Tag Archives: dystopian
Reborn
Born Trilogy, Book 3
Survival
2013
252
Review:
I did this to myself. Part of me really wanted this to be good and fix the problems in “Born to Fight”. The series had so much potential, in spite of some flaws, and got progressively worse.
The typos and sentence structure were so bad in this one that it felt like it had been translated from another language by someone a translator who barely knows English. This should not happen in something sold to the public. A few are normal, though should try to be avoided. At least run spellcheck.
The plot is another issue altogether. There were so many things going on at once that none could be properly explored beyond a surface level, thereby making it a complete mess of ideas that didn’t quite connect. Add to it an ending that came from nowhere, and it becomes a ridiculous mess.
I already ranted in the review of “Born to Fight” about my anger toward the unhealthy relationship found in the series. This one continued that. In the interest of my blood pressure, I will say no more.
What makes me sad is that this story had so much potential. The first one needed some work but with a good editor the series could have been something unique and special. Had Tara Brown not wanted to cut out some of the plot points, it would have been better to be extended beyond a trilogy and focus a book on each one. Then the reader could make some sense out of it all. Not a recommended series at all.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations
Born to Fight
Born Trilogy, Book 2
Survival
2013-04-08
252
Ten years ago when the world ended she ran for her life. Five weeks ago the world she'd hidden from came knocking on the door of her secluded cabin. Ten days ago she found salvation hiding amongst the dead. Yesterday she went back for the living. Today she wonders if she will live to see tomorrow."--P. [4] of cover.
Review:
In an effort to be fair, I am going to begin with the good parts. There is a part of the plot about a government-run facility that I really enjoyed. The entire idea of the place was horrifying, the author provided great details that cemented the place in my imagination like it was real, and it really provided great insight into how the world was falling apart. It meshed well with the back story and experiences we learned about Emma in “Born”.
I also enjoyed the comic relief of Emma having absolutely no social skills whatsoever. Sure, she was rude, and she often knew it, but it was still fun to see how other characters reacted to her. When people who are rapists, live with zombies, and/or are part of some strange commune in the woods think someone is uncivilized, you know that the person has some issues.
Now for the bad. I think we all need to take up a collection to help the author find a good editor. There were entire paragraphs repeated, misused words, misspelled words, and an ever-annoying tendency to have a scene with multiple characters having a conversation that includes no names. It would simply be denoted by “he said” or “she said”. Who is he? Jake? Will? The dog? Casper the friendly ghost? The entire process of decoding large parts of the book was an exercise in frustration.
Since we have a good and a bad, it seems fitting to have an ugly. The ugly in this is the completely contrived and horrific love triangle. Firstly, one of the love interests is barely in the book, and although an altogether decent human being, this seems to be some sort of sin in the mind of those around him. Granted, I know he is a liability to survival, but at least he is not violent.
Which brings us to the next love interest, Will. He is an abusive jerk of a person and he knows it. It is like he was made to fit the list of “signs of an abuser”, and the main character keeps thinking that he is one, and yet the author portrays the entire thing as some sort of excellent antagonistic love story. The entire thing makes me so angry that I am literally shaking. Younger women may read this and take it as healthy and romantic. Why is it ok to know someone makes you feel bad about yourself and hurts you, but you still forgive them? It is not. Not even a little bit. Romanticizing it is absolutely irresponsible and reprehensible on the part of the author.
Strong words? Yes. I don’t regret them.
I will read the next one because I’m worried about the wolf.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations, Romanticized Abuse
Born
Born Trilogy, Book 1
Survival
2012-11-01
260
Ten years ago when the world ended she ran for her life. Five weeks ago the world she'd hidden from came knocking on the door of her secluded cabin. Ten days ago she found salvation hiding amongst the dead. Yesterday she went back for the living. Today she wonders if she will live to see tomorrow."--P. [4] of cover.
Review:
I bought this book for my Nook because it was on sale, and I am a sucker for any dystopian type of novel. It was a choice I am glad I made. It’s different from all of the others I have read in the blending of elements and tropes.
The basic premise is that a girl has been taught to survive by her father before a type of New World Order world conspiracy occurs. This leaves her alone and without human contact for ten years of her life. Add into the mix people who are almost like zombies, human hunters, rapists, food scarcity, and other various dangers and it becomes quite a thrill ride.
I loved the world building aspect of this book. Since she was completely isolated before others became involved, it was almost as if there were two different worlds to explore. The first is Emma’s in isolation, and the second is introduced through two characters who arrive at her door and pull her back into the lives of others. Her learning about them and how to interact was my favorite part.
Unfortunately, it began to lose me at the end. Things seem to move too quickly and a third character is introduced who gives me the creeps. I am afraid I can see where the next book is going, and it makes me nervous. Along with it, the writing of many of the personal interactions is stilted and awkward almost to the point of distraction. I enjoyed it at first, because it seems natural that someone who has had so little human contact would speak that way, but as the book progressed it became apparent it was due to the writing itself, not the portrayal of a character’s limitations.
Overall, the premise was enough to make me enjoy this book and read the rest of the series.
Content Warning:
Language, Violence, Sexual Situations
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