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The Unbound #1
Repulsion
I used to think I was a pretty normal teenager: I got up in the morning, went to school, did my homework, played videogames, and dreamed about Karen—one of the girls in my class. When I found out she liked me, too, I thought I was the luckiest guy alive. But everything changed when we kissed. Something awakened inside of us, and now we know that we're not normal teenagers after all.
For a while I thought these powers were pretty amazing—I mean, who wouldn't want superpowers? But it stopped being fun when Karen started hearing a voice in her head. A voice that told her I was her enemy. A voice that could take control of her. A voice that was only the first glimpse of a world we never knew existed.
For a while I thought these powers were pretty amazing—I mean, who wouldn't want superpowers? But it stopped being fun when Karen started hearing a voice in her head. A voice that told her I was her enemy. A voice that could take control of her. A voice that was only the first glimpse of a world we never knew existed.
72 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 28, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 22, 2015
I waited and waited to write my review for Repulsion. I tend to not review a book unless I can see my way to giving it at least three stars. Unfortunately, there are quite a few issues I have with Repulsion. The first is that the book ends in an unsatisfying cliffhanger. Nothing that happened in the book is explained. There is no closure. It reads to me like the first half a book with some potential, but I was so turned off by the unsatisfying ending, that even if I saw a sequel, Benediction, on NetGalley, like I did with this one, I’d likely not read it.
Another issue I had with it, and is counter to my usual musings, is that there seemed to be large chunks of narrative that was just missing. Event “A” led to “C,” but event “B” was implied I think. I also found the sequence of events and the characterization to be unbelievable, and I just couldn’t suspend my disbelief and get into the story.
That being said, I can see great potential in this story. There is a lot happening behind the scenes, that I suspect would lead to a very rich world, and an epic fantasy setting that delves into urban fantasy as well as young adult. Since this feels like a larger story that has been split up, I wonder if when the entire story is available, I’d feel different reading a completed story.
As this book is, I’d rate it 2.5 stars. Without fractional star ratings, I’d bump it up to three.
Another issue I had with it, and is counter to my usual musings, is that there seemed to be large chunks of narrative that was just missing. Event “A” led to “C,” but event “B” was implied I think. I also found the sequence of events and the characterization to be unbelievable, and I just couldn’t suspend my disbelief and get into the story.
That being said, I can see great potential in this story. There is a lot happening behind the scenes, that I suspect would lead to a very rich world, and an epic fantasy setting that delves into urban fantasy as well as young adult. Since this feels like a larger story that has been split up, I wonder if when the entire story is available, I’d feel different reading a completed story.
As this book is, I’d rate it 2.5 stars. Without fractional star ratings, I’d bump it up to three.
March 14, 2016
This review has been hard to write. Not because I didn’t think it was a good story – it was. It just didn’t leave an impression on me as much as I hoped.
First of all, the cover is gorgeous, it immediately caught my eye. Then the blurb drew me in. Teenagers with mysterious superpowers – yes, please. I even loved how the story was paced and even though the writing was geared more toward the younger end of YA, I still enjoyed it.
Yet as I was reading there was just something that bugged me and I couldn’t put a finger on it until after I had finished. There was a lack of description that, for me, left the book a little bland. This is 100% a “me thing”, but when I read, I look for that descriptive sweet spot. Too much and I spend most of my time skimming through unnecessary details. Too little and I finish feeling a little cheated. Repulsion fell on the latter.
Another small thing that I’m not quite sure if it bugged me or not was that there were multiple 80’s references spread throughout a novel geared toward modern teenagers. Some were clever and didn’t make me feel as if the author were trying to force some of their favorite nostalgia in the story:
“My mom always told me that if he ever were to put on “normal clothes” and get a shorter haircut, he’d look just like a young Matthew Broderick. If she hadn’t made me watch Wargames I wouldn’t have known what she was talking about.” - Repulsion, Jeroen Steenbeeke
And then there were other’s that made me think otherwise…
“watching Freddy Krueger turn a very young Johnny Depp into a geyser of blood was a worthy substitute.” – Repulsion, Jeroen Steenbeeke
One of my favorite aspects of Repulsion is how the characters felt like they were exactly their age - sixteen. The boys in the story reminded me of how my brother and his friends would act at that age, a little immaturity mixed with crazy hormones. And speaking of hormones, the romance between Thymen and Karen was sweet, but rushed, in my opinion. I’m sure the quickness the two become close is because of the story’s length. Quickness aside, I did feel that the progression was natural enough.
The side characters, Rob and Sarah, are well developed. I enjoyed their presence in the story as much as the main characters. Kudos to Steenbeeke for making Sarah a math wiz! There isn’t enough female STEM representation in YA literature.
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The other aspect I enjoyed was the setting. As an American who has never set foot in the Netherlands, I felt as if I understood the culture well enough. For what was lacking in description of feelings and surroundings, the author didn’t skip on explaining certain cultural aspects – such as Queens Day.
What I take away from Repulsion is that I just wanted more. More description. More character development. More information. Because there was just so little for me to connect with, I chose to give it three stars – that and a rushed, cliffhanger ending. I literally closed my Kindle and looked to my husband and said, “Well that was abrupt.”
First of all, the cover is gorgeous, it immediately caught my eye. Then the blurb drew me in. Teenagers with mysterious superpowers – yes, please. I even loved how the story was paced and even though the writing was geared more toward the younger end of YA, I still enjoyed it.
Yet as I was reading there was just something that bugged me and I couldn’t put a finger on it until after I had finished. There was a lack of description that, for me, left the book a little bland. This is 100% a “me thing”, but when I read, I look for that descriptive sweet spot. Too much and I spend most of my time skimming through unnecessary details. Too little and I finish feeling a little cheated. Repulsion fell on the latter.
Another small thing that I’m not quite sure if it bugged me or not was that there were multiple 80’s references spread throughout a novel geared toward modern teenagers. Some were clever and didn’t make me feel as if the author were trying to force some of their favorite nostalgia in the story:
“My mom always told me that if he ever were to put on “normal clothes” and get a shorter haircut, he’d look just like a young Matthew Broderick. If she hadn’t made me watch Wargames I wouldn’t have known what she was talking about.” - Repulsion, Jeroen Steenbeeke
And then there were other’s that made me think otherwise…
“watching Freddy Krueger turn a very young Johnny Depp into a geyser of blood was a worthy substitute.” – Repulsion, Jeroen Steenbeeke
One of my favorite aspects of Repulsion is how the characters felt like they were exactly their age - sixteen. The boys in the story reminded me of how my brother and his friends would act at that age, a little immaturity mixed with crazy hormones. And speaking of hormones, the romance between Thymen and Karen was sweet, but rushed, in my opinion. I’m sure the quickness the two become close is because of the story’s length. Quickness aside, I did feel that the progression was natural enough.
The side characters, Rob and Sarah, are well developed. I enjoyed their presence in the story as much as the main characters. Kudos to Steenbeeke for making Sarah a math wiz! There isn’t enough female STEM representation in YA literature.
[image error]
The other aspect I enjoyed was the setting. As an American who has never set foot in the Netherlands, I felt as if I understood the culture well enough. For what was lacking in description of feelings and surroundings, the author didn’t skip on explaining certain cultural aspects – such as Queens Day.
What I take away from Repulsion is that I just wanted more. More description. More character development. More information. Because there was just so little for me to connect with, I chose to give it three stars – that and a rushed, cliffhanger ending. I literally closed my Kindle and looked to my husband and said, “Well that was abrupt.”
December 17, 2015
The author was kind enough to send me an ARC version of the book.
For a while I’ve been wondering about fantasy with the Netherlands as a setting. We have a few wonderful fantasy/horror writers, but most don’t write in English and most of the books don’t have an English translation. I’ve been playing with the idea to write English fantasy based in the Netherlands. It’s about a girl who meets a boy and he turns out to be supernatural being. No, it’s not a Twilight fanfic. Then Jeroen sent me this book, Repulsion.
It’s about a boy who he meets a girl and a kiss changed everything. I read it in one go and almost missed my train stop. Later that day I read the book again. Every time I turned the last page, I hoped to see if there were more pages.
The dialogue is good. The action is well written. The setting is explained well enough to understand for anyone who’s not been to the Netherlands. And I really like the characters. This isn’t your standard urban paranormal romance. This is more. The theme of love is present, but the story focuses on other relationships more.
If you ever dreamed of having superpowers or want a different take on supernatural beings, read this. If you like action with some fantasy thrown in, read this. If you want to read about a different place (not the US or one of the other big cities like London, Rome or Paris), read this.
Buy Repulsion and Benediction at the same time so you have more to read. Trust me, you’ll want to.
For a while I’ve been wondering about fantasy with the Netherlands as a setting. We have a few wonderful fantasy/horror writers, but most don’t write in English and most of the books don’t have an English translation. I’ve been playing with the idea to write English fantasy based in the Netherlands. It’s about a girl who meets a boy and he turns out to be supernatural being. No, it’s not a Twilight fanfic. Then Jeroen sent me this book, Repulsion.
It’s about a boy who he meets a girl and a kiss changed everything. I read it in one go and almost missed my train stop. Later that day I read the book again. Every time I turned the last page, I hoped to see if there were more pages.
The dialogue is good. The action is well written. The setting is explained well enough to understand for anyone who’s not been to the Netherlands. And I really like the characters. This isn’t your standard urban paranormal romance. This is more. The theme of love is present, but the story focuses on other relationships more.
If you ever dreamed of having superpowers or want a different take on supernatural beings, read this. If you like action with some fantasy thrown in, read this. If you want to read about a different place (not the US or one of the other big cities like London, Rome or Paris), read this.
Buy Repulsion and Benediction at the same time so you have more to read. Trust me, you’ll want to.
October 18, 2016
Strange powers seem to occur in two teenagers who are very impulsive in their actions. It turns into a lot more than just powers; there is a much bigger part at hand.
I thought the book started off a little slow, and at some parts childish, and confusing.
Once this book hit about chapter four I then grew more interested in the book although I couldn't get a good read on what exactly the main character looked like. I found it hard to become a big part of the book because of the lack of description. The book lacked body until closer to the end.
I did think that the book was unpredictable, however it lacked in action for a book with such a story attached. I felt like more could have been added to really get a hold on the story. The end is what kept me interested in what the next book might bring, so despite the three star rating I would still like to give the second book a try.
I would recommend this book to teens 16 and up.
I thought the book started off a little slow, and at some parts childish, and confusing.
Once this book hit about chapter four I then grew more interested in the book although I couldn't get a good read on what exactly the main character looked like. I found it hard to become a big part of the book because of the lack of description. The book lacked body until closer to the end.
I did think that the book was unpredictable, however it lacked in action for a book with such a story attached. I felt like more could have been added to really get a hold on the story. The end is what kept me interested in what the next book might bring, so despite the three star rating I would still like to give the second book a try.
I would recommend this book to teens 16 and up.
January 11, 2016
Read this review and more on my blog.
I received a free copy of Repulsion for my honest opinion.
I wish that Repulsion had been longer! I loved the basis of the story, and how both Thymen and Karen found out / developed their powers.
Unfortunately, since Repulsion was only 100 pages, and everything happened so quickly, I was not able to get attached to any of the characters. Now don’t get me wrong, I found the characters interesting, but I was not given enough pages to get to know each character. Also, since their was only 100 pages, a few parts I. The books were not expanded upon as much as they should have been.
Even though it was a quick read, I cannot wait until the second book in the series comes out!
I would recommend Repulsion to someone who wants a quick read and enjoys Sci-Fi.
I received a free copy of Repulsion for my honest opinion.
I wish that Repulsion had been longer! I loved the basis of the story, and how both Thymen and Karen found out / developed their powers.
Unfortunately, since Repulsion was only 100 pages, and everything happened so quickly, I was not able to get attached to any of the characters. Now don’t get me wrong, I found the characters interesting, but I was not given enough pages to get to know each character. Also, since their was only 100 pages, a few parts I. The books were not expanded upon as much as they should have been.
Even though it was a quick read, I cannot wait until the second book in the series comes out!
I would recommend Repulsion to someone who wants a quick read and enjoys Sci-Fi.
December 7, 2015
Thymen is just your average guy. Can't seem to wake up in the morning, not too many friends, and infatuated with his classmate Karen. The two finally decide to date, but when they kiss their world's are turned upside down. Now, it seems they have developed incredible superpowers, but are they in control of them?
The book starts off a bit slow, but stick around because once it picks up, IT PICKS UP! A short enjoyable read. The end is a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more. The first book to start, what is sure to be an amazing series. Perfect for middle-grade readers.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
The book starts off a bit slow, but stick around because once it picks up, IT PICKS UP! A short enjoyable read. The end is a cliffhanger that leaves you wanting more. The first book to start, what is sure to be an amazing series. Perfect for middle-grade readers.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
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April 6, 2016**3 (2.5)** Full Review and Rating will be up on Boundless Book Reviews
May 12, 2019
I have read it twice
This one was hard to get into but had some interesting points throughout. Usually if i am unsure out a book, I won't review as I feel that if i can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. This book has a lot of detail and the storyline is interesting. I think, for me, the concept of being a vessel and all of a sudden finding out made it a bit harder to take. It did make for an interesting story though
This one was hard to get into but had some interesting points throughout. Usually if i am unsure out a book, I won't review as I feel that if i can't say something nice, don't say anything at all. This book has a lot of detail and the storyline is interesting. I think, for me, the concept of being a vessel and all of a sudden finding out made it a bit harder to take. It did make for an interesting story though
September 6, 2018
Good but short
My only complaint is in the title of this review. It is a quick read, not just because it's short, the story moves quickly. There are some unexpected things, like where there powers cone from. The book is a good start I just think the author could have carried it on a bit longer.
My only complaint is in the title of this review. It is a quick read, not just because it's short, the story moves quickly. There are some unexpected things, like where there powers cone from. The book is a good start I just think the author could have carried it on a bit longer.
September 22, 2016
NetGalley, as well as the publisher, provided me with an electronic copy of Repulsion, in exchange for an honest review.
When the principal of the high school warns the students about a suspicious man wearing a business suit and carrying a cell phone, both 16 year old Thymen and his classmate Karen see the man outside their respective houses. At the Queen's Day party with their best friends Rob and Sarah, an incident completely changes the lives of both Karen and Thymen. As neither of them know what is happening, they decide to band together and find out. When more questions than answers are revealed, will the two teenagers figure it out before it is too late?
This short novel unfortunately never came together for me. Too much time was spent on the relationship aspects of the story, which left no time for the author to give adequate background into the characters. I finished this book feeling as though something was missing and I was not even certain that I cared. With many books in the genre fighting for my attention, I will not be giving this series more time in the future.
When the principal of the high school warns the students about a suspicious man wearing a business suit and carrying a cell phone, both 16 year old Thymen and his classmate Karen see the man outside their respective houses. At the Queen's Day party with their best friends Rob and Sarah, an incident completely changes the lives of both Karen and Thymen. As neither of them know what is happening, they decide to band together and find out. When more questions than answers are revealed, will the two teenagers figure it out before it is too late?
This short novel unfortunately never came together for me. Too much time was spent on the relationship aspects of the story, which left no time for the author to give adequate background into the characters. I finished this book feeling as though something was missing and I was not even certain that I cared. With many books in the genre fighting for my attention, I will not be giving this series more time in the future.
May 31, 2016
I received this book for an honest review and it wasn’t the best or the worst book I’ve ever read it just wasn’t very memorable. I love to go back and reread some of my favorite scenes from some of my favorite books and this is one that I wouldn’t go back and read. It was a short read I finished it in one day but if it had been any longer I most likely would have stopped reading because it started out super slow and it was only near the end that any big type of action happened. I just expected from the summary for it to be a crazy ride the entire time and from just a few moments here and there it wasn’t until the last few chapters that anything happened. When I pick up a book I want to be dragged into their world and not surface until the story finally ends. With this book I didn’t feel any emotions nothing deep sucked me in. Also the book ended on a cliffhanger so you don’t even know what happens unless you read the other installments.
June 22, 2016
I requested this title on a whim. I loved the cover and the blurb sounded interesting
The story follows Thymen, just an ordinary teenager. His mom works a lot as a single parent, since his father passed at a rather young age. He has a crush on a girl, Karen. But is able to get some courage and ask her out. That's when things start to change.
They realize that their not really ordinary teenagers and have powers they need to learn to control. They are also not the same in a sense.
Though, this is a good short read. It did take me time to finish. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters. The writing seemed a little mechanical in a sense. I feel the author does have something with this story, but It seemed like it was missing something. I just can't figure out what it is.
Overall, it's a 3/2.5 stars. It was good but it could also have been better....Lissa
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The story follows Thymen, just an ordinary teenager. His mom works a lot as a single parent, since his father passed at a rather young age. He has a crush on a girl, Karen. But is able to get some courage and ask her out. That's when things start to change.
They realize that their not really ordinary teenagers and have powers they need to learn to control. They are also not the same in a sense.
Though, this is a good short read. It did take me time to finish. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters. The writing seemed a little mechanical in a sense. I feel the author does have something with this story, but It seemed like it was missing something. I just can't figure out what it is.
Overall, it's a 3/2.5 stars. It was good but it could also have been better....Lissa
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
August 27, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange of a honest review. Thanks Netgalley.
After reading the blurb of the book I thought that there is a pretty interesting idea behind it so I will like it. Unfortunately, my expectations haven’t been met.
It is a short book to begin with so I expected a more compact story. Instead I got a pretty hastily put together one. There are a lot of holes in the plot and I feel like a lot of essential parts are missing. It’s more like the cliff notes of a long book than a story in itself. Not to mention the cliffhanger at the end, I see why it is necessary but it is absolutely annoying and unsatisfying.
So the structure and the world building needs some work and unfortunately like this the existing part of the plot is not really authentic. Basically it comes from a really good idea and I can see the potential in it but in it’s current state I just simply don’t like it.
After reading the blurb of the book I thought that there is a pretty interesting idea behind it so I will like it. Unfortunately, my expectations haven’t been met.
It is a short book to begin with so I expected a more compact story. Instead I got a pretty hastily put together one. There are a lot of holes in the plot and I feel like a lot of essential parts are missing. It’s more like the cliff notes of a long book than a story in itself. Not to mention the cliffhanger at the end, I see why it is necessary but it is absolutely annoying and unsatisfying.
So the structure and the world building needs some work and unfortunately like this the existing part of the plot is not really authentic. Basically it comes from a really good idea and I can see the potential in it but in it’s current state I just simply don’t like it.
April 7, 2016
Its kinda' hard for me to write a review for this book, Not because I did not like the story but simply because the book didn't impress me as much as I hoped for. The start is actually good, but as the story continues, I find it harder and harder to connect with its characters.
The story started with teenagers developing mysterious powers. It was a hype for me at first. Yeah, Just like some YA fiction out there and I must say, I am a Fan. Yet after the revelation that they where in fact a vessel for Angels? Nah. Not a fan of this, suddenly its too much. I can't find the right world but it just did not fit in. There was a lack of description, although that might be described in the next book because this has a short story after all, it still felt very vogue for me.
The story started with teenagers developing mysterious powers. It was a hype for me at first. Yeah, Just like some YA fiction out there and I must say, I am a Fan. Yet after the revelation that they where in fact a vessel for Angels? Nah. Not a fan of this, suddenly its too much. I can't find the right world but it just did not fit in. There was a lack of description, although that might be described in the next book because this has a short story after all, it still felt very vogue for me.
April 21, 2016
Navigating your feelings through your first love is hard enough, but for Thymen and Karen, two Dutch teenagers, the added distraction of discovering that they possess powers no one else in the world, never mind their school, has to worry about only makes it harder.
Full review: http://www.striking13.com/reviews/fan...
Full review: http://www.striking13.com/reviews/fan...
December 10, 2015
I thoroughly enjoyed this short story. Kind of felt like a guilty pleasure. Quick and easy to read. Looking forward to the next book.
March 19, 2017
*I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review*
check out my full review here ---> http://pagesoverpages.blogspot.co.at/...
check out my full review here ---> http://pagesoverpages.blogspot.co.at/...
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews