Product Details:
- Reading level: Ages 13 and up
- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: HarperTeen (October 4, 2011)
- ISBN-10: 0062026089
Book Description:
Benson Fisher thought that a scholarship to Maxfield Academy would be the ticket out of his dead-end life.
He was wrong.
Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.
Where breaking the rules equals death.
But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.
He was wrong.
Now he’s trapped in a school that’s surrounded by a razor-wire fence. A school where video cameras monitor his every move. Where there are no adults. Where the kids have split into groups in order to survive.
Where breaking the rules equals death.
But when Benson stumbles upon the school’s real secret, he realizes that playing by the rules could spell a fate worse than death, and that escape—his only real hope for survival—may be impossible.
My Review:
Benson Fisher is looking for a brand new start at a brand
new school. He is not prepared for what awaits him when he gets there. Strange
happenings are occurring at Maxfield Academy where the students are running the
school, with no adults in sight. From the very beginning you realize that
Variant is not going to be like other books out there. I found I was drawn in
from the minute he pulls up to the front doors of the school. Students standing
at the windows are screaming at him, making this a very strange welcome to a
new school. Oh yes, later Benson finds out it had been a warning for him to run
while he had the chance. On the front cover of the book it says, "Trust No One" and in Benson's case it is good advice.
From this point on it is such a wild ride. Every day, Benson
finds more and more weird things about the school. They are not doing regular school work where the kids teach the classes,and they "earn" points so as to buy new clothes, snacks and paintball gear. He also plans every day how
he is going to escape.This bothers many of the other students who don't want to see Benson in detention. Once you go to detention you are not heard of again.The people that he thinks he can trust, he finds their
friendship is all a facade.
Variant leaves you guessing through the whole book. I can
guarantee you, that you will not guess about nor believe some of the things
that are revealed. The end IS as shocking as everyone has been saying. This
book is such a great mix of a dystopian theme and a surprising dash of sci-fi. The writing is clean and the characters
are distinct. I can’t wait to find out where the story will go from here. It
all reminds me of mice in a cage running through tubes, they never realize that
they are not getting anywhere. Is this what Benson is going to find out? If you
are curious as to what I mean…well, you are just going to have to read the
book. It is a five star, totally fantastic YA book that I will read again, and
again.
If you need even more enticement to read Variant, watch these three book trailers to seal the deal.
You can purchase your own copy of Variant here at Amazon.com
To learn more about Robison Wells, please visit his website here
**I was given a review copy of Variant, in no way did this influence the
review that was given**
This was a fun book, and there will be another!
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