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lestradez0's review against another edition
3.0
This is my first book by Michael Grant. I like this book because of the way it was written; I felt like I was really inside Mara's head. This book was also very intriguing. I liked the character Messenger of Fear because he was a mystery to me, unpredictable sometimes tho I am not sure if that's the correct word to use. He didn't show any emotions, but there was something about him that made him human. He was the character I'd spent almost the entirety of the book trying to figure out.
There are some lessons that I learned from this book. One of them is to be careful of the way we act as a person. Every action has consequences and we can see some of the consequences from this book.
The plot of this book is quite okay although confusing at some point. The plot twist was quite obvious, and I guessed it right away. It makes me less interested in reading the book.
Overall, I will not say it is a bad book but I found it less interesting as I continued reading the book.
There are some lessons that I learned from this book. One of them is to be careful of the way we act as a person. Every action has consequences and we can see some of the consequences from this book.
The plot of this book is quite okay although confusing at some point. The plot twist was quite obvious, and I guessed it right away. It makes me less interested in reading the book.
Overall, I will not say it is a bad book but I found it less interesting as I continued reading the book.
juller's review against another edition
5.0
Unique. A blend of mystery and suspense, but with a different story line. Not another cookie cutter YA book, though the reader may realize the truth before the character does.
_matthewdon_'s review against another edition
4.0
More a 4.5
A fast-paced, incredibly enjoyable story spun by an author with immense literary skill, constantly and brilliantly anxious to read - and that ending? Wow. A twist ending of Shyamalan proportions. Comes highly recommended.
A fast-paced, incredibly enjoyable story spun by an author with immense literary skill, constantly and brilliantly anxious to read - and that ending? Wow. A twist ending of Shyamalan proportions. Comes highly recommended.
jg736388's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
It's a bit strange and confusing. I felt the writing and plot needed to be flushed out a bit more.
ashurq's review against another edition
4.0
Have you done something bad recently? Something REALLY bad? Did you get away with it too? Then you better look out, because the Messenger is coming. He’ll offer you a deal. Play a game or pay the price. If you win, then you get to go free, but if you lose then you’ll have to pay by living your greatest fear. So what’s it going to be? Pay or play?
Okay, so I know this is the third Michael Grant book that I’ve reviewed on this blog, but this was actually the first one that I read. This is the book that made me look up and read the first two books from the Gone series. Let me just start by saying that this book was better. WAY better. I thought the concept was a lot more intriguing and thought provoking. The Messenger exists to create balance in the world. He brings justice to those that did not end up being punished by the world for their crime(s). Throughout the book the main character, Mara, struggles with the ethics of such a task. She finds that she’s been apprenticed to the Messenger, but she’s not sure that what they’re doing is right. It actually doesn’t seem like Messenger’s 100% sure either. That’s what I really liked. You have this really powerful character who’s fulfilling his purpose, even while he’s questioning it a bit. It creates an interesting dynamic and also helps the reader to feel more connected to him even though he’s some otherworldly being.
Mara was a good character. I liked her as a person and I felt my own inner conflict echoing hers. I felt connected to her. That’s why the plot twist towards the end really threw me for a loop. I did not see it coming. Without spoiling it, the twist is such that if the reader had been given this information at the beginning of the book, we would not have liked Mara. In fact, we probably would have hated her. The author did such a good job making Mara likable before dropping that bombshell on us. So even though it’s a pretty bad thing, we’re still rooting for her. Just genius.
Note: This book contains some heavier themes including bullying and suicide, both involving teenagers.
Overall Rating: 4
Violence: Heavy. There are a couple of pretty graphic scenes.
Sexual Content: Moderate
Language: Moderate
Smoking/Drinking: Mild
Okay, so I know this is the third Michael Grant book that I’ve reviewed on this blog, but this was actually the first one that I read. This is the book that made me look up and read the first two books from the Gone series. Let me just start by saying that this book was better. WAY better. I thought the concept was a lot more intriguing and thought provoking. The Messenger exists to create balance in the world. He brings justice to those that did not end up being punished by the world for their crime(s). Throughout the book the main character, Mara, struggles with the ethics of such a task. She finds that she’s been apprenticed to the Messenger, but she’s not sure that what they’re doing is right. It actually doesn’t seem like Messenger’s 100% sure either. That’s what I really liked. You have this really powerful character who’s fulfilling his purpose, even while he’s questioning it a bit. It creates an interesting dynamic and also helps the reader to feel more connected to him even though he’s some otherworldly being.
Mara was a good character. I liked her as a person and I felt my own inner conflict echoing hers. I felt connected to her. That’s why the plot twist towards the end really threw me for a loop. I did not see it coming. Without spoiling it, the twist is such that if the reader had been given this information at the beginning of the book, we would not have liked Mara. In fact, we probably would have hated her. The author did such a good job making Mara likable before dropping that bombshell on us. So even though it’s a pretty bad thing, we’re still rooting for her. Just genius.
Note: This book contains some heavier themes including bullying and suicide, both involving teenagers.
Overall Rating: 4
Violence: Heavy. There are a couple of pretty graphic scenes.
Sexual Content: Moderate
Language: Moderate
Smoking/Drinking: Mild
ameliaroses's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I think this book was good but it could have been better. The foreshadowing was obvious, and it all felt a bit rushed. Good writing and description but the plot needs to be executed better.
mieke_b's review against another edition
3.0
Stiekem geef ik het maar 2 sterren, heel de fantasiewereld die hier is opgebouwd stelde me niet veel aan en de zogezegde plottwist was totaal niet onverwacht.
cornmaven's review against another edition
3.0
This one kept me reading, but I am not sure where it will be headed. It's a paranormal tale centering on punishment/retribution for teens' wrong choices. It involves some newly created mythology, with seven gods. The Messenger of Fear is the one tasked with confronting those who do wrong. Mara has become his apprentice. She's not happy, and trying to figure out who she really is, as her memories are being held hostage.
I guessed the twist/reveal at the end fairly early on. I thought it was pretty obvious. I found the punishment scenes to be detailed and not for the faint of heart. But like Mara, I didn't get the point of such vicious cruelty for teens who are not often thinking well anyway. Maybe #2 will reveal why.
I guessed the twist/reveal at the end fairly early on. I thought it was pretty obvious. I found the punishment scenes to be detailed and not for the faint of heart. But like Mara, I didn't get the point of such vicious cruelty for teens who are not often thinking well anyway. Maybe #2 will reveal why.
daviataylor's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a quick little read, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The beginning had me a little confused, but the pace set in very quickly and I was captivated from start to end. It all pulled together so nicely.
There is a nice little meaning tucked away behind the story’s ending; it never hurts to be nice.
My first read of Michael Grants, I’ll be sure to pick up another.
The beginning had me a little confused, but the pace set in very quickly and I was captivated from start to end. It all pulled together so nicely.
There is a nice little meaning tucked away behind the story’s ending; it never hurts to be nice.
My first read of Michael Grants, I’ll be sure to pick up another.