Extracted (Extracted Trilogy, 1)

tried my best to really get into this book. It never happened. The premise had potential, but made little sense why the three main characters were chosen, even in the end... guess you have to read all the books in the series. That's not going to happen either. Repetitious writing style. I get it the first time you introduce an event, no need to keep repeating it, just refer to it. This could have been 1/3 the length.

I gave it 2 stars instead of one because there was some good character interaction at times. The repetitive use of the same profanity throughout the book and the immature writing style was disappointing.

A very well-written storyline that kept my attention from beginning to end. The authors use of humor, vernacular, and like able characters made this a great read. I'm a voracious sci-fi reader (Asimov, Bear, Hamilton, Lalonde, Weber, Burroughs, etc.) and I would rate this author very highly based on this one work. I easily identified with the main characters, felt their emotions and empathized with them, and one section actually made me laugh out loud. I don't normally read time travel novels, but am glad I made the exception for this one. I will be waiting impatiently for the next book ...

If you like science fiction, then you better be able to suspend belief. If not, go read a plumbing manual. Up front: This book is character driven. Yes,there is lots of action. But the action revolves around 3 main characters that are so well written, I could see them talking, fighting, training as the plot evolved. I especially love each character's sense of humor and camaraderie. This book is worth reading for just the dialogue. Now, this is a trilogy, so don't look for all the answers in the first book. They're not there. But, for me, between knowing what the trilogy is about; and knowing the main 3 characters with which I'll journey, it's time well spent. I can not wait for the second book, and I highly recommend the first.

Great read. Fun characters in unusual situations.

Great futuristic Science fiction

GOOD

Loved the concept. Story went a !title off tract but finished well. Looking forward to next book.

When the opening of a novel makes you laugh out loud – on a train, no less – you would hope you were going to be in for a good read. I had such high hopes for Extracted by R.R Haywood.

It let me down so badly.

If I could write this review on the beginning and the end, then I would be raving about it. The characters come across as well developed and the type of hero you want saving the world. The dialogue is realistic and fantastic. While the premise is a touch cliché and a little absurd, it is delivered in a way that you roll with it.

The middle, however, ruined this entire novel for me.

Now, learning you are not only dead to everyone you know and love, but that time travel is possible and there is a dinosaur outside of your window is a lot to take in. But Ben’s character suffers a mental break in the middle of the book.

And it drags on…

…and on.

Safa and Harry both prove themselves to be well developed characters and Safa’s patience with Ben despite her usual no-nonsense manner makes her an extremely likeable character. Harry, too, is a gentle giant that gets into your heart.

But regardless of how cool the other characters are or how much your mind is spinning over the standard time-travel dilemmas, no one wants to read for an extended period of time about a character moping around feeling worthless and sorry for themselves.

Even when Ben focuses again, you don’t empathise with his character because rather than trying to help save the world, he has been so focused on himself that you lose that initial bonding with his character.

It disconnected me from the book and I really lost my enjoyment. Admittedly, the end did rescue it slightly (but was also confusing and was definitely there as a ploy to make you want the next book), but by that point, I was so fed up that it didn’t have the impact it was supposed to.

Extracted could have been so brilliant and I was so disappointed it wasn’t.

When the opening of a novel makes you laugh out loud – on a train, no less – you would hope you were going to be in for a good read. I had such high hopes for Extracted by R.R Haywood.

It let me down so badly.

If I could write this review on the beginning and the end, then I would be raving about it. The characters come across as well developed and the type of hero you want saving the world. The dialogue is realistic and fantastic. While the premise is a touch cliché and a little absurd, it is delivered in a way that you roll with it.

The middle, however, ruined this entire novel for me.

Now, learning you are not only dead to everyone you know and love, but that time travel is possible and there is a dinosaur outside of your window is a lot to take in. But Ben’s character suffers a mental break in the middle of the book.

And it drags on…

…and on.

Safa and Harry both prove themselves to be well developed characters and Safa’s patience with Ben despite her usual no-nonsense manner makes her an extremely likeable character. Harry, too, is a gentle giant that gets into your heart.

But regardless of how cool the other characters are or how much your mind is spinning over the standard time-travel dilemmas, no one wants to read for an extended period of time about a character moping around feeling worthless and sorry for themselves.

Even when Ben focuses again, you don’t empathise with his character because rather than trying to help save the world, he has been so focused on himself that you lose that initial bonding with his character.

It disconnected me from the book and I really lost my enjoyment. Admittedly, the end did rescue it slightly (but was also confusing and was definitely there as a ploy to make you want the next book), but by that point, I was so fed up that it didn’t have the impact it was supposed to.

Extracted could have been so brilliant and I was so disappointed it wasn’t.

When I heard that one of my favourite authors was branching out into time travel, I couldn’t have been more excited had the Doctor knocked on my door and asked me if I wanted to take a ride in the Tardis.
It’s very clear that this is an R R Haywood book. His characteristic witty banter, razor sharp dialogue and more action-packed fight scenes than a Jason Bourne novel are all there and he still builds tension like a master.
My one criticism is that the prologue went by a bit too quickly going implausibly quickly from the need to create instantaneous deliveries to teleportation to time travel. So quickly there it wasn’t easy to connect the dots. Although current trends seems to frown upon too much exposition, I did think there wasn’t quite enough here. I was also a bit confused by Ben’s characterisation which, in the beginning, is a confusing mix of spineless and bravery in equal parts. This quickly passes though until we are firmly on the side of Team Extracted. Harry’s old –fashioned way of speaking marks him out as a man out of time. His action sequence near was a thing of beauty and Safa, well she’s girl power in a nutshell. How the heck he always managed to make his characters so realistic I’ll never know. Seriously! What’s the secret dude? I was ready to strangle the villainous and racist Prime Minister by the end of the chapter.
It is supposed to be hard to write humour into a novel but not for R R Haywood who does it effortlessly. I won’t quote any choice parts mainly because, taken out of context, I’d probably suck all the fun out of it and with each chapter left on a mini cliff hanger, I was in equal parts in stitches and jaw dropping amazement throughout the book. Roll on book 2 in June.