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The Last Humans #1
Oasis
My name is Theo, and I'm a resident of Oasis, the last habitable area on Earth. It's meant to be a paradise, a place where we are all content. Vulgarity, violence, insanity, and other ills are but a distant memory, and even death no longer plagues us.
I was once content too, but now I'm different. Now I hear a voice in my head, and she tells me things no imaginary friend should know. Her name is Phoe, and she is my delusion.
Or is she?
Note: This book contains some strong language. We felt it was important for the censorship theme of the novel. If such words offend you, you might not enjoy this book.
I was once content too, but now I'm different. Now I hear a voice in my head, and she tells me things no imaginary friend should know. Her name is Phoe, and she is my delusion.
Or is she?
Note: This book contains some strong language. We felt it was important for the censorship theme of the novel. If such words offend you, you might not enjoy this book.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 19, 2016
1584 people are currently reading
5366 people want to read
About the author
Dima Zales
110 books737 followersDima Zales is a full-time science fiction and fantasy author residing in Palm Coast, Florida. Prior to becoming a writer, he worked in the software development industry in New York as both a programmer and an executive. From high-frequency trading software for big banks to mobile apps for popular magazines, Dima has done it all. In 2013, he left the software industry in order to concentrate on his writing career.
Dima holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from NYU and a dual undergraduate degree in Computer Science / Psychology from Brooklyn College. He also has a number of hobbies and interests, the most unusual of which might be professional-level mentalism. He simulates mind-reading on stage and close-up, and has done shows for corporations, wealthy individuals, and friends.
He is also into healthy eating and fitness, so he should live long enough to finish all the book projects he starts. In fact, he very much hopes to catch the technological advancements that might let him live forever (biologically or otherwise). Aside from that, he also enjoys learning about current and future technologies that might enhance our lives, including artificial intelligence, biofeedback, brain-to-computer interfaces, and brain-enhancing implants.
In addition to his own works, Dima has collaborated on a number of romance novels with his wife, Anna Zaires. The Krinar Chronicles, an erotic science fiction series, has been a bestseller in its categories and has been recognized by the likes of Marie Claire and Woman’s Day. If you like erotic romance with a unique plot, please feel free to check it out, especially since the first book in the series (Close Liaisons) is available for free everywhere. Keep in mind, though, Dima Zales's books are going to be much more PG 13 . . . at least that’s the plan for now.
Anna Zaires is the love of his life and a huge inspiration in every aspect of his writing. She definitely adds her magic touch to anything Dima creates, and the books would not be the same without her. Dima’s fans are strongly encouraged to learn more about Anna and her work at http://www.annazaires.com/
Dima holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from NYU and a dual undergraduate degree in Computer Science / Psychology from Brooklyn College. He also has a number of hobbies and interests, the most unusual of which might be professional-level mentalism. He simulates mind-reading on stage and close-up, and has done shows for corporations, wealthy individuals, and friends.
He is also into healthy eating and fitness, so he should live long enough to finish all the book projects he starts. In fact, he very much hopes to catch the technological advancements that might let him live forever (biologically or otherwise). Aside from that, he also enjoys learning about current and future technologies that might enhance our lives, including artificial intelligence, biofeedback, brain-to-computer interfaces, and brain-enhancing implants.
In addition to his own works, Dima has collaborated on a number of romance novels with his wife, Anna Zaires. The Krinar Chronicles, an erotic science fiction series, has been a bestseller in its categories and has been recognized by the likes of Marie Claire and Woman’s Day. If you like erotic romance with a unique plot, please feel free to check it out, especially since the first book in the series (Close Liaisons) is available for free everywhere. Keep in mind, though, Dima Zales's books are going to be much more PG 13 . . . at least that’s the plan for now.
Anna Zaires is the love of his life and a huge inspiration in every aspect of his writing. She definitely adds her magic touch to anything Dima creates, and the books would not be the same without her. Dima’s fans are strongly encouraged to learn more about Anna and her work at http://www.annazaires.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
June 23, 2020
This story had an interesting plot but it never developed its own voice. There were hints of many other books and movies - definitely a “Matrix” vibe - but it was always missing something.
Aside from the strong language, I would classify it as middle-school science fiction. Big twist at the end leads into a sequel... but I will pass...
Aside from the strong language, I would classify it as middle-school science fiction. Big twist at the end leads into a sequel... but I will pass...
January 5, 2020
Surprise Reveal
This story captured my imagination and kept it on the edge until the very last page. Very well done and unique plot.
This story captured my imagination and kept it on the edge until the very last page. Very well done and unique plot.
January 21, 2016
I was provided an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Man.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this considering the synopsis was very short and vague. Basically, it's about a guy, Theo, who all of a sudden starts hearing this voice inside his head. Her name is Phoe (pronounced, fee). He is part of the "Youths" of Oasis. Above them are the "Adults" and above them are the "Elderly". They are raised to behave so abnormally than the "ancients". The ancients would be us, modern day humans. Theo is different from most other Youths, as he has this imaginary voice in his head and must keep it from everyone so he doesn't get in trouble for being crazy. Being crazy, depressed, etc, is frowned upon in their society. As well as cursing, fighting, things of that nature.
Theo ends up trying to help out Phoe in remembering something she forgot. Which will, in the end, help her show Theo who she really is. And that's all he wants, is to know he in fact isn't crazy.
This book is good if you're into the whole post-apocalyptic, sci-fi type stuff. It's a little rocky in the middle, and I actually got confused sometimes. I wasn't feeling much of a connection with the characters since it was mainly Theo and Phoe the whole time. Eventually as I kept reading through, my confusion turned out to be Theo's confusion. Interesting. It's a quick read and packed full of action. Didn't meet my standards as I had hoped, but it wasn't bad. I might continue with the next book once it's released, but I'm still iffy about it since the book didn't end in a huge cliffhanger.
Okay maybe a small one.
Man.
I wasn't sure what to expect with this considering the synopsis was very short and vague. Basically, it's about a guy, Theo, who all of a sudden starts hearing this voice inside his head. Her name is Phoe (pronounced, fee). He is part of the "Youths" of Oasis. Above them are the "Adults" and above them are the "Elderly". They are raised to behave so abnormally than the "ancients". The ancients would be us, modern day humans. Theo is different from most other Youths, as he has this imaginary voice in his head and must keep it from everyone so he doesn't get in trouble for being crazy. Being crazy, depressed, etc, is frowned upon in their society. As well as cursing, fighting, things of that nature.
Theo ends up trying to help out Phoe in remembering something she forgot. Which will, in the end, help her show Theo who she really is. And that's all he wants, is to know he in fact isn't crazy.
This book is good if you're into the whole post-apocalyptic, sci-fi type stuff. It's a little rocky in the middle, and I actually got confused sometimes. I wasn't feeling much of a connection with the characters since it was mainly Theo and Phoe the whole time. Eventually as I kept reading through, my confusion turned out to be Theo's confusion. Interesting. It's a quick read and packed full of action. Didn't meet my standards as I had hoped, but it wasn't bad. I might continue with the next book once it's released, but I'm still iffy about it since the book didn't end in a huge cliffhanger.
Okay maybe a small one.
January 9, 2016
In a dystopian/post-apocalyptic society known as Oasis we meet Theo. Theo is a twenty-three year old that thinks he is going crazy as he's begun to hear a voice in his head who calls herself Phoe. Theo thinks that Phoe is a figment of his imagination but she knows things that Theo himself couldn't possibly know.
When Phoe tells Theo that his friend Mason is looking for him he finds him alone and upset. Oasis citizens have their emotions controlled and things like depression shouldn't exist but Mason is suffering from it after telling a girl that he loved her. Love and family is also something taboo in Oasis. Theo doesn't know what to think about what is going on but when the friends go to bed that night and Theo wakes to finding Mason gone he goes in search of his friend only no one seems to remember Mason at all.
Oasis strongly reminded me of a cross between Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and The Giver by Lois Lowry. Really if I hadn't read these two books within the last two years I'd probably have rated Oasis at five stars but due to the similarities I went with a solid four stars. The name of the book alone brought to mind Ready Player One but there is an element of Virtual Reality involved in this story too. And the society of Oasis is very similar to The Giver where the citizens are not supposed to have certain emotions and feelings or memories. That being said it still had a life of it's own though and went to places I didn't expect.
Also, I read a warning before picking up this book about the strong language used. The book starts off with curse words in the first sentence so I was thinking oh no, maybe I should have listened thinking that is was going to be completely filled with cursing. However, while there is use of words that would offend someone who doesn't like any foul language in their book I didn't feel like it was overly done either. Theo and his friends even in their twenties are pretty comparable mentally to teenagers and they've been told foul language is forbidden so of course they have to test the waters. You do see the F word especially but it's not every other word in the story but more of a realistic use in this setting so be warned if that will bother you.
As for the story itself, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself caught by some of the twists and turns and not knowing what to expect next. The world building was right on point as if I had a question of a how or why it would eventually be answered as the story went on. It was a fun ride with Theo as he discovered just what the society was all about.
Overall, would definitely recommend this to dystopian fans. Completely enjoyed and look forward to seeing what could possibly happen in the next book.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
When Phoe tells Theo that his friend Mason is looking for him he finds him alone and upset. Oasis citizens have their emotions controlled and things like depression shouldn't exist but Mason is suffering from it after telling a girl that he loved her. Love and family is also something taboo in Oasis. Theo doesn't know what to think about what is going on but when the friends go to bed that night and Theo wakes to finding Mason gone he goes in search of his friend only no one seems to remember Mason at all.
Oasis strongly reminded me of a cross between Ready Player One by Ernest Cline and The Giver by Lois Lowry. Really if I hadn't read these two books within the last two years I'd probably have rated Oasis at five stars but due to the similarities I went with a solid four stars. The name of the book alone brought to mind Ready Player One but there is an element of Virtual Reality involved in this story too. And the society of Oasis is very similar to The Giver where the citizens are not supposed to have certain emotions and feelings or memories. That being said it still had a life of it's own though and went to places I didn't expect.
Also, I read a warning before picking up this book about the strong language used. The book starts off with curse words in the first sentence so I was thinking oh no, maybe I should have listened thinking that is was going to be completely filled with cursing. However, while there is use of words that would offend someone who doesn't like any foul language in their book I didn't feel like it was overly done either. Theo and his friends even in their twenties are pretty comparable mentally to teenagers and they've been told foul language is forbidden so of course they have to test the waters. You do see the F word especially but it's not every other word in the story but more of a realistic use in this setting so be warned if that will bother you.
As for the story itself, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself caught by some of the twists and turns and not knowing what to expect next. The world building was right on point as if I had a question of a how or why it would eventually be answered as the story went on. It was a fun ride with Theo as he discovered just what the society was all about.
Overall, would definitely recommend this to dystopian fans. Completely enjoyed and look forward to seeing what could possibly happen in the next book.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
February 1, 2016
DNF at 26%
I was given an eARC of this book for an honest review. You can find more reviews at Beautiful Fandoms
I tried so hard to read this book, I really did. I hate DNF-ing a book, but I couldn't get through this one. From the beginning, I noticed that I had to force myself to continue reading. By 26%, I realised I still wasn't into it and what's the point reading a book that I have to force myself to read, right?
The book is a YA, but the language (swearing, etc) is that of an adult book. Meanwhile, the characters have the mentality of a middle grade book. Throwing together middle grade and adult into one book really isn't going to work. I'm not sure what it was, but this book was so boring.
One of the biggest things is that I couldn't connect with the characters. They're so immature and naive, that I have no care in the world for them. They speak in pig latin? Dude, you're 23. Stop acting like a 12 year old. And what's this subvocalising? I read a couple other reviews because I had no idea what was going on. So he's muttering/mumbling to his imaginary friend? How do others not overhear? Oh, probably because they act like they're 12 too.
The people are considered "Youths" until they're 40? So you're telling me everyone acts like a child until they're miraculously enlightened? And I'm assuming they don't die or they live until they're ridiculously old? I stg nothing makes sense in this book.
Also, I don't know if it's the lack of world building or what, but I had no idea what was going on. I was confused the entire time. Nothing really 'sank in' or made sense. Something to do with nano technology in their brains too, which is illogical. And how they've taken away mental illness and love and whatnot? The only kid who had a mental illness was taken away and made everyone forget who he was? Also, in what world in millions of years would humans/people stop loving?
I don't know. I just really didn't like this book, and I have other problems with it but I'll keep those to myself.
I was given an eARC of this book for an honest review. You can find more reviews at Beautiful Fandoms
I tried so hard to read this book, I really did. I hate DNF-ing a book, but I couldn't get through this one. From the beginning, I noticed that I had to force myself to continue reading. By 26%, I realised I still wasn't into it and what's the point reading a book that I have to force myself to read, right?
The book is a YA, but the language (swearing, etc) is that of an adult book. Meanwhile, the characters have the mentality of a middle grade book. Throwing together middle grade and adult into one book really isn't going to work. I'm not sure what it was, but this book was so boring.
One of the biggest things is that I couldn't connect with the characters. They're so immature and naive, that I have no care in the world for them. They speak in pig latin? Dude, you're 23. Stop acting like a 12 year old. And what's this subvocalising? I read a couple other reviews because I had no idea what was going on. So he's muttering/mumbling to his imaginary friend? How do others not overhear? Oh, probably because they act like they're 12 too.
The people are considered "Youths" until they're 40? So you're telling me everyone acts like a child until they're miraculously enlightened? And I'm assuming they don't die or they live until they're ridiculously old? I stg nothing makes sense in this book.
Also, I don't know if it's the lack of world building or what, but I had no idea what was going on. I was confused the entire time. Nothing really 'sank in' or made sense. Something to do with nano technology in their brains too, which is illogical. And how they've taken away mental illness and love and whatnot? The only kid who had a mental illness was taken away and made everyone forget who he was? Also, in what world in millions of years would humans/people stop loving?
I don't know. I just really didn't like this book, and I have other problems with it but I'll keep those to myself.
February 22, 2016
Even though there are a fair amount of swear words, and even though the characters are in their 20s, I found this book incredibly juvenile and would definitely label it as YA geared at 12-14 year olds (boys, in particular). A lot of parts were really eyeroll-worthy… The main character, Theo, and his friends using "cryptic" pig Latin to avoid being overheard, for instance… like anyone with half a brain couldn't figure out what they were saying. And especially how Theo kept referencing things that "ancient humans" used to like. I get that the author wanted to make things relatable to today's audience, but there are certainly more elegant ways to do it than to simply have the main character be reminded of "ancient," "ancient," "ancient" things every time... Theo was also annoyingly dim-witted/slow on the uptake. Even allowing for a certain amount of "I'm a third-party, so of course I can figure stuff out before he does," I still think he was a bit too frustratingly dense. I didn't really like any of the characters - they were all very two-dimensional. The just plot was okay, though not without its gaping craters, and likewise the world-building could've been much improved. The prose itself was nothing special.
All-in-all, I can't really recommend this book too highly. I decided to give it a try because the summary sounded interesting and I saw it was on a NA/Mature YA SFF list (linked to on the book's page here), which I'm always looking for more of, but it ended up being a disappointingly lackluster read for me.
All-in-all, I can't really recommend this book too highly. I decided to give it a try because the summary sounded interesting and I saw it was on a NA/Mature YA SFF list (linked to on the book's page here), which I'm always looking for more of, but it ended up being a disappointingly lackluster read for me.
January 8, 2016
Oasis will most likely be my favourite book this year!
When I first started this book, I was a bit iffy about it. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the main character, especially if he was in fact crazy. But after a few chapters I was absolutely amazing by the book and I could not put it down. It's action packed, mysterious and you just can't help but fall in love with it.
Theo thinks he's going crazy because he can hear a voice inside his head. The voice known as Phoe, can't possibly be an imaginary friend, Phoe knows things, like where his friends are at all times, and information he can't possibly make up on his own. When Theo's friend Mason disappears after confessing his love for a girl (which is strictly not allowed in society), Theo happens to be the only one to remember that Mason even existed. Theo and Phoe have to find out what happened to Mason, why only they can remember who he is, and who Phoe really is.
At first this book really reminded me of Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, especially with them being trapped in a dome, if you go outside you die type of thing. Then it sort of turns into a Giver type of situation with the Elders and only one person being able to remember.
Even though this book resembled a few other books, it was still very original. I haven't read a book that had a virtual reality/video game twist to it, so that was very new and exciting to read about. I know it sounds weird, but it will all make sense in the end.
The character of this book are fantastic, at first you're not sure about Theo but you end up loving him in the end. He's very relatable, especially to someone with fears. A huge aspect of his character is trying to get over the fear of heights and the author nailed that perfectly! We also get to meet Theo's two friends Liam and Mason. They are both funny characters, and I wish we got to see more of them in the book. As for Phoe, I found her to be a bit confusing at times, but in the end, I absolutely loved her character, especially her intelligence.
The plot line of this book was excellent. There's tons of action to keep you interested in the book, with lots of mystery and twists. I can guarantee you that you will be surprised at one point or another, and the ending will be totally different than what you predicted.
Overall, I'm in love with this book. Everything about is absolutely fantastic from the characters to the writing. If I could change one thing about this book, it would be the ending. I felt like it kind of ended in a bit of a hurry, and I would have liked some more information before it ended, but this is also a great way to get you hyped for the next book. I definitely recommend this book to all dystopian fans, especially fans of The Giver, Hunger Games, and Under the Never Sky. I can't wait to continue this series, and read more from this author.
Happy Reading,
- Aneta
When I first started this book, I was a bit iffy about it. I wasn't sure if I was going to like the main character, especially if he was in fact crazy. But after a few chapters I was absolutely amazing by the book and I could not put it down. It's action packed, mysterious and you just can't help but fall in love with it.
Theo thinks he's going crazy because he can hear a voice inside his head. The voice known as Phoe, can't possibly be an imaginary friend, Phoe knows things, like where his friends are at all times, and information he can't possibly make up on his own. When Theo's friend Mason disappears after confessing his love for a girl (which is strictly not allowed in society), Theo happens to be the only one to remember that Mason even existed. Theo and Phoe have to find out what happened to Mason, why only they can remember who he is, and who Phoe really is.
At first this book really reminded me of Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, especially with them being trapped in a dome, if you go outside you die type of thing. Then it sort of turns into a Giver type of situation with the Elders and only one person being able to remember.
Even though this book resembled a few other books, it was still very original. I haven't read a book that had a virtual reality/video game twist to it, so that was very new and exciting to read about. I know it sounds weird, but it will all make sense in the end.
The character of this book are fantastic, at first you're not sure about Theo but you end up loving him in the end. He's very relatable, especially to someone with fears. A huge aspect of his character is trying to get over the fear of heights and the author nailed that perfectly! We also get to meet Theo's two friends Liam and Mason. They are both funny characters, and I wish we got to see more of them in the book. As for Phoe, I found her to be a bit confusing at times, but in the end, I absolutely loved her character, especially her intelligence.
The plot line of this book was excellent. There's tons of action to keep you interested in the book, with lots of mystery and twists. I can guarantee you that you will be surprised at one point or another, and the ending will be totally different than what you predicted.
Overall, I'm in love with this book. Everything about is absolutely fantastic from the characters to the writing. If I could change one thing about this book, it would be the ending. I felt like it kind of ended in a bit of a hurry, and I would have liked some more information before it ended, but this is also a great way to get you hyped for the next book. I definitely recommend this book to all dystopian fans, especially fans of The Giver, Hunger Games, and Under the Never Sky. I can't wait to continue this series, and read more from this author.
Happy Reading,
- Aneta
May 23, 2016
Ughhhh.. that is 7 days of my life I cannot get back. Such a disappointing book. Made absolutely no sense. just a boy talking to himself for an entire book asking the question "WHY?" then he plays a virtual reality video game to find out he is in a space ship and his inner voice is actually a space ship and they are aliens. WTF!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 6, 2016
2.5 Stars
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I need to admit that I have a soft spot for Dystopian YA stories, and I haven't yet been able to decide exactly why. I heard this book was being compared to the Divergent series, and even though that series wasn't all gold that blinks, I felt like I had to read this book as well. But, as it turned out. The covers are the only things that are alike.
Meet Theo, your not-so-strong male protagonist, who's not so quiet and docile any more since he's been hearing voices in his head. Or basically one voice, Phoe, who is showing him all kind of things that are being censored by the Elders and there's mind control too.
One of the many weird and confusing things in this novel was that people under 40 where not considered adults and where left mostly to guard themselves. While I understand this works for 20somethings I doubt very much this is useful for eight-year-olds. I was disappointed because I felt many of the things in the novel were not explained and sometimes downright confusing. I didn't like it as much as I'd hoped, and I'm not sure yet whether or not I will continue with the second book in this series.
Oasis is the first book in The Last Humans series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I need to admit that I have a soft spot for Dystopian YA stories, and I haven't yet been able to decide exactly why. I heard this book was being compared to the Divergent series, and even though that series wasn't all gold that blinks, I felt like I had to read this book as well. But, as it turned out. The covers are the only things that are alike.
Meet Theo, your not-so-strong male protagonist, who's not so quiet and docile any more since he's been hearing voices in his head. Or basically one voice, Phoe, who is showing him all kind of things that are being censored by the Elders and there's mind control too.
One of the many weird and confusing things in this novel was that people under 40 where not considered adults and where left mostly to guard themselves. While I understand this works for 20somethings I doubt very much this is useful for eight-year-olds. I was disappointed because I felt many of the things in the novel were not explained and sometimes downright confusing. I didn't like it as much as I'd hoped, and I'm not sure yet whether or not I will continue with the second book in this series.
Oasis is the first book in The Last Humans series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
January 13, 2016
Oasis by Dima Zales is a Sci Fi/ Fantasy book. In this novel we meet Theo (Theodore) who is a twenty-three year old male who thinks he is possibly going crazy because there is a voice that suddenly starts talking to him. The voice named Phoe (pronounced Fee) is a voice that seems to know a lot and have control over somethings, but Theo doesn't know if he should trust the voice or not. Is she real? or possibly could she be some alter ego he created?
Oasis is a great SciFi book that really pushes the limits of imagination. Some of it is hard to follow, but if you keep going it eventually gets explained. This book really creates its own world, it gives us the history in the form of history lessons that Theo attends and gives us the structure from Phoe. She really acts as our guide as well as Theo's through the book.
Great read!! I am excited for the second book of the series!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
Oasis is a great SciFi book that really pushes the limits of imagination. Some of it is hard to follow, but if you keep going it eventually gets explained. This book really creates its own world, it gives us the history in the form of history lessons that Theo attends and gives us the structure from Phoe. She really acts as our guide as well as Theo's through the book.
Great read!! I am excited for the second book of the series!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review.
July 29, 2019
I was given this ARC by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
What an adventure of a story!
I was not quite sure what to expect to find when I began reading this story, since the synopsis was intriguing enough, but did not really give a good idea of what the reader could expect.
Many a times I was almost too distracted wondering where the story would head to pay attention to the many nuances and references to the popular culture and cult classics.
As well, throughout most the story I was convinced this first book in the series was designed for introductory purposes until two nail-biting chapters and a very satisfying conclusion that kept enough interest for the reader to look for the second installment and at the same time provide enough information to not drive the reader nuts.
The writing was easy flowing, quick-witted and suited the story just perfectly.
The synopsis posted on NetGalley does warn of some strong language, which is evident on the first page, but it is done to the minimum and only to emphasize the character’s frustrations and inner struggle.
The characters are refreshing, especially the protagonist.
Personally, I always end up reading a story with a female protagonist, but welcome and enjoy stories that include male protagonists and especially one that is as easy to understand as Theo.
The secondary characters add to the overall ambience of the dystopian story, creating a sense of exclusion as experienced by the protagonist.
The plot unfolded slowly and kept me guessing about five times each chapter where the story will lead from each point of no return.
The only slightly distracting attribute that kept me from enjoying this story completely and 100% were the very many, and I must add fun, hints to movies, books and shows that had me puzzling to which ones the author was referring. A small, almost insignificant, point, but one that had my head spinning.
Overall, this was a great Young Adult dystopian story that actually focused on the sci-fi with elements of other classic dystopian books such as The Giver, instead of unnecessary romance and love triangles.
Twists and unexpected plot turns makes this story a great read that lets one forget about the world around them. I will definitely continue with the series. I would recommend this story to anyone, who enjoys action filled computer oriented sci-fi stories.
ElliotScribbles
What an adventure of a story!
I was not quite sure what to expect to find when I began reading this story, since the synopsis was intriguing enough, but did not really give a good idea of what the reader could expect.
Many a times I was almost too distracted wondering where the story would head to pay attention to the many nuances and references to the popular culture and cult classics.
As well, throughout most the story I was convinced this first book in the series was designed for introductory purposes until two nail-biting chapters and a very satisfying conclusion that kept enough interest for the reader to look for the second installment and at the same time provide enough information to not drive the reader nuts.
The writing was easy flowing, quick-witted and suited the story just perfectly.
The synopsis posted on NetGalley does warn of some strong language, which is evident on the first page, but it is done to the minimum and only to emphasize the character’s frustrations and inner struggle.
The characters are refreshing, especially the protagonist.
Personally, I always end up reading a story with a female protagonist, but welcome and enjoy stories that include male protagonists and especially one that is as easy to understand as Theo.
The secondary characters add to the overall ambience of the dystopian story, creating a sense of exclusion as experienced by the protagonist.
The plot unfolded slowly and kept me guessing about five times each chapter where the story will lead from each point of no return.
The only slightly distracting attribute that kept me from enjoying this story completely and 100% were the very many, and I must add fun, hints to movies, books and shows that had me puzzling to which ones the author was referring. A small, almost insignificant, point, but one that had my head spinning.
Overall, this was a great Young Adult dystopian story that actually focused on the sci-fi with elements of other classic dystopian books such as The Giver, instead of unnecessary romance and love triangles.
Twists and unexpected plot turns makes this story a great read that lets one forget about the world around them. I will definitely continue with the series. I would recommend this story to anyone, who enjoys action filled computer oriented sci-fi stories.
ElliotScribbles
January 3, 2016
This book was absolutely fantastic. What I thought it would be about was completely different than what it is. It is about the last humans on Earth that are being mind controlled by the elderly. The main guy Theo learned the truth about how he is not really on Earth and how everything that is against the forebears beliefs are forgotten.
It is easy to forget that he was playing a game the first time when "Liam" died. It was a shock to know that he was having a conversation with Phoe who was really the spaceship.
It just an overall great book. I can't wait for the sequel and read the author's other works.
It is easy to forget that he was playing a game the first time when "Liam" died. It was a shock to know that he was having a conversation with Phoe who was really the spaceship.
It just an overall great book. I can't wait for the sequel and read the author's other works.
May 28, 2020
Technology was advancing so fast it reached a singularity. The runaway technology led to a world where everything turned to goo except for the last holdout which was protected by a dome. Inside Oasis there is no violence, nanocytes in the brain keep everyone happy, it's against the rules to be unhappy and no one is ever depressed. Using the term depressed is worse than the offenses of foul language that lead to time in quietude.
Theo was normal until his imaginary friend Phoe started talking to him inside his head. Even though Phoe may irritate him, he doesn't want to go back to blissful ignorance.
This hooked me from the first pages. A full 5 of 5 stars, no need to round up. I loved it and read it with one break when I had to go to sleep. The Theo and Phoe dynamic was fantastic. The action was easy to follow with a flow was swift and smooth. Although there are two more books in The Last Humans series this felt like a complete standalone novel.
Theo was normal until his imaginary friend Phoe started talking to him inside his head. Even though Phoe may irritate him, he doesn't want to go back to blissful ignorance.
This hooked me from the first pages. A full 5 of 5 stars, no need to round up. I loved it and read it with one break when I had to go to sleep. The Theo and Phoe dynamic was fantastic. The action was easy to follow with a flow was swift and smooth. Although there are two more books in The Last Humans series this felt like a complete standalone novel.
June 19, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and plan to read more by the author. My only complaints were that 1) the story got bogged down and a little far fetched during the game sequence, and 2) I think it should have been labeled as Young Adult fiction. The main character who is supposed to be at least 20 sounded more like a 14 year-old and the reading level was quite easy. But the plot was fascinating, the characters were interesting and relatable, and I found myself pulled through the book, wanting to know more about the two main characters and what would happen next.
July 26, 2019
This is better than Ready Player One. So if you're looking for a futuristic dystopian game playing novel choose this one.
October 31, 2021
If you are a 13 year old gamer I am sure you will love the book. The rest, take it at your own risk.
I liked the idea of the world created in the book. But when it went on I just got bored. The action that happened there just wasn't for me. Towards the end I even started losing what is going on and where exactly are we heading. The twist at the end left me cold so I don't really care to find out what happens next. Maybe I will change my mind one day but for now I am good.
The characters are a bit weird. In this Oasis people are considered youth until 40 and are treated as children. So it is not surprising that the characters in their 20s seem like kids from the middle school. In a way the author actually did a great job presenting them as kids that they are supposed to be on this planet. But it kind of takes fun away from older readers and I must say when these 20 something children start talking about love and such (luckily doesn't happen often in this book) it starts feeling weird.
I liked the idea of the world created in the book. But when it went on I just got bored. The action that happened there just wasn't for me. Towards the end I even started losing what is going on and where exactly are we heading. The twist at the end left me cold so I don't really care to find out what happens next. Maybe I will change my mind one day but for now I am good.
The characters are a bit weird. In this Oasis people are considered youth until 40 and are treated as children. So it is not surprising that the characters in their 20s seem like kids from the middle school. In a way the author actually did a great job presenting them as kids that they are supposed to be on this planet. But it kind of takes fun away from older readers and I must say when these 20 something children start talking about love and such (luckily doesn't happen often in this book) it starts feeling weird.
December 8, 2015
Well, that was an interesting… adventure.
I’m a huge fan of dystopia reading, so this book was right up my alley. It had all of the adventure that your typical dystopia novel does, along with all of the societal changes that you could get your feel of. It felt like an interesting mish-mash of Wall-e and The Giver (you’ll especially get the Wall-e reference towards the end of the book). It was similar to The Giver in the way that the society manages the emotional state of its residents, although Oasis doesn’t accomplish this quite as well as The Giver.
I felt like the ending of the book gave us a lot of answers that we were looking for, while leaving us completely confused. Main point of confusion for me – Why Theo? What about Theo himself is actually special? In the end, it didn’t feel like there was anything really that special about Theo. It boiled down to more of a right time, right place kind of situation that led Theo to being the “hero” of the book. I just don’t know what I think about my heroes being chosen simply by chance. It left me a little disconnected from him – especially since in the end, he’s a 23 year old man with the mental capacity of a 16 year old boy (literally… I had to keep reminding myself that he was 23 because he was written as a 16 year old teenager). While I understand that that was part of the way that the society was set up, so that people didn’t reach their actual adulthood until the age of 40, it still doesn’t make sense that they were able to keep people’s innate makeup so suppressed that they were acting years younger than their actual age. It was very disconcerting for a large portion of the book.
I will say that the Video Game that shaped most of the storyline for this book was way too confusing for me to understand. How did Phoe know there was a video game in her system somewhere that, if won, could restore all of her knowledge? If Phoe didn’t remember who or what she was, how did she know this? And how in the world does a video game do all of that? Who set the video game up to accomplish what it accomplished? There isn’t enough development on that part of the story for me and I often found myself skimming those parts of the story simply because they didn’t make as much sense as I wanted them to.
As for the cursing, which was proliferate in this book… it really revolved around using the F word as much as possible. While not necessarily the attitude that we want our Young Adults picking up, realistically, it’s probably the way a rebellious 16 year old would truly act. That’s just the facts. There is no sex (thank you Zales – I was so beyond sex being such a big factor in my YA books) – just kissing and some alluding to Theo being interested in sex now that the parameters that had been shaping his mind had been removed.
So, to sum it up – I probably would read the next book. The writing was well put together, and the experience I had with this book was just about what I expected from a first novel in a series. I am interested to see what happens in the next book since Zales didn’t really leave us with a whole lot to wonder about except what could be next for the world that she created. No cliff-hangers here, no urgent questions that need answering – just a general, what could be next? How will Theo and Phoe move forward with the information that they have now and the blossoming relationship that is forming between them?
**I received this book free; the review above is an honest representation of my experience with this book, and has not been influenced in any way.**
I’m a huge fan of dystopia reading, so this book was right up my alley. It had all of the adventure that your typical dystopia novel does, along with all of the societal changes that you could get your feel of. It felt like an interesting mish-mash of Wall-e and The Giver (you’ll especially get the Wall-e reference towards the end of the book). It was similar to The Giver in the way that the society manages the emotional state of its residents, although Oasis doesn’t accomplish this quite as well as The Giver.
I felt like the ending of the book gave us a lot of answers that we were looking for, while leaving us completely confused. Main point of confusion for me – Why Theo? What about Theo himself is actually special? In the end, it didn’t feel like there was anything really that special about Theo. It boiled down to more of a right time, right place kind of situation that led Theo to being the “hero” of the book. I just don’t know what I think about my heroes being chosen simply by chance. It left me a little disconnected from him – especially since in the end, he’s a 23 year old man with the mental capacity of a 16 year old boy (literally… I had to keep reminding myself that he was 23 because he was written as a 16 year old teenager). While I understand that that was part of the way that the society was set up, so that people didn’t reach their actual adulthood until the age of 40, it still doesn’t make sense that they were able to keep people’s innate makeup so suppressed that they were acting years younger than their actual age. It was very disconcerting for a large portion of the book.
I will say that the Video Game that shaped most of the storyline for this book was way too confusing for me to understand. How did Phoe know there was a video game in her system somewhere that, if won, could restore all of her knowledge? If Phoe didn’t remember who or what she was, how did she know this? And how in the world does a video game do all of that? Who set the video game up to accomplish what it accomplished? There isn’t enough development on that part of the story for me and I often found myself skimming those parts of the story simply because they didn’t make as much sense as I wanted them to.
As for the cursing, which was proliferate in this book… it really revolved around using the F word as much as possible. While not necessarily the attitude that we want our Young Adults picking up, realistically, it’s probably the way a rebellious 16 year old would truly act. That’s just the facts. There is no sex (thank you Zales – I was so beyond sex being such a big factor in my YA books) – just kissing and some alluding to Theo being interested in sex now that the parameters that had been shaping his mind had been removed.
So, to sum it up – I probably would read the next book. The writing was well put together, and the experience I had with this book was just about what I expected from a first novel in a series. I am interested to see what happens in the next book since Zales didn’t really leave us with a whole lot to wonder about except what could be next for the world that she created. No cliff-hangers here, no urgent questions that need answering – just a general, what could be next? How will Theo and Phoe move forward with the information that they have now and the blossoming relationship that is forming between them?
**I received this book free; the review above is an honest representation of my experience with this book, and has not been influenced in any way.**
September 9, 2021
Book 1 of The Last Humans series. Many years in the future, Theo is a 23-year-old, who thinks he may be losing his mind. He hears a voice in his head and she says her name is Phoe (pronounced Fee). They have kind of a strange relationship because she is trying to prove to him that she is real and needs his help. Theo lives in Oasis and hings are very different on Earth. Most of it is a big sea of goo and the only habitable place is under a dome. There’s a campus and Theo goes to school. He is considered a Youth, not an Adult and not an Elder. His mind has been enhanced with AI and he can create his furniture by imagining it. That is what he, and everyone he knows, has always done. He has always believed everything he has been told by his instructors, until Phoe starts telling him how things really are. When he gets up one morning and he starts looking for his roommate, Mason, and no one knows who he’s talking about, he starts believing Phoe. Things are not as they seem in Oasis and when Phoe finally gets enough power, Theo is in for a really big surprise. This book came with my Kindle for PC and has sat unopened there for a few years. The writing was good and the story was okay, but right from the beginning I felt like this story was written for a Young Adult audience. I do like this type of story, but I couldn’t connect with any of the characters. Not one. So, I won’t be continuing on with this series.
March 21, 2016
I've got to stop reading self published authors. I got lucky once and I guess that luck ran out.
I knocked this one out during a drive from Atlanta to Richmond (9 hours) and was so over it by 50% that I even sped up the reading not caring that I would sit in silence for the last 2 hours of the trip. I just wanted it over with. Action scenarios that would have surely taken place in 10 seconds in real time took pages and pages in this book. Described like "and then my foot moved two inches, and then I shifted my arm 1mm pushing his face. Next, my hair grew." So slow. Another thing that drove me crazy was the constant use of the word "ancients" before describing anything from the past. Yo, Dima, I think I figured out what does and does not exist in Oasis, so when you reference something from the past, ancients is understood.
Subvocalizing. Lame. AR, VR, IRES existing at the same time.... lame. Monsters made from old computer parts, lame. 20 somethings acting like 8 year olds... lame.
A place called Oasis, with lots of VR, a main character who seems to be obsessed with the past who saves the world via playing a video game.... sound like Ready Player One to anyone else?
I knocked this one out during a drive from Atlanta to Richmond (9 hours) and was so over it by 50% that I even sped up the reading not caring that I would sit in silence for the last 2 hours of the trip. I just wanted it over with. Action scenarios that would have surely taken place in 10 seconds in real time took pages and pages in this book. Described like "and then my foot moved two inches, and then I shifted my arm 1mm pushing his face. Next, my hair grew." So slow. Another thing that drove me crazy was the constant use of the word "ancients" before describing anything from the past. Yo, Dima, I think I figured out what does and does not exist in Oasis, so when you reference something from the past, ancients is understood.
Subvocalizing. Lame. AR, VR, IRES existing at the same time.... lame. Monsters made from old computer parts, lame. 20 somethings acting like 8 year olds... lame.
A place called Oasis, with lots of VR, a main character who seems to be obsessed with the past who saves the world via playing a video game.... sound like Ready Player One to anyone else?
December 20, 2015
I love dystopia type books and this one didn't disappoint me. I love to see the ways societies function in these scenarios. In this case controlling the population by removing any memories individuals may have that would cause emotional distress. It was also interesting how mental illness is taboo in this society. The entire first half of the book you are kind of torn between thinking the main character may in fact be crazy or that he is sane and actually hearing a real voice in his head. I was captivated by the first sentence, and yes I guess its controversial, but it works. I look forward to reading more! Disclaimer: This ebook was given complimentary in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2016
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I really enjoyed this book. At times I was definitely confused, but it made sense as I was on the same confusing journey as the main character. Very imaginative. I would rate this book at a 4.5.
I really enjoyed this book. At times I was definitely confused, but it made sense as I was on the same confusing journey as the main character. Very imaginative. I would rate this book at a 4.5.
May 16, 2022
sᴄɪғɪ / ᴅʏsᴛᴏᴘɪᴇ ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2⭐️
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Der Titel OASIS bezeichnet den letzten bewohnbaren Flecken Erde und wir begleiten in erster Linie Theo - einen der Bewohner durch dieses Buch
Die Idee hat mir grundsätzlich sehr gut gefallen aber die Umsetzung hat mich nicht durchgängig überzeugt …
Der Einstieg ist eine Mischung aus interessant und verwirrend was ganz ok ist da man sich ja erst in dieser neuen Welt zurecht finden muss
zwischendurch hatte ich das Gefühl mich in einer Mischung aus Matrix, Trueman Show, dem Holodeck von Star Trek und einigem mehr zu befinden und irgendwann wurde es einfach zu viel … spätestens als der „Angriff der Maschinen“ in einer Art virtuellen Realität oder einem Spiel stattfindet (das hätte es für mich nicht mehr gebraucht …) manchmal ist etwas weniger dann doch mehr 🤷🏻♀️
Der erwartete fiese Cliffhänger am Ende von Teil 1 ist ausgeblieben und man bekommt eine gute Auflösung die natürlich einige Fragen offen läßt bzw. neue Fragen aufwirft aber man ist nicht „gezwungen“ weiter zu lesen
Irgendwie reizt es mich aber dennoch zu erfahren wie es nun weiter geht … mal sehen ob ich mir die anderen beiden Teile noch hole 😇
Am besten bildet ihr euch selbst eine Meinung - ich fand’s interessant und ok aber halt kein Highlight und zwischendurch etwas schwierig und spreche daher keine explizite Empfehlung aus
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Der Titel OASIS bezeichnet den letzten bewohnbaren Flecken Erde und wir begleiten in erster Linie Theo - einen der Bewohner durch dieses Buch
Die Idee hat mir grundsätzlich sehr gut gefallen aber die Umsetzung hat mich nicht durchgängig überzeugt …
Der Einstieg ist eine Mischung aus interessant und verwirrend was ganz ok ist da man sich ja erst in dieser neuen Welt zurecht finden muss
zwischendurch hatte ich das Gefühl mich in einer Mischung aus Matrix, Trueman Show, dem Holodeck von Star Trek und einigem mehr zu befinden und irgendwann wurde es einfach zu viel … spätestens als der „Angriff der Maschinen“ in einer Art virtuellen Realität oder einem Spiel stattfindet (das hätte es für mich nicht mehr gebraucht …) manchmal ist etwas weniger dann doch mehr 🤷🏻♀️
Der erwartete fiese Cliffhänger am Ende von Teil 1 ist ausgeblieben und man bekommt eine gute Auflösung die natürlich einige Fragen offen läßt bzw. neue Fragen aufwirft aber man ist nicht „gezwungen“ weiter zu lesen
Irgendwie reizt es mich aber dennoch zu erfahren wie es nun weiter geht … mal sehen ob ich mir die anderen beiden Teile noch hole 😇
Am besten bildet ihr euch selbst eine Meinung - ich fand’s interessant und ok aber halt kein Highlight und zwischendurch etwas schwierig und spreche daher keine explizite Empfehlung aus
April 6, 2017
I like the originality of the storyline and the characters who capture the readers from beginning to end. I'm interested to see where this series will lead and excited to see how thints will continue to flow. Definitely need to check this out for yourself!
April 15, 2017
Interesting, but not very believable plot, 2.5 stars
April 12, 2020
Great read!
Adventure, strong characters, and even a budding romance make this very imaginative book a great read. I can't wait for the next one.
Adventure, strong characters, and even a budding romance make this very imaginative book a great read. I can't wait for the next one.
February 28, 2022
This book was alright. It has a good, basic story to it. With some manipulation and some strengthening, it would be a solid story. The was a bit anticlimactic for me and let me down a bit, but I still enjoyed this story for what it was.
January 20, 2016
I strongly recommend that anyone who is a sci-fi fan read Oasis, the first book in the series “The Last Humans” by Dima Zales. The setting takes place in Oasis, the last hospitable place on Earth after its been destroyed by The Goo, a destructive technology that is duplicated from matter. The book is written in the first person from the dialect of Theo, the main character. Throughout the book, Theo is converses with his imaginary female friend Phoe (pronounced “fee”).
The story builds gradually and continues at a steady and enjoyable place. Once you start reading, it is very difficult to put down the book. The storylines keep the reader very engaged and you‘re eager to continue experiencing the excitement of Theo’s adventures.
There were several aspects that I really liked about the book. One part of the book that I truly admired is that is character development. Before reading, I expected there to be multiple characters, but there are only a few, which actually worked out nice. Theo is depicted as a normal young adult, expect for his strong attachment to Phoe. Theo is a loyal, heroic, and street smart. With the help of Phoe, he is able to navigate his way though challenges and crises that threatens his world.
Second, as previously mentioned, the story is written in the first person where Theo is the narrator. When a book is written in the first person, it makes you feel more engaged in the story. In addition, the in depth world building transports the reader further into Theo's world.
Lastly, and most importantly, the ending was completely unpredictable. When a story is too predictable, it obviously takes away the excitement and suspense. The book presents you with various, typical sci-fi twists and intersecting storylines. At first, it seems confusing and takes a little time to follow, but it’s worth it because when the story ends, everything comes together.
To reinstate, I suggest purchasing Oasis. It’s a quick, simple read with quality storytelling. I certainly look forward to the second book of The Last Humans series.
The story builds gradually and continues at a steady and enjoyable place. Once you start reading, it is very difficult to put down the book. The storylines keep the reader very engaged and you‘re eager to continue experiencing the excitement of Theo’s adventures.
There were several aspects that I really liked about the book. One part of the book that I truly admired is that is character development. Before reading, I expected there to be multiple characters, but there are only a few, which actually worked out nice. Theo is depicted as a normal young adult, expect for his strong attachment to Phoe. Theo is a loyal, heroic, and street smart. With the help of Phoe, he is able to navigate his way though challenges and crises that threatens his world.
Second, as previously mentioned, the story is written in the first person where Theo is the narrator. When a book is written in the first person, it makes you feel more engaged in the story. In addition, the in depth world building transports the reader further into Theo's world.
Lastly, and most importantly, the ending was completely unpredictable. When a story is too predictable, it obviously takes away the excitement and suspense. The book presents you with various, typical sci-fi twists and intersecting storylines. At first, it seems confusing and takes a little time to follow, but it’s worth it because when the story ends, everything comes together.
To reinstate, I suggest purchasing Oasis. It’s a quick, simple read with quality storytelling. I certainly look forward to the second book of The Last Humans series.
December 30, 2015
{I received an ARC of this book from Tomoson in exchange for an honest review. Find more reviews at Plan to Happy.}
Oasis is the first installment in a new dystopian series by New York Times bestselling science fiction and fantasy author Dima Zales. It will hit bookstores on January 19th, 2016, and currently has a special pre-order price of $2.99 for Kindle.
In this novel, our protagonist, Theo, is chafing against the societal and physical constraints of Oasis, which is the last outpost of humanity after an epic technological disaster. An underlying theme here is the tension between what was best for Theo and what was best for the greater good of the inhabitants of Oasis.
There is mystery and intrigue woven into the plot, as well as world building that happens naturally through the eyes and actions of the characters. Rooting for Theo from the start was easy because of his unique perspective and natural inquisitiveness. My only real quibble with the writing was that the looming threat outside of Oasis' protective dome is called Goo. That just seemed a bit juvenile to me, but I got over it (apparently not enough to omit it from my review, but still).
There were times I had no idea where this book was going - and at times I was nervous to peek around the corner and see what was next. If you were a fan of the Mazerunner series, it will feel very similar. I sort of wanted to hide from my family to finish it, if that's any indication of how good it is.
Given that the characters are primarily young adults, this may feel like a Young Adult novel, but be warned! As the description on Amazon and elsewhere recognizes, there is a bunch of strong language in this novel. That takes it out of the YA category for me and places it squarely into the Sci Fi/Fantasy genre. Just something to keep in mind if that sort of thing bothers you!
Oasis is the first installment in a new dystopian series by New York Times bestselling science fiction and fantasy author Dima Zales. It will hit bookstores on January 19th, 2016, and currently has a special pre-order price of $2.99 for Kindle.
In this novel, our protagonist, Theo, is chafing against the societal and physical constraints of Oasis, which is the last outpost of humanity after an epic technological disaster. An underlying theme here is the tension between what was best for Theo and what was best for the greater good of the inhabitants of Oasis.
There is mystery and intrigue woven into the plot, as well as world building that happens naturally through the eyes and actions of the characters. Rooting for Theo from the start was easy because of his unique perspective and natural inquisitiveness. My only real quibble with the writing was that the looming threat outside of Oasis' protective dome is called Goo. That just seemed a bit juvenile to me, but I got over it (apparently not enough to omit it from my review, but still).
There were times I had no idea where this book was going - and at times I was nervous to peek around the corner and see what was next. If you were a fan of the Mazerunner series, it will feel very similar. I sort of wanted to hide from my family to finish it, if that's any indication of how good it is.
Given that the characters are primarily young adults, this may feel like a Young Adult novel, but be warned! As the description on Amazon and elsewhere recognizes, there is a bunch of strong language in this novel. That takes it out of the YA category for me and places it squarely into the Sci Fi/Fantasy genre. Just something to keep in mind if that sort of thing bothers you!
January 29, 2016
I was provided an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book will leave you guessing. It is suspenseful at every moment. When you think one thing was going to happen, it would lead somewhere beyond your wildest imagination. Dima Zales' new series is The Last Humans is a dystopian/post apocalyptic world in which the last humans live under a dome protected from the destroying force that is the Goo. The Goo is like a slime that was created from Artificial intelligence that turned on humans and destroyed Earth. We follow Theo who is an Youth in this society, and the voice in his head Phoe (pronounced Fee). Theo and his friends Liam and Mason are already rebels in the society and question the order of things. Phoe exposes Theo to the ancient world by watching movies such as Silence of the Lambs and Pulp Fiction. One day Mason gets taken away because he expressed being depressed which is a Taboo in the society. Mason gets taken away while Liam and Theo are sleeping. Theo wakes up and wonders where Mason is and he asks Liam who does not remember who Mason is. This unleashes events in which Phoe helps Theo understand what is going on and how he can change it. In order to overcome the hierarchy Theo has to beat a game in which he transports to. The catch is that you cannot tell the game from reality and multiple times I got caught up in the suspense and wondering which world they were in. Zales is a great writer, he made me question everything that was going on, it was hard to distinguish between what was reality and what was an illusion. The ending through me for a loop, I do not want to spoil anything but it was definitely not what I expected. I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a fast paced, suspenseful dystopian.
This book will leave you guessing. It is suspenseful at every moment. When you think one thing was going to happen, it would lead somewhere beyond your wildest imagination. Dima Zales' new series is The Last Humans is a dystopian/post apocalyptic world in which the last humans live under a dome protected from the destroying force that is the Goo. The Goo is like a slime that was created from Artificial intelligence that turned on humans and destroyed Earth. We follow Theo who is an Youth in this society, and the voice in his head Phoe (pronounced Fee). Theo and his friends Liam and Mason are already rebels in the society and question the order of things. Phoe exposes Theo to the ancient world by watching movies such as Silence of the Lambs and Pulp Fiction. One day Mason gets taken away because he expressed being depressed which is a Taboo in the society. Mason gets taken away while Liam and Theo are sleeping. Theo wakes up and wonders where Mason is and he asks Liam who does not remember who Mason is. This unleashes events in which Phoe helps Theo understand what is going on and how he can change it. In order to overcome the hierarchy Theo has to beat a game in which he transports to. The catch is that you cannot tell the game from reality and multiple times I got caught up in the suspense and wondering which world they were in. Zales is a great writer, he made me question everything that was going on, it was hard to distinguish between what was reality and what was an illusion. The ending through me for a loop, I do not want to spoil anything but it was definitely not what I expected. I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a fast paced, suspenseful dystopian.
December 29, 2015
If you were to ask me what my favourite genre of book to read is, hands down it would be dystopian.
I was hooked from the very beginning of the novel when we meet Theo and he is not sure if he is going insane, has an imaginary friend or some sort of ghost talking in his ear and reading his thoughts all of the time named Phoe, pronounced "Fi".
The book takes the reader on so many twists and turns, it is hard to put down. I read it in one day because I just had to know what was happening next!
The premise is that they live in Oasis. The Earth has been destroyed due to the rapidly advancing technology that society could not keep up with and has become The Goo, a jello like terrain that does not look appetizing at all. The people in Oasis are the only survivors and have found a better way to live thanks to nanocytes.
There are Youths, Adults and Elders and you become an adult at 40. There is no swearing, vulgarity and you do not ask questions as that will earn you some time in Quietude in the Witch's Prison.
Zales has carefully crafted an incredible world that becomes more and more fascinating as you work your way through the story.
By the end, I was absolutely stunned at the truth of Oasis and I was left wanting so much more of these characters and the story.
I will definitely be checking out the next installment of Oasis!
*I received an advance copy of this book for review purposes and was not compensated for my review. All opinions are solely my own honest experiences with the book.
I was hooked from the very beginning of the novel when we meet Theo and he is not sure if he is going insane, has an imaginary friend or some sort of ghost talking in his ear and reading his thoughts all of the time named Phoe, pronounced "Fi".
The book takes the reader on so many twists and turns, it is hard to put down. I read it in one day because I just had to know what was happening next!
The premise is that they live in Oasis. The Earth has been destroyed due to the rapidly advancing technology that society could not keep up with and has become The Goo, a jello like terrain that does not look appetizing at all. The people in Oasis are the only survivors and have found a better way to live thanks to nanocytes.
There are Youths, Adults and Elders and you become an adult at 40. There is no swearing, vulgarity and you do not ask questions as that will earn you some time in Quietude in the Witch's Prison.
Zales has carefully crafted an incredible world that becomes more and more fascinating as you work your way through the story.
By the end, I was absolutely stunned at the truth of Oasis and I was left wanting so much more of these characters and the story.
I will definitely be checking out the next installment of Oasis!
*I received an advance copy of this book for review purposes and was not compensated for my review. All opinions are solely my own honest experiences with the book.
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