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The Cyclopes' Eye
First, they came for his sister’s eye. Now they’re coming for his—and what’s even worse is he deserves it.
Henry has never had anything good happen to him, period. That’s why, after school, he’s going to put on his big-boy pants and confess his love to his best friend—because the universe owes him one, dammit, and he needs a win.
But maybe it wasn’t the best idea to do it on Drill Day—the one day a month that healthcare conglomerate Axiom infiltrates schools across America to select a new candidate to give up one of their eyes, for... research? When the new candidate is selected, Henry’s plans go awry, and he and his friends must figure out how to escape from Axiom. But when the past threatens to eat him alive, things aren’t as easy as they seem.
Henry has never had anything good happen to him, period. That’s why, after school, he’s going to put on his big-boy pants and confess his love to his best friend—because the universe owes him one, dammit, and he needs a win.
But maybe it wasn’t the best idea to do it on Drill Day—the one day a month that healthcare conglomerate Axiom infiltrates schools across America to select a new candidate to give up one of their eyes, for... research? When the new candidate is selected, Henry’s plans go awry, and he and his friends must figure out how to escape from Axiom. But when the past threatens to eat him alive, things aren’t as easy as they seem.
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Published April 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 6, 2024
Yes this is my book! Yes I’m giving it 5 stars! It’s really good, okay?! 😭
May 22, 2024
I absolutely devoured this one! The Cyclopes' Eye is a stunning dystopian full of high stakes, lovable characters, and a fantastic arc.
Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius has a wonderful way with words. He will transport you to this dystopian America. His characters will draw you in. And his world is so clear you can imagine you are truly there.
Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius has a wonderful way with words. He will transport you to this dystopian America. His characters will draw you in. And his world is so clear you can imagine you are truly there.
December 4, 2024
Henry Youngwell tries to be an ordinary kid, however his life is anything but typical. He lives in a chaotic household where his father struggles with alcoholism, often drowning his sorrows in a bottle instead of being present for his family. His mother is a convict, serving time for decisions that have left their family fragmented and struggling. Then there’s his twin sister, who recently lost her eye, and that haunts Henry’s memories.
Axiom, a health insurance company, has created a monopoly in healthcare by merging with several providers in the state. The company aims to advance scientific understanding and find cures for diseases, believing that the human eye is essential. They have suggested that a significant sacrifice is necessary to achieve their goals, symbolically giving up one eye. One day a month, they infiltrate schools to select a candidate to literally give up one of their eyes.
Today is Drill Day, and Henry feels a familiar knot of fear tighten in his stomach. As he stands among two thousand peers gathered, he can’t help but notice the tension etched on their faces. It’s as if they are a herd of cattle, each one mirroring the anxiety and uncertainty that hangs heavy in the air. There’s an unspoken understanding among them, a collective awareness of what this day signifies. The thought that looms over them is stark and chilling: when the day concludes, one of their own will face an unimaginable loss and join the ranks of the one-eyed Cyclopes. Henry can’t shake the thought that he could be next, and his heart aches for the fear that binds them all together.
In “The Cyclops Eye,” the first book in an inspiring series of the same name by Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius, we follow Henry and his courageous LGBTQ friends as they rise against a powerful pharmaceutical company to protect the vision of their peers. The narrative powerfully captures Henry’s journey. It bravely addresses critical issues such as alcoholism, incarceration, sexual identity, and death, inviting readers to connect deeply with the characters’ experiences and triumphs.
This dystopian novel invites teen and young adult readers on an engaging journey that resonates deeply, encouraging late-night page-turning. Haskey-Valerius’ raw and moving writing style enables you to share in the emotional highs and lows of the characters. Through their experiences, you are reminded of the strength of the human spirit and the power of solidarity in the face of adversity.
I eagerly anticipate the second installment’s release in The Cyclopes’ Eye series, as Haskey-Valerius has constructed a remarkable ending that compels readers to seek further engagement. I strongly recommend this book to individuals of all ages who love dystopia and futuristic young adult books. I am happy to give it a well-deserved rating of five stars.
Axiom, a health insurance company, has created a monopoly in healthcare by merging with several providers in the state. The company aims to advance scientific understanding and find cures for diseases, believing that the human eye is essential. They have suggested that a significant sacrifice is necessary to achieve their goals, symbolically giving up one eye. One day a month, they infiltrate schools to select a candidate to literally give up one of their eyes.
Today is Drill Day, and Henry feels a familiar knot of fear tighten in his stomach. As he stands among two thousand peers gathered, he can’t help but notice the tension etched on their faces. It’s as if they are a herd of cattle, each one mirroring the anxiety and uncertainty that hangs heavy in the air. There’s an unspoken understanding among them, a collective awareness of what this day signifies. The thought that looms over them is stark and chilling: when the day concludes, one of their own will face an unimaginable loss and join the ranks of the one-eyed Cyclopes. Henry can’t shake the thought that he could be next, and his heart aches for the fear that binds them all together.
In “The Cyclops Eye,” the first book in an inspiring series of the same name by Jeffrey Haskey-Valerius, we follow Henry and his courageous LGBTQ friends as they rise against a powerful pharmaceutical company to protect the vision of their peers. The narrative powerfully captures Henry’s journey. It bravely addresses critical issues such as alcoholism, incarceration, sexual identity, and death, inviting readers to connect deeply with the characters’ experiences and triumphs.
This dystopian novel invites teen and young adult readers on an engaging journey that resonates deeply, encouraging late-night page-turning. Haskey-Valerius’ raw and moving writing style enables you to share in the emotional highs and lows of the characters. Through their experiences, you are reminded of the strength of the human spirit and the power of solidarity in the face of adversity.
I eagerly anticipate the second installment’s release in The Cyclopes’ Eye series, as Haskey-Valerius has constructed a remarkable ending that compels readers to seek further engagement. I strongly recommend this book to individuals of all ages who love dystopia and futuristic young adult books. I am happy to give it a well-deserved rating of five stars.
March 29, 2024
The Cyclopes' Eye by Jeffery Haskey-Valerius is an intense thrill ride featuring our intrepid and angst-filled protagonist Henry Youngwell. Through the course of the story you will be introduced to his friends, his family, and the shadowy organization, Axiom, that keeps an ever watchful gaze over their lives. Though the narrative only takes place over about a week's worth of time, the number of events makes it feel like months without much time to breathe. Henry's inner monologue keeps this pace throughout the book and by the end you feel as exhausted as he does, while begging to see what comes next.
I highly recommend this book with the understanding that it covers very serious topics, which it carries with all the grace and gravity they deserve. I blazed through it and am exceedingly excited to see what the future has for Mr. Youngwell.
I highly recommend this book with the understanding that it covers very serious topics, which it carries with all the grace and gravity they deserve. I blazed through it and am exceedingly excited to see what the future has for Mr. Youngwell.
April 10, 2024
YAAAASSS!! An awesome debut, and a good start to a series!
This book goes deep, deep, deep into Henry's head, who is flawed, makes plenty of mistakes, but feels and repents for every single one of them. Is there alot of talk of self harm? Yes. So if that's a trigger for you, beware. But it is not a trigger for me, so I loved it.
I also am an empath when I'm reading, so if a character is running and running and running....I am exhausted! These characters stay up for 24 straight hours, and Henry goes like 48 hours while only eating a single pepperoni...so when he wanted to vomit after finally eating, so did I...I didn't, but still. This author makes you feel it.
Also, it's visceral, and gross. I have a rough time with eye-gore, so this was tough, but it's well written and and kept me on the edge of my seat for this twisty rollercoaster.
This book goes deep, deep, deep into Henry's head, who is flawed, makes plenty of mistakes, but feels and repents for every single one of them. Is there alot of talk of self harm? Yes. So if that's a trigger for you, beware. But it is not a trigger for me, so I loved it.
I also am an empath when I'm reading, so if a character is running and running and running....I am exhausted! These characters stay up for 24 straight hours, and Henry goes like 48 hours while only eating a single pepperoni...so when he wanted to vomit after finally eating, so did I...I didn't, but still. This author makes you feel it.
Also, it's visceral, and gross. I have a rough time with eye-gore, so this was tough, but it's well written and and kept me on the edge of my seat for this twisty rollercoaster.
April 9, 2024
Note that I read this as an ARC. The Cyclopes' Eye is set in a dystopian future- like America where Axiom, a huge corporation that practically runs America, takes people's eyes in hopes of a medical revolution. The story follows Henry a 17 year old boy as he along with his friends and twin sister try to break out of Axiom's grasp and reveal their secrets. Please note that Henry has a lot of metal health issues and there are a lot of graphic scenes in this story that the trigger warnings go through at the beginning.
This book really kept me on the edge of my seat. It had a good concept and great pacing. I found each chapter had a purpose and nothing was to over explained. The characters were complex and there was a perfect amount of them so nothing got confusing as I got deeper into the story. The details were for the most part very well done however I thought the setting could be described more. On that note I felt the details were a bit too much during some of the more graphic scenes for a young adult audience. Over this book was a good read and I'm looking forward to the next one.
This book really kept me on the edge of my seat. It had a good concept and great pacing. I found each chapter had a purpose and nothing was to over explained. The characters were complex and there was a perfect amount of them so nothing got confusing as I got deeper into the story. The details were for the most part very well done however I thought the setting could be described more. On that note I felt the details were a bit too much during some of the more graphic scenes for a young adult audience. Over this book was a good read and I'm looking forward to the next one.
April 16, 2024
What a WILD ride! I have to say as a former literary club kid, this is the kind of adventure I can see us tackling.
Henry pulls you in from the start, wanting to wrap him in cotton only to find out he sure as hell doesn’t need that. I love him as a character: at times tiring because he gets stuck in his own head (but in very realistic ways) and others the rage filled protector of the people he loves. He’s flawed and not always a good guy, but you love him regardless.
I can’t wait to read more of this series which starts with Henry’s world falling apart when he’s selected as the next “donor” of his eye for Axiom (a healthcare company gone evil overlords…) and that seems like enough but it’s the tip of the iceberg.
And the ending? Oh I’ll be bothering Jeffrey until we get more. Rude.
Henry pulls you in from the start, wanting to wrap him in cotton only to find out he sure as hell doesn’t need that. I love him as a character: at times tiring because he gets stuck in his own head (but in very realistic ways) and others the rage filled protector of the people he loves. He’s flawed and not always a good guy, but you love him regardless.
I can’t wait to read more of this series which starts with Henry’s world falling apart when he’s selected as the next “donor” of his eye for Axiom (a healthcare company gone evil overlords…) and that seems like enough but it’s the tip of the iceberg.
And the ending? Oh I’ll be bothering Jeffrey until we get more. Rude.
April 10, 2024
This book is nothing short of amazing! It is fast paced and you have to hold on for dear life the whole time. You never know what is going to happen next or how it's all going to work out. I audibly gasped a couple times while reading it. You will fall in love with Henry, the main character, who is a 17 year old dealing with some typical teenage stuff as well as some really big things as well. He is so likeable and you just end up really rooting for him in all areas of his life. This dystopian world is scary because it seems so real and believable! You will not be disappointed. Such a fun read!
April 22, 2024
This book was everything and so much more (I’m also not just saying that because one of my dear friends is the author, I promise!)
It was courageous. And bold. And heavy. And at times, unbearable. You feel emotions flying off the pages. You really get to know the characters—who you like, who you don’t like. Who you wish would stop using a rolling backpack. 😂
I am not an avid Sci-Fi reader, but this book might’ve changed it for me. JEFFREY, YOU OWE ME A SEQUEL.
It was courageous. And bold. And heavy. And at times, unbearable. You feel emotions flying off the pages. You really get to know the characters—who you like, who you don’t like. Who you wish would stop using a rolling backpack. 😂
I am not an avid Sci-Fi reader, but this book might’ve changed it for me. JEFFREY, YOU OWE ME A SEQUEL.
June 26, 2024
Good action and personal interaction. It started a little slow with backstory and world-building, but rapidly became more and more intense as the story developed.
I really enjoyed the descriptive writing, fascinating character insights into their motivations, and enough backstory to keep me in the the plot line to leave us wanting more.
I really enjoyed the descriptive writing, fascinating character insights into their motivations, and enough backstory to keep me in the the plot line to leave us wanting more.
May 16, 2024
I was on the edge of my seat as Henry was foisted into so much more than he expected.
I found the plot to be riveting with plenty of twists and turns, drama, and much more along the way.
I loved every minute of it.
I found the plot to be riveting with plenty of twists and turns, drama, and much more along the way.
I loved every minute of it.
May 20, 2024
This is a well-written story with great character development. The storyline is interesting and the world-building is superb.
A small cast of interesting characters led by a strong and relatable protagonist.
This is a fast-paced, action-packed, page-turning adventure.
A small cast of interesting characters led by a strong and relatable protagonist.
This is a fast-paced, action-packed, page-turning adventure.
June 29, 2024
I want more! I was on the edge of my seat the whole read - wanting to learn more about what Axiom is doing with these eyeballs, what’s going to happen to these kids, and what’s the bigger picture. So many interesting concepts and adventure. I can’t wait to read the second one.
March 6, 2024
After reading an early draft, I'm beyond excited to read the finished book.
June 8, 2024
Twists and turns keep you turning the pages of this rich, character-focused sci-fi ride! Henry, the flawed but lovable protagonist, is so deeply passionate (often to his detriment) that you find yourself rooting for him in spite of his mistakes. His friends, who seem to be to be typical side characters in a typical YA story initially, become fleshed out members of a team as the novel continues, really rewarding close reading. Action packed, yes, but full of character development and love. You will love this book like I did!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews