The Rains [Book Review & Giveaway]
![The Rains [Book Review & Giveaway]](https://i0.wp.com/oliviascatastrophe.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/therains.jpg?fit=400%2C300&ssl=1)
Hello there!
Title: The Rains
Author: Gregg Hurwitz
Publisher: Tor Teen
Published Date: 19th October 2016
Rating: 4 Stars
*Thank you to publisher for the review copy*
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Synopsis: In one terrifying night, the peaceful community of Creek’s Cause turnsinto a war zone. No one under the age of eighteen is safe. Chance Rain and his
older brother, Patrick, have already fended off multiple attacks from infected
adults by the time they arrive at the school where other young survivors are
hiding. Most of the kids they know have been dragged away by once-trusted
adults who are now ferocious, inhuman beings. The parasite that transformed
them takes hold after people turn eighteen—and Patrick’s birthday is only a few
weeks away.
Determined to save Patrick’s life and the lives of
the remaining kids, the brothers embark on a mission to uncover the truth about
the parasites—and what they find is horrifying.
Battling an enemy not of this earth, Chance and
Patrick become humanity’s only hope for salvation.
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Review: The Rains was a novel I looked forward
to reading because I’d been reading a lot of contemporary novels. I wanted
something with a bit more action in it amp up the suspense. I don’t think I
realised just how much suspense I was in for.
to reading because I’d been reading a lot of contemporary novels. I wanted
something with a bit more action in it amp up the suspense. I don’t think I
realised just how much suspense I was in for.
Immediately, I fell in love with the writing style. The
author’s writing isn’t particularly beautiful, but he writes the novel in a way
which incorporates the reader themselves into the story. I especially liked it
because it made the plot and the characters feel more real to me, and made me
care for them all the more. This especially happens at the beginning and the
end of the novel.
author’s writing isn’t particularly beautiful, but he writes the novel in a way
which incorporates the reader themselves into the story. I especially liked it
because it made the plot and the characters feel more real to me, and made me
care for them all the more. This especially happens at the beginning and the
end of the novel.
The beginning of the novel was also an incredible start.
You clearly saw how it was a good set up for the novel. Hurwitz also does a
brilliant job of describing Creeks Cause without giving us long sections of
description, which I could really appreciate it. I liked the slightly home
town, country feel the setting gave the novel all around.
You clearly saw how it was a good set up for the novel. Hurwitz also does a
brilliant job of describing Creeks Cause without giving us long sections of
description, which I could really appreciate it. I liked the slightly home
town, country feel the setting gave the novel all around.
It was so interesting to see how the disease erupted and
spread throughout the land, but at the same time it was done well because it
showed how sad it was to have parents turning on their own children. The
explanation for how and why this happens is always a make and break factor in a
book or movie like this one. And Hurwitz nailed it. I loved how he took a real
scientific explanation that other animals may follow, and applied it to this
situation. It added a touch of realism to the novel, despite it being
science-fiction.
spread throughout the land, but at the same time it was done well because it
showed how sad it was to have parents turning on their own children. The
explanation for how and why this happens is always a make and break factor in a
book or movie like this one. And Hurwitz nailed it. I loved how he took a real
scientific explanation that other animals may follow, and applied it to this
situation. It added a touch of realism to the novel, despite it being
science-fiction.
Sometimes the discovery of what they needed or wanted to
know happened a bit too easily. For example, they needed to know the age of
when you would turn, and it was very convenient that at that moment there was
someone who were turning that age right there when they needed it. So of
course, they had all the answers they needed. But to be fair, this happened
only once or twice, so it wasn’t a big deal.
know happened a bit too easily. For example, they needed to know the age of
when you would turn, and it was very convenient that at that moment there was
someone who were turning that age right there when they needed it. So of
course, they had all the answers they needed. But to be fair, this happened
only once or twice, so it wasn’t a big deal.
I also liked the themes in this one too. There was the
theme of good and bad betrayed. I mean, we get to see how people react to what
is happening around them, and this novel clearly demonstrates how a situation
such as this one could bring out the best and the worst in people. Despite
there being plenty enough happening with the main plot, we also get character
conflicts too, which were great.
theme of good and bad betrayed. I mean, we get to see how people react to what
is happening around them, and this novel clearly demonstrates how a situation
such as this one could bring out the best and the worst in people. Despite
there being plenty enough happening with the main plot, we also get character
conflicts too, which were great.
This is also a real coming of age novel. As we have our
main character, Chance, who is a younger brother. He feels like he is always in
his older brother’s shadow, and therefore never really gets his time to shine.
But gradually, throughout the novel we really see him morph into a young adult
from a child. He becomes stronger, more independent, but he remains just as
smart as he always has been. I really loved Chance’s character, so I enjoyed
reading along with him on that journey.
main character, Chance, who is a younger brother. He feels like he is always in
his older brother’s shadow, and therefore never really gets his time to shine.
But gradually, throughout the novel we really see him morph into a young adult
from a child. He becomes stronger, more independent, but he remains just as
smart as he always has been. I really loved Chance’s character, so I enjoyed
reading along with him on that journey.
There’s plenty of action in this movie. It was epic, and
the suspense was always up high on the suspense-o-meter…
the suspense was always up high on the suspense-o-meter…
There was some romance, but it wasn’t the forefront of
the story. In fact, by the end of the novel there is a bit of an awkward
romance situation. BUT it has nothing to do with insta love, or a love
triangle. None of the stereotypical love issues, and yet there still is a love
issue. Unique right? I was so happy!
the story. In fact, by the end of the novel there is a bit of an awkward
romance situation. BUT it has nothing to do with insta love, or a love
triangle. None of the stereotypical love issues, and yet there still is a love
issue. Unique right? I was so happy!
And last but not least, this one ended on a massive
cliffhanger. It was so huge, that I am not looking forward to waiting a year or
whatever the duration will be until the sequel. Nooo…
cliffhanger. It was so huge, that I am not looking forward to waiting a year or
whatever the duration will be until the sequel. Nooo…
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Gif Summary:
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Giveaway: Enter to win a physical copy of the novel! Open to US & Canada only!
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Olivia’s Question: If you had to choose one type of
building to hide in, which would you choose? I’m going for a church!
building to hide in, which would you choose? I’m going for a church!
Olivia-Savannah Roach
Great review. I'm loving the gif review at the also! I like a novel like this once in a while, I'll be adding it to my TBR list. Thanks!
Thank you, Tamara! I hope you enjoy it whenever you pick it up 😉
i really would love to read this, it looks great.
It is a brilliant read!
This sounds really good! I love the idea of it being so action/suspense packed! And I don't even mind a cliffhanger as long as I know another book is coming haha. Where would I hide? Hmm. Tough call. I want to say Mount Weather, but that is just the rabid The 100 fan in me coming out 😉 Great review, and lovely photos as always!
Hehehe yes, there is definitely another book coming out! I haven't watched The 100, although I have read the first book D: And thank you 😉
Thanks for the chance to win.
Entry form name: Marlene V.
Thanks for entering!
I can never have enough books. One Christmas Santa forgot to leave me a new book. He has not made that mistake again.
Hehe, I am glad he didn't make that mistake once again 😀
I think I'd enjoy this book. There's something to be said about the resilience of kids when faced with something extreme. I know not all will survive, but they put up a fight. I like for them to think logically and this sounds like a well written story.
I'm with you, definitely a church!
You're right. Somehow, there is just so much kids can overcome… And these ones definitely do fight back. Yay, we think alike! 😉
Looks like a great book!
One worth reading 🙂
This sounds like a good book and I am definitely intrigued. I don't like to be left with a cliffhanger at the end of a book unless the next book is out, but I would still love to win a copy. It will take me a little time to get to it with my TBR pile anyway. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
~Jess
I can understand because sometime the wait can be so frustrating! Hopefully you can save this one for when the sequel comes out though 🙂
Glad you enjoyed this one. I like the action pace of this and the coming of age backdrop. Great review; will add this to my TBR.
The action is done incredibly well and by halfway I could see how important it being a coming of age novel truly is. I hope you love it whenever you get around to reading it! 😉
I just love it when authors write succinctly and to the point and it certainly sounds like Hurwitz is not a fan of wasting the reader's time.
Brill review, Olivia!
He definitely isn't, and that's what makes this book so good for those who crave action. 🙂
One type of building to hide in? A library ofc – books, the best weapons in the world! 😉
Ooh I have to agree with that 😉
Aw. Too bad I'm not in the US.
Eee I'm so sorry 🙁 It can be hard to reach everyone…
The themes and writing style sounds great in this one.
They were really good!
Ooh I wanted to read this novel ever since I heard about it a few weeks ago!! I love a good suspense adventure story so I'll totally be picking this one up soon! It reminds me a bit of 'The Knife Of Never Letting Go' meets 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' which is awesome!
I am glad you want to read it and I hope you love it when you pick it up! 😀
Teehee!I can see how going from Contemporary to suspense could have you on the edge of your seat! I'm so glad you liked this one girl and that it was everything you wanted it to be! I agree though, I get kind of aggravated with books when it seems that things are happening too easy. Like… yeah, right. A magical pink Llama just so happened to be there RIGHT when you needed it. *narrows eyes*
It was a really big chance but it was a lot of fun to read! But yeah I feel you with the whole too convenient thing …
A farm. =)
That would be a really deserted and isolated place to go to ^.^
Looks like an interesting read!
It is worth reading :3
I'd go for a well-stocked and fortified underground bunker! 😉
Hehehe that's the smartest idea! I should've thought of that …