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Swipe #2
Sneak
When Logan Langly backed out of getting the Mark and went on the run, no one thought he could survive on his own. Without the Mark, you can't buy food, go to the doctor, or use a tablet--you aren't even a citizen.
But when he discovers that his sister is being held in a mysterious hidden prison named Acheron, Logan risks everything to travel through an underground network of the Markless to rescue her.
Logan arrives only to find that Acheron holds more secrets than anyone could have guessed and that all his careful planning is worthless against a government that will do anything to gain absolute control.
It seems there is only one place to turn. But can a banned book with whisper-thin pages and warnings about the real meaning of the Mark really hold the Answer?
But when he discovers that his sister is being held in a mysterious hidden prison named Acheron, Logan risks everything to travel through an underground network of the Markless to rescue her.
Logan arrives only to find that Acheron holds more secrets than anyone could have guessed and that all his careful planning is worthless against a government that will do anything to gain absolute control.
It seems there is only one place to turn. But can a banned book with whisper-thin pages and warnings about the real meaning of the Mark really hold the Answer?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2012
51 people are currently reading
1,322 people want to read
About the author
Evan Angler
15books306followersEvan lives without the Mark, evading DOME and writing in the shadows of Beacon.
Swipe is his first book. But if anyone asks, you know nothing about it, and you didn't hear anything from him. Don't make eye contact if you see him. Don't call his name out loud. He's in enough trouble already.
And so are you , if you've read his book.
Swipe is his first book. But if anyone asks, you know nothing about it, and you didn't hear anything from him. Don't make eye contact if you see him. Don't call his name out loud. He's in enough trouble already.
And so are you , if you've read his book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
September 14, 2012
A few days ago, I posted a review of Book 1 of Evan Angler's series, Swipe. In that review, I mentioned many reasons why I fell in love with this series, including a return to classic dystopian elements and high action and suspense. But I haven't discussed the biggest reason I respect Evan Angler's amazing series - the world.
Many dystopian tales deal with oppressive governments, the country in shambles, and the people living in squalid conditions. As entertaining it is to read about such circumstances (I know, we're sadists), these worlds are not entirely believable. Even after an apocalyptic event such as a war or famine, people in the US don't just lose their inherent independence, and their ultimate goal toward a comfortable existence. Do you really believe that the public (in the near future) would just accept a government's tyranny and cruelty without question, leaving one or two teenagers to suddenly realize - "Hey! This isn't fair. This isn't right!" This isn't North Korea - in most of these books, the people haven't been systematically brainwashed like in 1984.
No, I'm not trying to ruin dystopian tales for you. Even as I say this, I'm planning to read a book having the above inconsistencies... and I'll probably enjoy it too.
The point to all this is that Angler has been uniquely smart enough to overcome such flaws. In his world, the people are given a choice - comfort or freedom. Here, the Marked do not live in constant fear of the government; on the contrary, if you accept the Mark, you are promised ultimate comfort, access to mind-boggling technology, and an easy life. The only thing the leader would ask in return would be your freedom to choose. I'll let Peck himself elaborate:
"You see, Logan, Cylis gave the world the easy path, and the world took it. Can't blame anyone for that, really--we'd had it pretty hard up until then. War, famine, plague, a devastated economy, environmental destruction..." Peck was quiet for a moment.
"The things we fight for... have fought for, throughout history... they're the liberties. The right to speak your mind, the right to be happy, the right to worship the way you want, to be treated equally..."
"Dictators of the past took those freedoms away. And the world always fought back."
"But Cylis never took anything. He offered. Offered alternatives to freedom that made life so easy, who could turn them down?"
"The Mark, the Religious Inclusion, the Global Union...they all share a single goal: to give us a life so easy that we want to surrender our freedoms. A life so easy that we want to hand over our individuality and abandon choice. Because to keep them is to take the difficult path." Peck sighed. "The world was ready for things to be a little easier. And choices are hard."
I really can't follow that with any critiques of my own.
Therefore, you should read this series because -
1) It has a believable world.
2) It doesn't have teen angst and drama, it's simple and to-the-point.
3) It's moralistic. At the end of the day, I want to read something that will make me think, that will help me appreciate what I have now and the human capacity. And that's exactly what this series will give you - in addition to a riveting story, it will show you just how meaningful your freedom to choose is, as evidenced by the quote above.
3) Each book so far has ended with amazingly-crafted cliffhangers. Stripping everything else away, it is a smart thriller with suspense and twists on every page. I don't think I can wait long enough for Book 3!
Many dystopian tales deal with oppressive governments, the country in shambles, and the people living in squalid conditions. As entertaining it is to read about such circumstances (I know, we're sadists), these worlds are not entirely believable. Even after an apocalyptic event such as a war or famine, people in the US don't just lose their inherent independence, and their ultimate goal toward a comfortable existence. Do you really believe that the public (in the near future) would just accept a government's tyranny and cruelty without question, leaving one or two teenagers to suddenly realize - "Hey! This isn't fair. This isn't right!" This isn't North Korea - in most of these books, the people haven't been systematically brainwashed like in 1984.
No, I'm not trying to ruin dystopian tales for you. Even as I say this, I'm planning to read a book having the above inconsistencies... and I'll probably enjoy it too.
The point to all this is that Angler has been uniquely smart enough to overcome such flaws. In his world, the people are given a choice - comfort or freedom. Here, the Marked do not live in constant fear of the government; on the contrary, if you accept the Mark, you are promised ultimate comfort, access to mind-boggling technology, and an easy life. The only thing the leader would ask in return would be your freedom to choose. I'll let Peck himself elaborate:
"You see, Logan, Cylis gave the world the easy path, and the world took it. Can't blame anyone for that, really--we'd had it pretty hard up until then. War, famine, plague, a devastated economy, environmental destruction..." Peck was quiet for a moment.
"The things we fight for... have fought for, throughout history... they're the liberties. The right to speak your mind, the right to be happy, the right to worship the way you want, to be treated equally..."
"Dictators of the past took those freedoms away. And the world always fought back."
"But Cylis never took anything. He offered. Offered alternatives to freedom that made life so easy, who could turn them down?"
"The Mark, the Religious Inclusion, the Global Union...they all share a single goal: to give us a life so easy that we want to surrender our freedoms. A life so easy that we want to hand over our individuality and abandon choice. Because to keep them is to take the difficult path." Peck sighed. "The world was ready for things to be a little easier. And choices are hard."
I really can't follow that with any critiques of my own.
Therefore, you should read this series because -
1) It has a believable world.
2) It doesn't have teen angst and drama, it's simple and to-the-point.
3) It's moralistic. At the end of the day, I want to read something that will make me think, that will help me appreciate what I have now and the human capacity. And that's exactly what this series will give you - in addition to a riveting story, it will show you just how meaningful your freedom to choose is, as evidenced by the quote above.
3) Each book so far has ended with amazingly-crafted cliffhangers. Stripping everything else away, it is a smart thriller with suspense and twists on every page. I don't think I can wait long enough for Book 3!
January 9, 2016
3.5
I liked this book better than book one. Now that the story is unfolding, it's keeping my attention better. I plan on finishing the series. Hopefully, it will keep getting better. :)
Clean rating: I believe there was some brief violence.
I liked this book better than book one. Now that the story is unfolding, it's keeping my attention better. I plan on finishing the series. Hopefully, it will keep getting better. :)
Clean rating: I believe there was some brief violence.
July 22, 2023
I really enjoyed this buddy-read with Mikayla. Texting each other cryptic “oh wow”s and discussing the ending together was great fun. I’m excited to read book 3 with her.
This book was a mixed bag for me, honestly. I adored the shift in tone, the suspenseful feeling of Logan being on the run, the various Markless communities, the slight introduction of Christianity and how it makes sense of the end times� The symbols for the River had me nervous and excited every time one showed up, and there were quite a few chapters that ended on the best cliffhangers. And a certain British family. O.o. Grandma, Hailey, and Bridget are probably my new favorite characters.
I liked Peck less in the one which I think is a good thing. It reminded me that these characters are all just kids trying to make plans and make things work out. There was a good deal of exposition in some points that made me like the book less than the first one, but the kicker for me was when the dystopian elements swerved into real conspiracy theories people have and have used to hurt each other, namely what the Mark is. I wasn’t a fan.
CW: betrayal, torture, plague (though just the beginnings of it). A man has a missing hand.
This book was a mixed bag for me, honestly. I adored the shift in tone, the suspenseful feeling of Logan being on the run, the various Markless communities, the slight introduction of Christianity and how it makes sense of the end times� The symbols for the River had me nervous and excited every time one showed up, and there were quite a few chapters that ended on the best cliffhangers. And a certain British family. O.o. Grandma, Hailey, and Bridget are probably my new favorite characters.
I liked Peck less in the one which I think is a good thing. It reminded me that these characters are all just kids trying to make plans and make things work out. There was a good deal of exposition in some points that made me like the book less than the first one, but the kicker for me was when the dystopian elements swerved into real conspiracy theories people have and have used to hurt each other, namely what the Mark is. I wasn’t a fan.
CW: betrayal, torture, plague (though just the beginnings of it). A man has a missing hand.
November 20, 2023
A good sequel to Swipe. This dystopian tale is becoming quite an adventure (why is that such a common thing in dystopians). I liked seeing Hailey and Peck both playing a more important role. And honestly a bit glad Erin's role was smaller. She can grate on me a bit. Oh and I adore Logan's grandmother! I remember feeling there seemed to be a bit of religious undertones to the first one with the idea of the Mark, but this book buts all questions to rest. Although I suppose I should have noticed the publisher, right? Well good for this author for keeping a good balance of his version future possible events. He brings out the points he wants to make, without feeling preachy. I eagerly await the next book to learn more about the government plans and how the IMPS will come into play. Go DUST!
December 7, 2015
About this book:
“When Logan Langly backed out of getting the Mark and went on the run, no one thought he could survive on his own. Without the Mark, you can't buy food, go to the doctor, or use a tablet--you aren't even a citizen.
But when he discovers that his sister is being held in a mysterious hidden prison named Acheron, Logan risks everything to travel through an underground network of the Markless to rescue her.
Logan arrives only to find that Acheron holds more secrets than anyone could have guessed and that all his careful planning is worthless against a government that will do anything to gain absolute control.
It seems there is only one place to turn. But can a banned book with whisper-thin pages and warnings about the real meaning of the Mark really hold the Answer?�
Series: Book #2 of the ٷɾ� series. (Book #1, ٷɾ�, review Here!) (There are currently four and waiting for the fifth) {More about this series: “Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is "Left Behind" meets "Matched" for middle-grade readers.�}
Spiritual Content- Mama & Papa Hayes are Christian & quotes Scriptures; Different Bible stories are mentioned; Grandma Langly is a Christian & prays; Logan read the Bible & tries to understand why it’s “dangerous�; “When the Saints� is sung; Talks of God & witnessing; A couple of Scriptures are quoted; “In the name of Cylis� and “thank Cylis� (the ruler/god’s name) is said;
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blimey�, a ‘bloody�, a ‘crummy�, a ‘darn�, a ‘dimwit�, a ‘dumb�, a ‘screwed�, a ‘sheesh�, a ‘shoot�, a ‘sucker�, five ‘idiot’s, and nine ‘stupid’s; A curse is said but not written; Sarcasm; Slurs about those who have the Marks and those who do not; Erin thinks of sad things to make her cry (semi-detailed); Awful things are said about Acheron (detailed);
Sexual Content- The whole boyfriend/girlfriend/who-likes-who/crushes are rarely mentioned in this book compared to the first book in this series.
-Logan Langly
-Erin Arbitor
-Daniel Peck
-Hailey Phoenix
P.O.V. switches between them, The Dust, and a man, Mama Hayes, Mr. & Mrs. Langly, Grandma Langly, Mr. Arbitor, Mr. Cheswick, Bridget, Andrew, & The Advocate (all at least once).
Dystopia
274 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
There was lots more Spiritual content in ٲԱ� than ٷɾ� which I like, still it’s an interesting plot.
Link to review:
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“When Logan Langly backed out of getting the Mark and went on the run, no one thought he could survive on his own. Without the Mark, you can't buy food, go to the doctor, or use a tablet--you aren't even a citizen.
But when he discovers that his sister is being held in a mysterious hidden prison named Acheron, Logan risks everything to travel through an underground network of the Markless to rescue her.
Logan arrives only to find that Acheron holds more secrets than anyone could have guessed and that all his careful planning is worthless against a government that will do anything to gain absolute control.
It seems there is only one place to turn. But can a banned book with whisper-thin pages and warnings about the real meaning of the Mark really hold the Answer?�
Series: Book #2 of the ٷɾ� series. (Book #1, ٷɾ�, review Here!) (There are currently four and waiting for the fifth) {More about this series: “Find out in the first book of this exciting series that is "Left Behind" meets "Matched" for middle-grade readers.�}
Spiritual Content- Mama & Papa Hayes are Christian & quotes Scriptures; Different Bible stories are mentioned; Grandma Langly is a Christian & prays; Logan read the Bible & tries to understand why it’s “dangerous�; “When the Saints� is sung; Talks of God & witnessing; A couple of Scriptures are quoted; “In the name of Cylis� and “thank Cylis� (the ruler/god’s name) is said;
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘blimey�, a ‘bloody�, a ‘crummy�, a ‘darn�, a ‘dimwit�, a ‘dumb�, a ‘screwed�, a ‘sheesh�, a ‘shoot�, a ‘sucker�, five ‘idiot’s, and nine ‘stupid’s; A curse is said but not written; Sarcasm; Slurs about those who have the Marks and those who do not; Erin thinks of sad things to make her cry (semi-detailed); Awful things are said about Acheron (detailed);
Sexual Content- The whole boyfriend/girlfriend/who-likes-who/crushes are rarely mentioned in this book compared to the first book in this series.
-Logan Langly
-Erin Arbitor
-Daniel Peck
-Hailey Phoenix
P.O.V. switches between them, The Dust, and a man, Mama Hayes, Mr. & Mrs. Langly, Grandma Langly, Mr. Arbitor, Mr. Cheswick, Bridget, Andrew, & The Advocate (all at least once).
Dystopia
274 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
There was lots more Spiritual content in ٲԱ� than ٷɾ� which I like, still it’s an interesting plot.
Link to review:
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
September 12, 2012
You can read all of my reviews at .
When I finished Swipe earlier this year, I can remember very clearly turning the last page and thinking "NO! It can't possibly be over!" So when I got the tour invite for Sneak, I jumped at the opportunity. Evan Angler has put together a strong dystopian world unlike any I have read before. What is so fascinating to me about the world of The Swipe Series is that it's not a typical dystopia where people's rights were forcefully taken from them against their will. Instead we have a world where the citizens were offered alternatives that made their lives easier and they willfully handed over their individuality and abandoned choice.
In Sneak we catch up with Logan immediately where Swipe left off, he has fled from Spokie and is on his way to find Lily in Beacon. Following him along his journey to save her made for an engrossing read. He meets back up with the Dust and they come across their fair share of turbulence, of course things can't go as planned right? In Sneak we find a much bigger network of the Markless and it creates an intense feeling of an impending uprising. They communicate with one another and are always there to help a fellow Markless out, I really enjoyed this aspect of the story as it made discontent in the American Union feel more defined and almost practiced.
Another part of this series that keeps me loving it is the strong female characters. Sure Logan is our MC and he's basically the driving force but Haylie and Erin are really the brains of the operation. Haylie really stood out in this one for putting her neck out for Peck & the Dust as well as her secret agent spy skills! And Erin is once again front and center with her tablet hacking right into DOME's systems and showing them who's boss! Also, Haylie's mother and Logan's grandma even throw themselves into the mix which made for an interesting little side story. Mr. Angler definitely has a knack for writing sassy, strong women and that is something that I will always appreciate as a reader.
There are quite a few twist and turns along the road in Sneak and it definitely keeps you on your toes. Reading this follow up was just as satisfying as reading the first book in the series and once again it left me with just enough lingering questions to have me pining for more. If you're looking for a fun, clean, rather innocent dystopia then The Swipe Series is a great place to start.
A Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
When I finished Swipe earlier this year, I can remember very clearly turning the last page and thinking "NO! It can't possibly be over!" So when I got the tour invite for Sneak, I jumped at the opportunity. Evan Angler has put together a strong dystopian world unlike any I have read before. What is so fascinating to me about the world of The Swipe Series is that it's not a typical dystopia where people's rights were forcefully taken from them against their will. Instead we have a world where the citizens were offered alternatives that made their lives easier and they willfully handed over their individuality and abandoned choice.
In Sneak we catch up with Logan immediately where Swipe left off, he has fled from Spokie and is on his way to find Lily in Beacon. Following him along his journey to save her made for an engrossing read. He meets back up with the Dust and they come across their fair share of turbulence, of course things can't go as planned right? In Sneak we find a much bigger network of the Markless and it creates an intense feeling of an impending uprising. They communicate with one another and are always there to help a fellow Markless out, I really enjoyed this aspect of the story as it made discontent in the American Union feel more defined and almost practiced.
Another part of this series that keeps me loving it is the strong female characters. Sure Logan is our MC and he's basically the driving force but Haylie and Erin are really the brains of the operation. Haylie really stood out in this one for putting her neck out for Peck & the Dust as well as her secret agent spy skills! And Erin is once again front and center with her tablet hacking right into DOME's systems and showing them who's boss! Also, Haylie's mother and Logan's grandma even throw themselves into the mix which made for an interesting little side story. Mr. Angler definitely has a knack for writing sassy, strong women and that is something that I will always appreciate as a reader.
There are quite a few twist and turns along the road in Sneak and it definitely keeps you on your toes. Reading this follow up was just as satisfying as reading the first book in the series and once again it left me with just enough lingering questions to have me pining for more. If you're looking for a fun, clean, rather innocent dystopia then The Swipe Series is a great place to start.
A Copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 14, 2012
My past experience has taught me this: more often than not, the second book in any series is usually my least favorite. When I started reading Sneak, the second book in Evan Angler’s Swipe series, I set my expectations low. I LOVED Swipe, so I couldn’t possibly like the second book better than the first—it just doesn’t work that way.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Filled with edge of your seat action, and a plot that changes direction (in a good way) so many times I lost count, Sneak outshines its predecessor like Beacon City outshines Spokie. This book kept me guessing until the very end. You just never know what’s going to happen next!
Synopsis...
Logan Langly is on the run and DOME will do anything to get their hands on him. Even Logan’s former best friend, Erin Arbitor, has seemingly turned against him. Now its up to Logan, and the rest of the infamous group of Markless known as the Dust, to find a way to Beacon City and discover what really happened to Logan’s sister Lily. What happened that fateful day five years ago when she went to Pledge and was never heard from again?
Why I liked it...
I liked this book for the intricate plot, the tension-breaking humor, and the unique and sometimes “quirky� characters. I also really liked how the book was divided up into small sections and parts . This made it easy for me to read a little at a time without having to stop in the middle of a long, run-on chapter. Evan Angler really knows how to draw his readers in. I can’t wait until the next book comes out!
Recommendation...
I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of ten who loves a good, clean adventure story. I was up at all hours of the night reading it, which should tell you something since I am the mother of a 6-month-old who never sleeps. Sleep is precious to me, but I just couldn’t put this book down. "Sneak" a peek! You’ll see what I mean.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are wholly and completely my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.�
September 14, 2012
What it's about: Logan is back and he is still on the run from DOME. Peck and the Dust are still out there, trying to find out about where Lily is being kept. Erin is missing Logan and desperate to find out where he is. The journey continues with the Markless against DOME and all the secrets hidden along the way.
What I thought: I couldn't wait to start reading Sneak ever since I got my hands on my copy. I thoroughly enjoyed Swipe and couldn't wait to see where this sequel was going to take me and it certainly didn't disappoint. We pick up about a month after we left off and the action doesn't stop for a second. We meet many new characters and revisit old ones. This time, there are many more Markless involved, and plenty of Markless sympathizers. They all most get caught a few times but it makes the adventure all the more fun. But what I loved the most was the small twists along the way - nothing was as it seems and everything is bigger than they believe. If you have read Swipe, definitely pick this one up and find out what happens next. If you haven't read Swipe, well why not? Hurry up and grab a copy because you won't be disappointed!
the good: It has been left open for another book. I have my fingers crossed!
the bad: I felt as if some parts were lacking. The book wasn't so much about the journey, but rather the end result and after everything we hear about DOME and the Markless and this massive journey, I find it hard to believe they made it, relatively unscathed.
Rating: 4 bookstacks
What I thought: I couldn't wait to start reading Sneak ever since I got my hands on my copy. I thoroughly enjoyed Swipe and couldn't wait to see where this sequel was going to take me and it certainly didn't disappoint. We pick up about a month after we left off and the action doesn't stop for a second. We meet many new characters and revisit old ones. This time, there are many more Markless involved, and plenty of Markless sympathizers. They all most get caught a few times but it makes the adventure all the more fun. But what I loved the most was the small twists along the way - nothing was as it seems and everything is bigger than they believe. If you have read Swipe, definitely pick this one up and find out what happens next. If you haven't read Swipe, well why not? Hurry up and grab a copy because you won't be disappointed!
the good: It has been left open for another book. I have my fingers crossed!
the bad: I felt as if some parts were lacking. The book wasn't so much about the journey, but rather the end result and after everything we hear about DOME and the Markless and this massive journey, I find it hard to believe they made it, relatively unscathed.
Rating: 4 bookstacks
July 7, 2018
The acronyms used are like implying that EU is a dystopia? where people are having a Mark. Didn't enjoy it that much....
July 24, 2017
4.7/5.0 Not as good as the first. Read this on the whole plane ride. That was fun.
May 21, 2024
3.8 stars
July 12, 2012
As dystopians go, Sneak doesn't have the most original or unusual of premises, but there's still quite a bit to like, some really good supporting characters, quite a few unexpected twists to the story, but most of all Angler's no nonsense approach to storytelling. I enjoyed this book, even if there's nothing I really haven't seen before. And it's a pretty good sequel to Swipe.
The plot as a whole plays out as I expected, Logan and his friends on the run from the government, trying to rally the Marked but especially the Markless and save his sister locked up in a prison somewhere. What's different is that there are lots of points of view; a chapter might switch between different characters nine or ten times. I guess it's both good and bad, good because I really liked some of the supporting characters once I got to know them, simple things like Meg dropping a huge spider on Jo's head, but Angler also likes to build up suspense, putting one character in trouble, then switching to another character for a while. Kinda infuriating at times.
But that also means I liked these characters enough I really wanted to know what was happening to them too, I guess. Logan didn't really stand out much as the sort of savior character, but Erin, Hailey, and especially Logan's Grandma were really good. Erin, working for the government against Logan and his friends, I really like how she's trying to figure out where her loyalties lie as she spends more time with the Markless, and has to finally make her choice once she's confronted with the truth. Hailey, she and Erin are like on polar opposite sides, yet there are a few scenes that still show how similar they are despite their differences. And Logan's Grandma, way cool for a spunky older character, I really like how she surprised me here, played an inspiring role even if she really didn't do much.
Actually, I got the feeling this entire book was supposed to be inspiring, from all the people who stick their necks out and help Logan and his friends on their journey, to the Markless who stands out against the government when the time comes, even if, yes, a few of them don't have the guts to do it. It's all very believable. But the ending was also sort of a letdown, I get the message that Logan's really more of a symbol and the Markless can do really great things once they rally to the cause, but it just wasn't as epic as I'd hoped mass rallies and people power would be. And a few characters also draw inspiration from religion - yeah I think it's good to get a wide range, have different characters get their inspiration from different sources - but it's just sort of briefly mentioned, neither subtle nor powerful.
Even though the ending wasn't as good as I wanted, I still had fun reading this. And it does set up another sequel, nice because this series is getting good.
The plot as a whole plays out as I expected, Logan and his friends on the run from the government, trying to rally the Marked but especially the Markless and save his sister locked up in a prison somewhere. What's different is that there are lots of points of view; a chapter might switch between different characters nine or ten times. I guess it's both good and bad, good because I really liked some of the supporting characters once I got to know them, simple things like Meg dropping a huge spider on Jo's head, but Angler also likes to build up suspense, putting one character in trouble, then switching to another character for a while. Kinda infuriating at times.
But that also means I liked these characters enough I really wanted to know what was happening to them too, I guess. Logan didn't really stand out much as the sort of savior character, but Erin, Hailey, and especially Logan's Grandma were really good. Erin, working for the government against Logan and his friends, I really like how she's trying to figure out where her loyalties lie as she spends more time with the Markless, and has to finally make her choice once she's confronted with the truth. Hailey, she and Erin are like on polar opposite sides, yet there are a few scenes that still show how similar they are despite their differences. And Logan's Grandma, way cool for a spunky older character, I really like how she surprised me here, played an inspiring role even if she really didn't do much.
Actually, I got the feeling this entire book was supposed to be inspiring, from all the people who stick their necks out and help Logan and his friends on their journey, to the Markless who stands out against the government when the time comes, even if, yes, a few of them don't have the guts to do it. It's all very believable. But the ending was also sort of a letdown, I get the message that Logan's really more of a symbol and the Markless can do really great things once they rally to the cause, but it just wasn't as epic as I'd hoped mass rallies and people power would be. And a few characters also draw inspiration from religion - yeah I think it's good to get a wide range, have different characters get their inspiration from different sources - but it's just sort of briefly mentioned, neither subtle nor powerful.
Even though the ending wasn't as good as I wanted, I still had fun reading this. And it does set up another sequel, nice because this series is getting good.
March 7, 2018
This action-paced, adventure-filled, energetic (can books be energetic?) second novel in the Swipe series was full of bounding action and energy from the first sentence to the last. Never is there a dull moment or a boring scene. There’s always more happening and more mysteries to unravel, at all times. I really enjoyed it and it does not disappoint!
This author is truly talented. Though there are countless characters, scenes, clues, and other things to remember at all times, it never once felt confusing. The way it was put together made it simple as possible, introducing different characters at different times and taking time to let you get to know them before moving onto the next set of characters. Each character contributed some way to the plot, as did every scene. After a character served their purpose in the story, they weren’t mentioned again, preventing potential confusion (though I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they showed up in the next book). They showed up, told you who they were, let you get to know them, showed you why they were in the story and then left the storyline once the main characters were ready to go on their own again. The one thing I disliked was when Logan found Lily. It was very unrealistic and seemed very rushed and undeveloped. No emotion or reaction at all; even though Logan wishes it could be different, there was still no emotion from his perspective. On the upside though, I did like Lily’s entrance into the story and the way she played into it.
The book ended well, too. It wasn’t all finished up, of course, because there’s more books in the series. But it didn’t end on a cliffhanger. The author at least gave some satisfaction, some element of tidying up the story without completely finishing the story off. I’m super excited to see where the story goes in Book 3, as I love all these characters so much.
ALSO: How can I forget the Christian themes that have been working in the story all along but now have only become obvious? They were done AMAZINGLY! I am now beginning to see the themes behind the whole series and they awe me. I love the way that in the first book it seemed to be just an average dystopian type novel but by now you know it’s a Christian book. I love it so much. I am super super excited to read book 3!
It did take a few chapters to get into the story, but once you got in, it’s hard to put down. If you liked Swipe, don’t miss this second addition! :)
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This author is truly talented. Though there are countless characters, scenes, clues, and other things to remember at all times, it never once felt confusing. The way it was put together made it simple as possible, introducing different characters at different times and taking time to let you get to know them before moving onto the next set of characters. Each character contributed some way to the plot, as did every scene. After a character served their purpose in the story, they weren’t mentioned again, preventing potential confusion (though I wouldn’t be surprised at all if they showed up in the next book). They showed up, told you who they were, let you get to know them, showed you why they were in the story and then left the storyline once the main characters were ready to go on their own again. The one thing I disliked was when Logan found Lily. It was very unrealistic and seemed very rushed and undeveloped. No emotion or reaction at all; even though Logan wishes it could be different, there was still no emotion from his perspective. On the upside though, I did like Lily’s entrance into the story and the way she played into it.
The book ended well, too. It wasn’t all finished up, of course, because there’s more books in the series. But it didn’t end on a cliffhanger. The author at least gave some satisfaction, some element of tidying up the story without completely finishing the story off. I’m super excited to see where the story goes in Book 3, as I love all these characters so much.
ALSO: How can I forget the Christian themes that have been working in the story all along but now have only become obvious? They were done AMAZINGLY! I am now beginning to see the themes behind the whole series and they awe me. I love the way that in the first book it seemed to be just an average dystopian type novel but by now you know it’s a Christian book. I love it so much. I am super super excited to read book 3!
It did take a few chapters to get into the story, but once you got in, it’s hard to put down. If you liked Swipe, don’t miss this second addition! :)
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September 11, 2012
What would you do if one day, on your thirteenth birthday, you were basically forced to get a Mark - a tattoo on your wrist - that gave you basic rights as a citizen? That's what happens in 'Sneak', the second book in the Swipe series, which follows a group of teens during what appears to be the apocalypse. Logan's thirteenth birthday has come and gone and since fighting back against the government and refusing to receive his Mark - he's on the run. Logan finds out that his older sister Lily, who vanished five years ago while receiving her Mark, is not dead but being held captive in the city of Beacon. With nothing left to lose, Logan and his friends from the Dust - other teenagers who are Markless - set out on a mission to find and free Lily from the mysterious prison called Archeron. Will they make it to Archeron to free Lily or die in the process?
Growing up going to church, I have always heard stories and sermons dealing with the "End Times." The Antichrist, the Mark of the Beast - all of this is familiar to me. That might be part of the reason that I was so engaged in this book. It was creepily familiar and had a tinge of possible reality to it that made it all the more engrossing for me to read. It's a great concept with a well written and fast paced narrative regardless of the reader's familiarity with the concepts. The characters are flawed, mostly broken, and completely believable - so it's easy to identify with them early in the book. As I mentioned, the plot deals with the apocalypse and other references from the Bible, such as the Mark and the end of the world. It also threads a story of a single person who rises up against the new government and takes on the impossible task of rescuing his sister.
I found the entire story to be a page-turner and I was completely hooked until the end. The novel ends with a great cliffhanger, so I was left wanting more - I wanted to know what happens to the characters and how things were going to end. I couldn't put this book down until the very last page and I am definitely eagerly awaiting the next book. I highly recommend this novel to fans of YA, dystopian, apocalyptic, and thriller genres.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Growing up going to church, I have always heard stories and sermons dealing with the "End Times." The Antichrist, the Mark of the Beast - all of this is familiar to me. That might be part of the reason that I was so engaged in this book. It was creepily familiar and had a tinge of possible reality to it that made it all the more engrossing for me to read. It's a great concept with a well written and fast paced narrative regardless of the reader's familiarity with the concepts. The characters are flawed, mostly broken, and completely believable - so it's easy to identify with them early in the book. As I mentioned, the plot deals with the apocalypse and other references from the Bible, such as the Mark and the end of the world. It also threads a story of a single person who rises up against the new government and takes on the impossible task of rescuing his sister.
I found the entire story to be a page-turner and I was completely hooked until the end. The novel ends with a great cliffhanger, so I was left wanting more - I wanted to know what happens to the characters and how things were going to end. I couldn't put this book down until the very last page and I am definitely eagerly awaiting the next book. I highly recommend this novel to fans of YA, dystopian, apocalyptic, and thriller genres.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2013
It's a good thing that I read the first book or I'm not sure I would have understood what all was going on as we revisit Logan and his friends in Sneak.
Logan has thus far avoided the Mark - just barely. In this dystopic society where everything seems perfect for those Marked by the government, evil and corruption lies just underneath all this talk of unity and peace. Logan escaped it in book one and this book picks right up where we left off last time, as the race continues to not only stay out of the government's hands, but also to find those who have been taken.
Like the first book, there are times that this story reads too much like a rough outline of a really really good novel. I find myself craving more detail, wanting to see and feel and taste what's going on. The addition of new characters keeps things interesting, but at the same time the characterization seems to suffer for it. I want to know Eddie and Peck and Joanne, and everyone else so much better. Double the length of the book and let us PLEASE just sink into this world and walk around into it!
On the other hand the story is exciting and engaging. The Christian elements so loosely introduced int he first book are made clearer here in book two. Yet there's no alter call, no beating over the head with the faith aspect, which I think the readers will much appreciate (I know I really did).
I want more. Plain and simple, I want to know what happens next. Things have gone from bad to worse, to oh-my-goodness, you're stopping the book HERE? (Much like the end of Empire Strikes Back in its own way).
Recommended? Yes. If you read the first book and were disappointed, do try the second. I think you'll find it much richer and better than the first. but DO read the first one before taking on this, so that the story makes more sense. Hopefully the publisher and author won't keep us waiting too long on the next one...
[Reviewed from NetGalley - but the opinions expressed are my own. :) ]
Logan has thus far avoided the Mark - just barely. In this dystopic society where everything seems perfect for those Marked by the government, evil and corruption lies just underneath all this talk of unity and peace. Logan escaped it in book one and this book picks right up where we left off last time, as the race continues to not only stay out of the government's hands, but also to find those who have been taken.
Like the first book, there are times that this story reads too much like a rough outline of a really really good novel. I find myself craving more detail, wanting to see and feel and taste what's going on. The addition of new characters keeps things interesting, but at the same time the characterization seems to suffer for it. I want to know Eddie and Peck and Joanne, and everyone else so much better. Double the length of the book and let us PLEASE just sink into this world and walk around into it!
On the other hand the story is exciting and engaging. The Christian elements so loosely introduced int he first book are made clearer here in book two. Yet there's no alter call, no beating over the head with the faith aspect, which I think the readers will much appreciate (I know I really did).
I want more. Plain and simple, I want to know what happens next. Things have gone from bad to worse, to oh-my-goodness, you're stopping the book HERE? (Much like the end of Empire Strikes Back in its own way).
Recommended? Yes. If you read the first book and were disappointed, do try the second. I think you'll find it much richer and better than the first. but DO read the first one before taking on this, so that the story makes more sense. Hopefully the publisher and author won't keep us waiting too long on the next one...
[Reviewed from NetGalley - but the opinions expressed are my own. :) ]
September 7, 2012
It has been a month since Logan has escaped his marking. DOME has been clearing out all of the Markless in an attempt to find Logan. He's managed to stay one step ahead of them so far. Logan is making his way to Beacon where he hopes to find Acheron, a prison that may not exist, and to find his sister who may not even be alive.
Mr. Arbitor is being demoted because of the antics of his daughter Erin. Breaking into DOME, stealing equipment and maybe helping a Markless escape causes Mr. Arbitor's boss to send him back to Beacon. Exactly what Erin wanted to happen. Reunited with her mom, Erin was hoping that they could be a family once again. Also realizing that she can once again help Logan, Erin sets out to find him and Acheron in Beacon.
Using an Underground Network to help get them to Beacon, The Dust also make their way there to help Logan. Finding Acheron is not an easy task and breaking someone out of it could prove even more difficult.
One of the complaints I had about SWIPE(the first book in the series) was that we didn't really get the background of how this dystopian world came about. In SNEAK there is a note from the author filling in some background which was very helpful. While the SWIPE series is marketed as a Christian series I found very little evidence of that in either book. Logan does get his hands on a Bible in SNEAK, but really there is very little said about it. I think that the series becomes more "preachy" about the government role in our lives rather than a religious role. That is very understandable considering that the series takes place in an apocalyptic world that has become "all inclusive." Which really means that the government wants total control. I really enjoyed SNEAK, and look forward to the next installment of the SWIPE series.
Mr. Arbitor is being demoted because of the antics of his daughter Erin. Breaking into DOME, stealing equipment and maybe helping a Markless escape causes Mr. Arbitor's boss to send him back to Beacon. Exactly what Erin wanted to happen. Reunited with her mom, Erin was hoping that they could be a family once again. Also realizing that she can once again help Logan, Erin sets out to find him and Acheron in Beacon.
Using an Underground Network to help get them to Beacon, The Dust also make their way there to help Logan. Finding Acheron is not an easy task and breaking someone out of it could prove even more difficult.
One of the complaints I had about SWIPE(the first book in the series) was that we didn't really get the background of how this dystopian world came about. In SNEAK there is a note from the author filling in some background which was very helpful. While the SWIPE series is marketed as a Christian series I found very little evidence of that in either book. Logan does get his hands on a Bible in SNEAK, but really there is very little said about it. I think that the series becomes more "preachy" about the government role in our lives rather than a religious role. That is very understandable considering that the series takes place in an apocalyptic world that has become "all inclusive." Which really means that the government wants total control. I really enjoyed SNEAK, and look forward to the next installment of the SWIPE series.
April 27, 2013
Originally posted at Thinks Books.
You might not want to read any further into this review because I am afraid I can't avoid spoilers anymore! Being so vague all the time is too taxing.
I did not realize until halfway through Sneak that Swipe is a Christian Fiction series. I am not used to religions being specified in books so it caught me off guard when I discovered that the banned book Logan was carrying around is the Bible. I thought it was very interesting how the whole idea of faith was absorbed into the Dust. It was a freedom and a choice they were allowed to make that means the world to some of them. Logan seems as though he is still apprehensive in his beliefs, but I know whatever evolves out of Storm is going to have things clicking into space.
So, Logan and Peck and all these other guys (Dust), are on a mission to find Logan's sister, Lily. She disappeared during her pledge and Logan believes she is being held in a high security prison called Acheron. This poor gang of Dust go through so many life threatening situations, but I still found myself losing interest in Sneak. What is up with that? I really have no idea. I just know that I am really not engaged with any of the characters. Maybe it is because there are so many. LoL
Anyways, the writing was very good but a little predictable. Is there anyone out there that did not see the twist with Lily coming? But, I am still forgetting that this is not technically a YA series. Again, not saying this book was bad, but it just didn't really hold my interest the whole time. I kind of had to trudge through it.
3 stars to Sneak.
You might not want to read any further into this review because I am afraid I can't avoid spoilers anymore! Being so vague all the time is too taxing.
I did not realize until halfway through Sneak that Swipe is a Christian Fiction series. I am not used to religions being specified in books so it caught me off guard when I discovered that the banned book Logan was carrying around is the Bible. I thought it was very interesting how the whole idea of faith was absorbed into the Dust. It was a freedom and a choice they were allowed to make that means the world to some of them. Logan seems as though he is still apprehensive in his beliefs, but I know whatever evolves out of Storm is going to have things clicking into space.
So, Logan and Peck and all these other guys (Dust), are on a mission to find Logan's sister, Lily. She disappeared during her pledge and Logan believes she is being held in a high security prison called Acheron. This poor gang of Dust go through so many life threatening situations, but I still found myself losing interest in Sneak. What is up with that? I really have no idea. I just know that I am really not engaged with any of the characters. Maybe it is because there are so many. LoL
Anyways, the writing was very good but a little predictable. Is there anyone out there that did not see the twist with Lily coming? But, I am still forgetting that this is not technically a YA series. Again, not saying this book was bad, but it just didn't really hold my interest the whole time. I kind of had to trudge through it.
3 stars to Sneak.
April 5, 2013
Review on Amazon:
Review on my blog (to be posted 4/10):
Sneak was a great continuation to the Swipe series! I enjoyed the book even more than Swipe, book one, which I had read last year. I loved the whole aspect of the symbols and the River (won't say anything else, except I thought it was really cool).
The characters were nice and, while I don't think any of them are favorites, I pretty much liked all of them. I was a little surprised by a few things in Sneak and the ending definitely wasn't predictable to me. There were some really suspenseful scenes in Sneak and I found the story very interesting.
Overall, I really enjoyed Sneak and recommend it to fans of dystopian and middle grade/YA fiction. I think the series is best read in order, so you'll probably want to read Swipe before Sneak. I'm really looking forward to reading book three, Storm, as soon as I can.
*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
Review on my blog (to be posted 4/10):
Sneak was a great continuation to the Swipe series! I enjoyed the book even more than Swipe, book one, which I had read last year. I loved the whole aspect of the symbols and the River (won't say anything else, except I thought it was really cool).
The characters were nice and, while I don't think any of them are favorites, I pretty much liked all of them. I was a little surprised by a few things in Sneak and the ending definitely wasn't predictable to me. There were some really suspenseful scenes in Sneak and I found the story very interesting.
Overall, I really enjoyed Sneak and recommend it to fans of dystopian and middle grade/YA fiction. I think the series is best read in order, so you'll probably want to read Swipe before Sneak. I'm really looking forward to reading book three, Storm, as soon as I can.
*I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
December 8, 2012
This is truly a classic dystopian series dealing with real humans who have made a choice to join the masses, becoming a cog in a huge machine and receive 'the Mark' or to stand up for the freedom to be an individual, making right or wrong decisions on their own, suffering the repercussions if need be.
Book two in the Swipe Series takes us through Logan's run for freedom and his search to find Acheron, a prison for the markless filled with horrors beyond comprehension where his sister, Lily, taken five years prior, could be.
I was impressed that this book, while a young adult read, did not have page upon page of the often seen teen angst, (not that I don't love a good angst-filled read). These kids are tough, they are survivors, they show the ability to be leaders. They take chances, regardless of the consequences, because they feel its the right thing to do. They are loyal to each other, to the concept of freedom of choice. How many people are strong enough to so?
The author has crafted a believable tale, dimensional characters who are human and put them together wonderfully in an action-packed, fast-paced manner. I recommend this as a must read series!
I received this copy from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
Book two in the Swipe Series takes us through Logan's run for freedom and his search to find Acheron, a prison for the markless filled with horrors beyond comprehension where his sister, Lily, taken five years prior, could be.
I was impressed that this book, while a young adult read, did not have page upon page of the often seen teen angst, (not that I don't love a good angst-filled read). These kids are tough, they are survivors, they show the ability to be leaders. They take chances, regardless of the consequences, because they feel its the right thing to do. They are loyal to each other, to the concept of freedom of choice. How many people are strong enough to so?
The author has crafted a believable tale, dimensional characters who are human and put them together wonderfully in an action-packed, fast-paced manner. I recommend this as a must read series!
I received this copy from NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2012
Wow. Book one was good. Intrigueing and exciting situations. Book two is better. I entered the story on page one and every page after that. I got to know the characters even better, they really came alive, and their stuggles and mission was something I latched onto. Believable in ever sense, characters, the future world, the govenment, everything. The Christian elements that also came out of this dystopia was perfectly done. I espeicially like how it was all underground and there was a Underground-Railroad with Christian type symbles to it. The only that disrupted the story for me was something with the ending. It wasn't the content but it seemed at the end to give little snipets of events after the main action was over which didn't flow nicly for me. Still a totally enjoyable book. If I was excited after book1, I'm psyched now and am eggerly waiting for book 3.
In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson through Team Novel Teen.
In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson through Team Novel Teen.
January 13, 2016
I listened to the first book of the series, Swipe, on audiobook last year sometime. It kept hanging around in the back of my head so I picked up the second in the series and I'm glad I did. I finished it in no time.
Genre: YA dystopian
Worldview: Christian
Pros: The story. I didn't realize it when I read the first book (I guess I'm clueless), but this is actually based on Revelation. The good thing is that the references are subtle (obviously). What better set up for a dystopian novel? I'm interested to see how the author finishes out the series. So far, there's been no rapture, so I'm interested in the timeline the author is setting.
Cons: The main characters are 13-year-olds who are smart, savvy, and make all adults look like idiots. Not that I have a problem with smart kids, but I would have found it more realistic if these kids had been older. As I read, I have to pretend I don't know how old they are.
Genre: YA dystopian
Worldview: Christian
Pros: The story. I didn't realize it when I read the first book (I guess I'm clueless), but this is actually based on Revelation. The good thing is that the references are subtle (obviously). What better set up for a dystopian novel? I'm interested to see how the author finishes out the series. So far, there's been no rapture, so I'm interested in the timeline the author is setting.
Cons: The main characters are 13-year-olds who are smart, savvy, and make all adults look like idiots. Not that I have a problem with smart kids, but I would have found it more realistic if these kids had been older. As I read, I have to pretend I don't know how old they are.
November 12, 2018
This series just gets better and better! Suspense on every page, y'all! I love the characters so much and worldbuilding was really well done. Awesome Christian dystopian!
April 7, 2021
Amazing book! Very engaging, no mature content whatsoever, and it's just awesome!!
Full review to come on my blog:
Full review to come on my blog:
May 24, 2023
I’m gonna be entirely honest.
I did not mean to request a Christian fiction book series. I thought it was normal sci fi. After book 1, I found the children’s voices to be annoying and realized they were talking about Christianity (I mean, the whole Mark thing which I will expound upon later), but I forced myself to carry on.
In Sneak, Logan and the Dust are on the move, after his behavior in the last book resulted in major consequences for the Unmarked. He knows his sister is alive and where she is being held prisoner, so he is determined to break her out. Along the way, he learns more about the Mark and the government’s plans, and is helped by 2 other surprising characters on his side. Sneak gets a little bit more Christian-y than the first book, but it’s pretty action-y and entertaining as well. There’s a lot that happens in this book, multiple settings, viruses, betrayal, an uprising.
So the religious stuff is a bit of a turn off. The govt has oppressed Christians and I rolll my eyes. Because 1) the book strictly says they banned ALL religions, but only Christians decide to fight back? And 2) let me be clear: Christians have NEVER and WILL NEVER be oppressed. They typically DO the oppressing. The entire concept of the book is literally people getting “the Mark� which we all know is Christian fearmongering like people getting “microchipped� and “the Mark of the Beast� rolled into one.
But if you ignore the Jesus stuff, like I did (there are only about 4-5 mentions of the Bible and one “sermon-y� chapter, pretty light for a Christian fic), there’s actually a surprising amount of thought put into this story with world building and characterization. It’s not just religious people who should be cautious of a central govt that monopolizes in the wake of ecological destruction, takes people’s rights away, twists narratives and turns citizens against one another, and secretly poisons them, uncaring of whether they kill detractors or supporters. So while I would NOT recommend handing this book to impressionable children without guided discussion, I do think it has its high points and follows the “dystopian teen fic� formula pretty well. If the Christian part were removed from this book, it would just be like Unwind or Divergent or The Fifth Wave or any other book where some self-insert brave teenager takes on the world and stands up for what they believe in.
I don’t think it’s particularly great, but it isn’t that bad either. And it’s not overly in your face religious yet, so here I am: continuing on.
Also, I really appreciated the recap part at the start of the book. I wish more books did this.
I did not mean to request a Christian fiction book series. I thought it was normal sci fi. After book 1, I found the children’s voices to be annoying and realized they were talking about Christianity (I mean, the whole Mark thing which I will expound upon later), but I forced myself to carry on.
In Sneak, Logan and the Dust are on the move, after his behavior in the last book resulted in major consequences for the Unmarked. He knows his sister is alive and where she is being held prisoner, so he is determined to break her out. Along the way, he learns more about the Mark and the government’s plans, and is helped by 2 other surprising characters on his side. Sneak gets a little bit more Christian-y than the first book, but it’s pretty action-y and entertaining as well. There’s a lot that happens in this book, multiple settings, viruses, betrayal, an uprising.
So the religious stuff is a bit of a turn off. The govt has oppressed Christians and I rolll my eyes. Because 1) the book strictly says they banned ALL religions, but only Christians decide to fight back? And 2) let me be clear: Christians have NEVER and WILL NEVER be oppressed. They typically DO the oppressing. The entire concept of the book is literally people getting “the Mark� which we all know is Christian fearmongering like people getting “microchipped� and “the Mark of the Beast� rolled into one.
But if you ignore the Jesus stuff, like I did (there are only about 4-5 mentions of the Bible and one “sermon-y� chapter, pretty light for a Christian fic), there’s actually a surprising amount of thought put into this story with world building and characterization. It’s not just religious people who should be cautious of a central govt that monopolizes in the wake of ecological destruction, takes people’s rights away, twists narratives and turns citizens against one another, and secretly poisons them, uncaring of whether they kill detractors or supporters. So while I would NOT recommend handing this book to impressionable children without guided discussion, I do think it has its high points and follows the “dystopian teen fic� formula pretty well. If the Christian part were removed from this book, it would just be like Unwind or Divergent or The Fifth Wave or any other book where some self-insert brave teenager takes on the world and stands up for what they believe in.
I don’t think it’s particularly great, but it isn’t that bad either. And it’s not overly in your face religious yet, so here I am: continuing on.
Also, I really appreciated the recap part at the start of the book. I wish more books did this.
March 27, 2019
Sneak is an excellently crafted piece of writing by Evan Angler and is a book that I would recommend to anyone that likes dystopian literature. This book is unlike many other pieces of dystopian literature because in most books it basically says that everyone has been willing to except a certain government and only a few notice the flaws. Unlike that, this book states that the people have been brainwashed in a way that essentially says you can except the mark and have comfort, or not except it and have freedom. These few quotes from the book can explain exactly what I mean:
"You see, Logan, Cylis gave the world the easy path, and the world took it. Can't blame anyone for that, really--we'd had it pretty hard up until then. War, famine, plague, a devastated economy, environmental destruction..." Peck was quiet for a moment.
"The things we fight for... have fought for, throughout history... they're the liberties. The right to speak your mind, the right to be happy, the right to worship the way you want, to be treated equally..."
"Dictators of the past took those freedoms away. And the world always fought back."
"But Cylis never took anything. He offered. Offered alternatives to freedom that made life so easy, who could turn them down?"
"The Mark, the Religious Inclusion, the Global Union...they all share a single goal: to give us a life so easy that we want to surrender our freedoms. A life so easy that we want to hand over our individuality and abandon choice. Because to keep them is to take the difficult path." Peck sighed. "The world was ready for things to be a little easier. And choices are hard."
Anyways, Sneak also has an excellent plot about Logan and Peck having an ultimate goal of saving Logan’s sister, Lily, but when they get to what they believed was a prison, they are met by completely different circumstances than they were expecting. This change forces them to have to create an entirely new plan and have to trust someone they thought they would never have to deal with again. Although this is a major part of the story and can be considered the most exciting part, even the events leading up to this, contained different challenges and obstacles that they had to overcome. Sneak was by no means boring at any point and had many different elements that keep you interested throughout the entire book. This book contains many different plot twists that surprised me very much and left me wanting to know what they would do to overcome them. Overall this book is very well written and I would strongly recommend you read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2018
I would give this series a 6/10 but this book a 7/10
I really enjoy this series, I do enjoy Christian books but normally don't like the in your face ones that are quoting to you every few minutes, but with this series I actually didn't even know it was a Christian series till almost half way through the 1st book, it does a good job of building a dystopian world that actually feels believable for people to live in after what happened.
That being said I do not believe that the characters actions and the way they do things is very believable, yes yes I know its a young adult book series so needs to be toned down, but the "pranks" against the government would get all the heroes arrested or even shot in book one, the way the government tries to track down the troublemakers is really a joke, and their epic plans would have very little actual affect on the larger scheme of things where the book would make them out to be some sort of dangerous revolution.
All in all this book is a good continuation to the series, it follows up what the last book started while slowly opening up the world letting you figure out what is really going on in the world.
I really enjoy this series, I do enjoy Christian books but normally don't like the in your face ones that are quoting to you every few minutes, but with this series I actually didn't even know it was a Christian series till almost half way through the 1st book, it does a good job of building a dystopian world that actually feels believable for people to live in after what happened.
That being said I do not believe that the characters actions and the way they do things is very believable, yes yes I know its a young adult book series so needs to be toned down, but the "pranks" against the government would get all the heroes arrested or even shot in book one, the way the government tries to track down the troublemakers is really a joke, and their epic plans would have very little actual affect on the larger scheme of things where the book would make them out to be some sort of dangerous revolution.
All in all this book is a good continuation to the series, it follows up what the last book started while slowly opening up the world letting you figure out what is really going on in the world.
February 17, 2022
What I Did Like:
-As with the first one, this one has great political undertones. There’s a lot happening in this book that seems just outside the realm of possible and yet completely terrifying. I love the concept.
-The use of technologies that are too “outdated� for the modern story as a way of being untraceable is always fun. It makes it seem like our current day technology is a solution for something in the future. Very cool.
-Great middle book. This one builds on the big messages that began in the first book and yet sets it up wonderfully for the final book in the series. You get enough answers for this part of the story but still want to keep reading.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of Swipe (the first book in the series) will like how this builds on the political angle set up in the first book.
-Readers of young adult dystopian books like Hunger Games will like the strong kids, the found family, and the standing up for yourself themes.
My Rating: 4 stars.
Again, if you’re a fan of the dystopian science fiction genre, you’ll love this one.
For Full Review:
-As with the first one, this one has great political undertones. There’s a lot happening in this book that seems just outside the realm of possible and yet completely terrifying. I love the concept.
-The use of technologies that are too “outdated� for the modern story as a way of being untraceable is always fun. It makes it seem like our current day technology is a solution for something in the future. Very cool.
-Great middle book. This one builds on the big messages that began in the first book and yet sets it up wonderfully for the final book in the series. You get enough answers for this part of the story but still want to keep reading.
Who Should Read This One:
-Fans of Swipe (the first book in the series) will like how this builds on the political angle set up in the first book.
-Readers of young adult dystopian books like Hunger Games will like the strong kids, the found family, and the standing up for yourself themes.
My Rating: 4 stars.
Again, if you’re a fan of the dystopian science fiction genre, you’ll love this one.
For Full Review:
March 18, 2020
Sneak picks up immediately after the previous story’s end, with Logan on the run and the Dust in the wind. In the aftermath, Logan and Peck, leader of the Dust, share a common goal--find Logan's sister Lily. Five years ago, Lily supposedly died when she went to receive her Mark, but Logan has since received information that she is actually in some sort of prison. Logan and the Dust travel along the River to Beacon, the capital city, where they will try to break Lily out. Meanwhile, Logan's friend-turned-betrayer Erin is on her own track to Beacon, which is what she thought she wanted, but now isn't so sure.
The story really picked up in this 2nd installment, with more action and higher stakes. We get to see even more of the community that the Markless have formed across the country. And the members of the Dust weren't nearly as annoying as in the first book. Plus, we get some fresh blood to the cause that is very promising.
Though the Dust and most of the rest of the Markless community seems to hate Logan at first, due to the extra heat he's brought down on them all, I like him a bit more in this book. He seems a little wiser and a little less helpless. I still don't care for Erin's character, though, who was the other MC in the first book. She has a smaller role in this one and is so inconsistent, I don't know if she's just that confused or if she isn't written very well. The character that I said was my favorite in the first book was in this one a lot less, and frankly...I don't remember why I liked him so much in the first one. So there's that.
The other members of the dust are given a bit more of a background, so while they don't really come to the forefront that much, at least there's some depth there. There's a pseudo-love triangle in this book that seemed pretty unnecessary to me so far. But overall, the characters were more engaging in this book.
I loved the River, which had similarities to hobo signs (which I learned about from a Nancy Drew game). It was an interesting idea to include in the story, though at least one thing happened that was pretty predictable to a point. The outcome was not so predictable to me.
As I mentioned in the first book's review, the series is actually Christian end-times fiction, which became more clear in this book. Logan finds and begins to carry around and read a Bible, which is a banned book, considering that religions other than the One World Religion are also forbidden. It's a subtle build-up, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book. Sadly, since reading the first one, I have become aware of the fact that this is an unfinished series, the most recent book being published in 2013. With that understanding, this might still be worth reading for those who enjoy end-times fiction.
The story really picked up in this 2nd installment, with more action and higher stakes. We get to see even more of the community that the Markless have formed across the country. And the members of the Dust weren't nearly as annoying as in the first book. Plus, we get some fresh blood to the cause that is very promising.
Though the Dust and most of the rest of the Markless community seems to hate Logan at first, due to the extra heat he's brought down on them all, I like him a bit more in this book. He seems a little wiser and a little less helpless. I still don't care for Erin's character, though, who was the other MC in the first book. She has a smaller role in this one and is so inconsistent, I don't know if she's just that confused or if she isn't written very well. The character that I said was my favorite in the first book was in this one a lot less, and frankly...I don't remember why I liked him so much in the first one. So there's that.
The other members of the dust are given a bit more of a background, so while they don't really come to the forefront that much, at least there's some depth there. There's a pseudo-love triangle in this book that seemed pretty unnecessary to me so far. But overall, the characters were more engaging in this book.
I loved the River, which had similarities to hobo signs (which I learned about from a Nancy Drew game). It was an interesting idea to include in the story, though at least one thing happened that was pretty predictable to a point. The outcome was not so predictable to me.
As I mentioned in the first book's review, the series is actually Christian end-times fiction, which became more clear in this book. Logan finds and begins to carry around and read a Bible, which is a banned book, considering that religions other than the One World Religion are also forbidden. It's a subtle build-up, and I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book. Sadly, since reading the first one, I have become aware of the fact that this is an unfinished series, the most recent book being published in 2013. With that understanding, this might still be worth reading for those who enjoy end-times fiction.
May 17, 2022
This is book 2 in the swipe series. It picks up right where book one left off. It has the same writing style as the first book and the same characters plus some new ones. Even though I felt like there were some slow parts, the book moves the story along more than the first book which had to introduce the world and characters. This book didn't end on a cliff hanger, but there were still a number of unresolved issues at the end, which allows for a great segue into book three. This book has more Christian themes than the first book, but it doesn't feel preachy. If you liked the first book, I would definitely pick up this one.
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