The Loop by Ben Oliver is not worth your time. The story lacks depth and if you are a die-hard dystopian lover like me, the lack of world building or strong plot will leave you disappointed. The biggest gripe I have about the novel which is the main reason I do not think this is worth your time is the plot.

It is written systematically and going from A to B to C to D with no insight from the characters as to why these choices are being made detracts from the propensity this novel had to be phenomenal. The concept of The Loop is fantastic, a dystopian world with sci-fi elements and a prison? Delectable. The execution? Not so much.

If you are looking for a series which The Loop is projected to be about teenagers fighting back, why not check out The Testing Series by Joelle Charbonneau. It contains stronger world and character building than The Loop and is a series worth your time.

Now, I think it is important to note that although I say skip this novel, many people say read. The Loop is highly rated on Good Reads and Amazon by other readers indicating that although I really do think this novel lacks what is needed in a good book, others disagree. And this means it is up to you reader, to decide if The Loop is worth your time. If you are a die-hard dystopian reader and sci-fi lover, then go for it! This novel most likely is your cup of tea but for those that value similar things like me - reach for something else.

The first 100 pages of The Loop will hook you. You are drawn into a new world with characters you are instantly intrigued by and then, it goes downhill.

The plot becomes predictable in the sense that the characters are written such a way, that any other choice than the morally right choice is improbable. The plot may also confuse you with its back-and-forth on actuality and pulls you out of the world immersion.

In summary, the plot was too convenient. As a reader you know that in writing, there is a bit of leeway for happy coincidences or plot progressing moments but in The Loop, every moment was like that. Everything was too convenient and as a reader you may end up feeling duped by the plot.

Within the first few chapters, the characters were well-rounded, had depth, and though too many were introduced at once, you appreciated them. And then the novel continues and the actions of the characters DO NOT sit right.

When reading these characters you may be thinking, "hmm.... what is happening to your personality? Why did you make such a dumb decision?" and more.

Now, Pander is an awesome character. She is a cool chick and if you read The Loop, a character you will most likely enjoy. The others, including Luka ... not so much.

I love dystopian worlds and The Loop does a decent job of world building. As this is projected to be a series, I think it is okay that there is room to grow.

In The Loop, the world changed after a giant war and the driving force of society becomes technology and medical advancements. Everything runs on technology, there are factions of poor and rich, and contains a prison system that harvests energy from its inmates to propel these advancements.

The world is not as fleshed out as it could be but that is okay as the main focal point of the novel was the prison and that, is fleshed out well. As a reader you will understand its purpose and see the clear impact dystopia has had on traditional human structures.

If you like decent world building and want a prison read, then The Loop is for you.

Immediate thought - tragic. As in, it is tragic that I read this. The ending is why this novel is not worth your time. It does not fit and will not make up for the confusion you feel throughout the story.

BUT there is a sequel coming so an insane ending that leaves room, so so much room for a sequel to explain and grow this story, is perfectly acceptable and a great move by any writer. It will not be a sequel I will be reading but for those interested in The Loop, there is reassurance that there will be a conclusion to the insanity of that ending if you are interested in reading this novel.

This was not the novel for me. The Loop felt like a fever dream and I was left wondering if Luka ever left in the cells or was everything in the story a concoction of his imagination during his time inside The Loop?

I loved the premise of this novel. A dystopian prison with sci-fi elements and a main character who wants to adjust the status quo? That pulled me in and then the story became too simplistic. My first suspicion that this novel may not be to my liking was when Luka developed a crush on Kina. He's known this stranger for a day and he's already developed feelings for her? He hadn't even seen her!

That's when I knew the novel had the capability of taking a turn. And then the "escape" happened but everything was so convenient and then Luka is "captured." I am still unsure on how he was captured and makes me wonder - did he even leave The Loop?

I feel like I am going in a loop! I am frustrated by the ending. The whole premise of the novel was Luka escaping and contributing to the uprising but no, upon retrospection - he actually does literally nothing at all to contribute. He escapes, is captured, and then it ends.

The Loop's ending is fantastic as it leaves viewers desperate for more but I can't push myself to read the second novel. For those that have read it, what do you think about the "escape" and eventual "capture"? I think it was all planned by the government and that Luka has actually never left The Loop.