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nikrodee's review against another edition
4.0
Red Dawn meets Maze Runner meets Lost.
I've been in such a book funk lately, it's so hard to find a really good dytopian novel anymore for me. This book definitely fixed that for me, and it's a standalone novel!
The concept and execution of this book are amazing. A world at war always needs people with a fierce need to survive and a rebel alliance willing to die for their cause. I will admit, the beginning of the book was a little slow for me and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept of this war basically being started by poor to take from the rich Robin Hood style; but once I learned more of the natural disasters due to climate change that were plaguing the world and the explanation given as to why the country was in such a rich versus poor state I understood a little more. Once our main character Eden got to the island however I couldn't put the book down.
Eden is one of those characters that you don't think can do much until she has no other choice. All of the characters were very well developed and trusting or not trusting them was half the pressure of reading. The things our characters went through at the hands of the Wolves and the Island are brilliant and horrific and totally unexpected. The book kept you guessing around every corner what would happen, though I had a few guesses proven correct they still came about in some unexpected ways.
If you like any kind of dystopian novel I promise you will definitely enjoy this one. I suggest this book to anyone and everyone. Two thumbs up.
I've been in such a book funk lately, it's so hard to find a really good dytopian novel anymore for me. This book definitely fixed that for me, and it's a standalone novel!
The concept and execution of this book are amazing. A world at war always needs people with a fierce need to survive and a rebel alliance willing to die for their cause. I will admit, the beginning of the book was a little slow for me and I had a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept of this war basically being started by poor to take from the rich Robin Hood style; but once I learned more of the natural disasters due to climate change that were plaguing the world and the explanation given as to why the country was in such a rich versus poor state I understood a little more. Once our main character Eden got to the island however I couldn't put the book down.
Eden is one of those characters that you don't think can do much until she has no other choice. All of the characters were very well developed and trusting or not trusting them was half the pressure of reading. The things our characters went through at the hands of the Wolves and the Island are brilliant and horrific and totally unexpected. The book kept you guessing around every corner what would happen, though I had a few guesses proven correct they still came about in some unexpected ways.
If you like any kind of dystopian novel I promise you will definitely enjoy this one. I suggest this book to anyone and everyone. Two thumbs up.
teeggzz's review against another edition
3.0
Damn. I had high hopes for this one. I picked it up off my own accord and the synopsis sounded SO promising. This book wasn't terrible but it wasn't god tier either. Simply average.
yourstrulyalyssa's review against another edition
5.0
(4.5/5)
We've all been sliced into, every single one of us.
It's just that some of our scars are less obvious than others.
Let me start off by saying that I'm not a big fan of dystopian. I wasn't even planning on picking up this book anytime soon - or at all really - until I went to a Zenith signing that Kayla was moderating. She was super sweet and when she explained her story, I knew that I was going to have to read it super soon. Plus, it scored a movie deal with THE Leonardo DiCaprio before the book was even released, so that really helped push my desire to read it.
I thoroughly really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It started out with such a kick and I was already in love with her writing style within 4 pages. There were a few very short 'filler' like chapters spread out periodically but I liked those, sometimes I felt like those shorter chapters packed more of a punch than the longer ones. This book was filled with so many amazing quotes that a lot of my tabs are blue ones.
For a dystopian novel, there were a lot of sci-fi elements - and not just advanced technology - that I wasn't expecting. A pleasant surprise if you will. As I said before, the plot like really drew me in. It's a survival novel that takes place in 2055 where the world is in a middle of the war and the Wolves have taken over. The Wolves are in control of everything. The took away everything Eden had, including her home and sent her off to some camp. One day she finds a way to escape and heads to the last neutral territory left, Sanctuary Island. Everyone thinks its a myth but Eden has proof pointing to that it is indeed, not. This island was a weird one to say the least. The plot twists within the island had me shook and they were all so unique.
That's all that I can say without giving away spoilers.
I also really loved all of the main characters, even the ones that were introduced in the last half of the book. They were all so different from each other and they all had their own character development and she played each of theirs out really well. Eden's character development was something that I really loved reading and I loved seeing her grow into this person that I knew she was going to be. As for the side characters, there were a few that I could have gone without but they all played a specific roll in this novel and I never felt like any of them were just there to be there. Though, I did see some of the character plot twists coming.
With having such beautiful writing, amazing characters, and a kick ass plot, it really made this book really enjoyable for me and I can't recommend it enough. I can't wait to see if she makes a sequel for this and where it will go. I'm also excited to see how they interpret this as a movie!
We've all been sliced into, every single one of us.
It's just that some of our scars are less obvious than others.
Let me start off by saying that I'm not a big fan of dystopian. I wasn't even planning on picking up this book anytime soon - or at all really - until I went to a Zenith signing that Kayla was moderating. She was super sweet and when she explained her story, I knew that I was going to have to read it super soon. Plus, it scored a movie deal with THE Leonardo DiCaprio before the book was even released, so that really helped push my desire to read it.
I thoroughly really enjoyed this book from start to finish. It started out with such a kick and I was already in love with her writing style within 4 pages. There were a few very short 'filler' like chapters spread out periodically but I liked those, sometimes I felt like those shorter chapters packed more of a punch than the longer ones. This book was filled with so many amazing quotes that a lot of my tabs are blue ones.
For a dystopian novel, there were a lot of sci-fi elements - and not just advanced technology - that I wasn't expecting. A pleasant surprise if you will. As I said before, the plot like really drew me in. It's a survival novel that takes place in 2055 where the world is in a middle of the war and the Wolves have taken over. The Wolves are in control of everything. The took away everything Eden had, including her home and sent her off to some camp. One day she finds a way to escape and heads to the last neutral territory left, Sanctuary Island. Everyone thinks its a myth but Eden has proof pointing to that it is indeed, not. This island was a weird one to say the least. The plot twists within the island had me shook and they were all so unique.
That's all that I can say without giving away spoilers.
I also really loved all of the main characters, even the ones that were introduced in the last half of the book. They were all so different from each other and they all had their own character development and she played each of theirs out really well. Eden's character development was something that I really loved reading and I loved seeing her grow into this person that I knew she was going to be. As for the side characters, there were a few that I could have gone without but they all played a specific roll in this novel and I never felt like any of them were just there to be there. Though, I did see some of the character plot twists coming.
With having such beautiful writing, amazing characters, and a kick ass plot, it really made this book really enjoyable for me and I can't recommend it enough. I can't wait to see if she makes a sequel for this and where it will go. I'm also excited to see how they interpret this as a movie!
heathersnerdyworld's review against another edition
4.0
4.75/5 stars
Suspense, adventure, what the heck is going on? I am still processing this book and all I can think of saying is, this book is so good!
Not a 5 star book because it took about 100 pages for the story to really pull me in.
But it earned back points for great story telling and world building in a stand alone novel. I can't think of very many YA dystopians that can pull this off.
Suspense, adventure, what the heck is going on? I am still processing this book and all I can think of saying is, this book is so good!
Not a 5 star book because it took about 100 pages for the story to really pull me in.
But it earned back points for great story telling and world building in a stand alone novel. I can't think of very many YA dystopians that can pull this off.
kathrynkao's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite kind of post-apocalyptic/dystopian literature: when the new world is so rooted in the current one that you can see how one became the other. This new world stems from severe income inequality, which is timely, but not in a way that feels tied to any attempt at real-world relevency or trendiness. The book takes place I think two years after the revolution, but I would have liked a little more exploration into how these teenage girls had their world turned upside down. The book does a great job contrasting their previous lives with their new one, but I would have loved more of a character standpoint. That said, the book does a great job of showing how the the effects of the revolution have shaken out on a political and personal scale. The idea that an economic-based revolution wouldn’t be clear-cut is powerful: even when the poor take power, some people still slip through the cracks.
The story is a glimpse of a larger rebellion, and we only really see one mission, and the recruitment of Eden. The book doesn’t seem to be part of a series, and I really appreciate that. As much as I love series (and duologies, and trilogies), it’s nice to have standalones, and some stories are better suited to that. The ending is upbeat with possibility: I don’t know if they’ll be successful in the long run, and I don’t really need to know. The characters are well-written, and the story is so focused that it’s easy to feel the frustration Eden feels, as one part in a larger plan, isolated and trying to exercise the power she has. The focus of the story on the island and her father is a great choice in terms of character and dramatic arc, and keeps the story feeling distinct from all the other YA dystopias out there.
Full review: http://mrskaoreads.com/book/the-sandcastle-empire/
The story is a glimpse of a larger rebellion, and we only really see one mission, and the recruitment of Eden. The book doesn’t seem to be part of a series, and I really appreciate that. As much as I love series (and duologies, and trilogies), it’s nice to have standalones, and some stories are better suited to that. The ending is upbeat with possibility: I don’t know if they’ll be successful in the long run, and I don’t really need to know. The characters are well-written, and the story is so focused that it’s easy to feel the frustration Eden feels, as one part in a larger plan, isolated and trying to exercise the power she has. The focus of the story on the island and her father is a great choice in terms of character and dramatic arc, and keeps the story feeling distinct from all the other YA dystopias out there.
Full review: http://mrskaoreads.com/book/the-sandcastle-empire/
aly_saurusrex's review against another edition
5.0
Loved it
I really enjoyed this book the first time I read it. And again the second time. Kayla Olson has a way of painting a picture in my mind and bringing these characters to life.
I really enjoyed this book the first time I read it. And again the second time. Kayla Olson has a way of painting a picture in my mind and bringing these characters to life.
khenn's review against another edition
1.0
It's very rare I give one star. I try to find some validating feature in books I DNF but this novel is tedious at times and while it has the potential for such a great premise, it's messy outlines and forced romantic interest for the sake of romance truly lost me.
This COULD have been an awesome novel for me, but COVID-19 has made me realize life is too short for boring books. I'm sure there are those who love this novel and much to their chagrin my less than stellar review exists, and I apologize for hurting your heart.
But I'm truly not keen to press on.
This COULD have been an awesome novel for me, but COVID-19 has made me realize life is too short for boring books. I'm sure there are those who love this novel and much to their chagrin my less than stellar review exists, and I apologize for hurting your heart.
But I'm truly not keen to press on.
madelynfilkowski's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
hayleyccc4's review against another edition
5.0
This book is AWESOME! It has a great concept, there is tons of character development and the plot is so creative! Also, the writing is beautiful and would be so quotable. I am definitely recommending this to any dystopian fans!
pantsreads's review against another edition
3.0
2.5/5
After all the hype, I was looking forward to this book. But although I enjoyed reading it, it didn't feel fresh, nor is the story going to stick with me.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
After all the hype, I was looking forward to this book. But although I enjoyed reading it, it didn't feel fresh, nor is the story going to stick with me.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.