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Nirvana
When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?
Animal activist and punk rock star Larissa Kenders lives in a dystopian world where the real and the virtual intermingle. After the disappearance of her soulmate, Andrew, Kenders finds solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world controlled by Hexagon. In Nirvana, anyone’s deepest desires may be realized - even visits with Andrew.
Although Kenders knows that this version of Andrew is virtual, when he asks for her assistance revealing Hexagon’s dark secret, she cannot help but comply. Soon after, Kenders and her closest allies find themselves in a battle with Hexagon, the very institution they have been taught to trust. After uncovering much more than she expected, Kenders’ biggest challenge is determining what is real – and what is virtual.
Nirvana is a fast-paced, page-turning young adult novel combining elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance. Part of a trilogy, this book introduces readers to a young woman who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.
Animal activist and punk rock star Larissa Kenders lives in a dystopian world where the real and the virtual intermingle. After the disappearance of her soulmate, Andrew, Kenders finds solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world controlled by Hexagon. In Nirvana, anyone’s deepest desires may be realized - even visits with Andrew.
Although Kenders knows that this version of Andrew is virtual, when he asks for her assistance revealing Hexagon’s dark secret, she cannot help but comply. Soon after, Kenders and her closest allies find themselves in a battle with Hexagon, the very institution they have been taught to trust. After uncovering much more than she expected, Kenders’ biggest challenge is determining what is real – and what is virtual.
Nirvana is a fast-paced, page-turning young adult novel combining elements of science fiction, mystery, and romance. Part of a trilogy, this book introduces readers to a young woman who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2015
2 people are currently reading
843 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Stewart
1 book32 followersJ.R. Stewart has worked on many corporate projects throughout a prolific IT academic and consulting career, and is involved with many confidential virtual reality projects. After working on advanced "VR" technologies for over a decade, Stewart grew concerned about the implications of this work and the possible psychological effects that it may have on its users.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 306 reviews
January 12, 2018
As much as I liked and obsessed about Nirvana's beautiful cover, as disappointed I am with the actual book.
Nirvana is a refuge from the real world, which has growing complications regarding the stability of our environment and life in general, not to mention a crumbling economy and massive unemployment rate. It's Hexagon's virtual reality system, a way they keep the populace placated and appeased while they exert absolute rule and control.
The world went through the Extinction, a cataclysmic event due to the disappearance of all the bees in the world.
While they were worried then about destroying the ozone layer, I bet they never thought that the loss of bees, right here on the planet, would cause such havoc. After the loss of bees came the depletion of plant life. Then trees were uprooted and erosion occured, causing windstorms and then droughts.
In this post-apocalyptic world, we meet Larissa Kenders, former animal activist, former (?) punk rock star, current virtual reality barmaid. And she has a super smart fiancé, Andrew, who goes missing, presumably dead. As she continues meeting him in Nirvana, Kenders uncovers a major conspiracy, and has to follow the clues given to her by Andrew.
Yes, the story is nice and interesting. And yet I fail to feel attachment towards any of the characters, especially Kenders. Who is she really? What drives her? She's supposed to be very strong-willed as a former activist, but I always feel she's lost, bouncing from one secondary character to another. She constantly questions the loyalty of those around her, but does nothing about it (her confronting Serge being the exception). I also find her fickle. Also, it takes her a few years and the death of a closed one to understand that her passion (her actions as an activist) affects other people. Years...
Then there's Corporal. Who is he? What his background? What drives him to turn his back on Hexagon? Why would he sacrifice himself for the greater good? We learn little about his character, yet he seems to have had an important part in the development of the story.
Likewise with Serge. We learn a little at the beginning of the book, when it is revealed that Kenders had been abused by her father and Serge had been there for her. We also know that they drifted apart because of Andrew.
I will stop here. God, it is a beautiful cover! *sigh*
*I thank J.R. Stewart, Blue Moon Publishers, and Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Blue Moon Publishers and NetGalley.)
This was a story about one woman, and her insistence that her husband wasn’t dead, no matter what anyone told her.
I did feel quite sorry for Larissa at points, because she had lost her husband, and she was obviously suffering because of it, but at the same time, she began to sound a bit like a broken record, as all she ever seemed to say was ‘Andrew isn’t dead’.
The storyline was likewise a bit repetitive. There seemed to be lots of info dumps and arguments about virtual reality, and lots of discussion about how things went wrong (almost like the author was trying to explain to us why things that we might do could lead to an apocalypse), but I will say that the author did do a lot of quite complex world building, which some people might appreciate. Otherwise the whole book was about Larissa’s insistence that Andrew wasn’t dead, whilst other people tried to argue against her.
The ending to this was a bit of a cliff-hanger, and it was a shame that after sitting through the book we seemed to have been left with more questions than answers.
6 out of 10
This was a story about one woman, and her insistence that her husband wasn’t dead, no matter what anyone told her.
I did feel quite sorry for Larissa at points, because she had lost her husband, and she was obviously suffering because of it, but at the same time, she began to sound a bit like a broken record, as all she ever seemed to say was ‘Andrew isn’t dead’.
The storyline was likewise a bit repetitive. There seemed to be lots of info dumps and arguments about virtual reality, and lots of discussion about how things went wrong (almost like the author was trying to explain to us why things that we might do could lead to an apocalypse), but I will say that the author did do a lot of quite complex world building, which some people might appreciate. Otherwise the whole book was about Larissa’s insistence that Andrew wasn’t dead, whilst other people tried to argue against her.
The ending to this was a bit of a cliff-hanger, and it was a shame that after sitting through the book we seemed to have been left with more questions than answers.
6 out of 10
November 12, 2015
4.5 stars
Nirvana: an ideal or idyllic state or place.
When I first looked at reviews for this book I did wonder if I had read the same book. Well apparently I hadn’t! I have read and reviewed the new edited version of Nirvana.
Bees have become extinct and the world crumbles, plants cannot be pollinated, crops and animals die. Only the rich thrive in this new dystopian world where everything is generated by computers. Every aspect of your life is recorded by big brother corporation Hexagon. Everyone must spend time in Nirvana. A virtual world meant to relax you and relive your happiest moments. But always Big Brother is watching.
Putting aside the end of the world as we know it scenario this story is not so far fetched. There are so many elements already being explored. I have heard of in roads in virtual holidays where the busy executive can dial in a holiday and the memories are delivered straight to your brain. A two week holiday in two hours!
You don’t necessarily need to be computer literate to understand the concept of the story with virtual reality, holograms and nanobots. Although I’m sure the Young Adult target audience are well versed on all things tech.
Melissa Kenders is a likeable protagonist. She is unprepared for what is being asked of her but is willing to believe in Andrew. She admits to being scared but love is what pushes her on.
This is a light read and a really cute story that I think teens will enjoy. It’s filled with mystery, tension and heartache. It’s the quintessential good guy versus the big evil corporation that puts money above people’s lives.
I enjoyed this dystopian story that isn’t totally filled with dread and gloom. A cliff hanger ending will have fans screaming for the next book.
Thank you to Blue Moon Publishing via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Nirvana: an ideal or idyllic state or place.
When I first looked at reviews for this book I did wonder if I had read the same book. Well apparently I hadn’t! I have read and reviewed the new edited version of Nirvana.
Bees have become extinct and the world crumbles, plants cannot be pollinated, crops and animals die. Only the rich thrive in this new dystopian world where everything is generated by computers. Every aspect of your life is recorded by big brother corporation Hexagon. Everyone must spend time in Nirvana. A virtual world meant to relax you and relive your happiest moments. But always Big Brother is watching.
Putting aside the end of the world as we know it scenario this story is not so far fetched. There are so many elements already being explored. I have heard of in roads in virtual holidays where the busy executive can dial in a holiday and the memories are delivered straight to your brain. A two week holiday in two hours!
You don’t necessarily need to be computer literate to understand the concept of the story with virtual reality, holograms and nanobots. Although I’m sure the Young Adult target audience are well versed on all things tech.
Melissa Kenders is a likeable protagonist. She is unprepared for what is being asked of her but is willing to believe in Andrew. She admits to being scared but love is what pushes her on.
This is a light read and a really cute story that I think teens will enjoy. It’s filled with mystery, tension and heartache. It’s the quintessential good guy versus the big evil corporation that puts money above people’s lives.
I enjoyed this dystopian story that isn’t totally filled with dread and gloom. A cliff hanger ending will have fans screaming for the next book.
Thank you to Blue Moon Publishing via Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
November 29, 2015
The book Nirvana by JR Stewart is the first book in a Trilogy that centres around a dystopian world entwined with virtual reality.
At the beginning of the book is a dedication that I would like to share...
DEDICATION
To the early pioneers of Virtual Reality—you brought us a world that we are only beginning to explore.
Larissa Kenders who prefers to be called Kenders is a passionate young woman, she is an animal activist and fights for injustices in the World. To get her a message across Kenders begins a punk band Sextet Sixty. It is at one of her band's gigs she meets the love of her life, the tech savvy Andrew.
Not long after the world falls apart in what is referred to as Extinction They now are living in a dystopian society run by a company called Hexagon/government. Obviously, I am not going to tell you how Extinction occurred suffice to say it certainly isn't for the better!
The only escape from this dreary existence is a place called Nirvana... if you afford it. Nirvana is a place to escape to the way things were before Extinction by using Virtual Reality. Kenders works the Nirvana Pods whilst Kender's fiancé Andrew is the main developer and brains behind the technology. It is because of this they are fortunate to have access to beautiful worlds developed by Andrew just for Kenders often made up of milestones in their relationship. Nirvana is so perfect it can be hard to distinguish between what is real and what is Virtual Reality that includes the man Kenders sleeps next to every night Andrew.
Andrew has an idea that has put Hexagon offside, he hasn't told Kenders but she knows something is worrying him. It is not long after this, that Kenders is informed that the unspeakable has happened, Andrew has died. The only thing Kenders now has is Nirvana and her experiences that Andrew had programmed into this Virtual Reality World....or is it? Why in Nirvana does Kenders feel that sometimes it is Andrew and not a programmed memory? Is she just kidding herself that Andrew is alive to get through her grief? Are things really as simple as they seem?
Kenders is a smart, intelligent and sassy 17 yr old who knows how Hexagon works, she knows how to play their game and keep her cards close to her chest because she knows is being watched. She has so many questions and she needs answers and will do anything to get them, even if it means risking her own life.
I don't read much Sci-Fi, so I thought some of the concepts and descriptions may overwhelm me which has happened to me before in regards to some other Sci-Fi books I have read.
I am pleased to say that in regards to Nirvana that wasn't the case at all. I found the technical aspects of the novel regarding the more advanced technology such as Virtual Reality to be clear and concise. I am extremely grateful to the author Stewart for writing it that way. In fact, when I wasn't reading the book I found myself to thinking about technology and how fast it is advancing. It also made wonder just what it happening in regards to these technologies such as Virtual Reality that we are not privy to such as governments and large corporations. My personal opinion is that it is probably substantially more advanced than we are led to believe or can even imagine...Brave New World indeed!
I would recommend this book for older teens to young adults but I have to say that this 46yr old mother really enjoyed the escape from reality.
Will I be reading the 2nd book in the Trilogy? Yep, you bet I will!
4 out of 5 stars
I would like to thank Netgalley, JR Stewart, and Blue Moon Publishing for a copy to read in exchange for an honest and fair review.
At the beginning of the book is a dedication that I would like to share...
DEDICATION
To the early pioneers of Virtual Reality—you brought us a world that we are only beginning to explore.
Larissa Kenders who prefers to be called Kenders is a passionate young woman, she is an animal activist and fights for injustices in the World. To get her a message across Kenders begins a punk band Sextet Sixty. It is at one of her band's gigs she meets the love of her life, the tech savvy Andrew.
Not long after the world falls apart in what is referred to as Extinction They now are living in a dystopian society run by a company called Hexagon/government. Obviously, I am not going to tell you how Extinction occurred suffice to say it certainly isn't for the better!
The only escape from this dreary existence is a place called Nirvana... if you afford it. Nirvana is a place to escape to the way things were before Extinction by using Virtual Reality. Kenders works the Nirvana Pods whilst Kender's fiancé Andrew is the main developer and brains behind the technology. It is because of this they are fortunate to have access to beautiful worlds developed by Andrew just for Kenders often made up of milestones in their relationship. Nirvana is so perfect it can be hard to distinguish between what is real and what is Virtual Reality that includes the man Kenders sleeps next to every night Andrew.
Andrew has an idea that has put Hexagon offside, he hasn't told Kenders but she knows something is worrying him. It is not long after this, that Kenders is informed that the unspeakable has happened, Andrew has died. The only thing Kenders now has is Nirvana and her experiences that Andrew had programmed into this Virtual Reality World....or is it? Why in Nirvana does Kenders feel that sometimes it is Andrew and not a programmed memory? Is she just kidding herself that Andrew is alive to get through her grief? Are things really as simple as they seem?
Kenders is a smart, intelligent and sassy 17 yr old who knows how Hexagon works, she knows how to play their game and keep her cards close to her chest because she knows is being watched. She has so many questions and she needs answers and will do anything to get them, even if it means risking her own life.
I don't read much Sci-Fi, so I thought some of the concepts and descriptions may overwhelm me which has happened to me before in regards to some other Sci-Fi books I have read.
I am pleased to say that in regards to Nirvana that wasn't the case at all. I found the technical aspects of the novel regarding the more advanced technology such as Virtual Reality to be clear and concise. I am extremely grateful to the author Stewart for writing it that way. In fact, when I wasn't reading the book I found myself to thinking about technology and how fast it is advancing. It also made wonder just what it happening in regards to these technologies such as Virtual Reality that we are not privy to such as governments and large corporations. My personal opinion is that it is probably substantially more advanced than we are led to believe or can even imagine...Brave New World indeed!
I would recommend this book for older teens to young adults but I have to say that this 46yr old mother really enjoyed the escape from reality.
Will I be reading the 2nd book in the Trilogy? Yep, you bet I will!
4 out of 5 stars
I would like to thank Netgalley, JR Stewart, and Blue Moon Publishing for a copy to read in exchange for an honest and fair review.
February 23, 2016
Real rating: 2.5
Ugh,I'm so sad that I didn't like this book.I was captivated by its amazing synopsis and its gorgeous cover,however,I couldn't connect with the main character,Kenders, or the story itself.After her husband supposedly dies,Kenders tries to find clues that will help her find out if Andrew's actually still alive by entering a virtual world called "Nirvana".She is certain that her husband,her soulmate,one of the smartest people she has ever met is still alive.But everyone around her is keeping secrets...about Andrew,about his work,about their world.However,I never felt like Kenders actually believed in her husband and what he did and what he cared for-at one moment she's like: "If he's dead,what's there to live for?" and the next moment she'll be like: "He always cared about his job more than he cared about me.He just had to leave that night...".There are a lot of supporting characters but they all felt flat to me.The ending is okay,though.
*E-copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.*
Ugh,I'm so sad that I didn't like this book.I was captivated by its amazing synopsis and its gorgeous cover,however,I couldn't connect with the main character,Kenders, or the story itself.After her husband supposedly dies,Kenders tries to find clues that will help her find out if Andrew's actually still alive by entering a virtual world called "Nirvana".She is certain that her husband,her soulmate,one of the smartest people she has ever met is still alive.But everyone around her is keeping secrets...about Andrew,about his work,about their world.However,I never felt like Kenders actually believed in her husband and what he did and what he cared for-at one moment she's like: "If he's dead,what's there to live for?" and the next moment she'll be like: "He always cared about his job more than he cared about me.He just had to leave that night...".There are a lot of supporting characters but they all felt flat to me.The ending is okay,though.
*E-copy provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.*
October 9, 2015
Can you really claim that a sci-fi book has totally lost it's touch with reality? In this case this paradoxe is true, imagine that! I have to admit, i loved the summary of the book and i was ready for my little dystopian journey, when something went terribly wrong!
What went wrong? Firstly the "Destruction Of The World" scenario. Yeah, let's start with that. Just because Albert Einstein said -we are not even sure if it's his own quote- that if the bees extinct the mankind would extinct too, that doesn't justify a lazy author. Thousands of other winged-insects can do pollination -actually even bats- and let's not forget humans and their new methods. I can only hope that by 2030-something things from that aspect would be even better. So what happened? No one knows. How did it all went up in flames? There is no explanation to that. Humanity suckS, i get it, but tell us how and why? NO! And that's how the most interesting matter of the book get's only a few insignificant sentences.
Then the writing: Now that was a mess. We follow Larissa Kenders and see things from her POV, suddenly there is another character, let's follow him, and then back to Larissa and all that with no indication. Now multi-POV books are a headache on a good day, imagine how much more that is true when you have to get inside another mindset every few pages and discern characters who seem interchangeable if only for their names. As for the writing style, i can't say much it's too immature and scattered. I believe she has some good qualities but they are in dire need of an extensive, systematic and structural calibration.
The story starts out perfectly and it turns quickly to a cheesy, bland and predictable mess. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and least of all with Larissa herself. The whole endeavor is happening in less than twenty years from now and seems extremely fake also the author gives no explanation about the everyday life before and after the Extinction. She only repeats some nuances but never gives us a clear diagram of what the hell is going on.
All in all for me, it was a bust. I didn't even like the storyline that concerned her family, it seemed too random and forced. I couldn't stand the heroine she is mostly a blabbering, chaotic figure with no real orientation in her life, and the arc was too transparent and overused.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
A Tiny Lexicon
- Nirvana: A virtual parallel cosmos. And no, Kurt Cobain doesn't make an appearance.
- Extinction: The main destruction event. Leading bees, animals and foods to extinction.
- Hexagon: "Malicious" organization/corporation.
- The cliffhanger wasn't a good one.
- I liked all the scenes that had to do with their past.
- Serge was an interesting character at first.
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!
What went wrong? Firstly the "Destruction Of The World" scenario. Yeah, let's start with that. Just because Albert Einstein said -we are not even sure if it's his own quote- that if the bees extinct the mankind would extinct too, that doesn't justify a lazy author. Thousands of other winged-insects can do pollination -actually even bats- and let's not forget humans and their new methods. I can only hope that by 2030-something things from that aspect would be even better. So what happened? No one knows. How did it all went up in flames? There is no explanation to that. Humanity suckS, i get it, but tell us how and why? NO! And that's how the most interesting matter of the book get's only a few insignificant sentences.
Then the writing: Now that was a mess. We follow Larissa Kenders and see things from her POV, suddenly there is another character, let's follow him, and then back to Larissa and all that with no indication. Now multi-POV books are a headache on a good day, imagine how much more that is true when you have to get inside another mindset every few pages and discern characters who seem interchangeable if only for their names. As for the writing style, i can't say much it's too immature and scattered. I believe she has some good qualities but they are in dire need of an extensive, systematic and structural calibration.
The story starts out perfectly and it turns quickly to a cheesy, bland and predictable mess. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and least of all with Larissa herself. The whole endeavor is happening in less than twenty years from now and seems extremely fake also the author gives no explanation about the everyday life before and after the Extinction. She only repeats some nuances but never gives us a clear diagram of what the hell is going on.
All in all for me, it was a bust. I didn't even like the storyline that concerned her family, it seemed too random and forced. I couldn't stand the heroine she is mostly a blabbering, chaotic figure with no real orientation in her life, and the arc was too transparent and overused.
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
A Tiny Lexicon
- Nirvana: A virtual parallel cosmos. And no, Kurt Cobain doesn't make an appearance.
- Extinction: The main destruction event. Leading bees, animals and foods to extinction.
- Hexagon: "Malicious" organization/corporation.
- The cliffhanger wasn't a good one.
- I liked all the scenes that had to do with their past.
- Serge was an interesting character at first.
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review. Thank you!
September 11, 2015
True Confession:
I didn't request to read this book from Netgalley. It was not only a gift..It was
the only book that was automatically downloaded to my Kindle.
I need another book right now, like I need a hole in my head.....
however, It was a 'nice' gift... (no requirement to even read it.. let alone review it).
I'm still reading two non-fiction books ( physical hard copies), that aren't great gym-biking
distractions.
So... I opened my Kindle, as I was about to begin my morning spin.
I said to myself.., "So what is this, "Nirvana", anyway?" I've still not read a review yet- or a blurb.. ( I just finished it with my breakfast...'after biking' this morning)... so it's sure not very long.
My 'gut' thoughts about this story while I was reading;
..."Oh my, this must be a Young Adult book...
..."Oh... and it's also a dystopia- romance- fantasy
... "Ok, "I'll chew",
My 90 minutes on the bike flew by with my little guilty pleasure escape book. I finished the rest
back at home while eating an apple dipping it into my plain yogurt.
It's 'cheesy' ... but it made me smile...and I liked it for what it is.
Can I recommend this to my adult friends? I think they might kill me. Maybe it's best for teenage girls. I felt a little like a sassy- kick-ass teen in love myself.
Larissa Kenders, a musician, is too- adorable- for words. Andrew is a brilliant scientist.
He passionately loves Larissa. He receives the university's largest scholarship award funded
by Hexagon. He is considered "a rockstar in academia".
Hexagon needed Andrew at the Barracks, so Larissa & Andrew have a quick marriage...then
off they go. Larissa is signed on under Corporal.
I won't give the story away. I just might have other 63 year old friends dying to read this. :)
But, laugh all you want, I enjoyed my little guilty pleasure - a little escape fantasy.
I actually have 1 serious question I can take away from this story:
"What are my thoughts about virtual reality technology"? What advantages are there in the artificial environment? What are the disadvantages? How much information can we really get from virtual reality technology about the past and about the future?
More to chew on!
Thank You Blue Moon Publishers, Netgalley, and author J. R. Stewart ..... ( enjoyable gift)
3.5 stars. Recommend for Teen Girls
I didn't request to read this book from Netgalley. It was not only a gift..It was
the only book that was automatically downloaded to my Kindle.
I need another book right now, like I need a hole in my head.....
however, It was a 'nice' gift... (no requirement to even read it.. let alone review it).
I'm still reading two non-fiction books ( physical hard copies), that aren't great gym-biking
distractions.
So... I opened my Kindle, as I was about to begin my morning spin.
I said to myself.., "So what is this, "Nirvana", anyway?" I've still not read a review yet- or a blurb.. ( I just finished it with my breakfast...'after biking' this morning)... so it's sure not very long.
My 'gut' thoughts about this story while I was reading;
..."Oh my, this must be a Young Adult book...
..."Oh... and it's also a dystopia- romance- fantasy
... "Ok, "I'll chew",
My 90 minutes on the bike flew by with my little guilty pleasure escape book. I finished the rest
back at home while eating an apple dipping it into my plain yogurt.
It's 'cheesy' ... but it made me smile...and I liked it for what it is.
Can I recommend this to my adult friends? I think they might kill me. Maybe it's best for teenage girls. I felt a little like a sassy- kick-ass teen in love myself.
Larissa Kenders, a musician, is too- adorable- for words. Andrew is a brilliant scientist.
He passionately loves Larissa. He receives the university's largest scholarship award funded
by Hexagon. He is considered "a rockstar in academia".
Hexagon needed Andrew at the Barracks, so Larissa & Andrew have a quick marriage...then
off they go. Larissa is signed on under Corporal.
I won't give the story away. I just might have other 63 year old friends dying to read this. :)
But, laugh all you want, I enjoyed my little guilty pleasure - a little escape fantasy.
I actually have 1 serious question I can take away from this story:
"What are my thoughts about virtual reality technology"? What advantages are there in the artificial environment? What are the disadvantages? How much information can we really get from virtual reality technology about the past and about the future?
More to chew on!
Thank You Blue Moon Publishers, Netgalley, and author J. R. Stewart ..... ( enjoyable gift)
3.5 stars. Recommend for Teen Girls
January 30, 2016
*This book was generously provided to me by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Dystopian world of 2086 where the real and the virtual intermingle? It's a pretty amazing premise for sci-fi book. I didn't even need to read further to know I want this book. Is it something like Johnny Mnemonic or the Matrix? Because cyberpunk is super cool!
I hoped so much Nirvana will widen my horizon or at least will give me a chance to wear my leather jacket have an unforgettable trip into virtual reality. Did I get what I wanted in the end? Nope. Nirvana starts rather vividly but quickly turns into boring unending explanations of details how this thing works, how that thing works and ect. And the explanations are rather tedious and complicated.Nanobots are used within circulatory systems to destroy tumours and regulate blood pressure, but Andrew’s research takes science beyond medical treatment. Andrew is the head programmer for Nirvana, so he can do things differently. Usually this kind of research would be conducted on lab animals, but that’s where my influence has changed his procedures.
In Nirvana, however, things are different. Programmers code at a fast pace to recreate the world as it once was. They pull in images, video feeds, and audio to superimpose into a virtual world that feels as real as the one we knew just a few years ago, before the Extinction happened.
Right now, my nanobot produces a virtual image of the screen that is augmented in my field of vision. Eventually, Andrew wants this operating system to be controlled by a person’s own thoughts, but for now it’s linked to the curved touchscreen on my watch. To the average person it looks like a regular watch, but a small holographic disc on the buckle is my connection between the virtual and real worlds. Ours is a holographic world, with holo-phones, holo-albums, holo-readers; you name it.Every so often, though, when I take off a headset a red light flashes, which means I should check “Red” on the digital form before me. It’s Hexagon’s new Red Door program, and it’s known among operators that “Reds” are never seen again. We don’t know what happens to them, but we know it’s not good. One day, one of the operators didn’t report a Red, and we never saw him again, either.
Separately these explanations look rather normal, but trust me, when you have to read almost every page how things are made and done technically, you feel overwhelmed with it and bored to death.
MCs were lost to me in all this terms and technology, it is if the virtual world of this book made them impersonal, took the leading role and reduced them to secondary roles. I remember what Nirvana is, but I can't fathom why I should sympathize with MCs? And then there's an unnecessary love triangle...
This book lacks loveliness, some deeper emotion. I felt sometimes like reading a list of technical terms. There's no balance. The story and characters are underdeveloped. The book wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. Like I said before, the idea was very intriguing, but the execution failed *end of message. disconnect*
November 19, 2015
Note: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Plot/Story:
Nirvana is an amazing YA read with a really fresh plot line and a great new dystopian world setting. I loved the characterisations and the fast pace of the story.
I was really impressed with the storyline and the world-building concept of Nirvana, though, it lacked a little behind when it came to the execution of these two concepts. I enjoyed the book (no doubt about it) but somewhere I felt that if the second half of the book can be tweaked a little bit then it can be at par with the best-selling YA reads of today.
Characters:
I loved the lead character, Kenders, and was able to feel a connection with her. Though, in the second half of the book I felt that connection slipping (as soon as Serge comes into picture.) I loved Andrew, the male lead, as well but sadly the same thing happened with him.
Romance/Kills:
This book falls in the romance genre as the plot depends on the romantic relationship between Kenders and Andrew. And like any other dystopian book there is a love triangle (Kenders, Andrew and Serge) but thankfully it's not a farfetched one. It starts and ends within an acceptable time frame and now I'm really looking forward to the next instalment of this series.
Writing:
I enjoyed the easy flow of author's style of writing. It's simple yet relatable and makes reading this book a pleasant experience. Having said that, I'd like to point out that I felt that the first half of the book was excellent whereas the second half lagged a little behind not only in terms of the plot line but also in terms of the characterisation and flow of the story.
Beginning:
I started enjoying Nirvana right from the first sentence and continued to do so halfway through the book. Everything was just amazing and I had no issues with anything (but only till the first half.)
Ending:
The second half of the book along with the ending felt quite weak to me. The plot went on to some other uninteresting tangent and ruined an otherwise excellent story. I really hope that the sequel will be better than this one.
Blurb:
The blurb is good, but I felt that it actually revealed a major spoiler about Andrew's fake death. I would have liked it better to have come across it while reading the book instead of the blurb.
Cover Art:
The cover art is marvellous. I really like the eerie feeling it radiates. It's just perfect.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud .
Plot/Story:
Nirvana is an amazing YA read with a really fresh plot line and a great new dystopian world setting. I loved the characterisations and the fast pace of the story.
I was really impressed with the storyline and the world-building concept of Nirvana, though, it lacked a little behind when it came to the execution of these two concepts. I enjoyed the book (no doubt about it) but somewhere I felt that if the second half of the book can be tweaked a little bit then it can be at par with the best-selling YA reads of today.
Characters:
I loved the lead character, Kenders, and was able to feel a connection with her. Though, in the second half of the book I felt that connection slipping (as soon as Serge comes into picture.) I loved Andrew, the male lead, as well but sadly the same thing happened with him.
Romance/Kills:
This book falls in the romance genre as the plot depends on the romantic relationship between Kenders and Andrew. And like any other dystopian book there is a love triangle (Kenders, Andrew and Serge) but thankfully it's not a farfetched one. It starts and ends within an acceptable time frame and now I'm really looking forward to the next instalment of this series.
Writing:
I enjoyed the easy flow of author's style of writing. It's simple yet relatable and makes reading this book a pleasant experience. Having said that, I'd like to point out that I felt that the first half of the book was excellent whereas the second half lagged a little behind not only in terms of the plot line but also in terms of the characterisation and flow of the story.
Beginning:
I started enjoying Nirvana right from the first sentence and continued to do so halfway through the book. Everything was just amazing and I had no issues with anything (but only till the first half.)
Ending:
The second half of the book along with the ending felt quite weak to me. The plot went on to some other uninteresting tangent and ruined an otherwise excellent story. I really hope that the sequel will be better than this one.
Blurb:
The blurb is good, but I felt that it actually revealed a major spoiler about Andrew's fake death. I would have liked it better to have come across it while reading the book instead of the blurb.
Cover Art:
The cover art is marvellous. I really like the eerie feeling it radiates. It's just perfect.
You can also read this review at The Reading Bud .
November 3, 2015
Larissa Kenders was a lover of music – her life of music took her away from memories she desperately wanted to forget. When she met Andrew she gradually let him in, realizing that he was different. Then their lives changed when the Extinction occurred, and their lives revolved around the Barracks and Andrew’s very important work for Hexagon and the government.
Andrew wasn’t able to stay at Larissa’s side as often as they both would have liked – his secret work took him into dangerous places. But the day he didn’t return, Larissa’s grief was overwhelming. Hexagon tried to convince her Andrew was dead, but in her grieving she couldn’t accept that she would never see him again. The counsellor assigned to her tried to persuade her to sign the form which would say he was dead – she refused. But her suspicion and refusal meant her life was in danger. And now that Andrew was gone, she had no idea who she could trust.
Nirvana, the virtual world she visited to try to find Andrew had her more confused than ever – what was real? What was fake? Or was everything around her a virtual world; including herself?
Nirvana by J.R. Stewart is the first in a trilogy for Young Adults; it combines dystopian, fantasy and science fiction with elements of romance throughout. The ending was a little abrupt but I’m guessing it will flow into book 2. I think the story could have benefitted from some tightening up, but it kept me interested enough to finish the book. Lovers of the genres are sure to enjoy Nirvana…
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
Andrew wasn’t able to stay at Larissa’s side as often as they both would have liked – his secret work took him into dangerous places. But the day he didn’t return, Larissa’s grief was overwhelming. Hexagon tried to convince her Andrew was dead, but in her grieving she couldn’t accept that she would never see him again. The counsellor assigned to her tried to persuade her to sign the form which would say he was dead – she refused. But her suspicion and refusal meant her life was in danger. And now that Andrew was gone, she had no idea who she could trust.
Nirvana, the virtual world she visited to try to find Andrew had her more confused than ever – what was real? What was fake? Or was everything around her a virtual world; including herself?
Nirvana by J.R. Stewart is the first in a trilogy for Young Adults; it combines dystopian, fantasy and science fiction with elements of romance throughout. The ending was a little abrupt but I’m guessing it will flow into book 2. I think the story could have benefitted from some tightening up, but it kept me interested enough to finish the book. Lovers of the genres are sure to enjoy Nirvana…
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
June 16, 2017
*** 3.5 Stars ***
The story takes place after year 2030. As the population in bees declined drastically, the economy was destroyed. Now an organization called Hexagon is responsible to feed the human race.
Larissa's husband, Andrew, received funding from Hexagon to do research. When he got more involved, he disappeared. We don't know if he's dead or alive, but Larissa keeps meeting him in a Nirvana.
Nirvana is like a virtual space where you could get plugged in to. Just pick a place and you're there. Andrew seems so real. Hexagon needs Larissa to sign the papers to confirm his death, but she doesn't want to give up. Larissa doesn't know who to trust and who to avoid.
I had such high hopes for this... probably because of the awesome cover. The plot and setting kept me engaged in the story, but the execution didn't do it for me. Nothing much really happened in the story. Many areas in the book were dry and a bit boring. Will I finish the series? Maybe.
The story takes place after year 2030. As the population in bees declined drastically, the economy was destroyed. Now an organization called Hexagon is responsible to feed the human race.
Larissa's husband, Andrew, received funding from Hexagon to do research. When he got more involved, he disappeared. We don't know if he's dead or alive, but Larissa keeps meeting him in a Nirvana.
Nirvana is like a virtual space where you could get plugged in to. Just pick a place and you're there. Andrew seems so real. Hexagon needs Larissa to sign the papers to confirm his death, but she doesn't want to give up. Larissa doesn't know who to trust and who to avoid.
I had such high hopes for this... probably because of the awesome cover. The plot and setting kept me engaged in the story, but the execution didn't do it for me. Nothing much really happened in the story. Many areas in the book were dry and a bit boring. Will I finish the series? Maybe.
August 29, 2015
I was very excited to read this book, I loved the cover and the description of the story was very intriguing. The first 10% of the book was good. The setup was spot on and it seemed like a fantastic new spin on a post apocalyptic story. After awhile though it got a little bit confusing. There too many details all at once, and I couldn’t keep time or people straight in my head.
And then things just got too easy, the stakes didn’t seem real or high enough. Larissa is searching for her dead husband believing him to be alive still, but I never really got her character or her belief in her husband.
About 20% of the way into the book I figured out the end of the story, which was very disappointing. Once the character Terk was brought in I knew what was going to happen and it as hard for me to continue reading it. I felt that some of the character development was missing. Terk seemed to just disappear, and Serge and the Corporal were strangely very alike and I had a hard time remembering who was who.
Also the formatting on the kindle was weird, maybe that was just because my copy was an ARC, but it would do things
like this for no obvious reason and I would loose my place in a sentence.
Overall I was disappointed in this story. I never felt for the characters or was invested in the story. I gave it 2 out of 5 stars on my Goodreads.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.
And then things just got too easy, the stakes didn’t seem real or high enough. Larissa is searching for her dead husband believing him to be alive still, but I never really got her character or her belief in her husband.
About 20% of the way into the book I figured out the end of the story, which was very disappointing. Once the character Terk was brought in I knew what was going to happen and it as hard for me to continue reading it. I felt that some of the character development was missing. Terk seemed to just disappear, and Serge and the Corporal were strangely very alike and I had a hard time remembering who was who.
Also the formatting on the kindle was weird, maybe that was just because my copy was an ARC, but it would do things
like this for no obvious reason and I would loose my place in a sentence.
Overall I was disappointed in this story. I never felt for the characters or was invested in the story. I gave it 2 out of 5 stars on my Goodreads.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.
November 12, 2015
Larissa Kenders couldn't fathom nor accept the news that her husband died in a battle and now her existence is under the watchful eye of the Corporal. She soon found herself hoping and somehow living in his memories through Nirvana, a virtual world created and controlled by Hexagon, the same institution that sent Andrew to another planet and ended with a failed mission. In Nirvana, Larissa could talk to Andrew, be with him, build dreams with him. But there was something that struck her odd, questioning the credibility of the virtual world. Was it futile to still hope that he was still alive and would come back to her again?
This is a book that talks about bees and birds, er.. actually about the extinction of bees and mankind's impending doom and a mission that would have you wondering whether is was really a mission: failure, mission: accomplished or mission: impossible. OR... probably, mission: compromised
Music and science, two separate entities combined in this story, creating an imagined futuristic setting and good musical scoring. It may be an odd combination, but given the right characters and pacing, the story would be a hit. No wonder I liked Nirvana by JR Stewart. Music and science had always been close to my heart. Just add a spice of virtual reality and cliffhanger, and Poof! A great afternoon suspenseful read! Can't wait to read what happens next in book 2!
This is a book that talks about bees and birds, er.. actually about the extinction of bees and mankind's impending doom and a mission that would have you wondering whether is was really a mission: failure, mission: accomplished or mission: impossible. OR... probably, mission: compromised
Music and science, two separate entities combined in this story, creating an imagined futuristic setting and good musical scoring. It may be an odd combination, but given the right characters and pacing, the story would be a hit. No wonder I liked Nirvana by JR Stewart. Music and science had always been close to my heart. Just add a spice of virtual reality and cliffhanger, and Poof! A great afternoon suspenseful read! Can't wait to read what happens next in book 2!
November 20, 2015
Nirvana is a dystopian story where bees (and all the great things they bring with their existence) are gone. I loved the idea of this story, as I do fear for our bees and buy as many bee friendly plants I can afford each year, in a mission to help them.
While I loved the idea behind this book, I only liked the actual story. I failed to become truly gripped by the story. I think it was perhaps a little too Young Adult for my liking, and certainly didn’t go into enough detail for me. By the end of it, I felt I was left with more questions than answers.
Having said that, there were a few interesting characters and I did enjoy the love story. I just wish it hadn’t ended where it did.
I would like to thank the publisher, Blue Moon Publishers for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
While I loved the idea behind this book, I only liked the actual story. I failed to become truly gripped by the story. I think it was perhaps a little too Young Adult for my liking, and certainly didn’t go into enough detail for me. By the end of it, I felt I was left with more questions than answers.
Having said that, there were a few interesting characters and I did enjoy the love story. I just wish it hadn’t ended where it did.
I would like to thank the publisher, Blue Moon Publishers for allowing me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2015
This is the review of the revised edition. The old review is hidden between the spoiler tags.
I'm sorry to say that I didn't love this one either. Yes, the main problems I had were with the characterization (there is some characterization this time) and the plot suits more to the premise this time round, with better worldbuilding too, so I liked a lot of things about it, but it still isn't a story that I would continue with. I thank the author for working hard for it, it just didn't do the trick for me.
---
The old review:
I'm sorry to say that I didn't love this one either. Yes, the main problems I had were with the characterization (there is some characterization this time) and the plot suits more to the premise this time round, with better worldbuilding too, so I liked a lot of things about it, but it still isn't a story that I would continue with. I thank the author for working hard for it, it just didn't do the trick for me.
---
The old review:
December 10, 2015
[I received a copy of this novel through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.]
I can't remember how I got approved. I think I received an invitation, months ago, but didn't get to reading the book until now. And then, halfway through, I realised what I had was the first ARC, and that I needed to download it again, because the author had rewritten a lot after the first batch of reviews. Or something to that extent? Anyway, I got the second version, and I'm glad I did. I still didn't like "Nirvana" in the end, but I can commend the effort, as there was quite some improvement compared to the first version. (On the other hand, it gets to show that when a book's in a first draft state, or close to it, it's really best not to publish it... Reviewers aren't beta-readers.)
The premise was definitely interesting: future dystopia, post-apocalyptic world after a series of environmental disasters, people living under tight control from corporations (mainly Hexagon), and blowing their hard-earned money on a virtual world named Nirvana—even as little as one quarter of an hour a week, as it's the only escape from daily drudgery in bunkers. In typical dystopian fashion, our heroine, Larissa (prefers to be called Kenders) discovers dark secrets while investigating into the death of her boyfriend Andrew. Also in typical dystopian fashion, there's a clear cut between the elite, the rich and famous, who can afford housing in "the Bubble", whereas the others are left to survive however they can: as Nirvana operators if they're lucky, as slaves in the Farms if they're not.
To be honest, it's pretty difficult for me to review only the second version, without thinking about the first one. The second version felt, all in all, smoother: where the first one threw me in a world where Kenders patrolled the wastelands as a soldier, without much sense of direction, here she felt much more integrated in her world, being a Nirvana operator. The technology seemed more real, too, better thought and described, and the narrative more logical: moving fast, but clearly not as over the place as the first version's was. I could tell where the story was improved, and in a way, I'm glad I got to read both versions (at least partially).
I didn't like it, though. A shame, but, well, it happens.
- The character's age, first. In the original story, Kenders was 24, Andrew and Serge a couple of years older... And this was good. Now Kenders is 17, the guys are 19-20, and this felt just so weird. I could believe in a 24-year-old now-soldier, ex-punk rocker/university student. But the same character aged 17, reflecting on all that stuff she had done "years ago"? Not believable, especially not when surrounded with people of the same type (so many "gifted kids" in one place, when nothing highlighted that fact = strange). Moreover, it cast a shadow on the Kenders-Andrew relationship: I always have a hard time with those "old couple-slash-soulmates forever" tropes when the characters are so young.
- The environmental disaster(s). They felt like they happened in 1-2 years, even if they were nothing new for the characters, and the world-building here was kind of lazy, too. The bees disappeared, OK, but they're not the only way plants can reproduce. Other species play a part as well. I wasn't sold on that one reason.
- The explanation heavy-handed "corporations are evulz" message.
- The beginning of the novel was smoother (the parts with Serge and in the Bubble made much more sense!), but the last chapters went so fast! One moment, this or that character was alive... then they were dead, and it happened in such a quick and dispassionate way that I was all "Wait, what... Oh... Am I supposed to feel sad, now?" I couldn't get invested in their lives, their emotions, in what was at stake for them. Kenders being in a punk rock band didn't add much to her personality, and the part with her father... didn't lead to much either?
- Some very, very stupid decisions. Of the too-stupid-to-live kind. Literally. Why did so-and-so have to engineer such a situation where they would end up dying along with the enemy, when there were likely other solutions? Why didn't they anticipate that the "bad guys" wouldn't come alone / wouldn't be fooled by the diversion? *That* kind of decisions. And Kenders wasn't especially clever.
- Nirvana itself. Mostly it was Kenders meeting Andrew in their 2-3 favourite online places. In the end, I didn't get the effect I was expecting (i.e. "lost in a virtual world / confusing virtual world with reality and vice versa"). Both worlds were always very clearly delimited in my opinion.
- The Red Door program. It gets lumped on us in the beginning and at the end, but there was no real central thread regarding this. I was under the impression it was here just because any dystopian world needs its oppressive, gets-rid-of-"dissenters" program.
- Info dumps. Lots of them. This didn't change much between the first and second versions.
- The love triangle. Not even worth mentioning. Uh.
Conclusion: An improved version, but one that would still need lots of work for me to enjoy it.
I can't remember how I got approved. I think I received an invitation, months ago, but didn't get to reading the book until now. And then, halfway through, I realised what I had was the first ARC, and that I needed to download it again, because the author had rewritten a lot after the first batch of reviews. Or something to that extent? Anyway, I got the second version, and I'm glad I did. I still didn't like "Nirvana" in the end, but I can commend the effort, as there was quite some improvement compared to the first version. (On the other hand, it gets to show that when a book's in a first draft state, or close to it, it's really best not to publish it... Reviewers aren't beta-readers.)
The premise was definitely interesting: future dystopia, post-apocalyptic world after a series of environmental disasters, people living under tight control from corporations (mainly Hexagon), and blowing their hard-earned money on a virtual world named Nirvana—even as little as one quarter of an hour a week, as it's the only escape from daily drudgery in bunkers. In typical dystopian fashion, our heroine, Larissa (prefers to be called Kenders) discovers dark secrets while investigating into the death of her boyfriend Andrew. Also in typical dystopian fashion, there's a clear cut between the elite, the rich and famous, who can afford housing in "the Bubble", whereas the others are left to survive however they can: as Nirvana operators if they're lucky, as slaves in the Farms if they're not.
To be honest, it's pretty difficult for me to review only the second version, without thinking about the first one. The second version felt, all in all, smoother: where the first one threw me in a world where Kenders patrolled the wastelands as a soldier, without much sense of direction, here she felt much more integrated in her world, being a Nirvana operator. The technology seemed more real, too, better thought and described, and the narrative more logical: moving fast, but clearly not as over the place as the first version's was. I could tell where the story was improved, and in a way, I'm glad I got to read both versions (at least partially).
I didn't like it, though. A shame, but, well, it happens.
- The character's age, first. In the original story, Kenders was 24, Andrew and Serge a couple of years older... And this was good. Now Kenders is 17, the guys are 19-20, and this felt just so weird. I could believe in a 24-year-old now-soldier, ex-punk rocker/university student. But the same character aged 17, reflecting on all that stuff she had done "years ago"? Not believable, especially not when surrounded with people of the same type (so many "gifted kids" in one place, when nothing highlighted that fact = strange). Moreover, it cast a shadow on the Kenders-Andrew relationship: I always have a hard time with those "old couple-slash-soulmates forever" tropes when the characters are so young.
- The environmental disaster(s). They felt like they happened in 1-2 years, even if they were nothing new for the characters, and the world-building here was kind of lazy, too. The bees disappeared, OK, but they're not the only way plants can reproduce. Other species play a part as well. I wasn't sold on that one reason.
- The explanation heavy-handed "corporations are evulz" message.
- The beginning of the novel was smoother (the parts with Serge and in the Bubble made much more sense!), but the last chapters went so fast! One moment, this or that character was alive... then they were dead, and it happened in such a quick and dispassionate way that I was all "Wait, what... Oh... Am I supposed to feel sad, now?" I couldn't get invested in their lives, their emotions, in what was at stake for them. Kenders being in a punk rock band didn't add much to her personality, and the part with her father... didn't lead to much either?
- Some very, very stupid decisions. Of the too-stupid-to-live kind. Literally. Why did so-and-so have to engineer such a situation where they would end up dying along with the enemy, when there were likely other solutions? Why didn't they anticipate that the "bad guys" wouldn't come alone / wouldn't be fooled by the diversion? *That* kind of decisions. And Kenders wasn't especially clever.
- Nirvana itself. Mostly it was Kenders meeting Andrew in their 2-3 favourite online places. In the end, I didn't get the effect I was expecting (i.e. "lost in a virtual world / confusing virtual world with reality and vice versa"). Both worlds were always very clearly delimited in my opinion.
- The Red Door program. It gets lumped on us in the beginning and at the end, but there was no real central thread regarding this. I was under the impression it was here just because any dystopian world needs its oppressive, gets-rid-of-"dissenters" program.
- Info dumps. Lots of them. This didn't change much between the first and second versions.
- The love triangle. Not even worth mentioning. Uh.
Conclusion: An improved version, but one that would still need lots of work for me to enjoy it.
October 15, 2015
I had such high hopes when I picked this one up. I thought that maybe I would be able to get hooked on a new dystopian YA series since I haven't found one that I've fallen in love with in a very long time. Not since The Hunger Games and Divergent. Unfortunately, this was just not one for me. I tried and tried and tried to get into it and I just couldn't. It was an uphill battle that I ended up losing. I had a lot of issues with pretty much everything in this novel.
Right off the bat, I despised the main character, Larissa Kenders. I thought that she was rude as shit and she was super sensitive. Those two traits work for some characters. The author can make a character that way and then prove why they are behaving the way that they do. I'm okay with an asshole character but it needs to be justified. I just didn't think that it was justified in any way. And to be honest, I just really didn't like her. Again, not liking a character can be a great thing. It can make you think or it will put a new spin on what is going on in the book but I just didn't like her because she was a horrible character.
From the very beginning, this book is a bit hard to follow. You don't really know what the hell is going on until more than halfway through the book. It was super confusing with the reality and virtual stuff. I had a hard time telling what was real and what wasn't. At one point, I was even wondering if this is what the author wanted ... to keep the reader on their toes and wondering what was going on but then I tossed that away as quickly as I thought it because the book itself just didn't read like it was made for a reader. I know, that probably doesn't make any sense ... maybe I can explain. It always seemed like there was some secret code that I wasn't privy to that would help me understand what was going on. For such an in depth book, explanations just weren't there. Creating a dystopian world is probably very difficult but when things aren't explained, it makes it so very frustrating for the reader. And then when the past and present stuff started coming into play ... that was a whole new level of confusion. So you've got past, present, virtual and reality. It was just too damn much. ESPECIALLY, when there wasn't any indication you would be switching and swapping, it would just change from one sentence to the next.
I think the most frustrating thing is that there are three characters with names that start with K. No big deal, right? Absolutely. It shouldn't have been a big deal but when the book isn't very clear on anything that is going on, having three names that are so similar just adds yet another layer to the confusing, spaghetti bowl of a mess that is going on in this book.
I won't be picking up the next book in the series and I'll forget this one as soon as I'm done with this review. It's unfortunate when this happens because there was so much potential. It's just too bad.
* I received this novel in exchange for an honest review *
Check out more of my reviews at Little Miss Bookmark!
November 11, 2015
Updated review after receving a completely updated arc.
3.5*
This is a completely different book from the one I originally requested from NetGalley- the author really took the criticisms and entirely revamped the story...taking it from a confusing, disjointed mess to something that's interesting and engaging. There were still some minor issues with the story for me, it felt like there were a few things missing, but overall it is a huge improvement from the first version.
If you're a fan of dystopian/post-apocalyptic/science-fiction, I think you will enjoy Nirvana. It's a complex book, with quite a bit going on ...secrets and lies, who to trust, what is real, what's going to happen next. Although I didn't full connect with Kenders, she is kind of a compelling character. She goes through so much in this book, and has so much she has to deal with, it's surprising how well she handles everything.
I'm not sure where the rest of the story is going to lead us, there is a lot still to be figured out, but I'm much more invested in following this series through to the end than I was with the original version.
Original review posted 9/27
2.5*
This book has some really great potential, and I *may* end up purchasing a copy when it's published, but for now I can't really give it more than 3*- more like 2.5*.
The premise and synopsis are what drew me to request it, but it did not live up to its potential. It's very disjointed and jumps from present day to past, to memories, to current happenings without any kind of transition...it was hard to keep up at times. I was confused more often than not as I read this, and that was very disappointing for me.
I ended up skimming quite a bit through the middle to get to the end. And the ending just left me even more confused.
I really enjoy post-apocolyptic and dystopian novels, but unfortunately this one just didn't work for me. But I won't rule out reading the rest of the books, I am interested just enough to see how everything is resolved.
*I recieved a copy through NetGalley.
Hopefully some of the formatting issues will be worked out before the book goes to publication.
3.5*
This is a completely different book from the one I originally requested from NetGalley- the author really took the criticisms and entirely revamped the story...taking it from a confusing, disjointed mess to something that's interesting and engaging. There were still some minor issues with the story for me, it felt like there were a few things missing, but overall it is a huge improvement from the first version.
If you're a fan of dystopian/post-apocalyptic/science-fiction, I think you will enjoy Nirvana. It's a complex book, with quite a bit going on ...secrets and lies, who to trust, what is real, what's going to happen next. Although I didn't full connect with Kenders, she is kind of a compelling character. She goes through so much in this book, and has so much she has to deal with, it's surprising how well she handles everything.
I'm not sure where the rest of the story is going to lead us, there is a lot still to be figured out, but I'm much more invested in following this series through to the end than I was with the original version.
Original review posted 9/27
2.5*
This book has some really great potential, and I *may* end up purchasing a copy when it's published, but for now I can't really give it more than 3*- more like 2.5*.
The premise and synopsis are what drew me to request it, but it did not live up to its potential. It's very disjointed and jumps from present day to past, to memories, to current happenings without any kind of transition...it was hard to keep up at times. I was confused more often than not as I read this, and that was very disappointing for me.
I ended up skimming quite a bit through the middle to get to the end. And the ending just left me even more confused.
I really enjoy post-apocolyptic and dystopian novels, but unfortunately this one just didn't work for me. But I won't rule out reading the rest of the books, I am interested just enough to see how everything is resolved.
*I recieved a copy through NetGalley.
Hopefully some of the formatting issues will be worked out before the book goes to publication.
December 21, 2015
(I received this digital copy on a read to review basis. Many thanks to J.R. Stewart and Netgalley).
2.5/5 Stars
First of all love the cover! Very dark and makes you wonder how all the images are linked into one another.
Now for the story. I really wanted to love this storyline because the premise for it sounded/s amazing. To have the world so futuristic, reality warping that you can't tell if it's truly real or not was gripping. The storyline in itself actual self sadly wasn't so gripping. While the author attempted a good go at telling such a story, there's much room that could have been improved.
I didn't feel any real emotion for the characters what so ever. No, telling the truth the only emotion I felt was for Corporal and Serge. They could have played such bigger roles in the story had it been longer than 180 give or take pages long. I wanted more from the character's in order to get a true sense of who they really were, their background and their past history with one another. Because I only saw Andrew in very brief glimpses, I.had no real sense of attachment to his character. I wanted to mourn for him but couldn't because I felt I knew.absolutely nothing about him. In the end I was even beginning to think is he even worth all this hassle! I just couldn't even begin to truly understand the relationship these two main characters had with one another. There was nothing in place for me to relate to them,feel for them as a couple.
Overall an ok story that could be vastly improved had previous plotlines been developed further in order to allow the reader true connection to the story.
2.5/5 Stars
First of all love the cover! Very dark and makes you wonder how all the images are linked into one another.
Now for the story. I really wanted to love this storyline because the premise for it sounded/s amazing. To have the world so futuristic, reality warping that you can't tell if it's truly real or not was gripping. The storyline in itself actual self sadly wasn't so gripping. While the author attempted a good go at telling such a story, there's much room that could have been improved.
I didn't feel any real emotion for the characters what so ever. No, telling the truth the only emotion I felt was for Corporal and Serge. They could have played such bigger roles in the story had it been longer than 180 give or take pages long. I wanted more from the character's in order to get a true sense of who they really were, their background and their past history with one another. Because I only saw Andrew in very brief glimpses, I.had no real sense of attachment to his character. I wanted to mourn for him but couldn't because I felt I knew.absolutely nothing about him. In the end I was even beginning to think is he even worth all this hassle! I just couldn't even begin to truly understand the relationship these two main characters had with one another. There was nothing in place for me to relate to them,feel for them as a couple.
Overall an ok story that could be vastly improved had previous plotlines been developed further in order to allow the reader true connection to the story.
November 10, 2015
Kenders (Larissa) is an amazingly devoted wife and deeply in love with Andrew. She has no closure and for good reason, she does not believe Andrew is dead. Nirvana is written about her story, and while this is a love story about Kenders and Andrew, it is an amazing work of Science Fiction and Fantasy.
Stewart creates a new world with this novel. A world that has world within it. As well as plots, different schemes, friendship, skewed friendship, hate, treachery, backstabbing, etc. This book has so many things in it but it works. You can understand Kenders, despite her position she doesn't come off whiney or overbearing. She works for a outcome, and closure. Even though she isn't getting it!
I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
UPDATE: I received an updated copy of this novel.
This file I received is basically a new novel. I will say it is better laid out and there is a lot more explained, but I had a harder time connecting with the characters and it wasn't until 70% through that I was invested. I am curious to see what the next one will be like. I don't know why there was a switch from Kenders and Andrew being married to being engaged. I do like Serge better in this novel, and the end was better. Overall a great change.
To my readers: Give it time, it will pay off!!
Stewart creates a new world with this novel. A world that has world within it. As well as plots, different schemes, friendship, skewed friendship, hate, treachery, backstabbing, etc. This book has so many things in it but it works. You can understand Kenders, despite her position she doesn't come off whiney or overbearing. She works for a outcome, and closure. Even though she isn't getting it!
I can't wait for the next book in the series to come out!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
UPDATE: I received an updated copy of this novel.
This file I received is basically a new novel. I will say it is better laid out and there is a lot more explained, but I had a harder time connecting with the characters and it wasn't until 70% through that I was invested. I am curious to see what the next one will be like. I don't know why there was a switch from Kenders and Andrew being married to being engaged. I do like Serge better in this novel, and the end was better. Overall a great change.
To my readers: Give it time, it will pay off!!
October 13, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Blue Moon Publishers and NetGalley.)
This is the second time I’ve read this book, and I have to say that the newly edited version is by far a vast improvement!
Where to start with this book? Firstly, the story is now totally linear. There were no random diary entries, no flashbacks, the story went in a straight line from beginning to end, and boy did that make things less confusing! In fact it was like reading a totally different book. I barely recognised it.
Larissa was also a little different in this book, she didn’t have this strong belief that Andrew wasn’t dead, she doubted it at times, but wasn’t so crazy set on the notion, and didn’t keep going on about it either which was an improvement.
The storyline in this was, as I said, very linear, and we didn’t get anywhere near the number of info dumps which was also a vast improvement! The world building was explained in a far less confusing way too, and the story was actually enjoyable this time! Have to say that I am impressed with the difference between this and the previous edit.
7 out of 10
This is the second time I’ve read this book, and I have to say that the newly edited version is by far a vast improvement!
Where to start with this book? Firstly, the story is now totally linear. There were no random diary entries, no flashbacks, the story went in a straight line from beginning to end, and boy did that make things less confusing! In fact it was like reading a totally different book. I barely recognised it.
Larissa was also a little different in this book, she didn’t have this strong belief that Andrew wasn’t dead, she doubted it at times, but wasn’t so crazy set on the notion, and didn’t keep going on about it either which was an improvement.
The storyline in this was, as I said, very linear, and we didn’t get anywhere near the number of info dumps which was also a vast improvement! The world building was explained in a far less confusing way too, and the story was actually enjoyable this time! Have to say that I am impressed with the difference between this and the previous edit.
7 out of 10
October 11, 2015
Brilliantly insightful! A perfect blend of futuristic and fantasy in a young adult novel. This book took me by surprise and had me reading until my coffee grew cold. Larissa is a strong protagonist who refuses to believe that her husband is dead and won't stop searching for answers. The cliffhanger ending is sure to have readers clamoring for more. I'm anxious to read the next part in this series.
February 17, 2016
Nirvana by J. R. Stewart
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Initial Thoughts
. . . hm. Nirvana was a really promising book but I'm a little befuddled by that ending. I was very confused reading some reviews because apparently after September 2015 the book was revised and had a major face-lift - i.e. it became almost a different story. So I just spent an age trying to work out what version I read. I'm pretty sure mine's the new version - published October 2015. Anyway.
I was really, really enjoying this book up until the end. This had a really cool idea going for it (and I'm not a science-y person so anything amiss there went over my head). It's set in 2086 when the world is basically dead and the government is corrupted. In any case, there were still a few problems I had with the book. Namely a slight lack of character development for some characters, like Corporal who is just sort of there and doesn't have a back story to justify any of his actions. But the ending was what killed it for me - it made the entire book seem repetitive and . . . pointless? Of all the ways this could have ended I'm left with far too many questions and great confusion as to the point of half of this book.
That being said, I am still interested to continue the series to see if it redeems itself. I'm so sad to give this a 3/5, I really thought this was going to be a 4/5. Oh well.
----------------------------------------------
What it's About
Nirvana is the story of Larissa - a girl who is the lead singer in a Punk band (I think, I’m having a mental blank on what type of band it was) and since before the world went to pieces she’s been protesting to stop maltreatment of animals in labs and also to help save the earth. Unfortunately, all is for naught - the bees go extinct and this kick-starts a chain reaction that results in natural resources running out and an all powerful government assuming control. It's reasonably realistic in comparison to our future considering our concerns about where the world is heading. Those in power live a life of privilege, able to use technology to create a false world, as it was before, around them. The rest live lives of poverty.
A technological advancement has taken this world by storm: Nirvana - it’s a virtual reality that everyone uses because you can do whatever you like in that virtual reality. It is a requirement that everyone spends a certain amount of time in there and Larissa and her boyfriend, Andrew, work within Hexagon (the government group) in monitoring people’s sessions in Nirvana.
But Andrew and Larissa hate everything that Hexagon is doing; they’re controlling and manipulative - and whilst in Nirvana, Hexagon is able to ‘watch’ people’s thoughts and therefore remove any threat to their system and power if anything should arise. It’s pretty scary and means that our protagonist must keep on her toes to not get caught out.
The clinch comes when Andrew goes missing, he’s presumed dead and now it’s up to Larissa to finish his work. She’s not quite as tech savvy as he was but she has to try or face Hexagon becoming a ruthless power that eradicates all people who don’t completely conform to their dystopian rulership. And it’s amazing.
What I loved
There was so much going for this book - the action is real and the pace is super fast. I enjoyed Larissa’s character, and whilst I think she could have benefitted from being even more developed in a longer book, she was a great character to take this world by its horns. Her background with music and her band were a cool addition to her character as she is able to rally support in a realistic manner through her followers. I myself, didn’t really enjoy her songs, however. I find it difficult/impossible to create a tune in my head when I’m given lyrics on a page - it results in the impact being lost and the whole thing seeming a little weird and lame in my mind. But that’s my fault. Larissa is a greatly passionate person who doesn’t have any ‘special abilities’ - she’s just doing what she can to try and bring back and salvage what is left of her world.
I enjoyed Andrew as a character, too. Although we don’t really get to see that much of him, he helps to add depth to the nefarious plots swirling around in the background. We know what Larissa knows and therefore aren’t ‘in’ with what Hexagon is really doing. Andrew seems to be - and him and his trusted crew are trying to work undercover to fix things, which of course Hexagon does not want - because as soon as things are fixed, what need is there for this 'emergency' government? Hexagon is just making face by existing and 'solving' problems without actually making progress to ensure they remain in power.
When Andrew ‘disappears’ his reappearances to Larissa in Nirvana were so cool. I was on edge, worried that they would get found out. It was really well thought out how, because he’s a super genius, he’s able to hack the system and whilst Larissa plays out her memories, only she knows when the ‘lines’ deviate from the original. In this way, she’s able to tell whether it is just a playback, or whether Andrew has hijacked the program and is actually, virtually with her. SO COOL.
The Bubble and the Confusion
I want to discuss a couple of key plot elements here, the bubble and the confusion of characters when it comes to good guys vs. bad guys.
The Bubble was where the wealthy and powerful people lived. It was exclusive and to even spend a night there (for those not privileged to live there) was very costly. It represented everything that was wrong with the world - despite natural resources on the verge of non-existence, these people are flaunting their wealth and luxurious lifestyles with not a thought for those struggling outside. There’s a lot of attention focused on building up this hatred towards the government but I felt the story lacked on the side of the people.
We get plenty of information through Larissa’s perspective as to what people are enduring lifestyle-wise, but as she works within Hexagon we don’t really get a glimpse of every day life for people. This is something you have to build up for yourself. There are copious flash backs to acknowledge that for the most part this ‘apocalypse’ is a recent occurrence, but I would have loved to have seen more of the ordinary world outside of this drama. In this sense, the story is tightly revolved around Larissa’s world - it doesn’t ever expand much beyond that. This world is a bit of a detail-less blur for me.
On top of this, I did get very confused. Whilst the story was rapturing enough that I didn’t mind at the time, I was baffled when it came to some characters as to whether they were actually good or not. The side characters were not developed well, I thought. We understand those who are pure evil, but so many of the others were wrapped up in layers of mysteriousness so that you legitimately could not work out who they were swinging for until a super crucial moment happened. So . . . at the end, mostly. I thought this was a shame because whilst it’s fun to have dubious characters it was frustrating to have them seem to swing one way and then the other so frequently - I couldn’t guess because I just had nothing to go on.
Should You Read This?
I want to say yes. I didn’t enjoy the ending but I’m sure lots of people will. As I said earlier, the way things concluded was an . . . interesting . . . choice in my opinion. Stewart has created a really kick-ass dystopian where there is oodles of action and character arcs aplenty to give you headaches. But I was just so disappointed with the ending. With this ending I feel like we just locked ourselves into an never ending loop of events, I didn’t feel like the story then achieved much, and I just thought it was a bizarre choice of conclusion. It's almost as if the plot itself has failed to grow and develop? But a small part of me says this will all be explained in the next book and I'll be able to make peace with it.
(Shush, this gif is totally relevant)
Summary
So in short, if you’re interested in this story (and I think you should be) then give it a go. It’s short book (unfortunately) but the story is a lot of fun and involves some genuinely fascinating ideas. Not to mention the cover is amazing. This was a really great book with a disappointing ending and slightly lacking characters, but all of these things are I think are subjective - so you might love this book! Who knows?!
Happy reading!
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Initial Thoughts
. . . hm. Nirvana was a really promising book but I'm a little befuddled by that ending. I was very confused reading some reviews because apparently after September 2015 the book was revised and had a major face-lift - i.e. it became almost a different story. So I just spent an age trying to work out what version I read. I'm pretty sure mine's the new version - published October 2015. Anyway.
I was really, really enjoying this book up until the end. This had a really cool idea going for it (and I'm not a science-y person so anything amiss there went over my head). It's set in 2086 when the world is basically dead and the government is corrupted. In any case, there were still a few problems I had with the book. Namely a slight lack of character development for some characters, like Corporal who is just sort of there and doesn't have a back story to justify any of his actions. But the ending was what killed it for me - it made the entire book seem repetitive and . . . pointless? Of all the ways this could have ended I'm left with far too many questions and great confusion as to the point of half of this book.
That being said, I am still interested to continue the series to see if it redeems itself. I'm so sad to give this a 3/5, I really thought this was going to be a 4/5. Oh well.
----------------------------------------------
What it's About
Nirvana is the story of Larissa - a girl who is the lead singer in a Punk band (I think, I’m having a mental blank on what type of band it was) and since before the world went to pieces she’s been protesting to stop maltreatment of animals in labs and also to help save the earth. Unfortunately, all is for naught - the bees go extinct and this kick-starts a chain reaction that results in natural resources running out and an all powerful government assuming control. It's reasonably realistic in comparison to our future considering our concerns about where the world is heading. Those in power live a life of privilege, able to use technology to create a false world, as it was before, around them. The rest live lives of poverty.
A technological advancement has taken this world by storm: Nirvana - it’s a virtual reality that everyone uses because you can do whatever you like in that virtual reality. It is a requirement that everyone spends a certain amount of time in there and Larissa and her boyfriend, Andrew, work within Hexagon (the government group) in monitoring people’s sessions in Nirvana.
But Andrew and Larissa hate everything that Hexagon is doing; they’re controlling and manipulative - and whilst in Nirvana, Hexagon is able to ‘watch’ people’s thoughts and therefore remove any threat to their system and power if anything should arise. It’s pretty scary and means that our protagonist must keep on her toes to not get caught out.
The clinch comes when Andrew goes missing, he’s presumed dead and now it’s up to Larissa to finish his work. She’s not quite as tech savvy as he was but she has to try or face Hexagon becoming a ruthless power that eradicates all people who don’t completely conform to their dystopian rulership. And it’s amazing.
What I loved
There was so much going for this book - the action is real and the pace is super fast. I enjoyed Larissa’s character, and whilst I think she could have benefitted from being even more developed in a longer book, she was a great character to take this world by its horns. Her background with music and her band were a cool addition to her character as she is able to rally support in a realistic manner through her followers. I myself, didn’t really enjoy her songs, however. I find it difficult/impossible to create a tune in my head when I’m given lyrics on a page - it results in the impact being lost and the whole thing seeming a little weird and lame in my mind. But that’s my fault. Larissa is a greatly passionate person who doesn’t have any ‘special abilities’ - she’s just doing what she can to try and bring back and salvage what is left of her world.
I enjoyed Andrew as a character, too. Although we don’t really get to see that much of him, he helps to add depth to the nefarious plots swirling around in the background. We know what Larissa knows and therefore aren’t ‘in’ with what Hexagon is really doing. Andrew seems to be - and him and his trusted crew are trying to work undercover to fix things, which of course Hexagon does not want - because as soon as things are fixed, what need is there for this 'emergency' government? Hexagon is just making face by existing and 'solving' problems without actually making progress to ensure they remain in power.
When Andrew ‘disappears’ his reappearances to Larissa in Nirvana were so cool. I was on edge, worried that they would get found out. It was really well thought out how, because he’s a super genius, he’s able to hack the system and whilst Larissa plays out her memories, only she knows when the ‘lines’ deviate from the original. In this way, she’s able to tell whether it is just a playback, or whether Andrew has hijacked the program and is actually, virtually with her. SO COOL.
The Bubble and the Confusion
I want to discuss a couple of key plot elements here, the bubble and the confusion of characters when it comes to good guys vs. bad guys.
The Bubble was where the wealthy and powerful people lived. It was exclusive and to even spend a night there (for those not privileged to live there) was very costly. It represented everything that was wrong with the world - despite natural resources on the verge of non-existence, these people are flaunting their wealth and luxurious lifestyles with not a thought for those struggling outside. There’s a lot of attention focused on building up this hatred towards the government but I felt the story lacked on the side of the people.
We get plenty of information through Larissa’s perspective as to what people are enduring lifestyle-wise, but as she works within Hexagon we don’t really get a glimpse of every day life for people. This is something you have to build up for yourself. There are copious flash backs to acknowledge that for the most part this ‘apocalypse’ is a recent occurrence, but I would have loved to have seen more of the ordinary world outside of this drama. In this sense, the story is tightly revolved around Larissa’s world - it doesn’t ever expand much beyond that. This world is a bit of a detail-less blur for me.
On top of this, I did get very confused. Whilst the story was rapturing enough that I didn’t mind at the time, I was baffled when it came to some characters as to whether they were actually good or not. The side characters were not developed well, I thought. We understand those who are pure evil, but so many of the others were wrapped up in layers of mysteriousness so that you legitimately could not work out who they were swinging for until a super crucial moment happened. So . . . at the end, mostly. I thought this was a shame because whilst it’s fun to have dubious characters it was frustrating to have them seem to swing one way and then the other so frequently - I couldn’t guess because I just had nothing to go on.
Should You Read This?
I want to say yes. I didn’t enjoy the ending but I’m sure lots of people will. As I said earlier, the way things concluded was an . . . interesting . . . choice in my opinion. Stewart has created a really kick-ass dystopian where there is oodles of action and character arcs aplenty to give you headaches. But I was just so disappointed with the ending. With this ending I feel like we just locked ourselves into an never ending loop of events, I didn’t feel like the story then achieved much, and I just thought it was a bizarre choice of conclusion. It's almost as if the plot itself has failed to grow and develop? But a small part of me says this will all be explained in the next book and I'll be able to make peace with it.
(Shush, this gif is totally relevant)
Summary
So in short, if you’re interested in this story (and I think you should be) then give it a go. It’s short book (unfortunately) but the story is a lot of fun and involves some genuinely fascinating ideas. Not to mention the cover is amazing. This was a really great book with a disappointing ending and slightly lacking characters, but all of these things are I think are subjective - so you might love this book! Who knows?!
Happy reading!
March 11, 2019
"Nirvana isn't real, Kenders."
Beautiful cover, disjointed story. Partly I blame the formatting. I still have a book formatted from 2015 so I guess....there is a new one? not one that I had - and I'm sure that made a lot of difference. For me, I couldn't always tell in conversations, who was saying what. The formatting shoved sentences together into a paragraph with no specification on who's actually the ones talking. There were whole pages I had to go back and re-read. This left me removed and irritated most of the story.
There also wasn't a lot of world building. There's a Nirvana, a guy missing and a lot in between I don't know. Although dystopian stories don't always have to give me the story, this one left me spending more time wondering how we got to that point and trying to figure out the why's instead of feeling immersed in the story.
And the fist chapter, the talk about Math and music - both characters were so insuperable, I couldn't ever really like them again.
Meh. This one just didn't work for me. 1 star for story, 1 star for cover.
Beautiful cover, disjointed story. Partly I blame the formatting. I still have a book formatted from 2015 so I guess....there is a new one? not one that I had - and I'm sure that made a lot of difference. For me, I couldn't always tell in conversations, who was saying what. The formatting shoved sentences together into a paragraph with no specification on who's actually the ones talking. There were whole pages I had to go back and re-read. This left me removed and irritated most of the story.
There also wasn't a lot of world building. There's a Nirvana, a guy missing and a lot in between I don't know. Although dystopian stories don't always have to give me the story, this one left me spending more time wondering how we got to that point and trying to figure out the why's instead of feeling immersed in the story.
And the fist chapter, the talk about Math and music - both characters were so insuperable, I couldn't ever really like them again.
Meh. This one just didn't work for me. 1 star for story, 1 star for cover.
October 23, 2015
When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?
Larissa Kenders lives in a world where the real and the virtual intermingle daily. After the supposed death of her soulmate, Andrew, Larissa is able to find solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world where anything is possible – even visits with Andrew. Although Larissa is told that these meetings are not real, she cannot shake her suspicion that Andrew is indeed alive. When she begins an investigation of Hexagon, the very institution that she has been taught to trust, Larissa uncovers much more than she ever expected and places herself in serious danger. Her biggest challenge, however, remains determining what is real – and what is virtual.
Nirvana is the first instalment in the three-part “Nirvana” series, a fast-paced, page-turning young adult trilogy that combines elements of the romance, mystery, and science fiction genres. This first novel introduces readers to a heroine who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.
- - - - -
Rating: 3.75/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: this is like a TOTALLY different book!; awesome plot line; independent and strong-willed characters that make sense; everything has a purpose and is in its rightful place; no more info dumps!; I actually WANT to read book two now
I received an ARC of this read in exchange for an honest REreview; many thanks to J.R. Stewart, Blue Moon Publishers, and Netgalley! (this in no way changed my rating, review, or opinions of this book--except the fact that it was an edited ARC and I'm re-reviewing it now) If you're interested in seeing my review for the original version of this novel, please go here!
So, okay. The cover is abso-freaking-LUTELY gorgeous. Like, I cannot handle how beautiful it is—the mysteriousness, the mist, the water, the buildings, the awesome pose... It all comes together so wonderfully, and made me want to pick it up because WHAT SORT OF BOOK could possibly be bad with a cover like this?!?! Just... Just LOOK at it! It's so pretty!
I'm not sure what sort of voodoo magic J.R. Stewart pulled out for this edit/rewrite, but OH MY GOODNESS, this is like a completely different book! I just cannot wrap my head around how far this book came from the original ARC I received; it's jaw-dropping astounding!
So let's get into the nitty gritty, yes? First things first--the story telling. I had a HUGE amount of contention with this in the first draft; I felt it was nonexistent. Lackluster. Boring. I have to take back ALL of those things now--the updated version is coherent, well plotted out, and HUGELY entertaining. There are new twists and turns to the story, there is an actual GOAL being worked toward with the characters, and everything--EVERYTHING!--comes together in beautiful and surprising ways.
There are no "out of left-field" shifts in focus or subject. The plot is no longer filled with spontaneous, unexplained loopholes--instead, every moment and action has a clear purpose, and is explained adequately and thoroughly. I wasn't frustrated with the world-building this time around; instead, the world LEAPED to life for me. I could "see" what I was supposed to, I knew what was happening at all times, and pieces of information that seemed randomly thrown in or decided upon later in the first version were well-timed and described in this one.
I think, though, the most important shift I saw in this version lies with the characters. Before, they seemed almost aimless--Larissa (or Kenders) was left flailing and obsessively stubborn in the first version. I didn't like her, I couldn't connect with her, and I was more annoyed with her than on her side. BUT THIS VERSION of Kenders! I actually understand her, where she's coming from, why she does what she does... She makes sense, and I was enthralled with her throughout. Because the plot is so sturdy and well-done, I found I was much more able to connect with her and root for her. And because it seems J.R. Stewart finally figured out where this story was headed, EVERYTHING fell more into place--the dialogue is realistic and human, there are no longer huge amounts of info-dump followed by filler prose. The plot has a rhyme, a reason, and a rhythm and it pulled everything together in a way I wasn't expecting my second round reading this.
This is a far cry from the soggy cardboard story I felt the first draft (I guess I should refer to it as a very rough draft now!) was; I'm definitely intrigued, and am actually interested enough in what's going on to already be considering picking up book two when it comes out! The ending is a bit disappointing, though, so be warned--I wasn't pleased with the way it comes so full-circle. I suppose there's a reason for it, though.
I'd definitely recommend this updated version to lovers of sci fi/fantasy, headstrong and independent characters, and fascinating complex plots! There's still that touch of dystopian that keeps it well-within that genre...but it no longer screams "just like all the others." It's unique, well-written, and concussive in its explorations. I'm SO glad I gave it a re-read!
Larissa Kenders lives in a world where the real and the virtual intermingle daily. After the supposed death of her soulmate, Andrew, Larissa is able to find solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world where anything is possible – even visits with Andrew. Although Larissa is told that these meetings are not real, she cannot shake her suspicion that Andrew is indeed alive. When she begins an investigation of Hexagon, the very institution that she has been taught to trust, Larissa uncovers much more than she ever expected and places herself in serious danger. Her biggest challenge, however, remains determining what is real – and what is virtual.
Nirvana is the first instalment in the three-part “Nirvana” series, a fast-paced, page-turning young adult trilogy that combines elements of the romance, mystery, and science fiction genres. This first novel introduces readers to a heroine who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so.
- - - - -
Rating: 3.75/5 Stars
Quick Reasons: this is like a TOTALLY different book!; awesome plot line; independent and strong-willed characters that make sense; everything has a purpose and is in its rightful place; no more info dumps!; I actually WANT to read book two now
I received an ARC of this read in exchange for an honest REreview; many thanks to J.R. Stewart, Blue Moon Publishers, and Netgalley! (this in no way changed my rating, review, or opinions of this book--except the fact that it was an edited ARC and I'm re-reviewing it now) If you're interested in seeing my review for the original version of this novel, please go here!
So, okay. The cover is abso-freaking-LUTELY gorgeous. Like, I cannot handle how beautiful it is—the mysteriousness, the mist, the water, the buildings, the awesome pose... It all comes together so wonderfully, and made me want to pick it up because WHAT SORT OF BOOK could possibly be bad with a cover like this?!?! Just... Just LOOK at it! It's so pretty!
I'm not sure what sort of voodoo magic J.R. Stewart pulled out for this edit/rewrite, but OH MY GOODNESS, this is like a completely different book! I just cannot wrap my head around how far this book came from the original ARC I received; it's jaw-dropping astounding!
So let's get into the nitty gritty, yes? First things first--the story telling. I had a HUGE amount of contention with this in the first draft; I felt it was nonexistent. Lackluster. Boring. I have to take back ALL of those things now--the updated version is coherent, well plotted out, and HUGELY entertaining. There are new twists and turns to the story, there is an actual GOAL being worked toward with the characters, and everything--EVERYTHING!--comes together in beautiful and surprising ways.
There are no "out of left-field" shifts in focus or subject. The plot is no longer filled with spontaneous, unexplained loopholes--instead, every moment and action has a clear purpose, and is explained adequately and thoroughly. I wasn't frustrated with the world-building this time around; instead, the world LEAPED to life for me. I could "see" what I was supposed to, I knew what was happening at all times, and pieces of information that seemed randomly thrown in or decided upon later in the first version were well-timed and described in this one.
I think, though, the most important shift I saw in this version lies with the characters. Before, they seemed almost aimless--Larissa (or Kenders) was left flailing and obsessively stubborn in the first version. I didn't like her, I couldn't connect with her, and I was more annoyed with her than on her side. BUT THIS VERSION of Kenders! I actually understand her, where she's coming from, why she does what she does... She makes sense, and I was enthralled with her throughout. Because the plot is so sturdy and well-done, I found I was much more able to connect with her and root for her. And because it seems J.R. Stewart finally figured out where this story was headed, EVERYTHING fell more into place--the dialogue is realistic and human, there are no longer huge amounts of info-dump followed by filler prose. The plot has a rhyme, a reason, and a rhythm and it pulled everything together in a way I wasn't expecting my second round reading this.
This is a far cry from the soggy cardboard story I felt the first draft (I guess I should refer to it as a very rough draft now!) was; I'm definitely intrigued, and am actually interested enough in what's going on to already be considering picking up book two when it comes out! The ending is a bit disappointing, though, so be warned--I wasn't pleased with the way it comes so full-circle. I suppose there's a reason for it, though.
I'd definitely recommend this updated version to lovers of sci fi/fantasy, headstrong and independent characters, and fascinating complex plots! There's still that touch of dystopian that keeps it well-within that genre...but it no longer screams "just like all the others." It's unique, well-written, and concussive in its explorations. I'm SO glad I gave it a re-read!
October 30, 2015
"But I can spend my time patrolling a dusty wasteland because Hexagon shut down my band the moment Andrew disappeared? Anger flared in her eyes and she tossed her head defiantly. "They forced me to marry Andrew to live here with him. Now that he's gone, they're writing both of us off.............." Larissa
Welcome to this new trilogy. We're started off with the first book called "Nirvana." Here you'll be introduced into a new world where technology is definitely strong in the characters daily lives. It will cause you to wonder what it would be like to live like this. A place where you can't live without what they have to offer but wish you'd never have to find out. Picture July and the year is 2031...
Larissa is hard edged punk rocker, who loves animals and her husband Andrew. Living in a dystopian world with everything falling down around them. Larissa dreams of things like apples. Living in a place where the food is now engineered and there are no fruits or vegetables.
Currently Larissa is under military protection, brought there by Andrew to be safe. He is believed to be dead. Larissa can't give up on him. There is no body. She plays the role she must to survive. The Corporal that Andrew wanted to watch over her, sets her up time to relax in a virtual reality place called Nirvana. A place where you put headphones on and enter. A world where everything appears to be real to you. She can communicate with Andrew here. Normally her contract allows for a 15 minute pass here once a week. Corporal has given her two hours to explore.
Nirvana is a place where you can swim with dolphins or go out on dates with famous people. You can learn to fly or go to rock concerts. Anything your heart desires. Larissa is using Nirvana to communicate with Andrew. It's the only time she can be with him now. Is he real? Did he die in the war he left for the last time she saw him? Did he program himself into Nirvana so that she'd never have to live without him completely?
Andrew worked as a astrophysics research scientist for the corporation of Hexagon, but within the confines of the military, and he was known as a soldier. Hence this is how they came to be protected and living on a military base. Something in his job has either led to his death or led to him hiding in Nirvana. Larissa is determined to find out where he is or if he is in fact alive. Or is Hexagon orchestrating all of this to keep her from something? But what? Larissa isn't even sure what his job covered. There are people here determined to convince Larissa to sign off on Andrews death.
There is a place called "the Bubble" where the rich live operated by Hexagon. Larissa is sent there for a month to think on her decision on singing off on Andrews death. Hexagon and their people are trying to get information out of Larissa as to what she knows about Andrews last mission. She's giving up nothing. Maybe there she can find some answers on her quest for Andrew. Someone she knows there invented Nirvana after all. Serge tries to talk her into moving back to "The Bubble" and starting over with her music, form a new band. She won't leave the last place she was with Andrew. Not until she knows the truth. Maybe Serge can help her as he has secrets and feelings of his own.
With every Nirvana though there has to be a downside doesn't there? It's not reality for one thing but the people involved aren't necessarily on the side of good. Evil reigns and Andrew knew their secret. Is he dead or is he hidden away forever? You'll have to read this one to find out if Larissa and Andrew are ever back together of if Larissa can at least discover what happened to him.
I would categorize this as a YA Thriller. I hate to put too many limits as to what kind of book this is because sometimes that will steer someone away. They may say "well I don't read young adult " etc. I'm saying you should perhaps give it a chance. I don't think you'll be sorry. Sometimes it's fascinating to read a book where you can wander outside the box and think about what life might be like -if everything was different. Its amazing to think if virtual reality were possible- where you could do or be anything. I found this book to be fun to allow myself to think about a magical place like "Nirvana." It's just the beginning, you'll want to read on to find out about Larissa and Andrew's story. To see where they go and where life takes them. Reality or in a virtual reality? With a nice little cliffhanger at the end. You'll have to read the next in the series to see how this turns out.
"A dystopia is a community or society that is undesirable or frightening. It is translated as "not-good place", an antonym of utopia, a term that was coined by sir Thomas More and figures as the title of his most well-known work, "Utopia." Wikipedia
Thank you to Netgalley and Blue Moon Publishers for the A.R.C.
Welcome to this new trilogy. We're started off with the first book called "Nirvana." Here you'll be introduced into a new world where technology is definitely strong in the characters daily lives. It will cause you to wonder what it would be like to live like this. A place where you can't live without what they have to offer but wish you'd never have to find out. Picture July and the year is 2031...
Larissa is hard edged punk rocker, who loves animals and her husband Andrew. Living in a dystopian world with everything falling down around them. Larissa dreams of things like apples. Living in a place where the food is now engineered and there are no fruits or vegetables.
Currently Larissa is under military protection, brought there by Andrew to be safe. He is believed to be dead. Larissa can't give up on him. There is no body. She plays the role she must to survive. The Corporal that Andrew wanted to watch over her, sets her up time to relax in a virtual reality place called Nirvana. A place where you put headphones on and enter. A world where everything appears to be real to you. She can communicate with Andrew here. Normally her contract allows for a 15 minute pass here once a week. Corporal has given her two hours to explore.
Nirvana is a place where you can swim with dolphins or go out on dates with famous people. You can learn to fly or go to rock concerts. Anything your heart desires. Larissa is using Nirvana to communicate with Andrew. It's the only time she can be with him now. Is he real? Did he die in the war he left for the last time she saw him? Did he program himself into Nirvana so that she'd never have to live without him completely?
Andrew worked as a astrophysics research scientist for the corporation of Hexagon, but within the confines of the military, and he was known as a soldier. Hence this is how they came to be protected and living on a military base. Something in his job has either led to his death or led to him hiding in Nirvana. Larissa is determined to find out where he is or if he is in fact alive. Or is Hexagon orchestrating all of this to keep her from something? But what? Larissa isn't even sure what his job covered. There are people here determined to convince Larissa to sign off on Andrews death.
There is a place called "the Bubble" where the rich live operated by Hexagon. Larissa is sent there for a month to think on her decision on singing off on Andrews death. Hexagon and their people are trying to get information out of Larissa as to what she knows about Andrews last mission. She's giving up nothing. Maybe there she can find some answers on her quest for Andrew. Someone she knows there invented Nirvana after all. Serge tries to talk her into moving back to "The Bubble" and starting over with her music, form a new band. She won't leave the last place she was with Andrew. Not until she knows the truth. Maybe Serge can help her as he has secrets and feelings of his own.
With every Nirvana though there has to be a downside doesn't there? It's not reality for one thing but the people involved aren't necessarily on the side of good. Evil reigns and Andrew knew their secret. Is he dead or is he hidden away forever? You'll have to read this one to find out if Larissa and Andrew are ever back together of if Larissa can at least discover what happened to him.
I would categorize this as a YA Thriller. I hate to put too many limits as to what kind of book this is because sometimes that will steer someone away. They may say "well I don't read young adult " etc. I'm saying you should perhaps give it a chance. I don't think you'll be sorry. Sometimes it's fascinating to read a book where you can wander outside the box and think about what life might be like -if everything was different. Its amazing to think if virtual reality were possible- where you could do or be anything. I found this book to be fun to allow myself to think about a magical place like "Nirvana." It's just the beginning, you'll want to read on to find out about Larissa and Andrew's story. To see where they go and where life takes them. Reality or in a virtual reality? With a nice little cliffhanger at the end. You'll have to read the next in the series to see how this turns out.
"A dystopia is a community or society that is undesirable or frightening. It is translated as "not-good place", an antonym of utopia, a term that was coined by sir Thomas More and figures as the title of his most well-known work, "Utopia." Wikipedia
Thank you to Netgalley and Blue Moon Publishers for the A.R.C.
Read
December 16, 2015ETA 10/13/2015: The publisher provided me with a new version of the novel, which was revised following feedback on the original ARC. I'm not changing my original review, because I'm not going to re-read the entire thing, but the parts that I've looked over do show improvement. Just putting that out there for anyone who's considering the book.
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2.5 stars, and a trigger warning: the book contains several descriptions of sexual abuse.
The premise of this story is brilliant: when her husband Andrew disappears, Larissa searches for clues about what happened to him, long after the authorities tell her to accept his death. To escape the grief and exhaustion of her everyday life, she retreats into a virtual reality world called Nirvana. In Nirvana, she discovers Andrew's likeness alive and well in a field of apple trees. He wants her to believe that he is real, and Larissa must separate the actual from the virtual: is Andrew truly alive somewhere and trying to communicate with her, or is she being fooled by her own hopes and someone else's clever programming?
The narration uses first and third person as well as present and past tense, although it's not as confusing as it might sound: once you figure out the pattern, you can tell what's happening "now" vs. what happened in the past. The bigger problem with the narration is its omniscience: with every point of view that is added, some of the suspense seeps away. We lose the otherwise ever-present mystery of what other people are thinking. And even though we are shown many characters' perspectives, it's often only a surface-level view that doesn't make them seem more lifelike. My favorite parts of the book were Larissa's anecdotes about her life with Andrew, because those passages show intense emotion and a unique voice. If Larissa had narrated the whole story, it might have been more compelling. Although I wish she'd had some "quirk" other than bibliophilia - like most book-lovers in fiction, it comes across as an attempted shortcut to reader sympathy.
Even though I was curious about this particular dystopia - with people living in secluded "bubbles" and spending so much time in virtual worlds - the explanations didn't really fascinate me because they were presented in a series of vague info-dumps. The overall style of writing seemed a little clunky at first, but I felt that it flowed better as I got further into the novel.
Books are, in way, like virtual reality systems themselves: the reader wants to get immersed in the world, and to believe that the characters they encounter have beating hearts and unique minds. Nirvana did not quite convince me of those things, but I give it credit for a compelling premise that could potentially be developed further into a powerful story.
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2.5 stars, and a trigger warning: the book contains several descriptions of sexual abuse.
The premise of this story is brilliant: when her husband Andrew disappears, Larissa searches for clues about what happened to him, long after the authorities tell her to accept his death. To escape the grief and exhaustion of her everyday life, she retreats into a virtual reality world called Nirvana. In Nirvana, she discovers Andrew's likeness alive and well in a field of apple trees. He wants her to believe that he is real, and Larissa must separate the actual from the virtual: is Andrew truly alive somewhere and trying to communicate with her, or is she being fooled by her own hopes and someone else's clever programming?
The narration uses first and third person as well as present and past tense, although it's not as confusing as it might sound: once you figure out the pattern, you can tell what's happening "now" vs. what happened in the past. The bigger problem with the narration is its omniscience: with every point of view that is added, some of the suspense seeps away. We lose the otherwise ever-present mystery of what other people are thinking. And even though we are shown many characters' perspectives, it's often only a surface-level view that doesn't make them seem more lifelike. My favorite parts of the book were Larissa's anecdotes about her life with Andrew, because those passages show intense emotion and a unique voice. If Larissa had narrated the whole story, it might have been more compelling. Although I wish she'd had some "quirk" other than bibliophilia - like most book-lovers in fiction, it comes across as an attempted shortcut to reader sympathy.
Even though I was curious about this particular dystopia - with people living in secluded "bubbles" and spending so much time in virtual worlds - the explanations didn't really fascinate me because they were presented in a series of vague info-dumps. The overall style of writing seemed a little clunky at first, but I felt that it flowed better as I got further into the novel.
Books are, in way, like virtual reality systems themselves: the reader wants to get immersed in the world, and to believe that the characters they encounter have beating hearts and unique minds. Nirvana did not quite convince me of those things, but I give it credit for a compelling premise that could potentially be developed further into a powerful story.
October 14, 2015
I received the e-book copy of this book through NetGalley, thanks to the publisher, in exchange for a honest review.
I am a bit sad to say that I did not much care for this book.m
To me it as a bit all over the place and jumping from one situation to the next, so that I was not always sure what the heck was going on.
Maybe that is because I was not in the right mood or mind set to read a "futuristic" book, or maybe the writing was not the right one for me to really get a fell and understanding of the story.
What ever it was, this book just .. Confused me and I have honestly no idea what it was supposed to be about exactly. Is it just about this dystopian world where nobody knows what is real or not? Because then, congratulations the author managed that perfectly, because I have honesty no idea what was supposed to have actually happens and what was just "virtual".
overall this entire book just complete confused me and left me feeling unsure of what he heck I just read.
As I said maybe that was because I was not in the right mood for this type of book, maybe because I have not yet read a lot of sci-if and just don't have the understanding I ne dead for this book, maybe it was because I just stared this book without reading the summary of it again or trying to figure out what this book was about. I have no idea. For right now, and after reading it this time, I honesty have to say that sadly this book just did not do it for me.
Still if you are really someone that loves sci-if and have no problems reading a book that j felt didn't explain much of anything and how it happens, give his a try, maybe you will love it!
I am a bit sad to say that I did not much care for this book.m
To me it as a bit all over the place and jumping from one situation to the next, so that I was not always sure what the heck was going on.
Maybe that is because I was not in the right mood or mind set to read a "futuristic" book, or maybe the writing was not the right one for me to really get a fell and understanding of the story.
What ever it was, this book just .. Confused me and I have honestly no idea what it was supposed to be about exactly. Is it just about this dystopian world where nobody knows what is real or not? Because then, congratulations the author managed that perfectly, because I have honesty no idea what was supposed to have actually happens and what was just "virtual".
overall this entire book just complete confused me and left me feeling unsure of what he heck I just read.
As I said maybe that was because I was not in the right mood for this type of book, maybe because I have not yet read a lot of sci-if and just don't have the understanding I ne dead for this book, maybe it was because I just stared this book without reading the summary of it again or trying to figure out what this book was about. I have no idea. For right now, and after reading it this time, I honesty have to say that sadly this book just did not do it for me.
Still if you are really someone that loves sci-if and have no problems reading a book that j felt didn't explain much of anything and how it happens, give his a try, maybe you will love it!
April 29, 2018
This review is based off of the new, revised copy of Nirvana. Please check out my original review here.
Okay, so this was most certainly a completely different story compared to what I read in the beginning, but did it get better? Not really.
The back and forth (until later on when it just... stopped) of character perspectives really killed me on top of the switching of tenses. I still didn't feel emotional connections, or any connections at all, to the characters. The lack of the connections made it extremely difficult for me to really care about what happens with the character's friends. Seriously. In scenes where I should feel sad, upset, pissed, etc., I was basically blank-staring at the pages while I continued to read.
In addition to the "same problems that I had with the other edition" list, the writing was... (more via website)
September 27, 2015
I wanted to love this book. The blurb sold me. Then when Netgalley provided it, I thought it was fate.
I really enjoyed the world. I applaud the author for bringing attention to the plight of the honeybees. This dystopian could easily be our future. Many don't realize just how big of an impact a single species could have on our environment. If this books accomplishes nothing else, I hope it helps inform its readers.
The main problem I had with this book is the main character Larissa. I just never felt connected. I didn't care about her struggles. I didn't care about her pain. I won't be continuing with this series, but at the same time I won't discourage others to try it.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the world. I applaud the author for bringing attention to the plight of the honeybees. This dystopian could easily be our future. Many don't realize just how big of an impact a single species could have on our environment. If this books accomplishes nothing else, I hope it helps inform its readers.
The main problem I had with this book is the main character Larissa. I just never felt connected. I didn't care about her struggles. I didn't care about her pain. I won't be continuing with this series, but at the same time I won't discourage others to try it.
I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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