Recommend

I really enjoyed this book. Wish the rest of the series was available on audible.

3 people found this helpful

3.45/5 Interesting Start to a Typical Dystopia

Summary:

Kress and her friends are swooped up … this is more conscription than recruitment if you want to get technical. That takes about 1/3 of the book. The rest is the beginning of their training.


Additional Comments:

- 3.5/5 Stars Main Character – Tries a little too hard to hit that average but amazing teen protagonist vibe. Glad I looked up her name because I would have gone with Kris, not Kress. The connection to a raven was new-ish and cool, a great excuse for her to be able to see and hear things she normally wouldn’t be able to.

- 4/5 Stars Side Characters – A nice variety of personalities. I might be more of a fan of Mandy than the others though.

- 4/5 Stars Plot – The what happens is typical dystopian fare. Predictable but still decently satisfying if you’re not completely inundated with this flavor of story. Evil government, check. Naïve populace, double check. (I would like it more if that part wasn’t so sadly realistic.) Training the youth as a last-ditch effort, check. The end twist works but is very predictable.

- 3.5/5 Stars World-building – typical dystopian world with a few neat added tidbits. If you're super familiar with the genre, you might be bored, but if you only occasionally dabble, it'll be fresher.

- 1/5 Stars Pacing and closure – This is essentially a very, very, very long, wordy prologue to the rest of some unseen story. There’s not even much sense of this chapter ending. That sort of thing would be better in book 2 of a trilogy, but I expect better out of book 1. The way this ends just sort of leaves a sour taste in one’s mouth. It’s not even like a “oh, I really need to see what happens” vibe, more like a “wow, that’s annoying. 9 hrs I’m not getting back.” (note, that vibe might be completely diff if the rest of the trilogy was available and this were a combo volume bought with 1 credit.) Lots of questions. Few answers.

- 3.5/5 Stars Performance – The narrator fit the MC very well. Some of the cadence took a bit of getting used to. This is rare for me because I listen at a faster speed and that tends to fix stuff like that, not cause it. Props to the narrator for being able to distinguish 8-ish core characters. The main antagonist sounds a bit like Effie from Hunger Games. Very perky. Overall, a nice performance.

- 4/5 Stars Cover – pretty and decently on point with the genre.

Conclusion:

There are definitely cool parts, but if you like closure, definitely NOT the book for you. If you want to take a gamble, I recommend waiting until there is a combination book and springing for that. The other two books in the trilogy aren’t released, so I’d recommend a different medium until that’s ready.

*I received a free copy of the book. I have chosen to review it. All thoughts are my own.

2 people found this helpful

bad math

the bad math is this book killed me. at on point the author says there's only 40 people left in there village but there's 8 in the main group the it talks. about countless other younger and older people left in there village leaving the impression that's there's way more than 40 just couldn't get over that and the fact the other knows nothing of Guns talks like every pistol they pick up has a bolt? not a slide like 90% of actual pistols.

I found an author!

I was searching for a new dystopian book. The sample caught my attention and I was hooked. Plus, I like ravens! I like the characters and the story. I hope others enjoy this book!

better than expected

This was a lot better than expected. unlike most dystopia novels the romance in this one doesn't feel rushed an unreal. There is more detail in this, at some times it seems overboard but it does help with the picture and not completely bad. The pacing is well done, and overall it's fun.

Typical Dystopian YA Novel Kind Of

The story is interesting but drags at points which is why I gave it a 4 star for story. It's mostly similar to every other dystopian novel you've read. Teens forced to fight a "foreign oppressor" but first must go through a training that is overly complicated and a bit odd. The twist that makes it different comes in the last few chapters but you can see it coming well in advance if you pay attention.

Overall it was still entertaining and I will most likely continue reading the sequels.

Amazing take on YA dystopia

While I do not read YA books a lot, I really loved the new take that this story has on a dystopia. The characters are not "too perfect" while still able to accomplish amazing things. K.A. Riley has written an excellent book for someone wanting a dystopia but less physical romance, more genuine friendships and less frenimies, team work you would kill for, and that nice touch of escapism to get you out of your everyday drudge.
This is a more realistic take on a type of dystopia I could believe over others I have read. The control of our youth is so powerful it makes it all the more believable. Then adding a futuristic take on advanced tech being biological as well as hardwired really has me looking forward to the rest of the series!
I am IMMEDIATELY going to roll into the next book.

predictable but some clever parts.

have to get past the first 10 minutes of really bad reading....the girls gets very good. story amd puzzles the teens have to solve are very simple making it a little laughable but choosing to ignore that it scratched the right itch for the moment... dystopian teen book... its good. want more pick an older audience book.

Riveting

I listened to Recruitment as I walked in the mornings and found myself wanting to extend the distance just to keep the story going. Kress and her friends, whom she has grown up with her entire life, are taken by the Recruiters just like all the previous 16 year olds before them. What Kress doesn't know is that things are not what they have been led to believe. Training with the Recruiters takes on a surprising twist that throws Kress and her friends in a battle for their lives.
I hadn't been paying attention to how much time was left in the story, so when it ended just 5 minutes into my last walk with this book, I was genuinely surprised and disappointed. Now I am left anxiously awaiting the next book to come out on Audible!
Ginger Sue is a talented reader who does a great job differentiating between characters while keeping the listener engaged with the story. It is easy to know who is speaking by her varying accents and tones. I have listened to books read by her in the past and am always happy with her ability.
This the first of K.A. Riley's books I have read and I am looking forward to reading others. The story is engaging--a definite page turner!
This is an engaging story with a skilled voice actor. I am excited for the next book!

An excellent read

An exciting tale of friendship and overcoming impossible odds. I enjoyed following the characters through unique situations and am excited to find out where the story leads. The narration was on point for the main character. You can almost feel the emotions as they are read to you. Well done. Looking forward to the next.