erinarkin20's review
4.0
Control is a futuristic dystopian story that includes solid characters, an interesting story and at times had me thinking of the X-men the way the kids in this story dealt with their genetic enhancements/challenges. When Zel and Dyl are suddenly orphaned they find themselves in a world neither of them could have imagined and from the first pages, we are taken on quite a ride.
Carus and Aureus are competing homes for orphaned children that have genetic anomalies. Zel and Dyl were given blood tests as part of their intake and when Aureus finds out that Dyl has an anomaly that makes her valuable, they come and take her away. Unfortunately for them, Zel is determined to get her back. Control is told from Zelia’s point of view and Zel spends her time trying to find her little sister and at the same time, figure out just what her father was really involved in. As she learns more and more, Zel isn’t even sure she knows who her father really was.
When Zel is taken to Carus we are introduced to a number of characters. Marka, Hex, Vera, Wilbert, Ana, and Cy. All of these characters add layers to the story and have an impact on Zel. Each one of these characters has an anomaly that makes them different from the rest of society and the fact that Zel is normal makes her stand out. Some have extra arms and heads while some have abilities that are hidden much easier. As the story progresses, we learn more about each of these individuals and how they fit into the plans Zel has to get Dyl back. Additionally, some of my favorite parts were when they were all together as one unit and interacting as a whole group.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Zel and Cy. It seemed a bit rushed at times but I suppose the timing fit the story. Cy is closed off and angry – mostly at himself and he tries to keep his distance but he is clearly drawn to Zel. At the same time, Zel isn’t afraid of him and forces him to notice her. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about Zel as she seemed like a bit of a pushover. The exception is when she is protecting her sister. Zel is also a loyal person and until she sees the evidence, she believes in her father. As she becomes more confident and understands more about herself, she becomes a stronger character. A big part of this was the way Cy made her see herself – she may have thought she wasn’t anything special but he thought she was and continually reminded her of that fact.
I do wish I had a better understanding of Micah’s motives. I was confused as to why he did what he did and his ultimate goal. Clearly Aureus/Sul/Aj was motivated by the money and value the genetic enhancements could bring to them but Micah didn’t make sense to me. The way things wrapped between Zel , Dyl, and Michah make me wonder what Kang has in store for these three.
I thought Kang did a good job of world building in this first book. There is a futuristic angle and from page one the reader is pulled in. She also created some memorable characters that have me interested in seeing where the rest of this story will go. The science seemed accurate but I have to say I wouldn’t have had any idea if it weren’t. I will definitely pick up the next book when it comes out and am glad I was able to get an early copy of this book.
Thank you to Penguin First to Read and the publisher for the copy.
Carus and Aureus are competing homes for orphaned children that have genetic anomalies. Zel and Dyl were given blood tests as part of their intake and when Aureus finds out that Dyl has an anomaly that makes her valuable, they come and take her away. Unfortunately for them, Zel is determined to get her back. Control is told from Zelia’s point of view and Zel spends her time trying to find her little sister and at the same time, figure out just what her father was really involved in. As she learns more and more, Zel isn’t even sure she knows who her father really was.
When Zel is taken to Carus we are introduced to a number of characters. Marka, Hex, Vera, Wilbert, Ana, and Cy. All of these characters add layers to the story and have an impact on Zel. Each one of these characters has an anomaly that makes them different from the rest of society and the fact that Zel is normal makes her stand out. Some have extra arms and heads while some have abilities that are hidden much easier. As the story progresses, we learn more about each of these individuals and how they fit into the plans Zel has to get Dyl back. Additionally, some of my favorite parts were when they were all together as one unit and interacting as a whole group.
I enjoyed seeing the relationship develop between Zel and Cy. It seemed a bit rushed at times but I suppose the timing fit the story. Cy is closed off and angry – mostly at himself and he tries to keep his distance but he is clearly drawn to Zel. At the same time, Zel isn’t afraid of him and forces him to notice her. At first I wasn’t sure how I felt about Zel as she seemed like a bit of a pushover. The exception is when she is protecting her sister. Zel is also a loyal person and until she sees the evidence, she believes in her father. As she becomes more confident and understands more about herself, she becomes a stronger character. A big part of this was the way Cy made her see herself – she may have thought she wasn’t anything special but he thought she was and continually reminded her of that fact.
I do wish I had a better understanding of Micah’s motives. I was confused as to why he did what he did and his ultimate goal. Clearly Aureus/Sul/Aj was motivated by the money and value the genetic enhancements could bring to them but Micah didn’t make sense to me. The way things wrapped between Zel , Dyl, and Michah make me wonder what Kang has in store for these three.
I thought Kang did a good job of world building in this first book. There is a futuristic angle and from page one the reader is pulled in. She also created some memorable characters that have me interested in seeing where the rest of this story will go. The science seemed accurate but I have to say I wouldn’t have had any idea if it weren’t. I will definitely pick up the next book when it comes out and am glad I was able to get an early copy of this book.
Thank you to Penguin First to Read and the publisher for the copy.
readingintothevoid's review against another edition
2.25
While this was fast paced and had the essence of what I like about Lydia Kang’s other books—both of which allowed me to finish this—I would not recommend this.
There was a lot of problematic stuff that I wouldn’t want young folks to read and it just generally wasn’t written very well. A lot of stuff never made sense and while it tried to have several messages, none of them ever amounted to more than muddled ideas.
BUT this series was written many years before the other books by this author that I’ve read. Her writing gets much better and she pulls off the deep ideas that didn’t come together in this one. So do read her other books! I especially love The November Girl.
There was a lot of problematic stuff that I wouldn’t want young folks to read and it just generally wasn’t written very well. A lot of stuff never made sense and while it tried to have several messages, none of them ever amounted to more than muddled ideas.
BUT this series was written many years before the other books by this author that I’ve read. Her writing gets much better and she pulls off the deep ideas that didn’t come together in this one. So do read her other books! I especially love The November Girl.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
Minor: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Rape, and Pedophilia
seakingnur's review
1.0
This was going to be two stars until I thought about just how much slut-shaming and annoying characters there were. I've just realized how much this book is a terrible piece of garbage. I know this sounds harsh but I don't want young girls reading this book thinking the way Zelia acts is in any way at all okay.
Honestly, the only reason I kept on reading the book was to learn more about the building Zel and the other teens were in. I was fascinated with the building, not the characters. I did not like Vera or Hex. I didn't like how they taunted and acted. I just couldn't connect with them. I was very wary of Marka when I first met her. I was sure she couldn't be trusted. Well, frankly I didn't think anyone could be trusted that was not a teenager. The only characters that I could put up with were Wilbert and Cy.
I feel like Zel's romance was too fast and annoying. It wasn't realistic enough for me. They talked as if it was love and their problems with each other seemed to disappear instantly. If it was infatuation, maybe I could have handled that but that still doesn't answer how Cy can go from acting like Zel is "damaged goods" to the most perfect being on earth.
I did not like Zel's character. I didn't like how she called Vera's fashion Hookers-R-Us. Even though I don't like Vera, I believe she can dress the way she wants without getting judged for it. Vera does yoga and Zel has to comment about it in a sexual way saying that Vera is only looking at her crotch. Also, how Zel is always talking about how much better her younger 13 year old sister Dyl is because she has a bigger chest is annoying. She talks about Dyl's chest and beauty and then gets upset that she attracts boys. Zelia likes to slut-shame other girls (even her own sister) and that is definitely not a character that I would ever want to root for.
Honestly, the only reason I kept on reading the book was to learn more about the building Zel and the other teens were in. I was fascinated with the building, not the characters. I did not like Vera or Hex. I didn't like how they taunted and acted. I just couldn't connect with them. I was very wary of Marka when I first met her. I was sure she couldn't be trusted. Well, frankly I didn't think anyone could be trusted that was not a teenager. The only characters that I could put up with were Wilbert and Cy.
I feel like Zel's romance was too fast and annoying. It wasn't realistic enough for me. They talked as if it was love and their problems with each other seemed to disappear instantly. If it was infatuation, maybe I could have handled that but that still doesn't answer how Cy can go from acting like Zel is "damaged goods" to the most perfect being on earth.
I did not like Zel's character. I didn't like how she called Vera's fashion Hookers-R-Us. Even though I don't like Vera, I believe she can dress the way she wants without getting judged for it. Vera does yoga and Zel has to comment about it in a sexual way saying that Vera is only looking at her crotch. Also, how Zel is always talking about how much better her younger 13 year old sister Dyl is because she has a bigger chest is annoying. She talks about Dyl's chest and beauty and then gets upset that she attracts boys. Zelia likes to slut-shame other girls (even her own sister) and that is definitely not a character that I would ever want to root for.
heyjudebyejude's review
2.0
I enjoyed this book but... Not every single part of it.
Zelia, the main character seemed a bit mary-sueish sometimes and also it felt like a not very skilled fanfiction author wrote it sometimes too and sometimes dialogue just didn't seem very realistic.
But anyways, the best parts were in the middle, so if you're starting it, bear with me for 70 pages or so because all the genes stuff and her Odine's curse was really fascinating.
Zelia, the main character seemed a bit mary-sueish sometimes and also it felt like a not very skilled fanfiction author wrote it sometimes too and sometimes dialogue just didn't seem very realistic.
But anyways, the best parts were in the middle, so if you're starting it, bear with me for 70 pages or so because all the genes stuff and her Odine's curse was really fascinating.
forsakenfates's review
3.0
Amazing. I loved all the science aspects. While the characters were not as developed as I would like, the world made up for it.
Zelia is a strong female character who will do whatever it takes to get her sister back and get her "family" safe. Can't wait for the next book!
Zelia is a strong female character who will do whatever it takes to get her sister back and get her "family" safe. Can't wait for the next book!
overlookingcovers's review
5.0
I thought this book was going to be quiet boring. The description didn't explain much- at least on the jacket of my book it didn't. The beginning was slow and the introduction of the characters was a bit confusing. However, about 75-100 pages in, things start to pick up speed and becomes quiet the page turner.
-SPOILER ALERT-
One of my favorite things is that Zel's growing relationship with Cy. He has his demons and regrets- a typical character in YA. However, the moment leading up to them finally kissing was not a moment where the reader is like "Already??" Or "Its about time!" I believe the author did the perfect amount of time.
Also, Zel's is going to pick her family over a guy she just met. Thats how it is going to be. It's realistic and I enjoyed that.
Lastly, I DIDN'T NOT SEE THE BETRAYAL OF A CHARACTER COMING. LIKE, YOU WERE MY FAVORITE PERSON AND YOU DID THIS TO ME. WHY??
-SPOILER ALERT-
One of my favorite things is that Zel's growing relationship with Cy. He has his demons and regrets- a typical character in YA. However, the moment leading up to them finally kissing was not a moment where the reader is like "Already??" Or "Its about time!" I believe the author did the perfect amount of time.
Also, Zel's is going to pick her family over a guy she just met. Thats how it is going to be. It's realistic and I enjoyed that.
Lastly, I DIDN'T NOT SEE THE BETRAYAL OF A CHARACTER COMING. LIKE, YOU WERE MY FAVORITE PERSON AND YOU DID THIS TO ME. WHY??
reviewsfromabookworm's review
For more reviews, go to http://reviewsfromabookworm.blogspot.co.uk/
I was so excited to be able to read Control, I mean, seriously excited. I requested it on Edelweiss and waited for so long that I was sure I wouldn't get it. So you can imagine my excitement; there was squealing, when I was finally accepted for it. But, I can't even begin to describe my disappointment that this became a DNF at 25%.
I just really, really couldn't get into this one. It jumps straight into the action, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but I just didn't care about or really know the character. When Zel's father dies I feel like I am expected to feel something, anything for her but I didn't.
Disconnected. That seems like the most appropriate word to describe how I felt about the book. I just felt so disconnected from everything. I didn't like Zel too much from the offset, I didn't feel like I knew anything about her or her family. As the book went on I didn't feel like it gave me much else to go on and my opinion didn't change at all.
Another problem was that all the summary's that I had read hadn't given too much away. It talks of 'special gifts' and I am not really sure what I was expecting, but people with two heads or four arms wasn't it. I was a little thrown by that.
I couldn't continue on with this one. I felt nothing for Zelia or Del, I didn't care whether they found each other. I didn't care about the romance that was blatantly going to eventually happen between Zel and Cy. I was so unbelievably excited for this and am really sad that it just didn't work for me.
DNF at 25%
*I received a copy of this novel from the author/publisher/publicist via Edelweiss in exchange for a free and honest review and received no monetary compensation for this review.
I was so excited to be able to read Control, I mean, seriously excited. I requested it on Edelweiss and waited for so long that I was sure I wouldn't get it. So you can imagine my excitement; there was squealing, when I was finally accepted for it. But, I can't even begin to describe my disappointment that this became a DNF at 25%.
I just really, really couldn't get into this one. It jumps straight into the action, which isn't necessarily a bad thing but I just didn't care about or really know the character. When Zel's father dies I feel like I am expected to feel something, anything for her but I didn't.
Disconnected. That seems like the most appropriate word to describe how I felt about the book. I just felt so disconnected from everything. I didn't like Zel too much from the offset, I didn't feel like I knew anything about her or her family. As the book went on I didn't feel like it gave me much else to go on and my opinion didn't change at all.
Another problem was that all the summary's that I had read hadn't given too much away. It talks of 'special gifts' and I am not really sure what I was expecting, but people with two heads or four arms wasn't it. I was a little thrown by that.
I couldn't continue on with this one. I felt nothing for Zelia or Del, I didn't care whether they found each other. I didn't care about the romance that was blatantly going to eventually happen between Zel and Cy. I was so unbelievably excited for this and am really sad that it just didn't work for me.
DNF at 25%
*I received a copy of this novel from the author/publisher/publicist via Edelweiss in exchange for a free and honest review and received no monetary compensation for this review.
amberrae00's review
4.0
Overall, it was highly enjoyable. There were a couple of slow parts and the ending was kind of cliché and a little bit anticlimactic but it was also very funny and I found the science side of it to be very interesting.