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juliat2006's review
mysterious
fast-paced
3.25
This isn't a book I would have picked up by myself, but it was a rather pleasant experience. This was actually part of the Jólabókaflóð promotion at my school library. I liked the idea of this book. It appears nobody told Sofia to leave any creatures found encased in ice, encased in ice. Unsurprisingly, this caused havoc.
The isolated setting of Antarctica is perfect because it makes any anomaly so much more unsettling. Plus, us not knowing whether what Zak was seeing was real or in his imagination was also exciting. I found the relationship between him and his sister May to be very wholesome. The writing style of this book was great, with the descriptions having me be constantly engaged. The slight body horror had me cringe, meaning it was written perfectly!
The bad guys... They were pretty generic. An evil dude commanding soldiers, and wants to use the discovery in Antarctica for his own benefit. I guess for a "Middle Grade" book, it doesn't need to be more complicated than that. Spoiler I did appreciate that there was no hesitation in shooting a kid though. RIP Sofia.
However, the ending had me baffled. There was no way I could have predicted it. Spoiler Like, there is no way I just read about ethereal space bugs curing a kid's brain cancer. It doesn't feel real. Not to mention, a girl literally being resurrected by them too. I feel like it removed the stakes from this book. Especially what happens to Zak as a result of this event Spoiler, a.k.a, mind-control powers.
Overall, this was a pretty solid book. 3/5 stars.
The isolated setting of Antarctica is perfect because it makes any anomaly so much more unsettling. Plus, us not knowing whether what Zak was seeing was real or in his imagination was also exciting. I found the relationship between him and his sister May to be very wholesome. The writing style of this book was great, with the descriptions having me be constantly engaged. The slight body horror had me cringe, meaning it was written perfectly!
The bad guys... They were pretty generic. An evil dude commanding soldiers, and wants to use the discovery in Antarctica for his own benefit. I guess for a "Middle Grade" book, it doesn't need to be more complicated than that. Spoiler I did appreciate that there was no hesitation in shooting a kid though. RIP Sofia.
However, the ending had me baffled. There was no way I could have predicted it. Spoiler Like, there is no way I just read about ethereal space bugs curing a kid's brain cancer. It doesn't feel real. Not to mention, a girl literally being resurrected by them too. I feel like it removed the stakes from this book. Especially what happens to Zak as a result of this event Spoiler, a.k.a, mind-control powers.
Overall, this was a pretty solid book. 3/5 stars.
hellow0v0's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I read this book in 2019 (many times). I liked it very much then and it was one of my favorites. The characters are diverse and it was fun to read what they did. The main character is 12 years old boy and his parents are scientists. In general, the action takes place in Antarctica in a research facility where people were working on a project there. The inhabitants of the research station began to disappear. And together with the main character we will find out what was the reason.
I like the plot twist very much but I will not reveal it.
I like the plot twist very much but I will not reveal it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death
Moderate: Violence and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Blood
simplytakeit's review
3.0
This isn't the best book I've read, but it was fun. The story was quick paced and I read it in a day, so I definitely can't complain. Would recommend if you're looking for a quick read :)
charlottesomewhere's review
4.0
Zak and his family find their plane grounded at a remote base in Antarctica. Ground Zero is part of the Exodus Project: where people are preparing for life on Mars. Except when Zak and his family arrive, all the inhabitants are gone and what they find in their place is chilling.
Below Zero is brilliantly written: once you start it, you don’t want to stop reading. You have to know how it ends. It is a really original concept which kept me guessing until the end and even then wasn’t at all what I had expected.
This is the first of Dan’s books I have picked up and it definitely won’t be the last.
Below Zero is brilliantly written: once you start it, you don’t want to stop reading. You have to know how it ends. It is a really original concept which kept me guessing until the end and even then wasn’t at all what I had expected.
This is the first of Dan’s books I have picked up and it definitely won’t be the last.
alethiometer235's review
2.0
I read this book as it was nominated for Sefton Super Reads, a book award in my area. It is not the genre of book I would normally read, so I wasn’t surprised when I really couldn’t get into it and didn’t finish it. It just didn’t interest me at all and I found parts of it confusing as to what was going on. Some of my friends really enjoyed this one, but it just wasn’t the book for me.
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