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Stone Rider

(Stone Rider #1)

David Hofmeyr (Goodreads Author)

3.60 · Rating details · 545 ratings · 139 reviews

In the vein of The Outsiders and the early Western novels of Elmore Leonard, this inventive debut novel, a cross between the cult classic Mad Max movie series and Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, blends adrenaline-fueled action with an improbable yet tender romance to offer a rich and vivid portrayal of misfits and loners forced together in their struggle for a better life.

Adam ...more

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Hardcover, 336 pages

Published July 14th 2015 by Delacorte (first published 2015)

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Lists with This Book

Dystopian, (post-)apocalyptic and sci-fi YA of 2015

181 books — 265 voters

The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

UKYA in 2015

147 books — 281 voters

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Average rating 3.60 ·

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· 545 ratings · 139 reviews

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Jul 14, 2015 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: male-pov, dystopia, young-adult, arc-2015, reviewed-in-2015

3.5 stars
I find the distinction between boy books and girl books to be discriminatory and a tiny bit offensive, and yet Stone Rider undeniably aims towards young adult boys as its intended audience. Heavy on the action, violence and technical description and very light on any kind of emotional development, it often reads as a videogame on paper. But by no means is it a bad thing – whatever it tries to do, this book does exceptionally well, and the end result is an unusually written story that has a lot to offer to its readers.

Stone Rider paints us a horrible picture of Earth – a barren, bleak environment with very little mercy for its inhabitants. The smallest possibility of survival comes from two sources – mining or byke racing, and our hero Adam chooses the latter. The races themselves are extremely dangerous with very low survival rates, but the battles begin even earlier. The rivalries are often deadly and the bykes themselves are no joke, but for most people in Blackwater, they’re the only hope for a better life.

Hofmeyr’s writing stands out with its sharpness and simplicity. The short, clipped sentences truly emphasize the sense of imminent danger and the pacing seems even faster thanks to the author’s style. The no-nonsense tone took some getting used to, but it suited the story perfectly.

The fortunately secondary romance leaves a lot to be desired. Mostly it’s a young boy’s admiration for a cool, untouchable girl, a dystopian version of manic pixie dream girl with a pixie haircut and heaps of attitude. There is some development between them, but always at the worst possible moment, and the relationship was more of a burden to this story than anything else.

Oddly, my favorite part were the bykes (although I truly resent the spelling) and their connection to the riders. The technical parts were very well done and it was obvious to me that a lot of thought was put into them. While the romance and the worldbuilding left some room for improvement in future installments, the bykes and the races are pretty much perfect as they are. I have high hopes for the second book. A more solid worldbuilding and stronger character development will make a world of difference for this series.
...more

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Jul 02, 2015 Dayla rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I received a copy via the publisher

Short review: I couldn't put this down. It wasn't exceptional, but it was a lot of fun! It wasn't perfect, but it made for a great summer read.

There is an issue, however, that I've noticed regarding this book. Stone Rider may be look at as a "boy" book, but honestly, there's not a lot of those in Young Adult fiction. As a bookseller, it's a tough time finding male-narrated novels for teenage boys to read, because while a lot of them don't mind reading from a fe ...more

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May 13, 2015 Jessica (Jessabella Reads) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-i-have

The first thing that caught my eye was the cover for Stone Rider. I loved the cracked look of the cover that depicts the hardened landscape of the books setting. The title stands out beautifully in stark contrast of color and texture. This is such a great cover and so unique compared to the many YA books out there.
Now on to the story....
Well let's just say that I read this book in one night, in one sitting. It grabbed my attention immediately, and didn't let go until the last page was turned. T The first thing that caught my eye was the cover for Stone Rider. I loved the cracked look of the cover that depicts the hardened landscape of the books setting. The title stands out beautifully in stark contrast of color and texture. This is such a great cover and so unique compared to the many YA books out there.
Now on to the story....
Well let's just say that I read this book in one night, in one sitting. It grabbed my attention immediately, and didn't let go until the last page was turned. The world that David Hofmeyr has created in Stone Rider is extremely unique and well wrought. This setting of the old-west meets a futuristic burned out world where the people try to win a pass by winning the Vodden Circuit or earn enough points by winning other smaller races to earn a ticket to Sky Base. This is supposedly a man-made "paradise" above earth where the air is clean and the people live MUCH longer. It is where everyone left on earth wants to go, though no one who has ever earned a ticket has ever come back, so the people on earth don't REALLY know what it's like up there.
Hofmeyr has even included parts of "The Rider's Code" at the back of the book, which I loved, as I could refer to that anytime I needed a bit of explanation as to the working of the "bykes", these incredible biomechanical entities that are passed down from parent to child. The way the "swing" is preformed, a kind of deadly sling-shot and weapon of choice in this world and during the circuits(or races). I found it to all be so fascinating and unique, and yet completely believable.
This leads to the writing. Hofmeyr has a way of writing...his world building, characterization, and those edge of your seat moments that I really feel made this book work so well. I don't think another author could have taken this same concept/world and made it seem like it actually exists somewhere, which is how I felt while reading.
I loved the characters! Adam, Sadie, and especially Kane(As I knew so little about him and he was such a mystery!). They each have their own struggles and secrets, which made the book that much more suspenseful. All in all this is one of my favorite books ever, and though I don't know yet whether a sequel is coming...I honestly feel that it works so perfectly as a stand-alone. Though as I am a greedy reader of this amazing world that Hofmeyr has built, I would most definitely pick up a sequel, companion novel, or ANYTHING that he writes next!
I truly believe that everyone should give this book a chance. It is so surprising in its depth of emotion and suspense...I just can't recommend Stone Rider enough! ...more

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Jul 19, 2015 Krystianna rated it really liked it

**Thank you to Delacorte Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!**

Stone Rider was my first dystopian read in a while, and I have to say, the read was completely worth it! It follows Adam Stone, who I immediately loved as a character since the first page. He's been through a lot in his life and he's currently living with his brother, Frank. Basically, in this future world, there's a place called Sky-Base that is like a haven and everyone wants to go there. In ord **Thank you to Delacorte Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!**

Stone Rider was my first dystopian read in a while, and I have to say, the read was completely worth it! It follows Adam Stone, who I immediately loved as a character since the first page. He's been through a lot in his life and he's currently living with his brother, Frank. Basically, in this future world, there's a place called Sky-Base that is like a haven and everyone wants to go there. In order to go there, you have to win enough points from winning races, which is why so many people compete in these deadly races.

Adam's older brother used to compete in the races until he injured himself badly, so Adam takes over the racing since he was given his brother's byke. He signs up to participate in the Blackwater Trail race, which is the hardest race there is. The winner will automatically get to go to Sky-Base because of how many points the winner gets. Sadly, so many people don't even make it to the finish line in this race because of how deadly and scary it is.

I loved this book! Adam was the best main character because he kept persevering even when things got hard for him. Sadie Blood was a cool character too. Her father owned the local byke shop and also ran the races for Sky-Base, so she decided to participate in the race and so did her brother, Levi, who was a fan favorite. However, Levi isn't the nicest person. Adam also makes two other friends: Kane, who nobody knows much about because he just claims he's from the other side, and then there's also Nate, who is a young boy who I instantly loved. He was incredibly innocent and just kept talking about his father and how he was hoping to win the race as well, so that he could go to Sky-Base.

Even though I absolutely loved this book, I wish that there was more information about how the world got to be the way that it was. I didn't exactly know much about Sky-Base except for the rumors that the characters had all heard about, so I wish there was more about that as well. There was a lot of information on the bykes that everyone rode though, and that was incredibly interesting. There was even a lot of information in the back of the book, which was a super cool element! I'd definitely recommend giving it a read. ...more

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Feb 18, 2018 Marta :} rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own, ya

Thanks to Storia Books for sending me this review copy, this hadn't in any way influenced my rating or my review!
You can check out my Romanian review on my blog : https://thecursedbooks.wordpress.com/...

I will start off by saying that this book is probably more of a 3.5 stars for me. When I first started this book, I had doubts about whether I’d like it because of the subject – it seemed like it would be too focused on motorcycles and technical stuff, which aren’t my cup of tea, usually. But my ...more

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Aug 02, 2015 Morris rated it really liked it

Shelves: recommend, 2015-reviews, 2015-favorites

“Stone Rider” is an excellent book that can fit into many genres at one time. It’s like a western met a dystopian and then decided to create a West Side Storyesque production. I’ve never read anything like it.

The characters are all interesting and surprising. At the beginning they may appear to be stereotypical, but as the story goes on their depth is revealed. However, that is not to say that they are extremely well-developed. The book is written like the old westerns. You learn what you need t ...more

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May 07, 2015 Nicole rated it really liked it

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was an excellent read. Touted as a Wild West meets Mad Max Bildungsroman, Stone Rider lived up to my expectations. Adam lives in a brutal and violent future where you mine the precious commodity at the Earth's core or you race. Adam comes from a line of racers - men who risk their lives in a dangerous trek across a wasteland reminiscent of the Wild West. Expect a vicious and brutal adventure where a boy who I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This was an excellent read. Touted as a Wild West meets Mad Max Bildungsroman, Stone Rider lived up to my expectations. Adam lives in a brutal and violent future where you mine the precious commodity at the Earth's core or you race. Adam comes from a line of racers - men who risk their lives in a dangerous trek across a wasteland reminiscent of the Wild West. Expect a vicious and brutal adventure where a boy who thinks his best chance is found in trusting no one, learns the importance of friendship and support. I liked Adam. His biggest weakness is his empathy for fellow man, and like any good person, he pays for that soft spot again and again. I loved the way he was able to grow as a character but retain the best parts of himself in the process. I also liked the cast of secondary characters. Adam's love interest is one tough chick, and while she had her own limitations, I found her a lady warrior that I could admire. Kane, Adam's enigmatic ally, however, is the stuff my sometimes still girlish dreams are made of! While I am fangirling, please don't make the mistake of thinking this is a "girl" book. This is definitely one the guys will appreciate. It is fast paced, taking readers through the highs and lows of the hero's journey, and the ending was a coin toss right up until the end. There were a lot of corpses littering the desert road of this race, and those who didn't die might sometimes wish they had. I have already started talking it up to my students, giving them the heads up about its summer publication. I can't wait until I can get a copy in my classroom library because I know it is going to be a big hit with high school readers of both genders. I know my high school librarian is going to want a copy as well. Language and situations are probably grade 9+, but I think that blood thirsty middle schoolers will devour it and learn some important lessons about what it means to be tough in the process. As an adult reader, I found I couldn't put it down. ...more

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Jul 19, 2015 ExLibris_Kate rated it really liked it

3.5 stars
I don’t usually pay too much attention to the comparisons that publishers make when describing books, but in the case of Stone Rider, Mad Max meets The Road is a very accurate description. With a bare bones narrative style, Stone Rider tells the story of three riders who take on a no holds barred race across a dessert wasteland for a chance at a better life. This is the premise that you understand going in, but what I found as I read the book was that the motivations of each rider reall ...more

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May 16, 2015 J rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, ya, amvi, science-fiction, dystopia

David Hofmeyr's Stone Rider is the type of book that keeps coming at you and doesn't let up even as you hit the end. The story is pretty basic. To get out of no kind of life on the planet Earth sometime in the future where the air is toxic, one needs to win a potentially deadly byke race through a harsh desert landscape. Adam, the main character, has lost plenty and finds he has nothing to lose by entering the race. Along the way he must do battle with both inner and outer forces but gets some h ...more

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Jun 30, 2015 Tina (Fantastic Book Review) rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, fantasy, dystopian

The beginning of this book was so intriguing that i couldn't help but be pulled into its pages. I kept having flash backs of Mad Max which made me appreciate Adam's journey even more. He's one fierce character and it was always an adventure, filled with action and danger where he was concerned. I fell completely in love with the world that David created.

I couldn't imagine being in Adam's shoes and it's no wonder he did everything in his power to escape Blackwater. Seeing life through his eyes w ...more

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May 19, 2015 Randy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A novel of a byke race with a huge prize: Sky-Base and a life of luxury away from the drudgery of the mine. A course thousands of miles of waste lands, obstacle courses, traps, the only weapon allowed a sling.

And you'd need it. There were outlaws in the waste lands, cannibals, wolves, and the other contestants.

Adam Stone didn't plan to race originally. He had a byke, one his brother had rode until the accident had taken a leg. He wanted to stay for his brother. Then an enemy, Levi Blood, son of ...more

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Jun 04, 2015 brian rated it it was amazing

Small disclaimer: I've worked in advertising with David for a long time and seen his evolution from authorly planner to published author.

It's the first time I've ever read a fictional book written by someone I know and I was surprised at how quickly I stopped hearing David's voice as I read and got immersed in this fantastic, violent world. The economy of his language is impressive as the characters and race are so vivid. I don't usually read YA fiction and was surprised that it's bleak yet ful ...more

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Jul 13, 2015 Araseli rated it really liked it

Surprisingly I really liked this book it's very unique and different. This book is a gritty dystopian/scifi with a feel of hunger games to it. Right off the back I liked the main character, the fast pace and the world building is amazing. Non Stop action so it was a fast read for me. Definitely put this on your TBR. The companion novel comes out next year; so hopefully it's a continuation of this awesome story. ...more

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Jun 16, 2015 Eleanor.emma rated it really liked it

Shelves: arcs

This is an adventure, a journey of loss and friendship and love and finally being the person you are meant to be. I really like the old western feel to it.

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Jun 18, 2015 BooKss101|Miranda rated it really liked it

My BookTube review https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=f1QvBw2... :) ...more

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Jul 27, 2015 Kim Markett rated it it was amazing

I think boys will even love this more. I hope there are more stories. There wasn't a cliff hanger,thank god, i just wanna read about what could happen in the future with everyone, even Kane! ...more

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Jan 20, 2016 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed

Stone Rider isn't normally the type of book I would choose for myself, but when I had the opportunity to read and review an advance copy, I decided to take a chance based on the completely intriguing summary. It's a complete understatement for me to say that I am SO glad I decided to read this book.

WHAT I LOVED…

From the very start, I got a serious Mad Max vibe from this book, and because of that, I was totally hooked. I absolutely loved the crazy intense and weird landscape of Mad Max: Fury Ro

...more

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Oct 25, 2014 Stephanie Ward rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: for-review, will-trade, owned, print-arc

3.5 Stars

'Stone Rider' is a gripping and fast paced novel that will have readers eagerly turning each page to see what will happen next! The story follows main character, Adam Stone, who dreams of leaving his desert hometown for the luxurious Sky-Base. The only way for Adam to have a chance of going to live on Sky-Base is to race the Blackwater Trail - and win. He's not alone in his determination to beat the course - the dangerous Kane is racing against him, along with Sadie Blood - Adam's longt 3.5 Stars

'Stone Rider' is a gripping and fast paced novel that will have readers eagerly turning each page to see what will happen next! The story follows main character, Adam Stone, who dreams of leaving his desert hometown for the luxurious Sky-Base. The only way for Adam to have a chance of going to live on Sky-Base is to race the Blackwater Trail - and win. He's not alone in his determination to beat the course - the dangerous Kane is racing against him, along with Sadie Blood - Adam's longtime crush. The Blackwater Trail is meant to break the contestants - body and soul - and will test each of them in ways they never dreamed. But only the strongest will survive the race and be given a ticket to Sky-Base. Will Adam be able to beat both Kane and Sadie in the race? Just how badly does Adam want to leave this life behind and start fresh on Sky-Base? What is he willing to do to ensure he wins the race?

I thought that this was a strong debut novel that shows a lot of promise for the author. It turned not to be something I was really into, but that's all on me - not the book. The description basically tells the majority of the story - it's about these teens who enter a really hard dirtbike race, and all of the obstacles and situations they encounter along the way. The characters were well written with distinctive personalities and traits, especially the main character Adam, and the secondary characters of Kane and Sadie. I liked watching each of their characters reveal a little bit more about themselves throughout the book. Their interactions with one another and during the race proved to be interesting to watch as well. I enjoyed getting to know each of them on a deeper level throughout the story.

The story is full of action and adventure - which isn't surprising due to the plot - as well as a bit of romance. The story takes place in a dystopian world that's been basically reduced to desert. The majority of the residents in the town where Adam lives have oxygen masks or air filter masks that they use to help get clean air - instead of the acrid, dust filled air that surrounds them. I didn't think there was a lot of world building - especially when it came to the town or other towns around them. We don't get a clear picture of what this place is like, except for the trail - which is the main focus of the story. When I read dystopian novels, I want to be able to slip inside the world the author has created - even though it may be incredibly different from our own. I wasn't able to do that with this book, which made it hard for me to empathize with the characters on a deeper level and I couldn't put myself inside the story alongside them - which was another thing that hindered my experience. The race itself and all of the obstacles and situations that the three riders encounter was exciting. You never quite knew what was going to happen next - there were several obstacle courses along the way and lots of other dangerous paths they had to take. That aspect of the book was full of action and adventure with some suspense because you had no idea what was going to happen. Dangerous situations were hiding around every corner, and that's without taking the environment or the riders themselves into the equation. Overall, this was a good debut novel that shows that the author has lots of talent and potential. I'm hoping that his next book will better utilize these skills and I'll be able to have a completely different experience than I did with this one. I do recommend this book to fans of science fiction and dystopian stories, along with fans of action, adventure, dirtbikes, and racing.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jun 10, 2015 Zachary Flye rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Review:

Protagonist: Adam Stone wants to get out of Blackwater and the only way to get out is to ride the Blackwater Trail, but there are a few things holding him back, things like his brother, the girl he wants more than anything to be with, and his own low self-esteem. A series of events lead to Adam needing to enter the race, and with a resolve to win he heads out in the most dangerous race of his life. For the most part I liked the character of Adam, at first he's a bit self-deprecating, he's Review:

Protagonist: Adam Stone wants to get out of Blackwater and the only way to get out is to ride the Blackwater Trail, but there are a few things holding him back, things like his brother, the girl he wants more than anything to be with, and his own low self-esteem. A series of events lead to Adam needing to enter the race, and with a resolve to win he heads out in the most dangerous race of his life. For the most part I liked the character of Adam, at first he's a bit self-deprecating, he's not quite sure if he could complete the race, let alone win it. He's not a very strong character, but over the course of the book his resolve steels and he changes. My only criticism of Adam is his feelings for Sadie, I felt like I was told how he felt rather than was shown it.

Romance: Speaking of which the romance with Sadie and Adam was extremely boring. Now first off there isn't a lot of romance, which normally isn't a bad thing, but since the romance is sort of a "selling point" in the description I was expecting something more. Secondly I felt no chemistry between the two, at least not at first, as the book rides on its last legs I actually started rooting for them a bit, but for most of the book I felt nothing. Actually I kind of joked in my Goodreads updates that I was shipping Adam and Kane, and the sad reality is that Kane and Adam ended up having more chemistry than Adam and Sadie.

World-Building: In this post-apocalyptic wasteland there are a few known townships occupied by the "Left Behind" and a space station filled with luxury and decadence, or so the stories say. Here people ride bykes, motorcycles that can learn from you movements and some say keep an echo of your soul, and those who rode before you within its mechanism. For a world as seemingly small as this one, there was a lot to it. There were always new things to learn and understand about it, the sad part is, what I initially thought was a standalone (which it still might be?) looks now to be a series and with it so many more questions than answers. I'll be interested to see, if this is a series, how the world will continue to develop and what new answers are out there.

Predictability: For the most part this book wasn't all that predictable, in fact there was probably only one actual twist that I was able to predict. However this happened to be the biggest twist in the book. What's even worse is that the author practically tells the reader before the reveal taking away the great shock and surprise. I mean, sure I guessed the twist before the answer was practically crammed down my throat, but having it validated in such an unofficial way kind of ruined it for me.

Ending: So like I said, I originally thought this to be a standalone, which it might still be. If it is a standalone, the ending sucks, plain and simple. There's too much left up in the air and I would have preferred a more conclusive end. However I'm going to treat this, and rate this, like it's the first book in a series. If that's the case this ending was very well done. Like most first books it's plateaus at the end giving no real cliffhanger or shocking twist, there is however a declaration that makes it clear that this isn't the end.

Rating:

So tentatively I'm giving this book four stars on the hope that this is really the beginning of a series, however if it turns out that this is a standalone, then I'll have to demote it to either two or three stars. However this is still an enjoyable read, very high octane and exciting! ...more

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Jul 26, 2015 Aeicha rated it it was amazing

Fifteen year old Adam Stone lives in the harsh desert town of Blackwater and wants nothing more than to get out. His one chance of earning a one-way ticket to the luxurious world of Sky-Base is also a potentially deadly one: win the brutal Blackwater Trail byke race. Adam, along with the mysterious Kane and tough, gorgeous Sadie Blood, set out to ride this hellish race and find themselves pushed to their limits, hunted by dangerous foes, and faced with cruel truths.

David Hofmeyr’s Stone Rider is Fifteen year old Adam Stone lives in the harsh desert town of Blackwater and wants nothing more than to get out. His one chance of earning a one-way ticket to the luxurious world of Sky-Base is also a potentially deadly one: win the brutal Blackwater Trail byke race. Adam, along with the mysterious Kane and tough, gorgeous Sadie Blood, set out to ride this hellish race and find themselves pushed to their limits, hunted by dangerous foes, and faced with cruel truths.

David Hofmeyr’s Stone Rider is an entertaining, wonderfully crafted Young Adult novel that is part dystopian, part western, and all kinds of thrilling! While reminiscent of The Hunger Games, in its razor-sharp, thought-provoking look at class; humanity; and survival, and its unabashed brutality, Stone Rider offers its own unique and complex premise. Hofmeyr creates a bleak, yet entirely enthralling setting with his harsh desert landscapes and almost otherworldly seeming Sky-Base. Adam’s world is a gritty, unforgiving, and, at times, bloody, one. From the saloons selling surprising offerings and the sparse, broken feel of Blackwater to the high-tech world of bykes and Riders, drones, and space civilizations, I loved the cool mix of old-time western and futuristic sci-fi elements within Stone Rider.

What I like most about the characters in Stone Rider, is that they aren’t necessarily likable in a traditional sense. These aren’t characters I would want to be friends with, but I found them utterly engrossing and engaging. From earnest Adam, to mysterious Kane, capable Sadie, and a handful of nasty baddies, readers will be captivated by their stories.

Wickedly fast-paced, Stone Rider takes its characters and readers on an edge of your seat (or byke!) ride. Hofmeyr does an excellent job of creating suspense off all kinds, from explosive to quiet. Adam, Kane, and Sadie are definitely put through the hellish, bloody ringer and readers won’t be able to look away for a second of it.

my final thoughts: With its smart concept, exhilarating storytelling, and memorable characters, Stone Rider is an awesome debut and exciting Young Adult read. I can’t wait for the sequel! ...more

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Feb 14, 2016 Once rated it liked it

There is something really special about Stone Riders and that is uniqueness. It’s packed with actions and is incredibly good for lovers of wild books. You ride hard or you die. This is pretty much how it goes down. Although the book is good, it is not great. Honestly, I didn’t connect with any of the characters. Which by the way are all male and there is only one female character. Weird, huh?

Adam Stone is not your typical character. He is a tough cookie to crack. Life as an orphan hasn’t been ea There is something really special about Stone Riders and that is uniqueness. It’s packed with actions and is incredibly good for lovers of wild books. You ride hard or you die. This is pretty much how it goes down. Although the book is good, it is not great. Honestly, I didn’t connect with any of the characters. Which by the way are all male and there is only one female character. Weird, huh?

Adam Stone is not your typical character. He is a tough cookie to crack. Life as an orphan hasn’t been easy for him. He has learned the hard way. Most importantly, how to survive. Now, he has one goal in mind - Sky-Base. If you were to ask me what Sky-Base is, I would say, a place where people have a better life? There isn’t much details about this place. Only that is a goal for Adam. A place in which he is willing to enter some type of win-or-die race to earn a pass. Personally, I imagine this place to be a very wealthy live on a man-made space station - like in the movie Elysium. Actually this whole entire book reminded me of this movie with the cast looking like Son of Anarchy-ish..?

Okay, so Adam and everyone are bada$$. They love to fight, kill, you name it - they will do anything and everything to survive. What’s cool about them is they’re connected with their bykes - yes with the y. They have this sort of special bond. Now the only girl in this book is Sadie. Another thing that is not explain. Anyways, she totally intimidating. She has a fling with Adam. Another thing I did not understand - their relationship. It was odd.

Overall Stone Rider is very unique, unlike anything I’ve read. It’s packed with actions, something I loved. I enjoyed how all the characters love to destroy things. I loved their survival skills. However, there are many things that were not explained. My biggest issue with this book. And the romance - not really romantic, at all. But it is a good story to read and learning all these survival skills. Certainly entertaining!

http://www.onceuponatwilight.com/2015... ...more

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Jul 26, 2015 Emma rated it really liked it

Stone Rider is a YA book that is definitely more geared towards boys, riding bykes (fancy mind-melding motorcycles that run on sun-power)and minimal romantic entanglement, there's a girl, Adam has a major crush on her, he's incoherent when she's around, he races and writes her off until she joins him.

I really enjoyed this book, which is surprising because I wasn't expecting to, it didn't seem like my type of book at all. The characters really made the book. Adam was great, he's your average kid ...more

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Aug 02, 2015 Denise Weintraut rated it really liked it

Shelves: 7th-grade, 8th-grade, high-school, bea-2015

Overall, this novel was a modern, sci-fi take on old westerns. The grit, violence, and raw circumstances make it a bundle of toughness that shines light on the human quality of perseverance. This is a Mad Max take on the ultimate gun fight, with a bit of modern motorcycle racing.

In a decrepit future world, Earth is barren and those left living on its surface are poor and left to struggle for their meager existence. Humans living on Earth are stuck mining (and dying) for the benefit of those luck ...more

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Aug 06, 2015 Barbara rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: animals, character-building, death, disabilities, unlikely-friendships, families, friendship, bullies, conflict, compassion

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I ended up liking this book a lot more than I expected to. The cover with its cycles zooming across arid land didn't really appeal to me. (Yes, I am quite aware that it will appeal to many others.) I didn't know what to make of the characters, especially Adam Stone, who wants to race in the Blackwater Trail, but is afraid to leave behind his disabled brother. I liked Sadie Blood, but I worried that she was just in the book to provide sexual tension. I had no idea what the backstory for Kane, the ...more

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Oct 19, 2015 Todd Burnett rated it really liked it

So ... what we have here is the first of a serial (which I'm not a fan of), however, on it's own, this is a respectable read. There's plenty of action and suspense, a bit of a twist near the end (though not entirely unexpected), and enough imagination and inventiveness to keep you thoroughly interested throughout.

There are, though, some really weird things which I found hard to take in:

First, the dystopian futuristic setting of this is reasonable, but the main weapon used throughout is a sling. ...more

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Jul 07, 2015 Jana rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, books-2015, 2015-summer-challenge-33

4 soft frosted sugar cookies.

Cover Love: I like how it is simple but eye catching. Appealing to many readers.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
This one actually flew under my radar until I was offered a chance to participate in the blog tour. I looked up the synopsis and decided I wanted to give this one a try.

Romance?: Not really, although Adam does have a crush during the book.

My Thoughts:

Dystopian books used to be my absolute favorite genre. There have been some great ones--The Giver, The Hunger Game ...more

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Jul 20, 2015 Dianne Hofmeyr rated it it was amazing

This is a fast-paced read, but what struck me was that despite the fact that it's adrenalin-fueled dystopic novel, the language is finely tuned and evocative. In very few words the writer pulls you into a gritty world of dust and disintegration. There are no overly descriptive passages, no adverbs, just razor sharp sentences where words are almost too few. Like the best in Annie Prouxl. It's pitch perfect... the dialogue carrying the action. Adam, Kane and Sadie are as real as they could ever be ...more

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Jul 29, 2015 Lara Cross rated it it was amazing

Stone Rider is exactly the type of young adult fiction I want my children to be reading. Set in an undetermined, yet not unrealistic future, it covers a multitude of themes from loss, friendship, fear, independence, love, and the misuse of power. But most importantly, it's a wild exciting ride that will appeal to anyone with a sense of adventure. This is not just for young adults!! ...more

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Aug 14, 2015 vvb rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, dystopia, review-copy-received

GOT me at the get go!

Bykes and bonding in a desert race setting makes this an exciting read with a wild west vibe. There's even a couple showdowns to spice things up.

Loved the three main characters, each heroes in their own special and unique ways.

The snappy and snarky dialogue (or lack of) was so amusing. It had me chuckling at times. ...more

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Sep 29, 2015 Glen Drysdale rated it it was amazing

Exceptionally paced and vividly descriptive with an economy of words which pushes you forward at break neck speed, Stone Rider is an absolute blast!

David Hofmeyr's gift is balancing the 'human touch' inherent in his lead character, Adam Stone, with the brutal savagery he must face.

The pace is taut, unrelenting and physical.

...more

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Crazy for Young A...: Stone Rider by David Hofmeyr → Start Date: March 20th, 2016	2	7	Feb 22, 2016 05:38PM

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About David Hofmeyr

David Hofmeyr

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David Hofmeyr is the award-winning author of The Between and Stone Rider, which has been sold in 17 territories. He was born in South Africa in 1972 and lives in London.

In 2013, David graduated from Bath Spa University with an MA in Writing for Young People. His first book, Stone Rider, was published in 2015.

His books are published by Penguin in the UK, Australia and the Commonwealth, Random House ...more