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jwillis81's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book. It had been recommended to me by more than one friend whose opinions I trust, but I just couldn't get into it. The action was very slow, and the journey the protagonist goes on doesn't feel like a cohesive, well-paced, carefully-plotted narrative so much as a general meandering until the desired page count was reached. The writing itself and the character development was good, but the storyline and structure need some work.
blackash13's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Mixed feelings about this one...
Main character, Dean, an accountant, has recently lost his wife when the alien ships arrive. He remembers that his wife told him to wear the necklace when the time was right. When beams from the ship begin capturing humans, he knows this must be the time. The necklace protects him from the beams, and he suddenly finds himself one of the last few humans remaining on Earth. Others who he encounters have also been provided the same protection, and are now left with a huge task facing them in fending off the invaders.
The first book in a 22-part series, it is a fairly quick read. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Luke Daniels, whom I've found to be an excellent narrator, except for this book. His narration had a campy, corny action hero vibe that detracted from a decent story.
The story was decent enough for me to consider continuing with the series, just not in audiobook form. The writing was OK in places, not great in other places, but the story ended containing some unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing.
Main character, Dean, an accountant, has recently lost his wife when the alien ships arrive. He remembers that his wife told him to wear the necklace when the time was right. When beams from the ship begin capturing humans, he knows this must be the time. The necklace protects him from the beams, and he suddenly finds himself one of the last few humans remaining on Earth. Others who he encounters have also been provided the same protection, and are now left with a huge task facing them in fending off the invaders.
The first book in a 22-part series, it is a fairly quick read. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Luke Daniels, whom I've found to be an excellent narrator, except for this book. His narration had a campy, corny action hero vibe that detracted from a decent story.
The story was decent enough for me to consider continuing with the series, just not in audiobook form. The writing was OK in places, not great in other places, but the story ended containing some unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing.
booksandladders's review against another edition
2.0
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This probably would be a higher rating of it didn't kind of drag in the middle, if it was easier to distinguish between the good and the bad guys, and if the only bad human hadn't been black.
This probably would be a higher rating of it didn't kind of drag in the middle, if it was easier to distinguish between the good and the bad guys, and if the only bad human hadn't been black.
tcgoetz's review against another edition
2.0
3 stars for the first half and 2 stars for the last half. Rounding down for a general feeling of meh.
leesapollo's review against another edition
1.0
99p on Amazon, why not? Couldn’t wait to finish almost gave up several times throughout.
There’s no character development so you really don’t care what happens to any of them. The language used is either very Americanised or unbelievable “hey let’s save the world new guy I just met” *hugs*
I kept thinking maybe it was meant for children? But then even as a child I’d be annoyed with this book. I got to 90% of the way through and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel I skimmed each line missing a few not caring about what was being said just I could say I’ve finished it.
There’s no character development so you really don’t care what happens to any of them. The language used is either very Americanised or unbelievable “hey let’s save the world new guy I just met” *hugs*
I kept thinking maybe it was meant for children? But then even as a child I’d be annoyed with this book. I got to 90% of the way through and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel I skimmed each line missing a few not caring about what was being said just I could say I’ve finished it.
wynnz's review against another edition
4.0
The Event, book one of The Survivors Series. An interesting story, entertaining enough, I did enjoy it, a bit simplistic at times. It's convenient or that’s really handy in places, Eg like getting into an alien spacesuit and luckily, or how convenient we breathe the same atmosphere, type of thing. But all in all not a bad read, a fairly decent plot, plenty going on, some mystery, some intrigue, some action.
wagmore's review against another edition
2.0
The plot had some interesting twists, but everything else--characters, dialog, writing style in general--was really dreadful. I'm not sure why I spent the time to finish it. I won't be continuing with any others in the series.
thinde's review against another edition
3.0
This is the first book by Hystad that I've read. He's prolific and well-liked so I was a little disappointed at the result. If you ignore the alien element, it's an unoriginal thriller apocalypse story. Although the plucky team of heroes seemed to have no interpersonal friction at all. The aliens just made it worse... they were too incompetent to be believed.
For most of the book, I was confused. The plot seemed overly convoluted and contrived. The nonsensical elements weren't portrayed as mysteries to be solved, rather they seemed like bad writing... mostly because the central characters were ignoring the illogic. Sure many of the missing pieces were dropped like forgotten refuse at the end of the book, but by that point, I was as uninterested as the protagonists. Even then the logic only vaguely hung together, as if a light breeze would tear it apart.
In short, the story lacked a sense of realism. I will not be continuing this series.
For most of the book, I was confused. The plot seemed overly convoluted and contrived. The nonsensical elements weren't portrayed as mysteries to be solved, rather they seemed like bad writing... mostly because the central characters were ignoring the illogic. Sure many of the missing pieces were dropped like forgotten refuse at the end of the book, but by that point, I was as uninterested as the protagonists. Even then the logic only vaguely hung together, as if a light breeze would tear it apart.
In short, the story lacked a sense of realism. I will not be continuing this series.