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The earth has been reduced to a singular continent, governed by extra-terrestrials, collapsed by nuclear weapons residue and wracked with radiation sickness. Only one viable territory remains, and access there is restricted by a mysterious selection process. Everyone hopes to be chosen for transport. Everyone but Cass.
Seventeen year old Cassidy Hartinger has spent the past eleven years living in a government-maintained bunker. She should be thrilled when a handsome transporter arrives to take her to the Reservation. So why does she feel like he's dragging her, kicking and screaming, straight into the anti-paradise?
Faced with gun-wielding survivalists and elemental catastrophes, will Cass make it more than two steps out of the bunker? Will her journey to peace and safety in the Reservation turn out to be the most perilous thing she's encountered so far?
Fast-paced action and a tumultuous teenage romance will keep readers begging for more installments of The Reservation Trilogy!
Seventeen year old Cassidy Hartinger has spent the past eleven years living in a government-maintained bunker. She should be thrilled when a handsome transporter arrives to take her to the Reservation. So why does she feel like he's dragging her, kicking and screaming, straight into the anti-paradise?
Faced with gun-wielding survivalists and elemental catastrophes, will Cass make it more than two steps out of the bunker? Will her journey to peace and safety in the Reservation turn out to be the most perilous thing she's encountered so far?
Fast-paced action and a tumultuous teenage romance will keep readers begging for more installments of The Reservation Trilogy!
182 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2016
1 person is currently reading
874 people want to read
About the author
Jen Castleberry
3 books181 followersJen Castleberry resides in Virginia Beach with her husband and pets. Her background is in Communications and Animal Welfare. All of her pets are named after superheroes!
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 11, 2017
This was originally reviewed on http://pastriesandnovelthoughts.weebl...
When I had first heard of Cargo I was scrolling through my Instagram and the first thing that caught my attention was a picture of the cover… It was absolutely gorgeous. So naturally, I went on Goodreads to read the blurb and I was intrigued but a bit skeptical (as I have been toward all dystopian novels as of late). I decided I really wanted to review this book on my blog and contacted the author. I’m glad I did.
Cargo begins with a kinda long prologue, which I’ll be honest I’m not a fan of prologues but I didn’t let this deter me. I read this novel in two sittings (would've been one but I got sick) and was into it the whole time. This novel is fast paced and keeps you wondering the whole time. So, let’s get down to it haha.
What I liked: I think the first thing about this noel that struck a chord for me was the main protagonist, Cassidy, she was a solid voice. Jen created a funny, clever, sarcastic, shy-ish, sly and most importantly relatable character in Cassidy. I loved that even though Cass knew she had a bit of feelings towards the male MC, Nathan, she didn’t take his crap and that she stood up for herself.
Now Nathan is made out to be this standoff-ish guy and unlikeable with this dry humor but in all honestly… He’s the type of guy I would totally hang out with because he is just is so nonchalant about some things that I’m just like, “yeah, okay, because you know it’s not a life or death situation we’re talking about”. So, I’m cool with Nathan’s character and personality, I like him.
The “romance” of this book is not something that is really brought up in this book till the very ending and even then it’s not outstanding thing… which is good! Okay, because it can’t only be me, who hates when the main characters suddenly falls in this deep love after three days of knowing each other… So, this is great in my book. Cassidy’s and Nathan's relationship is literally the definition of frenemies. I can tell you wholeheartedly that they’re, relationship, friendship is entertaining and is never dull. Their constant banter is seriously hilarious and super sassy.
Although I wasn’t a huge fan of Nars (Cass’s best friend), I did like Adrienne (Cass’s other best friend), she was the typical outgoing best friend every shy or sarcastic girl has, but I liked her anyways. I think my favorite thing about this book was that characters weren't just left behind and forgotten. Cassidy refers to her parents and best friends often. After being tossed into a major life change, I think Jen did good with bringing out understandable reactions and thoughts from Cass. I mean if you went through a big life change wouldn’t you mourn what you once had too?
What I didn’t like: Three things that I didn’t like, one major (at least for me) and two minor problems.
One minor thing was Nars, like I said, I just didn’t like him (but every book has that one person, am I right?). The second minor thing was that Cassidy talks about ETs and hybrids but we never actually bump into them in this novel, as far as we know that is. To me this is a minor thing because I feel like this was done on purpose to lead into the second novel of this series.
Literally my main problem with this book was that the characters said the Lord's name in vain quite a few times. To me that’s a big no no, to other people this might not be a problem but to me it is.
After I sat back and reflected on this novel properly, I felt like a 3.5 was a more honest rating on my behalf... Technically. But, I really enjoyed this novel and was content reading it the whole time so I'm giving this novel 4 stars.
Jen has written this book in a simplistic way, in that it’s easy to understand but then you have some metaphors thrown at you that you can’t help but commend Castleberry on her clever writing style. I really liked this book, I totally recommend y'all get a copy of this skillfully written, action packed novel.
(I received a paperback copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.)
When I had first heard of Cargo I was scrolling through my Instagram and the first thing that caught my attention was a picture of the cover… It was absolutely gorgeous. So naturally, I went on Goodreads to read the blurb and I was intrigued but a bit skeptical (as I have been toward all dystopian novels as of late). I decided I really wanted to review this book on my blog and contacted the author. I’m glad I did.
Cargo begins with a kinda long prologue, which I’ll be honest I’m not a fan of prologues but I didn’t let this deter me. I read this novel in two sittings (would've been one but I got sick) and was into it the whole time. This novel is fast paced and keeps you wondering the whole time. So, let’s get down to it haha.
What I liked: I think the first thing about this noel that struck a chord for me was the main protagonist, Cassidy, she was a solid voice. Jen created a funny, clever, sarcastic, shy-ish, sly and most importantly relatable character in Cassidy. I loved that even though Cass knew she had a bit of feelings towards the male MC, Nathan, she didn’t take his crap and that she stood up for herself.
Now Nathan is made out to be this standoff-ish guy and unlikeable with this dry humor but in all honestly… He’s the type of guy I would totally hang out with because he is just is so nonchalant about some things that I’m just like, “yeah, okay, because you know it’s not a life or death situation we’re talking about”. So, I’m cool with Nathan’s character and personality, I like him.
The “romance” of this book is not something that is really brought up in this book till the very ending and even then it’s not outstanding thing… which is good! Okay, because it can’t only be me, who hates when the main characters suddenly falls in this deep love after three days of knowing each other… So, this is great in my book. Cassidy’s and Nathan's relationship is literally the definition of frenemies. I can tell you wholeheartedly that they’re, relationship, friendship is entertaining and is never dull. Their constant banter is seriously hilarious and super sassy.
Although I wasn’t a huge fan of Nars (Cass’s best friend), I did like Adrienne (Cass’s other best friend), she was the typical outgoing best friend every shy or sarcastic girl has, but I liked her anyways. I think my favorite thing about this book was that characters weren't just left behind and forgotten. Cassidy refers to her parents and best friends often. After being tossed into a major life change, I think Jen did good with bringing out understandable reactions and thoughts from Cass. I mean if you went through a big life change wouldn’t you mourn what you once had too?
What I didn’t like: Three things that I didn’t like, one major (at least for me) and two minor problems.
One minor thing was Nars, like I said, I just didn’t like him (but every book has that one person, am I right?). The second minor thing was that Cassidy talks about ETs and hybrids but we never actually bump into them in this novel, as far as we know that is. To me this is a minor thing because I feel like this was done on purpose to lead into the second novel of this series.
Literally my main problem with this book was that the characters said the Lord's name in vain quite a few times. To me that’s a big no no, to other people this might not be a problem but to me it is.
After I sat back and reflected on this novel properly, I felt like a 3.5 was a more honest rating on my behalf... Technically. But, I really enjoyed this novel and was content reading it the whole time so I'm giving this novel 4 stars.
Jen has written this book in a simplistic way, in that it’s easy to understand but then you have some metaphors thrown at you that you can’t help but commend Castleberry on her clever writing style. I really liked this book, I totally recommend y'all get a copy of this skillfully written, action packed novel.
(I received a paperback copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.)
February 5, 2016
*Note : I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
I was curious to see how a post-apocalyptic dystopian trilogy would work as novellas. Is it enough to establish the characters and also describe the “world” in the story? Well, first let me talk about the world building. There are references to E.Ts and hybrid beings but we never really meet or read anything that is not “human”. It is more on the lines of a war-torn city courtesy periodic bombing and air-raids. So you have damaged buildings and roads, the commoners pretty much left abandoned and forced to take handouts from the church and the “Reservation”, which is the only prosperous place left. Cassidy was whisked away from her parents and sent to live in a bunker under a church with other children and teenagers. There are no crazy mutated monsters in this book. Everything is as “real” as you would expect in any current city razed down because of war. For a change, you have a teen protagonist who is thrilled to get away from her family (bickering parents, no opportunity to make friends, house arrest et al) and put into a bunker full of kids in her age group. So for the next ten years, she makes two best friends – Nars and Adrienne – a family of her choosing. She longs to be back with them, she thinks about them in practically every other page. So, I felt it was a bit overdone, but maybe, somewhere it was necessary too. To drive home the point. Since this is a short book, it is harder to spend much time on “showing” rather than just “telling”. So we are told a lot about her missing Adrienne and Nars. She is so used to sharing a bunk bed with Adrienne that the hardest adjustment she has to make is the idea of sleeping alone. She misses her terribly and I liked how that was described. I mean, it is kind of rare nowadays to see “physical affection” described between friends without sexual connotations.
Since I am now quite familiar with some of the popular tropes used in dystopian fiction, I did get a feeling of been-there-done that with some of the character dynamics and plot points. Teen female protagonist forced to leave the familiarity of her home? Check. Friendzoning your male bestie who has a crush on you? Check. Creepy and elite officials you want to punch but cannot. Check. Crushing on the guy who is irritatingly secretive about everything? Check. I quite liked Nathan though. There was something sensible and mature about the way he handled Cassidy. I usually warm up and sympathize with the “friend-crush” (Nars) in books because they are always ditched by the girl who ends up with the better looking and the originally intended “hero” of the book. But surprisingly, though I liked Nars, I didn’t care much about his feelings towards Cassidy. Maybe it is because when he had to make a crucial decision, his self-preservation kicked in, and not “selfless love”.
I finished the book with a feeling that there were more unanswered questions than answers which will be addressed in the future books. But I would have loved it if there was more of a window to get a glimpse of it in the first book itself. I feel like it would have given the proceedings more verve, especially during their journey through the desert. I thought this was one of those books which seems a bit generic as a standalone but will feel more rounded in context of a completed series. So, if you are looking to start a new dystopian trilogy with a short, brisk first instalment, this does make for a nice, quick read.
I was curious to see how a post-apocalyptic dystopian trilogy would work as novellas. Is it enough to establish the characters and also describe the “world” in the story? Well, first let me talk about the world building. There are references to E.Ts and hybrid beings but we never really meet or read anything that is not “human”. It is more on the lines of a war-torn city courtesy periodic bombing and air-raids. So you have damaged buildings and roads, the commoners pretty much left abandoned and forced to take handouts from the church and the “Reservation”, which is the only prosperous place left. Cassidy was whisked away from her parents and sent to live in a bunker under a church with other children and teenagers. There are no crazy mutated monsters in this book. Everything is as “real” as you would expect in any current city razed down because of war. For a change, you have a teen protagonist who is thrilled to get away from her family (bickering parents, no opportunity to make friends, house arrest et al) and put into a bunker full of kids in her age group. So for the next ten years, she makes two best friends – Nars and Adrienne – a family of her choosing. She longs to be back with them, she thinks about them in practically every other page. So, I felt it was a bit overdone, but maybe, somewhere it was necessary too. To drive home the point. Since this is a short book, it is harder to spend much time on “showing” rather than just “telling”. So we are told a lot about her missing Adrienne and Nars. She is so used to sharing a bunk bed with Adrienne that the hardest adjustment she has to make is the idea of sleeping alone. She misses her terribly and I liked how that was described. I mean, it is kind of rare nowadays to see “physical affection” described between friends without sexual connotations.
Since I am now quite familiar with some of the popular tropes used in dystopian fiction, I did get a feeling of been-there-done that with some of the character dynamics and plot points. Teen female protagonist forced to leave the familiarity of her home? Check. Friendzoning your male bestie who has a crush on you? Check. Creepy and elite officials you want to punch but cannot. Check. Crushing on the guy who is irritatingly secretive about everything? Check. I quite liked Nathan though. There was something sensible and mature about the way he handled Cassidy. I usually warm up and sympathize with the “friend-crush” (Nars) in books because they are always ditched by the girl who ends up with the better looking and the originally intended “hero” of the book. But surprisingly, though I liked Nars, I didn’t care much about his feelings towards Cassidy. Maybe it is because when he had to make a crucial decision, his self-preservation kicked in, and not “selfless love”.
I finished the book with a feeling that there were more unanswered questions than answers which will be addressed in the future books. But I would have loved it if there was more of a window to get a glimpse of it in the first book itself. I feel like it would have given the proceedings more verve, especially during their journey through the desert. I thought this was one of those books which seems a bit generic as a standalone but will feel more rounded in context of a completed series. So, if you are looking to start a new dystopian trilogy with a short, brisk first instalment, this does make for a nice, quick read.
May 19, 2016
So Cargo is the first in a series, and it's definitely written that way. A lot of books start off as stand alones and then because they are popular, they end up as a series, but this is written as just the beginning. I almost feel like it's a pre-quel because there are just so many unanswered questions and a lot of open plot holes (for example, there is a lot of talk of aliens/ETs/are they human? But that's never explained in any detail and we never meet anyone who isn't human as far as we know. So that drove me crazy because why mention them at all?)
Cassidy, our main character, I did not like at all. I read a lot of dystopian books so I'm used to the same dystopian tropes, and this one had most of them, but at least the main character usually grows on me if I don't like her at first. I never really liked Cassidy at all. Even though she's living in a tough world, because she's so sheltered, she's extremely spoiled (in my opinion) which makes her really immature. She whines throughout a third of the book how she misses the nuns and the world she's living behind. I'm sure any of us in that situation (being dragged/stolen from everything we know) would whine constantly about our family and homes left behind, too, but in a short novella, the constant "I miss my friends" got really old.
The book does move at a good pace, and there are certainly things that happened that make me wonder what else is going to happen. I didn't really like where the book ended, and because it's a novella, it really left me wanting more. I've been reading a lot of "chunksters" lately so this just felt like a short story in comparison - refreshing, really, the shorter pace, but still felt really short.
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received copy from author in exchange for my review
Cassidy, our main character, I did not like at all. I read a lot of dystopian books so I'm used to the same dystopian tropes, and this one had most of them, but at least the main character usually grows on me if I don't like her at first. I never really liked Cassidy at all. Even though she's living in a tough world, because she's so sheltered, she's extremely spoiled (in my opinion) which makes her really immature. She whines throughout a third of the book how she misses the nuns and the world she's living behind. I'm sure any of us in that situation (being dragged/stolen from everything we know) would whine constantly about our family and homes left behind, too, but in a short novella, the constant "I miss my friends" got really old.
The book does move at a good pace, and there are certainly things that happened that make me wonder what else is going to happen. I didn't really like where the book ended, and because it's a novella, it really left me wanting more. I've been reading a lot of "chunksters" lately so this just felt like a short story in comparison - refreshing, really, the shorter pace, but still felt really short.
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received copy from author in exchange for my review
May 26, 2016
This review can also be found on my blog here.
---
Original rating: 3.5 stars.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
I knew I wanted to read this book the moment I saw the book cover because seriously, just LOOK AT IT. IT’S SO PRETTY AHH. That being said though, I was also intrigued as to why Cassidy wouldn’t want to go to a place where other people in her world would do anything for. So when I got accepted for the book tour, I was really excited to get started on Cargo.
The Writing
One of the things I noticed early on in this book was the writing. It’s very easy to comprehend and isn’t complicated at all, which helps with the pacing of the story and the fact that it’s only nearly 200 pages long. I was a bit weary of it at first, but eventually I became fond of it and got used to it 'till the end of the book.
The World
I was definitely interested in Cassidy’s world, though I have a feeling that there're still a lot of secrets to uncover in the next book (and I 100% want to know them all). Everything is still a bit hazy in Cargo, but in a good way that'd make you want for more.
The Friendship
I liked how Cargo gave focus to friendship in the book. I find really sweet. I was just hoping that we got more fun stories with Cassidy, Adrienne and Nars. I’m pretty sure it would have been fun to read. :) (I’m also quite fond of Adrienne. SHE IS SO KIND AND NICE AND FRIENDLY AND OMG I NEED MORE SYNONYMS FOR HER.)
The Romance
Hm... okay, I didn’t buy the romance at first. Things were going on the cliché route and I wasn’t a fan of Nathan and Cassidy’s relationship. I feel like they needed more scenes together so they'd have more of a reason to love each other (does this mean the romance is insta-love, then? Because it didn’t feel like insta-love for me). Then again, once I reached the end, I was seriously close to shipping them already! Which brings me to...
The Ending
ACK. THAT ENDING! I kept fidgeting the moment I reached the end. It was a cliffhanger that I couldn't wait for. BECAUSE HOW ON EARTH CAN I MOVE ON FROM THAT ENDING?!
* * *
Cargo was an enjoyable read for me. It’s a light dystopian that gives you an introduction to Cassidy’s world, with an ending that will make you beg for more. If you like a short, Divergent-like dystopian (where there's an MC that suspects that there's more to their world than the government is telling them), then you might want to try this book out.
---
Original rating: 3.5 stars.
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Are there things that people know about me, things I don’t know about myself?
I knew I wanted to read this book the moment I saw the book cover because seriously, just LOOK AT IT. IT’S SO PRETTY AHH. That being said though, I was also intrigued as to why Cassidy wouldn’t want to go to a place where other people in her world would do anything for. So when I got accepted for the book tour, I was really excited to get started on Cargo.
The Writing
I won’t crumple up like yellow paper. Not if I can help it.
One of the things I noticed early on in this book was the writing. It’s very easy to comprehend and isn’t complicated at all, which helps with the pacing of the story and the fact that it’s only nearly 200 pages long. I was a bit weary of it at first, but eventually I became fond of it and got used to it 'till the end of the book.
The World
Eleven years have gone by and death still sits on the continent like a plague.
I was definitely interested in Cassidy’s world, though I have a feeling that there're still a lot of secrets to uncover in the next book (and I 100% want to know them all). Everything is still a bit hazy in Cargo, but in a good way that'd make you want for more.
The Friendship
Will I ever have the chance to run away again? Have I wasted every chance I’ll ever have to be free?
I liked how Cargo gave focus to friendship in the book. I find really sweet. I was just hoping that we got more fun stories with Cassidy, Adrienne and Nars. I’m pretty sure it would have been fun to read. :) (I’m also quite fond of Adrienne. SHE IS SO KIND AND NICE AND FRIENDLY AND OMG I NEED MORE SYNONYMS FOR HER.)
The Romance
Should I put stock in a feeling, or should I rely on my head?
Hm... okay, I didn’t buy the romance at first. Things were going on the cliché route and I wasn’t a fan of Nathan and Cassidy’s relationship. I feel like they needed more scenes together so they'd have more of a reason to love each other (does this mean the romance is insta-love, then? Because it didn’t feel like insta-love for me). Then again, once I reached the end, I was seriously close to shipping them already! Which brings me to...
The Ending
It’s not bravery that keeps me in my own bed. It’s doubt.
ACK. THAT ENDING! I kept fidgeting the moment I reached the end. It was a cliffhanger that I couldn't wait for. BECAUSE HOW ON EARTH CAN I MOVE ON FROM THAT ENDING?!
* * *
Cargo was an enjoyable read for me. It’s a light dystopian that gives you an introduction to Cassidy’s world, with an ending that will make you beg for more. If you like a short, Divergent-like dystopian (where there's an MC that suspects that there's more to their world than the government is telling them), then you might want to try this book out.
August 11, 2017
Castleberry delivers a fast paced dystopian with characters that pop out of the book and come alive. The story pulls you in and the book holds you pretty well. When I saw this was a dystopian novella I worried that there wouldn’t be enough room for world building, character development and the like. In some ways I wasn’t wrong.
The very first page sets the pace for Et’s to be an integral part of the story. So, you can imagine my confusion when at the end of the book I had still not read about a single one nor was much else really said about them other than the off-hand wonderings if each person Cass meets is fully human. I think the author made a mistake when she decided to make this story a novella instead of a full length book.
The scene struck me as apocalyptic and destroyed. The buildings abandoned or blown up. The travelers dangerous and abandoned by any kind of government system. The climate appears to be scorching and almost inhabitable. There’s a real survivor string to it all.
I really wanted more information about pretty much everything in the story. Explanations are hap-hazard and glimpsed at. I was dissatisfied to say the least.
My advice to the author would be to bring the book back to square one and format for a full length novel. The novella is lacking in too many areas and there is no real ending either.
All of this is a damn shame since the book definitely hooked me. I want to read more. I want to know more about the world and it’s characters. I want to know about the ET’s.
The very first page sets the pace for Et’s to be an integral part of the story. So, you can imagine my confusion when at the end of the book I had still not read about a single one nor was much else really said about them other than the off-hand wonderings if each person Cass meets is fully human. I think the author made a mistake when she decided to make this story a novella instead of a full length book.
The scene struck me as apocalyptic and destroyed. The buildings abandoned or blown up. The travelers dangerous and abandoned by any kind of government system. The climate appears to be scorching and almost inhabitable. There’s a real survivor string to it all.
I really wanted more information about pretty much everything in the story. Explanations are hap-hazard and glimpsed at. I was dissatisfied to say the least.
My advice to the author would be to bring the book back to square one and format for a full length novel. The novella is lacking in too many areas and there is no real ending either.
All of this is a damn shame since the book definitely hooked me. I want to read more. I want to know more about the world and it’s characters. I want to know about the ET’s.
November 6, 2016
Sort of a cross between a dystopian and post-apocalyptic story, this story has a unique view of humans and the value of people. The story can be disturbing in the lack of humanization, but it shows a particular fear of a possible future. The story is told from the point of view of Cassidy, but the way other view her is shown in her reactions and what occurs.
Some parts of the story can be difficult to follow, but the overall story arc is fascinating. I look forward to the next book.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 clouds.
This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
Some parts of the story can be difficult to follow, but the overall story arc is fascinating. I look forward to the next book.
I give this book 3.5 out of 5 clouds.
This product or book may have been distributed for review; this in no way affects my opinions or reviews.
September 26, 2017
Couldn't put this book down! It was SO GOOD... and it continues to get better and better as you continue to read. This book left me eager to read the second book of this trilogy!
May 24, 2016
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
When I saw the blurb for this book originally, I found myself quite intrigued… but I did find it a bit hard to get through the prologue. I felt it could have been expanded upon, to give me a better idea of what the world was like.
Once Cassidy left the bunker with Nathan, there was more in the way of tension. While I was kind of confused about why Nars was following them, due to his actions later on, it was good to see some elements of tension… and I especially liked the fact that Cassidy didn’t forget about her home and her friends, even though I did think that Nars seemed to forget about it all very quickly… and I found him much harder to understand than Cassidy.
I thought it was interesting to see a character who didn’t want to go to the Reservation as the main character in the book and to see that the life she led was a bit more sheltered… even though I wondered if she’d ever actually seen the church itself. I thought it was good to see how little she wanted to go to the Reservation… though I was confused about why it was such a big deal. I didn’t actually get to read much about what the Reservation seemed to be… and although Cassidy talked about others in the convent wanting to go there, I saw very little evidence of that.
I did like that, although she was stubborn and a bit of a spitfire, Cassidy wasn’t protected from the consequences of her actions, although I was a bit surprised that there was no attempt made to clean her infected hands. There were some good elements of tension in this book and I did like some of the descriptions, especially the ones set in the desert. It was interesting to see the differences in the place they ended up in… but I would have liked to see a bit more depth surrounding the secondary characters who lived there. And just what the society/culture was like.
I wasn’t especially keen on the budding relationship between Cassidy and Nathan, especially since I felt that Nathan didn’t really seem to care about Cassidy and I didn’t get the impression she really liked him. I didn’t think the epilogue fit… even though it did end on something of an intriguing cliffhanger.
I’m torn about whether I’d read the next books in this trilogy, since there was a lot that was intriguing about the world and the characters… I just felt that it was far too short and could have done with being expanded upon and allowing me to see more of the world and get to know more of the characters.
(This review may contain spoilers).
When I saw the blurb for this book originally, I found myself quite intrigued… but I did find it a bit hard to get through the prologue. I felt it could have been expanded upon, to give me a better idea of what the world was like.
Once Cassidy left the bunker with Nathan, there was more in the way of tension. While I was kind of confused about why Nars was following them, due to his actions later on, it was good to see some elements of tension… and I especially liked the fact that Cassidy didn’t forget about her home and her friends, even though I did think that Nars seemed to forget about it all very quickly… and I found him much harder to understand than Cassidy.
I thought it was interesting to see a character who didn’t want to go to the Reservation as the main character in the book and to see that the life she led was a bit more sheltered… even though I wondered if she’d ever actually seen the church itself. I thought it was good to see how little she wanted to go to the Reservation… though I was confused about why it was such a big deal. I didn’t actually get to read much about what the Reservation seemed to be… and although Cassidy talked about others in the convent wanting to go there, I saw very little evidence of that.
I did like that, although she was stubborn and a bit of a spitfire, Cassidy wasn’t protected from the consequences of her actions, although I was a bit surprised that there was no attempt made to clean her infected hands. There were some good elements of tension in this book and I did like some of the descriptions, especially the ones set in the desert. It was interesting to see the differences in the place they ended up in… but I would have liked to see a bit more depth surrounding the secondary characters who lived there. And just what the society/culture was like.
I wasn’t especially keen on the budding relationship between Cassidy and Nathan, especially since I felt that Nathan didn’t really seem to care about Cassidy and I didn’t get the impression she really liked him. I didn’t think the epilogue fit… even though it did end on something of an intriguing cliffhanger.
I’m torn about whether I’d read the next books in this trilogy, since there was a lot that was intriguing about the world and the characters… I just felt that it was far too short and could have done with being expanded upon and allowing me to see more of the world and get to know more of the characters.
May 21, 2016
"Every argument, every hot glare that brings them nose to nose, like rams caught by the horns, makes me pine for a parentless existence."
This line in the prologue, from then six-year-old Cassidy Hartinger, the narrator, immediately separates Cargo from other dystopian stories. Author Jen Castleberry has created a character who wants to escape her parents, and when Cassidy's taken from them, very rarely does she look back.
Castleberry does a great job of establishing the setting in a future world where the earth is ravaged, extraterrestrials have attempted to annihilate humans, and those people remaining are consolidated into just one territory. The descriptions are bleak and convincing, and it is easy for readers to insert themselves into the feel of this world. In contrast, there is the Reservation, supposedly the only place left on earth that is safe, peaceful, and where nature still flourishes -- and only those selected get to go there.
Readers are given details enough to keep the interest level high for the next installment of The Reservation Trilogy. Cassidy is one of those chosen for the Reservation, but the criteria are not revealed to explain why. It's clear the answer is coming, and also clear is the promise of meeting the non-humans and hybrid humans referenced throughout Cargo. Readers experience an interesting dynamic between Cassidy and her transporter, Nathan, and the book's ending indicates there is more to come in that relationship.
The writing is a bit simplistic, but the story is clear and concise and moves forward at a steady pace. A few minor edits are needed for incorrect pronoun use and a consistent use of "there's" when "there are" is correct; however, most readers won't be bothered by the errors. The book is very short and reads very much as a prequel, mostly laying the groundwork for what's to come in the next book, Stowaway, which I look forward to reading.
Thank you to the Fantastic Flying Book Club for providing me an eBook in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give. Full review and other features on Hall Ways Blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
This line in the prologue, from then six-year-old Cassidy Hartinger, the narrator, immediately separates Cargo from other dystopian stories. Author Jen Castleberry has created a character who wants to escape her parents, and when Cassidy's taken from them, very rarely does she look back.
Castleberry does a great job of establishing the setting in a future world where the earth is ravaged, extraterrestrials have attempted to annihilate humans, and those people remaining are consolidated into just one territory. The descriptions are bleak and convincing, and it is easy for readers to insert themselves into the feel of this world. In contrast, there is the Reservation, supposedly the only place left on earth that is safe, peaceful, and where nature still flourishes -- and only those selected get to go there.
Readers are given details enough to keep the interest level high for the next installment of The Reservation Trilogy. Cassidy is one of those chosen for the Reservation, but the criteria are not revealed to explain why. It's clear the answer is coming, and also clear is the promise of meeting the non-humans and hybrid humans referenced throughout Cargo. Readers experience an interesting dynamic between Cassidy and her transporter, Nathan, and the book's ending indicates there is more to come in that relationship.
The writing is a bit simplistic, but the story is clear and concise and moves forward at a steady pace. A few minor edits are needed for incorrect pronoun use and a consistent use of "there's" when "there are" is correct; however, most readers won't be bothered by the errors. The book is very short and reads very much as a prequel, mostly laying the groundwork for what's to come in the next book, Stowaway, which I look forward to reading.
Thank you to the Fantastic Flying Book Club for providing me an eBook in exchange for my honest opinion -- the only kind I give. Full review and other features on Hall Ways Blog http://kristinehallways.blogspot.com/...
May 5, 2016
Cargo caught my eye primarily because of the description. Why would a girl cringe at the idea of being taken to a place everyone else dreams of going? Book one introduces the main characters, Cassidy and her friends and Nathan, the handsome stranger whose job is to transport cargo, like Cassidy, to the Reservation. It also outlines the alien takeover and wholesale destruction of earth, but from a kid’s perspective.
So let’s start with what I liked. First off, this is a pretty quick read, perfect for a weekend, and the world building and the character interactions were realistic and engaging. I liked the pacing, and there was plenty of action to keep me interested. I also enjoyed the growing tension between Cass and Nathan and between them and the mysterious aliens whom we don’t glimpse in this installment, though I do suspect at least one of the characters was one of the hybrids. Add in a rather dangerous and threatening human underground, just a quick glimpse to build some danger and put Nathan, Cass, and Nars in harm’s way, and you have quite a good read.
The story is told from Cassidy’s first person point of view, and it comes off pretty well. She may not be a super woman, but she’s tough and pushes herself to overcome her fears to find out who she is and what she’s made of. She’s also not easily swayed by other people’s opinions or hung up overly much on any particular love interest. Besides that, I love her loyalty to her friends.
On the downside, I found some of the wording choppy and a little overly simple and direct. On one hand, that makes the story rather easy to read, but it also draws attention, at least for me, to how certain things might have been reworded to ebb and flow a bit more naturally.
Overall, I really liked this story and would recommend it to fans of YA dystopian or sci fi, particularly those who prefer a quick read. From how this ends, I’d say there’s plenty to look forward to in the next two books.
I received the review copy of this book from the author and wrote this review for the blog at PureTextuality.com.
So let’s start with what I liked. First off, this is a pretty quick read, perfect for a weekend, and the world building and the character interactions were realistic and engaging. I liked the pacing, and there was plenty of action to keep me interested. I also enjoyed the growing tension between Cass and Nathan and between them and the mysterious aliens whom we don’t glimpse in this installment, though I do suspect at least one of the characters was one of the hybrids. Add in a rather dangerous and threatening human underground, just a quick glimpse to build some danger and put Nathan, Cass, and Nars in harm’s way, and you have quite a good read.
The story is told from Cassidy’s first person point of view, and it comes off pretty well. She may not be a super woman, but she’s tough and pushes herself to overcome her fears to find out who she is and what she’s made of. She’s also not easily swayed by other people’s opinions or hung up overly much on any particular love interest. Besides that, I love her loyalty to her friends.
On the downside, I found some of the wording choppy and a little overly simple and direct. On one hand, that makes the story rather easy to read, but it also draws attention, at least for me, to how certain things might have been reworded to ebb and flow a bit more naturally.
Overall, I really liked this story and would recommend it to fans of YA dystopian or sci fi, particularly those who prefer a quick read. From how this ends, I’d say there’s plenty to look forward to in the next two books.
I received the review copy of this book from the author and wrote this review for the blog at PureTextuality.com.
September 24, 2016
Wow!
I was so sad when this story ended. It was such a great start.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Please visit me at Shh, I am Reading for more reviews like this.
For me, this had some undertones of Stephen King’s “The Mist” and War of the Worlds, which made me love this novel even more. Although we’re never actually introduced to the aliens. I do applaud the author for her awesome world building and character building.
Oh my gosh! The imagery! This world is bleak compared to our world now. It’s been ravaged by bombs and bleached by the relentless sun. You feel like you are there, walking with Cass and Nathan.
“I keep a stiff upper lip as we move through the hallway. Nostalgia douses my bones. It makes my feet heavy. It makes the air around my ankles dense.”
One thing that always worries me about short novels is whether the characters will be developed enough and whether there would be enough time for their interactions with each other. This was not an issue in the novel at all.
First you see Cassidy’s interaction with her bunk-mate Adrienne. It’s such a heartwarming sisterhood. It doesn’t have any of that awkwardness loaded with sexual connotations. It was two girls who had no one but themselves.
The interaction with Nathan seemed like it might start out with him being a gigantic ass, but he eventually warmed up. Cassidy even blossomed under his conversation. She seemed so demure and shy in the bunker but outside of it she didn’t let Nathan walk all over her.
The only one I didn’t feel for was Nars. He just kind of seemed there and the interaction between him, Cassidy and Adrienne was lacking, to say the least. He became more like a background character.
I do have some questions like where are the aliens? What interaction do they have with Earth? What was their purpose? Hopefully some questions do get answered in the next books.
Even still, this was a great story. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good Dystopian novel.
I was so sad when this story ended. It was such a great start.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Please visit me at Shh, I am Reading for more reviews like this.
For me, this had some undertones of Stephen King’s “The Mist” and War of the Worlds, which made me love this novel even more. Although we’re never actually introduced to the aliens. I do applaud the author for her awesome world building and character building.
Oh my gosh! The imagery! This world is bleak compared to our world now. It’s been ravaged by bombs and bleached by the relentless sun. You feel like you are there, walking with Cass and Nathan.
“I keep a stiff upper lip as we move through the hallway. Nostalgia douses my bones. It makes my feet heavy. It makes the air around my ankles dense.”
One thing that always worries me about short novels is whether the characters will be developed enough and whether there would be enough time for their interactions with each other. This was not an issue in the novel at all.
First you see Cassidy’s interaction with her bunk-mate Adrienne. It’s such a heartwarming sisterhood. It doesn’t have any of that awkwardness loaded with sexual connotations. It was two girls who had no one but themselves.
The interaction with Nathan seemed like it might start out with him being a gigantic ass, but he eventually warmed up. Cassidy even blossomed under his conversation. She seemed so demure and shy in the bunker but outside of it she didn’t let Nathan walk all over her.
The only one I didn’t feel for was Nars. He just kind of seemed there and the interaction between him, Cassidy and Adrienne was lacking, to say the least. He became more like a background character.
I do have some questions like where are the aliens? What interaction do they have with Earth? What was their purpose? Hopefully some questions do get answered in the next books.
Even still, this was a great story. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good Dystopian novel.
May 20, 2016
Gorgeous cover, check. Interesting plot line, check. The only thing missing was that certain something that makes me pick up a book and not want to put it down. In all honesty it took a few times of picking it up before I finally got to the "aha" moment, and wanted to read straight through. Once I did get going, I was delighted by the ease with which I understood what was happening and where things were heading. This is a pretty unique take on the dystopian genre, and the addition of some non-earthly creatures gave it a new dimension. If you enjoy ya novels with strong, thoughtful protagonists and post apocalyptic settings, you should give Cargo a try. I'm certainly interested in continuing the series once the next book is released!
3.5 stars
3.5 stars
February 29, 2016
Short and to the point. This dystopian set novel is a great introduction to the characters and the environment they live in. I liked Cassidy and her supporting cast make for a interesting ban of survivalist. This book does not go into extensive details which will leave the reader looking forward to the next book in the installment. The only thing that didn't really ping for me is that it does fall in to the traps of the standard young adult novel, with predictable character types. However that being said it was fun to read and I look forward to checking out more of Jen's work. If you like the dystopian young adult novel genre this book will be right up your alley.
September 14, 2016
Decently Intriguing
This book was recommended to me by an online site that suggested I would enjoy it if I liked dystopian literature. The story so far is a bit choppy, and I feel as though this first book, even though it is a series, ends too quickly without enough information. Most books in a series each still have a full plot line, but this book feels like it ends during the rising action without ever seeing any real conflict or drama. I'm slightly confused about certain primary aspects of the story line, and I'm still not sure if I like the main characters at all. The price of the next book will be a major factor in whether or not I continue to read this series.
This book was recommended to me by an online site that suggested I would enjoy it if I liked dystopian literature. The story so far is a bit choppy, and I feel as though this first book, even though it is a series, ends too quickly without enough information. Most books in a series each still have a full plot line, but this book feels like it ends during the rising action without ever seeing any real conflict or drama. I'm slightly confused about certain primary aspects of the story line, and I'm still not sure if I like the main characters at all. The price of the next book will be a major factor in whether or not I continue to read this series.
May 17, 2016
This book was fun and exhilarating ! I could not put it down !!!!
I felt as though I was part of every exciting moment. The writer has excellent description time, characters and setting. I finished the last chapter only wanting more. The journey of young Cass trying to figure out the mysteries of her changing world, the intrigue of her protective young transporter, Nathan, and the desperate, yet searching emotions of an unsure heart will keep you in locked suspense.
I felt as though I was part of every exciting moment. The writer has excellent description time, characters and setting. I finished the last chapter only wanting more. The journey of young Cass trying to figure out the mysteries of her changing world, the intrigue of her protective young transporter, Nathan, and the desperate, yet searching emotions of an unsure heart will keep you in locked suspense.
August 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this dystopian novel. First book I've read in awhile that I couldn't wait to get back to when I had to put it down. Several plot features that are similar to many dystopian reads, but I also felt there were other parts that set it apart. Definitely some intense themes aimed at more mature audiences. It's certainly an installment in a series, and what? the next one isn't available yet??? Looking forward to the next.
September 13, 2016
Surprisingly good
A little on the short side but surprisingly good. I was intrigued from the beginning and the plot moved along at a quick pace. The ending is a cop out but that's how all these YA trilogies are now days.
A little on the short side but surprisingly good. I was intrigued from the beginning and the plot moved along at a quick pace. The ending is a cop out but that's how all these YA trilogies are now days.
March 7, 2016
I enjoyed this book! Loved it from beginning to end. I really enjoy a good dystopian and Cargo hit the spot! Can't wait for the next book!
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February 28, 2017Waste of time
This book was a waste of my time. It is so short, almost like the author took one book and broke it into pieces to create a series. I will definitely not be continuing.
This book was a waste of my time. It is so short, almost like the author took one book and broke it into pieces to create a series. I will definitely not be continuing.
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