Countdown
Author: Michelle Rowen
Series: -
Pages: 336
Genre: Young Adult
Publisher/Source: Harlequin Teen
Release
date:
24th September 2013
Synopsis.
(Goodreads)
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
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
Review: 3 out of 5 stars
Countdown has the most
appealing premise so I was super excited to start on it and whilst I thought it
was a quick, fun and entertaining read it unfortunately left me a little underwhelmed.
Caught up in an online, deadly underground game where
subscribers pay to see participants fight their way through a number of timed
brutal levels which could possibly lead to death is petty thief, Kira Jordan
and convicted murderer Rogan Ellis. They don’t have a choice about whether they
participate; they are thrown into the game unknowingly with the sole purpose to
entertain others.
Kira’s family were violently murdered and her life since has
been tough to say the least so she was a bit of a snarky, hardened character.
Rogan was smexy and likeable, I really came to feel quite sorry for him but I
didn’t find the mystery surrounding him all that surprising.
The plot was fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat,
flipping through the pages wanting to learn more; with
Kira and Rogan’s every move controlled and monitored it didn’t leave them with
much breathing space but I came to enjoy the trust they shared and the bond
they eventually formed, even though it was all quite rushed.
There was a lot about this book I liked – the
concept of being forced to participate in a deadly game I found to be
fascinating, the action was awesome and the characters interesting but the lack
of detail about the world that the characters were now living in I found to be missing.
Life in a colony was mentioned on numerous occasions but I am still a tad
clueless about this well-populated place and the number of deaths was
unbelievable.
I enjoyed this book solely for entertainment
purposes but I definitely had to suspend my sense of reality. The writing was engaging
and I will look out for more books by this author.
Overall, filled with action, danger and romance
Countdown is an enjoyable futuristic
thriller.
Thank-you kindly to Harlequin Teen for the opportunity to read and review Countdown.
Note: Countdown
is a YA reimagining of a previous adult title with the same name written under
the pen name of Michelle Maddox.
About
the author: National
bestselling author MICHELLE ROWEN writes paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and
young adult fantasy, both light and dark, sexy and sweet, long and short -- it
all depends on the story! She's won a Holt Medallion for Best First Book and a
Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award for Vampire Romance. For more
information, please visit Michelle at her website at www.michellerowen.com. 
I read one other book by this author and I remember it being entertaining, but I had a hard time with the characters.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of the underground reality game is quite appealing and I'm very intrigued.
I wouldn't expect any paranormal elements either so I can see why you thought it was a little odd.
Anyways, I'm glad that you enjoyed it, Sharon.
Lovely review! :)
Thanks Nick, I really enjoyed the premise for this one; it was interesting,
DeleteThanks for the informative review. I have been on the fence about requesting this one. I just have so many to read. Maybe I can get to it one day. It doesn't sound bad.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ellen, it was an ok read for me; it would be great if it was to be made into a series so we can get to learn more about the world created.
Delete