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WW2
Live in Infamy
Return to the world of The Only Thing to Fear!
In the eighty years since the Axis powers won World War II with their genetically engineered super soldiers, America has changed drastically in the hands of the unforgiving victors. But there are still those who aspire to what the country used to stand for: freedom for all.
In the Western American Territories, Chinese American Ren Cabot has lost nearly everything to Imperial Japan's rule. After the public execution of his mom for treason five years ago, Ren lives under constant scrutiny of the Empire, afraid that one wrong step will rip apart what remains of his family for good. However, when a chance encounter with a resistance group offers Ren an opportunity to save lives and quite possibly topple the government, he agrees to their deadly plot. But his role will lead him straight into the heart of enemy, and if caught, death would be a much better fate than what the Empire will do to him . . .
In the eighty years since the Axis powers won World War II with their genetically engineered super soldiers, America has changed drastically in the hands of the unforgiving victors. But there are still those who aspire to what the country used to stand for: freedom for all.
In the Western American Territories, Chinese American Ren Cabot has lost nearly everything to Imperial Japan's rule. After the public execution of his mom for treason five years ago, Ren lives under constant scrutiny of the Empire, afraid that one wrong step will rip apart what remains of his family for good. However, when a chance encounter with a resistance group offers Ren an opportunity to save lives and quite possibly topple the government, he agrees to their deadly plot. But his role will lead him straight into the heart of enemy, and if caught, death would be a much better fate than what the Empire will do to him . . .
304 pages, Hardcover
First published March 27, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
March 28, 2018
I could not bring myself to finish this book.
I was so excited for the premise of this book. A "what-if" alternate history where Japan controlled the western half of the United States after defeating the US in World War II sounded fresh and original. Unfortunately, this book isn't really alternate history at all. I was expecting competing ideologies and a look at how 80 years of exposure to Japanese ideals might change America. I was hoping to see a broader look at the rest of the world if Japan and Germany were the world's leading countries. This book might use the premise of alternate history, but it's nearly pure fantasy and science fiction. Super-Soldiers (like X-Men or Avengers) keep the Japanese controlled Western American Territories in order and boil people's blood with a touch of a finger. I couldn't buy into this. Also, the leaders of the resistance movements in both the West and the East are sixteen year-olds with no adult council or mentorship to be found. I'm all about young adult literature starring young adults, but I just didn't find this premise, along with the superpowered soldiers to be believable in an alternate history. If this book was pure fantasy in another world that didn't try to masquerade as originating from our own world, I might have felt a little better about this book and tried to finish it.
As it stands, it's just not for me.
I'll keep it in my classroom library. I have students that might like it. I do approve of the biracial characters who step up and do what has to be done. The book isn't without at least some merit. I only wish it had stuck to the plot it promised and gone down in cliches or tried to tackle so many genres.
I was so excited for the premise of this book. A "what-if" alternate history where Japan controlled the western half of the United States after defeating the US in World War II sounded fresh and original. Unfortunately, this book isn't really alternate history at all. I was expecting competing ideologies and a look at how 80 years of exposure to Japanese ideals might change America. I was hoping to see a broader look at the rest of the world if Japan and Germany were the world's leading countries. This book might use the premise of alternate history, but it's nearly pure fantasy and science fiction. Super-Soldiers (like X-Men or Avengers) keep the Japanese controlled Western American Territories in order and boil people's blood with a touch of a finger. I couldn't buy into this. Also, the leaders of the resistance movements in both the West and the East are sixteen year-olds with no adult council or mentorship to be found. I'm all about young adult literature starring young adults, but I just didn't find this premise, along with the superpowered soldiers to be believable in an alternate history. If this book was pure fantasy in another world that didn't try to masquerade as originating from our own world, I might have felt a little better about this book and tried to finish it.
As it stands, it's just not for me.
I'll keep it in my classroom library. I have students that might like it. I do approve of the biracial characters who step up and do what has to be done. The book isn't without at least some merit. I only wish it had stuck to the plot it promised and gone down in cliches or tried to tackle so many genres.
November 9, 2018
I think this was an amazing book about a different outcome of WWII and the axis powers won the war. I enjoyed how the setting was placed around modern day. I also liked that they had created a revolt against the axis powers and made up special abilities for specific people. These specific people had to take a dangerous drug or were born with it. I liked the amount of action and the lead up to climax. Ren had to persevere through many downs he had to face.
April 19, 2018
In Live in Infamy, Richardson imagines a world in which the Allies were defeated in World War II and the United States has been overtaken by the Axis Powers. Ren Cabot has grown up in the Western American Territories which is under Japanese control. Ren’s mother was executed as a traitor when she was caught publishing an illegal newspaper in support of the Resistance. Since then Ren’s father has tried to protect himself and his son by keeping his heads down and following the rules, but Ren has a secret. Unbeknownst to Mr. Cabot and the rest of the world, Ren is following in his mother’s footsteps writing essays critical of the government under the pseudonym The Viper. Ren isn’t the only one keeping secrets, his father has been pulled into a Resistance plot in which he will infiltrate Fort Tomogashima by using his skills as a tailor to get a job there. At the last minute Mr. Cabot is injured and it is up to Ren to take his place.
It’s just so hard to buy into a world in which the United States is the underdog, conquered and subjugated by other countries, the bullied instead of the bully. Do Italians really want to take possession of North Dakota? It seems like a stretch. The world building wasn’t strong enough to for me to accept the premise. Also thrown into the mix of this alternate America are the superhuman Ronin Elite who have a variety of X-Men like powers like flying or mind control or making someone’s blood boil with the touch of a finger.
Ren’s entry into the Resistance through his cousin Marty begins with a giant info dump and ends with Ren agreeing to be an important player in a plot to kidnap the Japanese princess and free Resistance members who have been imprisoned in Alcatraz. (Oh, and by the way, Ren’s mom might be one of them. It’s possible she didn’t die when she was executed). It all just happens way too quickly to be realistic. I did not find Ren to be likable or sympathetic. Even though Ren is new to the mission, he still always thinks he knows best, which got really annoying throughout the course of the book. The reader is told that Ren aka The Viper is an amazing writer following in his mom’s footsteps, but I was not that wowed by his writing. To be fair, this is not surprising since formal education ends at 5th grade. Overall, the world building was underwhelming and the characterization was weak. Optional purchase for large collections with high demand for alternate history.
It’s just so hard to buy into a world in which the United States is the underdog, conquered and subjugated by other countries, the bullied instead of the bully. Do Italians really want to take possession of North Dakota? It seems like a stretch. The world building wasn’t strong enough to for me to accept the premise. Also thrown into the mix of this alternate America are the superhuman Ronin Elite who have a variety of X-Men like powers like flying or mind control or making someone’s blood boil with the touch of a finger.
Ren’s entry into the Resistance through his cousin Marty begins with a giant info dump and ends with Ren agreeing to be an important player in a plot to kidnap the Japanese princess and free Resistance members who have been imprisoned in Alcatraz. (Oh, and by the way, Ren’s mom might be one of them. It’s possible she didn’t die when she was executed). It all just happens way too quickly to be realistic. I did not find Ren to be likable or sympathetic. Even though Ren is new to the mission, he still always thinks he knows best, which got really annoying throughout the course of the book. The reader is told that Ren aka The Viper is an amazing writer following in his mom’s footsteps, but I was not that wowed by his writing. To be fair, this is not surprising since formal education ends at 5th grade. Overall, the world building was underwhelming and the characterization was weak. Optional purchase for large collections with high demand for alternate history.
April 17, 2025
I hate the one that says it
but this is just fucking terrible. It has such a cool concept, but it just falls short and has too many plot holes and it didn't even do research about world war II. truly, there is no research about world war II. there's like barely any.
it pisses me off
but this is just fucking terrible. It has such a cool concept, but it just falls short and has too many plot holes and it didn't even do research about world war II. truly, there is no research about world war II. there's like barely any.
it pisses me off
April 10, 2018
Live in Infamy continues the alternative history begun in The Only Thing to Fear. The premise of both books is simple - it's 80 years after the Allies have lost WWII, and the Axis powers have divided up the United States into three territories - the Eastern American Territory (EAT) ruled by the Nazis, the Western American Territory (WAT) ruled by Imperial Japan, and the Italian Dakotas. And like all oppressive regimes, there is a resistance movement seeking to thwart and overthrow them. The Only Thing to Fear focused on the Eastern American Territory and resistance leader Zara St. James, who is also an Anomaly.
In Live in Infamy, Richmond takes the reader to the Western American Territory (WAT). where they meet Ren Cabot, a 16 year-old Chinese American whose Chinese mother was in the resistance and executed five years earlier. Since then, Ren and his father have worked together in the family's tailoring and cobbling business. A resistance movement still exists in the WAT but now essays by someone known only as the Viper are circulating and causing unrest among the people, and especially ruling Crown Prince Katsura, who wants nothing more than the catch the Viper. And no one suspects that Ren is the Viper, including his father, Paul Cabot, and cousin Marty.
Paul Cabot has recently been summoned to Fort Tomogashima, also called the Fortress, to help with sewing uniforms for an upcoming Joint Prosperity Ball. But one night, Marty brings him home with a badly injured hand, and Ren discovers they are both in the resistance. It is decided that Ren will take his father's place in the Fortress, where two other resistance members are already embedded.
Once inside the Fortress, the plan is to kidnap the Crown Prince's daughter, Aiko, during the ball, and take her to Alcatraz. Marty has intel that there are prisoners being held there, and when Ren learns his mother might be one of them, the mission becomes personal. But it is more than just about rescuing prisoners. Alcatraz is also being used as a laboratory for experiments with Anomalies.
Before the war, the Nazis had been involved in genetic testing in their concentration camps. The result was super soldiers called Anomalies, each of whom has a particular super human ability. Used by both the EAT and the WAT, the number of Anomalies has been dwindling quickly, and need to be replaced. More testing has resulted in a genetic breakthrough called V2, a joint effort of the Empire and the Nazis. The Joint Properity Ball is a chance to deliver V2 to Alcatraz while everyone's attention of focused elsewhere. But the resistance also really wants that V2 and the fifteen remaining Anomalies in Alcatraz.
At the Fortress, Ren also discovers that the Viper's essay's against the Empire are a focus of the Crown Prince's anger, so much so that he is willing to, and does, execute anyone caught with a copy of an essay - and copies are circulating widely. Marty and the resistance have come up with a wild, convoluted plan, but if the mission fails, Ren's cover could easily be blown.
Live in Infamy is not just a dramatic companion to The Only Thing to Fear, it is also a worthy one, and I think Richmond has really honed her writing chops for this second novel. She has included just enough twists and turns to make the story interesting, exciting, and suspenseful but not so much that the reader has trouble following the plot - and the best part is that it is a stand alone novel. Which means that if you missed reading The Only Thing to Fear, that's OK, although you might want to read it as well.
I thought Ren was a nicely developed character, one whose anger at the injustice and treatment of racially different and racially mixed people is totally justified. Other characters, like Marty, Mr. Cabot, and even Greta Plank, who plays a large part in Ren's time within the Fortress, aren't quite as developed as I would have liked them to be given their roles in the story's plot, but I don't think that diminishes the overall enjoyment of the novel.
I should also mention that there are some violent scenes so this book may not appeal to more sensitive readers.
I personally found reading Live in Infamy an intriguing alternative history of WWII, particularly at this moment in time. Richmond tackles race and biracial themes as well as political persecution, and the role of the resistance. These are themes readers find in books about WWII, but they are also once again coming to the surface in today's world, so although this is an alternative history, it will no doubt resonate with today's readers.
This book is recommended for readers age 12+
In Live in Infamy, Richmond takes the reader to the Western American Territory (WAT). where they meet Ren Cabot, a 16 year-old Chinese American whose Chinese mother was in the resistance and executed five years earlier. Since then, Ren and his father have worked together in the family's tailoring and cobbling business. A resistance movement still exists in the WAT but now essays by someone known only as the Viper are circulating and causing unrest among the people, and especially ruling Crown Prince Katsura, who wants nothing more than the catch the Viper. And no one suspects that Ren is the Viper, including his father, Paul Cabot, and cousin Marty.
Paul Cabot has recently been summoned to Fort Tomogashima, also called the Fortress, to help with sewing uniforms for an upcoming Joint Prosperity Ball. But one night, Marty brings him home with a badly injured hand, and Ren discovers they are both in the resistance. It is decided that Ren will take his father's place in the Fortress, where two other resistance members are already embedded.
Once inside the Fortress, the plan is to kidnap the Crown Prince's daughter, Aiko, during the ball, and take her to Alcatraz. Marty has intel that there are prisoners being held there, and when Ren learns his mother might be one of them, the mission becomes personal. But it is more than just about rescuing prisoners. Alcatraz is also being used as a laboratory for experiments with Anomalies.
Before the war, the Nazis had been involved in genetic testing in their concentration camps. The result was super soldiers called Anomalies, each of whom has a particular super human ability. Used by both the EAT and the WAT, the number of Anomalies has been dwindling quickly, and need to be replaced. More testing has resulted in a genetic breakthrough called V2, a joint effort of the Empire and the Nazis. The Joint Properity Ball is a chance to deliver V2 to Alcatraz while everyone's attention of focused elsewhere. But the resistance also really wants that V2 and the fifteen remaining Anomalies in Alcatraz.
At the Fortress, Ren also discovers that the Viper's essay's against the Empire are a focus of the Crown Prince's anger, so much so that he is willing to, and does, execute anyone caught with a copy of an essay - and copies are circulating widely. Marty and the resistance have come up with a wild, convoluted plan, but if the mission fails, Ren's cover could easily be blown.
Live in Infamy is not just a dramatic companion to The Only Thing to Fear, it is also a worthy one, and I think Richmond has really honed her writing chops for this second novel. She has included just enough twists and turns to make the story interesting, exciting, and suspenseful but not so much that the reader has trouble following the plot - and the best part is that it is a stand alone novel. Which means that if you missed reading The Only Thing to Fear, that's OK, although you might want to read it as well.
I thought Ren was a nicely developed character, one whose anger at the injustice and treatment of racially different and racially mixed people is totally justified. Other characters, like Marty, Mr. Cabot, and even Greta Plank, who plays a large part in Ren's time within the Fortress, aren't quite as developed as I would have liked them to be given their roles in the story's plot, but I don't think that diminishes the overall enjoyment of the novel.
I should also mention that there are some violent scenes so this book may not appeal to more sensitive readers.
I personally found reading Live in Infamy an intriguing alternative history of WWII, particularly at this moment in time. Richmond tackles race and biracial themes as well as political persecution, and the role of the resistance. These are themes readers find in books about WWII, but they are also once again coming to the surface in today's world, so although this is an alternative history, it will no doubt resonate with today's readers.
This book is recommended for readers age 12+
February 2, 2020
In Live in Infamy, the author writes about an alternative history where Japan and Germany had won the war and invaded America. Her alternate version fit so well to all the historical backgrounds where her story dated.
Though alternate history, Live in Infamy is still a gritty and terrifying story that tells a reality of every wars. It is a glimpse of an alternate history that can easily be a looming future to some parts of the world.
Through the main character Ren, the author shows the power of written words. Ren fought the Imperial Japan under a pen name, and sharing his words to inspire others to fight. Ren fights the war by using the power of literature and written words.
April 17, 2020
This young adult book explores what life might be like if the axis powers won WWII. America is divided into 3 regions; each of which is ruled by either the Nazis, the Japanese or the Italians. Ren lives in the WAT, which is ruled with an iron fist by the Japanese and quickly becomes embroiled in the resistance.
July 14, 2025
I absolutely love alternate history books and this is a great one from the beginning to the end. It had me on the edge of my seat with a few plot twist. Would absolutely recommend if you like historical fiction.
April 23, 2019
Good idea but alright execution. With a better story could have definitely been 5 stars.
July 24, 2025
I got this book off of a Little Free Library at my job. I liked the cover and the premise and thought “why not?” I ended up LOVING it! The plot was just fast paced enough to keep my attention but not so slow it felt boring. I loved the characters and the writing style. I can’t wait to read the other books in this series!
June 16, 2018
Not what I expected, but still interesting.
Love the line that states every essay began “with a blank page and a fresh start . . . the writing process was never meant to be easy.”
Love the line that states every essay began “with a blank page and a fresh start . . . the writing process was never meant to be easy.”
June 5, 2019
I think a possible theme for this book is that things are hard to do only if you make them hard to do.
September 17, 2018
What if the Axis won World War 2? Good Heavens this is cliche! Half the books about WWII aren’t even factual they’re all alternate history! In the book, the setting takes place in the Imperial Japanese colony of the Western American Territories. The W.A.T. is the most important colony of Imperial Japan. The Crown Prince, Katsura lives in Fort Togoshima, near San Francisco. The main character is a teen named Ren Cabot who, (cliche again) is the second most wanted criminal in the world. He goes by the name “Viper” and writes essays that inspire the people to rebel against the Empire, all while never really doing anything noteworthy himself. (Until he is called to arms, that is.)
Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate this book, however, there were parts where I wanted to say: “Come on now, really Caroline Richmond?” Caroline Richmond, the book’s author, did a fair job of attempting to illustrate what life would be like under the iron fist of Imperial Japan. Ren, a Chinese-American, (The Japanese despised those of Chinese descent.) who is living the the W.A.T. took up the pen, after his mother, Jenny Tsai, was executed for treason. (We find out later that she actually survived a sword to the stomach.) Alcatraz Prison also holds a high place within the W.A.T. Ren’s mother was taken after her attempted execution.
You could tell Ren was going to play a pivotal role in the story after his cousin, Marty, a Resistance affiliated citizen, told Ren’s father, Mr. Cabot that he should use his recently acquired job pass to Togoshima to kidnap Princess Aiko to get her reta scans to allow the Resistance to break into Alcatraz. However, Mr. Cabot sustained a wound to the hand and (shocker) Ren had to fill his place.
When Ren entered Togoshima, he was told to administer a sleeping drug to Aiko’s dress which she was wearing to the “Joint-Prosperity Ball,” a massive yearly get together of Axis leaders to reaffirm their now unsteady alliance. Ren also had to find “Beetle and Bird.” Fraulein Plank, who is a Nazi (And turns out to be Ren’s long-lost childhood friend, Tessa), and Jay, who ends up getting executed. After Jay’s execution, Fraulein and Ren go looking for a secret stairwell, and end up spotting Zara Saint James, who is the leader of the much larger Rebel Alliance in the German Controlled, Eastern American Territories. On the night of the Ball, some of Zara’s comrades attack the Fort and end up jeopardizing Ren and Fraulein’s plan. Fraulein escapes with Aiko and in the ensuing chaos, Aiko’s mother is killed. However, Ren is captured.
Ren is taken to Alcatraz and is brutally tortured by Major Endo, one of the Empire’s super unrealistic super soldiers who has the power to boil blood. A nurse affiliated with the Resistance not the Rebellion, helps Ren out. She gives him secret notes then has Ren eat them. Eventually, when the mere boy of Ren somehow manages to survive his blood boiling, the Crown Prince Katsura tells Ren that his mother is indeed alive and that he will take Ren to her if Ren reveals the location of Princess Aiko. Ren declines, knowing the Resistance will attack.
The Resistance does end up attacking, and in the second firefight of the book, Ren finds his mother and somehow manages to get every single prisoner out and to the attack boats of the Resistance. However, in the firefight Ren’s mother, who was tortured into insanity by the Empire, is shot several times by Endo and still manages to get to one of the boats. Meanwhile Ren shockingly manages to kill Endo. On the boat Ren’s Mother dies and Ren is devastated.
Ren then flees to Northern California with his father as well as Marty to where the Fraulein is guarding Aiko. The Story ends with a stereotypical “and (insert name here) returned to their work.”
The plot of this story was very intriguing however, the book’s basis was extremely cliche. I did very much enjoy the twists and turns the book had to offer, but I’m not so sure I would go back in time and tell my past self “hey, you should totally read this,” because honestly it wasn't worth my time.
Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate this book, however, there were parts where I wanted to say: “Come on now, really Caroline Richmond?” Caroline Richmond, the book’s author, did a fair job of attempting to illustrate what life would be like under the iron fist of Imperial Japan. Ren, a Chinese-American, (The Japanese despised those of Chinese descent.) who is living the the W.A.T. took up the pen, after his mother, Jenny Tsai, was executed for treason. (We find out later that she actually survived a sword to the stomach.) Alcatraz Prison also holds a high place within the W.A.T. Ren’s mother was taken after her attempted execution.
You could tell Ren was going to play a pivotal role in the story after his cousin, Marty, a Resistance affiliated citizen, told Ren’s father, Mr. Cabot that he should use his recently acquired job pass to Togoshima to kidnap Princess Aiko to get her reta scans to allow the Resistance to break into Alcatraz. However, Mr. Cabot sustained a wound to the hand and (shocker) Ren had to fill his place.
When Ren entered Togoshima, he was told to administer a sleeping drug to Aiko’s dress which she was wearing to the “Joint-Prosperity Ball,” a massive yearly get together of Axis leaders to reaffirm their now unsteady alliance. Ren also had to find “Beetle and Bird.” Fraulein Plank, who is a Nazi (And turns out to be Ren’s long-lost childhood friend, Tessa), and Jay, who ends up getting executed. After Jay’s execution, Fraulein and Ren go looking for a secret stairwell, and end up spotting Zara Saint James, who is the leader of the much larger Rebel Alliance in the German Controlled, Eastern American Territories. On the night of the Ball, some of Zara’s comrades attack the Fort and end up jeopardizing Ren and Fraulein’s plan. Fraulein escapes with Aiko and in the ensuing chaos, Aiko’s mother is killed. However, Ren is captured.
Ren is taken to Alcatraz and is brutally tortured by Major Endo, one of the Empire’s super unrealistic super soldiers who has the power to boil blood. A nurse affiliated with the Resistance not the Rebellion, helps Ren out. She gives him secret notes then has Ren eat them. Eventually, when the mere boy of Ren somehow manages to survive his blood boiling, the Crown Prince Katsura tells Ren that his mother is indeed alive and that he will take Ren to her if Ren reveals the location of Princess Aiko. Ren declines, knowing the Resistance will attack.
The Resistance does end up attacking, and in the second firefight of the book, Ren finds his mother and somehow manages to get every single prisoner out and to the attack boats of the Resistance. However, in the firefight Ren’s mother, who was tortured into insanity by the Empire, is shot several times by Endo and still manages to get to one of the boats. Meanwhile Ren shockingly manages to kill Endo. On the boat Ren’s Mother dies and Ren is devastated.
Ren then flees to Northern California with his father as well as Marty to where the Fraulein is guarding Aiko. The Story ends with a stereotypical “and (insert name here) returned to their work.”
The plot of this story was very intriguing however, the book’s basis was extremely cliche. I did very much enjoy the twists and turns the book had to offer, but I’m not so sure I would go back in time and tell my past self “hey, you should totally read this,” because honestly it wasn't worth my time.
April 10, 2020
Love genre switching although I definitely have my favorites but found this one as one I have doubles of (I may not remember I have it but I always know when I want to read something LOL)--one copy from a Library of Congress giveaway and then another from one of our Scholastic Book fairs--this is an alternate history retelling of what would happen if the Axis powers won World War II--very Blood for Blood and Wolf by Wolf (Ryan Graudin) the premise especially that I loved so much--I am all into an imagining of what what would happen in a society where race determined everything and nothing is as we now know it---
“After the Axis powers won the war and carved up the US into three pieces-the Eastern American Territories, ruled by the Nazis; the Dakotas, run by the Italians; and the Imperial Japan-ruled Western American Territories, which covered the rest of the states west of the Mississippi River-the government imposed a strict social hierarchy…….the Axis powers had long reasoned that they were destined to rule the world because they were superior in every way-mentally, physically, and especially racially.” (Pg. 7)
Our protagonist Ren is unfortunately right in the middle as a biracial child born to White and Chinese parents and doesn’t know whether he is fortunate to never know freedom or missing something crucial-
“Ren used to think who had it worse. Was it his great-grandpa, who had known what liberty felt like but had lost it during the takeover? Or was it Ren himself, who had never tasted it at all?” (Pg. 12)
After losing his outspoken Chinese mother to an execution because of her opinions and controversial treasonous newspaper Ren lives with his father and has his own secret life which has him hiding from everyone..Ren lives as somewhat of a renegade named The Viper writing essays printed in pamphlets and dispersed through illegal newspapers with a bounty of 550 million yen on his head--if anyone can figure out who the Viper really is…
Hiding his identity proves harder than he thinks especially when he is recruited to join another faction of the Resistance led by his cousin..Their team aims to kidnap the Crown Princess and use her royal blood to unlock a secret testing facility on Alcatraz where the Nazis are experimenting with genetics and creating super soldiers called the Ronin Elite who have abilities to kill with deadly secret powers...Ren joins their team last minute and is set up right inside the palace in place of his father as a tailor to find a way to smuggle the princess out while the powerful struggle and flail trying to locate the Viper…
“Ren felt no remorse about making the crown prince lose sleep, but his stomach churned over what this meant for the WAT. As long as the Viper remained at large, the Empire would keep slaughtering Americans who didn’t deserve to die.” (Pg. 132)
This book twists and turns a lot as they plot to kidnap the princess and plans change minute by minute..Ren’s life as the Viper adds such intensity to the plan and if students can stay with this alternate history lesson and cast of characters they will find a really good reading adventure..I liked it and can see a small percentage of our students wanting to see what this one is about..
“After the Axis powers won the war and carved up the US into three pieces-the Eastern American Territories, ruled by the Nazis; the Dakotas, run by the Italians; and the Imperial Japan-ruled Western American Territories, which covered the rest of the states west of the Mississippi River-the government imposed a strict social hierarchy…….the Axis powers had long reasoned that they were destined to rule the world because they were superior in every way-mentally, physically, and especially racially.” (Pg. 7)
Our protagonist Ren is unfortunately right in the middle as a biracial child born to White and Chinese parents and doesn’t know whether he is fortunate to never know freedom or missing something crucial-
“Ren used to think who had it worse. Was it his great-grandpa, who had known what liberty felt like but had lost it during the takeover? Or was it Ren himself, who had never tasted it at all?” (Pg. 12)
After losing his outspoken Chinese mother to an execution because of her opinions and controversial treasonous newspaper Ren lives with his father and has his own secret life which has him hiding from everyone..Ren lives as somewhat of a renegade named The Viper writing essays printed in pamphlets and dispersed through illegal newspapers with a bounty of 550 million yen on his head--if anyone can figure out who the Viper really is…
Hiding his identity proves harder than he thinks especially when he is recruited to join another faction of the Resistance led by his cousin..Their team aims to kidnap the Crown Princess and use her royal blood to unlock a secret testing facility on Alcatraz where the Nazis are experimenting with genetics and creating super soldiers called the Ronin Elite who have abilities to kill with deadly secret powers...Ren joins their team last minute and is set up right inside the palace in place of his father as a tailor to find a way to smuggle the princess out while the powerful struggle and flail trying to locate the Viper…
“Ren felt no remorse about making the crown prince lose sleep, but his stomach churned over what this meant for the WAT. As long as the Viper remained at large, the Empire would keep slaughtering Americans who didn’t deserve to die.” (Pg. 132)
This book twists and turns a lot as they plot to kidnap the princess and plans change minute by minute..Ren’s life as the Viper adds such intensity to the plan and if students can stay with this alternate history lesson and cast of characters they will find a really good reading adventure..I liked it and can see a small percentage of our students wanting to see what this one is about..
December 1, 2022
Live in Infamy
294
Caroline Tung Richmond
Copyright date April 2018
Publisher Scholastic Press
Genre Historical Fiction
ISBN 978-1-338-11109-5
Price $18.99
Ren lives in Imperial Japan after they had conquered the entire western end of America. He and his father live in a small shop in a small town called White Crescent Bay. He and his father didn’t make much money, so it was a big deal when he got a job offer at the Fort. Ren’s mother was executed years ago when she was caught making an essay that talked down on Imperial Japan. When Ren’s father and his cousin Marty went out for work, his father came back with an injured hand. They were handling explosives and one of the sticks of dynamite went off. He was hit by a piece of shrapnel. Ren then decided to take the job in the Fort, and Marty included him in the top secret mission she and two others already working in the Fort were on. They were Fraulein Plank and Jay. Everyone was already preparing for the big ball celebrating the marriage of the crowned prince’s daughter, so Ren was behind. He and Jay worked together secretly for weeks until Jay was caught and executed. Ren and Fraulein then worked together to kidnap the prince’s daughter, Aiko, and it was going to be much harder without Jay.
I enjoyed the book, it just took a long time to get to the interesting parts of the book.
I selected this book because I am into anything about history and the book’s story really caught my attention.
The book is good, it just takes much too long to become interesting and the author explains minute details much too often for too long.
I would recommend this book if you are into history and/or fantasy, as it has superhuman soldiers included in the storyline.
One book that I would recommend that is similar to this book is Refugee by Alan Gratz. It is also about history and a child whose mother is killed. Another book would be The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson. This is written from the perspective of a Holocaust survivor and this boy is long separated from his family. Finally, I would suggest Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This story has a boy who is put into a concentration camp during the Holocaust and he needs to survive.
294
Caroline Tung Richmond
Copyright date April 2018
Publisher Scholastic Press
Genre Historical Fiction
ISBN 978-1-338-11109-5
Price $18.99
Ren lives in Imperial Japan after they had conquered the entire western end of America. He and his father live in a small shop in a small town called White Crescent Bay. He and his father didn’t make much money, so it was a big deal when he got a job offer at the Fort. Ren’s mother was executed years ago when she was caught making an essay that talked down on Imperial Japan. When Ren’s father and his cousin Marty went out for work, his father came back with an injured hand. They were handling explosives and one of the sticks of dynamite went off. He was hit by a piece of shrapnel. Ren then decided to take the job in the Fort, and Marty included him in the top secret mission she and two others already working in the Fort were on. They were Fraulein Plank and Jay. Everyone was already preparing for the big ball celebrating the marriage of the crowned prince’s daughter, so Ren was behind. He and Jay worked together secretly for weeks until Jay was caught and executed. Ren and Fraulein then worked together to kidnap the prince’s daughter, Aiko, and it was going to be much harder without Jay.
I enjoyed the book, it just took a long time to get to the interesting parts of the book.
I selected this book because I am into anything about history and the book’s story really caught my attention.
The book is good, it just takes much too long to become interesting and the author explains minute details much too often for too long.
I would recommend this book if you are into history and/or fantasy, as it has superhuman soldiers included in the storyline.
One book that I would recommend that is similar to this book is Refugee by Alan Gratz. It is also about history and a child whose mother is killed. Another book would be The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson. This is written from the perspective of a Holocaust survivor and this boy is long separated from his family. Finally, I would suggest Boy in the Striped Pajamas. This story has a boy who is put into a concentration camp during the Holocaust and he needs to survive.
November 11, 2019
The book Live in Infamy by Caroline Tung Richmond, is about how what America would be like if we would have lost World War 2. I takes place in California along the coast which is now called the Western American Territories under the control of the Imperialistic Empire of Japan. Ren Cabot’s, who is the main character, mother was executed by the Empire for joining the resistance. The Resistance is a rebel alliance that uses guerrilla warfare tactics to limit resources and people as much as possible. Out of fury, Ren begins writing essays about the terrible acts of the Empire under the name of Viper. The Empire then ramps up the executions, telling the public that the if the Viper isn’t a coward he would turn himself in to stop the killings. One night the Resistance had enough and cooked up a plan to infiltrate the Empire’s fortress under the cover of the janitorial staff, and kidnap the Princess. They were going to then use the Princess to get into Alcatraz to destroy laboratories full of dangerous chemical weapons and free the American prisoners inside. Ren was hesitant to go along with this plan because he is the most wanted criminal and he’d be right under their noses, but he eventually agreed. You’ll have to read the book to see how it all ends up.
I like how the book gave a different view of life for American people and the role was almost flipped. Instead of Japanese people being persecuted after the war, Amercians were harassed by the Empire. This story was also written because I never knew what was going to happen next. I often found myself trying to guess what was going to happen next and I was always wrong. My favorite part of the book was how Ren had to overcome so many options during his mission. I would give this book a 9 out of 10 because although it was a very gripping story, there were some futuristic elements that I wasn’t a very big fan of. All in all, I would recommend this book to anybody that hates reading because it has plenty of action and I was never bored while reading this book.
I like how the book gave a different view of life for American people and the role was almost flipped. Instead of Japanese people being persecuted after the war, Amercians were harassed by the Empire. This story was also written because I never knew what was going to happen next. I often found myself trying to guess what was going to happen next and I was always wrong. My favorite part of the book was how Ren had to overcome so many options during his mission. I would give this book a 9 out of 10 because although it was a very gripping story, there were some futuristic elements that I wasn’t a very big fan of. All in all, I would recommend this book to anybody that hates reading because it has plenty of action and I was never bored while reading this book.
May 11, 2018
WWII has been over for more than 80 years, and the victory of the Axis countries means the United States has been divided into two different territories. Imperial Japan now rules over the Western American Territories with an iron fist, and conditions are harsh for the former citizens of the United States. The smallest act of rebellion is dealt with swiftly and harshly, and while those actions are intended to intimidate and stamp out any disagreement, resistance groups have sprung up all across the land. Ren Cabot finds himself more deeply involved in the movement than he planned when he takes his father's place in a plot to smuggle the Japanese princess out of the palace. He's up against some tough challenges since those in power have superior soldiers with genetically-enhanced talents. It's almost impossible to keep up with all the fast-paced action here as characters are introduced, only to be quickly killed off, or to turn out to be on a different side than readers might have expected. The fact that Ren has been secretly writing anti-establishment essays is interesting when readers consider how physical everything seems to be in this book. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book, even considering the fact that so many of the rebels and their leaders seem to be so young. I regret that the author didn't spend more time describing this new world in which her story takes place, though, as that would have added to my interest in reading it. Still, alternate histories always have an audience because it is fascinating to ponder what might have happened if a war had ended differently. Give this one to fans of WWII or speculative fiction to see what they make of it.
January 2, 2019
When I picked up this book, I was reminded of another alternate history book I had read that I felt was meh. Lo and behold, this is a companion/sequel to that meh alternate history book! Huh!
Live in Infamy takes place in the Western American Territories. It has been 80 years since Hitler won WWII. The United States has been split into three portions - Germany rules over the Eastern American Territories, Italy has the Dakota's (I believe it is Italy), and Japan rules over the Western American Territories (known as the WAT).
Ren is half Chinese and half white. His mother was executed five years ago for crimes against Japan. He hates the Empire. So much so that he has taken on the identity of the Viper, an extremist who writes essays urging people to take a stand.
His cousin, Marty, is part of the Resistance, and she has recruited Ren to help in a plan to kidnap the crown princess. The plan goes awry, but Ren keeps his head on.
This was definitely an improvement from The Only Thing to Fear. When I read The Only Thing to Fear, I was disappointed in the author's use of experimental soldiers that are known as Anomalies. These soldiers have supernatural powers. Zara St. James, from the first novel, is an illegal Anomaly, and she shows up in the middle of this novel.
The best part of this novel is that the author left out any semblance of a romance. It was just Ren trying to figure out how to get to his mother (surprise! She survived. Barely) and help the Resistance.
I look forward to the conclusion, which I assume will take place in the Dakota's. How will the WAT and the EAT (?) resistance fighters team together and destroy what Hitler has instilled?
Live in Infamy takes place in the Western American Territories. It has been 80 years since Hitler won WWII. The United States has been split into three portions - Germany rules over the Eastern American Territories, Italy has the Dakota's (I believe it is Italy), and Japan rules over the Western American Territories (known as the WAT).
Ren is half Chinese and half white. His mother was executed five years ago for crimes against Japan. He hates the Empire. So much so that he has taken on the identity of the Viper, an extremist who writes essays urging people to take a stand.
His cousin, Marty, is part of the Resistance, and she has recruited Ren to help in a plan to kidnap the crown princess. The plan goes awry, but Ren keeps his head on.
This was definitely an improvement from The Only Thing to Fear. When I read The Only Thing to Fear, I was disappointed in the author's use of experimental soldiers that are known as Anomalies. These soldiers have supernatural powers. Zara St. James, from the first novel, is an illegal Anomaly, and she shows up in the middle of this novel.
The best part of this novel is that the author left out any semblance of a romance. It was just Ren trying to figure out how to get to his mother (surprise! She survived. Barely) and help the Resistance.
I look forward to the conclusion, which I assume will take place in the Dakota's. How will the WAT and the EAT (?) resistance fighters team together and destroy what Hitler has instilled?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 4, 2019
Live in Infamy by Caroline Tung Richmond, 294 pages. Scholastic Press (Scholastic Inc.), 2018. $17.99
Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Ren lives in a world where the Allies lost WWII, Germany and Japan split America in half, and Americans are oppressed—a world where America is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. There is a resistance made up of those who remember what America used to stand for, and Ren’s mother was executed in front of him for trying to bring that America back. Now the resistance is asking for Ren’s help, and he has to decide what he wants to stand for.
There are so many wonderful elements to this book that I don’t even know where to start my review. Richmond crafts an engaging story that is about more than good versus evil—Ren’s story is about the courage to sacrifice for what you believe to be right, the love of parents and children for each other, and that each individual matters. I was enthralled from the beginning, though I have not read the other companion stories; they are not required to understand Ren’s story, but I am planning on reading them because I enjoyed Richmond’s writing so much.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS – ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Ren lives in a world where the Allies lost WWII, Germany and Japan split America in half, and Americans are oppressed—a world where America is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. There is a resistance made up of those who remember what America used to stand for, and Ren’s mother was executed in front of him for trying to bring that America back. Now the resistance is asking for Ren’s help, and he has to decide what he wants to stand for.
There are so many wonderful elements to this book that I don’t even know where to start my review. Richmond crafts an engaging story that is about more than good versus evil—Ren’s story is about the courage to sacrifice for what you believe to be right, the love of parents and children for each other, and that each individual matters. I was enthralled from the beginning, though I have not read the other companion stories; they are not required to understand Ren’s story, but I am planning on reading them because I enjoyed Richmond’s writing so much.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2019...
January 30, 2018
This book was sent to me as part of the Scholastic Preview pack for the Spring 2018 Book Fair.
I was not sure what to expect from this book. I knew it was an alternate version of historical fiction (the idea of what the US would be like if the Axis powers had won WWII), but I did not realize that it would have so much science fiction in it as well. In this alternate universe, the Axis powers are able to win the war because of the Ronan Elite, a group of soldiers who have genetically enhanced powers (think X-Men style: creating lightning, boiling blood, being able to fly, etc). At the time of the story, the US has been divided into three sections and the Western American Territories are controlled by Imperial Japan. It is here that Ren lives and works after the execution of his mother 5 years ago. He finds himself swept up in the Resistance movement and becomes part of the plot to free the prisoners on Alcatraz and to stop the experiments taking place there.
Overall I liked it, but it did seem far-fetched and the plot was a little thin at times. Also, at the end, I wasn't sure if it was THE END or if there was a sequel, which was disconcerting. I think my students will enjoy it though and I am looking forward to recommending it later this week.
I was not sure what to expect from this book. I knew it was an alternate version of historical fiction (the idea of what the US would be like if the Axis powers had won WWII), but I did not realize that it would have so much science fiction in it as well. In this alternate universe, the Axis powers are able to win the war because of the Ronan Elite, a group of soldiers who have genetically enhanced powers (think X-Men style: creating lightning, boiling blood, being able to fly, etc). At the time of the story, the US has been divided into three sections and the Western American Territories are controlled by Imperial Japan. It is here that Ren lives and works after the execution of his mother 5 years ago. He finds himself swept up in the Resistance movement and becomes part of the plot to free the prisoners on Alcatraz and to stop the experiments taking place there.
Overall I liked it, but it did seem far-fetched and the plot was a little thin at times. Also, at the end, I wasn't sure if it was THE END or if there was a sequel, which was disconcerting. I think my students will enjoy it though and I am looking forward to recommending it later this week.
February 13, 2019
Language: PG (2 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG
Ren lives in a world where the Allies lost WWII, Germany and Japan split America in half, and Americans are oppressed—a world where America is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. There is a resistance made up of those who remember what America used to stand for, and Ren’s mother was executed in front of him for trying to bring that America back. Now the resistance is asking for Ren’s help, and he has to decide what he wants to stand for.
There are so many wonderful elements to this book that I don’t even know where to start my review. Richmond crafts an engaging story that is about more than good versus evil—Ren’s story is about the courage to sacrifice for what you believe to be right, the love of parents and children for each other, and that each individual matters. I was enthralled from the beginning, though I have not read the other companion stories; they are not required to understand Ren’s story, but I am planning on reading them because I enjoyed Richmond’s writing so much.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Ren lives in a world where the Allies lost WWII, Germany and Japan split America in half, and Americans are oppressed—a world where America is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. There is a resistance made up of those who remember what America used to stand for, and Ren’s mother was executed in front of him for trying to bring that America back. Now the resistance is asking for Ren’s help, and he has to decide what he wants to stand for.
There are so many wonderful elements to this book that I don’t even know where to start my review. Richmond crafts an engaging story that is about more than good versus evil—Ren’s story is about the courage to sacrifice for what you believe to be right, the love of parents and children for each other, and that each individual matters. I was enthralled from the beginning, though I have not read the other companion stories; they are not required to understand Ren’s story, but I am planning on reading them because I enjoyed Richmond’s writing so much.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
June 11, 2019
Read this on a whim in between ordering a new book series. I'm a teacher and I happened to see it at my school's book fair. I was pleasantly surprised. It was a decent read and had some very interesting plot lines and concepts. The "anomalies", characters with super human abilities, seemed like a little bit of a stretch at times. I'm not sure the book needs them, but they are there. Eluding to them and their existence was a good strategy and I was worried when/if we saw them in action it would be a bit cheesy; However, when battle the ensued, they became additions to the background and (since the pace of the book rapidly took off) I had a hard time putting it down. The torture went on for a while and gave me a sense of 1984's big brother torture scenes; I like Gearge Orwell. My only large complaint, I wanted to know more about the princess and her beliefs. The mystery behind her stance was built up, but never really comes to fruition; Creating her into an angry vengeful character seemed like an escape plan to get us to ignore her cryptic defiance that was building for a good portion of the book. Perhaps a sequel will give us more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 2, 2020
Title: Live in Infamy
Pages: 294
Author: Caroline Tung Richmond____ Publisher New York Scholastic Press
Genre: Fantasy_ ISBN _978-1-338-27716-6 Price _9.99_
Give a summary of the book- without giving away the ending.
In a world where the U.S. lost World War II, a young man named Ren tries to survive while he is being taken and harrassed by the Axis Powers because his mom is a “traitor”. Almost 80 years ago, the United States was divided among the Axis powers, and Imperial Japan now controls the land from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed this book because it was a very good book that kept you on the edge of your seat. Also, it had many unexpected things happen but it wasn't my favorite book so I didn't put I loved this book.
Who would you recommend this book to and why?
Jordan because he likes reading books about WWII
and this book is about WWII
If you liked …
➔__Prisoner B-3087__
➔_Making Bombs For Hitler_______
➔The Boy in The Stripped Pajamas____
...then you might like this book, too!
Pages: 294
Author: Caroline Tung Richmond____ Publisher New York Scholastic Press
Genre: Fantasy_ ISBN _978-1-338-27716-6 Price _9.99_
Give a summary of the book- without giving away the ending.
In a world where the U.S. lost World War II, a young man named Ren tries to survive while he is being taken and harrassed by the Axis Powers because his mom is a “traitor”. Almost 80 years ago, the United States was divided among the Axis powers, and Imperial Japan now controls the land from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean
I enjoyed this book. I enjoyed this book because it was a very good book that kept you on the edge of your seat. Also, it had many unexpected things happen but it wasn't my favorite book so I didn't put I loved this book.
Who would you recommend this book to and why?
Jordan because he likes reading books about WWII
and this book is about WWII
If you liked …
➔__Prisoner B-3087__
➔_Making Bombs For Hitler_______
➔The Boy in The Stripped Pajamas____
...then you might like this book, too!
May 27, 2020
When Ren was a child, his mother was executed by the Japanese for resisting their rule over the Western American Territories. Now, at sixteen, his anger builds from the continued injustices - such as harassment by the Japanese soldiers and the public executions on the cliff - and propels him toward the underground Resistance fighting for independence.
This would be a great book to get young adult readers interested in World War II! I love historical fiction and this was outside my “bubble,” but I enjoyed it! Fans of The Hunger Games or Divergent series will enjoy the writing style, and historical fiction aficionados will enjoy the twist on the answer to the question “What if the Axis had won World War II?” Even as an adult reader, I couldn’t put it down once I started the last ¼ of the book!
When I picked up the book, I didn’t realize it was a companion to The Only Thing to Fear. I wasn’t lost and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I think a couple of moments in the story would have made more sense if I’d read the other book first. I’ve added it to my “to read” pile!
This would be a great book to get young adult readers interested in World War II! I love historical fiction and this was outside my “bubble,” but I enjoyed it! Fans of The Hunger Games or Divergent series will enjoy the writing style, and historical fiction aficionados will enjoy the twist on the answer to the question “What if the Axis had won World War II?” Even as an adult reader, I couldn’t put it down once I started the last ¼ of the book!
When I picked up the book, I didn’t realize it was a companion to The Only Thing to Fear. I wasn’t lost and thoroughly enjoyed it, but I think a couple of moments in the story would have made more sense if I’d read the other book first. I’ve added it to my “to read” pile!
June 3, 2018
I read this book because I enjoy books set around WWII, and the premise interested me. In this sorry, the Axis powers won WWII. While there was always something happening in the story, I didn’t feel like I really connected with the characters. I felt like the author could have developed them all more. I also felt like the author really missed a chance with Aiko, the crown prince’s daughter. I felt like she could have developed her and made her a major factor in the book. In all honesty, she was the most interesting character to me.
I also found it very odd that the Empire has head elite fighters with super human powers, it everything about the rest of the world seems to lack technology completely. It seemed out of place with everything else.
So, while I did like the premise, I didn’t love the book. Maybe if the author had handled the character Aiko better, I would have liked it more.
I also found it very odd that the Empire has head elite fighters with super human powers, it everything about the rest of the world seems to lack technology completely. It seemed out of place with everything else.
So, while I did like the premise, I didn’t love the book. Maybe if the author had handled the character Aiko better, I would have liked it more.
July 16, 2019
Live In Infamy was different than anything I have read recently. This book was amazing. I didn’t want to put it down the entire time I was reading it. I had it on me at work, in bed, on the couch. It came with me everywhere. I fell in love with every character, was upset when some would die, felt their heartache, etc. And it truly did make you wonder, what if? What if the Axis Powers had won? Would this be the America I know? I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for that something different, but also loves history and realistic fiction.
It wasn’t perfect, that’s for sure. Little character changes that get you mildly frustrated with them and I don’t plan to read it again. As I said, it comes highly recommended, but I don’t see myself reading it again any time soon. Those are the reasons I would give it a 9/10. Other than that, I have no complaints about this book. I’ll be donating this to my local middle school that took severe damage during the hurricane.
It wasn’t perfect, that’s for sure. Little character changes that get you mildly frustrated with them and I don’t plan to read it again. As I said, it comes highly recommended, but I don’t see myself reading it again any time soon. Those are the reasons I would give it a 9/10. Other than that, I have no complaints about this book. I’ll be donating this to my local middle school that took severe damage during the hurricane.
September 28, 2020
Even though this is promoted as a companion to THE ONLY THING TO FEAR, I can tell you that it stands up fairly well as its own story. I would probably appreciate this alternate history world a bit more and the characters in it if I had read the other book first, though.
It's a fast-paced story imagining the USA as occumpied territory 50+ years after the Allies lose World War II to the Axis powers. I'm not sure the who anomolies and V2 was explained well enough. I was a bit lost there and wanted to know more about that. I'm not sure if that's something already covered in the first book or if it's something that will be explained more in the next book. Because there will be a book 3, right? Not enough of the loose ends are tied up for this to be the last book in the series.
Overall, I give this a B- rating. I think parts could have been better explained, but I give it a tiny bump up in the rating because I know it'll be super popular with teens.
It's a fast-paced story imagining the USA as occumpied territory 50+ years after the Allies lose World War II to the Axis powers. I'm not sure the who anomolies and V2 was explained well enough. I was a bit lost there and wanted to know more about that. I'm not sure if that's something already covered in the first book or if it's something that will be explained more in the next book. Because there will be a book 3, right? Not enough of the loose ends are tied up for this to be the last book in the series.
Overall, I give this a B- rating. I think parts could have been better explained, but I give it a tiny bump up in the rating because I know it'll be super popular with teens.
April 16, 2018
quarter 4 choice book 1
I liked this book because it had a really good begging (I liked the other parts of the book to but the begging was mt favorite) I usually think that beginnings of books are really boring but the first 5 or so chapters really explained a lot of stuff. I liked the idea of the printing press. It really showed how important things are and that a simple old printing press was every thing to him. I liked how the author showed us how important the printing press was through memories I think that choosing this way made me pay more attention to what was happening then. I also liked HUGE SPOILER: that the author told us that Ren was the viper early in the book. I think that the author did a good job making me picture the revealing of Daisy. This hole book was really good and I that is manly because the author does a good job hooking you into the story.
I liked this book because it had a really good begging (I liked the other parts of the book to but the begging was mt favorite) I usually think that beginnings of books are really boring but the first 5 or so chapters really explained a lot of stuff. I liked the idea of the printing press. It really showed how important things are and that a simple old printing press was every thing to him. I liked how the author showed us how important the printing press was through memories I think that choosing this way made me pay more attention to what was happening then. I also liked HUGE SPOILER: that the author told us that Ren was the viper early in the book. I think that the author did a good job making me picture the revealing of Daisy. This hole book was really good and I that is manly because the author does a good job hooking you into the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2018
This was one of my bookfair buys and it did NOT disappoint! Our librarian made me read the first part and I was hooked and bought it, it was a pretty crazy concept, the USA is divided up, partially controlled by Japan, part by the Nazis... what?!?! It was a good action story and there were many parts that surprised me, which does not usually happen for me when I read teen books. The one thing that surprised me the most throughout this book is that although it is supposed to be taking place slightly in the future they had such a lack of technology... so I guess Nazis would never have come up with iPhones? google? not even a xerox machine? I mean they use a typewrite and a printing press to put out their newspaper... of all things that just blew my mind. Thank goodness those Nazis went down... I need my goodreads... am I right?
March 14, 2019
I was really excited to see a companion to The Only Thing to Fear. I really enjoyed that book. I was even more excited when I saw that it's a book set on the other side of the conquered US. This book lived up to my expectations.
The story is quite different yet there are strong similarities. Racism is alive on both sides of the winning teams. The mixing of races is especially looked down on while the purity of the winning blood is necessity. Everyone is sternly in their place so that even the winning sides don't have freedom. Freedom/liberty was not the goal of either the Japanese or Nazi Germany.
I'm hoping there will be a third book. I'm enjoying the alternative history.
The story is quite different yet there are strong similarities. Racism is alive on both sides of the winning teams. The mixing of races is especially looked down on while the purity of the winning blood is necessity. Everyone is sternly in their place so that even the winning sides don't have freedom. Freedom/liberty was not the goal of either the Japanese or Nazi Germany.
I'm hoping there will be a third book. I'm enjoying the alternative history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews