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Foreverland #2
Foreverland is Dead
Six teenage girls wake with no memories. One of them is in a brick mansion, her blonde hair as shiny as her shoes. The others are in a cabin, their names tagged to the inside of their pants. Their heads, shaved. Slashes mark the cabin wall like someone has been counting.
Hundreds of them.
There’s wilderness all around and one dead adult. The girls discover her body rotting somewhere in the trees. As the weeks pass, they band together to survive the cold, wondering where they are and how they got there. And why.
When an old man arrives with a teenage boy, the girls learn of a faraway island called Foreverland where dreams come true and anything is possible. But Foreverland is dead. In order to escape the wilderness, they’ll have to understand where they are.
More importantly, who they are.
Hundreds of them.
There’s wilderness all around and one dead adult. The girls discover her body rotting somewhere in the trees. As the weeks pass, they band together to survive the cold, wondering where they are and how they got there. And why.
When an old man arrives with a teenage boy, the girls learn of a faraway island called Foreverland where dreams come true and anything is possible. But Foreverland is dead. In order to escape the wilderness, they’ll have to understand where they are.
More importantly, who they are.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
32 people are currently reading
528 people want to read
About the author
Tony Bertauski
75 books767 followersGet my books FREE. Tell me where to send them at http://bertauski.com
He grew up in the Midwest where the land is flat and the corn is tall. The winters are bleak and cold. He hated winters.
He always wanted to write. But writing was hard. And he wasn’t very disciplined. The cold had nothing to do with that, but it didn’t help. That changed in grad school.
After several attempts at a proposal, his major advisor was losing money on red ink and advised him to figure it out. Somehow, he did.
After grad school, he and his wife and two very little children moved to the South in Charleston, South Carolina where the winters are spring and the summers are a sauna (cliche but dead on accurate). That’s when he started teaching and writing articles for trade magazines. He eventually published two textbooks on landscape design. He then transitioned to writing a column for the Post and Courier. They were all great gigs, but they weren’t fiction.
That was a few years later.
His daughter started reading before she could read, pretending she knew the words in books she propped on her lap. His son was a different story. In an attempt to change that, he began writing a story with him. They made up a character, gave him a name, and something to do. As with much of parenting, it did not go as planned. But the character got stuck in his head.
He wanted out.
A few years later, Socket Greeny was born. It was a science fiction trilogy that was gritty and thoughtful. That was 2005.
He has been practicing Zen since he was 23 years old. A daily meditator, he wants to instill something meaningful in his stories that appeals to a young adult crowd as well as adult. Think Hunger Games. He hadn’t planned to write fiction, didn’t even know if he had anymore stories in him after Socket Greeny.
Turns out he did.
He grew up in the Midwest where the land is flat and the corn is tall. The winters are bleak and cold. He hated winters.
He always wanted to write. But writing was hard. And he wasn’t very disciplined. The cold had nothing to do with that, but it didn’t help. That changed in grad school.
After several attempts at a proposal, his major advisor was losing money on red ink and advised him to figure it out. Somehow, he did.
After grad school, he and his wife and two very little children moved to the South in Charleston, South Carolina where the winters are spring and the summers are a sauna (cliche but dead on accurate). That’s when he started teaching and writing articles for trade magazines. He eventually published two textbooks on landscape design. He then transitioned to writing a column for the Post and Courier. They were all great gigs, but they weren’t fiction.
That was a few years later.
His daughter started reading before she could read, pretending she knew the words in books she propped on her lap. His son was a different story. In an attempt to change that, he began writing a story with him. They made up a character, gave him a name, and something to do. As with much of parenting, it did not go as planned. But the character got stuck in his head.
He wanted out.
A few years later, Socket Greeny was born. It was a science fiction trilogy that was gritty and thoughtful. That was 2005.
He has been practicing Zen since he was 23 years old. A daily meditator, he wants to instill something meaningful in his stories that appeals to a young adult crowd as well as adult. Think Hunger Games. He hadn’t planned to write fiction, didn’t even know if he had anymore stories in him after Socket Greeny.
Turns out he did.
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July 1, 2013
Seriously - any author who can write this well and incorporate so much mystery and suspense into a novel definitely has talent.
So...
Did this book have a really fluent writing style?: YES
Did this book creep me out?: YES
Did this book have a lot of twists/turns and enlightening moments?: YES
And did I love it so much that I didn't want to stop reading it?
.....................
Review:
Foreverland is Dead does in a few ways flow on from the previous book The Annihilation of Foreverland, however the smart thing the author has done here is make it so that it could be read as a stand-alone. That being said, it was still very interesting to see what had become of some of the characters from book 1 and the world these six girls were living in. As with the first book, this plot has much more to it than initially meets the eye. In the beginning, we are introduced to these girls who have mysteriously woken up in a place where there is only a dinner-house, bunk-house and a mysteriously normal-looking brick house across the green. This barren new area becomes even more sinister when the girls find that their neck trackers do not allow them to venture past certain invisible 'fences' - one of which surrounds this proper house. It seems the only one not affected by this is Miranda, who seems different from the others .
One of the big things I liked about this novel was the fact that the novel went beyond this bleak setting where the girls were living as the story progressed. Although it could have ended in a more simplistic manner,the author went one step further and broadened the scope for the whole plot - which was definitely a smart move. Another thing that caught my attention was that the whole novel was extremely engaging, and as a reader I was never bored. There was always another mystery to solve around the corner or new characters introduced, or another aspect of this world discovered. Each character was well developed and thought out, with their own unique personalities and troubled pasts.
*THE ENDING*
Oddly enough, I still haven't quite figured out the last few lines of this novel, and I will continue to ponder what it really means until I figure it out. For now, all I will say is that it does leave room for the imagination. Apart from that, I was relieved to find for the rest of the book that things do indeed make sense and come together, which will be cause many lightbulb and jaw-dropping moments.
Conclusion
This is now one of my favourite novels, as it offers a unique and eerie insight into the human experience. Where the lines between dreams and reality are struggling to come into focus, Foreverland is Dead stands out as a novel that bridges the gap and will keep you thinking long after you turn the last page.
.....................
I was given a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect how I feel about the book.
So...
Did this book have a really fluent writing style?: YES
Did this book creep me out?: YES
Did this book have a lot of twists/turns and enlightening moments?: YES
And did I love it so much that I didn't want to stop reading it?
.....................
Review:
That's the point. They made it miserable to be here, which made Foreverland even more inviting. You never want to come back once you get a taste.
Desire. Best drug there is.
Foreverland is Dead does in a few ways flow on from the previous book The Annihilation of Foreverland, however the smart thing the author has done here is make it so that it could be read as a stand-alone. That being said, it was still very interesting to see what had become of some of the characters from book 1 and the world these six girls were living in. As with the first book, this plot has much more to it than initially meets the eye. In the beginning, we are introduced to these girls who have mysteriously woken up in a place where there is only a dinner-house, bunk-house and a mysteriously normal-looking brick house across the green. This barren new area becomes even more sinister when the girls find that their neck trackers do not allow them to venture past certain invisible 'fences' - one of which surrounds this proper house. It seems the only one not affected by this is Miranda, who seems different from the others .
Is that what defines reality? Is the human experience in the physical world the gold standard for truth? Do our five senses separate enlightenment from illusion?
One of the big things I liked about this novel was the fact that the novel went beyond this bleak setting where the girls were living as the story progressed. Although it could have ended in a more simplistic manner,the author went one step further and broadened the scope for the whole plot - which was definitely a smart move. Another thing that caught my attention was that the whole novel was extremely engaging, and as a reader I was never bored. There was always another mystery to solve around the corner or new characters introduced, or another aspect of this world discovered. Each character was well developed and thought out, with their own unique personalities and troubled pasts.
*THE ENDING*
Oddly enough, I still haven't quite figured out the last few lines of this novel, and I will continue to ponder what it really means until I figure it out. For now, all I will say is that it does leave room for the imagination. Apart from that, I was relieved to find for the rest of the book that things do indeed make sense and come together, which will be cause many lightbulb and jaw-dropping moments.
Conclusion
This is now one of my favourite novels, as it offers a unique and eerie insight into the human experience. Where the lines between dreams and reality are struggling to come into focus, Foreverland is Dead stands out as a novel that bridges the gap and will keep you thinking long after you turn the last page.
.....................
I was given a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect how I feel about the book.
May 28, 2014
Received a digital copy in exchange of an honest review.
This book is definitely one of my favorites from this year and one of the most shocking from my past reads. The writing style was a bit annoying at first because it started with a bunch of short sentences but as I kept reading it I completely forget about my problems.
The Story-line:
The story is about six girls who wake up with absolutely no memoires in an abandoned place. They have no idea how they got there or where they are. One of the girls woke up in a brick house and can easily go in there while the other faint if they try to cross the fence leading to the house. They have to learn how to trust in each other because if they don't work together they will never defeat the obstacles they'll have to face.
It starts a little bit boring because there wasn't a lot of information, the girls had no idea of their surroundings nor of their identities but after a time conflicts rose and strange, sometimes even creepy things were discovered.
I loved how there was a strong relationship between most of the girls by the end, even if they had to do a lot of unpleasant things they still managed to grow close to each other. What I didn't like was how little I know about Mad, Jen and Kat, they seem like one person if I look back because they were too similar.
This story sucked me in completely, it was so unusual and extraordinary that I won't even mention the few resemblance I found between this book and other dystopians I've read.
"Memories don’t make you who you are."
A lot of questions arose throughout the novel, one of them was if it's worth to know about your pasts if it was a living hell. Another important question was who are you without those memories? Would you be an entirely different person if you'd had them?
The author didn't leave unanswered questions, he commenced into a lot of mysteries but in the end everything fitted together. Though I hope there will be a sequel because the ending was nerve wrecking.
The Characters:
I liked most of them well enough but as I said before some weren't put together and they kind of ruined a part of the story but other than that I can't say bad things about them either.
Cyn: She was a strong and independent heroine who knew enough not to waste their food and wasn't afraid to stop the mean bully Roc from taking away more of their things. She became this strong after she got back her memories but it was in her all this time and she was one who had to lead the others.
Miranda: At first she was more sympathetic than Cyn but as Cyn changed for the better she became very self-esteemed and whiny, she never did anything but complain even if she had a far more better situation than the other girls. She quickly jumped on conclusion which wasn't a good thing and she didn't ask just assumed.
Mr. Williams: He was by far the most unlikable character in this novel. He was a self-orientated bastard who never cared about others but himself.
Sid: He's the one I feel the most sorry for, if you think about it everyone could make their own choices but him, he was nowhere as evil as Mr. Williams, he was the marionette of him and he suffered because of him.
Favorite character: Cyn
Least favorite: Miranda
I'd recommend this to those who like thrillers which won't stop shocking you even in the very end.
The story idea: 4/5
The realization of the story: 4/5
The characters: 3/5
The cover: 4/5
All in all: 4/5
This book is definitely one of my favorites from this year and one of the most shocking from my past reads. The writing style was a bit annoying at first because it started with a bunch of short sentences but as I kept reading it I completely forget about my problems.
The Story-line:
The story is about six girls who wake up with absolutely no memoires in an abandoned place. They have no idea how they got there or where they are. One of the girls woke up in a brick house and can easily go in there while the other faint if they try to cross the fence leading to the house. They have to learn how to trust in each other because if they don't work together they will never defeat the obstacles they'll have to face.
It starts a little bit boring because there wasn't a lot of information, the girls had no idea of their surroundings nor of their identities but after a time conflicts rose and strange, sometimes even creepy things were discovered.
I loved how there was a strong relationship between most of the girls by the end, even if they had to do a lot of unpleasant things they still managed to grow close to each other. What I didn't like was how little I know about Mad, Jen and Kat, they seem like one person if I look back because they were too similar.
This story sucked me in completely, it was so unusual and extraordinary that I won't even mention the few resemblance I found between this book and other dystopians I've read.
"Memories don’t make you who you are."
A lot of questions arose throughout the novel, one of them was if it's worth to know about your pasts if it was a living hell. Another important question was who are you without those memories? Would you be an entirely different person if you'd had them?
The author didn't leave unanswered questions, he commenced into a lot of mysteries but in the end everything fitted together. Though I hope there will be a sequel because the ending was nerve wrecking.
The Characters:
I liked most of them well enough but as I said before some weren't put together and they kind of ruined a part of the story but other than that I can't say bad things about them either.
Cyn: She was a strong and independent heroine who knew enough not to waste their food and wasn't afraid to stop the mean bully Roc from taking away more of their things. She became this strong after she got back her memories but it was in her all this time and she was one who had to lead the others.
Miranda: At first she was more sympathetic than Cyn but as Cyn changed for the better she became very self-esteemed and whiny, she never did anything but complain even if she had a far more better situation than the other girls. She quickly jumped on conclusion which wasn't a good thing and she didn't ask just assumed.
Mr. Williams: He was by far the most unlikable character in this novel. He was a self-orientated bastard who never cared about others but himself.
Sid: He's the one I feel the most sorry for, if you think about it everyone could make their own choices but him, he was nowhere as evil as Mr. Williams, he was the marionette of him and he suffered because of him.
Favorite character: Cyn
Least favorite: Miranda
I'd recommend this to those who like thrillers which won't stop shocking you even in the very end.
The story idea: 4/5
The realization of the story: 4/5
The characters: 3/5
The cover: 4/5
All in all: 4/5
September 13, 2013
Girls, waking up not knowing who they are, having no past. Learning early that they have been implanted with a device that knocks them unconscious if they wander to far from the hut. Fighting for clothes, and food with the heavy feeling of a never ending struggle to survive. But Miranda is different, she explores the high tech, well stocked house. But without knowing how long they are stuck here, can she risk sharing and how much?
Foreverland is Dead takes a darker turn pretty fast. The stink of rotting flesh and struggling just to live through the day. Its pretty obvious from the beginning there is a leader, calling all the shots. She is not about to let anybody show her up, and she'll fight to maintain her power over the other girls.
First in the series The Annihilation of Foreverland we saw a group of boys struggling with their lives, but now it's the girls turn. Each book can be read as a stand alone or any order. They are dark, with twists you won't see coming and engaging characters you want to see win in the end.
The story is very powerful and suspenseful. At times keeping the reader on the edge of their seat to see if the girls will make it out of danger, alive. It's dark and incredibly imaginative, violent and creepy. PG-16
July 22, 2016
This was absolutely fantastic! At first, I wasn't feeling the vibe as much as book one in the series, but I was still liking it and then it hit a point of no return for me. And the ending! OMG, the ending! Wonderful dystopia. This book takes place immediately after book one but it switches to the girls' story which is very different and has completely different characters. So it does take a bit to find the groove but it's set in the same "universe" so there is that familiarity. It is really very good. I have bought the final book, plus the freebie prequel) and can't wait to continue reading!!
June 20, 2013
I want to get something off my chest first, Tony generously allowed me to read this for free to review. In an effort to seem unbiased and fair, I generally try to point out a positive and a negative about the work so that I don't seem pandering.
I've even held back stars because of it. But no longer. Tony's work just wont let me do it anymore.
I deeply enjoyed The Annihilation of Foreverland and was anticipating this release. I was worried, given the big reveal in AoF, that I might enjoy this installment less. I was gladly proven oh so very wrong.
Tony has remarked multiple times that it is not necessary to have read Annihilation to read Foreverland is Dead, and that is entirely 100% true. But you know what, you should. Not only because Tony did a great job with it, but because it gives it that extra layer of gravity on top of some already engrossing situations.
To the legit review part:
FiD starts with 6 girls waking up in a dingy cabin and a brick house only one of them has access to. They have no memories, no names until they read labels in their jeans, and no clue where they are or why. Some possess useful everyday life skills that aid in prolonging their survival, but they have no clue where they learned them.
Each girl is to contribute to the group to try to survive the winter, but in typical human fashion, someone never seems to pull their weight. And one girl is different from the rest, but no one knows why.
The conflict gets borderline Lord of the Flies on more than one occasion, and Tony beautifully portrays a group in flux, united, annoyed at each other, united, don't make me kill you, united, etc.
The girls deal with increasingly harsher weather conditions, intra-group turmoil, and the looming mystery of where they are and why they are there. A stranger claims to have the answers, but the girls aren't sure they want them.
While the story is told predominantly from the perspective of two girls. Not only does this show the great diversity in how people perceive and develop different opinions about the same thing, it provides the reader the chance to get at the full mystery of the tiny settlement in the woods.
I want to remain spoiler free, so I'll leave out remarking on some of my favorite bits, suffice to say, the girls are dealing with the direct aftermath of the annihilation of Foreverland.
And those last few lines...holy crap. Holy crap. Holy Crap.
I've even held back stars because of it. But no longer. Tony's work just wont let me do it anymore.
I deeply enjoyed The Annihilation of Foreverland and was anticipating this release. I was worried, given the big reveal in AoF, that I might enjoy this installment less. I was gladly proven oh so very wrong.
Tony has remarked multiple times that it is not necessary to have read Annihilation to read Foreverland is Dead, and that is entirely 100% true. But you know what, you should. Not only because Tony did a great job with it, but because it gives it that extra layer of gravity on top of some already engrossing situations.
To the legit review part:
FiD starts with 6 girls waking up in a dingy cabin and a brick house only one of them has access to. They have no memories, no names until they read labels in their jeans, and no clue where they are or why. Some possess useful everyday life skills that aid in prolonging their survival, but they have no clue where they learned them.
Each girl is to contribute to the group to try to survive the winter, but in typical human fashion, someone never seems to pull their weight. And one girl is different from the rest, but no one knows why.
The conflict gets borderline Lord of the Flies on more than one occasion, and Tony beautifully portrays a group in flux, united, annoyed at each other, united, don't make me kill you, united, etc.
The girls deal with increasingly harsher weather conditions, intra-group turmoil, and the looming mystery of where they are and why they are there. A stranger claims to have the answers, but the girls aren't sure they want them.
While the story is told predominantly from the perspective of two girls. Not only does this show the great diversity in how people perceive and develop different opinions about the same thing, it provides the reader the chance to get at the full mystery of the tiny settlement in the woods.
I want to remain spoiler free, so I'll leave out remarking on some of my favorite bits, suffice to say, the girls are dealing with the direct aftermath of the annihilation of Foreverland.
And those last few lines...holy crap. Holy crap. Holy Crap.
February 8, 2014
A girl wakes up, remembering nothing, in a room with slashes on the wall, as if she’s been counting days. She walks toward a brick house and collapses unconscious. Other girls help her, and there’s a Lord of the Flies feel to these castaway lives; no one really sure of who she is, all seeking their own input to who they will turn out to be. Of course, who you are is always a balance between who you were and where you’re going, and this fast-paced novel explores the concept powerfully and mysteriously.
Mysteries abound as food disappears from the kitchen, a dead body lies on the path, and one shy little girl seems to have powers beyond everyone else's. Meanwhile danger rears its head in the choice between starvation and escape. And always those hauntingly missing memories threaten from the gray.
Foreverland is Dead is a sequel to Tony Bertauski’s the Annihiliation of Foreverland, but it stands alone as a powerfully evocative and disconcerting tale. The teen girl voices are convincing and compelling. And the mystery enthralls. The story draws readers in on its own, with no need for preconceptions, and I truly couldn't stop reading; I wanted to know what would happen here and now; I wanted to know why these girls were trapped (and remembered vaguely, there were boys in Annihilation). And I wanted, like the characters, to know which things were real and which were dream—and who could be trusted.
The solution is scary, dark, and pleasingly self-contained by the end of the tale, despite a final line that begs for more. Personally, I hope there will be more—this series has all the classic elements of reality vs imagination, self vs image, the value of life, and fast, intriguing storylines. And these books are really good reads for teens young and old.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I’m offering my honest review. I honestly loved it.
Mysteries abound as food disappears from the kitchen, a dead body lies on the path, and one shy little girl seems to have powers beyond everyone else's. Meanwhile danger rears its head in the choice between starvation and escape. And always those hauntingly missing memories threaten from the gray.
Foreverland is Dead is a sequel to Tony Bertauski’s the Annihiliation of Foreverland, but it stands alone as a powerfully evocative and disconcerting tale. The teen girl voices are convincing and compelling. And the mystery enthralls. The story draws readers in on its own, with no need for preconceptions, and I truly couldn't stop reading; I wanted to know what would happen here and now; I wanted to know why these girls were trapped (and remembered vaguely, there were boys in Annihilation). And I wanted, like the characters, to know which things were real and which were dream—and who could be trusted.
The solution is scary, dark, and pleasingly self-contained by the end of the tale, despite a final line that begs for more. Personally, I hope there will be more—this series has all the classic elements of reality vs imagination, self vs image, the value of life, and fast, intriguing storylines. And these books are really good reads for teens young and old.
Disclosure: I was given a free ecopy and I’m offering my honest review. I honestly loved it.
June 28, 2013
Six girls awaken in a dead, cold world. Only one knows her name: Miranda. The rest have shaved heads and find names in their clothes - Cyn, Mad, Kat, Roc, Jen. Only Miranda can pass the fence that activates a probe in their heads, something like an electric fence. Together they try to figure out how they have arrived here, but none trust the others, and Cyn and Roc get violent. As events get out of control, Miranda escapes to the brick house. Then two strangers arrive, with a crazy explanation for this world.
The premise for this novel drew me in immediately. I love stories involving group dynamics, and the interactions between Miranda, Roc, and Cyn took center stage. The short chapters and tight writing kept up the tension as I raced to discover the mystery of this world. Even after Mr. Williams and Sid showed up, it was all very mysterious with dead bodies in the woods and occasional memories coming back. Every time I thought I was going to get answers, I found another mystery. I only discovered partway through the book that there was a prequel (The Annihilation of Foreverland), and though I wished I had read this first, I liked that I had to try to figure things out just like the girls did. The preview of The Annihilation of Foreverland at the end certainly made me want to read it just to figure it all out!
This was a gritty dystopian story about a dreamland meant to be a haven that ends up being a prison for these unsuspecting girls.
The premise for this novel drew me in immediately. I love stories involving group dynamics, and the interactions between Miranda, Roc, and Cyn took center stage. The short chapters and tight writing kept up the tension as I raced to discover the mystery of this world. Even after Mr. Williams and Sid showed up, it was all very mysterious with dead bodies in the woods and occasional memories coming back. Every time I thought I was going to get answers, I found another mystery. I only discovered partway through the book that there was a prequel (The Annihilation of Foreverland), and though I wished I had read this first, I liked that I had to try to figure things out just like the girls did. The preview of The Annihilation of Foreverland at the end certainly made me want to read it just to figure it all out!
This was a gritty dystopian story about a dreamland meant to be a haven that ends up being a prison for these unsuspecting girls.
September 24, 2014
The sequel to what the boys called Foreverland. Where they felt like their dreams came true. But when the girls wake, they are fighting for survival in the dead lands of Foreverland.
The six teenage girls find they all have different traits to work together to what they hope for a way out of this horrible pain.
a dream world where a fight to the end to awake in reality or is it? I am a fan of Tony's work reading the first of the trilogy of "Foreverland" and "Claus The Legend of the Fat Man"
If you like the Matrix then you will love what Tony does with the concept of being plugged into an alternate world. Recommend Reading!!
The six teenage girls find they all have different traits to work together to what they hope for a way out of this horrible pain.
a dream world where a fight to the end to awake in reality or is it? I am a fan of Tony's work reading the first of the trilogy of "Foreverland" and "Claus The Legend of the Fat Man"
If you like the Matrix then you will love what Tony does with the concept of being plugged into an alternate world. Recommend Reading!!
May 12, 2014
* I was given this book by the author in exchange for an review*
I have to say when I read the preview of this book I was wondering if I would like this book. Now I know I like this book. The theory of reality being " like an onion" with many layers is intriguing. The main character , Cyn, is a strong woman for her past. Everyone waking up in a cabin with no memory of the past or their own name is a scary thought. To have a government agency helping you find reality is even more of a scary. I recommend this book. It was a 5*.
I have to say when I read the preview of this book I was wondering if I would like this book. Now I know I like this book. The theory of reality being " like an onion" with many layers is intriguing. The main character , Cyn, is a strong woman for her past. Everyone waking up in a cabin with no memory of the past or their own name is a scary thought. To have a government agency helping you find reality is even more of a scary. I recommend this book. It was a 5*.
August 26, 2013
I don't know what to talk about first. My head is still spinning from this novel and not exactly in a good way. My first thoughts ... sigh. Okay. When I first read the blurb on Foreverland is Dead, I was really excited. This sounded like a dystopian novel ... I LOVE dystopian novels lately. And this one sounded like it had some crazy twists ... I do love twists!
Then I started reading. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm expecting too much with books today. Maybe that's what it is, my expectations are too high. I want to pick up a book and be transported. I want to go to another time or place and be swept up in what is going on in these pages. I don't want to think, I want to be overwhelmed. I want to feel something towards these characters ... I want to hate, love, dislike, despise, adore ... I don't care what emotion, really. I just want the characters to come alive.
At the end of the book, there is a MAJOR twist. And if I'm being completely honest, this twist was totally lost on me because I couldn't remember exactly who a certain character was. Really?!? I wanted to throw a massive temper tantrum and go kick someone in shin. I felt like I was let down. Granted, that may be my own fault. Maybe I didn't pay attention. Maybe it was the beginning of the book that lost me.
At the beginning, I was a little thrown off by the haltingly way that the book was written. It felt like the author was trying to use the least amount of words possible for each sentence. The sentences were cut off, not in a way that left a fragmented sentence, but in a way that I felt I was only getting part of the information. The book read like it wanted to be more ... does that even make sense?!? I have another one of my crazy analogies for you ... the book is like a balloon that was only blown up half-way. The balloon wants to be huge! It has so much potential! When it's only blown up half-way it's a waste.
The short, weird sentences never completely went away. It was hard to get the feeling of the story ... feel what the characters were going through or get a full sense of what was going on around them. Eventually the sentences lengthened but by that time, I had lost a bit of interest. I don't want to work that hard to figure out who characters are and what they are about.
The story wasn't bad. It was actually really good and that is the only reason that this book received 2 stars from me. I wanted to know what was going to happen. I needed to know what was going to happen. And let me tell you, that's a really weird feeling when you only know about half of the characters. I wanted to know but then I would have to go back to the beginning of the book to figure out who it was happening to.
Once again, I'm in the minority with this review score. A lot of people really liked it. You should give it a shot. If nothing else, you'll read a really great story concept.
** http://littlemissbookmark.blogspot.com/ **
Then I started reading. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm expecting too much with books today. Maybe that's what it is, my expectations are too high. I want to pick up a book and be transported. I want to go to another time or place and be swept up in what is going on in these pages. I don't want to think, I want to be overwhelmed. I want to feel something towards these characters ... I want to hate, love, dislike, despise, adore ... I don't care what emotion, really. I just want the characters to come alive.
At the end of the book, there is a MAJOR twist. And if I'm being completely honest, this twist was totally lost on me because I couldn't remember exactly who a certain character was. Really?!? I wanted to throw a massive temper tantrum and go kick someone in shin. I felt like I was let down. Granted, that may be my own fault. Maybe I didn't pay attention. Maybe it was the beginning of the book that lost me.
At the beginning, I was a little thrown off by the haltingly way that the book was written. It felt like the author was trying to use the least amount of words possible for each sentence. The sentences were cut off, not in a way that left a fragmented sentence, but in a way that I felt I was only getting part of the information. The book read like it wanted to be more ... does that even make sense?!? I have another one of my crazy analogies for you ... the book is like a balloon that was only blown up half-way. The balloon wants to be huge! It has so much potential! When it's only blown up half-way it's a waste.
The short, weird sentences never completely went away. It was hard to get the feeling of the story ... feel what the characters were going through or get a full sense of what was going on around them. Eventually the sentences lengthened but by that time, I had lost a bit of interest. I don't want to work that hard to figure out who characters are and what they are about.
The story wasn't bad. It was actually really good and that is the only reason that this book received 2 stars from me. I wanted to know what was going to happen. I needed to know what was going to happen. And let me tell you, that's a really weird feeling when you only know about half of the characters. I wanted to know but then I would have to go back to the beginning of the book to figure out who it was happening to.
Once again, I'm in the minority with this review score. A lot of people really liked it. You should give it a shot. If nothing else, you'll read a really great story concept.
** http://littlemissbookmark.blogspot.com/ **
July 24, 2014
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
After reading Foreverland is Dead, I came to realize a few things about this Foreverland series. The first is that I really underrated the first book in the series, The Annihilation of Foreverland. The second is that I really, really, enjoyed the stories and they stayed with me for quite awhile after I finished the book. As such, I've gone back and upgraded my review of the first book and I give this book a solid 4 star review as well.
Plot: The boys were freed in the first book but what about the girls that appeared on the island? For them, it wasn't quite as simple and now six girls are trapped in a rugged mountain area, struggling to survive as cold sets in and their supplies dwindle. Even worse, they have no memories of who they are, scratches on the wall seem to indicate they have been there a long time, and they must deal with their personality conflicts that could tear them apart. Then an old man, Mr. Williams, and a catatonic boy, Sid, appear. Are those two the key to getting out of their prison or will they be the end of all the girls?
A sign of a good book is when I can't put it down - even to go to sleep in the early hours of the night. This was one of those books. Bertauski's stories draw you in quietly, without you realizing it, and then you are hooked and want to see the end to conclusion. He packs in plenty of mystery in the plot but it really is the characters that keep you reading. The style isn't flashy; rather, straightforward and to the point. It does read a bit YA due to giving away plot points quite easily and early. But somehow that also make it a more interesting read when he gives just enough doubt to the plot points.
Those who have read book one don't need to worry about this being a retread of the first book. Although key attributes are there (one bully kid, sacrifice, torment and trauma, one kid centered on reality and logic), the villain is at least not over the top this time and the circumstances of the girls are very different. There is a clever tie in to book one and, of course, the returning character of Mr. Williams and Sid.
In all, I look forward to more books in the series or the next book the author writes. This series has really surprised me at its depth and how invested I became in each story.
Note: I listened to the Audible version. Although ok, it was a bit flat.
June 24, 2015
(I got this book from the author himself, in exchange for a honest review.)
I read The Annihilation of Foreverland about one year ago; as a result, I was easily interested in knowing what happened next, and getting another side of the story. One of the very good sides of this second book is that you don't have to read the first to understand and be pulled into the plot: since the characters wake up with most of their memories missing, the reader gets to discover everything along with them. On the other hand, if you enjoyed the "first volume", you may find yourself wanting to read it again. At least, I did.
A warning, though: pay attention to details. No, really. Including names, for starters. This book is packed with little things here and there that aren't so noticeable at first, but completely make sense once you reach the end. It's not the kind of story you can afford to keep one eye on while doing something else on the side, because if you do, you'll miss on something important, sooner or later, and find the plot "confusing".
"Foreverland Is Dead" was quite the page-turner for me. Even though I knew the basics from the first part, I still enjoyed re-discovering the setting from the girls' point of view. The relationships between those characters were interesting in more than one way: while apparently simple (the bad girl, the tentative leader, the one who does the cooking...), they actually go deeper than that, and not everything is what it seems. We're taken into the plot mostly through Cyn's and Miranda's eyes, and as secrets unfold, so does the ugliness of human souls, once confronted to a situation threatening to go on for much longer than expected. The girls know they have to stand united in order to survive, yet they're truly, only human, make mistake, and sometimes their darker side gets the best of them... for some more than for others. However, those who manage to overcome said dark side and fac their fears appear the braver for it.
I give FiD 4 to 4.5 stars. The one thing I wasn't too sure about was, in fact, the writing style itself, often consisting of short sentences, which in turn sometimes makes it look jambled in places. Overall, it works for such a story, mirroring the girls' confusion and how the world around them doesn't make much sense; yet it might have the potential to bother readers who favour a more flowery style.
I read The Annihilation of Foreverland about one year ago; as a result, I was easily interested in knowing what happened next, and getting another side of the story. One of the very good sides of this second book is that you don't have to read the first to understand and be pulled into the plot: since the characters wake up with most of their memories missing, the reader gets to discover everything along with them. On the other hand, if you enjoyed the "first volume", you may find yourself wanting to read it again. At least, I did.
A warning, though: pay attention to details. No, really. Including names, for starters. This book is packed with little things here and there that aren't so noticeable at first, but completely make sense once you reach the end. It's not the kind of story you can afford to keep one eye on while doing something else on the side, because if you do, you'll miss on something important, sooner or later, and find the plot "confusing".
"Foreverland Is Dead" was quite the page-turner for me. Even though I knew the basics from the first part, I still enjoyed re-discovering the setting from the girls' point of view. The relationships between those characters were interesting in more than one way: while apparently simple (the bad girl, the tentative leader, the one who does the cooking...), they actually go deeper than that, and not everything is what it seems. We're taken into the plot mostly through Cyn's and Miranda's eyes, and as secrets unfold, so does the ugliness of human souls, once confronted to a situation threatening to go on for much longer than expected. The girls know they have to stand united in order to survive, yet they're truly, only human, make mistake, and sometimes their darker side gets the best of them... for some more than for others. However, those who manage to overcome said dark side and fac their fears appear the braver for it.
I give FiD 4 to 4.5 stars. The one thing I wasn't too sure about was, in fact, the writing style itself, often consisting of short sentences, which in turn sometimes makes it look jambled in places. Overall, it works for such a story, mirroring the girls' confusion and how the world around them doesn't make much sense; yet it might have the potential to bother readers who favour a more flowery style.
August 19, 2013
Foreverland is Dead is the sequel to Annihilation of Foreverland and you don't necessarily need to read it to understand this follow-up. This one actually has me a little torn as I read them with significant time between them, it took me a bit to remember and put pieces together. I think this book could be read either way--I feel the suspension and the mystery would be far more intense if you hadn't read Annihilation of Foreverland, but I also think that what happens at the end of the book is much clearer if you read the first. So with that pseudo disclaimer, onto the rest of the review.
First let me start by saying that everything I've read from this author has been excellent. At this point, if he wrote it, I pretty much recommend it. Annihilation blew me away (you can read my review here) and I was excited to learn about the other half of Foreverland. The pacing is perfect. Despite being 300 pages, I got through it in 5 or so good hours. Bertauski has a tendency to be very straightforward in his writing that makes it for fast reading. He's fantastic at building atmosphere and certainly demonstrated that in Foreverland. His characters are real, you can latch onto them, understand them, relate to them. You care about them and what happens to them.
So, the writing is excellent, great pacing, great atmosphere, great characters. Why the four stars? It sure sounds like a five.
The four is a personal reaction. While I raced through Annihilation, which left me feeling exhilarated and grinning for hours with the rush of a great mystery and an ending of just deserts, I felt more compelled through Foreverland. The overall tones of the two books is very different, and there's a looming sense of desperation and hopelessness almost omnipresent in Foreverland. Even at the end, something told me not all was quite right in the world. And Bertauski reminded me he likes twists with one right at the end of Foreverland that left me feeling strangely brokenhearted. I almost got my happy ending, or at least one that I could live with, and then then twist that sort of twisted my heart. There is a third in the works that I'm sure will answer the twist, but the overall feeling of sadness I was left with just keeps me from 5 on this one. I'm old fashioned and like my happy endings.
Still, the craftsmanship of this book leaves no doubt that it's a highly recommended read and I'm eagerly awaiting #3.
First let me start by saying that everything I've read from this author has been excellent. At this point, if he wrote it, I pretty much recommend it. Annihilation blew me away (you can read my review here) and I was excited to learn about the other half of Foreverland. The pacing is perfect. Despite being 300 pages, I got through it in 5 or so good hours. Bertauski has a tendency to be very straightforward in his writing that makes it for fast reading. He's fantastic at building atmosphere and certainly demonstrated that in Foreverland. His characters are real, you can latch onto them, understand them, relate to them. You care about them and what happens to them.
So, the writing is excellent, great pacing, great atmosphere, great characters. Why the four stars? It sure sounds like a five.
The four is a personal reaction. While I raced through Annihilation, which left me feeling exhilarated and grinning for hours with the rush of a great mystery and an ending of just deserts, I felt more compelled through Foreverland. The overall tones of the two books is very different, and there's a looming sense of desperation and hopelessness almost omnipresent in Foreverland. Even at the end, something told me not all was quite right in the world. And Bertauski reminded me he likes twists with one right at the end of Foreverland that left me feeling strangely brokenhearted. I almost got my happy ending, or at least one that I could live with, and then then twist that sort of twisted my heart. There is a third in the works that I'm sure will answer the twist, but the overall feeling of sadness I was left with just keeps me from 5 on this one. I'm old fashioned and like my happy endings.
Still, the craftsmanship of this book leaves no doubt that it's a highly recommended read and I'm eagerly awaiting #3.
January 3, 2025
Brilliant... simply brilliant. When I started this book, I was coming off the high of the amazing creation that was the first book in this series, The Annihilation of Foreverland. That gem was told from the perspective of boys. Needless to say, it was vastly different from Foreverland is Dead. You start out in the mind of a girl and see things from the girl's side.
Foreverland is Dead starts with the main storyteller, a girl named Cyn. She wakes up in a bunk house with four other girls, all with shaved heads and nothing but a long T-shirt. They find themselves in the wilderness of someplace akin to Montana or Wyoming. None of the girls recollect who they are or even their names, apart from nametags on a box of items below their beds.
Stress and tensions quickly escalate as the girls find themselves resorting to survival mode without any more idea of what is going on than when they first woke up. At least 40% or more of the book has you wondering if it will even be connected with the first book in any way…. That is when the plot thickens. I don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say that this book explores a similar virtual reality realm entirely differently than the first book.
Foreverland is Dead is written by Tony Bertauski, a rapidly expounding author. Tony already has quite a plethora of novels under his belt, and upon finishing this two-book binge of altered reality, I will indeed need to check them out.
The last book was so great that I started this book out, ready to roll right into the same type of action as the last book ended with. Needless to say, I felt kind of slowed down in establishing this new story. I started out enjoying the story but more at a level of 3 stars instead of the 5 stars awarded its predecessor. However, I was still very into the story, and as I got about 40% in, it was a solid 4 stars…. I binge-read to finish the story that quickly sped up and sucked you into the crazy dystopian world of the girls, and the ending was indeed a work of art, firmly establishing its rightful place as a 5-star novel. If you are into character development, virtual reality, tough societal issues, survival issues, and dystopian worlds, this book is definitely for you. I can’t even decide which of these was better as they are so vastly different yet so vastly amazing. Don’t sleep on Tony Bertauski and his Foreverland novels, or you will miss some seriously epic storytelling.
5 Stars!
Foreverland is Dead starts with the main storyteller, a girl named Cyn. She wakes up in a bunk house with four other girls, all with shaved heads and nothing but a long T-shirt. They find themselves in the wilderness of someplace akin to Montana or Wyoming. None of the girls recollect who they are or even their names, apart from nametags on a box of items below their beds.
Stress and tensions quickly escalate as the girls find themselves resorting to survival mode without any more idea of what is going on than when they first woke up. At least 40% or more of the book has you wondering if it will even be connected with the first book in any way…. That is when the plot thickens. I don’t want to give anything away, but suffice it to say that this book explores a similar virtual reality realm entirely differently than the first book.
Foreverland is Dead is written by Tony Bertauski, a rapidly expounding author. Tony already has quite a plethora of novels under his belt, and upon finishing this two-book binge of altered reality, I will indeed need to check them out.
The last book was so great that I started this book out, ready to roll right into the same type of action as the last book ended with. Needless to say, I felt kind of slowed down in establishing this new story. I started out enjoying the story but more at a level of 3 stars instead of the 5 stars awarded its predecessor. However, I was still very into the story, and as I got about 40% in, it was a solid 4 stars…. I binge-read to finish the story that quickly sped up and sucked you into the crazy dystopian world of the girls, and the ending was indeed a work of art, firmly establishing its rightful place as a 5-star novel. If you are into character development, virtual reality, tough societal issues, survival issues, and dystopian worlds, this book is definitely for you. I can’t even decide which of these was better as they are so vastly different yet so vastly amazing. Don’t sleep on Tony Bertauski and his Foreverland novels, or you will miss some seriously epic storytelling.
5 Stars!
June 23, 2013
Quite some time back, I read The Annihilation of Foreverland. It was a pretty good read, and now the sequel - Foreverland is Dead is out! So from the start, I want to thank Tony for offering me a review copy(:
The Annihilation of Foreverland followed Danny as he discovered the truth about foreverland (that was an awfully repetitious sentence). And well *SPOILER ALERT* they manage to rescue everyone from that awful dream thing. But, if you think about it, only the boys were rescued at the end of the book - so what about the girls?
And that is where Foreverland is Dead comes in. All the girls in the girl version of Foreverland wake up without their memories. There are two girls that are going to be our main characters - Cyn, who becomes the unofficial leader and Miranda, this pretty girl who wakes up in the house (all the other girls wake up in a hut). As they try to figure out what happened, it becomes clear that there are a lot of problems.
Since there was a pretty significant period of time between the two books, it took me quite a while to get my bearings. But once I remembered what went on in The Annihilation of Foreverland, it was pretty easy to figure out what was going on in Foreverland is Dead. Trust me, that cut down on the temptation to read the ending first so I could find out what happened (I'm really not a wait till end girl - I like to find out the end first, then focus on how the story is told). If you've read the first book, then instead of the suspense of "what's gonna happen next", you'll have the suspense of "argh, hurry up and realise what's going on". And yes, I prefer the second type of suspense.
It really is a good book. If you liked the first one, you'll definitely like this. And if you want to read about dreams, body-snatching and friendship you should read this too.
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review.
This review was first posted to Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
The Annihilation of Foreverland followed Danny as he discovered the truth about foreverland (that was an awfully repetitious sentence). And well *SPOILER ALERT* they manage to rescue everyone from that awful dream thing. But, if you think about it, only the boys were rescued at the end of the book - so what about the girls?
And that is where Foreverland is Dead comes in. All the girls in the girl version of Foreverland wake up without their memories. There are two girls that are going to be our main characters - Cyn, who becomes the unofficial leader and Miranda, this pretty girl who wakes up in the house (all the other girls wake up in a hut). As they try to figure out what happened, it becomes clear that there are a lot of problems.
Since there was a pretty significant period of time between the two books, it took me quite a while to get my bearings. But once I remembered what went on in The Annihilation of Foreverland, it was pretty easy to figure out what was going on in Foreverland is Dead. Trust me, that cut down on the temptation to read the ending first so I could find out what happened (I'm really not a wait till end girl - I like to find out the end first, then focus on how the story is told). If you've read the first book, then instead of the suspense of "what's gonna happen next", you'll have the suspense of "argh, hurry up and realise what's going on". And yes, I prefer the second type of suspense.
It really is a good book. If you liked the first one, you'll definitely like this. And if you want to read about dreams, body-snatching and friendship you should read this too.
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a free and honest review.
This review was first posted to Inside the mind of a Bibliophile
June 14, 2013
WHOA! I am totally blown away.
The story is fantastic – it sucks you in from the start. There is this feeling of mystery and suspense throughout the whole book. While we don’t know much about the girls, the story never lacked for anything. I was aching to know more (in a good, page turning way), and I was so invested in the girls that I kept rooting for them and holding out hope that there would be a happy ending. There are some surprises that I definitely didn’t see coming and there are some twists that definitely make me think there will be a third book.
While this book the “sequel” to The Annihilation of Foreverland, both books could easily be stand-alone books (a talent that I believe notes a great author). The books tie together nicely but there is not that “pick up where you left off” feeling. You could easily read the books alone or in either order, but I suggest reading them in the order they were written. Reading The Annihilation of Foreverland and knowing the boys’ story definitely made things interesting.
Another reason why I loved this book, is because it was not at all what I expected. I read The Annihilation of Foreverland first (and loved it), I thought that this book would be a female version of that, as in more of the same. I was totally wrong and was happy that this book was so totally different, but still gave me the same feelings (heart racing, creeped out, dying to know what happens next, and so on). The concepts in this book about dreams and advanced science/medical technology get my gears spinning.
The author truly has the gift of storytelling: I loved this book and highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The story is fantastic – it sucks you in from the start. There is this feeling of mystery and suspense throughout the whole book. While we don’t know much about the girls, the story never lacked for anything. I was aching to know more (in a good, page turning way), and I was so invested in the girls that I kept rooting for them and holding out hope that there would be a happy ending. There are some surprises that I definitely didn’t see coming and there are some twists that definitely make me think there will be a third book.
While this book the “sequel” to The Annihilation of Foreverland, both books could easily be stand-alone books (a talent that I believe notes a great author). The books tie together nicely but there is not that “pick up where you left off” feeling. You could easily read the books alone or in either order, but I suggest reading them in the order they were written. Reading The Annihilation of Foreverland and knowing the boys’ story definitely made things interesting.
Another reason why I loved this book, is because it was not at all what I expected. I read The Annihilation of Foreverland first (and loved it), I thought that this book would be a female version of that, as in more of the same. I was totally wrong and was happy that this book was so totally different, but still gave me the same feelings (heart racing, creeped out, dying to know what happens next, and so on). The concepts in this book about dreams and advanced science/medical technology get my gears spinning.
The author truly has the gift of storytelling: I loved this book and highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
May 20, 2014
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I sometimes find that sequels aren't quite as good as the first book. Often, the sequel contains a similar plot to the first book, just changed around to look shiny and new. (Kinda like the updated technology that actually isn't all that different from the previous version/s...)
Anyway. This book wasn't like that. I knew the background, from having read book one, but this was quite different from book one.
I liked how the main focus was on female characters in this book. It made sense to have a separate area for the girls, particularly in light of what was in the first book. It was really intriguing how the world the characters inhabited was so different from the one the boys had. There were parts of their world that I found to be particularly creepy.
I did get a bit confused with the different characters at first, though by the end, I knew who everyone was. There were some parts of the book I saw coming, while others still managed to surprise me, despite coming up with all kinds of theories as I read.
Although this book is a sequel, I personally feel it can be read as a standalone. You don't need to have read book one to know what's going on here, because the characters wake up with no idea of who or where they are.
This book does end on something of a cliffhanger and I'm now eager to read the next book, to see how everything fits together and if the characters from both books will end up meeting each other later on.
I personally feel this book and the previous one are worth reading. It's not quite dystopian in the way you might expect, but it still has some of those elements. It's definitely an original spin on some older storylines.
(This review may contain spoilers).
I sometimes find that sequels aren't quite as good as the first book. Often, the sequel contains a similar plot to the first book, just changed around to look shiny and new. (Kinda like the updated technology that actually isn't all that different from the previous version/s...)
Anyway. This book wasn't like that. I knew the background, from having read book one, but this was quite different from book one.
I liked how the main focus was on female characters in this book. It made sense to have a separate area for the girls, particularly in light of what was in the first book. It was really intriguing how the world the characters inhabited was so different from the one the boys had. There were parts of their world that I found to be particularly creepy.
I did get a bit confused with the different characters at first, though by the end, I knew who everyone was. There were some parts of the book I saw coming, while others still managed to surprise me, despite coming up with all kinds of theories as I read.
Although this book is a sequel, I personally feel it can be read as a standalone. You don't need to have read book one to know what's going on here, because the characters wake up with no idea of who or where they are.
This book does end on something of a cliffhanger and I'm now eager to read the next book, to see how everything fits together and if the characters from both books will end up meeting each other later on.
I personally feel this book and the previous one are worth reading. It's not quite dystopian in the way you might expect, but it still has some of those elements. It's definitely an original spin on some older storylines.
September 6, 2016
Book blurb: Six teenage girls wake with no memories. One of them is in a brick mansion, her blonde hair as shiny as her shoes. The others are in a cabin, their names tagged to the inside of their pants. Their heads, shaved. Slashes mark the cabin wall like someone has been counting.
Hundreds of them.
There’s wilderness all around and one dead adult. The girls discover her body rotting somewhere in the trees. As the weeks pass, they band together to survive the cold, wondering where they are and how they got there. And why.
When an old man arrives with a teenage boy, the girls learn of a faraway island called Foreverland where dreams come true and anything is possible. But Foreverland is dead. In order to escape the wilderness, they’ll have to understand where they are.
More importantly, who they are
Review: I enjoy reading sci-fi thrillers so I really enjoyed this book! It was hard to put down because I wanted to keep finding out more information about the story and the girls! I really enjoyed everything about this book, the story, the characters, the ending. Do the girls discover where they are? Can they ever leave? If you like sci-fi, mysteries, you will definitely need to read this one! Foreverland is Dead is the sequel to Foreverland, however you don't have to read the first book to understand the second one. I haven't read Foreverland yet, but I would like to read it now :)
Excellent book!
I was given this book by the author in the Goodreads group Shut Up & Read, Read It and Reap program for an honest review.
Hundreds of them.
There’s wilderness all around and one dead adult. The girls discover her body rotting somewhere in the trees. As the weeks pass, they band together to survive the cold, wondering where they are and how they got there. And why.
When an old man arrives with a teenage boy, the girls learn of a faraway island called Foreverland where dreams come true and anything is possible. But Foreverland is dead. In order to escape the wilderness, they’ll have to understand where they are.
More importantly, who they are
Review: I enjoy reading sci-fi thrillers so I really enjoyed this book! It was hard to put down because I wanted to keep finding out more information about the story and the girls! I really enjoyed everything about this book, the story, the characters, the ending. Do the girls discover where they are? Can they ever leave? If you like sci-fi, mysteries, you will definitely need to read this one! Foreverland is Dead is the sequel to Foreverland, however you don't have to read the first book to understand the second one. I haven't read Foreverland yet, but I would like to read it now :)
Excellent book!
I was given this book by the author in the Goodreads group Shut Up & Read, Read It and Reap program for an honest review.
October 25, 2013
He got me. He got me good. I feel skeevy enjoying something so dark and agonizing.
Torturous and good? I don't know. I can't come up with a term that defines the enjoyment of darkness. It is a very personal thing. A dark book balances on a narrow fence between offensive and depressing. Tony Bertauski is quite good at riding that fence. He writes very intelligently, trusting the reader to grasp the twisted concepts without hitting them over the head with endless exposition.
This is a sequel to The Annihilation of Foreverland. So the mysteries revealed in that book had to be built upon. The girls could not be placed in the same situation as the boys, and I was very curious as to what that would be. The payoff was excellent with Bertauski weaving together an entirely new mysterious situation. The reader can step into this story, comfortable with the answers they have gained from the first book, yet still find themselves freshly removed from the gray nothing.
There were some elements that distanced me from the characters--sudden POV shifts, telling, filtering. These are little things. They didn't worsen the story, but they prevented it from being as captivating as it could have been--if that makes sense. This also describes many of the books I have read recently. The net effect of these slips is that they remind me I am reading a book, they break the illusion of the dream.
Torturous and good? I don't know. I can't come up with a term that defines the enjoyment of darkness. It is a very personal thing. A dark book balances on a narrow fence between offensive and depressing. Tony Bertauski is quite good at riding that fence. He writes very intelligently, trusting the reader to grasp the twisted concepts without hitting them over the head with endless exposition.
This is a sequel to The Annihilation of Foreverland. So the mysteries revealed in that book had to be built upon. The girls could not be placed in the same situation as the boys, and I was very curious as to what that would be. The payoff was excellent with Bertauski weaving together an entirely new mysterious situation. The reader can step into this story, comfortable with the answers they have gained from the first book, yet still find themselves freshly removed from the gray nothing.
There were some elements that distanced me from the characters--sudden POV shifts, telling, filtering. These are little things. They didn't worsen the story, but they prevented it from being as captivating as it could have been--if that makes sense. This also describes many of the books I have read recently. The net effect of these slips is that they remind me I am reading a book, they break the illusion of the dream.
June 28, 2018
This was a complete contrast to the previous book...
Following on from the superb beginnings in book 1, the focus is this time around a group of girls. Again, they wake up in an unknown environment and don't know how they got there or who they are. Unlike the first book, this is not an idyllic paradise and utopia is the last word for this place. Things start off bad and get worse from then onwards.
There are some characters who follow through from book 1 and this expands on the back story of what happened to them and how Foreverland and The Fountain Of Youth came to be. As with the first book, this has some really dark elements and there are contentions between the girls on numerous occasions. The constant power struggle had me in mind of 'The Lord Of The Flies', although this is totally unlike that story in content.
As things come to a close and things are explained in more detail, we are left to wonder just what will happen in the final book....
Following on from the superb beginnings in book 1, the focus is this time around a group of girls. Again, they wake up in an unknown environment and don't know how they got there or who they are. Unlike the first book, this is not an idyllic paradise and utopia is the last word for this place. Things start off bad and get worse from then onwards.
There are some characters who follow through from book 1 and this expands on the back story of what happened to them and how Foreverland and The Fountain Of Youth came to be. As with the first book, this has some really dark elements and there are contentions between the girls on numerous occasions. The constant power struggle had me in mind of 'The Lord Of The Flies', although this is totally unlike that story in content.
As things come to a close and things are explained in more detail, we are left to wonder just what will happen in the final book....
August 12, 2016
Amazingly enough I enjoyed Foreverland is Dead or as the name of the edition I received the Discovery of Socket Greenery. Would I read more from this author, probably. Five stars and overall a likeable, interesting book.
June 21, 2013
I absolutely loved The Annihilation of Foreverland, so of course I had to read the sequel! I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Foreverland is Dead from Tony, in exchange for my review of the book. I’m certainly not a book critic and can’t break down every aspect of the book to analyze, but I will definitely share my opinion!
So…I’m assuming you’ve already read the synopsis for this book on your own, so I’m not going to reiterate it. When I first started reading this book, it was a little hard to get into it and I honestly had to make sure I was reading the correct book because it didn’t start off the way most sequels do. Usually, sequels mention something about the previous book early on in the story, but not this one. (This was before I knew that this book could be read as a standalone.) Once I realized that, it took me no time to get absorbed into the story!
There were some great characters in this book…some you love and some you love to hate…but there was one character in particular that I couldn’t quite figure out my opinion on. I still can’t narrow down whether or not I think she was a terrible person even though she was portrayed as one in a way. The story is also full of mysteries, and while I could sort of predict a few of them ahead of time…most of the mysteries, stayed mysteries until they were revealed. That’s what makes a book great in my opinion. Unpredictably, the element of surprise, and a book that makes you think about your feelings towards certain parts or characters in it.
This was a fantastic book and an even better sequel. Thanks again for allowing me to read it, Tony!
So…I’m assuming you’ve already read the synopsis for this book on your own, so I’m not going to reiterate it. When I first started reading this book, it was a little hard to get into it and I honestly had to make sure I was reading the correct book because it didn’t start off the way most sequels do. Usually, sequels mention something about the previous book early on in the story, but not this one. (This was before I knew that this book could be read as a standalone.) Once I realized that, it took me no time to get absorbed into the story!
There were some great characters in this book…some you love and some you love to hate…but there was one character in particular that I couldn’t quite figure out my opinion on. I still can’t narrow down whether or not I think she was a terrible person even though she was portrayed as one in a way. The story is also full of mysteries, and while I could sort of predict a few of them ahead of time…most of the mysteries, stayed mysteries until they were revealed. That’s what makes a book great in my opinion. Unpredictably, the element of surprise, and a book that makes you think about your feelings towards certain parts or characters in it.
This was a fantastic book and an even better sequel. Thanks again for allowing me to read it, Tony!
August 27, 2016
Two Important Tips to Improve Your Reading Experience
There are a lot of reviews that summarize the plot and rave about this book generally, so I am adding my two cents only to help you, dear reader.
First, while a number of reviewers, and even the author, have said that this book can be read as a standalone despite being the second book in the trilogy, I would strongly advise that you read the books in order. It is true that this book contains everything you need to know to understand the action, but you will understand what's happening earlier, and appreciate what's happening more fully, if you have read The Annihilation of Foreverland before reading this.
Second, don't skim. The first book was skimmable because you sort of figured out what was happening half-way through. The details were interesting, but between the bad guy's monologuing and the general exposition, you could zip through parts if you so desired. Not so with this second book. It requires closer reading because little things tend to circle back around and become important things later on. And the interactions of the six girls, which feel a little too much "Lord of the Flies" and "Stalag 17" at the outset, really do power the exciting finish. You can't drop too many stitches or you won't get the big picture.
So, there are my two tips on how to better enjoy this book. It really is a grabber.
Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
There are a lot of reviews that summarize the plot and rave about this book generally, so I am adding my two cents only to help you, dear reader.
First, while a number of reviewers, and even the author, have said that this book can be read as a standalone despite being the second book in the trilogy, I would strongly advise that you read the books in order. It is true that this book contains everything you need to know to understand the action, but you will understand what's happening earlier, and appreciate what's happening more fully, if you have read The Annihilation of Foreverland before reading this.
Second, don't skim. The first book was skimmable because you sort of figured out what was happening half-way through. The details were interesting, but between the bad guy's monologuing and the general exposition, you could zip through parts if you so desired. Not so with this second book. It requires closer reading because little things tend to circle back around and become important things later on. And the interactions of the six girls, which feel a little too much "Lord of the Flies" and "Stalag 17" at the outset, really do power the exciting finish. You can't drop too many stitches or you won't get the big picture.
So, there are my two tips on how to better enjoy this book. It really is a grabber.
Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.
May 24, 2014
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is incredibly well crafted, though not my typical genre.
First of all, I did not read book 1. I was told this wouldn't be a problem, as it could be read as a stand-alone. Having now finished book 2, I would agree, however I think the story would definitely be enhanced if you did read #1. Anyhow...
I was puzzled for a lot of the book - though I think that's the point - but due to my lack of patience, I found myself getting frustrated with the the slow pace of the book and the characters. I think that was also kind of the point. A total 'meta' feel to this book that made me take a step back and ponder things for a bit.
The story seems to focus a lot on identity. With no memories, the girls need to figure out who they are and what they're doing here. They're quite young, so they kind of blunder around for a bit without any kind of plan. Cyn, one of older girls, takes on the role as leader, though she's largely ineffective. I'm really not sure any progress is made on this front, as by the end of the story, they get their memories back but the reader doesn't get any closure. Then again, Cyn tells the girls their pasts are probably filled with tragedies, so maybe this is better.
This book is incredibly well crafted, though not my typical genre.
First of all, I did not read book 1. I was told this wouldn't be a problem, as it could be read as a stand-alone. Having now finished book 2, I would agree, however I think the story would definitely be enhanced if you did read #1. Anyhow...
I was puzzled for a lot of the book - though I think that's the point - but due to my lack of patience, I found myself getting frustrated with the the slow pace of the book and the characters. I think that was also kind of the point. A total 'meta' feel to this book that made me take a step back and ponder things for a bit.
The story seems to focus a lot on identity. With no memories, the girls need to figure out who they are and what they're doing here. They're quite young, so they kind of blunder around for a bit without any kind of plan. Cyn, one of older girls, takes on the role as leader, though she's largely ineffective. I'm really not sure any progress is made on this front, as by the end of the story, they get their memories back but the reader doesn't get any closure. Then again, Cyn tells the girls their pasts are probably filled with tragedies, so maybe this is better.
December 12, 2014
Although this is not a sequel this book is fantastic and felt like a great addition to the Foreverland series. What I did not enjoy about the first, I loved in this, mainly the characters and how they were introduced.
In this the story starts at a cabin with a few girls who have no memory of how they got there. They do find some food and my favorite of the bunch, Cyn, realizes that since they don’t have a clue what is going on, then maybe they should ration the food. From the beginning I could tell that Cyn was fabulous. She is able to stand up to the bullies in the group and doesn’t take much crap, even in this really weird environment.
Lots of mystery to this plot as well. The storyline just does not let up and the ending is jam packed with stuff that will either freak you out or make you a fan of Tony Bertauski’s for life! Super creepiness is my thing though so I really enjoyed this even though the first wasn’t a favorite. This book was a great sequel but could be read separate but I am very glad that I did listen to them in order.
For full audio review see Audiobookreviewer.com
This review was originally posted on Creating Serenity
September 12, 2016
Where does Foreverland Is Dead rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?
I really enjoyed it, loads of detail and a really stunning twist. This book has true depth, after the first book I did not expect it to be quite so dark.
Who was your favorite character and why?
It is difficult to say because all the girls had very interesting elements. I was rooting for all of them.
What about Linda Velwest’s performance did you like?
She has a nice solid read throughout the book. I thought all of her voices were distinct and fit the characters. With so m many female voices to keep track of she does a great job of keeping them separate.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The ending blew my mind! This is something I have come to expect from this author. He has real skill in crafting worlds that bring a story to a new level.
Any additional comments?
When you are looking for a story that has detailed worlds, with flowing descriptions and a rich textured plot, you can not go wrong with Tony Bertauski.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
I really enjoyed it, loads of detail and a really stunning twist. This book has true depth, after the first book I did not expect it to be quite so dark.
Who was your favorite character and why?
It is difficult to say because all the girls had very interesting elements. I was rooting for all of them.
What about Linda Velwest’s performance did you like?
She has a nice solid read throughout the book. I thought all of her voices were distinct and fit the characters. With so m many female voices to keep track of she does a great job of keeping them separate.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
The ending blew my mind! This is something I have come to expect from this author. He has real skill in crafting worlds that bring a story to a new level.
Any additional comments?
When you are looking for a story that has detailed worlds, with flowing descriptions and a rich textured plot, you can not go wrong with Tony Bertauski.
Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.
June 24, 2014
I have said it once, I'll say it again - Tony Bertauski's work is brilliant. Picking up where Book 1 left off, Foreverland is Dead shows us the true consequences of the horror created by greed.
Told from the perspective of the elusive 'girls' mentioned in the first book, this latest installment portrays the terrifying aftermath of the creation, and subsequently destruction, of Foreverland. Unfortunately just ' Annihilation' could not be enough.
Incredibly well written with strong characters, this novel grips you with it's story from the very first chapter. I can't praise it enough.
If I had to nitpick, I did find some typos. And also have one or two questions.
Overall brilliantly written. I would recommend it to everyone The only thing that saddens me is that if there's a Book 3, we may not get to follow these women on their journey. I kinda got attached, especially after the last sentence!
Told from the perspective of the elusive 'girls' mentioned in the first book, this latest installment portrays the terrifying aftermath of the creation, and subsequently destruction, of Foreverland. Unfortunately just ' Annihilation' could not be enough.
Incredibly well written with strong characters, this novel grips you with it's story from the very first chapter. I can't praise it enough.
If I had to nitpick, I did find some typos. And also have one or two questions.
Overall brilliantly written. I would recommend it to everyone The only thing that saddens me is that if there's a Book 3, we may not get to follow these women on their journey. I kinda got attached, especially after the last sentence!
May 28, 2015
Foreverland is Dead is book 2 in the Foreverland trilogy. It can be read as a stand-alone but I don't think you would enjoy it as much without having the background of the virtual reality set-up and the names and background of the ones who started it all and why.
Foreverland is Dead picks up where The Annihilation of Foreverland left off but in this case it focuses on the aftermath as it pertains to the girls with whom the boys used to meet in the virtual reality.
As was the case with TAOF, I spent a significant portion of the book (blissfully) lost as neither I nor the characters in the story knew what was really happening until closer to the end.
There is just no practical way of describing this book to a newcomer to the series without it sounding odd or giving away everything. Just know this: It’s an amazing series that is so worth the time spent reading it. In fact, you will probably feel it ended too quickly.
Foreverland is Dead picks up where The Annihilation of Foreverland left off but in this case it focuses on the aftermath as it pertains to the girls with whom the boys used to meet in the virtual reality.
As was the case with TAOF, I spent a significant portion of the book (blissfully) lost as neither I nor the characters in the story knew what was really happening until closer to the end.
There is just no practical way of describing this book to a newcomer to the series without it sounding odd or giving away everything. Just know this: It’s an amazing series that is so worth the time spent reading it. In fact, you will probably feel it ended too quickly.
November 8, 2015
Overall,very good.After reading and loving the first book in the series,I was hoping for the same in this but it's slightly different.To start with anyway.Not that it's a bad thing,it's just I guess I was still on a high from the first book.
This one is based on 6 girls who wake up in a desolate cabin with a desolate world outside.There is animosity and hate that grows between the 6 of them whilst they are trying their best to survive.They also discover a dead body but nobody dares to go near it again.This is the story for 40% and don't get me wrong,it's well written and enjoyable but I was wondering when it was going to entwine with the first book.It finally does here and boy does it get good!!The discovery for me of how the story pans out from here to the end is amazing,I loved it.
It keeps you gripped till the very end and leaves you wanting more at the very end...which is why I'm going to buy the third book right now!
Overall,the first 40% was a 3 star and the rest was a 5 star so I've had to go in the middle and give it a 4 star,although I would say,because of how good it got,I'm leaning nearer to 4.5 stars.
This one is based on 6 girls who wake up in a desolate cabin with a desolate world outside.There is animosity and hate that grows between the 6 of them whilst they are trying their best to survive.They also discover a dead body but nobody dares to go near it again.This is the story for 40% and don't get me wrong,it's well written and enjoyable but I was wondering when it was going to entwine with the first book.It finally does here and boy does it get good!!The discovery for me of how the story pans out from here to the end is amazing,I loved it.
It keeps you gripped till the very end and leaves you wanting more at the very end...which is why I'm going to buy the third book right now!
Overall,the first 40% was a 3 star and the rest was a 5 star so I've had to go in the middle and give it a 4 star,although I would say,because of how good it got,I'm leaning nearer to 4.5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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