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The Disappeared
Jackson's life is perfect; he's top of his class, wants for nothing and is destined to be part of the Leadership that runs the country. But when a violent incident leaves Jackson badly beaten and his best friend dead, everything changes. Suddenly his teachers claim not to know him, his records are deleted… Jackson doesn't exist anymore.
Dumped in an Academy, where teachers are kept in cages and being a good fighter is all that matters, Jackson realises that to survive he needs to adapt, and fast. And, as he learns the Academy's terrible secrets, Jackson discovers that his whole life has been based on lies; the Leadership is corrupt to the core and they're coming after him. But time is running out. Can Jackson destroy the man at the heart of it all before he makes Jackson disappear for good?
Dumped in an Academy, where teachers are kept in cages and being a good fighter is all that matters, Jackson realises that to survive he needs to adapt, and fast. And, as he learns the Academy's terrible secrets, Jackson discovers that his whole life has been based on lies; the Leadership is corrupt to the core and they're coming after him. But time is running out. Can Jackson destroy the man at the heart of it all before he makes Jackson disappear for good?
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 31, 2013
11 people are currently reading
1113 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Harper
3 books19 followersC.J. Harper grew up in a rather small house with a rather large family in Oxfordshire. As the fourth of five sisters it was often hard to get a word in edgeways, so she started writing down her best ideas. It's probably not a coincidence that her first 'book' featured an orphan living in deserted castle.
Growing up, C.J. attended six different schools, but that honestly had very little to do with an early interest in explosives.
C.J. has been a bookseller, a teacher and the person who puts those little stickers on apples. She is married and has a daughter named after Philip Pullman’s Lyra.
C.J. also writes funny books for teens under the name Candy Harper.
Growing up, C.J. attended six different schools, but that honestly had very little to do with an early interest in explosives.
C.J. has been a bookseller, a teacher and the person who puts those little stickers on apples. She is married and has a daughter named after Philip Pullman’s Lyra.
C.J. also writes funny books for teens under the name Candy Harper.
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Want to read
November 5, 2012This is the book that my mother wrote and I really want to read it.
February 2, 2013
Originally reviewed on The Book Smugglers
John Jackson is seventeen years old, has an AEP score of 98.5, and is one of the most intelligent "brainers" at one of the country's most prestigious Learning Community, being groomed for a Leadership position in the upper levels of politics. Everything goes Jackson's way until one day when he and his best friend Wilson are jumped by a couple of thugs outside the safety of the Learning Community walls. Jackson narrowly escapes death, but when he tries to report the crime he finds that every record of his existence has been erased. His teachers act as if they have no recollection of him, and he's apprehended by the police and thrown into a Local Academy - where he is given a new name (Blake Jones), where all of his test scores and brainer rankings mean nothing. Here, in the Academies, currency for students (or "Specials") is brute strength - only the best fighters, and those that know how to follow the rules, survive. Here, Specials are groomed for manual labor in the country's many Factories, and are taught with violent force and corporal punishment. And Jackson - that is, Blake - finds himself at the bottom of the very cruel new world order.
Little by little, Jackson discovers that everything he thought he knew about the world is a lie, and it is up to him and his new friends to find a way to expose the truth.
The debut novel from C.J. Harper, The Disappeared is a familiar world setup, with an interesting focus on the institutions (in particular the "schools") that allow a dystopia to come into being. In this sense, The Disappeared is a fascinating and successful read. The creation of a small elite class of people that is allowed to be educated and groomed specifically for the upper echelons of society is nothing groundbreaking, but the in-depth look at the setup of the Academies and the methods used to keep Specials placid and dutiful workers is believable, horrific, and terrifyingly memorable. We get to see and experience these Academies firsthand through Jackson/Blake's eyes, as he discovers just how his country is fueled, industrialized, and operated, and his limited and idyllic understanding of Leadership is shattered. In short, the Academies are pretty gruesome places, and in my humble opinion, one of the most effective and believable setups for a dystopian society that I've read in a while.
For example, there's the power of language and words - both of which play a pivotal role in this book. On the most fundamental level, words separate the Brainers (and other educated members of society) from the Specials. We see this through Jackson's well-formed vocabulary and the very basic words and sentences that the Specials can put together. In these Academies, the Specials are given time to have recreational sex (for procreation), to brawl among themselves to establish a social hierarchy. They are "taught" only how to assemble gears, but are kept illiterate and exposed to only a very basic level of verbal education. As such, the Specials have their own slang and ways of expressing things, so when Jackson enters the picture, he introduces new words as well as new ideas that come from outside the Academy's insular environment.
It's important to note that not having words is not the same as being stupid, though. One of the main characters in the book is Kay, a Special who has spent her entire life in the Academy, and who is whip smart (smarter than Brainer Jackson, really), even though she doesn't have Jackson's words:
The hierarchies that Specials impose within the Academy, namely fight rank and the "shrap" (shrapnel, castoff metal) that Specials amass are interesting, too.
From a character and overall plotting perspective, however, The Disappeared is somewhat less enjoyable novel. Main character Jackson/Blake goes through a nice growth arc from superior and self-important smart/privileged kid to waking up to the realities of the world. That said, he's not a particularly memorable or unique character - he's super special, and remains super special throughout the book (there's a big telegraphed predictable twist at the end concerning his parentage, to boot). I enjoyed Kay's character much more than Jackson's, although I resent the idea that such a smart character would never have figured out how to break out or incite change without Jackson's intervention (and this indeed is the case as at one point late in the book when Kay makes a pivotal decision). The other supporting cast members are of the stock variety - there's the ready-to-go sidekick, a mute little girl (who is one of Jackson's brightest students and supporters and bursts out into speech at the ideal time). There are wicked overlord teachers, a one-note villain in The Leader, and the requisite uneducated brutes throughout the Academy. And then there's the plot at large: while the worldbuilding is solid, the actual plot of the story is more trope-based and paint-by-numbers: hero Jackson learns the truth of the Academies and his own past and the reason he has landed there, and saves the day. End of story.
Now, I can't finish this review without mentioning a couple of things that made me intensely uncomfortable whilst reading the book. "Reds" - that is, kids with red hair - are portrayed as automatically superior, violent, dominant brawlers (and I'm uncomfortable with Jackson's frequent "ginger" slights). The rationale given in the book states that these kids are distinguishable because of their hair color in a place where - presumably? - everyone looks the same otherwise (i.e. I'm guessing in this future world everyone is Caucasian, because there's no reference to other skin tones or ethnicity), but it seems like a pointless distinction that reinforces a negative stereotype. There's also the fact that a character who is mute (who is taught how to sign articulately ONLY when our hero character arrives at the Academy, because otherwise it seems like the character had no way of communicating on her own) bursts out into speech at the end of the book, saving the day before she becomes a martyr. This is not ok, and it leaves a nasty aftertaste, at least to me. Of course, this is just one person's opinion - your mileage may vary.
Overall, The Disappeared is a competent dystopia. It features a memorable, nightmarish world, but the story and characters are much more tepid - and the problematic aspects of the story also bear down on the enjoyment factor.
(Rating: 5/10)
John Jackson is seventeen years old, has an AEP score of 98.5, and is one of the most intelligent "brainers" at one of the country's most prestigious Learning Community, being groomed for a Leadership position in the upper levels of politics. Everything goes Jackson's way until one day when he and his best friend Wilson are jumped by a couple of thugs outside the safety of the Learning Community walls. Jackson narrowly escapes death, but when he tries to report the crime he finds that every record of his existence has been erased. His teachers act as if they have no recollection of him, and he's apprehended by the police and thrown into a Local Academy - where he is given a new name (Blake Jones), where all of his test scores and brainer rankings mean nothing. Here, in the Academies, currency for students (or "Specials") is brute strength - only the best fighters, and those that know how to follow the rules, survive. Here, Specials are groomed for manual labor in the country's many Factories, and are taught with violent force and corporal punishment. And Jackson - that is, Blake - finds himself at the bottom of the very cruel new world order.
Little by little, Jackson discovers that everything he thought he knew about the world is a lie, and it is up to him and his new friends to find a way to expose the truth.
The debut novel from C.J. Harper, The Disappeared is a familiar world setup, with an interesting focus on the institutions (in particular the "schools") that allow a dystopia to come into being. In this sense, The Disappeared is a fascinating and successful read. The creation of a small elite class of people that is allowed to be educated and groomed specifically for the upper echelons of society is nothing groundbreaking, but the in-depth look at the setup of the Academies and the methods used to keep Specials placid and dutiful workers is believable, horrific, and terrifyingly memorable. We get to see and experience these Academies firsthand through Jackson/Blake's eyes, as he discovers just how his country is fueled, industrialized, and operated, and his limited and idyllic understanding of Leadership is shattered. In short, the Academies are pretty gruesome places, and in my humble opinion, one of the most effective and believable setups for a dystopian society that I've read in a while.
For example, there's the power of language and words - both of which play a pivotal role in this book. On the most fundamental level, words separate the Brainers (and other educated members of society) from the Specials. We see this through Jackson's well-formed vocabulary and the very basic words and sentences that the Specials can put together. In these Academies, the Specials are given time to have recreational sex (for procreation), to brawl among themselves to establish a social hierarchy. They are "taught" only how to assemble gears, but are kept illiterate and exposed to only a very basic level of verbal education. As such, the Specials have their own slang and ways of expressing things, so when Jackson enters the picture, he introduces new words as well as new ideas that come from outside the Academy's insular environment.
It's important to note that not having words is not the same as being stupid, though. One of the main characters in the book is Kay, a Special who has spent her entire life in the Academy, and who is whip smart (smarter than Brainer Jackson, really), even though she doesn't have Jackson's words:
‘Not big lots,’ she tells me, carefully repositioning the cheese dish to where it was. ‘Not all people can . . .’ She mimes punching in the code.
‘Not everyone knows the code?’ I say. I look at her hard. ‘If you don’t know the word “code” what happens in your head when you think about it?’
‘What?’ she says.
‘When you were telling me, did you have a word in your head for “code” or did you just think of . . .’ I copy her mime.
‘I have my words for it,’ she says, her face half hidden by a chunk of bread.
‘What are they?’ I ask.
She lifts her chin. ‘I say “the get-food number”. But now I say “code”.’ She shakes back her silvery hair. ‘I’m not stupid.’
I look down at the fridge door and realise that it’s got an electronic lock attached. Goodness knows how she got it open. She’s right. She’s not stupid.
The hierarchies that Specials impose within the Academy, namely fight rank and the "shrap" (shrapnel, castoff metal) that Specials amass are interesting, too.
From a character and overall plotting perspective, however, The Disappeared is somewhat less enjoyable novel. Main character Jackson/Blake goes through a nice growth arc from superior and self-important smart/privileged kid to waking up to the realities of the world. That said, he's not a particularly memorable or unique character - he's super special, and remains super special throughout the book (there's a big telegraphed predictable twist at the end concerning his parentage, to boot). I enjoyed Kay's character much more than Jackson's, although I resent the idea that such a smart character would never have figured out how to break out or incite change without Jackson's intervention (and this indeed is the case as at one point late in the book when Kay makes a pivotal decision). The other supporting cast members are of the stock variety - there's the ready-to-go sidekick, a mute little girl (who is one of Jackson's brightest students and supporters and bursts out into speech at the ideal time). There are wicked overlord teachers, a one-note villain in The Leader, and the requisite uneducated brutes throughout the Academy. And then there's the plot at large: while the worldbuilding is solid, the actual plot of the story is more trope-based and paint-by-numbers: hero Jackson learns the truth of the Academies and his own past and the reason he has landed there, and saves the day. End of story.
Now, I can't finish this review without mentioning a couple of things that made me intensely uncomfortable whilst reading the book. "Reds" - that is, kids with red hair - are portrayed as automatically superior, violent, dominant brawlers (and I'm uncomfortable with Jackson's frequent "ginger" slights). The rationale given in the book states that these kids are distinguishable because of their hair color in a place where - presumably? - everyone looks the same otherwise (i.e. I'm guessing in this future world everyone is Caucasian, because there's no reference to other skin tones or ethnicity), but it seems like a pointless distinction that reinforces a negative stereotype. There's also the fact that a character who is mute (who is taught how to sign articulately ONLY when our hero character arrives at the Academy, because otherwise it seems like the character had no way of communicating on her own) bursts out into speech at the end of the book, saving the day before she becomes a martyr. This is not ok, and it leaves a nasty aftertaste, at least to me. Of course, this is just one person's opinion - your mileage may vary.
Overall, The Disappeared is a competent dystopia. It features a memorable, nightmarish world, but the story and characters are much more tepid - and the problematic aspects of the story also bear down on the enjoyment factor.
(Rating: 5/10)
January 25, 2013
The Disappeared is a futuristic page-turner. It’s full of high-octane action, brutality and suspense.
Jackson is a brainer and is studying to join the Leadership and fulfil his natural role in society. Like every student he took a Potential Test as a young child and was identified as a student fit for the Learning Community. But the perfect world (where everyone has a special role in society) which Jackson believes in is ripped away from him when he is asked to do a task for his Facilitator. Along with best friend Wilson, he takes a package to the darker part of town. There he and Wilson are set upon by two violent men. Jackson’s life rapidly slips away from him as when he returns to the Learning Community, they have erased all knowledge of him. Jackson is taken by the police to the Academy. To the outside community, the Academy is a school to prepare the less intellectual children for factory life. But Jackson soon finds out that the school is less about education and more about control and punishment. His new home is a prison.
I found this book so easy to read. Every chapter was a great length and ended with a twist, revelation or cliff-hanger. The pace of the novel was so well structured that I just couldn’t stop reading on. I felt that I was racing through the story.
As you’d expect of the dystopian genre, the young people are the mercy of the government officials, their teachers – the Enforcers and the system created to keep them down-trodden. The students at the Academies are known as Specials and they have their own hierarchy. Every week there are organised fights where even the youngest pupils compete for a rank. There is violence and brutality in this book. There is murder and abuse. It is a chilling portrayal of a future where an underclass is treated like caged animals.
One of the ways the young people are controlled is the threat of the Wilderness. They are told scary stories of the Wilderness as children and the worst offenders are banished from the Academy and never return from their exile in the Wilderness. The story is not all darkness though. There is hope in the friendships that Jackson makes in the Academy and the students’ desire to learn and be more than the animals they are treated like.
If I’m honest I would have preferred more thriller elements to the novel than dystopian ones. But that is just my personal taste. I wanted there to be something more to the title really: “the disappeared”. I wanted a juicier reason for them being erased. But don’t let that dissuade you from reading this book. It is a gripping and tautly written debut.
Jackson is a brainer and is studying to join the Leadership and fulfil his natural role in society. Like every student he took a Potential Test as a young child and was identified as a student fit for the Learning Community. But the perfect world (where everyone has a special role in society) which Jackson believes in is ripped away from him when he is asked to do a task for his Facilitator. Along with best friend Wilson, he takes a package to the darker part of town. There he and Wilson are set upon by two violent men. Jackson’s life rapidly slips away from him as when he returns to the Learning Community, they have erased all knowledge of him. Jackson is taken by the police to the Academy. To the outside community, the Academy is a school to prepare the less intellectual children for factory life. But Jackson soon finds out that the school is less about education and more about control and punishment. His new home is a prison.
I found this book so easy to read. Every chapter was a great length and ended with a twist, revelation or cliff-hanger. The pace of the novel was so well structured that I just couldn’t stop reading on. I felt that I was racing through the story.
As you’d expect of the dystopian genre, the young people are the mercy of the government officials, their teachers – the Enforcers and the system created to keep them down-trodden. The students at the Academies are known as Specials and they have their own hierarchy. Every week there are organised fights where even the youngest pupils compete for a rank. There is violence and brutality in this book. There is murder and abuse. It is a chilling portrayal of a future where an underclass is treated like caged animals.
One of the ways the young people are controlled is the threat of the Wilderness. They are told scary stories of the Wilderness as children and the worst offenders are banished from the Academy and never return from their exile in the Wilderness. The story is not all darkness though. There is hope in the friendships that Jackson makes in the Academy and the students’ desire to learn and be more than the animals they are treated like.
If I’m honest I would have preferred more thriller elements to the novel than dystopian ones. But that is just my personal taste. I wanted there to be something more to the title really: “the disappeared”. I wanted a juicier reason for them being erased. But don’t let that dissuade you from reading this book. It is a gripping and tautly written debut.
January 6, 2013
www.booksforcompany.com
In Short
- The action starts pretty much from the first chapter.
- There are constantly new twists with lots of action and character building.
- Harper really pushes some boundaries in this book.
- I disliked how Jackson felt a lot younger than he was.
In Long
I haven’t read much dystopia lately and The Disappeared appealed to me so I decided to give it a go! Any doubts were straight away put to the side. I haven’t read a book in ages which gets into the storyline as quickly at The Disappeared. Pretty much within the first chapter the action started and I was able to get into the storyline.
The action didn't slow down throughout the whole book. There were constantly new twists, lots of actions and character building. I was totally wrapped up in this whole new world which Harper had created. I felt throughout the whole book that Harper really had created a new world which is shocking yet was able to feel so real to me. So often I read books I just can’t believe because they are too far-fetched.
It was so refreshing that Harper really pushed some boundaries in this book. Some parts are really violent and which made me a little uncomfortable as the people involved in the violence were the characters I had gained a bond with. I guess for some people this will be a negative but for me it added to the book in a strange but good way.
There’s not much you can dislike about this book. The only thing which I struggled with was the age of the characters. Jackson is 17 but throughout the whole book I struggled with this, I just felt he didn't act like he was 17. He was so strange about things like physical contact with girls when I think most 17 years old are past that stage. Apart from that I can’t actually explain why i just couldn't view him as this 17 year old but the whole book felt less mature than I would have liked.
Final Thoughts
The Disappeared is a real page turner which will engulf you into a new world you would never have considered before but becomes the only world you know.
In Short
- The action starts pretty much from the first chapter.
- There are constantly new twists with lots of action and character building.
- Harper really pushes some boundaries in this book.
- I disliked how Jackson felt a lot younger than he was.
In Long
I haven’t read much dystopia lately and The Disappeared appealed to me so I decided to give it a go! Any doubts were straight away put to the side. I haven’t read a book in ages which gets into the storyline as quickly at The Disappeared. Pretty much within the first chapter the action started and I was able to get into the storyline.
The action didn't slow down throughout the whole book. There were constantly new twists, lots of actions and character building. I was totally wrapped up in this whole new world which Harper had created. I felt throughout the whole book that Harper really had created a new world which is shocking yet was able to feel so real to me. So often I read books I just can’t believe because they are too far-fetched.
It was so refreshing that Harper really pushed some boundaries in this book. Some parts are really violent and which made me a little uncomfortable as the people involved in the violence were the characters I had gained a bond with. I guess for some people this will be a negative but for me it added to the book in a strange but good way.
There’s not much you can dislike about this book. The only thing which I struggled with was the age of the characters. Jackson is 17 but throughout the whole book I struggled with this, I just felt he didn't act like he was 17. He was so strange about things like physical contact with girls when I think most 17 years old are past that stage. Apart from that I can’t actually explain why i just couldn't view him as this 17 year old but the whole book felt less mature than I would have liked.
Final Thoughts
The Disappeared is a real page turner which will engulf you into a new world you would never have considered before but becomes the only world you know.
January 27, 2015
I really enjoyed this book
It is a UK dystopian which is edgy and exciting. The world established is terrifyingly realistic and creepy. I loved seeing how the different strands of society had become segregated and the impact that had on the life chances of the individuals effected by the segregation starting with very very basically the way they spoke but right up to the opportunities and experiences available to them.
I loved loved loved the fact that the kids with all the power and respect in this book were the red heads and that everyone wanted to have hair like them. In a society were red heads can be ridiculed soled because of a feature they were born with and can't control as an accepted norm I loved this! The way in which the society in the academy worked was fascinating with youngsters fighting for status. Lord of the flies esque and really chilling!
I loved seeing the world through the eyes of the main character. He enters this world where he is suddenly reliant on a whole new skill set after spending his life getting by on his own intelligence. I enjoyed seeing his frustration as he tried to explain ideas and theories to the children he met who had been brought up in a world full of indoctrination which made them not bother to think for themselves. I particularly thought this was really telling when he was trying to point out government use of propaganda in news broadcasts.
An intesting start to what promises to be a cracking series.
It is a UK dystopian which is edgy and exciting. The world established is terrifyingly realistic and creepy. I loved seeing how the different strands of society had become segregated and the impact that had on the life chances of the individuals effected by the segregation starting with very very basically the way they spoke but right up to the opportunities and experiences available to them.
I loved loved loved the fact that the kids with all the power and respect in this book were the red heads and that everyone wanted to have hair like them. In a society were red heads can be ridiculed soled because of a feature they were born with and can't control as an accepted norm I loved this! The way in which the society in the academy worked was fascinating with youngsters fighting for status. Lord of the flies esque and really chilling!
I loved seeing the world through the eyes of the main character. He enters this world where he is suddenly reliant on a whole new skill set after spending his life getting by on his own intelligence. I enjoyed seeing his frustration as he tried to explain ideas and theories to the children he met who had been brought up in a world full of indoctrination which made them not bother to think for themselves. I particularly thought this was really telling when he was trying to point out government use of propaganda in news broadcasts.
An intesting start to what promises to be a cracking series.
December 30, 2012
Harper is a talented writer who has the ability to absorb the reader into the incredible dystopian world. It is a clearly well thought out book and the ideas weave together to create a brilliant story. The Disappeared has a perfect mixture of everything: action, romance, thrill and humorous moments.
I felt a strong bond towards all the characters which made the book even more engaging. We read the story through the eyes of teenage boy, Jackson. He has been brought up in Willows Learning Community, a place filled with children of a good education. Somehow, his records no longer exist and he is sent to the Academy - a place of difficult, troubled children. The book shows his journey as he tries to escape, discovers that the world wasn't like how he had been taught, fitting in and trying to find his identity.
One of the interesting things about this book is the comparison between the Learning Community education and the life of the Academy. Harper doesn't tell, she shows. The students of the Academy speak simply with incorrect grammar and Jackson has a wider vocabulary. It isn't just him who embarks on the adventure, it is the reader too.
I strongly recommend The Disappeared to anyone interesting in the YA genre. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for what more C.J Harper has to offer.
I felt a strong bond towards all the characters which made the book even more engaging. We read the story through the eyes of teenage boy, Jackson. He has been brought up in Willows Learning Community, a place filled with children of a good education. Somehow, his records no longer exist and he is sent to the Academy - a place of difficult, troubled children. The book shows his journey as he tries to escape, discovers that the world wasn't like how he had been taught, fitting in and trying to find his identity.
One of the interesting things about this book is the comparison between the Learning Community education and the life of the Academy. Harper doesn't tell, she shows. The students of the Academy speak simply with incorrect grammar and Jackson has a wider vocabulary. It isn't just him who embarks on the adventure, it is the reader too.
I strongly recommend The Disappeared to anyone interesting in the YA genre. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait for what more C.J Harper has to offer.
August 31, 2013
The disappeared was a brilliant debut novel, full of action, mystery and suspense. I really enjoyed discovering the darker side to Jackson's world alongside him and was constantly intrigued to find out more, I wanted to get the bottom of things and make a change just as much as him. Harper has created a great future, dystopic, world where everyone is segregated and oppressed without even realising it. That is, until Jackson comes along, moved from one class to another he notices the differences and realises just how much he was controlled before when he thought he was happy. Rather than keep his head down, he picks at the foundations and is persistent in trying to figure out why things are, how they are, even though he knows it could lead him into trouble. I really like this about him and liked his curious nature. I enjoyed the friendships he made and all the characters in the book.
The plot was paced well and I felt the mystery was revealed with good timing, I didn't get bored of waiting to see what was happening or what would come next and I never got overloaded with info either, it all came out a bit at a time.
I thought this was a stand alone novel but I've just literally found there will be a sequel which I really can't wait for as I'm dying to see what happens next after the ending of the book!
The plot was paced well and I felt the mystery was revealed with good timing, I didn't get bored of waiting to see what was happening or what would come next and I never got overloaded with info either, it all came out a bit at a time.
I thought this was a stand alone novel but I've just literally found there will be a sequel which I really can't wait for as I'm dying to see what happens next after the ending of the book!
March 4, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, cant wait for the second!
August 7, 2017
Kind of wow, I'm not sure.. it started with a huge bang (not literally) for sure, then it was more discovery than action, I think. Some moments were kind of cliche, so nothing too new there. It was a very good book though and I did enjoy it. I'm also going to assume there is a sequel, because you definitely can't leave it like that, but I honestly thought this was a stand-alone book.. ah well. I would recommend this book, the concept is very good and it is interesting to figure out what's going on in their world alongside the main character, who is also finding out. A very good book, but not quite amazing I think...
June 17, 2019
It wasn't really what I was expecting. It started out well enough and peaked my interest, but a third in it began dragging. I was still somewhat curious to see how it continued, but once I (finally) passed the half way mark, I just sped through it to get to over with and start something else, to be honest.
June 15, 2020
A 1984-esque story that you can't help but finish.
December 12, 2013
Well, my first impression of this book is that after reading so many YA Dystopians written by American authors, it was nice to finally have an English author pen one. It's one of those trivial details but when the language is literally the same you grow up with, including some slang and an educational system structure, it just helps to ground it more, especially when the setting is in the “not-too-distant-future”.
The society in which The Disappeared is set, is split into three clean sectors: The Academies, The Factories and the Wilderness. If you are in the Academies, then you are likely to be one of the cleverest of the population and you are guaranteed a high ranking government job upon leaving school. If you are not clever enough, you will go to a “secondary” academy, and then end up in The Factories, living in run down flats in poor conditions, and finally The Wilderness is home to nothing....except, as we find out, criminals and deviants.
I enjoyed this book. I spent most of the novel not having a clue what the hell was going on. It felt a little like Alice Through the Looking-Glass, in that everything was topsy turvy and back to front. The kids allowed to fight in school for popularity and rankings, the teachers kept in cages during classes to protect them whilst administering electric shocks on the pupils who misbehaved. Nobody inside the Academies having the slightest clue as to what the Wilderness really is or what the hell is going on outside of the Academy walls. It was intense and curiosity compelled me through each chapter.
Jackson was a good protagonist, although arguably not the best, but I felt he coped realistically in his situation despite everything that went on. The secondary characters, I must admit, I didn't feel much pull to despite the author's intentions, and because of this, I don't really feel compelled to continue with the series. I like this book as a standalone. This book had some interesting factors which made it memorable amongst the vast range of “dystopian” novels, some of which I'd not actually seen before in others, surprisingly proving to me that not every aspect of this genre has been overused and there is indeed some originality left in the genre to be had.
One element of the narrative that worked really well in this book was jumping straight into the plot and leaving the world building until later. I've read many dystopian books which fall into the “slow-starter” category due to the vast amount of world building that takes place in the first three chapters. The authors feel the need to immediately explain every little thing about why their undesirable world is tragic and messed up and morally wrong, whereas Harper resisted doing that. Harper gradually explained little things as she went along- which was great because it doesn't overwhelm the reader with hundreds of facts which later are crucial to the plot but all blend together instantly.
So for example, we don't really hear about why the police don't seem to be doing much about stuff which goes on (it's so hard not to give spoilers away with these types of books!), until the protagonist literally encounters the police and tries to explain to them like anyone in our world would what has happened. We don't find out about the Wilderness properly until our protagonist actually experiences it through one way or another. This is also another great tactic because it surrounds these big reveals in an added air of mystery.
In short, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who like the dystopian YA genre, while I personally am not continuing with the series, I'm sure a fair amount of people will want to.
The society in which The Disappeared is set, is split into three clean sectors: The Academies, The Factories and the Wilderness. If you are in the Academies, then you are likely to be one of the cleverest of the population and you are guaranteed a high ranking government job upon leaving school. If you are not clever enough, you will go to a “secondary” academy, and then end up in The Factories, living in run down flats in poor conditions, and finally The Wilderness is home to nothing....except, as we find out, criminals and deviants.
I enjoyed this book. I spent most of the novel not having a clue what the hell was going on. It felt a little like Alice Through the Looking-Glass, in that everything was topsy turvy and back to front. The kids allowed to fight in school for popularity and rankings, the teachers kept in cages during classes to protect them whilst administering electric shocks on the pupils who misbehaved. Nobody inside the Academies having the slightest clue as to what the Wilderness really is or what the hell is going on outside of the Academy walls. It was intense and curiosity compelled me through each chapter.
Jackson was a good protagonist, although arguably not the best, but I felt he coped realistically in his situation despite everything that went on. The secondary characters, I must admit, I didn't feel much pull to despite the author's intentions, and because of this, I don't really feel compelled to continue with the series. I like this book as a standalone. This book had some interesting factors which made it memorable amongst the vast range of “dystopian” novels, some of which I'd not actually seen before in others, surprisingly proving to me that not every aspect of this genre has been overused and there is indeed some originality left in the genre to be had.
One element of the narrative that worked really well in this book was jumping straight into the plot and leaving the world building until later. I've read many dystopian books which fall into the “slow-starter” category due to the vast amount of world building that takes place in the first three chapters. The authors feel the need to immediately explain every little thing about why their undesirable world is tragic and messed up and morally wrong, whereas Harper resisted doing that. Harper gradually explained little things as she went along- which was great because it doesn't overwhelm the reader with hundreds of facts which later are crucial to the plot but all blend together instantly.
So for example, we don't really hear about why the police don't seem to be doing much about stuff which goes on (it's so hard not to give spoilers away with these types of books!), until the protagonist literally encounters the police and tries to explain to them like anyone in our world would what has happened. We don't find out about the Wilderness properly until our protagonist actually experiences it through one way or another. This is also another great tactic because it surrounds these big reveals in an added air of mystery.
In short, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who like the dystopian YA genre, while I personally am not continuing with the series, I'm sure a fair amount of people will want to.
July 5, 2014
I actually ended up really enjoying this story even though I knew very little about it when I first picked it up. This is basically a thriller/dystopian YA read and it's all based around a young boy called Blake. Blake goes to a special Learning Centre where he is taught that his place in society will one day be in Leadership and that he is intelligent and needs to do his best to learn and become a valuable asset for the Leader (who governs the country since the Long War).
The world the Blake is a part of is divided up into the smart and the dumb, or at least that's what Blake has always been taught. He knows that everyone gets given a test to see what they are best suited for and if you're intelligent then you get to be a high up member of society, if not you are sent to the Academies where you learn and get trained to work in factories. The general idea is that everyone reaches their own potential and society will run smoothly as the Leader says. This system has been in place since the Long War which was a tragic and terrible event that led to this way of thinking, and as far as Blake knows this is life and it's the best thing for everyone...but of course there are always lies and cracks in the wonderful facade.
Blake soon gets into a large amount of trouble and figures out the real systems that make up the seemingly ideal world he's grown-up in, and being educated as he is, he sees the problems and wrongness of the society. From that point on it's a roller-coaster of a ride and a very thrilling and chilling tale.
I must say that the idea of the world was instantly fairly interesting and I liked the fast-paced writing style that seemed to move the storyline quickly into the action. I liked the way that the world is set up because it's different to ours, but it's certainly got some strong ideas from our world and there are parallels with our society.
I loved some of the characters and whilst I thought that Blake himself wasn't overly remarkable or daring, I did admire his bravery and after he settled into his new role he really became a leading character and role model for the other 'Specials'. I also loved Kay and Ali as Kay was a fighter through and through and she really held her own throughout the novel no matter who she faced. Her willingness to learn and her passion for what she believed in was admirable and she's a very strong-willed character. Ali, on the other hand, comes across as a sweet and shy girl who knows what she wants but has trouble getting it across. After being nurtured by the other characters she really takes on a new bravery and she becomes someone very special and wonderful to read about.
Another element I liked a lot (although it did take a little bit of getting used to) was that the Specials had their own kind of disjointed and childlike language and I felt like that made them seem so much more genuine and interesting as a group of people. I felt like it really enhanced the wrongness of the society and the way that they were treated and I felt like it made the story more immersive and interesting for me.
On the whole this was a lot better than I had expected it to be and was certainly an energetic and very amusing read with a lot of fast-paced action. I would recommend this story, and I look forward to seeing what happens in book 2 whenever I can get a hold of it :)
The world the Blake is a part of is divided up into the smart and the dumb, or at least that's what Blake has always been taught. He knows that everyone gets given a test to see what they are best suited for and if you're intelligent then you get to be a high up member of society, if not you are sent to the Academies where you learn and get trained to work in factories. The general idea is that everyone reaches their own potential and society will run smoothly as the Leader says. This system has been in place since the Long War which was a tragic and terrible event that led to this way of thinking, and as far as Blake knows this is life and it's the best thing for everyone...but of course there are always lies and cracks in the wonderful facade.
Blake soon gets into a large amount of trouble and figures out the real systems that make up the seemingly ideal world he's grown-up in, and being educated as he is, he sees the problems and wrongness of the society. From that point on it's a roller-coaster of a ride and a very thrilling and chilling tale.
I must say that the idea of the world was instantly fairly interesting and I liked the fast-paced writing style that seemed to move the storyline quickly into the action. I liked the way that the world is set up because it's different to ours, but it's certainly got some strong ideas from our world and there are parallels with our society.
I loved some of the characters and whilst I thought that Blake himself wasn't overly remarkable or daring, I did admire his bravery and after he settled into his new role he really became a leading character and role model for the other 'Specials'. I also loved Kay and Ali as Kay was a fighter through and through and she really held her own throughout the novel no matter who she faced. Her willingness to learn and her passion for what she believed in was admirable and she's a very strong-willed character. Ali, on the other hand, comes across as a sweet and shy girl who knows what she wants but has trouble getting it across. After being nurtured by the other characters she really takes on a new bravery and she becomes someone very special and wonderful to read about.
Another element I liked a lot (although it did take a little bit of getting used to) was that the Specials had their own kind of disjointed and childlike language and I felt like that made them seem so much more genuine and interesting as a group of people. I felt like it really enhanced the wrongness of the society and the way that they were treated and I felt like it made the story more immersive and interesting for me.
On the whole this was a lot better than I had expected it to be and was certainly an energetic and very amusing read with a lot of fast-paced action. I would recommend this story, and I look forward to seeing what happens in book 2 whenever I can get a hold of it :)
February 6, 2013
I don’t know why, but I expected The Disappeared to be more of a thriller than a dystopia and this threw me off a little in the beginning but I ended up enjoying it.
CJ Harper introduces Jackson’s world with mystery and intrigue. We’re immediately introduced to an incredibly elitist society and I was left what could possibly have led to the forming of a structure like that. Then Jackson’s erasure from the system occurred. Firstly, how on earth could someone manage that? And secondly, what on earth had he done? It didn’t sound like a particularly pleasant world to be in, but I was definitely intrigued by it.
My horror and fascination at the social system in The Disappeared only intensified once Jackson/Blake arrived at The Academy. I thought it was a really brilliant way for the corruption of The Leadership to be explored and it carried a very powerful message. The kids are conditioned to be dumb, violent slabs of meat. It made the importance of education and language so, so obvious and living in the Western world I was surprised to realise that that would ever or had ever been the case. Not having the ability to communicate effectively, whether it be through speech, writing or reading, was crippling to the kids in the Academy and I shared Jackson/Blake’s horror. Language really is power.
Although I instantly became involved in the world of The Disappeared, my connection to Jackson/Blake took a little longer to develop. It wasn’t until at least half-way through the novel that I began to like him. In the beginning I thought he was a bit of an arrogant douchebag if I’m being honest. I respect how CJ Harper wrote his transition in to Academy life though. It took him a long time to acclimatise to his new situation and work out what was really happening and I’m glad it wasn’t an instant ‘Look guys, you’re all living a lie’. It worked perfectly with his character. I did love Kay pretty much instantly though. She’s tough, clever and so willing to learn and fix what she discovers is wrong with how she has been brought up in.
The Disappeared is a brilliantly paced and easy to read dystopian thriller from a really promising debut author.
CJ Harper introduces Jackson’s world with mystery and intrigue. We’re immediately introduced to an incredibly elitist society and I was left what could possibly have led to the forming of a structure like that. Then Jackson’s erasure from the system occurred. Firstly, how on earth could someone manage that? And secondly, what on earth had he done? It didn’t sound like a particularly pleasant world to be in, but I was definitely intrigued by it.
My horror and fascination at the social system in The Disappeared only intensified once Jackson/Blake arrived at The Academy. I thought it was a really brilliant way for the corruption of The Leadership to be explored and it carried a very powerful message. The kids are conditioned to be dumb, violent slabs of meat. It made the importance of education and language so, so obvious and living in the Western world I was surprised to realise that that would ever or had ever been the case. Not having the ability to communicate effectively, whether it be through speech, writing or reading, was crippling to the kids in the Academy and I shared Jackson/Blake’s horror. Language really is power.
Although I instantly became involved in the world of The Disappeared, my connection to Jackson/Blake took a little longer to develop. It wasn’t until at least half-way through the novel that I began to like him. In the beginning I thought he was a bit of an arrogant douchebag if I’m being honest. I respect how CJ Harper wrote his transition in to Academy life though. It took him a long time to acclimatise to his new situation and work out what was really happening and I’m glad it wasn’t an instant ‘Look guys, you’re all living a lie’. It worked perfectly with his character. I did love Kay pretty much instantly though. She’s tough, clever and so willing to learn and fix what she discovers is wrong with how she has been brought up in.
The Disappeared is a brilliantly paced and easy to read dystopian thriller from a really promising debut author.
April 22, 2014
Probably closer to 4.5 - this is the rating given by Amy Bookworm's blog, please check out my review there to read the rest of this).
Thoughts
Well, the concept's kooky... Seriously, when I read that there were teachers in cages I was a bit sceptical and surprised. Sure, it's a dystopia and anything can happen but it doesn't mean anything should. I know this isn't that far on the insane spectrum but it's still strange. But, it makes sense now to some extent. It's the literal teachers being detached from the students. So detached in fact that, cages aside, they allow fights to happen after dinner (that's when they don't care), they punish the children with electric shocks, they don't even give the students the most basic necessities... But, what could you expect? These are the kids who don't have futures, or the very least, or so the system says. Everyone has some future, but is trapped to quite an extreme extent in that 'future'.
It's really a horrifying idea, and is like an Orwellian concept suitable for pre-teens, mostly. I wouldn't give it to primary school kids but stock the high school library shelves with this. It's a great read, really dark and recognizably has that British streak- or what we like to think is mainly from Brit's pens- of grit, satire, lack of comfortableness and a layer of being plain, and yet... almost out of this world. That's what happens when it's dystopia.
(page break).
Thoughts
Well, the concept's kooky... Seriously, when I read that there were teachers in cages I was a bit sceptical and surprised. Sure, it's a dystopia and anything can happen but it doesn't mean anything should. I know this isn't that far on the insane spectrum but it's still strange. But, it makes sense now to some extent. It's the literal teachers being detached from the students. So detached in fact that, cages aside, they allow fights to happen after dinner (that's when they don't care), they punish the children with electric shocks, they don't even give the students the most basic necessities... But, what could you expect? These are the kids who don't have futures, or the very least, or so the system says. Everyone has some future, but is trapped to quite an extreme extent in that 'future'.
It's really a horrifying idea, and is like an Orwellian concept suitable for pre-teens, mostly. I wouldn't give it to primary school kids but stock the high school library shelves with this. It's a great read, really dark and recognizably has that British streak- or what we like to think is mainly from Brit's pens- of grit, satire, lack of comfortableness and a layer of being plain, and yet... almost out of this world. That's what happens when it's dystopia.
(page break).
August 11, 2013
When Jackson and best friend, Wilson, leave the comfort of their Learning Community to deliver a package in a factory block, their lives change in an instant. Jackson witnesses his friend tumbling off a balcony and he himself is badly beaten. The police arrive and Jackson asks them to take him back to his school. But when he gets there, it appears he doesn’t exist.
Jackson has been wiped from all records and must go to an Academy...a place he has only heard horror stories about. Once in the Academy, he realises the rumours were true and he is in some new kind of hell where the teachers are in cages and the students are drugged to keep them manageable.
He must fight to survive and find a way back where he belongs. But along the way he meets people who aren’t all they seem and maybe the events that led him there go deeper than he can ever imagine.
The Disappeared is a new contender in the dystopian genre with the class system a heavy feature. Life for Jackson turns upside down and he struggles to find his way. Whilst it had promise, unfortunately this book fell flat for me, mostly because I strongly disliked Jackson. As a main character I felt he didn’t have the strength to carry the weight of the story and he was more than a little bit whiney.
That being said, I am sure it will appeal to a broad audience, and a male protagonist is always a hit in the YA genre.
Jackson has been wiped from all records and must go to an Academy...a place he has only heard horror stories about. Once in the Academy, he realises the rumours were true and he is in some new kind of hell where the teachers are in cages and the students are drugged to keep them manageable.
He must fight to survive and find a way back where he belongs. But along the way he meets people who aren’t all they seem and maybe the events that led him there go deeper than he can ever imagine.
The Disappeared is a new contender in the dystopian genre with the class system a heavy feature. Life for Jackson turns upside down and he struggles to find his way. Whilst it had promise, unfortunately this book fell flat for me, mostly because I strongly disliked Jackson. As a main character I felt he didn’t have the strength to carry the weight of the story and he was more than a little bit whiney.
That being said, I am sure it will appeal to a broad audience, and a male protagonist is always a hit in the YA genre.
November 9, 2015
This was a very fun read (even though ‘fun’ isn’t exactly the right word to describe this book). It’s very fast-paced and I flew through it.
Jackson’s live is pretty close to perfect. He’s the smartest kid at his Learning Community and is pretty much guaranteed to get a big function in the Leadership after he finishes school. However, after an attack that leaves his friend dead and Jackson injured, all of his records seem to have disappeared. He can’t go back to his Learning Community or his past live. For ‘his protection’ he is put into an academy. Here he quickly learns that the world he has always known has a dark side, a very dark side and that maybe everything he knew might not have been as perfect as he thought after all.
The book really gets into its setting and it definitely takes a turn to the dark and gritty at times. It’s full of action, twists and suspense. To me, it very much felt different from all the other dystopian YA that’s out there.
At first I wasn’t too sure if I liked the narration and writing style, but I quickly learned to love it. There were a couple of small things (either in execution or just the thing itself) that I had a bit of a problem with and that would kind of pull me out of the story. However they were very minor and did not really take anything away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
I can definitely recommend this!
Jackson’s live is pretty close to perfect. He’s the smartest kid at his Learning Community and is pretty much guaranteed to get a big function in the Leadership after he finishes school. However, after an attack that leaves his friend dead and Jackson injured, all of his records seem to have disappeared. He can’t go back to his Learning Community or his past live. For ‘his protection’ he is put into an academy. Here he quickly learns that the world he has always known has a dark side, a very dark side and that maybe everything he knew might not have been as perfect as he thought after all.
The book really gets into its setting and it definitely takes a turn to the dark and gritty at times. It’s full of action, twists and suspense. To me, it very much felt different from all the other dystopian YA that’s out there.
At first I wasn’t too sure if I liked the narration and writing style, but I quickly learned to love it. There were a couple of small things (either in execution or just the thing itself) that I had a bit of a problem with and that would kind of pull me out of the story. However they were very minor and did not really take anything away from my overall enjoyment of the book.
I can definitely recommend this!
March 19, 2016
I picked this up from the library as it sounded like my kind of read. It took me a little while to get into as you were dropped straight into the action and the backstory wasn't immediately obvious.
Jackson and Wilson are sent to deliver a parcel for a teacher at their school, but something goes wrong and they are attacked. Jackson is then picked up by the police and taken back to the school, but they have no record of him and he is sent to an Academy.
This was reminiscent of Divergent and The Hunger Games - peoploe are assigned to different sectors of society after taking a test when they are 5; and Jackson is put into the higher stream where he will train to become part of the Leadership. However, when he is taken to the Academy he starts to realise that things might not be what they seem, as Academies are where they 'teach' the future factory workers.
I didn't like Jackson once he reached the Academy as he was entitled, spoilt and patronising. I reasoned that this was to show his character development from the beginning to the end, but it seemed a very obvious way of doing this.
Jackson and Wilson are sent to deliver a parcel for a teacher at their school, but something goes wrong and they are attacked. Jackson is then picked up by the police and taken back to the school, but they have no record of him and he is sent to an Academy.
This was reminiscent of Divergent and The Hunger Games - peoploe are assigned to different sectors of society after taking a test when they are 5; and Jackson is put into the higher stream where he will train to become part of the Leadership. However, when he is taken to the Academy he starts to realise that things might not be what they seem, as Academies are where they 'teach' the future factory workers.
I didn't like Jackson once he reached the Academy as he was entitled, spoilt and patronising. I reasoned that this was to show his character development from the beginning to the end, but it seemed a very obvious way of doing this.
April 23, 2014
Jackson watched his friend die. Then his identity was erased. He isn't Jackson anymore, he's Blake. His has to try to fit in to a place where fights are a regular event and the teachers are kept in cages. The penalty for not adapting could be death.
I didn't really like Blake. I just never really connected to him. He was a snob at the beginning. I really didn't like how he thought that he was better then everyone there. I didn't like his attitude at all. It got a little bit better towards the middle though. He learns about the mistreatment for these people. They are treated so poorly, and they are slaves (even if they don't think so). He loses the snob aspect and starts to adapt and try to make life better for everyone.
I found the beginning to be a little bit slow. However, it did pick up a little bit more towards the end.
An interesting start that had lots of surprises. I am intrigued to see what Harper will come up with next.
I didn't really like Blake. I just never really connected to him. He was a snob at the beginning. I really didn't like how he thought that he was better then everyone there. I didn't like his attitude at all. It got a little bit better towards the middle though. He learns about the mistreatment for these people. They are treated so poorly, and they are slaves (even if they don't think so). He loses the snob aspect and starts to adapt and try to make life better for everyone.
I found the beginning to be a little bit slow. However, it did pick up a little bit more towards the end.
An interesting start that had lots of surprises. I am intrigued to see what Harper will come up with next.
June 16, 2013
For the record, I'm not a fan of dystopian fiction. Yet 'The Disappeared' is.. yes...I admit it... a cracking good read. After a violent encounter, Jackson's life of privilege is snatched from him. He is thrown into an Academy school- for his own protection, apparently. There, he learns the truth behind society's stereotypes, and emerges a better person for it. The actions starts on the very first page and doesn't let up. The alternative reality of Academy life is very well created: different language systems, values, beliefs, are drawn convincingly.And whilst our hero is male, the female characters- Kay, 'Blake's' mother, Ali, Janna-are equally committed to the fight. For me, this book is a masterclass in pace and action. A very impressive debut. I'm converted; I can't wait for book 2!
June 17, 2013
Enjoyable dystopian novel. Jackson scored a 98.5 in his Potential Test at 5 years old and was shipped away to his elite Learning Community. He, and his friend Wilson, have never met anyone from a Second Class Learning Facility let alone anyone so deficient to qualify for the Academy where future factory workers are sent as children. But when Jackson's perfect world is ripped away from him and he ends up as a Special at the Academy, he realises just how flawed the system is. Can Jackson survive the inhumane treatment and unjust social hierarchy at the Academy long enough to discover the truth about what happened to him or will he end up excluded and sent to the Wilderness to fend for himself? Kirsty
January 29, 2013
The Disappeared is intriguing, and entirely gripping. Once I started, I couldn't stop reading! I was captivated from the moment Jackson got sent to the Academy, after his records were deleted from the school files.
I was really impressed by how the author made this so dark and gritty. I love young adult novels that get really into their settings like this one does. I was honestly shocked at some of the things that happened in this book, both in and out of the Academy. This is a proper dystopian, none of this fluffy stuff that you sometimes see in YA.
Full review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2013/01/t...
I was really impressed by how the author made this so dark and gritty. I love young adult novels that get really into their settings like this one does. I was honestly shocked at some of the things that happened in this book, both in and out of the Academy. This is a proper dystopian, none of this fluffy stuff that you sometimes see in YA.
Full review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2013/01/t...
May 25, 2013
I gave up because I hated Jackson, couldn't get into his POV. I understand his way of raising makes him more shallow, but it took too long before some character progression started happening. It wasn't Jackson, but the stereotypes that put me off the most. Just because you're on an academy/ less intelligent school does not mean that suddenly your grammar is worse or you can't even eat from a decent plate?
I hope this is explained later on in the books, but I couldn't read it without wanting to throw it at a wall.
I hope this is explained later on in the books, but I couldn't read it without wanting to throw it at a wall.
July 11, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, I wish if it elaborated more at the end as to what happened. I feel certain areas of the book were rushed where they could have gone more in detail.
I shed a tear in the part where he had to bury his mother, those there wasn't really much emotional provoking words it still got to me.
This is a great little book.
I shed a tear in the part where he had to bury his mother, those there wasn't really much emotional provoking words it still got to me.
This is a great little book.
September 1, 2016
I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did, I don't know why it just didn't appeal to me. But hey I liked it, enjoyable read.
It's actually a pretty sad book, it make you feel uncomfortable (I haven't decided if this is a good or bad thing yet) and it definitely makes you think.
Real rating: 3.5
It's actually a pretty sad book, it make you feel uncomfortable (I haven't decided if this is a good or bad thing yet) and it definitely makes you think.
Real rating: 3.5
June 1, 2014
Thanks to Lovereading4kids for providing me with a review copy of this book.
You can read my review (along with others) here.
You can read my review (along with others) here.
June 6, 2013
Well this book tries to paint a picture of the future but it only colours in a few panels each chapter..
not only are we following the story line, we are finding out why these kids have someone try g tro kill them...
not only are we following the story line, we are finding out why these kids have someone try g tro kill them...
December 20, 2012
Review to follow...
June 10, 2013
Awesome a fantastic book from this new author. I am looking forward to more about Jackson
October 3, 2014
Unputdownable. Can't wait for the next one.
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