jenbsbooks's review
3.0
This was not an "easy" read. Difficult in it's content (the descriptions of the putrid air like breathing sewage and the slimy food would turn my stomach, then there was the extreme violence, especially to children) and in it's complexity. There are oodles of aliens (Ooreiki, Takki, Trith, Dhasha, Huouyt, Jreet, Furg) and my brain was bending trying to keep them all straight (trying to remember each one's appearance and abilities), and they all have unique names, again a little hard to keep track of (Yuil, Nebil, Tril, Knaaren, Kihgl, Bagkhal, Lagrah, Kophat, Na'leen, Gokli) and their own language and terminology (distance is measured in digs, rods, lengths and marches. Time in tics, turns & rotations, tons of "Congie" words (vkala, yeeri, niish, akarit, sudah, ferlii, ka-par, haauk, Kkee... just a few), and all the alien profanity (furgling sooter, asher ... my funny favorite ashsoul).
Then there is all the military talk ... "ground leaders have a stripe, squad leaders have a triangle, battlemasters have a four-pointed star, small commanders a five-pointed star and so on all the way to Prime Commander whose star was eight points" ... Whew! Our main characters were in the 6th Battalion, 4th platoon ... but I kept getting a bit confused as there were so many different groups/troops with different numbers.
The book took off pretty quick and kept my interest, but then when it started getting so complex, and I looked at how big a book, how many pages, I really wondered if I'd make it through. I kept going, and it was quite compelling, I had no idea of how it would end. I'm not sorry I read it, but I don't know that I'd recommend it, and I don't plan on continuing with the series.
Parental Perspective: There was some regular proFanity as well. Quite a bit of sexual stuff (including rape), super violent ... not really a YA book, even though the protagonist is just 14 years old.
Then there is all the military talk ... "ground leaders have a stripe, squad leaders have a triangle, battlemasters have a four-pointed star, small commanders a five-pointed star and so on all the way to Prime Commander whose star was eight points" ... Whew! Our main characters were in the 6th Battalion, 4th platoon ... but I kept getting a bit confused as there were so many different groups/troops with different numbers.
The book took off pretty quick and kept my interest, but then when it started getting so complex, and I looked at how big a book, how many pages, I really wondered if I'd make it through. I kept going, and it was quite compelling, I had no idea of how it would end. I'm not sorry I read it, but I don't know that I'd recommend it, and I don't plan on continuing with the series.
Parental Perspective: There was some regular proFanity as well. Quite a bit of sexual stuff (including rape), super violent ... not really a YA book, even though the protagonist is just 14 years old.
scarletink's review
2.0
It had an interesting premise. Characters were inconsistent. Science fiction elements were oddly inconsistent as well. Felt like it was literally about kids in Earth basic training, then someone replaced the instructors with aliens. It felt more like a long fan fiction than a real novel. World building had a few interesting elements, but was overwhelmed with earth-like things which made it too inconsistent to enjoy. It's a rare book in a series where I actually don't plan to read the next books. Just too frustrating of a book to enjoy it much.
jan2bratt's review
3.0
This started out a little slow for me, I couldn't quite get into the characters but the further I got into the book the more I liked it as I was finally able to recognize some of the alien names and the various races. By the end it got quite exciting and I stayed up late into the night to finish it. Will likely read the next installment of this series. Fascinating new species Sara King has developed here, showing a fertile imagination and the ability to articulate her vision.
apatter7's review
3.0
This was a very thought provoking read. Aliens invade Earth demanding people hand over their children ages 5-12. Joe, the main characters, father fights back but is assumed dead when he never comes back. Joe, age 14, gets accidentally taken when he saves his brother and other young kids. The world building in this book was rich and diverse, maybe too diverse since it was kind of hard to keep track of what alien could do what and who was who. The torture and abuse of the children was very hard to get through. I know aliens wouldn't exactly treat the children of a race that they viewed as inferior very well but the extent of mistreatment was excessive and a lot of the time pointless. There is also rape and a sex scene in this book. The aliens feed the children meals pumped full of growth hormones which makes them age rapidly physically, though mentally, they are still children. Unfortunately, with this rapid growth comes a rush of hormones that they don't know how to handle (though it seems to only be a problem for the boys) which leads to the rapes.
Unfortunately, since there was too much brutality in this book I most likely wont be reading anymore of the series. I do give it 3 stars for in depth and realistic character development and world building.
Unfortunately, since there was too much brutality in this book I most likely wont be reading anymore of the series. I do give it 3 stars for in depth and realistic character development and world building.
bibliovino's review
5.0
This girl Sarah King is one of those freaky geniuses. It makes my head hurt to read these novels.
valhecka's review
4.0
Brutal - far less sparkly-giddy than the Fortune books, but just as much emotional punch and the world is just as messy and awful. Also, TALKY SPACE POLITICS GALORE.
Not sure how I feel about a bunch of the mechanics (aging, for one) but I think King did the best she could, and if you want to read like 500 pages of a teenage dude getting beat to hell (plus talky space politics and a BUNCH of truly alien aliens), this is a good one.
Not sure how I feel about a bunch of the mechanics (aging, for one) but I think King did the best she could, and if you want to read like 500 pages of a teenage dude getting beat to hell (plus talky space politics and a BUNCH of truly alien aliens), this is a good one.
ivanyv's review
3.0
Forced myself through the first half, waiting for that 4+ from ratings everyone posted. I felt it was flat, idiotic and unrealistic (yeah, for the genre). Gladly the second half was much better and I'm willing to try the second book.
PS: I read this because Outer Bounds was brilliant. This is no Outer Bounds, not even close.
PS: I read this because Outer Bounds was brilliant. This is no Outer Bounds, not even close.
justinchonaker's review
4.0
Really enjoyed it...
Aside from a few slow parts this was a great read. I will be on the lookout for more Zero stories.
Aside from a few slow parts this was a great read. I will be on the lookout for more Zero stories.
flishard's review
4.0
This story about being conscripted into an alien army after they conquer earth, was hard to put down. At first, being non-military myself i wasn't sure i was going to enjoy where the author was taking the story. However, the characters and camaraderie they share as the only humans in an alien boot-camp, was a definite page-turner.
If i recall, i even grabbed the second book, tho this one was by far the best.
If you've had family in the military, this book may resonate more with you than i suspect it has with me, tho i have a pretty good empathic imagination.
If i recall, i even grabbed the second book, tho this one was by far the best.
If you've had family in the military, this book may resonate more with you than i suspect it has with me, tho i have a pretty good empathic imagination.
dlharlan's review
4.0
Stick with this one; it's worth it. Interesting ideas wrapped in a well-told story with a wonderful main character. Recommended for all sci-fi readers.