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ameschreiber's review against another edition
4.0
Check out this and other reviews at my blog http://wereadya.blogspot.com.
Release Date: September 2014
Genre: dystopian/speculative fiction
When and Where: near future, in an alternative world where the Axis powers won World War II
Protagonist: 16 year old Zara
The Story: 80 years following World War II, the former United States is occupied by Nazi soldiers who enforce the will of the Fuhrer. Hitler's super-soldiers, genetically altered in a timely fashion that allowed the Axis powers to crush the Allies, are feared and respected. Zara, only 16 years old, lives with her uncle. She desperately misses her mother, who died in an act of rebellion. When Zara witnesses a terrible act against a beloved family friend, she joins the resistance, determined to remove the Nazi government from power and ensure a different future for those she loves. Added by an unlikely ally, Zara has a secret she's ready to use to support her cause.
Reaction: At times disturbing and distressing, The Only Thing to Fear is a wildly imaginative speculative fiction novel that mixes history, science fiction, and hints of romance. At times the novel read like an X-Men comic book, but I enjoy that style of writing, so I found the tale very entertaining. There were some similarities to The Hunger Games (is Zara similar to Katniss, or what?), but I think fans of the genre will appreciate more of this type of character.
If You Liked... The Hunger Games and Among the Hidden, then The Only Thing to Fear is right up your alley.
Rating: 4
Release Date: September 2014
Genre: dystopian/speculative fiction
When and Where: near future, in an alternative world where the Axis powers won World War II
Protagonist: 16 year old Zara
The Story: 80 years following World War II, the former United States is occupied by Nazi soldiers who enforce the will of the Fuhrer. Hitler's super-soldiers, genetically altered in a timely fashion that allowed the Axis powers to crush the Allies, are feared and respected. Zara, only 16 years old, lives with her uncle. She desperately misses her mother, who died in an act of rebellion. When Zara witnesses a terrible act against a beloved family friend, she joins the resistance, determined to remove the Nazi government from power and ensure a different future for those she loves. Added by an unlikely ally, Zara has a secret she's ready to use to support her cause.
Reaction: At times disturbing and distressing, The Only Thing to Fear is a wildly imaginative speculative fiction novel that mixes history, science fiction, and hints of romance. At times the novel read like an X-Men comic book, but I enjoy that style of writing, so I found the tale very entertaining. There were some similarities to The Hunger Games (is Zara similar to Katniss, or what?), but I think fans of the genre will appreciate more of this type of character.
If You Liked... The Hunger Games and Among the Hidden, then The Only Thing to Fear is right up your alley.
Rating: 4
lornarei's review against another edition
3.0
This seemed to have such a unique, interesting concept for dystopian YA that I was excited to read it. So why is my review only three stars (a rounding up from 2.5)? Well, because despite the seemingly unique idea I had the feeling that I’d read this all before, many times over. I’m all for girl power – bring it on, but can we have a different kind of heroine occasionally? It’s the Hunger Games/Divergent/The Testing all over again (with a splash of the movie Dave thrown in, lol) – where a seemingly milquetoast/ordinary girl all of the sudden becomes kick-ass warrior/symbol for the good guys/the rebellion’s only hope.
That said, it did hold my attention and I did keep thinking about it, wondering what was coming next. It certainly seems set up for a series. I would like to “see” more of this world and see what happens, I would just like a little more variety in my dystopian plots.
Spoiler
In this case I was puzzled by the fact that she didn’t even discover her fire power until almost halfway through the book, didn’t really know how to control it and yet a short time later the entire climactic plan to assassinate the Fuhrer is built almost completely around her. And of course she succeeds, with a little help from the final part of the formula … the boy. Are there any YA dystopians that don’t have the star-crossed lovers?That said, it did hold my attention and I did keep thinking about it, wondering what was coming next. It certainly seems set up for a series. I would like to “see” more of this world and see what happens, I would just like a little more variety in my dystopian plots.
froydis's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this one was kind of disappointing. It has such a fantastic premise, I was exited to read it. However, the writing is not so great, and some of the plot is a bit sub-par. I did like the characters for the most part, and the relationship between the MC and her uncle was great. The romance really didn't work for me, and the resolution of that romance didn't feel organic to the overall plot. It was just kind of dropped in there to tie up lose ends. Overall, its an interesting read, but there are other alternate history (future?) reads that are quite a bit better.
lsoccer12's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3.5 stars.
The story could have used a bit more development, but it was honestly about time I read something different so I was willing to overlook it. :)
I enjoyed the protagonist and the setting as well.
I would definitely read the sequel!
The story could have used a bit more development, but it was honestly about time I read something different so I was willing to overlook it. :)
I enjoyed the protagonist and the setting as well.
I would definitely read the sequel!
dianasbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5
16-year-old Zara has grown up in a world where Hitler and the Nazis win WWII. Zara and Uncle Red live on a cabbage farm after Zara's mother was killed during a rebel attack on the Nazi empire. She has always been told to be cautious and lay low. This is even more important when Zara discovers she is a dual anomaly, who has the power to manipulate wind and lightning. This is a curse until id becomes a useful weapon to the rebellion against the Nazi empire.
What I enjoyed the most about this book is how descriptive and vivid it is. I wasn't really invested in the romance between Zara and because I knew it would be hard to remain together while fighting a war but, I was still hopeful that they would make it through in the end.
16-year-old Zara has grown up in a world where Hitler and the Nazis win WWII. Zara and Uncle Red live on a cabbage farm after Zara's mother was killed during a rebel attack on the Nazi empire. She has always been told to be cautious and lay low. This is even more important when Zara discovers she is a dual anomaly, who has the power to manipulate wind and lightning. This is a curse until id becomes a useful weapon to the rebellion against the Nazi empire.
What I enjoyed the most about this book is how descriptive and vivid it is. I wasn't really invested in the romance between Zara and because I knew it would be hard to remain together while fighting a war but, I was still hopeful that they would make it through in the end.
elvenavari's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know I wanted a combination of The Hunger Games & X-Men set in a what if the Axis powers had won WWII setting until I read this book. The writing was well done. The plot and characters were well developed. I honestly wouldn't mind to read a sequel.
cmw119's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting take on what “could have been.” Its historical fiction but also not, and there’s something in there for Sci-fi lovers as well (that’s not actually me but it fits in with the story).
prof_shoff's review against another edition
2.0
Although Richmond's envisioning of the future isn't as far-fetched as it seems, the story is somewhat derivative and less compelling than I'd like.