Customer Reviews

Portal

5 star:		(99)
4 star:		(36)
3 star:		(16)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

PORTAL is a sci-fi romance with well-fleshed characters and an intriguing plot. Normally, a novel in the romance genre would be of no interest to me at all (being a guy and all!) but PORTAL managed to keep my interest throughout thanks to its main character, Arizona, and its fascinating sci-fi plot involving time travel and alternative dimensions. There's such a careful balance of sci-fi versus romance that both genre readers will enjoy it equally. I'd be hard pushed to say which genre comes through the strongest, and in this regard it reminds me slightly of The Time Traveler's Wife, another story that's hard to pigeonhole and one that wouldn't work if either the sci-fi or the romance was taken away.

There's a lot to think about after the book ends. All the complexities of the "experiment" are finally laid out for the readers (and poor Arizona) to see, and yet you come away with your head spinning -- in a good way. The best kinds of movies and novels are those that leave you with something to ponder, and PORTAL certainly does that. And the fact that there's a forthcoming sequel, EQUILIBRIUM, due in Summer 2010, is something of a no-brainer -- there's plenty more story waiting to be explored yet!

Not wanting to give away spoilers, I was happy with Arizona's decision at the end and think it would have been unrealistic for her to choose otherwise. Still, part of me wanted her to "take the plunge" and choose the other option, because what a great story that would make! Maybe that's what we have to look forward to in EQUILIBRIUM... or maybe the author will take us in a new direction altogether. There are so many possibilities, especially after the Epilogue, which almost came out of left field and really throws a sinister spanner in the works. Roll on Book II!

I'm a guy and I'm a teenager, usually I don't buy Sci-Fi books but this one was only 0.99 so I brought it. I think it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. This book was so good. It was romantic but it also had the right amount of science fiction I wanted. I'll recommend it to many of my friends.

Author Imogen Rose took an original idea and created a world where time travel intertwines with romance, power of love can alter the course of life and erase painful memories... A fascinating story that will captivate your heart and ignite your imagination!!

Author Imogen Rose's writing style is elegant and highly enjoyable.

I have to admit I'm astonished at the number of high reviews for this book. Where to begin? While I found the premise of this book initially interesting, I couldn't help but be disappointed in this book for numerous reasons. The dialogue was painful at times, I'm not sure the author had a good handle on the ages of her characters in respect to dialogue....and character development, come to think of it. Dialogue should be used to reveal things about the characters or to move the plot along, and at times it felt like neither was being accomplished.

I don't think the characters were very well developed or fleshed out, as I'm not sure I could tell you much about the characters beyond the superficial. Arizona herself was a bit of a mystery....is she a tough hockey chick or is she this girly-girl? I'm not sure and the author didn't seem to know either.

Character development and dialogue aside, the thing that bugged me the most was the "name-dropping" of all these high end items. iPhones, Louboutin, Hummers, Harleys and random designer hand bags abound....I mean some of that specificity is ok. But the author has turned Arizona's life into a materialistic wonderland. Throw in a seemingly perfect family, amazing friends, and a couple hot "ripped" guys who adore her, and you have to wonder just why Arizona misses her old life so much, because for most of the book it seems like she's forgotten all about it while enjoying all the perks of her new life.

Other things that drove me a little crazy....a shift from first person to third person narration throughout the story. It got a little confusing at times and maybe could've been helped simply by an "Arizona" or an "Olivia" over their respective chapters.....or just a total shift to third person. Also, a little more focus and a bit more credibility would have been nice in regards to the whole sci-fi aspect of this story. The sci-fi part of this book felt so tagged on, with more focus being on a budding romance, hockey, and running around on motorcycles with new friends.

I think this story had real potential. It just really needed a few more re-writes and a little red pen to become a bit more polished and to find it's voice.

An interesting premise, let down by a distinct lack of substance both plot wise and with the characters. The book is clearly aimed towards the YA audience so I can overlook the endless talk about clothes, nail polish, ripped abs, brushing lips and ice hockey.

My main gripe with this book however, is the lack of suspense and urgency in the writing - it starts with a lot of promise as the protagonist tries to make sense of her situation. Then a few chapters in, the reader is basically handed the whole plot on a silver platter, told from another character's point of view. I found the shift in perspectives very distracting, almost lazy, the author choosing to use this third person's viewpoint to explain things rather than the let the reader unravel the mysteries through the eyes of the main character.

Instead, she goes continues about her daily life, oblivious and more concerned with making the hockey team than finding the cause or a solution to her predicament. Not only until the last pages does the plot and mystery pick up again, only to be left hanging for the next book.

I did enjoy the interactions between the characters, especially the solidarity between family members and her close friends but they ultimately lacked depth.

Portal is an intriguing story, primarily seen through the eyes of tom-boy Arizona Stevens who finds herself in an alternate version of her world. Now called Arizona Daley, we are given access to her thoughts and concerns as she attempts to adapt to her new pinker cheerleader type lifestyle while also maintaining a low profile, so her family doesn't call in the family shrink that she's been threatened with previously.

Through the story there are some nice twists and plot-turns, but unfortunately the technical and sci-fi mechanics of this novels type of time-travel is far from explained and is very muddled. That and the shifts in perspective leaves the reader more confused than immersed.

I am, however, happy to say that the characters were well developed and the author managed to keep the story flowing; helped along by the addition of a romantic interest. And if you can get past the first few chapters that read like an advertisement for high-class named brands, then you are in for a fun YA read.

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, Equilibrium, and hope that some, if not all, of the unanswered questions and plot holes will be filled in.

The Kindle version of the book was well formatted and easy to navigate.

I really had fun reading this book. It was imaginative and creative and I think lots of other young readers will be able to relate to the story. We have all had those days when we wished we could have somebody else's life or go back and re-do all the mistakes we made. I believe other reviewers were too critical of the book. It's a bit sci-fi, a bit fantasy. Stop asking about the "well how did that really happen" questions. Use your imagination. Just be open to a good story that plays around with life's possibilites.

I'm not going to write a book report. Instead I'll just stick to my opinion:

I enjoyed reading it. Having said that, keep in mind the author's target audience because if you're looking for serious sci-fi, this is not for you. The sci-fi isn't, in my opinion, what the book is about so don't expect an extremely serious mythology like LOTR, Lost or Battlestar Galactica. If you try to treat it like it is, then you might get confused. Also, it's only the first book in the series so the author will (I hope) probably explain exactly how things work, what's possible and what isn't, as the trilogy progresses. It's a fun book, easy to read and perfect for when you want to relax and just go along for the ride in someone else's life. I actually finished it in less than 48 hours so I have to say I found it engaging and it kept me interested til the very end.

There were a couple of things I didn't love about it: the numerous Twilight references and the effort put into fashion and its description. The first one (Twilight) I can excuse because it's current and appeals to the majority of the target audience (Note: I'm a young adult who enjoys Twilight but would still prefer fewer references to the vampire series). The fashion references did not bother me, although I didn't feel like they were all needed. However, I read somewhere that the author is very much into fashion so I can definitely understand why she would feel passionate about making it a part of her story. After all, she's the one telling it!

Overall, I couldn't find a single thing I hated about the book. I liked it, I didn't love it. I'm intrigued after reading the ending because the author went in a completely different direction from what I expected and I don't think I quite understand yet where she's going with it.

I love the use of time travel in this book. I haven't seen it done in quite this way before, and I think it added an original twist to the paranormal romance genre. Arizona was funny and tough (in a good away) as a leading lady.

The prologue had me hooked, but the first chapter did bog me down a little with product placement - but don't let that deter you! The story quickly picks up rhythm and moves forward in a fun way. The romance hits just right, and Arizona's relationships with her friends and family fleshed out the story wonderfully.

It is the first book in a trilogy, and the end definitely leaves you wanting more, but that's never a bad thing.

I'd highly recommend this book to any fan of sci fi and romance.

I completely loved this book and can't wait for the next two to come out. The story is awesome and feel it is very different from your usual book. i think what is happening between Arizona and Kellan is very similar to what happened between her mother and Rupert. And they also pretty much met in a different dimension. But I am very interested to see how Simla and her parents become more important characters on the next book.