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Unity
Euphemia Williams, known to her few friends as Effie, and everyone else as Eff-Bomb, will punch you for looking at her funny, for using her full name or for noticing that she’s a genius. But when an elite global entity known as Unity takes note of her intelligence and offers her a chance to escape the hum-drum life of a foster-child, she signs up. At best, she expects her time abroad to be a vacation. At worst, an actual challenge. But what she finds, upon being swept up in a futuristic transport, is far, far worse. En route to a secret location in the Pacific, a meteor punches through the atmosphere triggering an electromagnetic pulse that sends the transport plummeting to the ocean. While fighting to escape the crash and climb onto an island beach, the meteor slams into the sea. A tsunami races across the island, pursuing Effie and her fellow survivors deeper into the volcanic island’s lush jungle. Beaten, terrified and abandoned, the small group discovers that they are not alone on the island. The locals are ruthless and well-trained. With the survivors looking to her for leadership, Effie struggles—and fails—to keep everyone alive as they fight for survival. Along the way, Effie uncovers a series of shocking the parents she never knew were part of the island’s strange history, which includes massive robots known as Shugoten, and the meteor that sent them careening into the ocean, wasn’t a meteor at all. The daikaiju have arrived—and one of them is headed her way. Jeremy Robinson, creator of the ‘Kaiju Thriller’ genre, and international bestselling author of the Project Nemesis novel and comic book series, launches this new series combining the behind-enemy-lines themes of Red Dawn with the high-tech monster-fighting robots of Robotech, infusing it with his frenetic pacing and character driven plots.
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 26, 2016
169 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Robinson
158 books2,562 followersJeremy Robinson is the New York Times bestselling author of seventy novels and novellas, including Apocalypse Machine, Island 731, and SecondWorld, as well as the Jack Sigler thriller series and Project Nemesis, the highest selling, original (non-licensed) kaiju novel of all time. He’s known for mixing elements of science, history and mythology, which has earned him the #1 spot in Science Fiction and Action-Adventure, and secured him as the top creature feature author. Many of his novels have been adapted into comic books, optioned for film and TV, and translated into thirteen languages. He lives in New Hampshire with his wife and three children. Visit him at www.bewareofmonsters.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
August 18, 2024
Another winner from an author who, in my opinion, can do no wrong.
Fast, action-filled, likeable characters, a good ending with plenty of room for the sequels yet still satisfying.
Fast, action-filled, likeable characters, a good ending with plenty of room for the sequels yet still satisfying.
August 6, 2020
This was a fun romp through the jungle. The story could have been more of a tight narrative, but then all the shiny fun would have to be left on the cutting room floor. Perfect brain popcorn for when you just got off a heavy read or life demands too much concentration from you.
I do want to talk about the cover, though. Normally I don't care, but come on! She is like 16 in the book. Does that look like a teenager on the cover? I know the saying is “Don't judge the book by the cover” but I almost didn't pick it up because of the cover. How many readers decided the opposite and skipped it?
I do want to talk about the cover, though. Normally I don't care, but come on! She is like 16 in the book. Does that look like a teenager on the cover? I know the saying is “Don't judge the book by the cover” but I almost didn't pick it up because of the cover. How many readers decided the opposite and skipped it?
July 26, 2016
Jeremy Robinson has been a long time must-read for me, and this book was no exception. I would class it as more of a "new adult" read, but that is in no way meant to indicate that it isn't a fantastic read for adults, as, while the main characters are all young (teens, etc), the action and language is all definitely "adult". Like all of Mr Robinson's books, the action is fast-paced and intense, the story intriguing and leaving you guessing, and the dialogue is guaranteed to elicit many grins, if not laugh out loud moments. Definitely read this book!
April 5, 2017
Really enjoyed this. Must have a sequel!
March 15, 2018
Exhausting
Okay...I liked this concept...it just took soooo long for the Kaiju to show up and there are so many questions not answered. Why kids? I just didn't get this book. And the ending...talking bout against all odds. I gave this book four stars cause the language was bout as clean as I've seen in a J. Rob book, so kudos for that. A decent enough read, except the characters were rather underdeveloped and I did so hate the ending. At least it was rather fast paced. Nuff said.
Okay...I liked this concept...it just took soooo long for the Kaiju to show up and there are so many questions not answered. Why kids? I just didn't get this book. And the ending...talking bout against all odds. I gave this book four stars cause the language was bout as clean as I've seen in a J. Rob book, so kudos for that. A decent enough read, except the characters were rather underdeveloped and I did so hate the ending. At least it was rather fast paced. Nuff said.
August 31, 2016
Unity.............wow, wow, wow. That's all I'm saying.
February 4, 2018
Read this review (and others) at: https://literatureislife.com/2018/02/...
Unity is one of author Jeremy Robinson’s first “new” books. For those who are new to his work, most of his previous books take place in a multi-verse (think Marvel comics or Stephen King’s works) and they were all more or less wrapped up in one last adventure in Project Legion. So, Unity kicks things off fresh-ish (more on the “-ish” later). Going in to Unity, I was unaware that it was a YA book and that did throw me a little. Robinson’s previous kaiju books, the Nemesis saga, were not YA oriented so the same was expected here. In no way did that diminish Unity, it was just one of those “oh, okay” moments.
Being a YA book centered around a kickass girl, Unity cannot help but make my brain go to Hunger Games. Effie was fantastic as a central protagonist. She has something of a bad attitude and life has not been easy on her, but at the core of things she is a good person. Her friends manage to remain interesting throughout as the team is built up over the story. The villains are also interesting, though suffering from a bit of generic bad guy syndrome.
This book (and probably it’s sequels) do differ from the Nemesis Saga in one major way, the robots. Nemesis focused mostly on the monsters, not introducing a giant mecha until the 4th book (out of five). In this story, there are no good/allied monsters. All the monsters are the bad guys. This time around humanity uses giant robots to fight back (think Pacific Rim). I say this time around because the characters do mention Nemesis at one point. In the same breath they also name a few fictional kaiju, so it is a little unclear whether this is at some point in the future after the Nemesis Saga or if the character speaking that line just read the Nemesis book. Maybe that will be touched on a bit more in a sequel.
Nothing that Robinson does in Unity can really be described as new. Most of it was already done in his previous books. Giant monsters, giant robots, teenagers saving the world…come to think of it, this was basically the Nemesis saga mixed with Power Rangers. Do not get the wrong impression; Unity is not a knock-off of Power Rangers, Voltron, Ultraman, etc. Jeremy Robinson is certainly recycling old plot elements, but he is using them to make something new. Something new and entertaining. Even though the ideas here are standing on the shoulders of giants, it is still very much Robinson’s own thing.
Unity is one of author Jeremy Robinson’s first “new” books. For those who are new to his work, most of his previous books take place in a multi-verse (think Marvel comics or Stephen King’s works) and they were all more or less wrapped up in one last adventure in Project Legion. So, Unity kicks things off fresh-ish (more on the “-ish” later). Going in to Unity, I was unaware that it was a YA book and that did throw me a little. Robinson’s previous kaiju books, the Nemesis saga, were not YA oriented so the same was expected here. In no way did that diminish Unity, it was just one of those “oh, okay” moments.
Being a YA book centered around a kickass girl, Unity cannot help but make my brain go to Hunger Games. Effie was fantastic as a central protagonist. She has something of a bad attitude and life has not been easy on her, but at the core of things she is a good person. Her friends manage to remain interesting throughout as the team is built up over the story. The villains are also interesting, though suffering from a bit of generic bad guy syndrome.
This book (and probably it’s sequels) do differ from the Nemesis Saga in one major way, the robots. Nemesis focused mostly on the monsters, not introducing a giant mecha until the 4th book (out of five). In this story, there are no good/allied monsters. All the monsters are the bad guys. This time around humanity uses giant robots to fight back (think Pacific Rim). I say this time around because the characters do mention Nemesis at one point. In the same breath they also name a few fictional kaiju, so it is a little unclear whether this is at some point in the future after the Nemesis Saga or if the character speaking that line just read the Nemesis book. Maybe that will be touched on a bit more in a sequel.
Nothing that Robinson does in Unity can really be described as new. Most of it was already done in his previous books. Giant monsters, giant robots, teenagers saving the world…come to think of it, this was basically the Nemesis saga mixed with Power Rangers. Do not get the wrong impression; Unity is not a knock-off of Power Rangers, Voltron, Ultraman, etc. Jeremy Robinson is certainly recycling old plot elements, but he is using them to make something new. Something new and entertaining. Even though the ideas here are standing on the shoulders of giants, it is still very much Robinson’s own thing.
February 6, 2024
I picked up this book because I enjoy reading stories involving kaiju and while this one has kaiju in it, they really only become a factor very late in the story. The main plot is about a young teenager who, together with a whole lot of other teens, is being shipped to a remote island by an organization called Unity. On the way, an EMP knocks out their drone shuttles and they crash in the ocean. Some of the children manage to get to that remote island they were going to—an island where for some time, adult members of the militaristic program they are being inducted into have been in open rebellion on the island killing people that visit—including a bunch of other kids. That is so remarkable that I kept thinking I must have misunderstood, but no, these mad men have been killing people for a while, and the company still sent the kids there anyway without any warning of the homicidal maniacs present or any real training to survive this sort of encounter. It doesn't make sense to me now and it didn't when I read it. If that bit of information had come out in the first third of the novel, I would have stopped reading. But it came out toward the end so I persevered and finished the book.
There are good points. The heroine is likeable and had messed up parents the reader hopes aren't the monsters they appear to be. (We don't find out in this book.) There is a lot of action and a lot of angst (which I found realistic) about the necessity to kill in self-defense. The fight with the kaiju, when it comes, was a lot of fun.
But it's really hard to get past those rogue people and in my opinion it was totally unnecessary. The novel didn't need rogue maniacs killing people. There's a whole world under attack. There were better ways to generate tension and justify some action.
There are good points. The heroine is likeable and had messed up parents the reader hopes aren't the monsters they appear to be. (We don't find out in this book.) There is a lot of action and a lot of angst (which I found realistic) about the necessity to kill in self-defense. The fight with the kaiju, when it comes, was a lot of fun.
But it's really hard to get past those rogue people and in my opinion it was totally unnecessary. The novel didn't need rogue maniacs killing people. There's a whole world under attack. There were better ways to generate tension and justify some action.
June 20, 2017
I have read Jeremy's Project Nemesis saga and I loved it. This however, I did enjoy greatly, but it didn't stick like it did with Nemesis.
Effie is a great character. True the book is similar to the Hunger Games, but here is where I say the differences:
-The world building it better paced than the Hunger Games in my opinion because I was able to go further into the book compared to Hunger Games where it had too big of an info dump in the first four chapters.
-Effie is much more enjoyable than Katniss. (However, Hudson I like better because of his sarcasm.)
I did like how he tied Nemesis in with this world as it is set in the not so distant future.
The side characters are okay, though I couldn't picture them that well. The descriptions are okay, but if he could have repeated it, I would have better imagery.
The villain, the daikaiju I kind of felt uninteresting to be honest. I wish it was put in earlier in the story.
All in all, it was good.
Effie is a great character. True the book is similar to the Hunger Games, but here is where I say the differences:
-The world building it better paced than the Hunger Games in my opinion because I was able to go further into the book compared to Hunger Games where it had too big of an info dump in the first four chapters.
-Effie is much more enjoyable than Katniss. (However, Hudson I like better because of his sarcasm.)
I did like how he tied Nemesis in with this world as it is set in the not so distant future.
The side characters are okay, though I couldn't picture them that well. The descriptions are okay, but if he could have repeated it, I would have better imagery.
The villain, the daikaiju I kind of felt uninteresting to be honest. I wish it was put in earlier in the story.
All in all, it was good.
October 14, 2020
I am surprised how much I liked it
I have been a big Robinson fan for a long while but have avoided the kaiju novels (mistakenly) thinking that I wouldn't like them. I generally don't like graphic novels and monster movies so I figured these were similar. I shouldn't have underestimated him. He is, after all, an awesome author.
This book contains all the things one would expect from a great author of this type: interesting, complex characters that evolve through the book, a multilayered plot, just enough science to be plausible and the perfect balance between being descriptive enough without dragging. I downloaded this book quite awhile before I finally began reading it and honestly didn't realize it was one of his kaiju books until quite a ways in.
I should have given these type books a chance earlier. It was quite enjoyable. So I definitely recommend getting this ( or any Robinson/ Bates books) . Well worth the read! Enjoy!
I have been a big Robinson fan for a long while but have avoided the kaiju novels (mistakenly) thinking that I wouldn't like them. I generally don't like graphic novels and monster movies so I figured these were similar. I shouldn't have underestimated him. He is, after all, an awesome author.
This book contains all the things one would expect from a great author of this type: interesting, complex characters that evolve through the book, a multilayered plot, just enough science to be plausible and the perfect balance between being descriptive enough without dragging. I downloaded this book quite awhile before I finally began reading it and honestly didn't realize it was one of his kaiju books until quite a ways in.
I should have given these type books a chance earlier. It was quite enjoyable. So I definitely recommend getting this ( or any Robinson/ Bates books) . Well worth the read! Enjoy!
July 8, 2024
It was an enjoyable read, a little slow in some parts, then things speed up, the parts we were waiting for arrive (the mechs), and then it ends with no real ending. It was very disappointing. The ending seems set up for a sequel, but it doesn't look like that has happened since the book is quite a few years old now, and Robinson has moved on to other things. I like most of Robinsons books, but this was a let down with the ending and the pace it took to get to what's featured on the cover. It leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Even the ones the character is wondering about at the very start of the book are still a mystery to us and the character by the end
Was thinking it would be a 3/5 star due to the ending, but since it was an enjoyable read, I don't feel like I could knock it down below a 4/5.
Was thinking it would be a 3/5 star due to the ending, but since it was an enjoyable read, I don't feel like I could knock it down below a 4/5.
May 24, 2018
Like the other books I've read by Jeremy Robinson, They are short about 8 hours long and I listen to the audiobooks while I do my freelance work. I have a lot of fun with his books. He tells a compelling Kaiju Story. Yet, this book is more about the characters than the monsters (DieKaiju) or the Giant Robots. Unlike the monsters movies of old where the Human parts are borning, Here you really feel for the people. It is, in my opinion, a little light on the Kaiju vs Robots action, BUT it's is a great start to a series, if it does become a series. hope it does. I've "read" it as an audiobook Julia Farmer is a great narrator of the story. I do enjoy his Nemesis books, so for me, it was nice to reach out and read his other books, give it try.
February 24, 2024
3.5 stars after my second reading.
This is a young adult novel with shades of starship troopers with kaizu's here on earth which made it a rollicking adventure.
I got introduced to Jeremy's books during the early Covid lockdowns and have enjoyed almost every one of his books. This story falls short a little considering the high expectations that I have from his books. Maybe the YA tag made it a little off.
The story is good, pace robust and action kickass. Most of the ingredients come together in this sparkling tale with a teenage hero fighting for survival.
Rereading was also reasonably enjoyable.
This is a young adult novel with shades of starship troopers with kaizu's here on earth which made it a rollicking adventure.
I got introduced to Jeremy's books during the early Covid lockdowns and have enjoyed almost every one of his books. This story falls short a little considering the high expectations that I have from his books. Maybe the YA tag made it a little off.
The story is good, pace robust and action kickass. Most of the ingredients come together in this sparkling tale with a teenage hero fighting for survival.
Rereading was also reasonably enjoyable.
May 7, 2017
Though well suited for a young adult audience, the book makes for a thrilling experience for readers of all ages. Action, intrigue, a mystery that kept me guessing right through the last chapter... it really had it all. Then add gigantic rampaging monsters, robo-mech weapon suites, and tons of futuristic tech? What's not to love? My only regret was not finding another book in the series immediately available. I can't wait to read what happens next.
April 6, 2018
Effie is pulled out of her comfort zone and makes new relationships as well as finding out more about herself. I like that she learns to lean on people instead of depending on herself. I admire that she was able to open herself up to strangers that will soon be her friends maybe even family. Even though she is in a situation that would terrify any person, she was able to step up and take charge which lead to her group's success.
May 1, 2018
Great read, hoping for a sequel
Imagine being young and dropped into a deserted island while monsters are about to attack the world. Thats the idea of this book which I do hope will be followed by a sequel. Kids working together, fighting their emotions might sound like a regilar lord of the flies reip off, but Jeremy Robinson managed to avoid that trap and built a great story with entertaining and realistic characters.
Imagine being young and dropped into a deserted island while monsters are about to attack the world. Thats the idea of this book which I do hope will be followed by a sequel. Kids working together, fighting their emotions might sound like a regilar lord of the flies reip off, but Jeremy Robinson managed to avoid that trap and built a great story with entertaining and realistic characters.
January 23, 2020
Another fun entry in Jeremy Robinson's Universe of Kaiju and aliens. You'll enjoy it if you've read his other work the only downside is that it takes a long time to get to the monster fighting. It also feels like the story takes a while to get started even with it's many action sequences. The dynamic between the characters was interesting though I also feel that they each fall into their given role or Base, Support, and Point too easily.
November 3, 2020
Invasion...
Some people always thought that we are the only intelligent species in the Galaxy. So what happens when we find out we are not. We unite as a people and try to stop it. But then the aliens invade sooner than we thought. Now its up to a group of teens to figure out how to save the day. Effie is a girl that had a rough childhood and now it looks like its gonna get worse.
Some people always thought that we are the only intelligent species in the Galaxy. So what happens when we find out we are not. We unite as a people and try to stop it. But then the aliens invade sooner than we thought. Now its up to a group of teens to figure out how to save the day. Effie is a girl that had a rough childhood and now it looks like its gonna get worse.
February 16, 2023
Meh, definitely not my favorite Jeremy Robinson book. It felt a little Hunger Games-ish for me. Then extremely shifted gears, and just felt like two separate, unrelated books. The emotions felt like they were supposed to be strong, but had little background to them.
Of course the big battle at the end was fun! That's making my 3 star score really a 3.5, but I don't want to go as far as a 4 star. Oh, and the narrator was good. I'd listen to her again!
Of course the big battle at the end was fun! That's making my 3 star score really a 3.5, but I don't want to go as far as a 4 star. Oh, and the narrator was good. I'd listen to her again!
April 15, 2018
action, adventure, giant robot/mech/kaiju things: check! Super teen strike force vs. selfish grownups: check! Really a fun read. Author knows how to move things along. Unafraid to kill sympathetic characters. You might say it's Pacific Rim with teens but maybe it is. Still more fun and less cynical.
October 30, 2020
Another great book by Jeremy Robinson. His books all have interesting and griping topics and while this one didn't really have a "oh wow" moment like "The Didymus Contingency" had, but still engaging. The characters were well put together, the plot kept moving fluidly, and it was a nice mesh of futuristic and present day. It did have a "Lord of the Flies" feel (it's even mentioned in the book).
February 7, 2024
Hope we get more someday!
This was such a great story! Great pacing and character development. Jeremy Robinson sure knows how to weave a story and he keeps you wanting more. This is my first listen to Julia Farmer but she is in my top list of narrators now. I will definitely be looking for more read by her. I hope someday we’ll be able to come back to this world and characters.
This was such a great story! Great pacing and character development. Jeremy Robinson sure knows how to weave a story and he keeps you wanting more. This is my first listen to Julia Farmer but she is in my top list of narrators now. I will definitely be looking for more read by her. I hope someday we’ll be able to come back to this world and characters.
March 11, 2017
Jeremy Robinson has a ridiculous output of novels, all tightly plotted with cinematic action sequences between larger-than-life villains (the side characters are a little neglected, but well.) An enjoyable read for the mind in search of light entertaining thriller.
May 22, 2017
One of the best
This is one of the best books related to things like this that I have read in a long time.
Nice story, but it could focus a little bit more on Effie's patents.
Other than that it really is a great book and are looking forward to more books like it in the future.
This is one of the best books related to things like this that I have read in a long time.
Nice story, but it could focus a little bit more on Effie's patents.
Other than that it really is a great book and are looking forward to more books like it in the future.
August 7, 2021
Not my type of genre to read but wow! Cleverly written and thought out. Above average mentally wise children take on an alien invasion. But the road to that point is hair raising to say the least. Thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
February 5, 2024
It was fine. I wish I could write more. I prefer the books that land in Jeremy Robinson's other universe. I was somewhat intrigued in the beginning, but it failed to whole my full attention through to the final pages.
February 22, 2024
I managed to get this book on a daily deal through Audible and I'd been saving it for awhile. But today I decided that it was high time to give this a listen. Jeremy Robinson is one of those writers who can jump right into the story without needing to make any elaborate world building, all we need to know is that it's our near earth future. The rest we can figure out as the story unfolds. And I found myself totally in love with the MC, Effie, you see she is trying to stop using the F-bomb, and the nickname stuck! And man so much happens in this book starting with a small group of kids and teens, and the plane they're in crash lands on a deserted island which totally gives off a dark Lord of the Flies vibe and then they launch themselves straight into fighting kaiju off the shores. To find out how everything boils down just grab this action-driven novel that only Jeremy Robinson could write! What an emotional filled novel! I'm so glad I found this book!
Ohhhh and I thought Julia Farmer's narration was great too!
Ohhhh and I thought Julia Farmer's narration was great too!
February 27, 2024
A fun and engaging mech vs kaiju story. The story contains a lot of in depth character building and some fast and hard hitting battles. I enjoyed the story thoroughly and would recommend it to any fan of science fiction or kaiju stories.
June 12, 2017
I normally like Robinson's books but this was just Pacific Rim crossed with Hunger Games and Ender's Game. Very derivative and unoriginal.
October 29, 2017
Jeremy Robinson is one of my favorite authors. This book does not disappoint. I can’t wait to start on the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews