Status
Available
Collection
Publication
Vision (2011), 368 pages
Description
Animosity between the genetically engineered Elites and their human subjects is fierce, and many rebels fight back against Elite rule. Hays Baker is a high-ranking agent in the Elite forces and at the forefront of keeping the humans under control. However, Hays is unknowingly hiding a secret that will make him the greatest threat to the Elite regime, and their number one target.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Richard3432
A very bad book! This is my first bad that he came out with that i hated. It a book set in the future and it reminds me of his young adult books. I could not finish it all. I am more of a mystery fan not make believe.
LibraryThing member murphy430
This seemed alittle different to me from the usual Patterson books, he went into the scifi area. Enjoyed it and kept my interest to see how it would end.
LibraryThing member bdouglas97
a little too scifi for my likings and I thought the ending was hurried and several things left unexplained or finished (dolls)
LibraryThing member deliawl
Don't let the author's name fool you. Obviously, Patterson didn't write this one. It's really bad.
LibraryThing member MadMooseMama
Toys is a mystery thriller set in the future when being human is an abomination and the Elites rule the world.
Hays Baker is an elite. Being elite meant you had super powers, super strength, great looks and all the toys you could need to make your life easier. Hays, and his wife, Lisbeth, are
After successfully handling an important mission, Hays is on the rise when President Jacklin hints of bigger things for Hays and his wife, before the end of the evening's celebrations however, Hays' life is about to turn upside-down. All he thought he knew has turned out to be a lie and he finds himself on the run from all he has ever known or loved.
After chasing down a group of skunks who beheaded several executive of the Toys Corporation, Hays is almost killed and when he awakes, he finds himself under arrest. Escaping the Agency of Change operatives, Hays hides himself in the human zone and there his eyes begin to open and he sees that skunks are not what he was taught in school. After living with them for some time he comes to appreciate their creativity and intelligence. Torn between two worlds, Hays must make a choice...help to eradicate the human skunks or expose the Elites plan to wipe them off the face of the earth once and for all.
I liked the plot, it was different and unique. The Jessica and Jacob dolls really sounded creepy and the simStims would be quite dangerous to experiment with but what a time folks could have with such a toy. I didn't like the short chapters, I read fast and it felt like I was always turning pages but for most, I'm sure it wouldn't be a bother. I found a few of the time lines missed their flow, like when they were headed to Canada and ended up in Russia...I had to re-read that passage a few times because the author seemed to slide right past that and it made the flow confusing. There were a few neat twists and turns throughout the plot, however, I was able to predict the ending. All in all, it was a quick and enjoyable read with minor to moderate expletives and violence.
Hays Baker is an elite. Being elite meant you had super powers, super strength, great looks and all the toys you could need to make your life easier. Hays, and his wife, Lisbeth, are
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operatives for the Agency of Change. Their job is to hunt down human beings a.k.a. skunks who cause a threat to their world. After successfully handling an important mission, Hays is on the rise when President Jacklin hints of bigger things for Hays and his wife, before the end of the evening's celebrations however, Hays' life is about to turn upside-down. All he thought he knew has turned out to be a lie and he finds himself on the run from all he has ever known or loved.
After chasing down a group of skunks who beheaded several executive of the Toys Corporation, Hays is almost killed and when he awakes, he finds himself under arrest. Escaping the Agency of Change operatives, Hays hides himself in the human zone and there his eyes begin to open and he sees that skunks are not what he was taught in school. After living with them for some time he comes to appreciate their creativity and intelligence. Torn between two worlds, Hays must make a choice...help to eradicate the human skunks or expose the Elites plan to wipe them off the face of the earth once and for all.
I liked the plot, it was different and unique. The Jessica and Jacob dolls really sounded creepy and the simStims would be quite dangerous to experiment with but what a time folks could have with such a toy. I didn't like the short chapters, I read fast and it felt like I was always turning pages but for most, I'm sure it wouldn't be a bother. I found a few of the time lines missed their flow, like when they were headed to Canada and ended up in Russia...I had to re-read that passage a few times because the author seemed to slide right past that and it made the flow confusing. There were a few neat twists and turns throughout the plot, however, I was able to predict the ending. All in all, it was a quick and enjoyable read with minor to moderate expletives and violence.
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LibraryThing member TomWheaton
This was a complete departure for Patterson. I wonder if the idea came from the co-author. I did enjoy it as I used to read alot of science fiction. I wonder if the next book with this co-author will carry on the futuristic story line?
LibraryThing member Nebraska_Girl1971
It is a action-filled book about the future but just not a typical James Patterson book that I have come to enjoy.
LibraryThing member KimSmyth
My least favorite of all the Patterson and co. books. Science-fiction oriented story fell flat for me.
LibraryThing member maureen61
Since his first book, I have been a James Patterson fan. TOYS is a shameful addition to his writing legacy. A science fiction, sophomoric, comic book content story of humans verses elites who try to eliminate our race as we know it in the latter half of the 20th century, this story isn't work the
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paper it is written on. Pathetic. Show Less
LibraryThing member booboobad
did NOT like this one, to weird for me
LibraryThing member bohemiangirl35
This is probably the worst James Patterson novel I've ever read/listened to besides Season of the Machete, which I couldn't finish.
Hays and Lizbeth Baker are beautiful, intelligent, and strong to the extreme. They are the Elite, mostly human, but with a little something extra. They adore their
Toys makes some serious leaps in logic. The dialogue is stilted and odd. Hays Baker's emotions and thought processes are all over the place, but he always makes time for sexual fantasies. Most of the women in the book, with the exception of Hays' mother, are objects of his fantasies. Women, despite their intelligence or status, use sex for everything - to distract a guard, to test Hays' allegiance, to fool Hays into thinking he is dreaming... The first time they have a conversation, Lucy, his "almost" sister, strips off her clothes down to her underwear before racing him to see who is fastest. The leader of the French resistance greets him for the first time as she bathes in her car and asks Hays to dry her back.
If Patterson is trying to portray the future society as relegating women to a lesser role, I would think that women in leadership positions for the opposition would not behave that way. Also, some women in the elite society are sex objects but still have additional roles. Hays' wife, uniquely beautiful among the beautiful people, is an operative in the Agency of Change, and although she is sexually harassed, she acts like it's normal and okay.
The book completely ignores some blatant questions in order to make the plot work. I kept wondering why Lizbeth knew about and participated in agency plans and Hays didn't, even though he was the top operative and worked with the same people.
Hays himself described this book well..."the tragedy, the outrage..."
Hays and Lizbeth Baker are beautiful, intelligent, and strong to the extreme. They are the Elite, mostly human, but with a little something extra. They adore their
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daughters and love their work at the Agency of Change where Hays is the top operative. As long as those skunk humans know their place and stay in their own part of town, life is perfect.Toys makes some serious leaps in logic. The dialogue is stilted and odd. Hays Baker's emotions and thought processes are all over the place, but he always makes time for sexual fantasies. Most of the women in the book, with the exception of Hays' mother, are objects of his fantasies. Women, despite their intelligence or status, use sex for everything - to distract a guard, to test Hays' allegiance, to fool Hays into thinking he is dreaming... The first time they have a conversation, Lucy, his "almost" sister, strips off her clothes down to her underwear before racing him to see who is fastest. The leader of the French resistance greets him for the first time as she bathes in her car and asks Hays to dry her back.
If Patterson is trying to portray the future society as relegating women to a lesser role, I would think that women in leadership positions for the opposition would not behave that way. Also, some women in the elite society are sex objects but still have additional roles. Hays' wife, uniquely beautiful among the beautiful people, is an operative in the Agency of Change, and although she is sexually harassed, she acts like it's normal and okay.
The book completely ignores some blatant questions in order to make the plot work. I kept wondering why Lizbeth knew about and participated in agency plans and Hays didn't, even though he was the top operative and worked with the same people.
Hays himself described this book well..."the tragedy, the outrage..."
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LibraryThing member gmillar
Neither fish nor foul, this story is not a spoof but it lacks any kind of believability.
LibraryThing member SonicQuack
Toys is a science fiction novel aimed at adults. Patterson's previous sci-fi entries have been mismatched affairs, not offering enough science to create credible worlds for the adults, yet retaining the adult nastiness from his crime books to suggest that they not be read by younger audiences. Toys
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falls in to the same trap and unfortunately the usual Patterson breakneck speed just heightens the disappointment. Usually the pace makes his work exciting, here it makes the story seem shallow, the characters unconvincing and the continent bounding plot inconceivable. Toys has a few glimmers of the usual Patterson, yet overall this doesn't feel like his work and as an attempt to make a Daniel X book for adults if doesn't work. The great news is that it is short a read and despite it's myriad of flaws remains compulsive reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member DavidLErickson
This is one of the best, if not the best Patterson novel I've read. The story (though I see shades of Maximum Ride flying kids here) is unique and thoroughly entertaining.
I picked up early on that the toys would be a huge factor (ignoring for the moment the obvious title) in the coming apocalypse,
No details are needed here. If you are a James Patterson reader, you'll enjoy this book.
I picked up early on that the toys would be a huge factor (ignoring for the moment the obvious title) in the coming apocalypse,
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but the path taken to get there was well worth the read.No details are needed here. If you are a James Patterson reader, you'll enjoy this book.
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LibraryThing member patrick631
This book wasn't the typical James Patterson books. This was more of a science fiction book. I am not much into sci-fi, but I wanted to finish it since it was James Patterson.
LibraryThing member ZachMontana
Change from the normal James Patterson story. Depicts a future in 2061 where super enhanced "Elites" rule the world and are trying to exterminate the human race. Well conceived story with good ideas of what a future world could look like.
LibraryThing member buffalogr
Another quick Patterson sci-fi novel...this one atypical, depicting a possible world in 2061. While enjoyable, it was somewhat choppy in delivery. I almost put it away for awhile to see if it would get better...plodded on and finished.
LibraryThing member Nataliec7
** spoiler alert ** Well this isn't a book I expected from Patterson. It is written with another author, Neil McMahon. Its about a world with Elites. These Elites have super-human strength, are superbly intelligent and are gorgeous. Oh Yeah, and they hate humans. Their idea of a perfect worls is
Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth are such Elites and work for the agency of change. They have a great life and 2 beautiful children who were conceived in a lab over the course of 2 years, the Elite way obviously.
Hays is a top agent for the agency of change and has been recognised and praised by the president as a national hero. One night on the way home from a function, Hays and Lizbeth are atacked by skunks. Hays lets one of them get away - shes a woman. Then although its his night off he gets called to a massacre of eleven executives of Toys inc and no one saw a thing. Hays then starts lookingfor the people who have done this, finds them but becomes seriously injured. At the hospital, just before Hays loses conciousness, the doctors find an unbilicus. Hays is Human! From this point on, Hays is the enemy.
From this point on, the book is preety action packed. Lots of twists and turns, new character. Hays finding out about his life, parents etc. Its wasn't what i was expecting but I enjoyed it lots. It's a well writtne book and you have to use your imagination a little but the storyline is well pulled off.
Thanks Patterson, I enjoyed this.
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one with out humans, or as they are affectionately known in this book - Skunks!Hays Baker and his wife Lizbeth are such Elites and work for the agency of change. They have a great life and 2 beautiful children who were conceived in a lab over the course of 2 years, the Elite way obviously.
Hays is a top agent for the agency of change and has been recognised and praised by the president as a national hero. One night on the way home from a function, Hays and Lizbeth are atacked by skunks. Hays lets one of them get away - shes a woman. Then although its his night off he gets called to a massacre of eleven executives of Toys inc and no one saw a thing. Hays then starts lookingfor the people who have done this, finds them but becomes seriously injured. At the hospital, just before Hays loses conciousness, the doctors find an unbilicus. Hays is Human! From this point on, Hays is the enemy.
From this point on, the book is preety action packed. Lots of twists and turns, new character. Hays finding out about his life, parents etc. Its wasn't what i was expecting but I enjoyed it lots. It's a well writtne book and you have to use your imagination a little but the storyline is well pulled off.
Thanks Patterson, I enjoyed this.
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LibraryThing member Tony2704
Totally unexpected, not a lover of futuristic books as a rule but here maintains the suspense in his normal manner. Really good read
LibraryThing member NewLiz
I have to say this could have been a good story. Regrettably it became bogged down by ridiculous situations and relationships. Written simply, it is seemingly geared more for teens than adults. With a very predictable conclusion I finally set it down relieved to have come to the end and hoping no
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sequel will be attempted. Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So I wanted a nice trashy spy novel and thought I would give this a try. I've read Patterson before and while it's not my favorite everyone once in a while it's okay. This was not okay.
This wasn't a straight up spy novel. It was a dystopia/scifi thing that took place in the future, where humans
Hays moves on regarding not being Elite way to quickly considering how much hatred he had for humans. Too many feelings, plot portions, and actions are left unexplored. I kept wanting to put it down b/c it just wasn't very good but honestly I did kind of want to see where it was going. I wish I hadn't. This foray into popular mass market stuff was not exactly successful.
This wasn't a straight up spy novel. It was a dystopia/scifi thing that took place in the future, where humans
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created elites a tougher/smarter/more logical human and now the Elites keep trying to get rid of all the humans. Hays has lived his entire life as an Elite and suddenly find out he isn't one. He's on the run and finds out about many betrayals in his life. Hays moves on regarding not being Elite way to quickly considering how much hatred he had for humans. Too many feelings, plot portions, and actions are left unexplored. I kept wanting to put it down b/c it just wasn't very good but honestly I did kind of want to see where it was going. I wish I hadn't. This foray into popular mass market stuff was not exactly successful.
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LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So I wanted a nice trashy spy novel and thought I would give this a try. I've read Patterson before and while it's not my favorite everyone once in a while it's okay. This was not okay.
This wasn't a straight up spy novel. It was a dystopia/scifi thing that took place in the future, where humans
Hays moves on regarding not being Elite way to quickly considering how much hatred he had for humans. Too many feelings, plot portions, and actions are left unexplored. I kept wanting to put it down b/c it just wasn't very good but honestly I did kind of want to see where it was going. I wish I hadn't. This foray into popular mass market stuff was not exactly successful.
This wasn't a straight up spy novel. It was a dystopia/scifi thing that took place in the future, where humans
Show More
created elites a tougher/smarter/more logical human and now the Elites keep trying to get rid of all the humans. Hays has lived his entire life as an Elite and suddenly find out he isn't one. He's on the run and finds out about many betrayals in his life. Hays moves on regarding not being Elite way to quickly considering how much hatred he had for humans. Too many feelings, plot portions, and actions are left unexplored. I kept wanting to put it down b/c it just wasn't very good but honestly I did kind of want to see where it was going. I wish I hadn't. This foray into popular mass market stuff was not exactly successful.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So I wanted a nice trashy spy novel and thought I would give this a try. I've read Patterson before and while it's not my favorite everyone once in a while it's okay. This was not okay.
This wasn't a straight up spy novel. It was a dystopia/scifi thing that took place in the future, where humans
Hays moves on regarding not being Elite way to quickly considering how much hatred he had for humans. Too many feelings, plot portions, and actions are left unexplored. I kept wanting to put it down b/c it just wasn't very good but honestly I did kind of want to see where it was going. I wish I hadn't. This foray into popular mass market stuff was not exactly successful.
This wasn't a straight up spy novel. It was a dystopia/scifi thing that took place in the future, where humans
Show More
created elites a tougher/smarter/more logical human and now the Elites keep trying to get rid of all the humans. Hays has lived his entire life as an Elite and suddenly find out he isn't one. He's on the run and finds out about many betrayals in his life. Hays moves on regarding not being Elite way to quickly considering how much hatred he had for humans. Too many feelings, plot portions, and actions are left unexplored. I kept wanting to put it down b/c it just wasn't very good but honestly I did kind of want to see where it was going. I wish I hadn't. This foray into popular mass market stuff was not exactly successful.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Rosa.Mill
So I wanted a nice trashy spy novel and thought I would give this a try. I've read Patterson before and while it's not my favorite everyone once in a while it's okay. This was not okay.
This wasn't a straight up spy novel. It was a dystopia/scifi thing that took place in the future, where humans
Hays moves on regarding not being Elite way to quickly considering how much hatred he had for humans. Too many feelings, plot portions, and actions are left unexplored. I kept wanting to put it down b/c it just wasn't very good but honestly I did kind of want to see where it was going. I wish I hadn't. This foray into popular mass market stuff was not exactly successful.
This wasn't a straight up spy novel. It was a dystopia/scifi thing that took place in the future, where humans
Show More
created elites a tougher/smarter/more logical human and now the Elites keep trying to get rid of all the humans. Hays has lived his entire life as an Elite and suddenly find out he isn't one. He's on the run and finds out about many betrayals in his life. Hays moves on regarding not being Elite way to quickly considering how much hatred he had for humans. Too many feelings, plot portions, and actions are left unexplored. I kept wanting to put it down b/c it just wasn't very good but honestly I did kind of want to see where it was going. I wish I hadn't. This foray into popular mass market stuff was not exactly successful.
Show Less
LibraryThing member rolyat
written as well as any james patterson book, but not his usual believable story line. i usually cannot put a james patterson book down till i have finished it. i did not feel that way about this one. i found it a chore to get thru.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2011-03-11
Physical description
7.5 inches
ISBN
0446571741 / 9780446571746