eclaidley's review
3.0
Countdown is a fast-paced read that contains a bit of everything: a dystopian society, plenty of action, romance, futuristic technology, and even slight supernatural elements. While all of these ideas were interesting, it felt as though Rowen was trying to include too much in one novel, causing many aspects to feel rushed and underdeveloped.
The premise itself reminded me of a mix of [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)|Suzanne Collins|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358275334s/2767052.jpg|2792775] and Saw: contestants are forced to play a game that could cost them their lives, while a bloodthirsty audience hangs on to every moment. The challenges themselves weren't nearly as terrifying as I had expected them to be. Each task lasted for about five to ten minutes, which didn't leave room for much development or for much suspense - judging by the little amount of time the tasks took and the amount of remaining pages, there was never any reason to worry about the protagonists' safety.
The worldbuilding was virtually non-existent. We learn that it has been 25 years since the Great Plague decimated sixty percent of the population, leaving the city in shambles. There are brief mentions of what the world was like before, but we never learn anything else about it. We're never told how the Plague began, where it struck, what was done to prevent it or whether or not the rest of the world was affected by the Plague as well. Granted, we are told that the Plague caused mutations in certain members of the population, granting them psi powers, but that's barely explained aside from the scenes showing Kira using her own psi abilities.
I never became overly invested in any of the characters, though that's not to say that I didn't like them. Kira flip-flops from trusting to suspicious at the drop of a hat, which makes sense given her past and her present circumstances, though it became a bit tiring to read about. She's strong and self-reliant, and is willing to think before she acts - especially when that action may result in someone else's death. Rogan is your typical YA love interest: an attractive bad boy with a tortured past. I enjoyed finding out about the circumstances that led him to participate in the Countdown, and his sarcastic banter with Kira was fun to read.
When you're fighting for your life, you would think that you'd have other things to worry about than whether or not your partner in the challenges is a viable romantic interest, right? I know I would. Kira, though, clearly didn't agree. I lost count of the number of times she commented on how attractive Rogan was, and even though they had only known each other for a few days, she was more than willing to jump into bed with him. I know that life or death situations can cause people to form close relationships very quickly, but still.
Overall, Countdown had so much potential to be an excellent book, but its rushed, underdeveloped nature caused it to be a slightly disappointing read. The action scenes were well written and fun to read, but were ultimately overshadowed by the insta-romance.
This review can also be found at The In-Between Place. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The premise itself reminded me of a mix of [b:The Hunger Games|2767052|The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1)|Suzanne Collins|http://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1358275334s/2767052.jpg|2792775] and Saw: contestants are forced to play a game that could cost them their lives, while a bloodthirsty audience hangs on to every moment. The challenges themselves weren't nearly as terrifying as I had expected them to be. Each task lasted for about five to ten minutes, which didn't leave room for much development or for much suspense - judging by the little amount of time the tasks took and the amount of remaining pages, there was never any reason to worry about the protagonists' safety.
The worldbuilding was virtually non-existent. We learn that it has been 25 years since the Great Plague decimated sixty percent of the population, leaving the city in shambles. There are brief mentions of what the world was like before, but we never learn anything else about it. We're never told how the Plague began, where it struck, what was done to prevent it or whether or not the rest of the world was affected by the Plague as well. Granted, we are told that the Plague caused mutations in certain members of the population, granting them psi powers, but that's barely explained aside from the scenes showing Kira using her own psi abilities.
I never became overly invested in any of the characters, though that's not to say that I didn't like them. Kira flip-flops from trusting to suspicious at the drop of a hat, which makes sense given her past and her present circumstances, though it became a bit tiring to read about. She's strong and self-reliant, and is willing to think before she acts - especially when that action may result in someone else's death. Rogan is your typical YA love interest: an attractive bad boy with a tortured past. I enjoyed finding out about the circumstances that led him to participate in the Countdown, and his sarcastic banter with Kira was fun to read.
When you're fighting for your life, you would think that you'd have other things to worry about than whether or not your partner in the challenges is a viable romantic interest, right? I know I would. Kira, though, clearly didn't agree. I lost count of the number of times she commented on how attractive Rogan was, and even though they had only known each other for a few days, she was more than willing to jump into bed with him
Spoiler
even after being told that he murdered her familyOverall, Countdown had so much potential to be an excellent book, but its rushed, underdeveloped nature caused it to be a slightly disappointing read. The action scenes were well written and fun to read, but were ultimately overshadowed by the insta-romance.
This review can also be found at The In-Between Place. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
powellki's review
3.0
Read more reviews at my blog, A Bibliotaph's Reviews
Received as an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley.com.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
This was a book that intrigued me with just it's summary while I was browsing on Netgalley. It was a good story, the idea of it an interesting one. Underground digital feeds for the wealthy in a ruined world. Criminals battling it out to the death. A romance that blooms at the most inopportune time. All things that I think could potentially bring a good book, however there were details in the book that threw me off a bit.
Kira really annoyed me. If she wasn't completely reminiscing over her parents and sister's murder (I know it's a difficult thing to get over and one she'll live with the rest of her life, however I don't need to be reminded of it every single chapter of the book), she was fawning over Rogan and his devilishly good looks. A good twenty percent of this book could be cut out between those two things alone. That said, Kira does have her moments where she does add to the plot trying to get further through the games to survive.
The book does have it's high moments, the chapters about the different levels of the game were definitely engaging and left me wanting to know more. But there are some things that aren't explained. Such as how they pick contestants now. Some of them are murderers or juvenile delinquents who are looking for a clean record. Rowen fails to explain how people like Kira, low level thieves and the like, are actually chosen. Kira receives the explanation that because she picked the wrong person's pocket, she found herself in the game. However, it's never explained if others like her have been in the game or how they were chosen.
There were a few inconsistencies in the grammar and spelling of words. Sometimes Rogan's name was spelled with an 'a', but there were times when the name seemed to be spelled with an 'e'. Sometimes words would have strange spaces between letters such as 'f lowers' or 'd ance'. It was a bit disorienting, but nothing that should stop you from at least picking up the book and giving it a chance.
Received as an Advanced Reader Copy from Netgalley.com.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
This was a book that intrigued me with just it's summary while I was browsing on Netgalley. It was a good story, the idea of it an interesting one. Underground digital feeds for the wealthy in a ruined world. Criminals battling it out to the death. A romance that blooms at the most inopportune time. All things that I think could potentially bring a good book, however there were details in the book that threw me off a bit.
Kira really annoyed me. If she wasn't completely reminiscing over her parents and sister's murder (I know it's a difficult thing to get over and one she'll live with the rest of her life, however I don't need to be reminded of it every single chapter of the book), she was fawning over Rogan and his devilishly good looks. A good twenty percent of this book could be cut out between those two things alone. That said, Kira does have her moments where she does add to the plot trying to get further through the games to survive.
The book does have it's high moments, the chapters about the different levels of the game were definitely engaging and left me wanting to know more. But there are some things that aren't explained. Such as how they pick contestants now. Some of them are murderers or juvenile delinquents who are looking for a clean record. Rowen fails to explain how people like Kira, low level thieves and the like, are actually chosen. Kira receives the explanation that because she picked the wrong person's pocket, she found herself in the game. However, it's never explained if others like her have been in the game or how they were chosen.
There were a few inconsistencies in the grammar and spelling of words. Sometimes Rogan's name was spelled with an 'a', but there were times when the name seemed to be spelled with an 'e'. Sometimes words would have strange spaces between letters such as 'f lowers' or 'd ance'. It was a bit disorienting, but nothing that should stop you from at least picking up the book and giving it a chance.
ruthsic's review
4.0
The story of Countdown is kind of Hunger Games meets Gamer (the movie) where Kira is an unwilling participant in a game where criminals go through deadly and dangerous levels for the ultimate prize. The Network is underground and illegal, making the game high stakes and since the Subscribers love the gore, nobody cares if they survive the game or not. Kira, whose family was murdered two years ago, is paired with Rogan, a convicted murderer, so she pretty much hates him on principle. During the game, they slowly grow to depend on each other and become closer. But Rogan's past isn't what it is nor is the producer of the show really evil.
I loved the book until the games ended - it was exciting, hang-on-every-word, and they complete every level at nearly the last second, making you hold your breath. It's dark and unethical and you are cursing the Network in your mind. After the game ended, however, the plot took a nosedive - the AI and the Psi didn't really mesh well and the ending was rushed, in my opinion. I did love the writing, though, and the development between the characters; even though it was almost insta-lovey, I give it a pass for the death stakes.
Overall, a good book though it would have been better in a series. 3.5 stars.
I loved the book until the games ended - it was exciting, hang-on-every-word, and they complete every level at nearly the last second, making you hold your breath. It's dark and unethical and you are cursing the Network in your mind. After the game ended, however, the plot took a nosedive - the AI and the Psi didn't really mesh well and the ending was rushed, in my opinion. I did love the writing, though, and the development between the characters; even though it was almost insta-lovey, I give it a pass for the death stakes.
Overall, a good book though it would have been better in a series. 3.5 stars.
inlibrisveritas's review
3.0
Countdown follows two teens as they struggle to survive in a twisted televised game, while learning to trust each other and finding out just who their real enemies are. The story is set at a quick and breakneck pace and while the overall concept is interesting I found a few elements distracting.
The Countdown is a tv show broadcast to a limited number of subscribers where two unlikely and mostly unlikeable people are pitted against danger after danger, and offered the chance at a new life free from their prison binds if they can survive. Kira is now the only female competitor and the only person to be picked up outside of the prison walls, and the subscribers love her. She’s feisty and independent, and with added combo of a sad past and a rough life she’s just the kind of girl who might survive the Countdown. However she is paired with Rogan who is a notorious criminal with a wrap sheet she doesn’t want any part of. I initially enjoyed these two together because Kira is standoff-ish and keeps her distance, it’s a working relationship with no added tangles. However it does began to blossom into something more and while I understood the need for the emotional attachment, I just wasn’t really feeling the connection. I think it might have been the amount of twists and turns that theses two have to go through.I do like that Rogan is more than he seems, but he’s increasingly frustrating in his tough guy routine that he uses to deflect conversations with.
The plot is set at a heart-racing speed that really pulled me in. I loved the idea of the television show and how horrible it was. It reminded me a Doctor Who episode where is a network full of game shows all set to eliminate constants in the most permanent way possible. I even like the reason behind all of the evil. There isn’t much world-building to be had though we do get a bit of info on the world and why it is the way it is, but I wish there had been a bit more. However I did have one glaring problem with the plot which was her physic ability mentioned in the summary. It isn’t really brought up until about half-way into the novel and at that point it felt too late for it to be introduced. I was already committed to the story and the way it was going, so having this new element suddenly made it feel bulky. It wasn’t really a unnecessary addition it just felt odd to suddenly learn about something so out there and I wished it had been at least hinted at or mentioned earlier on.
Overall I found Countdown to be a high-octane ride with a lot of twists and turns and despite it’s issues I still enjoyed it. I believe this is a standalone novel, so it was nice to be to sit down and enjoy a complete story without having to wait a full year for the next one.
The Countdown is a tv show broadcast to a limited number of subscribers where two unlikely and mostly unlikeable people are pitted against danger after danger, and offered the chance at a new life free from their prison binds if they can survive. Kira is now the only female competitor and the only person to be picked up outside of the prison walls, and the subscribers love her. She’s feisty and independent, and with added combo of a sad past and a rough life she’s just the kind of girl who might survive the Countdown. However she is paired with Rogan who is a notorious criminal with a wrap sheet she doesn’t want any part of. I initially enjoyed these two together because Kira is standoff-ish and keeps her distance, it’s a working relationship with no added tangles. However it does began to blossom into something more and while I understood the need for the emotional attachment, I just wasn’t really feeling the connection. I think it might have been the amount of twists and turns that theses two have to go through.I do like that Rogan is more than he seems, but he’s increasingly frustrating in his tough guy routine that he uses to deflect conversations with.
The plot is set at a heart-racing speed that really pulled me in. I loved the idea of the television show and how horrible it was. It reminded me a Doctor Who episode where is a network full of game shows all set to eliminate constants in the most permanent way possible. I even like the reason behind all of the evil. There isn’t much world-building to be had though we do get a bit of info on the world and why it is the way it is, but I wish there had been a bit more. However I did have one glaring problem with the plot which was her physic ability mentioned in the summary. It isn’t really brought up until about half-way into the novel and at that point it felt too late for it to be introduced. I was already committed to the story and the way it was going, so having this new element suddenly made it feel bulky. It wasn’t really a unnecessary addition it just felt odd to suddenly learn about something so out there and I wished it had been at least hinted at or mentioned earlier on.
Overall I found Countdown to be a high-octane ride with a lot of twists and turns and despite it’s issues I still enjoyed it. I believe this is a standalone novel, so it was nice to be to sit down and enjoy a complete story without having to wait a full year for the next one.
melinda's review
4.0
Kira and Rogan wake up in total darkness, not having a clue where they are and find themselves shackled in a room. They both have relatively dark pasts and are unsure what's going on. Slowly Rogan realizes they might be in a new underground "game" called Countdown. This is a highly exclusive game that is only broadcast to subscribers. This is a game with high stakes- literally life and death.
Rogan and Kira have to maneuver through this game and try to stay alive while also trying to figure out if they can trust each other or not. The makers of the game who pull the strings try everything they can to make sure that the trust between the two never develops.
This was a fast paced, interesting dystopian novel. The dystopia part was not explained in depth but that actually didn't bother me at all, it was kind of a relief to get into the action part without a long, drawn out explanation. The game itself was intriguing and when it was combined with the manipulation of the game makers it made the book very suspenseful. I found myself wondering what was going to happen next in and out of the game.
Out of the game I enjoyed Rogan and Kira's interactions. Kira was hesitant to trust Rogan, but with good reason. I found the ending satisfying and wasn't left wanting more - the book was just the right amount.
Rogan and Kira have to maneuver through this game and try to stay alive while also trying to figure out if they can trust each other or not. The makers of the game who pull the strings try everything they can to make sure that the trust between the two never develops.
This was a fast paced, interesting dystopian novel. The dystopia part was not explained in depth but that actually didn't bother me at all, it was kind of a relief to get into the action part without a long, drawn out explanation. The game itself was intriguing and when it was combined with the manipulation of the game makers it made the book very suspenseful. I found myself wondering what was going to happen next in and out of the game.
Out of the game I enjoyed Rogan and Kira's interactions. Kira was hesitant to trust Rogan, but with good reason. I found the ending satisfying and wasn't left wanting more - the book was just the right amount.
almera's review
3.0
This was an okay read. Some of the parts were predictable so I guess those moments ruined it for me.
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