Asylum 54.0

The Bionics Saga #1

by Nadège Richards

They left us behind. Some say it was a mistake, while others say it was a purge. As for me? Well, I say it was my damned liberation.

They call me Ari.

Three years after being captured by the Reapers, I am no longer human. With the Y-506 virus destroying what's left of Silo, no one truly is anymore. We now work for them, these things that control us. We kill for them, warding off the black-eyed leviathans that roam the desert hills. In return, we get to keep some piece of our past.

But you see, not all of us are compliant. Not all of us could be changed. We haven't forgotten. I'm different, and so is Jonathus.

There are much more like us.

They took my mother and threatened the life of my sister, forcing me into a life of exile. I am hellbent on my revenge. Taking back Silo one asylum at a time is our means to an end. Joining the Underground is only the beginning...

My name is Mathai Porter. The invasion starts now.

Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Dystopia, Fantasy, Fiction

417 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 13, 2017

About the author

Nadège Richards is the Trinidadian-American author of the Bleeding Heart Series and the Bionics Saga. She graduated from Temple University with her B.A. in Journalism, with a focus in Graphic Design. Her name is French, though she's never been to France. She wrote her first novel about aliens and goats in the eighth grade and has had a passion for story-telling ever since. Her friends and family are her biggest inspiration, as well as the occasional cup of tea.
​
She commonly goes by "Dège." Although born in Brooklyn, New York, she has spent most of her life living in sunny Pennsylvania where she currently plots her next novel. In her spare time, she is also an award-winning book designer, a creativity coach, a fine art photographer, and the co-founder of Imaginarium Book Festival.

Reviews

[josephine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Guys

Guys

Guys


I don't know where to start. Honestly. What a hidden gem I found in this book.

The plot is amazing. It's so big and intricate and fresh and I got serious hunger games vibes from it. To me it definitely feels more dystopian than sci-fi, and I haven't read anything like this in such a long time, if ever. There's action and fighting and blood. There's a tough heroine and a tight and awesome crew.

It's just so. bad. ass.

And, side-note, it would make an awesome movie 😎

I really enjoyed the entire crew's characters. Mathai is our main protagonist (at least in this instalment) and we got to know her the best here, with the rest of the crew only being introduced later on (at the halfway point and onwards), but apparently this is meant to be a seven-book series so we'll have plenty of time to get to know the rest. There's Les, Elektra, Lexyn, Cameron, and of course Jon, and all five of them are wonderful 😍 I can't wait to get to know them all better! And I am so intrigued by these powers they all have - a superhero-ish crew of fantastic characters in a dystopian/sci-fi hunger games-esque world? Do you need anything else?

And did you know - there are a handful of scenes in this that have been illustrated and the artwork is beautiful, I could stare are it for ages 😍 Such a nice touch!

My only problem with this book was that I was a bit confused here and there where I feel like I shouldn't have been. Nothing major. The main character starts the book with memory loss, and we kind of learn things along with her, which I didn't mind - in fact I liked and enjoyed it - and eventually everything that was meant to be confusing was explained and made clear, but there were parts scattered throughout the book that I feel like I should have been able to get, but didn't quite grasp. I had the same feeling at the very very end of The Last Magician when things were being revealed and explained, but it was a bit hard to follow - so maybe it's just the writing that could have been a bit clearer? It doesn't actually bother me much (it didn't with The Last Magician either) BUT! I fear not, because the author has said she heard that feedback and has been working on improving it in the sequel, so I'm so so excited to see how she's done 😁

All in all this is one of THE MOST underrated books I have EVER read, and I feel like more people should give it a chance. Especially now, while the series is still so young since, like I said, there are supposed to be seven books in total, so start while it isn't intimidating! 😄 I can't wait for the next book, which I believe should be coming out any day now. GIMME!

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deadly virus and bionic assassin this premise sounded epic and great deal of fun. But while I didn't hate it, it wasn't for me either. So it's 2.7 rounded up. Maybe I would have thought differently if I had read it and might give it another go in the future if I stumble on a ebook or book instead of the audio.

[Filthy Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I wasn't sure just want this book was going to be going into it. I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't at all what I thought it was going to be. Again Nadège shows her skill with the written word yet again. For somebody who's only been writing for a few years and is so young ,her books read like someone has been writing their entire life. These characters were greatly developed they were very relatable and just bad ass. There's a fierceness and her writing that comes out through the characters that she develops in the world is that she builds. This book only highlights that yet again. I was completely blown away by just how sucked into the story I got. It just kept building and building and building and then there was an explosion like a Powderkeg and I was just like oh shit. I can't really say much more than that without spoiling it because I want to just tell you all the awesome things that happened but I don't ruin it for you . I can't wait for the two I think it will be better than this one and they will only continue to get better this series will be one that everyone talks about and if not then they're stupid.

Also check out her bleeding heart series

[Jessica Surgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've had this book in my possession for a couple months but only began reading it a few weeks ago. Because I am an idiot, apparently. I absolutely loved it. Like, shout-it-from-the-rooftops-like-a-crazy-person loved it. Like, hand-out-copies-to-strangers-on-the-street loved it. It's been a while since I read a good sci-fi novel, and this one has turned me on to the genre again. We are thrown into the story naked and afraid, just like Ari. There is a perfect mixture of confusion and world-building that I really appreciated. I feel like often times with sci-fi books there is either not enough, or too ,much world building. It's a hard balance to find. I want to be able to follow the story, but not have to spend 5 chapters reading facts about the world while the plot remains motionless. This book does a great job of finding that balance. It also does a great job with pacing. The plot pulls you along and keeps you guessing. That was another strong point for me: the plot twists! I like to think I am some expert sleuth, and have a good eye for catching plot twists before they happen. I have been put in my place. And I absolutely LOVE when that happens. I love being surprised, and surprised I was. Bamboozled. Flabbergasted. SHOOKETH. (I never use that word, but it is so appropriate). I would have liked some more time for the Crater Knights to bond, but the way things play out makes sense with the plot line, so they are forgiven. However, I do expect more of that to come, as well as more baCK STORY FOR THE BLUE LEGION BECAUSE I HAVE QUESTIONSSSS. And Elektra, baby doll, keep kickin ass honey. Mommy loves you<3

[Tori Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever...?

Have you ever picked up a book slow to start, which you read thinking that the whole book was going to be like that you wouldn't wanna finish? And you push through hoping beyond hope that the next page is
going to give you the better amount of excitement?

This is that book, and it delivers. Absolutely and inconsolably it delivers. The further I got the less I wanted to put it down and the more this lovely novel devoured my soul. Pulling me into a new world where all I wanted was for Mathai to achieve her goals, for our Legion to get what they deserved and for everyone to live happy ever after.

I won't tell you if they do, but I will tell you this. When you pick up this book be prepared to be taken on a ride of a lifetime. And once the rollercoaster starts moving be prepared to never look back because the twists and turns this takes you on will leave you begging for more.

I absolutely cannot wait for book two, or three, or ten. And I thank Nadge for taking me on this ride.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I do not have the words to give this book the review it deserves, but here we go! You had better have some free time when you first start reading Asylum 54.0 because you will NOT want to put it down. This book is the first in the series and introduces the reader to Ari/Mathai, a young lady who is much, much more than she seems. Her memories have been erased, she does not know who is friend or foe - but Ari/Mathai is determined to find out who she is and what happened to her. Reapers, leviathans, white jackets and the virus Y-506 are just a few of the obstacles in her path to knowledge and truth. I can't say any more and not give anything away. Trust me on this, you need to read this book. If you choose not to, you will miss out on experiencing the talents of an amazing author and the world she has made.

[Alissa Ganser · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars. I liked this book, but I really wanted to LOVE it. The plot has the potential to be an amazing story - humans that were engineered to fight the virus that has been turning people into zombies? Yes please! It's like I Am Legend, but with an awesome and sassy female lead! Some of the writing was so vivid and beautiful that it gave me goosebumps (like the scene where Mathai stumbles upon a feeding leviathan (zombie)). But overall, I thought that the story was rushed in some places, and the characters were coming to crazy conclusions about events that were unfolding with barely any information. Thus, as the reader, I didn't buy some of the events. Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read, and I loved the inclusion of the comic pages! That was so unique! Bottom line: Enjoyable read, hopefully the storyline unfolds better in the sequel.

[Shivani · Rating 5 out of 5]

can't wait to read this book...i loved the bleeding heart trilogy and i would do anything to read this book...nadege just gets to me ... win it or not i'm sooo reading this book.. :D

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story.
I loved all the characters and the story of the main character.
It was all kind of hard to get in to because at some points I thought there were things that weren’t explained well. I thought maybe it was because Mathai had lost all her memories so we were kind of learning with her, but it happened all throughout the book. So the only thing that brought my rating down was personally I thought some parts needed a little bit more explanation.
I seriously cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!

[Flora · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I like the concept, but after the beginning of the book when we've gotten used to the world, I felt like the pace slowed down way too much, and didn't pick back up til the last portion of the book. I also felt like the book just ended, it didn't have an overall "Yes there's a solution" moment, while there are reveals as Mathai learns information, the book seems more like a set up for a good series than a story within the individual book.

[Lauren's Cave · Rating 4 out of 5]

english isnt my mothertongue so at first i had a little trouble understanding what really was happening, too much detail for me. But after some pages i just couldn't let go of the book it was reaaally good and just like Ari/Mathai we want to know who she really is and why everything is happening to her.
Waiting not so patiently for book 2 to come now ^^

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nadège Richards is a very talented young author and I cannot wait to see what she surprises me with in the sequel!

[Autumn · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://fallenoverbookreviews.blogspot...

So I have had this book on my radar for a while but just haven't had time to read it. So this book was part of my challenge for myself to get through not only books that I need to get through, but books I just want to read.

As I started reading I was a bit confused because of how we were introduced to Mathai because we were introduced then it flipped to a new scene. I kept thinking to myself as I kept reading on I just hope that all the answers will come! Sure enough, they did but it took a while. Ari is no longer a human but she doesn't remember much of anything. Slowly over time with the help of those that are not like the reapers Ari starts to remember.

I really did like the story-line and how it was a steady pace. The characters were well developed and I want more of this world. I want to know if Ari and her team will do what they need to help others and survive.

One thing that I really enjoyed about Mathai is that she never gave in to those that wanted to control her. You could tell she was different from everyone! She is a very strong character.

This author needs to just keep on writing more of this world she is amazing!

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book! The more I listened to this audiobook, the more I wanted to devour it. The book has an amazing balance - giving you enough details to become engrossed in the story, while delivering on suspense and curiosity. The characters were very strong, including Mathai and Ari, who you cannot help but feel connected to and curious about. Many plot twists and turns that keep you reading and engaged. If you listen on Audible, or another audio format you'll definitely appreciate the narration. Kamala Alcantara really stood out to me as having an incredible range and tone. I would definitely recommend.

[Leslie McKee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Mathai Porter wakes up with no memories. All she knows is that someone wants to control her, and she is determined to prevent that from happening. She knows she is different, and she wants to know why. Will she discover who she is, and is there anyone she can trust?

This is the first book I have ever read from Richards. The concept of this book is quite different from what I normally read. However, I’m so glad that I stepped out of my box on this one. To begin with, the cover. It immediately caught my eye. The book itself is mostly written as a normal novel, though there are some graphic novel elements to it, which makes it a bit unique. Scenes are easy to envision, almost like a movie unfolding, and it quickly engages the reader with its fast pace and creativity. In fact, I finished this book in less than a day. It turns out that it is the first installment of a seven-book journey, and I can’t wait to read the rest of them. Fans of books and/or movies such as X-Men, Divergent, or Hunger Games should be sure to check this out.

[Loni · Rating 5 out of 5]

When was the last time you read something new and exciting? This book was both of those things for me. I love the hybrid idea. Being part written and part graphic novel is so refreshing and neat. The story was intriguing. I had so many questions after just the first chapter and it sucked me in. I needed to know what was going to happen. I love the way the Nadege slowly revealed bits and pieces through out the story, not all at once. Each little bit of info lead to a new twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

[Mary]

Hmmmm Johnathus? What a strange name.

[Heather Kirchhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Aslyum 54.0. I've been wanting to read this book for a long time, and it didn't disappoint me. I can't wait to see what happens next in Sanctum 92.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I wasn't sure if anything would beat the Burning Bridges trilogy, but I really enjoyed this book more than I expected, even more than Burning Bridges. I loved pretty much everything about it. The characters, the world building, etc. There wasn't really anything about it that I didn't like. Richard's writing is very intricate and you definitely have to take your time, in a good way. You want to enjoy the book and let that information sink in. This was like a mix of X-Men, Teen Titans, and Maximum Ride all smooshed together, but it still had Richard's creativity and great story telling skills within these pages. I'm even more excited now that the series will be seven books long. Our main character Mathai has been separated from her Legion which is the only family and friends she's ever known. For awhile and over and over again she is left in the dark about who she is. But she never tries to stop being who she is even though she's uncertain, if that makes sense. She makes a few friends who help her finally get away from these people called the Jackets who only ever used her as a project. More than anything she just wants to be free and to find the people she belongs with. She and Jon (who is in her Legion) have a connection that they don't know what to really do about. They try to fight it, but they really can't. They have a little bit of a romance and it's sort of steady, but not. They knew each other before and are still trying to retrieve the rest of their memories. But regardless, they know they are something to each other and don't want to fight the attraction anymore. Each of the character's we meet are very unique and gifted and I just NEED to know more! Unfortunately, we didn't meet Elektra, Cameron, Alessia, and Lexyn until near the end. But it's one of those things where it really makes me want more from this series and I can't wait to have more. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and I'm very excited for what's to come.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was kindly provided with a copy of Asylum 54.0 by the author in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Every now and again, I come across a book that would lend itself really well for a screen adaption, or graphic novel. Asylum 54.0 is one of those books - it thrusts you into a world that I just know would be amazing to actually be able to watch in some shape or form, proven by the beautifully illustrated scenes that pop up throughout the book. With imagery, this story has all the potential to grab on to you and drag you in right off the bat as you follow its main character, Mathai, who wakes up without a large chunk of her memory and tries to piece together her surroundings.

Unfortunately, in the shape of a novel, it wasn't a great match for me.

Here's why: I am a lazy reader. I like to be taken by the hand by the author and shown around a new world as we slowly descend into the plot. This book is not that - it starts with a bang, and you're left scrambling to catch up, much like Mathai is. While this is everything I love in movies, TV shows and illustrated works, it was too much for me to keep up with the story in written form. I needed more world building, and more explanation. If you're different in this regard, you might very well love this book.

Because there is a lot to love: the world is unique, its story fresh, its cast diverse. And it's easy to see it's a labour of love - a lot of care went into the style and its esthetics. Yes, it could've done with another round of editing, but nothing that's too distracting from the actual story.

Should this story ever be adapted into different media, I will be 100% here for it. Until then, we'll unfortunately part ways 1/4th in.

[Dessaoutman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asylum 54.0 was the epitome of what you want from a science fiction book. It had sneaky men (that you just want gone) in lab coats, robot experimentation, but most of all, a group of friends you can root for. Mathai's story started at a particularly low point, which is always hard to articulate, but I think Nadege Richards did it well. After Mathai finds herself, her voice, and her strength, she goes on to learn about a fascinating world that holds more mysteries than one could be expected to fit into one book. Can't wait for the next one.

[HeyyAjj · Rating 5 out of 5]

"What? Theres a method to my madness," I said, holding up my two spoons and licking the stew from around my mouth.
5/5

Asylum 54.0. I loved the character(s) development of the main character. Nadege Richards took us through so many stories using only one set of eyes! An amazing world painted across every page! If you're looking for some alternate/post apocalyptic world where maybe that bad guy did win but theres a sliver of hope nearly ready to break through then I am telling you this is the story for you!!

[Joey Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll admit that the cover drew me in and when I started reading this, I couldn’t quite work out if it was my kinda book, I’d not really read the blurb and found it easy to get lost in the bits and pieces of the first few chapters. By the end of chapter 5 I was hooked and had to know more, so I ended up buying the second book and plan to devour that shortly. I adored the characters, the danger, the intrigue, the strength and the growing that happened throughout the pages and loved the ending! Overall an amazing book and one I recommend to all those who love a good sci-fi!

[gi❀ia ⁷ · Rating 3 out of 5]

one star to the author, she seems really cool and i believe she has great potential, one star to mathai, she was awesome and one star to me for finishing the book.
i believe this could‘ve been a book i really enjoyed, maybe three or four years ago. right now it just lacked twists and turns or innovation in worldbuilding to me. still, mathais story could be appealing to a younger audience.

[Ari · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly couldn't get through Asylum 54.0, but I managed to finish the book. It just didn't keep me invested in the story.

[Alison (theemptybookshelves) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started with this book, I was so confused in what world I actually jumped into. The first few chapters were a challenge for me, because i was keep trying to understand what actually is happening. But that didn't let my curiousity go down. Finally I started to understand that Ari is not really human and lost her memories. Twist came on that there is a game going on with her. However she is the one that gets help to remember who she is, it is me who got more help!! Ari is not Ari, but Mathai. Again another discovery. So basically you keep discovering new things and just want to keep on reading.
I really love the stort-line and the characters were well developed. I just want to dig in book two and know more and more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.