seconddaysea's review against another edition
2.0
Don't think I can get through this and not come out tasting bitterness.
I appreciate any non-eurocentric representation in books that are not just depressing adult novels about the Asian condition, but I'm not sure a neo-dystopian scifi flick is going to scratch my itch any better than that, especially when the writing is still a little amateurish. I'm not sure the author's totally hit her stride yet--the characters are alternating depressing and angsty and annoying. Drama queens all.
I appreciate any non-eurocentric representation in books that are not just depressing adult novels about the Asian condition, but I'm not sure a neo-dystopian scifi flick is going to scratch my itch any better than that, especially when the writing is still a little amateurish. I'm not sure the author's totally hit her stride yet--the characters are alternating depressing and angsty and annoying. Drama queens all.
nicology's review against another edition
3.0
This book wasn't as exciting as it seemed. The plot felt a bit too rushed, and the relationships between the characters seemed a bit underdeveloped and also rushed.
However, it was an average book. I could say it wasn't bad!
However, it was an average book. I could say it wasn't bad!
studyingnovels's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ok where to start! This book really inserts you into this world where there are no nations and instead just plenty of states. There are rebel groups attempting to destroy the current system of government, while the government trains their young citizens to fight them off. This is where our main character comes in Lee Jaewon who is from the old Seoul and is just working hard to be able to live in Neo-Seoul (the more modern version). He is pulled into working with Alex, a privileged guy whose father is the general in charge of Korea. Jaewon is a very emphatic guy who is troubled by his past and is attempting to leave it behind, but his memories won't let him go. Robotic weapons are built that help the government fight off rebels, but some weapons are created that go against humanity. Without running into spoilers, Alex makes Jaewon join him to complete a final test that will decide where they are placed in the military. Competing in it could mean huge success for Jaewon, but at what cost?
❗️Also side note don't read for possible spoilers ❗️
Tsuko deserves his own story, like I need to know more about his past, his experiences, his dreams. We only get a small glimpse of him and that is not fair! His character seems so complex that it's sad we couldn't learn more.
✨✨✨
Favorite Quotes:
“Even if I’ve never heard you, I hear you. Even if I’ve never seen you, I see you. Even if I’ve never known you, I miss you. I wait for you, my love, my land of the morning calm” p.8
“It’s hard, isn’t it? To live after you’ve chosen to die” p.50
“I don’t know what the manifestation of love is in physical form, but this has to come close” p.182
“When you’ve committed yourself to something, you can never fail, because you know there’s only one path you can take: to see it through the end” p.258
“I can’t differentiate how one life is worth less than a thousand. Or how a thousand lives are worth less than a million. All I know is what your life was worth to me, and to me, your life was worth the world” p.309
“From time to time,” he says, and though I can’t see him, I can hear the smile in his voice, “won’t you think of me?” p.370.
Ok where to start! This book really inserts you into this world where there are no nations and instead just plenty of states. There are rebel groups attempting to destroy the current system of government, while the government trains their young citizens to fight them off. This is where our main character comes in Lee Jaewon who is from the old Seoul and is just working hard to be able to live in Neo-Seoul (the more modern version). He is pulled into working with Alex, a privileged guy whose father is the general in charge of Korea. Jaewon is a very emphatic guy who is troubled by his past and is attempting to leave it behind, but his memories won't let him go. Robotic weapons are built that help the government fight off rebels, but some weapons are created that go against humanity. Without running into spoilers, Alex makes Jaewon join him to complete a final test that will decide where they are placed in the military. Competing in it could mean huge success for Jaewon, but at what cost?
❗️Also side note don't read for possible spoilers ❗️
Tsuko deserves his own story, like I need to know more about his past, his experiences, his dreams. We only get a small glimpse of him and that is not fair! His character seems so complex that it's sad we couldn't learn more.
✨✨✨
Favorite Quotes:
“Even if I’ve never heard you, I hear you. Even if I’ve never seen you, I see you. Even if I’ve never known you, I miss you. I wait for you, my love, my land of the morning calm” p.8
“It’s hard, isn’t it? To live after you’ve chosen to die” p.50
“I don’t know what the manifestation of love is in physical form, but this has to come close” p.182
“When you’ve committed yourself to something, you can never fail, because you know there’s only one path you can take: to see it through the end” p.258
“I can’t differentiate how one life is worth less than a thousand. Or how a thousand lives are worth less than a million. All I know is what your life was worth to me, and to me, your life was worth the world” p.309
“From time to time,” he says, and though I can’t see him, I can hear the smile in his voice, “won’t you think of me?” p.370.
sakurap's review against another edition
3.0
it is okay like i love the characters but idk i kinda forgot some of the plot already
michellehshen's review against another edition
4.0
Timeline was VERY fast paced, which is why I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 — it was a little too crunched together to fully believe the progression of romance and how certain relationships changed, etc. Wish the geopolitics were a bit fleshed out, too, e.g. what happened to the rest of Korea outside of Seoul? Otherwise, really liked the characters and overall sentiment.
keiranskiles's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A solid book, not my perfect style but I would still recommend. Definitely a cliff hanger but not sure if I’m that interested in reading the next one. It started so strong but I kind of forgot about it and didn’t remember all the behold up when I read the ending. But still a solid book!
its_mi_from_the_islands's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
2.75
jacquihertz's review against another edition
5.0
Dystopia meets sci-fi and video game in this gripping piece set over a hundred years in the future. I was gripped within the first twelve pages. Action packed and surprising in its emotion and depth. Works as a standalone but apparently it is also getting a sequel. A strong debut.
books4days's review against another edition
4.0
Advertised as a combo of Pacific Rim and a Korean drama. I haven't seen Pacific Rim, but I think it's about giant robots? If so, the book lives up to its advertising! I enjoyed this dystopian science fiction novel, especially the angsty main character.
mrsthomas715's review against another edition
4.0
In a futuristic Korea, where teens are forced to serve two years in the military, Jaewon scores so well on his simulations that he is given the top secret task of monitoring Tera, an enhanced super soldier. But will this new job help him or drag him back into his past of gangs and blackmail?