It’s one thing to Qualify… faced with a year-long journey in space, life in a wondrously alien environment, and many tough life choices, Gwen must decide who or what she will become. Fleet Cadet or Civilian? Friend or lover? Average or extraordinary?
Can she make new friends? Can she trust the old ones, such as Logan Sangre, her sexy high school crush and an Earth special operative?
Time and time again, Gwen’s uncanny ability to come up with the best answer in a crisis saves her life and others. And now, her unique Logos voice makes her an extremely valuable commodity to the Atlanteans — so much so that her enigmatic commanding officer Aeson Kassiopei, who is also the Imperial Prince of Atlantis, has taken an increasingly personal interest in her.
Before the end of the journey, Gwen must convince him that she has what it takes to compete in the deadly Games of the Atlantis Grail.
It’s becoming apparent — the life of her family and all of Earth depends on it.
COMPETE is the second book in The Atlantis Grail series.more
Excellent storytelling, edge-of-the-seat plot, a budding impossible romance, and a jaw-dropping surprise ending make this one of my all-time favorites. I read it twice while waiting for the next book in the series, and with the 2000+ books in my TBR file, reading a book twice is something I have never done before.
I LOVE this entire series! I’ve read it three times. I talked it up so much to my family that my teenagers have now read it twice each. I wish I could give zero gravity dancing a try!
You know how I said in my “Qualify” review that Gwen is the type of person who not only thinks outside the box, but will actually burn it to create the ability to fly … yeah.
“You have a choice of being a civilian or (military) cadet”
yeah, not for our girl.
“Citizen.”
And the box burns!
Loved the next installment of the Atlantis Grail.
This second in the series was even better than the first! I couldn’t stop reading it and got caught up in the story.
Just finished “Compete”. Loved it. There was a few pages somewhere in the middle that got a little too technical for me but once I was through with that, the adventure returned! When I bought “Win”, the third book in the series, I thought I loved the “friends” and going along on their adventures so much….. what the hey…..I ordered Book 4 at the same time! That way, no matter what time I finish Book 3, Book 4 will be waiting for me right there in my nook!!! Love, love, love this series!!!
I really like the heroine of this series, whom we get to know in much more detail in this book. She exudes a calmness, peacefulness and stoicism even when life is a struggle, that is unusual, although she is no total pushover either. I look forward to the next book in the series.
A little shorter than the first book, but still too long at 530 pages. However, the storytelling is so exceptional the pages seem to fly by as you read. The romance between the principle characters develops and blossoms in this book in a most satisfying way. The conflict of duty and tradition over love and romance are extremely well developed and reasoned-normally a weakness in most romances. I would’ve liked for the female lead character to take a more active roll in the action sequences and to have done better in the cadet piloting competitions, but the way Nazarian develops these things is very satisfying.
You learn a little more about the fabled Grail Games that Gwen is determined to compete in when she arrives on Atlantis, and the old question of why a supposedly evolved and morally superior race of humans (who are all vegans because it’s reprehensible to kill dumb animals for food and look down on hunting for sport) can revel in such violent games where the chief aim appears to be to kill off the competition in the most violent and gruesome manner. And the question goes unanswered.
There’s not any weak link in this series–every book is excellent on it own merits–but this one is transitional in nature, covering the journey from Earth to Atlantis. However, Nazarian throws enough excitement into the story to keep it moving and engaging, and reveals more of the lead character’s stunning qualities.
Excellent book, also highly recommended. Goes on my short list of favorites.
“Compete” is the second book in “The Atlantis Grail” series.
Gwen Lark, her sister Gracie and brother Gordon are assigned to starships which will take a year to reach the planet Atlantis from Earth, which will be destroyed by an asteroid in just over a year.
Gwen is assigned to the Imperial Starship helmed by her new boss, Aeson Kassiopeia, the Crown Prince of Atlantis.
The majority of the book is set on the starship. As the trip progresses Earth teenagers are learning the language and customs of their new home while deciding whether to join the military as a Cadet or stay a civilian and work in a government job or helping other businesses on the planet.
A dance is held each quarter in an anti gravity chamber. Gwen’s performance at the Red Dance could be the best scene in the series.
“Compete” is full of action, romance and life lessons for everyone.
“Qualify” is the beginning of the series, “Win” follows “Compete” and the newest will be out late this year or early 2020, “Survive.”
I’ve read all three books in this series, Qualify (book 1) Compete (Book 2) and Win (Book 3). All books at great!!! Qualify is or was free on Amazon. I would recommend getting that first as it will help you understand the story, although it is not necessary. I am anxiously awaiting the last book in the series, Survive. These are excellent books!!!
Great follow up from the first book! Very easy to read and hard to put down. Will definitely be reading the third book!
Good story
Loved this book! What a great continuation
Waiting for the next book ! #4
Vera Nazarian does it again! This second book in the series is as good – and in some ways even better – than the first. Nearly all the characters I grew to know and love are back, with only one exception whom I will not name because I don’t like to do spoilers. All the Qualified teens leave Earth, and the entire story except the last 2 chapters takes place on the year-long journey from Earth to Atlantis. Interesting new characters are introduced – some likable, some not-so-much – relationships deepen and grow – and in some cases die – and there are several BIG surprises that I *never* saw coming! That’s the measure of an exceptional book – that the author can continue to surprise me, entertain me, move me, make me laugh and cry and leave me wanting more. “Compete” did all of that and more. If you have not yet read “Qualify” (the first book in the series), run right out (or log on) and GET IT! I was going to say “buy it”, but Ms. Nazarian has generously gifted us with the first book in the series (if you get it in e-book format) – it’s still FREE, so all it costs to try it is a little of your time, and I believe you will be hooked! You won’t regret it.
The whole series was just great in dimension, scope , and excitement.
When I find a story that not only holds my attention during reading but which I look forward to going back to night after night , I know I have found a winner as the story line enfolds like a movie in my head and the characters make or allow me to visualize them , it’s a pleasure of excitement for me and a testament to the author.
Soooo well constructed! The second book in this series is my favorite. Gwen’s skills grow exponentially. Her slowly developing relationship with the Prince is a delight to read. Vera is such a talented wordsmith it made each of the 3 available books in the Atlantis Grail series a delight to read.
I am so waiting for the next book of this series. It is so entertaining and would make a wonderful series of movies! The heroine is realistic, not the most beautiful or talented, an awkward teenager who discovers she has talents she didn’t know about. This is kind of a Hunger Games meets Divergent meets Star Wars. It is so well written and entertaining that you can’t put it down and you are left wanting more. I’m not a sci-fi buff but this has turned me into one for Vera’s writings!
This is the second book of the Atlantis Grail series and it moves as quickly and continues with its many fleshed out characters as the first, although they are on a different planet. This is a great love story set in a new world with political undercurrents, intrigue, human foibles, good and evil. Being tone deaf is a real hindrance.
VERY hard to put down.