Reboot #1
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher (Edelweiss)
Goodreads Stars: 3
Rating: Enjoyable
Buy the Book: Amazon UK
Five 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
What is it with debuts this year? I've only read two that I have thoroughly enjoyed, and that happened back in January. It's been a long three months, and this dry spell isn't showing any hint of stopping soon. Reboot is another one of those average reads that have been surrounding me this year. I'm pretty sure I'm cursed.
I think that Reboot could have been improved in a few easy (says the person who can't even complete a NaNo novel) ways, so let me tell you about those.
My biggest issue lies with the main character, Wren. Characters are important to me, and if I can't connect to them, or if I find them unrealistic, I just spend the entire book mocking them and their actions. I'm a bitch, I know. But it helps me get through the book!
Wren is a Reboot, and she is the highest Reboot at the facility. She was dead for 178 minutes before Rebooting, so this means that she's the least human of the lot, and she doesn't (read: shouldn't) feel many human emotions, if any at all. But she changed far too quickly. I'm all for character progression, in fact I NEED it, but this was ridiculous. One minute she was cold and blank, basically a robot without the mechanics, and the next she was laughing and joking around with Callum, the love interest who brings her out of her shell.
I thought that this was far too rushed, especially since Reboot is the first book in a series, and her progression should be able to span all three (?) books. Instead by the end of this one, it felt pretty much done. And I didn't like it. She went from being a stone cold killer to kissing Callum within a couple of hundred pages.
The romance between Callum and Wren was boring, which probably didn't help. I thought it progressed too quickly considering Wren is meant to be a freakin' killing machine, and the pair didn't have any chemistry at all. Meh.
I was intrigued by the world that this was set in, but I don't think it was developed enough. Rather than tell me more about the virus and the rest of the world, the author decided to focus on the ~epic romance that was Callum and Wren. On the plus side, it was set in Texas. BOOYEAH!
I also didn't really like the ending since I just as I was getting into it and cheering Wren on, it was over! The climax lasted barely any time at all. I was so disappointed. All that build up for nothing.
Reboot is enjoyable, certainly, but nothing to write home about. The action scenes in Mila 2.0 were better in terms of quality, so if you're looking for something similar then I'd say go for that!
I'm eager to read this and have seen mixed reviews. Seems a lot have been mixed. I hear you about the new releases being a tad disappointing. I hope you find that great read sooner than later.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristen! I hope so too. I'm crossing my fingers for the summer releases!
DeleteIt's a shame there wasn't more background to the virus. I don't like it when a book is mainly focused on the romance.. It's always difficult to enjoy a book if you have issues with the MC. It's great when they develop and change, but the way you describe isn't the right way to do it.
ReplyDeleteDamn, all these amazing sounding debuts are so disappointing :( I'll give it a shot anyway, but I'm prepared to feel disappointed too.
Mel@thedailyprophecy.
I *need* character development, but it needs to be a gradual thing. What's the point in rushing it when you have the chance to make it great and spread it out over three books?
DeleteAgh, I hope you enjoy it more than I did!
I'm so confused by debut authors who come up with these unique worlds, only to leave that world in darkness as they focus on the epic romance that saves the world! If you want to write a romance story, write a contemporary! I'm all for a good romance complementing a dystopian, but that's all it should be; the side dish. I had such high hopes for this, but after all the mixed reviews I'm thinking I might just give it a pass.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't have said it better myself.
DeleteArgh I hate when characters develop too quickly, it feels so unrealistic! And I need to know WHY, if I wanted just a romance, I'd read one!
ReplyDeleteExactly! I don't pick up a dystopian or paranormal for the love story, I pick it up for the potentially unique plot and world.
DeleteIt makes me leery when a character develops so fast like that. If I pick this one up, I will definitely have to keep that in mind. Great review.
ReplyDeleteJenea @ Books Live Forever
Don't worry Amber, you're not alone, I mock the characters and their actions if I hate them too, especially to my little sister since she's the only one sitting around to listen. And my sister has to listen and deal with it, although most of the time, she agrees with me. ;D
ReplyDeleteAnd wow, Wren changed that fast? The book trailer made it sound nearly IMPOSSIBLE for her to change. It would be better overall if Wren changed little by little in all three books while she and Callum goes through the plot, so when the last book comes along and she makes a complete change, it would be so much sweeter and satisfying to read about.
I'm so disappointed; Reboot was one of my anticipated reads and must-buy in May because the idea seems so my style, but not anymore after seeing your review. I may have to skip it.
I also keep getting disappointed by the debuts this year. I liked Pivot Point and Altered and The Rules for Disappearing a whole lot, and I loved If You Find Me, but the others have been just... meh. I'm like you when it comes to characters. I have to like a main character, and if I don't, I'll just roll my eyes at everything they do. I think what sounds most disappointing, though, is that Wren changed so quickly. I LOVE build up and it sounds too unrealistic (for a sci-fi whatever) that she becomes human so easily. More struggle would have probably been better. Hmmmm. I'm debating whether or not I still want to read this.
ReplyDelete