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Recoil Trilogy #1
Recoil
When a skilled gamer gets recruited as a sniper in the war against a terrorist-produced pandemic, she discovers there’s more than one enemy and more than one war. The Game is real.
Three years after a series of terrorist attacks flooded the US with a lethal plague, society has changed radically.
Sixteen year-old Jinxy James spends her days trapped at home – immersed in virtual reality, worrying about the plague and longing for freedom. Then she wins a war simulation game and is recruited into a top-secret organisation where talented teenagers are trained to become agents in the war on terror. Eager to escape her mother’s over-protectiveness and to serve her country, Jinxy enlists and becomes an expert sniper of infected mutant rats.
She’s immediately drawn to Quinn O’Riley, a charming and subversive intelligence analyst who knows more about the new order of government and society than he is telling. Then a shocking revelation forces Jinxy to make an impossible decision, and she risks losing everything.
Recoil is the first book in a Young Adult dystopian romance trilogy, and makes great reading for lovers of Rick Yancey (The Fifth Wave), Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games), and Veronica Roth (Divergent).
BONUS CONTENT! Chapter one of Refuse (book 2 in the Recoil series) included in this version!
Three years after a series of terrorist attacks flooded the US with a lethal plague, society has changed radically.
Sixteen year-old Jinxy James spends her days trapped at home – immersed in virtual reality, worrying about the plague and longing for freedom. Then she wins a war simulation game and is recruited into a top-secret organisation where talented teenagers are trained to become agents in the war on terror. Eager to escape her mother’s over-protectiveness and to serve her country, Jinxy enlists and becomes an expert sniper of infected mutant rats.
She’s immediately drawn to Quinn O’Riley, a charming and subversive intelligence analyst who knows more about the new order of government and society than he is telling. Then a shocking revelation forces Jinxy to make an impossible decision, and she risks losing everything.
Recoil is the first book in a Young Adult dystopian romance trilogy, and makes great reading for lovers of Rick Yancey (The Fifth Wave), Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games), and Veronica Roth (Divergent).
BONUS CONTENT! Chapter one of Refuse (book 2 in the Recoil series) included in this version!
260 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2016
334 people are currently reading
1181 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Macgregor
17 books200 followersWhen not writing, Joanne Macgregor is a counselling psychologist in private practice where she works mainly with victims of crime and trauma.
Although she lives in the frenetic adrenaline-rush of the big city, Joanne has always been in love with nature, and escapes into the wilds whenever she can. She's a Harry Potter fanatic, bakes the best choc-chip cookies on the planet, and is addicted to chilies and bulletproof coffee.
She started her professional life as a high school English teacher and loves writing about, and for, teens. She is the author of several books for Young Adults - Scarred, Recoil, Refuse, Rebel, Hushed and The law of Tall Girls.
Although she lives in the frenetic adrenaline-rush of the big city, Joanne has always been in love with nature, and escapes into the wilds whenever she can. She's a Harry Potter fanatic, bakes the best choc-chip cookies on the planet, and is addicted to chilies and bulletproof coffee.
She started her professional life as a high school English teacher and loves writing about, and for, teens. She is the author of several books for Young Adults - Scarred, Recoil, Refuse, Rebel, Hushed and The law of Tall Girls.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 30, 2016
The terrorists had come and their method of destruction was brilliantly vile and deadly. A lethal plague was released in the United States and the survivors now hide away in their homes, rarely leaving their homes and only when totally covered with hazmat type protection. Jinxy’s mother was one of the health obsessed and she was forced to live trapped at home. Becoming a virtual wargame expert brings Jinxy under the scrutiny of a black-ops organization training gifted youths to become the front line in the war on terror. Jinxy’s gaming has trained her to be a sniper, and her ability will be honed and shaped to help prevent the spread of the deadly virus. What appears to be a patriotic act becomes something far more deadly than she could ever have imagined. Now she must decide how far she will go to keep her family and her country safe, as she must reconcile that all she was told were only partial truths from a government she barely knows. Will the longing for freedom and independence only be trading one form of “imprisonment” for another?
Recoil, the first in what looks to be a fascinating take on a dystopian world where the power and pluck of youth raised on virtual gaming may prove to be the greatest weapon on the war on terror, if their consciences can be tamed. Joanne Macgregor is holding nothing back, this is magnetic reading filled with whiplash-quick action, deep soul searching and a cast of characters with the energy and vitality of youth. Ms. Macgregor paints a world in chaos with hidden agendas, fighting to survive the devastation of terrorism. These characters burst off the page with life and attitude, as well as the dialogue of youth. Some will live, while others may not, but each will have to decide how far they will go and what direction they will take! This is not another cookie-cutter read, it is edgy and often dark, a strong start for a new trilogy of adventure and what-ifs!
I received an ARC edition from Joanne Macgregor in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: May 14, 2016
Publisher: Joanne Macgregor
Genre: YA Dystopian Scifi
Print Length: 223 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Recoil, the first in what looks to be a fascinating take on a dystopian world where the power and pluck of youth raised on virtual gaming may prove to be the greatest weapon on the war on terror, if their consciences can be tamed. Joanne Macgregor is holding nothing back, this is magnetic reading filled with whiplash-quick action, deep soul searching and a cast of characters with the energy and vitality of youth. Ms. Macgregor paints a world in chaos with hidden agendas, fighting to survive the devastation of terrorism. These characters burst off the page with life and attitude, as well as the dialogue of youth. Some will live, while others may not, but each will have to decide how far they will go and what direction they will take! This is not another cookie-cutter read, it is edgy and often dark, a strong start for a new trilogy of adventure and what-ifs!
I received an ARC edition from Joanne Macgregor in exchange for my honest review.
Publication Date: May 14, 2016
Publisher: Joanne Macgregor
Genre: YA Dystopian Scifi
Print Length: 223 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
May 10, 2016
Grab yourself a copy of this very different novel and venture into a dystopian future where terrorist attacks three years ago spread a lethal plague. The consequences now are that everyone lives in their own little box, rarely venturing out and then only whilst wearing protective clothing, a respirator and multilayered gloves. There’s little social interaction, no schools for children to attend, just stay there in your box and stay alive. Online gaming is the major entertainment and sixteen year old Jinxy James has just successfully won the game . . . and her view on life will never be the same again!
This is a future ruled by fear - fear of the plague, rats, terrorists, other people. A future where following the rules is an ingrained response for folks like Jinxy - until you start to question just why the rules are there, who is enforcing them and just what is happening to society.
It would be so easy to say more, but that would involve giving spoilers and I don’t want to do that! The novel is enthralling, fast paced and action packed. The characters are well developed though don’t take them all at face value, there are some double dealing folk involved. I particularly liked how Jinxy evolved during the story, especially as she desperately tried to convince herself to follow orders despite her innate feelings that these were wrong. Her inner conflicts, relationships and reactions are key to the novel but that ending! I didn’t see that coming! It definitely ends on a tremendous cliffhanger but that only means I can’t wait to read the sequel!
Many thanks to the author for gifting me an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
This is a future ruled by fear - fear of the plague, rats, terrorists, other people. A future where following the rules is an ingrained response for folks like Jinxy - until you start to question just why the rules are there, who is enforcing them and just what is happening to society.
It would be so easy to say more, but that would involve giving spoilers and I don’t want to do that! The novel is enthralling, fast paced and action packed. The characters are well developed though don’t take them all at face value, there are some double dealing folk involved. I particularly liked how Jinxy evolved during the story, especially as she desperately tried to convince herself to follow orders despite her innate feelings that these were wrong. Her inner conflicts, relationships and reactions are key to the novel but that ending! I didn’t see that coming! It definitely ends on a tremendous cliffhanger but that only means I can’t wait to read the sequel!
Many thanks to the author for gifting me an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
May 14, 2016
Disclaimer: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Rating: 4.5 stars
In a nutshell: This indie puts a lot of traditionally published dystopians to shame. I've already preordered the next one!
Full review
Two things you need to know about me:
1. I love dystopian YA.
2. I always play the sniper, be it in computer games or in real-life. (Well, not real sniping, but I enjoy target practice with my grandfather’s pellet rifle. And the one time I went paintballing, I got left behind in the field because I was so well hidden.)
So Recoil was right up my street. I really enjoyed Macgregor’s YA contemporary, Scarred, but I loved Recoil a lot more just because dystopia > contemporary in my book.
Macgregor is a SOLID indie author. This book is actually better than a lot of traditionally published dystopians I’ve read.
My favourite part about this book is actually Jinx, the main character. I can’t say exactly why, but I liked her. I really, really liked her. I liked that she was a 16-year-old who was a little naive. (You’d be, too, if you were shut in a house with your mom and brother for three years with almost no physical contact and government-controlled media.) Even when I could see something was about to happen, I never thought she was stupid, as it made sense for her to believe what she did. She was also shy and awkward at times, but that didn’t stop her from being a badass and calling people out on jerk behaviour.
Most of all, though, I liked being inside her head when she was doing her Thing. Three years of playing a virtual reality computer game in which she was a sniper honed her ability to focus, and I got a real sense of her mental state as she prepared to pull the trigger. I read this while going through a particularly anxious time of my own, and I found reading her control her breathing and concentrate soothed me.
I was instantly gone with Quinn. My Type is usually tall and slim, and he was both, for a start. Add to that the confident but (usually) respectful attitude, the slightly Irish accent (swoon) and the eyebrow piercing, and there was no hope for me. He wasn’t perfect, but then who is. He got called out on his bullshit eventually, and he repented, which is what mattered. Well, he repented a little, but we’ll have to see if he pulls himself together in the next book… >_>
The other characters were interesting as well. I was spectacularly creeped out by Sarge, and Bruce needed a stern talking to. I really liked Lya, and she was a great big sister figure for Jinx. There were some major twists with some of the characters, though, particularly Cameron. I’ll be keeping an eye on him going forward!
The story brought up a lot of important questions and issues. For example, where should governments draw the line between keeping people safe and respecting personal privacy and freedom? Should Trump be allowed to build a wall between America and Mexico? Is it ethical to recruit teenagers? The book also brought up sexual harassment in the military and whether women should report it or not.
And by the way, the idea behind this book isn’t all that farfetched. Already, there is a first person simulation game available called America’s Army , used by the US military to let potential recruits explore the realities of enlisting and what roles they’d be best suited for. So really, all we need is for Trump to become president and Recoil could very well happen. (You just know he’s going to attract that kind of attention.)
As for the plot, I was engaged from start to finish. Sure, it’s not as action-packed as books with more in your face, short range combat, but I liked that this book was more calculating than others. The general idea of the story was predictable, but I was genuinely surprised by a lot of what happened.
The end did leave off with a cliffhanger, and I am BURSTING to read the next book, Refuse. I need to know what happened in the immediate aftermath and how everyone is going to get out of the mess they were left in. I am so relieved that I only have to wait until the end of July for book 2!!! Which I’ve preordered, by the way. ;)
I could say buy this book to support an amazing South African indie author, but really, this book doesn’t need that. Recoil could 110% knock out some of the big boys of the traditional publishing world, and I am so glad Macgregor approached me to read it! Read it because it’s GOOD.
Rating: 4.5 stars
In a nutshell: This indie puts a lot of traditionally published dystopians to shame. I've already preordered the next one!
Full review
Two things you need to know about me:
1. I love dystopian YA.
2. I always play the sniper, be it in computer games or in real-life. (Well, not real sniping, but I enjoy target practice with my grandfather’s pellet rifle. And the one time I went paintballing, I got left behind in the field because I was so well hidden.)
So Recoil was right up my street. I really enjoyed Macgregor’s YA contemporary, Scarred, but I loved Recoil a lot more just because dystopia > contemporary in my book.
Macgregor is a SOLID indie author. This book is actually better than a lot of traditionally published dystopians I’ve read.
My favourite part about this book is actually Jinx, the main character. I can’t say exactly why, but I liked her. I really, really liked her. I liked that she was a 16-year-old who was a little naive. (You’d be, too, if you were shut in a house with your mom and brother for three years with almost no physical contact and government-controlled media.) Even when I could see something was about to happen, I never thought she was stupid, as it made sense for her to believe what she did. She was also shy and awkward at times, but that didn’t stop her from being a badass and calling people out on jerk behaviour.
Most of all, though, I liked being inside her head when she was doing her Thing. Three years of playing a virtual reality computer game in which she was a sniper honed her ability to focus, and I got a real sense of her mental state as she prepared to pull the trigger. I read this while going through a particularly anxious time of my own, and I found reading her control her breathing and concentrate soothed me.
I was instantly gone with Quinn. My Type is usually tall and slim, and he was both, for a start. Add to that the confident but (usually) respectful attitude, the slightly Irish accent (swoon) and the eyebrow piercing, and there was no hope for me. He wasn’t perfect, but then who is. He got called out on his bullshit eventually, and he repented, which is what mattered. Well, he repented a little, but we’ll have to see if he pulls himself together in the next book… >_>
The other characters were interesting as well. I was spectacularly creeped out by Sarge, and Bruce needed a stern talking to. I really liked Lya, and she was a great big sister figure for Jinx. There were some major twists with some of the characters, though, particularly Cameron. I’ll be keeping an eye on him going forward!
The story brought up a lot of important questions and issues. For example, where should governments draw the line between keeping people safe and respecting personal privacy and freedom? Should Trump be allowed to build a wall between America and Mexico? Is it ethical to recruit teenagers? The book also brought up sexual harassment in the military and whether women should report it or not.
And by the way, the idea behind this book isn’t all that farfetched. Already, there is a first person simulation game available called America’s Army , used by the US military to let potential recruits explore the realities of enlisting and what roles they’d be best suited for. So really, all we need is for Trump to become president and Recoil could very well happen. (You just know he’s going to attract that kind of attention.)
As for the plot, I was engaged from start to finish. Sure, it’s not as action-packed as books with more in your face, short range combat, but I liked that this book was more calculating than others. The general idea of the story was predictable, but I was genuinely surprised by a lot of what happened.
The end did leave off with a cliffhanger, and I am BURSTING to read the next book, Refuse. I need to know what happened in the immediate aftermath and how everyone is going to get out of the mess they were left in. I am so relieved that I only have to wait until the end of July for book 2!!! Which I’ve preordered, by the way. ;)
I could say buy this book to support an amazing South African indie author, but really, this book doesn’t need that. Recoil could 110% knock out some of the big boys of the traditional publishing world, and I am so glad Macgregor approached me to read it! Read it because it’s GOOD.
Teenage sniper girl + virtual reality gaming + Irish guy + giant rats + philosophical and political quandaries = BUY IT NOW
See this review in its natural environment, Dani Reviews Things.
May 12, 2016
3.5 stars for this one. It's not fair to compare, but I did prefer Scarred. That being said, Joanne MacGregor's ability to switch genre gear is effortless and deserves two impressive thumbs up! Recoil is a solid start to a YA dystopian romance series. As with Scarred, the pacing is excellent, the plot is clever and and the twist revealed by Quinn leaves you wanting more. There are a few things I felt could have been expanded upon, but I have a feeling all will be revealed in books 2 & 3, and I look forward to reading them!
Want to read
August 1, 2016This book sounds amazing. Free on Amazon until August 3rd. Download a copy like I just did!
May 5, 2016
I feel this review should start with a warning- this book is part of a series (which will all thankfully release this year).
I don't generally like dystopian fiction but I really enjoyed this book. I feel like with the hundreds of dystopian novels that are already out, you can either go very right or very wrong with the genre. My first impression of Recoil was that it was very strange but in a good way. This is a world where people can die if they go outside without proper protection. A lethal plague poses a danger to everyone and they are forced to remain at home 24/7.
Jinxy is a teen who is an eager gamer. (What else would she do with all her free time?) Jinxy is soon recruited to join in the force against the terrorists and meets Quinn. However Quinn seems to suspect that their new job is a part of something bigger and more terrifying.
What I loved about this book (besides the hot Irish male- I have a weakness for boys in books AND the Irish so obviously I loved Quinn) was that it was pretty different from the usual dystopian book. Unfortunately I can't say any more without giving spoilers but trust me, if you like dystopian books you're going to love Recoil.
I don't generally like dystopian fiction but I really enjoyed this book. I feel like with the hundreds of dystopian novels that are already out, you can either go very right or very wrong with the genre. My first impression of Recoil was that it was very strange but in a good way. This is a world where people can die if they go outside without proper protection. A lethal plague poses a danger to everyone and they are forced to remain at home 24/7.
Jinxy is a teen who is an eager gamer. (What else would she do with all her free time?) Jinxy is soon recruited to join in the force against the terrorists and meets Quinn. However Quinn seems to suspect that their new job is a part of something bigger and more terrifying.
What I loved about this book (besides the hot Irish male- I have a weakness for boys in books AND the Irish so obviously I loved Quinn) was that it was pretty different from the usual dystopian book. Unfortunately I can't say any more without giving spoilers but trust me, if you like dystopian books you're going to love Recoil.
November 7, 2018
I have read a couple of Joanne Macgregor’s books – Hushed and The Law of Tall Girls within her young adult contemporary books, along with The First Time I Died which is a thriller written as Jo Macgregor – and have enjoyed them all. Knowing there was another genre I could dive into, a dystopian tale, I was more than willing to give Recoil a read.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if The Rats by James Herbert was the basis for a dystopian novel? I do not simply mean the soft brush we were given in Domain, but an all-out dystopian approach the likes of which you find in the more recent dystopian novels. If you want to see such a novel, then Recoil is certainly worth grabbing. From the moment the dystopian world was explained, I could not help but think this was the way in which such a tale would play out – this was James Herbert’s The Rats crossed with young adult dystopian.
At first, I found Recoil was a little bit slow for my liking. It was enjoyable, I liked watching how everything was coming together, but I felt it was lacking in the action that usually makes these kinds of novels so hard hitting. Nevertheless, I was intrigued. As the story progressed, it became clear such an approach was important. Recoil has a solid basis, building upon many details, giving the story more layers than the standard ‘the government is bad because adults don’t understand’ approach you usually find in young adult dystopian. This depth makes the lower level of action worth it.
That is not to say the story is without action. The action does come, especially later in the book, but the real impact of Recoil comes in watching the way things grow throughout. Come the end of the book, you’re desperate for more. You’re curious to see how everything comes together, and the way things leave off will have you super eager to grab the next book.
Without a doubt, I’ll be diving into Refuse soon.
Have you ever wondered what would happen if The Rats by James Herbert was the basis for a dystopian novel? I do not simply mean the soft brush we were given in Domain, but an all-out dystopian approach the likes of which you find in the more recent dystopian novels. If you want to see such a novel, then Recoil is certainly worth grabbing. From the moment the dystopian world was explained, I could not help but think this was the way in which such a tale would play out – this was James Herbert’s The Rats crossed with young adult dystopian.
At first, I found Recoil was a little bit slow for my liking. It was enjoyable, I liked watching how everything was coming together, but I felt it was lacking in the action that usually makes these kinds of novels so hard hitting. Nevertheless, I was intrigued. As the story progressed, it became clear such an approach was important. Recoil has a solid basis, building upon many details, giving the story more layers than the standard ‘the government is bad because adults don’t understand’ approach you usually find in young adult dystopian. This depth makes the lower level of action worth it.
That is not to say the story is without action. The action does come, especially later in the book, but the real impact of Recoil comes in watching the way things grow throughout. Come the end of the book, you’re desperate for more. You’re curious to see how everything comes together, and the way things leave off will have you super eager to grab the next book.
Without a doubt, I’ll be diving into Refuse soon.
June 18, 2016
Recoil by Joanne Macgregor is a very good addition to the genre of teenage dystopian fiction. The world building is interesting and convincing, set in a plague ridden America, where people are largely confined to their homes for safety sake. Teenagers spend most of their free time playing an online game. Jinx discovers that The Game is being used to identify useful skills and recruit teenagers to be trained in the war against the plague, and the terrorists who are spreading it.
16 year old Jinx is recruited to be a sniper, helping to destroy the genetically modified rats which are carriers of the plague. We follow her through training, active duty and the dawning realisation that her role in the war is more morally complex than she first thought.
Jinx is a strong, realistic and likeable character and I was rooting for her the whole way. All the characters are well-drawn, especially Quinn O Reilly, the love interest (who I suspect will generate many fictional-character crushes, he is just lovely). Thankfully the author avoided the cliche of a romantic triangle, which was getting a bit out of control in teenage fiction lately.
The writing is really good. Pace, plot, style - it all worked. I was drawn into the story and couldn't put it down
The only thing I didn't like about the book was the cliff-hanger ending. Now I have to wait anxiously until Book 2 comes out to find out what happens. I hope Joanne Macgregor is writing fast. Until then I am going to track down and read all the other books by this author, and will be recommending Recoil to everyone. Read it! You won't regret it!
16 year old Jinx is recruited to be a sniper, helping to destroy the genetically modified rats which are carriers of the plague. We follow her through training, active duty and the dawning realisation that her role in the war is more morally complex than she first thought.
Jinx is a strong, realistic and likeable character and I was rooting for her the whole way. All the characters are well-drawn, especially Quinn O Reilly, the love interest (who I suspect will generate many fictional-character crushes, he is just lovely). Thankfully the author avoided the cliche of a romantic triangle, which was getting a bit out of control in teenage fiction lately.
The writing is really good. Pace, plot, style - it all worked. I was drawn into the story and couldn't put it down
The only thing I didn't like about the book was the cliff-hanger ending. Now I have to wait anxiously until Book 2 comes out to find out what happens. I hope Joanne Macgregor is writing fast. Until then I am going to track down and read all the other books by this author, and will be recommending Recoil to everyone. Read it! You won't regret it!
July 22, 2019
2019 update: As good as the first time!
(I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review)
Recoil by Joanne Macgregor is the first book in the Recoil Trilogy. It's written from Jinxy's point of view and she's a 16 year old girl in the middle of a Rat Fever Plague that's been around since 4 years ago.
Jinxy plays in The Game, which is highly popular ever since the Plague 4 years ago, when everyone stays locked up at home. She's a sniper in the game and by winning it, she's invited to play in a real-life simulation alongside a few others.
After the real-life simulation game, she was recruited to join ASTA - Advanced Specialized Training Academy - as a sniper. The recruits there are all broken into groups. The groups are colour coded and no one is to speak of what they do in training outside their own group.
Jinxy met Quinn - fellow recruit - at ASTA. Quinn's in another group so they have no idea what each is training for. They got close really quickly and things were looking good for them. However on graduation day, something happened that changes all that.
As a professional sniper, Jinxy was to take out infested rats as well as any other infested pets. Her mission grew more as time went on and she's had to take on more difficult targets.
Something was revealed at the end regarding Jinxy and she's had to make a difficult choice involving saving Quinn and following what she thinks is morally right.
I really love Jinxy and Quinn and hope to see more of them, especially Quinn's cockiness.
Absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for book 2 Refuse!
(I received a copy from the author in exchange for my honest review)
Recoil by Joanne Macgregor is the first book in the Recoil Trilogy. It's written from Jinxy's point of view and she's a 16 year old girl in the middle of a Rat Fever Plague that's been around since 4 years ago.
Jinxy plays in The Game, which is highly popular ever since the Plague 4 years ago, when everyone stays locked up at home. She's a sniper in the game and by winning it, she's invited to play in a real-life simulation alongside a few others.
After the real-life simulation game, she was recruited to join ASTA - Advanced Specialized Training Academy - as a sniper. The recruits there are all broken into groups. The groups are colour coded and no one is to speak of what they do in training outside their own group.
Jinxy met Quinn - fellow recruit - at ASTA. Quinn's in another group so they have no idea what each is training for. They got close really quickly and things were looking good for them. However on graduation day, something happened that changes all that.
As a professional sniper, Jinxy was to take out infested rats as well as any other infested pets. Her mission grew more as time went on and she's had to take on more difficult targets.
Something was revealed at the end regarding Jinxy and she's had to make a difficult choice involving saving Quinn and following what she thinks is morally right.
I really love Jinxy and Quinn and hope to see more of them, especially Quinn's cockiness.
Absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for book 2 Refuse!
May 17, 2016
I love a fast-paced dystopian and this was deft and convincing. Recoil created a good, plausible world set in the near-future, and the backstory was slipped in with assured ease.
The characters were fabulous. I loved Jinx. She was special in a very ordinary, accessible way. At home with mum and brother Robin she was a typical teenager with a touch of the worry-wort,but get her in her natural environment and she was magnificent! The other characters were equally well put-together. Bruce, in particular, stood out as a genuine irritant, and the “pirate” attraction between Jinx and Quinn was lovely.
I wasn’t entirely convinced by the first interaction with Quinn and Jinx and the joke he played on her. I thought Jinx should have caught on quicker (and why was all that disgusting stuff available, anyway?!). Overall, if I have a niggle it’s that Jinx was a bit naive. She made me a little impatient – but then that’s easy to say when I’m the reader and I can pick up on all the clues the writer’s scattered through the book. Poor Jinx didn’t have the leisure to do that.
There was a good sense of something bigger going on in the background, which built throughout Recoil. The twist with her father was excellent, and Quinn’s reveal was very clever. There’s often a risk of mwa-ha-ha villains in dystopian fiction, but this was subtle and intelligent.
This is the first of a trilogy. It has a great finale, and it works as a single book, but Jinx ends in a big, fat mess. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
The characters were fabulous. I loved Jinx. She was special in a very ordinary, accessible way. At home with mum and brother Robin she was a typical teenager with a touch of the worry-wort,but get her in her natural environment and she was magnificent! The other characters were equally well put-together. Bruce, in particular, stood out as a genuine irritant, and the “pirate” attraction between Jinx and Quinn was lovely.
I wasn’t entirely convinced by the first interaction with Quinn and Jinx and the joke he played on her. I thought Jinx should have caught on quicker (and why was all that disgusting stuff available, anyway?!). Overall, if I have a niggle it’s that Jinx was a bit naive. She made me a little impatient – but then that’s easy to say when I’m the reader and I can pick up on all the clues the writer’s scattered through the book. Poor Jinx didn’t have the leisure to do that.
There was a good sense of something bigger going on in the background, which built throughout Recoil. The twist with her father was excellent, and Quinn’s reveal was very clever. There’s often a risk of mwa-ha-ha villains in dystopian fiction, but this was subtle and intelligent.
This is the first of a trilogy. It has a great finale, and it works as a single book, but Jinx ends in a big, fat mess. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!
June 2, 2016
Once again Joanne Macgregor has written a YA novel that effortlessly appeals to a wider audience. The dark, dystopian setting does not overwhelm the characters or the storyline which weave an intriguing trail of love and loss of innocence across the deftly written pages. I can't wait to read the next instalment and love the way in which the protoganist Jinxy, is increasingly forced to challenge her world view and complex relationships whilst kicking butt in her day job as a sniper!
It is clear this series will continue to ask serious questions whilst delivering an entertaining and gripping read and that this writer remains at the top of her game. It is easy to lose yourself in the sinister and all-too-believable world she has created where the line between on-line gaming and reality has finally disappeared. Read it now!
It is clear this series will continue to ask serious questions whilst delivering an entertaining and gripping read and that this writer remains at the top of her game. It is easy to lose yourself in the sinister and all-too-believable world she has created where the line between on-line gaming and reality has finally disappeared. Read it now!
May 28, 2016
A girl training to become the best in a male dominant profession while learning the truth of her virtual confinement just screams entertainment.
The character of Jinx has all the makings of a great protagonist as she questions morality of the academy as well as her heart.
The story is greatly entertaining with every second of the book riveting and not a page goes by that you are not encased in the events and wondering about what comes next!
Can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy!
The character of Jinx has all the makings of a great protagonist as she questions morality of the academy as well as her heart.
The story is greatly entertaining with every second of the book riveting and not a page goes by that you are not encased in the events and wondering about what comes next!
Can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy!
May 13, 2016
Recoil is set in a near-future dystopian America. Terrorists have unleashed genetically modified rats infected with a plague virus on American soil. Millions of citizens have died and for those that remain, their way of life has been irrevocably changed.
We are introduced to Jinxy, the main character. In an America where the risk of being infected by the plague has made social interaction dangerous and people are confined to their homes, Jinxy is a typical teenager. She spends a lot of time playing The Game, an online, virtual-reality experience where players assume different roles in a war against a fictional villain. Turns out that Jinxy is a hell of a good shot and she manages to win The Game. As a reward she and a few other players are treated to a real life simulation where she manages to best a veteran. She is recruited into a government training facility where players of The Game are trained to help in the war against the terrorists. For Jinxy, getting out of the house from her worrying mother is a fantastic opportunity. Until she learns that she is to be a ‘ratter’ and that she will use her sniping skills to lower the plague-rat infestation. Jinxy finds that she has no qualms killing enemies in The Game but that it is much harder to take out a living being, even if it is a plague-rat.
Jinxy is tough, she doesn’t give up and she is determined to succeed. But it is difficult.
“Beneath the tough outer coating of don’t-give-a-shit was a squishy mess of confusion and doubt.”
However, as hard as it is for Jinxy to accept the killing of rats she is soon propelled into missions that take an even greater toll. And what she learns from Quinn, the first real love of her life, shakes her believes and crumbles what she understands about life.
When I started reading Recoil, I had the idea that it was a great mash-up of the Hunger Games and Ender’s Game. But whilst the book darts around that arena to some extent, overall it is a different take on the usual dystopian fare. Some of the concepts, like social engineering, is terrifying and fascinating. In an era where Snowden revealed how much the Government monitors us, some of the concepts hit hard.
One of the aspects I loved about the book is the portrayal of everyday life after the plague has devastated the country. People have decontamination units attached to their homes, the government enforces social interaction in the community and we see people that have adapted to the new way of life in a manner that makes perfect sense.
Joanne carries across her story at a rapid pace. She does not mince words. She does not draw the story out when she does not have to. I also love the imagery such as in this passage:
“All that remained of the mission was a teenager with a gym bag climbing into an unmarked black van. And a red velvet stiletto lying in a rain puddle against an alley wall.”
I have deliberately tried to not give away too much of the book. All I can say is that it ends with me hungry for the second book in the trilogy.
We are introduced to Jinxy, the main character. In an America where the risk of being infected by the plague has made social interaction dangerous and people are confined to their homes, Jinxy is a typical teenager. She spends a lot of time playing The Game, an online, virtual-reality experience where players assume different roles in a war against a fictional villain. Turns out that Jinxy is a hell of a good shot and she manages to win The Game. As a reward she and a few other players are treated to a real life simulation where she manages to best a veteran. She is recruited into a government training facility where players of The Game are trained to help in the war against the terrorists. For Jinxy, getting out of the house from her worrying mother is a fantastic opportunity. Until she learns that she is to be a ‘ratter’ and that she will use her sniping skills to lower the plague-rat infestation. Jinxy finds that she has no qualms killing enemies in The Game but that it is much harder to take out a living being, even if it is a plague-rat.
Jinxy is tough, she doesn’t give up and she is determined to succeed. But it is difficult.
“Beneath the tough outer coating of don’t-give-a-shit was a squishy mess of confusion and doubt.”
However, as hard as it is for Jinxy to accept the killing of rats she is soon propelled into missions that take an even greater toll. And what she learns from Quinn, the first real love of her life, shakes her believes and crumbles what she understands about life.
When I started reading Recoil, I had the idea that it was a great mash-up of the Hunger Games and Ender’s Game. But whilst the book darts around that arena to some extent, overall it is a different take on the usual dystopian fare. Some of the concepts, like social engineering, is terrifying and fascinating. In an era where Snowden revealed how much the Government monitors us, some of the concepts hit hard.
One of the aspects I loved about the book is the portrayal of everyday life after the plague has devastated the country. People have decontamination units attached to their homes, the government enforces social interaction in the community and we see people that have adapted to the new way of life in a manner that makes perfect sense.
Joanne carries across her story at a rapid pace. She does not mince words. She does not draw the story out when she does not have to. I also love the imagery such as in this passage:
“All that remained of the mission was a teenager with a gym bag climbing into an unmarked black van. And a red velvet stiletto lying in a rain puddle against an alley wall.”
I have deliberately tried to not give away too much of the book. All I can say is that it ends with me hungry for the second book in the trilogy.
June 6, 2016
"Recoil" opens when sixteen year old gamer Jinx James wins a simulated sniper game at PlayState's Southern Sector Headquarters and is recruited into a clandestine government organization where teens are trained as operatives in the fight against terrorism. An expert marksman Jinxy believes her role is to shoot mutant rats spreading a toxic virus, but quickly learns that she's been enlisted for a much more sinister and lethal purpose.
Joanne Macgregor brings to life a dystopian society where terrorists unleashed a lethal engineered virus on the U.S. that decimated the population. Spread by mutant rats that continue to infect survivors, fear has spread rapidly forcing people to stay indoors and use respirators and other personal protection equipment outside their homes. Frighteningly real in an atmosphere at the Advanced Specialized Training Academy (ASTA) that's oppressive, grim and uncertain the recruits are closely monitored, have no privacy, their communications censored and exchanges with other trainees outside their program controlled.
Fast-paced and action-packed the story heats up after Jinx is forced to overcome her aversion to killing rats only to be ordered to target people. Intensity and suspense slowly build in an atmosphere where secrets, conspiracy, lies and betrayal thrive only to ignite when Quinn O'Riley reveals a shocking revelation about the new government and its use of ASTA (Advanced Specialized Training Academy) graduates to control the population, whittling down the expendables.
Yet amid all the violence romance blossoms between Jinxy and Quinn, two teens from different walks of life that destiny brought together at the Advanced Skills Training Program. Drawn to the good-looking, charismatic and rebellious intelligence analyst, Jinxy risks losing their relationship until she's forced to face the truth about her role as a sniper and makes a decision between her duty and her loyalty to Quinn.
Joanne Macgregor creates characters that are complex and natural with all their flaws and faults. Sixteen year old Jinx Emma James a skilled gamer yearning for freedom from the over-protectiveness of an obsessive mother after the death of her father is recruited after winning "the Game" to serve her country, using her skills to help free it from terrorists. Cool and detached under stress, determined and stubborn her tender-hearted and sympathetic impulses lead to trouble with her strict, hard and mean instructor, Sarge. Wanting nothing to do with her teammate Bruce who's arrogant and annoying, Jinxy's drawn to the mischievous, humorous but cynical Quinn O'Riley. These unforgettable personalities and others infuse this intoxicating tale with passion, high-energy and drama.
I thoroughly enjoyed "Recoil" a gripping novel from the first chapter to the exciting cliff-hanger at the end. I rate it highly and look forward to reading the sequel.
Joanne Macgregor brings to life a dystopian society where terrorists unleashed a lethal engineered virus on the U.S. that decimated the population. Spread by mutant rats that continue to infect survivors, fear has spread rapidly forcing people to stay indoors and use respirators and other personal protection equipment outside their homes. Frighteningly real in an atmosphere at the Advanced Specialized Training Academy (ASTA) that's oppressive, grim and uncertain the recruits are closely monitored, have no privacy, their communications censored and exchanges with other trainees outside their program controlled.
Fast-paced and action-packed the story heats up after Jinx is forced to overcome her aversion to killing rats only to be ordered to target people. Intensity and suspense slowly build in an atmosphere where secrets, conspiracy, lies and betrayal thrive only to ignite when Quinn O'Riley reveals a shocking revelation about the new government and its use of ASTA (Advanced Specialized Training Academy) graduates to control the population, whittling down the expendables.
Yet amid all the violence romance blossoms between Jinxy and Quinn, two teens from different walks of life that destiny brought together at the Advanced Skills Training Program. Drawn to the good-looking, charismatic and rebellious intelligence analyst, Jinxy risks losing their relationship until she's forced to face the truth about her role as a sniper and makes a decision between her duty and her loyalty to Quinn.
Joanne Macgregor creates characters that are complex and natural with all their flaws and faults. Sixteen year old Jinx Emma James a skilled gamer yearning for freedom from the over-protectiveness of an obsessive mother after the death of her father is recruited after winning "the Game" to serve her country, using her skills to help free it from terrorists. Cool and detached under stress, determined and stubborn her tender-hearted and sympathetic impulses lead to trouble with her strict, hard and mean instructor, Sarge. Wanting nothing to do with her teammate Bruce who's arrogant and annoying, Jinxy's drawn to the mischievous, humorous but cynical Quinn O'Riley. These unforgettable personalities and others infuse this intoxicating tale with passion, high-energy and drama.
I thoroughly enjoyed "Recoil" a gripping novel from the first chapter to the exciting cliff-hanger at the end. I rate it highly and look forward to reading the sequel.
August 25, 2016
Recoil is the first in the Recoil Trilogy and I look forward to reading the next two. This is a dystopian novel featuring a world destroyed by a manufactured disease and the accompanying fear. It's an original book that examines both the physical and psychological devastation of an apocalyptic event. This is a world where humans live more of a virtual life rather than experience true interactions.
Jinx is the female lead. She is addicted to "the game" where she excels as a sniper. She is a smart, but naive teenager. When the opportunity arises to be trained as a real life sniper she jumps at the chance to get out of her house and experience more of life. Quinn is an Intel agent-in-training rebel. They have an instant connection. The cast of characters also include Leya, Bruce, Sarge, Sophia and a host of others. The character development is handled nicely.
This is a story of secrets. Every move is watched, every conversation monitored. Your unit is more important than your family and the only ones who should trust. Jinx and Quinn seem to be an exception until their first secret (their unit specialty) is revealed. From this moment on Quinn's reaction changes my opinion of him. One minute he seems to be a great guy, the next a closed-minded, judgmental jerk. Jinx's character becomes increasingly complex as Quinn's becomes more narrow. She is caring, confused, and conflicted.
This book contains action, conflicts, a touch of romance, suspense, and betrayal. Events occur that change Jinx's and Quinn's paths. It ends on a cliffhanger that made me start the second book immediately.
Jinx is the female lead. She is addicted to "the game" where she excels as a sniper. She is a smart, but naive teenager. When the opportunity arises to be trained as a real life sniper she jumps at the chance to get out of her house and experience more of life. Quinn is an Intel agent-in-training rebel. They have an instant connection. The cast of characters also include Leya, Bruce, Sarge, Sophia and a host of others. The character development is handled nicely.
This is a story of secrets. Every move is watched, every conversation monitored. Your unit is more important than your family and the only ones who should trust. Jinx and Quinn seem to be an exception until their first secret (their unit specialty) is revealed. From this moment on Quinn's reaction changes my opinion of him. One minute he seems to be a great guy, the next a closed-minded, judgmental jerk. Jinx's character becomes increasingly complex as Quinn's becomes more narrow. She is caring, confused, and conflicted.
This book contains action, conflicts, a touch of romance, suspense, and betrayal. Events occur that change Jinx's and Quinn's paths. It ends on a cliffhanger that made me start the second book immediately.
May 24, 2016
I received a free review copy of the new YA dystopian romance novel "Recoil" from the author, Joanne Macgregor. This novel is the first book in what promises to be an exciting trilogy set in the United States. The author seamlessly shines a light on various economic and socio-political issues in this intricately imagined dystopian society. Life for the protagonist Jinxy James, who is confined indoors with her family to protect them from contamination by a horrific deadly virus, is stifling. She finds freedom in the world of online gaming, specifically The Game. Her expert skill at playing The Game leads to her being headhunted by a clandestine organisation to kill mutant plague-infested rats. At this organisation, she meets Quinn O'Riley a boy from the wrong side of the tracks. He is a rebel, who is involved in the intelligence branch of the organization. Their attraction is instantaneous, but fraught. Before she knows it, her world is turned upside down by a difficult choice she is forced to make, thereby endangering everything she holds dear. What will she do?
This novel is a roller coaster ride, filled with unexpected twists and turns. I eagerly await the next instalment in this thrilling trilogy. Highly recommended.
Review by Monica Kagan
This novel is a roller coaster ride, filled with unexpected twists and turns. I eagerly await the next instalment in this thrilling trilogy. Highly recommended.
Review by Monica Kagan
November 2, 2016
*I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*
Recoil is an unpredictable, fast-paced, exhilarating ride. While I have been avoiding dystopia lately, tired of the predictability and lack of originality I am so glad I accepted this ARC from Joanne Macgregor a well-known, talented South African author whose previous books have been amazing. Recoil did not disappoint in fact I was glued to the book as I rushed to the finish trying to pace myself so it would last.
Brilliant world building, characters that you’ll wish were your friends and a fresh, exciting storyline that will glue you to your seat. I really hope we will not have long to wait for the second book in this trilogy which promises to be one of the best YA dystopian I have read.
Full review on my blog
Recoil is an unpredictable, fast-paced, exhilarating ride. While I have been avoiding dystopia lately, tired of the predictability and lack of originality I am so glad I accepted this ARC from Joanne Macgregor a well-known, talented South African author whose previous books have been amazing. Recoil did not disappoint in fact I was glued to the book as I rushed to the finish trying to pace myself so it would last.
Brilliant world building, characters that you’ll wish were your friends and a fresh, exciting storyline that will glue you to your seat. I really hope we will not have long to wait for the second book in this trilogy which promises to be one of the best YA dystopian I have read.
Full review on my blog
May 31, 2016
I did not think I was a fan of dystopia but the Hunger Games and Divergent series hooked me enough to seek other books in this genre. And so Recoil by Joanne Macgregor caught my attention, especially when I realized it was the first in a trilogy. I nearly recoiled at the idea of plaguey mutant rodents and teen snipers, but I'm glad I gave this book a read because it is so much more than rats and games! It is fast moving, well written, and thoroughly entertaining, with a feisty and evolving protagonist, a romance complicated by unexpected twists, a compelling and sometimes discomforting storyline, and a number of societal issues raised which are not too far from the realm of possibility. (Beware the power of big government over a fearful populace!). Reader beware, the ending is a real cliffhanger which leaves you both frustrated and impatient for the next book in the trilogy, Refuse.
July 25, 2016
I bought this ebook when it was on sale because the preview to the second installment sounded like my kind of book.
I was right!
The first chapter had me hooked and Joanne wrote that SO incredibly well that it HOOKS you in and you cannot stop. I was telling everyone about that excellent chapter and scenery.
What I enjoyed most is how believable this book was to me. We DO live in a society controlled by fat-cats and fear.
The characters are awesome. I do love Jinx and she's relatable too. Innocent but smart, sometimes gullible and doesn't notice things - like we all do. Joanne spent time building each character so nicely that I could picture them in my mind well.
Fast paced, filled with action, good amount of love but not too much and written excellently. I'll definitely be keeping my eye on this series!
I was right!
The first chapter had me hooked and Joanne wrote that SO incredibly well that it HOOKS you in and you cannot stop. I was telling everyone about that excellent chapter and scenery.
What I enjoyed most is how believable this book was to me. We DO live in a society controlled by fat-cats and fear.
The characters are awesome. I do love Jinx and she's relatable too. Innocent but smart, sometimes gullible and doesn't notice things - like we all do. Joanne spent time building each character so nicely that I could picture them in my mind well.
Fast paced, filled with action, good amount of love but not too much and written excellently. I'll definitely be keeping my eye on this series!
May 24, 2016
Government conspiracy and biological warfare had me hooked. Set in the 'not so far off future' this adventure follows a exceptional recruit, Jinx and her friends through training and the hardships of first love. Suspense and thick sarcasm had me biting my nails and giggling like a school girl.
I can not wait to get my hands on the follow up books.
I desperately want to know what happens to Jinx after she is caught, if Quinn would save her, leading a band of rebels. I want to know what Lyra is actually doing and if things will boil to a revolution.
Gripping tale of near apocalypse and games gone wrong.
I give Recoil 5 stars.
I can not wait to get my hands on the follow up books.
I desperately want to know what happens to Jinx after she is caught, if Quinn would save her, leading a band of rebels. I want to know what Lyra is actually doing and if things will boil to a revolution.
Gripping tale of near apocalypse and games gone wrong.
I give Recoil 5 stars.
February 2, 2017
This book really gripped me from page one, The characters were interesting, well-imagined and easy to relate to. An action-packed plot that will appeal to anyone interested in dystopian YA fiction. The subject matter is also incredibly relevant to political and social climate we live in today, so well done to the author or weaving this into the story. The twist in the tale makes you glad this is a first in the series, can't wait for part 2!
June 24, 2016
Enders Game meets Divergent. Joanne Macgregor has a knack for writing YA, and this dystopia tale is no different. She weaves together plot and character to form a gripping story that keeps you hooked until the end.
February 6, 2017
Wow what a book!!!! review coming soon!!!
October 14, 2020
I read this book when I was 16 and at that time, I read a lot of books. But this one I remember the best. It's an amazing book, with just the right amount of suspense and mystery.
July 27, 2017
This is by far the best book I have read in a long time. The whole trilogy is just amazing. I hope I can find the words to explain my overwhelmed feelings after reading the series for the last few days.
(Review for the trilogy, so Spoilers for all 3 books here...)
It all starts as a fictional story with a dystopian world. A highly dangerous virus has made the people retreat/confined to their homes, always worried of the outside world and the dangers there. The children are playing The Game, a virtual reality war game and the goverment is ever present with their messages and encouraging people to be good citizens by reporting others.
Jinx, sixteen, loves to play as a sniper and she is top of The Game. She gets invited to the Game's HQ and meets other players and they all get invited to stay and learn to be real snipers – to do good against the plague. While some of the characters have no problem with that, others are questioning it, the most Quinn. He shakes Jinx up, mentally and physically.
I love Jinx, she is witty, humorous and can be ice cool while hurting inside. Just like any teenager finding their way. The dialogues are funny, especially Bruce is really loveable in his own way (especially towards book 3). Joanne Macgregor's writing is so fluent and captivating that I definitely want to check out her other books. Only at the end of chapters I groan, because they end on cliffhangers and make it impossible for me to take a break from reading.
But what captured me most is the story. It all starts so much like fiction, a future sure never will be. Then it describes the goverment's attempt to let the populace have fear of terorists and immigrants, a high wall on the border to Mexico, keeping traveling to a minimum, anti-globalization and focusing inwards to make your country great again combined with surpressing the media, controlling them and it's then when you can't ignore that this is not such a futuristic fiction at all.
At the beginning of the book, you really believe it is about the plague, you worry about the virus and what the heroine has to do to fight and survive. But then, when you realise this thread is way exaggerated, when you loose your fear of the virus, you can focus on the real thead. Exactly what Jinx, Quinn, Bruce, Cameron, Evyan and all the others are doing.
Book 1 is mainly character and relationship building, getting us to know and love Jinx and Quinn, open up our eyes to the world they are in and slowly letting us questioning why it is this way.
Book 2 is a bit of a piggy in the middle. Jinx has to face a bad time before it can get better.
She is with the rebels but realises that their methods aren't any better. Also, Quinn is still convinced that Jinx is a cold blooded killer and it hurts – her and me, the reader.
There are the odd turns in the story which are good for the plot but not for my sense of reasoning. The most annoying was when Jinx gets to the rebel camp and Quinn has to pad her down for weapons or bugs. Which he doesn't really want to do because he is not on friendly terms with her at that point but it brings the heat between them up again, much needed for the story. It would have been more sensible if Evyan had searched her before she even picked her up and brought her to camp!
But I'm more than happy to forgive this and a few more times when things just worked out fine for the heros / the plot instead of being reasonable.
Book 3 is then the final game. We discover the big thing behind the Game (more than once as Neil and Robin at least say this three times about their new discovered hidden codes). And all characters grow up to their best. As mentioned before, even unpleasant or annoying character like Bruce become funny and witty (Evyan, not Bruce).
In the end, all is good, we get the happy end we deserve but there are signs that we all still have to be careful and watchful and that evil money will always find a way... and I was wondering if even the plague might have been homemade...
(Review for the trilogy, so Spoilers for all 3 books here...)
It all starts as a fictional story with a dystopian world. A highly dangerous virus has made the people retreat/confined to their homes, always worried of the outside world and the dangers there. The children are playing The Game, a virtual reality war game and the goverment is ever present with their messages and encouraging people to be good citizens by reporting others.
Jinx, sixteen, loves to play as a sniper and she is top of The Game. She gets invited to the Game's HQ and meets other players and they all get invited to stay and learn to be real snipers – to do good against the plague. While some of the characters have no problem with that, others are questioning it, the most Quinn. He shakes Jinx up, mentally and physically.
I love Jinx, she is witty, humorous and can be ice cool while hurting inside. Just like any teenager finding their way. The dialogues are funny, especially Bruce is really loveable in his own way (especially towards book 3). Joanne Macgregor's writing is so fluent and captivating that I definitely want to check out her other books. Only at the end of chapters I groan, because they end on cliffhangers and make it impossible for me to take a break from reading.
But what captured me most is the story. It all starts so much like fiction, a future sure never will be. Then it describes the goverment's attempt to let the populace have fear of terorists and immigrants, a high wall on the border to Mexico, keeping traveling to a minimum, anti-globalization and focusing inwards to make your country great again combined with surpressing the media, controlling them and it's then when you can't ignore that this is not such a futuristic fiction at all.
At the beginning of the book, you really believe it is about the plague, you worry about the virus and what the heroine has to do to fight and survive. But then, when you realise this thread is way exaggerated, when you loose your fear of the virus, you can focus on the real thead. Exactly what Jinx, Quinn, Bruce, Cameron, Evyan and all the others are doing.
Book 1 is mainly character and relationship building, getting us to know and love Jinx and Quinn, open up our eyes to the world they are in and slowly letting us questioning why it is this way.
Book 2 is a bit of a piggy in the middle. Jinx has to face a bad time before it can get better.
She is with the rebels but realises that their methods aren't any better. Also, Quinn is still convinced that Jinx is a cold blooded killer and it hurts – her and me, the reader.
There are the odd turns in the story which are good for the plot but not for my sense of reasoning. The most annoying was when Jinx gets to the rebel camp and Quinn has to pad her down for weapons or bugs. Which he doesn't really want to do because he is not on friendly terms with her at that point but it brings the heat between them up again, much needed for the story. It would have been more sensible if Evyan had searched her before she even picked her up and brought her to camp!
But I'm more than happy to forgive this and a few more times when things just worked out fine for the heros / the plot instead of being reasonable.
Book 3 is then the final game. We discover the big thing behind the Game (more than once as Neil and Robin at least say this three times about their new discovered hidden codes). And all characters grow up to their best. As mentioned before, even unpleasant or annoying character like Bruce become funny and witty (Evyan, not Bruce).
In the end, all is good, we get the happy end we deserve but there are signs that we all still have to be careful and watchful and that evil money will always find a way... and I was wondering if even the plague might have been homemade...
November 19, 2018
I loved the first book and cannot wait to start the second! You cannot help but make connections to current events while reading. This futuristic, dystopian, post apocalyptic story hooks you and makes it impossible to put down! Starting the next book immediately.
May 13, 2016
Recoil is the most recent work by Joanne Macgregor. It takes place in modern day United States, three years after a terrorist attack used biological chemicals to unleash a plague. The story is very realistic dystopian fiction. It's full of elements that terrorist attacks cause- hyper-awareness of foreign residents, larger defense industry, mass media reporting on threats, politician comments about terrorists.
Jinxy starts out naive, playing a game that eventually leads to recruitment with the military. She takes the words of the media, politicians, and her unit commander Sarge for face value- believes they have the people's best interests at heart. At 16, it makes sense that she would trust those older than her. It isn't until Jinxy meets Quinn that she starts to question her missions, especially when he finds out she is a sniper. Jinxy understands why she needs to shoot the infected rats, but when she is required to shoot other animals, and eventually is given more classified missions, she has a difficult time, trying to reconcile herself and her values with the values of her unit and the military. Macgregor does an excellent job of showing Jinxy's progression from being naive to doubting herself and her missions to taking matters into her own hands, making her own educated decisions.
Quinn is a fascinating character. He is also super hot with an Irish accent (swoon). He does what is required of him, but also has his own secrets that are kept from Jinxy. He helps Jinxy open her eyes and understand that her missions are not what she is being told. There is a strong attraction between them, but her missions separate them- pit on against the other. I will say I had a difficult time with the start of their relationship. It just sort of happens and I couldn't figure out what drew them to each other. But by the end Macgregor had me rooting for their relationship. And the way the book ends, I just need to know what happens next.
There is a quote in the book- "We've repatriated hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, of foreign residents, refugees, and workers. We've insulated ourselves, sealed our boarders against immigrants and imports and competition... And as a nation we've channeled billions into a defense industry that was sitting idle after the last wars fizzled out." It is scary how closely it describes our current country. We have a presidential candidate who wants to build a wall on the US/Mexican boarder to keep illegal immigrants out; we have alienated anyone who looks middle eastern and have grouped all those who practice Islam into the terrorist stereo type. This novel is so realistic I can see something like this possibly happening.
If you enjoy dystopian settings, this is a great start to a fascinating realistic series.
Jinxy starts out naive, playing a game that eventually leads to recruitment with the military. She takes the words of the media, politicians, and her unit commander Sarge for face value- believes they have the people's best interests at heart. At 16, it makes sense that she would trust those older than her. It isn't until Jinxy meets Quinn that she starts to question her missions, especially when he finds out she is a sniper. Jinxy understands why she needs to shoot the infected rats, but when she is required to shoot other animals, and eventually is given more classified missions, she has a difficult time, trying to reconcile herself and her values with the values of her unit and the military. Macgregor does an excellent job of showing Jinxy's progression from being naive to doubting herself and her missions to taking matters into her own hands, making her own educated decisions.
Quinn is a fascinating character. He is also super hot with an Irish accent (swoon). He does what is required of him, but also has his own secrets that are kept from Jinxy. He helps Jinxy open her eyes and understand that her missions are not what she is being told. There is a strong attraction between them, but her missions separate them- pit on against the other. I will say I had a difficult time with the start of their relationship. It just sort of happens and I couldn't figure out what drew them to each other. But by the end Macgregor had me rooting for their relationship. And the way the book ends, I just need to know what happens next.
There is a quote in the book- "We've repatriated hundreds of thousands, perhaps even millions, of foreign residents, refugees, and workers. We've insulated ourselves, sealed our boarders against immigrants and imports and competition... And as a nation we've channeled billions into a defense industry that was sitting idle after the last wars fizzled out." It is scary how closely it describes our current country. We have a presidential candidate who wants to build a wall on the US/Mexican boarder to keep illegal immigrants out; we have alienated anyone who looks middle eastern and have grouped all those who practice Islam into the terrorist stereo type. This novel is so realistic I can see something like this possibly happening.
If you enjoy dystopian settings, this is a great start to a fascinating realistic series.
April 16, 2018
4 starsAt first, I gave this book a solid 3 stars. There were some elements that I found especially annoying. The voice was way to "preachy" for my tastes. The MC was very naive and believed everything the Sarge told her with little question, and then everything Quinn told her with little question too. Her personal dilemma on whether or not to shoot rabids (i.e. zombies) was borderline annoying to me, (but with the number of zombie books/movies/shows I've digested I'd have no problem pulling the trigger). She was supposed to be some hardcore sniper, but mostly she just moped around about her love life and her conscience. So...why did I change my rating from 3 stars to 4 stars? The story wouldn't let me go. I stayed awake last night, after finishing the book, thinking about the story and how it would develop in the next book. So, in other words, regardless of the small things that annoyed me, I pre-ordered the next book in the series. The plot wouldn't let me go. For me, that is what makes an average book (3 stars) into a good book (4 stars).EDIT:I have reread the trilogy a few times now, and there was something I wish I had known going into it. Some of you might find this a bit spoilery, so be warned. Anyway, those are just a couple things I saw while reading that I wish I had known beforehand. Enjoy the book!
June 10, 2016
This book does a really good job of reminding me why I try to stay away from uncompleted series. The problem with reading the first book of a planned trilogy before the rest is available for reading means you end up with unanswered questions, and when it's written well wanting more.
Yes, dystopian future, young hero who learns the truth aren't exactly new story elements, but the way it is used here - with Joanne Macgregor making use of show don't tell fairly well, makes the story stay with you. While reading, I didn't just picture it all, but felt it. There were some moments where using the first person narrative really paid off. Others, where as a reader you're left frustrated.
I really, really want to know more about Quinn, how Lea got involved and how come Bruce just could not take a hint. Some characters are well fleshed out, others not quite as much. But given that this is a planned trilogy it stands to reason that we won't get all the juicy bits at the get go.
I give this a solid 3.5 stars.
Yes, dystopian future, young hero who learns the truth aren't exactly new story elements, but the way it is used here - with Joanne Macgregor making use of show don't tell fairly well, makes the story stay with you. While reading, I didn't just picture it all, but felt it. There were some moments where using the first person narrative really paid off. Others, where as a reader you're left frustrated.
I really, really want to know more about Quinn, how Lea got involved and how come Bruce just could not take a hint. Some characters are well fleshed out, others not quite as much. But given that this is a planned trilogy it stands to reason that we won't get all the juicy bits at the get go.
I give this a solid 3.5 stars.
August 9, 2016
Set in a future America, this young adult fiction novel has all the elements of a great series opener. It is the story of an ordinary girl from an ordinary family who, because of her skill in gaming, gets offered a position in an elite team of snipers. It took me a little while to get into the story because the genre is so different from what I’m used to… the kind of games young people play are nothing like what I played thirty-odd years ago! Nevertheless, as the characters and the plot developed, I was drawn into the story more and more. What particularly impressed me about it was the psychological dimension; what the characters had to go through in terms of ethical decision-making and how they battled to form strong relationships against the backdrop of different perspectives on the same problem. The author clearly understands the importance of foreshadowing and this leads up to a satisfying crescendo.
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