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No Safety in Numbers #1
No Safety in Numbers
When a strange device is discovered in the air ducts of a busy suburban mall, the entire complex is suddenly locked down. No one can leave. No one knows what is going on.
At first, there's the novelty of being stuck in a mega mall with free food and a gift certificate. But with each passing day, it becomes harder to ignore the dwindling supplies, inadequate information, and mounting panic.
Then people start getting sick.
Told from the point of view of two guys and two girls, this is a harrowing look at what can happen under the most desperate of circumstances, when regular people are faced with impossible choices. Some rise to the occasion. Some don't.
And for some - it's too late.
At first, there's the novelty of being stuck in a mega mall with free food and a gift certificate. But with each passing day, it becomes harder to ignore the dwindling supplies, inadequate information, and mounting panic.
Then people start getting sick.
Told from the point of view of two guys and two girls, this is a harrowing look at what can happen under the most desperate of circumstances, when regular people are faced with impossible choices. Some rise to the occasion. Some don't.
And for some - it's too late.
263 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2012
314 people are currently reading
7052 people want to read
About the author
Dayna Lorentz
13 books166 followersDayna is a writer of children's, young adult, and adult literature.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 982 reviews
April 8, 2020
first things first. look how cool this book is when you take the dust jacket off:
and i appreciate that attention to detail, but when all is said and done, this is just another book that has a great premise, but suffers under any real common sense scrutiny applied to its plot.
this is a puppy-dumb YA book that reminds me that these books aren't written for me. i think younger readers will appreciate a book about people being quarantined in a mall after an attack by unknown enemies where a bomb starts pumping deadly disease in through the vents and the confusion and death that ensue. teens, trapped in a mall with other teens and prospective love-interests = fun!! me, trapped in a mall with roving gangs of teens with their friends and prospective love interests = no way, get me out of here.
and i can't help but point out the flaws in the crowd-control elements, and the unrealistic passivity of the detainees, for the most part, and especially the employees who are just at their registers for hours and hours, waiting patiently for a quarantined individual to come in and buy a pair of pants. why are these people still working at the stores? just hanging out, manning the registers waiting for someone to maybe wander in and buy a book? i work retail and i can tell you that these systems would have broken down much earlier than this. when there is a rainstorm, people go helpless. i have heard all manner of uncivilized behavior explained away by "but it's raining out." can you imagine these people being locked up in a mall for a week without access to showers and proper food and clean bathrooms (because the cleaning crew only works at night? seriously? so in this mall, not a single janitor is on hand during the day in case a pipe leaks or a kid throws up on the merry-go-round. really??) they would not still be buying their clothes, let me tell you.there would be way more looting and resentment and probably more violent crimes and i guarantee you no one would still be running the stores. i would, because i am an incredibly devoted worker bee, but most people would not still be there, biding their time, punching in their timecards.
and eventually, people do begin reacting in ways that are less-civilized, but seriously - too little, too late, too unrealistic. i am telling you - people are animals.
and then to find out that this is just the first book in a continuing series? nooo. at 263 pages, this hasn't really earned itself being a part of something. write more of this book and then you may write another one.
i'm being overly harsh here - it's not bad. it is a fun idea, and the big reveal towards the end (which also makes no sense, realistically, but whatever) is shocking (mostly because it makes no sense, realistically) but maybe the next book will be stronger.
it's fun, really. just dumb-fun.
come to my blog!
and i appreciate that attention to detail, but when all is said and done, this is just another book that has a great premise, but suffers under any real common sense scrutiny applied to its plot.
this is a puppy-dumb YA book that reminds me that these books aren't written for me. i think younger readers will appreciate a book about people being quarantined in a mall after an attack by unknown enemies where a bomb starts pumping deadly disease in through the vents and the confusion and death that ensue. teens, trapped in a mall with other teens and prospective love-interests = fun!! me, trapped in a mall with roving gangs of teens with their friends and prospective love interests = no way, get me out of here.
and i can't help but point out the flaws in the crowd-control elements, and the unrealistic passivity of the detainees, for the most part, and especially the employees who are just at their registers for hours and hours, waiting patiently for a quarantined individual to come in and buy a pair of pants. why are these people still working at the stores? just hanging out, manning the registers waiting for someone to maybe wander in and buy a book? i work retail and i can tell you that these systems would have broken down much earlier than this. when there is a rainstorm, people go helpless. i have heard all manner of uncivilized behavior explained away by "but it's raining out." can you imagine these people being locked up in a mall for a week without access to showers and proper food and clean bathrooms (because the cleaning crew only works at night? seriously? so in this mall, not a single janitor is on hand during the day in case a pipe leaks or a kid throws up on the merry-go-round. really??) they would not still be buying their clothes, let me tell you.there would be way more looting and resentment and probably more violent crimes and i guarantee you no one would still be running the stores. i would, because i am an incredibly devoted worker bee, but most people would not still be there, biding their time, punching in their timecards.
and eventually, people do begin reacting in ways that are less-civilized, but seriously - too little, too late, too unrealistic. i am telling you - people are animals.
and then to find out that this is just the first book in a continuing series? nooo. at 263 pages, this hasn't really earned itself being a part of something. write more of this book and then you may write another one.
i'm being overly harsh here - it's not bad. it is a fun idea, and the big reveal towards the end (which also makes no sense, realistically, but whatever) is shocking (mostly because it makes no sense, realistically) but maybe the next book will be stronger.
it's fun, really. just dumb-fun.
come to my blog!
August 3, 2014
I began “No Safety in Numbers” with the highest of hopes. I mean, bioterrorism and a crowded mall? What could go wrong with that, right? By about chapter five my entire reason for finishing the book was so I could write a review of it.
That’s right. I loathed a book so bad that I became obsessed with getting to the end just to be able to share my thoughts on how horrible it is. Now my moment has come. Unfortunately, the English language has not yet evolved enough to have words strong enough to describe the complete pile of dung this collection of words creates.
There was one character, the senator’s daughter, who seemed like she was going to be well-developed with an interesting storyline in the first chapter. Alas, that worked out like a child learning about Santa Claus on the first day of preschool, only to go home and find out being Jewish means no Santa. Only worse. Coal in a stocking is a better present than the lack of character development.
The entire plot revolved around being stuck in a mall during a mysterious lockdown, and somehow the author managed to make the book boring without at all conveying any sense of how bored everyone would be, desperate, panicked, or anything else. The teenagers seemed to want to escape while also having fun like they were Kevin McCalister and their parents went on vacation without them. Sliding down a bowling lane naked. Really?
And then there are the complete stereotypes. We have the jock, the artist, the nerd, the mysterious Indian, the misunderstood kid who is bullied, and more. There is nothing to create anything deeper than the tropes that come to mind when you think of these tried and true stereotypes. In fact, the author seemed to just assume everyone already knew those tropes so it wasn’t even really necessary to establish even the most basic aspects of their personalities.
Then we have the writing. It is written on the level meant for a solid d-level third grader, and yet it discusses some very adult behavior in not-too-subtle ways. I have not the faintest idea of what age group this is aimed for, but I hope that should anyone ever find out they do not actually put it into that child’s hands. No child should be exposed to the horribly offensive bad writing, even if they can handle the gratuitous sexual references.
In short: If I die and go to Hell, Satan will be waiting for me with the next two books in the series.
That’s right. I loathed a book so bad that I became obsessed with getting to the end just to be able to share my thoughts on how horrible it is. Now my moment has come. Unfortunately, the English language has not yet evolved enough to have words strong enough to describe the complete pile of dung this collection of words creates.
There was one character, the senator’s daughter, who seemed like she was going to be well-developed with an interesting storyline in the first chapter. Alas, that worked out like a child learning about Santa Claus on the first day of preschool, only to go home and find out being Jewish means no Santa. Only worse. Coal in a stocking is a better present than the lack of character development.
The entire plot revolved around being stuck in a mall during a mysterious lockdown, and somehow the author managed to make the book boring without at all conveying any sense of how bored everyone would be, desperate, panicked, or anything else. The teenagers seemed to want to escape while also having fun like they were Kevin McCalister and their parents went on vacation without them. Sliding down a bowling lane naked. Really?
And then there are the complete stereotypes. We have the jock, the artist, the nerd, the mysterious Indian, the misunderstood kid who is bullied, and more. There is nothing to create anything deeper than the tropes that come to mind when you think of these tried and true stereotypes. In fact, the author seemed to just assume everyone already knew those tropes so it wasn’t even really necessary to establish even the most basic aspects of their personalities.
Then we have the writing. It is written on the level meant for a solid d-level third grader, and yet it discusses some very adult behavior in not-too-subtle ways. I have not the faintest idea of what age group this is aimed for, but I hope that should anyone ever find out they do not actually put it into that child’s hands. No child should be exposed to the horribly offensive bad writing, even if they can handle the gratuitous sexual references.
In short: If I die and go to Hell, Satan will be waiting for me with the next two books in the series.
July 10, 2012
This is drivel. I am so disappointed; the premise of a bioterrorist attack on a suburban mall resulting in a lock down of all the patrons really sounded good. The writing is awful. The teen characters are vapid, and annoyingly forced ethnically diverse--- really--- an Indian girl with no friends, a white bully football player boy, a black girl whose mother is the governor, a Mexican illegal who works at the burger joint. The adults are idiots. My 9th grader and I both gave up about half way through. Oddly, my 7th grader likes it. I hear his friends do, too. Ugh. Shifting the older son off to classic Lord of the Flies instead.
June 22, 2013
This book is absolute trash; it is so comically bad I often had to pause at a particular line because I couldn't believe the words strung together by this person actually got published and printed.
Okay, I'm going to admit two things: one, it's a YA novel, and I'm an adult. In other words, this book is written for someone with much less discriminating taste; two, I had to read this for work, otherwise I would never have picked it up, what with a tagline of "they should have stayed home." Ugh.
That being said, I can't write off how bad this book is on the fact that it's a YA novel. I've read the Hunger Games, which, while not good by adult standards, I had to admit is pretty okay by YA standards. This one, though, is just flat out bad. Comically so. It's got lines like, "She wanted to touch him so badly, but was afraid of bursting into flame." And "It was a cataclysm of crap - a craptaclysm."
Other than a prose that can only be described as "retarded," the plot and characters are absolutely unrealistic and insipid. Of course there's a persecuted Mexican kid, a hot Indian chick, a socially awkward black chick with a massive "badonkadonk" (from the author), and a white jock who's never heard of Jane Austen. Of course after being locked up in a mall for multiple days for no discernible reason, teenagers will congregate to play "truth or dare" in Abercrombie & Fitch. And of course workers at retail stores and food court at the mall will keep working their stations for minimum wage after 4 days of being locked in a mall. Really.
I would have had to be at the reading level of a cat and understand reality as if I were raised in a vacuum with B movies as my only gateway to the outside world to be able to take this book seriously in any way.
Okay, I'm going to admit two things: one, it's a YA novel, and I'm an adult. In other words, this book is written for someone with much less discriminating taste; two, I had to read this for work, otherwise I would never have picked it up, what with a tagline of "they should have stayed home." Ugh.
That being said, I can't write off how bad this book is on the fact that it's a YA novel. I've read the Hunger Games, which, while not good by adult standards, I had to admit is pretty okay by YA standards. This one, though, is just flat out bad. Comically so. It's got lines like, "She wanted to touch him so badly, but was afraid of bursting into flame." And "It was a cataclysm of crap - a craptaclysm."
Other than a prose that can only be described as "retarded," the plot and characters are absolutely unrealistic and insipid. Of course there's a persecuted Mexican kid, a hot Indian chick, a socially awkward black chick with a massive "badonkadonk" (from the author), and a white jock who's never heard of Jane Austen. Of course after being locked up in a mall for multiple days for no discernible reason, teenagers will congregate to play "truth or dare" in Abercrombie & Fitch. And of course workers at retail stores and food court at the mall will keep working their stations for minimum wage after 4 days of being locked in a mall. Really.
I would have had to be at the reading level of a cat and understand reality as if I were raised in a vacuum with B movies as my only gateway to the outside world to be able to take this book seriously in any way.
November 17, 2016
I liked the idea of this book but overall, it just didn't do it for me. I can't really put my finger on what I didn't like but I just couldn't get into the story or become invested in the characters. I'm not a big fan of multiple perspective in books, especially more than two different characters. This book had four characters with their own chapters and I wasn't into that. I never was able to focus on one character and become invested in them. There is diversity in the four main characters, Indian-American, black, white, and (if I remember correctly, but I could be wrong) Latino so if that's something you're looking for, you might be interested in this book.
But overall, this book just fell flat for me. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it, it's stuck in the middle ground of somewhat forgettable.
But overall, this book just fell flat for me. I didn't love it but I didn't hate it, it's stuck in the middle ground of somewhat forgettable.
June 18, 2012
Thousands of people trapped in a mall after a biotoxin is released? Sounded like a tense action/thriller/suspense story.
That's why I'm so disappointed that this novel, with such a great concept, felt like such a snooze.
I felt like the chapters were starting to repeat themselves: Marco doesn't like the jocks; Ryan likes Shay; Shay is worried about her grandma; Lexi is a shy computer whiz. Lorentz reiterates these points again and again, but the plot stagnates. So much page space is devoted to establishing characters that never really feel real. One hundred pages in, I gave in and started skimming.
And just when I was getting annoyed that NOTHING was happening, Lorentz throws us a big juicy bone... about two pages from the end. Worst pacing ever? I wish. Turns out this was the end of the FIRST book. Nowhere on my edition did it indicate this was a series. Nowhere.
Is there the potential for the second book to correct some of the writing/pacing issues in the first? Perhaps. I'm not sure I'll be reading it to find out.
That's why I'm so disappointed that this novel, with such a great concept, felt like such a snooze.
I felt like the chapters were starting to repeat themselves: Marco doesn't like the jocks; Ryan likes Shay; Shay is worried about her grandma; Lexi is a shy computer whiz. Lorentz reiterates these points again and again, but the plot stagnates. So much page space is devoted to establishing characters that never really feel real. One hundred pages in, I gave in and started skimming.
And just when I was getting annoyed that NOTHING was happening, Lorentz throws us a big juicy bone... about two pages from the end. Worst pacing ever? I wish. Turns out this was the end of the FIRST book. Nowhere on my edition did it indicate this was a series. Nowhere.
Is there the potential for the second book to correct some of the writing/pacing issues in the first? Perhaps. I'm not sure I'll be reading it to find out.
February 4, 2018
This BOOK is really fun! It is like a mix of The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games, because they have to survive and something deadly is included!!! I soooo recommend this book! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THIS BOOK, I AM WILLING TO LEND IT TO ANYONE!
September 2, 2013
Things that were great about this book: The premise. I was actually really excited to read this. A book about teens stuck in a mall during a deadly outbreak? Sign me right up. I was really hoping for an exciting read that I could pass onto my students.
Things that were not great about this book: Basically everything.
The characters are "typed" yet essentially the same. They each have their little niche role: the loner, the jock, the geek, the rebel. And simultaneously, they have a lot of the same qualities: not having friends, distrust of the government, etc. For a book that hosts a multicultural cast of characters, there are stereotypes a plenty. And other than Marco being called "Taco," people making fun of Lexi's assets, and random references to Shay's clothes/love of Tagore, there's not really any other reference to the fact that these people are different culturally. It reads, to me, like the author was trying too hard. There could have been really interesting explorations of the characters biases towards each other in this life-or-death situation that just never happened. Also, it bothered me that only the girls ever seemed concerned about their families and friends on the outside. There were a few other gender-biased moments in the book that were uncomfortable that I can no longer remember, but that one stands out.
The other thing that really bothered me about the characters was their lack of motivation. As a high school teacher, I understand that sometimes teenagers do things that are illogical and stupid. However, they almost always have a reason for doing those stupid and illogical things. The characters in this book made random decisions, without thinking them through, yes, but also without any apparent motivation for doing them. . What's the point of letting these different characters tell the story if I'm never going to know why they're doing what they're doing?
The plot was... basically non-existant. In my opinion, the author constrained herself a little too much with her "every character gets a chapter every day" model. Essentially, one "thing" happened per day and usually just in one character's chapter. The book would have been greatly improved if each day was narrated by a single character. I felt like I spent 75% of my time reading this book trying to figure out how whatever was going on (random mall football, anyone?) was going to be important later.
I also really struggled with the lack of logic in this book. I feel the need to defend myself by saying that I love Young Adult literature. I love fantasy, science-fiction, dystopian stories... Basically, I can suspend disbelief with the best of them. This book was too much. I just had so many questions that were never answered.
Maybe I could have moved on from all of these complaints. Maybe I could've given this book two stars and moved on with my life. That is, until I read the so-called ending, at which point I literally dropped my Kindle with disgust (sorry, Kindle. I know it wasn't your fault). The book just... ends. Mid-crisis. In the middle of what little action you can find in this book. There's no denouement to be found. But, dear readers, there is a second book! If you would like to know what happens (which by suffering for these 200+ pages, you should be entitled to) you can fork over some more cash for some more suffering. If I could give this book zero stars, I would. Don't waste your money, and especially don't waste more of your money in hopes that you may actually get some resolution. Not worth it.
Things that were not great about this book: Basically everything.
The characters are "typed" yet essentially the same. They each have their little niche role: the loner, the jock, the geek, the rebel. And simultaneously, they have a lot of the same qualities: not having friends, distrust of the government, etc. For a book that hosts a multicultural cast of characters, there are stereotypes a plenty. And other than Marco being called "Taco," people making fun of Lexi's assets, and random references to Shay's clothes/love of Tagore, there's not really any other reference to the fact that these people are different culturally. It reads, to me, like the author was trying too hard. There could have been really interesting explorations of the characters biases towards each other in this life-or-death situation that just never happened. Also, it bothered me that only the girls ever seemed concerned about their families and friends on the outside. There were a few other gender-biased moments in the book that were uncomfortable that I can no longer remember, but that one stands out.
The other thing that really bothered me about the characters was their lack of motivation. As a high school teacher, I understand that sometimes teenagers do things that are illogical and stupid. However, they almost always have a reason for doing those stupid and illogical things. The characters in this book made random decisions, without thinking them through, yes, but also without any apparent motivation for doing them. . What's the point of letting these different characters tell the story if I'm never going to know why they're doing what they're doing?
The plot was... basically non-existant. In my opinion, the author constrained herself a little too much with her "every character gets a chapter every day" model. Essentially, one "thing" happened per day and usually just in one character's chapter. The book would have been greatly improved if each day was narrated by a single character. I felt like I spent 75% of my time reading this book trying to figure out how whatever was going on (random mall football, anyone?) was going to be important later.
I also really struggled with the lack of logic in this book. I feel the need to defend myself by saying that I love Young Adult literature. I love fantasy, science-fiction, dystopian stories... Basically, I can suspend disbelief with the best of them. This book was too much. I just had so many questions that were never answered.
Maybe I could have moved on from all of these complaints. Maybe I could've given this book two stars and moved on with my life. That is, until I read the so-called ending, at which point I literally dropped my Kindle with disgust (sorry, Kindle. I know it wasn't your fault). The book just... ends. Mid-crisis. In the middle of what little action you can find in this book. There's no denouement to be found. But, dear readers, there is a second book! If you would like to know what happens (which by suffering for these 200+ pages, you should be entitled to) you can fork over some more cash for some more suffering. If I could give this book zero stars, I would. Don't waste your money, and especially don't waste more of your money in hopes that you may actually get some resolution. Not worth it.
July 31, 2013
I'm seeing a lot of people excusing the weakness of the book as it being aimed at young adults, and even though I can't speak for all of us, I can pretty much guarantee that this book sucks. Such an interesting premise and in a format I enjoy, multiple points of view that cross over, but the characters are just so incredibly shitty.
The digital artist Lexi, being the character I most closely relate to interest-wise, made me roll my eyes more than any character should provoke. Her whole internet gaming nerd persona is just so forced and immature, even for a teenager. She acts like a kid still in sixth grade, someone who just discovered the Internet beyond neopets and is looking to show off her shiny new slang. She reads like a character the writer wanted to be super cool and likable but just comes off as annoying. Her inner dialogues are just so frustratingly stupid and are just regurgitations of internet tropes. The rest of the characters also have major flaws, but this girl is the one who really bothers me.
The only character I feel doesn't totally tank is Marco, and that's only because he actually gets some character development. He moves on and grows, and the situation brings out something fierce in him on contrast to the run-and-hide kid he was in the beginning. The others? Shay has actually regressed to a passive character, where in the beginning she had a stronger character. Ryan is still the morally ambiguous jock. Lexi doesn't actually realize any of her mistakes and is set up to repeat them in the sequel.
If the characters weren't so bad, the novel could've been better. While a lot of the actions are stereotypical, some of them do ring as true, and the premise really is intriguing. Nothing is good enough to save a novel from failing characters, though, especially since you're seeing everything through their eyes. Will not be reading the sequel.
The digital artist Lexi, being the character I most closely relate to interest-wise, made me roll my eyes more than any character should provoke. Her whole internet gaming nerd persona is just so forced and immature, even for a teenager. She acts like a kid still in sixth grade, someone who just discovered the Internet beyond neopets and is looking to show off her shiny new slang. She reads like a character the writer wanted to be super cool and likable but just comes off as annoying. Her inner dialogues are just so frustratingly stupid and are just regurgitations of internet tropes. The rest of the characters also have major flaws, but this girl is the one who really bothers me.
The only character I feel doesn't totally tank is Marco, and that's only because he actually gets some character development. He moves on and grows, and the situation brings out something fierce in him on contrast to the run-and-hide kid he was in the beginning. The others? Shay has actually regressed to a passive character, where in the beginning she had a stronger character. Ryan is still the morally ambiguous jock. Lexi doesn't actually realize any of her mistakes and is set up to repeat them in the sequel.
If the characters weren't so bad, the novel could've been better. While a lot of the actions are stereotypical, some of them do ring as true, and the premise really is intriguing. Nothing is good enough to save a novel from failing characters, though, especially since you're seeing everything through their eyes. Will not be reading the sequel.
August 31, 2013
I wish I had something positive to say about this book, but the best thing I can muster is to note the diversity of the cast of characters, and the premise was an interesting idea.
Aside from that, I unfortunately don't have anything good to say about the book. It was not an enjoyable reading experience for me at all. If I weren't reading this along with a friend for a book discussion, I would have given up, but as I did read the whole book I felt a review was justified.
The writing was not very strong. I had a difficult time following actions and had to read passages several times to be clear on what happened, and the characters felt so forced into cliches; there's the loner, geek, jock, and rebel, and they don't really branch out from those roles much. Perhaps more editing would have helped with the action and description at least.
I also feel like not that much actually happened over the course of 263 pages. It took almost 100 pages for the first person to really get sick. Most of the story was spent on flirting and insta-love and teenage angst. This could have been a fun survival story, but it was poorly executed. Characters who have spoken to each other maybe four times are suddenly dating and two boys who are interested in the same girl instantly decide they would do anything for her. There is a Senator trapped inside the mall as well and honestly I don't understand how she got to be in charge; why isn't the CDC running this quarantine? Also, why are store employees of this mall still working?
I wish I could say my dissatisfaction is because I'm not part of the target audience, but I truly don't think my age hindered my enjoyment. The idea and premise were intriguing; I wish more page time had been spent on trying to survive the outbreak and protecting themselves from other mall-goers rather than everyone insisting that they needed to escape and making irrational decisions like removing sick elderly people from established medical locations within the mall.
Aside from that, I unfortunately don't have anything good to say about the book. It was not an enjoyable reading experience for me at all. If I weren't reading this along with a friend for a book discussion, I would have given up, but as I did read the whole book I felt a review was justified.
The writing was not very strong. I had a difficult time following actions and had to read passages several times to be clear on what happened, and the characters felt so forced into cliches; there's the loner, geek, jock, and rebel, and they don't really branch out from those roles much. Perhaps more editing would have helped with the action and description at least.
I also feel like not that much actually happened over the course of 263 pages. It took almost 100 pages for the first person to really get sick. Most of the story was spent on flirting and insta-love and teenage angst. This could have been a fun survival story, but it was poorly executed. Characters who have spoken to each other maybe four times are suddenly dating and two boys who are interested in the same girl instantly decide they would do anything for her. There is a Senator trapped inside the mall as well and honestly I don't understand how she got to be in charge; why isn't the CDC running this quarantine? Also, why are store employees of this mall still working?
I wish I could say my dissatisfaction is because I'm not part of the target audience, but I truly don't think my age hindered my enjoyment. The idea and premise were intriguing; I wish more page time had been spent on trying to survive the outbreak and protecting themselves from other mall-goers rather than everyone insisting that they needed to escape and making irrational decisions like removing sick elderly people from established medical locations within the mall.
May 23, 2017
***DNF at 62%***
I can't. I literally can not force myself to finish this book. 171/263 pages in and nothing. Nothing at all happens. No action. No.. anything. Want to know what this book is about? A bunch people locked in a mall. That is it. You can skip 30 pages at a time and not miss a single thing.
This whole story was just monotone. It literally put me to sleep. I have never in my life had a book that as soon as I start reading, would knock me right out.
There are a few things that really bugged me about this book, (other than it being boring)
1) The overuse of the term "space suits". This isn't the 60's. Everyone knows a hazmat suit when they see one.
2) The fact there was a "bomb" and they didn't evacuate the mall. Yeah no. Nowhere would they keep civilians in the store while they mess with a possible bomb.
3) The fact that the grandmother got sick and was taken back to be "treated" the granddaughter then sneaks in and takes her out to lay in a bed in a home store. No one even looks for granny. Yet anytime someone coughs, they are being swept away to be "treated" yeah, just doesn't make any sense. I would think they would be looking for her.
4) Going off of 3, staying with the Granny topic, after she gets to the store, she's pretty much just left there. Granddaughter is busy hanging out with "friends" so we don't hear about granny after she gets to bed. Again, makes to sense. Especially since her granddaughter was soooooo "worried" about her. You'd think she wouldn't leave her side then.
Kinda reminds me of Dawn of the Dead, actually.
Sorry, I would not recommend this book. At all.
I can't. I literally can not force myself to finish this book. 171/263 pages in and nothing. Nothing at all happens. No action. No.. anything. Want to know what this book is about? A bunch people locked in a mall. That is it. You can skip 30 pages at a time and not miss a single thing.
This whole story was just monotone. It literally put me to sleep. I have never in my life had a book that as soon as I start reading, would knock me right out.
There are a few things that really bugged me about this book, (other than it being boring)
1) The overuse of the term "space suits". This isn't the 60's. Everyone knows a hazmat suit when they see one.
2) The fact there was a "bomb" and they didn't evacuate the mall. Yeah no. Nowhere would they keep civilians in the store while they mess with a possible bomb.
3) The fact that the grandmother got sick and was taken back to be "treated" the granddaughter then sneaks in and takes her out to lay in a bed in a home store. No one even looks for granny. Yet anytime someone coughs, they are being swept away to be "treated" yeah, just doesn't make any sense. I would think they would be looking for her.
4) Going off of 3, staying with the Granny topic, after she gets to the store, she's pretty much just left there. Granddaughter is busy hanging out with "friends" so we don't hear about granny after she gets to bed. Again, makes to sense. Especially since her granddaughter was soooooo "worried" about her. You'd think she wouldn't leave her side then.
Kinda reminds me of Dawn of the Dead, actually.
Sorry, I would not recommend this book. At all.
February 13, 2022
I didn’t understand what was going on for half of this book. Why were there people in hazmat suits walking around the mall and people getting sick when the issue was a bomb? I feel like this information shouldn’t have been kept from the reader for so long. Everything that was happening didn’t make sense until we learned that the device was attached to the ventilation system and pumping something into the air. In other words, not what you typically think of when you hear “bomb”.
I hated what happened to Lexi’s character. She shouldn’t have reduced herself to stealing and degrading herself in front of boys just to make friends. I really liked her character at the start, but hated what she turned into.
And how could Lexi be so stupid as to not be able to comprehend the idea of Ginger’s father going to the media with the information they told him? Nobody on the outside knows shit about what is happening inside the mall. Of course he will go to the media, thinking that he was helping the other families by informing them on what is happening to their loved ones.
Most of the teenage boys in this book were horrible human beings. All of them except for two (Ryan and Marco) were either bullies or sexist pigs. Ryan even got himself caught up with these boys for a while. I don’t know why he followed them for as long as he did. Marco was the best male character by far.
As for the girls, unlike Lexi, Shay had a decent head on her shoulders. The only thing I found questionable on her part was her going into the medical unit to sneak her sick grandmother out. The woman needed treatment. She should have stayed with the doctors. Other than that, I loved Shay’s character.
There were so many aspects of this book that annoyed me. So many unlikeable characters. The only reason I am considering picking up the second book is because of how this one ended. It sounded like the Senator was finally getting her shit together. Hopefully the way things are handled with the quarantine will be better in the sequel.
I hated what happened to Lexi’s character. She shouldn’t have reduced herself to stealing and degrading herself in front of boys just to make friends. I really liked her character at the start, but hated what she turned into.
And how could Lexi be so stupid as to not be able to comprehend the idea of Ginger’s father going to the media with the information they told him? Nobody on the outside knows shit about what is happening inside the mall. Of course he will go to the media, thinking that he was helping the other families by informing them on what is happening to their loved ones.
Most of the teenage boys in this book were horrible human beings. All of them except for two (Ryan and Marco) were either bullies or sexist pigs. Ryan even got himself caught up with these boys for a while. I don’t know why he followed them for as long as he did. Marco was the best male character by far.
As for the girls, unlike Lexi, Shay had a decent head on her shoulders. The only thing I found questionable on her part was her going into the medical unit to sneak her sick grandmother out. The woman needed treatment. She should have stayed with the doctors. Other than that, I loved Shay’s character.
There were so many aspects of this book that annoyed me. So many unlikeable characters. The only reason I am considering picking up the second book is because of how this one ended. It sounded like the Senator was finally getting her shit together. Hopefully the way things are handled with the quarantine will be better in the sequel.
January 28, 2012
I arrived at work today to find a package of No Safety in Numbers waiting for me in my mail slot. I had never heard of it, but, inside the package, I found a face mask and a bottle of hand sanitizer, which, luckily, piqued my interest. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of the cover art on the galley I was sent. Personally, I think a black background with a red title would look cleaner. The crinkled yellow background that it features now makes it look almost childish, not serious, which I feel would be more fitting of the plot. BUT if you find the cover off putting like I did, whatever you do, don't dismiss this debut!
I love the concept of this novel, though it isn't necessary something you've never seen before. It's a movie plot that's been done more than a few times and is being pitched as Contagion meets Lord of the Flies, though, in all honesty, it leans a bit more towards Contagion then the latter. Still, Dayna Lorentz focuses on a group of teens trapped in this dangerous situation, which keeps what could be tired idea fresh.
I don't know a lot about biological warfare, or warfare in general, but I know enough to be terrified of the possibilities it could create. The setting of No Safety in Numbers makes the idea more present and realistic. The reactions of those quarantined, with little explanation and virtually no information, were, simultaneously, understandable and unbelievable. Being an outside observer, while still being able to put oneself in the position of the character, the reader is at an interesting crossroads. I realized that I would probably try some of the same things if I were trapped inside, but I also know, as the reader, it would all be pointless and lend itself to chaos.
I appreciated that each of the characters had relatable and realistic feelings about the situation. At one point, one yearned for a leader, even one lacking stability, one wanted to help others, one didn't want to feel alone, and another felt separate from everyone else... The next moment feelings would seem to switch between the characters as more unforeseen events developed, lending the characters greater personality.
No Safety in Numbers is the first in a planned trilogy, but the ending of book one wrapped up nicely while still leaving me craving the continuation. Towards the end of this book, I was feeling more of a Lord of the Flies vibe, which definitely caused some excitement and leads me to believe the next installment promises good things. I'd definitely add this one to your 2012 to-read list... you'll never think of a weekend trip to the mall the same way again!
I love the concept of this novel, though it isn't necessary something you've never seen before. It's a movie plot that's been done more than a few times and is being pitched as Contagion meets Lord of the Flies, though, in all honesty, it leans a bit more towards Contagion then the latter. Still, Dayna Lorentz focuses on a group of teens trapped in this dangerous situation, which keeps what could be tired idea fresh.
I don't know a lot about biological warfare, or warfare in general, but I know enough to be terrified of the possibilities it could create. The setting of No Safety in Numbers makes the idea more present and realistic. The reactions of those quarantined, with little explanation and virtually no information, were, simultaneously, understandable and unbelievable. Being an outside observer, while still being able to put oneself in the position of the character, the reader is at an interesting crossroads. I realized that I would probably try some of the same things if I were trapped inside, but I also know, as the reader, it would all be pointless and lend itself to chaos.
I appreciated that each of the characters had relatable and realistic feelings about the situation. At one point, one yearned for a leader, even one lacking stability, one wanted to help others, one didn't want to feel alone, and another felt separate from everyone else... The next moment feelings would seem to switch between the characters as more unforeseen events developed, lending the characters greater personality.
No Safety in Numbers is the first in a planned trilogy, but the ending of book one wrapped up nicely while still leaving me craving the continuation. Towards the end of this book, I was feeling more of a Lord of the Flies vibe, which definitely caused some excitement and leads me to believe the next installment promises good things. I'd definitely add this one to your 2012 to-read list... you'll never think of a weekend trip to the mall the same way again!
June 12, 2012
I really wanted to like this, and honestly, sometimes I did.
I love how the author talks about reading with such passion. I love that she mentions Tagore and some other great reads. I really love how Indian (but not) Shay is and how pressured Ryan feels; how much he contradicts his own wants for his brother's reputation.
But the stereotypes, my god, they were awful. I mean, sure there's little diversity in this small, white city (I can relate), but is everyone so predictable too?
Lexi has a big butt and is black. I guess that's supposed to be some sort of surprise. Dotty makes the perfect politician parent: absent. And Mike and Drew are those asshole jocks.
Marco is the South American Holden Caulfield, also frustrated by his feelings for some chick he would normally not care for.
By the end I was just so frustrated that no one noticed a dramatic decrease in and that this is actually supposed to be a series. Seriously?
I predict a really botched up operation to save the people in the mall. Lots of people die and it kind of ends up like the FAYZ in Michael Grant's Gone series. People become rabid, die some more and our favourite main characters survive, link up and end up with each other when they get out.
I will likely not continue with this series. It took me forever just to get through this one. I don't think I could read even more about nothing happening.
I love how the author talks about reading with such passion. I love that she mentions Tagore and some other great reads. I really love how Indian (but not) Shay is and how pressured Ryan feels; how much he contradicts his own wants for his brother's reputation.
But the stereotypes, my god, they were awful. I mean, sure there's little diversity in this small, white city (I can relate), but is everyone so predictable too?
Lexi has a big butt and is black. I guess that's supposed to be some sort of surprise. Dotty makes the perfect politician parent: absent. And Mike and Drew are those asshole jocks.
Marco is the South American Holden Caulfield, also frustrated by his feelings for some chick he would normally not care for.
By the end I was just so frustrated that no one noticed a dramatic decrease in and that this is actually supposed to be a series. Seriously?
I predict a really botched up operation to save the people in the mall. Lots of people die and it kind of ends up like the FAYZ in Michael Grant's Gone series. People become rabid, die some more and our favourite main characters survive, link up and end up with each other when they get out.
I will likely not continue with this series. It took me forever just to get through this one. I don't think I could read even more about nothing happening.
July 11, 2012
I wanted to like this book, but there were several things wrong with it:
-the characters were too stereotypical. I work with teens every day--they don't fit that neatly into little cliquey groups. And whereas I admire her attempt at showing diversity, this was a little farfetched. I got this sense of "Captain Planet in a mall full of sick people".
-the biohazard is foggy at best. It seems like the emphasis was more on "how does the government keep information from us" and less on "there's a disease that's taking out people".
-The ending--seriously? Another series? Tack on another 50 pages or so, and this could have been a 1-shot book with all ends neatly tied up.
-The ups and downs--I HATE books that lag in the middle. The plot should rise and fall, either once or multiple times. It should never start big, get really dry and exposition-filled, then peak again. That valley of "when will someone just DO something?" is what makes people abandon books without finishing.
I did finish this one, but I think the series might be abandoned. Honestly, she didn't make me like the characters enough to be concerned about their well-being.
I will praise one thing though: I like the multiple POV--I think it was done well, and I like that the characters overlap so you get all angles on the story. That's why it had 2 stars instead of one from me.
-the characters were too stereotypical. I work with teens every day--they don't fit that neatly into little cliquey groups. And whereas I admire her attempt at showing diversity, this was a little farfetched. I got this sense of "Captain Planet in a mall full of sick people".
-the biohazard is foggy at best. It seems like the emphasis was more on "how does the government keep information from us" and less on "there's a disease that's taking out people".
-The ending--seriously? Another series? Tack on another 50 pages or so, and this could have been a 1-shot book with all ends neatly tied up.
-The ups and downs--I HATE books that lag in the middle. The plot should rise and fall, either once or multiple times. It should never start big, get really dry and exposition-filled, then peak again. That valley of "when will someone just DO something?" is what makes people abandon books without finishing.
I did finish this one, but I think the series might be abandoned. Honestly, she didn't make me like the characters enough to be concerned about their well-being.
I will praise one thing though: I like the multiple POV--I think it was done well, and I like that the characters overlap so you get all angles on the story. That's why it had 2 stars instead of one from me.
January 4, 2016
This action packed novel is a great read for those interested in fast paced books. It has lots of twists and turns, and unsuspected cliff hangers. These parts of the book lead to a very interesting. One moment you think the book is going one way and then it suddenly derails going into a different direction.
I can't really say much more without giving the book away. However, the format in which the chapters are is very interesting. For example, the book is sectioned off in "days" of being stuck in the mall with the bomb. Also each chapter is written in one of the four character's point of views (Shay, Ryan, Lexi, Marco).
I can't really say much more without giving the book away. However, the format in which the chapters are is very interesting. For example, the book is sectioned off in "days" of being stuck in the mall with the bomb. Also each chapter is written in one of the four character's point of views (Shay, Ryan, Lexi, Marco).
July 13, 2017
While the book isn't anything special in terms of writing and characters, the entertaining aspect of the plot is undeniable.
June 1, 2022
Now I wasn’t expecting much from this book as I got it for free (as well as the second), so the fact that it gets 3 stars is surprising.
My biggest issue with this book is how unlikeable some of the povs are. I really loved Shay and Lisa but Ryan? Ick, no way. Marco was okay, but got on my nerves at some parts. Like…mall-walkers? Really?
It was kind of difficult to read this book because of COVID. I almost dnfed a few times because of the plot itself, the whole outbreak thing was just way too close to real life. The bit with Lisa and the Abercrombie kids really bothered me and the riots were too similar to actual reality.
Overall I did enjoy this book, and will read the 2nd one eventually (my physical tbr is huge though) but I don’t think I’d read it again.
Rating: 3.5/5
My biggest issue with this book is how unlikeable some of the povs are. I really loved Shay and Lisa but Ryan? Ick, no way. Marco was okay, but got on my nerves at some parts. Like…mall-walkers? Really?
It was kind of difficult to read this book because of COVID. I almost dnfed a few times because of the plot itself, the whole outbreak thing was just way too close to real life. The bit with Lisa and the Abercrombie kids really bothered me and the riots were too similar to actual reality.
Overall I did enjoy this book, and will read the 2nd one eventually (my physical tbr is huge though) but I don’t think I’d read it again.
Rating: 3.5/5
May 22, 2012
This is a review of an ARC won through a First Reads giveaway.
3.5/5 stars
It is an indisputable fact that unsupervised teenagers in a store/mall are huge pains in the butt. They rarely buy things, and when they do it's usually something that costs $5 or less. They are loud and they always make you feel like they are laughing at you because you're old and uncool. They run amok and leave things out of order and they molest and break the neck of the giant stuffed giraffe corporate sent your store for no discernible reason. And just as werewolves always come out during a full moon, teenagers always go out on Friday and Saturday nights. Damn kids! Get off my lawn!
With that in mind, imagine you go to the mall to buy something small on a Friday night. It's just a quick trip; you wouldn't even go tonight because you're worn out from your work week and just want to relax at home, but this item is very necessary and you must have it now. This is a big, fancy mall, with an ice rink and several levels and lots of skylights. It's swarming with families and, of course, those damn unsupervised kids. You're just going to go in, get that thing you need, and get out as fast as possible.
So you're inside, heading for the store most likely to have that thing you need, and an announcement comes over the loudspeaker. There's a security issue in the parking garage and everyone has to get in a store and stay there until the issue is resolved. Grumbling, you go into the nearest store with all the other sheeple and wait for the all-clear so you can get home. Okay, it's a hassle. But you'll be out soon, right?
Or not.
No Safety in Numbers is told through the eyes of four teens, ranging in age from fourteen to probably about seventeen. Dayna Lorentz does a good job of making sure each individual has his or her own distinctive voice and I found it easy to switch from one person's perspective to another's. But the characters seemed very superficial at first--the jock, the politician's nerdy daughter, the bitter guy from the wrong side of the tracks, and the ethereal, artsy exotic-looking girl the boys swoon over--and I thought it took a while for them to really flesh out into "real" people. To me, none of them were very sympathetic characters, although I found aspects about each of that did make me care about their survival. Shay's main focus is to protect her family. Lexi is brave enough to do things many of the adults won't even consider. Marco, cunning with impressive survival instincts, discovers he has a softer side. Ryan was probably the hardest character for me to like; his who am I, really? struggle is something everyone can relate to, but most of his choices turned me off to him. The description on the back of the book describes it as "Contagion meets Lord of the Flies." If this is Lord of the Flies, Ryan is Ralph.
That said, the novel doesn't really go Lord of the Flies until nearly the end. The plot was slow at first, and since I didn't realize it was the first of a series I was nearly put off the book altogether. Much of the beginning of the book consists of the four main characters being their stereotypical selves, although we do get glimpses into how the government is handling the situation (hint: poorly). But after a couple days the announcement is made that it isn't a security issue keeping them in the mall with no way of contacting the outside world, but the outbreak of a highly contagious disease. And that is when things get interesting. The adults basically check out and the teenagers, who have been running wild in the mall for days already, get pretty hardcore. Like, kind of hardcore. The sociology nut in me did a little happy dance watching the complete breakdown of society as we know it in the microcosm of this mall. Mass hysteria after being quarantined in a shopping center really brings out the worst in people. As the reader, I know they can't get out no matter what they do, but I can't help but wonder how I would behave in that scenario. At what point will your survival instincts completely override your sense of human compassion?
My ARC says this is recommended for ages 12 and up; the current Goodreads description says 13 and up. HOWEVER. There is a lot of not very nice language in this book, something that has been pointed out by other reviewers already. The profanity lends realism--I know if I were in this situation I wouldn't really be concerned about keeping my language clean, except in front of small children and then only to avoid causing them panic. But there is enough usage of the f-bomb alone that if this were a movie script, it would not be able to get a PG-13 rating. There are also a lot of deaths, some more gruesome than others. If you're looking for a book for your kid to read, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone younger than fourteen, or maybe mature thirteen-year-olds.
The only thing keeping me from giving this a 4-star rating, besides the slow plot buildup, is the minor grievance of the store names, Chopsticky Buns and PaperClips and PhreshPharm to name a few. It really is so minor I probably shouldn't even mention it, but they were repeated enough to really annoy me. Overall, though, this is an enjoyable read (I read it all in one sitting) and a solid beginning to the trilogy. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
3.5/5 stars
It is an indisputable fact that unsupervised teenagers in a store/mall are huge pains in the butt. They rarely buy things, and when they do it's usually something that costs $5 or less. They are loud and they always make you feel like they are laughing at you because you're old and uncool. They run amok and leave things out of order and they molest and break the neck of the giant stuffed giraffe corporate sent your store for no discernible reason. And just as werewolves always come out during a full moon, teenagers always go out on Friday and Saturday nights. Damn kids! Get off my lawn!
With that in mind, imagine you go to the mall to buy something small on a Friday night. It's just a quick trip; you wouldn't even go tonight because you're worn out from your work week and just want to relax at home, but this item is very necessary and you must have it now. This is a big, fancy mall, with an ice rink and several levels and lots of skylights. It's swarming with families and, of course, those damn unsupervised kids. You're just going to go in, get that thing you need, and get out as fast as possible.
So you're inside, heading for the store most likely to have that thing you need, and an announcement comes over the loudspeaker. There's a security issue in the parking garage and everyone has to get in a store and stay there until the issue is resolved. Grumbling, you go into the nearest store with all the other sheeple and wait for the all-clear so you can get home. Okay, it's a hassle. But you'll be out soon, right?
Or not.
No Safety in Numbers is told through the eyes of four teens, ranging in age from fourteen to probably about seventeen. Dayna Lorentz does a good job of making sure each individual has his or her own distinctive voice and I found it easy to switch from one person's perspective to another's. But the characters seemed very superficial at first--the jock, the politician's nerdy daughter, the bitter guy from the wrong side of the tracks, and the ethereal, artsy exotic-looking girl the boys swoon over--and I thought it took a while for them to really flesh out into "real" people. To me, none of them were very sympathetic characters, although I found aspects about each of that did make me care about their survival. Shay's main focus is to protect her family. Lexi is brave enough to do things many of the adults won't even consider. Marco, cunning with impressive survival instincts, discovers he has a softer side. Ryan was probably the hardest character for me to like; his who am I, really? struggle is something everyone can relate to, but most of his choices turned me off to him. The description on the back of the book describes it as "Contagion meets Lord of the Flies." If this is Lord of the Flies, Ryan is Ralph.
That said, the novel doesn't really go Lord of the Flies until nearly the end. The plot was slow at first, and since I didn't realize it was the first of a series I was nearly put off the book altogether. Much of the beginning of the book consists of the four main characters being their stereotypical selves, although we do get glimpses into how the government is handling the situation (hint: poorly). But after a couple days the announcement is made that it isn't a security issue keeping them in the mall with no way of contacting the outside world, but the outbreak of a highly contagious disease. And that is when things get interesting. The adults basically check out and the teenagers, who have been running wild in the mall for days already, get pretty hardcore. Like, kind of hardcore. The sociology nut in me did a little happy dance watching the complete breakdown of society as we know it in the microcosm of this mall. Mass hysteria after being quarantined in a shopping center really brings out the worst in people. As the reader, I know they can't get out no matter what they do, but I can't help but wonder how I would behave in that scenario. At what point will your survival instincts completely override your sense of human compassion?
My ARC says this is recommended for ages 12 and up; the current Goodreads description says 13 and up. HOWEVER. There is a lot of not very nice language in this book, something that has been pointed out by other reviewers already. The profanity lends realism--I know if I were in this situation I wouldn't really be concerned about keeping my language clean, except in front of small children and then only to avoid causing them panic. But there is enough usage of the f-bomb alone that if this were a movie script, it would not be able to get a PG-13 rating. There are also a lot of deaths, some more gruesome than others. If you're looking for a book for your kid to read, I wouldn't recommend it for anyone younger than fourteen, or maybe mature thirteen-year-olds.
The only thing keeping me from giving this a 4-star rating, besides the slow plot buildup, is the minor grievance of the store names, Chopsticky Buns and PaperClips and PhreshPharm to name a few. It really is so minor I probably shouldn't even mention it, but they were repeated enough to really annoy me. Overall, though, this is an enjoyable read (I read it all in one sitting) and a solid beginning to the trilogy. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
March 10, 2023
this was….. pretty bad. I had a lot of fun reading it.
January 9, 2013
This is a quick paced story that really captures the what if of a disaster. Marco, a Latrino teen from a family that is struggling economically, is one of four teens who take center stage in this novel that highlights what might happen if a biological weapon were used on a mall. While coming into work one day, he ends up being accosted by a group of typical football jocks, including Ryan (one of the other stars). As he is trying to get away, he ends up in a closet that houses some of the HVAC system and comes across something that shouldn't be there. He tells the authorities, and the mall is quickly set into lockdown.
Lexi, and African American girl, is another one of the main characters. Her mom is a US Senator, and that means her mom ends up becoming the point person for dealing with the disaster. Lexi, who has not been popular at school finds herself pairing up with one of the more popular girls while everyone is stuck inside. She starts to find out that maybe she is not as different as she thought.
Shay is a South Asian girl who has just moved to the area because of her parent's change of employment. She really doesn't have any friends yet. She had gone shopping with her diabetic grnadmother and her younger sister when everything goes horribly wrong.
Ryan also ends up matching up with a group of people, though they are other football players who are hoping to find their way out of the mall, which seems to be getting more and more isolated. That doesn't prevent him (and Marco) from meeting Shay, and both start to woo her.
At first, most of the people stuck at the mall find it to be an inconvenience and pretty much listen to the authority of Lexi's mother and the mall manager, but as hours shift into days, tensions run wild. This leads to food shortages, cranky people, and riots. This becomes particularly true as word start to spread that they are likely in quarantine from some sort of flu-like plague. Panic starts to ensue, and the mall turns into a very dangerous place. The question is who will survive and will it be the disease, which seems to be quite gruesome and deadly, or the other people in the mall that everyone has to worry about.
This is a first novel, and it ends on a cliffhanger. I definitely can't wait until the sequel No Easy Way Out, which is supposed to be coming out in July! I think this is an easy sell to the targeted teen audience since disaster movies and stories are so popular. The four different perspectives will allow most to find at least one of the narrators they can relate to. I couldn't read this one fast enough, and the cliffhanger just left me in hurry to read the next book.
On a deeper level, I thought the book has an interesting take on the concept of perception. Obviously readers get a look at Marco, Lexi, Ryan, and Shay, but the other teens don't necessarily seem them in the same way as they see themselves. For example, Ryan sees himself has pretty much a nice guy, which he sort of is. Marco, on the other hand sees him as just another of the jerk jocks who pick on him for being poor and different. It will be interesting to see how this type of perspective interplay continues to play out.
Lexi, and African American girl, is another one of the main characters. Her mom is a US Senator, and that means her mom ends up becoming the point person for dealing with the disaster. Lexi, who has not been popular at school finds herself pairing up with one of the more popular girls while everyone is stuck inside. She starts to find out that maybe she is not as different as she thought.
Shay is a South Asian girl who has just moved to the area because of her parent's change of employment. She really doesn't have any friends yet. She had gone shopping with her diabetic grnadmother and her younger sister when everything goes horribly wrong.
Ryan also ends up matching up with a group of people, though they are other football players who are hoping to find their way out of the mall, which seems to be getting more and more isolated. That doesn't prevent him (and Marco) from meeting Shay, and both start to woo her.
At first, most of the people stuck at the mall find it to be an inconvenience and pretty much listen to the authority of Lexi's mother and the mall manager, but as hours shift into days, tensions run wild. This leads to food shortages, cranky people, and riots. This becomes particularly true as word start to spread that they are likely in quarantine from some sort of flu-like plague. Panic starts to ensue, and the mall turns into a very dangerous place. The question is who will survive and will it be the disease, which seems to be quite gruesome and deadly, or the other people in the mall that everyone has to worry about.
This is a first novel, and it ends on a cliffhanger. I definitely can't wait until the sequel No Easy Way Out, which is supposed to be coming out in July! I think this is an easy sell to the targeted teen audience since disaster movies and stories are so popular. The four different perspectives will allow most to find at least one of the narrators they can relate to. I couldn't read this one fast enough, and the cliffhanger just left me in hurry to read the next book.
On a deeper level, I thought the book has an interesting take on the concept of perception. Obviously readers get a look at Marco, Lexi, Ryan, and Shay, but the other teens don't necessarily seem them in the same way as they see themselves. For example, Ryan sees himself has pretty much a nice guy, which he sort of is. Marco, on the other hand sees him as just another of the jerk jocks who pick on him for being poor and different. It will be interesting to see how this type of perspective interplay continues to play out.
October 21, 2013
So it's Hallow's eve time again, folks! So how about something scary? No, not ghosts n goblins scary. More like trapped in a mall with a deadly virus around scary. Wait, that's what this books about? Well, what perfect timing!
Basically, its a Saturday afternoon at a mall when, during an awesome chase scene, Macro, one of our main characters, finds a red blinking object of sorts. A bomb, he suspects. He pulls out his cell, and calls 911. Well because of him, lives are about to change.
Because of the call, the entire store goes into lockdown mode, teens meet other teens, people are trapped, and then....
People get sick.
RRAR (Reading review appropriate rating) Rated T for Language and Hints of Sexual Themes
The Characters: Overall, the characters have very relatable personalities, and reflect perfectly on how they would react in real life. I wish I could see more often characters that don't get a lot of attention, and less of others that do.
The Setting: Accurate. I felt like it was an actual mall.
The Plot: Mind sucking. It forces you to keep reading onwards. You have to read it to believe it.
The Rating:
Epic
Awesome X
Meh
Bad
Terrible
Pretty decent book overall. The only issues are that I didn't expect a T rated book,(They should have ESRB ratings for these things)I wanted to see more of some characters that didn't get enough screen time, and at points, was just boring. But those are easily looked over when you take this book as a whole. And as always, I will see you in cyberspace.
Basically, its a Saturday afternoon at a mall when, during an awesome chase scene, Macro, one of our main characters, finds a red blinking object of sorts. A bomb, he suspects. He pulls out his cell, and calls 911. Well because of him, lives are about to change.
Because of the call, the entire store goes into lockdown mode, teens meet other teens, people are trapped, and then....
People get sick.
RRAR (Reading review appropriate rating) Rated T for Language and Hints of Sexual Themes
The Characters: Overall, the characters have very relatable personalities, and reflect perfectly on how they would react in real life. I wish I could see more often characters that don't get a lot of attention, and less of others that do.
The Setting: Accurate. I felt like it was an actual mall.
The Plot: Mind sucking. It forces you to keep reading onwards. You have to read it to believe it.
The Rating:
Epic
Awesome X
Meh
Bad
Terrible
Pretty decent book overall. The only issues are that I didn't expect a T rated book,(They should have ESRB ratings for these things)I wanted to see more of some characters that didn't get enough screen time, and at points, was just boring. But those are easily looked over when you take this book as a whole. And as always, I will see you in cyberspace.
May 31, 2012
I really wanted to love this book. The premise was great, people trapped inside a mall, quarantined after a biological bomb goes off. Unfortunately, after that exciting idea, not much happened.
The story is told through four viewpoints. I like the way the author goes for diversity. The main characters are:
Marco - a Hispanic boy nicknamed "Taco" by his enemies (imagine being the guy who found the bomb that leaves you trapped inside an enclosed mall with other guys who hate your guts).
Shay - Shaila Dixit, a.k.a. "The Indian Chick" stuck in the mall with her little sister and diabetic grandmother.
Lexi - An African American girl whose mother, The Senator, is a stereotypical workaholic who spends all her time, even family day at the mall, glued to her phone.
Ryan - A typical high school football player living in the shadow of his popular older brother.
My problem was that all the main characters seemed like typical stereotypes. Much of the time their voices sounded so similar it was difficult to tell which one I was dealing with in a particular chapter. Or to care about them enough to worry or wonder what would happen next.
The story is told through four viewpoints. I like the way the author goes for diversity. The main characters are:
Marco - a Hispanic boy nicknamed "Taco" by his enemies (imagine being the guy who found the bomb that leaves you trapped inside an enclosed mall with other guys who hate your guts).
Shay - Shaila Dixit, a.k.a. "The Indian Chick" stuck in the mall with her little sister and diabetic grandmother.
Lexi - An African American girl whose mother, The Senator, is a stereotypical workaholic who spends all her time, even family day at the mall, glued to her phone.
Ryan - A typical high school football player living in the shadow of his popular older brother.
My problem was that all the main characters seemed like typical stereotypes. Much of the time their voices sounded so similar it was difficult to tell which one I was dealing with in a particular chapter. Or to care about them enough to worry or wonder what would happen next.
June 25, 2012
I was excited for this book but, in the end, it was a letdown. It wasn't the most awful book ever but the characters weren't all that likeable the repetition in the author's writing was really annoying after a while. Lorentz kept repeating herself when describing the thoughts of the characters (we get it, Shay is worried about her grandmother, Ryan is in love with Shay, Marco is treated badly by kids at school, blah blah blah). The action is pretty repetitive until about the last 10 pages where it starts to move which is a shame because if the pace had been that speed the whole time the book would have been much more interesting.
The most disappointing aspect about this book was the fact THAT IT IS A SERIES but all of the press and reviews I saw on this book did not indicate this. I was not in the mood to start up another series that would require me waiting years for the conclusion.
Lucky for me (I guess) I didn't care enough about the characters to await the second book.
The most disappointing aspect about this book was the fact THAT IT IS A SERIES but all of the press and reviews I saw on this book did not indicate this. I was not in the mood to start up another series that would require me waiting years for the conclusion.
Lucky for me (I guess) I didn't care enough about the characters to await the second book.
did-not-finish
March 13, 2012I couldn't get past the first hundred pages. The storyline was promising, but unfortunately the characters and plot lacked the oomph I was looking for. There were a lot of random bits of information thrown around and way too many technical terms for ridiculously simple things that greatly interrupted the flow (and evoked several eye rolls). I happened to glance at the last page to find that this was apparently book one of a series. I can't say that I'll be looking for book two.
June 13, 2021
Published in 2012 are you KIDDING ME?? I did not realize this was about a deadly flu when I picked it up, I expected a bomb thriller...not a medical thriller with death and quarantine and hand sanitizer. I genuinely expected to see this had been published in late 2020/early 2021. It was good, but uh, accidentally timely.
January 18, 2018
OMG. This book is very fun. It's like a hunger game in a mall and the players are the customers. They are stuck in the mall with a virus and the government hut downed the place for safety from the virus.
February 8, 2017
İsmiyle aynı gerilimi yakalatabilseydi keşke. seride umut var ama genel olarak ilk kitapta gerilebilecek bir öge yok. olaylar o kadar hızlı yaşanıyor ki sadece anlamaya çalışıyorsunuz
May 8, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up.
Stonecliff mall goes into lockdown, trapping thousands inside when a bomb is discovered attached to the air ventilation system.
Four teens struggle to get to the bottom of what's really going on as things begin to go from bad to worse inside.
I liked this one but think it's definitely more of a teen / YA book.
One of the main things I found to be a bit unrealistic was that for days following the lockdown, the store employees just continued to go about their business as usual.
The restaurant workers were one thing as people still needed to eat. But retail workers staying in their stores to work the cash registers and watch for shoplifters for days on end just didn't seem very likely.
Also I would think in reality the people locked inside would have began to loot stores and riot quite quickly after being trapped inside.
Overall I think it just seems a bit too unrealistic for adult readers. But since I did still find it entertaining, I plan to continue on with the series.
Stonecliff mall goes into lockdown, trapping thousands inside when a bomb is discovered attached to the air ventilation system.
Four teens struggle to get to the bottom of what's really going on as things begin to go from bad to worse inside.
I liked this one but think it's definitely more of a teen / YA book.
One of the main things I found to be a bit unrealistic was that for days following the lockdown, the store employees just continued to go about their business as usual.
The restaurant workers were one thing as people still needed to eat. But retail workers staying in their stores to work the cash registers and watch for shoplifters for days on end just didn't seem very likely.
Also I would think in reality the people locked inside would have began to loot stores and riot quite quickly after being trapped inside.
Overall I think it just seems a bit too unrealistic for adult readers. But since I did still find it entertaining, I plan to continue on with the series.
June 30, 2025
This is a trilogy?? I guarantee it could have been one book, because this is not a complete one. The pacing is awful. It doesn't pick up until the last quarter, and that moment should have been the midpoint at the very least. There's no resolution to the core conflict. There's not even character development.
I probably would have, should have DNFed if I wasn't at least a tiny bit interested in the characters. Mike, for example, is the most complex. Most likely because we didn't get his POV, so the author was forced to actually show instead of tell. He goes from trying to kill Marco to protecting Ryan fiercely. That's interesting, but everyone else is just so one-note.
Two stars because it had potential. Potential in premise and characters, but it was overall so poorly paced and so shallow.
I probably would have, should have DNFed if I wasn't at least a tiny bit interested in the characters. Mike, for example, is the most complex. Most likely because we didn't get his POV, so the author was forced to actually show instead of tell. He goes from trying to kill Marco to protecting Ryan fiercely. That's interesting, but everyone else is just so one-note.
Two stars because it had potential. Potential in premise and characters, but it was overall so poorly paced and so shallow.
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