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The Loop Trilogy #3
Loop 3. El Arca (Infantil y Juvenil)
In the final installment of critically acclaimed Loop trilogy, all of humanity hinges on the greatest escape yet.
Luka Kane is dead, executed in front of a crowd of Alts who cheered despite the fact that the truth of their oppressive leaders had been revealed to them.
But one Alt, Chester “Chilly” Beckett, did not celebrate; his eyes have been opened to the truth. Luka’s corpse is dragged away, but Chester remains determined to find out what is going on in the Laboratory on the 65th floor.
There, he finds three subjects tortured in an attempt to extract a regeneration formula… and one of the subjects is, impossibly, a face he never thought he'd seen again. A bold escape sets in motion a race against time as Happy’s plans to release planet-eating nano-bots into the world draw nearer. The Loop team must reassemble, survive Happy’s final attempts to rid the world of the rebels, and figure out how to halt the apocalypse before humanity is destroyed.
Luka Kane is dead, executed in front of a crowd of Alts who cheered despite the fact that the truth of their oppressive leaders had been revealed to them.
But one Alt, Chester “Chilly” Beckett, did not celebrate; his eyes have been opened to the truth. Luka’s corpse is dragged away, but Chester remains determined to find out what is going on in the Laboratory on the 65th floor.
There, he finds three subjects tortured in an attempt to extract a regeneration formula… and one of the subjects is, impossibly, a face he never thought he'd seen again. A bold escape sets in motion a race against time as Happy’s plans to release planet-eating nano-bots into the world draw nearer. The Loop team must reassemble, survive Happy’s final attempts to rid the world of the rebels, and figure out how to halt the apocalypse before humanity is destroyed.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 2022
68 people are currently reading
1619 people want to read
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abgebrochen
January 23, 2023Bei 25 Prozent abgebrochen.
Meine Notiz (keine Rezension), dass ich das Buch abgebrochen habe, scheint zu polarisieren. Ich wünsche mir, dass meine subjektive Begründung ausschließlich zu diesem ersten Viertel des Buchs ("hat Null für mich funktioniert") einfach stehen bleiben kann. Jeder kann das anders bewerten. Dafür sind wir ja hier auf Goodreads. Ich bin jedenfalls nicht hier, um die Meinungen anderer persönlich zu nehmen und/oder mir die Meinung anderer aufdrängen zu lassen.
Ursprünglicher Text:
Sorry, die Erzähltechnik (gänzlich neue Figur, aus deren Perspektive erzählt wird. Nahezu komplett in inneren Monologen) hat NULL für mich funktioniert. Wirkte an vielen Stellen wie die Zusammenfassung eines anderen Buchs.
Meine Notiz (keine Rezension), dass ich das Buch abgebrochen habe, scheint zu polarisieren. Ich wünsche mir, dass meine subjektive Begründung ausschließlich zu diesem ersten Viertel des Buchs ("hat Null für mich funktioniert") einfach stehen bleiben kann. Jeder kann das anders bewerten. Dafür sind wir ja hier auf Goodreads. Ich bin jedenfalls nicht hier, um die Meinungen anderer persönlich zu nehmen und/oder mir die Meinung anderer aufdrängen zu lassen.
Ursprünglicher Text:
Sorry, die Erzähltechnik (gänzlich neue Figur, aus deren Perspektive erzählt wird. Nahezu komplett in inneren Monologen) hat NULL für mich funktioniert. Wirkte an vielen Stellen wie die Zusammenfassung eines anderen Buchs.
September 23, 2022
(Now rereading this at almost 6 AM I want to apologize for nothing making sense in this review :,) )
I’m sitting here and writing this review with tears in my eyes. One might think because of the ending of this book but no. It is because of the ending of this journey.
Everyone who knows me personally knows I recommend this series EVERY TIME someone asks (or doesn’t ask) for suggestions.
I fell in love with the characters in this story. Their bravery, selflessness, hopefulness, as well as their good hearts were addictive. Each and every character is so different from another and yet they all strived for the same goal - freedom.
Freedom not only from captivity in a cell but from captivity in their society - our society -
All the burdens they put on them and all the things they’ve been through are inspiring and even motivating.
To stand up for what you believe in. For never giving up. And always putting love first.
I don’t know if the author is aware of the story he has created. This is not only a dystopian novel but a guide for the rebels in all of your hearts, forcefully hidden there by our society.
We have to question authority, we need to take bigger steps to guarantee happiness and we need to speak out on injustice.
Now to be a bit more detailed about the story
I LOVED how mental health was also a part of this book.
Characters suffering from PTSD and them not thinking it’s valid because “people are suffering right now“ or because “it’s not the time“ or cause “while I’m still here people have died“.
It wasn’t the usual “I’m simply saying I deserve it and that’s it“ no, they were told by others that they and their problems matter and that they need to get help and will be supported with getting help.
Especially seeing what the characters have been through, it was portrayed very realistically.
The creativity of the author is unbelievable yet also so very realistic. All the events seeming so extrem but also so familiar gives this series it’s personal eeriness. Even the ending and seeing how opinions have always and will always differ is just exactly the way it is in our world.
I think Ben Oliver really ended this series the best way possible, since it was such a complex world he created. It was very easy to mess up, yet he definitely nailed it.
Now talking a bit about the characters
Starting off with Chester.
In the beginning I was afraid that the book was now only going to be in his point of view. In the beginning, he seemed way too bubbly for the plot but later on I really liked him. (Still thinking he‘s no MC material for “The Loop“)
It was very nice to see someone from the other side, growing up with all the privileges the other characters didn’t have and how he felt about everything that was going on.
(After mentioning that he easily gets crushes on people I had really hoped he’d get a little love story but nevermind)
What I found disappointing tho is that after he was introduced, came up with an escape plan, actually got Luka and the others out and was put into purgatory he was barely mentioned again.
He had a lot of potential, especially with having the knowledge and experience of not only an Alt but as someone as brilliant as him also working in the Arc, his character was only “relevant“ once after and necessary to end the story after Luka was gone.
I felt like there could’ve been much more with him.
Skipping forward to Tyco
I’ve never ever been so mad at a book my whole entire life. This is the first time I actually threw a book (anyone should know I take extra good care of my books but I was so so mad)
He has terminator energy through and through
!!!!!THE NEXT PART CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS!!!!
It’s 5 AM I don’t have the time to talk about every character in detail but I obviously can’t leave out Luka
Never in my life as a dystopian loving reader/movie fanatic have I seen a more selfless character than Luka (I’m even putting him above Tris Prior and that says something!!)
I unfortunately was somehow spoilered about him being alive (it was like an alternative blurb or something and I was so mad) however I was still soooo happy the first time we got his POV.
Luka constantly concluding with his life on one side made me laugh because he simply always got away from death, while on the other hand it caused him to become this broken, tired and nevertheless fighting character.
Living in this horrible world and always giving up until he remembers the people he loves and continues for them is what makes him a real hero.
His love for Kina made my heart break because it was so beautifully pure. No matter what was going on, he was constantly thinking about Kina and wether she’s ok. Leaving everything to make sure she’s alright.
He’s just so good.
See, I can’t leave without mentioning Igby. I love that swearing bastard. His mouth is filled with insults while his heart is filled with gold.
The moment he mentioned that one sentence in the subway station I knew he was going to die.
He did indeed die but I hated the way it was barely mentioned. Saying a proper goodbye or something like that would’ve been appropriate (I know the situation didn’t allow it but it was just like Akimis‘ death: way too fast and without any impact)
I also started tearing up when Malachai came out of the tunnel. I knew due to the lightings or the fading clouds the arcade would be able to receive energy and I was just waiting for them to appear. I love Malachai and “seeing“ familiar faces was just an extrem relief in that moment.
(I still don’t know how his eyes and Chester healed since they’ve been in cryonic containers making their cells stop working)
Also humongous thanks to him for FINALLY killing Tyco!!! Damn it he was so extremely annoying, it was unbearable constantly seeing him come up like a damn commercial break
The last thing I want to mention is how fascinating I found it that technology was not only depicted as evil in the story. We had AppleMoth and R (Darn, I forgot his name) proving that you can get attached to robots and not all of them have “bad“ and “reckless“ programming. Which leads me to the fact, that this was indeed because they both had emotions. AppleMoth was a friend and acted as one.
Either finding jokes funny, risking its life to help a friend, being happy when a familiar face enters the room or being sarcastic as can be.
All that eventually led to the end of Happy. Seeing Luka constantly slip out of Happy‘s hands, causing the AI to kind of “develop“ certain emotions and even at one point getting desperate when Luka is about to open the door, destroying everything Happy was fighting for.
I don’t even know what all that was supposed to mean but it was still so mesmerizing to follow.
I will now and forever tell people to read this series and will forever keep these characters and everything they’ve taught me in my heart <3
I’m sitting here and writing this review with tears in my eyes. One might think because of the ending of this book but no. It is because of the ending of this journey.
Everyone who knows me personally knows I recommend this series EVERY TIME someone asks (or doesn’t ask) for suggestions.
I fell in love with the characters in this story. Their bravery, selflessness, hopefulness, as well as their good hearts were addictive. Each and every character is so different from another and yet they all strived for the same goal - freedom.
Freedom not only from captivity in a cell but from captivity in their society - our society -
All the burdens they put on them and all the things they’ve been through are inspiring and even motivating.
To stand up for what you believe in. For never giving up. And always putting love first.
I don’t know if the author is aware of the story he has created. This is not only a dystopian novel but a guide for the rebels in all of your hearts, forcefully hidden there by our society.
We have to question authority, we need to take bigger steps to guarantee happiness and we need to speak out on injustice.
Now to be a bit more detailed about the story
I LOVED how mental health was also a part of this book.
Characters suffering from PTSD and them not thinking it’s valid because “people are suffering right now“ or because “it’s not the time“ or cause “while I’m still here people have died“.
It wasn’t the usual “I’m simply saying I deserve it and that’s it“ no, they were told by others that they and their problems matter and that they need to get help and will be supported with getting help.
Especially seeing what the characters have been through, it was portrayed very realistically.
The creativity of the author is unbelievable yet also so very realistic. All the events seeming so extrem but also so familiar gives this series it’s personal eeriness. Even the ending and seeing how opinions have always and will always differ is just exactly the way it is in our world.
I think Ben Oliver really ended this series the best way possible, since it was such a complex world he created. It was very easy to mess up, yet he definitely nailed it.
Now talking a bit about the characters
Starting off with Chester.
In the beginning I was afraid that the book was now only going to be in his point of view. In the beginning, he seemed way too bubbly for the plot but later on I really liked him. (Still thinking he‘s no MC material for “The Loop“)
It was very nice to see someone from the other side, growing up with all the privileges the other characters didn’t have and how he felt about everything that was going on.
(After mentioning that he easily gets crushes on people I had really hoped he’d get a little love story but nevermind)
What I found disappointing tho is that after he was introduced, came up with an escape plan, actually got Luka and the others out and was put into purgatory he was barely mentioned again.
He had a lot of potential, especially with having the knowledge and experience of not only an Alt but as someone as brilliant as him also working in the Arc, his character was only “relevant“ once after and necessary to end the story after Luka was gone.
I felt like there could’ve been much more with him.
Skipping forward to Tyco
I’ve never ever been so mad at a book my whole entire life. This is the first time I actually threw a book (anyone should know I take extra good care of my books but I was so so mad)
He has terminator energy through and through
!!!!!THE NEXT PART CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS!!!!
It’s 5 AM I don’t have the time to talk about every character in detail but I obviously can’t leave out Luka
Never in my life as a dystopian loving reader/movie fanatic have I seen a more selfless character than Luka (I’m even putting him above Tris Prior and that says something!!)
I unfortunately was somehow spoilered about him being alive (it was like an alternative blurb or something and I was so mad) however I was still soooo happy the first time we got his POV.
Luka constantly concluding with his life on one side made me laugh because he simply always got away from death, while on the other hand it caused him to become this broken, tired and nevertheless fighting character.
Living in this horrible world and always giving up until he remembers the people he loves and continues for them is what makes him a real hero.
His love for Kina made my heart break because it was so beautifully pure. No matter what was going on, he was constantly thinking about Kina and wether she’s ok. Leaving everything to make sure she’s alright.
He’s just so good.
See, I can’t leave without mentioning Igby. I love that swearing bastard. His mouth is filled with insults while his heart is filled with gold.
The moment he mentioned that one sentence in the subway station I knew he was going to die.
He did indeed die but I hated the way it was barely mentioned. Saying a proper goodbye or something like that would’ve been appropriate (I know the situation didn’t allow it but it was just like Akimis‘ death: way too fast and without any impact)
I also started tearing up when Malachai came out of the tunnel. I knew due to the lightings or the fading clouds the arcade would be able to receive energy and I was just waiting for them to appear. I love Malachai and “seeing“ familiar faces was just an extrem relief in that moment.
(I still don’t know how his eyes and Chester healed since they’ve been in cryonic containers making their cells stop working)
Also humongous thanks to him for FINALLY killing Tyco!!! Damn it he was so extremely annoying, it was unbearable constantly seeing him come up like a damn commercial break
The last thing I want to mention is how fascinating I found it that technology was not only depicted as evil in the story. We had AppleMoth and R (Darn, I forgot his name) proving that you can get attached to robots and not all of them have “bad“ and “reckless“ programming. Which leads me to the fact, that this was indeed because they both had emotions. AppleMoth was a friend and acted as one.
Either finding jokes funny, risking its life to help a friend, being happy when a familiar face enters the room or being sarcastic as can be.
All that eventually led to the end of Happy. Seeing Luka constantly slip out of Happy‘s hands, causing the AI to kind of “develop“ certain emotions and even at one point getting desperate when Luka is about to open the door, destroying everything Happy was fighting for.
I don’t even know what all that was supposed to mean but it was still so mesmerizing to follow.
I will now and forever tell people to read this series and will forever keep these characters and everything they’ve taught me in my heart <3
April 10, 2022
”The words of Galen Rye spark in my mind, he had said: Before you, no one has ever escaped the Loop, and no one had ever escaped the Block. You have done both. Well, I tell myself, let’s add the Arc to that list.”
I cannot believe that this book had me wanting a Tyco Roth redemption arc for a split second... THAT TWIST!
This book made me so sad. I wanted Luka to live so badly. I wanted him to be with Kina after all they fought for. But, the further I got into the book, I knew I was deluding myself, and the fact he sacrificed himself for humanity was a pretty good way to go! If I couldn’t have Luka and Kina, I’ll take peace in the fact Igby is finally reunited with Pod.
The twists with old characters returning and appearing in moments you’d least expect were just so fun! I loved Tyco and Maddox appearing in some unsuspecting moments. I’m going to miss these characters and this trilogy!
I cannot believe that this book had me wanting a Tyco Roth redemption arc for a split second... THAT TWIST!
This book made me so sad. I wanted Luka to live so badly. I wanted him to be with Kina after all they fought for. But, the further I got into the book, I knew I was deluding myself, and the fact he sacrificed himself for humanity was a pretty good way to go! If I couldn’t have Luka and Kina, I’ll take peace in the fact Igby is finally reunited with Pod.
The twists with old characters returning and appearing in moments you’d least expect were just so fun! I loved Tyco and Maddox appearing in some unsuspecting moments. I’m going to miss these characters and this trilogy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2021
3.5 stars. I didn’t love this one quite as much as the first two. I think there was just so much ground to cover to tie up the plot neatly that there wasn’t that much time to focus on the friendships and relationships and jokes I loved so much in the first two.
Over all I think this was the best Ben Oliver could do to finish up a very high concept series with insane stakes and literally impossible odds in a way that made sense. It was still a fun ride, even if the ending didn’t quite live up the promise of the whole series. Thanks to Edelweiss for the eArc!
Over all I think this was the best Ben Oliver could do to finish up a very high concept series with insane stakes and literally impossible odds in a way that made sense. It was still a fun ride, even if the ending didn’t quite live up the promise of the whole series. Thanks to Edelweiss for the eArc!
October 22, 2023
the amount of pain this series caused is wild to me. after the way the last book ended, I was set in the idea of Luka’s fate after coming face to face with the AI but I can see why the author made the decisions that he did for this finale. the writing is still fast paced and The Arc had the most short chapters out of all 3 books, so I flew through it. I can’t believe how so many of the original group of characters have died throughout the books, it’s just so sad especially with them being so young. my favorite characters are still Luka (the mc), Igby and Malachai— and seeing Luka and Igby sacrifice themselves to save humanity was so bittersweet. Tyco was a worthy antagonist to Luka, but I’m glad he finally met his end. overall I really enjoyed this trilogy and for YA, the situations truly were brutal and I’m interested to see what the author does next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2023
Die Buchreihe hat mich wirklich zum Nachdenken gebracht. Die Handlung war durchgehend spannend und die Charaktere habe ich wirklich ins Herz geschlossen. Die Bücher haben mir alle möglichen Emotionen entlockt und werden mir sicher noch lange im Kopf herumschwirren. Der dritte Band war für mich allerdings etwas schwächer als seine Vorgänger. Mit dem Schluss habe ich gerechnet, er war zwar ziemlich knapp, aber für die Reihe sehr passend.
3,5 Sterne
3,5 Sterne
June 3, 2023
Durchschnittlicher Abschluss einer ganz guten Reihe. Die Handlung und die Dialoge sind oberflächlich und einfach gestrickt. Man konnte es locker lesen, aber es war nicht mehr so mitreißend wie in den ersten Bänden.
September 2, 2022
I’m in a glass case of emotion
August 22, 2022
Arghhhhhh!
Major spoilers incoming!
After the ending of the block... I was reeling. Waiting for this one. Luka died!!!
But not really right? No cause luka doesnt die. He cant!
Chester goes through the process of figuring out which side to fight on and discovers luka, in the arc *essentially a Happy HQ. Anyway chester helps him escape. They find kina and the others and with a bit of the newfound info Chester discovered figure out how to take out happy. They essentially have to release all of the empathy happy stored from humans into happy..basically. Anyway, there's quite a few hiches but they end up back where it all started back at the loop. Igby ends up trying to be everyones hero and locks everyone up because going inside of happys system and releasing the empathy is basically a suicide mission. But luka escapes once he finds out igby isnt doing so well and he goes in too. *knowing very well he is gonna die. He suffers through a few simulated fears and fights to get to igby, all of these reminded me a lot of tris' simulations in dauntless and stuff in divergent. Very cool. I liked it. They get to the place they need to be but igby stops to buy luka time to stop happy and dies. And then luka is able to release all of the empathy happy had stored over the years...meaning A LOT. meaning the sytem could basically feel everything and saw what it had done to humanity and was appauled, it erases what it has done (mostly) from earth and essentially destroys itself.
And in doing so luka dies too... I swore he would come back! This dude had more lives than michael meyers in halloween. But no...like my other fictional hero who i wont name he stays dead... The story was told from his pov! (Most of the time) and he dies. Im gonna have to read this story over again just for the thrill of it but as much i wanted luka to survive i still loved the journey and luka has now become one of my fictional heroes I'll look up to, like tris, katniss, feyre, todd, and so many more.
Major spoilers incoming!
After the ending of the block... I was reeling. Waiting for this one. Luka died!!!
But not really right? No cause luka doesnt die. He cant!
Chester goes through the process of figuring out which side to fight on and discovers luka, in the arc *essentially a Happy HQ. Anyway chester helps him escape. They find kina and the others and with a bit of the newfound info Chester discovered figure out how to take out happy. They essentially have to release all of the empathy happy stored from humans into happy..basically. Anyway, there's quite a few hiches but they end up back where it all started back at the loop. Igby ends up trying to be everyones hero and locks everyone up because going inside of happys system and releasing the empathy is basically a suicide mission. But luka escapes once he finds out igby isnt doing so well and he goes in too. *knowing very well he is gonna die. He suffers through a few simulated fears and fights to get to igby, all of these reminded me a lot of tris' simulations in dauntless and stuff in divergent. Very cool. I liked it. They get to the place they need to be but igby stops to buy luka time to stop happy and dies. And then luka is able to release all of the empathy happy had stored over the years...meaning A LOT. meaning the sytem could basically feel everything and saw what it had done to humanity and was appauled, it erases what it has done (mostly) from earth and essentially destroys itself.
And in doing so luka dies too... I swore he would come back! This dude had more lives than michael meyers in halloween. But no...like my other fictional hero who i wont name he stays dead... The story was told from his pov! (Most of the time) and he dies. Im gonna have to read this story over again just for the thrill of it but as much i wanted luka to survive i still loved the journey and luka has now become one of my fictional heroes I'll look up to, like tris, katniss, feyre, todd, and so many more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2024
2.5
This instalment was a let-down. I love book 1 and book 2 was even better, so I'm really sad the trilogy has such a lackluster ending. I'm not a fan of how the conflict was resolved and additionally the story telling wasn't great. Why introduce a new character, only to ice him out for most of the book?
This instalment was a let-down. I love book 1 and book 2 was even better, so I'm really sad the trilogy has such a lackluster ending. I'm not a fan of how the conflict was resolved and additionally the story telling wasn't great. Why introduce a new character, only to ice him out for most of the book?
November 16, 2023
Ich geb der ganzen Trilogie (Loop, Block & Arc) insgesamt 4-4,5 Sterne. Fand es sehr gelungen, teilweise super spannend, interessant und sogar etwas brutal. Auch die Aufteilung in die drei Bücher find ich perfekt. Manchmal hab ich das Buch angeschrien weil mich Luka aufgeregt hat, aber das ist in Ordnung, muss ja auch nicht jeder Charakter perfekt sein. 😁
December 13, 2022
Ich sitze gerade hier und versuche zu verarbeiten, dass ich diese Reihe hiermit beendet habe🥲
Die ganze Reihe ist einfach so ein Meisterwerk im Bereich Science Fiction! Das ist eine so unfassbar kreative und geile Geschichte, ich kann es nicht anders beschreiben! Es passt einfach alles und hat dazu logische, nachvollziehbare Handlungen. Ich habe bei diesem Buch wirklich nur bei jedem Kapitel gesagt: "Jetzt nur noch ein Kapitel mehr", weil ich unbedingt wissen musste wie es weitergeht! Gleichzeitig hat es mir bei jedem Verlust das Herz gebrochen, die Tode haben mich teilweise echt sehr krass getroffen!😭
Generell habe ich selten so mutige und selbstlose Charaktere wie in dieser Buchreihe erlebt, einfach wow!🤍
Die Geschichte zeigt einfach auch, wie wir Menschen eigentlich wirklich sind, wirklich, so toll rübergebracht! Das hat mich echt zum Nachdenken gebracht.
Ich bin wie schon gesagt, unfassbar traurig, diese Welt und ihre Charaktere jetzt verlassen zu müssen, alle Science Fiction Fans machen mit dieser Reihe absolut nichts falsch!🤍
Die ganze Reihe ist einfach so ein Meisterwerk im Bereich Science Fiction! Das ist eine so unfassbar kreative und geile Geschichte, ich kann es nicht anders beschreiben! Es passt einfach alles und hat dazu logische, nachvollziehbare Handlungen. Ich habe bei diesem Buch wirklich nur bei jedem Kapitel gesagt: "Jetzt nur noch ein Kapitel mehr", weil ich unbedingt wissen musste wie es weitergeht! Gleichzeitig hat es mir bei jedem Verlust das Herz gebrochen, die Tode haben mich teilweise echt sehr krass getroffen!😭
Generell habe ich selten so mutige und selbstlose Charaktere wie in dieser Buchreihe erlebt, einfach wow!🤍
Die Geschichte zeigt einfach auch, wie wir Menschen eigentlich wirklich sind, wirklich, so toll rübergebracht! Das hat mich echt zum Nachdenken gebracht.
Ich bin wie schon gesagt, unfassbar traurig, diese Welt und ihre Charaktere jetzt verlassen zu müssen, alle Science Fiction Fans machen mit dieser Reihe absolut nichts falsch!🤍
April 12, 2022
As with all the books, what I really enjoyed about The Arc was all the various tech that exists in this dystopian future. I often find it hard to wrap my head around sci-fi literature, particularly when they go hard on the ‘science’ elements. These books bring that flawless mix of complicated enough tech that keeps the story exciting, without making your brain completely itch. It’s also balanced perfectly with plenty of character driven moments, which opens the genre up for even the most reluctant reader, and it’s what I truly love about the series as a whole.
There are plenty of familiar characters returning here, and one in particular who brings along the most delicious twist, that made me shout out loud!! The book does however open with a brand new character. Chester, who brings an interesting new dynamic to the story, as we get a viewpoint from an ‘Alt’. He’s a great insight into what’s going on ‘on the other side’, and how the bad guys might not be all bad.
I, of course, completely missed my beloved Apple-Moth, but we do get to meet a new droid in these pages. I love, love, love the humour that the robots have brought to the story, especially as there are so many dark moments, so it was a relief to meet another. Speaking of dark moments, I feel it prudent to warn people, the rats are back..!
Overall this was a very satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Whilst the ending did perhaps feel a little rushed, the journey to get there was as intense and twisty as you’d expect.
There are plenty of familiar characters returning here, and one in particular who brings along the most delicious twist, that made me shout out loud!! The book does however open with a brand new character. Chester, who brings an interesting new dynamic to the story, as we get a viewpoint from an ‘Alt’. He’s a great insight into what’s going on ‘on the other side’, and how the bad guys might not be all bad.
I, of course, completely missed my beloved Apple-Moth, but we do get to meet a new droid in these pages. I love, love, love the humour that the robots have brought to the story, especially as there are so many dark moments, so it was a relief to meet another. Speaking of dark moments, I feel it prudent to warn people, the rats are back..!
Overall this was a very satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. Whilst the ending did perhaps feel a little rushed, the journey to get there was as intense and twisty as you’d expect.
November 7, 2022
Brilliant end to a fantastic sc-fi/dystopian series! Highly recommend the trilogy, Ben Oliver has created a chilling world.
December 2, 2023
Happy to report that I was much more into this than The Block! I was bummed by the second book because I loved The Loop and I think The Arc brought back some of that fire and unexpectedness that I was into.
What a weird and creative sci-fi trilogy. It's not an easy premise to explain to people, but once you're in it, you're in it. This is one that would make an awesome TV show (and maybe scare some people away from leaving everything up to AI). Solid ending.
What a weird and creative sci-fi trilogy. It's not an easy premise to explain to people, but once you're in it, you're in it. This is one that would make an awesome TV show (and maybe scare some people away from leaving everything up to AI). Solid ending.
August 19, 2022
A lot of emotions were felt reading this book starting off with horror and sadness which turned to relief and then to absolutely despondency. After the ending in The Block, I couldn't believe at first what I was reading but then as I read on, more secrets were uncovered and I quickly got back into this dystopian world and enjoyed reading about its characters.
Again, the romance isn't really a big feature and it's very subtle to the point I didn't think it necessary. Otherwise, a lot goes on in this book: we meet new characters, there are betrayals, there is a lot of destruction and it's very fast-paced throughout.
My main problem with this book and why it's my least favourite out of the three in the trilogy is that I absolutely do not like the ending. It ends on a feeling of hopelessness for the human race. I thought, after all that, humans still haven't learnt and I actually felt really sad the next day after finishing it because it's probably the most realistic part of the book.
This is too miserable and doesn't give me the ending I was so desperately hoping for. I really enjoyed The Loop series but this last one has created a fissure in my heart.
Again, the romance isn't really a big feature and it's very subtle to the point I didn't think it necessary. Otherwise, a lot goes on in this book: we meet new characters, there are betrayals, there is a lot of destruction and it's very fast-paced throughout.
My main problem with this book and why it's my least favourite out of the three in the trilogy is that I absolutely do not like the ending. It ends on a feeling of hopelessness for the human race. I thought, after all that, humans still haven't learnt and I actually felt really sad the next day after finishing it because it's probably the most realistic part of the book.
This is too miserable and doesn't give me the ending I was so desperately hoping for. I really enjoyed The Loop series but this last one has created a fissure in my heart.
September 7, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
Uggghhh sad to say that this was the weakest in the trilogy.
I got bored so many times, the mc had too much plot armor and the story just continued to repeat itself.
Some characters had the same storylines twice? And for what?
I do have to say that this is a great series overall. It’s not often an author is this comfortable in killing characters and it’s a breath of fresh air. What fell flat for me was how it was a constant running, casually dying, not dying, more running and then continuing. I needed a bit more.
The love aspect also felt very weird as they’re 16-year olds, like sit down and chill out before confessing your love. It can be friendship love, don’t care but being all lovey dovey over someone you just met is a bit ehhhh
Uggghhh sad to say that this was the weakest in the trilogy.
I got bored so many times, the mc had too much plot armor and the story just continued to repeat itself.
Some characters had the same storylines twice? And for what?
I do have to say that this is a great series overall. It’s not often an author is this comfortable in killing characters and it’s a breath of fresh air. What fell flat for me was how it was a constant running, casually dying, not dying, more running and then continuing. I needed a bit more.
The love aspect also felt very weird as they’re 16-year olds, like sit down and chill out before confessing your love. It can be friendship love, don’t care but being all lovey dovey over someone you just met is a bit ehhhh
September 3, 2022
i gotta stop reading pre YA novels
April 9, 2023
3.5 stars, rounded up.
January 25, 2025
not bad, but the story got a little all over the place.
few things to consider here before i start: YA isn't really for me, and it has (stupidly, regretfully, unfortunately) been a 2-year gap between reading The Block and The Arc.
wow, that climax got me. there's just something about humans in a digital world that really hooks me. i was getting some strong Ready Player One (one of my favorites) vibes, as well as the Warcross series and The Adoration of Jenna Fox, which honestly i didn't think i would ever think about either of those again. i really enjoyed the depiction of Happy's mind. Igby pointing all of the symbols out messed that up a little for me because it felt like a fourth wall break and redundant, but i still liked that sequence and found it original.
what was that epilogue though? along with human empathy, the belief that humanity has the ability to change and be good is a strong theme (another one i love) in the series. so why on Earth is Chester in the epilogue all like "Kill the past so the future can be better." direct quote there. uh, what? forgetting the past is not going to help any of this...history will just repeat itself. i found the epilogue off-putting, and also too short.
i also really liked how Oliver explored Luka's mental health in this book. in some books, it's brushed off, but definitely wasn't here.
i don't think a singular first person POV works for this series anymore. Luka's POV was perfect for the first 2 books, but i think the story could really benefit from more, such as Igby or Kina. my wish was granted at the start from Chester but then he was thrown into Purgatory (aka essentially written into the background), except for the beginning and then the end when he could do something? i was excited to see the POV from someone "on the other side" but that part was so rushed and then the kid was stashed away as soon as he lines up with the good guys. it would've been nice to get more...anything...from Wren, Molly, Dr. Ortega etc. trough more POVs especially because we haven't seen them in a while. i think this series has had issues with flat characters from the start and i wish it was fixed this book.
i could keep ranting about plot holes, my annoyance towards Tyco's role, Luka and Kina's underdeveloped romance, and weird anatomy details that make no sense, but i really don't want to make it sound like i hated the book. i didn't. overall, i think the book was okay. the series is solid. i love the concept. if you're into YA dystopian sci-fi, read it. read it over Divergent, especially.
few things to consider here before i start: YA isn't really for me, and it has (stupidly, regretfully, unfortunately) been a 2-year gap between reading The Block and The Arc.
wow, that climax got me. there's just something about humans in a digital world that really hooks me. i was getting some strong Ready Player One (one of my favorites) vibes, as well as the Warcross series and The Adoration of Jenna Fox, which honestly i didn't think i would ever think about either of those again. i really enjoyed the depiction of Happy's mind. Igby pointing all of the symbols out messed that up a little for me because it felt like a fourth wall break and redundant, but i still liked that sequence and found it original.
what was that epilogue though? along with human empathy, the belief that humanity has the ability to change and be good is a strong theme (another one i love) in the series. so why on Earth is Chester in the epilogue all like "Kill the past so the future can be better." direct quote there. uh, what? forgetting the past is not going to help any of this...history will just repeat itself. i found the epilogue off-putting, and also too short.
i also really liked how Oliver explored Luka's mental health in this book. in some books, it's brushed off, but definitely wasn't here.
i don't think a singular first person POV works for this series anymore. Luka's POV was perfect for the first 2 books, but i think the story could really benefit from more, such as Igby or Kina. my wish was granted at the start from Chester but then he was thrown into Purgatory (aka essentially written into the background), except for the beginning and then the end when he could do something? i was excited to see the POV from someone "on the other side" but that part was so rushed and then the kid was stashed away as soon as he lines up with the good guys. it would've been nice to get more...anything...from Wren, Molly, Dr. Ortega etc. trough more POVs especially because we haven't seen them in a while. i think this series has had issues with flat characters from the start and i wish it was fixed this book.
i could keep ranting about plot holes, my annoyance towards Tyco's role, Luka and Kina's underdeveloped romance, and weird anatomy details that make no sense, but i really don't want to make it sound like i hated the book. i didn't. overall, i think the book was okay. the series is solid. i love the concept. if you're into YA dystopian sci-fi, read it. read it over Divergent, especially.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2025
What the fuck was that ending??? Three epics books fighting against happy and we don’t even get like a conversation between him and Luka. He’s just instantly a good person now and deletes himself in seconds?? Talk about anti climactic.
The we get the year later chapter. You are telling me that the new plan is to erase history so that it won’t happen again?? Um that sounds a little bit like mass censorship and political manipulation which is sort of what the entire trilogy is about fighting.
Also I hate when people just randomly split up at the end of a series. Like they have been together for years and fighting for their lives together for months but now it’s safe we are all gonna move away.
Other than these things it was a great book, I’ll just chose to ignore that last 30 pages.
Then we have Luka and Kina. I love and hate the romance at the same time. On the one hand they literally have not ever had a prolonged conversation and we know nothing about kina (couldn���t even tell you how old she is) we don’t even really know anything about what she looks like. She is described as having dark skin and a shaved head in the start of book one and then never described ever again. And yet she is his soulmate apparently.
They also never seem to do things together. They always split up on missions. I could get it if they kept being paired for missions and ended up falling in love that way but they don’t. Luka is always with other people. In fact he seems to mainly forget she exists in 90% of all three books until he’s like ah yes my one true love I remember her.
However I also kind of love this dynamic because it is so utterly ridiculous that it makes sense for a 16 year old boy. He’s loves her, he couldn’t tell you how tall she is or her eye colour but he loves her just trust him.
The first 90% of this book was an amazing action packed conclusion to this incredible series. And then the end was just there. It felt like he knew he had to end the book now so did it as quickly as possible. Honestly very disappointing but the series as a whole is still very much worth the read.
The we get the year later chapter. You are telling me that the new plan is to erase history so that it won’t happen again?? Um that sounds a little bit like mass censorship and political manipulation which is sort of what the entire trilogy is about fighting.
Also I hate when people just randomly split up at the end of a series. Like they have been together for years and fighting for their lives together for months but now it’s safe we are all gonna move away.
Other than these things it was a great book, I’ll just chose to ignore that last 30 pages.
Then we have Luka and Kina. I love and hate the romance at the same time. On the one hand they literally have not ever had a prolonged conversation and we know nothing about kina (couldn���t even tell you how old she is) we don’t even really know anything about what she looks like. She is described as having dark skin and a shaved head in the start of book one and then never described ever again. And yet she is his soulmate apparently.
They also never seem to do things together. They always split up on missions. I could get it if they kept being paired for missions and ended up falling in love that way but they don’t. Luka is always with other people. In fact he seems to mainly forget she exists in 90% of all three books until he’s like ah yes my one true love I remember her.
However I also kind of love this dynamic because it is so utterly ridiculous that it makes sense for a 16 year old boy. He’s loves her, he couldn’t tell you how tall she is or her eye colour but he loves her just trust him.
The first 90% of this book was an amazing action packed conclusion to this incredible series. And then the end was just there. It felt like he knew he had to end the book now so did it as quickly as possible. Honestly very disappointing but the series as a whole is still very much worth the read.
December 11, 2022
Stell dir vor, du lebst in einer Welt, in der eine künstliche Intelligenz über alles entscheidet. Denn sie ist allwissend. Doch sie hat keine Gefühle, keine Empathie, wie würde diese Welt aussehen? In der Loop Trilogie kannst du es herausfinden.
The Arc von Ben Oliver ist der dritte und finale Band der The Loop Trilogy. Und keine Angst, die Besprechung enthält keine Spoiler, weder zu Band 1,2 oder 3.
Ich bin ein großer Fan von Dystopien und diese Sci-Fi-Dystopie hat mir vorzüglich gefallen. Einen großen Reiz der Geschichte macht aus, dass man nicht weiß, was passiert. Es gibt so einige Überraschungen und Wendungen, mit denen man nicht gerechnet hätte. Deswegen werde ich auch nicht auf die Handlung im Detail eingehen. Nur so viel. Band 3 ist genauso spannend wie auch schon seine Vorgänger, es passiert wieder so einiges. Eine Flucht, Kämpfe, ein großer Showdown, bei dem jede Minute zählt. Der flüssige Schreibstil von Ben Oliver trägt dazu bei, dass man nur so durch die Seiten fliegt.
Ich glaube, keiner mag es, wenn Charaktere, die man mag sterben, aber doch verleiht es der Geschichte mehr ernst und macht sie realistischer. Ich meine, hier passiert so viel Schlimmes, die Welt oder eher gesagt, die Menschheit droht unterzugehen, da ist es nur realistisch, wenn auch jemand stirbt. So hat man sich beim Lesen nie wirklich sicher gefühlt. Man wusste nicht, was einen als nächstes erwartet. Dies hat nochmal zur Spannung beigetragen.
Die Charaktere fand ich durchweg gut dargestellt, manche wurden nur kurz angerissen, aber doch hatten sie ihre Alleinstellungsmerkmale, sodass sie einem gut im Gedächtnis geblieben sind. Besonders mochte ich Lukas, mit seiner menschlichen Art, er ist nicht der Überheld, wie er manchmal in Büchern vorkommt.
Fazit:
Wer auf Sci-Fi-Dystopien steht, wird hier auf seine Kosten kommen. Aber auch allen anderen kann ich die Reihe empfehlen. Spannend, actiongeladen und mit einigen unerwarteten Wendungen gepickt, glänzt auch wieder Band 3. Ein toller Abschluss der Reihe.
The Arc von Ben Oliver ist der dritte und finale Band der The Loop Trilogy. Und keine Angst, die Besprechung enthält keine Spoiler, weder zu Band 1,2 oder 3.
Ich bin ein großer Fan von Dystopien und diese Sci-Fi-Dystopie hat mir vorzüglich gefallen. Einen großen Reiz der Geschichte macht aus, dass man nicht weiß, was passiert. Es gibt so einige Überraschungen und Wendungen, mit denen man nicht gerechnet hätte. Deswegen werde ich auch nicht auf die Handlung im Detail eingehen. Nur so viel. Band 3 ist genauso spannend wie auch schon seine Vorgänger, es passiert wieder so einiges. Eine Flucht, Kämpfe, ein großer Showdown, bei dem jede Minute zählt. Der flüssige Schreibstil von Ben Oliver trägt dazu bei, dass man nur so durch die Seiten fliegt.
Ich glaube, keiner mag es, wenn Charaktere, die man mag sterben, aber doch verleiht es der Geschichte mehr ernst und macht sie realistischer. Ich meine, hier passiert so viel Schlimmes, die Welt oder eher gesagt, die Menschheit droht unterzugehen, da ist es nur realistisch, wenn auch jemand stirbt. So hat man sich beim Lesen nie wirklich sicher gefühlt. Man wusste nicht, was einen als nächstes erwartet. Dies hat nochmal zur Spannung beigetragen.
Die Charaktere fand ich durchweg gut dargestellt, manche wurden nur kurz angerissen, aber doch hatten sie ihre Alleinstellungsmerkmale, sodass sie einem gut im Gedächtnis geblieben sind. Besonders mochte ich Lukas, mit seiner menschlichen Art, er ist nicht der Überheld, wie er manchmal in Büchern vorkommt.
Fazit:
Wer auf Sci-Fi-Dystopien steht, wird hier auf seine Kosten kommen. Aber auch allen anderen kann ich die Reihe empfehlen. Spannend, actiongeladen und mit einigen unerwarteten Wendungen gepickt, glänzt auch wieder Band 3. Ein toller Abschluss der Reihe.
September 6, 2024
This trilogy was absolutely spectacular and I don't understand why it doesn't have the same hype that other dystopian series get because I absolutely loved every second of this series. All the twists, all the characters, all the author's choices! Ben Oliver did an amazing job and I can't wait for more books from him.
I think one of my favorite aspects of this series is Luka Cain himself (spell check me because I audiobooked this. lol) He is this bright believer in humanity but also has had a rough life, and continues to have rough times during this series. He's so genuine though and I love that about him. I love that he wants to forgive and trust and BELIEVE. And there were so many times that I just teared up at his purity, the purity of human that can only happen in so few individuals. He was the perfect main character for this series.
All in all, I would recommend this to dystopian / sci fi fans, especially for fans of the Uglies trilogy. My ultimate takeaway was that this series was like a fucked up, dark version of Wall-E with human main characters. HAHAHA AND I LOVED IT.
I think one of my favorite aspects of this series is Luka Cain himself (spell check me because I audiobooked this. lol) He is this bright believer in humanity but also has had a rough life, and continues to have rough times during this series. He's so genuine though and I love that about him. I love that he wants to forgive and trust and BELIEVE. And there were so many times that I just teared up at his purity, the purity of human that can only happen in so few individuals. He was the perfect main character for this series.
All in all, I would recommend this to dystopian / sci fi fans, especially for fans of the Uglies trilogy. My ultimate takeaway was that this series was like a fucked up, dark version of Wall-E with human main characters. HAHAHA AND I LOVED IT.
April 20, 2023
This has been a thrilling series! I have just zipped right through it. I couldn't have stopped if I tried. This 3rd and final book has some new characters and our old friends and enemies. The end of humanity is at stake and Happy is relentless. There is so much going on and surprises both good and bad. This leaves us with much food for thought. Can humanity be saved? I listened to the complete series on audio books and the narration is excellent!!! (The audiobook version is not listed on Goodreads for this one.) I loved this series so much!
January 2, 2023
Wow, ein atemberaubender Abschluss für eine Reihe, die viel zu unbekannt ist 😍!
Ich hab alles daran geliebt (bis auf das letzte Kapitel, das hat mir mein Herz nochmal gebrochen 🥲), und bin nur so durch die Seiten geflogen.
Kann das Buch allen „Hunger Games“ und „Maze Runner“ Fans von Herzen empfehlen, jeder Teil ist einfach unglaublich und nervenaufreibend 🤭!
5/5 ✨ - Ein toller Einstieg ins Lesejahr!
Ich hab alles daran geliebt (bis auf das letzte Kapitel, das hat mir mein Herz nochmal gebrochen 🥲), und bin nur so durch die Seiten geflogen.
Kann das Buch allen „Hunger Games“ und „Maze Runner“ Fans von Herzen empfehlen, jeder Teil ist einfach unglaublich und nervenaufreibend 🤭!
5/5 ✨ - Ein toller Einstieg ins Lesejahr!
April 10, 2024
Das Buch war anfangs wie die ersten Teile aufgebaut, was ich super fand, aber das Ende kam mir viel zu abrupt, und ich fand es sehr schade das es ein typisches Ende von solchen Büchern wurde, hätte mir bei der vorherigen Kreativität mehr erwartet, ich mag es einfach nicht wenn solche starken Freundschaften ins Nichts zerbrechen
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2022
4,5 stars
November 14, 2022
do yourself a favor: don’t read.
January 18, 2023
This is one of my favorite dystopian series now! What a series!
February 26, 2023
This just didn't work at all, pretty underwhelming
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