Nil Remembered - Book Review

Nil Remembered (Nil 0.5)
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
My name is Scott Bracken, and this is my journal.

Scott Bracken has been home for 28 days, but nothing is the same. A month ago, he escaped from Nil, an island of wonder, beauty, and incredible danger. Now, back in his old life, no one believes Scott's story. To deal with his present, Scott must relive his past—whether he wants to or not.

Introduced to readers in Nil Unlocked, here, for the first time, is Scott's journal in its entirety. Delve deeper into the world of Nil—before Charley and Thad, before Skye and Rives—and discover the truth. Nil Remembered expands the action of Lynne Matson's astonishing Nil Trilogy.

What did I think of it:
This free novella was a nice way to say goodbye to NIL after finishing the trilogy.

Some of the journal entries already appeared in NIL Unlocked, but others were new. Drawings were added and gave a nice extra touch.

A short, enjoyable read for everyone who loved the trilogy.

Why should you read it:
It's a fun little extra to the NIL trilogy.


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NIL on Fire - Book Review

Nil on Fire (Nil #3)
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
Despite Rives and Skye’s attempt to destroy Nil, the island remains. And back in this world, Nil won’t let Skye go. Haunted by a darkness she can’t ignore, Skye wrestles with Nil nightmares that worsen by the day and threaten to tear her apart. As Skye fights to keep her mind intact, she realizes that to finally break free of Nil, she must end Nil’s vicious cycle once and for all—and she can’t do it alone.

Who are Nil’s new arrivals? Who will return to the island? And who will survive in the end? In this final installment of the Nil series, the stakes have never been higher.

Losing isn’t an option, but winning will cost Skye everything.

What did I think of it:
A great ending to a very cool series.

In the first book NIL is a total mystery and only a few small secrets are discovered about the strange island. In NIL Unlocked more things gat revealed about NIL's purpose and its secrets. In this final book NIL doesn't stay on the background as a mysterious entity, but is taking the stage in a last attempt to get its way.

I was hooked from the start and eager to find out if and how Skye would manage to escape NIL's grasp. Characters from previous books return, new characters are introduced and NIL is ready for them. There is once again lots of drama, action, death, and secrets to solve. Time is running out for Skye and her friends.

I loved discovering what NIL is about, to read about the new people trapped on NIL, and about Skye's attempts to once and for all deal with NIL. This book is a worthy end to the the trilogy, and you bet this whole trilogy will go on my reread shelves.

All in all a very cool and entertaining read. You bet I'll keep an eye out for more books by Matson.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and action-packed YA read.


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Nil Unlocked - Book Review

Nil Unlocked (Nil #2)
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
On the island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape—or you die. Rives is now the undisputed Leader of Nil City, but keeping the City united is tougher than ever.

Raiders have grown bolder, supplies are dwindling, and non-human inhabitants have taken a turn toward the deadly. New arrivals cause rifts within the City, putting the Search system at risk, and calling everything Rives knows into question. Desperate for answers, he teams up with the only other person searching for them: Skye, a new arrival with a mysterious past of her own. Soon the duo find themselves locked in a desperate race to save all the residents of Nil—and possibly destroy the island forever. But at what cost? And who will pay the price?

What did i think of it:
I read NIL, the first book in this series, in 2014 when it released. The next year NIL Unlocked released, but managed to fly under my radar, as did the last book, NIL on Fire. When I came across NIL when rearranging my bookshelves not long ago, I decided it was time to continue with this series. Amazon had the other two books in hardcover for a very decent price, so I got both of them at once.

And NIL Unlocked is even better than NIL in my opinion.

NIL is a dangerous and mysterious place, but in this book Skye is hunting for answers and she takes some risky chances in her search for the truth about NIL. I loved Skye and rooted for her to find the answers she seeks.

Rives is also a great character. He is trying to be a good leader for the teens on NIL, but that is difficult at times. He takes risks as well, some that might cost him his future if he's not careful.

There were some really interesting and cool other characters as well, and I was eager to find out if NIL would give up its secrets. There were some deaths, secrets, possible betrayals, and angry, angry hippos. I had a great time with book.

The end is satisfying, but also throws out some last surprises that made me very glad i already had the last book in the series as well. Because I need to know what will happen next.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and exciting YA read.


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NIL - Book Review (repost)

NIL
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with dangers, their greatest threat is time.

What did I think of it:
This is a cool read.

I will confess the premise of this book sounded so cool I boughtit even though it was priced over 10 Euro, and I usually only buy books that are priced below 10 Euro (unless it's by an autobuy author).

And even though there's less action than I expected, I very much enjoyed this story. I liked Charley and how she deals with what happens with her. Most of the other characters were interesting as well, although some were a bit flat, but seeing there were lots of characters, that's only to be expected.

The story is compelling and I was invested in the lead characters and their closest friends from the start. There are lots of unknowns and I liked how both the characters and the reader are left hanging. There are answers to be found, but Matson makes her characters work for it. I also liked that there are actual character deaths, and not just the flat characters either. It certainly gave the feeling no one is safe.

Overall this is a really intense and cool island adventure Young Adult romance. I will certainly keep an eye out for what else Matson may write.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and entertaining YA read.


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NIL - Book Review

NIL
by Lynne Matson

What is it about:
On the mysterious island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing she remembers is blacking out, and when she wakes up, she’s lying naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley finds no sign of other people until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with dangers, their greatest threat is time.

What did I think of it:
This is a cool read.

I will confess the premise of this book sounded so cool I preordered it even though it was priced over 10 Euro, and I usually only buy books that are priced below 10 Euro (unless it's by an autobuy author).

And even though there's less action than I expected, I very much enjoyed this story. I liked Charley and how she deals with what happens with her. Most of the other characters were interesting as well, although some were a bit flat, but seeing there were lots of characters, that's only to be expected.

The story is compelling and I was invested in the lead characters and their closest friends from the start. There are lots of unknowns and I liked how both the characters and the reader are left hanging. There are answers to be found, but Matson makes her characters work for it. I also liked that there are actual character deaths, and not just the flat characters either. It certainly gave the feeling no one is safe.

Overall this is a really intense and cool island adventure Young Adult romance. I will certainly keep an eye out for what else Matson may write.

Why should you read it:
It's a cool and entertaining YA read.