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thebrainlair's review against another edition
4.0
3.5. I'm on a roll with ok books that I think students will like.The writing wasn't so great in this one but the story is compelling, though there were a couple of incidents that seemed implausible. Also, for the longest time I thought it was a girl until they mentioned the name. The author also spelled things out and used italics as if people wouldn't understand her "jokes".
There was a clear set up for a book 2 but I don't think I'll go looking for it.
There was a clear set up for a book 2 but I don't think I'll go looking for it.
sunsoar25's review
3.0
Monument 14 (Monument 14 #1) by Emmy Laybourne was on my tbr for ages and I'm glad I finally got to it. I can definitely say that it doesn't waste any time at all - it gets right to it. I can also say that I wish I read it back when it was new or if I was younger. While it's a solid read, I couldn't get into any of the characters and I could have done without the romance element and the drama. I would have preferred to stick with the survivalist stuff. I don't think I'll be back for the rest of the series.
earth2alaysia's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
hivequeen's review against another edition
2.0
This book had its moments, but overall it was just ok. It didn't really feel...apocalyptic... Enough for me. There were some mentions of really interesting and dramatic natural disasters, but they were just mentioned in passing. I would have loved to read more about the world outside of the mall. And based on the way the book ended, it seems very likely that the second book will be set mainly in the mall as well. That's interesting, and it was fun to read about how they organized themselves and made a home there (it's very reminiscent of Gone by Michael Grant).
And I understand that they are high schoolers, but I feel like there was some unnecessary plot twists regarding relationships in my opinion.
Overall, this book wasn't terrible, and I will probably read the second book. Maybe it will exceed my expectations.
And I understand that they are high schoolers, but I feel like there was some unnecessary plot twists regarding relationships in my opinion.
Spoiler
Was it really important to the plot to have Dean catch Astride and jake together, and then spy on them? And Sahalia with the whole wet tshirt and short shorts thing? She is 13 for crying out loud! And astrid getting pregnant? I just don't see how any of this really added to the story.Overall, this book wasn't terrible, and I will probably read the second book. Maybe it will exceed my expectations.
4saradouglas's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was great. Several of my middle school boys read the series this year and kept telling me I HAD to pick them up, and I'm glad I did. The writing isn't the strongest, but I can definitely see why it's so popular with the kids. There is pretty nonstop action, lots of end-of-the-world scenarios, and the typical teen dramas. I immediately grabbed the sequel upon finishing this one.
chemwitch's review against another edition
1.0
I don't typically like to read reviews for books on my TBR before I read them. I don't want to risk coloring my opinion of the material before I've experienced it.
But, in this case, I read a review that included statements about just how f**king terrible the slut-shaming is in this book while I was tagging the book for my shelves, and I was instantly on edge about reading this at all. I understand this was published a decade ago, but wow, this book just didn't age well at all. And you know what? Sometimes, that feeling you get when you read some quotes and realize they are gross is the feeling you'll have through the entire book.
This girl is THIRTEEN. Thirteen years old! And boys who are 16 to 18 are drooling over her like that's... totally normal.
And then we have the use of sexual assault to advance the plot, which is honestly not a good look for any story.
I gave it a chance even after reading the review, thinking perhaps there would be something redeemable in this story, but sadly no. The characters feel flat, Dean isn't a great narrator, and no one really acts believably human.
I'm going to continue the series to see if things get better. Wish me luck.
But, in this case, I read a review that included statements about just how f**king terrible the slut-shaming is in this book while I was tagging the book for my shelves, and I was instantly on edge about reading this at all. I understand this was published a decade ago, but wow, this book just didn't age well at all. And you know what? Sometimes, that feeling you get when you read some quotes and realize they are gross is the feeling you'll have through the entire book.
This girl is THIRTEEN. Thirteen years old! And boys who are 16 to 18 are drooling over her like that's... totally normal.
And then we have the use of sexual assault to advance the plot, which is honestly not a good look for any story.
I gave it a chance even after reading the review, thinking perhaps there would be something redeemable in this story, but sadly no. The characters feel flat, Dean isn't a great narrator, and no one really acts believably human.
I'm going to continue the series to see if things get better. Wish me luck.
books4susie's review against another edition
4.0
The day started out like any other in Monument, Colorado. Mr. Reed, the high school bus driver, was late as usual, coming just after 7 am. Mrs. Wooly, the middle/elementary driver, was on time. Dean and Alex Grieder climb aboard their respective buses and head towards school. Looking around the bus, Dean notices the usual crowd of kids he doesn’t fit in with. There is Niko Mills, aka “Brave Hunter Man” who lives with his grandfather at the base of the mountain and supposedly lives off the land. Jake Simonsen, the jock football player who recently moved from Texas, is talking with Astrid Heyman, a champion diver on the swim team, about making money selling concessions at the football games. Josie Miller is chatting with her friend Trish Greenstein. Before too long, a tinging sound comes from the roof of the bus. ting is soon replaced by TING and a hail storm of epic proportions strikes.
By 7:15, both buses reach the parking lot of the local Greenway superstore. Mrs. Wooly is able to drive her bus to safety, right through the store’s front doors. The high school bus is battered heavily and overturns in the heavy downpour of hail. Mr. Reed and several students, including Trish, are killed or badly injured. Overcome by smoke, Dean just wants to stay under his seat and sleep but Niko drags him to the safety of the other bus before theirs explodes. Fifteen students and the driver were on the high school bus when the hail started, but only Jake, Brayden, Niko, Astrid, Josie and Dean make it to the safety of the Greenway superstore.
Mrs. Wooly takes charge indie the store and gets everyone situated. When Dean’s younger brother Alex, a computer geek, realizes that no one’s minitab is connecting to the Network, he freaks out. With lots of back-ups in place, the Network should always be functional. The loss of communication with the outside world means that no one will know about the bus accidents. Mrs. Wooly leaves the six high school students, two eighth graders and six elementary kids in the Greenway to go for help. She tells them not to go outside or let anyone in.
The kids head to the electronics department after lunch and find a flat-screen television that doesn’t depend on the Network for a signal. The older kids are shell-shocked as they watch CNN. It turns out a volcano on a small island in the Atlantic violently erupted and triggered a megatsumani that destroyed the East Coast of the United States. It brought down the Network and caused the freakish weather occurring across the country. It is the worst natural disaster in history. Feeling numb, the little kids gather up some candy and everyone gorges themselves. They eventually fall asleep only to be violently shaken awake the next morning by a massive earthquake. The store is still standing but things have fallen and broke. The television now only has sound. They hear talk about the rarity of the earthquake when a breaking news announcement is made. The residents of Colorado and neighboring states are warned that NORAD’s chemical weapons storage facilities were damaged and are warned to stay indoors and seal all outside openings.
The kids gather the necessary supplies from the store to seal off the front doors around the bus. When they are finished, Dean realizes that the AC unit is on and needs to be turned off. The older kids cannot figure out how to turn it off, so several of the older boys go onto the roof to seal off the store from there. They are soon stopped in their tracks when they discover a large black cloud spiraling up and spreading across the sky over NORAD. It looks like a giant ribbon pooling in the sky.
What exactly is happening not only in Monument but around the world and can 14 kids survive what seems the end of the world in a mega superstore?
The action in this book really picks up towards the end to set up for the sequel Monument 14: Sky on Fire.
By 7:15, both buses reach the parking lot of the local Greenway superstore. Mrs. Wooly is able to drive her bus to safety, right through the store’s front doors. The high school bus is battered heavily and overturns in the heavy downpour of hail. Mr. Reed and several students, including Trish, are killed or badly injured. Overcome by smoke, Dean just wants to stay under his seat and sleep but Niko drags him to the safety of the other bus before theirs explodes. Fifteen students and the driver were on the high school bus when the hail started, but only Jake, Brayden, Niko, Astrid, Josie and Dean make it to the safety of the Greenway superstore.
Mrs. Wooly takes charge indie the store and gets everyone situated. When Dean’s younger brother Alex, a computer geek, realizes that no one’s minitab is connecting to the Network, he freaks out. With lots of back-ups in place, the Network should always be functional. The loss of communication with the outside world means that no one will know about the bus accidents. Mrs. Wooly leaves the six high school students, two eighth graders and six elementary kids in the Greenway to go for help. She tells them not to go outside or let anyone in.
The kids head to the electronics department after lunch and find a flat-screen television that doesn’t depend on the Network for a signal. The older kids are shell-shocked as they watch CNN. It turns out a volcano on a small island in the Atlantic violently erupted and triggered a megatsumani that destroyed the East Coast of the United States. It brought down the Network and caused the freakish weather occurring across the country. It is the worst natural disaster in history. Feeling numb, the little kids gather up some candy and everyone gorges themselves. They eventually fall asleep only to be violently shaken awake the next morning by a massive earthquake. The store is still standing but things have fallen and broke. The television now only has sound. They hear talk about the rarity of the earthquake when a breaking news announcement is made. The residents of Colorado and neighboring states are warned that NORAD’s chemical weapons storage facilities were damaged and are warned to stay indoors and seal all outside openings.
The kids gather the necessary supplies from the store to seal off the front doors around the bus. When they are finished, Dean realizes that the AC unit is on and needs to be turned off. The older kids cannot figure out how to turn it off, so several of the older boys go onto the roof to seal off the store from there. They are soon stopped in their tracks when they discover a large black cloud spiraling up and spreading across the sky over NORAD. It looks like a giant ribbon pooling in the sky.
What exactly is happening not only in Monument but around the world and can 14 kids survive what seems the end of the world in a mega superstore?
The action in this book really picks up towards the end to set up for the sequel Monument 14: Sky on Fire.
squirrelsohno's review against another edition
4.0
MONUMENT 14 was not a book I exactly had on my radar. In fact, when I read the synopsis for this book, my first thought was of a kids’ show from New Zealand called The Tribe – kids orphaned by an apocalyptic event who mostly inhabit a mall in Wellington. But that’s beside the point. Besides, they dress up in funny outfits and face paint and are in a “tribe”. Still, beside the point. Emmy Laybourne’s book was not on my radar until a fateful tweet landed this one in my hands, and what can I say? I was pleasantly surprised.
Following Dean, a young guy thrown into the apocalypse a few years into the future while on the school bus with several other kids, MONUMENT 14 follows – you guessed it – 14 kids living in Monument, Colorado as their bus crashes into a superstore in the middle of a hailstorm. Their driver leaves to find help and never returns, but things quickly begin to spiral out of control. Freak earthquakes, chemical weapons spills, choking black clouds of gas…
I am going to admit it. My favorite part of this book was finding out what bad would befall these children. Giant hailstones! Massive earthquakes! Extreme sadness! Chemical weapons than alter minds and bodies! Okay, some of it was a bit unbelievable. The chemical weapons especially. But Laybourne totally packs a punch with the bad things that happens to these kids, and that is not the least of it.
I enjoyed the honesty of this book. From Dean’s voice, which sounded almost like an ADHD-addled kid (very boy-esque), to the mental state of victims of trauma, it felt very real. At the same time, this was an issue I had. The book focused too much on the problems these kids experienced, from finding out how to survive in this brave new world to simple stuff. We find out about lice, making breakfast daily, tearing down walls. I wanted more plot, more suspense, more intrigue and action. Or zombies. Zombies would have been nice, or at least more of the last 100 pages.
One of my fave young adult books is LIFE AS WE KNEW IT by Susan Beth Pfeffer. While it comes close to matching the compelling nature of Pfeffer’s work, a post-apocalyptic story about a family trying to survive the aftermath of a catastrophic worldwide disaster, it doesn’t match the level. There is something off about this, but don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed it. It will just take a certain reader who enjoys the nuances of survival and doesn’t need a plot to drag them through. There is a story here, but it’s slow building, laden with tiny details about life and living and children and teens and the world.
My suggestion? Check this one out, but only if you go into it not expecting extreme action wall to wall, or zombies like I might have kind of thought looking at the cover… There are pseudo-zombies, but they’re not eating brains. Think the Rage virus from 28 Days Later, except with more bloody boils and sterility issues.
Following Dean, a young guy thrown into the apocalypse a few years into the future while on the school bus with several other kids, MONUMENT 14 follows – you guessed it – 14 kids living in Monument, Colorado as their bus crashes into a superstore in the middle of a hailstorm. Their driver leaves to find help and never returns, but things quickly begin to spiral out of control. Freak earthquakes, chemical weapons spills, choking black clouds of gas…
I am going to admit it. My favorite part of this book was finding out what bad would befall these children. Giant hailstones! Massive earthquakes! Extreme sadness! Chemical weapons than alter minds and bodies! Okay, some of it was a bit unbelievable. The chemical weapons especially. But Laybourne totally packs a punch with the bad things that happens to these kids, and that is not the least of it.
I enjoyed the honesty of this book. From Dean’s voice, which sounded almost like an ADHD-addled kid (very boy-esque), to the mental state of victims of trauma, it felt very real. At the same time, this was an issue I had. The book focused too much on the problems these kids experienced, from finding out how to survive in this brave new world to simple stuff. We find out about lice, making breakfast daily, tearing down walls. I wanted more plot, more suspense, more intrigue and action. Or zombies. Zombies would have been nice, or at least more of the last 100 pages.
One of my fave young adult books is LIFE AS WE KNEW IT by Susan Beth Pfeffer. While it comes close to matching the compelling nature of Pfeffer’s work, a post-apocalyptic story about a family trying to survive the aftermath of a catastrophic worldwide disaster, it doesn’t match the level. There is something off about this, but don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed it. It will just take a certain reader who enjoys the nuances of survival and doesn’t need a plot to drag them through. There is a story here, but it’s slow building, laden with tiny details about life and living and children and teens and the world.
My suggestion? Check this one out, but only if you go into it not expecting extreme action wall to wall, or zombies like I might have kind of thought looking at the cover… There are pseudo-zombies, but they’re not eating brains. Think the Rage virus from 28 Days Later, except with more bloody boils and sterility issues.