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The Loop Trilogy #1
The Loop
Life inside The Loop-the futuristic death row for teens under eighteen-is one long repetitive purgatory. But when news of the encroaching chaos in the outside world reaches the inmates and disorder begins to strike, the prison becomes the least of their worries.
It's Luka Kane's sixteenth birthday and he's been inside The Loop for over two years. Every inmate is serving a death sentence with the option to push back their execution date by six months if they opt into "Delays", scientific and medical experiments for the benefit of the elite in the outside world. But rumors of a war on the outside are spreading amongst the inmates, and before they know it, their tortuous routine becomes disrupted. The government issued rain stops falling. Strange things are happening to the guards. And it's not long until the inmates are left alone inside the prison.
Were the chains that shackled Luka to his cell the only instruments left to keep him safe? He must overcome fellow prisoners hell-bent on killing him, the warden losing her mind, the rabid rats in the train tunnels, and a population turned into murderous monsters to try and break out of The Loop, save his family, and discover who is responsible for the chaos that has been inflicted upon the world.
It's Luka Kane's sixteenth birthday and he's been inside The Loop for over two years. Every inmate is serving a death sentence with the option to push back their execution date by six months if they opt into "Delays", scientific and medical experiments for the benefit of the elite in the outside world. But rumors of a war on the outside are spreading amongst the inmates, and before they know it, their tortuous routine becomes disrupted. The government issued rain stops falling. Strange things are happening to the guards. And it's not long until the inmates are left alone inside the prison.
Were the chains that shackled Luka to his cell the only instruments left to keep him safe? He must overcome fellow prisoners hell-bent on killing him, the warden losing her mind, the rabid rats in the train tunnels, and a population turned into murderous monsters to try and break out of The Loop, save his family, and discover who is responsible for the chaos that has been inflicted upon the world.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 934 reviews
July 2, 2020
I'm going to give myself 4.52 out of 5 (rounded up, of course!) because I've just written book 2 of The Loop trilogy and it's better than book 1... so... you know...
Anyway, thank you everyone for all the nice things you've said about The Loop - and if you didn't enjoy it, that's fine too :) not every book is for every person.
Anyway, thank you everyone for all the nice things you've said about The Loop - and if you didn't enjoy it, that's fine too :) not every book is for every person.
April 27, 2020
This is the birth child of Stephen King's The Institute and Rick Yancey's The 5th Wave series.
Similar to those, this was a tough pill to swallow involving torture, prison and war for young adults and children. But damn if it isn't a rocket fueled ride. I couldn't stop reading even when I was hating what was happening. This is a love hate read in my opinion. The characters are absolutely wonderful. Dynamic and engaging! Dialogue was fantastic! Just enough that you get past the horrible things they endure. If they can, why can't you! And then we're left with the ending...I'm still debating: cop out or good? Let the readers decide.
*Thank you to Scholastic (Trade Publishing) in Edelweiss+ for access to the digital review copy!
Similar to those, this was a tough pill to swallow involving torture, prison and war for young adults and children. But damn if it isn't a rocket fueled ride. I couldn't stop reading even when I was hating what was happening. This is a love hate read in my opinion. The characters are absolutely wonderful. Dynamic and engaging! Dialogue was fantastic! Just enough that you get past the horrible things they endure. If they can, why can't you! And then we're left with the ending...I'm still debating: cop out or good? Let the readers decide.
*Thank you to Scholastic (Trade Publishing) in Edelweiss+ for access to the digital review copy!
September 11, 2019
Many books have claimed to be 'the next Hunger Games or Maze Runner' but few can actually meet that hype. I'm happy to say that this book has met these expectations and then some!
This book is mostly set inside a prison known as the Loop, where inmates are subject to torturous conditions and crippling loneliness. We explore this setting through the eyes of Luka Kane, a flawed and very relatable YA protagonist who keeps you engaged as the mysteries of the prison and the world around it begin to unfold. The side characters threaten to overwhelm at first given their rapid and frequent introductions but ultimately result in a cast of characters that you will route for all the way, Igby and Malachai being particular standouts.
I cannot give away any plot here, as it's something you really must experience yourself. There are so many twists and turns right up until the end it'll leave you weepy at the fact the next book isn't out till 2021!!!
In closing, YA dystopian fans should get ready, as this book is going to be your next obsession.
This book is mostly set inside a prison known as the Loop, where inmates are subject to torturous conditions and crippling loneliness. We explore this setting through the eyes of Luka Kane, a flawed and very relatable YA protagonist who keeps you engaged as the mysteries of the prison and the world around it begin to unfold. The side characters threaten to overwhelm at first given their rapid and frequent introductions but ultimately result in a cast of characters that you will route for all the way, Igby and Malachai being particular standouts.
I cannot give away any plot here, as it's something you really must experience yourself. There are so many twists and turns right up until the end it'll leave you weepy at the fact the next book isn't out till 2021!!!
In closing, YA dystopian fans should get ready, as this book is going to be your next obsession.
June 17, 2021
UPDATE: 17/06/2021 - Reread and enjoyed it quite a lot more than the first time so I'm keeping the rating of 3.5 Stars but am rounding up to 4!
CW:
Well that was a good plot driven book with a sufficient amount of mystery to keep Readers guessing.
I thought the dystopian prison concept was brilliant and some parts made for gritty reading. The ideas felt a bit underdeveloped and it isn't until the end that you realise why we are largely left in the dark during the novel. I am not a huge fan of that style of abrupt ending but I guess the expletives I let fly was a reflection of my investment levels. A slightly choppy writing style but again that could be a device used to support the dramatic action sequences and the slightly confused state of the main characters as they try to make sense of their predicament. An engaging book. I have purchased four copies for the library as I think this is going to be popular!
CW:
Well that was a good plot driven book with a sufficient amount of mystery to keep Readers guessing.
I thought the dystopian prison concept was brilliant and some parts made for gritty reading. The ideas felt a bit underdeveloped and it isn't until the end that you realise why we are largely left in the dark during the novel. I am not a huge fan of that style of abrupt ending but I guess the expletives I let fly was a reflection of my investment levels. A slightly choppy writing style but again that could be a device used to support the dramatic action sequences and the slightly confused state of the main characters as they try to make sense of their predicament. An engaging book. I have purchased four copies for the library as I think this is going to be popular!
April 14, 2020
yooo that ending got me fucked up
March 13, 2020
A gripping, thrilling and terrifying read.
The Loop is set in dystopian future, where the world is regulated by the World Government and that government is counselled by Artificial Intelligence named Happy (which is very disturbing). It follows the story of Luka Kane who is an inmate in the Loop where the prisoners here are put through cruel torture and excruciating surrounding. Luka’s chance to escape is made possible when rumours of war start to spread and government-issued rain stops falling.
”This sense of futility, of hopelessness; this is what happens when you take compassion out of leadership, when you take mercy out of judgment, when you let the machines decide the fate of humans.”
Ben Oliver threw me in at the deep end. He keeps incidents moving so fast that you don’t really have time to think much about it. I have to admit that I was a bit suprised when I couldn’t put it down (finished it in less than two days, I just kept putting off doing the review). It’s fast, action packed and absolute breathless ride from start to finish. For some reasons, this book reminds me of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Only it is not quite as deep or thought provoking as I expected, which is not a bad thing considering the targeted audience are young readers.
I really liked the political and social commentary of the story. There is an obvious social class and regional disparity. There are the Alts, the Regulars, the Naturals and smiley zombies. Yes, you read that right. There are smiley zombies. I’m also glad where the issue of discrimination and brutal treatment against prisoners are brought into the light. In the story, the inmates in the Loop were just guinea pigs for the World Government. The medical experiments on the prisoners exist just for the sake of making the lives of the wealthy better.
While I enjoyed the maturity and characterization of the characters, I think the book lacked character development. Even when emotion was clearly conveyed in the pages, the characters appeared okay-ish and not that emotional - if that makes sense? The main protagonist, Luka, was okay. He was kind and brave. He also kept it together and didn’t freak out. But sometimes you want more than that; you want depth, and you want it raw. I think that’s the thing that the author miss on this book. Hopefully the characters grow more as the trilogy goes on.
Actual rating: 3.7/5 stars. Thank you @definitelybooks and #pansing for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review. The Loop comes out on 7th of April 2020 so keep your eyes peeled, everyone.
The Loop is set in dystopian future, where the world is regulated by the World Government and that government is counselled by Artificial Intelligence named Happy (which is very disturbing). It follows the story of Luka Kane who is an inmate in the Loop where the prisoners here are put through cruel torture and excruciating surrounding. Luka’s chance to escape is made possible when rumours of war start to spread and government-issued rain stops falling.
”This sense of futility, of hopelessness; this is what happens when you take compassion out of leadership, when you take mercy out of judgment, when you let the machines decide the fate of humans.”
Ben Oliver threw me in at the deep end. He keeps incidents moving so fast that you don’t really have time to think much about it. I have to admit that I was a bit suprised when I couldn’t put it down (finished it in less than two days, I just kept putting off doing the review). It’s fast, action packed and absolute breathless ride from start to finish. For some reasons, this book reminds me of Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Only it is not quite as deep or thought provoking as I expected, which is not a bad thing considering the targeted audience are young readers.
I really liked the political and social commentary of the story. There is an obvious social class and regional disparity. There are the Alts, the Regulars, the Naturals and smiley zombies. Yes, you read that right. There are smiley zombies. I’m also glad where the issue of discrimination and brutal treatment against prisoners are brought into the light. In the story, the inmates in the Loop were just guinea pigs for the World Government. The medical experiments on the prisoners exist just for the sake of making the lives of the wealthy better.
While I enjoyed the maturity and characterization of the characters, I think the book lacked character development. Even when emotion was clearly conveyed in the pages, the characters appeared okay-ish and not that emotional - if that makes sense? The main protagonist, Luka, was okay. He was kind and brave. He also kept it together and didn’t freak out. But sometimes you want more than that; you want depth, and you want it raw. I think that’s the thing that the author miss on this book. Hopefully the characters grow more as the trilogy goes on.
Actual rating: 3.7/5 stars. Thank you @definitelybooks and #pansing for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review. The Loop comes out on 7th of April 2020 so keep your eyes peeled, everyone.
March 1, 2020
An AI controlled prison is inescapable for the teenagers inside it. There's no contact with the outside world, but rumours still filter through - and those rumours are very dark.
Some time in the future - at least a hundred years from now, it's possible I missed a more exact timeframe - the world has fallen under the power of the One World Government and an AI called Happy. Happy controls everything, everywhere. Including the Loop and Block prisons, one for under eighteens, one for adults. Luka's been in the tightly regimented, isolating Loop for several years when things start going wrong. If Luka is careful, if he's clever and quick, if he chooses his companions wisely, he may just survive. But if not...there are far worse things than the Loop in the world...
This is a terrifying, far too plausible look at a possible future. The Loop is inescapable, and isn't that good for dangerous criminals? Happy has found a way to extract energy from the prisoners to help power the prison; isn't that poetic justice, making them part of the system? The med tech keeping them prisoner, the dangerous medical trials they can choose to undertake, it all makes so much sense. That's the most terrifying part of it. And the ending is awful, a real proper cliffhanger.
Even without the futuristic parts, there are some genuinely scary scenes - rats, anyone? - and I really enjoyed this read.
Some time in the future - at least a hundred years from now, it's possible I missed a more exact timeframe - the world has fallen under the power of the One World Government and an AI called Happy. Happy controls everything, everywhere. Including the Loop and Block prisons, one for under eighteens, one for adults. Luka's been in the tightly regimented, isolating Loop for several years when things start going wrong. If Luka is careful, if he's clever and quick, if he chooses his companions wisely, he may just survive. But if not...there are far worse things than the Loop in the world...
This is a terrifying, far too plausible look at a possible future. The Loop is inescapable, and isn't that good for dangerous criminals? Happy has found a way to extract energy from the prisoners to help power the prison; isn't that poetic justice, making them part of the system? The med tech keeping them prisoner, the dangerous medical trials they can choose to undertake, it all makes so much sense. That's the most terrifying part of it. And the ending is awful, a real proper cliffhanger.
Even without the futuristic parts, there are some genuinely scary scenes - rats, anyone? - and I really enjoyed this read.
December 14, 2019
Fast-paced, inventive and full of twists and turns, I devoured this book. Whenever I thought I knew where it was heading, it would spin in another unexpected direction, constantly keeping me enthralled.
Set in a distopian future, Luca Kane is imprisoned in 'The Loop' - a nightmarish institute where inmates are harvested for their energy and experimented on by the government. Luka and the other inmates dream of escape, but with threats of war and rumours of a killer virus that turns humans into ruthless murderers, the outside world may prove to be even more dangerous...
The Maze Runner meets The Matrix, this debut is easily one the best and most memorable books I have read all year.
Set in a distopian future, Luca Kane is imprisoned in 'The Loop' - a nightmarish institute where inmates are harvested for their energy and experimented on by the government. Luka and the other inmates dream of escape, but with threats of war and rumours of a killer virus that turns humans into ruthless murderers, the outside world may prove to be even more dangerous...
The Maze Runner meets The Matrix, this debut is easily one the best and most memorable books I have read all year.
April 14, 2020
The Hunger Games meets The Maze Runner meets The Walking Dead meets Prison Break meets World War Z. But all those combined are like eating cotton candy compared to this book. This was the most perfect dystopian apocalypse action-horror novel with a touch of politics and class conflict for the moment we're living right now. It was everything I look for in a dystopia: terrifyingly believable. After finishing it, I realized how badly I needed to suffer with a young-adult dystopia as if we were still in 2012. I swallowed every drop of it and it left me thirsty for more, give me more, leaving us like this is ILLEGAL, BEN.
May 23, 2020
RECENSIONE QUI: https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/...
"The Loop" è un romanzo oscuro e avvincente per i lettori della narrativa distopica. È il primo volume di una trilogia distopica che si scopre pian piano, come un puzzle i cui tasselli vengono svelati lentamente fino a mostrare l’intera figura. Deliziosamente tetro, avvincente, inaspettato, pieno di colpi di scena e con la giusta azione, la trama ci tiene sul filo della tensione e incollati alle pagine fino a quando non si raggiunge il finale. Ambientato in un futuro distopico, la storia segue Luka Kane, un detenuto imprigionato nel Loop, una prigione controllata da un’intelligenza artificiale chiamata Happy. Happy controlla tutto, ovunque, e può determinare il destinato degli esseri umani che vivono nella prigione. Conosciamo anche altri personaggi secondari come la guardiana e gli altri detenuti che sono prigionieri nella sua ala. L’autore è stato abile nel narrarci la prigionia di Luka attraverso i suoi occhi e il suo punto di vista in prima persona, nel trasmettersi la sua sofferenza e la sua solitudine, la mancanza di una vita normale, degli affetti a lui cari e di tutte quelle cose che molte volte diamo per scontato, il silenzio che erode la sanità mentale e che man mano che passano i giorni, i mesi e gli anni comincia a venir meno. Ci fa entrare anche nei suoi ricordi dolorosi e felici del suo passato, quando tutto era diverso, quando tutto era migliore. La libertà è solo una luce lontana e irraggiungibile alla fine di un tunnel infinito e nero. Non c’è contatto con il mondo esterno, tutto è sotto stretta sorveglianza, ma arrivano delle strane voci di disordini e una potenziale guerra all’esterno, che forse rappresentano la speranza che Luka aspettava da tanto tempo. Cosa succederà quando gli si presente l’occasione per fuggire? Cosa troverà nel mondo esterno? Ben Oliver ci regala un romanzo dal ritmo adrenalinico e dall'atmosfera claustrofobica, capace di tenerci in costante allerta e tensione e di toccare temi importanti come il sistema politico sbagliato, la disparità sociale, la discriminazione, lo stato psicologico durante la prigionia e le amicizie improbabili che si possono venire a creare in prigione. Ci troviamo quindi di fronte ad un distopico dal ritmo veloce, che sembra spingere l’acceleratore con il susseguirsi di azioni che avvengono una dietro l’altra, senza quasi farci prendere il fiato per la velocità con cui è narrata. Luka ci viene descritto come un personaggio gentile e coraggioso, intelligente e scattante, tieni i nervi ben saldi, senza impazzire, ma è evidente la mancanza della caratterizzazione del personaggio e della sua profondità, nonché l’emotività che dovrebbe trasmettere al lettore. Sicuramente è un libro per giovani lettori che vogliono vedere più azione e meno profondità narrato con uno stile di scrittura semplice e diretto ma al tempo stesso coinvolgente e appassionante.
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
"The Loop" è un romanzo oscuro e avvincente per i lettori della narrativa distopica. È il primo volume di una trilogia distopica che si scopre pian piano, come un puzzle i cui tasselli vengono svelati lentamente fino a mostrare l’intera figura. Deliziosamente tetro, avvincente, inaspettato, pieno di colpi di scena e con la giusta azione, la trama ci tiene sul filo della tensione e incollati alle pagine fino a quando non si raggiunge il finale. Ambientato in un futuro distopico, la storia segue Luka Kane, un detenuto imprigionato nel Loop, una prigione controllata da un’intelligenza artificiale chiamata Happy. Happy controlla tutto, ovunque, e può determinare il destinato degli esseri umani che vivono nella prigione. Conosciamo anche altri personaggi secondari come la guardiana e gli altri detenuti che sono prigionieri nella sua ala. L’autore è stato abile nel narrarci la prigionia di Luka attraverso i suoi occhi e il suo punto di vista in prima persona, nel trasmettersi la sua sofferenza e la sua solitudine, la mancanza di una vita normale, degli affetti a lui cari e di tutte quelle cose che molte volte diamo per scontato, il silenzio che erode la sanità mentale e che man mano che passano i giorni, i mesi e gli anni comincia a venir meno. Ci fa entrare anche nei suoi ricordi dolorosi e felici del suo passato, quando tutto era diverso, quando tutto era migliore. La libertà è solo una luce lontana e irraggiungibile alla fine di un tunnel infinito e nero. Non c’è contatto con il mondo esterno, tutto è sotto stretta sorveglianza, ma arrivano delle strane voci di disordini e una potenziale guerra all’esterno, che forse rappresentano la speranza che Luka aspettava da tanto tempo. Cosa succederà quando gli si presente l’occasione per fuggire? Cosa troverà nel mondo esterno? Ben Oliver ci regala un romanzo dal ritmo adrenalinico e dall'atmosfera claustrofobica, capace di tenerci in costante allerta e tensione e di toccare temi importanti come il sistema politico sbagliato, la disparità sociale, la discriminazione, lo stato psicologico durante la prigionia e le amicizie improbabili che si possono venire a creare in prigione. Ci troviamo quindi di fronte ad un distopico dal ritmo veloce, che sembra spingere l’acceleratore con il susseguirsi di azioni che avvengono una dietro l’altra, senza quasi farci prendere il fiato per la velocità con cui è narrata. Luka ci viene descritto come un personaggio gentile e coraggioso, intelligente e scattante, tieni i nervi ben saldi, senza impazzire, ma è evidente la mancanza della caratterizzazione del personaggio e della sua profondità, nonché l’emotività che dovrebbe trasmettere al lettore. Sicuramente è un libro per giovani lettori che vogliono vedere più azione e meno profondità narrato con uno stile di scrittura semplice e diretto ma al tempo stesso coinvolgente e appassionante.
CONTINUA SUL NOSTRO BLOG. VENITE A TROVARCI
https://thereadingslove.blogspot.com/
January 4, 2020
What a good story. It's fast-paced, it's entertaining, it's horrifying and suspenseful and moving and intriguing. It's political and subversive, it's funny and wholesome. I didn't know the young adult dystopian genre was still so good and had evolved so much. The Loop is sci-fi, it's zombies, it's social criticism: it is a delightful read.
April 18, 2020
Rating: 8.5/10
Thanks to Recorded Books, the author, and the narrator for a listening copy of The Loop for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.
Luka Kane, I’m going to kill you.
Going ahead and calling it: The Loop by Ben Oliver is going to be the next Hunger Games or 5th Wave. It’ll be the new YA sensation everyone is talking about so you may want to go ahead and get onboard.
It’s funny, I just finished and reviewed another novel that is also called The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson, which also happens to hit this year (9/29/20). Anyone else out there want to have a go for the trifecta? Good news is: both novels are about as far apart from one another as can be, except for maybe the bit about murderous psychopaths… but you can just see for yourself. One is DEFINITELY meant more for adults, and it ain’t this one.
I actually really found this story compelling, especially the main character of Luka Kane. Seeing the entirety of the novel played out through his eyes kept me engaged and emotionally invested. Though we never find out why he has been placed in the Loop (I can only imagine we will find out later in the series), we do know that he was placed there by mistake. He steadily makes friends with the other inmates, and especially with the warden, before everything truly goes to hell in a hand-basket. From that point on, the pacing of the novel quickens so much that you will find it hard to catch your breath.
The synopsis itself really hooked me when I came across this novel, but I won’t lie and say I wasn’t hesitant to pick it up when I saw that it was a YA debut. Of course I was in the age “appropriate” group when YA was really breaking out, but I have slowly become a crotchety elder who will only read adult themed novels nowadays. Having said that, The Loop was written in such a way that it can be enjoyed by all ages.
I also want to give a shout to Julian Elfer who narrated the novel. I’ve only heard him once while listening to Pierce Brown’s ‘Iron Gold’ but he has a multitude of other titles under his belt including Rachel Caine’s Great Library series and he is absolutely fantastic. I thought he was a fantastic choice for The Loop and I cannot wait to hear his recordings of the next two (2) in the series.
Thanks to Recorded Books, the author, and the narrator for a listening copy of The Loop for review consideration. This did not influence my thoughts or opinions on the novel.
Luka Kane, I’m going to kill you.
Going ahead and calling it: The Loop by Ben Oliver is going to be the next Hunger Games or 5th Wave. It’ll be the new YA sensation everyone is talking about so you may want to go ahead and get onboard.
It’s funny, I just finished and reviewed another novel that is also called The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson, which also happens to hit this year (9/29/20). Anyone else out there want to have a go for the trifecta? Good news is: both novels are about as far apart from one another as can be, except for maybe the bit about murderous psychopaths… but you can just see for yourself. One is DEFINITELY meant more for adults, and it ain’t this one.
I actually really found this story compelling, especially the main character of Luka Kane. Seeing the entirety of the novel played out through his eyes kept me engaged and emotionally invested. Though we never find out why he has been placed in the Loop (I can only imagine we will find out later in the series), we do know that he was placed there by mistake. He steadily makes friends with the other inmates, and especially with the warden, before everything truly goes to hell in a hand-basket. From that point on, the pacing of the novel quickens so much that you will find it hard to catch your breath.
The synopsis itself really hooked me when I came across this novel, but I won’t lie and say I wasn’t hesitant to pick it up when I saw that it was a YA debut. Of course I was in the age “appropriate” group when YA was really breaking out, but I have slowly become a crotchety elder who will only read adult themed novels nowadays. Having said that, The Loop was written in such a way that it can be enjoyed by all ages.
I also want to give a shout to Julian Elfer who narrated the novel. I’ve only heard him once while listening to Pierce Brown’s ‘Iron Gold’ but he has a multitude of other titles under his belt including Rachel Caine’s Great Library series and he is absolutely fantastic. I thought he was a fantastic choice for The Loop and I cannot wait to hear his recordings of the next two (2) in the series.
March 1, 2020
(I received an ARC from #pansing and @definitelybooks for a voluntary and honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Book review: The Loop by Ben Oliver (4 stars)
The Loop by Ben Oliver
Genre: YA, Sci-fi, Dystopian
Rating: 4/5 stars
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
This book will be available at all good bookstores once it has been published (2nd April 2020)
I was so lucky to get surprise mail from #pansing and @definitelybooks and this book blew my mind! It has The Maze runner and Sanctuary by Caryn Lix vibes and I liked that there was a mysterious element to the story. I absolutely loved the concept and eerie world building.
Luka was very easy to like as a character and thus, I kept turning the pages as I wanted to find out what happened to him next. The story was very eerie and unpredictable, it also gave me the eerie vibes from the Illuminae series. If you are looking for a high stakes thriller book, pick this book up! I was so afraid that I had to only read this book when there was still daylight.
This is one of those rare instances that I WANT to see a book turned into a movie as I think it would be AMAZING! I had chills while reading this book and overall, really enjoyed this book and would love to read the 2nd book!
Book review: The Loop by Ben Oliver (4 stars)
The Loop by Ben Oliver
Genre: YA, Sci-fi, Dystopian
Rating: 4/5 stars
(Review)
(DISCLAIMER: All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
This book will be available at all good bookstores once it has been published (2nd April 2020)
I was so lucky to get surprise mail from #pansing and @definitelybooks and this book blew my mind! It has The Maze runner and Sanctuary by Caryn Lix vibes and I liked that there was a mysterious element to the story. I absolutely loved the concept and eerie world building.
Luka was very easy to like as a character and thus, I kept turning the pages as I wanted to find out what happened to him next. The story was very eerie and unpredictable, it also gave me the eerie vibes from the Illuminae series. If you are looking for a high stakes thriller book, pick this book up! I was so afraid that I had to only read this book when there was still daylight.
This is one of those rare instances that I WANT to see a book turned into a movie as I think it would be AMAZING! I had chills while reading this book and overall, really enjoyed this book and would love to read the 2nd book!
April 13, 2020
"Everything is as it should be."
This book was my first pre-order ever. I normally behave like a good girl and wait for the price to drop, but when I read the synopsis, I knew I just had to get this one!
My TBR is so HUGE, I felt embarrassed to add yet another one to my collection. At night, I felt the cover looking at me (yes...), and I just had to read it the next day (sorry other books, you'll have to wait yet another more weeks...). I read this one in 2 days and I would have finished it in 1 if not for my migraine (thanks, brain...).
SOOO...
This was such a good story! It is as if "The Hunger Games" and "The Maze Runner" had a baby. (and I know a lot of people will use this comparison, but it just felt so recognizable)
After Divergent, I wanted to read a dystopian novel that was worth something, because that one really disappointed me. It isn't easy to write something 'new' when there are so many great YA-novels. The characters where well described, and it felt like I was also 'trapped' in the loop (maybe because I read this during the lockdown-period?).
Anyway, I was really disappointed when I read the last page.
Book two --> 2021
Book three --> 2022
But I'll wait, patiently. And I know what I'll pre-order next time ;). You should too.
As one!
This book was my first pre-order ever. I normally behave like a good girl and wait for the price to drop, but when I read the synopsis, I knew I just had to get this one!
My TBR is so HUGE, I felt embarrassed to add yet another one to my collection. At night, I felt the cover looking at me (yes...), and I just had to read it the next day (sorry other books, you'll have to wait yet another more weeks...). I read this one in 2 days and I would have finished it in 1 if not for my migraine (thanks, brain...).
SOOO...
This was such a good story! It is as if "The Hunger Games" and "The Maze Runner" had a baby. (and I know a lot of people will use this comparison, but it just felt so recognizable)
After Divergent, I wanted to read a dystopian novel that was worth something, because that one really disappointed me. It isn't easy to write something 'new' when there are so many great YA-novels. The characters where well described, and it felt like I was also 'trapped' in the loop (maybe because I read this during the lockdown-period?).
Anyway, I was really disappointed when I read the last page.
Book two --> 2021
Book three --> 2022
But I'll wait, patiently. And I know what I'll pre-order next time ;). You should too.
As one!
March 4, 2020
This book is wild! Part futuristic fight-the-system/zombie(-esque) apocalypse/sci-fi thriller, and a bunch of other things that somehow all seamlessly work together, this book reminds me of the golden days of dystopian YA, but maybe possibly almost does it better? Best yet, it also gives off some strong, early Pierce Brown vibes (extremely high praise), so all Red Rising fans out there, rejoice! Luka is beyond lovely - seriously, what a hero (who, sidenote, also has great taste in books) - as are all his friends, and that chilling, chilling ending had me screaming for a sequel. The underlying message that becomes clear at the end carries some major weight, reminding you that this isn’t just a story of nonstop surface action - there is a lot of depth here too. Excellent stuff!
February 17, 2020
“Everything is as it should be.”
Vicious and efficient, the world of The Loop feels painfully pragmatically real & believably near. The Hunger Games is a walk in the park compared to this! The level of control is terrifying and when it all hits the fan IT REALLY HITS THE FAN! YA Action, Thriller, Horror... Flawlessly executed and what a twist ending!
Vicious and efficient, the world of The Loop feels painfully pragmatically real & believably near. The Hunger Games is a walk in the park compared to this! The level of control is terrifying and when it all hits the fan IT REALLY HITS THE FAN! YA Action, Thriller, Horror... Flawlessly executed and what a twist ending!
March 7, 2021
Než jsem četla The Loop, měla jsem pocit, že dystopiím už odzvonilo. Ale tenhle příběh dokazuje, že se dá vymyslet ještě spousta originálních světů a zvratů. Místy se mi příběh zdál dost surový a drsný, takže bych doporučila asi spíš starší části YA. Zápletka mě teda absolutně dostala - trochu mi to připomnělo 1984. A ten konec? Není to cliffhanger, ale i tak potřebuju další díl(y).
Jazyk, kterým autor píše, se zrovna nedá přirovnat k Laini Taylor, ale založila jsem si spoustu citátů o lidskosti a smrti, které mě vážně zasáhly. Hlavní hrdina je skvělý v tom, že si o sobě nemyslí, že je dokonalý. Stejně tak i ostatní postavy působí realisticky.
Prostě pokud toužíte po něčem originálním, tohle byste neměli minout.
4/5*
Mrkněte na recenze v deseti slovech, kde najdete mininázor na tuhle a další knihy :)
Jazyk, kterým autor píše, se zrovna nedá přirovnat k Laini Taylor, ale založila jsem si spoustu citátů o lidskosti a smrti, které mě vážně zasáhly. Hlavní hrdina je skvělý v tom, že si o sobě nemyslí, že je dokonalý. Stejně tak i ostatní postavy působí realisticky.
Prostě pokud toužíte po něčem originálním, tohle byste neměli minout.
4/5*
Mrkněte na recenze v deseti slovech, kde najdete mininázor na tuhle a další knihy :)
September 8, 2019
I was lucky enough to receive a proof copy of the loop. It was completely brilliant - scary, believable and addictive! If you like dystopia, sci-fi or adventure books, then you will inhale this novel.
April 19, 2020
The Institute meets The Maze Runner meets The Hunger Games meets World War Z.
A great YA dystopian page-turner.
A great YA dystopian page-turner.
June 11, 2020
Oh my God, this book was a wild ride from beginning to end.
I hope there is a sequel coming out, because that ending!!!!! I need to know more.
I hope there is a sequel coming out, because that ending!!!!! I need to know more.
July 5, 2022
The Loop is a fast-paced dystopian YA book set in a future where an AI known as Happy controls every fabric of society. Our main character Luka Kane was arrested for a crime he didn't commit but admitted to to protect his sister. He was taken to the titular Loop, a juvenile detainment facility where its young inhabitants are experimented on till their trial or execution date. But one day, something goes wrong with the AI Happy. The Loop shuts down and the city outside descends into chaos and Luka and his fellow prisoners must fight to find their loved ones and confront Galen Rye, the overseer of the Loop and the city, to win their freedom.
I went into this book with no expectations because I knew nothing about it. I came away from it mostly pleased. As I said before, it's fast-paced and was a real picker upper from the last few slow books I read. I like that way Ben Oliver writes, I could feel the desperation, joy, and sorrow that Luka emitted. The first person perspective was an excellent move on Oliver's part.
The cast of characters was somewhat large, but I was still able to remember most of them. That being said only Luka and few others really got any form of character development. This is the first in a trilogy, so maybe that will change. I enjoyed the character Tyco, Luka's enemy amidst all the dystopian chaos, but I feel like the conflict between them was cut short. Assuming he isn't dead, I suppose he'll show up in one or both of the next books. Luka was attracted to the prison guard Wren but he admitted it was based on desperation and fantasy, which was refreshing.
I have to comment that there was a lot of violent deaths for a YA book. Maybe that's because its author is British? I've noticed other YA books with British authors (Half Bad and Girls of Paper and Fire, for example) tend to be more violent than their American counterparts. I mean, a young girl was eaten alive by rats!
Towards the end, there were some things that raised my eyebrows. For one, Oliver invoked two sci-fi (one of them is not exclusive to sci-fi) tropes: first, the AI Happy and its physical avatars stated that humanity was the disease it needed to control and/or wipe out à la I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, just less nihilism and torture. This just seemed predictable and unoriginal. Second, at the end it is revealed that Luka this whole time has been imprisoned in the Block, a different prison and that we are watching his memories from his leaving from the Loop. At the book's end, Luka is not certain if the subsequent break-out by his friends is real or not. I want to say this can fall under the "It was a dream the whole time" trope but the ending is ambiguous and we won't know till the next books. These tropes were not jarring, and they made sense in terms of the plot, but I just wish that Oliver did something different here, something fresher.
At the end, a 4/5 stars. I am hooked and excited and waiting for the next book!
I went into this book with no expectations because I knew nothing about it. I came away from it mostly pleased. As I said before, it's fast-paced and was a real picker upper from the last few slow books I read. I like that way Ben Oliver writes, I could feel the desperation, joy, and sorrow that Luka emitted. The first person perspective was an excellent move on Oliver's part.
The cast of characters was somewhat large, but I was still able to remember most of them. That being said only Luka and few others really got any form of character development. This is the first in a trilogy, so maybe that will change. I enjoyed the character Tyco, Luka's enemy amidst all the dystopian chaos, but I feel like the conflict between them was cut short. Assuming he isn't dead, I suppose he'll show up in one or both of the next books. Luka was attracted to the prison guard Wren but he admitted it was based on desperation and fantasy, which was refreshing.
I have to comment that there was a lot of violent deaths for a YA book. Maybe that's because its author is British? I've noticed other YA books with British authors (Half Bad and Girls of Paper and Fire, for example) tend to be more violent than their American counterparts. I mean, a young girl was eaten alive by rats!
Towards the end, there were some things that raised my eyebrows. For one, Oliver invoked two sci-fi (one of them is not exclusive to sci-fi) tropes: first, the AI Happy and its physical avatars stated that humanity was the disease it needed to control and/or wipe out à la I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream, just less nihilism and torture. This just seemed predictable and unoriginal. Second, at the end it is revealed that Luka this whole time has been imprisoned in the Block, a different prison and that we are watching his memories from his leaving from the Loop. At the book's end, Luka is not certain if the subsequent break-out by his friends is real or not. I want to say this can fall under the "It was a dream the whole time" trope but the ending is ambiguous and we won't know till the next books. These tropes were not jarring, and they made sense in terms of the plot, but I just wish that Oliver did something different here, something fresher.
At the end, a 4/5 stars. I am hooked and excited and waiting for the next book!
April 13, 2020
I shouldn’t have started The Loop in the evening because I have chronic insomnia and need to sleep at the same time every night, but that process went out the window because I got sucked into the story from the start.
In the world of the future, everyone answers to a computer program, Happy. And Happy can determine your fate without the aid of humans. So when Luka lands himself in The Loop, a high-tech prison for teens, it all seems hopeless. It’s a strict place where you’re cut off from humanity as it’s completely computer operated, except for 1 human warden. That daily companionship from the warden gives Luka strength to repeat the monotony and torture of each day.
But there’s trouble brewing on the outside. People are unhappy with the way the world, “As One”, is run. Could it mean hope for Luka? To escape this place before he turns 18 and gets sent to “The Block”, the area of the prison that’s even worse than where he is now?
I forgot to make notes as I was reading this because I was so invested in the story. This is a highly imaginative world, and definitely one I wouldn’t want to live in. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. I think it’s what the book needed, but it might not be what I needed. Which leads me to question: will there be a book 2, and can I have it yesterday? Superb storyline and an exceptionally fun read. Very well done.
In the world of the future, everyone answers to a computer program, Happy. And Happy can determine your fate without the aid of humans. So when Luka lands himself in The Loop, a high-tech prison for teens, it all seems hopeless. It’s a strict place where you’re cut off from humanity as it’s completely computer operated, except for 1 human warden. That daily companionship from the warden gives Luka strength to repeat the monotony and torture of each day.
But there’s trouble brewing on the outside. People are unhappy with the way the world, “As One”, is run. Could it mean hope for Luka? To escape this place before he turns 18 and gets sent to “The Block”, the area of the prison that’s even worse than where he is now?
I forgot to make notes as I was reading this because I was so invested in the story. This is a highly imaginative world, and definitely one I wouldn’t want to live in. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending. I think it’s what the book needed, but it might not be what I needed. Which leads me to question: will there be a book 2, and can I have it yesterday? Superb storyline and an exceptionally fun read. Very well done.
April 1, 2020
Wow I really enjoyed this one. It was a quick, easy read but it didn't lack world-building or character development. This one took me by surprise for sure.
I really liked the idea of alts vs. regulars and surgeries being first tested on prisoners before being offered to alts. I also like the concept of a "delay" - choosing the surgery in order to delay an execution. It was an unfair choice but that was the point.
Without spoiling anything, I'm not sure I like the reason behind the "smilers." That felt a bit unfinished for me and the ending didn't give me any clarity or provide any real resolution which is why I knocked down a star. However, this may be the exact reason that others choose to love this book.
All in all, a very pleasant surprise. I was hoping that this would be the first in a series but it looks like it's a standalone. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that to change.
I really liked the idea of alts vs. regulars and surgeries being first tested on prisoners before being offered to alts. I also like the concept of a "delay" - choosing the surgery in order to delay an execution. It was an unfair choice but that was the point.
Without spoiling anything, I'm not sure I like the reason behind the "smilers." That felt a bit unfinished for me and the ending didn't give me any clarity or provide any real resolution which is why I knocked down a star. However, this may be the exact reason that others choose to love this book.
All in all, a very pleasant surprise. I was hoping that this would be the first in a series but it looks like it's a standalone. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that to change.
May 5, 2020
I have to agree with other readers on this one. The story is engaging and gripping and holds the readers attention throughout the novel. The characters were intriguing, personable, and easy to connect with even if most of them were "criminals". I also appreciate the authors originality and uniqueness in depicting a dystopian society through the eyes of young adults. However, for me personally the plot line is a little bit muddled. Between dealing with loss, love, introspection, revenge, redemption, and a crumbling society, it was hard to follow the rapidly changing feelings/actions of the characters. There were so many elements going on all at once, it felt as though the book was traveling at one speed- fast. I am interested to see which story lines will make it into the next book.
May 26, 2020
Disclaimer: I received an uncorrected proof version of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway. This did not affect my review in any way.
This was such a page turner; a dystopian world that reminded me of Unwind in the way that it punishes its minor citizens, Luka Kane is trapped in The Loop, a juvenile prison that holds its prisoners and performs horrific medical experiments on them in exchange for Delays in execution. But strange things are happening recently, and Wren the warden tells him to escape. He does, and realizes that something is horrifically wrong with the outside world. The twists in this book are so interesting, as is the world building. My only complaint is that the romance aspect sometimes took me out of the story, but aside from that, highly recommended.
This was such a page turner; a dystopian world that reminded me of Unwind in the way that it punishes its minor citizens, Luka Kane is trapped in The Loop, a juvenile prison that holds its prisoners and performs horrific medical experiments on them in exchange for Delays in execution. But strange things are happening recently, and Wren the warden tells him to escape. He does, and realizes that something is horrifically wrong with the outside world. The twists in this book are so interesting, as is the world building. My only complaint is that the romance aspect sometimes took me out of the story, but aside from that, highly recommended.
December 30, 2019
Wow. Finished this book in one sitting. In Scotland, we’d call this one a wee beauty.
Full of twisty, heart-stopping moments that make your stomach clench in lots of uncomfortable ways. Good world building with just enough questions left unanswered to make you curious about the next one. Got to the end and shouted...NO.... because I wanted more. Pacing great.
For sensitive readers TW for death, gore in a Walking Dead kind of way and medical procedures.
Full of twisty, heart-stopping moments that make your stomach clench in lots of uncomfortable ways. Good world building with just enough questions left unanswered to make you curious about the next one. Got to the end and shouted...NO.... because I wanted more. Pacing great.
For sensitive readers TW for death, gore in a Walking Dead kind of way and medical procedures.
April 7, 2020
Definitely up there with The Maze Runner and Hunger Game series. Can’t wait for the second book!
April 13, 2020
I usually never give 5 stars but loved this book! It reminds me of the Maze Runner and left me with wanting book 2.
April 14, 2020
Page turner
The best darn book I’ve read in awhile. The writing hooked me and never let me go. I seriously sat down and read it in less than a day. I loved it.
The best darn book I’ve read in awhile. The writing hooked me and never let me go. I seriously sat down and read it in less than a day. I loved it.
August 2, 2021
8/1 - re-read before reading the 2nd book in the series. Don't know if I enjoyed it AS much the second time around, but still enjoyable.
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I LOVED this book. Love the cover. Love the character. Love love love this book. It grabbed me from the start and didn't really let go. The characters were compelling and you rooted for them, even though they're criminals locked away in this horrible jail. The storyline was engaging and kept my attention throughout. Didn't LOVE the end cuz OMG but was thrilled to see it's not really the end. I want the 2nd one now, I need it NOW!!!
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I LOVED this book. Love the cover. Love the character. Love love love this book. It grabbed me from the start and didn't really let go. The characters were compelling and you rooted for them, even though they're criminals locked away in this horrible jail. The storyline was engaging and kept my attention throughout. Didn't LOVE the end cuz OMG but was thrilled to see it's not really the end. I want the 2nd one now, I need it NOW!!!
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