I received this ARC from author, Audiobook from publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Nemesis by Brendan Reichs Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on March 21st 2017
Pages: 464
Amazon-Indiebound
Goodreads
Orphan Black meets Lord of the Flies in this riveting new thriller from the co-author of the Virals series.
It’s been happening since Min was eight. Every two years, on her birthday, a strange man finds her and murders her in cold blood. But hours later, she wakes up in a clearing just outside her tiny Idaho hometown—alone, unhurt, and with all evidence of the horrifying crime erased.
Across the valley, Noah just wants to be like everyone else. But he’s not. Nightmares of murder and death plague him, though he does his best to hide the signs. But when the world around him begins to spiral toward panic and destruction, Noah discovers that people have been lying to him his whole life. Everything changes in an eye blink.
For the planet has a bigger problem. The Anvil, an enormous asteroid threatening all life on Earth, leaves little room for two troubled teens. Yet on her sixteenth birthday, as she cowers in her bedroom, hoping not to die for the fifth time, Min has had enough. She vows to discover what is happening in Fire Lake and uncovers a lifetime of lies: a vast conspiracy involving the sixty-four students of her sophomore class, one that may be even more sinister than the murders.
My Thoughts:
Nemesis by Brendan Reichs is an action-packed thriller. This is not my normal read! However, the summary captured my attention and I was excited to give it a try. When I had the chance to listen to the audiobook, I took it. I’m glad I decided to mix things up a bit because this one kept me listening/reading.
When I started Nemesis I had one main question… what the heck is happening to Min?!? Being murdered every two years but waking up the next day and being fine with no evidence? Is she crazy? Is someone messing with her? WHAT IS HAPPENING? And then I found out more about Noah! As the book progressed, Min and Noah learn more and more about what has been happening and more and more questions are brought up. The reader only knows what these characters know. This really added to the intensity of the story and kept me engaged.
Much of the the first half of the book establishes the background for what is happening. Throughout the story the perspective switches between Min and Noah. There are flashbacks and retellings of memories which clue the reader in to what life has been life for these two. This history is woven through the cataclysmic chain of events that is happening currently in Min and Noah’s town and the world at large. Things are revealed bit by bit until the last half to third of the book. Then it gets real. The last part of the book just flies by as pieces start to fall into place. It’s a whirlwind of events and information that really keeps you turning the pages. I admit, I didn’t see most of the events coming!
I may have screamed when the book was over and then went back to re-read passages to make some predictions about what would happen next. The reader has some major questions answered but is left with even bigger ones for the next book. It leaves off at a very crucial moment. My students are going to freak out! ***insert evil librarian laughter here***
Audiobook notes:
I really liked the female narrator, however, the male narrator just didn’t work for me. He wasn’t bad by any means. His narration just didn’t work for me. I ended up picking up the physical ARC and reading about half way through. The production quality is great.
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