What do you think?
Rate this book
Awaken #2
Middle Ground
For four weeks Maddie has been living in Los Angeles, trying to be good. But no matter how hard she tries, something inside her won't be sated. She can't live a life of half-truths and false pretenses. So one night, she says how she really feels.
That's all it takes. One night. One bad decision, and Maddie is thrown into a detention center where she's forced to undergo secretive treatment meant to squash her rebellious streak. The powers that be call it rehabilitation. Maddie calls it torture.
Alone, Maddie will not survive. But if she can find something to hold on to - an image of Justin, their love - maybe she can fight. And if she's really lucky, maybe she'll even win.
That's all it takes. One night. One bad decision, and Maddie is thrown into a detention center where she's forced to undergo secretive treatment meant to squash her rebellious streak. The powers that be call it rehabilitation. Maddie calls it torture.
Alone, Maddie will not survive. But if she can find something to hold on to - an image of Justin, their love - maybe she can fight. And if she's really lucky, maybe she'll even win.
321 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
79 people are currently reading
5335 people want to read
About the author
Katie Kacvinsky
13 books1,094 followersI am publishing my latest book (in 2017) under the pen name KATIE RAY. Be sure to check out my other books (First Comes Love, Second Chance, Finally Forever, Awaken, Middle Ground, and Still Point), published under my legal name, KATIE KACVINSKY. You can find out more about me and my books at my website:
www.katieraybooks.wordpress.com
www.katieraybooks.wordpress.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews
August 26, 2022
This series… is for people who are very flexible in their understanding of "realistic given what has been made canon so far".
⤐ Additionally.
Middle Ground is one of those books that by itself already tells you that the rest of the series can either pick up a lot more or will be going downhill thereafter. I started this series pretty much 10 years ago when I was beginning to consume all my media in English and – at least language and topi wise – this series was a great fit for that. It’s got great but not too complicated vocabulary and a very relevant focus point. Reading Middle ground so many years later, in my late 20s, I’ve come to notice some problems. Mainly; Maddie’s love interest Justin.
Because I’ve finished this book months ago I can’t give any details but … Justin is not just a dreamy boy with visions. He’s a terrible boyfriend. I suppose this was made to pave the way for future developments, but I just could not get over the emotional damage Maddie had to suffer through for his benefit.
Also; Maddie’s parents are despicable human beings. I’m not sure how depicting them the way it does matches with what Katie has them do in the third book – but it makes me a bit afraid of Katie’s parenting skills or past trauma (not sure which would be worse).
⤐ What’s happening.
‘Letting go is easy. Anyone can do that. Love is fighting for someone to stay. That's what takes work.’
spoiler alert : It’s what Maddie deserves but not what she gets from the people she loves and who pretend to love her.
_____________________
4 STARS. Would stay up beyond my typical hours to finish it. I found some minor details I didn't like, agree with or lacked in some kind but overall, this was enjoyable and extraordinary.
3 STARS. Decent read that I have neither strongly positive nor negative feelings about. Some things irked me and thus it does not qualify as exceptional.
February 22, 2014
Letting go is easy. Anyone can do that. Love is fighting for someone to stay. That's what takes work.
My thoughts:
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no.
That cannot be the ending.
GAH I CAN'T.
Believe me when I say this is one of the best books ever written. I rarely read dystopia (I'm more into contemporary) but I loved this.
READ IT. This book is WONDERFULLLLLL.
My thoughts:
No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no.
That cannot be the ending.
GAH I CAN'T.
Believe me when I say this is one of the best books ever written. I rarely read dystopia (I'm more into contemporary) but I loved this.
READ IT. This book is WONDERFULLLLLL.
March 31, 2013
Ho.ly.crap. The best and worst thing about this series is that it doesn't seem far-fetched. I don't generally get into futuristic stuff but this is a world that, sadly, I can imagine becoming reality.
When Maddie is hauled off to a detention center, it's obviously not going to be a walk in the park. The truth behind the gates is actually quite terrifying. Jaw-droppingly scary. And once again, it's not difficult to imagine something like this happening which makes me so sad. Maddie's fight to keep her sanity and Justin's and her friends' determination to save her is intense and will keep you anxious to turn the page.
What happens next?! When I saw that there isn't a release date for the next book, I seriously yelled, "WHAT?!" loud enough for my husband to hear two rooms away. *Sigh* I'll be on pins and needles until I find out what happens with DS. And, of course, Justin and Maddie.
When Maddie is hauled off to a detention center, it's obviously not going to be a walk in the park. The truth behind the gates is actually quite terrifying. Jaw-droppingly scary. And once again, it's not difficult to imagine something like this happening which makes me so sad. Maddie's fight to keep her sanity and Justin's and her friends' determination to save her is intense and will keep you anxious to turn the page.
What happens next?! When I saw that there isn't a release date for the next book, I seriously yelled, "WHAT?!" loud enough for my husband to hear two rooms away. *Sigh* I'll be on pins and needles until I find out what happens with DS. And, of course, Justin and Maddie.
February 21, 2013
I really feel like nothing happened to significantly further the storyline. She goes into the DC. She gets out. Books over. And so what they rescued one place. Now all the people in every other one can't even leave when their time is up. How are they celebrating? They seem no closer to ending DS. I liked Gabe but he didn't seem to join their fight on getting out. Or even hooking up with Claire. It was never solidly decided who the rat was. And poor Pat is just made such a creep throughout this book. It really felt like a book load of filler.
October 22, 2013
This was an exciting sequel to the first book "Awaken"! I couldn't put it down and once I was finished I wanted to read it over again! It's a wonderful story about the life of a young girl striving for the freedom to experience her life without being controlled by technology! It's a scary look into a possible realistic future and it leaves you contemplating your own life and how you are really "living" it! Fantastic read! Cannot wait for the next book!
April 4, 2017
Much better than the first one. Still not thrilled with how Justin rambles off on these tangents that sound more like an inspiring Star Trek monologue than anything anyone would actually say. And also if I had to read about Maddie cupping his face one more time I was going to throw myself out a window. But other than that, this was a good installment. Interested to see how the series ends.
May 6, 2016
Was ich an dieser Dystopie so gerne mag ist, dass sie realer als andere ist. Eine so digitalisierte Welt ist viel greifbarer und wirkt erschreckender.
Trotzdem kann ich mich nicht mit Justin und Maddies Liebe zu ihm anfreunden, ich konnte mich da kaum reinfühlen.
Trotzdem kann ich mich nicht mit Justin und Maddies Liebe zu ihm anfreunden, ich konnte mich da kaum reinfühlen.
June 26, 2024
Auch Band 2 hat mir wirklich gut gefallen. Und obwohl einige Zeit vergangen ist, seit ich Band 1 gelesen hatte, kam ich wirklich gut wieder rein.
Jetzt nach Corona bekommt das Buch gleich nochmal mehr Realitätsnähe, wodurch ich sehr gefesselt war.
Der Fortgang der Story gefiel mir auch sehr und die Charaktere, vor allem die Prota Maddie, Habe ich sehr ins Herz geschlossen.
Ich bin sehr gespannt auf das Finale.
Jetzt nach Corona bekommt das Buch gleich nochmal mehr Realitätsnähe, wodurch ich sehr gefesselt war.
Der Fortgang der Story gefiel mir auch sehr und die Charaktere, vor allem die Prota Maddie, Habe ich sehr ins Herz geschlossen.
Ich bin sehr gespannt auf das Finale.
Read
February 16, 2013Courtesy of Smash Attack Reads
INTEREST IN BOOK: If you’ve been paying attention, you know that Awaken was a book that spoke loudly to me. I was very wrapped up in the possibility of the scenario. I was also very affected by experiencing Maddie’s awakening, when Justin assists her in “unplugging.” It was beautiful to watch her reconnecting with her senses and experiencing emotions she never knew existed. Being that I’m a social worker, I understand how very important socialization and social support is for human beings, and this series really drives this point home.
WORLD-BUILDING: The world expands in Middle Ground as Maddie endures a life-altering trip to a detention center for her rebellious behavior. In Maddie’s world, detention centers take care of those who are unwilling to remain plugged in and participate in a mostly-digital life. Digital School brought safety and security to society, at the cost of togetherness and intimacy. Maddie’s father is the creator of DS, so her involvement in the rebellion to bring intimacy back to society is quite the scandal. Maddie’s experience in the detention center is horrific and we learn a lot about what is being done to keep society in check. I think my only real issue with this scenario was how easy it was to sneak around inside the detention center. I get that security was low because they control the students psychologically, but it just seemed too easy…
CHARACTERS: Maddie grew a lot in this installment. She was always brave and stubborn, but she really puts herself in serious danger to save many. I found myself rooting for her, then yelling at her, many times. She surprised me with her mature, selfless decisions, though I should not have been surprised. Maddie has always been willing to go the extra mile or 50 to do what is right. And then we have Justin. Geez. I might have to add Justin Solvi to the tippy top of respectable, amazing, glorious book boyfriends. I didn’t think I could adore him more, but I certainly do. What grabbed me most were his vulnerable moments. As Maddie pointed out numerous times, he certainly has issues letting people in and being intimate, and in Middle Ground, we learn why. Justin has been carrying around a lot of guilt and Maddie does her best to encourage him to remove the blanket of guilt and shame from his heart and soul. Those moments between them were so damn beautiful.
Gabe is worth mentioning, as I find myself thinking a lot about him during this review. Gabe works in the detention center and was integral in the dangerous planning by Maddie, Justin, and gang. I think he was a huge part in keeping Maddie sane throughout the story. Of course, all the characters that have befriended Maddie throughout this series, and continue to fight the good fight with her, are great in their own ways. Love them.
LASTING IMPRESSIONS: It appears that we are going to have a third book in this series, as Maddie leaves us hanging with yet another heavy decision that she must make. In the end, I know she will do what she feels is right for humanity, but she will not be bullied. She has become quite the strong heroine, and she and Justin will stand up and fight until the war is over. Together.
INTEREST IN BOOK: If you’ve been paying attention, you know that Awaken was a book that spoke loudly to me. I was very wrapped up in the possibility of the scenario. I was also very affected by experiencing Maddie’s awakening, when Justin assists her in “unplugging.” It was beautiful to watch her reconnecting with her senses and experiencing emotions she never knew existed. Being that I’m a social worker, I understand how very important socialization and social support is for human beings, and this series really drives this point home.
WORLD-BUILDING: The world expands in Middle Ground as Maddie endures a life-altering trip to a detention center for her rebellious behavior. In Maddie’s world, detention centers take care of those who are unwilling to remain plugged in and participate in a mostly-digital life. Digital School brought safety and security to society, at the cost of togetherness and intimacy. Maddie’s father is the creator of DS, so her involvement in the rebellion to bring intimacy back to society is quite the scandal. Maddie’s experience in the detention center is horrific and we learn a lot about what is being done to keep society in check. I think my only real issue with this scenario was how easy it was to sneak around inside the detention center. I get that security was low because they control the students psychologically, but it just seemed too easy…
CHARACTERS: Maddie grew a lot in this installment. She was always brave and stubborn, but she really puts herself in serious danger to save many. I found myself rooting for her, then yelling at her, many times. She surprised me with her mature, selfless decisions, though I should not have been surprised. Maddie has always been willing to go the extra mile or 50 to do what is right. And then we have Justin. Geez. I might have to add Justin Solvi to the tippy top of respectable, amazing, glorious book boyfriends. I didn’t think I could adore him more, but I certainly do. What grabbed me most were his vulnerable moments. As Maddie pointed out numerous times, he certainly has issues letting people in and being intimate, and in Middle Ground, we learn why. Justin has been carrying around a lot of guilt and Maddie does her best to encourage him to remove the blanket of guilt and shame from his heart and soul. Those moments between them were so damn beautiful.
Gabe is worth mentioning, as I find myself thinking a lot about him during this review. Gabe works in the detention center and was integral in the dangerous planning by Maddie, Justin, and gang. I think he was a huge part in keeping Maddie sane throughout the story. Of course, all the characters that have befriended Maddie throughout this series, and continue to fight the good fight with her, are great in their own ways. Love them.
LASTING IMPRESSIONS: It appears that we are going to have a third book in this series, as Maddie leaves us hanging with yet another heavy decision that she must make. In the end, I know she will do what she feels is right for humanity, but she will not be bullied. She has become quite the strong heroine, and she and Justin will stand up and fight until the war is over. Together.
September 5, 2013
I was worried that this book wouldn't be as good as the first, but I actually think I liked it even more! I think the concept of this book is just brilliant, and I think a lot of people would probably benefit from reading this and realizing that, even now, we spend too much time on computers/phones/tablets/what have you. Not even that, but I really enjoyed at the end of the book when Maddie's father was talking about how life has always been miserable (even without technology taking over) because people had too many choices, and a lot of people turned to drugs, etc, to "get away" from everything. There is a definitely a reason our world should never come to the stage of using technology for EVERYTHING and lose sight of hanging out with people in person, etc, but I just wish that people could be happier than they are now because I agree that too many people get overwhelmed with all of the choices of life (myself included) and need to be reminded to just take it moment by moment and focus on things that really matter. For me, that's finding my purpose in this world and figuring out how I can help others! This book really makes me think...
Also, another thing I really loved was the fact that there wasn't a dumb love triangle, and I felt like once Maddie and Justin's relationship started progressing, there weren't really an times where I was annoyed thinking that something would happen to break them up and they would have terrible communication skills. I get annoyed with romance in books sometimes when all I want to happen is for them to talk to each other and be happy! These two definitely had their moments, but I liked that Maddie seemed smarter than some other main character women I've read about recently...
There were a few things I didn't like, however. Mainly, I just felt like a lot of stuff was a little "too" perfect. Really, the Eye turns off every night when the doors lock? Really, no one had any idea that Maddie was escaping at night and that Gabe was talking to her? It was just hard for me to believe that they would get away with everything for so long, but that definitely didn't stop me from liking the book. Another thing that I didn't like was the fact that Maddie's mom wasn't mentioned ever. I feel like her mom was more on Maddie's side at the very beginning of the first book, so I was disappointed that she wasn't really talked about.
Also, another thing I really loved was the fact that there wasn't a dumb love triangle, and I felt like once Maddie and Justin's relationship started progressing, there weren't really an times where I was annoyed thinking that something would happen to break them up and they would have terrible communication skills. I get annoyed with romance in books sometimes when all I want to happen is for them to talk to each other and be happy! These two definitely had their moments, but I liked that Maddie seemed smarter than some other main character women I've read about recently...
There were a few things I didn't like, however. Mainly, I just felt like a lot of stuff was a little "too" perfect. Really, the Eye turns off every night when the doors lock? Really, no one had any idea that Maddie was escaping at night and that Gabe was talking to her? It was just hard for me to believe that they would get away with everything for so long, but that definitely didn't stop me from liking the book. Another thing that I didn't like was the fact that Maddie's mom wasn't mentioned ever. I feel like her mom was more on Maddie's side at the very beginning of the first book, so I was disappointed that she wasn't really talked about.
October 21, 2012
In this anticipated sequel to Awaken, Middle Ground picks up with Maddie living with her brother in Los Angeles. The year is 2060. She's supposed to be in a detention facility, but her father has used his powers to do some fancy paperwork to make it look like she is. While Maddie is happy in LA, she misses her boyfriend Justin, who is working at intercepting other kids on their way to the detention facilities and inviting them to join their cause. It's their biggest goal to get rid of DS, digital school, a program that Maddie's father created.
They believe that kids should have the choice of online school or public school. They should be able to go out and meet friends face to face and get sun on their faces without everything being digitalized. But DS keeps kids safe and controlled, and those that run it will do whatever it takes to make sure it runs properly.
When Maddie goes to a virtual club with her brother and some friends, she can't help herself but try and show the kids the way things could be. All it does is get her into trouble and before long, someone is knocking at her door and she's on the way to the detention center for rehabilitation. This time, Justin and her friends can't get her out. What happens behind the locked doors in the center is horrific - they want the kids to be controlled and realize that it's not safe outside and they will do whatever it takes to get that through their heads. Maddie tries to endure but she can't do it alone.
Middle Ground is a great second installment in this series! Maddie and Justin's relationship is still moving along, but it has it's struggles. Especially since her father created DS and he leads the group that wants to demolish it. In a world where we all rely on so much technology, Kacvinsky's series puts things a bit in perspective. There has to be balance, and in her world, there isn't. I really empathized with Maddie and her plight, she made some good and bad choices. I also enjoyed getting to know Justin more in this installment. The book ends satisfactory, no horrid cliffhanger, but it does allude to another book in the series. I can't wait!
They believe that kids should have the choice of online school or public school. They should be able to go out and meet friends face to face and get sun on their faces without everything being digitalized. But DS keeps kids safe and controlled, and those that run it will do whatever it takes to make sure it runs properly.
When Maddie goes to a virtual club with her brother and some friends, she can't help herself but try and show the kids the way things could be. All it does is get her into trouble and before long, someone is knocking at her door and she's on the way to the detention center for rehabilitation. This time, Justin and her friends can't get her out. What happens behind the locked doors in the center is horrific - they want the kids to be controlled and realize that it's not safe outside and they will do whatever it takes to get that through their heads. Maddie tries to endure but she can't do it alone.
Middle Ground is a great second installment in this series! Maddie and Justin's relationship is still moving along, but it has it's struggles. Especially since her father created DS and he leads the group that wants to demolish it. In a world where we all rely on so much technology, Kacvinsky's series puts things a bit in perspective. There has to be balance, and in her world, there isn't. I really empathized with Maddie and her plight, she made some good and bad choices. I also enjoyed getting to know Justin more in this installment. The book ends satisfactory, no horrid cliffhanger, but it does allude to another book in the series. I can't wait!
September 28, 2014
I didn't really have expectations going into this book so I said I would give it a chance, but it did not prove worth it. On the contrary this book made me wish I hadn't wasted my time!
This will contain spoilers so bear with me.
So the book begins and Maddie is living with her brother and is using DS again and not really caring about what she was apparently disgusted with previous book. Well ok then. Then she goes to a club and decides to hate technology again cause you know she's consistent like that and shuts it down and then gets down with her boyfriend in the managers office then accidentally intercepts a police pick up then sent off to a detention center. Seriously?? Keeping in kind that this is all in one night, its just so unrealistic (even for a dystopian novel).
At this detention center she is getting psychologically tortured. If someone is being psychologically tortured they aren't going to be thinking about their kinda on off boyfriend are they? They are going to be thinking crazy things and I don't know maybe actually showing symptoms of torture. There is no depth! It really bothered me to be honest. If I had wanted to read a teenage rom com then I would have.
Finally the knife in the back was the ending. Justin has spent the majority of his life fighting the DS, and all of a sudden he's like 'Oh wait luv my bae' and then stops. WHAT A WASTE OF TWO BOOKS. All this anti-ds shit has been built up and then its just abandoned for two teenagers love. Somehow I doubt that.
fail
This will contain spoilers so bear with me.
So the book begins and Maddie is living with her brother and is using DS again and not really caring about what she was apparently disgusted with previous book. Well ok then. Then she goes to a club and decides to hate technology again cause you know she's consistent like that and shuts it down and then gets down with her boyfriend in the managers office then accidentally intercepts a police pick up then sent off to a detention center. Seriously?? Keeping in kind that this is all in one night, its just so unrealistic (even for a dystopian novel).
At this detention center she is getting psychologically tortured. If someone is being psychologically tortured they aren't going to be thinking about their kinda on off boyfriend are they? They are going to be thinking crazy things and I don't know maybe actually showing symptoms of torture. There is no depth! It really bothered me to be honest. If I had wanted to read a teenage rom com then I would have.
Finally the knife in the back was the ending. Justin has spent the majority of his life fighting the DS, and all of a sudden he's like 'Oh wait luv my bae' and then stops. WHAT A WASTE OF TWO BOOKS. All this anti-ds shit has been built up and then its just abandoned for two teenagers love. Somehow I doubt that.
fail
October 8, 2015
4.6 stars
I have mixed feelings toward this book. It was very good, and I enjoyed it...
But I feel like it was lacking of emotions? Or it's just me? Like probably I was in bad mood during these days or something. I felt empty, and nothing, to be honest.
Why did I rate it pretty high?
Katie's writing/quotes are so beautiful and inspiring honestly. Or shall I say, Justin Solvi's quotes? Or Maddie's lil diary? The quotes in this book are beyond beautiful and very meaningful. This story has taught me a lot of good things and made my eyes open toward the world.
"I'm saying maybe we all need to be okay with who we are ten minutes longer every day. Maybe we need to stop worrying so much about being accepted and caring what people think about us. But we need to accept ourselves first. Maybe we need to plus bank into this."
I have mixed feelings toward this book. It was very good, and I enjoyed it...
But I feel like it was lacking of emotions? Or it's just me? Like probably I was in bad mood during these days or something. I felt empty, and nothing, to be honest.
Why did I rate it pretty high?
Katie's writing/quotes are so beautiful and inspiring honestly. Or shall I say, Justin Solvi's quotes? Or Maddie's lil diary? The quotes in this book are beyond beautiful and very meaningful. This story has taught me a lot of good things and made my eyes open toward the world.
"I'm saying maybe we all need to be okay with who we are ten minutes longer every day. Maybe we need to stop worrying so much about being accepted and caring what people think about us. But we need to accept ourselves first. Maybe we need to plus bank into this."
Want to read
May 14, 2012OH MY GOD. She gets in a detention center?! THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I FUCKING WANTED. Yes, yes yes yes yes motherfucking YES. Dammit, I hope I love this book. And I hope Justin is never in it, ahahahaha! Damn yes. Hell yes.
I think there was something else I was going to say but I read the summary and I forgot it.
I hope she writes more entries in her journal. LOTS of entries. <3333
Oh, I really love the title of this one. <333
I think there was something else I was going to say but I read the summary and I forgot it.
I hope she writes more entries in her journal. LOTS of entries. <3333
Oh, I really love the title of this one. <333
January 24, 2022
Klappentext
Auch nachdem Maddie bei ihrem Bruder in L.A. eingezogen ist, setzt sie ihren Kampf fort. Gemeinsam mit Justin hilft sie Jugendlichen, die der Digital School den Rücken kehren wollen. Doch dann wird Maddie geschnappt und von der Polizei in eine Jugendstrafanstalt gesteckt. Hier werden alle inhaftiert, die sich gegen das System stellen. Isolationshaft und Gehirnwäsche sind im Gefängnis an der Tagesordnung und der Wille der meisten Insassen wird innerhalb kürzester Zeit gebrochen.
Maddie ist lange standhaft! Doch die Haftbedingungen zermürben auch sie und schließlich ist sie kurz davor, aufzugeben. Wie soll sie alleine im Gefängnis gegen die übermächtig erscheinenden Gegner bestehen? Erst als der junge Aufseher Gabe ihr zu verstehen gibt, dass er auf ihrer Seite steht, schöpft Maddie neue Hoffnung. Aber um das System zu besiegen, muss sie sehr weit gehen...
Meine Meinung
Das Buch spielt ein wenig nach dem letzten Buch und erzählt aus der Sicht von Madeleine, kurz Maddie, Freeman. Maddie ist eine kluge, entschlossene, motivierte, kämpferische und mutige junge Frau, die gemeinsam mit Justin den Kampf gegen die Digital School fortsetzt. Dabei ist sie sich nicht allen Gefahren richtig bewusst und verliert sich beinahe selbst dabei. Nur der Kontakt mit ihren Freunden hilft ihr, das Ganze zu überstehen. Dieser Teil ist deutlich düsterer als der erste Band. Man merkt deutlich, wie viel eigentlich auf dem Spiel steht. Es gibt auch diesmal einige überraschende Wendungen und Entwicklungen. Der Schreibstil ist angenehm und flüssig zu lesen.
Bewertung
Eine gelungene Fortsetzung, die dem Vorgänger in nichts nachsteht und mich wirklich gut unterhalten konnte, auch wenn er ein wenig düsterer war, daher gibt es verdiente
4 von 5 Würmchen
Auch nachdem Maddie bei ihrem Bruder in L.A. eingezogen ist, setzt sie ihren Kampf fort. Gemeinsam mit Justin hilft sie Jugendlichen, die der Digital School den Rücken kehren wollen. Doch dann wird Maddie geschnappt und von der Polizei in eine Jugendstrafanstalt gesteckt. Hier werden alle inhaftiert, die sich gegen das System stellen. Isolationshaft und Gehirnwäsche sind im Gefängnis an der Tagesordnung und der Wille der meisten Insassen wird innerhalb kürzester Zeit gebrochen.
Maddie ist lange standhaft! Doch die Haftbedingungen zermürben auch sie und schließlich ist sie kurz davor, aufzugeben. Wie soll sie alleine im Gefängnis gegen die übermächtig erscheinenden Gegner bestehen? Erst als der junge Aufseher Gabe ihr zu verstehen gibt, dass er auf ihrer Seite steht, schöpft Maddie neue Hoffnung. Aber um das System zu besiegen, muss sie sehr weit gehen...
Meine Meinung
Das Buch spielt ein wenig nach dem letzten Buch und erzählt aus der Sicht von Madeleine, kurz Maddie, Freeman. Maddie ist eine kluge, entschlossene, motivierte, kämpferische und mutige junge Frau, die gemeinsam mit Justin den Kampf gegen die Digital School fortsetzt. Dabei ist sie sich nicht allen Gefahren richtig bewusst und verliert sich beinahe selbst dabei. Nur der Kontakt mit ihren Freunden hilft ihr, das Ganze zu überstehen. Dieser Teil ist deutlich düsterer als der erste Band. Man merkt deutlich, wie viel eigentlich auf dem Spiel steht. Es gibt auch diesmal einige überraschende Wendungen und Entwicklungen. Der Schreibstil ist angenehm und flüssig zu lesen.
Bewertung
Eine gelungene Fortsetzung, die dem Vorgänger in nichts nachsteht und mich wirklich gut unterhalten konnte, auch wenn er ein wenig düsterer war, daher gibt es verdiente
4 von 5 Würmchen
January 19, 2021
Even better than the first one of the series!
April 5, 2013
Im zweiten Band schließen sich die Tore hinter Maddie und sie wird in ein Umerziehungslager eingeschlossen. Von ihren Freunden, der Realität und ihrem Leben abgeschnitten, beginnt für Maddie ein Kampf um ihren Verstand. Mit seltsamen Drogen betäubt, durchlebt sie im Umerziehungslager die schlimmsten Albträume und es wird mit aller Macht versucht ihren Willen zu brechen.
Düstere Zeiten für Maddie, aber sie erhält auch die Chance wirklich etwas in ihrer Welt zu bewegen.
Der zweite Band dieser Jugendbuchreihe war für mich wieder ein absolutes Lesevergnügen. Wie schon beim ersten Band hatte ich trotz einiger Schwächen das Gefühl immer weiter lesen zu wollen.
In diesem Teil sehen wir die noch viel dunklere Seite des Digital-School-Systems. Wer nicht in die digitale Welt passt und gar versucht zu rebellieren, wird in ein Umerziehungslager gesteckt. Das muss Maddie am eigenen Leib erfahren, als ihre Familie sich gegen sie stellt und sie dem Fängen fragwürdiger Psychologen aussetzt.
Wie schon im ersten Band zeichnet die Autorin ein düsteres und auch sehr glaubhaftes Bild von einer Zukunft in der die digitale Welt wichtiger geworden ist als die Realität. Menschen treffen sich größtenteils nur noch online und verstecken sich hinter ihren gutaussehenden Avataren.
So gut Katie Kacvinsky auch den Faden der digitalen Zukunftsvision weitergesponnen hat, so konnte mich ihre restliche Sci-Fi-Welt nicht überzeugen. Vollkommen auf ein Problem fokussiert, fehlen mir einfach all die anderen kleinen Fragmente die diese Zukunft real erscheinen lassen. Ihre Welt erscheint mir nicht wie das Jahr 2060 sondern eher wie ein sehr erschreckendes 2020.
Auch die Charaktere haben immer Momente in denen ich nicht glauben konnte wie naiv sie plötzlich handeln. Es war oft so als sei eine Sicherung durchgebrannt und es kam zu Handlungen, die in meinen Augen nicht zum Charakterprofil passten, nur um die Story wieder weiter anzutreiben und künstliche Schwierigkeiten heraufzubeschwören.
Zudem nervten mich nach einiger Zeit die gezwungen tiefsinnigen Gespräche, die schon fast wirkten wie eine Mahnung mit dem Zeigefinger.
Und dennoch, trotz all dieser kleinen Unebenheiten und Schwächen, habe ich es sehr genossen wieder mit Maddie ein wenig zu rebellieren. Ich war fasziniert von den Einfällen der Autorin und es erschreckte mich, wie schnell die Menschheit dank der Technik in dieser Dystopie landen könnte.
Es ist ganz klar ein Buch so spannend und aufregend wie ein Actionfilm. Auch der zweite Band ist wieder bestes ‚Popcorn-Kopfkino‘. Bei jeder Seite fühlte ich mich bestens unterhalten.
Ich freue mich jedenfalls schon auf den nächsten Band rund um Maddie Freeman und ihren Rebellen.
Düstere Zeiten für Maddie, aber sie erhält auch die Chance wirklich etwas in ihrer Welt zu bewegen.
Der zweite Band dieser Jugendbuchreihe war für mich wieder ein absolutes Lesevergnügen. Wie schon beim ersten Band hatte ich trotz einiger Schwächen das Gefühl immer weiter lesen zu wollen.
In diesem Teil sehen wir die noch viel dunklere Seite des Digital-School-Systems. Wer nicht in die digitale Welt passt und gar versucht zu rebellieren, wird in ein Umerziehungslager gesteckt. Das muss Maddie am eigenen Leib erfahren, als ihre Familie sich gegen sie stellt und sie dem Fängen fragwürdiger Psychologen aussetzt.
Wie schon im ersten Band zeichnet die Autorin ein düsteres und auch sehr glaubhaftes Bild von einer Zukunft in der die digitale Welt wichtiger geworden ist als die Realität. Menschen treffen sich größtenteils nur noch online und verstecken sich hinter ihren gutaussehenden Avataren.
So gut Katie Kacvinsky auch den Faden der digitalen Zukunftsvision weitergesponnen hat, so konnte mich ihre restliche Sci-Fi-Welt nicht überzeugen. Vollkommen auf ein Problem fokussiert, fehlen mir einfach all die anderen kleinen Fragmente die diese Zukunft real erscheinen lassen. Ihre Welt erscheint mir nicht wie das Jahr 2060 sondern eher wie ein sehr erschreckendes 2020.
Auch die Charaktere haben immer Momente in denen ich nicht glauben konnte wie naiv sie plötzlich handeln. Es war oft so als sei eine Sicherung durchgebrannt und es kam zu Handlungen, die in meinen Augen nicht zum Charakterprofil passten, nur um die Story wieder weiter anzutreiben und künstliche Schwierigkeiten heraufzubeschwören.
Zudem nervten mich nach einiger Zeit die gezwungen tiefsinnigen Gespräche, die schon fast wirkten wie eine Mahnung mit dem Zeigefinger.
Und dennoch, trotz all dieser kleinen Unebenheiten und Schwächen, habe ich es sehr genossen wieder mit Maddie ein wenig zu rebellieren. Ich war fasziniert von den Einfällen der Autorin und es erschreckte mich, wie schnell die Menschheit dank der Technik in dieser Dystopie landen könnte.
Es ist ganz klar ein Buch so spannend und aufregend wie ein Actionfilm. Auch der zweite Band ist wieder bestes ‚Popcorn-Kopfkino‘. Bei jeder Seite fühlte ich mich bestens unterhalten.
Ich freue mich jedenfalls schon auf den nächsten Band rund um Maddie Freeman und ihren Rebellen.
August 21, 2017
JUSTIN SOLVI! Damn You! You know what I love you bro and right now I am considering you as my Blood Brother. Thumbs up…
& of course to MADDIE! Haven’t I yet told you in that past (1st novel of this novel series) time that I love you? Guess what! I love you even more now that what I read after finishing this novel…
1. I wondered which emotion was more powerful in the human mind : fear or desire…
2. I tried to distract myself. I designed two digital windows in my room because the walls were suffocation. I could display any climate I was in the mood for: clear and sunny weather, overcast, heavy rain, light mists, a blizzard. I could even place a tornado along my path, and speakers brought it all to life with the sound of hail and wind and the clap of thunder. I liked the idea there was a force outside the detention center stronger than the force inside A tornado could take out this entire place in one gust. It could pulverize anything in its path. It made me think something could set me free…
3. Confidence grows when you know what you want, when you don’t have to be told who you are. You know it on the inside so you don’t have to force it on the outside. It just radiates. And you steps become effortless. For once I believe in something. And it’s like a map showing what direction I should go. There’s only one certainty in life: how you come into the world. Where you go from there is up to you…
4. “I’m saying maybe we all need to be okay with who we are ten minutes longer every day. Maybe we need to stop worrying so much about being accepted and caring what people think about us. But we need to accept ourselves first. Maybe we need to plug back into this,” he nodded to the world outside…
5. “it’s called an amnesia blackout,” she told me. “it’s similar to a blackout people get from drinking too much. Your salient short term memories don’t make it into your long-term memory so you can never remember specific details. The drug lets you hang on to just the smallest details and emotions, until something triggers the memory. But it gets buried so deep in your subconscious you don’t even realize it’s a memory. Instead, it just becomes a reaction.”…
6. I watched Justin and Scott joke back and forth and I watched people smile and I watched real eyes shine, and the energy was better than any drug. When you know you’re breaking the rules, it fires you up. It’s a rush to know you’re bending something solid. It’s a high to see how far you can twist your fate…
7. Science can answer most of my questions – which stars are in which constellation and how far away they are, why they light up, why some shine brighter, why they fade. But I prefer not to know all the specifics. I like to make up my own theories. Sometimes knowledge can kill the wonder…
8. “Things never happen the way you plan. Take it a second at a time. Stay in the moment. It’s the only way to control it. Your thoughts can paralyze you. They make you second-guess and that’s when you lose. Ou mentally beat yourself. Believe you can handle anything. Look at something that’s bigger than you and take it all in, the enormousness of it. Drown in it. The take a step back. Compartmentalize it. Remember, anything’s attainable. And take every risk you can, as long as you trust yourself.”…
9. He moved in until his lips were just brushing mine. “You’re the bravest person I’ve ever met,” he said against my mouth.
“You’re rubbing off me,” I whispered back.
“No,” he said. “I’m just showing you.”…
I am out of my word! What on the earth I’ve just read? Look let me say one thing at first, while I was as say practically eating the novel I felt tense all the time. I can’t explain it but I know what it felts like when you read a Science Fiction like this…
‘Middle Ground’ is the 2nd novel of ‘Awaken’ series. It’s because the Awaken that drown me to this novel to read. The moment I have ‘Middle Ground’ in my hand I found wandered in that world where technology controls you completely. Even your lifestyle, your own choice, your personal moment and even the kind of technology that programmed your future of your life. Yes technology is necessary no doubt but either way It can help you and it can destroy you, terminated you before you knew it. I didn’t find any misspelled event in here apart from the 1st part. It was same with concept like the first one. I not just loved it but I think I own this novel to me. The fight, the tensed situations, those unmistakable emotions Hell I will never forget them…
Justin Solvi –
Oh MAN! Now where should start? Seriously? Are you kidding me? I should have start with Madeline! But hey I mean no offense, okay? Just let me pass with it. For me it’s a Huge, Huge & Huge relief to knowing that Justin and Madeline are ok with each other. Damn, maybe I would be broken hearted if that’s not happened. From me to the author I want to give her a SPECIAL THANKS. Well, Justin seemed as stubborn as he was in ‘Awaken’ and he did his best by fighting and holding all his emotions in a gut and lead his team to demolish the digital school/detention centers to protect those children’s from the death. Justin was very much solid on his posture when it came to fight against his will. He stand on the ground, measures the situation calmly and then took his aim. He too tried his best with all his heart to protect his soul mate ‘Madeline!’ Though in some point it was really out of question because of the circumstances they were forcing to live. Justin Solvi - I am repeating it again, Love you bro…
Madeline Freeman -
Love you Maddie, love you so much. You are the bravest and strongest girl character that I ever read in a novel till now. I will never forget you. I love the way you handled all your danger like a Lioness who as if fighting to death to protect her cubs from the devil Lion. If you get the thing, the idea that what I really mean to say. I love you Maddie. I can say these 3 magical words over and over but I know I will never tired of it. Anyway, Now come to the point. Maddie of course loves Justin, there is no doubt at all and she did relay on him in some point. Because in those dreadful days the image of Justin in her mind helped her to fight the odds around her. But yes she did fight alone herself, she chooses her own decision and risked her life for the good even Justin couldn’t make to change it but accept her by showing respect to her. The system, the technology that didn’t helping people but making virtual day by day was enough for her and the team to realize it’s the time to make a change. Well I am not going to spoil them all. But hell yeah Special thanks again to the author for that character ‘Madeline Freeman!’…
Kevin Freeman (Father of Maddie) & Richard Vaughn -
FU*K YOU BOTH…
Pat -
The betrayers. Who would know that he did something in his mind like love feeling for Maddie? Well FU*K him too…
Gabe, Molly, Clare, Scott & so on -
Can’t get through all the names. So yes, thanks to all these character from the core of my heart for making the journey ok for Justin and Maddie. I don’t want dig more but yes I do want to let out a scream. ‘Middle Ground’ worth my reading…
Thanks again to - KATIE KACVINSKY…
[N.B. : I HAPPNED TO KNOW THAT THE 3rd PART OF THIS ‘AWAKEN’ SERIES HAS THAT TRIANGLE FACT THING, SO YES THIS IS MY END IN HERE TO THIS 2nd PART]…
June 8, 2013
I'm loving this saga!! The world in here is fascinating!
So, this book starts with Maddie in L.A., trying to stay out of trouble, until one night she can't help herself and shuts down an online club. That gets her into a detention center. We get to see what happen inside of them, and it's inhuman. They drugged them, implant nightmares and sensations such as fear, to isolate them, so then they would only want a virtual, secure life.
Justin and their friends, with the help of Gabe, (we could say he was kind of an assistant of the detention center), find a way to stay close to Maddie, and run tests on her, so she could help the cause, and reveal once and for all, that was happening inside of the installments to the world.
I felt sorry for Maddie. She volunteered to stay inside, and be the victim of the treatments to help the other, but she rebelled a lot of times. Can't you use a little more of common sense and try to play along, so you're not on the spotlight? I wanted to kick her at times. CAN YOU AT LEAST PRETEND?! THAT WAS NOT SMART!!
The romance in this novel was amazing. Justin was her anchor through all the procedure, and we get to see he really loves her. They're great for each other, always challenging themselves, and putting the other one first. I love those two!
"He rolled toward me and leaned up on one elbow and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and stared at me. I knew how battered I looked after six months at the DC. I could probably model for a brochure on malnutrition, bad hair, sleep deprivation, or all of the above. But Justin looked at me like he was enamored, which made no sense at all."
He's so sweet! Love how they're so natural with each other, zero awkwardness, and lots of love. Their conversations are fantastic. They made me reflex a lot.
I loved all the secondary characters. Gabe! We get to meet Gabe and he's awesome. He's like this cute puppy, who doesn't have any idea of what was happening in the world, but still had his head and heart in the right place.
Her Dad was a surprise in this book. He showed a little more emotion. I still wouldn't go back to him, or negotiate with him, after he sent her to a detention center, but the guy didn't know what was going inside of those place, so I guess it wasn't THAT bad of him, sending her there.
Can't wait for the next book! I need more of Maddie, Justin and this dystopian world!
So, this book starts with Maddie in L.A., trying to stay out of trouble, until one night she can't help herself and shuts down an online club. That gets her into a detention center. We get to see what happen inside of them, and it's inhuman. They drugged them, implant nightmares and sensations such as fear, to isolate them, so then they would only want a virtual, secure life.
Justin and their friends, with the help of Gabe, (we could say he was kind of an assistant of the detention center), find a way to stay close to Maddie, and run tests on her, so she could help the cause, and reveal once and for all, that was happening inside of the installments to the world.
I felt sorry for Maddie. She volunteered to stay inside, and be the victim of the treatments to help the other, but she rebelled a lot of times. Can't you use a little more of common sense and try to play along, so you're not on the spotlight? I wanted to kick her at times. CAN YOU AT LEAST PRETEND?! THAT WAS NOT SMART!!
The romance in this novel was amazing. Justin was her anchor through all the procedure, and we get to see he really loves her. They're great for each other, always challenging themselves, and putting the other one first. I love those two!
"He rolled toward me and leaned up on one elbow and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and stared at me. I knew how battered I looked after six months at the DC. I could probably model for a brochure on malnutrition, bad hair, sleep deprivation, or all of the above. But Justin looked at me like he was enamored, which made no sense at all."
He's so sweet! Love how they're so natural with each other, zero awkwardness, and lots of love. Their conversations are fantastic. They made me reflex a lot.
I loved all the secondary characters. Gabe! We get to meet Gabe and he's awesome. He's like this cute puppy, who doesn't have any idea of what was happening in the world, but still had his head and heart in the right place.
Her Dad was a surprise in this book. He showed a little more emotion. I still wouldn't go back to him, or negotiate with him, after he sent her to a detention center, but the guy didn't know what was going inside of those place, so I guess it wasn't THAT bad of him, sending her there.
Can't wait for the next book! I need more of Maddie, Justin and this dystopian world!
May 28, 2016
This book, like its predecessor, was SO good. I have always liked sequels in that they're a little bit more relaxed and thought out (like there is more intellectual action than physical action), and this book had a very good mixture of both.
It was good to begin to get a sense of the finer details in the storyline, but it also had so many sparks of movement and complications and romance (which was seriously ridiculously addicting in this one) that kept it going.
The characters were put through obscenely devastating events, and I have to admit, I cried several times over (refer to pages 130, 174-180, 190-193, 220, 296-298 [oh my goodness this killed me because he was so lifeless and I seriously had an emotional meltdown. He was so lifeless it hurt.], 301)... But I praise this book because of how real it was. I physically felt pain. My heart and my head hurt so badly. It's so hard to describe until you read it, but I felt every word in this novel. I cried so much while reading this (especially during pages 296-8 because again, he was so broken), but the realness and the excruciating pain I felt from reading it was so incredible just because of how phenomenally it was written.
I know this sounds like a horrible book to read because of how depressing it seems, but everything worked out. Everything fit into place and everything was alright. Truly.
" 'I've always believed what doesn't kill you makes you stronger... I think it's true. The most difficult experiences define us.'
'The things that almost kill you don't make you stronger. If anything, they make you more bitter and closed off and broken... I think what you have to live for makes you stronger... Love makes you stronger. It's our strongest weapon.' " (p 147-8)
Hopefully you'll pick it up to see for yourself what I'm talking about.
It was good to begin to get a sense of the finer details in the storyline, but it also had so many sparks of movement and complications and romance (which was seriously ridiculously addicting in this one) that kept it going.
The characters were put through obscenely devastating events, and I have to admit, I cried several times over (refer to pages 130, 174-180, 190-193, 220, 296-298 [oh my goodness this killed me because he was so lifeless and I seriously had an emotional meltdown. He was so lifeless it hurt.], 301)... But I praise this book because of how real it was. I physically felt pain. My heart and my head hurt so badly. It's so hard to describe until you read it, but I felt every word in this novel. I cried so much while reading this (especially during pages 296-8 because again, he was so broken), but the realness and the excruciating pain I felt from reading it was so incredible just because of how phenomenally it was written.
I know this sounds like a horrible book to read because of how depressing it seems, but everything worked out. Everything fit into place and everything was alright. Truly.
" 'I've always believed what doesn't kill you makes you stronger... I think it's true. The most difficult experiences define us.'
'The things that almost kill you don't make you stronger. If anything, they make you more bitter and closed off and broken... I think what you have to live for makes you stronger... Love makes you stronger. It's our strongest weapon.' " (p 147-8)
Hopefully you'll pick it up to see for yourself what I'm talking about.
January 23, 2014
“I realized how hard it that must have been, how much hurt when you know the only way to help someone is to give him distance. So I let him go.”
Before I go into a rant (of sorts), I would like to start by announcing that I loved the book. I didn't want to put it down.
Okay, the ending of this book was extremely frustrating...a cliffhanger...I knew there was going to be a cliffhanger, which is why I attempted to read the book slow (as if the difference between one or two days would matter...I. THINK. NOT. - I did try though) hoping that I could somehow stretch the book and make it last as long as it would take for Still Point (Awaken #3) to come out. Wishful thinking (and completely unrealistic), however, there is still Maddie's Tattoo (Awaken #0.5) to read (as soon as I get my hands on it) so there's that to look forward to.
I'm not going to give anything away, which is why this review isn't going to contain any spoilers(I can't justify it). It's worth reading, I promise.
Although I'm not containing any spoilers, I'm including a few exerpts again:
“Letting go is easy. Anyone can do that. Love is fighting for someone to stay. That's what takes work.”
“There's only one certainty in life: how you come into the world. Where you go from there is up to you.”
Before I go into a rant (of sorts), I would like to start by announcing that I loved the book. I didn't want to put it down.
Okay, the ending of this book was extremely frustrating...a cliffhanger...I knew there was going to be a cliffhanger, which is why I attempted to read the book slow (as if the difference between one or two days would matter...I. THINK. NOT. - I did try though) hoping that I could somehow stretch the book and make it last as long as it would take for Still Point (Awaken #3) to come out. Wishful thinking (and completely unrealistic), however, there is still Maddie's Tattoo (Awaken #0.5) to read (as soon as I get my hands on it) so there's that to look forward to.
I'm not going to give anything away, which is why this review isn't going to contain any spoilers(I can't justify it). It's worth reading, I promise.
Although I'm not containing any spoilers, I'm including a few exerpts again:
“Letting go is easy. Anyone can do that. Love is fighting for someone to stay. That's what takes work.”
“There's only one certainty in life: how you come into the world. Where you go from there is up to you.”
March 26, 2014
Okay let me start off by saying this book seemed so real to me. I can't help mentally responding to Pat's ignorance and closed-mindedness of Maddie's dad. Although they're not exactly on the same side, both of them can't fathom why Justin and Maddie won't give up.
"Life is what it is," he said.
"Life is what you make it." I argued.
I want to talk about each detail of this book. It's so perfect, it would be a pleasure to write it on 10 paged paper. Or maybe i just think too much i need that much of paper. Anyway, can we just dwell on the fact that Maddie changed Justin!!!! I mean, before he'd cut himself off from everyone, now he can't let go of Maddie aksjdnflsqpa i cant
" Letting go is easy. Anyone can do that. Love is fighting for someone to stay. That's what takes work."
OKAY THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART
“I thought I’d never get the chance. God, Madeline, that almost killed me. That was worse than anything, to think that I never told you how I felt. And how much you deserved to hear it. I’ve never hated myself so much in my life. I felt so selfish and stupid for holding that back.
I love you so much. I need you to know that."
JUSTIN SOLVI MARRY ME YOU STUPID FICTIONAL CHARACTER
"Maybe it takes tragedy to create paradise."
"Life is what it is," he said.
"Life is what you make it." I argued.
I want to talk about each detail of this book. It's so perfect, it would be a pleasure to write it on 10 paged paper. Or maybe i just think too much i need that much of paper. Anyway, can we just dwell on the fact that Maddie changed Justin!!!! I mean, before he'd cut himself off from everyone, now he can't let go of Maddie aksjdnflsqpa i cant
" Letting go is easy. Anyone can do that. Love is fighting for someone to stay. That's what takes work."
OKAY THIS IS MY FAVORITE PART
“I thought I’d never get the chance. God, Madeline, that almost killed me. That was worse than anything, to think that I never told you how I felt. And how much you deserved to hear it. I’ve never hated myself so much in my life. I felt so selfish and stupid for holding that back.
I love you so much. I need you to know that."
JUSTIN SOLVI MARRY ME YOU STUPID FICTIONAL CHARACTER
"Maybe it takes tragedy to create paradise."
January 3, 2015
In less words: Feeling very much like Maddie during a scene in which she has to define herself in a 29-question questionnaire, I abhor the idea of trying to manipulate your interest in reading this book by using a mere paragraph. Blech. Because you must be manipulated, cajoled, tricked, beaten into reading MIDDLE GROUND by Katie Kacvinsky. It may have just bumped itself up to my number one slot on my list of favorite books of the year. My wariness toward this sequel was utterly unfounded, and, honestly, I don’t understand why I was worried. The pacing melts into the events of the plot so that they work in tandem to deliver an exciting, action-packed, intellectually stimulating story featuring two strong-willed, constantly growing characters whose chemistry is based on nearly everything that could attract one person to another. It’s passionate and raw and beautiful. If you’re a fan, I have no doubts that you’ll be completely amazed! And if you’re just now hearing about this series, read Awaken and then hurry and catch up!
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW COMING OCTOBER 12TH...
FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW COMING OCTOBER 12TH...
May 27, 2013
The fact that I finished the first two books in Katie Kacvinsky's Awaken series in two days should prove what a fan I am of this series! Middle Ground is the second part of Justin and Maddie's story - as they continue to fight against a regimented world where online/plugged in communication is viewed as normal and face-to-face interaction is shunned. In Middle Ground, Maddie finds her past and rebellious streak finally catching up with her when she is forced into a detention center where the staff uses unhealthy tactics to force its detainees to follow their way of life. Maddie and her friends must find a way to save the people in the center and fight the system that threatens to destroy them all, all while her relationship with Justin continues to grow and change.
I really adore these characters. I am pleased with the way they have grown and handled the challenges in front of them. I enjoyed Middle Ground just as much, if not more, than Awaken because I feel this one had a smoother flow than the first. I'm already itching for book three and can't wait for it to be released!
I really adore these characters. I am pleased with the way they have grown and handled the challenges in front of them. I enjoyed Middle Ground just as much, if not more, than Awaken because I feel this one had a smoother flow than the first. I'm already itching for book three and can't wait for it to be released!
January 18, 2014
PER-FEC-TION.
I finished this book in an hour and fifty minutes flat.
FREAKING EPIC.
Maddie has now been sent to a correctional facility by her BROTHER, Joe,the ass (see update on my profile), where they try to break into her mind and restore her to being some kind of digital freak.
Seriously. Said book is eye-opening. Kacvinsky's writing style is something to be admired. It makes you actually believe in what she writes, which is not something very many authors can pull off.
Okay. So first, the book starts off at this club, Club Nino, where it's YET ANOTHER DIGITAL MINDFREAK thing. They have these screens where you log on and have avatars, therefore you can change your appearance and complete wannabes can become THE hottest thing in town. Maddie, being the AWESOME character she is, hacks into the system and brings down the whole place. WICKED.
That's just one of the AWESOME things about this book.
Go read Awaken, then read this. You'll love it.
Go.
EDIT: I've just realised this review makes absolutely no sense. Oh well.
I finished this book in an hour and fifty minutes flat.
FREAKING EPIC.
Maddie has now been sent to a correctional facility by her BROTHER, Joe,the ass (see update on my profile), where they try to break into her mind and restore her to being some kind of digital freak.
Seriously. Said book is eye-opening. Kacvinsky's writing style is something to be admired. It makes you actually believe in what she writes, which is not something very many authors can pull off.
Okay. So first, the book starts off at this club, Club Nino, where it's YET ANOTHER DIGITAL MINDFREAK thing. They have these screens where you log on and have avatars, therefore you can change your appearance and complete wannabes can become THE hottest thing in town. Maddie, being the AWESOME character she is, hacks into the system and brings down the whole place. WICKED.
That's just one of the AWESOME things about this book.
Go read Awaken, then read this. You'll love it.
Go.
EDIT: I've just realised this review makes absolutely no sense. Oh well.
April 21, 2016
There's something about Middle Ground's world and society that makes you want to question how we use technology in our every day lives. This is why I found this book so realistic. Maddie does seem to make rash decisions in this one and I couldn't help but shake my head when she did it. Even though the story continued on, I felt that the society and the plot that was in the first book, Awaken went on pause.
This might even be a filler book (as most second books are!), where the emphasis is on the characters and their development. But rest assured, I wasn't bored at all. There was meaning behind everything that Maddie did. And the romance did get a little steamy at times, but it was appropriate for most readers.
Overall, I was satisfied with the continuation, but I was looking for so much more.
This might even be a filler book (as most second books are!), where the emphasis is on the characters and their development. But rest assured, I wasn't bored at all. There was meaning behind everything that Maddie did. And the romance did get a little steamy at times, but it was appropriate for most readers.
Overall, I was satisfied with the continuation, but I was looking for so much more.
April 27, 2012
Won an ARC from her "get unplugged" contest.
I honestly have to say I was a bit disappointed with this one. Too much inner monologue and preaching, it got boring after a while. A lot of readers pointed out that this was one of Justin's flaws in Awaken (I didn't mind so much, because I really liked Awaken), so I would have thought the author already fixed her tendencies to over-ruminate.
Katie Kacvinsky really needs to understand more the writing concept of showing, not telling. On a more positive note, Maddie kicked some serious ass in this book.
Hopefully, the last book will be better and more memorable than Middle Ground, because this is a really interesting series that I think paints a realistic picture on what life could be like a hundred years from now.
I honestly have to say I was a bit disappointed with this one. Too much inner monologue and preaching, it got boring after a while. A lot of readers pointed out that this was one of Justin's flaws in Awaken (I didn't mind so much, because I really liked Awaken), so I would have thought the author already fixed her tendencies to over-ruminate.
Katie Kacvinsky really needs to understand more the writing concept of showing, not telling. On a more positive note, Maddie kicked some serious ass in this book.
Hopefully, the last book will be better and more memorable than Middle Ground, because this is a really interesting series that I think paints a realistic picture on what life could be like a hundred years from now.
September 23, 2014
I read the first book ages ago and finally got around to this one (I'm on a quest to read books that have been on my "to read" shelf forever). After all the wait..... meh...
The first book was much better. However, I do love the main character, with her spunky ways - she is fun to read. I especially loved the scene when they were in the nightclub and how she dressed her avatar in sweatpants and slippers. ;)
I also wish they had wrapped it up with this book because I'm not really interested in reading a third one.
The first book was much better. However, I do love the main character, with her spunky ways - she is fun to read. I especially loved the scene when they were in the nightclub and how she dressed her avatar in sweatpants and slippers. ;)
I also wish they had wrapped it up with this book because I'm not really interested in reading a third one.
August 31, 2018
Just like the first one, this book was filled with adventure, despair, romance, recovery, and happiness. That’s why I liked the first one so much and that’s what made me like this book as well. The characters were just as I remembered, but they also changed and became even better. It was a fun book and I’m happy it’s the first one of my new school year. I would definitely recommend this book to others and I can see myself rereading the books sometime in the future.
June 12, 2019
Wow, einfach nur Wow.
Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass mich der 2. Teil überhaupt überzeugen wird. Der erste Teil war ganz nett, okay, aber nichtsdestotrotz hatte ich mir mehr erhofft.
Aber der 2. Teil! So viel Spannung wie da war - Nein, damit hatte ich überhaupt nicht gerechnet.
Die Entwicklungen der Charaktere haben mich positiv überrascht und ich fand das Buch dementsprechend echt gut.
Eine echte Steigung, im Vergleich zum 1. Teil. Ich hoffe, das bleibt so.
Ich hätte nicht gedacht, dass mich der 2. Teil überhaupt überzeugen wird. Der erste Teil war ganz nett, okay, aber nichtsdestotrotz hatte ich mir mehr erhofft.
Aber der 2. Teil! So viel Spannung wie da war - Nein, damit hatte ich überhaupt nicht gerechnet.
Die Entwicklungen der Charaktere haben mich positiv überrascht und ich fand das Buch dementsprechend echt gut.
Eine echte Steigung, im Vergleich zum 1. Teil. Ich hoffe, das bleibt so.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 401 reviews