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votesforwomen416's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this one, really. I just never...quite...connected with all the characters as much as I was hoping, probably because there were so many of them. This is definitely the first in a series and I'd be interested to read the sequels, but I don't know when.
jessicadennett's review against another edition
3.0
Captives –
So from what I understand (and correct me if I’m completely wrong) this is a dystopian retelling of the book of Daniel from the bible. As I have not read the book of Daniel I will not be discussing it’s adaptation to dystopian and will only discuss this book as its own story. But I do feel like it’s a really great idea to get a bible story and the morals from the story into the hands of readers like myself who may have not read the bible.
So this story follows three brothers who have lived on the outside of the safe lands in a sort of village, the safe lands is a big city which is riddled with a plague and there hasn’t been a baby born in the safe lands in three years as all pregnant women are too sick to take their pregnancy to full term. The residents of the brother’s village however have not been effected by this plague and live happily and peacefully until they are kidnapped by the safe lands for the women to be used as surrogates and the men as donors.
I think the worst part (emotionally ) of this world was that once these women have been taken from their homes and forced to become pregnant with a man’s baby that they don’t love or care for or in some cases have even met. Their babies are immediately taken away from them as they are deemed babies of the safe lands not of the mothers. I found these scenes absolutely heartbreaking and so hard to read.
I did not enjoy some of the brother’s points of view as is switched from one to the others, as I loved Mason’s parts but he didn’t really get a lot of the book while his brother Omar got a lot of sections and I really didn’t like him at all.
Through the first half of this book I was so bored and annoyed because I wanted to love it but as soon as I got past page 200 and the action started happening it was really enjoyable, so if you’ve got the patience to last through to that far it does get better. I loved the romance between Levi and Jemma but I thought the other two’s romances weren’t very good. They both swept from girl to girl as one minute you think Mason might like Shaylieen then in the next few pages he’s over her and is gushing about someone else. The same thing happens with Omar who is 14 I think and so obsessed with finding a wife that it gets boring listening to it as I don’t understand why at 14 a wife would even be something you were worried about. So I have this book 3 stars and while it was a good read I’d definitely check out Jill Williamsons other book ; the new recruit before this one because I just enjoyed that one so much more!
So from what I understand (and correct me if I’m completely wrong) this is a dystopian retelling of the book of Daniel from the bible. As I have not read the book of Daniel I will not be discussing it’s adaptation to dystopian and will only discuss this book as its own story. But I do feel like it’s a really great idea to get a bible story and the morals from the story into the hands of readers like myself who may have not read the bible.
So this story follows three brothers who have lived on the outside of the safe lands in a sort of village, the safe lands is a big city which is riddled with a plague and there hasn’t been a baby born in the safe lands in three years as all pregnant women are too sick to take their pregnancy to full term. The residents of the brother’s village however have not been effected by this plague and live happily and peacefully until they are kidnapped by the safe lands for the women to be used as surrogates and the men as donors.
I think the worst part (emotionally ) of this world was that once these women have been taken from their homes and forced to become pregnant with a man’s baby that they don’t love or care for or in some cases have even met. Their babies are immediately taken away from them as they are deemed babies of the safe lands not of the mothers. I found these scenes absolutely heartbreaking and so hard to read.
I did not enjoy some of the brother’s points of view as is switched from one to the others, as I loved Mason’s parts but he didn’t really get a lot of the book while his brother Omar got a lot of sections and I really didn’t like him at all.
Through the first half of this book I was so bored and annoyed because I wanted to love it but as soon as I got past page 200 and the action started happening it was really enjoyable, so if you’ve got the patience to last through to that far it does get better. I loved the romance between Levi and Jemma but I thought the other two’s romances weren’t very good. They both swept from girl to girl as one minute you think Mason might like Shaylieen then in the next few pages he’s over her and is gushing about someone else. The same thing happens with Omar who is 14 I think and so obsessed with finding a wife that it gets boring listening to it as I don’t understand why at 14 a wife would even be something you were worried about. So I have this book 3 stars and while it was a good read I’d definitely check out Jill Williamsons other book ; the new recruit before this one because I just enjoyed that one so much more!
angelwolf45's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book.
This is about 3 brothers who live in a world that was decimated by this plague, that was air borne then went in to the water to infect people. There is a walled off city called the safe lands where people thought would protect them from the plague until it unfortunately got in the walls. The village that these brothers live is not affected by the plague. One brother decides that he is going to help the people inside the safe lands by bringing his village into the walls. There they see that the thin plague, as they call it, and learn what the people of the city are trying to heal from.
This book was so fun and entertaining to read. I liked how they were learning that the thin plague works and the one brother is trying to help in the medical building.
The characters were great and I liked seeing how they looked at the plague and trying to figure out different ways to find a cure or a way to re-populate with people being born that do not have the plague.
There was a lot of unique technology within this book and it was interesting how each were to be used. It was interesting to see that there were some that were not caring about life much because they feel like they were going to die so why care what happens to them. Those with the plague were dying a slow death so because they don't see a cure coming they would just rather do fun things because they won't live long.
I really liked this book and I wish I had the next ones in the series because I just want to know what happens after the first book.
This is about 3 brothers who live in a world that was decimated by this plague, that was air borne then went in to the water to infect people. There is a walled off city called the safe lands where people thought would protect them from the plague until it unfortunately got in the walls. The village that these brothers live is not affected by the plague. One brother decides that he is going to help the people inside the safe lands by bringing his village into the walls. There they see that the thin plague, as they call it, and learn what the people of the city are trying to heal from.
This book was so fun and entertaining to read. I liked how they were learning that the thin plague works and the one brother is trying to help in the medical building.
The characters were great and I liked seeing how they looked at the plague and trying to figure out different ways to find a cure or a way to re-populate with people being born that do not have the plague.
There was a lot of unique technology within this book and it was interesting how each were to be used. It was interesting to see that there were some that were not caring about life much because they feel like they were going to die so why care what happens to them. Those with the plague were dying a slow death so because they don't see a cure coming they would just rather do fun things because they won't live long.
I really liked this book and I wish I had the next ones in the series because I just want to know what happens after the first book.
nairam1173's review against another edition
Between a 3 and 4 on this one.
Started out a bit slow for me, but it had interesting concepts and characters that pulled me through it. A bit confused on what I guess is some of the worldbuilding? Mainly, why in a society where creating healthy babies is so important, the healthy people where let to live on such a long leash that would allowed them to become infected. It just seemed a bit odd to me. Similarly, why any number of Xs would actually get a healthy person killed.
The Christian element wavered between well-placed in the story to feeling a little obvious or added in. This was not a huge complaint of mine. I liked the fact that the towns outside the city had varying religions.
There's some obvious but mostly tasteful sexual references which makes me a bit unsure of the age category intended. It makes me guess later teens, while when I originally started the book I assumed teens in general.
I've purchased the next book because I'm interested in where the story is going. Withholding some of my other confusion on worldbuilding (like almost anything to do with Wyoming), since this is an obvious series. I did like this book better than Replication, and Mason is great.
Started out a bit slow for me, but it had interesting concepts and characters that pulled me through it. A bit confused on what I guess is some of the worldbuilding? Mainly, why in a society where creating healthy babies is so important, the healthy people where let to live on such a long leash that would allowed them to become infected. It just seemed a bit odd to me. Similarly, why any number of Xs would actually get a healthy person killed.
The Christian element wavered between well-placed in the story to feeling a little obvious or added in. This was not a huge complaint of mine. I liked the fact that the towns outside the city had varying religions.
There's some obvious but mostly tasteful sexual references which makes me a bit unsure of the age category intended. It makes me guess later teens, while when I originally started the book I assumed teens in general.
I've purchased the next book because I'm interested in where the story is going. Withholding some of my other confusion on worldbuilding (like almost anything to do with Wyoming), since this is an obvious series. I did like this book better than Replication, and Mason is great.
marhill31's review against another edition
4.0
Here's my review:
http://kammbia1.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/book-review-39-captives-safe-lands-1-by-jill-williamson/
http://kammbia1.wordpress.com/2013/06/01/book-review-39-captives-safe-lands-1-by-jill-williamson/
danyrn's review against another edition
5.0
Eighteen year old Levi has just returned from Denver City with his latest scavenged finds, only to find his beloved village of Glenrock decimated, loved ones killed, and many - including his fiancé, Jemma - taken captive. Now the leader of their village, Levi knows he can't stay behind and forget about those he loves, so he's on a mission to rescue what remains of his people, even if it means going into the infamous Safe Lands, a walled city that seems anything but safe.
Omar brought the enforcers to his village and he knows he betrayed his brother by sending him away but he get helping the enforcers was necessary. Omar is tired of living off the land and clinging to what he believes is an outdated religion and he's ready to change his way of life for the good. The Safe Lands have offered him power and wealth beyond Omar's dreams if he just tells them where his village is. Omar never expected the carnage that would ensue.
Meanwhile, Mason, Omar and Levi's brother, has been granted a position inside the Safe Lands, and may be able to use his captivity to save his people and possibly find a cure for the virus that threatens everyone within the Safe Lands' walls. That is if he can manage to stay out of trouble and keep from falling for someone with the plague and destroying his chances of succeeding.
Can Levi rescue his people from the Safe Lands or will he fail and lose everything in the process? Will Omar realize what the Safe Lands really are or is the gilded cage enough to keep Omar satisfied? Will Mason be able to help his fellow villagers to freedom or will he get caught and get into serious trouble? Can Mason find a cure for the thin plague or will he have to choose between a girl he likes and freedom?
-----------------------------
With all the excitement over post-apocalyptic movies and books, I decided to see what all the attention was about and I chose Jill Williamson's book to do that. Now I know what everyone loves and I must say that this type of book just skyrocketed up my list of favorite genres and I fully intend to find more books like it. This book was better than my expectations, and I had high ones, and completely surprised me with the intricacy of this book. Just when you think things will work out something happens to change that and it ended on a cliffhanger, guaranteeing that I'll be back to see how all this works out.
Though this book is set in 2088, a year that is 74 years in the future, it doesn't feel too far off or too extreme to really happen. In fact, the attitude of the Safe Landers isn't that different from regular secular people today, it's just a bit more extreme. With e-cigarettes and a party/casual sex attitude out world is well on its way to becoming the fictional Safe Lands. Jill Williamson's realistic, just extreme, take on us in the future is the most fascinating part of this book and definitely makes you think and question. I think she did an amazing job if her goal was to make teens question their life choices and where their future's headed.
Tense and nerve-wracking scenes are the pinnacle of this book and it definitely gets your emotions involved. You want the Glenrock residents to escape before impregnation but you also want Mason to find a cure, not because of all the Safe Landers but just one. It gave me conflicting feelings on top of the taut nerves and nervous stomach, leaving me absolutely involved and emotionally invested in the outcome of this book. Very rarely do I feel this so I'm incredibly pleased it was with this one.
Every character has different strengths, weaknesses, and personalities, but unfortunately I wasn't able to get to see them all. However, I do look forward to seeing them in the next books in this series. From what I was able to see, I picked a few favorite characters: Mason, Levi, and Shaylinn. I liked Mason because of his willpower and strength in tough situations, Levi because he'd do anything for Jemma, and Shaylinn because I can relate to her and her body image issues. I think no matter the person, you can relate to this book.
Jill Williamson is a new author for me but she has amazed me with Captives and I fully intend to read the next books in the series and even see what else she has come up with before this one. She's very good at making a book a teenager, both boy or girl, will love. She even managed to do it without vampires or werewolves! I highly recommend this book for any teen and even some adults.
Overall, I really liked this book. It's perfect for people who love dystopian novels or teen sci-fi. This book is perfect for teens, adults and maybe mature tweens. I give this book a five out of five.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
jeanz's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant Book looking forward to Bk #2 already . . . full review to follow!
MY REVIEW
I received this one from Jill Williamson as the copy sent to me by Netgalley was on epub at that time. I received the book free in exchange for my honest review.
The cover represents the books really well. I would say the male on the cover is Levi, though the man could be one of the other young Glenrock males I suppose. I think of it being Levi when he gains access to the safelands, staring up at their large somewhat over powering buildings. I like covers tat I can place within the concept of the book. The fontand colours of the title, series name and author name all work well placed at the top of the cover.
Now to the book, I admit to being pulled in and hooked almost straight away. The first line of the blurb is a really big statement in relation to the book, as One Choice made by a young man disgruntled at his father appearing to love and care for him as much as his brother does bring disaster to the village of Glenrock. Omar is always being ridiculed by his father as weak and useless, preferring to paint and be artistic tan fighting and hunting for his family. In a temper one day Omar comes across a Safe Lander. Omar seems to think all is problems would be over if he lived in the Safe Lands. Life seems so easy over the other side of the great wall which surrounds the Safe Lands. A plan is hatched . . .Omar agrees a party of Safe Landers should come to his village and persuade the people at Glenrock to move to Safe Lands. In Omar's mind all this will happen in a friendly peacable manner, however his decision to give away the exact location of his village as tragic circumstances.
The Safe Landers come to Glenrock, but they don't speak peacefully they take the females and young men by force any of the older males that get in the way are shot and killed. Even the village elder.
Once inside the Safe Lands walls the whole story about Omar and the safelander's is made apparent. Obviously the young males and females held Captive resent Omar and see what he did as betrayal. The only hope is Levi. Levi was not captured, can he get into the Safe Lands and rescue them all?
There's so much more to this book, like the plague the Safelanders have, the reason they need the young males and the women to help them continue their existence. I really could go on and on about this book.
The characters I liked a lot are Jem and Levi, their true love for each other that lasts the whole way through the book, no matter what is happening to them. I also like one or two of the Safe Lander's such as Bender, Lonn and Ciddah the medic at the Highland Harem where the women are coerced to stay.
When reading this book a phrase came to mind "the grass is always greener on the other side" but will that be the case for all or in fact any of the Glenrock people.
So did I enjoy this book? Loved it, I really felt sucked right into the book, and really enjoyed it. Would I recommend this book? Yes, especially to those who love dystopian books. Would I read a BK#2? Yes please,I'd read Bk#2 now if I could! Will I read more by Jill Williamson? Yes, I have read one of her other books Replication which I also enjoyed lots too. So definitely will be looking out for more books by Jill!
MY REVIEW
I received this one from Jill Williamson as the copy sent to me by Netgalley was on epub at that time. I received the book free in exchange for my honest review.
The cover represents the books really well. I would say the male on the cover is Levi, though the man could be one of the other young Glenrock males I suppose. I think of it being Levi when he gains access to the safelands, staring up at their large somewhat over powering buildings. I like covers tat I can place within the concept of the book. The fontand colours of the title, series name and author name all work well placed at the top of the cover.
Now to the book, I admit to being pulled in and hooked almost straight away. The first line of the blurb is a really big statement in relation to the book, as One Choice made by a young man disgruntled at his father appearing to love and care for him as much as his brother does bring disaster to the village of Glenrock. Omar is always being ridiculed by his father as weak and useless, preferring to paint and be artistic tan fighting and hunting for his family. In a temper one day Omar comes across a Safe Lander. Omar seems to think all is problems would be over if he lived in the Safe Lands. Life seems so easy over the other side of the great wall which surrounds the Safe Lands. A plan is hatched . . .Omar agrees a party of Safe Landers should come to his village and persuade the people at Glenrock to move to Safe Lands. In Omar's mind all this will happen in a friendly peacable manner, however his decision to give away the exact location of his village as tragic circumstances.
The Safe Landers come to Glenrock, but they don't speak peacefully they take the females and young men by force any of the older males that get in the way are shot and killed. Even the village elder.
Once inside the Safe Lands walls the whole story about Omar and the safelander's is made apparent. Obviously the young males and females held Captive resent Omar and see what he did as betrayal. The only hope is Levi. Levi was not captured, can he get into the Safe Lands and rescue them all?
There's so much more to this book, like the plague the Safelanders have, the reason they need the young males and the women to help them continue their existence. I really could go on and on about this book.
The characters I liked a lot are Jem and Levi, their true love for each other that lasts the whole way through the book, no matter what is happening to them. I also like one or two of the Safe Lander's such as Bender, Lonn and Ciddah the medic at the Highland Harem where the women are coerced to stay.
When reading this book a phrase came to mind "the grass is always greener on the other side" but will that be the case for all or in fact any of the Glenrock people.
So did I enjoy this book? Loved it, I really felt sucked right into the book, and really enjoyed it. Would I recommend this book? Yes, especially to those who love dystopian books. Would I read a BK#2? Yes please,I'd read Bk#2 now if I could! Will I read more by Jill Williamson? Yes, I have read one of her other books Replication which I also enjoyed lots too. So definitely will be looking out for more books by Jill!
meganmcculloughbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Captives is a very captivating book. From the very first page it intrigued me! The characters are so real and they have relatable flaws...even Omar. I was able to have sympathy on every single character! There are some wonderful messages in this book about deception, forgiveness, and beauty! Jill did a fabulous job writing this!
At some points, I was uncomfortable. The people of the Safe Lands did drugs and some other bad things. I would advise this book for older teens and adults.
At some points, I was uncomfortable. The people of the Safe Lands did drugs and some other bad things. I would advise this book for older teens and adults.
booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
This was an awkward book to read. And I didn't even finish it! The whole plot was waaaaaay too sexual.
Here's some of what bugged me, noted, that I stopped at page 103.
Killing(detailed), Death(detailed), Shooting(detailed), Blood(detailed) and a dog is killed (semi, which was way too detailed for a dog-lover like me.). Also "maggot"(three times), dumb'(once), sissy'(many), "shut up"(once), "buck up"(twice), and "son of a cockroach's vomit" (once) is all said. Mentions of drugs and liberation.
And then all the sexual hints, mentions and awkwardness:
The Safe Lands need people (who don't have the plague) to "donate" (their....uh..baby making parts, "eggs" are mentioned) (normally forcing them to) so that they can get the girls pregnant ("forced pregnancies", a major one being them making a 14-year-old girl have no choice, and her having to be pregnant) and then there's "surrogacy team", "hormones", "embryo transfer" and telling those who (are forced to) donate not to "pair up". There's also notices of women's figures.
So, yeah, I won't be finishing this book.
Here's some of what bugged me, noted, that I stopped at page 103.
Killing(detailed), Death(detailed), Shooting(detailed), Blood(detailed) and a dog is killed (semi, which was way too detailed for a dog-lover like me.). Also "maggot"(three times), dumb'(once), sissy'(many), "shut up"(once), "buck up"(twice), and "son of a cockroach's vomit" (once) is all said. Mentions of drugs and liberation.
And then all the sexual hints, mentions and awkwardness:
The Safe Lands need people (who don't have the plague) to "donate" (their....uh..baby making parts, "eggs" are mentioned) (normally forcing them to) so that they can get the girls pregnant ("forced pregnancies", a major one being them making a 14-year-old girl have no choice, and her having to be pregnant) and then there's "surrogacy team", "hormones", "embryo transfer" and telling those who (are forced to) donate not to "pair up". There's also notices of women's figures.
So, yeah, I won't be finishing this book.
sonshinelibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this overall. I did find the worldbuilding to be lacking. I'm still confused as to what the "thin disease" is and how the outside communities survived/why they're so close yet separated from the larger community (and how wide-spread this is). The references to "old" things got a little, well ... old. I'm a fan of The Princess Bride, but the pervasive use of quotes by Levi and Jemma felt tired by the end. I really wanted way more of Mason than I got. For me he, and Shaylinn, were the most interesting characters, but the wide split of perspectives meant none of the characters were fleshed out as much as I wished they were. I really appreciated that this was from a Christian perspective with casual references to prayer, God, and scripture without taking away from the dystopia/post-apocalyptic vibe. I think this book had one of the best integrations of the Christian faith in a YA novel that I've encountered. I did find it interesting to see in the author's note at the end that this was inspired by a study on Daniel and knowing that, I can see some of those influences, particularly in Mason.