Read from April 30th - May 8th 2016.
Published May 27th 2016 by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Format Paperback - 590 pages
Review I was asked whether I would read and review this book by the author C.J Whitley, and what an honour it was to be asked as this was an amazing, imaginative read. It was marketed to me as a YA (young adult) read, somewhat resembling a modern day Hunger Games style. I thought to myself, bring it on. I am not adverse to a bit of dystopian fantasy.
Soon enough, this book came flying through my letter box. I say flying, really, that is not the right word for a book of it's size. I have read books of many more pages and books of much less so wasn't at all daunted by it's sheer size.
Upon opening and reading the first few pages, I was soon to realise that it held lots of very short chapters. This was a smart move by the author I felt as there is nothing more off putting than a huge book with extremely long chapters and worse still, no chapters to some. Remembering the target audience, shorter chapters in busy lives are quite attractive. The chapters were catchy and gripping, willing me onto turn the page, onto another chapter. I was loving this book, it appeared.
300 British people of varying ages wake to find themselves in a room, a room with no windows, doors that do not open (from their side at least), but they have been provided with food and water and a blanket for warmth/comfort. What is it all about? Have they been kidnapped? Is it all just a scary dream for someone? Once all awake, this picture slowly becomes clear and the reality isn't the most desirable.
As regular readers of my reviews know, I am not a fan of repeating the plot/story as there are many that do that and people just want to read thoughts and opinions and after the first handful, tend to scroll past until they get to the desired review part. The above paragraph is all you are getting out of me regarding the story line.
This amazing story encouraged convincing imagery with the detailed but light descriptions although I did find on the subject of detail, that it bounced around with how full it was of it. At times, like some of my reviews ;-) it was a little too wordy in places. There is a sentence which says of one of the main characters, '....she went and used the toilet'. Nice to know that unlike on television, they actually carry out normal every day activities, but this is where tv have it right, as I felt it wasn't needed.
I found myself feeling for the characters, I felt very connected to them as the story went on and I think that is the sign of a good writer if they can get a reader feeling (with) for the characters portrayed. I felt the claustrophobia and fear when it was being described for the characters and went on that first recce with Mike (the main pratagonist), armed with those scary feelings. Another element that stood out for me was when I read some of the book earlier in the day, I was thinking often about the characters and the story most of the day and couldn't wait to get my nose stuck back into those characters lives again.
This story was all a bit far fetched really, as with all books of this subject but but not completely unbelievable.
There was one point (by page 85) where I remember thinking the young children were being exceptionally good. Really? by this point, none of them had 'created' about having no gaming systems etc? hmmmm, hard to believe and if going to the toilet is mentioned, surely this wouldn't be excess detail to add.
The author seemed to have an understanding of what runs through a young ladies mind when in 'love'. It reminded me of when I was young and in that lust stage and I felt myself smiling with the memories of this. Great thought and empathy shown there from C.J Whitley. I felt a bit emotional a few times reading this book.
I was left wondering throughout, what people must have been thinking with this disappearance of many. This question kept rearing it's head and the author didn't fail to disappoint. From page 207, this was indeed answered.
The pages included some truly unexpected, shocking and brutal twists that are certainly not for the feint hearted but it just kept giving more and getting more exciting and shocking. I couldn't work out what was coming next. There was no build up to events, just a pure adrenaline fuelled read. I have seen two of The Hunger Games films although I have not read the books but I actually preferred this to watching those if I am honest. The author did a magnificent job of making the story feel real, so real in fact that it has taken me a while to be able to put a review together for it.
I highly recommend this book and not just to young adults but anyone who is willing to take chances, wanting an adventure, able to believe the unbelievable and isn't afraid of an emotional roller-coaster that may leave them feeling a bit of an emotional wreck of any age.
4 out of 5 stars for this one - well earned.
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