In a future world, prisoners who receive a sentence of 25+ years are offered enrolling into a 3 year program that may result in the possibility of winIn a future world, prisoners who receive a sentence of 25+ years are offered enrolling into a 3 year program that may result in the possibility of winning their way to freedom. The program is sport game where prisoners murder each other at different levels. You either win, die, or stay a prisoner.
These “games” are televised for everyone in America to watch where there people can take bets and there’s also promotions where businesses of course, capitalize on it.
This reminded me a lot of The Hunger Games (but adult) with the class divide but with more of a focus on race and gender. Theres more than just the dystopian, there are literary vibes so we get to know the stories of the characters but there are way too many of them so I began to get lost. That being said, I think the story was too long as well.
If this was shorter it would’ve definitely been stronger but I’m very picky on the length of books these days and this is almost always on my list of complaints. So maybe this is a me thing.
Overall, if this sounds interesting to you I think it’s worth the read! Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book....more
I’m so sad about this one. I waited all year for this book and it disappointed me so much. I think I’m the outlier but I’ve loved Ng’s previous books I’m so sad about this one. I waited all year for this book and it disappointed me so much. I think I’m the outlier but I’ve loved Ng’s previous books so I’m surprised. The way this was written was a little too slow for my liking and I couldn’t emotionally connect when there are definitely emotional situations taking place.
his was okay but I’m bumping it to 3 stars because Celeste Ng and I appreciate the story/message she was trying to convey. I’m still going to seek out her other works but I do hope it’s not a dystopian. ...more
Kate and Bertie have been best friends since high school. Kate has decided to move from San Francisco to Los Angeles for a new job. Bertie tries to geKate and Bertie have been best friends since high school. Kate has decided to move from San Francisco to Los Angeles for a new job. Bertie tries to get Kate to stay but her mind is set in stone. They decide to go on a trip to Paris as a final way to celebrate their friendship. They are also in the middle of a world apocalypse with war, fires and bloods, and shortages of supplies.
In Paris they meet a man who offers them private tours of the Louvre. The women find that the day continues to repeat itself. The book alternated between the girls friendship in the past and their current situation in Paris. I was super excited to read about females trying to navigate not only an apocalypse but also their possible crumbling friendship. Instead, I found it extremely boring honestly and a little repetitive. Obviously the whole ground hog day thing can be repetitive but I don’t like the way it was written. I found myself bored and then of course a man comes in and it becomes all about him. The man also can change the future with the snap of his fingers? Like what are you, Thanos? Cliche and unoriginal. As you’ve guessed, I was sorely disappointed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced copy of this book. Side note, this cover is amazing....more
Our main character Benji, is a 16 year old trans, gay boy on the run from the cult that raised him, including Wow okay, where to start with this one?
Our main character Benji, is a 16 year old trans, gay boy on the run from the cult that raised him, including his own mother and finance. This is a religious cult who thinks that in order to save the world, a six-winged clawed beast called Seraph will be unleashed and raise havoc upon the world.
“I’m scared of the beasts in the trees, the barest glimpse Seraph has given me of fangs, feathers, and flesh.”
Basically they mean genocide.
Our poor Benji is injected by force with what will turn him into Seraph, the chosen one for the end of the world.
“I am a monster standing among the living, a boy made of raw meat and dying flesh. I’m turning into an abomination.”
On top of all of this, there’s also a virus called The Flood that will either kill you or turn you into a zombie if you’re one of the unlucky ones. So basically there’s a lot against Benji right now.
“I want to crack my head open and search through the brain matter for the rot creeping across my frontal lobe.”
He runs into the Acheson LGBTQ+ Center, who rescue him and become his friends. The leader Nick, welcomes him in and together they figure out how how to rebuild and fight these battles together. I don't want to give away much of what happens so I will stop there.
Every character is super perseverant in this book, even the bad guys. I would have given up a long time ago, especially if I was weeks away from turning into a monster.
That being said, I enjoyed the characters, the representation, and the story itself. It is full blown body and gore horror - some of it was absolutely disgusting. Some of the writing was really good but it was also a little inconsistent at times. The ending did wrap up neatly but it was a little too happy fairy tale for me, but that’s just me.
I would look into the trigger warnings too as I could imagine this to be triggering for some.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book!...more
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