catbooking's review against another edition
2.0
A book about how you will get abused by the system whether or not you are part of it.
Overall the book is depressing. But, it also left me feeling distanced and cold to the events. I do not know if it is because we are seeing the events from the POV of a child who is a. traumatized and b. doesn't comprehend 100% what is happening or because of the extra narratives from the other characters that tried to justify their behavior and therefore muted the overall tragedy that is the focus of the book.
Not a great read, just OK.
Overall the book is depressing. But, it also left me feeling distanced and cold to the events. I do not know if it is because we are seeing the events from the POV of a child who is a. traumatized and b. doesn't comprehend 100% what is happening or because of the extra narratives from the other characters that tried to justify their behavior and therefore muted the overall tragedy that is the focus of the book.
Not a great read, just OK.
leokennis's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookanonjeff's review against another edition
3.0
Compelling Premise. Lacking Execution. This was one of those books that seems destined for critical and maybe book club success at the expense of a wider commercial following. It was effectively a more interesting and less utterly depressing character drama in a sort-of-ish style of The Road.
The book only has 10 chapters, 4-5 of which are from the perspective of our main storyline character Caleb, the rest are from various adults on the periphery of the story but which sometimes provide key perspectives that Caleb can't possibly have.
Still, the utter lack of world building can be a solid narrative choice - when executed well. Unfortunately this simply wasn't executed to the level that I generally expect, and I'm not all that picky, y'all.
Finally, the abrupt and inconclusive ending was a bit too much and honestly in and of itself sunk this book from 4* to 3*.
If you enjoyed The Road and/ or generally like "awards season" dramas for your entertainment, you may well like this book. I personally despised the road and prefer more "summer movie season" type entertainment, so it just wasn't for me.
The book only has 10 chapters, 4-5 of which are from the perspective of our main storyline character Caleb, the rest are from various adults on the periphery of the story but which sometimes provide key perspectives that Caleb can't possibly have.
Still, the utter lack of world building can be a solid narrative choice - when executed well. Unfortunately this simply wasn't executed to the level that I generally expect, and I'm not all that picky, y'all.
Finally, the abrupt and inconclusive ending was a bit too much and honestly in and of itself sunk this book from 4* to 3*.
If you enjoyed The Road and/ or generally like "awards season" dramas for your entertainment, you may well like this book. I personally despised the road and prefer more "summer movie season" type entertainment, so it just wasn't for me.
bibliovino's review against another edition
2.0
⭐️⭐️/5 stars
I think this book would have worked as a short story, and maybe it started that way. But the additions didn’t add up to enough. Some interesting world building but only one fully-realized character.
I think this book would have worked as a short story, and maybe it started that way. But the additions didn’t add up to enough. Some interesting world building but only one fully-realized character.
whatireadthisweek's review against another edition
4.0
A really great book - following Caleb's journey into adulthood was both haunting and fascinating. I recently read this book again in 2020, and reading it within the context of the current global pandemic added a further dimension to what seems an unbelievable dystopian thriller. Great.
cpellegrino's review against another edition
4.0
I love a good dystopian read. Bridge 108 provides a very realistic view. This story follows the path of 12 year old Caleb, and his struggle to survive in the changing world after he is separated from his mother. This book left me satisfied, but still able to finish out stories lines in my own head. I even dreamt about it, which it me is always the sign of a good read. I hope to read more from Ms. Charnock!
Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
armamix's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
rosaza's review against another edition
2.0
From netgalley - quick review for the moment:
* was intrigued by the climate change angle so picked it up
* not YA - you don't get the close relationship with the narrator typical of YA, and the narrator is 12 for most of the book
* super depressing...moral of the story seems to be that
* depressing books are okay but I wasn't connected with the character. Sure, I felt fear for him at acutely scary moments, but nothing personal. There was also no momentum or goal (apart from survival and not being deported, I suppose ... but when the story takes place over five years it'd be nice to have some sort of time pressure). I tried to explain the book to my friends earlier and it was just like 'he was here, then he ran away and was here, then he was here, then he was here' - very meandering.
* the character is not very good, e.g. a woman he's working with dies of dehydration and he steals her necklace to sell. I get it but jesus could we please have a single morally light character?
* was intrigued by the climate change angle so picked it up
* not YA - you don't get the close relationship with the narrator typical of YA, and the narrator is 12 for most of the book
* super depressing...moral of the story seems to be that
Spoiler
everything and everyone sucks so you should just go back to slavery* depressing books are okay but I wasn't connected with the character. Sure, I felt fear for him at acutely scary moments, but nothing personal. There was also no momentum or goal (apart from survival and not being deported, I suppose ... but when the story takes place over five years it'd be nice to have some sort of time pressure). I tried to explain the book to my friends earlier and it was just like 'he was here, then he ran away and was here, then he was here, then he was here' - very meandering.
* the character is not very good, e.g. a woman he's working with dies of dehydration and he steals her necklace to sell. I get it but jesus could we please have a single morally light character?
letstalkaboutbooksbaybee's review against another edition
3.0
Thanks to Wunderkind PR for sending me a free copy of this book to review! All opinions are my own.
This book is set in a dystopian future, taking place in Europe after wildfires ravaged half of the continent and follows a teenage boy named Caleb as he bounces from place to place trying to survive. He is separated from both of his parents, fearing them both dead, and is picked up by traffickers to have him work as a slave for a woman named Ma Lexie. Eventually he escapes and turns himself into the government to work as an indentured servant, but he knows his future is not the one his mother dreamt of for him.
I quite liked this book and the premise. I think that something like this isn’t too far off of the future that awaits us if things go a certain way. My heart hurt for young Caleb and what he’s been put through. My only complaints are that this book just plops you into this world with little backstory and it was confusing to try and figure out the setting at first. This book is also very short, less than 200 pages, and I just wanted a bit more from it.
This book is set in a dystopian future, taking place in Europe after wildfires ravaged half of the continent and follows a teenage boy named Caleb as he bounces from place to place trying to survive. He is separated from both of his parents, fearing them both dead, and is picked up by traffickers to have him work as a slave for a woman named Ma Lexie. Eventually he escapes and turns himself into the government to work as an indentured servant, but he knows his future is not the one his mother dreamt of for him.
I quite liked this book and the premise. I think that something like this isn’t too far off of the future that awaits us if things go a certain way. My heart hurt for young Caleb and what he’s been put through. My only complaints are that this book just plops you into this world with little backstory and it was confusing to try and figure out the setting at first. This book is also very short, less than 200 pages, and I just wanted a bit more from it.
jfrederich's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5