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The Oz Chronicles #1
The Takers
The first volume in The Oz Chronicles recalls both Stephen King’s The Stand and L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz. When 13-year-old Osmond “Oz” Griffith wakes from an illness on the floor of his closet, he discovers the world overrun by man-eating monsters, the Takers, and it’s largely his fault. In an effort to make things right, he gathers a band of survivors (a baby, an aged mechanic and a talking gorilla, among others), and sets off down his version of the yellow brick road, leading to the Atlanta Zoo. Along the way, he learns that his destiny was written by Steve, a boy from his past. Afflicted with Down Syndrome, Steve created new worlds, replete with battles between good and evil, in the comic books that served as his sole refuge from the teasing of Oz and his friends. Steve’s untimely suicide leaves only the comic books as clues to vanquishing the Takers.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2005
28 people are currently reading
699 people want to read
About the author
R.W. Ridley
10 books59 followersR.W. Ridley is the author of the IPPY award winning novels The Takers: Book One of the Oz Chronicles, and Delon City: Book Two of the Oz Chronicles. His titles also include The Pure: Book Three of the Oz Chronicles, The Land of the Dead: Book Four of the Oz Chronicles, Lost Days, and The Man Who Saved Two Notch. The Takers is the winner of The Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Award in the Middle Grade/Young Adult Category. He lives with his beautiful wife, a hyperactive dog, an arrogant cat, and one ugly mortgage.
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February 18, 2009I wrote this.
March 5, 2012
I knew from the minute I saw the cover I was going to like this book.It claims it "recalls both Stephen Kings The Stand and L Frank Baums The wizard of Oz" Umm, hello... Stephen King was the only author I would read when I was a teenager and The Wizard of Oz is my all time favorite movie. Then imagine my surprise when I start reading the book and theres a German Shepard in there. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE !! This book was meant for me.
I couldnt put it down. A great mix of suspense, horror and humour all rolled into one. Bonus - it was free on Kindle :)
I couldnt put it down. A great mix of suspense, horror and humour all rolled into one. Bonus - it was free on Kindle :)
March 19, 2012
Oz Griffith was a bully. He didn't bully everyone, but he did bully one person in particular - Stevie, a boy with Downs Syndrome.
Oz's bullying drove Stevie to suicide and put in motion the end of the world. When the Takers appear, eating any human who notices them, Oz is passed out with mono. When he wakes up, it seems as though there's no one else left on Earth.
Gradually, he gathers a band of followers, human and animal - all dedicated to protecting the most unlikely member of the band, a newborn infant named Nate. But Nate is special, and if the world is to be saved, he needs to be protected at all costs. That is Oz's purpose.
The Takers is a gripping read, and one of the most unique stories I've read in a long time. The concept of disgusting creatures that swallow people whole and can only harm you if you notice them has shades of Stephen King, as does the revelation of how the Takers arrived and were created.
The author, R.W. Ridley, weaves the storyline together masterfully, creating suspense and tension without being heavy-handed in his scare tactics. The twists in the story are believable, and Ridley does not create "Red Shirt" characters - everyone in the story is in peril. Being a main character is no armor against the Takers.
Even the storyline with the gorilla, which sounds ridiculous if you try to explain it out-loud, works into the book seamlessly and without making the reader shake their head. In fact, the gorilla is one of my favorite characters - and was probably a lot of fun to write.
The Takers is not a difficult or long read - I finished it in one night. Granted, it was a night I was dealing with a bout of insomnia, but still.
Oz's bullying drove Stevie to suicide and put in motion the end of the world. When the Takers appear, eating any human who notices them, Oz is passed out with mono. When he wakes up, it seems as though there's no one else left on Earth.
Gradually, he gathers a band of followers, human and animal - all dedicated to protecting the most unlikely member of the band, a newborn infant named Nate. But Nate is special, and if the world is to be saved, he needs to be protected at all costs. That is Oz's purpose.
The Takers is a gripping read, and one of the most unique stories I've read in a long time. The concept of disgusting creatures that swallow people whole and can only harm you if you notice them has shades of Stephen King, as does the revelation of how the Takers arrived and were created.
The author, R.W. Ridley, weaves the storyline together masterfully, creating suspense and tension without being heavy-handed in his scare tactics. The twists in the story are believable, and Ridley does not create "Red Shirt" characters - everyone in the story is in peril. Being a main character is no armor against the Takers.
Even the storyline with the gorilla, which sounds ridiculous if you try to explain it out-loud, works into the book seamlessly and without making the reader shake their head. In fact, the gorilla is one of my favorite characters - and was probably a lot of fun to write.
The Takers is not a difficult or long read - I finished it in one night. Granted, it was a night I was dealing with a bout of insomnia, but still.
May 5, 2025
Excellent book, never read anything like this series. Read in one sitting.
January 30, 2015
I was so pleasantly surprised by this story. This book is a journey through a wildly imaginative and creative mind. It was different and exciting and I really loved it.
I would call this a young adult novel, but not too young. It is scary in places. It is also funny and sad and adventurous. The main character is a thirteen year old boy named Oz who begins the story by telling the reader a heartbreaking confession of how he bullied another boy with down syndrome.
Oz is honest that he was not kind to the other boy. But, as the story unfolds, it turns into a great lesson about bullying and its consequences. I loved the way the lesson was worked into the story.
The Takers are one of the monsters in the story. Oz awakens to discover he’s alone in the world. He cannot find his parents, his neighbors or his friends. His only companion at first is his family’s dog.
Setting out to save the world, you get the feeling Oz is redeeming himself. I like that he isn’t the stereotypical hero. He isn’t perfect. He’s small, unsure of himself, and he made me root for him the whole way.
On his journey, he meets some really great friends that I thought were exceptional side characters. Some of them are not human. I hope you consider reading this book, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
I would call this a young adult novel, but not too young. It is scary in places. It is also funny and sad and adventurous. The main character is a thirteen year old boy named Oz who begins the story by telling the reader a heartbreaking confession of how he bullied another boy with down syndrome.
Oz is honest that he was not kind to the other boy. But, as the story unfolds, it turns into a great lesson about bullying and its consequences. I loved the way the lesson was worked into the story.
The Takers are one of the monsters in the story. Oz awakens to discover he’s alone in the world. He cannot find his parents, his neighbors or his friends. His only companion at first is his family’s dog.
Setting out to save the world, you get the feeling Oz is redeeming himself. I like that he isn’t the stereotypical hero. He isn’t perfect. He’s small, unsure of himself, and he made me root for him the whole way.
On his journey, he meets some really great friends that I thought were exceptional side characters. Some of them are not human. I hope you consider reading this book, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
September 26, 2013
This shouldn't work. It really shouldn't. The series is about the end of the world brought about by several children with Down's Syndrome who have been taught how to "imagine into being", ie. make their fantasies real. That being said, we have children, a baby, a warrior gorilla, giant ant-men that appear and eat you when you say their name, a comic book that can predict the future, a former pro-footballer, a giant ant-queen creature, a leader who may or may not be insane...It shouldn't work. And yet it does, beautifully.
Ridley brings together a mishmash collection of strangeness and blends it all into a well defined and cohesive whole. There is nothing I did not like about this book, other than craving it were longer. It is a dystopian wonderland of bravery and consequence, impossibly hard choices and regret. These are characters you come to stand firmly beside, along a storyline that makes you root for the impossible: for everything to be okay in the end.
Much has been made touting this as a YA book, disposable fiction for the juvenile and pre-teen reader, and this is completely and utterly wrong. While young adults can enjoy this story, card-carrying adults can, as well, and deeply appreciate the complexities of what the human mind is capable of.
Ridley brings together a mishmash collection of strangeness and blends it all into a well defined and cohesive whole. There is nothing I did not like about this book, other than craving it were longer. It is a dystopian wonderland of bravery and consequence, impossibly hard choices and regret. These are characters you come to stand firmly beside, along a storyline that makes you root for the impossible: for everything to be okay in the end.
Much has been made touting this as a YA book, disposable fiction for the juvenile and pre-teen reader, and this is completely and utterly wrong. While young adults can enjoy this story, card-carrying adults can, as well, and deeply appreciate the complexities of what the human mind is capable of.
August 12, 2012
Honestly? This book began my all time favorite book series I have EVER read. I couldn't put it down. This book was just perfect. I love the suspense and action the book had, I loved the story and I loved the characters.
The fact that this book, let alone the series, is not as popular as it should be upsets me.
I am hard to please with books. So the fact that I loved this surprised me.
Anyway... The review!!! Well. The Takers is such a unique story and so creative and compelling. It teaches you morals along the way. Such as: don't judge someone because they're different, and to be accepting and forgiving. Well that's how I perceived it. I honestly would reccomend this book to everyone. Especially if you like post-apocalyptic stuff. I wont give a full synopsis, but basically, Oz has awoken into a "story" more or less. Its the same world and all, but Oz has a mission. He is a warrior, and he has to get his Storyteller to his Keeper. Along the way he meets some friends, gets into some battles, and becomes a leader and a warrior.
It ends with a cliffhanger leaving you DYING to read the next book.
Well that's really all I can think to say.
The fact that this book, let alone the series, is not as popular as it should be upsets me.
I am hard to please with books. So the fact that I loved this surprised me.
Anyway... The review!!! Well. The Takers is such a unique story and so creative and compelling. It teaches you morals along the way. Such as: don't judge someone because they're different, and to be accepting and forgiving. Well that's how I perceived it. I honestly would reccomend this book to everyone. Especially if you like post-apocalyptic stuff. I wont give a full synopsis, but basically, Oz has awoken into a "story" more or less. Its the same world and all, but Oz has a mission. He is a warrior, and he has to get his Storyteller to his Keeper. Along the way he meets some friends, gets into some battles, and becomes a leader and a warrior.
It ends with a cliffhanger leaving you DYING to read the next book.
Well that's really all I can think to say.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2012
Oz, a normal 13 year old boy, wakes up in the bottom of his closet, covered in clothes. The last thing he knew as that he was sick. As he emerges from the closet, the only thing alive he can find in his house is his dog. Electricity doesn’t operate. All the people, with a few exceptions are gone and he has pieced together they have been ‘taken’. So off he starts from Tennessee to his uncle in Georgia. Or at least he hopes his uncle is alive. On the way he gathers a few people around in his journey to fight against “The Takers” and to figure out how to survive. It may seem strange a 13 year old will be the leader of a group, but it works. Their experiences are mirrored in a comic book drawn by a boy with Down’s Syndrome that Oz feels he had a part in driving the boy to suicide. The events Oz experiences has been predicted in this comic book. A compelling read, enough to make you want to start the next one before you even get finished with this one.
February 25, 2017
Reread this book as I finally got the other books in the series and it's been seven years since I last read this one. Still really enjoyed it and am excited to see what's going on in the next books.
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Read this whole book in a couple hours time. It was a pretty easy read and fairly short. Add on the fact that the story itself is quite engaging, and it made a few hours of reading go by pretty quick. This book is The Road (Cormac McCarthy) meets Life as we knew it (Susan Beth Pfeffer) all combined with a little alien action. The book follows Oz as he tries to save his neighbor's baby, Nate, after some type of aliens have taken over. The concept of where the aliens came from is a little out there, but all the same, I am looking forward to the next book in this series, and hope that it doesn't disappoint.
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Read this whole book in a couple hours time. It was a pretty easy read and fairly short. Add on the fact that the story itself is quite engaging, and it made a few hours of reading go by pretty quick. This book is The Road (Cormac McCarthy) meets Life as we knew it (Susan Beth Pfeffer) all combined with a little alien action. The book follows Oz as he tries to save his neighbor's baby, Nate, after some type of aliens have taken over. The concept of where the aliens came from is a little out there, but all the same, I am looking forward to the next book in this series, and hope that it doesn't disappoint.
January 31, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. Seriously, I haven't had this much fun with a (YA) novel in a very long time. I'm always skeptical when someone compares a book to Stephen King, but this is actually warranted for this book. Although, to be honest, it combines a lot of things I love: horror, post-apocalyptic setting, sci-fi, and fantasy elements.
I can't say that this novel does anything new with any of the trappings of those genres, but it does combine them in a wonderful way. It also pulls in the themes of bullying and prejudice very well to make for an interesting if obvious moral. I would have flipped for this when I was younger. Hell, I had fun with it now.
I frequently troll the free fiction on the kindle and rarely am willing to read the follow up novels because they are not free. For this book I've made an exception; we'll see how the next novel is.
I can't say that this novel does anything new with any of the trappings of those genres, but it does combine them in a wonderful way. It also pulls in the themes of bullying and prejudice very well to make for an interesting if obvious moral. I would have flipped for this when I was younger. Hell, I had fun with it now.
I frequently troll the free fiction on the kindle and rarely am willing to read the follow up novels because they are not free. For this book I've made an exception; we'll see how the next novel is.
June 7, 2012
I really enjoyed this book, which is the first in the Oz Chronicles series. A young boy wakes from a illness in a post-apocalyptic world. He soon finds other survivors and discovers that he is a key player in a mission to restore Earth to it's former state. Though this sounds somewhat generic, there are a few twists to the normal "random nobody saves the world" plot. The Takers and the Délons are an interesting concept for villains. I had trouble putting the book down, finishing it in a day, and I've already gotten the next two books in the series. I'm hoping they are as entertaining as this first one.
December 16, 2011
As a fantasy fanatic, I am pleased to say that this is the best book ever! I have read it three times already and it gets better every time! I love the diversity of characters and not just human characters. I recommend this book to any other fantasy lover or anyone who enjoys adventure books or road trips. READ IT!!
January 14, 2010
The first line will grab you - "We killed the retarded boy." This horror (yet not gory or gruesome) story has a bit of mystery. You learn bits and bits as the story progresses, and you can't help but cheer for the protagonist as he attempts to atone for his mistakes.
June 17, 2012
One of my favorite series to date. A very creative and unique idea for a story, rich with its own mythology. Ridley has created characters that you love to follow. I can't wait for the next installment.
March 5, 2009
This was a young adult horror/sci-fi book in my opinion. It was pretty good and written so I could still enjoy it. It moves quickly as I finished in a day.
April 12, 2009
Great page turner for YAs. Very enjoyable! Good plotting and character development. And, a nice message too. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 1, 2012
This was pretty good. Kind of scary and creepy, and yet had some funny moments. I want to see what else is in the series.
June 13, 2012
Pretty good read. Reminded me of Stephen King told from the point of view of a 13 year old.
September 10, 2012
Good read, very entertaining even though it's weird. Great young adult story since there's a lot about how treating people badly has consequences. It's fun and crazy and scary.
December 22, 2020
Found this book while searching for books that were similar to Darren Shan's Cirque du Freak series.
This is the first time in what feels like forever that I've finished the first book of a series feeling like I would 100% buy book 2. Too bad this was a print-by-order book (which I didn't even know was a thing??) and I'm pretty sure they don't do that in my country.
Regardless, this still works well as a stand-alone book, and I could easily imagine it as a horror movie. The plot is straightforward and simple but the writing keeps things interesting so that I was never bored, even when not a lot was happening. The characters were very charming, though I feel like more time could've been spent with them to make them just that much more endearing, because as is, they did feel like characters in a horror movie, in that I didn't really feel bad when bad stuff happened to some of them. The protagonist Oz in particular I think could've been a bit stronger, especially considering he was a bully to a boy with Down Syndrome - I don't think we really got to see enough of that side of him, to the point that if I hadn't been told constantly that he used to make 'the retarded boy''s life miserable I wouldn't have believed he'd be capable of such a thing, because throughout the book he's shown to be a pretty decent hero character, smart and compassionate and quick to help his friends. How cool would it have been to follow a bully character in a post-apocalyptic world suddenly be thrust with the responsibility of looking after a baby, and a bunch of other people as well, and actually see him grow into a decent human being? I think if we'd even just gotten at least one or two scenes showing some of the things Oz did to Stevie it would have enriched his character a bit, but he never goes into any real detail about it (possibly because of how ashamed he was of his actions).
But that's really the only complaint I have, that the characters weren't strong enough, not that they weren't enjoyable to follow. With the way this book ended I'd definitely be interested in seeing where the story goes from here, as this really does feel like a precursor to much bigger things to come. But until I actually get the chance to lay my hands on book 2, like I said this does work on its own. Short, simple, but fun and effective, this was just the kind of book I've been wanting for awhile.
This is the first time in what feels like forever that I've finished the first book of a series feeling like I would 100% buy book 2. Too bad this was a print-by-order book (which I didn't even know was a thing??) and I'm pretty sure they don't do that in my country.
Regardless, this still works well as a stand-alone book, and I could easily imagine it as a horror movie. The plot is straightforward and simple but the writing keeps things interesting so that I was never bored, even when not a lot was happening. The characters were very charming, though I feel like more time could've been spent with them to make them just that much more endearing, because as is, they did feel like characters in a horror movie, in that I didn't really feel bad when bad stuff happened to some of them. The protagonist Oz in particular I think could've been a bit stronger, especially considering he was a bully to a boy with Down Syndrome - I don't think we really got to see enough of that side of him, to the point that if I hadn't been told constantly that he used to make 'the retarded boy''s life miserable I wouldn't have believed he'd be capable of such a thing, because throughout the book he's shown to be a pretty decent hero character, smart and compassionate and quick to help his friends. How cool would it have been to follow a bully character in a post-apocalyptic world suddenly be thrust with the responsibility of looking after a baby, and a bunch of other people as well, and actually see him grow into a decent human being? I think if we'd even just gotten at least one or two scenes showing some of the things Oz did to Stevie it would have enriched his character a bit, but he never goes into any real detail about it (possibly because of how ashamed he was of his actions).
But that's really the only complaint I have, that the characters weren't strong enough, not that they weren't enjoyable to follow. With the way this book ended I'd definitely be interested in seeing where the story goes from here, as this really does feel like a precursor to much bigger things to come. But until I actually get the chance to lay my hands on book 2, like I said this does work on its own. Short, simple, but fun and effective, this was just the kind of book I've been wanting for awhile.
February 14, 2025
I accidentally read this on my Kindle. I thought I was beginning a book I had downloaded but somehow clicked on this one and was very confused as it progressed! I’m not sure how I did it, but I’m glad I did. It was surprisingly captivating. Clearly written for a younger audience but still utterly terrifying, especially early on, when you don’t know what is happening. I don’t anticipate reading the rest in the series, as I don’t care to be spooked before I go to sleep, but I can see why others would. Fun and quick and a neat concept.
January 22, 2022
Fun read
Fun read for something not too heavy. As an adult I found this entertaining and pretty well written. It's written for a much younger crowd and I thunk Ridley did a good job. I'm thinking of getting the second book but I have so many actual books to read. But this was fun for what it was.
Fun read for something not too heavy. As an adult I found this entertaining and pretty well written. It's written for a much younger crowd and I thunk Ridley did a good job. I'm thinking of getting the second book but I have so many actual books to read. But this was fun for what it was.
March 19, 2018
The young adult's Stephen King
Ridley has done an excellent job of taking children down the yellow brick road and straight into Hell!
Or is it all just a dream?
Ridley has done an excellent job of taking children down the yellow brick road and straight into Hell!
Or is it all just a dream?
February 11, 2019
Meh
I read this on a cross country flight so I am not sure if I would have finished it if I was reading it at home. It wasn’t bad but wasn’t great either.
I read this on a cross country flight so I am not sure if I would have finished it if I was reading it at home. It wasn’t bad but wasn’t great either.
July 13, 2024
Thrilling Read :)
November 23, 2024
Fun read, but some plot twists felt a bit contrived.
May 27, 2021
The premise of this series is really interesting, and the main character is an interesting choice. I'm not sure if it's meant to be read by a YA audience or adult, but it is interesting enough that it kept me reading just to see what would happen next. It is a pretty quick read, and at this point I am looking forward to the rest of the series. Oz is not really a very interesting character, but the situations he finds himself in, and the other characters really bring the story to life.
September 4, 2013
This review is cross-posted from Papyrus Independent Author Reviews (http://papyrus.calebblake.net/2013/09/04/the-takers-by-r-w-ridley/)
The secret is not to let them know you're aware of them. Keep quiet. Keep moving. And whatever you do, don't speak their name.
The Takers is set in a contemporary Earth which has somehow been invaded by creatures that have devoured nearly all the population. It has a post-apocalyptic feel, a landscape with empty houses and abandoned cars strewn along highways. The atmosphere is heavy with silence and the dread of these marauding creatures, who appear when acknowledged to consume any in their path.
Oz Griffin wakes up after a week in the delirium of illness, to find his house empty with no sign of his parents. As he searches his neighbourhood for people and answers, he stumbles across several terrifying creatures prowling the area, alerting him to an immediate danger and providing the dreadful clues to what might have happened to his local community.
He decides to mount an expedition to his uncle's home in another district. With his German Shepherd and a car he doesn't know how to drive, he sets off on a journey that evolves over the course of the book into an epic mission to defeat these predatory creatures and restore his world.
I liked the idea of this story. It remained dark, while not presenting any material that I felt unsuitable for younger adults. It delivers plenty of adventure, action and suspense. I was intrigued by the author's use of the disabled in the story, in particular those with Down Syndrome. I think challenging the perceptions of the reader, by presenting these characters in an unexpected role, can be a powerful tool to refocus awareness. This is not to imply that this story takes a particularly heavy-handed or didactic approach, just that playing with perceptions can sometimes elicit a consideration from the reader that may not have otherwise been triggered.
With a German Shepherd, a small gang of survivors, a particularly wise gorilla, a comic book and hordes of enemies, as mysterious as they are vicious, this is a vividly imagined adventure in a dark world. The only thing I didn't really appreciate was the plot mechanism used to end the story. It left me a little deflated after enjoying the majority of the novel.
Griffin is an interesting character for a young adult fantasy in the sense that he is an anti-hero. Nothing could alienate the reader from Oz more than the opening sentences of the book:
It's a bold move by the author to cast such a dark shadow on the character with which the reader is going to take this journey. The approach seems vaguely reminiscent of Stephen Donaldson's portrayal of Thomas Covenant - one of the most infamous anti-heroes in the fantasy genre, but translated into a form that a younger reader can appreciate: bullying, the antagonism of children with disabilities and the potential result.
The book focuses on Griffin's redemption and the continued influence of Stevie Dayton almost as a manifestation of his guilt. We experience the character's growth over the course of the story and the qualities within him, previously used to inflict pain on Dayton, are gradually transformed into a positive force.
I had no issues with the prose in this novel. It was very readable, managed to generate the right atmosphere and was dark without being too dark given its target audience. There were no noticeable errors in the text, nor did I stumble across clunky expressions or word misuse.
The Takers is the first book of a series of novels called The Oz Chronicles. As of this review, there are six books, so if you like the first, there's quite a bit of material to move on with.
The Takers was the recipient of the 2006 IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards) for Horror, with the second instalment, Délon City, taking a bronze IPPY in the subsequent year.
The secret is not to let them know you're aware of them. Keep quiet. Keep moving. And whatever you do, don't speak their name.
The Takers is set in a contemporary Earth which has somehow been invaded by creatures that have devoured nearly all the population. It has a post-apocalyptic feel, a landscape with empty houses and abandoned cars strewn along highways. The atmosphere is heavy with silence and the dread of these marauding creatures, who appear when acknowledged to consume any in their path.
Oz Griffin wakes up after a week in the delirium of illness, to find his house empty with no sign of his parents. As he searches his neighbourhood for people and answers, he stumbles across several terrifying creatures prowling the area, alerting him to an immediate danger and providing the dreadful clues to what might have happened to his local community.
He decides to mount an expedition to his uncle's home in another district. With his German Shepherd and a car he doesn't know how to drive, he sets off on a journey that evolves over the course of the book into an epic mission to defeat these predatory creatures and restore his world.
I liked the idea of this story. It remained dark, while not presenting any material that I felt unsuitable for younger adults. It delivers plenty of adventure, action and suspense. I was intrigued by the author's use of the disabled in the story, in particular those with Down Syndrome. I think challenging the perceptions of the reader, by presenting these characters in an unexpected role, can be a powerful tool to refocus awareness. This is not to imply that this story takes a particularly heavy-handed or didactic approach, just that playing with perceptions can sometimes elicit a consideration from the reader that may not have otherwise been triggered.
With a German Shepherd, a small gang of survivors, a particularly wise gorilla, a comic book and hordes of enemies, as mysterious as they are vicious, this is a vividly imagined adventure in a dark world. The only thing I didn't really appreciate was the plot mechanism used to end the story. It left me a little deflated after enjoying the majority of the novel.
Griffin is an interesting character for a young adult fantasy in the sense that he is an anti-hero. Nothing could alienate the reader from Oz more than the opening sentences of the book:
We killed the retarded boy. He took his own life, but we killed him just the same.
It's a bold move by the author to cast such a dark shadow on the character with which the reader is going to take this journey. The approach seems vaguely reminiscent of Stephen Donaldson's portrayal of Thomas Covenant - one of the most infamous anti-heroes in the fantasy genre, but translated into a form that a younger reader can appreciate: bullying, the antagonism of children with disabilities and the potential result.
The book focuses on Griffin's redemption and the continued influence of Stevie Dayton almost as a manifestation of his guilt. We experience the character's growth over the course of the story and the qualities within him, previously used to inflict pain on Dayton, are gradually transformed into a positive force.
I had no issues with the prose in this novel. It was very readable, managed to generate the right atmosphere and was dark without being too dark given its target audience. There were no noticeable errors in the text, nor did I stumble across clunky expressions or word misuse.
The Takers is the first book of a series of novels called The Oz Chronicles. As of this review, there are six books, so if you like the first, there's quite a bit of material to move on with.
The Takers was the recipient of the 2006 IPPY (Independent Publisher Book Awards) for Horror, with the second instalment, Délon City, taking a bronze IPPY in the subsequent year.
March 2, 2013
This review can also be found at our blog!
http://readinginthewindowseat.blogspo...
Ok, so before I begin, I would like to say that I thought the blurb was somewhat misleading. Yes, JK Rowling made a pretty profitable franchise, but this novel should not be deemed similar to those works when picking it up. Just a forewarning to those who might pick this book up (which I think they totally should). But hey, if we're making comparisons, allow me to make a contrast: this book was in NO WAY like Harry Potter, and in many ways beats it. Just so we're all clear. *end rant*
Anywho, now to the deal: The Takers. So I don't think I've ever been as on edge with a book for some time. Yeah, I've read a few pieces where my stomach lurched a bit, but it's been a while since a book would a induce me to scream at my colleague Tempest when she opens my car door for scaring the pee-jeebus out of me. Needless to say, Ridley's narrative- claws sink deeply into your flesh as you yourself are sinking your reader-fangs into his tale of horror. From the beginning, the reader is pretty much told that these creatures, the Takers, have devoured all humans, and that you can't say their names out loud or notice them or else they'll come find you and presumably kill you. At first, I thought it was going to be one of those stories where you don't get to see the big bad wolf until near the end, or you wouldn't see them period. Which has been done, and I almost thought about putting it down, but it turns out Ridley ends up throwing these terrifying creatures at your face, and in doing so you also witness some monsters that movie directors would so often like to hide these days for the sake of suspense. Trust me though, there's plenty of that going around in this novel too, so the whole time you're wondering who's going to be eaten alive next (one of my biggest fears which made this novel even more terrifying) and trust me, Ridley does not spare the nasty details. With that said, I'll move on to the characters, who are a pretty diverse lot, including a German Shepard and a signing-gorilla. The thirteen year old narrator inevitably becomes the leader of the pack, but instead of morphing into a heroic role, Ridley still manages to portray a kid still going through puberty as an almost man who just instinctively takes up the mantle of being the leader. We see him cry like a baby, but also we see him stare down grease-covered devils and tear their throats out.
What I liked about this book was how it pushes you to accept the unimaginable. There are moments where things seems pretty incredulous and for a second you have thoughts that can resemble this: "wait, how the heck can that happen that imposs-- Oh wait never mind, if creatures from another dimension can come and eat the entire human race, I guess that's possible too..." Basically, anything is possible and the characters are left to confront whatever is thrown at them. The plot may seem linear to some readers, point a to point b, but I actually kind of appreciated the structure. The one issue I had with this book was how rushed the last two chapters seemed. It felt like Ridley was anxious to wrap things up, maybe so he could start building upon a climactic ending, or perhaps his second book. Additionally some questions which were raised in the novel were never answered. I'll assume Ridley plans on answering at least a few of them in his sequel, which I am most anxious for.
http://readinginthewindowseat.blogspo...
Ok, so before I begin, I would like to say that I thought the blurb was somewhat misleading. Yes, JK Rowling made a pretty profitable franchise, but this novel should not be deemed similar to those works when picking it up. Just a forewarning to those who might pick this book up (which I think they totally should). But hey, if we're making comparisons, allow me to make a contrast: this book was in NO WAY like Harry Potter, and in many ways beats it. Just so we're all clear. *end rant*
Anywho, now to the deal: The Takers. So I don't think I've ever been as on edge with a book for some time. Yeah, I've read a few pieces where my stomach lurched a bit, but it's been a while since a book would a induce me to scream at my colleague Tempest when she opens my car door for scaring the pee-jeebus out of me. Needless to say, Ridley's narrative- claws sink deeply into your flesh as you yourself are sinking your reader-fangs into his tale of horror. From the beginning, the reader is pretty much told that these creatures, the Takers, have devoured all humans, and that you can't say their names out loud or notice them or else they'll come find you and presumably kill you. At first, I thought it was going to be one of those stories where you don't get to see the big bad wolf until near the end, or you wouldn't see them period. Which has been done, and I almost thought about putting it down, but it turns out Ridley ends up throwing these terrifying creatures at your face, and in doing so you also witness some monsters that movie directors would so often like to hide these days for the sake of suspense. Trust me though, there's plenty of that going around in this novel too, so the whole time you're wondering who's going to be eaten alive next (one of my biggest fears which made this novel even more terrifying) and trust me, Ridley does not spare the nasty details. With that said, I'll move on to the characters, who are a pretty diverse lot, including a German Shepard and a signing-gorilla. The thirteen year old narrator inevitably becomes the leader of the pack, but instead of morphing into a heroic role, Ridley still manages to portray a kid still going through puberty as an almost man who just instinctively takes up the mantle of being the leader. We see him cry like a baby, but also we see him stare down grease-covered devils and tear their throats out.
What I liked about this book was how it pushes you to accept the unimaginable. There are moments where things seems pretty incredulous and for a second you have thoughts that can resemble this: "wait, how the heck can that happen that imposs-- Oh wait never mind, if creatures from another dimension can come and eat the entire human race, I guess that's possible too..." Basically, anything is possible and the characters are left to confront whatever is thrown at them. The plot may seem linear to some readers, point a to point b, but I actually kind of appreciated the structure. The one issue I had with this book was how rushed the last two chapters seemed. It felt like Ridley was anxious to wrap things up, maybe so he could start building upon a climactic ending, or perhaps his second book. Additionally some questions which were raised in the novel were never answered. I'll assume Ridley plans on answering at least a few of them in his sequel, which I am most anxious for.
July 4, 2016
An Excellent Example of "New Bizarro"
Some of the most interesting work being done in fiction is in the older-middle-grade young YA category. And some of the best work there is from self-published and small press authors. This book is a great example of that type of New Bizarro work.
The story starts out in a straightforward, if odd, fashion. Oz awakens from an illness to find that everyone is gone. He wanders his abandoned neighborhood and learns that some sort of evil entity has arisen and has "taken" everyone. He picks up a companion, and his dog, and goes into survival mode. We learn that the whole thing may be drawn from the comics written by a developmentally disabled boy, Steve, who committed suicide. So, we're down the rabbit hole at this point. Is this adventure going on in Oz's head; is it part of the neighbor boy's story somehow come to life; is it "real"? Don't know, and the author keeps you guessing. NO SPOILERS, but from there we follow Oz as he picks up an odd assortment of companions and fights to survive while he searches for answers.
On the one hand you could fault this book for being less than professionally edited, for some awkward bits, and for being less than highly polished. Rubbish I say. I'm happy to skip over some errors and some rough patches in order to get a story with energy, raw imagination, creative honesty and novelty.
I'm happy with the whole head trip approach. The author avoids quantum gobbleydegook, (although that can be fun too), and goes for a more mythical, fantasy, bent-reality approach. This doesn't get in the way of solid storytelling, it just gives the author freedom to spread himself and to violate some of the standard rules of plotting. This book has been compared to the "Wizard of Oz", and that's apt if you think of "Wizard..." as a sort of head trip, (did Dorothy really go to Oz?), that is a fantasy that feels real.
Anyway, the book is fun. It's suspenseful and thrilling. There is some graphic violence, but nothing over-the-top. Oz is a well developed character. There is an undercurrent relating to Steve's suicide, and Oz's guilt over his treatment of Steve, that moves this beyond hack and slash zombie type stuff.
The book closes with a reasonably satisfying ending, but leaves open a what if that points towards a sequel. (In fact, there are five more volumes that apparently get progressively weirder.) So, this is fine as a one-book trial or as a series opener. I count it as a happy find.
(Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. It is currently a kindleunlimited choice. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
Some of the most interesting work being done in fiction is in the older-middle-grade young YA category. And some of the best work there is from self-published and small press authors. This book is a great example of that type of New Bizarro work.
The story starts out in a straightforward, if odd, fashion. Oz awakens from an illness to find that everyone is gone. He wanders his abandoned neighborhood and learns that some sort of evil entity has arisen and has "taken" everyone. He picks up a companion, and his dog, and goes into survival mode. We learn that the whole thing may be drawn from the comics written by a developmentally disabled boy, Steve, who committed suicide. So, we're down the rabbit hole at this point. Is this adventure going on in Oz's head; is it part of the neighbor boy's story somehow come to life; is it "real"? Don't know, and the author keeps you guessing. NO SPOILERS, but from there we follow Oz as he picks up an odd assortment of companions and fights to survive while he searches for answers.
On the one hand you could fault this book for being less than professionally edited, for some awkward bits, and for being less than highly polished. Rubbish I say. I'm happy to skip over some errors and some rough patches in order to get a story with energy, raw imagination, creative honesty and novelty.
I'm happy with the whole head trip approach. The author avoids quantum gobbleydegook, (although that can be fun too), and goes for a more mythical, fantasy, bent-reality approach. This doesn't get in the way of solid storytelling, it just gives the author freedom to spread himself and to violate some of the standard rules of plotting. This book has been compared to the "Wizard of Oz", and that's apt if you think of "Wizard..." as a sort of head trip, (did Dorothy really go to Oz?), that is a fantasy that feels real.
Anyway, the book is fun. It's suspenseful and thrilling. There is some graphic violence, but nothing over-the-top. Oz is a well developed character. There is an undercurrent relating to Steve's suicide, and Oz's guilt over his treatment of Steve, that moves this beyond hack and slash zombie type stuff.
The book closes with a reasonably satisfying ending, but leaves open a what if that points towards a sequel. (In fact, there are five more volumes that apparently get progressively weirder.) So, this is fine as a one-book trial or as a series opener. I count it as a happy find.
(Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. It is currently a kindleunlimited choice. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
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