Claudia GabelRecensioni
Autore di Elusion
Recensioni
Romeo & Juliet & vampires di Claudia Gabel
Regan lives in a world that is a shattered version of our own. Acid rain falls from the sky, black poisonous clouds hover overhead, and an O2 shield is pretty much necessary most days if you don't want to choke to death on the chemicals floating in the atmosphere. Nature as we know it is gone. So how do people get away from their problems? An Escape. An Elusion. Before he mysteriously died, Regan's father invented this amazing way to take a "trip" to somewhere new. Sounds amazing, right? Or is it?
I have to say, I was impressed with the world that was built around Regan. Although it wasn't flat out explained, it was immersive enough that I didn't even question it. I was lost in the desolation around these people, and the fact that they just ignored it all. I'm a sucker for new technology, and Elusion was amazing to me. Imagine a way to travel to somewhere new, to somewhere that hasn't existed in years, in complete safety. Of course that kind of technology always comes with its fair share of flaws. This one was no exception.
There was nothing I could do but hold on as Regan flew through one part of the mystery after another, uncovering all the dirty laundry that her father's company was trying to hide. Once again I'll admit, it wasn't exactly a perfectly plausible story line. Still, this was a new world. It was a vividly built world, and I was willing to forgive a lot simply because I couldn't help but feel caught up in it all. I wanted to know what Orexis was hiding, and you couldn't have stopped me if you tried.
The absolute only thing that slightly irked me was the quasi-romance that Elusion brings to the table. Regan was such a strong character. She fought for what she believed in, and never gave up no matter how many people tried to break her down. Seeing her loose it over a guy she just met, no matter how handsome he was, bothered me. I can't deny it. It also made for an ending that, although the cliffhanger is killer, was rushed as well. Still, I know I'll be back for more. This series has hooked me. You can mark me solidly on the "I liked this" side of the Elusion camp, and I'm proud of it.
The story is set in our world, however things have happened that have put strains on the environment. The air quality is frequently dangerous and citizens are required to wear O2 shields which regulate their air. They also have 7 day work weeks, with no breaks or vacations, and a pretty constant onslaught of acid rain. Things are pretty bleak. Enter Elusion. The perfect escape to get away from all of these problems.
The main character Regan is the daughter of the man who invented Elusion, but after her father's untimely death, accusations start to arise that there are problems with Elusion that could lead to deadly consequences for users. Regan is determined to prove these accusations wrong, but every time she goes into the virtual world of Elusion, she starts to wonder if the accusations might hold a little bit of truth.
The writing was really great and the descriptions of the Escapes and the world of Elusion were beautiful. The plot was really cool as well and I'm very interested to see where this goes next, however, I feel as though there was a bit lacking in the world building. There wasn't really much of a description or any background info given on how the world got to the point that the air quality is so poor, and that the clouds always pour down acid rain.
I did enjoy the characters and the romantic aspects even though I felt like there was a bit of insta-love going on between Regan and the male protagonist. (I say male protagonist instead of his name because there are kind of 2 male protagonists and I won't give away which one she ends up with, even though it's not really a love triangle either.)
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot, and I will definitely be reading the next one, especially since this one ended in a cliffhanger!
Quick & Dirty: This sequel was a lot of fun and fans of book one will enjoy it immensely.
Opening Sentence: Local police are working on a solid lead in the case of three teens missing since mid-March: Claire Wilberstein, 19, a freshman at UCLA; Piper Lewis, 15, of Willshire; and Wyatt Krissoff, 17, of Inglewood.
The Review:
Warning! Elusion spoilers!
The program that her father created, Elusion, was supposed to create a beautiful escape to a world of nature and wonder that doesn’t exist in a world that has been taken by pollution. Elusion’s imaginative fun is certainly more preferable to the acid rain and unsanitary air that now rules earth. But it’s dangerous, causing addiction and messing with chemicals in people’s body, and Regan needs to tell the world — except she’s stuck in it. She found that her father, supposedly dead, was alive in Elusion and being held captive by his company partners. Along with him and the various kids who grew addicted and found the entrance to the Etherworld where he hides, Regan and Josh must destroy Elusion before it is spread to the world. And the longer they stay in it, the less likely that they’ll be alive when they leave.
Less than a couple years back, I read Elusion. I had just started reviewing and was super excited to get a chance to open up such a colorful, exciting novel. I ended up really enjoying the first and was interested in seeing what I thought of the second when I received it for review. I was impressed by certain twists that were added and less than impressed by others, and in the end I felt that it was a short, fun sequel. One thing that stayed pretty constant, by the way — those incredible covers! Look at the colors and the gorgeous backdrops! These books would be beautiful on my shelves if I hadn’t gotten e-copies.
This book eliminated the love triangle, which I appreciated. I hate a character who isn’t decisive. Regan, our main character, evolves her relationship with Josh as they undergo a series of dangers and trials. Their commitment to each other was admirable and I liked how they could grow through the challenges that their romance was facing, rather than letting them mess with it. The character Patrick whom was friend-zoned last book develops strongly. At the end of Elusion to the end of Etherworld he becomes a completely different character. It was tough, watching as he was forced to choose between his family and his commitment to the safety of Elusion users as well as Regan.
The book really jumped into action from the beginning, but even the start seemed slow in comparison to the explosive last half. It started where Elusion left off, but instead of Regan’s “find dad” goal, she was now trying to escape Elusion to notify the public. The book is more focused on the action and danger aspect than the relationships but there was still strong, diverse characters that had different layers. The book really took science fiction to the next level with a curveball that I did not see coming, one that added another spark of originality that I adored. It was quite the twist. It makes me wonder if adding that had been the author’s intentions from the beginning, because I never would have guessed that they’d take it that way, though I really appreciated it when they did.
Altogether, I did really enjoy this sequel to Elusion. It had been so long since I’d read book one that I had forgotten some of what happened, and there could have been more of a recap. Nevertheless, I caught on soon enough and enjoyed myself. I thought it had some elements I really enjoyed that made it better than book one, but for some reason I wasn’t as connected to the characters (hence the lower rating). I would definitely recommend it to others, though: the constant action, shifting alliances, and sudden twists make it a read well worth your time. Plus, who wouldn’t want that gorgeous cover being displayed on your shelf?
Notable Scene:
“And we will win. We will beat Elusion.”
This is the uplifting speech I was hoping for earlier, but I can’t take comfort in what he’s saying. I guess I know too much.
“And if we can’t?” Wyatt asks, gazing at my dad with the same pleading eyes I used to use as a kid.
My dad pats him on the back and forces a confident smile. Exactly like he did with me.
“Just do your best,” he says. “That’s all any of us can do.”
Josh finally lifts his head and we share a look, each knowing what the other is thinking.
Our best may not be enough to save us.
FTC Advisory: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperTeen provided me with a copy of Etherworld. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
3.5 stars overall. Another SciFi virtual reality novel. While this one didn't really have anything new, it was decently written and moved along nicely. Not sure about the ending, but it will leave most readers impatiently waiting for the next installment.
The idea of the story sounded pretty unique and totally cool. I would so enjoy escaping from reality for a little while, but it feels like I’ve read this story and put up with this dumb girl before and all the clichés that seem to come hand in hand in these sorts of books.
There were supposed to be plot twists, apparently.
Elusion seemed pretty darn predictable to me.
I hated Regan after the whole…’I wanted to kiss Josh again’ crap. Like hello, you have other important things to do. Focus on something other than a boy you’ve only known for about a week. A boy who hasn’t exactly been 100% honest with you on certain details.
I didn’t really like any characters. I didn’t like Patrick and I definitely did not like Josh. There was just something about him and ugh.
Stuff happens, but nothing really happens. It tries to pick up at the very end. But there’s no way I would ever bother picking up the next book.
I liked Regan's voice and got caught up in the story. Sometimes sci-fi and the hows and whys go over my head, so I was confused for a bit and also didn't really understand any of the science of how this could be in the realm of possibility even if we aren't there yet, so I don't know if some would have an issue, but I didn't. I was eager to find out about this world in the future that is low on oxygen and seems to have messed up any beautiful landscape since the first Escape she took with her father was such a scenic experience. But an accident killed her father and things changed and escalated with his tech. It became a source of escape, relaxation and fun for the whole city, almost ready to be released to the general population.
I liked her friendship and the bantering between her and Patrick at the beginning and how he still made time for her, making her a priority even though he is involved with the company and running conferences and such. I so hoped that he wasn't on the corrupted or gone wrong part but tried to keep my heart protected a bit. I was also crossing my fingers for no love triangle since the synopsis mentioned the handsome rebel Josh and says that Regan will have to choose between love and loyalty.
I enjoyed Josh's character, but ultimately I think that things progressed pretty quickly between them. It felt okay for me, but I know some of my readers have issues with the insta-love and the whole story takes place in less than a week. While I suppose there are no actual declarations of love, they become close and there is a kiss. I enjoyed the romance personally and can't wait to see how much closer they are in the next book. I liked how he was protective of Regan, and that he wasn't quick to judge her or make assumptions.
I finished the story before I knew it, and enjoyed the world building, especially when I got a handle on the terminology and how Elusion and Escapes worked. There was some scientific talk that I didn't care to wade through, but I am sure that this will be gold for some readers. But I liked the idea of being able to use virtual reality to go to serene places when their environment seems to be devastated, needing supplemental oxygen when outside and acid rain, and not a lot of nature left.
The whole addiction plot line made things that more layered. Figuring out who knew what and where the blame lay for teens' vulnerability for getting addicted to the substances that allow for Escape. It also gave Josh something to work for and a reason behind because he was struck close to home with his sister Nora.
I was eager to further unravel Regan's family dynamic. There were hints of and we find out more about her father's accident and memories of their relationship. And Regan and her mom seemed to have a weird grief covered relationship and I know that at some points Regan was doubting her, and then others they were connected.
It ended at an okay spot I suppose, but I am def eager to find out what happens with the firewall, to discover what exactly Patrick's role was in everything and see the bad guys taken down.
Bottom Line: Fast paced sci-fi.
Plot: This is about a girl, Regan who is the daughter of a scientist. This scientist events the ultimate app. In this app, you can create whatever place you want to visit or relive. After all it’s all in your head. But we all know with technology too much of one thing is bad. And soon this app is causing deaths. Regan must follow bread crumbs her father left in order to find out what secrets are being kept. It’s a very intriguing plot that kept me firmly in my seat. Be aware that there is a lot of plot build up. It may seem slow, but once all the pieces are together it’s amazing.
Friendship/Love: Through out the story, Regan is already close friends with her fathers protégé. He has fallen for her and yet she meets another guy, who just so happens to be an enemy of the other guy and the love triangle begins. You know, in this part I was a bit skeptical with the whole love triangle and how it would play out. Since there were a lot of lies, the reader could easily see where Regan’s heart lies, still I had to hold my breathe some in certain parts.
Ending: It ended nicely, concluding the story with plenty to go on if the authors want to continue it. I’m not sure if this book will have a sequel (if it does, please let me know) but if there was one to come out, I’d read it. The scientific aspect alone keeps me firmly in the story.
In the end, I think everyone should go out and read this book. It has plenty to offer with an intriguing plot that is built nicely for the reader to immerse in. The most important part of the book is following the clues so pay attention and enjoy the ride. A delightful story that captures sci-fi at its best, Elusion is clever.
Quick & Dirty: An amazing story that you devour like a chocolate cake, one that will leave you shocked and gaping at a cliffhanger. Well-paced, well-written . . . what isn’t to like?
Opening Sentence: “Don’t be scared, Regan,” My father says. “I’ll be next to you the whole time, I promise.”
The Review:
It is a different world than the present one — pollution has become a major conflict, and acid rains storm as citizens wear air purifiers with heavy-duty umbrellas. Elusion is a new technology invented by Regan’s father, a virtual world where pain, sadness, and anything other than bliss are nowhere to be found. Regan’s dad passed, leaving her mother and herself to deal with loss as rumors of Elusion’s “addictiveness” fly through the city. But Regan begins to wonder . . . could these claims be correct?
This is going to be the next big thing! Elusion is a mind-blowing start to a series. I was immediately hooked, from the second I started reading, and the cover was gorgeous so that helped convince me that I’d love it as well.
Elusion is both a mystery story and a sci-fi masterpiece, with dips and turns and constant action. The very idea of Elusion, a world that is perfect and beautiful, was a unique and fresh idea. The tone of the novel swings from enchanting and happy to morbid and dangerous, making for an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you breathless.
Everything, even the science aspect, is explained crystal clear. There was no problem with being bored, because everything about this was interesting and intriguing. I can find no plot holes. It seems that for the most part, this story is as close to perfect as it can be.
Regan has one main problem, the Elusion and how its faults are affecting people and two subplot sort of things — her life with her mom, who is struggling with the loss of her husband, and her choice between her two love interests. Does she choose the one that knows everything about her, that has been by her side for as long as she remembers? Or does she choose someone new that she wants to trust, someone she can’t help thinking is attractive in a different way? The love triangle is between Patrick (the first option), and Josh (the latter), and I must say that even though certain things happen, Patrick is still my favorite of the two.
And the author leaves you at a cliffhanger — an extremely heart-wrenching, particularly exciting cliffhanger. I’m checking the pages as I go, thinking, why are there so little left? And then it ends, on the next page, and the rest are acknowledgments and such. It took so much willpower to not throw my nook at the wall, because this book comes out in 2014 which can only mean the sequel will come out in 2015. Might as well slip into a coma and wait it out, or else I’ll die with anticipation.
In summary, this is a must-read for 2014. Pre-order it, get it on the release date, and read within a day. Those are the steps to success when it comes to Elusion. I’m so excited that I got the chance to read this and I’m so thankful to both authors for producing an effortless, amazing book.
Notable Scene:
I raise my head in awe as I watch the veil of white light float up from the ground like a fog and evaporate to reveal a glorious sapphire sky. Dad and I are perched on top of a rocky cliff, the remarkable landscape of Elusion stretched out in front of us. Down below there are miles and miles of dark green forest, but the view is so crisp I can almost see every leaf and needle jutting out from each spindling branch. Beyond in a chain of majestic mountains with snowcapped peaks, which borders a large body of water made up of shimmering swirls of turquoise and jade. Everything is traced with a translucent glittering substance, almost like fairy dust.
It’s the most incredible sight I’ve ever seen. And although I’ve never been a fan of heights, here I am, standing at the edge of a steep embankment, feeling that sweet electricity being absorbed by all my never endings.
FTC Advisory: Katherine Tegen Books/Harper Collins provided me with a copy of Elusion. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
http://www.thebooklantern.co.uk/2013/09/review-elusion-by-claudia-gabel-and.html
Read, comment, enjoy.
4Q, 3P; Cover Art: Awesome!
This book is best suited for Middle and Highschoolers.
It was selected because of a good summary on the back.
Grade (of reviewer): 9th
(KS-AHS-NC)
The Capulets are a great and powerful vampire family and the Montagues are a strong, forceful vampire hunting family. Each believes strongly that the world would be much better without the existence of the other. With a treaty in place to 'stop' the Capulets from killing humans and the Montagues from kiling vampires, things have settled somewhat but the hatred is still simmering.
When Juliet, the only Capulet daughter, and Romeo a Montague son, meet and fall hopelessly in love they know their future together won't be easy or smooth sailing but they have no idea just what all they will encounter and how much they will be tested.
I was excited at the prospect of a book that was mixing Romeo & Juliet and vampires directly after so, so many vampire books have pulled on Romeo & Juliet and I have to say I liked this book even more than I expected I would.
Claudia Gabel's vampire infused adaptation of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet is so much more than simply the classic tale with fangs stuck onto the characters. While the underlying storyline did stay very true to Shakespeare's original Romeo and Juliet, Gabel's vampire storyline felt like an original tale, too. The supernatural elements never felt forced or stuck into someone else's story--it was all a fully integrated, completely enjoyable story.
I haven't read any of the other classics/supernatural creature mash-ups before but if any of them are as good as this was, I'll have to give them a shot.
Another thing I noticed while reading Romeo & Juliet & Vampires was that I was able to keep track of the relationships between the characters a lot better than when I read Romeo & Juliet. I don't know if that's because this was in modern prose or why . . . but anyone who needs to read it for school might want to give this a shot (in addition to the non-vampire one!!) if you can be sure you won't include vampires on any tests or essays!
Both the classic Romeo & Juliet plot and the adapted vampire-y Romeo & Juliet plot are great. The Romeo and Juliet characters were great and I could especially understand Juliet and her struggle.
I hope you'll give this one a try.
(review from my blog: book-splot.blogspot.com--author interview posted there, too)
Having said that, Romeo & Juliet & Vampires takes the original play and rewrites it in novel format. I like this change. The novel format gives readers an insight into the thoughts and motivations of the characters that just can't be as clearly conveyed in a play. The wording in Romeo & Juliet & Vampires is also changed from the original. This updating into a more modern method of speech may appeal to those new to Shakespeare's works, but I believe it will disappoint long-time fans. What is Romeo & Juliet without memorable phrases like "What's in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet."?
The very general, very basic idea of Romeo & Juliet is all that is left of the original. The vampires take over this reinvention, completely changing the entire story line. Even the famous, unforgettable ending is completely different. In the end, the book isn't even a tragedy anymore.
Romeo & Juliet & Vampires is very easy to read. It could have been more enjoyable if it didn't veer so far from the original or even if it had went a completely different direction making it more paranormal historical fiction. As it is, the book is too close to the original while being very far away from the message the original was trying to convey.
I believe those who have never read the original will find Romeo & Juliet & Vampires very satisfying, but I doubt who loved the tragedy will feel anything other than disappointment. Perhaps Romeo & Juliet was better left untouched.
Ex-best friends, lies, jealousy, and tons of secrets... yep, it sounds like the cast of IN OR OUT is back!
Marnie and Nola believed that their friendship would last forever. That was way before they started high school. Freshmen year started out with a bang; well, more like an accident, with Nola stepping on Lizette's foot, making her totally out, leaving room for Marnie to be in.
Now, after their huge showdown, Marnie and Nola are back, but this time as enemies.
Nola just cannot believe that Marnie would betray her like that, letting Lizette wear the bracelet that she worked so hard on. But Nola doesn't need Marnie, since she has Matt now, who by the way is offering to take Marnie's spot as best friend. Unfortunately for Nola, this is just too much for her to take in. Sure, she gets to spend time with Matt, but she also gets to spend time hearing Matt talk to his girlfriend. Not only that but there is that manny who her parents hired to look after her brothers. If only he wasn't such a smart jerk, and totally cute.
Marnie doesn't need Nola anymore, either. She has Lizette now, and her almost boyfriend, Dane, by her side. And with the student council elections coming up, Marnie needs to stay focused, especially if she wants to win. But things are not so easy for Marnie. Even though she has Dane, Marnie still can't get over Sawyer, the guy who is now her new best friend's boyfriend. And then there is that certain rumor that could totally jeopardize all of Marnie's hard work of becoming a Major.
It seems like Marnie and Nola's friendship is far from the possibility of ever getting back to normal.
Fans of this new series will not be disappointed in this second installment. The girls are back with tons of problems, including ones involving boys, and they are not backing down. Who knew that high school could be so fierce?
The crucial part of high school, or of any social scene, is to fit in, to be noticed... in a good way. To not be the one that gets picked on but more like the one who everyone wants to be around. For best friends Nola and Marnie, their first day in high school as freshmen will ultimately result in whether they make it into the right crowd. But no worries, since they both promised each other that whoever gets in first will make sure the other does, too.
Unfortunately, there's only room for one of them.
Nola is the quiet one who definitely values her best friend status with Marnie and likes everything the way it is. Who needs change? Getting into the right crowd just doesn't matter, as long as she has her best friend right by her side. Being the klutz that she is, a little incident on the first day of school could make her so OUT.
Marnie, the outgoing one, has to live up to her older sister, Erin's, standards. Just saying her sister's name can easily get her noticed. But does she really want to just be known as Erin's little sister? Sure, if it can get her into the IN crowd.
Two friends, who thought they had each others' backs, will have their friendship tested, since high school can totally do that. Promises will be broken, friendships will be made, and, of course, teenage boys will make it all the more interesting.
The IN OR OUT series is the next guilty pleasure. Full of so much competition and a whole lot more drama, Claudia Gabel makes sure that we all know how dangerously scary high school can be. Nola is the one everyone will root for while Marnie is the one every girl wants to be. A quick and easy read that fans of THE CLIQUE series and MEAN GIRLS will definitely want to read.
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