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rebecca_gonzalez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I went into this not knowing what to expect, and I’ve been blown away. Currently trying to refrain from getting the next two because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!! Kiva and Jaren make my heart happy. Sure, some things could have been better, and I still have some questions about logistics of how people get thrown in the prison, but I was entertained, devoured the book, and 10/10 enjoyed the ride
klaudiao's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Drug use
ashaneran's review against another edition
3.75
Wow. The last 1/3 really makes up for the first 2/3. The twists and reveals were predictable, but the last one.... When the rebel queen was first brought to the prison, Kiva's reaction immediately made me go "Oh, that's her mother". But then she never said it was, and I forgot about it. Then THE LAST MINUTE of the book: "'Mother is dead-'" pause. Wait, what? Why does she think her mother is de- OH MY GOD WHAT THE FUCK . The romance was boring, which is fine because I care much more about the plot here (though the trials... I expected more? They were hyped up to be these impossible action-y challenges, but felt more like physical riddles if that makes any sense). But I would have appreciated less "Oooooh muscle boy- I'm not blushing!!" when they first meet, and more of a gradual realization of attraction as trust was built.
I never love stories that take place in one spot, so this makes me hopeful that the next books in the series are even better. I think this is a great and appropriate YA recommendation for teens.
I never love stories that take place in one spot, so this makes me hopeful that the next books in the series are even better. I think this is a great and appropriate YA recommendation for teens.
mccarthygirl25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
5.0
“So you’re right, you don’t need me fighting your battles.” He moved a step closer, his tone husky as he finished, “But . . . if you’ll let me, I’d like to be standing beside you as you fight them.”
AHHH I am hooked this was so good and full of so many surprises. I’m so excited to read the next one! I love all the main characters. Not one negative thing to say.
AHHH I am hooked this was so good and full of so many surprises. I’m so excited to read the next one! I love all the main characters. Not one negative thing to say.
astellarjay's review against another edition
just not interested in reading it right now, may come back to it.
ravelee's review against another edition
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
beckybe14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nakamotas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
zeeydee's review against another edition
5.0
I feel betrayed... Here it proves that a book can be interesting, even if it is all taking place at a single location the whole time (prison grounds). The characters are easy to love but I felt disconnected from Kiva the whole time. I thought it is because it's not first person, so it's normal that I am not that aware of her feeling/thoughts/motivations... But God, the last chapter made it clear why she was written like this... again...I feel betrayed.
The plots are easy to predict, but they still come out of the blue and shock you because they make no sense. So you kind of convince yourself that the twist you think would come won't happen, as too many things are against it. Wrong.
It is still 5 stars, as I have faith that there will be an explanation in the next books to clear this nonsense. If there won't be, it will drop to 4 stars. The atmosphere, the characters, the idea, the spacing are all contributing to that.
One more thing: At some points the author kind of forgot that it's a prison, not a slave camp, so dropped sentences like: "But it was hard, acknowledging that the guard wasn't forced to remain down here all day, when people like Jaren had no choice." ...Duh... Are we expecting the guards to hold the hands of the criminals and do the same work helping them? ...This happened very often and throw me off a bit.
The plots are easy to predict, but they still come out of the blue and shock you because they make no sense. So you kind of convince yourself that the twist you think would come won't happen, as too many things are against it. Wrong.
It is still 5 stars, as I have faith that there will be an explanation in the next books to clear this nonsense. If there won't be, it will drop to 4 stars. The atmosphere, the characters, the idea, the spacing are all contributing to that.
One more thing: At some points the author kind of forgot that it's a prison, not a slave camp, so dropped sentences like: "But it was hard, acknowledging that the guard wasn't forced to remain down here all day, when people like Jaren had no choice." ...Duh... Are we expecting the guards to hold the hands of the criminals and do the same work helping them? ...This happened very often and throw me off a bit.