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Pepe: homeless slum kid versus evil wired up president
In a world of flying magnetic trains and floating cafés, he lives in an abandoned construction site with his sister, cleaning windscreens at a busy intersection while his sister begs. He doesn't know who he really is. That fact could cost him his life – or it could be the key to the future of Cardovia.
The evil general and president-for-life, a paraplegic whose mobility depends on a neuro-computer system controlling an army of robots, wants him eliminated. The general's secrets are well-kept, except to a mysterious mystic old Japanese man who has hope, and a 13-year-old hacker who accidentally witness one of his heinous crimes.
For Pepe, it's a “coming of age” as he discovers his past, and the dimmest images of his dreams begin to materialise. Before the end, we see things falling apart as hope plummets into oblivion, while all are perusing what might be a lost cause, when suddenly a forgotten fact pulls it all into a satisfying conclusion.
The evil general and president-for-life, a paraplegic whose mobility depends on a neuro-computer system controlling an army of robots, wants him eliminated. The general's secrets are well-kept, except to a mysterious mystic old Japanese man who has hope, and a 13-year-old hacker who accidentally witness one of his heinous crimes.
For Pepe, it's a “coming of age” as he discovers his past, and the dimmest images of his dreams begin to materialise. Before the end, we see things falling apart as hope plummets into oblivion, while all are perusing what might be a lost cause, when suddenly a forgotten fact pulls it all into a satisfying conclusion.
- GenresYoung Adult
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2009
1 person is currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Robby Charters
54 books19 followersHello. That photo you see there is of me and my son. It's actually a few years old. My son was about nine when I took that selfie but now, he's twenty, and is in Uni in Scotland, becoming smarter than me. I still like that photo, and I'll keep it until he tells me to take it down. And I probably look a bit older than that as well. Anyway, my wife and I live in N. Ireland. I write stories, draw pictures, design books, and work at a day job. In some of my books, there's a character named Boz, probably with the surname of O'Brian. If you happen to come across him, that's me making a cameo appearance. From Boz, you'll know that my roots are in Thailand, where I was born of an Irish dad and American mum. Though American, my mum was also born in Thailand. We're all missionaries. You'll read about that bit of history in The Eurasian. In Pepe, you'll find that I worked for a year in a homeless children's shelter similar to the one you'll read about there. I still think fondly of that place. The Zondon will tell you about the school I attended for two years that I think define my childhood in Bangkok, with other missionary kids. If you like how my covers look, and the interior design of my books, I can do yours as well - if you're a self published author. To find me, just Google "Robby Charters", or go to my website: www.RobbyCharters.co.uk.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 21, 2016
I didn't quite know what to expect when I started reading this book. The title suggested a quirky tale designed for a young adult audience, and in this regard I got exactly that. All the ingredients are here for those that fall within the target age to have a highly enjoyable time.
For me, however, I found it a little too simplistic for my taste. I liked the slums described in the book, I thought they were very easy to picture because of the writers great descriptive abilities. The same goes for the rest of the settings in the book – my favourite was the coastal setting where Pepe escapes to.
The book was an interesting mixture of Sci-fi and medieval kings and queens, with a little bit of sorcery thrown in there too. The rightful heir side to the story sometimes took the focus away from where I felt most comfortable, however, which was more in the realms of Sci-fi.
Overall I did like this book. If I were still around the age of Pepe, at 12 years old, I would definitely have enjoyed it even more.
For me, however, I found it a little too simplistic for my taste. I liked the slums described in the book, I thought they were very easy to picture because of the writers great descriptive abilities. The same goes for the rest of the settings in the book – my favourite was the coastal setting where Pepe escapes to.
The book was an interesting mixture of Sci-fi and medieval kings and queens, with a little bit of sorcery thrown in there too. The rightful heir side to the story sometimes took the focus away from where I felt most comfortable, however, which was more in the realms of Sci-fi.
Overall I did like this book. If I were still around the age of Pepe, at 12 years old, I would definitely have enjoyed it even more.
July 29, 2017
Overview: Pepe is a story that wonderfully juxtaposes poverty in the slums, forces of tyranny and finding a sense of purpose in a way that is accessible for a young reader. It cleverly infuses classic sci-fi elements (advanced technology, robotics and cyberspace), dystopian-real world-fantasy via the fictional country of Cardovia, mysticism and power struggles calling to mind Macbeth/King Arthur. Pepe dares to ask deep questions, about the search for "Truth" and the willingness to make sacrifices in order to safeguard it.
Thoughts: The writing is good, but a little confusing at times. There were some spelling errors/typos and inconsistencies that I found distracting. Many characters were introduced, some with similar names, a few with indistinct roles, so it was a bit of a challenge to keep up with. One concern I had at the beginning was with Atsuko, whose characterization looked a little too cliché. His overall character development was appreciated but it would have been nice to learn more about him as a person beyond his role . As a minor point, I found that there were a number of unexplained illnesses and premature deaths which struck me as odd for a technologically-advanced society.
The world-building is excellent. I liked the premise of the story, as well as the humorous tagline and thoughtful poems. It's interesting the way the book subverts the common idea of the inherent goodness of democracy. I could empathize well with the struggles of the characters, and the hard decisions they have to make, especially Pepe and Raul who face great responsibility whether they want to or not, the mistakes they've made and the losses of loved ones around them. They both must make decisions in spite of this and learn the value of true leadership and bravery. These are lessons all could learn from.
With some more proofreading and editing, I would rate this book a 4 but 3/3.5 for now.
Thoughts: The writing is good, but a little confusing at times. There were some spelling errors/typos and inconsistencies that I found distracting. Many characters were introduced, some with similar names, a few with indistinct roles, so it was a bit of a challenge to keep up with. One concern I had at the beginning was with Atsuko, whose characterization looked a little too cliché. His overall character development was appreciated but it would have been nice to learn more about him as a person beyond his role . As a minor point, I found that there were a number of unexplained illnesses and premature deaths which struck me as odd for a technologically-advanced society.
The world-building is excellent. I liked the premise of the story, as well as the humorous tagline and thoughtful poems. It's interesting the way the book subverts the common idea of the inherent goodness of democracy. I could empathize well with the struggles of the characters, and the hard decisions they have to make, especially Pepe and Raul who face great responsibility whether they want to or not, the mistakes they've made and the losses of loved ones around them. They both must make decisions in spite of this and learn the value of true leadership and bravery. These are lessons all could learn from.
With some more proofreading and editing, I would rate this book a 4 but 3/3.5 for now.
October 28, 2015
Young Adult fiction is usually not my bag, and the constant revisions to Pepe over the years raised a few red flags, but, that said, I found myself drawn into the world of Pepe in a way I (obviously) didn’t expect. Robby Charters set up a believably dystopian world, where the Haves have it all and the Have-Nots are stuck cleaning windshields so they don’t starve.
Set in the country of Cardovia in the 2040s or so, the story follows two young boys – Pepe and Raul – as they uncover hidden conspiracies and other, less terrible secrets. There is a surprising amount of complexity to the society of Cordovia, and I give Charters credit for touching on child trafficking and government corruption in what is otherwise a coming-of-age fantasy.
Some of the futuristic technologies, though, rang hollow. Booting password cracking software off a CD-ROM in a world with accessible VR and advanced robotics didn’t seem right. Even today, one would download that off the internet or have it on a flash drive. And calling out Flash Animation by name in the opening was jarring. Though not necessarily Charters’ fault - especially given that the first version of the book was copyrighted ten years ago - little hiccups like that made the technologically-advanced future less believable and immersive than it could have been. Meanwhile, there were detailed scenes about rewiring and scripting and interpreting wave patterns that seemed more accurate.
That, overall, was my largest problem with the book: Pepe felt uneven. Each chapter opened with a wonderful haiku, but the prose was sometimes inelegant, the dialogue wooden. Some characters were instantly recognizable and fully dimensional – Carlo, blind to the struggles of the downtrodden; Atsuko, world-weary and knowledgable – while other times I found myself confusing Pepe and Raul, as their voices and personalities (though obviously not their situations) felt so interchangeable.
Despite those flaws, though, I did enjoy the book. The pace was brisk, the topics broached were important and handled well, and the problems listed above weren’t so cumbersome that they couldn’t be overcome by the story.
I received a copy of Pepe from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the country of Cardovia in the 2040s or so, the story follows two young boys – Pepe and Raul – as they uncover hidden conspiracies and other, less terrible secrets. There is a surprising amount of complexity to the society of Cordovia, and I give Charters credit for touching on child trafficking and government corruption in what is otherwise a coming-of-age fantasy.
Some of the futuristic technologies, though, rang hollow. Booting password cracking software off a CD-ROM in a world with accessible VR and advanced robotics didn’t seem right. Even today, one would download that off the internet or have it on a flash drive. And calling out Flash Animation by name in the opening was jarring. Though not necessarily Charters’ fault - especially given that the first version of the book was copyrighted ten years ago - little hiccups like that made the technologically-advanced future less believable and immersive than it could have been. Meanwhile, there were detailed scenes about rewiring and scripting and interpreting wave patterns that seemed more accurate.
That, overall, was my largest problem with the book: Pepe felt uneven. Each chapter opened with a wonderful haiku, but the prose was sometimes inelegant, the dialogue wooden. Some characters were instantly recognizable and fully dimensional – Carlo, blind to the struggles of the downtrodden; Atsuko, world-weary and knowledgable – while other times I found myself confusing Pepe and Raul, as their voices and personalities (though obviously not their situations) felt so interchangeable.
Despite those flaws, though, I did enjoy the book. The pace was brisk, the topics broached were important and handled well, and the problems listed above weren’t so cumbersome that they couldn’t be overcome by the story.
I received a copy of Pepe from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2015
A lot of what I'd say about PEPE has already been said. I was really hooked by the beginning of the book -- the unsparing treatment of poverty in the midst of technological prosperity was really appealing, and Cardovia seemed on track to be a well-developed fictional realm. But the narrative didn't quite cash out this sense of possibility. Having started out squarely in the territory of Paolo Bacigalupi and Bruce Sterling, it seemed determined to end up somewhere else, though it never quite settled on techno-thriller or "Chosen One" fantasy. I think it's possible to combine these elements in a novel, and I'm impressed with Charters' daring for trying. But it's a tricky job, and in a novel as short as PEPE, it's hard to do without sacrificing momentum. The last part of the book is rushed, taking Pepe through a journey of discovery about his past and up to a showdown with the villain so fast that it's hard to really absorb new developments before moving on to the next one.
It's ambitious work, though, and I appreciate that. I hope Charters will continue to draw on his experiences abroad as inspiration for his science fiction -- I think he's got the potential to say a lot that hasn't been said about the way the future is going to look.
It's ambitious work, though, and I appreciate that. I hope Charters will continue to draw on his experiences abroad as inspiration for his science fiction -- I think he's got the potential to say a lot that hasn't been said about the way the future is going to look.
June 7, 2016
The year is 2032 in Cardovia, a “Southern European country on the Mediterranean Sea.” Cardovians have French-Spanish-Slavic culture and a shaky, new republic ruled by an iron-fisted cyborg tyrant. The rich enjoy a high-tech life while the poor get slums—until those slums are wanted for development and burned to the ground.
Blond, blue-eyed Pepe and his foster-sister Po end up on the streets, but they’re not alone. Watched over by an enigmatic, Japanese man named Atsuko, the children are introduced to Raul, a privileged kid with a knack for hacking. When Raul uncovers government secrets, he learns Pepe is more than anyone (other than Atsuko) knows.
How Atsuko, Pepe, Po and Raul change their nation is suspenseful and ingenious. The writer’s tone is engagingly immediate and wry. Not the simple, children’s tale the title suggests, Pepe has intricate plotting, strong characterization, great action scenes and moral dilemmas. It’s a story for all but the very young. I highly recommend it.
Blond, blue-eyed Pepe and his foster-sister Po end up on the streets, but they’re not alone. Watched over by an enigmatic, Japanese man named Atsuko, the children are introduced to Raul, a privileged kid with a knack for hacking. When Raul uncovers government secrets, he learns Pepe is more than anyone (other than Atsuko) knows.
How Atsuko, Pepe, Po and Raul change their nation is suspenseful and ingenious. The writer’s tone is engagingly immediate and wry. Not the simple, children’s tale the title suggests, Pepe has intricate plotting, strong characterization, great action scenes and moral dilemmas. It’s a story for all but the very young. I highly recommend it.
June 13, 2017
There are a lot of things to like about Charters' book Pepe. The story is interesting and takes place in a future world, focusing on a small fictional European country and a young man who rises from the slums to national leadership. Young adults will enjoy the combination of a future vision of possible technology, along with the idea of young kids empowered to make a difference in a corrupt nation.
Charters does a good job of describing a possible future scenario and simplifying the complexities of national leadership for a younger audience. His characters are interesting and likeable, and the plot of the story is not obvious and has some nice twists.
I only have a few constructive comments. First, the book is a little rough at spots and seems to jump around leaving the reader feeling a bit like they are on a roller coaster that is going too fast to enjoy the ride. Perhaps taking some time to flesh out the various scenes would allow the reader to enjoy the experience rather than to feel like the author is trying to get to the end he has in mind too quickly.
Second, there are times where more mature readers may scratch their heads and wonder if the story is “believable.” I know that is an odd thing to say about a fictional book, but there were moments when I had to ask myself, in the world that Charters has created, would this or that really happen?
Finally, the book needs a little polishing and could use a good editor to go over it to correct any grammatical mistakes.
Overall, I think Pepe is a good book and one that younger people will enjoy. I would have given it four stars, but the book needs some polishing and editing cleanup.
Charters does a good job of describing a possible future scenario and simplifying the complexities of national leadership for a younger audience. His characters are interesting and likeable, and the plot of the story is not obvious and has some nice twists.
I only have a few constructive comments. First, the book is a little rough at spots and seems to jump around leaving the reader feeling a bit like they are on a roller coaster that is going too fast to enjoy the ride. Perhaps taking some time to flesh out the various scenes would allow the reader to enjoy the experience rather than to feel like the author is trying to get to the end he has in mind too quickly.
Second, there are times where more mature readers may scratch their heads and wonder if the story is “believable.” I know that is an odd thing to say about a fictional book, but there were moments when I had to ask myself, in the world that Charters has created, would this or that really happen?
Finally, the book needs a little polishing and could use a good editor to go over it to correct any grammatical mistakes.
Overall, I think Pepe is a good book and one that younger people will enjoy. I would have given it four stars, but the book needs some polishing and editing cleanup.
June 8, 2015
I did not have any expectations going into reading Pepe. Even more, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was surprised at how much the story grabbed me.
Set in the near future in the fictional country of Cardovia, the story follows multiple characters as they try to survive in a society where a dictatorship has recently emerged. The story was action-packed, the characters were unique, and there was a surprising amount of complexity to the society given the fact that the novel itself is not long.
I felt that Charters paid particular attention building a country that could easily exist in Europe, with both French and Spanish influences, one represented by the historically elite class and the other by those generally confined to poverty but including those who have risen up over time. I also particularly liked Atsuko, who, as a man of Japanese heritage. I think his outsider status was intentional to put him above the fray, as it were.
As I said earlier, Pepe is action-packed. You are drawn through the book rapidly. Charters' writing style is very blunt and to the point. The voice is at times journalistic and at other times very much a recounting of a young boy, and that lent a blunt quality to the writing. It almost read like a young adult novel, as Charters did not spend much time setting scenes or including a lot of description. I don't mind that writing style, but some who want a very descriptive, immersive world may feel cheated.
It would have been my preference to have more of Pepe's actual thoughts and struggle in the novel. There was definitely room in the length of the novel based on how much action occurred to stretch it out a bit and show some of his struggles in the last 25% of the book. I won't go into details, as this book should not be spoiled, but I felt there was room to turn some exposition into scenes showing the conflicts described in some places. Other than that, which is just a preference of mine and may not bother other readers, I thought Pepe had a unique voice, an interesting world, and a great story with good pacing! If you want a quick and entertaining read, Pepe fits the bill.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the near future in the fictional country of Cardovia, the story follows multiple characters as they try to survive in a society where a dictatorship has recently emerged. The story was action-packed, the characters were unique, and there was a surprising amount of complexity to the society given the fact that the novel itself is not long.
I felt that Charters paid particular attention building a country that could easily exist in Europe, with both French and Spanish influences, one represented by the historically elite class and the other by those generally confined to poverty but including those who have risen up over time. I also particularly liked Atsuko, who, as a man of Japanese heritage. I think his outsider status was intentional to put him above the fray, as it were.
As I said earlier, Pepe is action-packed. You are drawn through the book rapidly. Charters' writing style is very blunt and to the point. The voice is at times journalistic and at other times very much a recounting of a young boy, and that lent a blunt quality to the writing. It almost read like a young adult novel, as Charters did not spend much time setting scenes or including a lot of description. I don't mind that writing style, but some who want a very descriptive, immersive world may feel cheated.
It would have been my preference to have more of Pepe's actual thoughts and struggle in the novel. There was definitely room in the length of the novel based on how much action occurred to stretch it out a bit and show some of his struggles in the last 25% of the book. I won't go into details, as this book should not be spoiled, but I felt there was room to turn some exposition into scenes showing the conflicts described in some places. Other than that, which is just a preference of mine and may not bother other readers, I thought Pepe had a unique voice, an interesting world, and a great story with good pacing! If you want a quick and entertaining read, Pepe fits the bill.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2014
I've gotta tell you, this ebook was far more engrossing than I dreamed it would be!
The technology in Pepe is a bit more advanced than our current technology... but not by much... only a hair's breadth, actually. It's very believable that we could see these advances in the near future.
Magnetically controlled, "floating" train? Very believable. Neural interfaces that can 'read' a person's thoughts and convey them to others? Yep. Small, armored robots equipped with heavy weaponry? Heck, There are drones out there, already... right?
Every chapter begins with a haiku.
This haiku foreshadows what will be found within that section of the book, and does it perfectly. I'm not one for verse, very often skipping right over it. I know, I know... people shouldn't do that. Verse is important, and the author worked hard on it, darn it!
I do it anyway.
In Pepe, though, I looked forward to each haiku. Every one of them was well written, meaningful, and thought-provoking. I mean... I even began this review with one of them (taken from Chapter 3). I enjoyed them that much.
And the theme!
Oh, gosh, the theme. I found myself swept away within the philosophies of this novel. Basically, it all comes down to one central concept: Only through Truth will you find freedom.
I know, I know... we've all heard that before. What makes it so special this time?
Well, we see this transformation in just about every character within the book. This is especially seen with Pepe, as the protagonist, but this change occurs in the most depraved, as well. We see that through recognizing the truth as it is, rather than how we think the truth is, we become more than who we were before. We're stronger. We're free.
(This is a truncation of my full review, posted at Undiscovered Tomes.)
The technology in Pepe is a bit more advanced than our current technology... but not by much... only a hair's breadth, actually. It's very believable that we could see these advances in the near future.
Magnetically controlled, "floating" train? Very believable. Neural interfaces that can 'read' a person's thoughts and convey them to others? Yep. Small, armored robots equipped with heavy weaponry? Heck, There are drones out there, already... right?
Every chapter begins with a haiku.
This haiku foreshadows what will be found within that section of the book, and does it perfectly. I'm not one for verse, very often skipping right over it. I know, I know... people shouldn't do that. Verse is important, and the author worked hard on it, darn it!
I do it anyway.
In Pepe, though, I looked forward to each haiku. Every one of them was well written, meaningful, and thought-provoking. I mean... I even began this review with one of them (taken from Chapter 3). I enjoyed them that much.
And the theme!
Oh, gosh, the theme. I found myself swept away within the philosophies of this novel. Basically, it all comes down to one central concept: Only through Truth will you find freedom.
I know, I know... we've all heard that before. What makes it so special this time?
Well, we see this transformation in just about every character within the book. This is especially seen with Pepe, as the protagonist, but this change occurs in the most depraved, as well. We see that through recognizing the truth as it is, rather than how we think the truth is, we become more than who we were before. We're stronger. We're free.
(This is a truncation of my full review, posted at Undiscovered Tomes.)
April 15, 2016
Think Prince and the Pauper, rags to riches, Harry Potter under the stairs, and add just the tiniest touch of C.S. Lewis perhaps. Make the protagonist a very normal boy with a very excellent desire to protect his younger sister. Lose his family, destroy his home, and set him free in a world of street kids begging, rich businessmen with the world’s best technology to hand, and a curious stranger who just happens to be where he’s needed... well... some of the time. Then plot to have your cool protagonist killed.
Robby Charters’ Pepe tells an age-old tale, with cool allusions to history ancient and modern; a great sense for youthful fun, loyalty, and computer games; and a nicely, slightly skewed image of a glorious technological future, but only for the rich. Hints of Biblical tales, a Truth that might leave adult readers pondering freewill at will, and a truly compelling storyline combine to make this a thoroughly entertaining read. The language is simple, clean and clear. The plot moves swiftly and smoothly through a string of enjoyable twists and locations. The level of detail is just right. The dialog sings. And the briefly poetic chapter headings are a great lure for adults as well.
One of the best teen novels I’ve read in a long while, I really enjoyed this.
Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review.
Robby Charters’ Pepe tells an age-old tale, with cool allusions to history ancient and modern; a great sense for youthful fun, loyalty, and computer games; and a nicely, slightly skewed image of a glorious technological future, but only for the rich. Hints of Biblical tales, a Truth that might leave adult readers pondering freewill at will, and a truly compelling storyline combine to make this a thoroughly entertaining read. The language is simple, clean and clear. The plot moves swiftly and smoothly through a string of enjoyable twists and locations. The level of detail is just right. The dialog sings. And the briefly poetic chapter headings are a great lure for adults as well.
One of the best teen novels I’ve read in a long while, I really enjoyed this.
Disclosure: I was given a copy and I offer my honest review.
January 9, 2014
The start of “Pepe” held such promise. Charters set a scene and laid the path of a little boy in a deeply unstable world. He lives in the very dangerous Dockyard District with his "sister" Po and once their Grandmother disappears, the pair is on their own. In Pepe's world there are really no questions to be asked. Survival is the primary focus. A strange old man saves him from a miserable situation and says that Pepe should come to him if he’s ever in trouble.
As the story progressed there seemed to be a problem with pacing, Charters develops the characters in a way that at times is independent of the story and causes the plot-line to drag. The benefit of this development is that it cannot be said that Pepe is not a well laid out character. Pepe is developed at the expense of other characters. It would seem logical to me to have a bit of development with Atsuko, the mystic. Clearly he’s a man of mystery but that sense could have been maintained with perhaps a little more insight into how he came to be where and who he is.
Unmet expectation seems to be my biggest struggle with this novel. “Pepe” started so well and then just fizzled as the tale went on. If you have a middle grade boy this might be a book he’d like.
As the story progressed there seemed to be a problem with pacing, Charters develops the characters in a way that at times is independent of the story and causes the plot-line to drag. The benefit of this development is that it cannot be said that Pepe is not a well laid out character. Pepe is developed at the expense of other characters. It would seem logical to me to have a bit of development with Atsuko, the mystic. Clearly he’s a man of mystery but that sense could have been maintained with perhaps a little more insight into how he came to be where and who he is.
Unmet expectation seems to be my biggest struggle with this novel. “Pepe” started so well and then just fizzled as the tale went on. If you have a middle grade boy this might be a book he’d like.
February 26, 2014
Pepe was an action packed ride that I enjoyed from start to finish. Mr. Charters has a way of creating a near future in exquisite detail, and I felt like that really made the story.
Pepe himself was a really well developed character, and the others were reasonably so. AlthoughI would have liked to learn more about a few of them, it didn't take away from the awesome story. I think this book will definitely appeal to the younger teen crowd, and I always like finding books I can recommend to young teen boys as there is just not a lot in that department lately and I have a younger brother myself. Don't get me wrong though, as a seventeen year old girl myself I enjoyed reading Pepe too.
Even though it takes place in the future, it reads as sort of ageless which makes the world Robby Charters created all the more interesting. I would certainly read more from him, the way he writes has an almost... what's the right word here... his writing style has an almost soothing tone to it that left me ready to jump right back in every time I put the book down. I think if you were to give Pepe a chance you wouldn't be disappointed!
* I received this book for review from the author, but this in no way affected my review or opinion.*
Pepe himself was a really well developed character, and the others were reasonably so. AlthoughI would have liked to learn more about a few of them, it didn't take away from the awesome story. I think this book will definitely appeal to the younger teen crowd, and I always like finding books I can recommend to young teen boys as there is just not a lot in that department lately and I have a younger brother myself. Don't get me wrong though, as a seventeen year old girl myself I enjoyed reading Pepe too.
Even though it takes place in the future, it reads as sort of ageless which makes the world Robby Charters created all the more interesting. I would certainly read more from him, the way he writes has an almost... what's the right word here... his writing style has an almost soothing tone to it that left me ready to jump right back in every time I put the book down. I think if you were to give Pepe a chance you wouldn't be disappointed!
* I received this book for review from the author, but this in no way affected my review or opinion.*
January 4, 2016
Odd title and an odd cover, for what proved to be a surprisingly entertaining read. A classic twist on a 'chosen one/rags to riches' premise set in the near future (2040) in a fictional Mediterranean country that has been a republic for ten years. This is a curious mix of scifi with a touch of magic and mysticism which didn't always work as people went from murders to good guys almost in a blink of an eye.
Pepe's life in the slum was perhaps the most interesting part, but it didn't take very long to work out who he was, which was a little disappointing. Much of the plot was based around robots and computer hacking, which wasn't my cup of tea and I would have preferred a more emotional connection with the characters. I found the ultimate insult of 'scumbag' a little far fetched when children were being murdered.
Suitable for young adults, probably around the age of the title character (12) and a little older, but I think its a little far-fetched and lacking in emotional depth/plausibility for many adults.
Pepe's life in the slum was perhaps the most interesting part, but it didn't take very long to work out who he was, which was a little disappointing. Much of the plot was based around robots and computer hacking, which wasn't my cup of tea and I would have preferred a more emotional connection with the characters. I found the ultimate insult of 'scumbag' a little far fetched when children were being murdered.
Suitable for young adults, probably around the age of the title character (12) and a little older, but I think its a little far-fetched and lacking in emotional depth/plausibility for many adults.
December 14, 2015
Pepe is that young kid you find in many stories, unsure of his past and what his role in the world could be. In Cardovia, life is hard for many under the heel of the current president or despot dictator, especially when you're a kid on the street. Even the local mission to help you gets sacked because the archbishop of the church won't stand up to the president.
The story has a good plot, but the flow at times was even. It was a slow to begin some of the POVs threw me off. The storyline was just starting to pick up, then it would shift gears, slow down and not keep up the pace, especially in the middle when you learn more and more about Pepe and his friends. I liked Mr. Atsuko. He almost reminded me of Alfred from Batman.
The main characters needed more. You want to have that depth to connect. If this story is the beginning to a series, it could make a good foundation, but you have to grasp readers with characters and their goals.
The story has a good plot, but the flow at times was even. It was a slow to begin some of the POVs threw me off. The storyline was just starting to pick up, then it would shift gears, slow down and not keep up the pace, especially in the middle when you learn more and more about Pepe and his friends. I liked Mr. Atsuko. He almost reminded me of Alfred from Batman.
The main characters needed more. You want to have that depth to connect. If this story is the beginning to a series, it could make a good foundation, but you have to grasp readers with characters and their goals.
June 14, 2016
Although Pepe: homeless slum kid versus evil wired up president
is meant for YA readers I enjoyed this futuristic fantasy from start to finish. Full of interesting characters, it is well written and action packed. Highly recommended.
is meant for YA readers I enjoyed this futuristic fantasy from start to finish. Full of interesting characters, it is well written and action packed. Highly recommended.
September 21, 2013
Well. let's just say the book cover really detracts from the book. Yeah it gives it a science fiction feel but doesn't do justice to the pure awesome in the pages.
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