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spencer_radio's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
whatssamupto's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Cannibalism
kelsthekiller's review against another edition
5.0
this book is an absolute must read. I got it done in hours. for a story that takes place in a never-changing setting, everything is still available for questioning, and guessing.
I will warn readers though, that a lot of ideas, or themes in this story line will make one very uncomfortable, and it will make you second-guess your own beliefs and morals.
I will warn readers though, that a lot of ideas, or themes in this story line will make one very uncomfortable, and it will make you second-guess your own beliefs and morals.
easmith5's review against another edition
This book was well-written and intriguing, but the real interest didn't start until at least half-way through when the plot began to get interesting. In this book, Bodeen explores the reality of a nuclear war beginning, and the odds of survival for an explosive family trapped in the safe haven of their own making.
jmarchek's review against another edition
3.0
Creepy YA novel. This billionare (think Bill Gates) has taken his whole family down into this massive subterrainean compound because he's convinced them that there has been nuclear annihilation. They are to survive down in the compound for 15 years before it's safe to arrive. At the start of the novel it's year 7 or so, and the 15 year old son starts to doubt that his dad's telling him the truth. That the world wasn't destroyed and they are being held captive by Dad.
The creepiest part involves the other children that Dad keeps making Mom have - he calls them the supplements (think nutritional supplements). That part just ruined it for me - I think it could've been 5 star except for that. It kept bugging me, obviously it was illogical and shows how crazy the Dad is but -eww!
The creepiest part involves the other children that Dad keeps making Mom have - he calls them the supplements (think nutritional supplements). That part just ruined it for me - I think it could've been 5 star except for that. It kept bugging me, obviously it was illogical and shows how crazy the Dad is but -eww!
shabbyisreading's review against another edition
2.0
The author pulls you in and then gives you a bunch of crap. When I read the synopsis for this book I was so intrigued. I wanted to read something different and short but oh man this book kinda sucked.
Your telling me that Eli realized his dad was a bit cuckoo after SIX years. The cannibalism was crazy. (who proposes to eat their own children
Your telling me that Eli realized his dad was a bit cuckoo after SIX years. The cannibalism was crazy. (who proposes to eat their own children
cornmaven's review against another edition
4.0
Genius Hi-Tech Bazillionaire in Seattle obsesses over nuclear destruction and builds himself an underground compound supposedly capable of supporting his family for the required 15 year avoidance of radiation.
Then a nuclear attack occurs, the family goes underground, minus one son (a twin) and the mother-in-law (of course), who didn't make it in time. And the plans for survival start to fall apart as things happen to the food supply. And the kids start suspecting something is amiss with the whole situation. And the father's reaction to all of this gets creepier and creepier - especially his requirement that he and his wife have more children, and those children will be an emergency food source! Ugh. And when he figures out that they can't birth them fast enough, he starts working on cloning more! Double Ugh.
The narrator is the remaining twin, who has always been the self-absorbed mean-spirited one of the family (other than the dad). So he has to change his ways in order to help the rest of his family survive and figure out how to surmount the father's total control over the situation.
There's a lot of improbables, especially why the mother goes along with the "Supplement" plan, and how they are possibly feeding the new kids (3) along with 3 other kids and two adults if the food supply is so low. At one point, it's explained that the mom is supplying breast milk for everyone (the older kids are refusing of course) as the protein source. But I had a hard time believing that she could produce that much.
Bodeen eventually pulls it all together, the family turns on the dad, and right wins the day, mostly. Throughout, the tension and suspense is evident, and I think a kid will enjoy the story. I found myself staying up late to find out what happens. I thought the dad's Napoleonic mindset was plausible, and that is what the whole story hinges on, and why his actions are so outrageous.
Then a nuclear attack occurs, the family goes underground, minus one son (a twin) and the mother-in-law (of course), who didn't make it in time. And the plans for survival start to fall apart as things happen to the food supply. And the kids start suspecting something is amiss with the whole situation. And the father's reaction to all of this gets creepier and creepier - especially his requirement that he and his wife have more children, and those children will be an emergency food source! Ugh. And when he figures out that they can't birth them fast enough, he starts working on cloning more! Double Ugh.
The narrator is the remaining twin, who has always been the self-absorbed mean-spirited one of the family (other than the dad). So he has to change his ways in order to help the rest of his family survive and figure out how to surmount the father's total control over the situation.
There's a lot of improbables, especially why the mother goes along with the "Supplement" plan, and how they are possibly feeding the new kids (3) along with 3 other kids and two adults if the food supply is so low. At one point, it's explained that the mom is supplying breast milk for everyone (the older kids are refusing of course) as the protein source. But I had a hard time believing that she could produce that much.
Bodeen eventually pulls it all together, the family turns on the dad, and right wins the day, mostly. Throughout, the tension and suspense is evident, and I think a kid will enjoy the story. I found myself staying up late to find out what happens. I thought the dad's Napoleonic mindset was plausible, and that is what the whole story hinges on, and why his actions are so outrageous.