Qualify

WOW what a gripper!
Qualify is a dystopian, sci-fi and YA novel set in 2047 after the human race is all facing a fatalistic oncoming asteroid that will wipe out the Earth. The descendants of the historic and sunken Atlantis are the only hope as they offer to save humanity by taking them back to their new home on a different planet; the new Atlantis. What’s the catch? Only those between the ages of 12-19 can apply to be saved and they will ONLY be saved if they qualify.

We follow the protagonist Gwenevere Lark through the trials and tribulations of the qualification challenges and through challenges of a more personal nature. Along with the remaining “Four Gees” (her siblings) she must learn all there is to know about Atlantis, how show more to fight, survive and the limits to which the body can reach before breaking. You either qualify, or you die.

This book… wow, this book! Even thought there are a LOT of dystopian YA novels out there at the moment, this is DEFINITELY worth the read. It’s kind of a combination between Hunger Games and Harry Potter… somehow. You are immersed into this world of space shuttles, sound controlled technology and hover boards and just FEEL like you’re experiencing everything along with the characters. It is incredibly well written with a pace that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout and grips you in all the best ways.

Each and every character within this book is interesting as they all struggle through their own personal developments and battles. The Atlanteans add a touch of mystery and power, which somehow intimidates us through the words in the book in the same way as their interactions with the other characters.

We actually gain knowledge through the book too thanks to our very intelligent protagonist and can really believe in the sci-fi elements in the book, which is something I personally struggle with usually. I can’t wait to learn more about Atlantis in the next book and see how certain relationships develop!

For a 600 page book it was easy to read and digest and I was left wanting more at the end. Some of the best topics covered in this novel are: life and death situations, tests of ability and competence, overcoming bullying, combat and the fighting style Er-Du, sabotage and terrorist groups and a love that you don’t know if you can trust.

I had only a few niggles: (****SPOILERS****… kind of)
How quickly candidates were prepared to kill after a strict “No Violence” rule, how bullying within the dorms went unnoticed and how easy it actually seems to qualify (since most around the main character never seem to get hurt or struggle even when ranked lowly).

Overall a highly gripping, fast-paced book with lots to think about whilst eagerly waiting for the next instalment ☺ show less

Easily one of the most compelling works of Science Fiction I have read in many years, I would put Nazarian right up with Heinlein, Campbell, or Niven. With the protagonist a sixteen-year-old young woman (Gwen Lark) from Vermont, the story line takes the reader through a series of tests designed to qualify the teenager to leave Earth on board a space ship operated by the descendents of the ancient denizens of Atlantis, a departure that will save her life when an asteroid destroys Earth in a few months hence. There are actually three tests Gwen and her peers face, beginning with the Qualification Test Gwen, her three siblings, and all other teenagers across the country (and implied around the world) face at the very beginning of the book. show more It is understood that anyone not passing the test will return home to face anihilation with their parents and (non-qualifying) siblings, hence the saying "Qualify or Die," which is repeated throughout the story. Those students who pass the first test are immediately taken to a Regional Qualification Center (in Gwen's case in Pennsylvania) where they will train for a month before taking their "Semi-Final" exam. The Semi-Final winnows the thousands of students from each regional center (over 6,000 in Pennsylvania) down to 200. Those who survive the Semi-Final are taken to a National Qualification Center (believed to be in eastern Colorado) where they will train for an additional month with all their fellow countrymen before facing the Final exam. The book's six hundred pages take the reader through all three exams as well as the training sessions leading up to the exams. Most students, including Gwen, are well aware that the chances are rigged against them. All know that if they do not pass the Final Exam, they will die anyway when the asteroid destroys the Earth. Make no mistake, this is a long book, but it is never dull, never slow, and the cast of characters is fully fleshed out, whether they be nerds, geeks, or even the bullies that seem to inhabit all levels of teen-age (and even adult) life. Throw in an alien, yet related, race with an almost unbelievably advance level of technology, and the story line fascinates on so many different levels. My highest recommendation! show less

This book is similar in many ways to The Testing, by Joelle Charbonneau. Both heroines face multiple tests of their abilities, including life or death races. The Testing is heavier on tests while Qualify is heavier on challenges. Both books involve an untrustworthy love interest and sabotage from the inside.

What makes this book unique is that the heroine's siblings are all struggling to qualify for a slot on the ships to Atlantis at the same time. And that they're all being trained as part of the qualifying process.

What I found strange was how the rules specifically forbid fighting between the candidates, while a great deal of bullying went on, oftentimes right under the noses of the instructors. I was expecting there to be a revelation show more that Atlantis believes in survival of the fittest, and giving in to bullies makes you weak, but no, both the bullies and their victims stay.

I'm very much looking forward to the next book, which seems to also revolve around a competition; a topic I'm always interested in.

I received an electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. show less

A competently told teen life&death competition story, with a 16yr old protagonist, 2 of 4 siblings all of whom are in the competition. She has the requisite two guys and is absurdly good in the crunches - she always has some solution and in her group no one else seems to. Recommended only to those who really love a Hunger Games type plot and don't care at all if there is any sense to it.

I have read several of her books and I believe that Nazarian builds consistently relatable and compelling characters for her stories. Her books are always very readable and this one is no exception. One of the traits that her main characters seem to always exhibit is an inner drive, often unrealized, that allows them to rise above what they think is their potential. Again, this book is no exception. The main character here, Gwen, is self-deprecating bookworm who is physically unsuited to the challenges that are presented to her. But there is determination and a drive that even she didn't suspect she had that moves her past obstacles and over hurdles. I enjoyed this book, though I confess at times it was a bit predictable, nevertheless show more the plot is well done with a couple of twists, and as always with her writing when you turn the last page, you keep looking for more, hoping there is more - there's not, you have to get the next book. Which I certainly will. show less

Wonderful story, excellent story telling and excellent world building. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

I think this is what you would call a YA sci fi novel/series. Good thing that I love sci fi.

Basically a huge asteroid is heading for Earth and when it hits it will be an ELE event - or a End of Life event - wiping out the entire human race. Possibly even damaging or breaking up the planet.

The Atlanteans are descendents of the original atlanteans who used to live on earth and who survived the last Atlantis disaster by leaving earth and settling on another planet. They have now returned to Earth - but not necessarily to help. They can rescue 10 million earth citizens, between the ages of 12 show more and 20. However, there is a proviso.

These teens will have to qualify. There is a prequalification test, then qualification training, then the semi final test, more training and then the final qualification. Those who qualify at the end will be allowed to leave Earth and go to Atlantis.

The story is narrated by an american female teenager named Gwen Lark. I am not usually a fan of first person stories, but there is enough going on, and plenty of description that demands that I am desperate to know what happens, so I keep reading.

The only negative thing I would have to mention is all the crushes and hormonal stuff that Gwen goes through. But then these are teenagers so that comes with the territory. I do remember being a teenager myself - but that was 40 years ago. LOL

The Atlantis culture, tech, weapons and other skills being taught to these teenagers is absolutely fascinating to learn which is why I loved this world building!! show less

This was an interesting story, well plotted and well told. Like a friend telling you what she did yesterday.
But what a yesterday it was! Reach in emotions and challenges, the story that Gwen tells bring us in a world of high sound technology, space shuttles, unreadable and powerfull Atlantean which seem to be so alien but oh! so human in small ways.
I was delighted about the "no dating rule" since usually I tend to skip the love part in books, but in this one even the love part is told in a light, subtle way that doesn't interfere with the rest but make the story more interesting.
The characters feel real, you suffer and doubt and rejoice with them. The alien technology is plausible and there's interesting science notions cleverly used show more from the protagonist to qualify.
Just a couple of things nagging at me:
the qualification challenge seems too easy, I was expecting a harder fight. Seems as the book had only so much space and there wasn't enough for a more articulate end. Or maybe it's me that just wanted more.
Then a question: why did the Atlanteans decided to help humans? They don't seem to be such an altruist population. The answer may lay in the second book, which I hope is coming very very soon.
All in all a very good and enjoyable reading, looking forward for more. show less