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hollyn_middle's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
teeggzz's review against another edition
4.0
Decided to pick up this book because it sounded like The Darkest Minds long lost sibling (I LOVE TDM) and I pleasantly enjoyed it even if I wasn't entirely hooked from the start.
So it took me over at least 200 pages to actually get immersed in the story. The plot for a good portion of the book was just so confusing to me. It wasn't clearly stated what each agencies intentions were for the cure and because of that it wasn't really the plot that kept me intrigued. What kept me going was the action and the characters. There was so much tension, it was fast paced and had me holding my breath. Over all the conflict was done splendidly, even if at times the timeline was a bit choppy. Sometimes we would be jumping back in time and then leaping forward and that was just a bit off putting for me.
So the first half of this book I wasn't enjoying all too much, as I mentioned before. I just seemed to have a big disconnect from the characters. But as they continued to develop I really warmed up to them. I really enjoyed the backstories, especially Ciere's, it made me like her as a protagonist a lot more. The dynamic between them all was really entertaining, especially between Magnus and Kit, and Devon and Kit. Some of the moments they shared were hilarious. I also feel like there could have been a past relationship between Magnus and Kit? I don't know, but I was getting the vibes that there was some sort of romance and I'm totally down for that if it's a thing. Also Daniel? Um...what was the point of his perspective? I mean I can see what the author was trying to do, to add some sort of personal betrayal to make things harder for Ciere but it really didn't work. We didn't get to see any backstory or bonding between Daniel and Ciere so I had no emotional connection to them what so ever. Daniel also was just really underdeveloped. If the author wanted us to see the perspective of the UIA why didn't she just give us Artimeus's perspective? I don't know, I just though Daniels whole character was quite frankly pointless XD But can I just say that I really like Kit and I need more from him because he is hilarious and sassy and I really did enjoy his and Ciere's relationship.
Speaking of relationships I really did respect Devon and Ciere's friendship. It was really refreshing to see a platonic male and female relationship in Ya for once. But then Alan happened...Why did there have to be a romance between him and Ciere? They didn't really have any chemistry and it felt quite forced in my opinion. And if I'm being honest as soon as he came into the picture it was as if Devon was shoved to the side. Alan ultimately replaced Devon and I didn't like that at all. I also HATED the goodbye between Ciere and Devon. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. NO. Why didn't Ciere just try and talk to Devon!? She could tell that he was jealous and feeling neglected. Ugh. I also did get a slight inkling that Alan might be immune but I wasn't sure which one.
Over all this was a solid and fun book that kept me entertained. I may even be inclined to pick up the next one.
So it took me over at least 200 pages to actually get immersed in the story. The plot for a good portion of the book was just so confusing to me. It wasn't clearly stated what each agencies intentions were for the cure and because of that it wasn't really the plot that kept me intrigued. What kept me going was the action and the characters. There was so much tension, it was fast paced and had me holding my breath. Over all the conflict was done splendidly, even if at times the timeline was a bit choppy. Sometimes we would be jumping back in time and then leaping forward and that was just a bit off putting for me.
So the first half of this book I wasn't enjoying all too much, as I mentioned before. I just seemed to have a big disconnect from the characters. But as they continued to develop I really warmed up to them. I really enjoyed the backstories, especially Ciere's, it made me like her as a protagonist a lot more. The dynamic between them all was really entertaining, especially between Magnus and Kit, and Devon and Kit. Some of the moments they shared were hilarious. I also feel like there could have been a past relationship between Magnus and Kit? I don't know, but I was getting the vibes that there was some sort of romance and I'm totally down for that if it's a thing. Also Daniel? Um...what was the point of his perspective? I mean I can see what the author was trying to do, to add some sort of personal betrayal to make things harder for Ciere but it really didn't work. We didn't get to see any backstory or bonding between Daniel and Ciere so I had no emotional connection to them what so ever. Daniel also was just really underdeveloped. If the author wanted us to see the perspective of the UIA why didn't she just give us Artimeus's perspective? I don't know, I just though Daniels whole character was quite frankly pointless XD But can I just say that I really like Kit and I need more from him because he is hilarious and sassy and I really did enjoy his and Ciere's relationship.
Speaking of relationships I really did respect Devon and Ciere's friendship. It was really refreshing to see a platonic male and female relationship in Ya for once. But then Alan happened...Why did there have to be a romance between him and Ciere? They didn't really have any chemistry and it felt quite forced in my opinion. And if I'm being honest as soon as he came into the picture it was as if Devon was shoved to the side. Alan ultimately replaced Devon and I didn't like that at all. I also HATED the goodbye between Ciere and Devon. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. NO. Why didn't Ciere just try and talk to Devon!? She could tell that he was jealous and feeling neglected. Ugh. I also did get a slight inkling that Alan might be immune but I wasn't sure which one.
Over all this was a solid and fun book that kept me entertained. I may even be inclined to pick up the next one.
courtneyyloves's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked it, I read it all in one day. X-Men meets Oceans 11.
Except no romance which was a bummer/disappointment.
I can't wait for the next though hoping it gets better.
A few characters need some development too.
Except no romance which was a bummer/disappointment.
I can't wait for the next though hoping it gets better.
A few characters need some development too.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
I want to give this book a good rating but at the same time it is hard to focus on a story when other bigger important things are happening. I loved the story, I didn’t find it confusing when the characters povs changed. The final battle was fun to read. I feel like this book could be a standalone but it would be interesting if it was a series. I loved the government system and abilities portrayed.
I want to give this book a good rating but at the same time it is hard to focus on a story when other bigger important things are happening. I loved the story, I didn’t find it confusing when the characters povs changed. The final battle was fun to read. I feel like this book could be a standalone but it would be interesting if it was a series. I loved the government system and abilities portrayed.
ellementary's review against another edition
1.0
Ugh, you can't say things like it's X-Men meets Ocean's Eleven and not follow through on that. You get me all excited and leave me so unsatisfied. I realize the job of the marketing department is to say things like this to get you to buy the book because that is their job but, damn, it's one of my biggest pet peeves. I cannot stand it when the book doesn't deliver on the promise.
So, yeah, it had super powers. And heists. And cons. But, that's about it on the similarities... It lacked the depth and ambition of X-Men. It lacked the wit and charm of Ocean's Eleven. It lacked a whole lot of things when you get down to it. The book follows a rag tag band of criminals who use their powers to their advantage and try to avoid run ins with government officials who are none to keen about their being differently able. They attempt to find the formula for the vaccination that birthed these super abilities. It had all the promise of a good story, but it never happened. If the characters don't pop, the book is a flop (for me at least).
Ciere, our protagonist, is a borderline unlikable sort of anti-hero that goes around constantly mucking everything up. She's hard to sympathize with. Add a dash of throw away supporting characters, dismal character development, shoddy world building, and unmemorable dialogue... voila a two star review is born! It gets an extra star because I enjoyed Devon as a character and, yeah, I definitely appreciated that the author didn't try to fix them up in some horrid love triangle (as is so common in YA these days).
All in all, like I said, unsatisfying. Unmemorable. Disappointing. I think I was hoping for a different book. Maybe I had unrealistic expectations? I feel like when you bill a book as a cross between X-Men and Ocean's Eleven you're inviting the comparison and the book just never took off for me.
So, yeah, it had super powers. And heists. And cons. But, that's about it on the similarities... It lacked the depth and ambition of X-Men. It lacked the wit and charm of Ocean's Eleven. It lacked a whole lot of things when you get down to it. The book follows a rag tag band of criminals who use their powers to their advantage and try to avoid run ins with government officials who are none to keen about their being differently able. They attempt to find the formula for the vaccination that birthed these super abilities. It had all the promise of a good story, but it never happened. If the characters don't pop, the book is a flop (for me at least).
Ciere, our protagonist, is a borderline unlikable sort of anti-hero that goes around constantly mucking everything up. She's hard to sympathize with. Add a dash of throw away supporting characters, dismal character development, shoddy world building, and unmemorable dialogue... voila a two star review is born! It gets an extra star because I enjoyed Devon as a character and, yeah, I definitely appreciated that the author didn't try to fix them up in some horrid love triangle (as is so common in YA these days).
All in all, like I said, unsatisfying. Unmemorable. Disappointing. I think I was hoping for a different book. Maybe I had unrealistic expectations? I feel like when you bill a book as a cross between X-Men and Ocean's Eleven you're inviting the comparison and the book just never took off for me.
lambsbooks's review against another edition
4.25
This was really good! Much better than I expected and I'm excited for book 2
christiana's review against another edition
4.0
The natural book talk for this is "Ocean's 11 meets X-men" and boy howdy, does that do this book justice. I really enjoyed this Heist Society read alike (but a little older on crowd, I would say, because of language and a bit of gore). I love the idea that medicine could give people super powers. Ending leaves a bit open for a sequel, but wouldn't have to be. One of my fave reads of 2014 so far!
energeticreader's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What I liked:
- Fast paced and full of action
- Interesting concept and world building
What I didn’t like:
- Not particularly good character development
stephhirsch's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book but it doesn't really have a plot to it. The stuff in the book is just kind of...happening.
mcf's review against another edition
4.0
Illusive is very superficial similar to Perry Moore's Hero in that they're both about a world in which people have what can be loosely described as super powers, but it's far superior to Hero in its world-building, depth of character, and complexity of story. Lloyd-Jones' world is clearly defined, as is the way her characters relate to it, and her characters are multilayered, many of them with depths that are only hinted at in this story. If there aren't further installments in the story I'm going to feel awfully let down, but as it is, the potential complexity serves to make the characters far more real and fully-formed than those in Hero. A very enjoyable, exciting read.