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The Bachelor Battles #1
The Change
Everything Depends on Candice and Daniel
Is she strong enough to rescue her childhood sweetheart from the games? After so long, will he remember how much they shared, how deeply in love they were? These star-crossed lovers are about to embark on a dystopian quest where the competition is fierce and even the winners end up damaged.
Everything Has Changed
The rage disease swept across the planet on the heels of a nuclear apocalypse, causing biological evolutions that made all females stronger, angrier, lethal. Tearing through an already devastated world, those who survived the deadly disease took control of everything. They enslaved the remaining male population and instituted a violent game system for ownership.
Four Hundred Years
Men are now going extinct, and a revolution is brewing among the few who remain free. These rebels enlist the help of a dangerous family of bounty hunters, bargaining a deal for the women to fight on their side. If the rebels win, a new world will be created where the disease is cured, and males are freed. If they lose, humanity will finish the fall into extinction.
Is she strong enough to rescue her childhood sweetheart from the games? After so long, will he remember how much they shared, how deeply in love they were? These star-crossed lovers are about to embark on a dystopian quest where the competition is fierce and even the winners end up damaged.
Everything Has Changed
The rage disease swept across the planet on the heels of a nuclear apocalypse, causing biological evolutions that made all females stronger, angrier, lethal. Tearing through an already devastated world, those who survived the deadly disease took control of everything. They enslaved the remaining male population and instituted a violent game system for ownership.
Four Hundred Years
Men are now going extinct, and a revolution is brewing among the few who remain free. These rebels enlist the help of a dangerous family of bounty hunters, bargaining a deal for the women to fight on their side. If the rebels win, a new world will be created where the disease is cured, and males are freed. If they lose, humanity will finish the fall into extinction.
394 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2012
343 people are currently reading
1748 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
March 29, 2013
Christ, does this site need a "hated it" star rating sometimes. This is the worst free book I've picked up yet from the bookbub selections. Here you have the kernel of a workable idea (some pseudo-sciencey war-type mumbo-jumbo has reduced males to less than 5% of the population in a post-apocalyptic society where women fight televised deathmatches to win a mate) that just falls flat in the execution.
The author is consciously or unconsciously ripping off Stephen King's The Running Man, but without the writing talent to make it work. The dialogue is stilted and weak. The fight sequences are painfully cliched. The sex scenes are even worse. It's almost like the author has never seen two people in the same room before, she can't figure out how to write them fighting, kissing, talking, or even sleeping.
This is the rare book I'll probably give up without finishing it. It's just terrible. In addition to the poor storytelling the writing is just horrible. Spelling, grammar, and syntax errors everywhere. Changes between two first-person narrators mid-scene so the reader can see what everyone's thinking…if only there were a narrative style for that. The plot hits the ground running and never bothers stopping to try to make any sense. Twists come up out of nowhere, and they're resolved just as quickly with only the vaguest description of how, let alone why.
The author is consciously or unconsciously ripping off Stephen King's The Running Man, but without the writing talent to make it work. The dialogue is stilted and weak. The fight sequences are painfully cliched. The sex scenes are even worse. It's almost like the author has never seen two people in the same room before, she can't figure out how to write them fighting, kissing, talking, or even sleeping.
This is the rare book I'll probably give up without finishing it. It's just terrible. In addition to the poor storytelling the writing is just horrible. Spelling, grammar, and syntax errors everywhere. Changes between two first-person narrators mid-scene so the reader can see what everyone's thinking…if only there were a narrative style for that. The plot hits the ground running and never bothers stopping to try to make any sense. Twists come up out of nowhere, and they're resolved just as quickly with only the vaguest description of how, let alone why.
April 10, 2017
Reading this book is like talking to your crazy Aunt Tracy. You laugh politely at her little quirks like forgetting end quotes and not denoting pov changes and are generally enjoying yourself because you can tell she hasn't talked to anyone in a while and she keeps going on about her ridiculous stories about how she handles every problem (like killing every highly trained opponent in one move without getting a scratch) but you still go along because you are laughing at how the story is obviously a much worse copy of one you've heard before and it's amusing.
See but then you realize you're only 200 pages into this 500 page joke and Aunt Tracy is going strong. Then she starts getting obsessed with her love life and goes into strangely and uncomfortable details about her love life (Including a frighting description of her lover's 'truth pressing'into her) And you start to look for a quick exit but Aunt Tracy won't leave you alone. She keeps following you and starts to tell you how all men are rapists and heartless murders and it would be equivalent to women turning into Sabertooth from the X-men and just raping and murdering men on site. At this point you're obviously running from Aunt Tracy but she hobbles after you shaking her cane as her teeth fall out and her wig goes flying. And then she brings in a really forced love triangle into the mix to make things complicated and ups the odd and detailed sexual descriptions to the point that you're embarrassed for her.
In the end this book WAS like talking with crazy Aunt Tracy. It seemed funny and harmless enough but I regretted the choice not soon after...And now I leave you with some glorious quotes from this book:
I wanted this to be over, I wanted blood, and I took went faster, sprinting through the darkness.
I leaned against his hard body and felt the truth pressing into my side.
(after a male called women monsters)
“So were men, before. The war flipped everything around. It’s not their fault, either.”
See but then you realize you're only 200 pages into this 500 page joke and Aunt Tracy is going strong. Then she starts getting obsessed with her love life and goes into strangely and uncomfortable details about her love life (Including a frighting description of her lover's 'truth pressing'into her) And you start to look for a quick exit but Aunt Tracy won't leave you alone. She keeps following you and starts to tell you how all men are rapists and heartless murders and it would be equivalent to women turning into Sabertooth from the X-men and just raping and murdering men on site. At this point you're obviously running from Aunt Tracy but she hobbles after you shaking her cane as her teeth fall out and her wig goes flying. And then she brings in a really forced love triangle into the mix to make things complicated and ups the odd and detailed sexual descriptions to the point that you're embarrassed for her.
In the end this book WAS like talking with crazy Aunt Tracy. It seemed funny and harmless enough but I regretted the choice not soon after...And now I leave you with some glorious quotes from this book:
I wanted this to be over, I wanted blood, and I took went faster, sprinting through the darkness.
I leaned against his hard body and felt the truth pressing into my side.
(after a male called women monsters)
“So were men, before. The war flipped everything around. It’s not their fault, either.”
March 23, 2013
I love it!!! It's like Hunger Games but more brutal! I want more!!!!
March 30, 2019
I just can't seem to get into this one. The plot sounds like a cross between The Hunger Games and The Bachelor, and while I loved The Hunger Games, I am not a fan of The Bachelor. I tried reading this for a couple nights and I just can't seem to understand what is going on.
This one just isn't for me.
This one just isn't for me.
April 28, 2014
This series has a terrible name (The Bachelor Battles) and a terrible cover (fiery hearts). It looks like it's going to be crappy erotica, and if the description hadn't peaked my interest, I would have passed it by. I recommend you ignore the title and cover when deciding whether you'll read the book.
*NOTE* This book is largely about the recovery of one man from a life of abuse: physical, mental, and sexual. While the abuse is not depicted, the results of that abuse and how he heals are the focus of this book. For some, the material in this book may trigger personal demons and/or harmful memories.
WHAT I LIKED
----------------
* The book throws you into blood, violence, and both mental and physical pain right out the gate. It's unapologetic in it's harshness - no softening or sugar-coating of the brutality.
* The love relationship between the main characters felt both horrible and sweet. Horrible because of it's foundation and harsh evolutionary challenges. Sweet because each of them fights their own instincts to find a tenderness that their world insists is impossible.
* During and after reading it, my mind is tumbling over itself with self-examination. The author's take on a society where the women have developed into the gender who can't control their violence and sexual urges while men have been bred to be weak and compliant isn't as hamfisted as that description just made it sound. :) On the contrary, the author captures so many subtle things between the characters in this reverse environment that my head keeps circling around them. Primarily, I find myself asking what I'd think about this book if the genders were *not* reversed. If the enslaved gender was women, and the barely controlled warriors were men. If Candice was a man and Daniel was a woman, how would I be reviewing this book? Honestly, I probably wouldn't have gotten more than a quarter of the way through without being completely pissed off by the gender stereotypes, violence against women, and expected subservience of the female gender. I probably would have put the book down. Instead, because the genders are reversed, the book made me *think* as I read each scene -- not just about how things were playing out in the fiction, but about how similar situations would play out (and how I would feel about it) in this real life world.
* I'm intrigued by the concept of evolution in women sparked by the reduction of the male population. This certainly isn't the first fiction based on that concept, but much of what I've read explores more how women would *behave*. "The Change", instead, plays with the idea that actual physical evolutionary changes could come about from such an imbalance - changes to ensure survival of the species - changes out of the control of the people/animals evolving.
* Dual perspectives, both in first person, is something I would expect to hate. I found it well done. It felt like I was slipping back and forth between two people's personal journals, and I really enjoyed having both perspectives, especially given the harsh realities in the relationship.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
-------------------
* Too many exclamation points. The use of them in this book felt like the character was shouting like a teenager - especially in the places where they were used. "She was so hot!" kind of breaks the sexual tension when it's a grown man thinking it about a grown woman. That's a little junior high for me.
* Every so often, some of the sentences feel a little clunky and "amateur". I would have liked it if the writing quality was more consistently strong. However, for me, the story and the high quality of the rest of the writing more than made up for those lapses.
* Even though the ending leaves you knowing everything isn't wine and roses from here on out, there was still something too "happily ever after" about it for me. The romance in this book is certainly non-traditional. However, the wrap-up felt like the wrap-up of a traditional romance - like everything's cool because the main characters finally got together. For me, this romantic plot was too harsh and gritty for me to buy that kind of wrap-up.
If you like dystopian survival fiction with plenty of violence, hard relationships, and BAD THINGS happening, this book is worth a whirl. If that's not your style, but you're intrigued, maybe peruse it at your library or get a sample for your e-reader before buying.
*NOTE* This book is largely about the recovery of one man from a life of abuse: physical, mental, and sexual. While the abuse is not depicted, the results of that abuse and how he heals are the focus of this book. For some, the material in this book may trigger personal demons and/or harmful memories.
WHAT I LIKED
----------------
* The book throws you into blood, violence, and both mental and physical pain right out the gate. It's unapologetic in it's harshness - no softening or sugar-coating of the brutality.
* The love relationship between the main characters felt both horrible and sweet. Horrible because of it's foundation and harsh evolutionary challenges. Sweet because each of them fights their own instincts to find a tenderness that their world insists is impossible.
* During and after reading it, my mind is tumbling over itself with self-examination. The author's take on a society where the women have developed into the gender who can't control their violence and sexual urges while men have been bred to be weak and compliant isn't as hamfisted as that description just made it sound. :) On the contrary, the author captures so many subtle things between the characters in this reverse environment that my head keeps circling around them. Primarily, I find myself asking what I'd think about this book if the genders were *not* reversed. If the enslaved gender was women, and the barely controlled warriors were men. If Candice was a man and Daniel was a woman, how would I be reviewing this book? Honestly, I probably wouldn't have gotten more than a quarter of the way through without being completely pissed off by the gender stereotypes, violence against women, and expected subservience of the female gender. I probably would have put the book down. Instead, because the genders are reversed, the book made me *think* as I read each scene -- not just about how things were playing out in the fiction, but about how similar situations would play out (and how I would feel about it) in this real life world.
* I'm intrigued by the concept of evolution in women sparked by the reduction of the male population. This certainly isn't the first fiction based on that concept, but much of what I've read explores more how women would *behave*. "The Change", instead, plays with the idea that actual physical evolutionary changes could come about from such an imbalance - changes to ensure survival of the species - changes out of the control of the people/animals evolving.
* Dual perspectives, both in first person, is something I would expect to hate. I found it well done. It felt like I was slipping back and forth between two people's personal journals, and I really enjoyed having both perspectives, especially given the harsh realities in the relationship.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
-------------------
* Too many exclamation points. The use of them in this book felt like the character was shouting like a teenager - especially in the places where they were used. "She was so hot!" kind of breaks the sexual tension when it's a grown man thinking it about a grown woman. That's a little junior high for me.
* Every so often, some of the sentences feel a little clunky and "amateur". I would have liked it if the writing quality was more consistently strong. However, for me, the story and the high quality of the rest of the writing more than made up for those lapses.
* Even though the ending leaves you knowing everything isn't wine and roses from here on out, there was still something too "happily ever after" about it for me. The romance in this book is certainly non-traditional. However, the wrap-up felt like the wrap-up of a traditional romance - like everything's cool because the main characters finally got together. For me, this romantic plot was too harsh and gritty for me to buy that kind of wrap-up.
If you like dystopian survival fiction with plenty of violence, hard relationships, and BAD THINGS happening, this book is worth a whirl. If that's not your style, but you're intrigued, maybe peruse it at your library or get a sample for your e-reader before buying.
January 29, 2014
For a kindle freebie, this one was actually quite good. Set in a post-apocalyptic america where chemical and nuclear war have destroyed the world, mutated animals and reduced humanity to deadly women and weak men.
The premise for this was interesting. With the birth rate for men seriously reduced they have been captured and are used as trophies. Prizes for winning the lethal Bachelor Battles. Our heroine, Candice "Candy" Pruett, enters the battles to win her childhood friend and the love of her life Daniel. She soon discovers that there is a lot going on and a lot wrong with her world.
Interesting story, told well enough (aside from the cringy sex scenes) to keep me reading and planning to pick up the next part.
Did I mention this was a freebie? Check it out: The Change
The premise for this was interesting. With the birth rate for men seriously reduced they have been captured and are used as trophies. Prizes for winning the lethal Bachelor Battles. Our heroine, Candice "Candy" Pruett, enters the battles to win her childhood friend and the love of her life Daniel. She soon discovers that there is a lot going on and a lot wrong with her world.
Interesting story, told well enough (aside from the cringy sex scenes) to keep me reading and planning to pick up the next part.
Did I mention this was a freebie? Check it out: The Change
April 6, 2015
I didn't want to like this book as much as I ended up liking it. It's sort of a Hunger Games/Divergent kind of series - maybe - not sure, because I've not read those books, only saw the movie Hunger Games. Also, not sure what the age is for YA literature - this book is probably over 18 because of the sex.
Having said all of that, this book really pulled me in (so much, I bought the other 2 books in the series). The premise is interesting - a shortage of men exacerbated by a oppressive government. And females (of most species) undergoing a mutation that makes them aggressive and dangerous. So society gender roles have done a flip; and men are valued solely for sex.
So good premise, interesting conflicts arising, engaging characters. The message is a bit heavy-handed but I can live with that because the rest makes up for it. I just want to see where this is all going.
Having said all of that, this book really pulled me in (so much, I bought the other 2 books in the series). The premise is interesting - a shortage of men exacerbated by a oppressive government. And females (of most species) undergoing a mutation that makes them aggressive and dangerous. So society gender roles have done a flip; and men are valued solely for sex.
So good premise, interesting conflicts arising, engaging characters. The message is a bit heavy-handed but I can live with that because the rest makes up for it. I just want to see where this is all going.
February 14, 2013
Pure Guilty Pleasure! Okay, this may not have been the best writing style that I normally insist on when I toss out that fifth star, but in sheer enjoyment of reading the book, I had to go ahead and give it all five. Great character development, fresh plot (a little reminiscent of Running Man, but it thru in a few twists), and good writing.
December 9, 2013
Like the Hunger Games but with women fighting for a mate. I enjoyed the battles and how emotional outburst were taken to a whole new level. Enjoy!!
April 2, 2013
Loved this book. It is fast paced and action packed. So glad there are two more in this series.
April 10, 2023
I'm giving this book two stars because I finished it.
The premise of this story was interesting: a dystopian world in which less than 5% of the population is male, and most of the women are struggling with a disease that causes them to 'hulk out'... It sounded pretty cool. What would that do to society?
Unfortunately, the execution was lacking for me. I should have realised (and, to be honest, I *did* realise) when the first chapter opened with an exposition dump in the form of a recording 'in case I die, so the truth will be out there.' This recording is never mentioned again.
The POV was third person, but it didn't feel like proper omniscient, because it dipped into multiple character's heads showing us their thoughts like you would see in third person limited.
I enjoyed the relationship between Candice and her cousin Angelica the most, although the relationship between Candice and her mother had the potential to be interesting, if it was explored. as for the relationship between Candice and Daniel, I liked the idea that they had been childhood friends, and that he had forgotten, but I feel like this wasn't explored as fully as it could have been. He started out terrified of her, and traumatised, but he gets over it very, very quickly.
I didn't like the love triangle aspect and I thought there was more chemistry between Candice and Baker, than Candice and Daniel. Candice's love for Daniel seemed to be more like a toddler who has had a beloved toy stolen. Baker seemed more of an equal.
In the end, I liked some of the world building aspects, but the story was much, much longer than it needed to be. Only 25% of the story dealt with the Bachelor Games, which felt misleading, as the title of the series is the Bachelor Games, and the blurb only discusses the games. It felt like a bait and switch when 75% of the book was Candice's love life with a side of a meandering plot dealing with a burgeoning rebellion. We find out that the Network has had a vaccine to cure the women for over ten years, and is hiding it, because they don't want to lose their power, and there's something going on behind the scenes, and maybe other countries are already distributing the vaccine, and there's a wall between Canada and New America...
I don't know what to say. Maybe read this if you like stories about dominant women and submissive men?
The premise of this story was interesting: a dystopian world in which less than 5% of the population is male, and most of the women are struggling with a disease that causes them to 'hulk out'... It sounded pretty cool. What would that do to society?
Unfortunately, the execution was lacking for me. I should have realised (and, to be honest, I *did* realise) when the first chapter opened with an exposition dump in the form of a recording 'in case I die, so the truth will be out there.' This recording is never mentioned again.
The POV was third person, but it didn't feel like proper omniscient, because it dipped into multiple character's heads showing us their thoughts like you would see in third person limited.
I enjoyed the relationship between Candice and her cousin Angelica the most, although the relationship between Candice and her mother had the potential to be interesting, if it was explored. as for the relationship between Candice and Daniel, I liked the idea that they had been childhood friends, and that he had forgotten, but I feel like this wasn't explored as fully as it could have been. He started out terrified of her, and traumatised, but he gets over it very, very quickly.
I didn't like the love triangle aspect and I thought there was more chemistry between Candice and Baker, than Candice and Daniel. Candice's love for Daniel seemed to be more like a toddler who has had a beloved toy stolen. Baker seemed more of an equal.
In the end, I liked some of the world building aspects, but the story was much, much longer than it needed to be. Only 25% of the story dealt with the Bachelor Games, which felt misleading, as the title of the series is the Bachelor Games, and the blurb only discusses the games. It felt like a bait and switch when 75% of the book was Candice's love life with a side of a meandering plot dealing with a burgeoning rebellion. We find out that the Network has had a vaccine to cure the women for over ten years, and is hiding it, because they don't want to lose their power, and there's something going on behind the scenes, and maybe other countries are already distributing the vaccine, and there's a wall between Canada and New America...
I don't know what to say. Maybe read this if you like stories about dominant women and submissive men?
April 26, 2017
This is a science fiction/adventure/romance. It is extremely violent in some parts, so if that isn't your cup of tea stay clear of this one. It is set in a dystopian future where women outnumber men by something like 7 to 1. Men are essentially enslaved by a dictatorial regime for their "protection." Women are subject to "The Change" which makes them into violent, sex monsters.
The main character participates in a tournament to the death in order to win her choice of eligible bachelors. This is apparently a televised event complete with snarky interviews of the contestants. This novel channels The Hunger Games pretty strong at this point.
The Change is more original in how it throws a lot of gender stereotypes on their head. Women are the aggressors. Men are in touch with feelings. It's interesting to see such a different perspective. Of course it strains credibility at times (you might find yourself saying, "No way!"), but it's still fun.
The writing is rough in some parts. Not just in a pedantic, grammar police kind of way -- at times I was literally unsure what the author was trying to say. It's the sort of thing that can pull you out of the story, but if you don't give up there's lots to enjoy with this story.
Rating: 4-stars
Length: 100,000 words
Violence: Very much
Sex: Quite a lot, some fairly explicit
Drugs: No
The main character participates in a tournament to the death in order to win her choice of eligible bachelors. This is apparently a televised event complete with snarky interviews of the contestants. This novel channels The Hunger Games pretty strong at this point.
The Change is more original in how it throws a lot of gender stereotypes on their head. Women are the aggressors. Men are in touch with feelings. It's interesting to see such a different perspective. Of course it strains credibility at times (you might find yourself saying, "No way!"), but it's still fun.
The writing is rough in some parts. Not just in a pedantic, grammar police kind of way -- at times I was literally unsure what the author was trying to say. It's the sort of thing that can pull you out of the story, but if you don't give up there's lots to enjoy with this story.
Rating: 4-stars
Length: 100,000 words
Violence: Very much
Sex: Quite a lot, some fairly explicit
Drugs: No
July 1, 2019
What initially drew me in was the plot....the idea that women are violent beasts and men are rare and sold into slavery to help the woman. As I read this book though, I found the story to be written with poorly structured sentence and typos that were distracting to the reader. I ended up having to reread many sections trying to figure out what the author meant when they said something. The ending as well was meant to be a cliff hanger trying to lead into the next book, however, the way it was constructed had me more than content with not continuing on. There was no pull. In all, this was an OKAY read. There were quite a few flaws but there were also some really great scenes, but I can’t say I’d recommend this book to anyone.
August 10, 2017
Even though this book is about teenagers, it is NOT for teens. An interesting thought-experiment in which women are dominant and men submissive and timid, the story includes a lot of sexy scenes and one very graphically sexual one. I'm not sure the story could have been told without them, but I'm also not convinced they were necessary, either. The story itself is compelling, especially the "what if," and the gender role-reversal forces the reader to consider what how humans, especially ones engaged in the mating dance (because courtship this is not!) treat each other.
March 4, 2018
Full of excitement
Good storyline. Extremely powerful womanhood in a world that have men on the lower food chain. The Pruitt family will change all that lots of government greed and games like the hunger games for women to win their mates and control disease that only the government can cure.
Good storyline. Extremely powerful womanhood in a world that have men on the lower food chain. The Pruitt family will change all that lots of government greed and games like the hunger games for women to win their mates and control disease that only the government can cure.
March 8, 2018
The preview of this caught my attention. I struggled to get through this - I kept thinking.. the premise is good.. but no... it was a very difficult read - lots of jumping through areas; thoughts not finished.
There are other reads out there.
I finished this book but its not something I would suggest to read.
There are other reads out there.
I finished this book but its not something I would suggest to read.
July 20, 2018
I found this a bit confusing at first as the author drops you right into the story without much build up or explanation. The concept was intriguing though. It did send shivers down my spine, those women and especially Candice Pruett, are a frightening lot. Those of a Fem Dom bent will love this! Lots of action and mayhem. Let’s hope it never comes to pass!
September 20, 2019
The Change (The Bachelor Battles Book 1)
The love story of Candice and Daniel. In a world where men are slave, Candice is a changeling. When she was a child her best friend was taken as a slave because he was a male and now 8 years later Candice has enter the Bachelor Battles to win him back. Can she?
The love story of Candice and Daniel. In a world where men are slave, Candice is a changeling. When she was a child her best friend was taken as a slave because he was a male and now 8 years later Candice has enter the Bachelor Battles to win him back. Can she?
February 7, 2018
Angella White continues to deliver some of the best post apocalyptic fiction out there. Her spin on the changing world in her universe continues to amaze me. Very well crafted characters lead to an overall very enjoyable read.
April 27, 2023
if you like your post apocalyptic fiction bloody, this is for you
Great story line, fast paced, likable characters. Cannot wait to read the recast of the series. I enjoy Angela White’s books.
Great story line, fast paced, likable characters. Cannot wait to read the recast of the series. I enjoy Angela White’s books.
January 14, 2019
Maybe 3.5. It took a while to get into this book but I ended up liking the characters.
February 10, 2020
A real page turner
Really enjoyed the apocalyptic story line, especially since it became a female driven world. Men enslaved is a very bold concept.
Really enjoyed the apocalyptic story line, especially since it became a female driven world. Men enslaved is a very bold concept.
March 11, 2021
Fantastic
I’m not one for blood, guts and gore generally, but this book was intriguing and kept me on my toes. Fantastic read and hope to get the rest of the series soon.
I’m not one for blood, guts and gore generally, but this book was intriguing and kept me on my toes. Fantastic read and hope to get the rest of the series soon.
October 12, 2021
Its not bad, but it doesnt leave much to imagination, i mean, very vivid sex scenes, not for teens...
June 29, 2023
This book was rubbish on so many levels, it was actually almost impressive.
September 18, 2023
Quite well written. Would certainly look at this author again
Read
August 31, 2024DNF
Started a few times to read. Never got far. Giving it up as been >5 years. Downloaded the free book on my kobo if I ever want to try again.
Not my style but was more into that when I got it.
Started a few times to read. Never got far. Giving it up as been >5 years. Downloaded the free book on my kobo if I ever want to try again.
Not my style but was more into that when I got it.
June 23, 2019
Interesting concept
Dystopian world where men are scarce and women become super strong changelings who much compete and kill for a chance to win a mate and breeding rights. But what of the rebel cause...?
This book was hard to follow at some points but it could have been the formatting of the ebook. It cut words and finished them on the next line A LOT.
Dystopian world where men are scarce and women become super strong changelings who much compete and kill for a chance to win a mate and breeding rights. But what of the rebel cause...?
This book was hard to follow at some points but it could have been the formatting of the ebook. It cut words and finished them on the next line A LOT.
February 12, 2014
3.5 STARS
500 years after the nuclear war which has mutated most of life, Candice Pruett is entering the Network’s Games to battle to the death for her shot at winning a rare and coveted male to bring home as her mate. The Network has no idea why or exactly how dangerous of a person she is to them.
In the opening pages, this book’s tone and style read like a textbook, though far more interesting. A much-needed history lesson and introduction into this world, this required reading gave a good knowledge base to launch the story.
Right from the start as I wondered about Rage Walkers disease, I knew this was a different kind of dystopia. Rage-Walkers disease sounds like a zombie-vampire hybrid without the usual carnal thirst for human flesh, but the need to kill conventionally is present nonetheless. Rage Walkers have a disease and can burn out. Yet, they have claws and vampire-like red eyes at times.
The entire idea of this disease is intriguing but the description seemed lacking. The book talks about “Changelings” and Candice talks about her burning and changing, others who are immune to the change. I kept wondering how human she appears at times. Is it just her eyes that change? Or is there more? Only sex or murder can quench the never-ending fire raging inside. Only sex? Really? That seemed funny somehow.
After the first few pages read like required reading, then the story launched with a cold beginning. Candice is portrayed as a killer compounding the unfeeling apathy any reader feels when diving into a story. Only through her story does the frost melt and her character comes through. Looking back, this was an amazing tone to pull off.
When it became physical, I wondered if this book would take an erotic twist. There is dry humping, mutual masturbation and a sex scene. However the pacing was similar to contemporary romance novels which include a sex scene. Since sex is the a solution to ease the burn of the Rate Walkers disease, there is more talk about desire than any action. Often it was over before I realized what was happening.
At times, I was confused. I found myself reading and re-reading scenes to figure out what was happening. Part of it was the switching points of view. This seems to be a happy trend among authors. Here, the switch happens multiple times in a single chapter. Once it was for a paragraph. I wondered what the purpose of that one paragraph was. I can appreciate the artistic reasons behind doing this, but as a reader it’s disturbing to the flow, jerking out of one person’s head and shoved into another. I bet this whole book could be rewritten in third person and be much, much better.
Another reason I was confused was the lack of he-said-she-said qualifiers. As mundane as they are, they serve a purpose. It became so choppy that at some point I decided to keep plugging along and forget the dialogue. That’s a problem. Character and relationships are shown through dialogue. Combine this with switching points of view, I cannot say this was an easy read.
I can say this dystopian novel was worth it though. So much so that I can say that it was worth 3.5 stars. It was a great story with characters I cared about. The world built here was detailed and very creative. Seeing men enslaved and women fighting for them for a change was unexpected. I was glad to have read it and would look forward to reading the next in this series. I would be just as excited to see this turned into a movie as I about the Hunger Games.
This may be dressed up as young adult, but it is really new adult. I recommend this for an adult audience based upon its sexual content alone. It does have quite a bit of violence as expected in a fight-to-the-death kind of novel but no profanity.
Disclaimer: All books reviewed by me have been received via purchase, lending, or given to me by an author or publisher for the purposes of an honest review. No reviews are purchased. They are my own opinion. For more reviews such as this, please visit http://ravenreviewer.tumblr.com
February 6, 2022
Good book!
I loved the action and the adventure!
The world has become darker, and so the people had to become darker just to adapt and survive.
This is very dystopian, and yet feels very possible.
I loved the action and the adventure!
The world has become darker, and so the people had to become darker just to adapt and survive.
This is very dystopian, and yet feels very possible.
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