Book Review: Sirens by Braden Cawthon

Title: Sirens
Author: Braden Cawthon
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publishing Date: September 19th, 2023
Read: April 1st, 2024
Pages: 304
Audio Length: 6 Hours 12 Minutes
Genre: YA Apocalypse
TW: N/A
Series: Standalone
Source: Audio

What it's about:

A apocalyptic horror debut from Braden Cawthon!

Joel Walker wakes up to a world suddenly and frighteningly changed. In the wake of a massive power outage, an otherworldly siren begins to blare, changing all that listen to it for too long in frightening ways. Desperate to find his mother and little sister, Joel will have to survive in a world that is coming apart at its seams.

What I thought:

I think this book had so much potential, it wasn't horrible it just wasn't great. It definitely read like a debut novel and I think once the author has more practice he can definitely jump from good to great.

Cover:

The cover is okay, it fits the book well I think.

Story:

It's definitely a very unique take on the apocalypse, one I've never seen before.

Pace: 

It felt a little slow, even though it started in right away with the action, I still felt kind of bored. 

Writing: 

The writing felt a little juvenile, but again it's a debut novel and I'm sure it'll get better.

Characters: 

I found most of the characters to be really whiny and annoying, I understand it's a big scary thing that happened and that a lot of teens are whiny and annoying (Sorry they just don't know better) but man sometimes I was just like rolling my eyes.

Ending: 

The ending was okay, it kind of felt like it just ended. Apocalyptic books are so hard because unless there will be a sequel or the apocalypse just ends, it's hard to have a good ending. It's usually pretty open.

Narrator:

Overall:

Meh, it was okay. 

A little Snippet:

“Just because I’m doing worse than you are doesn’t mean you can write off the damage to yourself as less meaningful.”

― Braden Cawthon, Sirens: The End of the World has a Sound.

Possible books of likeness:

Book Review: Stranded: Land by Theresa Shaver

Title: Land

Author: Theresa Shaver
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Publishing Date: April 13th, 2012
Read: March 28th, 2024
Pages: 204
Audio Length: 6 Hours 59 Minutes
Genre: YA apocalypse
TW: N/A
Series: Stranded #1
Source: Audio

What it's about:

Five go by Land - Five go by Sea

A group of teens on a class trip to Disneyland are left stranded. An EMP over North America has destroyed everything electronic. No cars, no planes, no phones, no electricity. Refusing to wait for someone else to help them, ten courageous young people take charge of their future and choose to begin the long journey home. 1500 miles of adventure and lawless country await. Will their determination be enough?

Alex, Quinn, Josh, Cooper and Dara - setting out on foot with nothing more than some soon to be worthless cash and a little advice from a trusted teacher, they walk through a burning city that has come to a halt. The devastation they see as they make their way out of the city is a small part of the horror that the nation will become. As the days go by with no food deliveries and no water flowing from taps, civilization will start to crumble and it will be survival of the fittest. With five States and half a Province to cross they will need to plan well, count on each other and pray for a little luck. Even with that, chances are slim of getting home when you are Stranded.

What I thought:

This was actually a surprisingly good read, I had a lot of fun and as soon as the EMP hit I was like I know exactly what that is and the fact that the teacher knew what it was and was a prepper made me stupid happy.

This was a really quick read, I read it in 2 hours while I was cleaning and it definitely kept me entertained. I definitely want to read the rest of the series. 

Cover:

I don't like the cover much. Sorry. I don't know what it is about it but I just meh.

Story:

I'm a sucker for anything apocalyptic especially EMPs for some reason, I think because it's something that's entirely possible. I love reading about people trying to survive too, so even though this isn't a super well written book, it was still a good one as far as story goes.

Pace: 

Man this book is go go go literally from the beginning, which is probably why it feels like such a fast read, but honestly I'm here for it. It made me not want to stop reading.

Writing: 

I'm say it is a little juvenile-ly written, I can't think of what I'm trying to say here lol but I guess it seems immaturely written. It wasn't bad, just not spectacular. 

Characters: 

Most of the characters kind of pissed me off because they weren't making the best decisions, I try to remember it's a bunch of teenagers so not only are they immature but they wouldn't know exactly what to do in this kind of situation.

Ending: 

It had a good ending and I can't wait to read the rest of the series. 

Narrator:

She did a good job. 

Overall:

It was a quick read with a good story that kept me on my toes.

A little Snippet:

“All the things in our lives that we took for granted every day are over. If we want music we’ll have to make it. If we want food we’ll have to grow it. It’s like we just got cast in a really bad Pioneer Village reality show.” “Oh shit, do you think we’ll end up sister wives, pumping out babies and farming?” Dara exclaimed.”

― Theresa Shaver, Land

Possible books of likeness:

Author's info:

Theresa Shaver lives in South Central Alberta Canada.
As an avid reader, I used to dream about writing and sharing my own stories with the world. Publishing was a far off and intimidating goal until Amazon opened the gates! I love that I get real feed back from my fans on my books instead of some guy behind a desk who studies market trends. I write to share my dreams with the world and now I can. My first series is a Young Adult Post-apocalypse story. I love writing about the growth of characters faced with such huge challenges and plan to continue future stories in wrecked worlds. It's a new do it yourself world in so many industries so never stop believing in your dreams and do it yourself!
Website: http://www.theresashaver.com

Other books I've read by this author:

I haven't read anything else by this author yet!