lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Oh, this was such a fantastic read, I loved watching everything happen, and I need to finish this series now!
fredicia's review
3.0
I seem to have dug out this book while cleaning out my closet. Oh look! There are sticky notes all over the place.
Let's see... I really liked the characters. I did not read the first book, so I have no idea what they started out like, but this book was good in the sense that it mad everything clearer.
The plot was a bit slow, in my opinion. I was expecting something fast- paced judging from the blurb, but there was too much sidetracking. There wasn't enough focus on the original goal I think.
Let's see... I really liked the characters. I did not read the first book, so I have no idea what they started out like, but this book was good in the sense that it mad everything clearer.
The plot was a bit slow, in my opinion. I was expecting something fast- paced judging from the blurb, but there was too much sidetracking. There wasn't enough focus on the original goal I think.
otakuish's review
5.0
The fact that I read this entire thing within two days of finishing Midnight City should indicate how interesting the story it.
pwbalto's review
2.0
Teenage Mira and Holt find themselves committed to protecting 8-year-old Zoey, whose mysterious powers compel her on a dangerous journey through the Strange Lands to the Severed Tower. As Mira and Holt pass through stages of trust and distrust for each other, they each must come to terms with former lovers. The reader is plunged into the middle of the action, with only glancing references to events from the first book of the series that would explain the absence of adults, presence of the Assembly, and the Tone, a progressive eye discoloration that seems to turn humans into Assembly slaves.
Gamers will recognize some of the conventions of the Strange Lands: the warped landscape dotted with obstacles that must be surmounted using the right combination of strategy and talismans, and the factions that seek to impede, capture, or assist the trio - the piratical Menagerie, ninja-like White Helix, and the Assembly, machine-bodied alien conquerors of Earth. Best for readers who like their post-apocalypses weird and woolly - fans of Julianna Baggott’s Pure, Dan Wells’s Partials, and Anne Aguirre’s Enclave books.
Reviewed for Booklist —Paula Willey
Gamers will recognize some of the conventions of the Strange Lands: the warped landscape dotted with obstacles that must be surmounted using the right combination of strategy and talismans, and the factions that seek to impede, capture, or assist the trio - the piratical Menagerie, ninja-like White Helix, and the Assembly, machine-bodied alien conquerors of Earth. Best for readers who like their post-apocalypses weird and woolly - fans of Julianna Baggott’s Pure, Dan Wells’s Partials, and Anne Aguirre’s Enclave books.
Reviewed for Booklist —Paula Willey
jojoreads89's review against another edition
4.0
4.75
Everything was great. I love how the plot and storyline progressed (as a story and for our individual characters). And the character development was good as well. I love how the artifacts worked in this book, and the creep factor inside the silo. Two reason I didnt give it a 5 star is because I felt some of the details were a little unnecessary and dragged the book on too long and some of the writing had me rereading certain paragraphs.
Everything was great. I love how the plot and storyline progressed (as a story and for our individual characters). And the character development was good as well. I love how the artifacts worked in this book, and the creep factor inside the silo. Two reason I didnt give it a 5 star is because I felt some of the details were a little unnecessary and dragged the book on too long and some of the writing had me rereading certain paragraphs.
ctorretta's review against another edition
5.0
There is so much about this story that I love. It’s hard to believe how many plot lines are running through this and never does it feel mired, instead the plot is always amazing!
I always hear people say that a book is action-packed but I don’t think that most can hold up to this type of book. Every page has something tearing out of it ready to be devoured by the imagination. I also find it amazing how many characters J. Barton Mitchell has managed to get into this book but it never feels overwhelming. And what is finally learned about the tower, and about ourselves while reading, is simply genius. Again, never does this information feel cumbersome, nor does it bog the story down. Instead everything lifts the story up and I found that I wanted to read faster to know what was going to happen and yet I wanted to read slower so I didn’t miss a thing!
My favorite characters are back and ready for action from the first in the series. The Max! My favorite puppy of all time. I love the way he is always ready for action and will do anything to save the one he loves.
Zoey is just amazing in this, of course. She is still very young but I could tell she’s learned from her powers. She is the pentacle of everything and watching what this young girl has to go through just makes me love her all the more.
And then there is Holt and Mira, and their love square. It’s interesting because I normally do not enjoy reading about love triangles but this particular case, involving not only three but four people, is amazingly well crafted and beautifully done. Each step towards or away from one another is understandable and it doesn’t take up a lot of the story, it just all makes total sense! It’s also a nice break from all of the chaos that the assembly has created. Although this particular love square has its own chaos.
And my two favorite new characters, Ravan (love the spelling) and Gideon. Gideon is simply amazing. He’s the type of person that everyone should have around. He always knows what to say to make someone feel good about themselves and it’s no wonder The White Helix follows him. Ravan on the other hand is totally sarcastic, strong, intelligent and kind of crazy. Her edginess brings something completely different to the other characters and it seems like she is her own Gideon, making the people around her stronger because of her edge.
Simply said… I could not put this book down. I am so amazed at the craftiness that J. Barton Mitchell has achieved. This story is fabulous and begs to be read over and over again. I know each time I read this I will find something that I didn’t see before.
“Compassion comes in all kinds of flavors,” Ravan said tightly. There was pain in her voice. “But they don’t all taste like pumpkin pie.”
She looked up and saw Holt. He was awake, staring at her with that look he had when he’d decided to do something dangerous and altogether not smart.
“Is… that your girl?” Ravan asked.
“Yeah,” Holt said, smiling. “that’s my girl.”
Even if you do not enjoy sci fi this is a story that I think everyone could read. The feelings it summons are reminiscent of the movie Independence Day. I found myself upset, happy, mad, sad, and joyous all from one plot and fabulous characters! Already the hubby and I have bought both books on Audible and plan to listen to them together. I know he’s going to love this just as much as I do!
I always hear people say that a book is action-packed but I don’t think that most can hold up to this type of book. Every page has something tearing out of it ready to be devoured by the imagination. I also find it amazing how many characters J. Barton Mitchell has managed to get into this book but it never feels overwhelming. And what is finally learned about the tower, and about ourselves while reading, is simply genius. Again, never does this information feel cumbersome, nor does it bog the story down. Instead everything lifts the story up and I found that I wanted to read faster to know what was going to happen and yet I wanted to read slower so I didn’t miss a thing!
My favorite characters are back and ready for action from the first in the series. The Max! My favorite puppy of all time. I love the way he is always ready for action and will do anything to save the one he loves.
Zoey is just amazing in this, of course. She is still very young but I could tell she’s learned from her powers. She is the pentacle of everything and watching what this young girl has to go through just makes me love her all the more.
And then there is Holt and Mira, and their love square. It’s interesting because I normally do not enjoy reading about love triangles but this particular case, involving not only three but four people, is amazingly well crafted and beautifully done. Each step towards or away from one another is understandable and it doesn’t take up a lot of the story, it just all makes total sense! It’s also a nice break from all of the chaos that the assembly has created. Although this particular love square has its own chaos.
And my two favorite new characters, Ravan (love the spelling) and Gideon. Gideon is simply amazing. He’s the type of person that everyone should have around. He always knows what to say to make someone feel good about themselves and it’s no wonder The White Helix follows him. Ravan on the other hand is totally sarcastic, strong, intelligent and kind of crazy. Her edginess brings something completely different to the other characters and it seems like she is her own Gideon, making the people around her stronger because of her edge.
Simply said… I could not put this book down. I am so amazed at the craftiness that J. Barton Mitchell has achieved. This story is fabulous and begs to be read over and over again. I know each time I read this I will find something that I didn’t see before.
“Compassion comes in all kinds of flavors,” Ravan said tightly. There was pain in her voice. “But they don’t all taste like pumpkin pie.”
She looked up and saw Holt. He was awake, staring at her with that look he had when he’d decided to do something dangerous and altogether not smart.
“Is… that your girl?” Ravan asked.
“Yeah,” Holt said, smiling. “that’s my girl.”
Even if you do not enjoy sci fi this is a story that I think everyone could read. The feelings it summons are reminiscent of the movie Independence Day. I found myself upset, happy, mad, sad, and joyous all from one plot and fabulous characters! Already the hubby and I have bought both books on Audible and plan to listen to them together. I know he’s going to love this just as much as I do!
twogreenpenguins's review against another edition
1.0
So...I really wish I could say that I liked it because I loved the originality of the first book, but this one fell a little flat for me:(
The main reason why I really loved the first book was because of the distinct original idea with artifacts and how to make them and just everything about them. It was so unique to see such thing! And even though Holt, Mira, & Zoe have traveled to the land of the artifacts, there's really not much going on with them. I loved how in the first book Mira was needed to create some life saving artifacts and how complex it was. It was interesting to see science fiction be a bit more of an art rather than science.
I feel like the world got a little too broad for the author and they didn't really give themselves enough time to explain everything.
Also, a random side note that's been bugging me since the beginning: Earth was conquered like 8-10 years ago? So how come there's a new religion going down, and just this much infrastructure? Some of it, I'll grant. Aliens conquer Earth? Might shake some beliefs. All people older than 17 kinda zombie-fied, that might make some new societies. But the amount of change was a little unbelievable for such a short time period. If it had been more like 20-50 years, I'd be down for this.
All in all, I didn't finish it. I hope that I someday will to figure out what's going on and also because I bought the third book too...
The main reason why I really loved the first book was because of the distinct original idea with artifacts and how to make them and just everything about them. It was so unique to see such thing! And even though Holt, Mira, & Zoe have traveled to the land of the artifacts, there's really not much going on with them. I loved how in the first book Mira was needed to create some life saving artifacts and how complex it was. It was interesting to see science fiction be a bit more of an art rather than science.
I feel like the world got a little too broad for the author and they didn't really give themselves enough time to explain everything.
Also, a random side note that's been bugging me since the beginning: Earth was conquered like 8-10 years ago? So how come there's a new religion going down, and just this much infrastructure? Some of it, I'll grant. Aliens conquer Earth? Might shake some beliefs. All people older than 17 kinda zombie-fied, that might make some new societies. But the amount of change was a little unbelievable for such a short time period. If it had been more like 20-50 years, I'd be down for this.
All in all, I didn't finish it. I hope that I someday will to figure out what's going on and also because I bought the third book too...
yodareads12's review
5.0
I am seriously in love with this series! It saddens me that there are less than 600 ratings on Goodreads for this book.
The story continues with Mira, Holt, and Zoey and their quest to get to the Severed Tower. It just so happens to be in the middle of an area called the Strange Lands where pretty much anything can happen. There are deadly anomalies that appear out if nowhere, and addictive artifacts that you have to be careful of as well.
I'm honestly so impressed by the creativity and idea behind this series. There are so many complex ideas I've never personally seen in other sci-fi, apocalyptic, or young adult books. I would highly recommend this book series to everyone! But especially those who like Fantasy, sci-fi, and apocalyptic genres.
I'm definitely super excited to read the last book and finish the series! And this is a world that I would LOVE to play in as a free roam video game!
The story continues with Mira, Holt, and Zoey and their quest to get to the Severed Tower. It just so happens to be in the middle of an area called the Strange Lands where pretty much anything can happen. There are deadly anomalies that appear out if nowhere, and addictive artifacts that you have to be careful of as well.
I'm honestly so impressed by the creativity and idea behind this series. There are so many complex ideas I've never personally seen in other sci-fi, apocalyptic, or young adult books. I would highly recommend this book series to everyone! But especially those who like Fantasy, sci-fi, and apocalyptic genres.
I'm definitely super excited to read the last book and finish the series! And this is a world that I would LOVE to play in as a free roam video game!
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