Raiders' Ransom Audiobook

" This was a middle school level read but I really enjoyed it! There was probably a bit to much violence for younger readers but older middle schoolers could probably handle it. Great story of survivors as they struggle in a world much different from today. "

" This was an interesting concept for a book. It took me awhile (even though it was written in the book jacket) to realize that this book was taking place in the 23rd century after "The Collapse" of our century and culture. It felt like the book was taking place in an older time period, but I guess it felt like that because the world had reverted back to primitive ways and everyone is a little hesitant about technology. In the book the story is told from the point of view of Lilly and Zeph two young kids from very different parts of the world. The chapters switch back and forth between their stories and it took me awhile to recognize that the picture at the top of the chapter page let you know when the story was switching. It took me awhile to get into this book, but once I figured all these things out, you really start to like the characters and get into the story. There is a sequel to this book which I look forward to reading. "

" Eh. This tale of a futuristic England, post-climate collapse started off interesting, but devolved with (for me) unbelievable elements. Diamand went to pains to create a beautifully rendered fishing village under attack, but it all went to pieces when the computer head appeared. This threw off the tone of the novel and made me a little disoriented. The melding of technology with a traditional, non-tech society didn't feel complete. I also got very confused between the two narrators' voices -- they didn't sound distinct enough and I had to pause at the beginning of each chapter to figure out who was speaking. Recommended for young fans of sea stories and swashbuckling who are willing to stick with a story. "

" Alexander really enjoyed this and would recommend it highly. "

" Raiders' Ransom takes place in a flooded future England. Lilly is the young protagonist determined to save her village by retrieving the daughter of the Prime Minister - kidnapped by cruel Raiders. All in all, this was a really fun and engaging read. The two main characters (Lilly and Zeph) in particular are very believable and memorable. The action takes a while to pick up, but once it does it *really* picks up and the book becomes hard to put down. I personally enjoyed the author's use of dialect, but it probably won't be to every one's liking. One of the most difficult aspects of this book is getting used to the present tense narrative and transition between the two narrators. Also, it's worth noting that it's much more 'mature' than I was expecting - sexual innuendo, violence and death. All of that is fine really, but since the book is aimed at an older audience I feel it could have packed more of a punch - thematically speaking. For whatever reason I couldn't help comparing it to the Underlander Chronicles - another series about a society torn apart by war. But, then again, it's pretty unfair to compare anyone to Suzanne Collins! "

" A post-apocolyptic world that feels like the past. Simple life, pirates, adventure. It is fun to see the artifacts from our time as confusing to them. An artificial intelligence device accompanies a girl on a mission to save her father. Cute, but hard to get into. "

" Wow. It's annoying how incredibly one-dimensional the adult characters are. It's like the only way the author is capable of making the story go on. "

" Fast-paced adventure story set in the future where much of Britain is underwater and society has regressed in many areas. "

" Very interesting interpretation of a post-apocalyptic England. I felt that I would have gotten even more of the cleverness if I knew England better. The juxtaposition of the subsistance living conditions and the computer artifacts was really well-done. "

" Fabulous! Bring on the sequels! "

" Published as Reavers' Ransom in the UK. I wonder why the name was changed? Set in a post-apocalyptic world, this book is much lighter than other books of its type. This is a nice adventure tale for upper elementary readers. "

" What a fun future fic. Something quite different ... and her first attempt. Now anxiously awaiting book two! "

" Really liked this story. Rooting for the underdog is fun! "

" For those who loved the Hunger Games series this one is a win. It has a little bit of everything: espionage, pirates, damsels in distress,and a future England that it terrifying but all to easy to imagine. "

" Dystopian adventure story for Middle School girls. "

" Not very science fictionish, but it is set in the future, so I guess that counts. Read it in one sitting, so I guess that means it's pretty fast-paced. "

" The world has warmed and water covers most of the planet. Many people have gone back to a pre-industrial state. A young girl and a boy from opposite walkes of life try to stop what's left of England and Scotland from going to war. A wonderful and complex read. I wish I had the sequel right now! "

" I'm reading this thanks to an advance reader's copy from my library. This is the first book out by this author, and it definitely has potential! "

" im already hating this book: its a school read.... "

" Interesting plot hook, but mediocre writing and setting. "

" Loved it! Drowned world, raiders (or pirates), a spunky heroine orphan and her sea cat and a cluless raider boy with a heart of not gold but maybe brass. Good for all adventure, fantasy, scfi readers age 4th grade and aboout. Note there is some violence. "

" Interesting story of a post-apocalyse England. Rather like Water World for kids. "

" Sorry to rate a book so low when it's not really bad. But it's boring. I finally had to make myself finish it when it came due at the library and I could no longer renew it. "

" At times I liked it at others I didn't care. I like this post-apocalyptic Great Britain world where the polar caps have melted, most of London is flooded and there are no computers. I listened to the audio book so I might have enjoyed it more if I had read it. "

" You've got to really like pirate stories to enjoy this one. I kept waiting for the story to take off, but it didn't. "

" Now everyone will want a sea-cat! "

" While I loved the first half of this book, the end was far too violent and convoluted. Raider's Ransom is set in the future, but in a future after the Collapse...so there is a dystopian element. I would have liked more exposition of that idea and a little less bloodshed, frankly. "

" Interesting idea for a book, but the plotting was a bit slow. "

" Very interesting interpretation of a post-apocalyptic England. I felt that I would have gotten even more of the cleverness if I knew England better. The juxtaposition of the subsistance living conditions and the computer artifacts was really well-done. "

" Once you get past some of the British language and some of the made-up future British language, this was a great read. I'm looking forward to the sequel. "