sara_beth_11's review against another edition
4.0
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book for review.
This novel follows a couple and their struggle to survive following the collapse of the "civilized" United States. While I was initially hesitant to read yet another post-apocalyptic novel, this one received a great deal of notice for its unique take on this topic.
I could not be happier that I chose to read this novel. Author Edan Lepucki approaches dystopian fiction in such a fresh way that I found myself acknowledging homages to Margaret Atwood's Maddadam trilogy, but not resenting them. This author breathes fresh life into familiar topics in this page-turner of a novel.
This novel follows a couple and their struggle to survive following the collapse of the "civilized" United States. While I was initially hesitant to read yet another post-apocalyptic novel, this one received a great deal of notice for its unique take on this topic.
I could not be happier that I chose to read this novel. Author Edan Lepucki approaches dystopian fiction in such a fresh way that I found myself acknowledging homages to Margaret Atwood's Maddadam trilogy, but not resenting them. This author breathes fresh life into familiar topics in this page-turner of a novel.
jeannamarie's review against another edition
1.0
To quote my friend who also read this:
no. just no.
Bought the book for the cover, tried to give it a chance, but honestly just want to forget I ever read this book. I was warned before I read, so consider this my warning to you possible future reader, just don’t. Save a day of your life.
no. just no.
Bought the book for the cover, tried to give it a chance, but honestly just want to forget I ever read this book. I was warned before I read, so consider this my warning to you possible future reader, just don’t. Save a day of your life.
threesixtyrhi's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
I love dystopian fiction so I really really wanted to love this book, I just... Didn't. It wasn't bad, but it fell a little flat for me. The storyline was just okay, I didn't really like any of the characters, and the ending didn't really do it for me.
I might have DNFd this book but like I said, I did want to like it and I kept hoping that more exciting, thrilling things would happen.
I love dystopian fiction so I really really wanted to love this book, I just... Didn't. It wasn't bad, but it fell a little flat for me. The storyline was just okay, I didn't really like any of the characters, and the ending didn't really do it for me.
I might have DNFd this book but like I said, I did want to like it and I kept hoping that more exciting, thrilling things would happen.
tamarahala's review against another edition
4.0
This book really sucked me in in the best way! The end lost me a bit but overall really liked it.
nakedsushi's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I know the author.
When I read the description that this was a post-apocalyptic book, I was immediately attracted to it. Taking place in a not-so-distant, totally trashed Los Angeles, Cal and Frida leave civilization as they know it to try and start a life on the frontier.
It was scary how plausible the ruined Los Angeles was in the book. Being a native Angelino, I got a kick out of different neighborhoods and landmarks mentioned in the book. While LA was a great setting for the story, I really got sucked into the mystery of The Spikes and what Frida and Cal end up discovering once they're out of the city limits.
The last half of the book went quickly for me, but maybe it was because I was devouring it at a faster pace than the first half. When the questions I had started getting answered, I had been waiting for them for so long and replaying different scenarios in my head so much that the real answers were almost anti-climatic.
I loved that both Cal and Frida had their own faults but complemented each other so perfectly. I was alternately annoyed by one, then the other at different points in time, but I couldn't help rooting for them when things started getting more complicated.
When I read the description that this was a post-apocalyptic book, I was immediately attracted to it. Taking place in a not-so-distant, totally trashed Los Angeles, Cal and Frida leave civilization as they know it to try and start a life on the frontier.
It was scary how plausible the ruined Los Angeles was in the book. Being a native Angelino, I got a kick out of different neighborhoods and landmarks mentioned in the book. While LA was a great setting for the story, I really got sucked into the mystery of The Spikes and what Frida and Cal end up discovering once they're out of the city limits.
The last half of the book went quickly for me, but maybe it was because I was devouring it at a faster pace than the first half. When the questions I had started getting answered, I had been waiting for them for so long and replaying different scenarios in my head so much that the real answers were almost anti-climatic.
Spoiler
I can't help but wonder how the book would have gone if Frida had not blurted out about her pregnancy. California probably would have been a completely different book!I loved that both Cal and Frida had their own faults but complemented each other so perfectly. I was alternately annoyed by one, then the other at different points in time, but I couldn't help rooting for them when things started getting more complicated.
bugzecat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
drrawsonreads's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this one until the end, which just sort of piddled to a not-very-satisfying stop.