The Ark

3.3

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Author(s)

Laura Liddell Nolen

Publisher

Harper Voyager

Genre(s)

Age Range

12+

Release Date

March 26, 2015

ISBN

9780008113629

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There’s a meteor headed for Earth, and there is only one way to survive. It’s the final days of earth, and sixteen-year-old Char is right where she belongs: in prison. With her criminal record, she doesn’t qualify for a place on an Ark, one of the five massive bioships designed to protect earth’s survivors during the meteor strike that looks set to destroy the planet. Only a select few will be saved – like her mom, dad, and brother – all of whom have long since turned their backs on Char. If she ever wants to redeem herself, Char must use all the tricks of the trade to swindle her way into outer space, where she hopes to reunite with her family, regardless of whether they actually ever want to see her again, or not . . .

Editor reviews

2 reviews

The Ark

April 18, 2015 (Updated: April 19, 2015)

Overall rating

3.3

Plot

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Characters

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Only a few are able to escape an upcoming meteor attack on Earth by winning a place on one of five Arks, massive bioships designed to protect them on their way to a new home. Sixteen-year-old Char, isn't one of the lucky ones. She's in prison and her whole family has turned their backs on her. Somehow she needs to use her wits in order to survive and escape Earth before it's destruction.

What worked: This is a very intriguing tale of not only survival but how far someone will go when all odds are stacked against them. In this case, Char is in juvie after being framed for a robbery. But she's not totally innocent as she's robbed in the past.

Char is tough and a survivor. Her hardness is the result of being hurt more than a few times in her life by her ex-boyfriend, friends, family, and all humanity. She uses her wits to try to escape to one Ark in hopes of maybe reconciling with her family. Twists and turns in the plot are thrown her way and just when readers think she might fail? Char amazes us with yet another ace up her sleeve. But there's also small cracks in her badass shield that show humanity hasn't totally left her. This makes Char likable and very human even when others back on Earth think otherwise.

There are two possible love interests here; Isaiah-the Mole who is not all he seems and Eren, the Ark's Commander's son. Of the two I think Isaiah was more fleshed out though I didn't trust his intents towards Char at all. I'm hoping there will be more mention of Eren in a follow up book.

I wanted to know more about the Remnant-a resistance movement that might not be an urban legend. There are some scenes that show readers a glimpse of them but I wanted more.

I had some issues with how some of the story felt almost too rushed like during a major reveal toward the end of the book. The ending is abrupt and leaves the reader going, 'What the heck?' But I'm thinking this is more to set up for another book in the series.

Futuristic action packed tale with a street smart survivor who uses her wits to make amends with her past even with betrayals on every counter.