The Cage

By: Megan Shepherd

Narrated by: Barrie Kreinik

Length: 11 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

When Cora Mason wakes in a desert, she doesn't know where she is or who put her there. As she explores, she finds an impossible mix of environments - tundra next to desert, farm next to jungle - and a strangely empty town cobbled together from different cultures and time periods, all watched over by eerie black windows. And she isn't alone.

Four other teenagers have also been taken: a beautiful model, a tattooed smuggler, a secretive genius, and an army brat who seems to know too much about Cora's past. None of them has a clue as to what happened, and all of them have secrets. As the unlikely group struggles for leadership, they slowly start to trust each other. But when their mysterious jailer appears - a handsome young guard called Cassian - they realize that their captivity is more terrifying than they could ever imagine: Their abductors aren't from Earth. And they have taken the five teenagers to an otherworldly zoo - where the exhibits are humans.

When a forbidden attraction develops between Cora and Cassian, she realizes that her best chance of escape might be in the arms of her own jailer - though that would mean leaving the others behind. Can Cora manage to save herself and her companions? And if so...what world lies beyond the walls of their cage?

©2015 Megan Shepherd (P)2015 HarperCollins Publishers

What I look for

This is exactly the kind of book that I look for.... Reminded me of Scott Westerfield. Original and interesting.

pretty good

Started a bit slow but ended with a bang..Will now go to the second book in the series.

So good!

So scary, romantic, exciting and awesome! Reminds me of the “people zoo” episode of “Are you Afraid of the Dark” with aliens combined with Maze Runner. I love it! No f-bombs either which I appreciate. :)

Interesting book

This was a captivating book. I like how slowly through the story you learn a little more about each character. By the end of the book you kinda have the “real” view of the characters. I also liked the different character view points. They gave the book a more real feel, as all the characters start to get paranoid of one another and then go back to giving each other another shot. It seemed like a real display of human nature. The book actually had a few twists that surprised me which isn’t the norm! All in all a solid listen, it left me waiting to hear the next book.

Some slow spots-BUT-All in all a great story

What did you like best about this story?

Interesting characters, interesting concept.
All the characters are neither 'good' or 'bad' but a very real combination of both.

What does Barrie Kreinik bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Every character had a distinct voice, she did a good job.

Any additional comments?

This was a unique story. At first, I thought it was interesting, then I thought it was slow. Then interesting, then slow, etc. But in the end I realized the slow parts added to the story and world-building as a whole and made it better.
I gave this audiobook 5 stars because as it concluded I wanted to immediately listen to the next book in the series. Often times I will enjoy a book but not enough to continue the series.

Very enjoyable

This was a departure from what I was expecting but it was a welcome one. I'm looking forward to the next book in the trilogy with baited breath.

wasn't expecting a series

This was an amazing new take on sci-fi. easy to enjoy and visualize all of the surroundings. Not too many characters that you couldn't keep them straight . I was so bummed at the end thinking it was all coming together for a great finish but was left hanging. I have many questions that didn't get answered but the way it ended leads me to believe it may or may not have a sequel . overall, a very good book. narration wasamazing! would most definitely listen to another!

it was just ok!

it could have been so much more.. the premise was great the execution not so much....!!!!

Well?!?

Well.... overall this was not the worst book or story I have listened too over the past months. But while it wasn't horrible, it wasn't good enough to draw me in for book number two. In truth if I wasn't on a road trip and stuck in a car, I would have bailed out! I think that this had the makings of a very interesting story, but just didn't reach the heights it could have.

In all, this book sat in my "Wish List" for awhile. Now I am "wishing" that I would have saved my credit.

Leave this one, it's not worth it

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, I honestly really didn't enjoy this book. I love fantasy, YA, etc, but this book was just really annoying to me. The characters were all so stupid, I just couldn't relate to ANY of them and only felt frustrated by them over and over again.

Has The Cage turned you off from other books in this genre?

I'm a fantasy lover, but not so much with sci-fi and I'd put this book more in the sci-fi genre unfortunately. I don't know that I'd say this book in particular turned me off of the genre since I haven't had many good experiences with it to begin with, but it definitely didn't turn me ON to the genre.

Which character – as performed by Barrie Kreinik – was your favorite?

I have to hand it to the narrator, she did a really good job with all of the characters, particularly with their accents. She has no blame in this getting a bad recommendation, it's all on the author.

Could you see The Cage being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Gosh, I hope not! It was already too drawn out for me (and I most definitely WON'T be reading any sequels), I can't image how drawn out things would get on film.