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Archive of the Fives #1
Apocalypse Five
The end of the world is coming. How or when, scientists can't agree upon. For decades, Earth's best line of defense has been a team of young soldiers known as the Apocalypse Five, forced into virtual reality simulations to train for Doom's Day. But, this is no game. Death on the grid is brutally final and calls up the next in a long line of cadets. Stationed aboard the AT-1-NS Starship, the A5 are celebrities thrust into the limelight by a calling they didn't choose. All it takes is one unscheduled mission, showing seventeen-year-old team leader Detroit a harsh and unfathomable reality, to shake the A5's belief in all they thought they knew. After questioning people with the power to destroy them, the team is framed for a crime they didn't commit and marked for death. Now, the hunt is on. Can the Apocalypse Five expose the truth the starship would kill to keep hidden? Or, will their bravery end in a public execution?
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2019
44 people are currently reading
197 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
February 12, 2019
Overall, Apocalypse Five is a pretty fun book! Author Stacey Rourke has created a really interesting world here!
We follow a team of five elite soldiers who are being trained to tackle just about any disaster you can imagine in a really realistic (like real-death realistic) virtual world aboard a starship. Screw up on a training mission and they can be just as dead as if it were real life.
The goal here is to prepare a team who can one day return to a post-apocalyptic Earth to see if it is yet inhabitable again. Unfortunately, one mission goes askew, leading the team to question everything they've ever been taught. Those questions lead them into a world of trouble, and they're soon on the run when they're marked for death.
This is a fast-paced, fun adventure. I really liked most of the characters and thought they were well fleshed out. The world built here is really interesting, and there's a lot more of it to discover!
My only real qualms were that two of the male characters were nearly indistinguishable from each other (except that I know one had mahogany eyes -- OMG! -- if I read one more time about those damn mahogany eyes I might have thrown my Kindle across the room), and that there is a darn romance thread woven into the story. Romance is not really needed here. I wish there were more YA books that would just embrace the fun of an adventure without feeling the need to force a will-they/won't-they theme into the mix.
4 apocalypticy stars for this fun new series. If there's a second book, I'd definitely read it (though I'd be praying for less romance).
Badass Female Character score: 4/5 -- This is a nicely-balanced book gender-wise, and the females on the team gave as good (or better) than the males. Deducting a point for mushy weak-in-the-knees nonsense.
Thanks to Black Spot Books for providing me with a DRC of this book.
We follow a team of five elite soldiers who are being trained to tackle just about any disaster you can imagine in a really realistic (like real-death realistic) virtual world aboard a starship. Screw up on a training mission and they can be just as dead as if it were real life.
The goal here is to prepare a team who can one day return to a post-apocalyptic Earth to see if it is yet inhabitable again. Unfortunately, one mission goes askew, leading the team to question everything they've ever been taught. Those questions lead them into a world of trouble, and they're soon on the run when they're marked for death.
This is a fast-paced, fun adventure. I really liked most of the characters and thought they were well fleshed out. The world built here is really interesting, and there's a lot more of it to discover!
My only real qualms were that two of the male characters were nearly indistinguishable from each other (except that I know one had mahogany eyes -- OMG! -- if I read one more time about those damn mahogany eyes I might have thrown my Kindle across the room), and that there is a darn romance thread woven into the story. Romance is not really needed here. I wish there were more YA books that would just embrace the fun of an adventure without feeling the need to force a will-they/won't-they theme into the mix.
4 apocalypticy stars for this fun new series. If there's a second book, I'd definitely read it (though I'd be praying for less romance).
Badass Female Character score: 4/5 -- This is a nicely-balanced book gender-wise, and the females on the team gave as good (or better) than the males. Deducting a point for mushy weak-in-the-knees nonsense.
Thanks to Black Spot Books for providing me with a DRC of this book.
January 25, 2019
Humanity has been preparing for the apocalypse for decades, sending groups of five young soldiers at time to battle simulated end of the world scenarios. The missions are broadcast for everyone on the AT-1-NS Space Station to watch. The current Apocalypse Five group has set a record. No deaths in 18 months. No group has survived that long without at least one (or all five in some cases) member being killed. This group is special. When they discover information they weren't supposed to ever know, suddenly the group goes from being heroes to wanted fugitives. Can they survive....and reveal the corruption and lies perpetrated by the Chancellor?
This book got right down to business at page one with great action and storytelling. It's typical space adventure sci-fi with a little hint of romance thrown in here and there. The story is definitely geared to YA, but interesting to adults as well. There is a little bit of cursing and some hints at sex...but nothing inappropriate for a YA audience. The plot is a bit reminiscent of The Hunger Games or Ender's Game, but different enough to not seem too trope-y.
The cover art is really eye-catching. The first thing I noticed about this book is the cover. Great art!
All in all, an enjoyable space adventure story. Apocalypse Five is the first book in the Archive of the Fives series. I will definitely be reading more of this series. The characters are engaging and the story is good. I want to know what happens next! :) Can't wait for the next book!
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Black Spot Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
This book got right down to business at page one with great action and storytelling. It's typical space adventure sci-fi with a little hint of romance thrown in here and there. The story is definitely geared to YA, but interesting to adults as well. There is a little bit of cursing and some hints at sex...but nothing inappropriate for a YA audience. The plot is a bit reminiscent of The Hunger Games or Ender's Game, but different enough to not seem too trope-y.
The cover art is really eye-catching. The first thing I noticed about this book is the cover. Great art!
All in all, an enjoyable space adventure story. Apocalypse Five is the first book in the Archive of the Fives series. I will definitely be reading more of this series. The characters are engaging and the story is good. I want to know what happens next! :) Can't wait for the next book!
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Black Spot Books via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
February 9, 2019
HOLY FREAKING SH*T THAT WAS AWESOME!!!
I am horrified that I have to wait for the next book.
This was filled with fresh ideas, funny characters and of course...evil doers.
I docked 1 star since I felt the love interest portion was completely unnecessary.
The camaraderie of the team was enough on it's own.
Looking forward to more in this series!!!
"You're a ginger! We eat souls for breakfast."
As a ginger (under all this hair dye), I can confirm this quote as truth.
Much love goes out to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for this ARC.
I am horrified that I have to wait for the next book.
This was filled with fresh ideas, funny characters and of course...evil doers.
I docked 1 star since I felt the love interest portion was completely unnecessary.
The camaraderie of the team was enough on it's own.
Looking forward to more in this series!!!
"You're a ginger! We eat souls for breakfast."
As a ginger (under all this hair dye), I can confirm this quote as truth.
Much love goes out to NetGalley and Smith Publicity for this ARC.
February 2, 2019
This book is so derivative and poorly written that I had to give up. It is also way too YA for me. The teenaged team members are all making google eyes at each other. And then there’s this: “ The A5 helmets were fastened on with straps to allow their hair to always look its best. After all, what was the point of saving the world if you didn’t look fine as hell for the cameras?” The author was obviously heavily influenced by “The Hunger Games” and “Ender’s Game”. My strong suggestion is that you read those books and leave this one alone.
Admittedly, I was reading an ARC, but this book is so full of mistakes I doubt that anyone involved with it will have the sense to fix it. Examples of poor word choices in the first 14% of the book: “ Not that I mean to impede on their accomplishments in any way”; “...steady yourself against the wall’s stability”; and “expertly make-upped eyes”. Just not good.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Admittedly, I was reading an ARC, but this book is so full of mistakes I doubt that anyone involved with it will have the sense to fix it. Examples of poor word choices in the first 14% of the book: “ Not that I mean to impede on their accomplishments in any way”; “...steady yourself against the wall’s stability”; and “expertly make-upped eyes”. Just not good.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
February 3, 2019
I received an ARC from Black Spot Books the in exchange for an honest review.
I'm so glad that I agreed to take a chance on Apocalypse Five (Archive of the Fives #1) by Stacey Rourke. This novel was such an awesomely diverse YA dystopian sci-fi adventure with just a dash of romance. The novel has a strong opening that makes you want to keep turning the pages and the high-octane action, twists and turns, and kick butt characters don't let up. You will get fully sucked into the brutal world of the A5 and it won't let you go until the very end. I can't wait to continue the Archive of the Fives series and I really need to read more from this talented author. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, I have a feeling you'll love Apocalypse Five too.
I'm so glad that I agreed to take a chance on Apocalypse Five (Archive of the Fives #1) by Stacey Rourke. This novel was such an awesomely diverse YA dystopian sci-fi adventure with just a dash of romance. The novel has a strong opening that makes you want to keep turning the pages and the high-octane action, twists and turns, and kick butt characters don't let up. You will get fully sucked into the brutal world of the A5 and it won't let you go until the very end. I can't wait to continue the Archive of the Fives series and I really need to read more from this talented author. If you enjoyed The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, I have a feeling you'll love Apocalypse Five too.
February 13, 2019
I received this eARC from Black Spot Books in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of this book in any way. All quotes are taken from the uncorrected proof and are subject to change.
DNF at 19%
This wasn't a bad book, by any means, but it also wasn't a very good one. The characters all behave in the most cliche, unbelievable ways. Some of their actions are completely nonsensical. This was trying to go for themes that The Hunger Games and Ender's Game did very well, but just couldn't figure out why and how they worked. So instead, I got whatever this was:
Honestly, it felt like tween versions of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner wrote a fanfic together. And don't get me started on whatever that cover is.
DNF at 19%
This wasn't a bad book, by any means, but it also wasn't a very good one. The characters all behave in the most cliche, unbelievable ways. Some of their actions are completely nonsensical. This was trying to go for themes that The Hunger Games and Ender's Game did very well, but just couldn't figure out why and how they worked. So instead, I got whatever this was:
"This bra you forced me into is boob jail. It makes my chest sad."from a character who is supposed to be 13 years old.
Honestly, it felt like tween versions of The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner wrote a fanfic together. And don't get me started on whatever that cover is.
January 15, 2019
Originally published on The Nerd Daily | Review by Seven Jane
If you’re looking for a new young adult sci-fi adventure to fall in love with this Valentine’s Day, might I suggest Apocalypse Five—the first in the Archive of the Fives series, upcoming from author Stacey Rourke, which is set to be published by Black Spot Books on February 12th 2019.
Like a swift punch to the gut, Apocalypse Five starts off with the sudden burst of energy of a rocket ship—literally—as readers are plunged headfirst into the jarring and unpredictable reality of Earth’s future (spoiler alert: don’t get too attached to anyone you meet in the first chapter).
Stationed aboard the AT-1-NS space station, the A-5—highly trained and deadly—are little more than children forced into a militarised combat life. Per 17-year old team-leader Detroit, nameless cadets begin their training as soon as they’re old enough to “stand without wobbling,” foregoing (unwittingly) a life of human emotion and connection. Instead, they are forced into virtual simulations to practice saving Earth—which is now populated with humanoid things while what’s left of humanity’s chosen people live a glamorous, synthetic existence in space. Only the best soldiers are chosen to become part of the mock-celebrity elite A-5 team, but it’s not all pomp and circumstance here; it’s a high-stakes game where a game over on the grid is a brutal death sentence with all the gore and pain you’d expect in a proper sci-fi combat scenario.
When team-leader Detroit—a kickass, sharp-tongued, and totally self-aware lady of color—is sent on a solo mission that’s a little too real to be a simulation, she finds all she has come to believe—or, rather, has been brainwashed into believing—might not be true after all. Of course, as these things go, when she and the rest of her team—including love-interest Houston, ginger twins Juneau and Reno, and probably the most teenage-angsty, dread/mohawked dude ever, Augusta—take their concerns to the political and military leader of their universe, Chancellor Washington, he does what a classic sci-fi villain always does: prove them correct. The A-5 find themselves in a run-or-die situation as they head back to Earth—only this time it’s not the simulated one that they’ve been training to “protect”, but the real one, and they’re not there to protect Earth, they’re there to save it…from them. With their feet firmly on the scorched and battle-drained dirt of the real world, the A-5 quickly discover the depth of the lies programmed into their psyche and the consequences of what their specialised “training” has done to the very actually-human people of Earth, who are now little more than resource mills—from foodstuffs to children—for the AT-1-NS regime. It’s impossible to tell the rest of the plot without spoilers, so you’re going to have to check this one out for yourself. (There are androids, and really cool bracelet weapons, and some rather chuckle-worthy nods to current pop culture, too.)
There are some tropey genre-mainstays in this new series that fit it firmly within the ranks of a typical YA SFF—a good bit of eye-batting between Detroit and Houston, fashionable spacesuits and an obsession with fancy outfits, laser guns with dubious technology, and a head-honcho bad guy(s)—but Apocalypse Five also includes unexpected and refreshing elements that make it a breath of fresh air in genre saturated with cheesy love triangles and fickle white girls trying to play badass (yeah, I said it, fight me).
This isn’t just a story about kids who fight back against a power-hungry regime, but one that embeds a critical social message at its heart. While Detroit and her team are busy fighting Washington and the fury released from the Fortress at their insurgency while trying to save the people of earth—including a newborn baby who is, like all cadets, intended to be fed to the ranks of the soldiers-to-come aboard the AT-1-NS—what Rourke is really writing is so much more than just another dystopian book. With a cast of strong, empowered women—from Olympia (the ill-fated original leader of the A5), Detroit and Juneau; to the leaders of the Air Walkers and the Floaters (two of the three tribes of Earth introduced in the first book); to new mother Remi and enduring baby Adalyn, this story is a call for women to stand up against oppression, to find our own power, and for everyone to take up arms and fight to save what’s left of our humanity in a world that would sooner see us turn on each other rather than unite as one.
Apocalypse Five is a fresh breath into a genre thick with same-as-always stories with a tale ripe with classic dystopian elements and soft science fiction, as well as a healthy dose of female empowerment, diversity, and the social critique that we’ve been waiting for.
If you’re looking for a new young adult sci-fi adventure to fall in love with this Valentine’s Day, might I suggest Apocalypse Five—the first in the Archive of the Fives series, upcoming from author Stacey Rourke, which is set to be published by Black Spot Books on February 12th 2019.
Like a swift punch to the gut, Apocalypse Five starts off with the sudden burst of energy of a rocket ship—literally—as readers are plunged headfirst into the jarring and unpredictable reality of Earth’s future (spoiler alert: don’t get too attached to anyone you meet in the first chapter).
Stationed aboard the AT-1-NS space station, the A-5—highly trained and deadly—are little more than children forced into a militarised combat life. Per 17-year old team-leader Detroit, nameless cadets begin their training as soon as they’re old enough to “stand without wobbling,” foregoing (unwittingly) a life of human emotion and connection. Instead, they are forced into virtual simulations to practice saving Earth—which is now populated with humanoid things while what’s left of humanity’s chosen people live a glamorous, synthetic existence in space. Only the best soldiers are chosen to become part of the mock-celebrity elite A-5 team, but it’s not all pomp and circumstance here; it’s a high-stakes game where a game over on the grid is a brutal death sentence with all the gore and pain you’d expect in a proper sci-fi combat scenario.
When team-leader Detroit—a kickass, sharp-tongued, and totally self-aware lady of color—is sent on a solo mission that’s a little too real to be a simulation, she finds all she has come to believe—or, rather, has been brainwashed into believing—might not be true after all. Of course, as these things go, when she and the rest of her team—including love-interest Houston, ginger twins Juneau and Reno, and probably the most teenage-angsty, dread/mohawked dude ever, Augusta—take their concerns to the political and military leader of their universe, Chancellor Washington, he does what a classic sci-fi villain always does: prove them correct. The A-5 find themselves in a run-or-die situation as they head back to Earth—only this time it’s not the simulated one that they’ve been training to “protect”, but the real one, and they’re not there to protect Earth, they’re there to save it…from them. With their feet firmly on the scorched and battle-drained dirt of the real world, the A-5 quickly discover the depth of the lies programmed into their psyche and the consequences of what their specialised “training” has done to the very actually-human people of Earth, who are now little more than resource mills—from foodstuffs to children—for the AT-1-NS regime. It’s impossible to tell the rest of the plot without spoilers, so you’re going to have to check this one out for yourself. (There are androids, and really cool bracelet weapons, and some rather chuckle-worthy nods to current pop culture, too.)
There are some tropey genre-mainstays in this new series that fit it firmly within the ranks of a typical YA SFF—a good bit of eye-batting between Detroit and Houston, fashionable spacesuits and an obsession with fancy outfits, laser guns with dubious technology, and a head-honcho bad guy(s)—but Apocalypse Five also includes unexpected and refreshing elements that make it a breath of fresh air in genre saturated with cheesy love triangles and fickle white girls trying to play badass (yeah, I said it, fight me).
This isn’t just a story about kids who fight back against a power-hungry regime, but one that embeds a critical social message at its heart. While Detroit and her team are busy fighting Washington and the fury released from the Fortress at their insurgency while trying to save the people of earth—including a newborn baby who is, like all cadets, intended to be fed to the ranks of the soldiers-to-come aboard the AT-1-NS—what Rourke is really writing is so much more than just another dystopian book. With a cast of strong, empowered women—from Olympia (the ill-fated original leader of the A5), Detroit and Juneau; to the leaders of the Air Walkers and the Floaters (two of the three tribes of Earth introduced in the first book); to new mother Remi and enduring baby Adalyn, this story is a call for women to stand up against oppression, to find our own power, and for everyone to take up arms and fight to save what’s left of our humanity in a world that would sooner see us turn on each other rather than unite as one.
Apocalypse Five is a fresh breath into a genre thick with same-as-always stories with a tale ripe with classic dystopian elements and soft science fiction, as well as a healthy dose of female empowerment, diversity, and the social critique that we’ve been waiting for.
February 4, 2019
I am beyond thrilled that I got the chance to read the Young Adult Sci-Fi Apocalypse Five (Archive of the Fives - Book 1) by the very talented Author Stacey Rourke. I will admit that I don’t read enough of Sci-Fi books, but Rourke just proves why I should be reading a lot more of them. If you are a fan of shows like The 100 or movies like Hunger Games, then you will absolutely fall in love with Apocalypse Five.
The AT-1-NS space station has been preparing for the apocalypse for years. They have been training young boys and girls for mankind’s sake so they can one day return to earth safe from any doomsday threat. The team of highly trained young adults is known as the Apocalypse Five. They partake in simulated missions to test their skills, but these missions are real and they risk their lives every single time. The Apocalypse Five has lasted eighteen months without a death and they are celebrated heroes on the space station, but when a simulation goes wrong, The heroes slowly become the hunted. Framed for a crime they did not commit, the Apocalypse Five will do everything within their power to expose the AT-1-NS if they can manage to stay alive.
Apocalypse Five has everything that I could ever want in a story - action, adventure, great world building, and wonderfully fleshed out characters I can fall in love with. You are thrust right into the action right from the start and it does not let up all the way to the end. I found my pulse quickening in a lot of the scenes and maybe even yelling a time or two when the storyline became even more intense and just when I thought the story could not get any better, Rourke adds another twist and steps it up a notch. The ending though blew me away and I am highly anticipating the second book in the series. I NEED it! Wow! I am completely floored and wondering why I have not read anything by Stacey Rourke previously. She is definitely an author to watch out for.
I have to say that Apocalypse Five truly won me over with its diverse cast of characters. Although they are young, they have lived through a lot and sometimes I would forget that they are only teens, but Rourke has such a way of reminding you that they ARE still teenagers….teenagers that still kick *ss! They still have that teenage angst and a lot of snark which really made their personalities shine through for me. Even though they are highly trained, they are not presented as robots. Each team member has feelings, dreams, and love for each other. They are a family and have each others backs at all times and it shows. There is also a little romance thrown in and while it might not have been necessary, I felt that it added to the overall story and growth of the characters.
Apocalypse Five is an intense, action packed young adult sci-fi that will totally grip you right from the start. I never wanted the story to end! This is definitely a book that will be added to your keeper shelf. I am over the moon and so looking forward to the next book in the series.
The AT-1-NS space station has been preparing for the apocalypse for years. They have been training young boys and girls for mankind’s sake so they can one day return to earth safe from any doomsday threat. The team of highly trained young adults is known as the Apocalypse Five. They partake in simulated missions to test their skills, but these missions are real and they risk their lives every single time. The Apocalypse Five has lasted eighteen months without a death and they are celebrated heroes on the space station, but when a simulation goes wrong, The heroes slowly become the hunted. Framed for a crime they did not commit, the Apocalypse Five will do everything within their power to expose the AT-1-NS if they can manage to stay alive.
Apocalypse Five has everything that I could ever want in a story - action, adventure, great world building, and wonderfully fleshed out characters I can fall in love with. You are thrust right into the action right from the start and it does not let up all the way to the end. I found my pulse quickening in a lot of the scenes and maybe even yelling a time or two when the storyline became even more intense and just when I thought the story could not get any better, Rourke adds another twist and steps it up a notch. The ending though blew me away and I am highly anticipating the second book in the series. I NEED it! Wow! I am completely floored and wondering why I have not read anything by Stacey Rourke previously. She is definitely an author to watch out for.
I have to say that Apocalypse Five truly won me over with its diverse cast of characters. Although they are young, they have lived through a lot and sometimes I would forget that they are only teens, but Rourke has such a way of reminding you that they ARE still teenagers….teenagers that still kick *ss! They still have that teenage angst and a lot of snark which really made their personalities shine through for me. Even though they are highly trained, they are not presented as robots. Each team member has feelings, dreams, and love for each other. They are a family and have each others backs at all times and it shows. There is also a little romance thrown in and while it might not have been necessary, I felt that it added to the overall story and growth of the characters.
Apocalypse Five is an intense, action packed young adult sci-fi that will totally grip you right from the start. I never wanted the story to end! This is definitely a book that will be added to your keeper shelf. I am over the moon and so looking forward to the next book in the series.
February 12, 2019
While in the vein of Hunger Games and Ender’s Game, Apocalypse 5, forges a new path into this trope. Rourke lends her classic snark and badassery to her foray into this genre. This young adult science fiction dystopian novel is unrelenting war and carnage from page one. Chapter One left me shocked and terrified to continue.
The reader plunges off the cliff and into the drama of a post-apocalyptic Earth with a young A5 team literally blasting into a mission. What the A5ers think is just a simulation program turns out to be so much more than they ever could have imagined. Finding out that nothing is as they were taught to believe, the five person team, led by the seventeen-year-old kick-ass heroine, Detriot, find themselves in a dire situation teaming up with the very people they have unknowingly been fighting against.
Rourke has once again created characters that the reader cannot help but champion behind. I love that the women in this story are strong, fearless, empowered badasses; whom the men respect and support!
This tale invokes the gamut of emotions from crying over the loss of team members to saluting Detriot when she makes a moving speech after a tough battle. The reader cannot help but to feel the losses and celebrate the victories.
As always Rourke has blown me away with her work and I cannot wait to read the next installment in the engrossing saga.
The reader plunges off the cliff and into the drama of a post-apocalyptic Earth with a young A5 team literally blasting into a mission. What the A5ers think is just a simulation program turns out to be so much more than they ever could have imagined. Finding out that nothing is as they were taught to believe, the five person team, led by the seventeen-year-old kick-ass heroine, Detriot, find themselves in a dire situation teaming up with the very people they have unknowingly been fighting against.
Rourke has once again created characters that the reader cannot help but champion behind. I love that the women in this story are strong, fearless, empowered badasses; whom the men respect and support!
This tale invokes the gamut of emotions from crying over the loss of team members to saluting Detriot when she makes a moving speech after a tough battle. The reader cannot help but to feel the losses and celebrate the victories.
As always Rourke has blown me away with her work and I cannot wait to read the next installment in the engrossing saga.
February 6, 2020
The budding romance between Detroit and Houston manages to strengthen both characters while not inhibiting the effectiveness team. This is a sensational thriller of science fiction second to none!
Read full review in the 2020 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2020 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
November 29, 2019
aaaaaaaaamazing and sexy and fun and i loved loved loved it.. it was so much fun and the writing was superb as always.. it was wonderful.
this story was amazing.. it was fun and interesting. it was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next. i loved the characters.. they made me smile and happy.. i really enjoyed the twists and turns that happened in this.. i loved that i wasn't sure what was going to happen. i would think one thing and something totally different happened. very good story and can't wait for the next one.
this story was amazing.. it was fun and interesting. it was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat to see what would happen next. i loved the characters.. they made me smile and happy.. i really enjoyed the twists and turns that happened in this.. i loved that i wasn't sure what was going to happen. i would think one thing and something totally different happened. very good story and can't wait for the next one.
February 24, 2019
Thank you to Black Spot Books and Stacey Rourke for providing my with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy. Rating 3.5 stars.
In the future everything is hunky dory on earth but doomsday is near. Luckily we have military space force to thank for it. Not just any military force, but an army of children. They live on a starship and we follow their every movement on television. We see them train, eat, play and the highlight is when they are sent on fake missions. They are the celebrities of the future. Formed in groups of five, these kids are televised in brutal combat against humanoids. These missions are so intense that often real death occurs. Meet Apocalypse Five. Lauded as the heroes they are, they have survived together longer than any other group. Led by Detroit, a seventeen year old girl, they discover that not everything is as it seems. Betrayed by their own and labelled as rebels, they escape to earth to discover that the apocalypse has arrived and there are only a smattering of people left trying to survive. The team is determined to hold by their mission which has always been to protect the people of earth. Now they just have to find a way to survive themselves.
This was a great read. I loved the camaraderie of the group. It reminded me of the Avengers where they have friendly banter, undying loyalty, self sacrificing heroism and smouldering good looks all rolled up into one. There is the prerequisite romance that is very PG. The only part that weirded me out was that the twins were 13 years old! The romance is between older kids (seventeen) but still, any sort of romance, or thinking about how “sexy” their bodies are is weird when you are talking about children. The book is faced paced, with exciting things always happening and the plot moves forward making you want to keep reading. I loved the whole world that Rourke built, with the different factions on earth and the military world above. You have the exploitation on having them on TV and making their violent world glamorized. I had a couple of issues with it. One, the premise is a bit shaky. I won’t get into too much detail so as not to reveal any spoilers, but just the whole set up of where are all these kids coming from to be cadets seemed odd and I kept poking holes in it. But if you sort of leave it alone and just accept it and move on, the rest is well built. I also felt there were some writing issues. I thought it couldn’t have been tightened up and there were similar phrases that Rourke tends to use and it became repetitive. That being said, I still really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
In the future everything is hunky dory on earth but doomsday is near. Luckily we have military space force to thank for it. Not just any military force, but an army of children. They live on a starship and we follow their every movement on television. We see them train, eat, play and the highlight is when they are sent on fake missions. They are the celebrities of the future. Formed in groups of five, these kids are televised in brutal combat against humanoids. These missions are so intense that often real death occurs. Meet Apocalypse Five. Lauded as the heroes they are, they have survived together longer than any other group. Led by Detroit, a seventeen year old girl, they discover that not everything is as it seems. Betrayed by their own and labelled as rebels, they escape to earth to discover that the apocalypse has arrived and there are only a smattering of people left trying to survive. The team is determined to hold by their mission which has always been to protect the people of earth. Now they just have to find a way to survive themselves.
This was a great read. I loved the camaraderie of the group. It reminded me of the Avengers where they have friendly banter, undying loyalty, self sacrificing heroism and smouldering good looks all rolled up into one. There is the prerequisite romance that is very PG. The only part that weirded me out was that the twins were 13 years old! The romance is between older kids (seventeen) but still, any sort of romance, or thinking about how “sexy” their bodies are is weird when you are talking about children. The book is faced paced, with exciting things always happening and the plot moves forward making you want to keep reading. I loved the whole world that Rourke built, with the different factions on earth and the military world above. You have the exploitation on having them on TV and making their violent world glamorized. I had a couple of issues with it. One, the premise is a bit shaky. I won’t get into too much detail so as not to reveal any spoilers, but just the whole set up of where are all these kids coming from to be cadets seemed odd and I kept poking holes in it. But if you sort of leave it alone and just accept it and move on, the rest is well built. I also felt there were some writing issues. I thought it couldn’t have been tightened up and there were similar phrases that Rourke tends to use and it became repetitive. That being said, I still really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 12, 2019
4.5 Stars
Stacey Rourke created such a fascinating sci-fi dystopian story. It was an absolutely thrilling and addictive read that left me wanting MORE!
Brimmed with plenty of action, suspense, drama, humor, and twists, Apocalypse Five had me completely captivated and I loved it. Rourke’s writing was amazingly vivid and so wonderfully engaging that I felt like I was present in the moment experiencing all the thrill. Even though the story seemed familiar to other dystopian books I’ve read, I thought the author’s ideas were imaginative and different enough that I felt like I was embarking on an excitingly unique space adventure. The storyline was fantastic and perfectly fast-paced. I was thrown into all the action and intrigue from the first page and it did not stop until that awesome ending.
I absolutely adored the Apocalypse Five! I thought Rourke created such wonderful, charming, and interesting characters. They were teenagers, far from perfect and had their own insecurities, but they were passionately determined, fiercely loyal to each other, and willing to fight for the good. They each had their own strengths, weaknesses, and quirks that made them seem real to me. I loved getting to know them and seeing each of them grow into the kind of heroes that could spark new beginnings and inspire others to fight for justice.
The side characters and the villains were interesting too. I really did like the characters and thought they were all well-developed. But, if I had to pick a favorite, I'd have to go with Augusta. He was pretty funny and I liked his character growth the most.
Apocalypse Five by Stacey Rourke was a wonderfully crafted sci-fi adventure that will thrill, mesmerize and entertain you until the very last page. The storytelling was amazing and the world-building was creative. I thoroughly enjoyed the intense fight scenes, the heart-pounding moments, the surprises and revelations, the lovable characters, and even the romance. It was fabulous, electrifying and immersive! I’m totally looking forward for whatever comes next and hanging out with the Rogue Five.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and experiences are my own.
Stacey Rourke created such a fascinating sci-fi dystopian story. It was an absolutely thrilling and addictive read that left me wanting MORE!
Brimmed with plenty of action, suspense, drama, humor, and twists, Apocalypse Five had me completely captivated and I loved it. Rourke’s writing was amazingly vivid and so wonderfully engaging that I felt like I was present in the moment experiencing all the thrill. Even though the story seemed familiar to other dystopian books I’ve read, I thought the author’s ideas were imaginative and different enough that I felt like I was embarking on an excitingly unique space adventure. The storyline was fantastic and perfectly fast-paced. I was thrown into all the action and intrigue from the first page and it did not stop until that awesome ending.
I absolutely adored the Apocalypse Five! I thought Rourke created such wonderful, charming, and interesting characters. They were teenagers, far from perfect and had their own insecurities, but they were passionately determined, fiercely loyal to each other, and willing to fight for the good. They each had their own strengths, weaknesses, and quirks that made them seem real to me. I loved getting to know them and seeing each of them grow into the kind of heroes that could spark new beginnings and inspire others to fight for justice.
The side characters and the villains were interesting too. I really did like the characters and thought they were all well-developed. But, if I had to pick a favorite, I'd have to go with Augusta. He was pretty funny and I liked his character growth the most.
Apocalypse Five by Stacey Rourke was a wonderfully crafted sci-fi adventure that will thrill, mesmerize and entertain you until the very last page. The storytelling was amazing and the world-building was creative. I thoroughly enjoyed the intense fight scenes, the heart-pounding moments, the surprises and revelations, the lovable characters, and even the romance. It was fabulous, electrifying and immersive! I’m totally looking forward for whatever comes next and hanging out with the Rogue Five.
I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts, opinions, and experiences are my own.
February 23, 2019
Disclaimer: I received this book from NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book Series: Book 1 of the Archive of the Fives
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: February 12, 2019
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (some mention of sex, language, death, and gore)
Publisher: Black Spot Books
Pages: 250
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The end of the world is coming. How or when, scientists can't agree upon. For decades, Earth's best line of defense has been a team of young soldiers known as the Apocalypse Five, forced into virtual reality simulations to train for Doom's Day. But, this is no game. Death on the grid is brutally final and calls up the next in a long line of cadets. Stationed aboard the AT-1-NS Starship, the A5 are celebrities thrust into the limelight by a calling they didn't choose. All it takes is one unscheduled mission, showing seventeen-year-old team leader Detroit a harsh and unfathomable reality, to shake the A5's belief in all they thought they knew. After questioning people with the power to destroy them, the team is framed for a crime they didn't commit and marked for death. Now, the hunt is on. Can the Apocalypse Five expose the truth the starship would kill to keep hidden? Or, will their bravery end in a public execution?
Review: I thought this book was pretty good. It’s an amazing dystopian sci-fi book that will make any hardcore dystopian fan happy. I thought the book was very reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Ender’s Game. The characters were all very well developed and personable. The plot was interesting. The pacing was very fast paced and you would easily run through this book in one sitting.
However, I did feel that the way the book told the story was a bit weird. It was really disjointing and it was hard to figure out what was going on. The book took a bit to get into and I feel that it was mostly due to the writing style.
Verdict: An amazing excellent book!
Book Series: Book 1 of the Archive of the Fives
Rating: 4/5
Publication Date: February 12, 2019
Genre: YA Sci-Fi Dystopian
Recommended Age: 16+ (some mention of sex, language, death, and gore)
Publisher: Black Spot Books
Pages: 250
Amazon Link
Synopsis: The end of the world is coming. How or when, scientists can't agree upon. For decades, Earth's best line of defense has been a team of young soldiers known as the Apocalypse Five, forced into virtual reality simulations to train for Doom's Day. But, this is no game. Death on the grid is brutally final and calls up the next in a long line of cadets. Stationed aboard the AT-1-NS Starship, the A5 are celebrities thrust into the limelight by a calling they didn't choose. All it takes is one unscheduled mission, showing seventeen-year-old team leader Detroit a harsh and unfathomable reality, to shake the A5's belief in all they thought they knew. After questioning people with the power to destroy them, the team is framed for a crime they didn't commit and marked for death. Now, the hunt is on. Can the Apocalypse Five expose the truth the starship would kill to keep hidden? Or, will their bravery end in a public execution?
Review: I thought this book was pretty good. It’s an amazing dystopian sci-fi book that will make any hardcore dystopian fan happy. I thought the book was very reminiscent of The Hunger Games and Ender’s Game. The characters were all very well developed and personable. The plot was interesting. The pacing was very fast paced and you would easily run through this book in one sitting.
However, I did feel that the way the book told the story was a bit weird. It was really disjointing and it was hard to figure out what was going on. The book took a bit to get into and I feel that it was mostly due to the writing style.
Verdict: An amazing excellent book!
February 2, 2019
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I received a copy of this book to review from Net Galley and Black Spot Books.
For a long time, we’ve known the end of the world is coming. The rate at which humanity has used Earth’s resources means relocation. Specifically, to space. Enter the Apocalypse Five (or A5). They are an elite group of soldiers trained to deal with any and all apocalypse scenarios. Every day, they’re put into a different mission that will help them to better save humanity when that day eventually comes.
However, things aren’t quite what they seem. When Detroit, the team leader, is sent on a mission that exposes the reality of the people of Earth, she wants to do something about it. Instead, they’re framed for a crime and sentenced to death. Now, they find themselves on the run from the government. To escape, they have to expose the truth. But will they be able to do it in time?
Obviously, my interest was peaked because it’s a dystopia. It feels like it’s a been a while since I read one of those. The premise peaked my interest too; I am happy to say that I definitely wasn’t disappointed in this book.
At first, it takes a bit to acclimate to the world that Rourke built for the A5. We get a little bit of info in the prologue, but then we jump to the future. While I was a bit confused in the beginning, more information was given the further you got into the book, so at about halfway, I felt that I had a good grip on this new, futuristic world.
The best thing about this book was probably the concept. I liked the idea that we’re training this group of people to help fight off the impending apocalypse. It takes the age old concept of “the chosen one” to a whole new level. Where people like Katniss are kind of chosen by circumstance, the A5 are literally hand-picked to be the ones that fight whatever disaster comes next. And I want to see more from them!
One of the themes in the book is about exposing truth and that things are often not what they seem. I don’t want to give too much away, but the theme encourages readers to think critically about what those in power are telling you. And what an important time in history to promote those ideals.
Like the blurb for this book says, if you’re a fan of The Hunger Games, you’ll definitely enjoy this book.
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Once I got into this, I couldn't put it down! Full review to come later.
I received a copy of this book to review from Net Galley and Black Spot Books.
For a long time, we’ve known the end of the world is coming. The rate at which humanity has used Earth’s resources means relocation. Specifically, to space. Enter the Apocalypse Five (or A5). They are an elite group of soldiers trained to deal with any and all apocalypse scenarios. Every day, they’re put into a different mission that will help them to better save humanity when that day eventually comes.
However, things aren’t quite what they seem. When Detroit, the team leader, is sent on a mission that exposes the reality of the people of Earth, she wants to do something about it. Instead, they’re framed for a crime and sentenced to death. Now, they find themselves on the run from the government. To escape, they have to expose the truth. But will they be able to do it in time?
Obviously, my interest was peaked because it’s a dystopia. It feels like it’s a been a while since I read one of those. The premise peaked my interest too; I am happy to say that I definitely wasn’t disappointed in this book.
At first, it takes a bit to acclimate to the world that Rourke built for the A5. We get a little bit of info in the prologue, but then we jump to the future. While I was a bit confused in the beginning, more information was given the further you got into the book, so at about halfway, I felt that I had a good grip on this new, futuristic world.
The best thing about this book was probably the concept. I liked the idea that we’re training this group of people to help fight off the impending apocalypse. It takes the age old concept of “the chosen one” to a whole new level. Where people like Katniss are kind of chosen by circumstance, the A5 are literally hand-picked to be the ones that fight whatever disaster comes next. And I want to see more from them!
One of the themes in the book is about exposing truth and that things are often not what they seem. I don’t want to give too much away, but the theme encourages readers to think critically about what those in power are telling you. And what an important time in history to promote those ideals.
Like the blurb for this book says, if you’re a fan of The Hunger Games, you’ll definitely enjoy this book.
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Once I got into this, I couldn't put it down! Full review to come later.
February 6, 2019
This book was better than I was expecting. It was a mixture of The 100 and Ender's Game in my opinion.
The beginning was pretty confusing to me and very hard to get into. We got random facts, but no explanation. For example, it said something about the Apocalypse 5 having an audience, but no reason for why they would have an audience until much later in the book. I kept thinking that I missed things when I really didn't.
After I finally got into it, I really started enjoying it. I guessed early on the "big reveal" that happened about halfway through the book, but it didn't make it any less enjoyable. The whole storyline was so fun and action packed. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next for most of the book.
I really loved the relationship between the 5, although sometimes I got the more secondary characters (Auggie and Reno mostly since Juneau is a girl) mixed up. I kind of wish they got more fleshed out. I really liked Detroit. She was so strong, but also showed her weaknesses and faults and I think that's really important in a character. Being the team leader, she didn't want the rest of her team knowing when she was weak, but they knew and they helped her through it. They all helped each other through all their respective weaknesses and I really liked that dynamic. Houston was hunky and had me rooting for him and Detroit throughout the whole book.
This was a very different apocalypse story even though it reminded me of some other books, and a very enjoyable one. I can't wait for the sequel!
The beginning was pretty confusing to me and very hard to get into. We got random facts, but no explanation. For example, it said something about the Apocalypse 5 having an audience, but no reason for why they would have an audience until much later in the book. I kept thinking that I missed things when I really didn't.
After I finally got into it, I really started enjoying it. I guessed early on the "big reveal" that happened about halfway through the book, but it didn't make it any less enjoyable. The whole storyline was so fun and action packed. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next for most of the book.
I really loved the relationship between the 5, although sometimes I got the more secondary characters (Auggie and Reno mostly since Juneau is a girl) mixed up. I kind of wish they got more fleshed out. I really liked Detroit. She was so strong, but also showed her weaknesses and faults and I think that's really important in a character. Being the team leader, she didn't want the rest of her team knowing when she was weak, but they knew and they helped her through it. They all helped each other through all their respective weaknesses and I really liked that dynamic. Houston was hunky and had me rooting for him and Detroit throughout the whole book.
This was a very different apocalypse story even though it reminded me of some other books, and a very enjoyable one. I can't wait for the sequel!
February 1, 2019
Have a pleasant Apocalypse.
Wow….This is completely different compared to what I am used to by this author, but her spunk and sass is encrypted within the pages of this awesome read.
The characters are phenomenal. I loved the fierceness of each character and the feelers that I felt as I read this story. Of course, I must say that Dee (Detroit) was my favorite character. She was a kick butt character who didn’t take names, but made sure that her number one priority was keeping everyone safe and using honking HUGE weaponry to do it too.
The story-line was incredible. This book was packed full of action and suspense that happened throughout the entire book. And the attention to details were so clear, I felt as if I was watching a movie in my mind. I even went to bed dreaming about the scenes that I read before I went to sleep. There were a lot of feelers within this book as well. Be prepared to be shocked, to cry and/or lash out at the author as you read this story. I very seldom act out out loud when I read, but this story gave me no choice. I gasped, whooped, hollered, fist pumped and snot cried. At one point in the book, I literally scared my cat right off the bed!! Rourke has for sure outdone herself again and has proven that she can write any genre that pops out of her mind!! I highly recommend this read.
Wow….This is completely different compared to what I am used to by this author, but her spunk and sass is encrypted within the pages of this awesome read.
The characters are phenomenal. I loved the fierceness of each character and the feelers that I felt as I read this story. Of course, I must say that Dee (Detroit) was my favorite character. She was a kick butt character who didn’t take names, but made sure that her number one priority was keeping everyone safe and using honking HUGE weaponry to do it too.
The story-line was incredible. This book was packed full of action and suspense that happened throughout the entire book. And the attention to details were so clear, I felt as if I was watching a movie in my mind. I even went to bed dreaming about the scenes that I read before I went to sleep. There were a lot of feelers within this book as well. Be prepared to be shocked, to cry and/or lash out at the author as you read this story. I very seldom act out out loud when I read, but this story gave me no choice. I gasped, whooped, hollered, fist pumped and snot cried. At one point in the book, I literally scared my cat right off the bed!! Rourke has for sure outdone herself again and has proven that she can write any genre that pops out of her mind!! I highly recommend this read.
February 14, 2019
Every once in a while, I just need a good YA scifi romp. There’s something undeniably fun about a bunch of teens saving the world, and this book definitely fits the bill. It’s a bit of a mash between The Hunger Games and Ender’s Game, and it works pretty well. There’s a lovely found family theme flowing through the book, one of my favorite tropes, and it made this so much more enjoyable.
The story is centered around an elite group of teens raised since birth in the hopes of becoming part of the Apocalypse Five, a group who trains through simulations to recover Earth from whatever horrors they might face in the future. They’re celebrities, with their missions and private lives filmed and broadcast for the rest of humanity’s viewing pleasure. After spending her young life training for this very job, and leading the team for over a year, Detroit should be pleased. But something is not quite right, and when Detroit stumbles on to a secret, suddenly her team is enemy number one. Stranded on an unfamiliar Earth and without any resources, they’re forced to come to terms with an unimaginable truth. How far will the team go to protect a new chance at life?
I loved Detroit and all of the Apocalypse Five team. I thought they were all well-characterized, and I loved the team interactions. Detroit subsumes her feelings into her work, Augusta drinks, and Houston is, well, hot, apparently. There’s also the twins – Juneau with her love of romance and Reno who’s main interest is keeping his sister safe. Once they’re exiled to Earth and on the run, they finally start to really gel and become a family, and I loved watching that happen. A nice bit was that the women were always considered equal teammates with the men, and each character has a speciality that they use to help the team out. I also liked the romance between Detroit and Houston, though it did get a bit overwrought towards the end.
The book is undeniably fun, but it’s also a bit less sophisticated than the other books it’s been compared to. The plot is predictable – it’s obvious from the beginning what’s going on and how it will all pan out. I did enjoy the world-building, though I found some of it confusing, and I liked the various Earth groups that were introduced, including the newborn and her parents. Any gamer will groan about the bane of all quests, the escort mission, and when I first realized that’s what the book was turning into, I was apprehensive. It’s still delightfully action-packed, though, between the missions at the beginning and being on the run for the rest of the book. The various battles were well-described and thrilling. The one thing I would complain about there is that there’s a lot of purple prose – one villain’s eyes are described as “lasers of hate” and two characters “optically copulate” – which detracted a bit from the emotion of the scene. There’s a good bit of humor in the book as well, which helped, though it’s mostly of the quick quip or one-liner variety. A lot of the humor reminded me of a TV show or movie, and I honestly think it would make a great action blockbuster, even though I found it a bit unsatisfying as a book.
Overall, while I enjoyed the book, it was a bit too predictable for me, and I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series. If you’re hungry for a fun YA scifi romp, though, I’d definitely recommend this to you!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
“June-bug, I need you to breathe. Remember the A.S.K. method we came up with? If we are Alive, Safe, and Concealed we’re doing okay.”
Her breath ragged, his sister flicked a wayward curl from her eyes. “A.S.K. isn’t a thing! Concealed starts with a C, and our entire lives are a lie!”
Reno pulled back as if she slapped him. “It does?”
The story is centered around an elite group of teens raised since birth in the hopes of becoming part of the Apocalypse Five, a group who trains through simulations to recover Earth from whatever horrors they might face in the future. They’re celebrities, with their missions and private lives filmed and broadcast for the rest of humanity’s viewing pleasure. After spending her young life training for this very job, and leading the team for over a year, Detroit should be pleased. But something is not quite right, and when Detroit stumbles on to a secret, suddenly her team is enemy number one. Stranded on an unfamiliar Earth and without any resources, they’re forced to come to terms with an unimaginable truth. How far will the team go to protect a new chance at life?
“The four of you are the only family I have ever known. You’ve made me who I am. I would deny myself every luxury in this galaxy to keep all of you safe.”
Juneau’s face fell into a frown and she let go of the shower wall. “In that case, you truly are the best toy soldier the AT-1-NS has.”
I loved Detroit and all of the Apocalypse Five team. I thought they were all well-characterized, and I loved the team interactions. Detroit subsumes her feelings into her work, Augusta drinks, and Houston is, well, hot, apparently. There’s also the twins – Juneau with her love of romance and Reno who’s main interest is keeping his sister safe. Once they’re exiled to Earth and on the run, they finally start to really gel and become a family, and I loved watching that happen. A nice bit was that the women were always considered equal teammates with the men, and each character has a speciality that they use to help the team out. I also liked the romance between Detroit and Houston, though it did get a bit overwrought towards the end.
The book is undeniably fun, but it’s also a bit less sophisticated than the other books it’s been compared to. The plot is predictable – it’s obvious from the beginning what’s going on and how it will all pan out. I did enjoy the world-building, though I found some of it confusing, and I liked the various Earth groups that were introduced, including the newborn and her parents. Any gamer will groan about the bane of all quests, the escort mission, and when I first realized that’s what the book was turning into, I was apprehensive. It’s still delightfully action-packed, though, between the missions at the beginning and being on the run for the rest of the book. The various battles were well-described and thrilling. The one thing I would complain about there is that there’s a lot of purple prose – one villain’s eyes are described as “lasers of hate” and two characters “optically copulate” – which detracted a bit from the emotion of the scene. There’s a good bit of humor in the book as well, which helped, though it’s mostly of the quick quip or one-liner variety. A lot of the humor reminded me of a TV show or movie, and I honestly think it would make a great action blockbuster, even though I found it a bit unsatisfying as a book.
Overall, while I enjoyed the book, it was a bit too predictable for me, and I’m not sure if I’ll continue with the series. If you’re hungry for a fun YA scifi romp, though, I’d definitely recommend this to you!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
September 30, 2018
I received this ARC to give an honest review.
What can this author not write? I am never too big on Sci-fi books I guess because they are just not my cup of tea to read, but I knew I wanted to try this book out to see if it was going to be good. I have no clue why I doubted if it would be good or not because this gal was blown away by just how good it was overall. From the action to the connection that team leader Detroit has with her team and maybe a bit of romance it was designated to be good. We are introduced to the A5 group. They are the ones who are training to protect the ones on the starship in space. So when they are sent on a mission this is when they start to question everything! What exactly is being hidden from everyone? There will be survival for all, secrets will come out and most importantly Detroit will not let anything happen to not only her team or family but for those she is fighting for. She is determined to find the truth about everything. From the very beginning, I was pulled in from the first group of A5's that were sent on a mission and was so intrigued by what they were doing and seeing. I really liked Detroit as a character. She is strong, a leader, really thinks things through and just doesn't jump into a situation.
There is that humor within that I love about this author's writing and I was hoping to see it within the story. She didn't disappoint on that! Pick up this book when it is out, I am almost certain you will love it!
What can this author not write? I am never too big on Sci-fi books I guess because they are just not my cup of tea to read, but I knew I wanted to try this book out to see if it was going to be good. I have no clue why I doubted if it would be good or not because this gal was blown away by just how good it was overall. From the action to the connection that team leader Detroit has with her team and maybe a bit of romance it was designated to be good. We are introduced to the A5 group. They are the ones who are training to protect the ones on the starship in space. So when they are sent on a mission this is when they start to question everything! What exactly is being hidden from everyone? There will be survival for all, secrets will come out and most importantly Detroit will not let anything happen to not only her team or family but for those she is fighting for. She is determined to find the truth about everything. From the very beginning, I was pulled in from the first group of A5's that were sent on a mission and was so intrigued by what they were doing and seeing. I really liked Detroit as a character. She is strong, a leader, really thinks things through and just doesn't jump into a situation.
There is that humor within that I love about this author's writing and I was hoping to see it within the story. She didn't disappoint on that! Pick up this book when it is out, I am almost certain you will love it!
November 8, 2018
Smoosh together Ender’s Game and The Hunger Games, tack on Children of Men for good measure, and you have this book. I’m not sure if I have ever read such derivative sci-fi. It went straight past cliché and into aping popular franchises while stopping short of actual intellectual property theft. There were a few clever twists on the concepts involved, but not enough to raise this above a “seen it all before and the other guys did it better” 2.5-3 stars plot.
The physical descriptions knocked this the rest of the way down to 2 stars. There was way too much “flexing pecks” “chiseled abs” “ebony locks” “tangle of lashes” “mahogany stare” etc. for me. And only about half of those descriptions came in the (frequent) lusting-after-each-other scenes!
Between the Harlequin Romance-esque vocabulary and painfully derivative plot this book did not work for me at all.
(There were also way too many misused/misspelled words – repel instead of rappel, alude instead of elude, toe-head instead of towhead, etc. – but hopefully those are due to my reading a proof copy and won’t remain in the published edition)
The physical descriptions knocked this the rest of the way down to 2 stars. There was way too much “flexing pecks” “chiseled abs” “ebony locks” “tangle of lashes” “mahogany stare” etc. for me. And only about half of those descriptions came in the (frequent) lusting-after-each-other scenes!
Between the Harlequin Romance-esque vocabulary and painfully derivative plot this book did not work for me at all.
(There were also way too many misused/misspelled words – repel instead of rappel, alude instead of elude, toe-head instead of towhead, etc. – but hopefully those are due to my reading a proof copy and won’t remain in the published edition)
February 6, 2019
The Apocalypse Five have but one mission, to save the human race who, well, any one of a number of things could lead to its demise. What is interesting about this premise, is that they are fighting in virtual reality and if they die in the game they die, thus being that they have pretty high turnover. However, the current Apocalypse Five is on an awesome bloody good run, surviving longer than any other previous team. They come across some strange information, and pretty much everything they think they believe isn't quite as straight forward as it seems.
I don't usually read science fiction, but this cover was amazing, and the plot drew me in. I don't do spoilers, but I have to say even though this was promoted as young adult, I would think that anyone who likes this type of adventure would love it. The action never lets you go, and it was suspenseful from beginning to end. A good read and from what I've seen, there is more to this series to come! Sign me up for the next book!
I don't usually read science fiction, but this cover was amazing, and the plot drew me in. I don't do spoilers, but I have to say even though this was promoted as young adult, I would think that anyone who likes this type of adventure would love it. The action never lets you go, and it was suspenseful from beginning to end. A good read and from what I've seen, there is more to this series to come! Sign me up for the next book!
January 19, 2019
Meet the Apocalypse Five, a band of rockstar status soldiers going into deadly battles whilst living a big brother house existence. In a Buffy esque “when one slayer dies another is chosen” world, cadets are nothing but numbers until a calling into the A5 grants them a name, for Detroit and her team, they are the longest running A5 group and have garnered far higher celebrity status than most. The idea that this team are being watched both privately and on the field for the enjoyment of the masses is pretty tough to swallow, and sets the tone that the world we’re seeing has almost forgotten that children as young as 13 are being put in deadly scenarios. What makes that society worse for me is the ghoulish product placement that the team need to find time for whilst fighting for their lives. Yet this is normal and had the impact that for me as a reader, I often had to remind myself of just how young they are. There is a clear influence from the Hunger Games in the early stages of the book and I felt at times that it was struggling to form it’s own identity, but when the tables turn about 1/3 a way in it very much comes into its own.
As far as world building goes, much is left to the imagination as Apocalypse Five is very much story driven. The pace is pretty relentless, so pages about the space station would have detracted from that. Whilst I’m usually a world building girl, I can appreciate why the author chose not to go down that route this time. One thing that this book has is a HUGE twist, you can kind of see it coming not long before the team do, but it turns the entire story on it’s head. It’s a real mic drop moment as the enormity settles. Interestingly the story moves into 2 parallel paths as we also come to understand how the children became part of the space station crew, it’s a point which slowly burns alongside adding some anxiety to the pace.
I found the characters pretty interesting, It could be easy to be flippant about their depth, but these are children who have grown with very little nurturing and ability to explore their emotions. Their days are spent watching others die and waiting to hear if it would be their turn next, that’s going to stunt anyone. I think it was a brave move to have these characters very shut down, with only false bravado for the camera’s where they know they are wanted. Their use of different coping strategies is actually a little heartbreaking when you have a 17 year old alcoholic and a 13 year old obsessed with old movies of a happier time. I realise that I am painting them as a sad bunch – but their friendship is rock solid and that’s what makes them endearing and a formidable team.
Unfortunately the author painted herself into a difficult corner, in that the premise and the twist are so intrinsically linked that for the first 3rd of the book, I’m sorry to say, I was pretty baffled by what the wider arc was. I don’t mind books that hit the ground running but it needs to be quickly backed up with context, otherwise the narrative stutters. It becomes clear why it had to be that way as the story continues, but it did mean that I struggled to get into an early flow. At one point I thought my ebook had started beyond a prologue so I stopped and went back… this was quick a big issue for me so I’ve reduced the rating down accordingly.
Apocalypse Five is a fast paced read with a real cinematic feel, Detroit walking along a rocket launcher decimated beach described as looking like a goddess of chaos and war, was one of my favourite lines – and gives you an idea of the scale. It has plenty of feels without being sappy and is thought provoking without even realising. I initially thought this was a standalone but those last lines will want you clamouring for book 2!
4*
As far as world building goes, much is left to the imagination as Apocalypse Five is very much story driven. The pace is pretty relentless, so pages about the space station would have detracted from that. Whilst I’m usually a world building girl, I can appreciate why the author chose not to go down that route this time. One thing that this book has is a HUGE twist, you can kind of see it coming not long before the team do, but it turns the entire story on it’s head. It’s a real mic drop moment as the enormity settles. Interestingly the story moves into 2 parallel paths as we also come to understand how the children became part of the space station crew, it’s a point which slowly burns alongside adding some anxiety to the pace.
I found the characters pretty interesting, It could be easy to be flippant about their depth, but these are children who have grown with very little nurturing and ability to explore their emotions. Their days are spent watching others die and waiting to hear if it would be their turn next, that’s going to stunt anyone. I think it was a brave move to have these characters very shut down, with only false bravado for the camera’s where they know they are wanted. Their use of different coping strategies is actually a little heartbreaking when you have a 17 year old alcoholic and a 13 year old obsessed with old movies of a happier time. I realise that I am painting them as a sad bunch – but their friendship is rock solid and that’s what makes them endearing and a formidable team.
Unfortunately the author painted herself into a difficult corner, in that the premise and the twist are so intrinsically linked that for the first 3rd of the book, I’m sorry to say, I was pretty baffled by what the wider arc was. I don’t mind books that hit the ground running but it needs to be quickly backed up with context, otherwise the narrative stutters. It becomes clear why it had to be that way as the story continues, but it did mean that I struggled to get into an early flow. At one point I thought my ebook had started beyond a prologue so I stopped and went back… this was quick a big issue for me so I’ve reduced the rating down accordingly.
Apocalypse Five is a fast paced read with a real cinematic feel, Detroit walking along a rocket launcher decimated beach described as looking like a goddess of chaos and war, was one of my favourite lines – and gives you an idea of the scale. It has plenty of feels without being sappy and is thought provoking without even realising. I initially thought this was a standalone but those last lines will want you clamouring for book 2!
4*
January 28, 2019
Packed with action, intrigue and mounds of tension, this is an exciting mix of spaceship science fiction and a brutal dystopian.
The A5 consists of the most amazing heroes the starship has to offer. They are specially trained and ready to meet any obstacle that comes at them—all to ensure the survival of the human race. The extremely vivid and realistic training missions are viewed by everyone on board, making this group stars in their own right. The catch, however, is deadly. If they die on the virtual missions, they die in real life. This makes for quite the turnover in team members. Until the most recent group is formed. These five survive much longer than any others before. When they run across a strange scene in their mission, they realize that these virtual missions are more than they seem. And the truth will change existence as everyone knows it.
Tension and the brutality of the situation hit full force from the first chapter on. The author makes the circumstances these characters face clear, and this impact causes the story to grab right away. The characters are sympathetic, and it's hard not to feel for their situations even with their obvious personality flaws. Each one is very distinct, making it easy to keep them apart. Their interactions are believable, and their decisions are understandable. It's easy to cheer for them the entire way through.
While the story kept me in the pages until the very end, the first chapter or so did stumble. The author makes it clear from the beginning how harsh and dangerous the life of the A5s is, and the first round of characters is immediately hit hard. This caused for a little confusion as time jumped forward in the next chapter, and the empathy for characters had to be rebuilt. The world itself is well done, although there are more than a few holes in the background. Much of this seems to be waiting for resolution in the rest of the series, while some simply is a little light. Still, it's a fun read.
This is an exciting world to jump into, especially for fans of action, adventure, intrigue and simply harsh, violent moments. It grabs, it sits, and it ends on a cliffhanger. This book sets the stage for the rest of the series, one which promises to be exciting and full of surprises.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed the story enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
The A5 consists of the most amazing heroes the starship has to offer. They are specially trained and ready to meet any obstacle that comes at them—all to ensure the survival of the human race. The extremely vivid and realistic training missions are viewed by everyone on board, making this group stars in their own right. The catch, however, is deadly. If they die on the virtual missions, they die in real life. This makes for quite the turnover in team members. Until the most recent group is formed. These five survive much longer than any others before. When they run across a strange scene in their mission, they realize that these virtual missions are more than they seem. And the truth will change existence as everyone knows it.
Tension and the brutality of the situation hit full force from the first chapter on. The author makes the circumstances these characters face clear, and this impact causes the story to grab right away. The characters are sympathetic, and it's hard not to feel for their situations even with their obvious personality flaws. Each one is very distinct, making it easy to keep them apart. Their interactions are believable, and their decisions are understandable. It's easy to cheer for them the entire way through.
While the story kept me in the pages until the very end, the first chapter or so did stumble. The author makes it clear from the beginning how harsh and dangerous the life of the A5s is, and the first round of characters is immediately hit hard. This caused for a little confusion as time jumped forward in the next chapter, and the empathy for characters had to be rebuilt. The world itself is well done, although there are more than a few holes in the background. Much of this seems to be waiting for resolution in the rest of the series, while some simply is a little light. Still, it's a fun read.
This is an exciting world to jump into, especially for fans of action, adventure, intrigue and simply harsh, violent moments. It grabs, it sits, and it ends on a cliffhanger. This book sets the stage for the rest of the series, one which promises to be exciting and full of surprises.
I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed the story enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.
April 8, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this review copy of Apocalypse Five by Stacey Rourke.
Unfortunately I do not think I’m the intended audience for this young adult science fiction novel. I found the overuse of descriptive words amateurish and over the top. Sample lines from a SINGLE page: “Tears zigzagging over her peaches and cream cheeks, she held the barrel of taser set to kill to her temple” and “Her pert face crumbled, sending a fresh wave of tears spilling over her lashes”. The conversations between characters were stilted and awkward and the relationships corny. I think this could have been a decent middle-grade book if the content was made appropriate for that crowd.
The only thing useful about the entire endeavor of suffering through this book was that the opening line was really good and fit the 2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge “book with a great first line” and that the rest of it was mercifully short.
Unfortunately I do not think I’m the intended audience for this young adult science fiction novel. I found the overuse of descriptive words amateurish and over the top. Sample lines from a SINGLE page: “Tears zigzagging over her peaches and cream cheeks, she held the barrel of taser set to kill to her temple” and “Her pert face crumbled, sending a fresh wave of tears spilling over her lashes”. The conversations between characters were stilted and awkward and the relationships corny. I think this could have been a decent middle-grade book if the content was made appropriate for that crowd.
The only thing useful about the entire endeavor of suffering through this book was that the opening line was really good and fit the 2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge “book with a great first line” and that the rest of it was mercifully short.
February 12, 2019
Fans of the Hunger Games have found a new book series to love with Apocalypse 5.
Sometime in the future, the world’s scientists are trying to develop a team that can fight any type of calamity that might cause an apocalypse on Earth. Teams of five young people are placed into all kinds of virtual reality situations: fires, aliens, and advanced weaponry. The catch is if they die in the virtual war, they also die in real life. The latest team has lasted 18 months of daily virtual skirmishes.
The action doesn’t stop in Apocalypse 5. There is also a romance and an underlying mystery. There is truly something for everyone in this book. The characters are well drawn and you empathize with their stories. 4 stars!
Thanks to Black Spot Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sometime in the future, the world’s scientists are trying to develop a team that can fight any type of calamity that might cause an apocalypse on Earth. Teams of five young people are placed into all kinds of virtual reality situations: fires, aliens, and advanced weaponry. The catch is if they die in the virtual war, they also die in real life. The latest team has lasted 18 months of daily virtual skirmishes.
The action doesn’t stop in Apocalypse 5. There is also a romance and an underlying mystery. There is truly something for everyone in this book. The characters are well drawn and you empathize with their stories. 4 stars!
Thanks to Black Spot Books for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 5, 2019
This book is across between 'Starship Troopers' with 'The Illuminae Files', 'Hunger Games' and 'Ascension'. It was hard to put down with characters that grew on you as they grew into themselves. I would call this a gate way book for young teens (as I have observed with 'The Last Thirteen') that find getting into serious sci-fi had to do due to language and length. This book is well written with language easy to understand in a not over long book. I hope the other books are not longer. The action and pace of the book is great and aimed at a more savvy read without it being to bablish in nature. I have been reccomending this book before I had finished it and have placed on our request list to buy for the Library I work for.
February 15, 2019
Reviewed on http://bookaddict.live,
Wow what an amazing start to an imaginative series. As book one we are introduce to the world the Apocalypse five live in aboard a star ship thinking they are training to defend earth. The five spend all the time together, and ages starting at twelve or thirteen they are fighting battles of life and death.
Until they find out something they shouldn’t and everything they find is a lie and the apocalypse has already happened. I’m in awe at the imagination authors in this genre have. I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to hopefully an absorbing series that I’m looking forward to. Where's book two?
Wow what an amazing start to an imaginative series. As book one we are introduce to the world the Apocalypse five live in aboard a star ship thinking they are training to defend earth. The five spend all the time together, and ages starting at twelve or thirteen they are fighting battles of life and death.
Until they find out something they shouldn’t and everything they find is a lie and the apocalypse has already happened. I’m in awe at the imagination authors in this genre have. I thoroughly enjoyed this introduction to hopefully an absorbing series that I’m looking forward to. Where's book two?
January 17, 2019
Apocalypse Five is the first installment in a new young adult science fiction series that follows a team of space cadets forced to participate in simulations in preparation for saving the Earth in the event of an impending apocalypse. If you fail to survive these simulations, you die in the real world. If you die, you are replaced with another candidate. The team of superstars representing the most promising candidates is known as the A-5 team. The story is told from the point of view of Detroit, a strong willed, independent, kick ass young lady who leads the latest version of the elite A-5 team. This team consists of ginger twins Juneau and Reno, the love interest Houston, and the party boy riddled with teenage angst, Augusta. The simulations the team participates in provide a platform for describing the conditions of the Earth, which is essentially portrayed as a riddled wasteland populated with humanoids. Little does the team know how much the truth has been stretched. Detroit goes on a solo simulation and is given a glimpse of reality. In response, she gathers her team and heads for Earth. The trip to Earth just opened up a whole can of worms for the A-5 team. Questions are answered, conspiracies are uncovered, and new questions arise.
This was Ms. Rourke's first foray into the science fiction genre and I think she absolutely nailed it. There was the classic elements of science fiction with the advanced technology (androids, laser weapons, holograms) and evil sci fi villain. The concepts behind the technology weren't too over the top as can be found in some other books in this genre. Parts of it made think of the show The 100. Aside from the great homage to science fiction Ms. Rourke provided, I was also impressed with how she treated her characters. This wasn't one of those typical sci fi books with factions trying to blow each other up with space weapons chasing each other across the galaxy. There are layers to this story. Each A-5 team member brings their own unique personality traits and skillsets. While this book focused predominantly on Detroit, Ms. Rourke took the time to provide glimpses for the types of characters the other team members are intended to be. This should lay the groundwork for future installments in the series, which I am very much looking forward to.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
This was Ms. Rourke's first foray into the science fiction genre and I think she absolutely nailed it. There was the classic elements of science fiction with the advanced technology (androids, laser weapons, holograms) and evil sci fi villain. The concepts behind the technology weren't too over the top as can be found in some other books in this genre. Parts of it made think of the show The 100. Aside from the great homage to science fiction Ms. Rourke provided, I was also impressed with how she treated her characters. This wasn't one of those typical sci fi books with factions trying to blow each other up with space weapons chasing each other across the galaxy. There are layers to this story. Each A-5 team member brings their own unique personality traits and skillsets. While this book focused predominantly on Detroit, Ms. Rourke took the time to provide glimpses for the types of characters the other team members are intended to be. This should lay the groundwork for future installments in the series, which I am very much looking forward to.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 31, 2019
This story reminds me of Orson Scott Card's 'Ender's Game'. While there are vague similarities there is enough different to make it an enjoyable read. Some of the characters and situations are hard to follow. The subtle humor is a welcome diversion to the horrid situations A5 found themselves in. A warning to some readers: the sexual tension and situations encountered by pre-/early teens can be disconcerting.
February 3, 2019
Action and adventure, a bit if romance set in a dystopian Sci-Fi setting...what more could you ask for! Thrilling!
You can read my full review here: https://binblogsbooks.wordpress.com/2...
You can read my full review here: https://binblogsbooks.wordpress.com/2...
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