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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
Spannend verhaal, wel vond ik in het midden iets te veel gruwel plaatsvinden. Ben benieuwd naar het laatste deel!
I totally spaced on writing a review when I finished, so remembering what I wanted to say is hard as all get out. Kitty is now in Elsewhere and bizarre things are happening. Quite a few characters die and some big secrets are revealed. Kitty is a little frustrating in this book, but I think a lot of that is the confusion of being in Elsewhere and her reacting to betrayals and deaths.
Great addition to Pawn. It starts right away so make sure you refresh your memory before you start or you'll be lost at first. Can't wait until the next book in the series but I know I'm going to have to wait a long time. Definitely recommend this book.
“The only thing that really matters in the end is how we choose to live.”
"no matter how badly I wanted it all to end, life didn’t work that way."
"no matter how badly I wanted it all to end, life didn’t work that way."
Book 2 of the series. I only just realized that this was the second book of the series, but I must say that it didn't hinder me much to jump in medias res. Now that I know, it does clear up the minor confusion I felt in the early chapters. I'm leaning more toward less stars, but I'd guess that's more to do with my need to take a break from dystopias than any serious flaws.
Lila Hart/Kitty Doe is still tasked with impersonating the Prime Minister's niece. The Prime Minister is ruthless and power hungry, controlling the United Staes with a heavy hand. Everyone gets a chance to test for their abilities, but once you've tested, your rank determines your position and job in society. There's no upward mobility so it's little better than a caste system. Those at the bottom have a hard, miserable and, usually, short life. The Blackcoats have revolution in mind but their plans keep getting foiled. Lila is the voice of the revolution, urging people to join the rebels by night, while posing as a dutiful public servant by day. Lila/Kitty is tired of being at the beck and call of the Hart family and wants only to live life in a cabin on a lake where she can loll around and gaze at Benjy for eternity. Why she thinks that's an actual option is unclear. And why she is central to the Prime Minister's success is unclear to me, but that must have been covered in book one. When Lila takes a pouty stand and refuses to cooperate, her usefulness to the PM seems to come to an abrupt end. Benjy is shot and she is carted off to Elsewhere, a place from which there is no return. Lila/Kitty wars with herself in an epic tug of war, live or die? Fight or give up?
I'm thoroughly tired of whiny, selfish, petulant, headstrong female protagonists who agonize and moodily wax prosaic over every decision that seem to be populating the genre of late. A little whine, a few tears, and foot stamping, maybe. Who's perfect, after all, especially when tasked with saving the world and restoring mankind's faith in humanity? But a little goes a long way! Kitty/Lila is unlikeable. It's her way or no way, despite the fact that she operates mainly on emotion and, since she can't read, we can't actually be sure that she is clever enough to have figured things out on her own and has come up with a plan. In fact the evidence points to the contrary time after time. She's not clever and no one trusts her enough to give her all the information. She pretty much sabotages everyone around her with her stupidity and careless disregard for consequences. The other characters, secondary and tertiary are very flat, one dimensional, especially Benjy and Knox. This could be because I missed their character development in book one. And though they profess to love her and want to protect her, I don't feel it as much as I'm told it. Knox is set up for a love triangle in a typical "I hate you so much I probably really love you" scenario, but little heat is generated and by the end you realize it's probably all in Kitty/Lila's imagination. Knox, Hannah, and Scotia may be the most interesting characters in the story, but they are given short shrift. The bottom line is that Lila/Kitty is not central to the plot either as she is so obsequious as to be interchangeable, a sad fate for the main character. The story is a mashup of several dystopias that feels unoriginal and predictable.
Lila Hart/Kitty Doe is still tasked with impersonating the Prime Minister's niece. The Prime Minister is ruthless and power hungry, controlling the United Staes with a heavy hand. Everyone gets a chance to test for their abilities, but once you've tested, your rank determines your position and job in society. There's no upward mobility so it's little better than a caste system. Those at the bottom have a hard, miserable and, usually, short life. The Blackcoats have revolution in mind but their plans keep getting foiled. Lila is the voice of the revolution, urging people to join the rebels by night, while posing as a dutiful public servant by day. Lila/Kitty is tired of being at the beck and call of the Hart family and wants only to live life in a cabin on a lake where she can loll around and gaze at Benjy for eternity. Why she thinks that's an actual option is unclear. And why she is central to the Prime Minister's success is unclear to me, but that must have been covered in book one. When Lila takes a pouty stand and refuses to cooperate, her usefulness to the PM seems to come to an abrupt end. Benjy is shot and she is carted off to Elsewhere, a place from which there is no return. Lila/Kitty wars with herself in an epic tug of war, live or die? Fight or give up?
I'm thoroughly tired of whiny, selfish, petulant, headstrong female protagonists who agonize and moodily wax prosaic over every decision that seem to be populating the genre of late. A little whine, a few tears, and foot stamping, maybe. Who's perfect, after all, especially when tasked with saving the world and restoring mankind's faith in humanity? But a little goes a long way! Kitty/Lila is unlikeable. It's her way or no way, despite the fact that she operates mainly on emotion and, since she can't read, we can't actually be sure that she is clever enough to have figured things out on her own and has come up with a plan. In fact the evidence points to the contrary time after time. She's not clever and no one trusts her enough to give her all the information. She pretty much sabotages everyone around her with her stupidity and careless disregard for consequences. The other characters, secondary and tertiary are very flat, one dimensional, especially Benjy and Knox. This could be because I missed their character development in book one. And though they profess to love her and want to protect her, I don't feel it as much as I'm told it. Knox is set up for a love triangle in a typical "I hate you so much I probably really love you" scenario, but little heat is generated and by the end you realize it's probably all in Kitty/Lila's imagination. Knox, Hannah, and Scotia may be the most interesting characters in the story, but they are given short shrift. The bottom line is that Lila/Kitty is not central to the plot either as she is so obsequious as to be interchangeable, a sad fate for the main character. The story is a mashup of several dystopias that feels unoriginal and predictable.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Book 2 brings to light the messier side of rebellion. It’s not just about overthrowing the government—it’s about the compromises and moral gray areas that come with power. I appreciated that the rebellion in this story wasn’t just a straightforward victory for the underdogs, but a complex web of conflicting interests. While the narration remained solid, the real strength of the book was its willingness to embrace the messiness of societal change and keep you guessing.
Content warnings: mention of sex, death, violence, executions, blood, gore
So admittedly, the first book, interested me but didn't get a whole lot of my attention. But that was because there was more talk than action and I like more action in my dystopian novels.
I'm still not liking that everyone who even gets a description mention is white (seriously POC exist! and I'd believe they would more likely be heading a rebellion rather than white people) and very able bodied (again disabled people exist and I'm sure most of them would be helping a rebellion rather than just not existing even in a place where they supposedly "exist" though given the state of things in Elsewhere they're probably "organ donors")
This series in regards to Elsewhere sounds like Eugenics 101. And that makes me very uncomfortable as a person with quite a few disabilities both mental and physical. For once, I'd like a dystopian author to actually think about and put POC and diabled people working together in a revolution. And stop pretending like we (disabled people) don't exist (and that POC don't exist). Or that we only exist to better the lives of the able bodied.
I REALLY despise Knox. He seemingly switches sides at will (even if it is orders). And I'm starting to despise the "real" Lila (though her current actions at the end of the book may have been coerced though how she was found in hiding...?).
I am looking forward to the third book to come out so I can finish the trilogy but that's the only reason why. Like this isn't a book that I spend hours thinking about so I can take or leave it.
So admittedly, the first book, interested me but didn't get a whole lot of my attention. But that was because there was more talk than action and I like more action in my dystopian novels.
I'm still not liking that everyone who even gets a description mention is white (seriously POC exist! and I'd believe they would more likely be heading a rebellion rather than white people) and very able bodied (again disabled people exist and I'm sure most of them would be helping a rebellion rather than just not existing even in a place where they supposedly "exist" though given the state of things in Elsewhere they're probably "organ donors")
This series in regards to Elsewhere sounds like Eugenics 101. And that makes me very uncomfortable as a person with quite a few disabilities both mental and physical. For once, I'd like a dystopian author to actually think about and put POC and diabled people working together in a revolution. And stop pretending like we (disabled people) don't exist (and that POC don't exist). Or that we only exist to better the lives of the able bodied.
I REALLY despise Knox. He seemingly switches sides at will (even if it is orders). And I'm starting to despise the "real" Lila (though her current actions at the end of the book may have been coerced though how she was found in hiding...?).
I am looking forward to the third book to come out so I can finish the trilogy but that's the only reason why. Like this isn't a book that I spend hours thinking about so I can take or leave it.
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Dark and captivating, Captive is a shocking and hair-raising sequel to the explosive novel Pawn. The only thing I dislike about this novel is the cover, I just find it too simple and sadly does not do the book justice in comparison to the US cover.
Kitty Doe is wearing the face of Lila Hart. A girl who is suppose to be dead, but is not. However, when Kitty becomes agitated with secrets hidden from her concerning The Blackcoat Rebellion, she puts her identity on the line. But when she is thrown into Elsewhere, she must survive amongst those who hate her most whilst trying to help to rebellion.
Kitty Doe is a strong and powerful protagonist. She drives to help those around her, no matter who or what they have done; however, the things I like about her is that she does have a guilty conscience unlike a lot of protagonists. Knox is also an intriguing character, he always has a plan up his sleeve and is never caught out. Though some of his motives are questionable, Knox has the interest of the rebellion at his heart.
The plot of this novel is fast-pace and fascinating, though dark and cruel. The picture Carter paints of Elsewhere is horrifying and shocking. To imagine a place like Elsewhere, where no-one is your friend, where everyone has ulteria motives and are all tell-tales, alongside fearing for your existence with every breath, afraid; it is a place of betrayal and self-defence. Carter's imagery is vivid and realistic, whilst the captives have no idea what is really going on.
The twists and turns this novel took was something I certainly did not expect. It continuously kept you guessing whilst making you heart-wrench with emotion for the characters and captives. Alongside this, the battle was enthralling and perfect. It was a brilliant conclusion to the sequel and I could not have asked for anything more.
A shocking yet fantastic sequel, Captive with have you craving the sequel Queen.
Dark and captivating, Captive is a shocking and hair-raising sequel to the explosive novel Pawn. The only thing I dislike about this novel is the cover, I just find it too simple and sadly does not do the book justice in comparison to the US cover.
Kitty Doe is wearing the face of Lila Hart. A girl who is suppose to be dead, but is not. However, when Kitty becomes agitated with secrets hidden from her concerning The Blackcoat Rebellion, she puts her identity on the line. But when she is thrown into Elsewhere, she must survive amongst those who hate her most whilst trying to help to rebellion.
Kitty Doe is a strong and powerful protagonist. She drives to help those around her, no matter who or what they have done; however, the things I like about her is that she does have a guilty conscience unlike a lot of protagonists. Knox is also an intriguing character, he always has a plan up his sleeve and is never caught out. Though some of his motives are questionable, Knox has the interest of the rebellion at his heart.
The plot of this novel is fast-pace and fascinating, though dark and cruel. The picture Carter paints of Elsewhere is horrifying and shocking. To imagine a place like Elsewhere, where no-one is your friend, where everyone has ulteria motives and are all tell-tales, alongside fearing for your existence with every breath, afraid; it is a place of betrayal and self-defence. Carter's imagery is vivid and realistic, whilst the captives have no idea what is really going on.
The twists and turns this novel took was something I certainly did not expect. It continuously kept you guessing whilst making you heart-wrench with emotion for the characters and captives. Alongside this, the battle was enthralling and perfect. It was a brilliant conclusion to the sequel and I could not have asked for anything more.
A shocking yet fantastic sequel, Captive with have you craving the sequel Queen.
I received this free from the publishers via NetGalley
“The only thing that really matters in the end is how we choose to live.”
Captive is the second book in The Blackcoat Rebellion series, the first being Pawn.
In Captive, Kitty Doe aka Lila Hart has been betrayed, hurt and accused of treason which lands her in Elsewhere. A prison that no one has ever escaped from. She is surrounded by people she doesn't know if she can trust, she doesn't know who is with her or against her. Kitty is part of the rebellion, but is she really ready to do whatever it takes to win?
If you read my review of the first book in this series here you would see that I was pretty positive about it, but I felt the world building could have been a bit better. Unfortunately, I don't think it was much better. There was a different side of the society shown in the Elsewhere, but that was the only development. It was like we can only see the two opposites - the leaders and the prisoners. While I found the Elsewhere interesting and honest and brutal, much more interesting that the setting in the previous book, it still felt short. I can't really put my finger on it, but I do know for sure that I would like to see other parts of society, not just in the palace walls or the prison walls.
If you also read my review on the previous book you can see my admiration for Kitty, and her selfishness. In Captive, she seems like a completely different person, and while she sticks by her decision she made at the end of Pawn, she seems to put the Rebellion in front of Benjy, which is something she never did in the first one. In Pawn she did everything she could to protect Benjy, yet in Captive she didn't really, it seems like he was a little less important to her in this book. Perhaps the author wanted to make room for Knox? Either way, I didn't like this character change in her, especially as it seems to have came about out of nowhere.
While there were many twists and turns, I felt the pacing was a little too fast in the first half of the book. It seemed so rushed and it all happened so fast, especially with the supposed betrayal. Yet the first half also bored me as well, despite being rushed. I must not have been that invested in the book much. However, by the second half, when we see Elsewhere, it gets a lot better, but I feel like the shortcomings of the first half - perhaps I just got bored of the setting - can't really warrant 4 stars from me.
The romance did not really interest me at all. While I like Benjy and Kitty aka Lila, I just don't see the love there, or much of the chemistry. This may be due to the simple fact is that we have never really seen their relationship develop. From Pawn they were together from the beginning and were already in love. I just feel as though the romance was a little bland and flat for me. Also, I think I see a potential love triangle, but thankfully it isn't exactly there, which is a positive.
Overall, if you really loved Pawn then of course, this is a must read.
“The only thing that really matters in the end is how we choose to live.”
Captive is the second book in The Blackcoat Rebellion series, the first being Pawn.
In Captive, Kitty Doe aka Lila Hart has been betrayed, hurt and accused of treason which lands her in Elsewhere. A prison that no one has ever escaped from. She is surrounded by people she doesn't know if she can trust, she doesn't know who is with her or against her. Kitty is part of the rebellion, but is she really ready to do whatever it takes to win?
If you read my review of the first book in this series here you would see that I was pretty positive about it, but I felt the world building could have been a bit better. Unfortunately, I don't think it was much better. There was a different side of the society shown in the Elsewhere, but that was the only development. It was like we can only see the two opposites - the leaders and the prisoners. While I found the Elsewhere interesting and honest and brutal, much more interesting that the setting in the previous book, it still felt short. I can't really put my finger on it, but I do know for sure that I would like to see other parts of society, not just in the palace walls or the prison walls.
If you also read my review on the previous book you can see my admiration for Kitty, and her selfishness. In Captive, she seems like a completely different person, and while she sticks by her decision she made at the end of Pawn, she seems to put the Rebellion in front of Benjy, which is something she never did in the first one. In Pawn she did everything she could to protect Benjy, yet in Captive she didn't really, it seems like he was a little less important to her in this book. Perhaps the author wanted to make room for Knox? Either way, I didn't like this character change in her, especially as it seems to have came about out of nowhere.
While there were many twists and turns, I felt the pacing was a little too fast in the first half of the book. It seemed so rushed and it all happened so fast, especially with the supposed betrayal. Yet the first half also bored me as well, despite being rushed. I must not have been that invested in the book much. However, by the second half, when we see Elsewhere, it gets a lot better, but I feel like the shortcomings of the first half - perhaps I just got bored of the setting - can't really warrant 4 stars from me.
The romance did not really interest me at all. While I like Benjy and Kitty aka Lila, I just don't see the love there, or much of the chemistry. This may be due to the simple fact is that we have never really seen their relationship develop. From Pawn they were together from the beginning and were already in love. I just feel as though the romance was a little bland and flat for me. Also, I think I see a potential love triangle, but thankfully it isn't exactly there, which is a positive.
Overall, if you really loved Pawn then of course, this is a must read.
This was better than the first book. The world building was better. The characters were great. The plot was good. The ending could have used some more work.
The story is about Kitty, who is living life as Lila Hart, betraying Knox and ending up in Elsewhere. Kitty was better in this book. Though she was irritating in the first one, she is different in the second book. Making me like her more. However, she could have made better decisions.
There was some romance in this book. However, it is more of a love triangle. She is pretty naive in the romance aspect as well. The ending to this was okay, could have been more interesting than what we got. I can't wait to find out what happens next! The Queen, here I come. Overall, a great dystopian read.
The story is about Kitty, who is living life as Lila Hart, betraying Knox and ending up in Elsewhere. Kitty was better in this book. Though she was irritating in the first one, she is different in the second book. Making me like her more. However, she could have made better decisions.
There was some romance in this book. However, it is more of a love triangle. She is pretty naive in the romance aspect as well. The ending to this was okay, could have been more interesting than what we got. I can't wait to find out what happens next! The Queen, here I come. Overall, a great dystopian read.