chrissymcbooknerd's review against another edition
2.0
I have a semi love/hate relationship with Ally Condie as an author.
I mean, her premises always sound amazing. Matched, for example? The book trailer that came out before the book was amazing! I was SO excited to get my hands on the novel... and then?
MEH!
So, when Atlantia came out, I tried not to let myself be seduced by the pretty color.
And then there was the story line -- an underwater land... twin sisters... only one can stay below... one is a Siren... sounds awesome, right?
MEH.... again.
The whole idea of an underwater town split from the mainland "Above" was pretty cool at first. I can't deny that I imagined something more along the lines of The Little Mermaid than an actual city sealed off from the water (while underwater) with streets and trees and actual people and stuff. Although the historical hostility between the underwater town and the land above seemed a little odd at first, I had high hopes that things would really start grabbing my attention soon.
But, alas. It's that whole Ally Condie thing again.
There was something just strangely boring about a lot of this story. And the pacing? So weird. It was like walking 85% of a marathon in slow motion, then getting hyped up on speed and running chaotically across the finish line.
And what's up with that resolution?! If that's all it took, why didn't these folks just save the world decades ago?
On the flip side, though, the cover is gorgeous. And, I was excited that Atlantia was actually a stand alone novel (although I was convinced until about the last ten pages that this was leading into a really slow series).
If you loved Matched, you will probably love Atlantia as well. If you like insta-love, teenage angst, drama, or just oceans in general, you may find something to love about Atlantia as well.
It wasn't terrible, but I doubt it's a story I'll remember in three or four months, honestly.
I mean, her premises always sound amazing. Matched, for example? The book trailer that came out before the book was amazing! I was SO excited to get my hands on the novel... and then?
MEH!
So, when Atlantia came out, I tried not to let myself be seduced by the pretty color.
And then there was the story line -- an underwater land... twin sisters... only one can stay below... one is a Siren... sounds awesome, right?
MEH.... again.
The whole idea of an underwater town split from the mainland "Above" was pretty cool at first. I can't deny that I imagined something more along the lines of The Little Mermaid than an actual city sealed off from the water (while underwater) with streets and trees and actual people and stuff. Although the historical hostility between the underwater town and the land above seemed a little odd at first, I had high hopes that things would really start grabbing my attention soon.
But, alas. It's that whole Ally Condie thing again.
There was something just strangely boring about a lot of this story. And the pacing? So weird. It was like walking 85% of a marathon in slow motion, then getting hyped up on speed and running chaotically across the finish line.
And what's up with that resolution?! If that's all it took, why didn't these folks just save the world decades ago?
On the flip side, though, the cover is gorgeous. And, I was excited that Atlantia was actually a stand alone novel (although I was convinced until about the last ten pages that this was leading into a really slow series).
If you loved Matched, you will probably love Atlantia as well. If you like insta-love, teenage angst, drama, or just oceans in general, you may find something to love about Atlantia as well.
It wasn't terrible, but I doubt it's a story I'll remember in three or four months, honestly.
m3l89's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this but lost the plot at the end. It was very disappointing
momma_nilsen's review against another edition
3.0
Call me a little crazy but I kinda liked this book. I think it helped that I went into it with low expectations. However, the story was unique and I enjoyed some of the elements that the author included. Was it perfect? No. Was it written well? Not really. However, I gave this 4 stars because I enjoyed the story and it kept my attention.
momwithareadingproblem's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Penguin First to Read for providing a copy of this book, this does not affect my review. The following are my own thoughts and opinions.
Atlantia by [a:Ally Condie|1304470|Ally Condie|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1361564387p2/1304470.jpg] is an incredible story about two sisters, their love for one another, one's betrayal, and the other's search for the truth. Rio Conwy is eighteen years old and a siren living in the underwater city of Atlantia. She has always dreamed of going Above. On the anniversary of the Divide, all eighteen year olds make a choice to go Above or stay Below. After losing their mother, Bay, Rio's twin sister, begs her to stay Below with her, to not leave her alone. Rio reluctantly makes that decision. However, Bay doesn't. She leaves Rio Below for the Above. Rio is heartbroken, alone, angry, and determined to get to the Above and find out why her sister would leave her.
Character Breakdown
Love Rio!!!! Oh my goodness, I cannot say enough how much I love this character. Rio is broken when we first see her. During the very beginning pages of the book, she is grieving for her mother that has been dead only a few months and a father she never knew. Then her sister leaves her Below and she is now grieving and angry. Rio is strong, determined, and fierce. She has a way about her that other's notice and seem to like her for. But she is also a siren. Sirens in this world are hated and feared, when they use to be revered. So for her entire life she has hid this part of herself. Can you imagine the strength it would take to hide a part of yourself? I can't, but she does and does for a majority of the book. I find her very brave!
Then there is True, the handsome boy Rio meets in the temple. Though he's never seen sun, Rio describes him with sun-kissed skin and eyes the color of soil. (Rio's favorite color is brown ;) ) True is like his name, faithful, loyal and honest. When his best friend chooses the Above at the same time as Bay, he seeks out Rio. They form a friendship, that turns to love in true Condie fashion. It is very reminiscent of the relationship that built between Cassia and Ky. I honestly believe I've found my new book boyfriend.
The Plot - World building at its best!
Atlantia would not have worked for me if it hadn't been for the beautiful descriptions and the slow immersion into Rio's world. Ally Condie does a fantastic job at this. It's no wonder that she is a best selling author! The descriptions of the underwater city and their way of life is described as it occurs to the character. It's easily developed as Rio thinks about different events in her life, like the description of the Divide during chapter one as Rio and Bay get ready to chose if they will go Above or stay Below. I'll be honest, when I read the synopsis I was expecting a mermaid story. That isn't the case! This is a dystopian world, set into the future. It's wonderfully written and of course one of my favorite genres.
My Conclusions
Obviously, if you've read this far, you know I love this book! Ally Condie is phenomenal. I was a bit hesitant starting the book because I loved her Matched series so much. It was the first book I read that was a dystopia and it hooked me to the genre. There was no reason for me to be hesitant! Every word, every character, every plot twist is memorable. I found myself reading as fast as possible and late into the night because I couldn't leave Rio and True. I had to know what was going to happen with the sirens and if Rio would make it Above.
I can safely say that this is a new favorite book of mine and while I did receive a copy for review, I will be buying (or possibly requesting from my hubby for Christmas) a copy. Though there is no mention that there will be a sequel, and it does end without a cliffhanger, I believe the author has left it open to bring back the characters or their world and tell more about them. If not, it's a great standalone! If you enjoy young adult fiction, if you enjoyed the Matched series, if you enjoy dystopian worlds in general, I highly suggest you get this book asap. It's not one to be missed!
Atlantia by [a:Ally Condie|1304470|Ally Condie|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1361564387p2/1304470.jpg] is an incredible story about two sisters, their love for one another, one's betrayal, and the other's search for the truth. Rio Conwy is eighteen years old and a siren living in the underwater city of Atlantia. She has always dreamed of going Above. On the anniversary of the Divide, all eighteen year olds make a choice to go Above or stay Below. After losing their mother, Bay, Rio's twin sister, begs her to stay Below with her, to not leave her alone. Rio reluctantly makes that decision. However, Bay doesn't. She leaves Rio Below for the Above. Rio is heartbroken, alone, angry, and determined to get to the Above and find out why her sister would leave her.
Character Breakdown
Love Rio!!!! Oh my goodness, I cannot say enough how much I love this character. Rio is broken when we first see her. During the very beginning pages of the book, she is grieving for her mother that has been dead only a few months and a father she never knew. Then her sister leaves her Below and she is now grieving and angry. Rio is strong, determined, and fierce. She has a way about her that other's notice and seem to like her for. But she is also a siren. Sirens in this world are hated and feared, when they use to be revered. So for her entire life she has hid this part of herself. Can you imagine the strength it would take to hide a part of yourself? I can't, but she does and does for a majority of the book. I find her very brave!
I've had to spend my life hiding my voice, and she's had to spend her life protecting me, and that's not what either of us would have chosen. We've both suffered because of what I am.Though Bay technically isn't in the book very much, she is a central character. Through Rio's thoughts, the reader gets to know Bay. Rio believes she is the kinder sister, the more thoughtful. And she is definitely the sister to work in the temple as she cares for the people in a way Rio believes she never could. At first, I felt sorry for Rio and kind of disliked Bay because of what she does to Rio, but as the book progresses and motives are revealed I fall in love with her. She is just as brave and selfless as Rio believes her to be.
No, not because of what I am. Because of the way people fear those who are different, when really we are so much the same. ~ Rio Conwy
Then there is True, the handsome boy Rio meets in the temple. Though he's never seen sun, Rio describes him with sun-kissed skin and eyes the color of soil. (Rio's favorite color is brown ;) ) True is like his name, faithful, loyal and honest. When his best friend chooses the Above at the same time as Bay, he seeks out Rio. They form a friendship, that turns to love in true Condie fashion. It is very reminiscent of the relationship that built between Cassia and Ky. I honestly believe I've found my new book boyfriend.
The Plot - World building at its best!
Atlantia would not have worked for me if it hadn't been for the beautiful descriptions and the slow immersion into Rio's world. Ally Condie does a fantastic job at this. It's no wonder that she is a best selling author! The descriptions of the underwater city and their way of life is described as it occurs to the character. It's easily developed as Rio thinks about different events in her life, like the description of the Divide during chapter one as Rio and Bay get ready to chose if they will go Above or stay Below. I'll be honest, when I read the synopsis I was expecting a mermaid story. That isn't the case! This is a dystopian world, set into the future. It's wonderfully written and of course one of my favorite genres.
"I can help you get Above," Maire says, her voice fading, haunting. "But it has to be soon. We are running out of time. Can't you hear the way the city is breathing?"This last question is asked over and over again in the book. It's haunting and a reminder that more is going on than Rio realizes. Rio's only concern is to get Above and find her sister. But she slowly uncovers information about the sirens, the new minister, her mother's mysterious death, and she finds herself with only one person she completely trusts, True. Both hide secrets from each other though and Rio makes it her mission to uncover the truth once and for all.
My Conclusions
Obviously, if you've read this far, you know I love this book! Ally Condie is phenomenal. I was a bit hesitant starting the book because I loved her Matched series so much. It was the first book I read that was a dystopia and it hooked me to the genre. There was no reason for me to be hesitant! Every word, every character, every plot twist is memorable. I found myself reading as fast as possible and late into the night because I couldn't leave Rio and True. I had to know what was going to happen with the sirens and if Rio would make it Above.
I can safely say that this is a new favorite book of mine and while I did receive a copy for review, I will be buying (or possibly requesting from my hubby for Christmas) a copy. Though there is no mention that there will be a sequel, and it does end without a cliffhanger, I believe the author has left it open to bring back the characters or their world and tell more about them. If not, it's a great standalone! If you enjoy young adult fiction, if you enjoyed the Matched series, if you enjoy dystopian worlds in general, I highly suggest you get this book asap. It's not one to be missed!
mimibird's review against another edition
3.0
I wish I liked this more.
I adore the premise. The book itself is beautiful. Lots of the imagery is fantastic. I even tried to read it slowly to enjoy it, because it's a small book, and I didn't know if classes would allow me a lot of reading time anyway.
But the writing strikes me as a little dull and it's much too simple. But it's just the style the author uses, which is something I've forgotten because I'm so far removed from the Matched series. I don't know what I expected. Maybe a little more information about the world, I suppose.
There's just so much this book could have been and I wish I enjoyed it more than I did. I really wanted to adore every bit of it, but it just fell a little flat for me.
I adore the premise. The book itself is beautiful. Lots of the imagery is fantastic. I even tried to read it slowly to enjoy it, because it's a small book, and I didn't know if classes would allow me a lot of reading time anyway.
But the writing strikes me as a little dull and it's much too simple. But it's just the style the author uses, which is something I've forgotten because I'm so far removed from the Matched series. I don't know what I expected. Maybe a little more information about the world, I suppose.
There's just so much this book could have been and I wish I enjoyed it more than I did. I really wanted to adore every bit of it, but it just fell a little flat for me.
rachelreadwhat's review against another edition
3.0
Eh, this book had an interesting premise but was lacking in the execution. World building was underdeveloped, main character was a little too waffle-y and showed very little growth over the course of the book, and the climax didn't feel very compelling.
kstep1805's review against another edition
4.0
I cruised through this book, the story kept me turning the page, thinking just one more chapter and I'll put it down. Without giving away spoilers, some of the back story about sirens and why they are so feared didn't totally make sense to me. But not so much that I couldn't enjoy the story. This book was far superior to Matched, in my opinion. Her setting was so imaginative and she captured the "life" in it.
forsakenfates's review against another edition
2.0
I’m not sure what I was expecting with this book, but it definitely wasn’t want I got. The premise was very unique. I loved the idea of Atlantia and the world above and the whole choice between staying below or going above, however I felt like we were thrown in this world with little to not thought or explanation.
The world building in the book was plain bad. I did not get a sense of what Atlantia was truly like, yes the Divide was clearly explained, but the actual workings of Atlantia and what it was like living there was extremely lacking. I don’t think we ever even got a full description of Atlantia. I just feel like it was expected I already understood the world when I started the book.
While the world was way under developed, the characters were a struggle too. We barely knew Bay but she was clearly very important to Rio. The entirety of the plot is Rio trying to be reunited with Bay and figure out why she left in the first place. Then you had the side plot of Atlantia falling apart. But the characters seemed dry and I was not at all emotionally invested in them. I did appreciate however, that the romance was not a huge part of this book. True and Rio were cute together and I like them working together to figure out why Bay and Fen left, but their relationship wasn’t the central part of the book.
This book had a lot of potential with the idea. But it completely fell short. The world was underdeveloped and the lack of explanation really hindered my enjoyment. I was unable to grasp Atlantia as a place and even the sirens were poorly explained. I’m still not really sure what exactly they are capable of. The ending also seemed rushed and then the book ended quite abruptly without really explaining the consequences of Rio choices in the Above.
2.5/ 5 Stars and only because of the potential.
The world building in the book was plain bad. I did not get a sense of what Atlantia was truly like, yes the Divide was clearly explained, but the actual workings of Atlantia and what it was like living there was extremely lacking. I don’t think we ever even got a full description of Atlantia. I just feel like it was expected I already understood the world when I started the book.
While the world was way under developed, the characters were a struggle too. We barely knew Bay but she was clearly very important to Rio. The entirety of the plot is Rio trying to be reunited with Bay and figure out why she left in the first place. Then you had the side plot of Atlantia falling apart. But the characters seemed dry and I was not at all emotionally invested in them. I did appreciate however, that the romance was not a huge part of this book. True and Rio were cute together and I like them working together to figure out why Bay and Fen left, but their relationship wasn’t the central part of the book.
This book had a lot of potential with the idea. But it completely fell short. The world was underdeveloped and the lack of explanation really hindered my enjoyment. I was unable to grasp Atlantia as a place and even the sirens were poorly explained. I’m still not really sure what exactly they are capable of. The ending also seemed rushed and then the book ended quite abruptly without really explaining the consequences of Rio choices in the Above.
2.5/ 5 Stars and only because of the potential.
hamandaj's review against another edition
2.0
It was alright, it just never pulled me in. I really wanted to like it but overall it was just 'meh'.
misskrislm's review against another edition
2.0
Nothing particularly wrong with it. It just didn't catch my attention. It was too flat.