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Cantral Chronicles #1
Precisely Terminated
With microchips implanted in their skulls at birth, the slaves of Cantral and Cillineese have labored under the tyrannical rule of the Nobles and their computers for decades. Monica, a Noble who avoided the implanting and escaped a death sentence at the age of four, is now sixteen and is in hiding. She lives with the slaves inside the walls of the Cantral palace, pretending to be one of them while the slave council plots a way to use her chip-less state to destroy the all-powerful computers that strike down any hint of rebellion.The Nobles hear of Monica’s survival and try to exterminate her before she ruins their upper-class utopia. The rebels send her to find a missing paper bearing instructions on how to shut down the computers that control the chips in Cillineese, a major city-state. The Nobles are alerted to the plan and prepare to seal Cillineese in a giant dome to gas the inhabitants, including Monica.The fate of millions rides on Monica’s shoulders. As the only chip-less person in the world, she must find the paper, destroy the computers, and free Cillineese from the Nobles’ iron fist before they strike with the ultimate punishment—death for everyone inside the city walls.
464 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
10 people are currently reading
284 people want to read
About the author
Amanda L. Davis
5 books62 followersAmanda L. Davis is the award-winning teen author of the Cantral Chronicles, a dystopian trilogy. She enjoys reading and writing and comes up with new novel ideas while sewing, spinning yarn, quilting, and embroidering. She was born and raised a Florida girl and loves the warmth of the South.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
November 11, 2015
Picking to read this book because Miss Amanda's father (Bryan Davis) is one of my FAVORITE authors, I have really enjoyed Precisely Terminated. I think she writes a lot like her father.
About 850 years in the future everyone has microchips implanted in their skulls at birth. The world is ruled by the nobles and their computers. Most people are slaves living under the tyrannical rule of these nobles. It has been this way for centuries. When Monica (a noble) escapes death in the city Cillineese, she becomes the only person without a microchip. Now she lives in Cantral (the capital) in hiding pretending to be a slave, while the slave council tries to find a way for her to use her chip-less state to destroy the computers. The fate of millions rests on her shoulders.
This book was a very well written and believable tale with a hopeful ending. I have never read Christian dystopian novel before this and I must say I liked it. The main character, Monica, was well interpreted. But I didn't connect well with the main character. I still enjoyed reading about her, though I usually like male protagonists better. There were quite a lot of characters that were in the book for only a small amount of time but played important roles. But because they were there for so short a time, I didn't really get to know any of them.
It was a bit confusing at the beginning, but that's because I was trying to figure out how this world works. I understood the world better as I read. Also, it took almost until the end for me to get in to it, but once I was I was hooked. It's an amazing journey, pretty fast-paced (a bit too fast-paced), and has a good bit of danger. Though too many people died and they died so quickly.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes fiction, especially dystopian or adventure. It was a very good book. Quite entertaining. I'm excited to see how the rest of The Cantral Chronicles unfolds.
You can check out this review on my blog too, at: https://aheartredeemed.wordpress.com/... Thanks!
About 850 years in the future everyone has microchips implanted in their skulls at birth. The world is ruled by the nobles and their computers. Most people are slaves living under the tyrannical rule of these nobles. It has been this way for centuries. When Monica (a noble) escapes death in the city Cillineese, she becomes the only person without a microchip. Now she lives in Cantral (the capital) in hiding pretending to be a slave, while the slave council tries to find a way for her to use her chip-less state to destroy the computers. The fate of millions rests on her shoulders.
This book was a very well written and believable tale with a hopeful ending. I have never read Christian dystopian novel before this and I must say I liked it. The main character, Monica, was well interpreted. But I didn't connect well with the main character. I still enjoyed reading about her, though I usually like male protagonists better. There were quite a lot of characters that were in the book for only a small amount of time but played important roles. But because they were there for so short a time, I didn't really get to know any of them.
It was a bit confusing at the beginning, but that's because I was trying to figure out how this world works. I understood the world better as I read. Also, it took almost until the end for me to get in to it, but once I was I was hooked. It's an amazing journey, pretty fast-paced (a bit too fast-paced), and has a good bit of danger. Though too many people died and they died so quickly.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes fiction, especially dystopian or adventure. It was a very good book. Quite entertaining. I'm excited to see how the rest of The Cantral Chronicles unfolds.
You can check out this review on my blog too, at: https://aheartredeemed.wordpress.com/... Thanks!
February 5, 2012
Precisely Terminated is a multi-faceted story set in an intriguing societal structure that is explored through experiences rather than explained in exposition. Miss Davis has weaved the plotlines very nicely throughout the pace of the pages.
High, meaningful action drives Monica, the main character, from one location and task to the next, all the while, sending the reader through dark slave tunnels, unknown doors, and on a journey toward Monica's self-realization. She is believable as an unwilling savior, caught in a place where she is unsure who she is anymore. Her behavior is occasionally irrational, but for a person under duress her entire life, it is understandable to have lapses; this only adds to her authenticity.
While Precisely Terminated begins with a rather depressing outset, the opening events do a fantastic job of establishing the horrors of this dystopian world. Miss Davis paints Monica's daily life and her limited universe as an extremely rich, raw, and layered series of circumstances, detailed places, and people steeped in emotional depth.
Numerous secondary characters we meet all serve a specific purpose, if only to example how vast these cities are. Miss Davis holds nothing back in showing the intensity of each slave's will to survive and how futile it can sometimes be.
The final chapters of Precisely Terminated rise to an exhilarating climax in a rare tempo that beguiles the reader but does not exhaust him. The story's finale is such that the story is fully completed, yet wide open for the sequel. I cannot wait for Miss Davis' next book, Noble Imposter.
High, meaningful action drives Monica, the main character, from one location and task to the next, all the while, sending the reader through dark slave tunnels, unknown doors, and on a journey toward Monica's self-realization. She is believable as an unwilling savior, caught in a place where she is unsure who she is anymore. Her behavior is occasionally irrational, but for a person under duress her entire life, it is understandable to have lapses; this only adds to her authenticity.
While Precisely Terminated begins with a rather depressing outset, the opening events do a fantastic job of establishing the horrors of this dystopian world. Miss Davis paints Monica's daily life and her limited universe as an extremely rich, raw, and layered series of circumstances, detailed places, and people steeped in emotional depth.
Numerous secondary characters we meet all serve a specific purpose, if only to example how vast these cities are. Miss Davis holds nothing back in showing the intensity of each slave's will to survive and how futile it can sometimes be.
The final chapters of Precisely Terminated rise to an exhilarating climax in a rare tempo that beguiles the reader but does not exhaust him. The story's finale is such that the story is fully completed, yet wide open for the sequel. I cannot wait for Miss Davis' next book, Noble Imposter.
August 12, 2016
Amanda Davis’s science fiction novel Precisely Terminated captures the reader’s attention from the opening chapter. Davis’s clear, logical style of writing fills her pages with valor and adventure. However, the three main reasons this book has become one of my favorites is because of the book’s dynamic and realistic characters, the fully-developed and detailed world, and the powerful examples of self-sacrifice and bravery.
Precisely Terminated has a cast of characters that display real personalities. From Iain to Alyssa, each character has been thoroughly developed, making them come to life on the pages. Perhaps the best example of an unforgettable character is Simon, the crotchety old librarian in Cillinese. Specific facial descriptions help the reader to picture Simon, and his habits and speech reveal a tender core under his crusty appearance. The protagonist, Monica, exhibits the traits of a dynamic character. While Monica begins her quest as a somewhat self-centered girl, the reader enjoys seeing her grow into a compassionate young woman who is willing to risk her life in order to free her people.
While the characters are vital to the brilliance of the story, the book could not be the same without the fully-developed world Amanda Davis has created. Although some worlds set in the future often contain loopholes and unexplained devices, the world of Precisely Terminated is very developed and has been thought through. The transportation, social classes, and occupations are extremely clear, making the novel understandable for any reader and set the stage for the exciting plot.
Lastly, this science fiction story demonstrates striking examples of love and self-sacrifice. Perhaps the two best areas that show this are at the very beginning and end of the book. Faye, a character any reader will view as noble, shows her fierce love for Monica by dying and letting the young girl escape from the gas-filled chambers. This strong emotion helps to make Monica a character the reader can admire. This admiration climaxes when, although Monica loses part of her fingers and later nearly her life, she continues on in her desperate search to do what Faye did for her—to save the people of Cillinese from death.
Because of the characters, the setting, and the lessons one can learn from Amanda Davis’s masterful writing, Precisely Terminated is a novel all can savor.
Precisely Terminated has a cast of characters that display real personalities. From Iain to Alyssa, each character has been thoroughly developed, making them come to life on the pages. Perhaps the best example of an unforgettable character is Simon, the crotchety old librarian in Cillinese. Specific facial descriptions help the reader to picture Simon, and his habits and speech reveal a tender core under his crusty appearance. The protagonist, Monica, exhibits the traits of a dynamic character. While Monica begins her quest as a somewhat self-centered girl, the reader enjoys seeing her grow into a compassionate young woman who is willing to risk her life in order to free her people.
While the characters are vital to the brilliance of the story, the book could not be the same without the fully-developed world Amanda Davis has created. Although some worlds set in the future often contain loopholes and unexplained devices, the world of Precisely Terminated is very developed and has been thought through. The transportation, social classes, and occupations are extremely clear, making the novel understandable for any reader and set the stage for the exciting plot.
Lastly, this science fiction story demonstrates striking examples of love and self-sacrifice. Perhaps the two best areas that show this are at the very beginning and end of the book. Faye, a character any reader will view as noble, shows her fierce love for Monica by dying and letting the young girl escape from the gas-filled chambers. This strong emotion helps to make Monica a character the reader can admire. This admiration climaxes when, although Monica loses part of her fingers and later nearly her life, she continues on in her desperate search to do what Faye did for her—to save the people of Cillinese from death.
Because of the characters, the setting, and the lessons one can learn from Amanda Davis’s masterful writing, Precisely Terminated is a novel all can savor.
June 8, 2017
It took me too long to finish this book but that's not because I didn't like it; school and other books I was nagged to read just got in my way. That being said, onwards to the review!
I picked this up at a writer's conference. Amanda was teaching the continuing classes I was signed up for and her snippets she used as examples intrigued me; so how could I not buy the whole trilogy and get her to sign it?
There was some great stuff in here and some stuff I wasn't so fond of but in the end, this book has a special place in my heart. Knowing the author and loving the main character will do that to you ;)
Since I like to end on a positive note, let's start with the stuff I wasn't as keen on:
1) There were too many named characters. I felt like sometimes characters were named just for the sake of naming them and it often had me losing track of them. I would have been okay to never know many of the names of many of the characters. (some of them did have super cool names though!)
2) Poor Monica had no allies! So many people helped her but none of them believed in her. I love stories with strong friendships and I often fall in love with secondary characters. What can I say? I have a weakness for them. (SPOILER: Simon allies with her in the very end but I would have liked to see more support from him or another character throughout the rest of the novel)
3) There was a lot going on. The build up to the climax was great but as a sucker for short punchy stories (flash fiction for the win!), it felt a little too extended. However, I understand the importance of some scenes and I know they're gonna make an appearance in the next book.
And now for the good!
1) The world building! I LOVE stories with amazing world building and this book was full of it! The culture and social cues that were woven into every page had me beyond curious the entire time (SPOILER: and at the end we got to see one of the cities outside and I was practically squealing with excitement of a new world to explore). If you love some great world building, you'll love what Amanda does here.
2) Monica's character arc was great. Not only does she learn things about herself and the world, she's still got room for growth and that excites me more than anything. I really want to see how Monica changes more throughout the trilogy. I have a feeling she'll be going far.
3) The climax was great. I couldn't put the book down for the last hundred pages or so. There's tons of action and suspense, a bunch of information comes together, there's betrayal and feels: it's a great ending with a great lead into the next book.
4) All the characters in general were very human. I never once felt I was looking at a cookie cutter version of a character. Amanda did a great job breathing life into even the side characters or the ones that show up for less than a page. It helped with the world building to have so much life in each and every character.
If you're looking for a clean dystopia with a vivid world and great characters, you should pick this one up. You might need a bit of patience if you have a short attention span like me but stick it out to the end! It'll be worth it. There's some more graphic scenes but it's not awful. I'd say that if you can read the Hunger Games, you'll be fine with this one.
I'm definitely gonna read the next one once I finish the other books more friends have been nagging me to read and I'll review that one when I'm finished too.
Overall, this is a fresh Christian Young Adult book that steers clear of the negative stereotype so often pinned on Christian YA. Amanda is clearly a writer with great talent and I predict her future novels will blow me away :)
I picked this up at a writer's conference. Amanda was teaching the continuing classes I was signed up for and her snippets she used as examples intrigued me; so how could I not buy the whole trilogy and get her to sign it?
There was some great stuff in here and some stuff I wasn't so fond of but in the end, this book has a special place in my heart. Knowing the author and loving the main character will do that to you ;)
Since I like to end on a positive note, let's start with the stuff I wasn't as keen on:
1) There were too many named characters. I felt like sometimes characters were named just for the sake of naming them and it often had me losing track of them. I would have been okay to never know many of the names of many of the characters. (some of them did have super cool names though!)
2) Poor Monica had no allies! So many people helped her but none of them believed in her. I love stories with strong friendships and I often fall in love with secondary characters. What can I say? I have a weakness for them. (SPOILER: Simon allies with her in the very end but I would have liked to see more support from him or another character throughout the rest of the novel)
3) There was a lot going on. The build up to the climax was great but as a sucker for short punchy stories (flash fiction for the win!), it felt a little too extended. However, I understand the importance of some scenes and I know they're gonna make an appearance in the next book.
And now for the good!
1) The world building! I LOVE stories with amazing world building and this book was full of it! The culture and social cues that were woven into every page had me beyond curious the entire time (SPOILER: and at the end we got to see one of the cities outside and I was practically squealing with excitement of a new world to explore). If you love some great world building, you'll love what Amanda does here.
2) Monica's character arc was great. Not only does she learn things about herself and the world, she's still got room for growth and that excites me more than anything. I really want to see how Monica changes more throughout the trilogy. I have a feeling she'll be going far.
3) The climax was great. I couldn't put the book down for the last hundred pages or so. There's tons of action and suspense, a bunch of information comes together, there's betrayal and feels: it's a great ending with a great lead into the next book.
4) All the characters in general were very human. I never once felt I was looking at a cookie cutter version of a character. Amanda did a great job breathing life into even the side characters or the ones that show up for less than a page. It helped with the world building to have so much life in each and every character.
If you're looking for a clean dystopia with a vivid world and great characters, you should pick this one up. You might need a bit of patience if you have a short attention span like me but stick it out to the end! It'll be worth it. There's some more graphic scenes but it's not awful. I'd say that if you can read the Hunger Games, you'll be fine with this one.
I'm definitely gonna read the next one once I finish the other books more friends have been nagging me to read and I'll review that one when I'm finished too.
Overall, this is a fresh Christian Young Adult book that steers clear of the negative stereotype so often pinned on Christian YA. Amanda is clearly a writer with great talent and I predict her future novels will blow me away :)
May 18, 2012
I really liked this book. It is truly a new story. Though I agree with some of the reviews within the story, the setting is dystopian, but I got a strong sense that Monica's story is more science fiction. It's incredible what the library within the tale did to set the stage with familiar book titles that truly gave a sense of time distance. Cilineese's distance from Cantral seemed relatively short from the rest of the world. Knowing that the story was written by a compatriot made me engaged at first. After that, Monica's dependence on the chips of others to survive took over. That's where it started, then I was glad her chips did not kill her, though they tried very often. The Nobles' punishment for the slaves were likely uncalled for shocks to the back of their necks. I mean uncalled for because shocks could kill if slaves ventured too far from their designated areas or were running too slow for their 'noble' masters.
The best part of the book for me was seeing how Monica faced her fears and won over them. Fears of the dark, open spaces and even death were overcome for the greater good. It saddened me for how easily some characters were killed, and for how little an offense. But Monica acted not just for her friends or their sakes, but for the cause she had been kept alive.
More than that, I have an associative memory. Around the time I read of Monica's fingers being damaged, I strained to open a box of soy nuts to enjoy as I read. The box lid came off and my left thumb was tender. I got a plastic cut at my second knuckle around the same time Monica received her wounds. Talk about memorable! I cannot wait for Monica's continuing adventures in Noble Imposter.
The best part of the book for me was seeing how Monica faced her fears and won over them. Fears of the dark, open spaces and even death were overcome for the greater good. It saddened me for how easily some characters were killed, and for how little an offense. But Monica acted not just for her friends or their sakes, but for the cause she had been kept alive.
More than that, I have an associative memory. Around the time I read of Monica's fingers being damaged, I strained to open a box of soy nuts to enjoy as I read. The box lid came off and my left thumb was tender. I got a plastic cut at my second knuckle around the same time Monica received her wounds. Talk about memorable! I cannot wait for Monica's continuing adventures in Noble Imposter.
November 8, 2011
Get ready to dive into this intriguing dystopian? The author creates a world so realistic the reader will be left thinking about the book long after placing it down for the time being. The details of every aspect are there for the reader to form a picture of the characters, environment, dynamic scenes, etc...
Monica, the main character, is one of the best features of this book. She is very dynamic in the story, she slowly matures throughout the book from a slightly self-centered girl to a proud, brave young woman. She will make the reader proud as she strives to help the others around her. The other secondary characters are extremely interesting and each will affect different readers in different ways. The secondary characters are not the "wallpaper" in this novel, the author describes them carefully and in full detail.
The events of this book are fast-paced and exciting, who doesn't love a great dystopian? The characters drive this story, Monica's actions set off a chain of events that will have the reader on the edge of his/her seat. This book will end with a twist and the reader will look forward to a sequel. This novel is recommended to young adult/teens.
September 30, 2011
When I heard that one of my good friends was going to have her book published, I was extremely happy. Amanda Davis's writing has always been something that I've admired and the plot to this book sounded very intriguing. As soon as I received an advanced reader's copy, I picked up the book and began to devour it. From the first chapter, we're given great description and storytelling. I got into the book right away and hated putting it down. Unfortunately, I did not finish this as fast as I would have due to a very busy schedule.
Before Precisely Terminated, I had never read a dystopian novel before. For a first-time dystopian reader, I was very impressed. I loved the theme of the whole story and the different way things worked. It was so unlike any other fiction I've read. Not only was the storyline intriguing, but the characters equally so. Our main character is like none I've ever encountered before. I loved her progression throughout the story.
I am already very much looking forward to the next two books in the series. Following Monica's adventures to save everyone is going to be an incredible journey, I can already tell. In so saying, I highly recommend this book!
Before Precisely Terminated, I had never read a dystopian novel before. For a first-time dystopian reader, I was very impressed. I loved the theme of the whole story and the different way things worked. It was so unlike any other fiction I've read. Not only was the storyline intriguing, but the characters equally so. Our main character is like none I've ever encountered before. I loved her progression throughout the story.
I am already very much looking forward to the next two books in the series. Following Monica's adventures to save everyone is going to be an incredible journey, I can already tell. In so saying, I highly recommend this book!
May 5, 2012
Written by Amanda L. Davis, an award winning author of the,"Cantral Chronicles" a dystopian triology, "Precisely Terminated" is book one of a new series that is based on a dystopian world where computers control a person's entire life by virture of implanted chips.
The central character, Monica, is a sixteen year noble, whom, at the age of four was rescued from a death sentence that wiped out, not only her family, but the residents of the "city" that they had reside in.
Focused on Monica, discovering her fate, and the hopes of millions who lives are placed on her shoulder, "Precisely Terminated" is a thrilling and psychological science fiction story that plays with many questions of "What If" and yet threaded not with subtle messages of gloom, but rather subtle messages of hope as Monica, with the help of others, seek to find a way for a better life for all the people of Cantral and Cillineese.
Geared more for young adults and older, "Precisely Terminated" is a very engrossing story that blends a dystopian view of an unspecified future with wonderful story-telling.
If you enjoy reading science fiction, "Precisely Terminated" is a book to explore.
The central character, Monica, is a sixteen year noble, whom, at the age of four was rescued from a death sentence that wiped out, not only her family, but the residents of the "city" that they had reside in.
Focused on Monica, discovering her fate, and the hopes of millions who lives are placed on her shoulder, "Precisely Terminated" is a thrilling and psychological science fiction story that plays with many questions of "What If" and yet threaded not with subtle messages of gloom, but rather subtle messages of hope as Monica, with the help of others, seek to find a way for a better life for all the people of Cantral and Cillineese.
Geared more for young adults and older, "Precisely Terminated" is a very engrossing story that blends a dystopian view of an unspecified future with wonderful story-telling.
If you enjoy reading science fiction, "Precisely Terminated" is a book to explore.
December 13, 2011
I was privileged to meet Bryan and Amanda Davis and hear the story of how Amanda wrote this story. Later when the opportunity came up to review it I was thrilled. I dove into the story set 800 years in the future when most people are slaves living with in the walls of the palaces of the Nobles. With implanted microchips that tell them where to go, when to be there, what to do and the power to kill them if they disobeyed. Monica is the one girl without a chip which makes her invaluable to those trying to free themselves from the Nobles but which also keeps her a whole different kind of prisoner. Can Monica find the answer to finally freeing the slaves for good?
Well written and very interesting, I was enthralled from beginning to end. I can't wait to see the next installment of this series and see what Amanda does with it next. Top Notch!
Well written and very interesting, I was enthralled from beginning to end. I can't wait to see the next installment of this series and see what Amanda does with it next. Top Notch!
May 2, 2013
My favorite part of this story was the way Monica struggles with the risks she is asked to make, yet always ends up making the right choice. At the beginning of the story she takes the risks because she is given no option, but as the story progresses she becomes more and more proactive. My main frustration was the fact that Monica moves around so much that there is no consistency in the supporting cast. The ending opens the door for the inclusion of more overt Christian themes in book two. Overall I have no complaints about inappropriate content and will be keeping my eyes open for a copy of book two.
P.S. The cover of this book looks like it’s some kind of creepy, haunted ghost story or something. At least it does to me. Don’t worry. It’s not. ;)
P.S. The cover of this book looks like it’s some kind of creepy, haunted ghost story or something. At least it does to me. Don’t worry. It’s not. ;)
April 3, 2025
It was sooo captivating!!
April 19, 2012
‘Precisely terminated,’ by Amanda L. Davis, Living Ink Books, 2011, Ages 136 and Up, 464 Pages, ISBN-13: 978-0899578965, $12.99
Master Joel scooped the four-year-old girl into his arms, kissed her forehead, and then pried her arms from his neck and said, “I’m sorry it has to be this way” then handed her to the kidnapper.
His daughter Monica would be chipped when she turned five, unlike common slaves who were implanted with microchips at birth. The kidnapping meant Monica wouldn’t be chipped but could live in hiding until she grew up.
Without a microchip Monica couldn’t be tracked. She would be hidden and raised by slaves. When she was old enough she would fulfill her destiny, look for and find the master computer’s lost instructions…Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/7ofht7n
Master Joel scooped the four-year-old girl into his arms, kissed her forehead, and then pried her arms from his neck and said, “I’m sorry it has to be this way” then handed her to the kidnapper.
His daughter Monica would be chipped when she turned five, unlike common slaves who were implanted with microchips at birth. The kidnapping meant Monica wouldn’t be chipped but could live in hiding until she grew up.
Without a microchip Monica couldn’t be tracked. She would be hidden and raised by slaves. When she was old enough she would fulfill her destiny, look for and find the master computer’s lost instructions…Full Review: http://tinyurl.com/7ofht7n
January 27, 2015
Wonderful first novel! Really enjoyed this. Even though it's geared for the YA market, all ages will enjoy. The author grabbed me from the first page, and I even put down another book I was reading so I could continue.
February 28, 2016
Review-o to come-o.
May 1, 2018
Chapter one was one of the most intense, emotionally gripping first chapters I've ever read. Throughout the story, Davis describes her heroine Monica's struggles so poignantly that I actually felt hungry and wanted to take a shower. I did wish I were able to connect with a supporting character. Although Monica meets many fellow slaves on her travels, she never develops a close relationship with any one person, although there's a hint of a quasi-mentor at the end. I kept hoping for a friend to come alongside her, but most of the people were too vulnerable themselves to help or simply stabbed her in the back. This feeling of isolation did give me an intense feeling of sympathy for the main character, and I had to stay up late reading the story just to find out what happened to her.
July 25, 2024
When I was younger I totally loved this book. Upon re-reading it’s a total mess. I’m giving it some slack as this was early in the authors career but yeah this one has not aged well for me.
It’s just very heavy-handed, the pacing is odd, and it feels like characters are introduced just to be killed off and promptly ignored. Little real effort is put into connecting us to the side characters. So it ends up being “oh no side character #45 died! Well I’ll be mildly sad about for 5 seconds and decide to not let it be in vain” then the same cycle happens over and over. this It also doesn’t help that the dialog tends to be very repetitive.
I will say I like the world building, which is relatively unique and interesting. It does feel like a lot of those things were well thought out.
It’s just very heavy-handed, the pacing is odd, and it feels like characters are introduced just to be killed off and promptly ignored. Little real effort is put into connecting us to the side characters. So it ends up being “oh no side character #45 died! Well I’ll be mildly sad about for 5 seconds and decide to not let it be in vain” then the same cycle happens over and over. this It also doesn’t help that the dialog tends to be very repetitive.
I will say I like the world building, which is relatively unique and interesting. It does feel like a lot of those things were well thought out.
February 8, 2022
Few debut authors can create a story world and characters that are original and unique, but Amanda L. Davis succeeded. A page-turning blend of futuristic and old-world, Precisely Terminated pits a young heroine against a mindless computer with the power to take millions of lives. I read this book cover-to-cover and enjoyed it immensely. If you want something out of the ordinary, read Precisely Terminated.
March 2, 2020
It was good and I liked it, I just didn't connect with Monica enough to be really emotionally invested. Plus, pretty much everyone she's ever cared about it dead, so she's not super personally invested through most of the book, though I think she's getting there at the end. I do intend to continue the series, though.
July 27, 2023
Pretty decent start to the trilogy. Fairly good world building, although some things go unexplained—for example, why would it be necessary to gas a city when the chips could simply be terminated by the computer? Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book, and although the writing style could use some refinement, it is a great story with a unique premise.
May 11, 2025
Well written! Especially for a first novel!
The plot was interesting, as was the world building! Though I found plot holes, or at least questions, sprinkled here and there.
I didn't care as much as I could for the main character, or other characters? I wish I had. They tended to frustrate me.
I read the book to my mother and she loved it!
The plot was interesting, as was the world building! Though I found plot holes, or at least questions, sprinkled here and there.
I didn't care as much as I could for the main character, or other characters? I wish I had. They tended to frustrate me.
I read the book to my mother and she loved it!
March 3, 2024
This book got decent reviews but I just don't see the appeal of it. It was slow and repetitive and though it was setting up a world build, it did more 'saying' and less 'showing'. It could've been like 100 pages shorter and still got the job done.
November 26, 2018
I loved this series! Amanda creates a whole new world for her characters. This dystopia/fantasy is so unique and well written it keeps me on the edge of my seat chapter after chapter.
October 9, 2023
This novel does not deserve its cover! It has been republished with a new cover that is much better.
That aside, I really liked the dystopian world of Precisely Terminated. Strong female protagonist? Check. Overwhelming odds? Check. Unique world? Check.
Content:
Violence/peril.
That aside, I really liked the dystopian world of Precisely Terminated. Strong female protagonist? Check. Overwhelming odds? Check. Unique world? Check.
Content:
Violence/peril.
October 9, 2013
I’ve heard it said before that ‘all’ of the great stories have already been told and that each author’s creation is just some reimagining of a story that’s already been told. Though there are elements reminiscent of other stories in this tale, I can say that when I got to the end of this book, I was delighted to feel that Davis had written a compelling new adventure. It was, in no way, a same old same old anything. There are elements of other stories that you can find. Anywhere you read about one person saving a civilization or a reluctant hero coming forward, you’re bound to have similarities. But with Precisely Terminated, Davis has given us a very fresh, welcome and powerful story that will resonate with the reader.
The pacing runs a little slow at times. There are moments when you hear the same argument and feel the same situation repeated several times and this can slow the story down a little while reading. The sympathy for Monica overflows as you read the descriptions of what her feelings are, what her life is like and what is expected of her. However, at moments it gets so dark it might be difficult for the reader to keep going. I had trouble in places getting through the book. It became a heavy story for me and there’s so much darkness and loss that it began to drag me down with it. But pressing on, I found the beauty in the story and now I am very curious about the sequel. I look forward to seeing what Davis does with her universe and characters as the story moves into another level.
If you like speculative fiction, futuristic tales or Sci-Fi adventures, give this one a try. It’s a good multi-layered story that promises depth and richness as it moves to future levels.
** Review copy provided by Glass Road PR – thank you!!! We love working with you!
The pacing runs a little slow at times. There are moments when you hear the same argument and feel the same situation repeated several times and this can slow the story down a little while reading. The sympathy for Monica overflows as you read the descriptions of what her feelings are, what her life is like and what is expected of her. However, at moments it gets so dark it might be difficult for the reader to keep going. I had trouble in places getting through the book. It became a heavy story for me and there’s so much darkness and loss that it began to drag me down with it. But pressing on, I found the beauty in the story and now I am very curious about the sequel. I look forward to seeing what Davis does with her universe and characters as the story moves into another level.
If you like speculative fiction, futuristic tales or Sci-Fi adventures, give this one a try. It’s a good multi-layered story that promises depth and richness as it moves to future levels.
** Review copy provided by Glass Road PR – thank you!!! We love working with you!
December 17, 2011
Precisely Terminated follows a new trend of showing the grim future, and hopefully one person who can save the people from what a new type of government is forcing it's people to live under. I think there is a reason are stories are shifting to more so ones like these, and it makes for an interesting read.
Monica is the only known person who has been kept from being installed with a chip that allows the Cillianese to keep up with the people's every movement. Monica is given the task of rescuing the others since she can escape the scrutiny of being watched, and stop the control of the other people.
Unlike other futuristic stories this is a bit brighter than others. The cover is deceptive in that fact, but it's true. The lead character, Monica, is interesting, but the other characters aren't very stand out to me. I thought the concept was also interesting, and it seemed to have a unique stride unlike others in it's genre.
The only thing is the cover is terribly misleading. This story is not anyway near a horror story, and for some reason I got the feeling of zombies from looking at it, and it is nothing like that either. I also fell out of being interested in reading the story at certain points, but thankfully it is easy to keep up with so I was never extremely lost.
I find this book interesting enough to recommend.
This book was provided by Glass Road Public Relations in exchange for a review.
Monica is the only known person who has been kept from being installed with a chip that allows the Cillianese to keep up with the people's every movement. Monica is given the task of rescuing the others since she can escape the scrutiny of being watched, and stop the control of the other people.
Unlike other futuristic stories this is a bit brighter than others. The cover is deceptive in that fact, but it's true. The lead character, Monica, is interesting, but the other characters aren't very stand out to me. I thought the concept was also interesting, and it seemed to have a unique stride unlike others in it's genre.
The only thing is the cover is terribly misleading. This story is not anyway near a horror story, and for some reason I got the feeling of zombies from looking at it, and it is nothing like that either. I also fell out of being interested in reading the story at certain points, but thankfully it is easy to keep up with so I was never extremely lost.
I find this book interesting enough to recommend.
This book was provided by Glass Road Public Relations in exchange for a review.
February 5, 2012
Precisely Terminated is an amazingly written book filled with lots of twists and turns that lead to an exciting conclusion of the first installment in the trilogy. It tells the story of a girl, named Monica, growing up in a time where people are enslaved through the use of highly-developed technological advances. Millions of slaves are trapped in a world of darkness, fear, death, and despair; and Monica is the only one who can do anything about it. Fighting hunger, loneliness, and even time, Monica sets out on a journey that she will not soon forget. She has many things to learn along the way as she meets up with certain people and has to learn to put aside differences and selfishness to save her world. As the journey gets tougher and Monica is forced to become stronger, she learns that faith, love, and perseverance are enough to keep you doing when nothing else will. She also discovers that the key to being a hero is going whatever you can to love your neighbor more than yourself.
Amanda is a talented writer and I think her first book is an awesome start to a great career in writing! I hope many people will read her book and enjoy it as much as I did. I can't wait for the next book!
Amanda is a talented writer and I think her first book is an awesome start to a great career in writing! I hope many people will read her book and enjoy it as much as I did. I can't wait for the next book!
February 4, 2012
Amanda L. Davis makes her debut in Precisely Terminated (The Cantral Chronicles), perhaps the first fantasy series written by a young adult for young adults. The fate of millions rests on the shoulders of Monica and her ability to do what no one else can do: destroy the computers holding the Cillineese people captive for centuries.
Microchips are implanted in the Cillineese at birth. These chips track the movements, and control the food supply of slaves and nobles, alike. Sixteen-year-old Monica is a noble who avoided the implanting at birth. She also escaped death when she was four years old, when her nurse sacrifices herself to save her. Monica goes into hiding, assuming the identity of dying slaves. When Monica begins a dangerous journey to shut down the computers, she does not know whom she can trust or what it will cost her to fulfill her mission.
Like most dystopian novels, it starts off dark and gloomy, but it does not stay there. Monica demonstrates self-sacrifice and love as she risks all to save her people. It is an engaging, wholesome dystopian book, one that is sure to appeal to teens and, especially the Hunger Games fans.
--excerpt reprinted with permission, Christian Library Journal, Feb. 2012
Microchips are implanted in the Cillineese at birth. These chips track the movements, and control the food supply of slaves and nobles, alike. Sixteen-year-old Monica is a noble who avoided the implanting at birth. She also escaped death when she was four years old, when her nurse sacrifices herself to save her. Monica goes into hiding, assuming the identity of dying slaves. When Monica begins a dangerous journey to shut down the computers, she does not know whom she can trust or what it will cost her to fulfill her mission.
Like most dystopian novels, it starts off dark and gloomy, but it does not stay there. Monica demonstrates self-sacrifice and love as she risks all to save her people. It is an engaging, wholesome dystopian book, one that is sure to appeal to teens and, especially the Hunger Games fans.
--excerpt reprinted with permission, Christian Library Journal, Feb. 2012
January 17, 2013
Amanda L. Davis is the daughter of my favorite living author, Bryan Davis, so I was very excited to recieve her first novel from my father-in-law who brought an advanced readers copy back from ICRS in 2011. Alas I am an overenthusiastic reader and was already in the middle of over a half dozen books, so it sat on my shelf for about a year before I got around to starting it.
The book is set in a dystopian future that is well thought out and developed. I found Monica to be a likeable and sympathetic character. Many of the other characters weren't likeable though, and I didn't find myself drawn to many of them. Of course, this is the first book in the series and I was reading an ARC, so things might have been changed in the final edit.
The last portion of the book is very exciting and the buildup to the final climax is well written. I found that I couldn't put it down when I entered the last 10 chapters. I can't wait to see how this young author's writing matures in the next books of the series. It's been my dream from an early age to become a published author, but at 19, I believe I have many years of hard work ahead of me before that dream is fulfilled. My hat's off to Amanda for working hard and achieving her dream!
The book is set in a dystopian future that is well thought out and developed. I found Monica to be a likeable and sympathetic character. Many of the other characters weren't likeable though, and I didn't find myself drawn to many of them. Of course, this is the first book in the series and I was reading an ARC, so things might have been changed in the final edit.
The last portion of the book is very exciting and the buildup to the final climax is well written. I found that I couldn't put it down when I entered the last 10 chapters. I can't wait to see how this young author's writing matures in the next books of the series. It's been my dream from an early age to become a published author, but at 19, I believe I have many years of hard work ahead of me before that dream is fulfilled. My hat's off to Amanda for working hard and achieving her dream!
January 12, 2013
It was good, though the cover looked really creepy at first. It is another dystopian book but the idea was pretty creative, mixing in a strict caste with technology.
The world is no longer of free people, living as they wish. Now the Cantral and Cillineese people is divided into a caste, born either a Noble or a slave. Nobles live a life of luxury, always full of food and never has to work to live. Most do not care for the slaves, and some punish for their own fun. The slaves on the other hand, almost always starves and barely survives with forced jobs and work more than they can bear. But they cannot escape or fight back, chips tracing their every move and punishing them when needed. The slaves can only work and work and starve, chosen for them from birth.
But there is a small light of hope for the slaves- there is a girl with a chip. She is free to move as she wish, never forced or hurt by the chip. But Monica isn't entirely free. Since the Nobles try to find her, she must act and work as a slave, hiding her identity under the threat of death. The slave council also forces her to work for them, to bring information and destroy the technology controls every move of them.
Can she do all of this and survive? That is the question.
The world is no longer of free people, living as they wish. Now the Cantral and Cillineese people is divided into a caste, born either a Noble or a slave. Nobles live a life of luxury, always full of food and never has to work to live. Most do not care for the slaves, and some punish for their own fun. The slaves on the other hand, almost always starves and barely survives with forced jobs and work more than they can bear. But they cannot escape or fight back, chips tracing their every move and punishing them when needed. The slaves can only work and work and starve, chosen for them from birth.
But there is a small light of hope for the slaves- there is a girl with a chip. She is free to move as she wish, never forced or hurt by the chip. But Monica isn't entirely free. Since the Nobles try to find her, she must act and work as a slave, hiding her identity under the threat of death. The slave council also forces her to work for them, to bring information and destroy the technology controls every move of them.
Can she do all of this and survive? That is the question.
December 30, 2014
This book is another wonderful read from the Davis family. Amanda L. Davis is the daughter of Bryan Davis, one of my favorite authors. She definitely inherited her father's talent for writing, but she's not just like him when it comes to writing. She's her own person and has her own style. I would have given this book 4.5 stars in reality, but of course, there's no half-star ratings on Goodreads. :(
I hope I can get one or more of my friends interested in this book. I'd love to share it with them. I also hope I can find the next one easily. Finding this one was hard. The Barnes and Noble here has a very pitiful Christian fiction section, and what they have is mostly the Amish books. I did finally find this one at a Christian bookstore, but it was the only copy there. Good books are so hard to find, and this is a good book. It needs to be promoted more than it is!
I have a longer and more detailed review on my blog. I hope you will check it out.
http://the-bookshelf-realm.blogspot.c...
I hope I can get one or more of my friends interested in this book. I'd love to share it with them. I also hope I can find the next one easily. Finding this one was hard. The Barnes and Noble here has a very pitiful Christian fiction section, and what they have is mostly the Amish books. I did finally find this one at a Christian bookstore, but it was the only copy there. Good books are so hard to find, and this is a good book. It needs to be promoted more than it is!
I have a longer and more detailed review on my blog. I hope you will check it out.
http://the-bookshelf-realm.blogspot.c...
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