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nenya_kanadka's review against another edition
5.0
I had a great time with this book. King Voske, of whom the Las Anclas folks spoke in hushed tones of horror in the last book, makes a showing in person this time around, and we get to see what life under a pro-Change despot is like. I developed a great amount of sympathy for even the antagonists in this book (everyone except Voske himself). The heroes, Mia and Jenny and Ross and Yuki and the rest, along with new POV character Kerry (King Voske's daughter) continue navigating this strange, fascinating world. And that last scene with Ross and the trees! Can't wait for the sequel.
daffz's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Stranger a lot and read Hostage right after it, eager to see what happened next. I wasn't disappointed. Hostage is impossibly, even better than it's prequel.
It had plenty of exciting and wel written action scenes, good character development for every POV character from the first book, a new interesting POV character that I loved and a very compelling story.
Kerry was a nice addition to the book and seeing Las Anclas from her point of view was one of the best parts, the influence it had on her as a character and her actions later in the book was really nicely done. The change was gradual and natural and the ending was perfect.
The relationship between Mira, Ross and Jennie is extremely refreshing and nice to read about. There's no fighting over Ross and no jealousy, the girls are still great friends.
One thing I did miss was Felicité. Her chapters were absent from this novel and her story wasn't further explored (which is understandable with its focus on Ross as a hostage and Kerry in Las Anclas) Still, I hope to see more of her soon in the series since I enjoy her as a character.
It had plenty of exciting and wel written action scenes, good character development for every POV character from the first book, a new interesting POV character that I loved and a very compelling story.
Kerry was a nice addition to the book and seeing Las Anclas from her point of view was one of the best parts, the influence it had on her as a character and her actions later in the book was really nicely done. The change was gradual and natural and the ending was perfect.
The relationship between Mira, Ross and Jennie is extremely refreshing and nice to read about. There's no fighting over Ross and no jealousy, the girls are still great friends.
One thing I did miss was Felicité. Her chapters were absent from this novel and her story wasn't further explored (which is understandable with its focus on Ross as a hostage and Kerry in Las Anclas) Still, I hope to see more of her soon in the series since I enjoy her as a character.
delaneybull's review against another edition
4.0
It was very different than the first book and the people of Las Anclas had less screen time, which was a bummer. I liked this story as a standalone though.
egelantier's review against another edition
4.0
second book in change series. i've waited for it for quite some time (and i'm pretty grateful i won't have to wait for it two-three years in trad publishing, too), and it didn't disappoint: the pacing kicks up a notch, there's a fascinating kidnapping/enemy territory/dungeons (SUCH DUNGEONS VERY HURT/COMFORT MUCH SATISFACTION) sequence for ross and a parallel culture shock storyline for kerry (the daughter of king voske, a frankly terrifying tyrant antagonist of the whole series) discovering life and people outside of her father's dark shadow. meanwhile jenny struggles with her ptsd, mia with her place in las anclas society, yuki with his desire for privacy and freedom, and the town itself with its nascent xenophobia.
aside from all the adventuring, solid worldbuilding, throves of hurt/comfort, diversity, lgbt characters and a canon ot3 in the center, the thing that continues to be my favorite about this universe is how unapologetically clair it is: if there's post-apocalypse it's how it should be, with people, on the whole, banding together to do their best by each other, despite all the snags. there're villains and tragedies and horrible things, but overall there's a movement towards kindness and cooperation, not survival; i find it endlessly reassuring.
aside from all the adventuring, solid worldbuilding, throves of hurt/comfort, diversity, lgbt characters and a canon ot3 in the center, the thing that continues to be my favorite about this universe is how unapologetically clair it is: if there's post-apocalypse it's how it should be, with people, on the whole, banding together to do their best by each other, despite all the snags. there're villains and tragedies and horrible things, but overall there's a movement towards kindness and cooperation, not survival; i find it endlessly reassuring.
alexctelander's review against another edition
4.0
The second book in The Change quartet, after Stranger, does a lot of things the second book in the series should: opening the world further, adding some new and interesting characters, and raising the stakes to a whole new level that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.
The sheltered town of Las Anclas is still licking its many wounds from the attack by King Voske of Gold Point. They expect another possible attack but have no idea when, but as Ross Juarez is out on a routine mission with some friends, a team has been sent out by Voske and captures him. He is brought back to Gold Point and shown a world where the changed are respected and at times revered. But this is also a harsh place run by the iron first of Voske; for those who do not follow these ways, they are crushed and ended without question. Las Anclas returns the favor by kidnapping the Voske’s daughter, Kerry, who learns of the very different world and place that is Las Anclas.
Will either side be willing to make an even exchange for the two? Not likely. So the hostage situation will have to be resolved in some other way, that will likely involve bloodshed. But each side has their own people with their own special powers that can be put to use. The final decision will ultimately rest on Kerry’s shoulders: after seeing the good and bad in both Las Anclas and Gold Point, she will have to make her choice and choose a side.
Originally written on March 25th, 2015 ©Alex C. Telander.
For more reviews, check out the BookBanter site.
The sheltered town of Las Anclas is still licking its many wounds from the attack by King Voske of Gold Point. They expect another possible attack but have no idea when, but as Ross Juarez is out on a routine mission with some friends, a team has been sent out by Voske and captures him. He is brought back to Gold Point and shown a world where the changed are respected and at times revered. But this is also a harsh place run by the iron first of Voske; for those who do not follow these ways, they are crushed and ended without question. Las Anclas returns the favor by kidnapping the Voske’s daughter, Kerry, who learns of the very different world and place that is Las Anclas.
Will either side be willing to make an even exchange for the two? Not likely. So the hostage situation will have to be resolved in some other way, that will likely involve bloodshed. But each side has their own people with their own special powers that can be put to use. The final decision will ultimately rest on Kerry’s shoulders: after seeing the good and bad in both Las Anclas and Gold Point, she will have to make her choice and choose a side.
Originally written on March 25th, 2015 ©Alex C. Telander.
For more reviews, check out the BookBanter site.
tora76's review against another edition
5.0
Oh man, this was so good! It took me a little while to get into because it's been so long since I read the first book and I couldn't remember who people were or what had happened, but once I got into it I really got sucked in. I loved the new characters, especially Kerry, and the chance to see what Gold Point is like. And as always, all the little details about this world are so cool. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
nadinee24's review against another edition
5.0
Hostage picks up after the events of Stranger with the town of Las Anclas still dealing with he aftermath of the attack. Ross, Yuki, and Mia go out on an expedition trip when they are attacked by Vosges' elite force. Ross is kidnapped and Yuki and Mia flee. The rest of the book follows Ross' kidnapping and what some people are willing to do to save him.
When I read the first book, Stranger, I was impressed with the character development, wording building, and writing style. The authors' writing styles blended beautifully together and have honed in on who their characters are. This is no different in the sequel, Hostage.
The character development in Hostage is handled beautifully. The reader sees a new side to each of the characters because they have been pushed to their limits with the events of the first novel. Jennie, Mia, Ross, and Yuki are pushed even further in this book. The characters learn some important things about themselves that will be important in the upcoming novels.
Hostage also introduces some new characters. More specifically a new perspective, Kerry. I think my favourite part of this book is the new perspective. I loved her inner monologue. She's incredibly cunning and calculating so it was great to see the thought process behind her actions.
The world in this book widens immensely. The reader sees the town Gold Point, which belongs to the infamous Voske. The town is the absolute opposite of Las Anclas so it was great to see how other people survive in this world and get a look into the enemy town. We this new town the reader also sees a lot of new Change powers and how Change people are treated.
There are many moments during this book that the pace slows down. During these slower pace parts the reader is seeing different parts of the world and different aspects of the characters we haven't seen before. Despite the slowing of the pace, as you're reading it it doesn't feel slow. It almost feels like a pause where we get to live with the characters before the bigger plot points happen
Overall, Hostage is an amazing sequel that is just as good if not better than the first. The characters and the plot will keep you entertained from the first page to the last. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, adventurous story about the x-men in the wild west! Go pick this up because you will not be disappointed!
When I read the first book, Stranger, I was impressed with the character development, wording building, and writing style. The authors' writing styles blended beautifully together and have honed in on who their characters are. This is no different in the sequel, Hostage.
The character development in Hostage is handled beautifully. The reader sees a new side to each of the characters because they have been pushed to their limits with the events of the first novel. Jennie, Mia, Ross, and Yuki are pushed even further in this book. The characters learn some important things about themselves that will be important in the upcoming novels.
Hostage also introduces some new characters. More specifically a new perspective, Kerry. I think my favourite part of this book is the new perspective. I loved her inner monologue. She's incredibly cunning and calculating so it was great to see the thought process behind her actions.
The world in this book widens immensely. The reader sees the town Gold Point, which belongs to the infamous Voske. The town is the absolute opposite of Las Anclas so it was great to see how other people survive in this world and get a look into the enemy town. We this new town the reader also sees a lot of new Change powers and how Change people are treated.
There are many moments during this book that the pace slows down. During these slower pace parts the reader is seeing different parts of the world and different aspects of the characters we haven't seen before. Despite the slowing of the pace, as you're reading it it doesn't feel slow. It almost feels like a pause where we get to live with the characters before the bigger plot points happen
Overall, Hostage is an amazing sequel that is just as good if not better than the first. The characters and the plot will keep you entertained from the first page to the last. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, adventurous story about the x-men in the wild west! Go pick this up because you will not be disappointed!
wealhtheow's review against another edition
3.0
The town of Las Anclas won a battle, but they're still in danger of being conquered by the king of Gold Point, Voske. Voske is smart and ruthless, and he kidnaps the one person who turned the tide of battle the last time: teenaged orphan prospector Ross Juarez. He's sure that through bribery, threats, or torture, he can convince Ross to use his Change power for Gold Point instead of Las Anclas. In response to Ross's dire situation, his friends kidnap Voske's eldest daughter in hopes of a prisoner exchange. But of course Voske has no interest in negotiation, and so Ross is stuck in Gold Point, and Kerry stuck in Las Anclas.
I am in love with the concepts of this novel. I love the post-apocaplyptic desert setting, I love the thoughtfulness that clearly went into the logistics of food, defense, waste management, etc for the towns, I love the character concepts, I love the variety of characters' backgrounds and motives. If I were much younger, I would adore these books. But perhaps because I am well past the target audience, I was mostly endlessly annoyed by how stupid many of the Las Anclas characters were, and how unlikely I thought the happy ending was.I was annoyed when a band of teenagers who had just lived through a battle for their lives then immediately befriended the crown princess of the army that just battered at their gates and killed their friends and family. They literally see her once as she's being brought to the jail, and immediately feel SO BADLY that she's being kept prisoner that they plan a secret party just for her. Their naivete is made all the worse because we see Kerry's perspective, and all the while she's smiling and trying to get their sympathy, her inner monologue is all about the evil things she'll do to them once she's back in power. But hey, I'll buy jejune teenagers. But then the town elders, all of whom have dealt with Voske and know just what kind of tactics he uses and would train his daughter to use, agree to let Kerry wander the town, with no guard or protection other than another teenager girl who they know has absolutely no fighting skills whatsoever. So Kerry gets to see all over the town, hear all sorts of chatter about their defenses, capabilities, and personalities, and the only thing stopping her is an absent minded teenager. COME ON WHO WOULD DO THAT. Even that I could deal with but then at the end Kerry has a change of heart that I just didn't buy. She turns against her father, all her privilege, her city, and her entire way of life for no real reason I could see. It seemed like she'd been a prisoner of Las Anclas for at most a week, although a reference to Ross being captive for 3 months makes me think it was supposed to be longer. But in that bare amount of time she apparently was so overcome with the freedom and generosity she found in Las Anclas that she decided committing treason (which she was pretty sure would get her killed) was worthwhile. And even THAT I would have bought if there'd been more to her pov chapters, but as it was it felt very unearned. Even more unearned was the whole happy ending, wherein Voske loses his gunpowder, Changed spy, and basically most of his ability to attack Las Anclas.
I like the characters and setting a lot. But I think this series is not to my taste, for no problem of its own.
I am in love with the concepts of this novel. I love the post-apocaplyptic desert setting, I love the thoughtfulness that clearly went into the logistics of food, defense, waste management, etc for the towns, I love the character concepts, I love the variety of characters' backgrounds and motives. If I were much younger, I would adore these books. But perhaps because I am well past the target audience, I was mostly endlessly annoyed by how stupid many of the Las Anclas characters were, and how unlikely I thought the happy ending was.
I like the characters and setting a lot. But I think this series is not to my taste, for no problem of its own.
schneefink's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
This one had all the good parts of the first book, with characters I already liked and more h/c and additional worldbuilding. The villain became a lot scarier, and at times I was very glad that I knew it didn't have a sad ending. The character development following the climax from the first book worked well, and the themes too. I look forward to more.
This one had all the good parts of the first book, with characters I already liked and more h/c and additional worldbuilding. The villain became a lot scarier, and at times I was very glad that I knew it didn't have a sad ending. The character development following the climax from the first book worked well, and the themes too. I look forward to more.
bethmitcham's review
4.0
The cast was a bit sprawling, but the authors thought about each character, giving them their own arcs and background. Even the people we didn't see much of gave the impression of living full lives on the other side of the page. I'm glad I'm catching up with this series.