The Park by Voss Foster
Series: Evenstad Media Presents #1
Published by Indie
Published on: December 29, 2014
Genres: Science Fiction
Pages: 242
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley
Amazon | Chapters | Kobo | B&N | iBooks | GoodReads
12 Contestants
20,000,000 Dollars
1 SurvivorThe Park: Evenstad Media's newest reality show. There are no laws. There are no rules. The only goal is to stay alive. But in Evenstad's arena, things are far from simple. Outfitted with strange new weapons, trapped in the dark, afraid for their lives, it's only a matter of time before somebody takes the first shot.
And all the while, the world watches. Some in disgust, some rapt, but all feeding Evenstad, and all oblivious to the horrors they're helping fund. By the time anyone notices, will there be time to put an end to it? Or will it be too late?
 |
 |
 |
I learned about this book when librarian Robin Bradford (@Tuphlos) tweeted about it during her #collectiondevelopment. The tweet included the cover and “So if the The Purge was real, on tv, and a gameshow? Great cover. Netgalley.” Now, I rarely go on Netgalley, especially for new-to-me authors. I usually only pick up books for authors I already know. This however, really caught my eye and I was in the mood for something completely different, so I decided to take the chance.
The Park is a really interesting idea. Basically, Evenstad Media has “randomly” chosen 12 people from 12 completely different backgrounds to play the game. They are put into a trailer park, each with a medallion that can be used as a weapon of some kind. Some are stronger than others, but there is a timer that will prevent them from reusing the weapon too quickly. The more powerful weapon, the longer between each use. There are also other of these medallions hidden around the park. Whoever is still standing at the end of the game, wins.
Now, I haven’t seen The Purge or any of the movies like that. I have read The Hunger Games, and this kinda has that feel to me. 12 players and play until there is one survivor. There are no children. The players are all adults. From the age of low 20’s to mid 80’s and everywhere in between. There is no preparing for the these games. The players just wake up there with a note pinned to their chest. The media corporation has more up their sleeve than just a gruesome reality show.
The story is told entirely from journal entries from the players, emails from the executives at Evenstad Media, and blog posts of people watching this game show. This is the part of the story that I didn’t like. I think I would’ve enjoyed the story more if it were told in a more traditional fashion, I might have enjoyed it more. I just didn’t feel that close to any of the characters and I think it was because of the journal entries. We really don’t get to see actual interactions between each of the characters. We don’t get to see any of the action scenes. There is also very little dialogue.
All in all, this was a very interesting story. It was a new take on science fiction and thriller that I think has some promise. I’m just not sure if this type of storytelling is meant for me. I’m just a very character driven reader and I didn’t connect the characters as much as I would like. It was a page turner though. I would recommend that if this is something that sounds interesting to you, that you check it out. At the time of this posting, The Park a free ebook download, so you can’t beat that price to check out this story.
| The Evenstad Media Presents Series | ||||
  |
  |
  |
||
I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
Not sure this one would be for me, I think the cover is…well different…lol. Glad you enjoyed it! I have not seen the Purge either…lol.
When I saw the cover, I thought it looked more like something for The Walking Dead. It was an interesting story. I just wish it wasn’t told in the form of just journal entries.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black (@mlsimmons, @jennablack, @sereads, @tantoraudio)
Oh boy. This sounds gruesome! I haven’t seen The Purge either and I don’t have the inclination to simply because I can’t stand violent movies. Somehow, reading these kind of books is easier. Still, I need to stronger stomach for them, though.
You’re braver than me. Lol.
This book really isn’t gruesome at all. Since it is all told from the point of view of journal entires, even when it talks about people being killed, it isn’t described in any detail. Personally, I think I would’ve liked it better if it was a little more detailed, especially with the fight scenes. I do watch horror movies. I liked the first few Saw movies and I’ve seen the first Hostel movie, which is really gross. They are hard for me to watch, mostly because I have to watch by myself because DH will not watch with me.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black (@mlsimmons, @jennablack, @sereads, @tantoraudio)
Huh! I’m intrigued. That’s different how its told more epistolary format. I recently read a YA Sci-fi told that way and it helped me get through the parts that would normally make me squeamish b/c it did distance me. I can see how that distancing would be tough when you want to be right in on the gritty action and with the characters as they are going through it.
Definitely made some scenes that could’ve been really gruesome, less so. It also made the book less violent as a whole, because you aren’t seeing the action in real-time. I’ve never read a book that was told entirely in this format. The Martian started off this way, and even that book, I didn’t like it. I liked it better when we had actual interaction with other people. I did enjoy the premise of the story.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black (@mlsimmons, @jennablack, @sereads, @tantoraudio)
I am oddly curious, and love the covers for the series.
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sunday Post #201 Countdown to Spring..
The cover is what first caught my attention. I found the story interesting. I would be interested in what you thought of it. The first book is still free.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black (@mlsimmons, @jennablack, @sereads, @tantoraudio)
I saw this on Net Galley but for whatever reason decided against it. 3 stars huh? I guess I am glad I passed on it. I like dialogue and characters interacting as well!
Lorna recently posted…Review: Beyond the Night by Joss Ware (@Mollykatie112, @colleengleason)
I liked it. I just didn’t love it. I found the idea really interesting. I might still try the second book. I haven’t decided yet. This one is free, so you could pick it up and try without having to review. It was a quick read. I think I read in like four hours.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black (@mlsimmons, @jennablack, @sereads, @tantoraudio)
I mostly use netgalley to get new to me author books, it’s a great place to discover new to me authors. Although I also request books by authors I already know if they are there, but it seems there are way more books on there by authors I don’t know yet.
It does sound a bit similiar to the Hunger Games and the medallion that can be used as a weapon thing does sound interesting and how every person has one of those.
I do think the way the story is told would me bother me as well, I usually prefer standard way of telling a story and the journals, blog posts and such do sound like an original approach, but original ways of storytelling usually doesn’t really work for me. And yes I can see how that way of stroytelling would make it hard to connect to the characters and I usually like to connect to the characters. Great review!
Lola recently posted…Sunday Post #166
Thanks Lola. I really should try more new-to-me authors. I mostly pick those up based on recommendations from blogger friends. I get so many great recs from them, it is hard to keep up anyway. This was an interesting story that kept me glued to the page. I’m still undecided if I will continue or not.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black (@mlsimmons, @jennablack, @sereads, @tantoraudio)
She looks kickass
I love that cover. It is what pulled me in, in the first place.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black (@mlsimmons, @jennablack, @sereads, @tantoraudio)
Sounds like some of the video games I play. Of course, if I got picked for that particular game, I’d die. Early.
I don’t know how long I would last either. Though, I will admit that the people who survived the longest are not what you would expect. Some people rise to the occasion.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black (@mlsimmons, @jennablack, @sereads, @tantoraudio)
When I saw the cover, my first thought was ‘gritty’. I’m guessing it was that. It is an interesting premise even if it has a familiar feel. (I haven’t seen The Purge either but I’ve read Hunger Games) I can absolutely understand the lack of connection with characters with this style of delivery, Melanie. I can see the style’s appeal but there’s just something about being able to see the characters interact, their reactions to things and each other, that really pulls you into a story. Guess I’m a character-driven reader as well. 😉 Kudos from trying something new, though!
It was still an interesting story. I was still glued to the pages. I just wish I could’ve connected with the characters more.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: Dark Descendant by Jenna Black (@mlsimmons, @jennablack, @sereads, @tantoraudio)
I have to admit, I do like that dark cover. However, I don’t think I would have been as interesting in the book before your review. I can see how it was hard to connect to the characters but I’m still curious about this world. Might have to check it out.
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Blog Tour with Giveaway: The Asset by Anna Del Mar
I hope you check it out Melissa. I think it is still free at most ebook retailers, so might as well pick it up and give it a try. I would love to hear your thoughts. It was an interesting book. While I didn’t connect with the characters, I was glued to the pages.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: February 21 to 27 — 21 Speculative Fiction Releases
I prefer a lot of action in books like this, and dialogue too. Sounds like it was a little lacking, but still very good!
Naomi recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday # 181 – Beautiful Boss / Titans
It was still a good story. I was glued to the pages. I just wish I was more engaged with the characters. I wonder if the characters get more engaging in later books.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: February 21 to 27 — 21 Speculative Fiction Releases
That cover is really interesting. Sounds like a book I might like as well.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Favorite Picture of the Week
Looks like it is still free, so grab it. I would love to hear your thoughts on it. I was glued to the pages, that was for sure.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: February 21 to 27 — 21 Speculative Fiction Releases