NIL Blog Tour {Review and Giveaway}

I'm thrilled to have the NIL Blog Tour stopping by today with my Review and a Giveaway!

NIL

by Lynne Matson

3/4/13

Macmillan

On the island of Nil, the rules are set. You have one year. Exactly 365 days--to escape, or you die.

Seventeen-year-old Charley doesn’t know the rules. She doesn’t even know where she is. The last thing Charley remembers is blacking out in an Atlanta parking lot, and when she wakes up, she’s naked in an empty rock field.

Lost and alone, Charley hunts for a way out. She discovers desolate beaches and human remains, but no sign of civilization--until she meets Thad, the gorgeous leader of a clan of teenage refugees. Soon Charley learns that leaving the island is harder than she thought . . . and so is falling in love. With Thad’s time running out, Charley realizes that to save their future, Charley must first save him. And on an island rife with hidden dangers, their greatest threat is time.

They can’t stop the clock. They can only hope to beat it. 

Goodreads / Amazon / B&N / Book Depository

I received an ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review

Lynne Matson’s NIL is an addicting survival story with intriguing sci-fi elements, surprising twists, and likable characters. I was immensely entertained by this YA book, but I did have a few issues with it.

On the island of NIL, once you arrive, via shimmering portal, you have exactly 365 days to escape. Or else you die. Charley wakes up on the mysterious island alone, naked, and no idea of the rules. But then she meets gorgeous Thad and the rest of the teenage inhabitants of NIL, all trying to escape before their year is up. These smart, vastly different teens have come up with some ingenious methods of survival, but that doesn’t stop their clocks from ticking or NIL from throwing some terrifying curve balls their way. As Charley and Thad grow closer, and Thad’s time on the island draws to a near, Charley must find the key to all their survival.

I love the premise of this book and its Survivor meets Lost atmosphere. Matson has woven some fascinating and refreshing sci-fi elements throughout this story, and sneaked in some wicked twists and turns. NIL starts off a bit slowly, but quickly finds its addicting, page-turner pace. I read it one sitting, desperately needing to find out what happens and wholly invested in the mystery of the island. The island itself makes for a thrilling, yet terrifying setting, with its complete isolation, lurking dangers, yet inviting surroundings. However, I felt like the world-building was a bit lacking. I would have liked to have learned more about NIL’s history and secrets. We’re given only brief glimpses and guesses into this island’s complexity, but there’s so much more I wanted to know and felt like the characters deserved to know.

And speaking of characters, there’s a large cast of characters, but the book is told from Charley and Thad’s perspectives. I like how diverse the characters are; they come from many different cultures, countries, walks of life. With so many characters, there were plenty I loved, some I didn’t, but I found them all to be pretty realistic and nicely developed. Our two main characters, Charley and Thad, are certainly likable and relatable. I admired Thad’s nurturing, protective nature and Charley’s determination and compassion. The romance between Thad and Charley is, at times, eye-rollingly cheesy and too insta-lovish, but it was a relationship I rooted for nonetheless.

The last quarter of the book is especially addicting, as new faces show up, old ones depart, new deadly dangers pop up, and Thad’s time begins to run out. Towards the end of NIL, Matson takes her story in a direction I was not expecting, and I am still not entirely sure what I think about it, but I certainly enjoyed the thrill ride of getting there.

My Final Thoughts: Not a perfect read, but with a cool mix of sci-fi, thrills, and romance, NIL is certainly an entertaining and exciting one!

MY RATING

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Lynne Matson grew up in Georgia in a house full of books and a backyard full of gnarly pines. Back then, Lynne would stay up late, reading Nancy Drew books under the covers (with a flashlight . . . a weak attempt at ninja stealth). Now she still stays up late reading books and writing them. When she doesn't have a book in her hand, you'll find her listening to music, messing around with paint, or hanging out with her husband and their four boys . . . or all of the above.

Win a NIL Prize Pack 

(hardcover copy of NIL, plus swag)!

This is a tour wide giveaway and there will be two winners.

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