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Numbers Game #1.5
Chan's Story: A Numbers Game Short: Numbers Game 1.5
A Numbers Game Short
In this companion story to Numbers Game, Chan Norwell comes from the perfect citizen family. His mother is chief of the city monitor force, his brother an all-star, and his sister a prodigy--which leaves little wiggle room for a nobody like Chan. He is determined to have his time in the spotlight at last. But he doesn't expect things to go so horribly wrong. Alone, dishonored, and humiliated, Chan can only see one way out.
When he meets Maizel, a brilliant redhead determined to follow in her mother's suicidal footsteps, he sees his life for what it really is . If Chan can find the courage to try one more time--if he can save Maizel--maybe there's a chance he can also save himself.
"Gripping. I loved it!"
-Geneen, Reviewer
In this companion story to Numbers Game, Chan Norwell comes from the perfect citizen family. His mother is chief of the city monitor force, his brother an all-star, and his sister a prodigy--which leaves little wiggle room for a nobody like Chan. He is determined to have his time in the spotlight at last. But he doesn't expect things to go so horribly wrong. Alone, dishonored, and humiliated, Chan can only see one way out.
When he meets Maizel, a brilliant redhead determined to follow in her mother's suicidal footsteps, he sees his life for what it really is . If Chan can find the courage to try one more time--if he can save Maizel--maybe there's a chance he can also save himself.
"Gripping. I loved it!"
-Geneen, Reviewer
54 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2015
About the author
Rebecca Rode
23 books207 followersRebecca is the USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of TIDES OF MUTINY (Little, Brown Book for Young Readers). Her previously published work includes the dystopian Numbers Game trilogy and the Ember series for fans of Firefly and The Mandalorian. She has also published an inspirational nonfiction book for moms (How to Have Peace When You're Falling to Pieces) and a number of online newspaper and magazine articles. It's her books about fierce teens smashing societal barriers, however, that she enjoys writing the most.
Rebecca and her husband are raising their family in the Rocky Mountains. She has two cats, a ridiculous number of books, and an odd assortment of book-related socks. She is represented by Kelly Peterson at Rees Literary.
Rebecca and her husband are raising their family in the Rocky Mountains. She has two cats, a ridiculous number of books, and an odd assortment of book-related socks. She is represented by Kelly Peterson at Rees Literary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 21, 2024
2018 52 Book Challenge - 38) A Short Story
I haven't read the Numbers Game series yet, but this book is easily to understand and follow even without knowledge of the series.
I thought it was a great short story, and with it being only 33 pages long (or 55 minutes long if you're listening to the audiobook like I am), it manages to pack a lot of characterisation in there.
I haven't read the Numbers Game series yet, but this book is easily to understand and follow even without knowledge of the series.
I thought it was a great short story, and with it being only 33 pages long (or 55 minutes long if you're listening to the audiobook like I am), it manages to pack a lot of characterisation in there.
October 23, 2016
Nice little short entertaining addition to the Number's Game series.
What happens when you don't measure up to someone else's standards.
Even though this is set in Rebecca Rode's Numbers World the moral of the story is so much more. Even though we don't do it with numbers there is such a drive in this world to always be better than the next guy. Disappointment is something we all face at one time or another. How you handle and adjust to your changing world is something we all face.
Chan's story is another take on how a person reacts on their rating day when they do not get the number they are expecting to get. How it affects their life, how they react, how their family and society react. Then finally coming to terms with their new reality.
Although with novella's this short I would rather they be at the beginning or end of a full length book depending on where they fit into the series.
Anthony Lee did a really good job with the narration. Perfect voice for Chan. Pleasant voice. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Good character voices. Very enjoyable.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review
What happens when you don't measure up to someone else's standards.
Even though this is set in Rebecca Rode's Numbers World the moral of the story is so much more. Even though we don't do it with numbers there is such a drive in this world to always be better than the next guy. Disappointment is something we all face at one time or another. How you handle and adjust to your changing world is something we all face.
Chan's story is another take on how a person reacts on their rating day when they do not get the number they are expecting to get. How it affects their life, how they react, how their family and society react. Then finally coming to terms with their new reality.
Although with novella's this short I would rather they be at the beginning or end of a full length book depending on where they fit into the series.
Anthony Lee did a really good job with the narration. Perfect voice for Chan. Pleasant voice. Clearly spoken with a smooth even pace. Good character voices. Very enjoyable.
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review
October 19, 2016
Chan comes from a high green family...his parents expect a lot from him, and are very hard on him. When he is rated yellow on his rating day, they disown him, and when he goes to kill himself by jumping off a well known building, he meets Maizel...and she gives him the courage to go on...he saves her, and ultimately saves himself! This rating system is horrible and I hope in book 3 they find a way to end it!
February 10, 2016
This is a really neat short novel that gives you another view into the rating system and how it feels to a different color. How families react differently, etc. Rode does a great job of capturing different emotions and stations in life. I did think things progressed rather quickly for Chan and Maizel, but sometimes in those intense circumstances that happens…
Great short book!
Great short book!
January 15, 2017
A Taste of Chan (Audiobook)
The Numbers Game written by Rebecca Rode is a dystopia/post-apocalyptic series based on a society whose lives are determined by the base number they receive upon graduation from school. This number determines if they can continue on with their education, what job they are assigned, where they live, what they wear, who they date and can marry and every other part of their lives. Chan is a despicable character in the main series so it was interesting to see the beginnings of what drove him to who he became.
Chan Norwell comes from the perfect citizen family of greens. Needless to say he is under a lot of pressure to succeed in school as well as acceptable athletics. When things do not go as planned and he meets Maizel, life and the number’s game takes on a whole new meaning.
I really enjoyed this snippet of Chan as a school age teen and really hope to be let in on more of the story that makes him who he eventually becomes in the present day Numbers Game. I also secretly hope he redeems himself in the end.
Narration is provided by Anthony Lee, a new narrator for the series. He is perfect for the character of Chan, Maizel and the other characters in this story. He does an excellent job at characterization, individual voices, and giving us insight into their emotions.
Many thanks for allowing me to read and review this wonderful addition to the Numbers Game series. I eagerly wait for the next installment.
The Numbers Game written by Rebecca Rode is a dystopia/post-apocalyptic series based on a society whose lives are determined by the base number they receive upon graduation from school. This number determines if they can continue on with their education, what job they are assigned, where they live, what they wear, who they date and can marry and every other part of their lives. Chan is a despicable character in the main series so it was interesting to see the beginnings of what drove him to who he became.
Chan Norwell comes from the perfect citizen family of greens. Needless to say he is under a lot of pressure to succeed in school as well as acceptable athletics. When things do not go as planned and he meets Maizel, life and the number’s game takes on a whole new meaning.
I really enjoyed this snippet of Chan as a school age teen and really hope to be let in on more of the story that makes him who he eventually becomes in the present day Numbers Game. I also secretly hope he redeems himself in the end.
Narration is provided by Anthony Lee, a new narrator for the series. He is perfect for the character of Chan, Maizel and the other characters in this story. He does an excellent job at characterization, individual voices, and giving us insight into their emotions.
Many thanks for allowing me to read and review this wonderful addition to the Numbers Game series. I eagerly wait for the next installment.
December 9, 2017
Chan's Story is the companion to Number's Game, a new series by author Rebecca Rode. As I have not read the novel mentioned above, I was almost completely lost while reading this short story. The best I can gather is that the society in which Chan Norwell lives puts a huge emphasis on success as an indicator of being a perfect citizen. A green number is the goal, but when Chan does not live up to the expectations of his family, his future becomes a complete wild card. What can Chan do to secure a better outcome for himself?
The concept seems interesting, although I do feel that the author gave just a brief teaser into the Numbers world. I would be curious to see how it all plays out for both Chan and his new friend Maizel, so I look forward to reading more by Rebecca Rode in the future.
The concept seems interesting, although I do feel that the author gave just a brief teaser into the Numbers world. I would be curious to see how it all plays out for both Chan and his new friend Maizel, so I look forward to reading more by Rebecca Rode in the future.
August 30, 2017
I was thinking this would be too short, but the length actually worked really well.
It's sad, but not you'll need tissues sad.
The glimpse into Chan's life is brief but interesting. You get to see some arts of the world that weren't shown in book 1 or that were only mentioned briefly. Well worth listening to if you're continuing with the series.
The narration is well done, nice character voices, smooth, consistent and sounds natural.
This book was supplied free by the author/narrator/publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
It's sad, but not you'll need tissues sad.
The glimpse into Chan's life is brief but interesting. You get to see some arts of the world that weren't shown in book 1 or that were only mentioned briefly. Well worth listening to if you're continuing with the series.
The narration is well done, nice character voices, smooth, consistent and sounds natural.
This book was supplied free by the author/narrator/publisher and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
August 19, 2018
As I read this story, I realized that our world is not much different than Chan's. We don't have a rating system and our numbers aren't displayed on our foreheads for everyone to see but there is a similarity to how we are often expected to fit in, to be good at what is deemed important by someone higher up, to not follow our dreams if our dreams conflict with what is popular.
I am very glad that Chan and Maizel found met each other and decided to not jump as was expected but to become Reds just so they could live their lives as they saw fit.
Great book!
I am very glad that Chan and Maizel found met each other and decided to not jump as was expected but to become Reds just so they could live their lives as they saw fit.
Great book!
September 2, 2017
Chan's Story by Rebecca Rode was a great companion story to the Numbers Game. Chan comes from a perfect family although he's always been different. When it comes time for Rating Day, he doesn't expect it to go so wrong. That is until he meets Maizel. I loved this companion story. This is a must read series.
November 16, 2017
Quick read that taps into the mind set of a son from a well known "noble" family of greens with prestegious positions. He ends up getting a yellow score and that leads him to question whether or not it's worth living with the shame he has brought to himself and his family. The inner workings of the mind and how this society is heavily relied on such rankings. Great short story.
June 9, 2017
*I received a free version of the Kindle story from the author's newsletter*
A short story from Rebecca Rode's 'Numbers' series which looks at Chan Norwell whose ratings-dependent big game doesn't go to plan. An excellent short addition to the dystopian series.
A short story from Rebecca Rode's 'Numbers' series which looks at Chan Norwell whose ratings-dependent big game doesn't go to plan. An excellent short addition to the dystopian series.
September 1, 2017
It was different hearing about the Numbers world for a different point of view, but I liked it. The oddest part of listening to this story though was that it wasn't the same narrator. Anthony did a great job though and I hope Chan and Maizel pop up in the main story more.
September 16, 2017
Intriguing new spin on life. Very interested in where this series will lead. Looking forward to reading ruby's story. A word numbers based society where you are assigned life after rating. Interesting and worth the read.
July 5, 2018
I felt so bad for Chan and his horrible family that he had to deal with. I liked his fierce determination, even if he did almost give up. He shows us that no one is perfect, no matter how hard you try. It's easy to see why I liked him so much in Numbers Raging.
May 26, 2017
A great little short to see if the full novel is your type of read. Feels like Divergent start so I will be picking up the books.
June 19, 2017
Why is it that we judge ourself by how other people judge us. Rebecca Rode sums it up nicely in this short story.
September 23, 2017
Fun short story. It was an interesting perspective of the ranking system.
October 11, 2017
Full review to come!
November 24, 2017
Was interesting to hear another perspective.
(Sadly the narration I listened to left me feeling a bit disconnected.)
(Sadly the narration I listened to left me feeling a bit disconnected.)
May 8, 2020
Wonderful short story
The short story adds a lot to the original trilogy. I wish the two characters could have been added in earlier.
The short story adds a lot to the original trilogy. I wish the two characters could have been added in earlier.
September 25, 2017
Chan's Story is exactly what it professes to be: a short back story for Chan, who plays vital role in the last book of the Numbers Trilogy. Basically Chan is a renegade who lives outside the wall of NORA after his perfect connected family disowned him when he didn't win a sporting event. On the verge of suicide, he meets another "misfit" who has nothing wrong with her besides the color of her hair. This is a story of how they save each other and eventually get involved with saving the world in the Numbers Trilogy.
September 20, 2016
Review also posted at:
3/5
Thank you to Rebecca Rode for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for review!
I haven't read The Numbers Game just yet but after reading this short story set in that world, I am itching to pick it up! This story follows Chan Norwell who is part of the perfect green family with a Chief Monitor for a mom, an all-star for a brother, and an eight year old prodigy little sister. For someone like Chan who tries his hardest but still just can't seem to live up to the expectations set by his siblings, life isn't easy. When he is humiliated and thrown out of his family, he sees only one solution. But when he meets fast-talking Maizel, he rethinks his decision and decides to try to live outside of the rules. Can he save Maizel from following in her suicidal mother's footsteps?
While I had no idea what a Rater was, or why Chan was so worried about getting a good score and becoming a green like the rest of his family, or really anything about this world, I feel like this short story gave a bit of insight into The Numbers Game world and just enough to get the reader curious as to what everything means. From what I could tell, the color rating system was kind of like a class system and your Rater basically gives you a score which determines if you are a green, yellow, or red. This seems like it could lead to some incredibly interesting story lines within this world so I'm really interested to see how it all starts with the first book, The Numbers Game.
Despite not having a clue about the world that this story was set in, I actually felt like I could sympathize with Chan and I found myself feeling so bad when he didn't receive a good score. He was hoping to be a green like the rest of his family, but when he got his score and was labeled a yellow, he was kicked out of his house and felt like suicide was the only way out. It was so sad to see someone try so hard to do his best but somehow still not get where he wanted to be and to think that taking his life was the only way out. But when he meets Maizel, he changes his mind and decides that living with her is what he wants to do, so he decides to try and save her from following her mother's footsteps off the roof of an 82 floor building.
The writing of this short story was so well done and definitely got me hooked on finding out more about the series. Rebecca Rode was able to make me connect with a character in an unknown world and really feel for him while following his story. It was descriptive and allowed me to kind of dip my foot in the shallow end, so to speak. I was able to test out a story in The Numbers Game world and really see if it was something I wanted to dive headfirst into. This was such an interesting story and by the end, I was searching for where I could get my hands on The Numbers Game so that I could get more Rebecca Rode and her fantastic writing!
If you're interested in The Numbers Game but are unsure if you're ready to take the plunge, then be sure to pick up Chan's Story! This 30 page novella will give you some fairly good insight into just what you will be getting into if you decide to pick up the full book. It has just enough information so that the reader won't feel lost when reading, a main character that you can't help but root for, and an ending that is sure to leave you wanting more!
3/5
Thank you to Rebecca Rode for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for review!
I haven't read The Numbers Game just yet but after reading this short story set in that world, I am itching to pick it up! This story follows Chan Norwell who is part of the perfect green family with a Chief Monitor for a mom, an all-star for a brother, and an eight year old prodigy little sister. For someone like Chan who tries his hardest but still just can't seem to live up to the expectations set by his siblings, life isn't easy. When he is humiliated and thrown out of his family, he sees only one solution. But when he meets fast-talking Maizel, he rethinks his decision and decides to try to live outside of the rules. Can he save Maizel from following in her suicidal mother's footsteps?
While I had no idea what a Rater was, or why Chan was so worried about getting a good score and becoming a green like the rest of his family, or really anything about this world, I feel like this short story gave a bit of insight into The Numbers Game world and just enough to get the reader curious as to what everything means. From what I could tell, the color rating system was kind of like a class system and your Rater basically gives you a score which determines if you are a green, yellow, or red. This seems like it could lead to some incredibly interesting story lines within this world so I'm really interested to see how it all starts with the first book, The Numbers Game.
Despite not having a clue about the world that this story was set in, I actually felt like I could sympathize with Chan and I found myself feeling so bad when he didn't receive a good score. He was hoping to be a green like the rest of his family, but when he got his score and was labeled a yellow, he was kicked out of his house and felt like suicide was the only way out. It was so sad to see someone try so hard to do his best but somehow still not get where he wanted to be and to think that taking his life was the only way out. But when he meets Maizel, he changes his mind and decides that living with her is what he wants to do, so he decides to try and save her from following her mother's footsteps off the roof of an 82 floor building.
The writing of this short story was so well done and definitely got me hooked on finding out more about the series. Rebecca Rode was able to make me connect with a character in an unknown world and really feel for him while following his story. It was descriptive and allowed me to kind of dip my foot in the shallow end, so to speak. I was able to test out a story in The Numbers Game world and really see if it was something I wanted to dive headfirst into. This was such an interesting story and by the end, I was searching for where I could get my hands on The Numbers Game so that I could get more Rebecca Rode and her fantastic writing!
If you're interested in The Numbers Game but are unsure if you're ready to take the plunge, then be sure to pick up Chan's Story! This 30 page novella will give you some fairly good insight into just what you will be getting into if you decide to pick up the full book. It has just enough information so that the reader won't feel lost when reading, a main character that you can't help but root for, and an ending that is sure to leave you wanting more!
October 7, 2016
A well-written intro to the Numbers Game Series
Chan’s Story is an introduction to Chan who I believe is the main character in the Numbers Game series. It start off with a game that could make or break his life and goes from there.
The narration for Chan’s Story was done by Anthony Lee who does a really nice job. Though the book was pretty short, I really felt like Lee became Chan. It just seemed to work for me. The quality was good with no issues at all on my end.
Chan’s story was short. I knew that going into it, but I was surprised at how quickly the story ended. To put it simply, this is a great introduction to the Number’s Game series (I haven’t read any of those books, but I’d assume that this leads into a lot more of the story there). Chan’s Story was a simple story about Chan and how he gets to where he gets. There is some action on the beginning and then a pretty straightforward movement from there.
Overall, Chan’s Story was interesting, and may peak some of your interest for the rest of the stories. If you weren’t sure if you were going to enjoy the other Number’s Game stories — I think that this would be the perfect lead-in.
I was given a copy of this book
Chan’s Story is an introduction to Chan who I believe is the main character in the Numbers Game series. It start off with a game that could make or break his life and goes from there.
The narration for Chan’s Story was done by Anthony Lee who does a really nice job. Though the book was pretty short, I really felt like Lee became Chan. It just seemed to work for me. The quality was good with no issues at all on my end.
Chan’s story was short. I knew that going into it, but I was surprised at how quickly the story ended. To put it simply, this is a great introduction to the Number’s Game series (I haven’t read any of those books, but I’d assume that this leads into a lot more of the story there). Chan’s Story was a simple story about Chan and how he gets to where he gets. There is some action on the beginning and then a pretty straightforward movement from there.
Overall, Chan’s Story was interesting, and may peak some of your interest for the rest of the stories. If you weren’t sure if you were going to enjoy the other Number’s Game stories — I think that this would be the perfect lead-in.
I was given a copy of this book
September 29, 2016
( Audiobook )
"The only way is down"
I very much enjoyed this short story, bringing back, as it did, memories of past fears of failure which ultimately proved to be a sideways route to success. In many ways, this is an inspirational story of self acceptance and hope for the future. As such, I would recommend it to anyone who feels that they have lost their way in life's mad forward dash.
The narrator, Anthony Lee, was perfect in portraying the young Chan, surrounded by successful family members but feeling himself to be a failure. Lee's voice hinted at the lowered spirits which turned to despair and he read the text flawlessly as well as giving good dialogue distinction. A symbiosis of story and reading.
I have not previously read the Numbers Game, of which this is a short, but it didn't matter: all that the listener needed to know is presented in this delightful package. But I will now look out for the main story.
My thanks to the rights holder of Chan's Story, from whom I received a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. The review above is an honest representation of my views
"The only way is down"
I very much enjoyed this short story, bringing back, as it did, memories of past fears of failure which ultimately proved to be a sideways route to success. In many ways, this is an inspirational story of self acceptance and hope for the future. As such, I would recommend it to anyone who feels that they have lost their way in life's mad forward dash.
The narrator, Anthony Lee, was perfect in portraying the young Chan, surrounded by successful family members but feeling himself to be a failure. Lee's voice hinted at the lowered spirits which turned to despair and he read the text flawlessly as well as giving good dialogue distinction. A symbiosis of story and reading.
I have not previously read the Numbers Game, of which this is a short, but it didn't matter: all that the listener needed to know is presented in this delightful package. But I will now look out for the main story.
My thanks to the rights holder of Chan's Story, from whom I received a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. The review above is an honest representation of my views
Read
February 12, 2017Chan is apparently mentioned very briefly in Numbers Game. Chan's story gives another perspective of NORA'S society- when even if you try your best the Game is rigged. It will be interesting to see how Chan and Maziel fit in with book 3.
September 27, 2016
Chan is due up for the Rating ceremony. His last khel game goes incredibly badly for him. (That's a mixture of basketball, soccer and rugby.) His Rater is at the game which makes it even worse for Chan.
NORA is the New Order Republic of America, an America built on the ashes of the former America which has undergone some kind of civil war or something like that. Anyhow, Chan's failure at the game and the low rating he gets results in his being kicked out of his house.
Permanently.
Figuring he has nothing left for him he goes to a tall building with the idea of throwing himself off the ledge. A crowd below seems to really like watching such a spectacle. There's a girl there, though, who is planning to do the same thing.
The question remains: will they both jump or will they decide not to? If they do that, where can they possibly go when everyone has turned their backs on them? A really neat story.
NORA is the New Order Republic of America, an America built on the ashes of the former America which has undergone some kind of civil war or something like that. Anyhow, Chan's failure at the game and the low rating he gets results in his being kicked out of his house.
Permanently.
Figuring he has nothing left for him he goes to a tall building with the idea of throwing himself off the ledge. A crowd below seems to really like watching such a spectacle. There's a girl there, though, who is planning to do the same thing.
The question remains: will they both jump or will they decide not to? If they do that, where can they possibly go when everyone has turned their backs on them? A really neat story.
November 4, 2015
A wonderful glimpse into the dark side of The Number's Game world, Chan's Story is very well done. I love how this short shows in more depth the dark side of the numbers game world. I found myself identifying with Chan and I think I'd enjoy reading more about him in another short or in other books in the series. At first this story seems predictable, but it continues to surprise you over and over again until the very end. A great read, and a wonderful taste of Rebeccas Rodes writing and world she created.
December 14, 2016
The intro is so intriguing it compels you to read to find answers as to why this individual is contemplating ending his life. One question that comes to mind, why is this person’s family not supporting him? Second, how horrible is his life, for death to be a solution? For a short story, the unexpected twists, the plot, and the well-developed characters will have you turning the pages until you reach the end.
November 8, 2016
Chan is not doing so great. His mother is an important chief of the city, his siblings are also important. Chan is left out and wants to be part of it all, but not in the way, the story unfolds with such a terrible way. He meets Maizel and feels that he might be able to help her. Fast paced, amazing story
January 16, 2017
For a short story, I thought it was pretty good. Rode said this is a story about a character who shows up in later books. Since the next book I will be listening to will the the next one in this series, it was a good one to read. It helped me remember some of the information from Numbers Game, which is definitely good going into a second book.
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