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The Button
A global catastrophe… an airborne disease… a small group of survivors… a new set of rules. For the fledgling community which emerges after worldwide disaster, self-sufficiency is vital, but daily life is a grind. Particularly for First Borns, who are forced to stay at home, forced to tend house and forced to press a button every 90 minutes. No exceptions. But for one girl, it's time to say no.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2020
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 16, 2020
I thought that this novella had a very unique concept.
The world is in a post apocalyptic state consisting of a few small settlements.
Our main character presses a button every 90 minutes every single day as her life's purpose but has no idea why she must press it. All first borns have this to do as their job. They are only allowed to go out at scheduled times for short periods of time.
She is a rebel of sorts and decides she doesn't want to press the button anymore.
This was a quick and easy read. I found myself wishing that this story was longer and more fleshed out because i really grew to enjoy it. It ends on a cliffhanger and I'm hoping theres going to be another part to this.
***I received this book for free via Librarything. This in no way influenced my opinion on this book. Thank you so much to Goodreads, the publisher, and the author for this opportunity***
The world is in a post apocalyptic state consisting of a few small settlements.
Our main character presses a button every 90 minutes every single day as her life's purpose but has no idea why she must press it. All first borns have this to do as their job. They are only allowed to go out at scheduled times for short periods of time.
She is a rebel of sorts and decides she doesn't want to press the button anymore.
This was a quick and easy read. I found myself wishing that this story was longer and more fleshed out because i really grew to enjoy it. It ends on a cliffhanger and I'm hoping theres going to be another part to this.
***I received this book for free via Librarything. This in no way influenced my opinion on this book. Thank you so much to Goodreads, the publisher, and the author for this opportunity***
September 9, 2020
It was a rainy lazy day, so I made a cup of tea, popped up The Button on my tablet, and immersed myself in the delicious storytelling concocted by Ellen Allen.
Let’s be frank, the book has little as a beginning. Instead, the reader is thrusted into the dismal life of an unassuming teen whose existence is defined by her rank in her family – why do firstborns always seem to suffer (asking for a friend), -- which has earned her the mind-numbing job of pushing a button without so much as a scintilla of reasoning.
The reader is pulled into her isolation, her pain and her admiration for Joe. I found myself rooting for her, and rooting for Pig (no pig pun intended). I loved Pig – more than I cared for her sweet family members. I don’t want to give too much away except to say that I spent a good, suspenseful afternoon enjoying a different kind of tale. Ellen didn’t follow a tried and true formula, which may make others feel uncomfortable or cheated. I was a little dismayed by the ending. The build-up had my pulse quickening, so I was looking for more.
Nevertheless, reading this dystopic tale was a great way to spend a quiet, rainy afternoon. I reviewed this book as an honest reviewer for The LibraryThing.
Let’s be frank, the book has little as a beginning. Instead, the reader is thrusted into the dismal life of an unassuming teen whose existence is defined by her rank in her family – why do firstborns always seem to suffer (asking for a friend), -- which has earned her the mind-numbing job of pushing a button without so much as a scintilla of reasoning.
The reader is pulled into her isolation, her pain and her admiration for Joe. I found myself rooting for her, and rooting for Pig (no pig pun intended). I loved Pig – more than I cared for her sweet family members. I don’t want to give too much away except to say that I spent a good, suspenseful afternoon enjoying a different kind of tale. Ellen didn’t follow a tried and true formula, which may make others feel uncomfortable or cheated. I was a little dismayed by the ending. The build-up had my pulse quickening, so I was looking for more.
Nevertheless, reading this dystopic tale was a great way to spend a quiet, rainy afternoon. I reviewed this book as an honest reviewer for The LibraryThing.
August 25, 2020
This is an unusual novella set in a postapocalyptic world. After an environmental catastrophe, the survivors need to push a button every 90 minutes. They choose their First Borns to do it, so they can never leave their house or stop pushing the button. I’m not sure I understood completely what was going on because the main character herself has limited information, but I kept reading. The world-building is impressive, specially considering how short the text is. The last part is unbearably suspenseful. I love it!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, Ellen Allen!
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, Ellen Allen!
August 24, 2020
I know this was a novella, but boy was it a quick read! Once again, Ellen Allen has fashioned an un-put-downable tale. I was mildly disappointed by the abrupt ending. I would enjoy reading more in this storyline.
*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
*I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
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April 2, 2021 *Review copy received from the author via LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*
August 25, 2020
I received this novella as an early reviewer and I was really pleased. The story is about a girl who is forced to press a button every 90 minutes and is desperate to escape. It's a quick read and well worth it! I want a sequel to know what happens next...
September 19, 2020
A fast, easy read, with enough mystery to keep you engaged. A bit of a rocky start in the first few pages, due to the amount of new and slightly confusing information dumped on the reader, but it goes swift and smooth afterwards. Definitely worth the read.
July 2, 2021
The synopsis for Ellen Allen's The Button gave me chills! Especially the last line: "But for one girl, it's time to say no." And I'm like, damn straight it is! Screw the system!!
I agreed to review this because the synopsis was so intriguing, and I did know going in that it was gonna be a short read, so I tried to prepare myself, but it still felt way too short. There wasn't enough time allowed for more world building. Further character development would've really made this story pop.
This story could easily be transformed into a full length novel -- there's a lot of fantastic out-of-this-world creative ideas here that could be opened up. I know I'd definitely read it.
Back in 2014, I read Allen's novel, The Sham, and it was amazing!! She can definitely write, there's no question about it. Click here to read my review of The Sham. I can't wait to see what she writes next. I'm definitely reading everything and anything she writes, that's for sure!
I agreed to review this because the synopsis was so intriguing, and I did know going in that it was gonna be a short read, so I tried to prepare myself, but it still felt way too short. There wasn't enough time allowed for more world building. Further character development would've really made this story pop.
This story could easily be transformed into a full length novel -- there's a lot of fantastic out-of-this-world creative ideas here that could be opened up. I know I'd definitely read it.
Back in 2014, I read Allen's novel, The Sham, and it was amazing!! She can definitely write, there's no question about it. Click here to read my review of The Sham. I can't wait to see what she writes next. I'm definitely reading everything and anything she writes, that's for sure!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews