Scan barcode
sarahjordan4's review
4.0
While many plot twists I saw coming…the wrap up was a shock! The female character were better developed in this conclusion of the series. Loved that there were real stakes in the story!
sonshinelibrarian's review
4.0
This is a solid end to this trilogy. It wraps up loose ends, finishes the story, and deals well with the characters. There are plenty of surprises and twists and turns along the way. I wasn't super surprised by the big reveal of what is going on, but that could be because I've read other MacHale books. While I didn't find this series quite as compelling as the Pendragon series, it's a rousing adventure with interesting characters, plots, and world-building.
mb_booklady's review
5.0
Wow! This final installment of the SYLO Chronicles is non-stop action.
While the ending isn't the neat, happy ending many series would have, it is none the less happy, unexpected, and completely satisfying.
I'm not sure that MacHale's vision of the future is entirely accurate, but in this case the worst case scenario works. The reasons for that future and what we could do today to prevent it would be discussion points for thoughtful teens, as would the discussion of parallel universes.
Overall, the series should appeal to sci-fi and adventure fans who like a little bit of romance on the heroes' path to victory.
While the ending isn't the neat, happy ending many series would have, it is none the less happy, unexpected, and completely satisfying.
I'm not sure that MacHale's vision of the future is entirely accurate, but in this case the worst case scenario works. The reasons for that future and what we could do today to prevent it would be discussion points for thoughtful teens, as would the discussion of parallel universes.
Overall, the series should appeal to sci-fi and adventure fans who like a little bit of romance on the heroes' path to victory.
sarabeth120's review against another edition
4.0
Well, that was an interesting ending to the series. Not really sure how I feel about it, to be honest....
kimal25's review
5.0
This was an amazing conclusion to the saga. I love the whole saga, but this book was great. I love how it was action packed from start to finish, but that it wasn't simply just blow-things-up type of action. It was relationships and tragedy and surprises. The ending was both completely fulfilling and conclusive and also bittersweet. To me it was completely unexpected as well. Definitely at least as good as what I remember from reading the Pendragon series a decade ago.
lyndiane's review against another edition
5.0
What an adrenaline rush! I became hooked on DJ MacHale's writing with the Pendragon series, and this series has been equally thrilling. The scenario is chilling and very credible. I particularly appreciate his focus on the unexpected and life-changing choices people are faced with in terms of violent confrontations; mostly, there are no easy answers and no real way of ascertaining possible consequences.
The far future he portrays is all too likely, especially with the current inconclusive debates on global warming and environmental pollution. I think what he is trying to say is: be afraid, be very, very afraid!!!
The far future he portrays is all too likely, especially with the current inconclusive debates on global warming and environmental pollution. I think what he is trying to say is: be afraid, be very, very afraid!!!
fishari's review
4.0
I regretted not getting all 3 books from the library after I finished STORM, and desperately looked for an ebook on Overdrive because I couldn't even wait until morning! Eventually I managed to be patient and got STRIKE from the library the next day. I poured through it quickly. Just like the last two books, it's so action packed, although the actual climax did drag on for a while.
The ending--mixed feelings because of course I wanted Tucker reunited with his family and for the 3 of them to be a part of the rebuilding process, as it was pretty crazy that they survived the whole thing. Amazing because I didn't predict it AT ALL, and it was still a happy ending. There were definitely some things in the series I was able to figure out before they were officially revealed, but I couldn't have guessed that ending. My theory was that once the Bridge closed, everyone who had been vaporized by the lasers (including Quinn) would come back because of some weird physics loophole. I like to think that did happen, but Tucker and his friends didn't get to see.
The writing--of course there are problems with it. It can be repetitive. However I'm a fan of Machale's works so it wasn't a surprise. I do think very few writers are capable of building up action like that. It's hard to believe that the series started at a high school football game, but it worked. A few people have complained about Tucker's ramblings, but I kind of enjoyed them. I do think a 14 year old IS capable of thinking that way when he's been through enough, although it is unlikely. I never liked Olivia as a character, even when we found out the truth about her. I kind of liked Kent even though he was awful and stereotypical.
With regards to the explanation: I like ambiguous questions of right and wrong, which is exactly what this had to offer. I sympathized with the retros. I wasn't mad at all of them because I knew most of them were being brainwashed. The Sounders decision to live in a shitty world based on principle proved Machale believes in the goodness of humanity. The Sounders were courageous. I like to think of myself as a good person, but if I was in the position, I would go along with invading the past, because although it was wrong, I am selfish and would want to escape that ugly world. I wonder if we truly are capable as human beings to recognize genocide and then have the courage to organize and stop it in the way the Sounders did. With what's happening in Syria and other places in the world, it makes me think not. I think the human race is much more complacent and maybe this books gives them too much credit, but then again I am quite cynical.
Let's not forget to note how the world was so awful in the future because of the way we were treating the planet. The SYLO series is a cautionary tale. I don't doubt that our planet could one day turn into something like the future in STRIKE if we continue on the path we are. It's another book that reminds me of the disheartening lack of inaction to inhibit the consequences of climate change, and in many ways makes me feel personally guilty for not doing more to reduce my own personal carbon footprint.
I'm sure there's more I can say about these books, but I'll stop here. Great job to DJ Machale for creating a book series that kept me hooked and left me with something to think about. I tore through these.
The ending--mixed feelings because of course I wanted Tucker reunited with his family and for the 3 of them to be a part of the rebuilding process, as it was pretty crazy that they survived the whole thing. Amazing because I didn't predict it AT ALL, and it was still a happy ending. There were definitely some things in the series I was able to figure out before they were officially revealed, but I couldn't have guessed that ending. My theory was that once the Bridge closed, everyone who had been vaporized by the lasers (including Quinn) would come back because of some weird physics loophole. I like to think that did happen, but Tucker and his friends didn't get to see.
The writing--of course there are problems with it. It can be repetitive. However I'm a fan of Machale's works so it wasn't a surprise. I do think very few writers are capable of building up action like that. It's hard to believe that the series started at a high school football game, but it worked. A few people have complained about Tucker's ramblings, but I kind of enjoyed them. I do think a 14 year old IS capable of thinking that way when he's been through enough, although it is unlikely. I never liked Olivia as a character, even when we found out the truth about her. I kind of liked Kent even though he was awful and stereotypical.
With regards to the explanation: I like ambiguous questions of right and wrong, which is exactly what this had to offer. I sympathized with the retros. I wasn't mad at all of them because I knew most of them were being brainwashed. The Sounders decision to live in a shitty world based on principle proved Machale believes in the goodness of humanity. The Sounders were courageous. I like to think of myself as a good person, but if I was in the position, I would go along with invading the past, because although it was wrong, I am selfish and would want to escape that ugly world. I wonder if we truly are capable as human beings to recognize genocide and then have the courage to organize and stop it in the way the Sounders did. With what's happening in Syria and other places in the world, it makes me think not. I think the human race is much more complacent and maybe this books gives them too much credit, but then again I am quite cynical.
Let's not forget to note how the world was so awful in the future because of the way we were treating the planet. The SYLO series is a cautionary tale. I don't doubt that our planet could one day turn into something like the future in STRIKE if we continue on the path we are. It's another book that reminds me of the disheartening lack of inaction to inhibit the consequences of climate change, and in many ways makes me feel personally guilty for not doing more to reduce my own personal carbon footprint.
I'm sure there's more I can say about these books, but I'll stop here. Great job to DJ Machale for creating a book series that kept me hooked and left me with something to think about. I tore through these.