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cheezysquash's review
3.0
~~Digital copy kindly provided by the author, Siobhan Davis, in a exchange for a honest review.~~
Some points that I felt would have made this a killer novel.
Let me start by saying I did enjoy this book. Mildly at some points, and a lot at other points. But there were also many times when I did not enjoy this book, at all.
This novel was a nice read about a dystoypian future, where Earth has been ravaged and many evacuated to a new planet named Novo. After living on Novo for two years, the government decided there should be an event to build up the population, and this event should be a televised pageant. But under the surface unrest is rising both with the the people left behind on earth, and with some on Novo itself.
While this is an interesting premise, I feel there were a few areas lacking. One was the pacing of the plot. It jumped from quick to almost a stand still in a matter of paragraphs. It would highlight unimportant points and glaze over what I feel could have made this novel more understandable. There were many points where the main character would be having a conversation with another character in the morning, then jump to her finishing the conversation with herself in bed at night. I would find myself having to look back many times just to see what setting I am in now.
This book has elements of the typical dystopian that we all love to read about such as, future technology, a government trying to oppress its people, a love story, and a revolution. The only problem with this is that the author did not spend enough time detailing any of these key factors and plot points, and that left me feeling like I only read part of this story.
Spoiler
One last thing that I wont touch on much is the love story between Cal and Ariana. Lets just say I hated almost every moment of it, and it made me physically angry. (Part of the reason Im sure it took me so long to read this book was because of how many times I had to put it down because of how ridiculous Ariana could be) She was extremely selfish and thought that her needs were more important than the good of everyone else. The reason I am not fully putting this in mt review yet is because I don't know how it ends.Some points that I felt would have made this a killer novel.
A consistent flow
Spoiler
It was nice to see a little from Zane's point of view, but It felt shoved in and didn't really do much for the plotElaborate more on the elements of the book. I wanted to see more technology, I want to know more about what happened to earth, give me more on the revolution, what about The Calling, most of it was given a sideways mention at best.
With all of this aside, this was not a terrible novel. I did finish it and I do plan on reading the sequels in the future. Hopefully they will answer some of the questions above. I see lots of good this coming from this author.
lynseyisreading's review against another edition
4.0
On the premise alone this doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy. The Bachelor in space? And we've all seen quite a few of these YAs rolled out that are supposed to be some kind of dystopian but just end up being a romance with the only "dystopian" elements being that they're forced to have their hair and make up done, wear pretty dresses and endure a love triangle. The horror!
However. I liked this book. Davis somehow made me forget the dodgy premise and just enjoy the characters and the world and even get quite involved with the teen romance drama. It properly sucked me in and the read went by so fast. I shocked even myself!
So, I guess what I'm saying is, if you're like me and attracted to the pretty YA covers but a little jaded by the fact they're normally pants, this one might just restore your faith that actually can judge a book by its cover.
4 stars.
However. I liked this book. Davis somehow made me forget the dodgy premise and just enjoy the characters and the world and even get quite involved with the teen romance drama. It properly sucked me in and the read went by so fast. I shocked even myself!
So, I guess what I'm saying is, if you're like me and attracted to the pretty YA covers but a little jaded by the fact they're normally pants, this one might just restore your faith that actually can judge a book by its cover.
4 stars.
susanneverreads's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. At this moment, I don't have many thoughts on this book. The two I do are:
This book was entertaining, even if it took awhile to get into.
I want to read the rest of the series but don't know if it honestly worth paying for. I got this book for free on Amazon. I probably wouldn't have read it other wise.
This book was entertaining, even if it took awhile to get into.
I want to read the rest of the series but don't know if it honestly worth paying for. I got this book for free on Amazon. I probably wouldn't have read it other wise.
pause_theframe's review against another edition
5.0
My Thoughts:
This book is 1984 meets the dating game, in a very good way. It effortlessly blends our worst fears - that someday Earth will become a wasteland and we will need to find another habitable place to host the mass of human life. Even worse, as we all know, times of trouble call for new orders of power. In True Calling, we watch as these persons of power start to take claim over more and more of the lives of the people of Novo.
They have already come to terms with the Big Brother style monitoring, from cameras everywhere to weekly medical exams. They even have to have chips in their necks to constantly monitor their location and progress. All just to ensure that they still 'deserve' to be a part of Novo's new life. One slip up and they will be gotten rid of, lifelong penitentiary or otherwise.
Enter The Calling.
Ari and her training mates are the first year group to be subjected to The Calling. We watch as the government enforces a dating game style of population security. It involves testing every possible part of the youths lives, from health, fitness, fertility and even skill and IQ. Then each is matched with potential suitors, voted on, dated and then married.
Not so bad? They have to marry and produce 3 children, minimum by the age of 22, and there is no going against the choice of the government. None.
Ari and the others follow-suit and do what they are told is the greater good for Novo and the human race, but soon we start to see, and Ari suspects that there is so much more going on than meets the eye.
With dreams of Zane, issues with Cal and The Calling and certain government officials trailing her and making her life hell, the world of Novo is no longer the safe haven it once seemed...
I though this book was excellent. It had the perfect writing style to attract YA/New Adult readers, but still had the action, puzzles and underlying life issues to pull in adults. I personally was draw in from page one and couldn't put it down.
The characters have depth and personalities, which they stick to throughout the story, make them very real. Ari and the others are subject to the trials and emotions that we experience in every day life, making it easy to fall into the character's lives and really feel like you know them.
The world of Novo is plausible, yet still rather futuristic, to make it fun. I could see the habitants of earth starting fresh and still wanting to try and build a world that is an exact replica of Earth.
I also like the pace of the story. It moves a long quickly, throwing a snippet, clue or piece of the puzzle here and there, but not giving enough away that you can guess the story before it is finished. The twists, turns and challenges that the characters experience are real, yet we feel like we are reading about such a problem for the first time, as it is written in such a fresh, new way that it is completely riveting.
OVERALL: This is an excellent read from YA to adult. The entirety of the story is addicting, from feelings of dread, love, anger and passion- we are pulled into the lives of Ari and to Novo people, leaving us yearning for more, when the last page has been turned.
I highly recommend giving this excellent read a go. It is a new take on a futuristic story.
This book is 1984 meets the dating game, in a very good way. It effortlessly blends our worst fears - that someday Earth will become a wasteland and we will need to find another habitable place to host the mass of human life. Even worse, as we all know, times of trouble call for new orders of power. In True Calling, we watch as these persons of power start to take claim over more and more of the lives of the people of Novo.
They have already come to terms with the Big Brother style monitoring, from cameras everywhere to weekly medical exams. They even have to have chips in their necks to constantly monitor their location and progress. All just to ensure that they still 'deserve' to be a part of Novo's new life. One slip up and they will be gotten rid of, lifelong penitentiary or otherwise.
Enter The Calling.
Ari and her training mates are the first year group to be subjected to The Calling. We watch as the government enforces a dating game style of population security. It involves testing every possible part of the youths lives, from health, fitness, fertility and even skill and IQ. Then each is matched with potential suitors, voted on, dated and then married.
Not so bad? They have to marry and produce 3 children, minimum by the age of 22, and there is no going against the choice of the government. None.
Ari and the others follow-suit and do what they are told is the greater good for Novo and the human race, but soon we start to see, and Ari suspects that there is so much more going on than meets the eye.
With dreams of Zane, issues with Cal and The Calling and certain government officials trailing her and making her life hell, the world of Novo is no longer the safe haven it once seemed...
I though this book was excellent. It had the perfect writing style to attract YA/New Adult readers, but still had the action, puzzles and underlying life issues to pull in adults. I personally was draw in from page one and couldn't put it down.
The characters have depth and personalities, which they stick to throughout the story, make them very real. Ari and the others are subject to the trials and emotions that we experience in every day life, making it easy to fall into the character's lives and really feel like you know them.
The world of Novo is plausible, yet still rather futuristic, to make it fun. I could see the habitants of earth starting fresh and still wanting to try and build a world that is an exact replica of Earth.
I also like the pace of the story. It moves a long quickly, throwing a snippet, clue or piece of the puzzle here and there, but not giving enough away that you can guess the story before it is finished. The twists, turns and challenges that the characters experience are real, yet we feel like we are reading about such a problem for the first time, as it is written in such a fresh, new way that it is completely riveting.
OVERALL: This is an excellent read from YA to adult. The entirety of the story is addicting, from feelings of dread, love, anger and passion- we are pulled into the lives of Ari and to Novo people, leaving us yearning for more, when the last page has been turned.
I highly recommend giving this excellent read a go. It is a new take on a futuristic story.
redamancyreads's review against another edition
5.0
Do you know what happens when you become so obsessed with how much you love an author and all their books that you can't stop reading them? Where you just pick up book after book and series after series written by them?
YOU FORGET TO ACTUALLY WRITE A REVIEW FOR THOSE BOOKS.
That's what has happened to me. Seriously, I go scrolling through my Goodreads "read" list of books and stop for some unknown reason and make sure I had written a review only to discover, to my HORROR, that I had NOT written my review.
Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE! So, here I am rectifying that massive mistake.
As always, no spoilers here!
This book is SO awesome. I'm sure I probably sound like a broken record or something because I have seriously loved all of Siobhan's books. They are all awesome to me. But, I promise I mean it!
There is such a unique world within a world in this story! I still have questions (obviously this is book ONE I'm writing about) but I can't wait until I get those answers, because I know as I'm reading more and discovering all the hidden gems throughout the story, I'm going to be both in love and in hate (yes that's a real thing I swear!) with everything about it.
Does that make sense to you? No? Welllll, allow me to explain..
Have you ever read a story where you both loved and hated a character? If not, I don't know what you're reading but those are my favorite kinds of stories! Where the character is relatable and makes mistakes that leave you wanting to punch them in the throat and then hug them with tears streaming down your face because you also love them for being real! You want to punch them and hug them simultaneously. I swear this is a real thing! IT IS, don't try and tell me otherwise! ;)
So, that's how I feel about Ari, Cal and Zane. They are relatable in the most amazing frustrating way possible.
YOU FORGET TO ACTUALLY WRITE A REVIEW FOR THOSE BOOKS.
That's what has happened to me. Seriously, I go scrolling through my Goodreads "read" list of books and stop for some unknown reason and make sure I had written a review only to discover, to my HORROR, that I had NOT written my review.
Absolutely UNACCEPTABLE! So, here I am rectifying that massive mistake.
As always, no spoilers here!
This book is SO awesome. I'm sure I probably sound like a broken record or something because I have seriously loved all of Siobhan's books. They are all awesome to me. But, I promise I mean it!
There is such a unique world within a world in this story! I still have questions (obviously this is book ONE I'm writing about) but I can't wait until I get those answers, because I know as I'm reading more and discovering all the hidden gems throughout the story, I'm going to be both in love and in hate (yes that's a real thing I swear!) with everything about it.
Does that make sense to you? No? Welllll, allow me to explain..
Have you ever read a story where you both loved and hated a character? If not, I don't know what you're reading but those are my favorite kinds of stories! Where the character is relatable and makes mistakes that leave you wanting to punch them in the throat and then hug them with tears streaming down your face because you also love them for being real! You want to punch them and hug them simultaneously. I swear this is a real thing! IT IS, don't try and tell me otherwise! ;)
So, that's how I feel about Ari, Cal and Zane. They are relatable in the most amazing frustrating way possible.
catiinha's review against another edition
4.0
(Note: I received this copy from Siobhan Davis in exchange for my honest review)
The book follows Ariana, a 17 year-old girl who was relocated in another planet with her family two years ago. Everything is fine until she starts dreaming about a guy named Zane that she doesn't recognize. To complicate her life even more the "Calling", a pageant where everyone under a certain age is going to be placed with the best match to marry and have kids, is announced. I had already heard about this book and I was really interested in reading it but this plot accentuated my interest in reading it even more and didn't disappoint me. Not only I liked the plot but I also liked the characters even though I never completely trusted Cal (and believe me, I wanted) especially towards the end of the book when he started to be violent towards everyone. Another thing that I liked in this book was the fact that the author included a few chapters in Zane's POV. This was really interesting because we only knew Zane from Ariana's dreams so it was cool that we could see what was happening with him and who really was.
Overall I really liked this book and I'm excited to read the remaining of Ariana's story (I also need to know if I can trust Cal because I really want to but I don't know if I can). Although this book is similar to other YA books you can see that in some ways it is also unique. So, if you like type of books you should give it a try.
The book follows Ariana, a 17 year-old girl who was relocated in another planet with her family two years ago. Everything is fine until she starts dreaming about a guy named Zane that she doesn't recognize. To complicate her life even more the "Calling", a pageant where everyone under a certain age is going to be placed with the best match to marry and have kids, is announced. I had already heard about this book and I was really interested in reading it but this plot accentuated my interest in reading it even more and didn't disappoint me. Not only I liked the plot but I also liked the characters even though I never completely trusted Cal (and believe me, I wanted) especially towards the end of the book when he started to be violent towards everyone. Another thing that I liked in this book was the fact that the author included a few chapters in Zane's POV. This was really interesting because we only knew Zane from Ariana's dreams so it was cool that we could see what was happening with him and who really was.
Overall I really liked this book and I'm excited to read the remaining of Ariana's story (I also need to know if I can trust Cal because I really want to but I don't know if I can). Although this book is similar to other YA books you can see that in some ways it is also unique. So, if you like type of books you should give it a try.
freyamoongana's review against another edition
2.0
Total ripoff of The Hunger Games trilogy... dystopian future government is corrupt, Regions/Districts, main character's younger sister is named for a flower and is training in the medical field, love triangle, public contest, propaganda... it's really too much.
caszriel's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. I associate brilliant, awesome, amazing and fabulous with True Calling right away. What a good book. Ariana Skyee and Cal Remus are complete opposites, yet still attracted. I especially liked that good and evil were equally matched. An Interesting and sustaining read. It all ended too soon. I read the last paragraph, like I sometimes do, before I started reading. Wow. Powerful stuff.
mrose21's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book.
It was just so hard to put down. I'm actually sort of surprised I liked it so much. I'm not a dystopian fan. I can read and enjoy dystopia fiction it just takes a long time for me to get on board with it and I think I poke holes in the plot a lot more if I do read some.
I was really all there to give this book a 5 star review but I'm not keen on the ending. It felt rushed and forced and just didn't flow very well, up until that ending I was really into this series. I'm dying to continue this series on and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
Great start.
It was just so hard to put down. I'm actually sort of surprised I liked it so much. I'm not a dystopian fan. I can read and enjoy dystopia fiction it just takes a long time for me to get on board with it and I think I poke holes in the plot a lot more if I do read some.
I was really all there to give this book a 5 star review but I'm not keen on the ending. It felt rushed and forced and just didn't flow very well, up until that ending I was really into this series. I'm dying to continue this series on and I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
Great start.
robint1981's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you Reading Cove for providing me a copy of this book. This is my honest review of the book.
True Calling by Siobhan Davis is a must read for anyone who enjoys young adult dystopian genre books. Ariana Skyee and her family are selected to leave Earth and move to planet Novo. The government of Novo is focused on sustaining mankind as the Earth continues to decline. However, things are a bit odd for the inhabitants of Novo; their memories of their time on Earth has been erased and they are equipped with a chip that tracks them all day long.
The Novo government is also concerned about increasing the population of the planet and they initiate a new process to promote population growth. “The Calling” is a process during which all of the 17 year olds on Novo are matched with the most suitable partner, then married and expected to have children as quickly as possible. The Calling is a televised event, sort of like The Bachelor/Bachelorette, and the entire population participates in the match making process.
Ariana cannot believe her good fortune in that she meets Cal who seems to be her soul mate and they are the most popular couple according to Novo populace. Despite her feelings for Cal, Arianna experiences recurring dreams that include a young man named Zane, who apparently lives on Earth, is part of a resistance movement and seems to have had a close relationship with Arianna and her family. Much to Ariana’s dismay, her father and Zane warn her to not trust Cal, in spite of the obvious chemistry between them. Tragedy strikes Arianna’s family and she becomes aware that the resistance movement is real, not a dream, and this realization thrusts her into a dilemma. Does she trust the guy in her dreams and her father or does she follow her heart and her feelings for Cal.
Some readers will find that the plotline of True Calling has some similarity to the most recent and wildly popular dystopian novels. What sets this book apart from the others is the author’s ability to blend science fiction, romance, suspense and intrigue into a book that grabs the reader on the first page and leaves us counting down the days until the next installment in the trilogy is available and we get a chance to find out more about Ariana, Cal and Zane. All of the characters are well developed but I grew particularly fond of Ariana who is a very believable teenager who has been forced into a near impossible situation. I loved True Calling and would highly recommend it to readers who enjoy dystopian science fiction or who just want to lose themselves in a really enjoyable book.
True Calling by Siobhan Davis is a must read for anyone who enjoys young adult dystopian genre books. Ariana Skyee and her family are selected to leave Earth and move to planet Novo. The government of Novo is focused on sustaining mankind as the Earth continues to decline. However, things are a bit odd for the inhabitants of Novo; their memories of their time on Earth has been erased and they are equipped with a chip that tracks them all day long.
The Novo government is also concerned about increasing the population of the planet and they initiate a new process to promote population growth. “The Calling” is a process during which all of the 17 year olds on Novo are matched with the most suitable partner, then married and expected to have children as quickly as possible. The Calling is a televised event, sort of like The Bachelor/Bachelorette, and the entire population participates in the match making process.
Ariana cannot believe her good fortune in that she meets Cal who seems to be her soul mate and they are the most popular couple according to Novo populace. Despite her feelings for Cal, Arianna experiences recurring dreams that include a young man named Zane, who apparently lives on Earth, is part of a resistance movement and seems to have had a close relationship with Arianna and her family. Much to Ariana’s dismay, her father and Zane warn her to not trust Cal, in spite of the obvious chemistry between them. Tragedy strikes Arianna’s family and she becomes aware that the resistance movement is real, not a dream, and this realization thrusts her into a dilemma. Does she trust the guy in her dreams and her father or does she follow her heart and her feelings for Cal.
Some readers will find that the plotline of True Calling has some similarity to the most recent and wildly popular dystopian novels. What sets this book apart from the others is the author’s ability to blend science fiction, romance, suspense and intrigue into a book that grabs the reader on the first page and leaves us counting down the days until the next installment in the trilogy is available and we get a chance to find out more about Ariana, Cal and Zane. All of the characters are well developed but I grew particularly fond of Ariana who is a very believable teenager who has been forced into a near impossible situation. I loved True Calling and would highly recommend it to readers who enjoy dystopian science fiction or who just want to lose themselves in a really enjoyable book.