Nil Unlocked - YA Review by Nick B


Reader: Nick B.
Age: 15
Title: Nil Unlocked
Author: Lynne Matson
Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
Pub Date: 05/12/15
Galley: Yes
Top 25: No
Convince us to read the book: The book has a very intriguing plot: teenagers get sent to a mysterious and dangerous island to try and escape. Its a sci-fi Lord of the Flies, in which teens live on a dangerous island, have relationships, and the only downside is you die after 365 days if you don't escape. The book tackles the common problem of love triangles extremely well, turns out books are better without them. A thrilling sequel to Nil that captures all the amazing writing elements as the first book such as realistic male and female characters.
Memorable or Forgettable: The book could improve in some areas such as character motives. The book had an overall strong motive for the characters but some of their decisions seem absolutely awful and pointless. However, the book creates amazing realistic characters that you feel as if you've known them for years. The plot in the first book was much stronger than this one. It was very climactic, whereas in this book the main problem and solution are revealed within the first few chapters and the author just stretched it out. I would love to see a more suspenseful and dramatic plot in the third and final book.
Cover: The cover depicts an island at sunset. I enjoyed the artwork and simplicity of the cover. I also thought it reflected the book's plot very well since the book is based on an island. For the third book I would enjoy seeing a cover similar to the first and second books. 
Age Range: 12 through 17
Quality: 4Q - Better than most
Popularity: 3P - Some teen appeal


tags:  dystopian romance / science fiction / adventure / survival / Nil series / ya lit



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