Name: Qualify
Rating: 4.2 (10 reviews)
ISBN: 9781607621331

Vera Nazarian

In 2047 an extinction-level asteroid is hurtling toward Earth, and the descendants of ancient Atlantis have returned from the stars in their silver ships to offer humanity help. But there's a catch.

Qualify

 is a YA Dystopian Sci-fi read perfect for fans of the genre, especially books like 

, and others even outside the Dystopian genre that have become pop culture classics. I could easily visualize the story, as if it were a movie, and it’s no surprise that the series has been optioned for film. Hollywood, why don’t you hurry up?

The fact that an asteroid is set for a collision course for Earth gave my subconscious quite the material for apocalyptic nightmares, but it made for quite the setup for a story, especially since survival depends on whether or not you have the necessary skills to qualify and be moved to Atlantis. And yet, despite the high stakes, the story isn’t just an adrenaline rush. Most of it takes place in the Regional Qualification Center, where the characters are split into dorms and attend lessons that will prepare them for the following tests. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story, because I love academic settings, and I loved learning more about the Atlanteans. I do admit, however, that I would have preferred if some of the other lessons that seemingly bring nothing to the plot would have been cut so as to not slow down the pace of the story.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the mystery surrounding the crash of the shuttles, since it brings in the “Who dun it” element that I’m weak for, and of course, the romance. The author sets up a love triangle between Gwen, Logan and Aeson, and unlike most love triangles, this was one that I actually enjoy. Both Logan and Aeson have things going on for them. Logan seems the more easily likeable character, but there’s something about Aeson…I have a feeling that there’s something beneath his arrogance and sarcasm, and I’m very curious to see where this budding connection with Gwen will lead in the future books. Oh, would you look at that. They’re all out, so I don’t have to wait!

So if you’re a fan of classic dystopians, academic settings, high stakes, and books that would look really good as movies, then please check out this book and series. I can’t wait to continue it!

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.

Maria Elena Vitale Zelaia

Okay, why is this series so underhyped?

Qualify is a YA Dystopian Sci-fi read perfect for fans of the genre, especially books like The Hunger Games, Divergent, and others even outside the Dystopian genre that have become pop culture classics. I could easily visualize the story, as if it were a movie, and it’s no surprise that the series has been optioned for film. Hollywood, why don’t you hurry up?

The fact that an asteroid is set for a collision course for Earth gave my subconscious quite the material for apocalyptic nightmares, but it made for quite the setup for a story, especially since survival depends on whether or not you have the necessary skills to qualify and be moved to Atlantis. And yet, despite the high stakes, the story isn’t just an adrenaline rush. Most of it takes place in the Regional Qualification Center, where the characters are split into dorms and attend lessons that will prepare them for the following tests. I really enjoyed this aspect of the story, because I love academic settings, and I loved learning more about the Atlanteans. I do admit, however, that I would have preferred if some of the other lessons that seemingly bring nothing to the plot would have been cut so as to not slow down the pace of the story.

What I enjoyed most about this book was the mystery surrounding the crash of the shuttles, since it brings in the “Who dun it” element that I’m weak for, and of course, the romance. The author sets up a love triangle between Gwen, Logan and Aeson, and unlike most love triangles, this was one that I actually enjoy. Both Logan and Aeson have things going on for them. Logan seems the more easily likeable character, but there’s something about Aeson…I have a feeling that there’s something beneath his arrogance and sarcasm, and I’m very curious to see where this budding connection with Gwen will lead in the future books. Oh, would you look at that. They’re all out, so I don’t have to wait!

So if you’re a fan of classic dystopians, academic settings, high stakes, and books that would look really good as movies, then please check out this book and series. I can’t wait to continue it!

Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy. Opinions are my own.

If like me you’re a fan of the good old classic dystopians like 

, then I cannot recommend QUALIFY enough. Reading this book made me so nostalgic, but it was also amazing to immerse myself into a completely different world, with characters that creep under your skin and keep you glued to the pages.

From the very start of the novel, the author did an amazing job at wooing me into the Lark family dynamic, to the point where I was crying within the first 10% of the book. Healthy family bonds are one of my favorite things in books, and the Larks are just precious! I may also have a shameless crush on big brother George, but don’t tell that to Logan or Aeson.

For the majority of the novel, the story takes place in a Qualification Center, which is perfect for fans of academic settings. This is also the place where the majority of the character and world-building happens, and I was very intrigued by the tidbits of Atlantean culture we got to learn alongside our protagonist, Gwen, which also added a touch of mystery (as I’m not wholly sold on the Atlantean’s humanitarian act) that made the read all the more enjoyable!

However, my favorite aspect of the story was the characters themselves. 

 counts on a large cast of diverse characters with a plethora of different personalities. It’s no surprise this series is optioned for a screen adaptation! I loved the huge emphasis put on friendships and camaraderie, despite the premises of the novel would seem to put these characters one against the other. Gwen was the perfect protagonist to follow. She’s incredibly intelligent, but relatable in her clumsiness and generosity. I was also 

 engaged with her sentimental dramas. I adore her chemistry with Logan, but I love her scenes with the Atlantean pilot Aeson Kass even more. Those two are serving antagonistic banter, and I cannot wait to see more of their relationship unfolding in the next books, which are all already available!

My one complaint—and this comes down entirely to personal taste—is that I could have done with less descriptions of the lessons themselves. While some served to add insights on Atlantis and on elements that would prove vital to events of the novel, others felt unnecessarily descriptive and drawn out, and they slowed the otherwise incredible pacing of the story.

Chiara Vitale Zelaia

If like me you’re a fan of the good old classic dystopians like The Hunger Games, then I cannot recommend QUALIFY enough. Reading this book made me so nostalgic, but it was also amazing to immerse myself into a completely different world, with characters that creep under your skin and keep you glued to the pages.

From the very start of the novel, the author did an amazing job at wooing me into the Lark family dynamic, to the point where I was crying within the first 10% of the book. Healthy family bonds are one of my favorite things in books, and the Larks are just precious! I may also have a shameless crush on big brother George, but don’t tell that to Logan or Aeson.

For the majority of the novel, the story takes place in a Qualification Center, which is perfect for fans of academic settings. This is also the place where the majority of the character and world-building happens, and I was very intrigued by the tidbits of Atlantean culture we got to learn alongside our protagonist, Gwen, which also added a touch of mystery (as I’m not wholly sold on the Atlantean’s humanitarian act) that made the read all the more enjoyable!

However, my favorite aspect of the story was the characters themselves. Quality counts on a large cast of diverse characters with a plethora of different personalities. It’s no surprise this series is optioned for a screen adaptation! I loved the huge emphasis put on friendships and camaraderie, despite the premises of the novel would seem to put these characters one against the other. Gwen was the perfect protagonist to follow. She’s incredibly intelligent, but relatable in her clumsiness and generosity. I was also very engaged with her sentimental dramas. I adore her chemistry with Logan, but I love her scenes with the Atlantean pilot Aeson Kass even more. Those two are serving antagonistic banter, and I cannot wait to see more of their relationship unfolding in the next books, which are all already available!

My one complaint—and this comes down entirely to personal taste—is that I could have done with less descriptions of the lessons themselves. While some served to add insights on Atlantis and on elements that would prove vital to events of the novel, others felt unnecessarily descriptive and drawn out, and they slowed the otherwise incredible pacing of the story.

Carla Aquino

This book completely took me by surprise!!! At first I was comparing it to Red Rising...don't know why but it had that sort of feel. But damn!!!! This book was good! I can't wait to read the next book and be ready for book three when it drops in Feb!!! I cried at the end because I sure as hell wasn't expecting that crap!!! Come on Gee's you can do. Gee-two I know your ingenuity will overpower and hopefully prevail. PS: Aeson is out of this world hot..lol

Emily Ferguson

You have two options. You die, or you Qualify. The year is 2047. An extinction-level asteroid is hurtling toward Earth, and the descendants of ancient Atlantis have returned from the stars in their silver ships to offer humanity help. But there's a catch. They can only take a tiny percent of the Earth's population back to the colony planet Atlantis. And in order to be chosen, you must be a teen, you must be bright, talented, and athletic, and you must Qualify. Sixteen-year-old Gwenevere Lark is determined not only to Qualify but to rescue her entire family. Because there's a loophole. If you are good enough to Qualify, you are eligible to compete in the brutal games of the Atlantis Grail, which grants all winners the laurels, high tech luxuries, and full privileges of Atlantis Citizenship. And if you are in the Top Ten, then all your wildest wishes are granted… Such as curing your mother's cancer. There is only one problem. Gwen Lark is known as a klutz and a nerd. While she's a hotshot in classics, history, science, and languages, the closest she's come to sports is a backyard pool and a skateboard. This time she is in over her head, and in for a fight of her life, against impossible odds and world-class competition—including Logan Sangre, the most amazing guy in her school, the one she's been crushing on, and who doesn't seem to know she exists. Because every other teen on Earth has the same idea. You Qualify or you die. QUALIFY is Book One of The Atlantis Grail series. Keywords: free freebie Atlantis, apocalypse post apocalyptic fiction end of world days empire survival asteroid impact doomsday space opera exploration colony colonizing colonization invasion military action adventure rivals competition games contest family relationships coming of age romance slow burn young love siblings social virtues values teen self esteem respect reliance confidence empire galactic republic ancient aliens civilizations Greece Egypt mysteries dystopian

Qualify

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