ARC Review: Countdown

Title:  Countdown
Author:  Michelle Rowen 
Published:  October 1, 2013 by Harlequin Teen
Source:  A copy was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you!

3 seconds left to live. Once the countdown starts, it cannot be stopped.

2 pawns thrown into a brutal underground reality game.

Kira Jordan survived her family's murder and months on plague-devastated city streets with hard-won savvy and a low-level psi ability. She figures she can handle anything. Until she wakes up in a barren room, chained next to the notorious Rogan Ellis.

1 reason Kira will never, ever trust Rogan. Even though both their lives depend on it.

Their every move is controlled and televised for a vicious exclusive audience. And as Kira's psi skill unexpectedly grows and Rogan's secrets prove evermore deadly, Kira's only chance of survival is to risk trusting him as much as her instincts. Even if that means running head-on into the one trap she can't escape.

GAME OVER

My Review:  This book had an extremely interesting premise which was what first hooked my attention.  I was excited to begin reading and learning more about this torn down world and the high stakes game that our main characters Kira and Rogan have been put into.  While the plot was good and the premise was amazing, the characters, particularly Kira, were harder to connect with.  

We're immediately thrown into the conflict when we begin reading this story - exactly how I like it!  The tension was thick from the very first page and the dangers were very evident.  I was completely horror-filled at how Kira was forced into taking part in this disgusting game and in learning about the surgery that had been done to her without her consent.  I could not even imagine how terrible it must have been for her.  She was a strong character and yet, I still had trouble connecting with her.   The plot moved pretty quickly and kept my interest!  There were a few times when things became a little slow and repetitive but over all, it was enjoyable and kept me on my toes!

I think my main problem with Kira was how wishy-washy she was.  She just could not make up her mind.  One second she loathes Rogan with everything she has and the next she's ready to profess her undying love and then she was back to hating him.  She couldn't decide whether to trust him or not.  Truthfully, I wouldn't mind this conflict all that much.  Considering the things she's told that Rogan has done, it's understandable.  However, it resolves far to suddenly and without much build up at all.  She didn't learn to trust him.  She decided to after knowing him for about two days, in which she was only conscious for about 3 or so hours.  It was the same thing with their relationship.  It happened far too quickly with not enough build up.  

Rogan was interesting and I liked the mystery behind him and the snarky comments he made.  I liked learning more about his background and figuring out exactly how he had been put in the situation he was in.  While the big twist was fairly predictable, it still added to the plot and made everything a lot more interesting.  He was a cool character but I wish we had gotten to know him a bit more before Kira jumped into a relationship with him.  

While the main characters was lacking some, the plot was action packed and the premise was amazing.  There was a lot of good in this book which definitely made it worth reading!  I'm not sure if there's going to be any more books but if there are, I'll be reading them!

   

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