Reviews

Compete by Vera Nazarian

theliterarysewist's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Oh boy… there are some AWKWARD moments in this one! HA! Gwen’s age really shows here. But at the same time watching her become independent and the matriarch of her family and sometimes even her friend groups is quite wonderful. 

mynameisnotkaira's review against another edition

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5.0

Format: eBook
Genre: Science Fiction
Age rating: 12+

I was really, really excited to pick this book up. Especially since I wanted to see what the trip to Atlantis would be like. But I did NOT expect to love it as much as I did. My view of some of the characters changed. This book didn’t have that much action, there was one action scene though.

But what I liked about this book was actually the drama rather than the science fiction. Don’t ask why, because I can’t answer that question.

Anyways.

That ending?

NO.

This book is probably one of the first books that you could ask me “Hey, what’s this book about?” and I’d probably be able to answer. This is also the first book that I actually want to re-read, and this is the first book that made me decide to start tabbing my books. I couldn’t really do it to this book because I read this as an eBook, but it still inspired me to. So, what happens is that Gwen and her siblings have qualified, and are going to Atlantis. This whole book is just their journey on the spaceship, but a lot happens actually. Like I said earlier: The DRAMA. The first dance (not sure what the name of that one was) and the Red Dance… Wow. After that first dance? Made me feel really bad for Logan, and made me hate Gwen. Sorry, not sorry. I really, really hate her. But the ENDING? Nah.

tHe chAracTers:
Ummm Gwen??
HAHAHAHAHAHA XELIO WHAT WAS THAT AT THE RED DANCE
Aeson Kass, I will kill you after that ending.
Logan I’m sorry you deserved better.
LARONDA YOU ARE THE BEST.
Lady Tiri fancy pants I already don’t like you.
Yeah and that pretty much summarizes my thoughts on the characters.

I didn’t see much of the setting since they’re on some spaceship and can’t leave so there’s not much to the setting. Still loved it though.

The Ending:
I-
What a messy ending.
What a disaster.
What a fail.

Conclusion:
Loved it. Loved the drama. Even though that ending made me angry I still loved this book. Actually I kind of loved the ending. But I hated it. Makes sense? No. 4.75/5 total rating, rounded up to 5/5.

lpa0127's review against another edition

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5.0

Ahhh! I can’t get enough of this series... read this book a few years back and reread again a few months ago :) always amazing and I can’t wait for book 4!! :)

sarahheartsbooks's review against another edition

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5.0

I'm not going to lie. I didn't even pause long enough to review the first book (Qualify) before jumping on Amazon, buying this book, and devouring it. Honestly, I can't tell you where the first book ended and where this one began, because I just. Couldn't. Wait.

Qualify covered the actual Qualification part of the storyline, while Compete was all about the journey to Atlantis. And once again, I was thrown by this book.

I started reading it, and after the first couple chapters, I wasn't sure if it was going to live up to Qualify. And then, as with Qualify, thank God my fiance was here to remind me to do things like eat, shower, and sleep. I just got completely sucked in. I couldn't put it down.

As with the first book, some parts of the story are drawn out in complete detail, while other large portions of time are skipped over. But it didn't bother me because I was just so hooked on the story. I don't know what it is. It's like Nazarian is a sorceress or something.

I like that some of the characters from Qualify got more fleshed out in the book. People like Blayne and Xelio (who I loved!!!) have bigger roles. One character I was sad wasn't around as much was Laronda. She provided plenty of giggles in the first book.

I loved the descriptions of the dances and the races, and several times throughout the book I wished I could pilot a space shuttle.

And the ending. The ending!!! I literally put my kindle down and sat there, repeating, "What just happened. WHAT just happened?!?!?!?!" over and over again to my empty house. Like a crazy person. That's what these books have turned me into. In the BEST way possible.

I really don't know what else to say. I just loved this book. Plain and simple. This is the type of book 16-year-old me would have died over. And I think reading it brought me back to that age, when I used to get so obsessed with good books, and that just sucked me in even more. I'm telling you. Sorcery.

I'm so excited to see what the next book in this series will bring, and after the experience I've had with these two, I will have to plan on taking a vacation from work when it's released, because I'm sure I won't be able to put that one down either. :)

csheehan72's review against another edition

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2.0

This one suddenly popped in some inappropriate romance scenes. Again, needs an editor, but the story flows along. The protagonist is nearly unbearable and unsympathetic in this book. She was a lot more interesting in the first book.

aarontheavataar's review against another edition

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

synniestar's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

perhaps it's because i'm so far-removed from the age of the MC, but i found myself continually frustrated at her actions and motivations while reading this. most of my annotations while reading this book consist of me rolling my eyes at her being a typical teenager, despite going through extraordinarily circumstances. the frustration with the storytelling—in that it cannot seem to decide whether it's a first-person narration or a retelling in a diary—is definitely continued here, and the author's Wattpad influences definitely come across more strongly in this installment.

the ending was also not a surprise, but not in a good way. that being said, i'm still interested enough to continue on to the next novel.

misfitmom's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

4.5

venuzx's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

chemistbee's review

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5.0

I love this book with all my heart - sure, there are some awkward parts, but the setting, the atomosphere, the emotions, and the drama are amazing.

This is my third read through of this book and it still makes me laugh and grin with delight. I love how I can now pick up on subtleties of their emotions having known about the end of this book and about the next book.

Basically this book is one drawn out romantic rollercoaster with space and spaceships and guns and dances. I honestly love coming back to this book <3