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nilla_beanie19's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. It was a solid read and I think I will continue with the next book. The author did well misleading me for quite some time. Sometimes the changes in who was narrating me but I think that leans towards a positive since it meant I wanted to hear more of that story arc. I like the message behind the story. I know I am being vague but I don't like to write spoilery reviews.
votesforwomen's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. Nothing particularly bad, just...not great. I predicted all the plot twists, pretty much, and felt nothing for any of the characters...oh well. :P
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I remember when this book came in that I thought "O, this sounds good! I'm really gonna read this soon!". You can already guess what happened, I didn't read it soon. It stayed on my shelf for quite a while. But yesterday Fairyloot announced they were gonna sell a matching book two and I was like "Okay, now I really have to read this!". So, that's what I did.
And from the very first chapter I was sold! I love the writing style of this book. It's easy to read, without coming across as simple. It has a very nice flow and it never gets too detailed, but it's also not too superficial. The pacing of the story is quite nice too. The story starts in the middle of the action and it's a train that never really stands still.
I think that at times the plot was not that original. I saw a lot of things coming and was mostly rooting for the characters to see it too, but the execution of the plot was really well done, so I didn't mind that it didn't hold many surprises for me. While reading the book however I couldn't shake the thought that this was exactly what would have happened if Arya and Sansa in Game of Thrones had been forced to switch places. And I like how it turned out for them!
Because for me the characters were the true stars of the story. I liked how Banghart managed to give them layers and depth, even though the book isn't that long. Every character clearly has their own qualities and flaws. And I can't wait for the second book to get to know them better and to see how they will deal with the new situation. Considering how this book ended, it's gonna be very very interesting!
And from the very first chapter I was sold! I love the writing style of this book. It's easy to read, without coming across as simple. It has a very nice flow and it never gets too detailed, but it's also not too superficial. The pacing of the story is quite nice too. The story starts in the middle of the action and it's a train that never really stands still.
I think that at times the plot was not that original. I saw a lot of things coming and was mostly rooting for the characters to see it too, but the execution of the plot was really well done, so I didn't mind that it didn't hold many surprises for me. While reading the book however I couldn't shake the thought that this was exactly what would have happened if Arya and Sansa in Game of Thrones had been forced to switch places. And I like how it turned out for them!
Because for me the characters were the true stars of the story. I liked how Banghart managed to give them layers and depth, even though the book isn't that long. Every character clearly has their own qualities and flaws. And I can't wait for the second book to get to know them better and to see how they will deal with the new situation. Considering how this book ended, it's gonna be very very interesting!
sylvilel's review against another edition
3.0
From what I'd read about this book, I thought I'd be getting a super-girlish, pretend-epic story about teen love and pathetic losses. And yes, there is a bit of love going on, but mostly it's a story about two sisters desperately trying to survive their new and vulnerable positions in the power games of a patriarcal tyranny.
I actually ended up loving it a little.
I actually ended up loving it a little.
user_906242's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lindih's review against another edition
3.5
I’m going to be honest, it took a while for me to really get into the plot, but by the last ten-ish chapters, it really picked up and grabbed my interest.
Nomi as the younger sister was set up to be very rebellious and defiant. I was excited to see her story when she was thrust into a world of royalty, makeup, and gowns that was polar opposite to her and that she did *not* want to be in. However, her storyline felt like it dragged along. Nothing really seemed to happen, and when it did, it was only for split moments at a time. I was a bit confused with Malachi and Asa because it felt like a love triangle setting up between the two brothers and Nomi, and that was off putting in itself.
I was not too thrilled with Serina when I first met her. I’ll be honest, I thought her storyline was going to be a bit boring and lackluster, but I was so wrong. I enjoyed her story much more than Nomi’s, and I loved seeing her grow and develop individuality at her time in the prison of Mount Ruin. Her budding relationship with Val was adorable. He was so great, and I can’t wait to see them again in book two, and I can’t wait to see Serina strengthen even more so.
The concept of the Graces was strange, almost harem-like, and it was just kind of awkward at moments. Essentially, the Heir picks three pretty girls a year to be his “Graces,” and when he has this whole selection of girls, he picks one to bear his children by the time he becomes the Superior. Having Malachi wander around perfumeries, horse races, balls, lunches, and whatnots with his three Graces felt so weird, like this dude’s the Heir! Shouldn’t he be doing, I don’t know, important Heir business rather than escorting three girls around whose only role is to be pretty and flirt with him? It was just kind of weird in the grand scheme of things.
The plot felt a bit predictable on Nomi’s end, especially with Asa and Malachi and what happens. I did predict some stuff right which I’m happy about, but at the same time, I kind of wanted it to surprise me. This book overall was really cute; it gave me the same vibes as something I would have read in middle or high school, kind of like The Selection series. The ending was insane, though, and I need to know what happens because oh my gosh.
fredrikaan's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition
3.0
Alright, so I have a love hate relationship with this book. My full review will come soon