February 23, 2012

Review: Starters by Lissa Price

Starters by Lissa Price
Hardcover; 368 Pages
Expected Publication: March 13, 2012 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers


HER WORLD IS CHANGED FOREVER 
Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .

Starters started out strong, and while it held my interest and kept me entertained, it wasn’t quite what I thought it would be.

Callie goes to Prime Destinations because she needs to create a better life for her brother and her friend, which was admirable. They aren’t having the easiest time, and she steps forward to change things, regardless of the sacrifice.   However, the moment she meets Blake, her character fell apart for me. Her loyalty to Michael vanishes, and she’s suddenly spending her time doing pointless things that are in no way helping her toward a better life for Tyler. Furthermore, given her circumstances for the past year, I couldn’t imagine how she was so quick to trust Blake. She didn’t trust anyone, but she trusts him without even thinking that maybe she shouldn’t. I didn’t see any development to their relationship, and I simply wasn’t feeling it.

The villain was by far my favorite character, and if I decide to read the sequel, this character will be the reason. I am interested in finding out what makes him tick.

I would have liked to have seen some of the terminology better explained. There are the Starters and the Enders, but even after finishing the story, I couldn’t tell you the difference between a Starter and the Friendlies. I found it hard to believe that just a year after the Spore War killed off much of the population, there were already such distinct social lines and stereotypes. (I found a lot of things hard to believe, but for the sake of omitting spoilers, I won't go into them.)

There were some twists that I honestly didn’t see coming, and they kept me glued to the pages until the end. The plot is fast-driven and should be seen as the selling point of this novel, I believe. I enjoyed that aspect, and had I not had such a lack of interest in the characters and the way Callie handles things, I think I could have liked Starters.

Overall I think Starters had a lot of potential and may entertain readers who are drawn to the quick pace, consistent action, and fascinating premise. Give it a shot! For me personally, characterization and details are just as important, and Starters failed to deliver.

2.5 out of 5 Stars



26 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this review! I've seen this book several times, and was curious about it, but this was the first review I've read about it. Just what I needed to know!

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  2. Thank you for such a thoughtful review. I was really excited about this book, and still am, but it's good to have a better expectation about the quality. Maybe everything that was so unbelievable will be explained in book #2?

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    1. I hope so! I will probably give it a go, because I'm pretty curious about the villain.

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  3. I totally see your points - but I loved Starters! I agree that the Callie - Blake thing was a little iffy - but to me there was so much else in this book for me to latch on to and it definitely sucked me in completely. I do hope that book 2 will flesh some things out a bit more...

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    1. It was a definite page turner--action packed. Glad you enjoyed it! :)

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  4. Thanks for the honest review. I'm anxious to read Starters and will still give it a try. I hope that as the series progresses more is explained. Starters just sounds too good to pass up.

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    1. A lot of people are liking it so perhaps I'll be in the minority. :)

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  5. Thanks for the review! The synopsis sounds intriguing. I'm sorry that it didn't impress you. I'm not sure whether I'll read this or not!

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  6. Everyone likes something different. I personally loved STARTERS. It was inventive and attention catching. I think things will really develop in the second book. And I'm about to read the e-short prequel.

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  7. I have heard mixed things about Starters. I am about to start reading it, so I hope that I like it. It's a shame you didn't enjoy it much. Thanks for the great honest review.

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  8. Thanks for the review. I was unsure about reading this book, and I am left still unsure. Pacing is one of my big things and it's good to know that this is a fast pace book, but I'm with you, I need good character development too, and from what you said, that seems to be lacking. Hmm. Maybe not so much a rush to read this one after all.

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  9. I'm reading it right now and I'm liking it so far. I'm not quite half way through so I'm not sure how it will end for me. I'm hoping it says the same or gets better.
    I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it though, and thanks for the honest review.

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  10. This is the creepiest cover I've ever seen. Something about that girls eyes....agh. However, I should probably read an excerpt of this book because it SOUNDS interesting, but I've heard mixed things about it.

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  11. This book looks awesome. So many people recommend it so far, I really wanna read it. The cover is haunting!!! :)

    Alyssa S.

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  12. It sounds good and it's getting mixed reviews. Thanks for the honest review. I'm still interested, maybe not as much as before, but it still sounds intriguing.

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  13. Been wondering about this one. I don't like the idea of a character that isn't consistent. Maybe I'll pass on this one.

    Valerie
    StuckInBooks.com

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  14. WOW, I am surprised about the low rating. But I have been seeing this one getting mixed reviews. Maybe I will pass this one by or borrow from the library.

    Mary

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  15. I have to say I'm not fond of the cover, but I think this book will find its audience. I know I've enjoyed a lot of books that other people won't take the time to pick up. My win, their loss!

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  16. Thanks for the review! I have seen this cover quite a bit, but didn't know much about the story. I have been debating whether or not to put it on my TBR list, and now I know it isn't my type of book.
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

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  17. the book look streat and then
    i would love to read and blog on it

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  18. Oh no only 2.5 well hope my library gets it. Thanks for this review!

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  19. Hmm It seems I shouldn't add this to the top of my TBR pile. I don't like how a girl that trusts no one would suddenly let that go because of a guy. Plus I hat when I don't get the terminology and I feel confused the whole time I'm reading.
    Thanks for the honest review!

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  20. Honestly, although the story sounded interesting, I can't get past the super freaky cover. I find it so disturbing and I can't figure out why. Thanks for the review!

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  21. I have been intrested in this book since I first read about it! I love that your review was honest and to be honest it was still a good review!!! I hope I enjoy the book a little more than this and am sorry you didn't like it more :(

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  22. I just received this book in the mail. I'm really wanting to dive right in now. It's always good reading different reviews about a book, I think it helps you form your own opinion about what you like and don't like about a book. Thanks for the review!

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  23. I love the cover and that is what had me eyeing this book. I'm sad to hear that you didn't really like this book all that much. Well, except for the villain that is. I'll give it a go from the library sometime in the future. Thank you for an honest review.
    DeAnna Schultz

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