For What It's Worth


Thursday, June 27, 2013

Review: Reboot (Reboot #1) by Amy tintera


13517455Five years ago, Wren Connolly was shot three times in the chest. After 178 minutes she came back as a Reboot: stronger, faster, able to heal, and less emotional. The longer Reboots are dead, the less human they are when they return. Wren 178 is the deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas. Now seventeen years old, she serves as a soldier for HARC (Human Advancement and Repopulation Corporation).

Wren’s favorite part of the job is training new Reboots, but her latest newbie is the worst she’s ever seen. As a 22, Callum Reyes is practically human. His reflexes are too slow, he’s always asking questions, and his ever-present smile is freaking her out. Yet there’s something about him she can’t ignore. When Callum refuses to follow an order, Wren is given one last chance to get him in line—or she’ll have to eliminate him. Wren has never disobeyed before and knows if she does, she’ll be eliminated, too. But she has also never felt as alive as she does around Callum.

The perfect soldier is done taking orders. ~ Goodreads

Source: Finished copy provided for free by publisher (Harper Collins Teen) at BEA 2013

Review:

I'm a total sucker for characters that are void of all human emotion and become lean mean killing machines, yet they aren't quite as cold and callus as they believe themselves to be. There is still a curiosity or yearning for that human connection. I could read or watch that theme play out over and over and it will never get old for me. So Reboot was on my must get list for BEA this year. Dead girl reanimated after 178 minutes – now the “deadliest Reboot in the Republic of Texas”. I’m in!

Even though Reboot is an entirely different story, I couldn't help getting a Divergent vibe from it. Reboot isn't nearly as complex with the world building as the Divergent series (& that might be a good thing – it never gets too bogged down in that regard) but Wren/178 reminded me of Tris - always doing what needs to be done for the survival of those she cares about. She can do her job and kill on a dime but also has great compassion for her friends and a willingness to defy the odds.

There isn't anything particularly original about Reboot if you read a lot of dystopian novels. The world is in chaos, government conspiracies etc but Wren is so likable a character that I couldn't' help but be drawn into her story as she tries to come to terms with reality vs. what she was told and trained for all her (un)dead life. There are also enough twists and parallels to our current society that it still felt fresh.

The romance in this book is sweet but a tad awkward at times. It's never really explained why her new recruit, Callum is drawn to Wren so quickly but this is NOT a case of insta-love so don't worry about that. Their relationship does provide a nice contrast for the unfeeling Wren and the eternally optimistic Callum as well as setting up several moral and ethical debates that didn’t have clear cut answers.

Final thoughts: Solid debut for this new sci-fi/post-apocalyptic series. Wren is an incredible and complex heroine. The romance was a tad awkward but refreshingly different than the typical insta-love/hot alpha guy/heroine in need of rescue dynamic. I’m hoping for more fleshing out of their relationship in the next installment. Good action sequences and twists but there seemed to be two books in one when it came to the plot. I would have preferred the second half of this book to have been expanded and given more page time in book #2 but I still really enjoyed Reboot. I’ll be eagerly anticipating book #2.

Author: website | twitter
Buy the book! Reboot

24 comments:

  1. This sounds like an apocalyptic series I would actually like. I can get over the romance part since in these books that is often secondary for me. Plus, after reading Bella Andre I am insta-love prepped (all of hers are insta insta insta love) LOL :)

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    1. I enjoyed it. It's not incredibly deep like some apocalyptic series out there but touches on quite a few moral issues which I liked.

      The romance was a little odd and I think that Callum needed his own POV or more development. I always felt like maybe more was going on and I was missing it but it's still a nice relationship and a very different dynamic than most of the other YA romances out there. No insta-love at all.

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  2. I'm really interested in this one! I love the concept, though I'm curious as to what these reboots are used for...

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    1. It was a really good. It delves into a lot of issues without bogging you down with details.

      "I'm curious as to what these reboots are used for..." - nefarious purposes...lol But I'm looking forward to hearing more about that myself in book #2.

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  3. I'm so happy you loved this too. I agree that the second half of the book was a little draggy and unfocused, but I loved Wren right away, loved Callum's awkwardness, loved that their relationship moved slowly…

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    1. It felt like the plot line in the first half and the one in the second half should have been two different books if you know what I'm referring to.

      But Wren!! OMG she is so awesome and the dynamic between her and Callum was so different than the typical relationship. I thought Callum needed his own POV but I still really enjoyed this book.

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  4. Is it just me or are there an increasing number of 'alternative soldier' novels out there?

    Hearing lots of good things about Reboot, I'll be sure to keep a look out for it

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    1. Not just you :-) There are and I'm kind of tired of the whole genetic experiments/government conspiracy stuff but I still enjoyed this one quite a lot.

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  5. This does seem like the kind of post-apocalyptic/sci if that I tend to like. I was feeling overwhelmed when the publisher sent me a copy, so I passed it on to Courtney. I'm glad you liked this one, overall, Karen!

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    1. It's actually lighter than similar books that I've read. The world building isn't so convoluted and overwhelming - it's more about the charters and ethics/morality.

      There was quite a bit of humor too despite the action and more serious subject matter.

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  6. I liked but your right with the Divergent vibe.this book reminded me of zombies with the reboot lol. Yeah I agree about the romance too, but it wasn't the main thing :)

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  7. Oh this sounds like a great dystopian for me. I'm a bit concerned about the romance, but if it didn't bother you too much and you still enjoyed it, I think I'll be fine as well. Brilly review!

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  8. I found Divergent lacking when it came to worldbuilding so this one, no way

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  9. This sounds like a pretty good read, the concept is really interesting!

    And I know, I wish we'd been able to meet at BEA :(

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  10. I thought the romance was sweet too, but def feel you on the awkward vibe

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    1. It was different- which is good - but still off at times. I would have liked to have his POV. Maybe he will be developed more in the next book. Callum was more of a catalyst for Wren this time around.

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  11. Really lovely review, Karen! I didn't notice the similarities to Tris' character, but now that you mention it, I do find I agree. The romance was perhaps a little too awkward for me at times, but I enjoyed this one overall too and look forward to the next.

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    1. Thank you. The book/story is very different for Divergent of course but Tris and Wren are very similar in personality.

      Definitely awkward at times with Callum and Wren but it wasn't enough to ruin it for me.

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  12. Glad to hear you liked this one! I don't know when I can get to it - maybe during out zombie vs vampire month in august!

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  13. I really enjoyed this one but wasn't a fan of the romance. At all. I wish they'd just been friends. The romance felt forced, to me. But the story and all the characters were fantastic!

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    1. It was weird. He either need a POV so we can see what he was thinking or the second half should have been saved for book two. Callum and Wren seemed rushed just to explain her actions in the 2nd half.

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  14. I am starting this soon and I have read mixed reviews. It does sound interesting, even if it isn't 100% original.

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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