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magneticice's review against another edition
4.0
I am grateful to be able to get an audio copy of Rubicons by Brett Riley from Netgalley and I was also given an arc of the book from Goodreads. So I was super happy to get best of both worlds. This book was rather interesting to say the least. Coming of age story with teens and abilities and learning how one thing can change everything. Including their friendship. You get a good view of each of the 'Freaks' as they call themselves and the toll having the powers mess with their everyday life, plus being hunted. Then both teams learn of a dragon and things just escalate from there. You can tell the next book is going to be crazy with how this one ends and I am actually excited to read it. I loved how each of the teens had such a different personality. It fit so perfectly. So if you enjoy the Young Avengers comics and teens coming into powers, you will absolutely enjoy this book. I recommend it!
pio_near's review
2.0
The third installment in the Freaks series seems to suffer the same fate as the second. An interesting concept, and a real opportunity for character growth and worldbuilding. However, either due to writing style or misguided editing, the story fell flat for me.
Elements of inclusion and social disparities have been a hallmark of Riley's novels so far, yet outside of introducing it, he does very little to show what it means to the character, short of a "well deal with it" mentality.
The action, while decent, seemed rushed and overblown. Some great conflict was injected into our friendly do-gooding group, yet it seemed to barely scratch the surface of the questions raised. Also. There were a few good cliffhangers, but no real action from previous ones, or foreshadowing to make you really want to come back.
I think, for me, I am done with the series. I really REALLY wanted this to be good, as the premise and plots have been great, but with lackluster writing and two-dimensional characters, I'd rather not be let down again.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Elements of inclusion and social disparities have been a hallmark of Riley's novels so far, yet outside of introducing it, he does very little to show what it means to the character, short of a "well deal with it" mentality.
The action, while decent, seemed rushed and overblown. Some great conflict was injected into our friendly do-gooding group, yet it seemed to barely scratch the surface of the questions raised. Also. There were a few good cliffhangers, but no real action from previous ones, or foreshadowing to make you really want to come back.
I think, for me, I am done with the series. I really REALLY wanted this to be good, as the premise and plots have been great, but with lackluster writing and two-dimensional characters, I'd rather not be let down again.
My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
mikefromarkansas's review against another edition
4.0
This is the 3rd book of The Freaks series. Things are really heating up. The Freaks have expanded their friend circle. They are in their junior year of high school now and they not only have to deal with planning for the future, navigate their personal relationships and try to keep the team together but they are still fighting the federal agents, fighting a dragon (which places a wedge among the team) and dealing with issues of race, LGBQT+ and bigotry… you know, normal teenage stuff. These stories take place in Arkansas, where I am currently living. Who knew we had mystical monsters running around this place. The Freaks still have their supernatural powers and use them to save the world with not much thanks. There is a cliff hanger that got me worked up for the next book. Keep your eye on Micah. This is a great YA sci-fi fantasy series. Go get the first three books and enjoy the ride.
I want to thank NetGalley and Imbrifex Audio for this copy of the audiobook for my honest and voluntary review. More people need to give this author, Brett Riley, a try. The narrator, P.J. Morgan, did a fantastic job too.
I want to thank NetGalley and Imbrifex Audio for this copy of the audiobook for my honest and voluntary review. More people need to give this author, Brett Riley, a try. The narrator, P.J. Morgan, did a fantastic job too.
peculiarjoreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
3.0
An honest review in exchange of an eARC.
I absolutely loved the characters and their different journeys. The thoughts they had, how others influenced them, their conversations and interactions with each others. So bloody good!
I almost cried because the one cute and quite innocent one. It was devastating what happened to that character and how the other characters made that happen. My heart broke a little.
The topics this book handled, were amazing and I was really into them. Love that these kind of books are available for younger people!
This was definitely a character heavy book which was done so well, but how the plot was done is what dropped my stars.
Even though this was a part of a series I haven't read, it was easy to read through and understand.
Might have to read the whole series now.
I absolutely loved the characters and their different journeys. The thoughts they had, how others influenced them, their conversations and interactions with each others. So bloody good!
I almost cried because the one cute and quite innocent one. It was devastating what happened to that character and how the other characters made that happen. My heart broke a little.
The topics this book handled, were amazing and I was really into them. Love that these kind of books are available for younger people!
This was definitely a character heavy book which was done so well, but how the plot was done is what dropped my stars.
Even though this was a part of a series I haven't read, it was easy to read through and understand.
Might have to read the whole series now.
somuchformedia's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
swalk's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the third instalment of The Freaks YA series that follows a group of high school students in the sleepy area of Quapaw City, Arkansas. Gifted with supernatural powers, the self titled group - The Freaks are often finding themselves in wild trouble and this book is no different.
Rubicon starts well some strange goings on and a recap of the past adventures. I would definitely recommend listening to the series in order, but it’s always nice to have a little refresher to keep you on the right track.
This book really highlights the importance of friendship, how they can sprout from the most unlikely of places, resilience and camaraderie through adversity. I love that this covers a good range of topics that could come up in daily life in a very approachable manner, from bullying to racism, heritage and sexual identity. All very important topics for young people to broach.
All this tied into a tale of superheroes and adventure! I felt like the author really settled into the story with this one and took on board past criticism, they know their characters and this comes across really well making them more believable and well rounded.
The narrator is really great, which I don’t think I appreciated enough in the last 2 books. They make the characters identifiable and really immerse you into the city of Quapaw.
All this tied into a tale of superheroes and adventure! I felt like the author really settled into the story with this one and took on board past criticism, they know their characters and this comes across really well making them more believable and well rounded.
The narrator is really great, which I don’t think I appreciated enough in the last 2 books. They make the characters identifiable and really immerse you into the city of Quapaw.
(A recap the powers of each freak/ characters
Jamie - Flight, empathy, emotion projection, mind reading
Gf Gabby
Gf Gabby
Kenneth - Super strength, speed healing
Gf is Ty
Micah - Temperature control, fire, ice
Christian - Super speed, can jump huge distances, able to boost olfactory senses
Partner Becci)
the_bookworm_rabbit's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
This is the third installment of the Freaks series and if you haven't picked the previous books up yet, what are you waiting for?
These books are getting better with each installment. All of the main characters are given so much time to shine and we get to see all sides of their personalities. Kenneth's journey in this book was amazing to read. He's really trying to grow as a person and it was written so well. He hasn't just woken up a new person one morning, you can see him struggle with the lessons he was taught and how he is starting to challenge them. All of the characters are growing and maturing and it happens naturally. We get to see their growth (and their mistakes) as we follow along this story. All of the characters are simultaneously going through the same experiences and radically different ones at the same time. They're dealing with everyday teenager struggles, on top of all the chaos brought on by being secret, teenaged superheroes.
Brett has masterfully created a story with so many layers and messages that these books almost demand to be re-read to try and pick up on subtle messages you may have missed out on the first time around.
All the books in this series deal with heavy topics, especially Rubicons. There is discussions of race and racism, bigotry, LGBTQ+, family, friends, growing up, mental health, an so much more. But it is not overwhelming and it only adds so much more depth to the story and the characters.
This is a fantastic series and I have high expectations for where the story is going to go next.
These books are getting better with each installment. All of the main characters are given so much time to shine and we get to see all sides of their personalities. Kenneth's journey in this book was amazing to read. He's really trying to grow as a person and it was written so well. He hasn't just woken up a new person one morning, you can see him struggle with the lessons he was taught and how he is starting to challenge them. All of the characters are growing and maturing and it happens naturally. We get to see their growth (and their mistakes) as we follow along this story. All of the characters are simultaneously going through the same experiences and radically different ones at the same time. They're dealing with everyday teenager struggles, on top of all the chaos brought on by being secret, teenaged superheroes.
Brett has masterfully created a story with so many layers and messages that these books almost demand to be re-read to try and pick up on subtle messages you may have missed out on the first time around.
All the books in this series deal with heavy topics, especially Rubicons. There is discussions of race and racism, bigotry, LGBTQ+, family, friends, growing up, mental health, an so much more. But it is not overwhelming and it only adds so much more depth to the story and the characters.
This is a fantastic series and I have high expectations for where the story is going to go next.
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