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Tetherless
Sometimes evil is masquerading as an ally …
In the near future, eighteen-year-old Abbie Spencer and her family live hand-to-mouth in their decaying town of Eureka, California, living on high alert because the East Bay Serial Killer has struck again.
When Abbie’s lucky enough to secure a live-in servant job for the most affluent family in Port Allegiance, the sparkling neighboring city surrounded by a massive wall to keep out the riffraff of Eureka, she discovers that her predecessor didn’t quit, as everyone believes, but was actually abducted because she knew too much.
Thrust into a frightening world of murder, lies, and betrayal, where few can be trusted and nothing is what it seems, the stakes grow higher after Abbie and her friends discover the nefarious connection between the missing girl and the dead bodies trickling into the morgue back home. Will they uncover the shocking conspiracy before more innocent people die, or will those in power silence them?
Content Warning: This book contains potentially triggering subject matter, including cursing, abusive behavior, and death.
In the near future, eighteen-year-old Abbie Spencer and her family live hand-to-mouth in their decaying town of Eureka, California, living on high alert because the East Bay Serial Killer has struck again.
When Abbie’s lucky enough to secure a live-in servant job for the most affluent family in Port Allegiance, the sparkling neighboring city surrounded by a massive wall to keep out the riffraff of Eureka, she discovers that her predecessor didn’t quit, as everyone believes, but was actually abducted because she knew too much.
Thrust into a frightening world of murder, lies, and betrayal, where few can be trusted and nothing is what it seems, the stakes grow higher after Abbie and her friends discover the nefarious connection between the missing girl and the dead bodies trickling into the morgue back home. Will they uncover the shocking conspiracy before more innocent people die, or will those in power silence them?
Content Warning: This book contains potentially triggering subject matter, including cursing, abusive behavior, and death.
294 pages, ebook
Published October 20, 2023
2 people are currently reading
6265 people want to read
About the author
C.K. O'Donnell
1 book33 followersC. K. O’Donnell is the author of the mystery/suspense series, The Port Allegiance Chronicles. She was born in Berkeley, California, where she acquired her Bohemian spirit for writing. When she’s not immersed in words or turning thrift store junk into treasures, you’ll find her camping, hiking, or riding her vintage-style bicycle down the idyllic country roads of North Idaho, where she lives today with her husband and two rescue cats, Tiggy and Tiba.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 3, 2023
After oversaturating myself with dystopian/apocalyptic stories several years ago, I was a bit hesitant to jump back in. But the description of this one was intriguing enough that I decided to give it a try.
In a world not so far into the future, a wall separates two entirely different worlds. On one side live average working class people thrust into a life of poverty. On the other side is the source of their troubles…the rich ruling class. Abbie has on,never known life in Eureka, but it’s enough for her to know she wants something better. So she applies for a job in Port Allegiance. When she’s granted a job, she finally gets a glimpse at what life is like on the other side. She quickly discovers, however, that’s everything isn’t as shiny as it seems on the surface.
This was a good story with strong characters. My hope is that the second part of the story isn’t too far out.
In a world not so far into the future, a wall separates two entirely different worlds. On one side live average working class people thrust into a life of poverty. On the other side is the source of their troubles…the rich ruling class. Abbie has on,never known life in Eureka, but it’s enough for her to know she wants something better. So she applies for a job in Port Allegiance. When she’s granted a job, she finally gets a glimpse at what life is like on the other side. She quickly discovers, however, that’s everything isn’t as shiny as it seems on the surface.
This was a good story with strong characters. My hope is that the second part of the story isn’t too far out.
September 16, 2023
Thank you to BookSirens and the author for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Other than some slightly uneven pacing (a little too slow at the start, a little too fast at the end), I loved everything about this book and still can’t believe it’s debut - many aspects of it are really, really well-crafted. The mystery unveils itself perfectly, the plot twists are all in just the right places with great foreshadowing, and the main character, Abbie… she has something that I don’t see a whole lot in these types of novels, and it’s a ton of character growth. She starts the novel and ends it in a completely different place - physically, of course, but mentally too. That kind of character growth and nuance being woven so well into a plot-based book is pretty admirable, as I feel like it gives the reader best of both worlds - character growth, a lot of it, that doesn’t sacrifice the mystery aspect.
This book also does a great job, through nuance and a lot of thought, at displaying injustice and cruelty and forgiveness and the nuances of all those. Even Abbie, the main character, realises that just because the people over the wall have it better, they also may have struggles of their own. It’s a realistic dystopia, I think, sadly, that the author’s crafted here, one in which the poor are continually exploited by the rich and powerful in every way. It draws parallels to our world while allowing the main characters to take control of their own lives, and at the same time gives us hope for the future if we work to change it while serving as warming for what said future could look like.
The POV shift was pretty well done - both voices sounded distinct and it did a great job of adding to the ominousness as the mystery unfolded.
Something I was also pleasantly surprised by was the rep! Two main characters of the same sex are in a relationship with each other, and while their main obstacle is not their queerness, the author has evidently thought much about their dystopian setting, because who treats them differently over their queerness is a reflection of what kind of character they are. I love escapist stories where homophobia and the like don’t exist, but for this realistic sort of dystopia, showing that discrimination can take many forms as society shifts and still include homophobia, though only perpetrated by the worst of us, was a nuanced and welcome choice.
That being said, while the characters do suffer quite a bit of misery in this book, it’s not all bleak. Again - my slight nitpick about pacing, but honestly it wasn’t enough to distract me from the story as I read. And speaking of which - I was super engrossed, actually, finishing this entire book in one sitting.
Also something nice was Abbie reflecting on her relationship with Ty, and why she stayed with him - in a lot of books where the girl stays with a bad boy the narrative doesn’t usually allow her this much of self-reflection and it was welcome to see that change here.
Tldr: check out the trigger warnings, but pick this up if you enjoy a bit more heavy-handed mysteries/action adventures, well-crafted and well-thought out dystopias, or strong female characters. Or all of the above, of course :)
Other than some slightly uneven pacing (a little too slow at the start, a little too fast at the end), I loved everything about this book and still can’t believe it’s debut - many aspects of it are really, really well-crafted. The mystery unveils itself perfectly, the plot twists are all in just the right places with great foreshadowing, and the main character, Abbie… she has something that I don’t see a whole lot in these types of novels, and it’s a ton of character growth. She starts the novel and ends it in a completely different place - physically, of course, but mentally too. That kind of character growth and nuance being woven so well into a plot-based book is pretty admirable, as I feel like it gives the reader best of both worlds - character growth, a lot of it, that doesn’t sacrifice the mystery aspect.
This book also does a great job, through nuance and a lot of thought, at displaying injustice and cruelty and forgiveness and the nuances of all those. Even Abbie, the main character, realises that just because the people over the wall have it better, they also may have struggles of their own. It’s a realistic dystopia, I think, sadly, that the author’s crafted here, one in which the poor are continually exploited by the rich and powerful in every way. It draws parallels to our world while allowing the main characters to take control of their own lives, and at the same time gives us hope for the future if we work to change it while serving as warming for what said future could look like.
The POV shift was pretty well done - both voices sounded distinct and it did a great job of adding to the ominousness as the mystery unfolded.
Something I was also pleasantly surprised by was the rep! Two main characters of the same sex are in a relationship with each other, and while their main obstacle is not their queerness, the author has evidently thought much about their dystopian setting, because who treats them differently over their queerness is a reflection of what kind of character they are. I love escapist stories where homophobia and the like don’t exist, but for this realistic sort of dystopia, showing that discrimination can take many forms as society shifts and still include homophobia, though only perpetrated by the worst of us, was a nuanced and welcome choice.
That being said, while the characters do suffer quite a bit of misery in this book, it’s not all bleak. Again - my slight nitpick about pacing, but honestly it wasn’t enough to distract me from the story as I read. And speaking of which - I was super engrossed, actually, finishing this entire book in one sitting.
Also something nice was Abbie reflecting on her relationship with Ty, and why she stayed with him - in a lot of books where the girl stays with a bad boy the narrative doesn’t usually allow her this much of self-reflection and it was welcome to see that change here.
Tldr: check out the trigger warnings, but pick this up if you enjoy a bit more heavy-handed mysteries/action adventures, well-crafted and well-thought out dystopias, or strong female characters. Or all of the above, of course :)
October 21, 2023
This is a cool new dystopian book set in Northern California in 2040. Abbie Spencer lives in Eureka, the slums outside of Port Allegiance. Port allegiance is a high class sparkling clean city with high walls separating it from Eureka.
Abbie has hopes of going to college and knows she can only do so by socking away a bunch of money. This leads her to apply for a job as housekeeping staff but when she starts working for the DeYoungs she realized that there is way more than meets the eye.
I like the gas of characters. Abbies family in eureka is Eureka is super interesting and I love her pig! Abbie also has a really big secret that she is determined to keep hidden.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Abbie has hopes of going to college and knows she can only do so by socking away a bunch of money. This leads her to apply for a job as housekeeping staff but when she starts working for the DeYoungs she realized that there is way more than meets the eye.
I like the gas of characters. Abbies family in eureka is Eureka is super interesting and I love her pig! Abbie also has a really big secret that she is determined to keep hidden.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 4, 2023
I have a hot/cold relationship with dystopian novels, but the description intrigued me enough to jump at the chance to read this ARC through BookSirens.
Set in 2040, the story follows Abbie as she navigates life in Eureka, California. A town of corruption, filth and mass homelessness outside of the gated city of Port Allegiance which is basked in riches and shrouded in mystery.
When Abbie scores a golden ticket to work at Redwood Manor inside the Golden city, she feels all of her dreams may finally come true.
She quickly finds herself in a world where nothing is as it seems. Along with an unexpected connection from a past tragedy, Abbie must race to uncover and expose unimaginable atrocities that not only threaten everyone she loves, but the future of society.
This fast paced novel keeps your attention from the first chapter and captures a magnitude of characters with ease as the story develops. Perhaps my favorite aspect is this future society is wholly believable, allowing the reader to fully envision and immerse themself in the story.
Thank you BookSirens for allowing me to read and review this book. I received an Advanced Review Copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Set in 2040, the story follows Abbie as she navigates life in Eureka, California. A town of corruption, filth and mass homelessness outside of the gated city of Port Allegiance which is basked in riches and shrouded in mystery.
When Abbie scores a golden ticket to work at Redwood Manor inside the Golden city, she feels all of her dreams may finally come true.
She quickly finds herself in a world where nothing is as it seems. Along with an unexpected connection from a past tragedy, Abbie must race to uncover and expose unimaginable atrocities that not only threaten everyone she loves, but the future of society.
This fast paced novel keeps your attention from the first chapter and captures a magnitude of characters with ease as the story develops. Perhaps my favorite aspect is this future society is wholly believable, allowing the reader to fully envision and immerse themself in the story.
Thank you BookSirens for allowing me to read and review this book. I received an Advanced Review Copy for free and am voluntarily leaving this review.
December 12, 2023
I did really enjoy the plot of this book. A slightly-futuristic society where the uber-wealthy are kept physically separated from everyone else. The book was fast-paced and kept me on my toes. I will say, some of the wording felt incomplete and out of place. But overall, a great book. I am excited to see how this author progresses in their writing style in future books.
December 6, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2023
A FUTURISTIC MYSTERY
I found the pace a little slow to start but increased as the story continued. The futuristic setting of 2040 was believable with the rich living inside the wall with the poor living on the outside.
The characters were interesting as with Abbey leading the protagonist lead of characters.
She did store a great anger and bitterness in her living situation but held back moving forward with her life due to wanting to take care of her family.
When she finally broke out of her shell to better her life, all hell broke through in disastrous consequences.
In the end all's well, that ends well.
It was a long read but finished it satisfied with the end.
The author did a splendid job in creating a distropic world that may not be far off from our world today.
I found the pace a little slow to start but increased as the story continued. The futuristic setting of 2040 was believable with the rich living inside the wall with the poor living on the outside.
The characters were interesting as with Abbey leading the protagonist lead of characters.
She did store a great anger and bitterness in her living situation but held back moving forward with her life due to wanting to take care of her family.
When she finally broke out of her shell to better her life, all hell broke through in disastrous consequences.
In the end all's well, that ends well.
It was a long read but finished it satisfied with the end.
The author did a splendid job in creating a distropic world that may not be far off from our world today.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A FUTURISTIC MYSTERY
I found the pace a little slow to start but increased as the story continued. The futuristic setting of 2040 was believable with the rich living inside the wall with the poor living on the outside.
The characters were interesting as with Abbey leading the protagonist lead of characters.
She did store a great anger and bitterness in her living situation but held back moving forward with her life due to wanting to take care of her family.
When she finally broke out of her shell to better her life, all hell broke through in disastrous consequences.
In the end all's well, that ends well.
It was a long read but finished it satisfied with the end.
The author did a splendid job in creating a distropic world that may not be far off from our world today.
I found the pace a little slow to start but increased as the story continued. The futuristic setting of 2040 was believable with the rich living inside the wall with the poor living on the outside.
The characters were interesting as with Abbey leading the protagonist lead of characters.
She did store a great anger and bitterness in her living situation but held back moving forward with her life due to wanting to take care of her family.
When she finally broke out of her shell to better her life, all hell broke through in disastrous consequences.
In the end all's well, that ends well.
It was a long read but finished it satisfied with the end.
The author did a splendid job in creating a distropic world that may not be far off from our world today.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I have been having a great time with dystopian adventures in the last few months and have read some lovely stories that have stimulated me intellectually and also entertained me. More hits than misses for me and this story also falls somewhere in that range.
The blurb was intriguing and the book cover serves as a reminder supporting the blurb.
The story starts off slow and continues at that pace for some time but the context setting for a serial killer on the loose and also the physical wall of the town that divides is reminiscent of many similar walls that exist and have existed across the world. The class divide is something that has been used in numerous dystopian stories especially in post Armageddon stories of the 70's and 80's like the Escape to LA type of movies.
The lure of the other side is strong and our protagonist Abbie tries and is able to get access to the other side and then the tagline starts making sense as she starts seeing the fallacies and life on the other side not as smooth or easy as she imagined. The story picks up pace and Abbie is forced to see the gamut of forbidden emotions and atrocities that exist in Eureka.
The story despite being two decades in the future seems pretty dark and bleak, which is well imagined by the author and an appreciation for what is her first novel; she seems set for great things in future books.
I liked the story and would love to read the sequel. Recommended.
I have been having a great time with dystopian adventures in the last few months and have read some lovely stories that have stimulated me intellectually and also entertained me. More hits than misses for me and this story also falls somewhere in that range.
The blurb was intriguing and the book cover serves as a reminder supporting the blurb.
The story starts off slow and continues at that pace for some time but the context setting for a serial killer on the loose and also the physical wall of the town that divides is reminiscent of many similar walls that exist and have existed across the world. The class divide is something that has been used in numerous dystopian stories especially in post Armageddon stories of the 70's and 80's like the Escape to LA type of movies.
The lure of the other side is strong and our protagonist Abbie tries and is able to get access to the other side and then the tagline starts making sense as she starts seeing the fallacies and life on the other side not as smooth or easy as she imagined. The story picks up pace and Abbie is forced to see the gamut of forbidden emotions and atrocities that exist in Eureka.
The story despite being two decades in the future seems pretty dark and bleak, which is well imagined by the author and an appreciation for what is her first novel; she seems set for great things in future books.
I liked the story and would love to read the sequel. Recommended.
October 25, 2023
Set in 2040 Eureka and Port Allegiance CA, I found the story to be fast paced and hard to put down. The two places were the extremes of society, incredibly poor and fantastically wealthy with a huge wall to mostly keep them separate. Only the lucky ones of Eureka got to work within Port Allegiance.
I enjoyed watching Abbie find her strength as a young woman. Abbie's discovery once selected to work in Port Allegiance heads her on a path of growth and determination. She is diligently trying to find answers about missing Gia and finds herself up against plenty of evil. The cast of characters already in her life and those who come into her life along the way are varied and diverse. I'd really like to see a little more character development and am hoping that those who appear in Book 2 do go deeper. There are some very interesting characters who deserve more depth as the series progresses.
There are a few scenarios and people in the story that I had difficulty with the plausibility of being realistic. Even in a future society the connections between Abbie's family and Dylan's seemed like too many for two families from opposite sides of the wall. Those instances left me wondering was this the only way to connect some events.
Overall, the tale takes us on one wild, can this really be happening, can this really get any worse kind of ride. Why, yes, it can get worse! Highly readable!
I enjoyed watching Abbie find her strength as a young woman. Abbie's discovery once selected to work in Port Allegiance heads her on a path of growth and determination. She is diligently trying to find answers about missing Gia and finds herself up against plenty of evil. The cast of characters already in her life and those who come into her life along the way are varied and diverse. I'd really like to see a little more character development and am hoping that those who appear in Book 2 do go deeper. There are some very interesting characters who deserve more depth as the series progresses.
There are a few scenarios and people in the story that I had difficulty with the plausibility of being realistic. Even in a future society the connections between Abbie's family and Dylan's seemed like too many for two families from opposite sides of the wall. Those instances left me wondering was this the only way to connect some events.
Overall, the tale takes us on one wild, can this really be happening, can this really get any worse kind of ride. Why, yes, it can get worse! Highly readable!
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October 16, 2023Tetherless by C.K. O'Donnell is an electrifying journey through a world teetering on the edge of darkness! From the very outset, readers are thrust into the pulse-pounding reality of Abbie Spencer's life, living in the shadow of a relentless serial killer in the decaying town of Eureka, California. When she secures a live-in servant job in the affluent city of Port Allegiance, little does she know that this move will unravel a web of murder, lies, and betrayal.
O'Donnell fearlessly dives into the narrative, sparing no detail in portraying a world where trust is a rare commodity and appearances are deceiving. The intensity of the story ramps up quickly, hurtling readers through a rollercoaster of shocking revelations and unrelenting suspense. The author's unapologetic style adds a gritty layer of realism, creating an immersive experience that's not for the faint of heart.
Be prepared for an adrenaline-fueled journey as you navigate through the twisted conspiracy that ties together missing persons, dead bodies, and those in power. Tetherless is a gripping tale for readers with a strong stomach, craving a narrative that doesn't hold back in its exploration of the darker facets of human nature. Buckle up for an unforgettably intense adventure that will keep you guessing until the very end!
O'Donnell fearlessly dives into the narrative, sparing no detail in portraying a world where trust is a rare commodity and appearances are deceiving. The intensity of the story ramps up quickly, hurtling readers through a rollercoaster of shocking revelations and unrelenting suspense. The author's unapologetic style adds a gritty layer of realism, creating an immersive experience that's not for the faint of heart.
Be prepared for an adrenaline-fueled journey as you navigate through the twisted conspiracy that ties together missing persons, dead bodies, and those in power. Tetherless is a gripping tale for readers with a strong stomach, craving a narrative that doesn't hold back in its exploration of the darker facets of human nature. Buckle up for an unforgettably intense adventure that will keep you guessing until the very end!
October 27, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
So it was a bit of a challenge to review this book as there were elements that I really loved, and others that I really did not care for.
Let's start with the loved … the character growth of the characters, especially the main character. The characters themselves, where I could feel absolute disgust, surprise, and just an element of cheering them on. To a large degree the storyline, as it was dystopian, but had other elements in there as well. The world building, was very similar to urban fantasy.
For me, these two are biggies, hence the rating.
What I didn't care for, it started rather slowly, but it didn't really build up, it just all of a sudden took off, like that horse that gets startled and bolts. My problem with this was that in the beginning I was staving off boredom and really wondering if I should finish the book, and even though it was slow, there was just too much going on, there were even times where I 'paged' back as it felt like I had skipped ahead.
This author needs a Bells for the way I kept on thinking this person is going to not be who he/she is, and so on, so be prepared for some really cool twists and turns and surprises.
Having said all that, I would recommend this book as it really was overall interesting, especially for lovers of the genre.
So it was a bit of a challenge to review this book as there were elements that I really loved, and others that I really did not care for.
Let's start with the loved … the character growth of the characters, especially the main character. The characters themselves, where I could feel absolute disgust, surprise, and just an element of cheering them on. To a large degree the storyline, as it was dystopian, but had other elements in there as well. The world building, was very similar to urban fantasy.
For me, these two are biggies, hence the rating.
What I didn't care for, it started rather slowly, but it didn't really build up, it just all of a sudden took off, like that horse that gets startled and bolts. My problem with this was that in the beginning I was staving off boredom and really wondering if I should finish the book, and even though it was slow, there was just too much going on, there were even times where I 'paged' back as it felt like I had skipped ahead.
This author needs a Bells for the way I kept on thinking this person is going to not be who he/she is, and so on, so be prepared for some really cool twists and turns and surprises.
Having said all that, I would recommend this book as it really was overall interesting, especially for lovers of the genre.
July 11, 2024
Tetherless
C.K. O’Donnell
Tetherless is set in Eureka, California, in 2040.
There is a line in the world Abbie Spencer lives in. On one side are the haves and the other is the have nots. Abbie’s family is the average working class, living in poverty. The other side is the rich ruling class. Life has always been hard for Abbie, and she wants better. She1212 applies for a position with a wealthy family in Port Allegliance. When they offer her the position she sees how the other half lives. But not everything is as it seems. Gia Quinn had the position before Abbie. Gia did not voluntarily quit; she was abducted by a family member. Abbie is determined to discover what happened to Gia. She teams up with someone from her past in an effort to link Gia and the other deaths.
This book also does a great job demonstrating prejudice and malice and mercy and the distinctions of all those. Abbie comes to realize that while the people of Port Allegliance may have more but they still have struggles.
In Tetherless the underprivileged are oppressed by the rich and influential in every way possible. Some may see similarities to our world.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
C.K. O’Donnell
Tetherless is set in Eureka, California, in 2040.
There is a line in the world Abbie Spencer lives in. On one side are the haves and the other is the have nots. Abbie’s family is the average working class, living in poverty. The other side is the rich ruling class. Life has always been hard for Abbie, and she wants better. She1212 applies for a position with a wealthy family in Port Allegliance. When they offer her the position she sees how the other half lives. But not everything is as it seems. Gia Quinn had the position before Abbie. Gia did not voluntarily quit; she was abducted by a family member. Abbie is determined to discover what happened to Gia. She teams up with someone from her past in an effort to link Gia and the other deaths.
This book also does a great job demonstrating prejudice and malice and mercy and the distinctions of all those. Abbie comes to realize that while the people of Port Allegliance may have more but they still have struggles.
In Tetherless the underprivileged are oppressed by the rich and influential in every way possible. Some may see similarities to our world.
Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy for review.
July 20, 2024
This is a hard book to describe. It's dystopian and yet it's not. It does suck you and keep you reading to find out what is going to happen next. There is mystery, suspense, horror, romance, and a touch of science-fiction.
Abbie is in an abusive relationship and part of a dysfunctional family. Thinking that she would have a better life if she can find a job in Port Allegiance, a city that has restrictions on who can enter to work there, to her surprise she is accepted for a live-in position at Redwood Manor. To her surprise she meets someone from her past there. Not all is as it seems in Redwood Manor. The woman whose place she is taking, had disappeared and is thought to have been a victim of a serial killer. But there are secrets upon secrets. There are deaths that Abbie is touched by, but she won't stop until she finds out the truth and makes sure everyone else knows it too.
This is a very twisty, slightly horrifying tale that feels like it could happen now.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. My review is voluntary.
Abbie is in an abusive relationship and part of a dysfunctional family. Thinking that she would have a better life if she can find a job in Port Allegiance, a city that has restrictions on who can enter to work there, to her surprise she is accepted for a live-in position at Redwood Manor. To her surprise she meets someone from her past there. Not all is as it seems in Redwood Manor. The woman whose place she is taking, had disappeared and is thought to have been a victim of a serial killer. But there are secrets upon secrets. There are deaths that Abbie is touched by, but she won't stop until she finds out the truth and makes sure everyone else knows it too.
This is a very twisty, slightly horrifying tale that feels like it could happen now.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. My review is voluntary.
February 6, 2024
C.K. O'Donnell's Tetherless is a fair read especially if you are into the futuristic genre of what life could be. Tetherless is srt in the near future. Abbie Spencer the main character and her family live a very hard life in a decaying, rundown, and violent town in California. Abbie secures a job as a live-in servant position in the majestic and sparkling city that adjoins her town. Each is like night and day. The beautiful city and its inhabitants are high security and social levels. It may seem like a splendid place to live on the surface but underneath all the glitzy lifestyle is a dark side. Abbie discovers her job's predecessor Gia did not quit her job and leave as everyone believes. Somebody in the house where Abbie is employed abducted Gia. Abbie sets out to solve her mystery disappearce as well as why there is an increase of bodies at the morgue. The story line is interesting but it just moved too slow to really hold my interest. The character of Abbie is quite an interesting young woman but again there was not enough to hook me.
June 7, 2024
Thank you to the author and Redline Press for offering the Kindle edition giveaway! This is my first GR giveaway “win”! 🤓🖤
3.5/5 rounding up to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ here.
This book was so fun! I enjoyed the strong lead female character and reading her development in the story. Definitely some good unexpected twists that kept the story moving along. The characters in this books go through some major struggles and the author does a good job of making you want to find out what they do next.
There were a handful of times throughout the book I did feel slightly turned around or I would have to go back a few pages as it felt like it jumped around and I missed something. Also the first half felt like the right amount of detail and speed and toward the end of the second half it went too fast and left me wanting a little more depth.
Awesome debut and will plan to check out the next book in this series! 📚✨
3.5/5 rounding up to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ here.
This book was so fun! I enjoyed the strong lead female character and reading her development in the story. Definitely some good unexpected twists that kept the story moving along. The characters in this books go through some major struggles and the author does a good job of making you want to find out what they do next.
There were a handful of times throughout the book I did feel slightly turned around or I would have to go back a few pages as it felt like it jumped around and I missed something. Also the first half felt like the right amount of detail and speed and toward the end of the second half it went too fast and left me wanting a little more depth.
Awesome debut and will plan to check out the next book in this series! 📚✨
September 17, 2023
Tetherless takes readers on a journey through a dystopian world where danger lurks around every corner.The novel plunges readers into a suspenseful world filled with murder, deception, and betrayal. As Abbie and her friends uncover a sinister connection between the missing girl and the growing number of bodies in Eureka, the stakes become higher than ever.
Despite my initial reservations about picking up a dystopian novel, I found myself pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The writing is fast-paced, keeping the reader engaged and eager to uncover the next twist in the plot. Abbie, as the main character, is developed well, and her journey is both relatable and intriguing. Her determination and resourcefulness make her a compelling protagonist.
In conclusion, Tetherless will keep readers on the edge of their seats. If you enjoy dystopian novels filled with mystery and suspense, Tetherless is a worthwhile addition to your reading list.
Despite my initial reservations about picking up a dystopian novel, I found myself pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The writing is fast-paced, keeping the reader engaged and eager to uncover the next twist in the plot. Abbie, as the main character, is developed well, and her journey is both relatable and intriguing. Her determination and resourcefulness make her a compelling protagonist.
In conclusion, Tetherless will keep readers on the edge of their seats. If you enjoy dystopian novels filled with mystery and suspense, Tetherless is a worthwhile addition to your reading list.
November 7, 2023
I just finished this book and needed to sit with my thoughts before reviewing it. It is honestly so good. The main character Abbie is flawed in so many ways. She lives life bingeing on alcohol to deal with her repressive life in Eureka, California, a city with mass homelessness. She’s afraid if she doesn’t make big changes, she’ll die there. Finally, she gets a job in the adjacent city of Port Allegiance, a city of mass wealth and opportunity. Just as she believes a better future is possible, a brutal crime turns her world upside down. From this point on, I couldn’t put the book down. The character growth is inspiring, and the plot twists even better. I really hope the author puts out book two soon.
November 27, 2025
This book was good, but a little strange for me. The story could have been developed a little more.
The story takes place in the future. Abbie Spencer lives with her family in a decaying California town. She gets a job in Port Allegiance, the nice town on the other side of the wall, working for an affluent family. She finds out her predecessor, Gia, was abducted. Abbie decides to try to find out what happened. Can she discover what happened and who is behind the disappearance? Is there more going on and can she survive this?
The writing was good and the story was alright, but parts could have been developed a little more.
I am not sure if I will be continuing the series. This is a book you can read or skip.
The story takes place in the future. Abbie Spencer lives with her family in a decaying California town. She gets a job in Port Allegiance, the nice town on the other side of the wall, working for an affluent family. She finds out her predecessor, Gia, was abducted. Abbie decides to try to find out what happened. Can she discover what happened and who is behind the disappearance? Is there more going on and can she survive this?
The writing was good and the story was alright, but parts could have been developed a little more.
I am not sure if I will be continuing the series. This is a book you can read or skip.
January 18, 2024
The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Abbie finds this out almost as soon as she crosses over to the Port Allegiance. This book had many twists and turns that kept me captivated until the end. I worried about so many threads being pulled at once, and was pleasantly surprised that C.K. O'Donnell had wrapped them all up quite nicely by the last page. A great dystopian novel that keeps you guessing and engaged. Now, awaiting the next book.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
January 18, 2024
The grass isn't always greener on the other side. Abbie finds this out almost as soon as she crosses over to the Port Allegiance. This book had many twists and turns that kept me captivated until the end. I worried about so many threads being pulled at once, and was pleasantly surprised that C.K. O'Donnell had wrapped them all up quite nicely by the last page. A great dystopian novel that keeps you guessing and engaged. Now, awaiting the next book.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*
October 22, 2023
I received an ARC copy of this book through Book Sirens, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Overall 3.5/5 (round up to 4 on goodreads)
Cover 3/5 - it's interesting but doesn't pop to me.
Characters 3.5/5 - I really liked Abbie. But there wasn't much deep development throughout. There was a good amount of representation and diversity
Plot 3.5/5 - I'm not sure if it was the pacing, but it seemed a little all over the place. Some plot points seemed farfetched. It's still enjoyable, just did not feel very cohesive. The first half feels like one story, and the second half feels completely like another with the same characters.
Twist(s) 4/5 umm excuse me?? When the thing happened, I read the rest of the book in one sitting. Every event kept adding on. It was like a CW show. If you thought nothing worse would happen, you just had to keep reading, and it would. The drama!
This story takes place in a world where there is a gated city where the rich people live and "lucky" poor people work. If you weren't lucky enough to be rich, you lived in poverty in the cities outside, and drugs and corruption run the street there.
I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the book. There's also a very dark undertone the entire time, based on events from the beginning seeping into the plot.
Overall 3.5/5 (round up to 4 on goodreads)
Cover 3/5 - it's interesting but doesn't pop to me.
Characters 3.5/5 - I really liked Abbie. But there wasn't much deep development throughout. There was a good amount of representation and diversity
Plot 3.5/5 - I'm not sure if it was the pacing, but it seemed a little all over the place. Some plot points seemed farfetched. It's still enjoyable, just did not feel very cohesive. The first half feels like one story, and the second half feels completely like another with the same characters.
Twist(s) 4/5 umm excuse me?? When the thing happened, I read the rest of the book in one sitting. Every event kept adding on. It was like a CW show. If you thought nothing worse would happen, you just had to keep reading, and it would. The drama!
This story takes place in a world where there is a gated city where the rich people live and "lucky" poor people work. If you weren't lucky enough to be rich, you lived in poverty in the cities outside, and drugs and corruption run the street there.
I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the book. There's also a very dark undertone the entire time, based on events from the beginning seeping into the plot.
October 8, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this story about a young girl and her family living in the future in the small costal town of Eureka California. The characters are all unique and interesting. In a time where the rich get richer and the middle class has mostly become poorer and desperate for survival. I received this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2023
This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning. Read it in one sitting. The characters are well developed and is the plot. Honestly, I'm shocked this is a debut novel. I will say it was given to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I hope the publisher releases book 2 soon!
October 24, 2023
great book!
I really loved this book. It was hard to put down once I started reading it and I even read it during my lunch breaks at work because I couldn’t wait. 10/10 would recommend
I really loved this book. It was hard to put down once I started reading it and I even read it during my lunch breaks at work because I couldn’t wait. 10/10 would recommend
November 3, 2023
It was an OK book
The first half of the book was good with character introduction and storyline. I felt the writing in the second half of the book was juvenile and the story was told quickly. I would like to see more from this author though.
The first half of the book was good with character introduction and storyline. I felt the writing in the second half of the book was juvenile and the story was told quickly. I would like to see more from this author though.
March 26, 2024
I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.
A unique YA dystopia novel that kept me interested from page one.
It does have a few trigger warning such as, drugs and assets., but it's refreshingly unique.
A unique YA dystopia novel that kept me interested from page one.
It does have a few trigger warning such as, drugs and assets., but it's refreshingly unique.
June 2, 2024
Throughly enjoyed this storyline
June 26, 2024
I bumped up my rating because I find myself thinking about this book a lot since I’ve finished it. The concept of this book is so original, and I’ve never read anything quite like it, so that was refreshing.
August 7, 2024
Very good book. Kept your mind wondering who was doing what to whom. It keeps you guessing at some of the events. There's murder, mystery, and a little romance. An all around good book.
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January 30, 2025“Tetherless” follows Abilene “Abbie” Spencer and her family in a dystopian California during the year 2040 where life is anything but easy outside the wall of Port Allegiance. This was a great story with lots of twists and turns. It was interesting to see the author’s perspective on a futuristic California where people were separated by a wall seemingly based on birth/class. I look forward to the second I book which the author so kindly gave a few chapter sneak peek into at the end of the novel. Recommend.
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