital to Maggie and her companions in order to bring down the collectives.  I liked reading the team members' back stories about how they ended up at Interchron, their mountain base of operations.  As for the characters themselves, Maggie is a strong, resilient heroine who doesn't allow her memory loss to become a cause for self-pity.  She has to relearn everything she's forgotten since leaving Interchron and being returned to her own time and willingly does so because the mission is so important.  I loved Karl, one of Maggie's best friends on the team, for his vibrant personality and sense of humor.  I have to say, Karl has one of the coolest abilities among the team: time travel.  I also liked how Marcus, the healer of the group, gave Maggie plenty of space upon her return to Interchron.  The two were once close, but Maggie recalls nothing.  It's obvious that Marcus wishes she could, but he never presses her about their past together, which I found very sweet.

In a genre that sometimes gets bogged down in overcomplicated scientific explanations and disaster scenarios that stretch credulity, Persistence of Vision always maintains its focus on the story.  And it's a story that I found extremely fascinating--the battle to retain individuality and free will in a world mostly fallen to collectivism.  This is an excellent sci-fi/dystopian novel with one of the most thought-provoking premises I've read about in a dystopian.  Liesel Hill's writing and storytelling are both stellar, and I eagerly await the next installment of this series.

* I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
4415818
If you like near future dystopian fiction, this is a good one. The worst that can be said is that the plot is a little unfocused, but definitely enjoyable.
1566400
Admittedly, I'm a sucker for Dystopia.  I got a kick out of the fact that the main character was a boy and that he has his own little love triangle going on.  Gray is super likeable.  His brother is a bit dull.  It's got the usual insta-love with one of the girls.

The world building is a little convoluted and occasionally logic-challenged, but it kept my interest.  I was pretty fascinated by the world the author created.  I also liked the fact that the author had concrete explanations for everything that happens in the book.  Too many dystopic novels seem to leave explanations up in the air.

As I stated, the book is sometimes logic-challenged.  Though I loved the fact that there were explanations for everything, I didn't always buy them.  The main plot line was also a bit derivative.

That being said, though, I liked the book.  It's a fast read that kept me interested.  I really wanted to know how it would end.

I finally decided on 3 stars because it isn't perfect and it could use a little restraint, but it was overall enjoyable.

On a parent's note:  there's a lot of behind the scenes underaged sex going on.  Nothing graphic and all explained within the context of the story, but present.
1904802
I probably started this series "backwards" because I read the prequels first (which she released after the main series began, and is really there to provide more background). I am really into this series. I find them fast-moving with good character development, and Ms. Kalquist does things that take a simply entertaining book to something more; the world she develops in her books includes details, such as inventing slang, job titles, and more that would be unique to a different time in the future.
I also love the fact that the main character is dealing with her sexuality, creating an added storyline that isn't very often told in dystopian future novels. And she's a strong character who also, as us humans do, questions herself, doubts herself, but perseveres anyway.
I would say my only complaints are that this book seemed too short (which is a good problem, because if the book wasn't good, I'd be thankful) and I am really really hoping to hear more about the characters and storylines developed in the prequels in the next couple of books in the Fractured Era series.
729020
I say that the pace of the story is slow, and at times it really seems to drag...
But! It is is worth it.
Being a dystopic view of a possible future means that it will take time to develop all the nuances of both the characters and the societies they live (exist) in. And it certainly isn't one I'd like to be a part of. And, while I was unable to pin down where in the world the story takes place, or how far in our future; it was very compelling.
A one of those "be careful what you ask for" kind of places, because "you just might get it". Then, you will probably regret it.

But then again, one man's Utopia is billions of others' Dystopia. Right?
880110
I good continuation of Leam's story, with further insight into his character. This series is all about Good vs. Evil & it seems to be getting harder & harder to find books that will hold my interest with this theme.

These books definitely hold your interest! More action, more twists, better character development.

My one negative comment is this: I didn't know this was going to be a continuing saga when I read the first book! However, that being said, it is well worth your time to read this book if you love these type of dystopian books, with good vs. evil & some seriously demented villains!
4487981
Marie Lu not only created a dystopian world that was complete and intriguing, she created characters that were intelligent, sensitive, and courageous.  The first-person POV, with both main characters taking turns telling the story, was a well-executed storytelling motif. I read the books with my Kindle App on my phone and the first book included different fonts for each character. (Im not sure why the change of fonts wasn't there in the next two books.)

Legend introduces us to a typical dystopian world where the government is oppressive and a rag-tag band of rebels fight against it and discover its secrets.  It is not unlike other dystopian YA fictional worlds.

The characters are what make this series shine.  The female main character is exceptional in every wayintelligence, beauty, strength, and invention.  She is on the side of the government and, though she has a strong independent streak, stands firm in her position. The male main character is on the side of the rebels and is also exceptionalthough he never truly knows how exceptional.  He is a sacrificial protagonist, giving up his comfort, safety, and welfare for his family and the people of the Republic. They are in many ways the same, but in a few crucial areas, very different.  Their relationship is of the reverse-Shakespearian variety.  (The guy is placed on the pedestal and the girl feels undeserving, in her own assessment, of being loved by him.)

The first inciting incident happens after becoming invested in the lives of these two characters and presents a difficult dilemma for the reader. Whose side do you choose?  As the plot thickens, the dilemmas grow and grow.

Legend, Prodigy, and Champion are equally compelling and action-packed.  Marie Lu is also a devoted descriptive writer. Sometimes I found the description annoying because I simply wanted to arrive at the next plot point and blah, blah, blah got in the way. Im impatient, though, so my critique is skewed.

The ending was satisfying for me.  It was not as neat and happy as some readers may prefer, but it seemed consistent with the characters beliefs and echoed the repercussions of the overarching themes.
2434668
I love reading dystopias.  It is always fascinating to imagine the world that might be, if events unfold a certain way.

Ferrigno has created a world that draws you in with characters that spring to life and compel you to keep reading.  I read all three books in the trilogy and couldn't wait to see how everything came out in the end.

This series merits four stars because it was enjoyable, and worth reading. I withheld the fifth star because I don't think it is so good that it will become a timeless classic.

The prose in this book seemed leaner than in the #2 book, so it had a more cinematic feel.  In that sense, I was a little disappointed, because I didn't feel like the places were quite as life-like.  This book seemed to focus more on the action between characters.

Through the course of the series, I felt like there were some plot points and devices that I couldn't quite buy into.

That being said, this series is a thrilling ride, and one that causes you to think and question the world we live in.  Ferrigno does a good job explaining ideas that motivate radical Islamists and critiquing our current society through the lens of the future.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good page-turner; is interested in the current clash between Islam and the West; or who likes to imagine possible future scenarios.

Though not a masterpiece, Ferrigno's trilogy is certainly entertaining and enjoyable.
3133389
I usually do not like the dystopian books, but the description of this one intrigued me. I would call it dystopia "light." It's not as intense as a lot of the genre. It was a quick and enjoyable read. Even though I saw a few problems with consistency with both plot and character development, I liked it overall. The bottom line is that it was an enjoyable and fast read, and I liked it enough to preorder the second book in the series. While there is room for improvement, it's a promising beginning to a new series.
3506146
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from Reading Deals' Review Club in exchange for an honest review.

Want has all the themes of your typical dystopian novel: Big bad government agency controlling everything, class systems, group that wants to change that, 2 gorgeous guys and our young heroin that is thrust into the middle of everything through no fault of her own. Want is a very quick read, this book is really just to introduce you to the characters and the main concepts of the series, about the time the plot really gets going the book is over. So you are definitely left wanting the next book. I guess that's part of the reason I only gave it three stars. The book just ends. Otherwise I did like it, their were some spots where I did think Aurelia accepted things a little too easily, but I will be reading the next book.
379653
If you're a sci-fi fan you will appreciate this series
2017513
Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Final Trade.  I was under no obligation to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

Honestly, I am growing aggravated with the number of dystopian books that portray the chaos that ensues after a disaster (whether it be war, apocalypse, or zombies) by including women being treated like property.  They are enslaved, abused, and demoted to the level of animals in The Final Trade, which gave the book a more familiar than unique feeling.  I did like the fact that the main character, Zoey, is strong and has the determination that it takes to survive in a male dominated world.

Picking up from where The Last Girl ended, there is a continuity of story from the first book to this one.  That being said, the author did not progress the plot far enough in The Final Trade, making it feel more like a bridge to another novel than a book that can stand on its own.  I would be hesitant to recommend it to other readers, as I am not sure if I would continue with the series if given the opportunity.  Readers who like The Last Girl may find The Final Trade as a satisfying sequel, but I found it to be only more of the same.
2303958
Essentially irrelevant note: it must be nice to write a series so popular that one can use invented planet/empire names from earlier books as titles to later books.

All right, enough envy.

The society in which this tale plays out shows particularly inventive world-building, and the plot is well integrated into it. As in some earlier books, I had trouble keeping the oddly named characters straight, but managed fairly well on the whole. The characters we meet on Cetaganda are intriguing, if not quite as multi-dimensional as some of the ongoing series characters. The climax and denouement were satisfying and believable. On to the next!
2698581
New Age Lamians, written by Didi Oviatt, is a dystopian novel where only a small percentage of the worlds population has survived the mighty lightening storms that attack at night. Some of these lucky survivors live inside the walled city created by the Company, while others still struggle to live amidst nature, cast out from all kinds of modern life and technology. Jackson is one of them and, when the Company takes him from his home and his father because he possesses the G factor that will allow him to be injected with a special serum, his life is turned upside down. This serum causes his body to become fully enhanced and, without being given a choice, he is forced to fight against a half-woman, half-serpent monster that is threatening mankind.

 Despite the serious content of the book, there are still some humorous parts, mainly when Jack is becoming fully acquainted with his new surroundings: he didn't know what a pen was, a toilet or own long was an hour. There is some romance as well, although I feel that the connection between Jack and Amber was a bit too sudden. However, they both had traumatic experiences and I guess that that drew them together faster.

 This book also had a lot of telling rather than showing and, although the detailed descriptions allowed the setting to come to life, sometimes it seemed that the writing dragged on. I also think that at some points the violence was a bit too explicit as all those accounts of the smell of blood and bones being crushed and entrails scattered about, made my stomach churn.

 Nevertheless, this book had an interesting story line and the ending surely hints that there will be a sequel worth reading.
3405949
The latest in the Chronicles of Elantra picks up with Kaylin looking for a new place to live, and finding that the search is complicated due to roommate issues. As with most books in this series, a few innocent-seeming events turn into catastrophic chaos.

No new significant characters are introduced in this book, but we do get to see further development of characters introduced in the last book.

This book is solid, but it does bring up an issue that I've had with the series as a whole - Kaylin ends up dashing from one disaster to the next at a speed that is unrealistically sustained. The entire in-world duration of the series to this point is measured in months, and most of the books involve a world-threatening event with Kaylin in the middle.

In the end, I look forward to reading the next installment in this series, but I don't find myself desperately craving it. Which is probably a good thing, since it will be another year, and I get tired of reading series that leave me on the edge for multiple years at a time.
4624674
An action-packed, dystopian science fiction series, describing a near-future, energy-starved world saved by the discovery of a crystalline ore with powerful properties. Creating the perfect Eden, however, comes with unexpected and dangerous consequences!

B.V. Bayly has crafted an action-packed story full of mystery and suspense in a near-future, dystopian world. The author has presented an intriguing premise in which an Eden-like Utopian civilization has been created by using an all-powerful ore that replaces depleted energy reserves. However, Eden is an oasis on a planet where many of its inhabitants exist in brutal and barbaric times; human life has little value and savagery runs rampant.

The core of Edens government is the Church of Humanity. The Patriarchs, the Churchs leadership, are under increasing pressure from several outside factions who are actively trying to tear apart or infiltrate them. One of the strongest and most dangerous factions is the corrupt and insanely violent Horsemen.

As "Revelations"  Book 2 in the series  begins, Commander Nate Reinhart of The Church of Humanity must come to terms with his own guilt over watching one of his best men, Gabriel, the hero from Book 1, get caught in one the largest explosions the commander has ever witnessed. The explosion happened at a weapons facility while Gabriel attempted to detonate a shard of black ore.

Now, Nate puts his entire team at risk of attack from the enemy to rescue Gabriel. When they extract Gabriel from the crater caused by the blast, it is still underdetermined if he is alive or dead. As Nates team takes Gabriel into the forest for cover, they come upon the remnants of a second team of wounded soldiers who had been stationed outside the weapons facility. One of the few remaining soldiers reveals to Nate that theyve been attacked by two squads from their own platoon. Soldiers in their own ranks may have betrayed them, becoming their most dangerous enemies.

Given Nates growing misgivings from his own dealings with the Church, he must now face the fact that he no longer has any confidence in the Church leaders and suspects that their motives aren't to be trusted. Gabriel may be in mortal danger and unable to protect himself in his current, comatose state. Nate decides to let the Church leaders believe that Gabriel is dead, turning to his most trusted allies for help in healing and protecting the young man.

As events continue to unfold, Nate realizes that The Horsemen have succeeded in spreading their corruption, infiltrating the leaders of the Church and weakening the Patriarchs. As he waits for Gabriel to awaken, Nate must choose whom he can trust as he battles against the forces of good and evil. Only the Spheres, with their secret sanctuaries and strong desire for independence, can offer an alliance with Nate in this battle for the hearts and souls of humankind as he leads them into the bowels of the dark and uncivilized zones to find the source of the Horsemens power.

Readers will be drawn into the "Edens Ore" series with its engaging characters, complex relationships, nonstop action, and its strange dystopian world with interesting and powerful new twists.

Reviewer's Note:Reading "Edens Ore: Revelations" is like traveling back to a futuristic world to visit old friends and make new ones. I recommend that readers consider reading "Edens Ore: Secrets" to fully immerse themselves in this top shelf series.