Variant

By: Robison Wells

Narrated by: Michael Goldstrom

Length: 8 hrs

Publisher's summary

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.

©2011 Robison Wells (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

A Variation on the teen novel

This book was a teen novel with a new variation. The premise of the story was excellent and Wells explored the concepts very effectively, carrying the reader forward at a fast pace, eager to know how the plot would unfold. However, the ending was very unsatisfying. Yes, many books are part of a series (in this case a planned trilogy), but the author needs to give the reader some kind of satisfaction at the end. I felt that I had too many questions left hanging in the air.

Familiar but very enjoyable!

Really enjoyed this one. The storyline may not have been completely unique (it reminded me of stories like Maze Runner and Pines), but it was well executed. Some reviews stated the big "reveal' was too unbelievable, but it IS a story about a boarding school with no adults that essentially holds students prisoner, so I pretty much went into it knowing I'd have to suspend belief. The narration was great, and the main character is very likeable. I'm eager to listen to book 2.

Excellent, very good narration and storyline.

I enjoyed the book a lot, very good. narration and storyline. The multiple character voices were easily recognizable.

Goldstrom Nailed 'VARIANT' with A++ Narrating

Would you consider the audio edition of Variant to be better than the print version?
I consider the audio edition to be EQUAL to the print edition. With an incredibly will written book like "VARIANT", that's no easy feat!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Variant?
Following Benson's growth and decision making as his challenges kept getting bigger and bigger. He stepped up to every challenge, and I really could imagine him growing from a boy into a young man by the end.

Which character – as performed by Michael Goldstrom – was your favorite?
Benson Fisher

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I was ticked off at the adults throughout this book because they are the ones who taught their children they can always trust and count on them... no matter what... and without a doubt, will always strive to have their best interests in mind under any and all circumstances.
How incredibly devastating for these children when they are betrayed by these very same "parents". . .learning those who profess to love them more than anything are really ending up being their biggest nightmares and adversaries. :(

Any additional comments?
What a fantastic book for my first audible experience. SO well done! Couldn't ask for a better author or narrator!

You'll Find Excuses to Listen

I am a high school English teacher, so I read many adolescent novels trying to find something that I think my students might like. When I stumbled on this book on a whim, I found a real gem. First, the story is entertaining. This is not great literature, but I'm pretty sure on one thought it would be, and it is very engaging. I recommended this book to a self-professed non-reader in my class, and after the first night, she came to me saying that she couldn't put the book down; her boyfriend complained that she ignored him to READ. (If you know teenaged girls, you know what a testament to this book that is.) If you're trying to entice a teen into reading for pleasure, I recommend this book. In fact, my student was so taken with the book, she posted her own glowing review at Amazon.

The book did have one point that stretched credulity a bit more than I would have liked, but I was enjoying it so much by the time the "big surprise" was introduced that I was willing to go along. And even my student noted that the paint ball games seemed to go on forever sometimes. Listening to the book as opposed to reading it, I think, helped make those scenes go by more quickly. The narrator was excellent and this book was more along the lines of a performance than a mere reading.

It doesn't have the depth of Harry Potter of the Hunger Games, and the writing is not as polished. But it is great fun you'll find excuses to listen to.

Be aware it's Part One.

This was an ok read - an interesting premise and well narrated but I wasn't gripped and in the end, finding out it was only part one of a series was frustrating.

This was a younger read that it might suggest so would probably appeal to the young adult audience.

Good read

Where does Variant rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Not in the top 10 yet it keeps you listening and I'm very curious to know what happens in the 2nd book.

Twists at every turn.

Great story that kept me guessing and on the edge.
Can't wait to listen to the second book in the series when it comes out in October 2012.

Not Bad Young Adult Lit

The plot and storyline will keep the reader engaged. It wasn't very gripping, but I did find myself sitting in the car after reaching my destination to figure out what would happen next. The speed at which the story moved and the "shock" towards the end did cause me to purchase the next novel, "Feedback", ahead of my credit, but "Variant" is far superior to its sequel. If you're on the fence about purchasing it, jump over. I don't have any regrets for my purchase and enjoyed the story for what it was. For the genre, it wasn't near as good as say, Neal Shusterman's, "Unwind", but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Great story, but ended abrubtly

If you could sum up Variant in three words, what would they be?

edge of your seat!

What about Michael Goldstrom’s performance did you like?

He is an extremely good narrator and I found myself "in" the story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Trust no-one!

Any additional comments?

I listen to audible books on my way to and from work (45min ea way) and couldn't wait until I was in the car again for the next part of this book. The ending left me wanting more and a little angry that it stopped so abruptly. Should really be at least one more chapter.