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Elusion #2
Etherworld
In this sequel to Elusion, three teens fight a virtual reality program that threatens to destroy their minds. Dangerous secrets and lies add up to a thrilling futuristic fantasy with an Inception-inspired twist.
Elusion was hailed as an exciting leap in technology—until users began to disappear amid rumors of addiction. Regan’s search for the truth led her and her new love interest, Josh, to Etherworld. Etherworld is a dimension hidden deep beyond Elusion's firewall, where players can hide, and ultimately fight back. Regan's father and others are here working to destroy Etherworld, but the longer they stay the less likely they'll be able to return to the real world alive.
Escape means attacking Elusion from within the program. It's dangerous and it’s a puzzle. And even if they manage it, how will they be able to stop Orexis from distributing Elusion to the masses when the people who run it are corrupt?
Elusion was hailed as an exciting leap in technology—until users began to disappear amid rumors of addiction. Regan’s search for the truth led her and her new love interest, Josh, to Etherworld. Etherworld is a dimension hidden deep beyond Elusion's firewall, where players can hide, and ultimately fight back. Regan's father and others are here working to destroy Etherworld, but the longer they stay the less likely they'll be able to return to the real world alive.
Escape means attacking Elusion from within the program. It's dangerous and it’s a puzzle. And even if they manage it, how will they be able to stop Orexis from distributing Elusion to the masses when the people who run it are corrupt?
340 pages, Hardcover
First published March 31, 2015
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February 19, 2015
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Etherworld by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam
Book Two of the Elusion series
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
In this sequel to Elusion, three teens fight a virtual reality program that threatens to destroy their minds. Dangerous secrets and lies add up to a thrilling futuristic fantasy with an Inception-inspired twist.
Elusion was hailed as an exciting leap in technology—until users began to disappear amid rumors of addiction. Regan’s search for the truth led her and her new love interest, Josh, to Etherworld. Etherworld is a dimension hidden deep beyond Elusion's firewall, where players can hide, and ultimately fight back. Regan's father and others are here working to destroy Etherworld, but the longer they stay the less likely they'll be able to return to the real world alive.
Escape means attacking Elusion from within the program. It's dangerous and it’s a puzzle. And even if they manage it, how will they be able to stop Orexis from distributing Elusion to the masses when the people who run it are corrupt?
What I Liked:
I really enjoyed this book! This duology was pretty amazing, if I may say so myself. I'm a huge fan of science fiction, high stakes, simple romance - and gorgeous book covers! So you could say that I personally hit the jackpot with this series. Also, I've met Cheryl Klam in September 2014 (she gave me a gorgeous signed ARC of this book!), and she's amazing! I have no doubt that Claudia is just as wonderful and kind. Anyway. On to the review!
Etherworld picks up where Elusion left off. Regan, Josh, Regan's father, and a group of teenagers are stuck in Etherworld, a type of safe place within Elusion in which users (of the Elusion app) can hide. Regan's father is currently in Etherworld and leads Regan and Josh there. With the group of teenagers (including Josh's sister Nora), Regan, Josh, and Regan's father try to take down Etherworld - and Elusion.
But Etherworld is not so easy to destroy, and neither is Elusion. Regan is pulled from Etherworld when Patrick drags her out and wakes her up. Thinking she has nanopsychosis, he takes her to the hospital against her will. Regan will stop at nothing to get her father, Josh, and other users out of Etherworld, and destroy Elusion for good. But there are greater factors, more powerful players at work. Lives are at stakes in a virtual world that has its claws deeply entrenched in a futuristic society.
What a fascinating concept, virtual reality. Be sure to check out my "Science in Fiction" post for Etherworld - I discussed the pros and cons of virtual reality. In Elusion/Etherworld, the virtual world of Elusion is a tempting and scary one. It is paradise, because you can go to this magical wonderful place and seem and feel so happy. But people get addicted to the world, and there are serious health effects to using the app for a long time. The app wasn't meant to be used all the time, often, for long periods of time.
Just like in Elusion, Etherworld moved rapidly. The beginning is a bit slow, but probably to me, because I didn't remember some specific things that happened in Elusion, so I had to drag through the beginning of this book, and things started returning. The authors did a great job of recapping events briefly and sporadically, so that feeble brains (such as my own) don't get confused. I appreciated that!
I really liked the characters in this book/series. Regan is a likable heroine, and it's easy to root for her. She's stuck in some difficult situations in this book, and I wanted to shake her for not trying harder to get out of the hospital (I mean, she definitely worked hard to get out, but from the start, not really). She's so loyal to her friends and family, and this is both a good thing and sometimes, a bad thing. She trusted Patrick with the information she found in Etherworld, and he turned around and took her to the hospital. So, loyal and trusting is a good and bad thing.
Josh is sweet and protective as always. Regan's father is overworked and stress as usual, but it scares Regan. When Regan comes back to the real world, she also starts looking for her father's body. Someone (Patrick's mother) is keeping her father alive, and trapped in Elusion (Etherworld, really).
I always felt bad for Patrick, and I disliked him a bit in the first half of this book, but by the end of this book, I liked him. He's a product of loyalty and trust towards his family (like Regan), but unfortunately for him, his family was on the wrong side of things. Patrick grows significantly in this book, and makes his own decisions and stands for them.
The romance is so sweet and lovely! No love triangle, as I mentioned in my review of Elusion. Josh and Regan have a tender relationship, but sparks definitely fly in this book. I kind of wanted more from the romance in this book, but at the same time, I liked the simplicity.
The end... the end of another series. I liked the end of this book a lot. It was a little bit cookie-cutter perfect, but I'd rather that than an everyone-dies-and-the-romance-is-ruined type of ending!
What I Did Not Like:
I mentioned that I wanted more from the romance in this book! Not a huge deal, and definitely not a major dislike or anything, but I thought the story could benefit just a smidgen more from more scenes with just Regan and Josh. I feel like there was more romance in Elusion, which is fine, but I guess since they're officially together at the end of Elusion, there would be more romance in this book. But that's okay.
Would I Recommend It:
I really liked this book - and series! And it's a duology (versus trilogy or something more), so that's pretty nice, in terms of waiting. I love science fiction, and the concept of virtual reality is definitely a hotly debated one. It's nice to see authors bring these controversial scientific topics to Young Adult literature, in my opinion. Anyway. Yes, I would recommend this book. Series.
Rating:
4 stars. A wonderful conclusion to a thrilling and thought-provoking science fiction series! I'm so glad I read this series. And hey, an added benefit is the BEAUTIFUL covers!
Etherworld by Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam
Book Two of the Elusion series
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
In this sequel to Elusion, three teens fight a virtual reality program that threatens to destroy their minds. Dangerous secrets and lies add up to a thrilling futuristic fantasy with an Inception-inspired twist.
Elusion was hailed as an exciting leap in technology—until users began to disappear amid rumors of addiction. Regan’s search for the truth led her and her new love interest, Josh, to Etherworld. Etherworld is a dimension hidden deep beyond Elusion's firewall, where players can hide, and ultimately fight back. Regan's father and others are here working to destroy Etherworld, but the longer they stay the less likely they'll be able to return to the real world alive.
Escape means attacking Elusion from within the program. It's dangerous and it’s a puzzle. And even if they manage it, how will they be able to stop Orexis from distributing Elusion to the masses when the people who run it are corrupt?
What I Liked:
I really enjoyed this book! This duology was pretty amazing, if I may say so myself. I'm a huge fan of science fiction, high stakes, simple romance - and gorgeous book covers! So you could say that I personally hit the jackpot with this series. Also, I've met Cheryl Klam in September 2014 (she gave me a gorgeous signed ARC of this book!), and she's amazing! I have no doubt that Claudia is just as wonderful and kind. Anyway. On to the review!
Etherworld picks up where Elusion left off. Regan, Josh, Regan's father, and a group of teenagers are stuck in Etherworld, a type of safe place within Elusion in which users (of the Elusion app) can hide. Regan's father is currently in Etherworld and leads Regan and Josh there. With the group of teenagers (including Josh's sister Nora), Regan, Josh, and Regan's father try to take down Etherworld - and Elusion.
But Etherworld is not so easy to destroy, and neither is Elusion. Regan is pulled from Etherworld when Patrick drags her out and wakes her up. Thinking she has nanopsychosis, he takes her to the hospital against her will. Regan will stop at nothing to get her father, Josh, and other users out of Etherworld, and destroy Elusion for good. But there are greater factors, more powerful players at work. Lives are at stakes in a virtual world that has its claws deeply entrenched in a futuristic society.
What a fascinating concept, virtual reality. Be sure to check out my "Science in Fiction" post for Etherworld - I discussed the pros and cons of virtual reality. In Elusion/Etherworld, the virtual world of Elusion is a tempting and scary one. It is paradise, because you can go to this magical wonderful place and seem and feel so happy. But people get addicted to the world, and there are serious health effects to using the app for a long time. The app wasn't meant to be used all the time, often, for long periods of time.
Just like in Elusion, Etherworld moved rapidly. The beginning is a bit slow, but probably to me, because I didn't remember some specific things that happened in Elusion, so I had to drag through the beginning of this book, and things started returning. The authors did a great job of recapping events briefly and sporadically, so that feeble brains (such as my own) don't get confused. I appreciated that!
I really liked the characters in this book/series. Regan is a likable heroine, and it's easy to root for her. She's stuck in some difficult situations in this book, and I wanted to shake her for not trying harder to get out of the hospital (I mean, she definitely worked hard to get out, but from the start, not really). She's so loyal to her friends and family, and this is both a good thing and sometimes, a bad thing. She trusted Patrick with the information she found in Etherworld, and he turned around and took her to the hospital. So, loyal and trusting is a good and bad thing.
Josh is sweet and protective as always. Regan's father is overworked and stress as usual, but it scares Regan. When Regan comes back to the real world, she also starts looking for her father's body. Someone (Patrick's mother) is keeping her father alive, and trapped in Elusion (Etherworld, really).
I always felt bad for Patrick, and I disliked him a bit in the first half of this book, but by the end of this book, I liked him. He's a product of loyalty and trust towards his family (like Regan), but unfortunately for him, his family was on the wrong side of things. Patrick grows significantly in this book, and makes his own decisions and stands for them.
The romance is so sweet and lovely! No love triangle, as I mentioned in my review of Elusion. Josh and Regan have a tender relationship, but sparks definitely fly in this book. I kind of wanted more from the romance in this book, but at the same time, I liked the simplicity.
The end... the end of another series. I liked the end of this book a lot. It was a little bit cookie-cutter perfect, but I'd rather that than an everyone-dies-and-the-romance-is-ruined type of ending!
What I Did Not Like:
I mentioned that I wanted more from the romance in this book! Not a huge deal, and definitely not a major dislike or anything, but I thought the story could benefit just a smidgen more from more scenes with just Regan and Josh. I feel like there was more romance in Elusion, which is fine, but I guess since they're officially together at the end of Elusion, there would be more romance in this book. But that's okay.
Would I Recommend It:
I really liked this book - and series! And it's a duology (versus trilogy or something more), so that's pretty nice, in terms of waiting. I love science fiction, and the concept of virtual reality is definitely a hotly debated one. It's nice to see authors bring these controversial scientific topics to Young Adult literature, in my opinion. Anyway. Yes, I would recommend this book. Series.
Rating:
4 stars. A wonderful conclusion to a thrilling and thought-provoking science fiction series! I'm so glad I read this series. And hey, an added benefit is the BEAUTIFUL covers!
April 7, 2016
An Electronic Advanced Reader Copy was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review. Quotes have been pulled from an ARC and may be subject to change.
You know how you start a book and it jumps right into the action? This is Etherworld. The action never stopped and I was constantly on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going on.
Regan isn't searching for her father this time around, she's trying to get out of Elusion and back into the real world. Along with that, she's also trying to solve the mystery of who is behind all the craziness that keeps happening in the virtual world and who is helping them as well. I have to admit, I kinda liked that there wasn't a big focus on the romance here. It was hardly there. Regan was too busy being chased by people and trying to stay alive to be kissing and making out with her boyfriend. I liked it a lot. It feels like one of those "someone-is-after-you" type movies where the ending becomes a big twist. And it kind of was, but then again I guessed it half way through but I didn't mind. it made sense. Technology sometimes cannot be controlled and this book proves it. I really enjoyed the fast paced plot and pretty much got into this futuristic sci-fi book from the beginning.
Pick this one up if you like science fiction and action and lots of cool sounding futuristic gadgets, you won't be disappointed.
You know how you start a book and it jumps right into the action? This is Etherworld. The action never stopped and I was constantly on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what was going on.
Regan isn't searching for her father this time around, she's trying to get out of Elusion and back into the real world. Along with that, she's also trying to solve the mystery of who is behind all the craziness that keeps happening in the virtual world and who is helping them as well. I have to admit, I kinda liked that there wasn't a big focus on the romance here. It was hardly there. Regan was too busy being chased by people and trying to stay alive to be kissing and making out with her boyfriend. I liked it a lot. It feels like one of those "someone-is-after-you" type movies where the ending becomes a big twist. And it kind of was, but then again I guessed it half way through but I didn't mind. it made sense. Technology sometimes cannot be controlled and this book proves it. I really enjoyed the fast paced plot and pretty much got into this futuristic sci-fi book from the beginning.
Pick this one up if you like science fiction and action and lots of cool sounding futuristic gadgets, you won't be disappointed.
August 31, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was a good end to the story!
Josh and Regan fought really hard in this book to rescue those they loved, and other people stuck in Elusion, and it was noble the way they never gave up, even when things got hard. That being said, it was easy to see why people would think that Regan was suffering from nanopsychosis when she was talking about seeing her dead father!
The storyline in this was good and revolved around rescuing Regan’s father, and destroying Elusion. I liked the twists that we got with regards to Elusion, I really wouldn’t have guessed them, although some of the explanations about things seemed a little hard to grasp for me. I guess I just don’t know enough about computer stuff!
There was some romance, but it was only a small part of the story, and it didn’t really interest me to be honest. Regan and Josh’s relationship did progress and became more physical though.
The ending to this was satisfying, and I liked that we didn’t have to wait for a third book to finish the series!
6.5 out of 10
This was a good end to the story!
Josh and Regan fought really hard in this book to rescue those they loved, and other people stuck in Elusion, and it was noble the way they never gave up, even when things got hard. That being said, it was easy to see why people would think that Regan was suffering from nanopsychosis when she was talking about seeing her dead father!
The storyline in this was good and revolved around rescuing Regan’s father, and destroying Elusion. I liked the twists that we got with regards to Elusion, I really wouldn’t have guessed them, although some of the explanations about things seemed a little hard to grasp for me. I guess I just don’t know enough about computer stuff!
There was some romance, but it was only a small part of the story, and it didn’t really interest me to be honest. Regan and Josh’s relationship did progress and became more physical though.
The ending to this was satisfying, and I liked that we didn’t have to wait for a third book to finish the series!
6.5 out of 10
August 25, 2015
This review can also be found on Key to Book City, check it out for more!
I often find myself wishing that I could be part of some kind of new project that'd totally change the world and its history. Make a new discovery or whatsoever. A girl can only dream, right? Reading Etherworld, the sequel to the magnificent Elusion that captivated me so much when I first read it made me feel that I was part of this new 'project' and 'discovery.' Gabel and Klam's inner vision of what the human race may turn into, by looking at personality and intelligence, of the future seems to be perfectly on-point, especially as the knowledge of everything and the universe expands and strengthens. I seriously loved this.
After reading dystopian hundreds and hundreds of times in the past, you know that you could possibly get sick and tired of the same subject over and over again. Although this was a sequel to a duology that readers loved from the first page to the last, and although it features the same characters and problem/issue, it's not something to get tired of. Yes, Gabel and Klam feature aspects of dystopia that sounds so cool and realistic both at the same time, and yes you're going to want to read about it. This is like a virtual reality, reading about a completely alien planet and universe that may seem perfect at first. But everything has flaws.
Klam and Gabel are masters of diction, of literature. Their descriptions of the setting that Regan is introduced to is utterly fabulous. It's not like you're just reading a book, it's more like you're living it. You know how George R.R. Martin wrote about readers living thousands of lives? These authors' work truly exemplifies that saying. They can multitask and make everything that a reader looks for right.
This starts off straight from where the magic of the first book left us off at, I'm telling ya. Regan and Josh, her new beau (a hot one, too) are in Etherworld, where Regan discovers that what people have been telling her about Elusion and her family are all complete lies. There are other people there, too, and alongside the help of the new couple, everyone's trying to destroy the weird atmospheric world and get back to their normal lives where people who they love are left behind, struggling to get by life without them. When Regan heads back to reality, people, including the people she love, suspect that she is crazy and going through nano-psychosis. I'm not trying to sound like an actual summary, but... Will she be able to destroy the world and be back with her family once again?
Everything was practically the most action-filled that it could get. And seriously, the authors surprised me with the fact that Josh and Regan did have the ability to head back and forth between two worlds, trying to figure out hints and answers to all of the issues around them. Everything expanded and turned out better. The first book had expanded on the issue of Elusion not being safe, and this one has truly unfolded into the works of Elusion and what the actual founder has to go through. Get ready for scientific explanations and kick-assness coming from Regan.
Regan supported her family. After all of the lies that her father has told her to keep her safe and happy without any troubles, she's still fine and has a great relationship with him. Thank the book lords that we don't have a bratty teenage girl who only cares about her boyfriend and them kissing and hating her father, because I'm sure that we wouldn't have had a great turn out. Her character and perspective is certainly entertaining and more protagonists should definitely be like her. Please, authors-to-come, learn from this advice.
YOUR SHIP DREAMS WILL COME TRUE. Regan and Josh are the ultimate one true pair, I promise. Perhaps you'll even adore watching them go through battles and discovering the truth, as well as make the right or wrong decisions. It's kind of awesome to be in love when everything around you is falling apart, actually.
Claudia and Cheryl have totally blown me away with this epic finale. I just had to write my thoughts down after I completed and flipped the last page over because this story means so much to me and my perspective of dystopian fiction. Etherworld captured me, threw my emotions around and left me aching for more of their indulging, descriptive writing. But hey, I guess you'll realize that by simply taking a peek at the gorgeous, stellar covers of this series. You know you want all of it.
*A finished copy was provided by the published via BookExpo America in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!*
I often find myself wishing that I could be part of some kind of new project that'd totally change the world and its history. Make a new discovery or whatsoever. A girl can only dream, right? Reading Etherworld, the sequel to the magnificent Elusion that captivated me so much when I first read it made me feel that I was part of this new 'project' and 'discovery.' Gabel and Klam's inner vision of what the human race may turn into, by looking at personality and intelligence, of the future seems to be perfectly on-point, especially as the knowledge of everything and the universe expands and strengthens. I seriously loved this.
After reading dystopian hundreds and hundreds of times in the past, you know that you could possibly get sick and tired of the same subject over and over again. Although this was a sequel to a duology that readers loved from the first page to the last, and although it features the same characters and problem/issue, it's not something to get tired of. Yes, Gabel and Klam feature aspects of dystopia that sounds so cool and realistic both at the same time, and yes you're going to want to read about it. This is like a virtual reality, reading about a completely alien planet and universe that may seem perfect at first. But everything has flaws.
"When I returned, things between us felt uncomfortable and weird, as if we weren't sure if what had happened was the result of how we really felt or a product of artificially stimulated euphoria." (257)
Klam and Gabel are masters of diction, of literature. Their descriptions of the setting that Regan is introduced to is utterly fabulous. It's not like you're just reading a book, it's more like you're living it. You know how George R.R. Martin wrote about readers living thousands of lives? These authors' work truly exemplifies that saying. They can multitask and make everything that a reader looks for right.
This starts off straight from where the magic of the first book left us off at, I'm telling ya. Regan and Josh, her new beau (a hot one, too) are in Etherworld, where Regan discovers that what people have been telling her about Elusion and her family are all complete lies. There are other people there, too, and alongside the help of the new couple, everyone's trying to destroy the weird atmospheric world and get back to their normal lives where people who they love are left behind, struggling to get by life without them. When Regan heads back to reality, people, including the people she love, suspect that she is crazy and going through nano-psychosis. I'm not trying to sound like an actual summary, but... Will she be able to destroy the world and be back with her family once again?
Everything was practically the most action-filled that it could get. And seriously, the authors surprised me with the fact that Josh and Regan did have the ability to head back and forth between two worlds, trying to figure out hints and answers to all of the issues around them. Everything expanded and turned out better. The first book had expanded on the issue of Elusion not being safe, and this one has truly unfolded into the works of Elusion and what the actual founder has to go through. Get ready for scientific explanations and kick-assness coming from Regan.
Regan supported her family. After all of the lies that her father has told her to keep her safe and happy without any troubles, she's still fine and has a great relationship with him. Thank the book lords that we don't have a bratty teenage girl who only cares about her boyfriend and them kissing and hating her father, because I'm sure that we wouldn't have had a great turn out. Her character and perspective is certainly entertaining and more protagonists should definitely be like her. Please, authors-to-come, learn from this advice.
YOUR SHIP DREAMS WILL COME TRUE. Regan and Josh are the ultimate one true pair, I promise. Perhaps you'll even adore watching them go through battles and discovering the truth, as well as make the right or wrong decisions. It's kind of awesome to be in love when everything around you is falling apart, actually.
Claudia and Cheryl have totally blown me away with this epic finale. I just had to write my thoughts down after I completed and flipped the last page over because this story means so much to me and my perspective of dystopian fiction. Etherworld captured me, threw my emotions around and left me aching for more of their indulging, descriptive writing. But hey, I guess you'll realize that by simply taking a peek at the gorgeous, stellar covers of this series. You know you want all of it.
*A finished copy was provided by the published via BookExpo America in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much!*
April 16, 2018
*NOTE: THIS IS A REVIEW Of THE ENTIRE DUOLOGY*
3.5 stars
Recently, I have decided that I want to try to listen to more audiobooks. Some authors are starting to release their books on Audible before ebook or print. Therefore, I would like to try to get used to audiobooks. I checked it what my library offered via Overdrive, their online audiobook and ebook service. I saw that they had the Elusion duology, which I've been wanting to read for a while, and decided to give it a try. I thought it was an enjoyable series to read.
The first book took a little while to get into. Elusion wasn't fully explained, which made everything a little confusing at first. However, once I got the gist of things, I found myself really loving the story. The way the plot of Elusion flowed, it was almost like listening to one of those old-time radio shows. It kept me on the edge of my seat. When I thought the series couldn't get any more exciting, Etherworld began and everything I thought I knew was flipped upside down. I loved all the twists and turns throughout the series. It was action-packed right up until the last few minutes of the book. I had no idea what was going to happen in the end, and I loved every second of it.
Maybe it's because I was listening to the duology on audiobook, but my biggest problem with the series was that I felt incredibly disconnected from the characters. I'm not used to listening to audiobooks though, so it could have been because of that instead of the writing. Either way, it kept taking me out of the storyline. The best way I can describe it is that it was like watching a play, where are the actors overact their characters. It felt very fake and forced. Once I would start really liking one of the characters, that feeling would come back again. It made it hard to fully immerse myself into the story, and get emotionally involved in the characters. By the end, there were a couple of characters that I really liked. However, for the most part, I didn't really care who lived or died.
Despite not liking the characters, I did find this book enjoyable to read. The plot was fast-paced, and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I greatly enjoyed the futuristic setting in our world. I hope that the author continues to write dystopian books. I will gladly read anything else she releases in the future. Unfortunately, I can't find anything on Goodreads about her writing another series. If she does, now that she has more experience with writing, I'm sure I will love her next book even more.
3.5 stars
Recently, I have decided that I want to try to listen to more audiobooks. Some authors are starting to release their books on Audible before ebook or print. Therefore, I would like to try to get used to audiobooks. I checked it what my library offered via Overdrive, their online audiobook and ebook service. I saw that they had the Elusion duology, which I've been wanting to read for a while, and decided to give it a try. I thought it was an enjoyable series to read.
The first book took a little while to get into. Elusion wasn't fully explained, which made everything a little confusing at first. However, once I got the gist of things, I found myself really loving the story. The way the plot of Elusion flowed, it was almost like listening to one of those old-time radio shows. It kept me on the edge of my seat. When I thought the series couldn't get any more exciting, Etherworld began and everything I thought I knew was flipped upside down. I loved all the twists and turns throughout the series. It was action-packed right up until the last few minutes of the book. I had no idea what was going to happen in the end, and I loved every second of it.
Maybe it's because I was listening to the duology on audiobook, but my biggest problem with the series was that I felt incredibly disconnected from the characters. I'm not used to listening to audiobooks though, so it could have been because of that instead of the writing. Either way, it kept taking me out of the storyline. The best way I can describe it is that it was like watching a play, where are the actors overact their characters. It felt very fake and forced. Once I would start really liking one of the characters, that feeling would come back again. It made it hard to fully immerse myself into the story, and get emotionally involved in the characters. By the end, there were a couple of characters that I really liked. However, for the most part, I didn't really care who lived or died.
Despite not liking the characters, I did find this book enjoyable to read. The plot was fast-paced, and kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I greatly enjoyed the futuristic setting in our world. I hope that the author continues to write dystopian books. I will gladly read anything else she releases in the future. Unfortunately, I can't find anything on Goodreads about her writing another series. If she does, now that she has more experience with writing, I'm sure I will love her next book even more.
October 14, 2014
An absolutely brilliant sequel that was even better than the first, Etherworld was simply fantastic YA read. It had more secrets, thrills, betrayals, and it was all wonderful.
Regan was just lovely. She was an even stronger character in this book, determined to expose the truth and save the people who were being harmed by Elusion. She proved herself clever and definitely a force to be reckoned with. She was great and I really liked her.
Josh was wonderful as well. Just as determined to end Elusion and be there for Regan every step of the way. He was a sweetie and I really liked him as well.
The romance was low key but it was still clear how much Regan and Josh cared for each other. I was glad to see the ending that they got.
The plot was fast paced and I was totally hooked the entire way through. There were plenty of new secrets, a few surprises, and plenty of thrills that kept me on the edge of my seat. The stakes were all upped and it was a wild ride all the way through. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect.
Etherworld was a brilliant YA read that was full of twists, turns, and plenty of secrets. It was wonderful and I totally loved it. YA lovers, this is a book you won't want to miss.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Regan was just lovely. She was an even stronger character in this book, determined to expose the truth and save the people who were being harmed by Elusion. She proved herself clever and definitely a force to be reckoned with. She was great and I really liked her.
Josh was wonderful as well. Just as determined to end Elusion and be there for Regan every step of the way. He was a sweetie and I really liked him as well.
The romance was low key but it was still clear how much Regan and Josh cared for each other. I was glad to see the ending that they got.
The plot was fast paced and I was totally hooked the entire way through. There were plenty of new secrets, a few surprises, and plenty of thrills that kept me on the edge of my seat. The stakes were all upped and it was a wild ride all the way through. I really enjoyed the story and the ending was perfect.
Etherworld was a brilliant YA read that was full of twists, turns, and plenty of secrets. It was wonderful and I totally loved it. YA lovers, this is a book you won't want to miss.
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
April 16, 2015
**I received this book for free from (Katherine Tegen Books) via (Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
*Genre* Young Adult, Science Fiction
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
Etherworld closes out the Elusion duology by picking up right where Elusion left off. As I have just written my review for Elusion and posted it to Talk Supe Blog (04/16), I shall try not to spoil what happened in the previous novel. Story narrator Regan Welch, along with her new boyfriend Josh, her father David, and a group of teens who have been stuck in Elusion, are on a mission to bring the system down to its knees and return home in one piece.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 04/16/2015*
http://www.gizmosreviews.blogspot.com...
*Recvd 09/30/2014 via Edelweiss* Published: March 30th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
*Genre* Young Adult, Science Fiction
*Rating* 3-3.5
*My Thoughts*
Etherworld closes out the Elusion duology by picking up right where Elusion left off. As I have just written my review for Elusion and posted it to Talk Supe Blog (04/16), I shall try not to spoil what happened in the previous novel. Story narrator Regan Welch, along with her new boyfriend Josh, her father David, and a group of teens who have been stuck in Elusion, are on a mission to bring the system down to its knees and return home in one piece.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews 04/16/2015*
http://www.gizmosreviews.blogspot.com...
*Recvd 09/30/2014 via Edelweiss* Published: March 30th 2015 by Katherine Tegen Books
March 27, 2017
Shady dealings were definitely going on among corporate bigwigs at Orexis to promote their breakthrough virtual reality system known as Elusion, but Regan Welch couldn't prove it until she burrowed deep inside the simulation and came face to face with her father, David, thought for months to be dead. In Etherworld, a sub-program of Elusion designed by David for him to hide in from his corrupt bosses at Orexis, Regan learns the truth about Cathryn, the person in charge at the company. David confronted Cathryn months ago with data showing that Elusion can cause brain damage and even death, but she refused to heed the advice of the game's creator. Orexis had invested major capital in Elusion, and delaying release wasn't an option. To prevent David from alerting authorities or the press, Cathryn conspired to fake his death and imprison him within the majestic, sensuous landscapes of Elusion. When David sent subtle, encoded distress signals to Regan in the real world, she responded, not believing her father could be alive but knowing the signals somehow were coming from him. Had he set up a trail of communication before the accident that took his life? But now Regan knows he's alive, trapped in Etherworld with about a dozen teens who, like Regan, cracked David's secret code and snuck in. Is there any pathway from here back to reality?
David and his techie teen support crew are hard at work to hatch their way out of Etherworld without crossing into the danger zone of Elusion, but barriers spring up one after another. Cathryn has apparently redesigned Elusion to block David from ejecting out of the game. Somewhere in the real world he and his teen assistants, now including Regan and her new love interest, Josh, are hooked up to Elusion consoles, and time is running out on how long they can safely stay under trypnosis. Many of them have already far exceeded the limit and may not ultimately survive, but for now all they can do is work with David to formulate an escape and hope for the best.
"When you find out that everything about your reality is just an illusion, it's hard not to completely shut down."
—Etherworld, P. 97
When Regan abruptly awakens in the real world, groggy and out of sorts from her long session in Elusion, the information she's learned in Etherworld could blow Orexis to pieces. But will anyone believe her father is alive and imprisoned in a virtual reality subspace by a corporate tyrant? Regan's story sounds absurd even to close friends and family. She spent way longer in Elusion than safety guidelines recommend during the time when she was supposedly finding her father, and could be suffering from nanopsychosis brought on by abuse of the product. With unwavering conviction that she didn't dream up Etherworld, Regan searches for proof that her father is alive and Orexis is a menace to society, knowing she has to come up with something incontrovertible before well-meaning friends lock her in the loony bin. Regan lost her father once and she's not about to let it happen again, not with him trapped in Etherworld and depending on her to retrieve help. It's Regan and her few allies against the entire Orexis infrastructure, with an unimaginable fortune in tech revenue at stake. Who will win the battle between right and wrong?
"But right now, I'm going to focus on the beauty of life, not the darkness".
—Etherworld, P. 323
Parts of Etherworld are confusing. High-tech lingo is bandied about by computer programmers and hackers who know more about the science than most people ever will, and their proposals for evacuating Etherworld reflect the sophistication of their knowledge. Thus when solutions are reached and implemented, I typically don't understand what's going on. For the middle third of Etherworld, though, the story hits its stride, becoming a bullet train with the velocity to ram through concrete walls. The action in and around the mental hospital is electric, gathering scary momentum that feels out of control. Anger, fear, frustration, and deep discomfort rise in the reader's blood, and that's how you know an author (or two, in this case) is capable of spinning a story. I'd rate Etherworld two and a half stars, and this middle section of the book almost persuaded me to round that up instead of down. Having friends not believe and intentionally work against you when life or death depends on your actions is a boiling outrage when you know you're right, but what if there are niggling doubts in your mind? What if you feel sure you aren't delusional, yet the possibility lingers that the revelations you've taken comfort in could be fabrications of a damaged brain? Is Regan's father alive, or isn't he? How far can you trust your own perception when advanced virtual reality is in the mix? These questions are what makes Etherworld a good story, better than Elusion, in my opinion. They'll all be settled by the end of this book.
Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam are a decent writing duo. Once they get into the story, the action can be as good as almost anything in YA literature of the time. They're capable of approximating the effect of action scenes by Lauren Oliver, Scott Westerfeld, James Dashner, and Veronica Roth. As I did for Elusion, I must make mention of Etherworld's cover art. The pretty swirls are the main reason I picked up Elusion in the first place, and Etherworld's collage of colors is just as aesthetically pleasant. If you like fiction about technology gone awry, you might enjoy this duology. It has something to offer readers who can't get enough dystopia.
David and his techie teen support crew are hard at work to hatch their way out of Etherworld without crossing into the danger zone of Elusion, but barriers spring up one after another. Cathryn has apparently redesigned Elusion to block David from ejecting out of the game. Somewhere in the real world he and his teen assistants, now including Regan and her new love interest, Josh, are hooked up to Elusion consoles, and time is running out on how long they can safely stay under trypnosis. Many of them have already far exceeded the limit and may not ultimately survive, but for now all they can do is work with David to formulate an escape and hope for the best.
"When you find out that everything about your reality is just an illusion, it's hard not to completely shut down."
—Etherworld, P. 97
When Regan abruptly awakens in the real world, groggy and out of sorts from her long session in Elusion, the information she's learned in Etherworld could blow Orexis to pieces. But will anyone believe her father is alive and imprisoned in a virtual reality subspace by a corporate tyrant? Regan's story sounds absurd even to close friends and family. She spent way longer in Elusion than safety guidelines recommend during the time when she was supposedly finding her father, and could be suffering from nanopsychosis brought on by abuse of the product. With unwavering conviction that she didn't dream up Etherworld, Regan searches for proof that her father is alive and Orexis is a menace to society, knowing she has to come up with something incontrovertible before well-meaning friends lock her in the loony bin. Regan lost her father once and she's not about to let it happen again, not with him trapped in Etherworld and depending on her to retrieve help. It's Regan and her few allies against the entire Orexis infrastructure, with an unimaginable fortune in tech revenue at stake. Who will win the battle between right and wrong?
"But right now, I'm going to focus on the beauty of life, not the darkness".
—Etherworld, P. 323
Parts of Etherworld are confusing. High-tech lingo is bandied about by computer programmers and hackers who know more about the science than most people ever will, and their proposals for evacuating Etherworld reflect the sophistication of their knowledge. Thus when solutions are reached and implemented, I typically don't understand what's going on. For the middle third of Etherworld, though, the story hits its stride, becoming a bullet train with the velocity to ram through concrete walls. The action in and around the mental hospital is electric, gathering scary momentum that feels out of control. Anger, fear, frustration, and deep discomfort rise in the reader's blood, and that's how you know an author (or two, in this case) is capable of spinning a story. I'd rate Etherworld two and a half stars, and this middle section of the book almost persuaded me to round that up instead of down. Having friends not believe and intentionally work against you when life or death depends on your actions is a boiling outrage when you know you're right, but what if there are niggling doubts in your mind? What if you feel sure you aren't delusional, yet the possibility lingers that the revelations you've taken comfort in could be fabrications of a damaged brain? Is Regan's father alive, or isn't he? How far can you trust your own perception when advanced virtual reality is in the mix? These questions are what makes Etherworld a good story, better than Elusion, in my opinion. They'll all be settled by the end of this book.
Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam are a decent writing duo. Once they get into the story, the action can be as good as almost anything in YA literature of the time. They're capable of approximating the effect of action scenes by Lauren Oliver, Scott Westerfeld, James Dashner, and Veronica Roth. As I did for Elusion, I must make mention of Etherworld's cover art. The pretty swirls are the main reason I picked up Elusion in the first place, and Etherworld's collage of colors is just as aesthetically pleasant. If you like fiction about technology gone awry, you might enjoy this duology. It has something to offer readers who can't get enough dystopia.
October 25, 2015
There were bits and pieces that were very thrilling but overall it just couldn't compete with elusion.
November 3, 2017
Full Review at: What's Beyond Forks?
Like I said with the first book, I can really see something like this happening, and I think that's one of the reasons this book was so hard to put down. There are some surprising changes in Elusion to make things more interesting. This is a tricky world to live in, and that's even before you add Elusion itself. This story was well told, and all things were wrapped up nicely. I enjoyed how it was all concluded.
Like I said with the first book, I can really see something like this happening, and I think that's one of the reasons this book was so hard to put down. There are some surprising changes in Elusion to make things more interesting. This is a tricky world to live in, and that's even before you add Elusion itself. This story was well told, and all things were wrapped up nicely. I enjoyed how it was all concluded.
July 26, 2015
This is book 2 and the concluding book in this duology! I loved book one, Elusion, and couldn't wait for Etherworld to come out. It doesn't disappoint either because, dare I say it, it was even better than book 1. There was a little less romance but a lot more action!
When we left book 1, Regan was trapped in Etherworld with Josh, her dad and a host of other teens. This sees Regan trying to escape the Etherworld and find and save her dad. though will anyone believe her is she does get free? Just how is she to bring down Elusion and Orexis?
Once again, Regan is awesome. She is so brave and selfless. She will do anything to right the wrong of Elusion, no matter the threat to her. I loved her even more in this one because she is stronger ans surer of herself.
Josh is the same as last time. He is a constant in Regans life and is her rock. I loved their relationship and friendship.
Patrick is torn between his mother and Regan. He knows everything there is to know about Elusion, but when he learns just how bad things are, he is devastated. He really struggles in this one with what to believe but I loved that when he finds out the truth, he immediately sets out to right the wrong.
Plot wise, even with Elusion, I struggled with the plot a bit. It's such an intricate idea, Elusion, and all the codes, and technical things went a little over my head, but saying that, I didn't once get lost! I knew exactly what was happening and loved every minute.
The writing and attention to detail was phenomenal. The authors wrapped up every little thing perfectly and I was well satisfied with the ending! I'm so glad Patrick got the ending he did as well!!
Overall this was an amazing ending to an even better duology. It's an extremely fast paced and thrilling read. It is packed with secrets, deception, thrills and enough tense moments to keep you flying through the pages. I loved everything about it and would highly recommend it!
When we left book 1, Regan was trapped in Etherworld with Josh, her dad and a host of other teens. This sees Regan trying to escape the Etherworld and find and save her dad. though will anyone believe her is she does get free? Just how is she to bring down Elusion and Orexis?
Once again, Regan is awesome. She is so brave and selfless. She will do anything to right the wrong of Elusion, no matter the threat to her. I loved her even more in this one because she is stronger ans surer of herself.
Josh is the same as last time. He is a constant in Regans life and is her rock. I loved their relationship and friendship.
Patrick is torn between his mother and Regan. He knows everything there is to know about Elusion, but when he learns just how bad things are, he is devastated. He really struggles in this one with what to believe but I loved that when he finds out the truth, he immediately sets out to right the wrong.
Plot wise, even with Elusion, I struggled with the plot a bit. It's such an intricate idea, Elusion, and all the codes, and technical things went a little over my head, but saying that, I didn't once get lost! I knew exactly what was happening and loved every minute.
The writing and attention to detail was phenomenal. The authors wrapped up every little thing perfectly and I was well satisfied with the ending! I'm so glad Patrick got the ending he did as well!!
Overall this was an amazing ending to an even better duology. It's an extremely fast paced and thrilling read. It is packed with secrets, deception, thrills and enough tense moments to keep you flying through the pages. I loved everything about it and would highly recommend it!
September 18, 2017
Uh... ok?
I have such mixed feelings about this. I started it immediately after Elusion but this felt... different. And I don't mean that in a good way. I'm working on my full review but this felt weaker than the first book and that was on shaky ground to begin with.
FRTC.
Full review can be found here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...
I have yet to figure out why I torture myself the way I do. I somewhat tolerated the first book but the second book, Etherworld, felt like I was being slowly bored to death.What a horrible way to go.
Short recap: Regan and her posse are on the hunt for answers to what happened to her father and what is really going on with the Elusion app that is about to hit the market worldwide.
Sounds like an exact repeat of book 1, does it not? Well, it is. I felt like so little actual headway was made in Elusion. The characters, as bland as they are, were heavily set up and backstoried in the first book but no real action or movement took place. I still never read a reason why this futuristic setting was the way that it is or what man did to make it become so toxic. I might be splitting hairs but I do like everything to line up properly to give me the full story.
Regan and her group of friends didn’t develop much, if at all, in the first book. So how am I to believe that they are some badass no fear having group in this book? Regan is still the smart but not too smart girl who just so happens to know what to do. Give me a break. Example: After coming out of Elusion and under suspension of having some sort of psychosis, Regan was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Quickly realizing that nobody would take her seriously, she tried messaging for help from a girl she hardly knows. She somehow figures out that she can send a message from a wall unit tablet and magically it will not be traced? And then she “quickly surveyed her surroundings” and knew exactly what to do to escape the exam room. She overtook a hospital employee and rushed out the door. She continues to fight her way downstairs to meet up with the person she randomly messaged. Mind you, she’s never been in this hospital before but she knew exactly what path to take, what turns to make, and just what to do to overtake trained security. You need to get away from me with that mess. Regan could barely walk a straight line in the first book and now she is taking down trained security? Men that are three times her size? Get out of here. The rest of this Scooby Doo group was written the same way. They all somehow just knew how to work together and each had hidden special skills that allowed them to complete their tasks. Sounds generic to me and like it’s just crazy enough to make it easy for the author to move the story along. This pretty much irritated the crap out of me. Don’t make it easy for the sake of moving the story along. I’d prefer to have something a wee bit more believable. Yes, I know this is a futuristic dystopia fantasy but I need to have some sort of believability. This story didn’t have that.
I felt like this book really let me down. I was hesitant with the first story but it hooked me enough to want to continue. This book? PFFFFT. Full on dumpster fire. The first book felt like a complicated puzzle that needed to be solved. This one? Nope. It was a massive technical jargon info dump. The first one third of the story really was nothing but technical double talk. I could barely understand what was being said and it made me feel stupid. I do not like being made to feel that way by a story. It make the entire plot unstable. First, we are given highly complex explanations of “proxy tunnels” that would be needed to destroy Elusion. Then we are given overly simplistic resolutions to issues – such as Regan needed to have a pass card made and BOOM!, a friend “knows a guy” who can make them. He didn’t make her any pass card… it was a special pass card that could open any locked door without fail. Are. You. Kidding. Me.
There was nothing really complicated or shocking about this book, if you overlook the insane amount of unnecessary technical mumbo jumbo thrown at you. The ending is predictable and lacked tension. The author tried to throw a red herring with the reveal of the villain, but I didn’t care enough about anyone to really be shocked. I did read this duology back to back and it didn’t make the experience any better. It made me realize just how fluffed up the characters were in the second book in order to move the story along. Again, the character did not have time to advance that much as this book picked up right where the first book finished. Nobody in this universe is going to develop powers overnight. We aren’t in the MCU here so don’t play that with me. Am I disappointed in this story? As much as I can be, yes. Would I recommend? Not a chance. Don’t fall victim to the pretty cover and blurb word play. This really is not that engrossing of a story. I’m not sorry I read it, I only wish I had DNFd when my eye rolls were getting out of control.
I have such mixed feelings about this. I started it immediately after Elusion but this felt... different. And I don't mean that in a good way. I'm working on my full review but this felt weaker than the first book and that was on shaky ground to begin with.
Full review can be found here: https://agingerlyreview.wordpress.com...
I have yet to figure out why I torture myself the way I do. I somewhat tolerated the first book but the second book, Etherworld, felt like I was being slowly bored to death.What a horrible way to go.
Short recap: Regan and her posse are on the hunt for answers to what happened to her father and what is really going on with the Elusion app that is about to hit the market worldwide.
Sounds like an exact repeat of book 1, does it not? Well, it is. I felt like so little actual headway was made in Elusion. The characters, as bland as they are, were heavily set up and backstoried in the first book but no real action or movement took place. I still never read a reason why this futuristic setting was the way that it is or what man did to make it become so toxic. I might be splitting hairs but I do like everything to line up properly to give me the full story.
Regan and her group of friends didn’t develop much, if at all, in the first book. So how am I to believe that they are some badass no fear having group in this book? Regan is still the smart but not too smart girl who just so happens to know what to do. Give me a break. Example: After coming out of Elusion and under suspension of having some sort of psychosis, Regan was rushed to the hospital for treatment. Quickly realizing that nobody would take her seriously, she tried messaging for help from a girl she hardly knows. She somehow figures out that she can send a message from a wall unit tablet and magically it will not be traced? And then she “quickly surveyed her surroundings” and knew exactly what to do to escape the exam room. She overtook a hospital employee and rushed out the door. She continues to fight her way downstairs to meet up with the person she randomly messaged. Mind you, she’s never been in this hospital before but she knew exactly what path to take, what turns to make, and just what to do to overtake trained security. You need to get away from me with that mess. Regan could barely walk a straight line in the first book and now she is taking down trained security? Men that are three times her size? Get out of here. The rest of this Scooby Doo group was written the same way. They all somehow just knew how to work together and each had hidden special skills that allowed them to complete their tasks. Sounds generic to me and like it’s just crazy enough to make it easy for the author to move the story along. This pretty much irritated the crap out of me. Don’t make it easy for the sake of moving the story along. I’d prefer to have something a wee bit more believable. Yes, I know this is a futuristic dystopia fantasy but I need to have some sort of believability. This story didn’t have that.
I felt like this book really let me down. I was hesitant with the first story but it hooked me enough to want to continue. This book? PFFFFT. Full on dumpster fire. The first book felt like a complicated puzzle that needed to be solved. This one? Nope. It was a massive technical jargon info dump. The first one third of the story really was nothing but technical double talk. I could barely understand what was being said and it made me feel stupid. I do not like being made to feel that way by a story. It make the entire plot unstable. First, we are given highly complex explanations of “proxy tunnels” that would be needed to destroy Elusion. Then we are given overly simplistic resolutions to issues – such as Regan needed to have a pass card made and BOOM!, a friend “knows a guy” who can make them. He didn’t make her any pass card… it was a special pass card that could open any locked door without fail. Are. You. Kidding. Me.
There was nothing really complicated or shocking about this book, if you overlook the insane amount of unnecessary technical mumbo jumbo thrown at you. The ending is predictable and lacked tension. The author tried to throw a red herring with the reveal of the villain, but I didn’t care enough about anyone to really be shocked. I did read this duology back to back and it didn’t make the experience any better. It made me realize just how fluffed up the characters were in the second book in order to move the story along. Again, the character did not have time to advance that much as this book picked up right where the first book finished. Nobody in this universe is going to develop powers overnight. We aren’t in the MCU here so don’t play that with me. Am I disappointed in this story? As much as I can be, yes. Would I recommend? Not a chance. Don’t fall victim to the pretty cover and blurb word play. This really is not that engrossing of a story. I’m not sorry I read it, I only wish I had DNFd when my eye rolls were getting out of control.
July 14, 2018
Etherworld is the sequel to Elusion. It picks up right after the events of Elusion. So, If you didn't read the first book, you will be lost. This does not hold up as a stand alone. In this one, Regan and her friends set out to take down the technology of Elusion and save the world from dangerous addiction.
This was a solid follow up to the first book. There were a lot of answers that helped things make a little more sense. I kind of liked this one a bit more than the first. There was more action and more tense moments. The ending was satisfying and wrapped up the story in a nice neat package. I was actually glad that this was only two books. I was satisfied with how the story ended and didn't feel the need to revisit the characters in any future books.
I do recommend this one along with the first for any dystopian/scifi YA reader. They were a fun escape for a little while.
This was a solid follow up to the first book. There were a lot of answers that helped things make a little more sense. I kind of liked this one a bit more than the first. There was more action and more tense moments. The ending was satisfying and wrapped up the story in a nice neat package. I was actually glad that this was only two books. I was satisfied with how the story ended and didn't feel the need to revisit the characters in any future books.
I do recommend this one along with the first for any dystopian/scifi YA reader. They were a fun escape for a little while.
May 29, 2017
nice concept, it's just such a shame there was a bs love triangle.
July 11, 2019
Suicide, attempted murder.
September 5, 2019
I když jsem si z jedničky nic nepamatovala a četla jsem ji před lety, Etherworld mě překvapivě dost bavil! Až jsem sama překvapená. A mám i takový dojem, že víc jak jednička. Ree byla skvělá, stejně jako její přátelé. A útěk z psychiatrie? Top.
4/5*
4/5*
January 7, 2020
This duology was such a pleasant surprise. I really enjoyed it!
August 26, 2015
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales (http://darkfaerietales.com/)
Quick & Dirty: This sequel was a lot of fun and fans of book one will enjoy it immensely.
Opening Sentence: Local police are working on a solid lead in the case of three teens missing since mid-March: Claire Wilberstein, 19, a freshman at UCLA; Piper Lewis, 15, of Willshire; and Wyatt Krissoff, 17, of Inglewood.
The Review:
Warning! Elusion spoilers!
The program that her father created, Elusion, was supposed to create a beautiful escape to a world of nature and wonder that doesn’t exist in a world that has been taken by pollution. Elusion’s imaginative fun is certainly more preferable to the acid rain and unsanitary air that now rules earth. But it’s dangerous, causing addiction and messing with chemicals in people’s body, and Regan needs to tell the world — except she’s stuck in it. She found that her father, supposedly dead, was alive in Elusion and being held captive by his company partners. Along with him and the various kids who grew addicted and found the entrance to the Etherworld where he hides, Regan and Josh must destroy Elusion before it is spread to the world. And the longer they stay in it, the less likely that they’ll be alive when they leave.
Less than a couple years back, I read Elusion. I had just started reviewing and was super excited to get a chance to open up such a colorful, exciting novel. I ended up really enjoying the first and was interested in seeing what I thought of the second when I received it for review. I was impressed by certain twists that were added and less than impressed by others, and in the end I felt that it was a short, fun sequel. One thing that stayed pretty constant, by the way — those incredible covers! Look at the colors and the gorgeous backdrops! These books would be beautiful on my shelves if I hadn’t gotten e-copies.
This book eliminated the love triangle, which I appreciated. I hate a character who isn’t decisive. Regan, our main character, evolves her relationship with Josh as they undergo a series of dangers and trials. Their commitment to each other was admirable and I liked how they could grow through the challenges that their romance was facing, rather than letting them mess with it. The character Patrick whom was friend-zoned last book develops strongly. At the end of Elusion to the end of Etherworld he becomes a completely different character. It was tough, watching as he was forced to choose between his family and his commitment to the safety of Elusion users as well as Regan.
The book really jumped into action from the beginning, but even the start seemed slow in comparison to the explosive last half. It started where Elusion left off, but instead of Regan’s “find dad” goal, she was now trying to escape Elusion to notify the public. The book is more focused on the action and danger aspect than the relationships but there was still strong, diverse characters that had different layers. The book really took science fiction to the next level with a curveball that I did not see coming, one that added another spark of originality that I adored. It was quite the twist. It makes me wonder if adding that had been the author’s intentions from the beginning, because I never would have guessed that they’d take it that way, though I really appreciated it when they did.
Altogether, I did really enjoy this sequel to Elusion. It had been so long since I’d read book one that I had forgotten some of what happened, and there could have been more of a recap. Nevertheless, I caught on soon enough and enjoyed myself. I thought it had some elements I really enjoyed that made it better than book one, but for some reason I wasn’t as connected to the characters (hence the lower rating). I would definitely recommend it to others, though: the constant action, shifting alliances, and sudden twists make it a read well worth your time. Plus, who wouldn’t want that gorgeous cover being displayed on your shelf?
Notable Scene:
“And we will win. We will beat Elusion.”
This is the uplifting speech I was hoping for earlier, but I can’t take comfort in what he’s saying. I guess I know too much.
“And if we can’t?” Wyatt asks, gazing at my dad with the same pleading eyes I used to use as a kid.
My dad pats him on the back and forces a confident smile. Exactly like he did with me.
“Just do your best,” he says. “That’s all any of us can do.”
Josh finally lifts his head and we share a look, each knowing what the other is thinking.
Our best may not be enough to save us.
FTC Advisory: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Etherworld. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: This sequel was a lot of fun and fans of book one will enjoy it immensely.
Opening Sentence: Local police are working on a solid lead in the case of three teens missing since mid-March: Claire Wilberstein, 19, a freshman at UCLA; Piper Lewis, 15, of Willshire; and Wyatt Krissoff, 17, of Inglewood.
The Review:
Warning! Elusion spoilers!
The program that her father created, Elusion, was supposed to create a beautiful escape to a world of nature and wonder that doesn’t exist in a world that has been taken by pollution. Elusion’s imaginative fun is certainly more preferable to the acid rain and unsanitary air that now rules earth. But it’s dangerous, causing addiction and messing with chemicals in people’s body, and Regan needs to tell the world — except she’s stuck in it. She found that her father, supposedly dead, was alive in Elusion and being held captive by his company partners. Along with him and the various kids who grew addicted and found the entrance to the Etherworld where he hides, Regan and Josh must destroy Elusion before it is spread to the world. And the longer they stay in it, the less likely that they’ll be alive when they leave.
Less than a couple years back, I read Elusion. I had just started reviewing and was super excited to get a chance to open up such a colorful, exciting novel. I ended up really enjoying the first and was interested in seeing what I thought of the second when I received it for review. I was impressed by certain twists that were added and less than impressed by others, and in the end I felt that it was a short, fun sequel. One thing that stayed pretty constant, by the way — those incredible covers! Look at the colors and the gorgeous backdrops! These books would be beautiful on my shelves if I hadn’t gotten e-copies.
This book eliminated the love triangle, which I appreciated. I hate a character who isn’t decisive. Regan, our main character, evolves her relationship with Josh as they undergo a series of dangers and trials. Their commitment to each other was admirable and I liked how they could grow through the challenges that their romance was facing, rather than letting them mess with it. The character Patrick whom was friend-zoned last book develops strongly. At the end of Elusion to the end of Etherworld he becomes a completely different character. It was tough, watching as he was forced to choose between his family and his commitment to the safety of Elusion users as well as Regan.
The book really jumped into action from the beginning, but even the start seemed slow in comparison to the explosive last half. It started where Elusion left off, but instead of Regan’s “find dad” goal, she was now trying to escape Elusion to notify the public. The book is more focused on the action and danger aspect than the relationships but there was still strong, diverse characters that had different layers. The book really took science fiction to the next level with a curveball that I did not see coming, one that added another spark of originality that I adored. It was quite the twist. It makes me wonder if adding that had been the author’s intentions from the beginning, because I never would have guessed that they’d take it that way, though I really appreciated it when they did.
Altogether, I did really enjoy this sequel to Elusion. It had been so long since I’d read book one that I had forgotten some of what happened, and there could have been more of a recap. Nevertheless, I caught on soon enough and enjoyed myself. I thought it had some elements I really enjoyed that made it better than book one, but for some reason I wasn’t as connected to the characters (hence the lower rating). I would definitely recommend it to others, though: the constant action, shifting alliances, and sudden twists make it a read well worth your time. Plus, who wouldn’t want that gorgeous cover being displayed on your shelf?
Notable Scene:
“And we will win. We will beat Elusion.”
This is the uplifting speech I was hoping for earlier, but I can’t take comfort in what he’s saying. I guess I know too much.
“And if we can’t?” Wyatt asks, gazing at my dad with the same pleading eyes I used to use as a kid.
My dad pats him on the back and forces a confident smile. Exactly like he did with me.
“Just do your best,” he says. “That’s all any of us can do.”
Josh finally lifts his head and we share a look, each knowing what the other is thinking.
Our best may not be enough to save us.
FTC Advisory: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Etherworld. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
January 16, 2015
I heard about the first book in the series, Elusion, a few weeks before it hit the shelves in 2014. The cover was beautiful, the story enticing, and Reagan’s men were swoon-worthy. When I received an ARC of Etherworld, the much-anticipated sequel to Elusion, I could not have been more ecstatic. The story picked off directly where the end of the first book left off—a huge cliffhanger, for those who haven’t read the first one—and Reagan and Josh were fighting their way back to save themselves and the rest of the world from the side effects of the virtual reality. Stuck in Etherworld, the world behind Elusion’s firewall, with her dad, who she had believed to be dead, they were the only ones who knew of the price that everyone would pay for an hour of escaping from reality.
At first, I found it slightly difficult to get into the book and had to pick immediately back up from where the characters left off myself. I continued reading the book, partly because I loved the first one, but didn’t fall for this one like I did Elusion. Since Reagan already knew whom she needed to defeat and who the bad guys were, there wasn’t a lot of mystery to the story. This time around, she had to convince everyone else that the darkness lurking beneath the complex code was real and extremely dangerous.
Whereas I liked Josh in the first book, I still loved Patrick, her longtime best friend, the most. My feelings towards Patrick, especially after it was evident that he isn’t one of the evil masterminds, were the same in the second book, and I favored him over Josh. I liked Josh’s character well enough but only thought he and Reagan clicked at the end of the novel (maybe revealing his new aspirations involved going to college for his Physics degree was what swayed my opinion).
Reagan was as headstrong and determined in this book as in first book, but her determination was more urgent. She was a strong leading character and kept her fortitude even when defeating the enemy seemed nearly impossible.
The technological, Sci-Fi feel to the books would entice any fan of Tron or someone who is fascinated by pushing the limits on computer programming and the results that would follow. Elusion and Etherworld presented a fantastic example of a dystopian society—a world that wishes to hide its true nature behind an utopian façade.
Even though I did not enjoy this book as much as the first, I believe that it was a wonderful conclusion to Reagan’s adventure. I liked that her story only spans two books, and by the end of the novel it felt like her tragedy was finally ending so that a happy ending, which leaves readers without any questions, could begin.
At first, I found it slightly difficult to get into the book and had to pick immediately back up from where the characters left off myself. I continued reading the book, partly because I loved the first one, but didn’t fall for this one like I did Elusion. Since Reagan already knew whom she needed to defeat and who the bad guys were, there wasn’t a lot of mystery to the story. This time around, she had to convince everyone else that the darkness lurking beneath the complex code was real and extremely dangerous.
Whereas I liked Josh in the first book, I still loved Patrick, her longtime best friend, the most. My feelings towards Patrick, especially after it was evident that he isn’t one of the evil masterminds, were the same in the second book, and I favored him over Josh. I liked Josh’s character well enough but only thought he and Reagan clicked at the end of the novel (maybe revealing his new aspirations involved going to college for his Physics degree was what swayed my opinion).
Reagan was as headstrong and determined in this book as in first book, but her determination was more urgent. She was a strong leading character and kept her fortitude even when defeating the enemy seemed nearly impossible.
The technological, Sci-Fi feel to the books would entice any fan of Tron or someone who is fascinated by pushing the limits on computer programming and the results that would follow. Elusion and Etherworld presented a fantastic example of a dystopian society—a world that wishes to hide its true nature behind an utopian façade.
Even though I did not enjoy this book as much as the first, I believe that it was a wonderful conclusion to Reagan’s adventure. I liked that her story only spans two books, and by the end of the novel it felt like her tragedy was finally ending so that a happy ending, which leaves readers without any questions, could begin.
December 18, 2014
Review: 4 out of 5 stars
Etherworld is the final book in the Elusion series and begins where the first book left off. I won’t go into too much of what happens in this book to avoid spoilers but it was just as amazing, if not better than the first book.
Regan and Josh are now in Ether, a bleak world within Elusion, the new virtual reality piece of technology that was created by Regan’s father. Ether is an area within the program that is hidden beyond the firewall, it is where her dad and others have been all this time working to destroy it rather than dead as they had been led to believe, but the longer they stay the less likely they'll be able to return alive to the real world.
The plot is fast paced and filled with moments where I didn’t think things would work out for them, we see Regan continue her attempts to bring down Orexis, but this time she has some much needed help. We meet a number of new characters, all who play an important role in the overall story; those we had already met were developed well and were likeable.
Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam have written a page-turning, engaging sequel. In this thrilling finale there is betrayal, conspiracies, a sweet romance and some edge of your seat moments that kept the pacing consistent throughout. There were twists and turns aplenty but it was balanced out by some great interactions between all of the characters.
This series brings a unique storyline to the YA Sci-fi genre, the clichés aren’t as apparent as they were for me in the first book but the originality is something that has appealed to me. The technology aspect is great and I found the world-building to be a lot stronger in this.
Thank you to Katherine Tegen books via Eidelweiss for the opportunity to read and review Etherworld, it is a satisfying conclusion to the Elusion series.
Etherworld is the final book in the Elusion series and begins where the first book left off. I won’t go into too much of what happens in this book to avoid spoilers but it was just as amazing, if not better than the first book.
Regan and Josh are now in Ether, a bleak world within Elusion, the new virtual reality piece of technology that was created by Regan’s father. Ether is an area within the program that is hidden beyond the firewall, it is where her dad and others have been all this time working to destroy it rather than dead as they had been led to believe, but the longer they stay the less likely they'll be able to return alive to the real world.
The plot is fast paced and filled with moments where I didn’t think things would work out for them, we see Regan continue her attempts to bring down Orexis, but this time she has some much needed help. We meet a number of new characters, all who play an important role in the overall story; those we had already met were developed well and were likeable.
Claudia Gabel and Cheryl Klam have written a page-turning, engaging sequel. In this thrilling finale there is betrayal, conspiracies, a sweet romance and some edge of your seat moments that kept the pacing consistent throughout. There were twists and turns aplenty but it was balanced out by some great interactions between all of the characters.
This series brings a unique storyline to the YA Sci-fi genre, the clichés aren’t as apparent as they were for me in the first book but the originality is something that has appealed to me. The technology aspect is great and I found the world-building to be a lot stronger in this.
Thank you to Katherine Tegen books via Eidelweiss for the opportunity to read and review Etherworld, it is a satisfying conclusion to the Elusion series.
December 20, 2014
This is the second book in the Elusion series. Etherworld was just as good, if not better than the first. Which is rare that the sequel will surpass the original, but it does. The character development is to die for. It introduces some new characters, but keeps some of the same and shows you different, and even more lovable sides to them. The world building in here is so detailed that you can picture it perfectly. I like it how you discover things right along with the character, and your emotions are the same that they are experiencing. One thing that makes this book perfect for everyone, is that she includes things that everyone loves and can relate to. Whether you are a video gamer, buisness worker, or a environmentalist, this book has things for you. I really loved this series and hope you guys read and love it too!
December 3, 2015
Even though I did not enjoy this book as much as the first, I believe that it was a wonderful conclusion to Reagan’s adventure. I liked that her story only spans two books, and by the end of the novel it felt like her tragedy was finally ending so that a happy ending, which leaves readers without any questions, could begin.
To read the rest of the review, simply follow the link: http://www.aleisuremoment.com/2015/03...
May 17, 2023
2.5 stars
Etherworld is in a weird place where I think it's a decent enough finale but it somehow wasn't as good as Elusion even though I felt somewhat mixed about it. Given that Etherworld is the finale, I honestly expected the story to have a much better impact than Elusion. And while I wouldn't say it failed in that department, there were many issues I had that made the finale feel lukewarm.
The characters remained the same, there wasn't as much growth as I wanted to see from them. The worldbuilding outside of Elusion is still non-existent (though I will say I did like the AR world more this time around as it did expand on the setting), and the plot did feel rushed in some parts.
I expected more only to be met with disappointment.
Etherworld is in a weird place where I think it's a decent enough finale but it somehow wasn't as good as Elusion even though I felt somewhat mixed about it. Given that Etherworld is the finale, I honestly expected the story to have a much better impact than Elusion. And while I wouldn't say it failed in that department, there were many issues I had that made the finale feel lukewarm.
The characters remained the same, there wasn't as much growth as I wanted to see from them. The worldbuilding outside of Elusion is still non-existent (though I will say I did like the AR world more this time around as it did expand on the setting), and the plot did feel rushed in some parts.
I expected more only to be met with disappointment.
October 16, 2014
Oh, man, such a great book! Really enjoyed seeing the characters get out of the situation they landed in at the end of the last book, and yeah, I'm pretty sure that it's a duology series!
July 1, 2018
This book picks up where the previous left off. Three teens have outsmarted the code and found their way to Etherworld. This part of Elusion should exist outside of its control, but the expert hackers that have found their way here are learning that Elusion is evolving and adapting. Regan is still determined to save her father from this alternate reality and stop the execs of Elusion from putting this alternate reality software on the market. However, in order to stop everything, Regan and her friends will need to work together to bring Elusion down.
This was told in the same vein as the first. It was just as action-packed. Once I found my way back into the story, I couldn't stop reading. I thought that the ending was abrupt, but I can understand why it ended the way it did. I thought that the audiobook was just as awesome as the physical book. I think even more characters could be explored through this world in the future. It is very similar to Marie Lu's Warcross.
This was told in the same vein as the first. It was just as action-packed. Once I found my way back into the story, I couldn't stop reading. I thought that the ending was abrupt, but I can understand why it ended the way it did. I thought that the audiobook was just as awesome as the physical book. I think even more characters could be explored through this world in the future. It is very similar to Marie Lu's Warcross.
May 29, 2017
So apparently, this is my second time reading this book. And while I enjoyed it the second time around, I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time reading it. Don't get me wrong, the characters were just as amazing as I remembered, as was the plot. I think it was just the fact that details came back to me as I read, so the feeling of not knowing what happens next was decreased. It is still an amazing book, though.
July 19, 2018
Tak nějak to ztratilo to kouzlo z prvního dílu, odehrávalo se zde přesně to, co se dalo očekávat, dopadlo to tak, jak se dalo očekávat...byly chvíle, kdy jsem přeskakovala stránky, protože se řešilo pořád to stejné dokola, byly chvíle, kdy jsem byla v popisu naprosto ztracená, hlavně u těch programovacích částí, ale nakonec to až tak nevadilo. Virtuální realita jako živý organismus super věc, ale nic nového.
May 9, 2019
**3.5 Stars
Honestly, I liked the first book more. This one for some reason just didn't hold my attention like Elusion did, but I can't seem to pinpoint why. Also, I was willing to tolerate Avery and Nora's relationship until they kissed at the end. I just think that's too much. It's not like that's what the book was suposed to be about, so it was just very unnecessary.
Honestly, I liked the first book more. This one for some reason just didn't hold my attention like Elusion did, but I can't seem to pinpoint why. Also, I was willing to tolerate Avery and Nora's relationship until they kissed at the end. I just think that's too much. It's not like that's what the book was suposed to be about, so it was just very unnecessary.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2021
Etherworld is a perfect companion to Elusion and there is even more twists and turns in this book. It is a perfect blend of thriller, romance, and action.
These books have made me a believer in books centered around a video game again.
Josh and Patrick were on fire with their rivalry over Regan and I loved every page of this book.
5 out of 5 stars.
These books have made me a believer in books centered around a video game again.
Josh and Patrick were on fire with their rivalry over Regan and I loved every page of this book.
5 out of 5 stars.
January 20, 2024
3.75 I really enjoyed this duology. I would suggest going into it for the virtual reality aspects rather than the love triangle. I personally didn't enjoy either Male lead very much. But it was a solid story and a great adventure!
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