"In this world, humans are born with tattoos known as barcodes. The data contains mythological powers that make arena fights very entertaining. Yet, Spencer's codes are different. They seem to draw him into a comforting darkness. It's in this hell that he learns the truth about his corrupt family and how he murdered his mother."
Pages: 239 pages
Publisher: Self Published on February 2012
Form: E-book (from tour for an honest review)
Genre: YA Adventure
Series: Barcode #1
Amazon: Buy / $5.47 (Kindle) ( EU price, click to see yours )
Barnes & Noble: Buy / $22.51 (Paperpack)
"Spencer Colt must return to his last year of Colt Academy - the academic institute for gladiators. The school and arena are run by his father, a wealthy businessman too occupied to remember his son's 19th birthday. Spencer could care less. He's a sarcastic jerk that wants to finish his final year without another person mentioning his destiny, to reunite America.
On his first day back, his family's helicopter plunges nose first into the battlefield. As bloodied and limp bodies are dragged across the stadium, a mysterious boy named Kode emerges.
Spencer hardly has time to show concern for his recovering family members when he and his beautiful nemesis, Michelle Miyamoto, are attacked by a naked and manic Kode. Michelle promises to train with Spencer after they discover the lunatic's intentions, but she has trouble of her own. She must keep the practice a secret for her friendship to survive.
In this world, humans are born with tattoos known as barcodes. The data contains mythological powers that make arena fights very entertaining. Yet, Spencer's codes are different. They seem to draw him into a comforting darkness. It's in this hell that he learns the truth about his corrupt family and how he murdered his mother." ~From Goodreads
I've been off the YA genre for a long time now, the last YA book I read was The Hunger Games in the fall... so reading Barcode was something out of the ordinary for me, a woman who's found her niche in romance.
Barcode is first of all well written, Ross writes text that is engaging and fun! Barcode was a joy to read, it didn't get boring or still and the characters were three dimensional with personal struggles and package and that made them very interesting which helps make the novel entertaining.
The plot was interesting, the gifts or powers from the gods and the whole gladiator wipe is really entertaining, the world is going towards dystopia which is interesting to read, like the lack of trees and nature, and the hero isn't exactly nice. He really is almost bit evil, snarky, temperamental and selfish - I think he makes for one of the most interesting characters I've met on the genre. You know when you're a kid and you like to play the bad guy in games well Spencer is kinda like that. I also really really enjoyed his bantering and interaction with Michelle, loved it really!
Give Barcode a go if you like YA with loads of adventure, and action and a really unique hero/anti-hero. ;)
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Checkout my Interview with the author!
