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Nowhere #1
Nowhere
'No one's coming for us.
Not our families, not the police.
No one.'
Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa are Nowhere. A concrete cube in the middle of a dense forest. Imprisoned inside are one hundred teenagers from all over the country. They're all criminals. But none of them remember committing any crimes. Who has put them there. What do their captors want? And how will they ever break free . . . ?
Not our families, not the police.
No one.'
Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa are Nowhere. A concrete cube in the middle of a dense forest. Imprisoned inside are one hundred teenagers from all over the country. They're all criminals. But none of them remember committing any crimes. Who has put them there. What do their captors want? And how will they ever break free . . . ?
259 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 4, 2013
30 people are currently reading
792 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
January 9, 2018
😮 WOW! I love this book so much and now all I want to do is continue with the second part. All I will say about the book is that I hope they all get home safe and that whoever it is that’s in charge of this abomination is taken down.
There may or may not be deaths... you’ll have to find that out for yourselves 🤭🤫. I think the less said about this book the better, purely because if I gave you any details it will ruin the book for you straight off the bat.
I will say that you will hate Julian and then grow to really really like him. I can’t say why. This is a book that doesn’t deserve to be spoiled for anyone.
There may or may not be deaths... you’ll have to find that out for yourselves 🤭🤫. I think the less said about this book the better, purely because if I gave you any details it will ruin the book for you straight off the bat.
I will say that you will hate Julian and then grow to really really like him. I can’t say why. This is a book that doesn’t deserve to be spoiled for anyone.
February 9, 2014
Nowhere looked interesting, and i thought it would be a good read.
However, after reading a couple of chapters, that thought quickly vanished.
It was pretty dull, but the main problem i had with it was the characters.
They were undeveloped, and were very forgettable.
If a character disappeared and it wasn't mentioned, i don't think i would have noticed.
The last few chapters picked up a bit, but it wasn't anything great.
Overall, dull, with flat characters.
I don't think i'll be reading book two.
However, after reading a couple of chapters, that thought quickly vanished.
It was pretty dull, but the main problem i had with it was the characters.
They were undeveloped, and were very forgettable.
If a character disappeared and it wasn't mentioned, i don't think i would have noticed.
The last few chapters picked up a bit, but it wasn't anything great.
Overall, dull, with flat characters.
I don't think i'll be reading book two.
September 18, 2024
The first in a trilogy the story really focuses on setting the scene and situation - However it does have an intriguing manner of switching times - just from current time to several years in the past. This method does allow for interesting plot developments but at points can be a little distracting.
The story itself is aim at the YA market but it is suitable appealing that it is only the formatting that really identifies it as such. The story is set as a trilogy so sufficient to say that there are number of hints and subtle easter eggs to drive you on to want to read the subsequent installments.
The story itself is aim at the YA market but it is suitable appealing that it is only the formatting that really identifies it as such. The story is set as a trilogy so sufficient to say that there are number of hints and subtle easter eggs to drive you on to want to read the subsequent installments.
December 9, 2013
**3.5 stars**
No one’s coming for us.
Not our families, not the police.
No one.’
Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa are Nowhere. A concrete cube in the middle of a dense forest. Imprisoned inside are one hundred teenagers from all over the country. They’re all criminals. But none of them remember committing any crimes. Who has put them there. What do their captors want?
An interesting concept for a YA novel this – fairly well executed and quite intriguing. As the story opens we find various children in captivity, none of whom remember comitting any crime, all of whom seem determined to escape. With the use of flashback and present time, a sense of what is actually behind this starts to emerge.
I enjoyed this very much, because its quite a quirky little story – perhaps the characters lack a certain depth at this point but even having said that, I was utterly in the tale – as this is “part one” it was very much, I felt, setting the scene for things to come. A fairly simplistic but lovely prose kept the story flowing and I feel if the author can add more “oomph” to the characters in the next instalment, this will be very good indeed.
I look forward to finding out what happens to Jes and co in the next book which I believe is due out next year.
Happy Reading Folks!
No one’s coming for us.
Not our families, not the police.
No one.’
Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa are Nowhere. A concrete cube in the middle of a dense forest. Imprisoned inside are one hundred teenagers from all over the country. They’re all criminals. But none of them remember committing any crimes. Who has put them there. What do their captors want?
An interesting concept for a YA novel this – fairly well executed and quite intriguing. As the story opens we find various children in captivity, none of whom remember comitting any crime, all of whom seem determined to escape. With the use of flashback and present time, a sense of what is actually behind this starts to emerge.
I enjoyed this very much, because its quite a quirky little story – perhaps the characters lack a certain depth at this point but even having said that, I was utterly in the tale – as this is “part one” it was very much, I felt, setting the scene for things to come. A fairly simplistic but lovely prose kept the story flowing and I feel if the author can add more “oomph” to the characters in the next instalment, this will be very good indeed.
I look forward to finding out what happens to Jes and co in the next book which I believe is due out next year.
Happy Reading Folks!
January 27, 2015
El principal problema que tiene Sin Lugar es que no posee la más mínima capacidad de arrancar la historia más allá de su atractiva puesta en escena y de repente te encuentras con una infinidad de escenas inconexas que no aportan nada a ningún sitio, regresiones temporales totalmente arbitrarias, ridículos intentos de reconducir la trama por derroteros sobrenaturales e innecesarios romances instantáneos -marca de la casa- que solo producen una monumental sensación de espanto, horror e incertidumbre añadidos al desconcierto general. Por muchas vueltas que le des, el amargo regusto que te deja Sin Lugar es el de estar ante el borrador de una novela que quizá tenga pinta de ser interesante cuando esté terminada. Estructura inexistente, personajes más planos que una tabla de planchar -que tampoco despiertan en el lector la más mínima nada- o un estilo narrativo basado en la objetividad más literal que a uno se le pueda ocurrir y que al final resulta pobre, plagado de diálogos vacíos (por no decir absurdos) y una clamorosa falta de sentido.
Reseña completa: http://generacionreader.blogspot.com....
Reseña completa: http://generacionreader.blogspot.com....
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August 26, 2018For fans of the Darkest Minds!
October 30, 2018
Sonewhere in the middle of nowhere, a concrete cube - ostensibly a prison for young offenders - holds one hundred teenagers, locked away for supposed crimes none of them have the slightest memory of. Between brutal guards and sadistic brainwashing attempts, the purposes of which the facility's inmates can only guess at, a small group of those who haven't yet given in to numbness and despair plot their escape.
Intriguing concept initially, but the plot was too flimsy and the characters were too insubstantial to really hold my interest. Will see if the second is any better.
Intriguing concept initially, but the plot was too flimsy and the characters were too insubstantial to really hold my interest. Will see if the second is any better.
September 14, 2025
It was ok but underdeveloped characters and kind of feels like it’s just to set up book 2
June 12, 2017
When our high school students read the blurb they think it is another Maze Runner... "a concrete cube in the middle of a dense forest. Imprisoned inside are one hundred teenagers...", so that might entice them to read. It has enough mystery (why have these kids been targeted and what have they got in common?) and action (brutal guards and escape attempts) to keep most young readers happy and as it is a fairly thin book it shouldn't put the more reluctant readers off. Other reviewers have made mention of the lack of character development. I agree with this but it does a pretty good job in relatively few words. Not all kids want to read big books! It touches on social issues and has some political intrigue which should help keep the deeper thinking students interested.
August 6, 2017
Interesting book, is more of my type of book. Is not a 'gone' sort of book that I thought it might be but is still suspenseful and exciting storyline as you find out what is happening and how they escape. Wouldn't mind a second, or reading more of Jon Robinson :)
April 30, 2025
I won’t lie, I think I might have read this book years ago… but I didn’t remember it, and I think I’ll probably forget I reread it too… 😅
There was a lot of characters, but none I really found myself caring for… they kept teasing me with the idea of supernatural powers or something, but the idea never came to fruition?? Truly I wanted to like this book. But it didn’t hit.
May 20, 2024
Not as exciting as I thought it would be and left on a bit of a cliff hanger but still interesting enough.
September 9, 2021
Nowhere is a good book, but it just kind of lacks that 'oompf' factor that I always look for in books. Of course, I would still recommend reading this book cos the storyline's unique and is really to the point. It doesn't have any sappy romance, which I am grateful for.
July 16, 2013
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Oh, how I love a good YA mystery! I devoured Nowhere in one night! The story was so gripping, and as soon as I started it I couldn’t put it down! The mystery was so intriguing and it had me guessing throughout the novel. Nowhere does have it’s flaws though. But definitely a book worth reading!
“No one’s coming for us. Not our families, not the police. No one.”
From the minute I read the synopsis I knew that Nowhere was a book I wanted to read, so when a proof came though my door I was bursting with excitement! I put a hold on all the other books I was reading and started Nowhere straight away. I finished it that night and now I’m aching for the sequel to come sooner! I’ve always been a fan of mystery and this novel had a unique and action-packed story line. Although I love this book, I thought we were given too many clues about the mystery too early on in the novel. I was a bit disappointed, like I’d just been shown a spoiler. It was a fast-paced novel, but I feel it still could’ve been even if we knew less behind the mystery.
Everyone has a theory – What’s yours?
The whole idea of one hundred teenagers trapped in a concrete cube in the middle of nowhere is both chilling and intriguing. I wish we never found out ‘where’ they actually were, though. I feel like that could’ve been saved for the sequel. But the idea is still so incredibly unique that I don’t really mind.
I’m glad that Nowhere was a short book. Sometimes a huge, heavy mystery can be a bit tiring and boring. I was happy that Nowhere was short, because it held the gripping intensity throughout the story and I was hooked from start to finish. This book was just so incredibly gripping, I can’t even describe how much I loved reading this page turner. It’s the experience of reading it that I loved more than anything else!
No memory. No clues. No truth.
I liked the characters in the novel, but I wish the author spent more time developing their personalities. I didn’t really know who they were, their background, what makes them different from each other. Because of this,I found it hard to picture them in my head. They were never really described, and that was definitely the biggest letdown for Nowhere.
I loved the style of writing in Nowhere. It was simple, but flowed so easy throughout the story. I really admire Jon Robinson’s style. Everything was tied together nicely, and the I was never confused, and never misunderstood what the author was trying to get across. A great writing style for a mystery like this.
“Tell them what they want. That you’re guilty. Play their game.”
I love the cover of Nowhere. It’s intriguing and mysterious, just like the book itself. It really reflects the story line. I’m not quite sure about the title though. For a book called ‘Nowhere’, we get to know ‘where’ they are pretty early on in the story. But I guess it does relate to the main characters, and their limited knowledge of where they are.
Overall, Nowhere is a must read. I love this book and I’m probably going to read it again before the sequel is released, which I’m dying to read! There aren’t enough YA mystery series around in my opinion and I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds in the rest of the series. A brilliant read, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a gripping story!
Oh, how I love a good YA mystery! I devoured Nowhere in one night! The story was so gripping, and as soon as I started it I couldn’t put it down! The mystery was so intriguing and it had me guessing throughout the novel. Nowhere does have it’s flaws though. But definitely a book worth reading!
“No one’s coming for us. Not our families, not the police. No one.”
From the minute I read the synopsis I knew that Nowhere was a book I wanted to read, so when a proof came though my door I was bursting with excitement! I put a hold on all the other books I was reading and started Nowhere straight away. I finished it that night and now I’m aching for the sequel to come sooner! I’ve always been a fan of mystery and this novel had a unique and action-packed story line. Although I love this book, I thought we were given too many clues about the mystery too early on in the novel. I was a bit disappointed, like I’d just been shown a spoiler. It was a fast-paced novel, but I feel it still could’ve been even if we knew less behind the mystery.
Everyone has a theory – What’s yours?
The whole idea of one hundred teenagers trapped in a concrete cube in the middle of nowhere is both chilling and intriguing. I wish we never found out ‘where’ they actually were, though. I feel like that could’ve been saved for the sequel. But the idea is still so incredibly unique that I don’t really mind.
I’m glad that Nowhere was a short book. Sometimes a huge, heavy mystery can be a bit tiring and boring. I was happy that Nowhere was short, because it held the gripping intensity throughout the story and I was hooked from start to finish. This book was just so incredibly gripping, I can’t even describe how much I loved reading this page turner. It’s the experience of reading it that I loved more than anything else!
No memory. No clues. No truth.
I liked the characters in the novel, but I wish the author spent more time developing their personalities. I didn’t really know who they were, their background, what makes them different from each other. Because of this,I found it hard to picture them in my head. They were never really described, and that was definitely the biggest letdown for Nowhere.
I loved the style of writing in Nowhere. It was simple, but flowed so easy throughout the story. I really admire Jon Robinson’s style. Everything was tied together nicely, and the I was never confused, and never misunderstood what the author was trying to get across. A great writing style for a mystery like this.
“Tell them what they want. That you’re guilty. Play their game.”
I love the cover of Nowhere. It’s intriguing and mysterious, just like the book itself. It really reflects the story line. I’m not quite sure about the title though. For a book called ‘Nowhere’, we get to know ‘where’ they are pretty early on in the story. But I guess it does relate to the main characters, and their limited knowledge of where they are.
Overall, Nowhere is a must read. I love this book and I’m probably going to read it again before the sequel is released, which I’m dying to read! There aren’t enough YA mystery series around in my opinion and I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds in the rest of the series. A brilliant read, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a gripping story!
September 29, 2014
Nowhere’ by Jon Robinson is the first in an enigmatic and thrilling new YA series. I hadn’t actually heard a lot about it prior to reading this so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I think that was a good thing because it meant that I was continually taken by surprise in terms of the quality of the plot and the unusual twists and turns that the author incorporated.
The premise for this book is brilliant! Teenagers put in prison in the middle of nowhere, with no knowledge of why they are there. This must be everybody’s worst nightmare and that alone was enough to hook me in and get me interested in the characters' plights.
The story was really puzzling but in a good way. There were hints and clues as to what was going on but you had to try to connect all the dots yourself. I still have lots and lots of questions about the reasons why the teenagers were all being held in the prison and why they were made to think that they were guilty of crimes they had not committed. It would have been nice to have found out a bit more by the end of the book but I guess a lot of the reveals are being saved for later in the series.
The teens themselves were an interesting bunch. The book focuses on Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa as they attempt to break out and escape. I admired their strong will and determination and found myself really rooting for them to succeed. I would have liked a little more character development throughout the book but flashes of their previous lives are interwoven into the story.
This is a debut novel by a UK author who is definitely one to watch. I’m eager to read the follow-up ‘Anywhere’ which I’m hoping will shed light on some of the mysteries that are still unanswered.
The premise for this book is brilliant! Teenagers put in prison in the middle of nowhere, with no knowledge of why they are there. This must be everybody’s worst nightmare and that alone was enough to hook me in and get me interested in the characters' plights.
The story was really puzzling but in a good way. There were hints and clues as to what was going on but you had to try to connect all the dots yourself. I still have lots and lots of questions about the reasons why the teenagers were all being held in the prison and why they were made to think that they were guilty of crimes they had not committed. It would have been nice to have found out a bit more by the end of the book but I guess a lot of the reveals are being saved for later in the series.
The teens themselves were an interesting bunch. The book focuses on Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa as they attempt to break out and escape. I admired their strong will and determination and found myself really rooting for them to succeed. I would have liked a little more character development throughout the book but flashes of their previous lives are interwoven into the story.
This is a debut novel by a UK author who is definitely one to watch. I’m eager to read the follow-up ‘Anywhere’ which I’m hoping will shed light on some of the mysteries that are still unanswered.
March 13, 2016
The concept appealed to me, but I felt more could have been done with this narrative. I was half way through the book and the pace hadn’t picked up, and the story hadn’t progressed enough for my liking. I was waiting for something to happen.
Nowhere is written in third person, but regularly switches perspective between a number of characters. This allowed insight into both the captors and the captives. I liked Ryan’s character because he felt the most rounded out of the bunch. I didn’t feel emotionally drawn/ attached to any of the others. Character development really lets this book down.
The prose was simplistic, but well written, and the rapid switches between perspectives was handled well. Nowhere is set in present day/ near future. It makes a change from a lot of dystopian YA novels on the market. I am a fan of science fiction and urban fantasy, and that premise is what drew me to the novel in the first place. I just wished Robinson fulfilled my expectations a little more.
The ending only added to my questions rather than answered any. This is most probably due to Nowhere being the first in a series, but I needed a little more closure than what was offered.
In summary, a great concept that needed a little more oomph.
Nowhere is written in third person, but regularly switches perspective between a number of characters. This allowed insight into both the captors and the captives. I liked Ryan’s character because he felt the most rounded out of the bunch. I didn’t feel emotionally drawn/ attached to any of the others. Character development really lets this book down.
The prose was simplistic, but well written, and the rapid switches between perspectives was handled well. Nowhere is set in present day/ near future. It makes a change from a lot of dystopian YA novels on the market. I am a fan of science fiction and urban fantasy, and that premise is what drew me to the novel in the first place. I just wished Robinson fulfilled my expectations a little more.
The ending only added to my questions rather than answered any. This is most probably due to Nowhere being the first in a series, but I needed a little more closure than what was offered.
In summary, a great concept that needed a little more oomph.
April 8, 2014
An intense, creepily realistic young adult novel that poses the question: what wouldn't the government do to stay in power and keep the streets safe(er)? In this case, they would not stop at locking away 100 innocent (?) teens, and brainwashing them. But even more captivating, there is much more going on behind the scenes than just that. This is a great novel (especially for conspiracy theorists) and one which I genuinely did not want to put down.
I've read some people complaining that the characters weren't well developed enough, and maybe that's true but I honestly didn't notice - I was too busy turning the page, wanting to read more to the very last (and beyond - I'm excited to see what book 2 had to offer). I enjoyed this novel and will happily be recommending it!
I've read some people complaining that the characters weren't well developed enough, and maybe that's true but I honestly didn't notice - I was too busy turning the page, wanting to read more to the very last (and beyond - I'm excited to see what book 2 had to offer). I enjoyed this novel and will happily be recommending it!
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August 3, 2025This book sounded interesting when I picked it up in a charity shop, but severely disappointed me. The plot was all over the place, as was the timeline, and the characters were flat and dull. I had little to no interest in them, and this was very likely due to the fact that I didn't see them develop at all.
I won't be bothering with the rest of this series.
I won't be bothering with the rest of this series.
March 5, 2023
This plot sounded so interesting and I was so excited to start it but it was so disappointing. The story was dull, there were way too many characters to remember and no one really piqued my interest. This could have been executed so much better.
October 14, 2013
The characters were completely one dimensional and I felt like the plot, though fast paced, was dull and unappealing..
May 18, 2015
Interesante libro, interesante idea pero... y ese final? qué onda?
October 10, 2019
The premise behind Nowhere is that a group of 100 teenagers are locked up in a concrete cube prison in the middle of nowhere, all apparently guilty of crimes, although almost none remember committing those crimes. That idea was a pretty good hook. Maybe not totally unique - it has shades of "the cube", and the cult TV show "the Prisoner" about it, but still it is a fresh idea in a young adult novel.
Nice idea as this is, the execution is not great. The over-riding fault in this book is the huge cast of underdeveloped characters. It was hard to keep track of so many names, especially when the author sometimes had them called by surnames that we had not met yet, so they seemed to be new characters. The book was short and thus the character development of any of these was all but non existent.
Writing was competent, but nothing special, and the plot was occasionally gripping as they seek to break free, but still I suspect that a bunch of the characters could have fallen down a huge hole off-page and I would not have noticed their absence.
The story is presented in a sequence of flashbacks, the timeline jumping back and forth in quite a confusing manner. I suppose that might have worked well enough if we were focussed tightly on a single character, but with all the head jumping going on and time jumping back and forth, this all felt a bit disjointed.
This is another book that kicks off a trilogy where it may have been better written as a single story. In any case, I won't be bothering with book 2.
Nice idea as this is, the execution is not great. The over-riding fault in this book is the huge cast of underdeveloped characters. It was hard to keep track of so many names, especially when the author sometimes had them called by surnames that we had not met yet, so they seemed to be new characters. The book was short and thus the character development of any of these was all but non existent.
Writing was competent, but nothing special, and the plot was occasionally gripping as they seek to break free, but still I suspect that a bunch of the characters could have fallen down a huge hole off-page and I would not have noticed their absence.
The story is presented in a sequence of flashbacks, the timeline jumping back and forth in quite a confusing manner. I suppose that might have worked well enough if we were focussed tightly on a single character, but with all the head jumping going on and time jumping back and forth, this all felt a bit disjointed.
This is another book that kicks off a trilogy where it may have been better written as a single story. In any case, I won't be bothering with book 2.
July 13, 2014
Hidden amidst the perilous wilderness of Scotland; a landscape of icy, snow-covered mountains and dense forestry that is disconnected from civilisation, a high-concentration prison exists. Inside the concrete cube, one hundred teenage criminals are incarcerated, but few can remember committing their crimes. Nobody is coming to rescue them: not their parents, the police or the government. They call it nowhere. Jon Robinson’s speculative adventure novel begins with Alyn, Jes, Ryan and Elsa, four teenagers who are convinced that something is wrong and, through frantic attempts to escape, are intent on unearthing the truth. As this sinister and equally chilling debut evolves, a heavily political grandeur becomes evident, one reliant on trickery, mind-games and wealth. In Nowhere, a daunting portrayal of modern Britain is painted, where the nation has never appeared as strife or on the brink of dire failure.
Britain is falling. Government is disbanding through corruption and radicalism. There are riots on the streets and whispers of a revolution. Desperate to keep his country together, the Prime Minister meets with Mr Felix, Britain’s wealthiest man and the leader of a conspiracy group named the Pledge. Claiming that he is only one who can resolve Britain’s failure, the Prime Minister agrees to a somewhat unethical method as his last attempt to salvage hope and restore the nation. But little does he know that the Pledge will involve themselves regardless of his approval - and that their true goals are far cruder that he could imagine. Robinson’s Nowhere leans on mystery and intrigue to propel his dark portrayal of an alternative Britain; peppering the story with brutality, technological advancement and overarching anguish. The monolithic prison where the core story occurs is an enchanting location, encompassing the desperation and precarious psychology of the cast whilst echoing the biting aesthetics of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. It is the unlikeliness of these circumstances that pierce the audience’s mind with questions: where exactly are these teenagers trapped? Why is nobody coming to rescue them? What abilities may they possess?
Robinson’s excessive commitment to the tight aesthetics causes the character development to suffer. Aside from a brief collection of memories from each of the four main characters, we are offered little in the form of personality or growth. Even description is bare and, although pushing the writing along at a fiery pace, it devoid readers of the depth that they often come to expect. The ambiguity of alliances is a redeeming factor, where the villainy is never black and white, and where it is difficult to distinguish between those who are heroes and enemies. In Nowhere, the teenage protagonists conflict with each other and with their own flaws, as much as they fight with the brutal prison guards. Despite that, each character has a distinct role and we come to collectively admire their fearless and bravery in battling their captors. Ryan is headstrong and courageous, Jes is the planner, Elsa has great passion and Alyn is simply a born survivor. The highlight, however, is Julian; the self-interested, sly inmate that we come to love and hate for his changing opinions, lean mind and his uncertain alliance. In the prison, the adults who incarcerate these young people are not portrayed as irredeemably evil, yet rather afraid and weak in considering the unethical nature of their task. A violent and suspicious teacher commands the guards of the prison, inflicting torturous lessons on those who do not obey and knocking the children temporarily unconscious if necessary. Having said that, it is particularly refreshing for the leader of the antagonism force, the ultimate enemy, to have a desire to solve something for the wider nation and not only for his own benefit.
In a country plagued by regeneration, dullness and conspiracy, Robinson ensures that a lack of hope and liberty pave the way for his dystopian speculation. Indeed, the work is reminiscent of Orwell’s London in Nineteen Eighty-Four, the terror of The Hunger Games and the bizarrely cinematic traits of The Maze Runner. The writing ensures that the audience is kept knee-deep in adventure, with short chapters and no delays to a story that whips along from one stage to the next. Mystery flows from this debut novel; intrigue surrounding the alternative Britain and mystifying the story consistently. There is a dark curiosity that blossoms through the shift between perspectives; as the teenagers, Prime Minister and ambiguous Mr Felix introduce their own circumstances. Robinson leaves his work open for interpretation and elaboration, honing his potentially extensive idea into a finite one that revolves around this concrete prison cube. Yet, most tantalising of all is the inclination that the prisoners may have a supernatural ability and how this could influence society. It is a thrilling alternative world nonetheless and one that will thrive upon a greater sense of context, defter characterisation and an understanding of where these abilities may lead.
Nowhere is a politically ingrained tale with great potential. The sinister alternative spectacle of Britain, a country powered through conspiracy and underground technologies, is beautifully dark and futuristically mystic. Robinson’s removal of certainty is where the piece excels: where black and white alliances cannot be seen and there is commitment to the ambiguity and curiosity. It is an imaginative dystopian action-adventure which prevails against the domineering weight of government authorities, promoting change, radicalism and liberty in a world that has forgotten what it is to be free. With mention of psychological powers, hints of subliminal messaging, propaganda and brainwashing, the author extends fear into our reality. If these invisible conspiracies exist in fiction, then surely there is the possibility that such entities govern our own socio-political functions? Nowhere degrades individualism and probes whether the liberty of our own society is, in fact, a sly facade. Are we, the people, mere puppets hanging on a string?
Britain is falling. Government is disbanding through corruption and radicalism. There are riots on the streets and whispers of a revolution. Desperate to keep his country together, the Prime Minister meets with Mr Felix, Britain’s wealthiest man and the leader of a conspiracy group named the Pledge. Claiming that he is only one who can resolve Britain’s failure, the Prime Minister agrees to a somewhat unethical method as his last attempt to salvage hope and restore the nation. But little does he know that the Pledge will involve themselves regardless of his approval - and that their true goals are far cruder that he could imagine. Robinson’s Nowhere leans on mystery and intrigue to propel his dark portrayal of an alternative Britain; peppering the story with brutality, technological advancement and overarching anguish. The monolithic prison where the core story occurs is an enchanting location, encompassing the desperation and precarious psychology of the cast whilst echoing the biting aesthetics of Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four. It is the unlikeliness of these circumstances that pierce the audience’s mind with questions: where exactly are these teenagers trapped? Why is nobody coming to rescue them? What abilities may they possess?
Robinson’s excessive commitment to the tight aesthetics causes the character development to suffer. Aside from a brief collection of memories from each of the four main characters, we are offered little in the form of personality or growth. Even description is bare and, although pushing the writing along at a fiery pace, it devoid readers of the depth that they often come to expect. The ambiguity of alliances is a redeeming factor, where the villainy is never black and white, and where it is difficult to distinguish between those who are heroes and enemies. In Nowhere, the teenage protagonists conflict with each other and with their own flaws, as much as they fight with the brutal prison guards. Despite that, each character has a distinct role and we come to collectively admire their fearless and bravery in battling their captors. Ryan is headstrong and courageous, Jes is the planner, Elsa has great passion and Alyn is simply a born survivor. The highlight, however, is Julian; the self-interested, sly inmate that we come to love and hate for his changing opinions, lean mind and his uncertain alliance. In the prison, the adults who incarcerate these young people are not portrayed as irredeemably evil, yet rather afraid and weak in considering the unethical nature of their task. A violent and suspicious teacher commands the guards of the prison, inflicting torturous lessons on those who do not obey and knocking the children temporarily unconscious if necessary. Having said that, it is particularly refreshing for the leader of the antagonism force, the ultimate enemy, to have a desire to solve something for the wider nation and not only for his own benefit.
In a country plagued by regeneration, dullness and conspiracy, Robinson ensures that a lack of hope and liberty pave the way for his dystopian speculation. Indeed, the work is reminiscent of Orwell’s London in Nineteen Eighty-Four, the terror of The Hunger Games and the bizarrely cinematic traits of The Maze Runner. The writing ensures that the audience is kept knee-deep in adventure, with short chapters and no delays to a story that whips along from one stage to the next. Mystery flows from this debut novel; intrigue surrounding the alternative Britain and mystifying the story consistently. There is a dark curiosity that blossoms through the shift between perspectives; as the teenagers, Prime Minister and ambiguous Mr Felix introduce their own circumstances. Robinson leaves his work open for interpretation and elaboration, honing his potentially extensive idea into a finite one that revolves around this concrete prison cube. Yet, most tantalising of all is the inclination that the prisoners may have a supernatural ability and how this could influence society. It is a thrilling alternative world nonetheless and one that will thrive upon a greater sense of context, defter characterisation and an understanding of where these abilities may lead.
Nowhere is a politically ingrained tale with great potential. The sinister alternative spectacle of Britain, a country powered through conspiracy and underground technologies, is beautifully dark and futuristically mystic. Robinson’s removal of certainty is where the piece excels: where black and white alliances cannot be seen and there is commitment to the ambiguity and curiosity. It is an imaginative dystopian action-adventure which prevails against the domineering weight of government authorities, promoting change, radicalism and liberty in a world that has forgotten what it is to be free. With mention of psychological powers, hints of subliminal messaging, propaganda and brainwashing, the author extends fear into our reality. If these invisible conspiracies exist in fiction, then surely there is the possibility that such entities govern our own socio-political functions? Nowhere degrades individualism and probes whether the liberty of our own society is, in fact, a sly facade. Are we, the people, mere puppets hanging on a string?
November 29, 2020
~♤RESEÑA♤~
~♤Sinopsis♤~
En medio de un bosque denso, se esconde SIN LUGAR, una prisión apartada donde han encerrado a cien adolescentes de todo el país.
Todos ellos son criminales, aunque ninguno recuerda haber cometido ningún delito. Alyn, Jes, Ryan y Elsa no tienen contacto alguno con el mundo exterior y saben que nadie vendrá a por ellos. Ni sus familias, ni la policía. Nadie.
¿Quién los ha escondido allí? ¿Qué pretenden sus captores? ¿Por qué han sido ellos los elegidos? Necesitan respuestas... y todas las respuestas se encuentran ahí fuera.
~♤Opinión ♤~
La premisa me dejo con las espectativas por las nubes y creo que nunca tendré suficiente por más que salgan 28 libros.
Desde la desesperanza de los adolescentes hasta la crueldad con la que, los guardias, los torturan, todo por "un bien mayor".
La corrupción del gobierno, las desapariciones y las personas más ricas del mundo financiado la cárcel que hace perder la cabeza de sus prisioneros.
Yo lo compro, dame más, necesito más.
Sin lugar planteó las bases, como empieza toda esta maraña de mentiras, donde son pocos en los que se puede contar. Me dejó preguntas, demasiadas preguntas y una gran desesperación por comenzar el siguiente libro "Sin Rumbo".
Recomendadisimo 5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆
~♤Sinopsis♤~
En medio de un bosque denso, se esconde SIN LUGAR, una prisión apartada donde han encerrado a cien adolescentes de todo el país.
Todos ellos son criminales, aunque ninguno recuerda haber cometido ningún delito. Alyn, Jes, Ryan y Elsa no tienen contacto alguno con el mundo exterior y saben que nadie vendrá a por ellos. Ni sus familias, ni la policía. Nadie.
¿Quién los ha escondido allí? ¿Qué pretenden sus captores? ¿Por qué han sido ellos los elegidos? Necesitan respuestas... y todas las respuestas se encuentran ahí fuera.
~♤Opinión ♤~
La premisa me dejo con las espectativas por las nubes y creo que nunca tendré suficiente por más que salgan 28 libros.
Desde la desesperanza de los adolescentes hasta la crueldad con la que, los guardias, los torturan, todo por "un bien mayor".
La corrupción del gobierno, las desapariciones y las personas más ricas del mundo financiado la cárcel que hace perder la cabeza de sus prisioneros.
Yo lo compro, dame más, necesito más.
Sin lugar planteó las bases, como empieza toda esta maraña de mentiras, donde son pocos en los que se puede contar. Me dejó preguntas, demasiadas preguntas y una gran desesperación por comenzar el siguiente libro "Sin Rumbo".
Recomendadisimo 5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆
November 18, 2019
Este libro llego a mi por pura casualidad, es realmente raro encontrar libros de la editorial RBA y lo encontré e muy buen precio. En si el resumen del libro no te da mucha información lo que ayuda con el misterio de la historia.
Una prisión alejada de la humanidad en la cual una centena de jóvenes se encuentran prisioneros sin saber el motivo por el cual se encuentran ahí, solo saben lo que sus carceleros les dicen pero cierto grupo de ellos saben que son inocentes y aún no se han rendido a las manipulaciones de sus captores.
En este libro que es más bien introductorio conocemos a los protagonistas y un poco de su pasado, así mismo se deja entrever un poco del motivo por el cual están prisioneros.
El final me dejo con ganas de más, lograran el pequeño grupo escapar? Regresarán a su hogar? Los organizadores de este plan que motivo tienen? Y pagaran su maldad?
Una prisión alejada de la humanidad en la cual una centena de jóvenes se encuentran prisioneros sin saber el motivo por el cual se encuentran ahí, solo saben lo que sus carceleros les dicen pero cierto grupo de ellos saben que son inocentes y aún no se han rendido a las manipulaciones de sus captores.
En este libro que es más bien introductorio conocemos a los protagonistas y un poco de su pasado, así mismo se deja entrever un poco del motivo por el cual están prisioneros.
El final me dejo con ganas de más, lograran el pequeño grupo escapar? Regresarán a su hogar? Los organizadores de este plan que motivo tienen? Y pagaran su maldad?
October 14, 2017
this book felt like it was an idea that the author showed around people thought it was a good idea so he released it without touching anything up or really writing anything
and im not just referring to the loopholes but to the lack of character development i guess character identification suites better for what im trying to say i cant tell you how any of the characters look or think besides for the fact that they want their freedom and who likes who which was told not felt
all in all it was a good idea without the right author to fully develop it
and im not just referring to the loopholes but to the lack of character development i guess character identification suites better for what im trying to say i cant tell you how any of the characters look or think besides for the fact that they want their freedom and who likes who which was told not felt
all in all it was a good idea without the right author to fully develop it
July 16, 2019
Love this series soooo much!🤩🤩🤩
I love when I find a really good book series but also, honestly, kind of hate it because when I get to the end and I can see that this is it, the last page, the last paragraph, I just want to wave my hand and magic another page out of nowhere and then another and another. I love the way Jon Robinson introduces the characters in this, the first book of the series. I love the suspense at the end of nowhere and at the end of anywhere and how, though it also annoys the hell out of me sometimes, somewhere also ends in suspense.
I love when I find a really good book series but also, honestly, kind of hate it because when I get to the end and I can see that this is it, the last page, the last paragraph, I just want to wave my hand and magic another page out of nowhere and then another and another. I love the way Jon Robinson introduces the characters in this, the first book of the series. I love the suspense at the end of nowhere and at the end of anywhere and how, though it also annoys the hell out of me sometimes, somewhere also ends in suspense.
December 25, 2017
Children are kidnapped off the streets and put into a remote facility telling them they are offenders of crimes not actually committed. The sinister reason behind it is their ability to influence events through unconsciously manipulating probability. Some of the kids will not take it lying down.
Descriptions are few if any, character development is simply missing. Other than that the story may appeal to non-discriminating fans of Maze Runner or Hunger Games.
Descriptions are few if any, character development is simply missing. Other than that the story may appeal to non-discriminating fans of Maze Runner or Hunger Games.
June 20, 2018
I gave this book 3 1/2 stars. It's a good book. It reminded me a bit of The Maze Runner at times and I actually picked it up to see how much alike it would be. The plot is really very similar as well as some details. Having read The Maze Runner and knowing how much I love it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Nowhere managed to keep me reading, though it seemed a little boring at first compared to TMR.
February 4, 2021
3.3
La trama está bien, hay algunas cosas que no se explican tan bien que parece que los personajes son elegidos por algo que TIENEN que los demás NO, pero todo ese asunto siempre queda en la nada. Los personajes están bien, se lee rápido, la segunda mitad del libro se pone más interesante. Tal vez las idas y vueltas en el tiempo no me gustaron tanto, pero es un buen libro para empezar. Le voy a dar una oportunidad a los otros, pero la trama no algo que ya no se haya escrito.
La trama está bien, hay algunas cosas que no se explican tan bien que parece que los personajes son elegidos por algo que TIENEN que los demás NO, pero todo ese asunto siempre queda en la nada. Los personajes están bien, se lee rápido, la segunda mitad del libro se pone más interesante. Tal vez las idas y vueltas en el tiempo no me gustaron tanto, pero es un buen libro para empezar. Le voy a dar una oportunidad a los otros, pero la trama no algo que ya no se haya escrito.
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