Momentum

by Saci Lloyd

In the near future, energy wars are raging across the globe, blackouts are a regular occurrence, and the privileged Citizens and the desperate Outsiders of London live very separate lives. Hunter is a Citizen whose father works for the government; yet he cannot help being fascinated by the Outsiders' ingenuity and, in particular, their mastery of free running. But when he meets Uma, an Outsider, he is quickly drawn into her world and finds himself racing against time — and against the government's cruel Kossak soldiers — to protect everything the Outsiders hold dear.

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction, School, Thriller, Fiction, Teen

341 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

Saci Lloyd was born in Manchester, but raised in Anglesey where she spent a lot of time lost in nature or down by the shore.

Saci returned to Manchester as an undergraduate, but soon quit University for a life of glamour. At various points in the glitz she has worked as a very bad cartoonist, toured the States in a straightedge band, run an interactive media team at an advertising agency, co-founded a film company and finally wound up as head of media at NewVIc. She’s now stepped down from that post, but continues her association with the college.

Her first novels, The Carbon Diaries series came out September 2010 to critical acclaim and have been optioned by Company Pictures. They have been translated into fifteen languages.

Her new book, Momentum was released on June 2nd and is already doing really well. Everything Starts Right Here, Right Now!

Saci has just finished her latest book, Quantum Drop, a thriller set against the backdrop of the financial crash, which will be released in February of next year.

Reviews

[Roo MacLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story doesn’t stop for breath, it flies and soars. Hunter lives the good life as a citizen, and citizens are rich and priviledged, but they seek a greater state of Nirvana by living through the net in virtual reality. Uma is an outsider, a poor person, living in the slums and their paths cross because Hunter despairs of the virtual world and seeks adventure by practising the art of free running, the skill the Outsiders employ to outrun the Cossacks and the helicopters that hunt them.

The novel centres around a secret enigma of codes, kept by the keepers, but passed onto Uma, who passes it onto Hunter she is caputred by the Kossack security forces. The deal is to find the new keeper, keep the codes from the Kossacks and discover love. And it is all dealt with during a great old chase through the dystopian streets of London Town.

As I said the story rocks along with running and jumping and dare devil leaps from tall buildings in single bounds.I loved this book and am keen to read more of Saci Lloyd.

[Adolfo Yanez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book is great, is not boring it always keeps you reading even when you don't have time to read you want to keep reading this book it just that good, this book is really good in how it described the moments I enjoy the book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

London is under crisis. The world is running out of oil, and the city is constantly fighting to keep their power on. There's a huge divide between the classes—the upper-class Citizens live in luxury, in London proper, and the Outsiders live in the slums. The two aren't meant to mix. Ever. The slums are periodically raided, destroying the lives of the Outsiders. Resentment is everywhere.

But Hunter, a Citizen, has always been interested in the Outsiders. His Citizen lifestyle is constrictive. As fate may have it he encounters Uma, an Outsider, and gets caught up in their fight. The two don't trust each other at first, and they're not even sure if they can trust each other—although they want to.

We all know the story. Two people from two different sides of the tracks mesh together. They learn about each other; they fight to build a better world. And though the underlying plot is fairly typical, this future London is addictive. Hunter's father works for the government, which makes this family the highest of the highest citizens. And to learn that his son is running around with an Outsider? What is the world coming to?

Even though its dystopian plot has been done before, and the writing itself is fairly standard, I enjoyed this story. I'd love to read the series and learn more about this world they live in and learn how they plan to save it. Because you know societal walls are going to crumble, and you have to learn who to trust—if you can trust anyone. And just how are they going to fix a world-wide energy crisis?

(3.5 stars)

[Raeesa · Rating 2 out of 5]

not very well written, not a great book. maybe i've been reading too much dystopia because i'm not in that mood anymore but i didn't really like this.
the whole thing is a series of clues to get the encryption codes which has to do with the dreamline and holds the identities of all outsiders and there is only three copies of it. the keeper has the codes, and uma's aunt zella was the keeper but she is captured so she gives them to uma to find the next keeper. when they finally find her, she is killed soon after so hunter takes them from her so they don't fall into kossak hands. hunter can't return to being a citizen with rights like he was before. he was part of 2% elite, but now he is accused of killing a Kossak soldier. he finds out that guido, uma's cousin, is actually the one who killed that soldier, but he died right after telling hunter this. rose, who was one of uma's closest friends and who had been acting shady for a while, killed him. she sold out their movement because she needs money to pay for her brother's operation so he doesn't die. rose and guido are both killed, hunter and uma are both injured but hunter gets them back to harry, who is like a healer sage fatherly old man, who says that there may be hope for uma to survive, and if she does the two of them need to go to south america because it is the only place that will be safe for them. also, harry destroyed the codes because there were too many loose ends. also, hunter's father evan is in custody even though he doesn't know anything about what's going on. his lawyer is an outsider.

[Alex Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I originally picked up this book, I figured it would be the typical young adult story. I thought it would be the same, recycled, two teens from completely different worlds fall in love. I am pleasantly surprised to say that it is the exact opposite. While there is a bit of a underlying love story, it is brilliantly overshadowed by the incredibly well written story and future created by Saci Lloyd. The story follow Hunter and Uma. Hunter is a priveleged teen who wants nothing more than to be able to be a free runner like the poor Favelados. Uma is a independent young Outsider(Favelado), a group of poor civilians who constantly have to fight back the government raiding there neighborhoods. The two teens' paths cross when a raid of an Outsider funeral occurs where Hunter is practicing free running. One thing needs to another and Uma ends up giving Hunter the most important piece of Outsider tech in the history of England(the books setting). Chaos ensues as Hunter and Uma struggle to keep the tech out of the government's hands. This is arguably the best young adult novel I have ever read. The action and story are written perfectly and aren't saturated by an unrealistic, in your face love story. I recommend this to anyone who is into action or young adult novels.

[Candy Wood]

Momentum is an apt title for this YA novel that is on the 2011 Guardian longlist. The action rarely slows except for a few Romeo and Juliet moments between the central characters. The setting is London, not very far into our own future. Hunter is a Citizen who looks for excitement by climbing abandoned tower blocks in the East End, while Uma is an Outsider who lives in the Bow favela. The Internet is central to the plot: Citizens stay plugged in through RETScans that can be sources of information, communication devices, and virtual reality games. Outsiders have found a way to control the Dreamline instead of being controlled by it and have also begun to develop their own energy sources, while Chinese conglomerates seem to have taken over everything else. Violence is everywhere, from games to the Kossaks, eagerly torturing and killing in the name of order. The specific London details emphasize the warning: as the mentor-character says, “if the governments sleep, the people must rise.”

[Wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunter, a middle class Citizen, falls in with Uma, an outcast Outsider, and her friends in a high-energy action adventure that pits the secure and security-minded upper classes of rich London against the DIY lower classes. When Uma ends up with the top secret access codes to the Outsider movement’s communication networks, Hunter helps her keep them from the authorities, including his father, who works for the government but who has very mixed feelings about his job.

This is a solid action novel that pits the underdogs against ruthless villains and terrible odds, but the characters were weak and the writing was fairly clichéd. Some of the premises of the near future – energy rations and rolling blackouts, an Occupy-type movement that seeks to make life better for all people – were not fleshed out very much, although the likely sequel will fix that. Still, for boys looking for another reading thrill along the lines of Anthony Horowitz or James Patterson, this should work. Recommended for sixth grade on up

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hunter lives in a near-future London where the world has depleted their energy supplies, there are frequent blackouts, and the people are divided into two distinct groups: Citizens and Outsiders. Hunter is a Citizen with a very influential father, yet he is fascinated by the Outsider culture. The Outsiders have managed to create their own sustainable energy sources plus they have mastered an art they call “free running.” He is drawn into their world and an unexpected friendship with a girl named Uma when attacked by the government's nasty, vicious Kossak soldiers. Full of action and adventure, a fair amount of violence – although nothing truly graphic, and some predictable characters and plot twists. Those looking for a serviceable dystopia will find it here; may also have appeal for Alex Rider fans due to the chase scenes and some interesting tech gadgets.

[Alma · Rating 4 out of 5]

As I was reading “Momentum,” I was struck by its similarities to the classic book “The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton. Just as in “The Outsiders,” the characters in “Momentum” are separated Rich versus Poor. In “Momentum,” the poor, known as “Outsiders,” have rebelled against the government for its wastefulness, especially concerning energy, and have been forced to live in slum housing, trying to live the best they can.

Read the rest of my review at: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.c...

[Mel Raschke]

Hunter was born to a life of security as a Citizen, but secretly envies the Outsiders for what he perceives to be their great freedom. Through a series of events, he finds himself tangled up in the secret life of Uma, an Outsider who has a life or death errand to perform. If she fails, Outsiders throughout the world will be hunted down and killed by Kossaks, the government’s soldiers who will stop at nothing to make sure the government is always right

[Venec · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that is as exciting as it is creative. Let me just say, it is VERY creative. In a world where people are consumed by virtual reality, there are places where no one but the Outsiders go; the Dreamline. It contains dark secrets. Dangerous secrets. And Hunter Nash just might find some of those secrets out.

[Dylan Tadrus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Momentum was a fast paced book readers love. Saci Lloyd was using very good characterization in her in this book. this book setting takes place in the future and that aspect makes you think. I would deeply recommend this book to sci-fi and fantasy fiction lovers. So, what are you waiting gain your momentum and read this book.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is set far in the future and in a London struggling to maintain life as we know it amidst energy wars and a deep gap between standards of living for its residents. The story is very fast paced and involves young people living a very technologically aware life. A fascinating but frightening glimpse of the future if we do not take more care of our world.

[Benn Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dystopian book set in London, and much like Hunger Games it was written in a very simple way. If you don't mind the unchallenging simplicity of the writing, then its a story worth a read if you're into the whole dystopian genre right now.

[Ivy Zheng · Rating 3 out of 5]

I shouldn't give it 2 stars but also not a 4 stars so a 3 stars is fair enought. I kind of like some parts but also don't like some parts. But I really enjoy reading dystopian novels and love to do a review about them. But this one isn't what I had in mind.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of those stories that pulls you along and leaves you breathless. Saci Lloyd may just be one of the best and most under-rated writers for you g people of her generation. You really get a sense that her vision of the near future could become reality.

[Bey · Rating 1 out of 5]

ugh. I bought this because of the cover and

I regret it. totally.

the first 100 pages are a bore. was thinking the story will get better after that.... but it didn't. and it got such a shitty ending too, though

can't I just unread it???????

[Clay]

Guardian longlist.

[BlackroseBlackheart · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice... don't really have time to review :(

[Lotte]

How can you read it??

[Romy · Rating 5 out of 5]

genius

[Floor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hat was een vlot leesbaar boek, ik heb er zeker van genoten maar soms was het een beetje ingewikkeld. Zeker een aanrader!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book and I thought the beginning and middle were good but I thought the ending was quite poor and predictable.

[Steff S (The Bookish Owl) · Rating 1 out of 5]

By chapter 13 I found that this book named Momentum lacked any. There wasn't enough world-building and I just didn't care enough about the characters to continue.

[Ruth Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book.

[Bart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spannende jeugdroman die zich in de nabije toekomst afspeelt. Vlot geschreven en 'spooky' herkenbaar, voor als het echt misgaat.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced, addictive. A really exciting way to highlight issues we should all be thinking about. Also cleverly ended, begging for a sequel. More please!

[Zane Ryker]

It's good but it leaves u want the book not to end . When it does end you want to read the second book but their isn't one

[Jen Ings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me a while to get in to but once I did I really enjoyed it!

[Gracew]

this book was not for me but it could be for you this book did have an interesting plot and a good story line but most of all it has some of the best character plots i have ever read this book did not stand out to me really but it could be the book for you if you love action