Review of Arc

[Stephanie Cameron]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Arc" by M. E. Lange.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Arc by M.E. Lange is about a teenage girl named Eva who thinks she's going on a summer trip but ends up witnessing a worldwide apocalypse. Eva is young, athletic, and very smart but also wary and doubtful of herself. So when her grandma first told her about a special summer program aboard the cruise ship she lives on, Eva hesitated to apply. After getting accepted into the program, Eva learned to love life on this ship. Eva explains her experience in a first-person point of view, starting with what life was like before the "event" happened.

Based in the year 2032, this story has a lot of relatable content from the past to the present. This aspect made me feel personally connected to the story, especially when she was talking about the COVID-19 outbreak. I think the author did an excellent job creating a work of fiction that comes across so realistically. This cruise ship contains such advanced technology, but it's all very plausible ideas. I was amazed at the amount of detail and research the author included when explaining different types of technology and sciences of the future. Lange is very knowledgeable and organized, making it easy to read and comprehend all aspects of the story. I could tell Lange did a lot of research on various subjects, which is commendable. I liked that the author added references for her research so the reader could learn more about the current research being done to advance future technology in today's society.

Overall, this was a good book to read, but there are some things I did not like. For example, I thought the synopsis of her family was too long. In my opinion, it made the beginning start slow and did not immediately grasp my attention. Also, I felt like the extremely detailed description of the cruise ship took up most of the book. I remember thinking this is just a book about a futuristic boat. I kept wondering when the story was going to "start". While the concept of a technologically advanced, indestructible, and self-sufficient ship is genius and intriguing, there was just a lack of action to keep me fully engaged. But I must say, near the end when the main event was taking place, the author completely held my attention and I did not want the story to end. I would definitely be interested in a sequel.

For the reasons listed above, I rate this book a 4 out of 5. It is a good book that is easy to read and understand. This book is professionally edited.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy realistic sci-fi. There are loads of science and technology references and concepts from AI to mechanical, health care, agriculture, and even political science. My favorite subjects were how the ship collects seaweed to use as bio-fuel and how the ship can gather plastic particles from the water to recycle. I think this story is suitable for young teens and above because there is barely any profanity or sexual content.

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Arc
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[Yasmine Zaki Muhieddine]

The title is intriguing and so is the story. I enjoyed reading your review. Eva's story is captivating and I am wondering what is this "event" that seems to have brought change to the entire civilization. What is Eva's role in it? I guess I will have to read the book to find out.

[Nneka Bridget]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on "Arc". It sounds like a fascinating mix of sci-fi and relatable themes. I appreciate how you highlighted the author's attention to detail and research. The connection to current events like COVID-19 adds a unique touch. Your points about pacing and the detailed descriptions are helpful for understanding what to expect. This book seems like a great pick for fans of realistic sci-fi!

[NetMassimo]

Despite the issues you pointed out, this seems like a novel whose author tried to develop an apocalyptic story with realistic foundations. Probably, it's just not for readers who prefer when this kind of story is action-packed while is perfect for readers who like the technological stuff that can help people survive an apocalypse. Thank you for your great review!