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I Am Alive (I Am Alive #1)

by Cameron Jace (Goodreads Author)

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 267 ratings · 103 reviews

Author's Note: starting 12/1/2012 this is a newly professionally edited version

Every girl dies - not every girl really lives.

Sixteen-year-old Decca Tenderstone feels captivated when she meets Leo, who is arrogant, silent, beautiful, and shoots almost every one he meets.

the usual boring girl meets badboy story... hmm... with a twist ...

They live in a dystopian future in L...more

Kindle Edition, First edition, 267 pages

Published May 23rd 2012

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Indie Young Adult – June New Releases

6th out of 19 books — 20 voters

Wow What A Crappy Future

30th out of 34 books — 18 voters

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Jan 14, 2013 Nemo (the Moonlight Library) marked it as niamy

29th June, 2012:

Whoever wrote this blurb has not inspired me with confidence for the writing in this novel.

the usual boring girl meets badboy story ... hmm ... with a twist...

The prove that you're still alive you have to scream I Am Alive every six hours. Lower your voice, and your dead.

Nothing will stand in her way as she has to makes choices concerning love, life, staying alive, growing up, and finding out who she really is.

I don't think I'll be reading this. Nice cover, though.

EDIT 7 January...more

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Sep 22, 2012 Courtney rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-books-of-all-time, would-sell-firstborn-to-get, hottest-guys

I AM ALIVE!!

Wow. Just wow. This book was on a whole other level amazing. It was like a mix of Hunger Games, Matched, and Divergent. I just happened across this book when it was free for a day on amazon and now I'm eagerly anticipating the sequel. And by eagerly anticipating I mean I would sell my first born just to get my hands on the next book!

Decca lives in a world where every person is given a number based on your looks, intelligence, etc. Numbers 8 and 9 being the most coveted getting th...more

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Mar 15, 2013 Jennifer Bielman (Reading and Writing UF and PNR) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, dystopia, self-published, reviewed

From http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....

At A Glance
This is not a book for everyone but I really, really enjoyed it. I am totally into fight to survive type of books.

The Good
Okay, so there is a lot I can't say without being all spoilery. This book packs punch after punch of surprises and twists. All the characters have these mysterious and complicated pasts that bring them together and create a bond. I think this series is only going to get better from here because there is so much left to...more

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Mar 09, 2013 Neysa Kristanti rated it 4 of 5 stars

[FOR MORE REVIEW, CHECK OUT : http://mnkbooklife.blogspot.com/]

"Did I tell you about when I was seven years old, and my mom wanted to kill me because she thought I was a Monster? Yes. I remember I did."
—Decca

I really was hooked to this book the first time I read the title. It was so simple, yet so true and interesting it instantly got me. The blurb was really good as well, and it quickly made it to my TBR list. The first time I read the blurb, it sounded like a Hunger Games wanna-be, but the mor...more [FOR MORE REVIEW, CHECK OUT : http://mnkbooklife.blogspot.com/]

"Did I tell you about when I was seven years old, and my mom wanted to kill me because she thought I was a Monster? Yes. I remember I did."
—Decca

I really was hooked to this book the first time I read the title. It was so simple, yet so true and interesting it instantly got me. The blurb was really good as well, and it quickly made it to my TBR list. The first time I read the blurb, it sounded like a Hunger Games wanna-be, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this book too, had its own color and uniqueness.

I Am Alive told us about Decca Tenderstone's life at Faya, a dystopian nation where every sixteen-year-old children get ranked by 1 to 10 and treated based on it. Ten was perceived as legendary, and really was only a legend, and anyone below five was called Monster, where they would sent into an arena to fight for their life. Being a predictable Seven, Decca led an average life on school, treated as averagely as a Seven would, and get her right as a Seven. But all of her average life changed when on the Ranking day—when the teenagers was ranked with the help of the device called the iAm—she decided to take on someone else's ranked and traded with her, someone who was a Predicted Monster. As she was thrown into the arena for her fake rank, what would Decca do to stay alive, to find her life's purpose, and rejoined the one that meant the world to her?

I actually really liked the whole concept of this book. Sure, it adopted a common dystopian plot line, where you would battle for your life in an arena and so on and so on, but what captured me was the book's strong setting and really believable culture. How the people were treated based on their 'number', how they should respect people with higher number, and how a simple mathematics could changed a person's life completely, it was all so fresh and interesting. The character's references of the 21st century world was also interesting. They called Blackberry and iPhone as 'weird', and many more, it helped making the book and its dystopian society way more believable.

The character, on the other side, I found lack of surprise and development. There were some interesting characters such as Decca and Leo, which was obvious since they were the main character, but other than that, many of them were flat and dull.
Decca Tenderstone, our main protagonist, totally caught my attention the first time i read about her. I really love how she would risked everything for other people, and took an option that surprised nearly everyone. She was unpredictable, and yet really easy to connect with.
Leo, our other main protagonist as well as Decca's counterpart, was really interesting as well. He was portrayed as a mysterious Nine who rebelled against the nation when he sang a song that he dedicated to the Monster. Ever since the incident. he went missing, and made a comeback as one of the contestant in the Monster Show. What I especially loved about Leo was his life story. I really like how it was unfolded one by one, making the reader curious ad asking for more. One thing I felt could be fixed from him was his romance with Decca. I thought that although it was not oh-I'm-so-in-love-with-you-I'll-do-something-utterly-stupid-for-love's-sake kind of love, I felt that their chemistry was not strong and believable enough, and that it was overall too flat.

There were some things I'm not quite fond of this book. One, it was actually really annoying to read that America was spelled Amerikaz for no actual purpose, or Bad Kidz, or Hoverboardz, and many more. It really didn't make any differences, and didn't enhance the story in any way.
Two, there really were too much characters on this book, many of them were named but didn't have any unique characteristic, or trait, or role. It was honestly confusing to read, and it made me had quite a hard time recognizing who is who, and who is doing what.

Overall, if you're looking for a fresh YA dystopian read with an interesting concept, strong world-building and really believable culture, you should definitely try this one(less)

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Mar 07, 2013 Stephanie Ward rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour, ebook, for-review, owned

'I Am Alive' is the first book in a young adult dystopian series that follows leading lady, Decca Tenderstone, as she navigates the futuristic and deadly Los Angeles - a place where teens are now ranked on a scale of one to ten in order to determine their future. When the unbelievable happens - Decca is deemed an Outrank - she must participate in the Monster Show, where a broadcasted sacrificial ritual occurs on live TV. The teens who must participate in the show are labelled as Monsters or Bad...more

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Mar 06, 2013 Marybeth (Manhattan Reader) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, ebook

I'm not sure what to say. This book...was something else.

I've been hearing a lot of comparison to The Hunger Games, and while in some aspect I can see that, at the same time I feel like this book was too different from THG.

In this society rank matters, especially when considering the type of government that runs it. Going into a battle ground with monsters is not a way I would enjoy spending my time.

The one thing that I would consider is the hot mess of grammar. It was really hard to get thro...more

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Jan 08, 2013 Sophie Grayling rated it 4 of 5 stars

Pre seven Decca lives in Feya, a totalitarian society in the future where when you are sixteen you are ranked from 5 to 9 which will pre determine your future. Anything below a 5 and you are branded a Monster and thrown in to the Monster Show, three days of televised brutal games which if you can survive you are allowed to become ranked and enter back in to society. The catch is no one has ever beaten the game.

On her ranking day Decca meets Leo, a smouldering hot ex 9, ex singer who was unranked...more

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Aug 30, 2012 Dianne rated it 4 of 5 stars

Dark, Intense, Great YA Book!

This review is from: I Am Alive ( YA Dystopian Novel ) (Kindle Edition)
Yep, there were grammatical errors, BUT, moving on from that and from the many parallels to other books, this was intense. Imagine being a teen, an already emotionally charged age where being accepted by your peers is so important, knowing that being accepted by those in 'authority' can make the difference between life and death. Now imagine being forced into a situation beyond your worst nightmar...more

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Aug 06, 2012 Wendy rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Wendy by: Kindle

I loved this book! I want to continue reading the series! Usually I am disenchanted by a story when I find out at the end that it is an ongoing series and that I have to wait for the next story arc in the next book. Hated that "Bella" just got whinier. Hated what "Catniss" became in order to "win"! I loved that Decca held her ground and became the kind of character you want to cheer for. Loved that even though these are kids in a game they were not sterotypical punky jerks.
That being said.....I...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Alex rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: anybody who likes dystopian

Recommended to Alex by: Meg

Ok so where to begin. I loved this book! At first i thought it would be like The Hunger Games but i was so wrong.And i know that there was supposed to be a lot of grammar errors and stuff but if there was i didnt notice them that much. The only thing that bothered me was the cliffie. I hate cliffies but since the next book comes out in a few weeks i will wait and try to calm down.
SPOILERS FROM HERE ON!!!!!!!!!
I wished there would have been more romance with Leo though. I mean when they were talk...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Nicole rated it 2 of 5 stars

OKAY. HERE'S THE THING:

Did I download an unedited version of this book, for free, on the Kindle, or is I Am Alive just a grammatical hot mess? O__o

The incorrect punctuation and missing/wrong words KILLLLLLED me. There were commas where periods should be and periods where commas should be. There was incorrect usage of some words and their tenses, or missing words in the sentence.

Seriously, what the heck? There were so. many. errors that it distracted me from the plot and dropped this review by t...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Marie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: worth-a-look, awesome, sounds-good

"It suddenly hits me. I press the red button on my iAm and scream:
I. AM. ALIVE.

If you liked 'The Hunger Games' or 'Divergent' then you'll like this!
It reminded me a lot of them.

Decca lives in a world dictated by ranks and numbers. If your ranked as a 7,8 or 9 your considered normal, popular and are given a good quality of life, the higher the ranking the more beautiful the person is- no one has ever gotten a 10. They are non existent. If your a 6 your entered in the guard (army) and I your...more

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Jan 06, 2013 zapkode.marie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, read4review

"Every girl dies - not every girl really lives."

{my thoughts} - This book is centered around a sixteen-year-old girls life by the name of {decca tenderstone}. She is on a journey to locate a friend of hers that had been sent to the {dizny battlefieldz}. In order to be sent there you need to be ranked as a {monster} what that means is that the {summit} doesn't believe you to be anything but wasted space living within society and those that are classified {monsters} have the potential to destroy t...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Sarah Jones rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2013, favorites

I'm a Dystopian nut. What can I say? It's my roots of where I started reading as an adults and I absolutely love the idea of the future that's not like the Jetsons. When I read the blurb for I Am Alive, it caught my eye immediately. It takes place in Los Angeles, which I am very familiar with growing up in San Diego and I always love stories where I can relate to where it is happening.

We start off by meeting Katie on ranking day. She's is pre-ranked to be middle class and seems to be okay with...more I'm a Dystopian nut. What can I say? It's my roots of where I started reading as an adults and I absolutely love the idea of the future that's not like the Jetsons. When I read the blurb for I Am Alive, it caught my eye immediately. It takes place in Los Angeles, which I am very familiar with growing up in San Diego and I always love stories where I can relate to where it is happening.

We start off by meeting Katie on ranking day. She's is pre-ranked to be middle class and seems to be okay with that. She's content she's not going to be lower than a five, which would make her an Outrank and have consequences for her family, but she has a whole hidden agenda. She wants to get into the Monster Show and she has an amazing plan with an even more interesting reason behind it.

This may make me a morbid person, but I love the idea of the Monster Show. Not because innocent children are dying, but I love the suspenseful emotion that it fires inside me. You start to become everyone's cheerleader, but you also start to feel the conflicted emotions of what would you do if you were in that situation. It's nerve-wracking! I felt like I was there and it's creepy and intriguing all rolled into one.

You also meet Leo, a rock star of his time, who is mysterious and also it's questionable if he's trustworthy. I liked him from the beginning but I wanted to know more. I wanted to know his story. I STILL want to know his story, even though you learn bits and pieces of it, but I will have to wait until the next book. In fact, there's a whole lot of things I still want to find out, which makes this book so awesome. You get so sucked into this new world that you are left wanting more.

Another favorite part of mine was all pop culture references. First it was the added Z's to words and then when I found out about The Breakfast Club, I about had a heart attack. Also, the Monster Show takes place where Disneyland used to be! And they ride on some of the old school rides and I kept thinking, "I've been there! I've done that!" It was pretty cool.

Last but not least, there's a love interest in this book. It's sweet and not the whole story, but everyone needs someone to ship in books and you will definitely be a Leo and Katie shipper! Or else we can't be friends. Okay, maybe we can. Maybe!

ORIGINALLY POSTED AT GIVE IT TO CUPCAKE
http://giveittocupcake.blogspot.com/2...(less)

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Mar 11, 2013 Jill rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: busymomsbookreviews, young-adult

***This book was part of a blog tour, I received a copy for my honest review***
I am finished!
Let me just start by saying for me the information overload at the beginning of this book almost put me off. I have found that with a lot of first books in the series that it is like this, but if you push through then things get good. I did and the book did got substantially better, I loved the action and drama of all the games. The character interaction between Leo and Decca had me wondering what was go...more

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Mar 06, 2013 J.A. Huss rated it 5 of 5 stars

First reviewed at New Adult Addiction

I really enjoyed I Am Alive by Cameron Jace. This is a straight dystopian science fiction thriller and it has action from start to finish.

So here’s the first sentence:

“I am going to surprise you. You have no idea.”

Yes, Decca did surprise me, right at the end of the first chapter. Actually, it was the moment when I realized the missing cattle prod had a purpose.

SF books are tricky for readers because you get no promises. You might get a happy ending, you migh...more

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Nov 04, 2012 Joan{missing the vampire bunny slippers!} rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks-i-have

Every girl dies. Not every girl really lives!
I really liked it even though the resemblance to Hunger Games was uncanny at parts.
So in this world at the age of 16 everyone gets ranked. You can either get a number from 5 to 10 which defines what you'll do for the rest of your life or you are declared a monster and thrown into an arena of sorts to survive. So far no one has. In this society people are obsessed with the number 10. 10 is the equivalent of perfection so no one can be a 10.
The char...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Paperback Princess rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ibook-nook-etc, reviewed, tour

This review was originally posted at Paperback Princess.

I Am Alive by Cameron Jace is a unique concept of the future. In a totalitarian world everyone is ranked between 5-9, 8-9 being the highest, pre-5's being "Monsters". Each year, teens participate in a Ranking Day where they receive their ranks for life, those that gets Monster status participates in The Monster Show. A televised game show similar to Surviver, the difference being, The Monster Show is a brutal game that ends with death...you...more This review was originally posted at Paperback Princess.

I Am Alive by Cameron Jace is a unique concept of the future. In a totalitarian world everyone is ranked between 5-9, 8-9 being the highest, pre-5's being "Monsters". Each year, teens participate in a Ranking Day where they receive their ranks for life, those that gets Monster status participates in The Monster Show. A televised game show similar to Surviver, the difference being, The Monster Show is a brutal game that ends with death...you are counted as a participant if you continue to say "I Am Alive" after each activity.

Decca Tenderstone a 7, predicted to be an 8 swaps her iAM (iPhone) with a Monster. Decca believes that the last standing teen in the previous year's Monster Show, her best friend, Woo, is still alive and hiding within the Dizney "Playa" Battlefield compound where the game is played. Decca is adamant that Woo is still alive and she is determined to be reunited with him, at all cost.

I Am Alive is an engrossing and interesting read that grips you from the very beginning. Jace created a dystopian world that was distinctive from other dystopian worlds I've previously read about. I did enjoy the references to our current time which is supposedly the "past". From the very beginning the story captivated me. There was some parts of the "history" that baffled me and it did not make sense, possibly because it's talking about the current time in an incorrect manner, but as you read through the book you understand why their concept of our current time is misconstrued.

The characters were great. Decca was fun to read about as she wasn't perfect and she was sometimes conflicted with her choices. Leo, despite the fact that you don't know his motives, was still a hero in my eyes especially as he tries to save Decca several times. I like his heroic and no-BS attitude. I also enjoyed several of the secondary characters most especially Ariadna; love that she is a true rebel/Monster despite being rated as an "8" she still remained loyal to Decca right till the end. I also enjoyed Bellona and Pepper too, they helped make the story more enjoyable to read.

I Am Alive is a great introductory book in the I Am Alive series by Author, Cameron Jace. His concept is fantastic and original and the story is fascinating and grips the readers from beginning till the end. The ending is explosive and makes the readers crave for more. The characters are relatable and reading through their challenges were entertaining because of their personalities. I Am Alive is a distinctive dystopian novel that's entertaining and a gripping read, and I'm looking forward to the consecutive books in this trilogy.

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Mar 07, 2013 Sadrina rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviews

I Am Alive is so amazing! It's captivating in every sense. The characters are all awesome. I love Woo even though his appearance was brief; Leo for being a huge help to Decca's survival; and obviously Decca for her peculiarity, and odd and slightly-sick sense of humor.

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, they said? Well, Decca here is a living proof.From the beginning Decca has surprised me for with her strong personality and each passing time, she got even stronger. She didn't back down fr...more

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Nov 03, 2012 Lara Frater rated it 2 of 5 stars

I have spent about $50 to have the Hunger Games in paper and as an ebook. It was worth it. Had I spend that on this book I would have demanded my money back. but it was $3 which was worth it.

I enjoy dystopian lit, so I thought I check this out.

The book is obviously marketing off the Hunger Games and it actually starts off not that bad. When teens reach the age of 16, they are ranked from 1-9. No one has ever been ranked as ten. Whatever rank you get is how you spend the rest of your life. 9 are...more

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Mar 05, 2013 WeaklingNo14 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: abuse, action, controlling, creatures, crime, death, dystopian, e-books, futuristic, government, romance, royalty, science, spy, strict, war

Also at: http://weaklingno14.blogspot.co.uk

I am Alive (i Am Alive #1) - Cameron Jace

I have been trying to think of what to say in this review for the past couple of days, and I am still at a loss. This book was awesome of epic proportions. It was bloody ridiculous. Ridiculously awesome!!

Basically, I am Alive is about a girl who goes into the monster games to try and find her best friend, who she refuses to believe is dead. This girl is amazing. She has moments of doubt, she grows and matures thr...more

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Mar 14, 2013 Emily rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: dnf

Wow. What a mess. I got around 60 pages into this book, just under a quarter of the way through a book that comes in at around 250 pages. I just couldn't take it anymore. The obvious: this is a Hunger Games ripoff. Not entirely, but the general feel is definitely there. Still, I felt like there was enough originality in this idea to make it worth a read.

Unfortunately, I was wrong. The writing is terrible. The cliches in the 'society' are even more-so. A leader named Zitler? Really? Pretty dang...more

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Mar 08, 2013 Nina (Project Read and Review) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tour, dystopian, 2013-read, fiction, from-author, request, insta-love, i-own, reviewed-on-blog, series, young-adult, ebook

Originally at: http://projectreadandreview.blogspot....

At a first glance of the synopsis, I was hooked. I'm a big fan of The Hunger Games - well, who isn't nowadays? - and ever since I first finished the series, I've been looking for a dystopian novel that will quench my desire for a similar book. With the I Am Alive description, I thought I'd found it.

The story follows a sixteen year old called Decca Tenderson, who has been predicted to turn out as a Seven, which, in a society ranked from Fives...more Originally at: http://projectreadandreview.blogspot....

At a first glance of the synopsis, I was hooked. I'm a big fan of The Hunger Games - well, who isn't nowadays? - and ever since I first finished the series, I've been looking for a dystopian novel that will quench my desire for a similar book. With the I Am Alive description, I thought I'd found it.

The story follows a sixteen year old called Decca Tenderson, who has been predicted to turn out as a Seven, which, in a society ranked from Fives to Nines, is pretty damn good. However, the year previously, Decca lost her best friend, Woo, to the Monster Show - a games show that lasts a few days every year, where teenagers ranked as rebels and unworthy of even a Five are sent into an arena to get killed. This happened to Woo, but Decca believes that somewhere out there in the Monster arena, Woo is still alive, hiding and waiting for her. So what's the best thing to do? Become a Monster and go find him herself.

I instantly loved Decca. She was strong, independent, witty, and reminded me of your classic female superhero - everything you want a winner to be. And I suppose that extends to all the characters Jace created, in the sense that the bad guys were your classic bad guy - that the handsome saviour was a handsome saviour, if that explanation makes any sense at all. Basically, Jace's characterization of the different characters evoked the correct reaction from the reader - you liked who you were supposed to like, and hated who you were supposed to hate.

I also liked the references to the present-day world. In dystopian novels, the author tends to concentrate on this future they have created, rather than connecting with the fact that their dystopia stemmed from what the reader is currently living in. Jace did this perfectly, making connections from things such as 'The Breakfast Club' (a favourite film of mine - I love me some young Judd Nelson!) to Hannibal Lector, the crazy cannibal, to famous landmarks like Disney Land (I'll say no more on this, as we don't want spoilers!) The point is, the references created a bridge for the reader to relate to Jace's world, as well as to the characters situations.

I thought Jace's writing was so easy to slip in and out of, and as I neared the climax of the novel, I literally couldn't put it down (don't tell my maths teacher on me, but I had my Kindle hidden behind my pencil case all through last lesson!). It's addictive stuff, and the way that Decca addressed the reader - as if we were friends going along for the ride beside her - really helped me to get into the story.

Now here's the problem I had with the book. Some of it wasn't as creative as it could have been. Whilst I liked the links to the present-day, replacing brand names with a Z just didn't appeal to me. I mean, Zootube? Zwitter? David Zowie? What is this?! I understand what Jace did, linking to the fact that this dystopia was created from half-facts, but it still bugged me. I just wanted to say, C'mon dude - you've created a freaking monster stadium, you have plenty of creativity and imagination in that brain of yours; work it!

I also didn't like the fact that at both of the beginning of the book and at the end, Jace explained himself and his ideas, insisting that he hadn't copied anyone elses idea. A good author should never feel the need to explain why they have done such and such, for example, the fact that The Hunger Games was a TV game show, yet the Monster Show was not a copy from it. Well, yes it was - but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I mean, do you remember when Twilight became popular, and suddenly vampire books were sprouting all over the place - well, that was all sparked by Meyer's idea of bringing back vampires, wasn't it? The authors saw a good idea and grasped at it, changing it and twisting it until it became a story all of its own. Jace did that with I Am Alive, and shouldn't have to face accusations.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a good read, and I'd recommend it to fans of dystopian novels like The Hunger Games and The Selection - it's literally like the two have been smushed together and have given birth to an amazing idea. I have adored I Am Alive, and I can't wait until the next installment - after that cliffhanger, I am in some major need of Decca and Leo!(less)

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Mar 07, 2013 Jenny rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really do enjoy dystopians, and in all things dystopian, this novel really did shine! The concept of teens dying in an arena on reality TV is not a new one, but Jace's take on it was different and unique. Instead of the teens fighting each other, its really more of a "Survivor" take--they must survive their challenges. The teens have 3 days to survive, and if they survive the 3 days, they must take on a ferocious tiger. No one has ever survived the Monster Games!

The only character I really fel...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Marked By Books rated it 2 of 5 stars

For the original review and more, please visit Marked By Books.

This book probably deserves more of a chance than I originally gave it, which means that I'll probably end up giving it another shot sooner or later and the review will change. The first time through, I didn't even finish the book because I couldn't keep up with how bipolar Decca was acting. One moment she would be extremely calm and contemplative, and the very next it seems like her ADHD medications suddenly wore off, and she was an...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Sabina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-release, dystopia, sci-fi, young-adult

3.5 stars

I Am Alive is based in a society, more specifically a district called Faya, where people are ranked from 1 to 10 when they turn 16. This ranking determines their future. Their career and status in life. A 10 has never been found, and anything under 5 is a "monster". "Monsters" go into an arena, on ranking day, to compete to the death. Those that live through the challenges then fight Carnivore, a genetic mutant tiger. No one wins against him, but if they do they get to be ranked and liv...more

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Aug 12, 2012 Ivette rated it 5 of 5 stars

Okay, I liked this book so much, and yes i know it sounds like and is similar to the The Hunger Games ....... but personally i never really liked the hunger games or gave into it, I've read it and everything, and it kept me entertain and everything, but it just did not do it for me.... sorry
This book on the other hand did, i loved it, like the first chapter said it would surprise me, and after that i just wanted to keep reading to see what would happen, i finished it at my aunt's house because i...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Rachel Tsoumbakos rated it 4 of 5 stars

***This review is on the re-edited version***

So I was ITCHING to get started on this book for my Dystopia Reading Challenge and last week I got the chance to finally sit down with it. So what did I think?

Well, firstly, I was not really impressed with the very first chapter. There was SO MUCH talk about the numbering system used in this dystopian world. For someone who HATES maths, this was nearly a deal-breaker for me.

Oh, how I was wrong though. boy was I thankful I persevered. Best chapter endi...more ***This review is on the re-edited version***

So I was ITCHING to get started on this book for my Dystopia Reading Challenge and last week I got the chance to finally sit down with it. So what did I think?

Well, firstly, I was not really impressed with the very first chapter. There was SO MUCH talk about the numbering system used in this dystopian world. For someone who HATES maths, this was nearly a deal-breaker for me.

Oh, how I was wrong though. boy was I thankful I persevered. Best chapter ending ever occurs at the end of chapter one. Seriously, it makes all the number talk so worth it!

Once past chapter one, things really start to pick up. Quickly you are thrust into the world of the main character, Decca, someone who you initially assume is a bit of a push over. Initially, she seems eager to please society and every evil that befalls a dystopian universe. But thanks to the little twist at the end of the first chapter, we find out that Decca is seriously messed up! And it’s thanks to this that we are aware that she will either be truly hideous (and the lowest on the numbering system) or unbelievably magnificent (a perfect ten). The snide remarks that Decca is continuously spouting to the reader draws you in and makes you feel like you are really a part of the action.

So the main character, thanks to a little craftiness on her behalf ends up in the monster games. She will have to fight for her life and kill other teenagers in the process. Yes, it’s just like The Hunger Games. Yes, it’s just like The Running Man too. It’s a common theme in dystopia, so if you really enjoy YA dystopia, and you are actually a young adult, then I am guessing that you will love this book!

As for adults who like reading YA, then perhaps it won’t be so much your cup of tea. While I enjoyed this via proxy (I kept imagining how much my niece will love this book when I gift it to her on Kindle), I also found the references to zwitter, zootube (and the rationale behind it) a little silly. Also, towards the end, there is a LOT of suspension of reality if you want to believe the story line. And at times the logistics of what is happening just don’t line up and you are left wondering how all that could possibly be happening at the one time or is it even humanly possible to achieve that. Once again, if you’re a young adult, then this will probably work for you.

At times I also found the author over explained situations and experiences. While some people love this and immerse themselves into the imaginary world this way, I am not one of those people. I like to work things out for myself and discover more to the story with each reading. Also, sometimes the author gives us clumsy sentence structure that had me reading back over them to work out what he meant.

Some of the scenes (watch out for a scene where the love interest thinks he is dead and talking to god) are riotously hilarious I found myself on several occasions laughing out loud at things. Oh, and I need to add a special mention to a character here too: Prophet Hannibal Xitler. Best name for a villainous villain EVER! An honorary mention also goes to the fact that Disneyland is the scene for these horrendous monster games. Nice gruesome twist there Cameron Jace *high five*

There are references to political correctness gone mad that made me laugh out loud. The imaginative twists on our reality as seen through the eyes of a future generation is also fantastic. To see how easily relics from the past can be manipulated and twisted to suit the government (or, dare I say it, religion) of the time, is scary and a timely reminder to us all to validate every thing we take for granted and to always look for the truth rather than be blindly spoon-fed it by ‘authority’ figures.

All in all, I am Alive is a fun YA read and I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars. I am eager to read more by author Cameron Jace.(less)

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Dec 19, 2012 Nataša rated it 5 of 5 stars

**I was given a free copy for an honest review.**
I totally loved this book. I know it’s a compilation of 3 episodes and as I read the first one it left me hanging with Decca in the breathing dome and I hated it. :) This book feels more of a complete story. I really love this plot even though its concept is similar to Hunger Games. Characters are wonderful and author’s writing style is right up my alley. You have to read the author’s notes at the back as it explains some of the questions readers...more

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Mar 05, 2013 Gabic Reads rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review

Original review at Gabic Reads

Decca Tenderstone purposely got herself thrown into the Monster Show, a reality tv program very similar to that found in The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, to save her friend Woo. In fact, a lot of qualities about this book were similar to The Hunger Games. A fight to the death on live tv, a controlling president, a love triangle between a tough girl, her childhood friend, and the guy she's been forced together with upon entrance to the games. The list goes on and...more

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About Cameron Jace

Things you might want to know:
Cameron writes books that he can't find elsewhere, basically to amuse himself. Everything Cameron does is for fun, so don't take him seriously. Never call him a writer. He hates that. He prefers the word: Storyteller, or the boy next door who claims he can tell stories.

If you like his books, horaaaay! He loves ya too. If ya don't, hoooray! Now we know in advance that...more

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Snow White Blood Red (The Grimm Diaries Prequels, #1)

Ashes to Ashes and Cinder to Cinder (The Grimm Diaries Prequels, #2)

Beauty Never Dies (The Grimm Diaries Prequels, #3)

Ladle Rat Rotten Hut (The Grimm Diaries Prequels, #4)

Mary Mary Quite Contrary (The Grimm Diaries Prequels, #5)

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