Monday, April 08, 2013

Review: Taken by Erin Bowman

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Taken
Erin Bowman
Genre: YA Dystopian
Publication date: April 16th 2013
by HarperTeen

There are no men in Claysoot. There are boys—but every one of them vanishes at midnight on his eighteenth birthday. The ground shakes, the wind howls, a blinding light descends…and he’s gone.

They call it the Heist.

Gray Weathersby’s eighteenth birthday is mere months away, and he’s prepared to meet his fate–until he finds a strange note from his mother and starts to question everything he’s been raised to accept: the Council leaders and their obvious secrets. The Heist itself. And what lies beyond the Wall that surrounds Claysoot–a structure that no one can cross and survive.

Climbing the Wall is suicide, but what comes after the Heist could be worse. Should he sit back and wait to be taken–or risk everything on the hope of the other side?

–A copy was provided by HarperCollins for review–

Such a shame especially that up until almost halfway I would have given this book a good 3 stars. It has such a unique premise with a super intriguing world that could have been awesome had it been executed much better. Unfortunately with an insufferable protagonist, the world building and plot were all that this book had left, and after seeing the halfway mark come and go, I realized that in both of these aspects it was beginning to fail miserably–and it didn’t stop.

Gray Weathersby is not a likeable MC. I was forewarned from other readers, though, so I knew to expect a douche who hits girls (he punches ones several times in the opening chapter), and is overall an arse. Thus it did not come as a shock when I didn’t find myself in love with him. Still, I expected to come to understand him by the end. This did not happen. If only his behaviour would at least improve, but as the story progresses he only gets more annoying: thinking he’s much better than he is (he’s pretty full of himself); making demands when he’s trapped in a risky situation with people who would–and want to–kill him (toopid); or saying things like:

“All those times that I felt things for Bree, anytime there was even the slightest feeling of affection growing, I’d brushed it aside for Emma” — As if this made him such a gentleman, someone who dances in fidelity’s good graces. *snorts*

Now for the world building, or the whole plot, really. Well, to be honest, it literally made me nauseous I wanted it to end so badly–so I think it’s safe to say it’s full of barf? It starts off with such a great premise too. It arouses many questions from the mysteries surrounding their lives–this heist thing truly had me fascinated for a bit–but then it all goes downhill when we start getting some less than interesting answers. Plus, it gets increasingly predictable the further you read, making it all the less exciting. It’s like the plot simply becomes too crowded. Everything is a twist, no character is who you think they are; it’s a little overwhelming, and not in a good way. Then there are a lot of little quirks along the way that only ground my dissatisfaction further: How, for example, they arrive in a withering post apocalyptic town where we’re told they have to ration water and supplies, but the first thing the people in charge do is give Emma a makeover: face make-up to the max, eyebrow tweeze, high heels etc. What is up with that? I can see dystopians where this might work–Like Fever by Lauren Destefano–but it did not fit in the world we see beyond these wall. It only felt illogical. Then, how about when towards the end we have this deus ex machina who conveniently helps them along in an impossibly tight situation. This person was a nobody, came from nowhere, and was dismissed and forgotten after saving their asses… Sure these might seem minimal when taken individually, but these were just a few examples and everything together makes a mess of this plot. It was a good premise… until it wasn’t.

I’m not even going to go into the horrid love triangle. I still have not recovered.

I’ve read a lot of dystopians, and maybe it’s part of why this one annoyed me so much, but in the end I found it was nothing more than that: a regurgitated dystopian novel. But it tries so hard. So so hard. Let’s all give it a moment of silence.

1 Cold Espresso

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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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46 Responses to “Review: Taken by Erin Bowman”

  1. Kathy Ann Coleman

    Okay, first: my heart, it bleeds!

    I am so glad you reviewed this. Jay and I were going to buy and read it, but you’re setting off warning bells in my head. It’d be enough if *I* read it, but considering I need to pull teeth to get him to read too, I think this’ll get a pass. (Definitely for that, and possibly all together.)

    What a shame. LIke you, I thought the premise was extremely intriguing and I was looking forward to diving in. Ah well… Nothing wrong with money (and more importantly time) saved.

  2. Amy

    I’m dying at this review!! I did like it more than you did, but I agree with you on so many things!! This book was a total let down for me, but luckily right when starting I saw some of the negative reviews of it. Gray was one of the most awful MC’s I have read. I couldn’t stand him, had no sympathy for him, and he was totally a douche! There was no redeeming himself. And WTF with that part by the fire?!! I mean seriously!! But really none of the characters were that enjoyable to read. I need to write my review for this and I am dreading it. Lol!!

  3. Mel@Thedailyprophecy

    Oh boy, oh boy! This is the first review I read about this book. It’s such a shame that this story is disappointing, because I was really looking forward to it. Gray sounds awful; I can’t stand characters like that. I’ll take a look at some more reviews, but I have the idea that this one is going on the “lost-interest” shelve on Goodreads.. Pity, I love the cover and promise, so thanks for warning me Giselle!

    Mel@thedailyprophecy

  5. Nick

    Ha! You really didn’t like this book, Giselle.
    We’ve already talked about this so you know that I was utterly disappointed with it. Honestly, it seems that most of those HT titles from Edelweiss aren’t as good as you would expect them. I’m reading Arclight, and I’m pretty much feeling meh about it. >.<
    Great honest review, Giselle!

  6. Sara @ Forever 17 Books

    I just finished this a couple days ago. This was one of most anticipated reads and I was disappointed too, though not quite as much as you. The violence at the beginning was unnecessary and only served in making Gray unlikable. And the love triangle… ugh. I was beyond pissed about it too. I did find some parts really interesting though, the same as you, the heist from the premise. I am curious as to where the sequel will go. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I’ve been looking forward to reading some reviews now that I’ve finished. 🙂

    • Jenni @ Alluring Reads

      I think that comment stands on it’s own but I feel cheap just leaving that. The romance was so gross in this, like there was not one redeeming quality to it even before the triangle was introduced. Also the predictability of this book was a freaking travesty!

  10. Alexa Y.

    I’m honestly sad that this book didn’t turn out so great for you. I’ve been looking forward to it for a while, because it sounded SO EPIC. I’m fairly certain that I’m still going to read it, but I’ll consider myself forewarned about Gray and everything else.

  11. Mary @ BookSwarm

    Oh, noes! A cold espresso?!? Ain’t nobody got time for that! What’s with the makeover thing? When I read those apocalyptic books, I always picture people as looking like the survivors on The Walking Dead…definitely not worrying about makeup and eyebrow tweezing (you’d think they’d be thrilled to take a shower much less be able to shave their legs or pits!).

  12. fredamans

    I was hoping this would be a rave review and then I would have no excuse not to get a copy…. however, you’re review, in all its’ honesty, does not make me want to spend any amount of money on it.
    Sad but true.
    Thanks for the honesty.

  13. Sirtsu

    Wtf? He hits girls? Ok, that is awkward to say the least.. >.< I love the sound of this book and the beginning of your review doesn't sound SO bad actually. I hate love triangles – gahhh!! Lately it seems I'm on the wrong team, too, so yeah.. I hate 'em. I think this is a perfect example that cover and the synopsis don't make the book. Hmhh.. That's so unfortunate, I was really looking forward to this 🙁

  16. Megan K.

    Oh no! Not a good read for you? D: That’s disappointing, but I can understand why you didn’t like Taken much. Gray really doesn’t sound likable at all, especially after reading that quote. Bleargh. It makes the love triangle sound really bad. And, you know, I was looking forward to this book so much because it was told from a male POV, and I was hoping that it would be a refreshing read, but alas – no such luck, I suppose! Now I have to decide if I should or should not still get this book when it comes out.

    Anyhow, I have been warned. Thanks for such an honest and helpful review, chickie!

  17. Kris Chen

    I’m sorry to hear that this book disappoints. I agree that it had a unique premise, and I was looking forward to it. But I can’t read a book with an unrelatable MC. Thanks for the review!

  20. Candace

    That stinks that this one was so bad for you. I do have a review copy but if I’m not liking it at all it’ll end up a DNF. I guess I’m going to go in with really low expectations. Still I’m sorry this one stunk so bad.

  23. Ivana

    I wasn’t really intrigued by this one to start with, but a douche MC, a love triangle and deus ex machina in one book would be too much for me to handle. Great, honest review, as always 🙂

  25. Bailey

    After reading your review I doubt I will read this one. I have a hard time getting into Dystopians in general but with a main character like this one? Not gonna happen. I doubt I would be able to finish it. Sorry you didn’t like this one! Hopefully your next will be better and get 5 hot Espressos! 🙂 Great review!

  30. Christianna Marks

    Dang, that was rough. Something about the summary set me off about this one so I never requested it and I’m so glad that I never did. This guy sounds like one of those guys that I dislike in books and so I’m glad that I dodged that bullet. I’m bummed for your sake though. Which you would have liked it a little bit more.

  32. Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed

    *Sigh* It’s been a while since I read a really good Harper book that wasn’t just a pretty cover. It’s so disappointing, makes me not even want to read the ARC’s I have from them…
    I am reading Sweet Peril, the sequel to Sweet Evil and I’m liking it. But I never thought it seemed like a Harper book in the first place. It’s more dark than usual Harper Teen books…

  34. Eileen

    Aww noo I’m sorry you hated this one! Although I kind of hated it too so I guess I can’t REALLY be sad that you didn’t like it, only sad that you seemed to have gone through a lot of pain while going through this one. Gray was a pretty big dickhead at times, too! I mean, it could be viewed as sexist if you think about it, but still! He shouldn’t punch anybody. I don’t know. Who knows. And I SO agree about the plot it was like, “OH LOOK I’M RUNNING!”

    “Oh look, I’m walking!”

    “Don’t even look at me, I’m limping”

    “I’M DYING SOMEONE SAVE MEEEEE” *crawls around on floor*

    Great review! Hopefully you have more luck with the other Harper books! 🙂 I used to love them so much and now it’s just like, “Meh.” on most of their dystopian books, especially.

  35. Shooting Stars Mag

    I love your reviews, even when it’s for a book you didn’t like. They are just very readable. Sorry this one didn’t work for you. The MC definitely sounds like a jerk with not redeeming qualities…that’s not a good thing. I don’t read much dystopian, but I guess I should go for some other titles!

  36. Aneeqah

    *pauses for a moment of silence* *single tear trickles down face*

    Well, glad I got that out of the away. I’m so sad that you disliked this one so much, Giselle. Even with the slew of negative reviews, I was hanging on with a shred of hope that this book would turn out to be at least somewhat good, because I was SO excited about it when I first heard about it. But now, ugh. I don’t even think I’ll give it a second glance at the bookstore.

    (Ok, now that’s a lie. That cover is too gorgeous for me not to give a second glance at in the book store. BUT it will be a look of pity.)

    I mean, douche main character + terribly organized plot + bad concept= No book for Aneeqah.

    Amazing review as always, Giselle, and thanks for your honest thoughts! <3

    Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life

  37. Melanie

    Awww.. such a shame that you didn’t like it! I had high hopes for this one :/ (actually, I have high hopes for EVERY FREAKIN BOOK IN THIS WORLD) Taken seemed to have promised so much, from the cover, the synopsis, heck, even the title! Oh well. *watches Taken fall deeper into the unimportant stack of TBRs*

    The MC most def. sounds like a douche, one of the worst I’ve heard of. I can imagine strangling him right now…
    Thanks for the honest and critical review, Giselle! On another note, that one cold expresso looks really sad D; I mean… look at it! *sobs lightly* Okay, now I’m just going off about small things that really don’t matter. URGH.

  38. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    Yup, like you, I had too many issues to count with this one. An unsympathetic protagonist can pretty much ruin anything for me, but none of the other characters were all that likeable either, except maybe Bree, and even she was too aggressive.
    I hated Emma with a fiery passion, and I disliked the condescending brother too (I forget his name).
    And the worldbuilding, let’r not even go there. Confusing, crowded, unnecessarily complicated and just full of holes. This was an overall disappointment.
    I ended up giving it a bit more than you did simply because i finished it and I so rarely give one star, but our thoughts are pretty much the same.
    Great review!

  39. Lauren

    Oh no! How disappointing. I started this and thought it was OK, but I had to abandon it to read something else. It really sounds awful though! I think if anything I would now hate read this for fun. Gray sounds like a jerk, and it’s next to impossible for me to love a book where the protag is a despicable person (unless they’re an antihero, and it sounds like Gray’s not meant to be one). This review made me smile though. 🙂 “Well, to be honest, it literally made me nauseous I wanted it to end so badly–so I think it’s safe to say it’s full of barf?” <–especially this. 🙂 Great review, and thanks for your honesty!

  40. Kailia Sage

    So, no one seems to be liking this book. I’m very sad that you didn’t either but I’m going to have to say that I’m putting off reading this book. The MC, sounds great! Just the man of my dreams *not* The world building and plot also seem to be things people have issues with, which is so sad!

  42. Micheline D

    haha well, your review was brilliant but man that book pissed me off just by reading your descriptions. An MC who hits women would pretty much NEVER ever win me over, so I can’t imagine rooting for Grey in the slightest. And the issues with world-building & plot would have been enough to get me to pass on this one o.O Sucks though, I was hoping for a win with this one…I am off to remove it from my reading list! Thanks for the insight & sorry you had to go through that shit!!

  43. twistingthelens

    This book has really had my interest for a while, but this is the fourth not-so-good (or good at all) review I have read the past couple weeks. I guess it is safe to say that it can move farther down on my list for now. Thanks for the honest review!

    Jaime @ Twisting the Lens

  44. vivalabooks

    Oh, wow… I’ve been kind of MIA in the book blogging world, so I hadn’t seen anything about Taken yet, but now I’m blown away… and not in the good way. This guy sounds like a total douchebag which I was not expecting. I actually just got aggravated reading your description of him and I can’t even imagine reading a whole book about him. And, I’m so disappointed that the dystopian part of the book wasn’t very good because it sounded like it had so much promise with the Heist. Thanks so much for the honest review! I’m definitely not going to pick this one up.

  45. Christina

    I still sort of wish you’d just posted BARF in the largest font size that would fit. Sure, it’s not very professional, but I would have laughed for approximately ten minutes. Is that not worth your blogging reputation? Geez.

    Gray was so annoying. He was all whiny and why don’t people love me and just ugh. All while still managing to be full of himself. *kicks him* *reads quote* *puts on steel-toed boots* *kicks him again*

    Bahaha, makeover montage. WTF.