
Author: Gregg Rosenblum
Series: Revolution 19 #1
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: January 8, 2013
Format: eARC
Pages: 266
Source: Publisher

Twenty years ago, the robots designed to fight our wars abandoned the battlefields. Then they turned their weapons on us.
Only a few escaped the robot revolution of 2071. Kevin, Nick, and Cass are lucky —they live with their parents in a secret human community in the woods. Then their village is detected and wiped out. Hopeful that other survivors have been captured by bots, the teens risk everything to save the only people they have left in the world—by infiltrating a city controlled by their greatest enemies.
Revolution 19 is a cinematic thriller unlike anything else. With a dynamic cast of characters, this surefire blockbuster has everything teen readers want—action, drama, mystery, and romance. Written by debut novelist Gregg Rosenblum, this gripping story shouldn’t be missed.
What? Futuristic robots taking over mankind? Count me in! I was all over Revolution 19 as soon as I read the blurb and saw that cover. The premise even made me think of Partials by Dan Wells, which is one of my favorite books. So I just knew this book was going to kick ass. Haha… yeah… I was wrong. Okay, it wasn’t that bad, but it wasn’t great either.
The year is 2051 when the robots that were build to fight wars revolted and turned on the humans. A lot of people were killed, some were “released into the wild,” while the rest were rounded up and kept in the city. The book is told from three different perspectives: Nick (17), Cass (15), and Kevin (13). They’re siblings living with their parents in a community called Freepost, which is out in the wilderness. They’ve been living out there for 14 years since the bots revolted, so they really have no idea what it’s like in the city. And yes, it’s just called the “City.” Then there is an attack on the Freepost, leaving most either dead or captured.
Revolution 19 started out on the boring side; I came extremely close to giving up on it. It did eventually pick-up the pace and hold my attention, though. It got a lot more interesting once Nick, Cass, and Kevin got to the city. However, it annoyed my immensely how the three of them decided to go look for the parents in the city without even first going to see if they were hurt or dead after the attack. They didn’t even know where the city was, only that it was east. But hey, let’s go wandering around trying to find a place that could be hundreds or thousands of miles away and is supposed to be filled with killer robots without first walking a few miles back to make sure we even need to. Who does that?! It was things like that that really got under my skin with this book.
The characters is Revolution 19 were okay. I can’t say that I felt strongly for any of them one way or another. Kevin was probably the one the stuck out the most, but only because he had a few funny lines. I was really hoping for a lot more from Cass, but it seemed like I got the least from her. The secondary characters were more interesting than those three.
As for the romance the blurb claims this book has…. uh, no… more like very minimal flirting between kids. Which is perfectly fine, especially for younger readers. I certainly wouldn’t consider it romance, though. Actually, now that I really think about it, this book would be a great read for younger teen boys.
The reasoning for the robot revolt was… interesting, even though it kind of bothered me. I can’t exactly put a finger on why it did, but something about it felt odd. The bots felt it was fit to protect the humans from themselves, so it became like a “nanny state,” only hundred times worse, and even had “reeducation camp” type punishments. Even though I have an unexplainable issue with the reasoning, I did find the city itself intriguing. It came across as a futuristic 50’s style, sort of like the diner in Back to the Future 2, except not so shiny. At least that’s how I envisioned it.
I have a lot of questions, though. For instance, the robots were fighting wars for the humans, so what happened to other countries? Did all the robots from different places make a peace treaty, and turn on the humans from their own country? These and other questions might be answered in the next book, but it would have been nice to cover some of them in this one. I didn’t see any info about this being a series, but it obviously is with an ending like that.
Overall, I feel as though I liked Revolution 19, but I feel annoyed by it when I start thinking about specific details or lack thereof. I currently can’t say for sure if I would read the next book. I guess it will depend on how curious I am once it is released. I would have bought it for my son when he was about thirteen, though.
awesome review cupcake but this one is not for me, i am trying to stay away from younger YA’s. Sounds like the world building left you wanting too..bummer, i do like the cover.
Bummer! I really thought this one showed promise too after reading the blurb.
I am sorry you didn’t enjoy it but at least now I know not to bother with it!
Great, honest review Christy!
It sounds like those weird little things would be bother me too. And just thinking about it, I get annoyed that they went to the city without first checking. I don’t think I’d read this one anyway, but I’m sorry it wasn’t a wow read for you.
Haha yeah, it’s little things like that that piss me of the most. But I do think a 12-14 year-old might enjoy it a lot more.
Aw, sorry this one didn’t meet your expectations. I was recently let down and frustrated with Broken. Thank you for your honest review – love the cover. *sigh*
What foiled again… sounds like a weird book. The futuristic fifties style city sounds fun though. Well a romance doesn’t really seem like something that goes with a robot book. You reminded me though how much I liked Partials and want to get the next book in that series.
Partials freaking rocked. But if you know any 12-14 year olds, this might be a book for them.
Hmm…I might pass on this one. It sounds okay, but it doesn’t sound as if it would blow me out of the water either. And to be honest, I wasn’t particularly interested prior to reading your review, and afterwards…well, I think I’m going to wait for now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Yeah, I don’t think you’d be into this one. Thanks for reading my thoughts! 😀
This does have a great premise. When I read the blurb I was like, yeah this sounds great, how did I overlook this. But then your review put me straight. Definitely don’t think this would be for me. But you think it would suit teenage boys? My son is 13 and I’m always looking out for books for him, so I’ll see what he thinks. Great review Christy 🙂
Yeah, it’s definitely suited for a 12-13 year old. It feels geared to that age group. I would have bought it for my son when he was that age, but even now at 15 1/2, he wouldn’t be into it. That’s just him though. I say have your son give it a try. 🙂
Glad you enjoyed even though there were some issue with characters and what not.
Happy reading,
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Lots of lackluster reviews on this one so I think I’ll be passing. I was really excited too but I was thinking terminator type of revolution but everyone says it was close, boring, and the robots were lame. lol Plus no romance?! No thanks!
The premise sounds really different, which is enticing, but it is really too bad that there are so many questions. Not even of a small nature. Thanks for your review.