Rating: 
Summary: It's time to leave, the tribe has spoken......
Review: If I could give this book 0 Stars, I would. I'm a HUGE fan of the show Survivor. When I heard about this book, I went to many book stores and libraries to find it. I finally did and was very excited to read it. I was very disappointed in t his books. This is nothing like Survivor or "reality shows". It alomst seems like the "reality" aspect was just an afterthought. What this is really about bioterrorism.The characters are so weak, and flat, its' not funny. They act in away that makes the characters unreal. The dialouge is flat people just dont' talk that way. I suggest that if you like shows like Survivor then stay away from this 24/7. *hold paper with 24/7 on it. It's time to leave, the tribe has spoken.
Rating: 
Summary: Loved it!
Review: If you find it hard to flip the channel when a reality show is on, you will find it just as hard to put this book down. Sure, the premise is "out there", but that is what makes the book fun.
Definitely a page turner.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: If you find it hard to flip the channel when a reality show is on, you will find it just as hard to put this book down. Sure, the premise is "out there", but that is what makes the book fun.
Definitely a page turner.
Rating: 
Summary: cheesy predictable characters and thrilling premise
Review: If you like cheesy, perfect heroes, utterly predictable characters, average writing skills, and a great premise, read this book. Jim Brown puts forth a great effort in his first novel. He shows great promise ... that maybe will surface to a greater extent in his next novel, "The Hill." Here, the hero and heroine are so cheesy, they seem to be made of clay. The plot is full of holes. The gimmick - reality tv turned bad - is not thoroughly fleshed out. Not enough was said about the real intriguing part of the novel - the voters who acted as accomplices to murder. That being said, the book was an easy read and fun at times. The book certainly has its share of twists and turns, some more unpredictable than others. Not counting the unique plot, however, I can't rate it anything more than an average thriller.
Rating:
Summary: WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD
Review: Jim Brown's 24/7 was predestined; in the wake of those horrendously unreal series like "Survivor" "Paradise Hotel" "Big Brother" and such, it would take a former newscaster to bring us back into the real world.
The plot has been discussed in both the synopsis and by other reviewers, but what really makes this book so believable is Brown's epilogue in which he reminds how "real" reality tv can be. And where its limits will extend.
Already we see people sleeping together, tricking and deceiving each other; and in one case, a contestant on "Big Brother 2" pulled a knife on one of his housemates. And the most terrifying aspect of this well-written, fast-paced shocker, is that we the audience are what makes the shows successful. And in this one, the audience tunes in and votes--not merely to exile the person from the island---but to decide who should DIE. (Death comes from a designer virus that kills in a horribly ebola-like fashion). There a lot of subplots, but some really interesting characters including the seemingly unheroic Tyler Thorn. His newsphotographer/reporter role feeds the reader with the solution to many of the puzzles. The islanders themselves are stereotypical, balancing between the likeable (Dana, Justin and Nerine) and the despicable (Foster, Brandon, Renee). It's a tense read and fun, but ultimately sad because we become the real murderers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD
Review: Jim Brown's 24/7 was predestined; in the wake of those horrendously unreal series like "Survivor" "Paradise Hotel" "Big Brother" and such, it would take a former newscaster to bring us back into the real world.
The plot has been discussed in both the synopsis and by other reviewers, but what really makes this book so believable is Brown's epilogue in which he reminds how "real" reality tv can be. And where its limits will extend.
Already we see people sleeping together, tricking and deceiving each other; and in one case, a contestant on "Big Brother 2" pulled a knife on one of his housemates. And the most terrifying aspect of this well-written, fast-paced shocker, is that we the audience are what makes the shows successful. And in this one, the audience tunes in and votes--not merely to exile the person from the island---but to decide who should DIE. (Death comes from a designer virus that kills in a horribly ebola-like fashion). There a lot of subplots, but some really interesting characters including the seemingly unheroic Tyler Thorn. His newsphotographer/reporter role feeds the reader with the solution to many of the puzzles. The islanders themselves are stereotypical, balancing between the likeable (Dana, Justin and Nerine) and the despicable (Foster, Brandon, Renee). It's a tense read and fun, but ultimately sad because we become the real murderers.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Rating: 
Summary: Something For Everyone
Review: Love "Reality" shows? Hate "Reality" shows? Read "24/7." For us uncomplicated souls who are slaves to "Survivor," we will enjoy competition to the max and a fine fix for our need to see ordinary people cope. (Though these characters are far from ordinary!). For those who despise the whole concept of such entertainment, you will get a cackle or two out of what happens when everything goes as wrong as it can on a reality show. I read the book as if an animated film were unfolding and the dialogue was voice-overs. What happens if the hero climbs a flimsy radio tower to escape the inferno below him? Why a helicopter just happens to fly over, drop a ladder, and whisks him away from the leaping flames! The book is good-natured with more story lines than a daytime soap opera, but somehow the author manages to control his story. With the exception of the principals, who come off like Tess Trueheart and Dick Stover, the characterizations are interesting and well done. I particularly liked a former Miss Universe who has the survival instincts of a cornered cobra. Though not for the faint of heart, the author delivers an exciting story that has more than its share of twists, turns and surprises. Grade B-
Rating:
Summary: Terror in the Tropics
Review: Man what a book! Stayed up all night trying to finish it. Didn't, so I stayed home from work to finish this book. What a wild ride. Will this happen some time soon? Maybe. Would you watch it? Yes. But would you Vote? Kind of makes you think about yourself. Have you ever watched a reality show and realy dislike someone on it? Jerrie comes to mind but could you realy vote to kill her? The commintary in the back was a real eye opener. I didn't know that happened on Big Brother 2. So this was what it was like in Rome 1800 years ago. Thumbs up or Thumps down. Read this book then take a long look at yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Too much sexual connotation
Review: Ok I admit I am only half way through this book. I couldn't wait to get it and read it because the premise is such a great idea. I did happen to get a Bound Galley edition so maybe the final was editted better. I think Jim Brown could have had a strong story without all the sexual innuendos and situations. His writing is a little weak as well and he uses too many similes. I'd love to see this story reworked by someone else.
Rating:
Summary: Descriptive and Riveting
Review: Reality television is perhaps one of the most controversial forms of entertainment going on today. Shows like Survivor and Big Brother, shows that you either love to watch, or love to hate. It was only a matter of time before someone took the bull by the horns and showed the world what humanity can really be like. Jim Brown is the man who did it, with this incredible mystery/thriller that won't let you sleep until you have reached the last page. Then, you won't be able to sleep due to the implications racing through your mind.
It would be hard enough to live in the public eye for 24 hours, much less longer. No privacy whatsoever, everything being scrutinized by hundreds of strangers around the world. There are those who enjoy being the center of attention to that extent, but the majority of the population would rather watch than "perform." Let's face it, we are a civilization of voyeurs. Sadly, the worse a situation, the more we want to get a good look at it... gruesome car accidents always hold a sick fascination for the public. Admit it - you have slowed down or stopped to get a good look!
When the tables are turned on a new game, things become computerized and the challenges are lethal! Twelve contestants stranded on a lush and inviting tropical island, an island with a haunted and ugly past, face the unknown and their own mortality. This isn't what they signed on to do; however, there is no escape from Vassa Island. There's only two ways off. Die, or win the game. The prize is a whopping two million in cash, and the dream of a lifetime fulfilled. The stakes weren't so high before the final contestant arrived on the island, just the usual ones of surviving being voted off by the public. Simple.
It is incredible how well portrayed the general public is - slavering beasts awaiting the death of another person, viewed online or via cable. A person whom the general public vote for, and literally condemn to death. The contestant with the highest number of votes is exiled from the Island, and that means a horrific and disfiguring death of extreme pain. A death that is wanted every day, a death which thousands vote for, and there is nothing anyone can do to stop the terror.
Jim's writing is descriptive and riveting, it pulls you along like an undertow. You don't want to read anymore, but you just can't help yourself, because you know that someone else is soon to be voted off and will die. There are innumerable mental challenges along the way for the readers as well as the contestants, you don't just read this work of genius, you get to live it in a surreal manner. 24/7 is the next logical step for a sociopath who loves reality television - if this doesn't scare you silly, nothing will. It could happen... and that is the scariest aspect of all.
Review Originally Posted at http://www.linearreflections.com
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