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imldsquared's review against another edition
3.0
I'm grossly aware that most children feel that their parents can do no wrong, however, this father was certifiable. That being said, I was still intrigued and the story had enough twists to keep me on my toes and make it an enjoyable read.
alaika's review against another edition
3.0
The main character is fairly full and unlikeable, but this makes his character arc solid. It's a decent enough story, with weird twists and turns. A good read, but nothing to write home about.
hauntedhexgirll's review against another edition
3.0
I love dystopian fiction and this book was fast paced, suspenseful, and an easy read. Some my find Eli to be unlikable or even his sister but I don’t mind it, I feel like they are what you could expect of teenagers in their situation with a father like the one they have. The big twist felt very predictable, like you know what it is when going into the book, I think the “why” is the bigger mystery and the suspense on what will happen when the truth is revealed. The book was entertaining and worth the read, but I don’t think I am invested enough to read the sequel.
It is pretty solid for young adult and I feel like a younger audience would really enjoy it.
Though I must say as a 26 year old, the instant messaging conversation was cringey and annoying to read.
It is pretty solid for young adult and I feel like a younger audience would really enjoy it.
Though I must say as a 26 year old, the instant messaging conversation was cringey and annoying to read.
sccrkid85's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
daphx00's review against another edition
2.0
I think I had The Compound on my shelves for nearly 2 years. The synopsis intrigued me, but somehow the book didn’t appeal to me when it was on my shelves. I picked it up on a whim, and to be honest, my initial instinct was right; this book wasn’t all that. At all.
While it’s an easy and quick read (I read it in one sitting), the plot is paper thin at best. I loved the idea for a compound to use for shelter, but when the story continued I couldn’t follow the motives for certain characters anymore. It just didn’t make any sense. I wish I could voice my questions here, but since it would completely spoil the story to even mention something, I will refrain from doing so. Just take my word for it when I tell you the motivation is completely lacking in terms reasons to do things in that compound. It was driving me crazy.
The characters are dull, flat, naive and annoying. I just.. ugh. They just didn't come alive or develop at all during the story. While I can understand that one would be a bit washed out after being in a compound without sun for six years, it wasn't at all interesting for the reader to follow Eli and his family.
To be honest, the more I think about it, the more frustrated I get with this book. It holds so much promise when you read the back of the book and when you start reading it. But when you are really reading it, you start to think the author had a great idea, started working with it and then something happened that made the whole story collapse like a house of cards. It just feels to me that certain things weren't thought out while writing them and that just angered me. Why? I really don't understand.. And now I found out it's getting a sequel. Again, why? This first book was more than enough in my opinion.
I wouldn't recommend this book.
Find this review and others on Loving Books.
While it’s an easy and quick read (I read it in one sitting), the plot is paper thin at best. I loved the idea for a compound to use for shelter, but when the story continued I couldn’t follow the motives for certain characters anymore. It just didn’t make any sense. I wish I could voice my questions here, but since it would completely spoil the story to even mention something, I will refrain from doing so. Just take my word for it when I tell you the motivation is completely lacking in terms reasons to do things in that compound. It was driving me crazy.
The characters are dull, flat, naive and annoying. I just.. ugh. They just didn't come alive or develop at all during the story. While I can understand that one would be a bit washed out after being in a compound without sun for six years, it wasn't at all interesting for the reader to follow Eli and his family.
To be honest, the more I think about it, the more frustrated I get with this book. It holds so much promise when you read the back of the book and when you start reading it. But when you are really reading it, you start to think the author had a great idea, started working with it and then something happened that made the whole story collapse like a house of cards. It just feels to me that certain things weren't thought out while writing them and that just angered me. Why? I really don't understand.. And now I found out it's getting a sequel. Again, why? This first book was more than enough in my opinion.
I wouldn't recommend this book.
Find this review and others on Loving Books.
outoftheblue14's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book in the kids section at the library, of course in the Italian translation. It sounded good, so I picked it up. I'm quite in a dystopian mood, and this book seemed a bit different from most, in that a) the main character is a boy; b) there is no love story or love triangle; and c) it looked like a stand-alone novel. Or at least, the book was originally intended as a stand-alone and works that way, but the ending is fairly open. While checking out the author's stie, I read somewhere that after so many requests from readers, she's now writing a sequel.
After a nuclear catastrophe, Eli's family has been living for 6 years in a luxury compound. Eli's father, a multi-millionaire, had the compound built and provided with everything his family might need for 15 years. When they entered it, Eli had just turned nine. Now he's fifteen, but still misses his gradma and twin brother Eddy, who didn't make it to the compound before it was sealed off.
The compund is like a golden cage for Eli and his sisters,. they have everything they could possibly want, but they cannot go out. Their father dictates the law and they're expected to obey. Eli is particularly bored by the monotonous routine and can't wait to be able to step outside.
However, it seems that food storage wasn't completey sufficient, and now supplies are starting to run out. And one day, a distraction from Eli's father hints at something new and unexpected. The compound, more than a shelter, now seems like a prison. And Eli is determined to find his way out.
I liked the claustrophobic feel of this book. I think it was very well done. And I also liked the ending, which was left open enough for the readers to imagine for themselves what they want to happen. The clash between Eli and his father is strong. It's a battle of minds, more than bodies.
On the other hand, I think that the so-called "Supplies" weren't investigated in full. It's not very clear what they planned to do with them. Or at least, one can imagine, but it's not explicitly stated. I suppose this is intentional; leaving it undefined makes it more horrible and cruel.
I'd recommend this book to lovers of dystopian fiction and a good thriller, without much blood and gore.
Cover attraction: it's dark and slightly creepy. Very fitting, to depict the door of the compound. On the right you can see the Italian cover. I think I like this one better. It focuses on the idea of escaping, even though the compound looks very big.
After a nuclear catastrophe, Eli's family has been living for 6 years in a luxury compound. Eli's father, a multi-millionaire, had the compound built and provided with everything his family might need for 15 years. When they entered it, Eli had just turned nine. Now he's fifteen, but still misses his gradma and twin brother Eddy, who didn't make it to the compound before it was sealed off.
The compund is like a golden cage for Eli and his sisters,. they have everything they could possibly want, but they cannot go out. Their father dictates the law and they're expected to obey. Eli is particularly bored by the monotonous routine and can't wait to be able to step outside.
However, it seems that food storage wasn't completey sufficient, and now supplies are starting to run out. And one day, a distraction from Eli's father hints at something new and unexpected. The compound, more than a shelter, now seems like a prison. And Eli is determined to find his way out.
I liked the claustrophobic feel of this book. I think it was very well done. And I also liked the ending, which was left open enough for the readers to imagine for themselves what they want to happen. The clash between Eli and his father is strong. It's a battle of minds, more than bodies.
On the other hand, I think that the so-called "Supplies" weren't investigated in full. It's not very clear what they planned to do with them. Or at least, one can imagine, but it's not explicitly stated. I suppose this is intentional; leaving it undefined makes it more horrible and cruel.
I'd recommend this book to lovers of dystopian fiction and a good thriller, without much blood and gore.
Cover attraction: it's dark and slightly creepy. Very fitting, to depict the door of the compound. On the right you can see the Italian cover. I think I like this one better. It focuses on the idea of escaping, even though the compound looks very big.
lyntwhit's review against another edition
4.0
Bought this for my Nook because I thought it sounded like a good YA post-apocalyptic book. It was - but more so a mystery than postapoc. Read it in one sitting! Definitely a page-turner. It was a short book, but still very good.
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
This book was totally predictable. I didn't really like Eli but as the book went on I kind of understand why he acted the way he did. It's freaky to think that what happened in this book could possibly happen. I hope her other book The Gardener is better.
minion2r's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book so much! Sure, it could be just a little bit predictable, but the way the author wrote it made you feel like you were wrong and therefore I was always second guessing myself.
The characters were likable, especially our main character, who I think struggled with guilt in a realistic way by protecting himself by lashing out. I don’t want perfect characters since nobody is perfect and it makes for a boring read. Thankfully, I had none of that here. It was a fun, suspenseful, and quick read that kept me on my toes.
The characters were likable, especially our main character, who I think struggled with guilt in a realistic way by protecting himself by lashing out. I don’t want perfect characters since nobody is perfect and it makes for a boring read. Thankfully, I had none of that here. It was a fun, suspenseful, and quick read that kept me on my toes.
jennrocca's review against another edition
3.0
Meh. I read it fast and the book was intriguing. It has a good plot. The writing is pretty weak and the characters, while deep enough, aren't developed convincingly. It lacks subtlety but it completely succeeded at entertaining me which is all I was really looking for.
I did not connect that Bodeen wrote Elizabeti's Doll. I love that book and knew this author's name was familiar! Now I know why. An OK book - would translate to film well.