Author: Taran Matharu
Series: Contender #1
Age: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Sci-Fi
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: eARC
Purchase: Hardcover | Kindle | B&N | Kobo | Play Store | iBooks | Book Depository
Synopsis:
Introducing an epic new trilogy from Taran Matharu, author of the New York Times–bestselling Summoner series.
Throughout history, people have vanished with no explanation. A group of teenagers are about to discover why.
Cade is settling into a new boarding school, contemplating his future, when he finds himself transported to another realm. He soon discovers their new world is populated with lost remnants from the past: prehistoric creatures, ancient relics, and stranger still — people. Overwhelmed by his new surroundings, Cade has little time to adjust, for soon he and his fellow classmates are forced to become contenders in a brutal game, controlled by mysterious overlords.
But who are these beings and why did they choose these teens? Cade must prepare for battle . . . because hiding is not an option.
My Rating:
My Thoughts:
I must say...this is a good follow-up to the Summoner series. This book took me for a crazy ride! The characters were all hilarious, the world was insane, the game was adventurous. The writing was right on par for me as the Summoner series. Taran did a great job with this first book. A different world, different set of characters and a different vibe.
Cade is whisked away to an unknown world with some "friends" at his reform school. He's chosen as a contender to play a crazy game. Dropped off in the middle of a crazy land with many artifacts from history, he has to navigate this world and survive.
I ABSOLUTELY love Cade as a character. First, I love that he is half-Indian -- so cool! He's a smart kid that gets picked on and bullied. He's not the best with his hands, but he knows how to take care of himself when need be. He can be sarcastic and always finds a solution in such strange situations. Despite the world he was in he found a way to survive and keep moving. Cade was bomb and a true survivor!
I enjoyed the other characters as well. I felt like they each played a great role in the story. I'm sure the others will continue to play a greater role in the story, but I truthfully only cared for Cade a great deal. I will say, I hated Finch and Gobbler SOO much. They were the MOST annoying characters ever. I did love Eric, Spex, Amber and the twins (Bea and Trix) the most because they seemed to be more help to Cade and the solving the game than others. Scott was the most comedic character to me. When things got too crazy he always said something funny to break the ice. Yoshi was a mix for me, I like him, but still feel off. The same thing for Quintus.
I knew death had to happen, obviously, but I wasn't expecting the people who did die and the way they died -- that crushed me!!!
Now, that ending -- WHATTTTT!! Abaddon -- what the heck and why a little girl. All kinds of twisted!
I'm interested in seeing how this world and game continues to go for them all. In such a world where anything can possible occur you truly never know what to expect. This world defied all logic.
Totally recommend this baby!!
About the Author
Straight after graduating with a First Class degree in Business Administration, Taran was keen to explore a new avenue and get inside the publishing world, landing an internship in Digital Sales at Penguin Random House, from June to September 2013.
Thereafter, while taking time off to travel, Taran began to write ‘Summoner’ in November 2013 at the age of 22, taking part in ‘Nanowrimo 2013’ and sharing his work on Wattpad.com. The shared sample of the story went viral, reaching over 3 million reads in less than six months. Taran went on to launch his professional writing career, and has never looked back.
His SUMMONER series is published by Hodder Children’s (Hachette) in the UK, Australia and Commonwealth, Feiwel and Friends (Macmillan) in the US and Canada, Hachette Jeunesse in France, Heyne in Germany, Planeta in Spain, Crown in Taiwan, Record in Brazil, EKSMO in Russia, Jaguar in Poland, Ecliptic in Bulgaria, Alpress in the Czech Republic, Ithaki in Turkey, Forlaget Forar in Denmark and Unieboek in the Netherlands