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z_brarian's review
5.0
Fast-paced, non-stop action in this YA thriller. Thank goodness there is a second in the series. The question that the reader is left with is, what do you do when the world is against you? Who can you trust? That is what Jinx Marshall needs to figure out. Her world has collapsed figuratively and literally around her. She has been trained by her prepper father since she was little for disasters and now the time has come to put those lessons together. Jinx is a young girl, determined to set the record straight. She is well written as is her much younger brother Charles. He too has been ready since he was a toddler for any kind of disaster. His character is written with both humor but with a tinge of youthful innocence, reminding the reader that he is only 8. Jinx is his protector, as are his step-siblings Toby and MacKenna. I will say the cliffhanger left me frustrated but it is understandable when you get to the end of the book. Looking forward to the next book!!
energyrae's review
4.0
Susan, aka Jinx, is a coder, daughter of a coder and prepper who has run drills with his two children for as long as they can remember. So when a disaster at a bank ends up with her step-father being taken in, she knows this is not a drill, that under their new president, things just got even more serious.
The opposition has arisen, their leader who cheated his way into office is none other then Ammon Carter, their new president. Is her father, prominent coder and prepper responsible? She would ask him but he's not easy to get ahold of. She must figure out what is going on and who is at the bottom of it, to stop the madness that is descending on their family and the world.
I'm a fan of dystopian, post-apocalyptic type worlds and this really seemed to fit the bill. The political parties were unique, and I liked that neither of them got things quite right (because they never do, do they?). I liked how much the world had changed as far as the technological advances with health care, and yet, the struggle to get meds was still ever-present and very telling of the world we live in now. I appreciated that deVos took real-world issues now and made them relevant in Day Zero.
This was well-written with interesting scenarios, technology, and characters. There was a bit of humor thrown in which helped to ease some of the tension going on in the book. When the action picked up so did the pace, because you just needed to find out what was going to happen. Typical of books in this genre, this ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I say a bit because some things did get resolved, but not everything. Because of that, I am very anxious for the next book because I want to see this family succeed. Nicely done.
The opposition has arisen, their leader who cheated his way into office is none other then Ammon Carter, their new president. Is her father, prominent coder and prepper responsible? She would ask him but he's not easy to get ahold of. She must figure out what is going on and who is at the bottom of it, to stop the madness that is descending on their family and the world.
I'm a fan of dystopian, post-apocalyptic type worlds and this really seemed to fit the bill. The political parties were unique, and I liked that neither of them got things quite right (because they never do, do they?). I liked how much the world had changed as far as the technological advances with health care, and yet, the struggle to get meds was still ever-present and very telling of the world we live in now. I appreciated that deVos took real-world issues now and made them relevant in Day Zero.
This was well-written with interesting scenarios, technology, and characters. There was a bit of humor thrown in which helped to ease some of the tension going on in the book. When the action picked up so did the pace, because you just needed to find out what was going to happen. Typical of books in this genre, this ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I say a bit because some things did get resolved, but not everything. Because of that, I am very anxious for the next book because I want to see this family succeed. Nicely done.
i_hype_romance's review
4.0
I was provided with an ARC of this title from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book is set in a world on the verge of economic meltdown. It is a rollercoaster of revelations. It seamlessly characterizes the political turmoil of the American landscape against the real threat of economic collapse. All seen and experienced through the eyes of a teenage girl trying to find her path and her voice.
This is a book about the complexity of blended families, sibling rivalries and petty incursions, and surviving based on sheer gut instinct. The plot twists and turns were completely unpredictable, and the identity of the villain was not even on my radar.
This book is set in a world on the verge of economic meltdown. It is a rollercoaster of revelations. It seamlessly characterizes the political turmoil of the American landscape against the real threat of economic collapse. All seen and experienced through the eyes of a teenage girl trying to find her path and her voice.
This is a book about the complexity of blended families, sibling rivalries and petty incursions, and surviving based on sheer gut instinct. The plot twists and turns were completely unpredictable, and the identity of the villain was not even on my radar.
shanameydala's review
5.0
I received a copy of an ARC in a Goodreads Giveaway.
I did not know exactly what I was getting myself into when I entered this giveaway. I had another Kelly deVos book on my TBR, so I entered. This was a fascinating read. It is a near future dystopian story, but the characters are experiencing the beginning of the breakdown of their society. I've read post apocalyptic stories and dystopian stories, but I have not read a story during the period of the destruction of place and policy.
This follows a teen that has survival training and she is helping her brother and step siblings navigate their new environment. It was a fast paced and thrilling story that I highly recommend for someone looking for a great (though intense) escape. I thoroughly look forward to the next book in the duology.
I did not know exactly what I was getting myself into when I entered this giveaway. I had another Kelly deVos book on my TBR, so I entered. This was a fascinating read. It is a near future dystopian story, but the characters are experiencing the beginning of the breakdown of their society. I've read post apocalyptic stories and dystopian stories, but I have not read a story during the period of the destruction of place and policy.
This follows a teen that has survival training and she is helping her brother and step siblings navigate their new environment. It was a fast paced and thrilling story that I highly recommend for someone looking for a great (though intense) escape. I thoroughly look forward to the next book in the duology.
romancereadingreactions's review
3.0
This was really interesting, but I don't know how to rate it? It's hard to pinpoint how I feel about this one!
There was a lot going on in this story, but with so many moment-to-moment happenings I lost track of the big picture. I couldn't see the purpose or where the story was going, but definitely keeps you reading! It was also interesting to read in the second half of 2021 compared to when it was originally published, so much has happened and it was a little unsettling how real it all read. There was a lot of bickering that made me want to yell at my book, but it was also kind of nice to read about teenagers acting how teenagers would in this sort of situation. All in all, an interesting take on a dystopian read, though I probably won't pick up the second book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book and I'm sorry for the delay in my reading/reviewing; it's been a bit of a year!
There was a lot going on in this story, but with so many moment-to-moment happenings I lost track of the big picture. I couldn't see the purpose or where the story was going, but definitely keeps you reading! It was also interesting to read in the second half of 2021 compared to when it was originally published, so much has happened and it was a little unsettling how real it all read. There was a lot of bickering that made me want to yell at my book, but it was also kind of nice to read about teenagers acting how teenagers would in this sort of situation. All in all, an interesting take on a dystopian read, though I probably won't pick up the second book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to the author and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book and I'm sorry for the delay in my reading/reviewing; it's been a bit of a year!
shoelessgirl's review
3.0
3.5 stars - I nearly DNF near the beginning, as I felt the scene setting to make it clear this is set in future was too clumsy. Saying that, I’m glad I persevered. This was a well-paced story with quite a few twists and turns which I enjoyed. I particularly liked the relationship that grew between the stepsisters, and I’m definitely looking forward to the sequel.
blood_rose_books's review
3.0
Kelly deVos: Day Zero The clock was always ticking and Kelly DeVos takes us to Day Zero, once all the time has run out: Jinx Marshall did not have a regular childhood. She spent all of her free doomsday prepping a drilling. Her Dad never let her have a days rest or a regular childhood it was all about being prepared. When her parents divorce and her mother remarries, Jinx thinks that she can take a break, have and easy normal life from now on. But all the training comes in handy when a building explodes right next to the one she, her brother and step sister are in, she is able to get them all out alive. However, this was not some random attack the world is about to go through a huge change, one that only a few saw coming, and Jinx just hopes that she has trained enough to help keep her family safe. Wow, i'm not quite sure where to start with this book, there are quite a few things that I liked about it, the pace (super fast and right from the start), dooms day, some pretty good action scenes that I was not expecting and the overall plot in the story but I struggled with the main character and some of the political avenues. I get that she is a teenager and I tried to forgive that as I read the story but there were a few things about her that just irked me especially as she is really the key to everything. With that said I am unsure whether I am supposed to like the main character, Jinx, or not. She has some great qualities like taking care of her younger brother, Charles and there are times when she's great to have in a stressful situation, seems to have some fighting abilities but for most of the story I found her to be whiny, selfish (which I guess can be good when the apocalypse is happening) and not smart most of the time aka being distracted by boys. There are multiple times she forgets what her Dad taught her and I feel like if you ran doomsday preps for YEARS of you life you would not forget so many things so easily. I mean when she is taking it easy after her mom and dad split and no longer having to do drill every day she is planning video game campaigns, I feel like that is something that is directly related to her dooms day prepping training. I actually thought that MacKenna was a more likable character (which I did not think would happen at first as she comes off as the spoiled rich girl with entitlement kind of vibe) as at least she stayed true to herself and her ideas and beliefs and wasn't afraid to question everything. I found the political setting of the book a little confusing, and I don't think the full history of how the USA got to this state is fully explained. I get everyone is for Everyone’s for Rosenthal, but why? And why is it so bad to have a change in government. I mean Ammon Carver does start to sound like a nut bar but it sounded like the people in the USA wanted to move back to a capitalistic market and away from a more socialist or communist one? I think? Honestly i'm not 100% sure at this point. I mean I like a political intrigue in a book but it needs to be well laid out and explained for me to get on board with it. I'm hoping maybe a bit more will be explained in book number 2. Maybe have Dr. Doomsday explain a few more things and what Carver was thinking as they used to be friends and why he had helped him before this point. This was an interesting Doomsday, literally zero day, zero hour, type of book that basically start you running from the beginning and you are looking to catch up about what is going to happen next. I think this is where deVos lost me a bit as I struggled to understand the political landscape of this book and where the USA was before a new president took over. That said I think that deVos has something here and I would check out the next book in the series. Enjoy!!!!
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laceyslibrarybooksta's review
3.0
I received this book as a part of the Winter 2020 Harlequin Trade Publishing Blog Tour for Inkyard Press. Thank you to Kelly deVos, Harlequin Books, Inkyard Press & NetGalley for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Susan aka "Jinx" had a father who was called Mr. Doomsday. Jinx's dad wrote the book The Doomsday Guide to Ultimate Survival and they spent a lot of time, tirelessly working at the drills that her father wrote in this book. Just when Susan's mother divorces her father and she's ready to calm down with her little brother Charles, the worst happens. Doomsday approaches and the government thinks it was Jinx's father who triggered all of these events. It's apparent that it's a choice of "remember your training" or "throw everything out the window" type scenario.
This book had such a fantastic start, it had me on the edge of my seat. I read through the first 30% within an hour I believe. It wasn't something that I had read before. A doomsday prepper turned possible doomsday ...starter?! It was so intriguing to see the steps play out in Jinx's head after years and years of having them drilled into her mind with her little brother.
After I got to a certain spot, this novel began to drag for me. It was almost like I got through some of the best parts in that first 30% and then ...poof, it stopped. I kept reading because I was very curious on how this book was going to end and what was going to happen. There were points that had you wondering if this was just in her local town or was it worldwide and other doomsday thoughts that a person might have.
One of my biggest issues that I had with this novel were the characters. They seemed almost unlikable as I got further and further into it. I loved Charlie and I wanted to take him home with me. He was hilarious and had his own little spin. If book two was in Charlie's point-of-view, I would read it in a heartbeat.
Overall, this was a good young adult novel. I would read this again and I would recommend it. Keep an open mind when reading after hitting that little wall because it might be a better of a rating for you!
Susan aka "Jinx" had a father who was called Mr. Doomsday. Jinx's dad wrote the book The Doomsday Guide to Ultimate Survival and they spent a lot of time, tirelessly working at the drills that her father wrote in this book. Just when Susan's mother divorces her father and she's ready to calm down with her little brother Charles, the worst happens. Doomsday approaches and the government thinks it was Jinx's father who triggered all of these events. It's apparent that it's a choice of "remember your training" or "throw everything out the window" type scenario.
This book had such a fantastic start, it had me on the edge of my seat. I read through the first 30% within an hour I believe. It wasn't something that I had read before. A doomsday prepper turned possible doomsday ...starter?! It was so intriguing to see the steps play out in Jinx's head after years and years of having them drilled into her mind with her little brother.
After I got to a certain spot, this novel began to drag for me. It was almost like I got through some of the best parts in that first 30% and then ...poof, it stopped. I kept reading because I was very curious on how this book was going to end and what was going to happen. There were points that had you wondering if this was just in her local town or was it worldwide and other doomsday thoughts that a person might have.
One of my biggest issues that I had with this novel were the characters. They seemed almost unlikable as I got further and further into it. I loved Charlie and I wanted to take him home with me. He was hilarious and had his own little spin. If book two was in Charlie's point-of-view, I would read it in a heartbeat.
Overall, this was a good young adult novel. I would read this again and I would recommend it. Keep an open mind when reading after hitting that little wall because it might be a better of a rating for you!
quirkycatsfatstacks's review
4.0
I received a copy of Day Zero in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Day Zero is the first novel in a Duology of the same name by Kelly deVos. What do you do, when the end of the world as you know it is looming on the horizon? That’s a question that Jinx Marshall is going to have to answer. Thankfully, being the daughter of a doomsday prepper has left her fairly well prepared for it. Though she never could have prepared for the cause of the downfall.
Day Zero is a novel made up of many elements. It’s an apocalyptic novel (not quite post – not yet, at any rate). It’s a discussion on politics and ethics. It’s a survival novel, with a healthy dose of hacking and tech speak. There’s family drama and romance, and basically everything you can think of in here.
Jinx was never really an ordinary girl. You’d have to live an ordinary life for that. She grew up running practice drills for any and all major events that could happen. Not exactly normal – but it’s going to come in use now. In her downtime, Jinx likes to code and relax online, usually by gaming with her friends. She’s paranoid, quick, and unafraid to follow through on her decisions. Oh, and she earned her nickname thanks to all the bad things that seem to happen around her.
“It’s not a raid without cheese puffs and Extra Jolt strawberry soda.”
Day Zero was a fast-paced novel, packed to the brim with details and explanations that made the entire plot feel real. Perhaps too real, given the circumstances. Jinx’s quest for answers and resolution was fascinating; resulting in a mad dash from one event to the next.
There was a lot to enjoy about Day Zero. For one thing, I love how many different elements were woven into this piece (see above). It’s not every day you get to see a novel like that, so I always make a point of appreciating it when it happens.
Another part I loved about this novel was how it made you think. There are several different moments of political discourse laid out onto the table here. It was food for thought, especially as Kelly deVos played Devil’s Advocate through her characters – which in itself was fascinating.
The pacing was exceptionally done as well. There was a lot to fit into this book (obviously), and yet it never really felt like it was dragging. Sometimes it did seem like Jinx and her family were being thrown all over the map, but in a good way. After all, they were on a run for their lives.
Speaking of Jinx, I really enjoyed her character. I wasn’t sure about her at first, since she seemed to be so closed off from the rest of the world. But the more I got to see of her, the more I became invested in her story (and thus her survival). She’s quick-witted, driven, and stubborn as a mule. But it’s perfect for this story.
The final element I loved about this novel had to be the conclusion. Don’t worry: I’m not about to spoil it on you. But I will say that I feel like this ending perfectly fit the tale being told. Lately, it seems like I’ve come up against so many novels with a rushed ending that didn’t fit the intrigue of the introduction. That is not the day for Day Zero. This was the ending us readers deserved, and I couldn’t be happier about that fact.
I’m looking forward to seeing what the second novel in this duology brings with it. It will be interesting to see how Jinx and her crew resolve this whole mess – because you just know that there’s no way they’re staying out of it.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks
Day Zero is the first novel in a Duology of the same name by Kelly deVos. What do you do, when the end of the world as you know it is looming on the horizon? That’s a question that Jinx Marshall is going to have to answer. Thankfully, being the daughter of a doomsday prepper has left her fairly well prepared for it. Though she never could have prepared for the cause of the downfall.
Day Zero is a novel made up of many elements. It’s an apocalyptic novel (not quite post – not yet, at any rate). It’s a discussion on politics and ethics. It’s a survival novel, with a healthy dose of hacking and tech speak. There’s family drama and romance, and basically everything you can think of in here.
Jinx was never really an ordinary girl. You’d have to live an ordinary life for that. She grew up running practice drills for any and all major events that could happen. Not exactly normal – but it’s going to come in use now. In her downtime, Jinx likes to code and relax online, usually by gaming with her friends. She’s paranoid, quick, and unafraid to follow through on her decisions. Oh, and she earned her nickname thanks to all the bad things that seem to happen around her.
“It’s not a raid without cheese puffs and Extra Jolt strawberry soda.”
Day Zero was a fast-paced novel, packed to the brim with details and explanations that made the entire plot feel real. Perhaps too real, given the circumstances. Jinx’s quest for answers and resolution was fascinating; resulting in a mad dash from one event to the next.
There was a lot to enjoy about Day Zero. For one thing, I love how many different elements were woven into this piece (see above). It’s not every day you get to see a novel like that, so I always make a point of appreciating it when it happens.
Another part I loved about this novel was how it made you think. There are several different moments of political discourse laid out onto the table here. It was food for thought, especially as Kelly deVos played Devil’s Advocate through her characters – which in itself was fascinating.
The pacing was exceptionally done as well. There was a lot to fit into this book (obviously), and yet it never really felt like it was dragging. Sometimes it did seem like Jinx and her family were being thrown all over the map, but in a good way. After all, they were on a run for their lives.
Speaking of Jinx, I really enjoyed her character. I wasn’t sure about her at first, since she seemed to be so closed off from the rest of the world. But the more I got to see of her, the more I became invested in her story (and thus her survival). She’s quick-witted, driven, and stubborn as a mule. But it’s perfect for this story.
The final element I loved about this novel had to be the conclusion. Don’t worry: I’m not about to spoil it on you. But I will say that I feel like this ending perfectly fit the tale being told. Lately, it seems like I’ve come up against so many novels with a rushed ending that didn’t fit the intrigue of the introduction. That is not the day for Day Zero. This was the ending us readers deserved, and I couldn’t be happier about that fact.
I’m looking forward to seeing what the second novel in this duology brings with it. It will be interesting to see how Jinx and her crew resolve this whole mess – because you just know that there’s no way they’re staying out of it.
For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks