Tuesday, May 5, 2015

Review: The Cage by Megan Shepherd

Title: The Cage
Author: Megan Shepherd
Series: Stand Alone (open ending for a second)
Published By: Balzer & Bray (May 26, 2015)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 3 Stars

Book Description:
The Maze Runner meets Scott Westerfeld in this gripping new series about teens held captive in a human zoo by an otherworldly race. From Megan Shepherd, the acclaimed author of The Madman's Daughter trilogy.

When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments—tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle, and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures—all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them have a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer—a handsome young guard called Cassian—appears, they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their captors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers for an otherworldly zoo—where the exhibits are humans.

As a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer—though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so . . . what world lies beyond the walls of their cage? 













This a cover that is sure to catch the eye and draw you in, The Cage truly has a unique premises.

To say I liked this would be, well it wouldn't quite be enough and maybe more than enough all at the same time.

This was oddly alluring and I don't even know why exactly other than I was intrigued by the gorgeous cover and the promise of an original read that would keep me on my toes. 

 Constantly wondering if their captures were telling the truth or not about Earth and of course wondering whether the captees were all they seemed to be, The Cage truly did deliver in the are of unique and the strange.

Told in multiple point of views this book was interesting to say the least. While riddled with strife, forbidden romance, questions, danger, and always filled with the unknown, it was quite the read. Never quite believable but always on the verge of leaving you scratching your head and wondering, what if?

This is one of those stories that is hard to either like or dislike simply because it leaves you feeling unsure of how you feel after finishing it. 

It won't be one I will forget reading but it won't be one I will ever remember in great detail having read either. 

Overall, this was an okay read with an interesting premises, an open ending, and one that left me unsure of everything. 

Fans of the genre and those looking for something out there will want to pick this one up simple so they can say that now, they have seen and read, it all. 






*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

58 comments:

  1. Unique and strange sounds right up my alley!

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  2. Hmmm... I loved her Gothic trilogy, I will expect less of this then. I worry over the multiple POvs, I don't like those

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    1. They were different and not always well done.

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  3. It sounds like a weird book. A feeling that won't let go tends to draw me back for a second read years later. :-)

    Anna from Elements of Writing

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  4. I wasn't the biggest fan of the author's previous series, so I won't be picking this one up. I'm glad that certain parts worked for you, Ali. It does seem so unique and creative.
    Lovely review!

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  5. Well shoot, Ali! I was hoping to see a rave review from you on this one, I was really excited about it. I think I might take a pass on it for now though, multiple POVs are sometimes a struggle for me and I don't do well with open endings. I NEED ANSWERS!!!! Fantastic review though:)

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  6. I do like unique and strange books, however I'm not a fan of open endings. This is my next read so we'll see how it turns out haha.

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    1. I hope you like it even more than I did. ;)

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  7. Hmm I think that I would struggle with the multiple POVs there... but you're right the cover is really beautiful.

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  8. This sounds exciting and different, which I appreciate, but I am SO not fond of multiple POVs. I just find it so much harder to connect with the story. And the open ending would surely bother me to, I just can't keep track anymore.

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    1. It is hard to connect with characters when there are multiple POVs so I can see your hesitancy Maja. ;)

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  9. Oh that's a merky spot to be left in when reading. The open ending would be the biggest drawback for me. I need closure on a story. Hope your next read goes a spot better.

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    1. I really do too Anna, thanks so much for stopping by! :D

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  10. Thanks Ali but I'm not sure about the open ending either especially when there's so much else you're unsure of. I think I'll wait a bit for this one.

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  11. Man. I love her other books. And the summary for this makes it sound right up my alley. I'm sorry it didn't totally work for you.

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    1. It happens. ;) Thanks so much Layla for stopping by and commenting. :)

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  12. I was curious about this one, but I know her YA series was hit or miss with readers. I am glad you reviewed it because now I know to skip it.

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  13. I really don't like the sound of an open ending. But I find myself curious anyway.

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    1. Open endings are rather hard to stomach but this wasn't a bad read, just different.

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  14. This is one I was really looking forward to in May! I'm still going to read it, despite and ambivalent feelings it left you with... It's just that it's got such a promising concept and that cover is gorgeous beyond belief!!! Lol, just call me shallow and we'll leave it to that :)

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    1. I'm a total cover whore so I completely understand. :P

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  15. Ouch. I was REALLY excited to pick this one up, but I'm now hesitant. It sounds... weird, to say the least. Sigh.

    Hafsah @ IceyBooks

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    1. I won't lie, it was a bit strange in almost every way.

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  16. Hmmm ... I have this one, but this review doesn't make me want to rush off and read it. I'm kind of now a fan of strange open endings. Is it not a series? Sigh ...

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. It might be, I haven't found anything about it yet. Let me know if you do!

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  17. I thought this was a series but I guess it's a standalone? Open ending doesn't sound very appealing to me haha. It sounds like this book isn't all that memorable so I don't think I'll be reading it. Thank you for the review :)

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    1. I couldn't find anything about another book so I'm not really sure.

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  18. I'm going to hold off on this one, Ali. I do like that the premise is fresh and original but the multiple pov along with an open ending has me hesitant in picking this one up.

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  19. I do love the cover but it doesn't sound like one for me. Great review though :)

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  20. There sure are a lot of excitement for this one. Sorry it didn't quite worked out as much as you'd hoped, Ali.

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  21. I read someone complaining on twitter on how weird the romance was. She gets abducted by aliens and she starts crushing on one real soon. Thought it was amusing, although not for me. Great review! :)

    Blessie @ Mischievous Reads

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  22. I do love unique and strange stories, but it's a shame this one didn't stick with you more. I think I'll hold off on this until I see some positive reviews. Thank you for your thoughtful, honest review!

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  23. I like that you weren't quite sure of characters/captors. This does sound original and that cover is lovely

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  24. I don't like books that don't answer things so I feel like this book wouldn't work out for me :(

    I am glad you were able to like this one though, Ali! :)

    Great review!

    Rashika @ The Social Potato

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    1. I honestly struggle with them as well so I completely understand. :D

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  25. I so agree with you what you said here:

    "This was oddly alluring and I don't even know why exactly other than I was intrigued by the gorgeous cover and the promise of an original read that would keep me on my toes."

    I'm a big fan of her writing and this was a unique read and the twist in the end got me for sure!! I enjoyed it too, but it was kind of like the addiction I had watching the tv - series Lost that had an ending you wanted more from. Great review, Ali :)

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    1. Thanks so much Kim, glad I wasn't the only one that felt that way.

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  26. This cover is very eye-catching, and the premise sounds cool... But I really don't think I'll be reading this. I WANT to like it, but I don't think I will. I'm glad you were able to enjoy it despite your issues with it. :)

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  27. I've heard of the premise often for an episode of a TV show, but not for a book. I didn't realize that this had forbidden romance, that makes me want to read it right there, but I don't like open endings I like happily ever after so I'm not sure.

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  28. I could never get into The Madman's Daughter, but I'm thinking of giving this one a try! I tend to like books told in multiple povs, although it's too bad this was just an okay read for you. Great review! :)

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    1. Is that what she wrote? I was trying to think of her other series. I might check it out though and just see how I like it. The writing wasn't bad just not all executed well.

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  29. have been dying to read this. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, even if you didn't love it.

    Great Review!

    Michelle @ Book Briefs

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    1. You never know, maybe you will love it. ;)

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