Outin by Brandt Legg Review

I won a copy from Goodreads First Reads.

"Time and dimensions collide as Outin, Book two of the Inner Movement trilogy, takes off from the last page of Outview. Nate, relentlessly pursued, faces impossible choices that transcend life and death. Aided by more mystics, he struggles to find understanding on a breathless quest through extraordinary realms. If Nate can keep his friends alive, avoid Lightyear, unravel crucial mysteries from the past then the Movement just might have a chance to change everything. The journey continues . . .

Outin, where truth is hidden within time, time is misunderstood, and understanding is not always knowing the truth."

Outin is certainly an improvement from the last book, Outview (review available! yay!). In fact, I actually enjoy Outin much more than Outview. But if you just want to read Outin and not Outview, think twice. Unfortunately Outin doesn't do recaps or summarizing from the previous book, Outview (Inner Movement Trilogy #1). (Outview has a review!) 

Outin's plot is full of twist and turns. Poor Nate has to fight/avoid Lightyear to prevent himself and others from getting killed. The conflict's clear. It's majorly good versus evil. But to fight evil, the plot and book gets a little complicated. As in complicated as the Millenium Prize Problems. Okay, not that complicated, but I think you get the picture, right?

I have to make sure readers understand this: The Outin/Outview World is sort of difficult to understand. It will be best if readers take notes to remember what exactly is going on. (I didn't but I have a really, really good and impressive memory.) There's a lot of events going around, not to mentioned the facts and odd people.

The ending is so "are you kidding me?" Yeah, it's basically like that. Nate went through all the sacrifices and hardships so he can find out that ohhh! I can't believe that. He may have destroyed ______ but he now has to destroy _________. That's not a nice ending. It's a rude cliffhanger that will rip readers from the mind and soul.

Every time I think of Outin, I start to imagine these movies: Back to the Future and Terminator. Yes, Outin involves some serious kicking and time traveling. Without the fancy and scientific machines/cars or crazy Arnold Schwarzenegger robots programmed to kill John Connor. Too bad there isn't some nice cars or robots.

Character:

Nate: I sometimes think Nate is so arrogant and irritating. He has a good heart, but he's sometimes too thick. Nate has flaws, which makes him an interesting character. One flaw is the ability/tendency to blame others for faults. He doesn't think before he acts. He is the type who "attacks first, then ask questions/investigate suspicious persons."

Rating: Four out of Five

Outview by Brandt Legg Review

I won a copy from Goodreads First Reads.

"A coming of age thriller of mystics and magic. Nate's father died mysteriously when he was twelve. His older brother knows the truth but their mother had him committed to a mental institution. As Outviews try to take over his mind, sixteen year old Nate fears his turn is next.During the search for his brother, Nate and his three school friends fight to stay alive. Along the way they encounter five mystics who show Nate his lost powers, teach the forgotten wisdom and reveal his extraordinary destiny.In time, Nate discovers that everything he believed about his life is a lie, and that the world contains secrets far more beautiful than he could ever have imagined, and evil far more terrifying than he could ever have feared.Across time and dimension they are after him . . ."

Sorry it took so long. I was busy reading and reviewing other books. 

Outview... 

Just finished it! Wow, that was confusing!

The plot was easily understood. It flowed really well, but I wished the author paced a little better. It was a little too fast for my speed and taste. The author kind of rushed in some parts of the book while slowed down a bit in other parts. That was annoying.

The writing. Easier to understand than the plot. A few typos here and there, but it wasn't too bad.

The description was the main thing that ticked me off. The author didn't do a great job of describing things. He left them to the reader's imagination. If you visualize the events as you read, you may find it difficult to picture the events in Outview. It was hard to feel the character's thought, feelings, and experiences. 

Empathize. Lots of empathizing death in Outview. It was brilliantly finished. Nate has repeatedly empathize the death of his father and a certain other family member, which I will not reveal.

The ending. It was not too cliffhangerish material. It wasn't killer enough. You know the ending in Catching Fire and Scarlet? Well, the cliffhanger in Outview was the complete opposite of it. Cliffhanger like. But not shocking or outrageous. 

At first I thought this book was about ghost and all that stuff. Then Outview started mentioning psychic abilities. Then the people around Nate start talking about connecting to the spirits and stuff. And then, the secret-keepers tell Nate about this government program named Lightyear? 

Characters:

Nate: The boy with a whole lot of sarcasm. He's the Dr. Reid in Outview. This guy can basically remember anything, if he tried. He's the know it all. The nerd in school. He is under a lot of stressful emotions, from the death of his father. The disappearance of his brother, Duncan. (Later revealed to be kidnapping) The distance between him and his mother. The death of a fellow/distant yet also close family member.

Amber: She's older than Nate. She's described as being the hot girl. She's no dumb blond though.

Duncan: The something-I-shall-not-reveal of Nate. He's has been locked up in a mental institution for two years for being diagnosed as a nut case. He's charming despite his physical appearance.

Rating: Three out of Five