Author: Sarah AldersonSeries: Standalone
Released: May 22nd 2015
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Length: 320 pgs
Source: Publisher for review
Buy: Amazon
When 17 year old Liva witnesses a brutal murder she’s taken into police custody for her own protection. But when the police station is attacked and bullets start flying it becomes clear that Liva is not just a witness, she’s a target.Together with a car thief called Jay, Liva manages to escape the massacre but now the two of them are alone in New York, trying to outrun and outwit two killers who will stop at nothing to find them.When you live on the edge, there’s a long way to fall.
Sarah Alderson is known for light, action-packed and swoon-worthy reads, and Out of Control is no different. She may have removed the paranormal element, but the basic formula remains the same. If it works, why change it? And for the most part, if action is what yu’re after, it still works like a charm.
Out of Control is basically a movie on page. It definitely reads like one – it has a movie-like quality to it that is most certainly intentional. This is what Alderson does best. Her stories are never particularly deep, nor are they unforgettable, but they are, as a rule, endlessly entertaining and romantic.
Unfortunately, the extremely fast pacing leaves me with very little to say about the characters. There are no secondary characters to speak of as the story is centered very firmly around Liva and Jay. But even the two of them weren’t as developed as they should have been. After the very exciting and explosive beginning, with the two of them on the run, the book consisted mostly of them being discovered and somehow managing to evade their pursuers. It was repetitive and a tiny bit tedious, especially when both of them kept making stupid mistakes over and over again-.
If you’re someone who enjoys movies like The Terminator, with a whole lot of action and a delightful romance, Out of Control is simply perfect for you. I think I read somewhere that the opening scene was written in homage to the famous film, so it should come as no surprise that the overall mood reminds strongly of it as well.
As for Alderson herself, I haven’t given up completely. She will be back (read this in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s voice), hopefully with something more meaningful next time.
A copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher for review purposes. No considerations, monetary or otherwise, have influenced the opinions expressed in this review.
I feel like I'm in the same boat with you on Alderson's books. I haven't quite figured out what it is I'm missing.
ReplyDeleteI'm a plot girl myself so this type of book probably wouldn't bug me too bad. Still, I like some character development.
ReplyDeleteNot the book for me, as a movie on the other hand, maybe
ReplyDeleteSorry this was a disappointment for you, Maja. I've only read one book by the author and it was just okay for me. I haven't felt an overwhelming urge to get her other books. Anyways, I think I would be frustrated by the plot not really moving forward. The lack of secondary characters would especially be frustrating for me.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Maja!
Sometimes I'm just in the mood for something like this. Something that's sheer entertainment and doesn't necessarily require me to think all that much while I'm reading:) Action and delightful romance does sound perfect for me right now!
ReplyDeleteAh man, I'm so sorry you didn't like this. For whatever reason I really did but it was also my first book by the author. I can see how this wouldn't be for everyone though. Sorry this disappointed you.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, I'm not sure if something like this is a book that I'd be adding to my list because even if it sounds something that I'd enjoy here and there, I don't want to add books that are not MUST-HAVES to the already overwhelming TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteI tend to instantly forget books that read like movies, even if I have fun with them in the moment. I am sort of curious to check this out, but I'll keep it lower on the priority list. Maybe I'll catch it when the sequel comes out (:D love the Arnold impression).
ReplyDeleteEh, not sure this would work for me either. The constantly on the run books can be tedious. Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteThis author is one of those that I am planning to read soon, and it is kind of disheartening to see that this one proved to be mediocre in the end. If the events just keep repeating itself throughout the book, even I would get tired of it real fast. :/
ReplyDeleteFaye at The Social Potato
This one is not for me, but I think this would work really well for my reluctant readers. I'll have to look up this author because I haven't heard of her before.
ReplyDeletep.s. Extremely jelly that are reading 8th grave! Hope you are enjoying it. :D
Very entertaining, Maja, especially Arnold's voice. It still rings in my ears! :) I haven't read this author, probably because I'm not so sold on the action thing. Give me a lyrical voice and show me a character's inner-struggle and I'll come back for more. For action, I'd rather watch a movie.
ReplyDeleteRead this in an Arnold voice... ha ha... I still havent' read this author, I keep meaning too but I don't think this is the one I want to start with. I do though love a good action packed read.
ReplyDeleteAh yes sometims when it's too fast, it's just too confusing. I'm sorry it was the case there. I didn't know about the author or the book but maybe another one
ReplyDeleteEh books like that can be entertaining given the right time so I think it would be enjoyable if I want something like that. However, I tend to like my characters a bit more fleshed out. I do think I'll pass on this one. Brilly review!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried this author, and as much as I like action I need more then a movie.
ReplyDeleteI love a fast paced read, but rushed can lead to poor character development, like in this case. What a shame.
ReplyDeleteWhile a "movie on a page" can be a good thing, it can also lend itself to a shallow story with poorly developed characters. Alas.
ReplyDelete