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klosisreading's review
adventurous
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
Read this one in middle school and borrowed it last week at the librairy. It's an intresting book but wouldn't recommend it to somebody who *reads*.
kathydavie's review
5.0
First in the PERSEFoNE thriller series for Young Adults, which revolves around Noa and a group of teens who have survived an infection and are pursued by the government.
My Take
Whoaa, this was excellent! It's chases and theorizing for the most part with lots of tension and drama. Gagnon is consistent in dropping in hints and slowly releasing possibilities, and she does a nice set-up, teasing out clues that Noa picks up right along with Amanda, but not connecting the two girls, leaving them each their particular subplot. Ones that will connect down the road.
The part I don't get is if Peter is such a hot computer hacker, how come his browsing about resulted so quickly in the home invasion? I do like that Gagnon has Peter cocky, but then shows him as just another kid as Mason tracks him again and again, as his parents berate him. But Peter does learn along the way as does Noa. It's a nice real-world progression, sadly slow in one instance, but definitely realistic.
Who are these parents?? Can we trade them in? Maybe send them to an animal shelter that puts dogs down within 24 hours and hope the two are mistaken for beasts in need of being put down? I can't believe these people!
I like that Noa is smart enough to not go straight home. I also liked the problems Gagnon created for Noa by not having cash/ID drops. She may have figured out a way around the foster care system and done well, but she's young, and it's not an issue she's encountered in the past. So it makes sense that she's not prepared for the current pursuit.
That ending scene was intense. I really thought Noa had a brilliant plan. I would never have guessed the angle that Gagnon threw in here. What I really hate about it is that I'm going to have to wait for Don't Look Now!
Lessons learned: set up cash drops and spare IDs.
The Story
Waking up on a surgical table in a warehouse is not what Noa was expecting. Nor does she intend to hang around and ask questions! Unfortunately, she needs cash. Now. And a lucky chance---or is it?---brings an email from Vallas at /ALLIANCE/, needing someone to hack into a company's website after thugs break down his door and take his laptop, leaving him with some nasty threats.
Threats that Vallas ain't takin' lyin' down!
The Characters
Noa Torson, a.k.a., Rain, a.k.a., Nora Latham, is a sixteen-year-old runaway from the foster system. She's smart and very computer-savvy, doing freelance computer security as "Ted" Latham. She thought she had covered her tracks.
Peter Gregory, a.k.a., Vallas, is a bored high school senior who discovered his own computer skills, putting them to use with /ALLIANCE/, a secret vigilante group that "targets Internet bullies, animal abusers, sexual predators, and everyone else who took advantage of the weak". His parents—Bob is a "do-gooder investment banker more interested in appearing good" while Priscilla is a high-priced defense attorney—pretty much ignore him. Well, actually, they view him as the wrong child who lived. Jeremy is/was their older son who died of PEMA.
Cody Ellis was Jeremy's best friend; they were rooming together at college when Jeremy got sick. Pam is Cody's neighbor; Ethan is her baby. A6M0, a.k.a., Zeke, is another runaway with a secret.
Amanda Berns is Peter's college-age girlfriend. She's obsessive about social work and volunteers at the Runaway Coalition; Mrs. Latimar is in charge at the Coalition. Drew is the new boyfriend; he's pre-law and a community organizer wannabe.
AMRF and associated people include:
AMRF is an organization associated with Pike & Dolan, a pharmaceutical company. Mason is its primary thug along with Cole.
Missing runaways including Dulcie Patrick, Randy Quinn, Alex Herbruck, Rob "Tito" Garcia...and more. PEMA is a teen-focused virus that's incurable.
The Pratts were the type of foster parents who had to ensure you knew how lucky you were, how wonderful they were for taking in older foster kids.
The Cover
The cover is a gold-to-brown gradient with a flexible grid as someone's hand presses against it, trying to escape. I do like the consistency of the angled text as it also goes through a color gradient from a bright yellow at the top to a bright red in the bottom text. It conveys a sense of urgency.
I suspect the title is the first rule in being chased---Don't Turn Around, as you're likely to slow down and be caught!
My Take
Whoaa, this was excellent! It's chases and theorizing for the most part with lots of tension and drama. Gagnon is consistent in dropping in hints and slowly releasing possibilities, and she does a nice set-up, teasing out clues that Noa picks up right along with Amanda, but not connecting the two girls, leaving them each their particular subplot. Ones that will connect down the road.
The part I don't get is if Peter is such a hot computer hacker, how come his browsing about resulted so quickly in the home invasion? I do like that Gagnon has Peter cocky, but then shows him as just another kid as Mason tracks him again and again, as his parents berate him. But Peter does learn along the way as does Noa. It's a nice real-world progression, sadly slow in one instance, but definitely realistic.
Who are these parents?? Can we trade them in? Maybe send them to an animal shelter that puts dogs down within 24 hours and hope the two are mistaken for beasts in need of being put down? I can't believe these people!
I like that Noa is smart enough to not go straight home. I also liked the problems Gagnon created for Noa by not having cash/ID drops. She may have figured out a way around the foster care system and done well, but she's young, and it's not an issue she's encountered in the past. So it makes sense that she's not prepared for the current pursuit.
That ending scene was intense. I really thought Noa had a brilliant plan. I would never have guessed the angle that Gagnon threw in here. What I really hate about it is that I'm going to have to wait for Don't Look Now!
Lessons learned: set up cash drops and spare IDs.
The Story
Waking up on a surgical table in a warehouse is not what Noa was expecting. Nor does she intend to hang around and ask questions! Unfortunately, she needs cash. Now. And a lucky chance---or is it?---brings an email from Vallas at /ALLIANCE/, needing someone to hack into a company's website after thugs break down his door and take his laptop, leaving him with some nasty threats.
Threats that Vallas ain't takin' lyin' down!
The Characters
Noa Torson, a.k.a., Rain, a.k.a., Nora Latham, is a sixteen-year-old runaway from the foster system. She's smart and very computer-savvy, doing freelance computer security as "Ted" Latham. She thought she had covered her tracks.
Peter Gregory, a.k.a., Vallas, is a bored high school senior who discovered his own computer skills, putting them to use with /ALLIANCE/, a secret vigilante group that "targets Internet bullies, animal abusers, sexual predators, and everyone else who took advantage of the weak". His parents—Bob is a "do-gooder investment banker more interested in appearing good" while Priscilla is a high-priced defense attorney—pretty much ignore him. Well, actually, they view him as the wrong child who lived. Jeremy is/was their older son who died of PEMA.
Cody Ellis was Jeremy's best friend; they were rooming together at college when Jeremy got sick. Pam is Cody's neighbor; Ethan is her baby. A6M0, a.k.a., Zeke, is another runaway with a secret.
Amanda Berns is Peter's college-age girlfriend. She's obsessive about social work and volunteers at the Runaway Coalition; Mrs. Latimar is in charge at the Coalition. Drew is the new boyfriend; he's pre-law and a community organizer wannabe.
AMRF and associated people include:
AMRF is an organization associated with Pike & Dolan, a pharmaceutical company. Mason is its primary thug along with Cole.
Missing runaways including Dulcie Patrick, Randy Quinn, Alex Herbruck, Rob "Tito" Garcia...and more. PEMA is a teen-focused virus that's incurable.
The Pratts were the type of foster parents who had to ensure you knew how lucky you were, how wonderful they were for taking in older foster kids.
The Cover
The cover is a gold-to-brown gradient with a flexible grid as someone's hand presses against it, trying to escape. I do like the consistency of the angled text as it also goes through a color gradient from a bright yellow at the top to a bright red in the bottom text. It conveys a sense of urgency.
I suspect the title is the first rule in being chased---Don't Turn Around, as you're likely to slow down and be caught!
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 rounded to 3
Romance ok, but could have done without it, not sure, wether you would call that a love-triangle, also when the book ends, it is open who loves whom.
Could have done with more hacking, but what was there was ok, without details, so as not to give a blueprint for aspiring hacker-wannabes (I dare to count myself in that group, with a basic knowledge of Unix, bash, html and having learned more than 25 years ago Cobol85, Assembler and Modula 2).
Too expensive, should have cost helf that. Will try to read the next books in the series sometime, but with KU or if they are cheap!
Romance ok, but could have done without it, not sure, wether you would call that a love-triangle, also when the book ends, it is open who loves whom.
Could have done with more hacking, but what was there was ok, without details, so as not to give a blueprint for aspiring hacker-wannabes (I dare to count myself in that group, with a basic knowledge of Unix, bash, html and having learned more than 25 years ago Cobol85, Assembler and Modula 2).
Too expensive, should have cost helf that. Will try to read the next books in the series sometime, but with KU or if they are cheap!
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
3.0
Project Persefone (ik moet er nog altijd aan wennen dat het met een f geschreven wordt :P) is een spannend en intrigerend boek vol actie en vaart. Toch was het voor mij geen pageturner en had ik niet de neiging om het zo snel mogelijk en het liefst in 1 ruk uit te lezen. Waar dat aan lag is lastig onder woorden brengen. Het verhaal zit namelijk steengoed in elkaar, de personages zijn boeiend en interessant, het boek kent een interessant plot en mooi verteltempo. Het kent een perfecte balans tussen omschrijving en actie. Toch wist het mij niet 100% te pakken en ik denk dat we kort kunnen zeggen dat het er ongetwijfeld aan zal liggen dat het boek en ik gewoon niet helemaal matchen. Geen enkel personage was echt herkenbaar voor me en hoewel ik computers geweldig vind, heb ik er te weinig verstand van, ben ik bang. Daardoor was het voor mij een boek wat ver van me af stond en uit ervaring weet ik dat dat voor mij minder goed werkt. Dat het dus drie sterren krijgt ligt niet aan het boek, maar puur aan mij als persoon in combinatie met dit boek :D
celjla212's review
4.0
The beginning of this novel starts out with a bang and brings you straight into the lonely life of Noa. At times the story reads like a Bourne movie, and at others it's a little slow. There is some talk of hacking and computer terminology, but nothing too complicated and difficult to follow.
It opens with Noa escaping from some sort of facility where she wakes with an IV in her arm and no memory of how or why she's there. We quickly learn that Noa is smart, resourceful, and a quick thinker. Her parents died when she was young, and cycling in and out of the foster system left her more than a little jaded. Luckily, the lifestyle she's accustomed to becomes an asset when she's running from those trying to catch her.
Peter is the other main character in the story. Since the death of his older brother to a mysterious disease, his parents have scarcely paid attention to him at all. But he never expected them to side with those who busted into his front door and held him at gunpoint. Soon, his parents have kicked him out, his girlfriend's broken his heart, and he has nowhere to go.
When Peter and Noa meet up, sparks don't immediately fly. Noa is guarded and not used to having help from anyone. Peter sees through her tough exterior though. One thing I absolutely loved about this book is that there's no romance. Peter and Noa get to know each other as colleagues first. There is some flirting, but under the circumstances neither of them takes it further. I'm very excited to see how their relationship progresses as the series goes further.
There were only a couple of moments that I found a little predictable, but overall this novel left me breathless and shocked. I'd recommend this book to anyone who needs a break from the shallow world of teen romance and needs a little action.
It opens with Noa escaping from some sort of facility where she wakes with an IV in her arm and no memory of how or why she's there. We quickly learn that Noa is smart, resourceful, and a quick thinker. Her parents died when she was young, and cycling in and out of the foster system left her more than a little jaded. Luckily, the lifestyle she's accustomed to becomes an asset when she's running from those trying to catch her.
Peter is the other main character in the story. Since the death of his older brother to a mysterious disease, his parents have scarcely paid attention to him at all. But he never expected them to side with those who busted into his front door and held him at gunpoint. Soon, his parents have kicked him out, his girlfriend's broken his heart, and he has nowhere to go.
When Peter and Noa meet up, sparks don't immediately fly. Noa is guarded and not used to having help from anyone. Peter sees through her tough exterior though. One thing I absolutely loved about this book is that there's no romance. Peter and Noa get to know each other as colleagues first. There is some flirting, but under the circumstances neither of them takes it further. I'm very excited to see how their relationship progresses as the series goes further.
There were only a couple of moments that I found a little predictable, but overall this novel left me breathless and shocked. I'd recommend this book to anyone who needs a break from the shallow world of teen romance and needs a little action.
aliceboule's review
4.0
I devoured this. D-E-V-O-U-R-E-D spells DEVOURED!
But anyways.
Gagnon writes a thrilling story of medical experimentation, government corruption(?), geekdom, romance, trust, betrayal.
All the necessary ingredients for a well-written, fast paced, arresting, story.
Noa is lovable, if only for her completely badassery. And Peter is terribly cute.
This was the first book I read part of the Morning Calm Nominee Selections (2014). This bodes well for the rest of the collection!!
I am looking forward to unfolding the story in the sequel!
But anyways.
Gagnon writes a thrilling story of medical experimentation, government corruption(?), geekdom, romance, trust, betrayal.
All the necessary ingredients for a well-written, fast paced, arresting, story.
Noa is lovable, if only for her completely badassery. And Peter is terribly cute.
Spoiler
I do hate his parents though!This was the first book I read part of the Morning Calm Nominee Selections (2014). This bodes well for the rest of the collection!!
I am looking forward to unfolding the story in the sequel!
keberwick's review
4.0
I devoured this book. I started reading it at about 7:30 am on the school bus and by 10:15 am, I was finished. The writing was engaging and perfectly tailored towards the audience. While it's not the most poetic or eloquent books I've read, the overall package makes up for it.
Noa is a fabulous heroine. She's strong. She's resourceful. She's got a good head on her shoulders. Most importantly, she doesn't become completely suckered by Peter as soon as they meet each other. Yeah, okay there's an undercurrent of romance, but the lightheartedness of potential romance balanced the darkness. Noa is among one of the most human heroines I've read in YA in a while, and Peter was actually very realistic as well. I felt like Peter could have been a bit more naive, but that's only because I assume if I were in his shoes, I'd be incredibly naive. The only character I wasn't enthused with was Amanda. While she served as a good foil for Noa, I just don't feel as though she had much more of a role. I can't wait to read the next book.
Noa is a fabulous heroine. She's strong. She's resourceful. She's got a good head on her shoulders. Most importantly, she doesn't become completely suckered by Peter as soon as they meet each other. Yeah, okay there's an undercurrent of romance, but the lightheartedness of potential romance balanced the darkness
Spoiler
of being traced by a governmental body/having surprise surgery/losing 3 weeks of her life/running awayeyreguide's review
5.0
This was a wonderful, captivating thriller. The pace never let up as I was thrown into Noa and Peter's struggles against a mysterious and powerful organization. Both Noa and Peter were great protagonists because they were so different from each other - Noa is tough, experienced and very analytical while Peter is likable and idealistic. And they're both smart so it's exciting how they approached undermining an organization that seemed way too big to take down.
The author obviously did a lot of research into the logistics of computer hacking and made it very visually descriptive so that I found it easy to understand. And I identified with the hackers in the story as a noble-minded community trying to right wrongs - there was a great sense of family with them because they are willing to help each other out and that made me root for them even though it's scary how much power they have in their hands.
The story switches perspectives between Noa and Peter which again highlights their differences in attitude as well as their similarities keeping the story fresh and engrossing. Their back story was seamlessly integrated with the action, which kept the story moving quickly while the development of the characters progressed in the background. It's a fine balance and perfectly done. There were other characters that I also felt I knew very well from their interactions with Noa and Peter - Cody in particular was a scene-stealer, and such a sweetheart! With Noa and Peter there is just a hint or a romance which totally applaud because the main focus for these characters is getting out of danger and I'm glad the Noa and Peter's interest in each other will have a chance to grow and develop more.
I really enjoyed the roller coaster ride this book put me on - there were so many suspenseful, tense scenes - chases, threatening figures, and the horrible reality of what the AMRF were doing - that it was impossible to put this book down. Even scenes when Noa or Peter are just hacking into something on their computer were as tense as the chase scenes - probably because they were enhanced by the paranoia in seeing how dependent we are on technology and how much of our information is out there. There's also the urgency of needing to see Noa and Peter succeed that kept me turning pages. This is such an exciting read! I can't wait to get started on the second book!
The author obviously did a lot of research into the logistics of computer hacking and made it very visually descriptive so that I found it easy to understand. And I identified with the hackers in the story as a noble-minded community trying to right wrongs - there was a great sense of family with them because they are willing to help each other out and that made me root for them even though it's scary how much power they have in their hands.
The story switches perspectives between Noa and Peter which again highlights their differences in attitude as well as their similarities keeping the story fresh and engrossing. Their back story was seamlessly integrated with the action, which kept the story moving quickly while the development of the characters progressed in the background. It's a fine balance and perfectly done. There were other characters that I also felt I knew very well from their interactions with Noa and Peter - Cody in particular was a scene-stealer, and such a sweetheart! With Noa and Peter there is just a hint or a romance which totally applaud because the main focus for these characters is getting out of danger and I'm glad the Noa and Peter's interest in each other will have a chance to grow and develop more.
I really enjoyed the roller coaster ride this book put me on - there were so many suspenseful, tense scenes - chases, threatening figures, and the horrible reality of what the AMRF were doing - that it was impossible to put this book down. Even scenes when Noa or Peter are just hacking into something on their computer were as tense as the chase scenes - probably because they were enhanced by the paranoia in seeing how dependent we are on technology and how much of our information is out there. There's also the urgency of needing to see Noa and Peter succeed that kept me turning pages. This is such an exciting read! I can't wait to get started on the second book!