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TOP 100 REVIEWERon January 12, 2014
I liked Deviants more than I thought I would: despite treading very well-worn ground in the dystopian genre, some frustrating character issues, less-than-grounded world building, and the inevitable love triangle. At its core was heart and a strong female character.
Glory exists on the fringes of their domed society in a world devastated by an asteroid collision that spread a strange dust across the landscape. Her brother is mutating - a deviant - as well as being paralyzed and therefore categorized as a parasite in the community. She hides him as well as her own latent deviant ability (to see into physiology and kill someone). But she and her band of friends are stretched thin - with precious food and other resources needed to survive. Then a young man arrives, claiming to be from outside the dome and telling her that her father is alive after all. Thus starts a cat and mouse game and Glory must get her brother to safety outside of the dome before he is discovered and sent to the hospital (a place from which no one returns). And Glory must learn to separate fact from fiction in her corporate run world.
There is plenty of tension and despite a lot of whiney introspective woe-is-me, Glory's journey ended up interesting. I was greatly reminded of the Deuce character in Ann Aguirre's The Horde series: young but action oriented. As well, we didn't really have instalove in the triangle (though the reason for keeping her from either of the boy interests were kind of thin and manufactured).
At heart, this is a survival story both within and outside of the dome. Fortunately, most of the action takes place inside the civilization and some much needed answers about the world are provided near the end.
Although I didn't love the book, I did decide to stick with it through the second book, Compliance. There was something there that rose above the frustrations I had with the inconsistent characters and somewhat cliched plot points/settings.
I listened to the Audible version of this book and felt the narrator did a decent job of conveying both the youth and the strength of the main character.
Glory exists on the fringes of their domed society in a world devastated by an asteroid collision that spread a strange dust across the landscape. Her brother is mutating - a deviant - as well as being paralyzed and therefore categorized as a parasite in the community. She hides him as well as her own latent deviant ability (to see into physiology and kill someone). But she and her band of friends are stretched thin - with precious food and other resources needed to survive. Then a young man arrives, claiming to be from outside the dome and telling her that her father is alive after all. Thus starts a cat and mouse game and Glory must get her brother to safety outside of the dome before he is discovered and sent to the hospital (a place from which no one returns). And Glory must learn to separate fact from fiction in her corporate run world.
There is plenty of tension and despite a lot of whiney introspective woe-is-me, Glory's journey ended up interesting. I was greatly reminded of the Deuce character in Ann Aguirre's The Horde series: young but action oriented. As well, we didn't really have instalove in the triangle (though the reason for keeping her from either of the boy interests were kind of thin and manufactured).
At heart, this is a survival story both within and outside of the dome. Fortunately, most of the action takes place inside the civilization and some much needed answers about the world are provided near the end.
Although I didn't love the book, I did decide to stick with it through the second book, Compliance. There was something there that rose above the frustrations I had with the inconsistent characters and somewhat cliched plot points/settings.
I listened to the Audible version of this book and felt the narrator did a decent job of conveying both the youth and the strength of the main character.
on June 29, 2016
I really enjoyed the ideas behind this story. It definitely kept me wanting more and I already bought the 2nd book in the series. My only nit-pick would be how naive and blind to what is actually going on around her the main character is. I understand that she is young and maybe the author is trying to set up an opportunity for character growth and development.... at least I hope so. I can't wait to find out more about the how's snd why's the world is the way it is.
At first I was hesitant to buy this thinking that it was directed more towards a younger reader, but I am glad that I gave it a chance.
At first I was hesitant to buy this thinking that it was directed more towards a younger reader, but I am glad that I gave it a chance.
on March 20, 2015
Deviants is the story of a girl named Glory, who lives in a post-apocalyptic Earth, within a domed city called Haven. Haven is far from what it's name may suggest. It is a corrupt city, who's inhabitants are made to live in squalor, in cramped apartment blocks and shanty towns; made to eat bland vegetables and the only available source of protein - rat meat. On the other hand, the coporation that runs Haven live in hidden luxury.
Deviants is reminiscent of the other post-apocalyptic YA blockbuster, Divergent, but not quite as good. Glory is one of many, called Deviants, who has a mutant ability to kill with mind control (other deviants have other abilities, like super speed, super strength, etc.), but she is struggling to learn to control it as it is triggered by her emotions. so, she can't fall in love - it's too dangerous.
The book is certainly entertaining enough, but doesn't reach the dizzying heights of YA series like the Divergent series or works by Cassandra Clare. However, I did enjoy it and am looking forward to Book 2.
Deviants is reminiscent of the other post-apocalyptic YA blockbuster, Divergent, but not quite as good. Glory is one of many, called Deviants, who has a mutant ability to kill with mind control (other deviants have other abilities, like super speed, super strength, etc.), but she is struggling to learn to control it as it is triggered by her emotions. so, she can't fall in love - it's too dangerous.
The book is certainly entertaining enough, but doesn't reach the dizzying heights of YA series like the Divergent series or works by Cassandra Clare. However, I did enjoy it and am looking forward to Book 2.
on December 16, 2012
This is a decent story about a domed dystopian city cut off from the supposedly uninhabitable outside world. The heroine, Glory, is a deviant, and they don't like deviants inside the city, so she has to hide what she is. Deviants and domes have been done before, and done better (on dome dystopia, see Ashes of Twilight for a recent A+ effort). Still, the idea of a dome run by "management" was a nice, new twist, but that's the problem . . . it's underdeveloped. We needed this dome world to be fleshed out more. We have hints about management and injustice and inequality, but more was needed. E.g., at one point, Glory walks through an underground mall for the privileged elite and that's just it . . . it's just a drive by. More problems develop about midway through when Glory leaves the domed city for the outside. Big mistake. The dome is the guts of this story. The outside is, well, boring in this story. I felt like yelling to Glory, 'no don't leave!' But she does and hooks up with Burn, who is frankly not very attractive (he and Glory both agree that he's a "monster"), so the attempt to ignite some romantic sizzle between them didn't work for me -- I don't get what she sees in him. All of this makes it sound like I should be giving this book a bad review instead of 3.5 stars, and I was getting ready to deliver just that when I got to the last few chapters. In short, without giving too much away, Glory returns to the dome and returns in a very interesting and engaging way -- and the story comes back to life. Unfortunately, this is at the end of the book and we'll have to wait for book 2 to see whether the story can now really take flight. The table is definitely set for a very good story in book 2. As long we stay in the dome, there are some real possibilities for this series.
on October 14, 2013
If you enjoy post-apocalyptic world dystopia fiction with x-men mutation you will enjoy this, sixteen-year-old Glory must hide and protect her younger brother because they have deviant abilities and if that is discovered, they’ll be expunged—kicked out of the dome to be tortured and killed by the Shredders. Glory would give anything to get rid of her unique ability to kill with her emotions, especially when Cal, the boy she’s always liked, becomes a spy for the authorities. But when her brother is discovered, we meet Burn who lives out of the dome in the dust, and thats where the adventure begins Glory must escape with her brother and Burn and there she learns their father, who was expunged for killing their mother, is still alive
The story was always moving not slow hooked me in for the next book, very well written
The story was always moving not slow hooked me in for the next book, very well written
on June 13, 2014
I liked the general idea of this story, but found it hard to get behind the main character. I found her to be pretty dumb given the circumstances of her life. Lots of impulsive and poor decision making with no thought behind it. Not a heroine I felt a lot of empathy for. I wanted her to just shut up and do what the people who were rescuing her told her to do for a change.
The premise has promise, and I generally like this style of book. I would just wish for a main character that isn't quite so self-absorbed.
The premise has promise, and I generally like this style of book. I would just wish for a main character that isn't quite so self-absorbed.
on January 4, 2013
What happens to society when you throw extraterrestrial dust around the planet? The dust either kills people or, if they have certain mutations, heals them. The dust can also be addicting.
The story centers on a teenage girl who has the ability to kill with her mind, and her brother.
I liked the story and look forward to the next. Why?
Glory, the teenager, is as confused as any teen, but is primarily motivated by protecting her brother. As she gets more information about her world and her history, she deals with it in a more-or-less logical way, albeit teenager-ish.
The story centers on a teenage girl who has the ability to kill with her mind, and her brother.
I liked the story and look forward to the next. Why?
Glory, the teenager, is as confused as any teen, but is primarily motivated by protecting her brother. As she gets more information about her world and her history, she deals with it in a more-or-less logical way, albeit teenager-ish.
on August 23, 2015
The story caught me from the beginning. Glory is very relatable even tho she has some issues. Sometimes she doesn't THINK, but that makes her more human and so easy to relate to. I felt distrust of Cal and instant liking to Burn.... Each person in this novel drew me in.
It's packed with action and adventure and has a conflicted love triangle. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
It's packed with action and adventure and has a conflicted love triangle. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
on March 31, 2017
I'm a Maze Runner, Hunger Games, Twilight, and Divergent fan. I'm adding this book to that list. If you liked the Divergent and Maze Runner series, you will like this. Granted I've only read this first book so far, but I find it easy to read and keeps you in suspense. Now...on to the next book in this series.
