by Eve Silver
352 pages
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Publication Date: June 11th 2013
Source: ARC from Books Inc in Palo Alto!
So what's the game now? This, or the life I used to know?
When Miki Jones is pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game, her farefully controlled life spirals into chaos. In the game, she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to elminite the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There is no practice run, no training, and no way out. Miki has only the guidance of secretive but maddeningly attractive team leader Jackson Tate, hwo says the game isn't really a game, that what Miki and her new teammates do now determins their survival an the survival of every other person on this planet. She laughs. He doesn't. And then the game takes a deadly and terrifying turn...
The first thing that hooked me on Rush was the premise. A mysterious and life threatening game involving aliens and saving the world? I AM ALL FOR THAT.
It's really hard for me to write this review without spoiling anything, so I'm gonna try to keep it simple. First off the premise definitely lived up to my expectations. The Game that Miki has to take part in was just as interesting and unique as I hoped it would be and, despite a few minor world building issues, I felt the whole concept was really well thought out. Honestly, the only issues I had were ones that Miki the protagonist herself had because everything about the game was heavily shrouded in secrecy by "The Committee." I'm hoping we'll find out more about them and The Game in the coming sequels!
As for Miki herself she was a fine protagonist. She wasn't my favorite, but she does earn major brownie points for being part Japanese (HAPA FTW!) and knowing kendo, the Japanese way of the sword. I mean, how cool is that? The only thing that really bugged me about her was the relationship she had with Jackson.
Now I know I'm a romantic cynic and I tend to dislike a lot of romance, but this one was doomed from the get go. I mean, Jackson (the team leader from The Game) is referred to as "maddeningly attractive" in the book summary. Maddeningly attractive? Puhhhhlease. I didn't mind Miki and Jackson as characters, but the romance between them felt so unnecessary and yet it was a huge part of the book. Why must romance always be so important, even in sci-fi type novels? Personally, I wanted more about other aspects of the story like the AWESOME ALIENS!
I've never been a big fan of aliens (mostly because they tend to end up super dorky and "little green man" martian like), but the Drau were admittedly freaking awesome. I mean they were SO creepy guys. So creepy. I'd love to say more, but if I do I'll be giving away way too much information. You'll just have to read it for yourself. ;)
Rush is a great start to this new series! The premise is great, the aliens are creepy, and the secrecy of it all has definitely got me hooked. Plus: MAJOR CLIFFHANGER. Well played Eve Silver, well played. I suggest this one to anybody who likes sci-fi, unique premises, and action!
I really hope that when Rush is published it's cover is made shiny and reflective. Does it not just look like the perfect candidate for a shiny/reflective book cover? PLEASE KATHERINE TEGEN BOOKS GIVE RUSH A SHINY COVER!!!
I've got an ARC giveaway going on right now for a copy of Rush, so if you want it you can enter here!
Julia :)
This sounds really good! I love sci-fi, and I don't mind the romancey parts, so I'm excited to read it. :D I'm going to have to enter your giveaway, cause I didn't get this one... :(
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll really enjoy it! The romance will probably appeal to other people, just not to me. Good luck in the giveaway! :D
DeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one so much! I'm sorry the romance hindered it for you but the rest really does sound awesome. Also, yes it def looks like it should have a shiny cover!
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm pretty picky when it comes to romance. I'm sure most other people won't mind it. I hope you give it a read! And yes, the shiny cover is a MUST. Thanks for commenting! :)
DeleteAHHHHH THIS SOUNDS AMAZING! And I totally know what you mean about that cover being shiny and reflective... It just has to be!
ReplyDeleteRuby @ http://feedmebooksnow.blogspot.co.uk
Indeed it does! Thanks for commenting. I just checked out your blog for the first time (NEW FOLLOWER YAY!) and your design is SO cute. :D
DeleteBlarrgh, I am constantly frustrated at the insistence of including major romantic plotlines in pretty much all YA novels these days. It's okay if it's kept minor and if it's well done, but "maddeningly attractive"?! Ugh, you are so right, that is just RIDICULOUS. In a story that involves scary, creepy aliens, the romance should absolutely take the back seat to the actual meat of the novel. Otherwise, this one sounds good! LOVE that she knows kendo!
ReplyDeleteThe romance was definitely the big detractor for me. I liked the rest of it, and there's definitely a lot of potential for the sequels to be even more awesome! And yeah the kendo bit is SO COOL. Thanks for commenting Aylee! :D
DeleteOkay, WOW. This book sounds so amazing. I need it NOW. I'm so glad you liked this one, Julia! I actually really love romantic plotlines for the most part, so I think I might like the relationship with Julia/Jackson, although when it takes over the plot unnecessarily... then, I get a bit upset. However, this one just sounds too good to resist! I'll definitely have to get my hands on it. Thanks for the lovely review, Julia!
ReplyDeleteIt really is quite good! The romance probably won't bother you like it did me. Like I said in the review, I tend to be really picky with romance. Oh and I think you meant the romance between MIKI and Jackson. ;)
DeleteThanks so much for commenting! I hope you end up enjoying Rush as much as I did. :)
How is the game they come? they have training? How they get the weapons to destroy the Aliens?
DeleteWell, it's a little confusing to explain exactly how the game works. Basically the characters have to fight and kill Drau (the aliens) and they earn points depending on their kill shots and what not.
DeleteThe players of the game don't get any trainer prior to playing, they get thrown right into the midst of things and have to learn as they go.
As for weapons, those are given to them at the game headquarters. Each player gets a different type of weapon that sort of changes depending on who they are and their fighting style. I hope that answers your questions! :)
YES. This would be the perfect book for a shiny cover. The colors and image are perfect for it! I hate when there seems to be an unnecessary romance that ends up dominating the plot. This book seems like it would be perfectly fine without one! Based off the summary alone, it seems that there is a lot going on. And like you, I would be just fine reading about the game and the aliens. That is enough to keep me interested! I love a good book with sci-fi/action/aliens/cliff hangers. That is a recipe of a perfect book to me.
ReplyDelete