Wednesday 1 January 2014

Review: Countdown by Michelle Rowen

Countdown 
Author: Michelle Rowen
Pages: 336
Publication Date: October 1, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen



3 seconds left to live. Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped. 

2 pawns thrown into a brutal underground reality game. 

Kira Jordan survived her family's murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis. 

1 reason Kira will never, ever trust Rogan. Even though both their lives depend on it. 

Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira's psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan's secrets prove evermore deadly, Kira's only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can't escape. 

GAME OVER

Due to amount of series, duologies or even trilogies, it's rare to find a standalone that isn't contemporary. It's hard to categorize Countdown into a certain genre due to the lack of world building. If I had to pick one I would have to say that this novel is leaning towards the dystopian genre.

From the first chapter, you are quickly introduced to Kira and Rogan. Both of them meet at jail cell, chained to the wall. Their first encounter obviously wasn't the greatest, but throughout the chapters, it was nice to see the characters develop. When they first figure out they have to complete challenges under a time limit, they get over their insecurites and doubts of each other in order to survive. The challenges that these characters faced were quite thrilling and fast-paced. Towards the middle of the book, there were certain scenes that reminded me of one of my favourite childhood movies, Spy Kids 3. They both shared the virtual game aspect, but Countdown had me at the edge of my seat.

With Countdown being a dystopian stand-alone, it's quite hard to visualize the world that Kira and Rogan lived in. She provided bits and pieces of details throughout the book, but it was really hard to imagine what kind of world they lived. If there was a sequel to this book, I think it would have excelled in world-building, but as for the plot, I don't think so. The ending provided enough closure that I don't think it would be necessary to give it a sequel unless Rowen came up with a whole new brilliant plot. But other that, I think we should leave the book as it is.

With a fast-paced plot and thrilling action, it would be certainly hard to put this one down.


3/5 stars

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