The synopsis of THE STRANDED sounded right up my alley...but unfortunately I feel like I got lost in the middle. I think this would be a great read for YA readers but this one did not quite do it for me.

As someone who loves cruise ships (despite being aware that they are floating petri dishes!), was obsessed with the story of the Diamond Princess being stranded on the coast of Japan back in early 2020, and just generally eats up most post-apocalyptic, dystopian fiction novels The Stranded absolutely hit the spot for me.
I do feel that the book was a smidge long, could have benefitted from tighter editing and a bit faster pacing. I know those seem like some BIG criticisms, and it would explain why some readers struggled to get into the story, but for me personally they weren't deal breakers, because this book is the first in a series and as long as the premise intrigues me, I will put up with a slow start. I do however expect book 2 to hit the ground running right from the start!

This was just too long. I was hooked on the premise, and also the cover, but I think it could have been 100 pages shorter and been more impactful.

We have all heard about the Cruise Ships that were quarantined at the beginning of COVID. I will admit I wondered what that experience would be like. The story of the Arcadia and those left stranded make for a thrilling dystopian YA read.

"The Stranded" by Sarah Daniels presents a compelling near-future dystopian world set in the year 2094 aboard the Arcadia, a once-luxurious cruise ship turned refugee camp due to an apocalyptic war. The storyline deftly weaves drama, tension, and anxiety, creating a gripping narrative that is hard to put down. The author successfully captures the essence of a fractured USA, portraying a society on the brink where extreme social disparities, gangs, and makeshift shelters define daily life.

Within this setting, the characters of Esther, a loyal citizen striving for a chance at a normal life as a medic on dry land, and Nik, a rebel with ambitions to liberate the Arcadia, are skillfully intertwined. Their convergence sets off a chain of events that not only transforms their lives but also impacts everyone on the ship. The multiple points of view employed in the storytelling enhance the depth and complexity of the narrative, allowing readers to engage with different perspectives.

The book aptly fits the criteria of a young adult dystopian novel, with a realistic portrayal that draws parallels to our own world, especially in the aftermath of recent global events like the pandemic. The hint of romance and rebellion adds an extra layer of intrigue, making it a well-rounded and emotionally resonant tale. As the first installment of a two-part series, "The Stranded" leaves readers eagerly anticipating the continuation of this thought-provoking and immersive dystopian saga

Sarah Daniels’ The Stranded has a nostalgic feel, a harkening back to the dystopian era YA books I couldn’t seem to get enough of ten years ago when The Hunger Games and Divergent were all the rage. And I didn’t mind the revisit one bit.

While it’s not perfect and it took me the first twenty percent of the book to learn all the characters, once I committed to the story, I was engaged and entertained. This one does have a slow build, but the pay off is worth the trek.

The reader gets the story of the stranded Arcadia from three different points of view: Esther, a sixteen year old medic student with the sole focus of getting herself and her boyfriend Alex off the ship; Nik, a young rebel working behind the scenes with his mother to overthrow the corrupt leadership; and Hadley, the corrupt leader. I enjoyed Esther and Nik’s points of view, but I found myself wanting to skim Hadley’s. Thankfully his chapters are mostly short and quick, but I personally would have preferred the book without his sections.

Esther and Nik are flawed and well-rounded, making human choices with consequences, and I appreciated their story arcs. Esther’s transformation from a naive student to someone more integral to the rebellion is believable and compelling. Nik’s determination to protect May, Esther’s older sister, and then Esther because of his love for May, is the heartbeat of the story.

While there’s plenty of action throughout the story, it was in the last twenty percent of the book that I suddenly didn’t want to set it down, taking the book with me to read everywhere I went. Daniels doesn’t leave us on too big of a cliffhanger, wrapping up the main climax of the book, but we are left with plenty to ponder until the sequel is released, once again reminding me of my days spent reading and anticipating my favorite dystopian series. A solid story, well-written and layered, I could see this one on the big screen, as well.

I was so excited to read this book. From the premise, it promised to be full of suspense and also to be action-packed. I was a bit disappointed, although that didn't stop me from reading it because I just needed to know what was happening. So, if that needs drives you to finish, I say that deserves another star.

I was pleasantly surprised by The Stranded. I don’t read many dystopian novels, I m very picky. But I liked the fact this one takes place on a ship. Which of course makes permanent living a bit more difficult when you’re limited to resources.

I obviously don’t want to give away the story, but there was a bit of Hunger Games vibe. I think all dystopian novels are that way. 2 teams fighting for change and rule. Many not knowing which side to take for fear of their own lives. The Stranded had all of this but again, it really intrigued me how all of this happened while on a floating vessel. I ended up like the story a lot and I think the author did a great job visually. I was able to picture the characters in their small homes within the ship and running throughout the ship hiding or trying to find answers for their cause.

If you’re into dystopian novels I would definitely recommend this one.

***thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an ARC copy in return for an honest review***

Just a fun, tense, YA thriller. The plot itself wasn't anything unusual, but it was still a good read.

This was such a unique story. I really didn't know what to expect going in, but it was a dystopian story for sure! I wasn't sure how I'd feel about the quarantine aspect of the story, but it wasn't bad at all. I actually think this would make a great movie with all the action. I also enjoyed the multiple perspectives that we got, especially from different sides of the battle. There were parts that I felt got a little long or bogged down by details, but overall the book was good. I'm not sure if I'll pick up a sequel, but I am curious what happens next. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-book arc.

In the near future, refugees fled Europe to escape a viral disease. When they reached the shores of America, they were quarantined and not allowed to come ashore. These floating refugee ships are not much more than floating prisons. How long will the people on these ships stand for this treatment? The residents of the ship Arkadia are about to take matters into their own hands.

I didn't realize that this was a young adult novel. I was looking for new books to recommend to my post-apocalyptic book club. I enjoy pandemic fiction so I thought I would give it a chance. If I had realized that it was YA, I probably wouldn't have selected it.

The Stranded is a pretty typical young adult dystopian novel. I don't really feel like there was anything groundbreaking or overly original about the story. I appreciated that the author included more adults in leadership roles, though the teens didn't really feel like teens - they felt more like they were in their 20s.

It is billed as Snowpiercer meets The Hunger Games. I haven't read Snowpiercer but The Stranded didn't suck me in or have the wow factor like I found while reading book 1 of The Hunger Games.

It's not as violent as The Hunger Games. The Commander in charge of ship security (or maybe he is just charged with keeping order) underestimates the teens on the ship. Since he doesn't view them as a threat, they have more ability to help the rebel cause. The author drew on history of Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia to develop those in charge. Anyone working with the Federation (the U.S. has split up and the Federation States is what is left) are seen as collaborators. There is high-tech surveillance but informants are still used.

I'm sure that teens will enjoy this novel. It is the first half of a duology. Book 2, The Exhile, came out this summer so you won't have to wait for the conclusion. I'm not planning on reading it as I don't really care what happens.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Thursday, Oct. 19 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2023/10/the-stranded-by-sarah-daniels.html

I did want to like this book but it took too long to get into the plot. I did not finish this book but do not put it against the author. There are times when I think a book will be perfect for me, but it turns out not to be the case. That said, I always give authors another chance, so I'll look forward to her next work.

I was really excited to start this and thought I would really enjoy it but in the end I did not finish it.
There was a lot going on and at the same time it seemed very boring. I just could not get into this one.

Thanks to Net Galley and Sourcebooks Fire for the advanced copy.

The Stranded had a lot of potential, but it just felt like an Okay YA Dystopian to me. There was nothing inherently wrong with it. I was invested, I liked the characters, the plot moved fairly quickly, but there was just something that I wasn’t connecting with fully and I found myself rushing through it so I could move on to the next book.
I think part of it was a lack of background. We just kind of jump into the lives of these people who have been trapped on a ship for their entire lives without much information on why and what happened until later in the book. It might have just needed a little more setup and world building to really grab and hold my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Fire, and Sarah Daniels for an e-arc of The Stranded in exchange for an honest review.

The Stranded takes place in such a world. Forty years ago, people boarded this ship fleeing a war. Now, it still floats near the coastline of the Federated states (what’s left of the US), its inhabitants surviving in their own little world and hoping for a chance to live on land one day. Ester is a loyal citizen, a hard-working medic in training. But there are rebels who want to liberate the ship, and when she gets embroiled in their plot, she’ll have to make some tough choices about her own future that may affect her people’s whole way of life.

I ended up doing this one on audiobook, and I may not have finished it in print. It felt long, and there were so many characters, motivations, and plots going on that I sometimes had waning interest. It’s not confusing, and the jumping around POVs helped move it along, but overall, it was just ok for me. If you like revolutionary dystopian books with more speculative reality than scifi, give it a chance, though. It might be right up your alley. It’s out now wherever you get your books.

The premise of The Stranded seemed so appealing, I love the cover it's like the film Ghost Ship, but unfortunately, the book was underwhelming.

This YA thriller is fast-paced and has multiple POVs. The characters lack depth. They were mainly good or evil. But a dystopian novel on a ship was interesting. Some parts dragged but it did pick up towards the end.

Thank you Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

After an apocalyptic war, the once luxurious cruise ship the Arcadia is now a refugee ship. For forty years the residents of this ship have been prevented from reaching land. The ship floats near the Federal States, what used to be part of the U.S. Esther follows the rules and is working hard. Nik goes against authority and is planning something big.
When the two meet things will never be the same.
I wanted to like this but it was so boring. Maybe it was the writing style but I couldn't get into the story at all.
The Stranded is available January 3,2023.
Thank you netgalley and sourcebooks for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

It took me a long time to get into The Stranded, I really loved the premiss, I thought it was an interesting setting and compelling storyline. While overall it was enjoyable, I just felt more middle of the road about the book. The end of the book was filled with action which pushed me through. When I started I thought it was a stand alone, which threw me off while I was reading. Knowing that there is another book explains a lot.

SPOILER: The reason it was more middle of the road for me, is because I don't really enjoy Nik/the rebellion and Esther's connection. The conflict that arrises when May is killed is understandable, but the way he blames her for her death and later the rebellion basically blames Esther for people drowning when the ship crashes to the shore, was a little too out of order considering they more or less forced her hand in being involved in the first place. Then, there are the subtle hints that there might be more to Nik and Esther's relationship in the next book and it just feels slightly forced. Especially with Nik and May's relationship history.

It's up in the air if i will finish the series or not.

This book wasn’t exactly what I thought in a good way. I really enjoyed it from the characters to the atmosphere! Can’t wait to get it on my shelf.

I did enjoy this book, even though I thought it was a little long and dragged in places. I still read it in one day. I would recommend it.