Scan barcode
shaybear's review against another edition
5.0
Such a good story. Read twice. I love the idea of hidden second children. On yo the second book.
smateer73's review against another edition
3.0
This book was pretty interesting, but it wasn’t the most unique book I’ve ever read. That being said, it did present the story well. It was fast-paced and tied together well overall. I didn’t really like the almost lesbian romance though. Most of the characters were interesting and it came together well
popgoesbitty's review against another edition
3.0
The story was packed full of action and intrigue. I really liked the narrator and she was extremely easy to sympathize with. The romance was rather complex for a teen novel, which was great!
I'm not a big fan of teen fiction, so there were a few things about it I found annoying--but these are aspects of teen books by nature so it's no fault of the book/author (the melodrama, plot twists that are a bit too convenient, oversimplified explanations for random events, etc.).
I'm not a big fan of teen fiction, so there were a few things about it I found annoying--but these are aspects of teen books by nature so it's no fault of the book/author (the melodrama, plot twists that are a bit too convenient, oversimplified explanations for random events, etc.).
bookishjosh's review against another edition
3.0
Warning: this review is going to be very nerdy. Read at your own risk.
I am the shameful second child who never should have come into this world at all. —Rowan
It's an undeniable truth that dystopian novels have lost their popularity nowadays. The age of The Hunger Games has been over for quite a while now. I myself have been consuming a lot of fantasy and contemporary books, which tend to be more refreshing than their dystopian peers. With that in mind, Children of Eden might just rekindle the world's need for dystopian literature.
The moment I saw this book on Tasha Polis's BookTube, I wanted to check it out immediately. I honestly did not know anything about Joey Graceffa, but I was intrigued by the idea/reality of a YouTube celebrity writing a legit, dystopian novel. Of course, like most booknerds, I was also beguiled by the gorgeous cover. Still, my expectations were neither high nor low; I merely hoped that my 19 dollars would not go to waste.
Now, I am happy to say that I did enjoy Children of Eden. Although it featured a typical, post-apocalyptic dystopia (which hid under the guise of a utopia), I loved Joey Graceffa's application of Post-Structuralism, which is a body of knowledge that analyzes the delineation of surveillance in literature. In more nerdy terms, I was impressed by the author's exploration of the Panopticon, a hypothetical, circular prison wherein an all-knowing and omnipresent entity strips people of their privacy. If we still aren't on the same page, just think about the Big Brother reality show.
In Children of Eden, society is governed by an animated form of technology called the EcoPanopticon (EcoPan). This centralized, technological entity is described to be maternal, in that it supposedly provides for the needs of every citizen. Rowan, the protagonist, becomes uncomfortable when she realizes that she can never escape the withering gaze of the EcoPan. This lack of everyday privacy logically prevents her from being herself throughout the novel. It was very easy for me to sympathize with her plight. After all, I myself already find it very difficult to read in libraries which are frustratingly equipped with CCTV cameras.
Besides the EcoPan, Rowan also suffers under the surveillance of countless Greenshirts or policemen. Furthermore, since her existence as a second child is forbidden, she is constrained to stay at home, constantly monitored by her paranoid parents. Overall, Rowan is virtually a prisoner in the aforementioned Panopticon, doomed to a life where she can never embrace her own identity. I'm not sure if Joey Graceffa intended his work to be critiqued in such an erudite manner. Nevertheless, I hope that by utilizing literary theories, I have unveiled its beauty.
The second thing I loved about this book was its subtle similarity to Red Rising, which is one of my favorite books of all time. Children of Eden also had a major plot twist that boggled my mind to bits. That bomb of a cliff hanger made me want to jump in both ecstasy and disdain. I would not be surprised if Joey Graceffa and Pierce Brown were best friends.
I initially intended to give Children of Eden 4 stars because of its academic value, but I suddenly remembered my occasional moments of boredom and drowsiness. Seriously, half of the book is dedicated to world building. Eden is a very complex society, so its history and mechanics are extensively explained to the point that the story becomes uneventful. It's pretty ironic how it took me almost a month to finish such a short novel.
All things considered, I applaud Joey Graceffa for doing a job well done. It's not every day that we get to see YouTube stars publish novels that are actually worth our time and money. If you're a helpless nerd like me, you will definitely enjoy this book. Just try your best not to be annoyed by the slow pacing.
I am the shameful second child who never should have come into this world at all. —Rowan
It's an undeniable truth that dystopian novels have lost their popularity nowadays. The age of The Hunger Games has been over for quite a while now. I myself have been consuming a lot of fantasy and contemporary books, which tend to be more refreshing than their dystopian peers. With that in mind, Children of Eden might just rekindle the world's need for dystopian literature.
The moment I saw this book on Tasha Polis's BookTube, I wanted to check it out immediately. I honestly did not know anything about Joey Graceffa, but I was intrigued by the idea/reality of a YouTube celebrity writing a legit, dystopian novel. Of course, like most booknerds, I was also beguiled by the gorgeous cover. Still, my expectations were neither high nor low; I merely hoped that my 19 dollars would not go to waste.
Now, I am happy to say that I did enjoy Children of Eden. Although it featured a typical, post-apocalyptic dystopia (which hid under the guise of a utopia), I loved Joey Graceffa's application of Post-Structuralism, which is a body of knowledge that analyzes the delineation of surveillance in literature. In more nerdy terms, I was impressed by the author's exploration of the Panopticon, a hypothetical, circular prison wherein an all-knowing and omnipresent entity strips people of their privacy. If we still aren't on the same page, just think about the Big Brother reality show.
In Children of Eden, society is governed by an animated form of technology called the EcoPanopticon (EcoPan). This centralized, technological entity is described to be maternal, in that it supposedly provides for the needs of every citizen. Rowan, the protagonist, becomes uncomfortable when she realizes that she can never escape the withering gaze of the EcoPan. This lack of everyday privacy logically prevents her from being herself throughout the novel. It was very easy for me to sympathize with her plight. After all, I myself already find it very difficult to read in libraries which are frustratingly equipped with CCTV cameras.
Besides the EcoPan, Rowan also suffers under the surveillance of countless Greenshirts or policemen. Furthermore, since her existence as a second child is forbidden, she is constrained to stay at home, constantly monitored by her paranoid parents. Overall, Rowan is virtually a prisoner in the aforementioned Panopticon, doomed to a life where she can never embrace her own identity. I'm not sure if Joey Graceffa intended his work to be critiqued in such an erudite manner. Nevertheless, I hope that by utilizing literary theories, I have unveiled its beauty.
The second thing I loved about this book was its subtle similarity to Red Rising, which is one of my favorite books of all time. Children of Eden also had a major plot twist that boggled my mind to bits. That bomb of a cliff hanger made me want to jump in both ecstasy and disdain. I would not be surprised if Joey Graceffa and Pierce Brown were best friends.
I initially intended to give Children of Eden 4 stars because of its academic value, but I suddenly remembered my occasional moments of boredom and drowsiness. Seriously, half of the book is dedicated to world building. Eden is a very complex society, so its history and mechanics are extensively explained to the point that the story becomes uneventful. It's pretty ironic how it took me almost a month to finish such a short novel.
All things considered, I applaud Joey Graceffa for doing a job well done. It's not every day that we get to see YouTube stars publish novels that are actually worth our time and money. If you're a helpless nerd like me, you will definitely enjoy this book. Just try your best not to be annoyed by the slow pacing.
dreadawn1988's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
3.0
I originally bought Children of Eden when one of my favorite booktubers was talking about how they enjoyed it. That was years ago and the book has just been sitting on my shelf since then. I decided it was time to finally read it and I'm not sure if the time that I would've loved it has passed. I liked the the beginning but lost interest in the story about half way through. I will not be continuing the series.
czarfancypants's review
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nikkigribuste's review against another edition
4.0
words can’t describe how much i really admire joey graceffa. back in 2015 when i read ‘in real life’ i felt as though i uncovered parts of him i never knew existed — which of course is clear as i only know him from his youtube videos. the moment i saw these books on sale at the works, they intrigued me because the covers were just stunning!! it wasn’t until 3 seconds later that i looked at the authors name to see ‘joey graceffa’ and immediately rushed to the counter to pay for the entire trilogy. i knew these would be good.
i was correct indeed, this book was just amazing. i loved all the characters, even stubborn old rowan. it’s been a while since i read a dystopian novel and i was happy to finally get back into one because they were well and truly missed. i love the concept of a hidden, secret world. well, not so much secret but ‘trapped’?? almost like the simpsons movie glass dome kinda style of trapped. that’s what i pictured eden to look like, except of course with more expansion.
lachlan was my favourite, even though i had slight suspicions that he was untrustworthy — i still reeaaalllyyy liked him. i’m not sure whether it was the protectiveness or the compassion but everything about him just screamed daddy material. okay maybs too far but he was great.
lark i also liked too. she knows what she wants and she ain’t afraid to break some rules. she was great.
i’m really excited to read the remaining two and i’m hopeful they will be just as good or even better.
i was correct indeed, this book was just amazing. i loved all the characters, even stubborn old rowan. it’s been a while since i read a dystopian novel and i was happy to finally get back into one because they were well and truly missed. i love the concept of a hidden, secret world. well, not so much secret but ‘trapped’?? almost like the simpsons movie glass dome kinda style of trapped. that’s what i pictured eden to look like, except of course with more expansion.
lachlan was my favourite, even though i had slight suspicions that he was untrustworthy — i still reeaaalllyyy liked him. i’m not sure whether it was the protectiveness or the compassion but everything about him just screamed daddy material. okay maybs too far but he was great.
lark i also liked too. she knows what she wants and she ain’t afraid to break some rules. she was great.
i’m really excited to read the remaining two and i’m hopeful they will be just as good or even better.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I think it's over two years ago since I was at the ABC in Amsterdam and found the second book in this trilogy in the bargain section of the store. The first one however was nowhere to be found and without the book I eventually left. And yet, the book didn't let me go, so while I was browsing through the collection of a bookstore selling bargained sets I was quite happy when I found the complete trilogy for a nice price. Of course, it took me months since then before I finally picked up the first book...
From start to finish the book is quite action packed. Our heroine runs from one danger into the next and she barely gets any breathing time. It's quite admirable that at the end of the book she's still somehow functional and energetic after everything she has been through since the start of the book. I have to admit that for me the book could have been a little slower, with more attention to the emotions, but at least the book never got boring.
Since the heroine spent so much time running through the world we also get a very clear idea of the world. We see the city where the rich spend their time, we see the kind of house she has always lived in, but we also visit the parts of Eden that are far less wealthy and far less pretty. Just like we visit some parts of Eden that are actually hidden for the public eye. The world building is quite cliche in a way, but considering the current state of the universe it makes total sense.
The thing I love most though is the politics. We've only seen glimpses of it so far, but we do know that at its core there's something incredibly wrong with the politics in this book. We learn quite a few shocking things about how Eden came to be, but I think the most shocking thing is how Eden is functioning now. I kinda hope that this becomes a "tear down the government"-book. I can't wait to find that out in the next one!
From start to finish the book is quite action packed. Our heroine runs from one danger into the next and she barely gets any breathing time. It's quite admirable that at the end of the book she's still somehow functional and energetic after everything she has been through since the start of the book. I have to admit that for me the book could have been a little slower, with more attention to the emotions, but at least the book never got boring.
Since the heroine spent so much time running through the world we also get a very clear idea of the world. We see the city where the rich spend their time, we see the kind of house she has always lived in, but we also visit the parts of Eden that are far less wealthy and far less pretty. Just like we visit some parts of Eden that are actually hidden for the public eye. The world building is quite cliche in a way, but considering the current state of the universe it makes total sense.
The thing I love most though is the politics. We've only seen glimpses of it so far, but we do know that at its core there's something incredibly wrong with the politics in this book. We learn quite a few shocking things about how Eden came to be, but I think the most shocking thing is how Eden is functioning now. I kinda hope that this becomes a "tear down the government"-book. I can't wait to find that out in the next one!
lynxman_44's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
dariusroxy's review against another edition
1.0
literally don’t ask i had this book for years i don’t know why and felt bad i didn’t read it so i did. was not good