Josin L. McQuein

Complete honesty here: I read this book because goodreads told me that if I enjoyed the Fifth Wave, I might enjoy this too.

And I did enjoy this.

But the reason I felt compelled to mention the Fifth wave Connection is because of one line from this book:

I'm both and neither in a single breath

and one line from the Fifth Wave:

I am other and I am you.

Out of context, I suppose those two sentences aren't too similar, but in context, they're uncannily alike.

Yeah. So, I'll pretty much review this book show more in context of the Fifth Wave.

This book WAS NOWHERE NEAR AS GOOD as the Fifth Wave.
But, let's be serious for two seconds. Nothing is anywhere near as good as the Fifth Wave.
This book was still really good.
The plot was very twisty and confusing and unpredictable. Big Plus!
The Characters were good as well.

One thing that I feel will be really memorable about this book is that, in the later half, the author tried to fit two different characters into the same narrator. Sort of like a split personality. I'm still trying to decide whether or not it was done well. show less

I enjoyed Josin L. McQuein's Arclight, but it took some time before it really grabbed me and there were many times throughout the novel when I just wanted answers instead of so much confusion!

Arclight is a dystopian novel with strong hints of horror. Set in a future where, as far the reader knows, the remaining small population of humans live together in an enclosed settlement, which is appropriately named Arclight, as it is surrounded at all times by strong lights which create a protective show more arc meant to keep the darkness - and the monsters within it - at bay. These monsters, referred to collectively and individually as "the Fade" are said to be impossible to survive an encounter with... with one exception. The novel's main character, Marina, was rescued from outside the settlement and, therefore, survived the Fade. This feat, which may seem impressive in its singularity, is met, for the most part, with fear, distrust, and anger regarding those lost during her rescue mission. Marina, who has no memory of her past, is left unsure of just where she fits in within the settlement and within the world as a whole.

Overall, I liked the mysterious quality of Arclight. I was never quite sure what would happen next and the novel's pace had a consistent ebb and flow. Things would be quite calm within the novel, then, without warning, everything would start happening at once. Alarms would sound, characters would panic, and the creepy Fade would attempt to breach Arclight. Things really started getting interesting when the Fade transitioned from strictly monsters to actual characters.

This, however, is where the novel fell flat for me. It almost took too long for the Fade to become characters and, when they finally did, I wanted to know MORE about them. They stay a mystery throughout most of the novel and even the answers readers are finally given are very quick and without depth. I'm hoping McQuein has plans for a second novel that will answer some of my many questions!

I do recommend Arclight - it has a unique enemy and protagonist - but I feel it requires a patient reader. The plot is slow to unfold and readers must be able to stick with the plot during the ebb between action scenes. show less

I do love my young adult dystopians, and when I started reading Archlight I was immediately impressed by Josin L. McQuein‘s writing style. It didn’t read like a dystopian at first, in fact it had a lot of elements that reminded me of Silent Hill‘s gripping fantasy horror world. Also, it didn’t immediately read like a Young Adult novel, but she soon got into the groove of things and a wonderfully unique dystopian was created. When it comes to the characters, I liked Marina – the show more main protagonist of the story – because she’s a bit off a bad-ass without really being a gun-wielding, knife throwing action hero. I loved Rue, because he’s got this mechanical ethereal beauty to him that’s described so well that I kind of started crushing on him. Oh, and don’t forget Tobin, who’s still slightly boyish, but incredibly protective of Marina. The only character that I couldn’t immediately place as friend or foe was Anne-Marie, but by the end of the book she redeemed herself well.

Arclight, in my opinion, would make a fantastic Japanese anime movie and would fit right beside King of Thorn and Another on the shelf. The Fade sounds so unreal yet so very probable with our developing technology that a live-action film simply wouldn’t do them any justice. But I’m getting ahead of myself again.

The book is superbly written, and although there were some editing issues, the reading wasn’t hindered whatsoever. I found the characters to be believable, but it’s the plot that truly hooked me. When Marina traveled with Rue back to the darkness though, McQuein kind of lost me for a while with the overly-descriptive chapters, but I pushed through the middle and before I knew it I was back with the action. By the time I finished the story and noticed that a second book is in the works (Meridian), I jumped for joy and put it onto my reading list. In other words, yes, if you like dystopians you’re going to love this book and you’ll want more.

Arclight isn’t like The Hunger Games, Divergent, Matched or Legend. Arclight is unique and the only similar story that I can think of to categorize it with is King of Thorn, and even then it’s a bit of a reach. However, that doesn’t mean this isn’t a spectacular book… I actually found it a breath of fresh air because of how original it is and I’d definitely advise all dystopian lovers to get it immediately. It’s really that good!

(review originally posted on www.tentaclebooks.com) show less

The Fade wait in the Dark, just outside the barren wasteland known as the Grey, afraid of the Arclight. No one lives in the Dark. The Fade will take you and make you one of them. It’s impossible to survive out there, or at least that’s what the people living inside the Arclight believe.

When people risk their lives to bring in Marina, a girl found cowering beneath a bridge in the Grey, a new sense of hope erupts within the people of the Arclight. Maybe there is life out there. Several show more people sacrifice their lives to bring her into the Arclight safely, and because of that, some of the residents don’t trust her. Who is she? Where did she come from? And why are the Fade trying so hard to breach the walls of the Arclight to get her back?

I REALLY liked this book, and one of the reasons was because of the strength of Marina, the MC and narrator of this story. When we first meet Marina, she’s been living in the Arclight for several weeks. She has no idea where she came from, or what the world is like out there. She has one friend, Anne-Marie, who trusts her and wants to protect her from some of the other kids who pick on her. Marina is timid in the sense that she doesn’t want to cause any trouble. She knows people died trying to rescue her, and she knows people resent her for it. At the same time, she will stand up for herself if she needs to and she’s determined to find out where she came from.

I also really liked Tobin. His father died rescuing Marina, and he becomes an unlikely ally. Tobin is certain his father is alive somewhere in the Grey. Tobin’s a bit of a hot-head, but he’s loyal and sympathetic. I really liked him and really wanted him and Marina to get together.

The rest of the cast is just as strong, and I didn’t feel that there were any throwaway characters in the story. Honoria, the leader of the people of the Arclight is tough as nails and mysterious. I vacillated between loving and hating her. She was very intriguing.

Probably the most interesting character (or characters) were the Fade. When I first picked this one up, I thought they were maybe going to be zombies (they’re not), and then I thought maybe they were psycho ghosts (they’re not). I won’t say what they are exactly, but I loved the concept.

I loved the way Ms. McQuein’s story unraveled. It was structured so that when the book begins, we have no idea what’s going on. She places us in the middle of a Fade attack on the compound. The first chapter is intense, and I loved every second of it. I had several questions, and was a little confused about the world and who/what the Fade are, but it’s all revealed eventually. The questions and confusion were more my impatience, than anything — the answers came exactly when they needed to. The tension was high and the mystery solid. The world-building is very strong and I didn’t feel like I had read this before. This book is part dystopian, part sci-fi, part thriller and it’s done without being overly familiar. Some have said it had a feeling of Justin Cronin’s The Twelve and I can see why. There are a few similarities, but not enough to call it a copycat.

Lots of action, a unique world, solid characters and great writing made this a book I would highly recommend. If you want something fresh, fast-paced and engaging, check out this book. I couldn’t read it fast enough, and I want the next installment now. show less