hannahreadsadec5's review against another edition
3.0
Ally Condie, thank you for once again writing a book that makes me feel bad about my own creativity. This book was nothing like what I expected. Every time I thought I had figured out what would happen, a twist threw me off completely. I was expecting predictability, and that is not what I got.
Rio has lived feeling trapped by her surroundings in Atlantia, always dreaming of seeing the world from above the ocean not below, so when her sister strands her, alone, in the place she has always wanted to escape, she makes a very dangerous plan. With the help of some unlikely allies, and the knowledge gained from some failed escapes, Rio finds a way to get what she wants. But is it worth saving herself if it means losing Atlantia?
For me, this book was not better than the Matched trilogy, but it still was a great read. The plot was like nothing I’ve read before, and it intrigued me to no end. For a fairly quick book, it was amazing that no detail was left out, and I loved how everything tied together in the end.
Atlantia is a wonderful novel for anyone looking for something quick but enthralling, and would be excellent for fans of the traditional mermaid or siren story.
omccloskey's review against another edition
2.0
The only previous works that I have read by Ally Condie were Matched and Crossed, the first two novels in the Matched Trilogy. I rated both books as one star, never finished reading Crossed, and evidently never advanced to the final book in the series. When I read a string of books by a single author and dislike all of them, I tend to concede that the author's writing style is not for me and abstain from picking up any future publications by that author. Atlantia was an exception, and unfortunately my theory held true - I wasn't able to immerse myself in the characters, plot, or world, and I consequently didn't enjoy the book as a whole.
The plot was predictable to say the least. While I found the underwater environment to be new and exciting, there was very little going on plot-wise, and I became bored very quickly. When you've read enough dystopian novels, you become fairly good at predicting future events several chapters before they occur, and Atlantia brought no surprises. Furthermore, I was frustrated by the unnecessarily long period of time that it took the protagonist to connect all of the dots, even after they were blatantly laid out in front of her. Information that I presumed would be straightforward and obvious took her weeks to decipher, and her resulting conclusions were even occasionally incorrect. And lastly, characters' reasonings and rationales for making certain decisions were very weak. I constantly wondered how they would be enough to serve as justification for betraying one's family members and loved ones, and I wasn't able to look past this disconnect.
I repeatedly got the sense that Condie had decided to rewrite the Matched series and merely alter the setting to that of an underwater society. The protagonist's voice very closely mirrored that of Cassia's, not to mention that the novels shared some similar plot points and character relationships. It was extremely disheartening to be reading a rehashing of a book which I had already established as one of my least favorite dystopian novels of all time.
The main character, Rio, was constantly wrapped up in her own affairs that she had no time or motivation to consider the thoughts and emotions of those around her. She devotes more than half of the novel wallowing in her own self-pity, which was when the boredom started. Rio was willing to tread on and take advantage of anyone and everyone in order to attain her end goal: going above. She was foolish, irrational, and impulsive, refusing to heed the well-intentioned warnings of others and then losing her temper when pea-brained ideas backfired. The best comparison I can draw is to that of an unruly toddler who disputes everything you say solely for the sake of being belligerent.
The remaining characters are exceptionally generic and appear to have come from a cookie-cutter mold. Many of them are amalgams of two or three of Condie's previous major or minor characters, retaining some of the same mannerisms, dialogue phrases, and traits. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters, Rio included. Many of them were ultimately backstabbing and selfish, resulting in all of them sharing similar personalities. Two words should not be able to adequately define the entire host of characters in a novel.
The romance, and indirectly the writing style, provided me with several doses of secondhand embarrassment:
I'm not sure what this progression of comments was intended to convey, but to me, it screamed inexperience and a desperate plea for a decent editor to come along and complete a precursory reading of the novel. I'm not sure if the exclusion of details regarding any physical relationships was intentional in order to lower the reading level for this novel, but these scenes seemed out of place and never failed to make my skin crawl.
While Atlantia had an interesting premise, it was severely underdeveloped and succumbed to many of the stereotypes promoted by modern dystopian novels. It wasn't a compelling read, and I think I've officially learned my lesson: Ally Condie's books are definitely not for me. And yes, the absence of mermaids was extremely disappointing.
The plot was predictable to say the least. While I found the underwater environment to be new and exciting, there was very little going on plot-wise, and I became bored very quickly. When you've read enough dystopian novels, you become fairly good at predicting future events several chapters before they occur, and Atlantia brought no surprises. Furthermore, I was frustrated by the unnecessarily long period of time that it took the protagonist to connect all of the dots, even after they were blatantly laid out in front of her. Information that I presumed would be straightforward and obvious took her weeks to decipher, and her resulting conclusions were even occasionally incorrect. And lastly, characters' reasonings and rationales for making certain decisions were very weak. I constantly wondered how they would be enough to serve as justification for betraying one's family members and loved ones, and I wasn't able to look past this disconnect.
I repeatedly got the sense that Condie had decided to rewrite the Matched series and merely alter the setting to that of an underwater society. The protagonist's voice very closely mirrored that of Cassia's, not to mention that the novels shared some similar plot points and character relationships. It was extremely disheartening to be reading a rehashing of a book which I had already established as one of my least favorite dystopian novels of all time.
The main character, Rio, was constantly wrapped up in her own affairs that she had no time or motivation to consider the thoughts and emotions of those around her. She devotes more than half of the novel wallowing in her own self-pity, which was when the boredom started. Rio was willing to tread on and take advantage of anyone and everyone in order to attain her end goal: going above. She was foolish, irrational, and impulsive, refusing to heed the well-intentioned warnings of others and then losing her temper when pea-brained ideas backfired. The best comparison I can draw is to that of an unruly toddler who disputes everything you say solely for the sake of being belligerent.
The remaining characters are exceptionally generic and appear to have come from a cookie-cutter mold. Many of them are amalgams of two or three of Condie's previous major or minor characters, retaining some of the same mannerisms, dialogue phrases, and traits. I wasn't a fan of any of the characters, Rio included. Many of them were ultimately backstabbing and selfish, resulting in all of them sharing similar personalities. Two words should not be able to adequately define the entire host of characters in a novel.
The romance, and indirectly the writing style, provided me with several doses of secondhand embarrassment:
“He kisses me... He is good at this. I am good at this. We are good at this.”
I'm not sure what this progression of comments was intended to convey, but to me, it screamed inexperience and a desperate plea for a decent editor to come along and complete a precursory reading of the novel. I'm not sure if the exclusion of details regarding any physical relationships was intentional in order to lower the reading level for this novel, but these scenes seemed out of place and never failed to make my skin crawl.
While Atlantia had an interesting premise, it was severely underdeveloped and succumbed to many of the stereotypes promoted by modern dystopian novels. It wasn't a compelling read, and I think I've officially learned my lesson: Ally Condie's books are definitely not for me. And yes, the absence of mermaids was extremely disappointing.
emrache's review against another edition
3.0
solidly fun junky YA. The narrator was the same as for the one for The Lunar Chronicles , which led to my brief conviction that they had been written by the same person (they are not).
luna_rondo's review against another edition
2.0
I was expecting something that related to the lost city of Atlantis and mermaids. I didn't really get either. It was slow-paced, nothing really happened until the later chapters.
kstring's review against another edition
1.0
I wasn't expecting much going into this book because I didn't like the Matched series, but I was still overwhelmingly disappointed. There were numerous plot holes and jumps, the characters were not developed, the romance line was poorly developed, and the ending was disappointingly weak. The book was veryyyy slow to start. I don't remember much happening until at the least the middle of the book. This is not worth the read.
milkshakevoid's review against another edition
1.0
DNR
I don't know what it is about this book but I just could not finish it. I've been trying to read it for about three weeks now and the experience has been like pulling teeth.
Partly the writing style is just very passive and introspective. That might not be a problem if the main character, whose name I can't even recall, wasn't so boring. Even when she is planning to escape the city by unsafe, potentially deadly means, there just isn't any fire. Sure it's dangerous to find a way out of an underwater city surrounded by bombs, but that danger is about as real to me as the dangers of crossing the street.
The MC has no fire, no heart, and she continually tells us things rather than feeling or showing them. This book just isn't going anywhere so I cut it loose.
I hit the hundred page mark and stopped with this one. So far the concepts were interesting on a theoretical level, but the follow through just wasn't there.
Did not finish. Do not recommend.
I don't know what it is about this book but I just could not finish it. I've been trying to read it for about three weeks now and the experience has been like pulling teeth.
Partly the writing style is just very passive and introspective. That might not be a problem if the main character, whose name I can't even recall, wasn't so boring. Even when she is planning to escape the city by unsafe, potentially deadly means, there just isn't any fire. Sure it's dangerous to find a way out of an underwater city surrounded by bombs, but that danger is about as real to me as the dangers of crossing the street.
The MC has no fire, no heart, and she continually tells us things rather than feeling or showing them. This book just isn't going anywhere so I cut it loose.
I hit the hundred page mark and stopped with this one. So far the concepts were interesting on a theoretical level, but the follow through just wasn't there.
Did not finish. Do not recommend.
brittradomski's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
readerchey's review against another edition
2.0
This book was just... dry. As ironic as it is to say that. I never was a fan of Matched, but I thought I’d give this book a try, and it was honestly a struggle to finish. It wasn’t so terrible that I couldn’t finish it though. I just wish there had been more to it than what it was. It was a little predictable.
sunnydee's review against another edition
4.0
Inhaltlich möchte ich gar nicht zu viel verraten, da es gerade bei dieser Welt bzw. dieser Geschichte schön ist völlig unvoreingenommen hineinzugehen. Der Weltaufbau ist interessant und wartet im Laufe des Romans mit einigen Überraschungen auf. Außerdem wird die Welt erst nach und nach erklärt, man entdeckt sie sozusagen in dem man die Protagonistin begleitet. Rio lebt in Atlantia, einer Stadt unter Wasser. Sie wurde aus bestimmten Gründen erschaffen und es gibt auch noch ein Leben an der Oberfläche. Die Beziehung zwischen diesen beiden Welten spielt die entscheidende Rolle im Buch. Wie schon in der kurzen Inhaltsangabe verraten wird, hat Rio eine Schwester und diese ist an Land. Auch das ist ein entscheidender Punkt im Buch. Es gibt viele Geheimnisse oder zumindest viele Dinge, die einem Rätsel aufgeben und man sie unbedingt herausfinden möchte. Das hält einen die ganze Zeit an den Plot gefesselt. Lediglich in der Mitte des Buches gab es ein paar Seiten, die etwas langatmig waren. Vor allem da sich da die Protagonistin mit etwas aufhält, dass ich eher unnötig und wenig nachvollziehbar empfand. Der Fantasyanteil ist wirklich schön zu lesen, ohne das er zu abgefahren wird. Es ist eine schöne Mischung aus Dystopie und Fantasy. Rio ist nicht ganz menschlich und hat bestimmte Fähigkeiten, die ich hier nicht verraten möchte. Sie spielen eigentlich auch keine allzu große Rolle, sondern eher die Fähigkeiten anderer Wesen, wie sie eine ist. Das Ende war leider etwas überstürzt und wenig nachvollziehbar. Hier löste sich alles zu leicht auf und ergab für mich nur wenig Sinn. Daher auch der Punktabzug.
Die Charaktere sind interessant. Allerdings spielen wirklich nur wenige Charaktere eine wichtige Rolle. Rio ist eine Heldin, die ich sehr gern auf ihrem Weg begleitet habe. Ihren Wunsch herauszufinden, warum ihre Schwester gegangen ist und sie wiederzusehen, konnte ich sehr gut nachvollziehen. Ich konnte ihre Verzweiflung richtig spüren. True ist der typische liebe Junge von nebenan und ein toller Begleiter für Rio in der Geschichte. Zwischen den beiden entsteht eine leichte Liebesgeschichte, aber sie dominiert das ganze auf keinen Fall. Alle anderen Charaktere spielen eine sehr kleine Rolle. Lediglich Rios Tante lernt man näher kennen, aber sie gibt einem im ganzen Buch so viele Rätsel auf, dass man sich nicht so richtig auf sie einlassen konnte. Das Buch lebt einfach von Rio und ihren Gedanken. Es ist eine eher ruhige, nachdenkliche Geschichte.
Der Schreibstil ist wieder typisch Ally Condie. Ich mag sonst die Gegenwartsform ja nicht, aber hier passt es genauso wie schon in der Cassia&Ky Reihe der Autorin. Man liest das ganze ja aus der Ich-Perspektive von Rio und ihre Gedanken und Gefühle kommen daher noch viel besser herüber als es bei einer Schilderung aus der dritten Person heraus möglich wäre.
Ich empfand das Buch als spannend, da man hinter die vielen Geheimnisse und Ungereimtheiten kommen wollte und sich diese wirklich über das ganze Buch zogen. Ich war auch das ein oder andere mal überrascht. Action gibt es allerdings nicht. In der Mitte des Buches sollte wohl eine Art Action aufkommen. Dort zieht Rio etwas groß auf und kann damit angeblich viele Menschen begeistern. Ich empfand das allerdings eher als albern und kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass dies wirklich diese Wirkung auf die Bewohner Atlantias hatte. Ansonsten ist das Buch nicht actionreich sondern regt eher zum nachdenken und miträtseln an.
Emotional hat mich das ganze sehr angesprochen. Gerade durch den Schreibstil fühlt man sich der Protagonistin noch näher und fühlt mit ihr mit.
Grundidee 4/5
Schreibstil 4,5/5
Spannung 4,5/5
Emotionen 4,5/5
Charaktere 4/5
Liebesgeschichte 4/5
*Fazit:*
4,4 von 5 Sternen
Endlich mal ein Einzelband. Das Buch war mitreißend und spannend, aber grundsätzlich eher ruhig. Das gefiel mir sehr. Rio ist ein sympathischer Charakter und es macht Spaß sie bei ihrem 'Abenteuer' zu begleiten. Die Welt war interessant und barg die ein oder andere Überraschung. Lediglich das Ende fand ich etwas überstürzt und zu einfach gelöst.
Die Charaktere sind interessant. Allerdings spielen wirklich nur wenige Charaktere eine wichtige Rolle. Rio ist eine Heldin, die ich sehr gern auf ihrem Weg begleitet habe. Ihren Wunsch herauszufinden, warum ihre Schwester gegangen ist und sie wiederzusehen, konnte ich sehr gut nachvollziehen. Ich konnte ihre Verzweiflung richtig spüren. True ist der typische liebe Junge von nebenan und ein toller Begleiter für Rio in der Geschichte. Zwischen den beiden entsteht eine leichte Liebesgeschichte, aber sie dominiert das ganze auf keinen Fall. Alle anderen Charaktere spielen eine sehr kleine Rolle. Lediglich Rios Tante lernt man näher kennen, aber sie gibt einem im ganzen Buch so viele Rätsel auf, dass man sich nicht so richtig auf sie einlassen konnte. Das Buch lebt einfach von Rio und ihren Gedanken. Es ist eine eher ruhige, nachdenkliche Geschichte.
Der Schreibstil ist wieder typisch Ally Condie. Ich mag sonst die Gegenwartsform ja nicht, aber hier passt es genauso wie schon in der Cassia&Ky Reihe der Autorin. Man liest das ganze ja aus der Ich-Perspektive von Rio und ihre Gedanken und Gefühle kommen daher noch viel besser herüber als es bei einer Schilderung aus der dritten Person heraus möglich wäre.
Ich empfand das Buch als spannend, da man hinter die vielen Geheimnisse und Ungereimtheiten kommen wollte und sich diese wirklich über das ganze Buch zogen. Ich war auch das ein oder andere mal überrascht. Action gibt es allerdings nicht. In der Mitte des Buches sollte wohl eine Art Action aufkommen. Dort zieht Rio etwas groß auf und kann damit angeblich viele Menschen begeistern. Ich empfand das allerdings eher als albern und kann mir nicht vorstellen, dass dies wirklich diese Wirkung auf die Bewohner Atlantias hatte. Ansonsten ist das Buch nicht actionreich sondern regt eher zum nachdenken und miträtseln an.
Emotional hat mich das ganze sehr angesprochen. Gerade durch den Schreibstil fühlt man sich der Protagonistin noch näher und fühlt mit ihr mit.
Grundidee 4/5
Schreibstil 4,5/5
Spannung 4,5/5
Emotionen 4,5/5
Charaktere 4/5
Liebesgeschichte 4/5
*Fazit:*
4,4 von 5 Sternen
Endlich mal ein Einzelband. Das Buch war mitreißend und spannend, aber grundsätzlich eher ruhig. Das gefiel mir sehr. Rio ist ein sympathischer Charakter und es macht Spaß sie bei ihrem 'Abenteuer' zu begleiten. Die Welt war interessant und barg die ein oder andere Überraschung. Lediglich das Ende fand ich etwas überstürzt und zu einfach gelöst.