grahamdowns's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A cool short story that reminded me a little of The Hunger Games, but with all the boring bits taken out.
We meet Joanna Perry, who wakes up and discovers she’s now part of a gladiatorial contest where she must win or die.
We learn very little about her past or how she came to be in the situation, and it’s non-stop action from the outset. I loved it, and the bit of exposition you get at the end is both surprising and believable.
The editing is good. The author uses the phrase “sliced and diced” a lot when describing what the characters do to each other. But I think that’s probably just her schtick, because it made me think of her horror collection, Sliced and Diced (which is also pretty good, by the way).
Other than that, I can’t remember any specific problems.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/b6Mx9y
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
We meet Joanna Perry, who wakes up and discovers she’s now part of a gladiatorial contest where she must win or die.
We learn very little about her past or how she came to be in the situation, and it’s non-stop action from the outset. I loved it, and the bit of exposition you get at the end is both surprising and believable.
The editing is good. The author uses the phrase “sliced and diced” a lot when describing what the characters do to each other. But I think that’s probably just her schtick, because it made me think of her horror collection, Sliced and Diced (which is also pretty good, by the way).
Other than that, I can’t remember any specific problems.
Click here to find out where you can get your hands on a copy: https://books2read.com/u/b6Mx9y
* Note: That's an affiliate link, so if you click through to a store and end up buying anything, I might earn a commission from your purchase.
ciannareider's review
5.0
Outstanding.
This short story packs a huge punch. The main character is a bartender with a bit of a checkered past, and somehow winds up in a battle royale.
World leaders and political figures make bets and wagers among themselves on which of these people will win out and Joanna has no one betting on her. A pawn in the game, but she's not ready to lie down and give up. Joanna's got some fight in here.
I know this is a novella, but I love this world that Joan built. It's interesting and I want more of it. I want to see the new challengers and what will happen next.
Joan's writing as always is flawless, grounded in our real world but so engaging that you don't want to stop reading it. It just grabs you! I can't wait to read more from her! Highly recommended!
*Review was done in conjunction with NerdGirl Official. For more information, visit them on Facebook. Book was provided for honest opinion.
This short story packs a huge punch. The main character is a bartender with a bit of a checkered past, and somehow winds up in a battle royale.
World leaders and political figures make bets and wagers among themselves on which of these people will win out and Joanna has no one betting on her. A pawn in the game, but she's not ready to lie down and give up. Joanna's got some fight in here.
I know this is a novella, but I love this world that Joan built. It's interesting and I want more of it. I want to see the new challengers and what will happen next.
Joan's writing as always is flawless, grounded in our real world but so engaging that you don't want to stop reading it. It just grabs you! I can't wait to read more from her! Highly recommended!
*Review was done in conjunction with NerdGirl Official. For more information, visit them on Facebook. Book was provided for honest opinion.
friedatweehuysen's review
4.0
Sharp and tough. You fall into the madness and only know a bit more at the end. Whew.
dozylocal's review
3.0
Wow.
This was over so quickly.
Action packed from the first page to the last.
A great teaser first story - I wonder if the second book/installment is longer?
Thankfully my eBook came with the first chapter of the second book - so I can read that tomorrow morning over my breakfast. Need to decide whether to buy the rest or not.
Warning - it is quite violent. Think Gladiators violent.
This was over so quickly.
Action packed from the first page to the last.
A great teaser first story - I wonder if the second book/installment is longer?
Thankfully my eBook came with the first chapter of the second book - so I can read that tomorrow morning over my breakfast. Need to decide whether to buy the rest or not.
Warning - it is quite violent. Think Gladiators violent.
ogrezed's review
3.0
I initially liked the setup, but not the drawn out explanation or execution of the story. The action scenes and the pacing of the story just felt awkward to me.
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