Reviews

Variant by Robison Wells

reader4evr's review

4.0

This was the perfect book for book club and I can't wait to discuss this later today!

The whole premiss of the book was intriguing (I actually watched some of the book trailers on YouTube which were kind of creepy).

I have to say I was totally excited that I found a book with a truthful and real boy main character. Sometimes in YA literature, they are jerks and not very nice but Benson was so determined and spoke his mind which was refreshing. I felt bad for his situation in the book but he definately didn't make people feel bad about it when he was meeting the people in the academy.

Speaking of the school, I have to say I would have ran the other way if I found out what was going on when Becky was going on. The whole not having teachers, classes were taught by kids, having random paintball games was so peculiar and had me guessing who was behind everything!

When I got to the climax of the story

Spoiler

when Benson found out that Jane was an android I was shocked!! I thought Becky was with the initial conversation that Benson had with her in the beginning but you end up finding out that she really isn't one at the end!!!.

At the end of the story there was a HUGE twist which totally made me feel like that guy in those Sprint commericals where he mocks that his brain is exploding!!!

I am interested to see how the next book in the series plays out.

ec_newman's review

3.0

Read this as a manuscript for a lit scout. 3.5 stars really. When I read it, I wasn't sure if it was a series or standalone because I did not get the ending. Reread it a couple of times. I look forward to continuing the series.

tashaseegmiller's review

5.0

So I kind of thought I knew what to expect from this book, but I was wrong and I'm so glad. I was sucked in, cared for the characters, was intrigued by the plot and the twists! Some weren't quite as dramatic but the ones that were REALLY were. Delightful read, looking forward to the next.

labrynthofsuns's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

akookieforyou's review

4.0

If you like the anime/video game Danganronpa, then you might enjoy this book as they have a somewhat similar premise. I thought this novel had some good suspenseful moments, and I was on the edge of my seat through most of it. There's some pretty good plot twists that I didn't see coming. The characters aren't the greatest, but that didn't really bother me. Overall a pretty good story.

magikspells's review

2.0

This book was a solid ok for me. I didn't hate it but I also didn't really love it. It was interesting and approached some good questions about what we consider human. I just felt like a lot of the characters were forces and unlikeable. And the story was a little flat sometimes. But all in all, a good single day read.

moonchiichii's review

2.0

2.5

hhh_111's review

3.0

Creepy and a bit confused about the overall point. Small Plottwist was nice, but gruesome towards the end though

alyssaindira's review

4.0

Hey guys, so I just finished Variant by Robinson Wells and I gotta just sit back and exhale. For it was a wild ride. Gosh. From the first page was I ihrusted into this world. It starts off with Benson arriving to this school, which looks like a prison. And he soon comes to realize, it basically is a prison and he needs to escape. I barely register how they got off with calling this place a "school". They don't have contact with the outside world. No phones, no internet, no freaking calendars?! They are watched and recorded with trackers and cameras. There aren't even any teachers or staff. The kids run everything. In all my years of reading, I've never encountered this situation. That's what makes this book so intriguing. And most of all, they get sent to "detention" if they break one of the "three" big rules. No violent fighting, no refusing punishment, and no trying to escape. Which obviously Benson breaks two of the three. The school is practically run off these things called points and the gangs are assigned different contracts in order to receive these points. Probably getting ahead of myself. The gangs are what run this school, there are three. The Society, Havoc, and the V's(Variants). They all have something to bring to the table but some are more dangerous and conniving then others. So as Benson tries to navigate this crazed rat maze, he encounters enemies, friends, even a love. Then boom! Something horrid happens and I was totally not expecting it. What is this totally shocking climax within this enticing book? You'll have to read it to find out. The second book is called Feedback and I am dying to read it. Once I find it. Lol.

hotandmysteriousreader's review

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

3.0

i was nervous. and it literally took me 3-5 years to finish this book. so take my review w a grain of salt