Scan barcode
_dyltm23_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
pezzo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
atrailofpages's review against another edition
3.0
I received this ARC from a giveaway I won on Goodreads. Thanks to the publisher for sending me this book!
This is more of a 3.5 star rating for me. I would say I enjoyed it more than the first. Mostly because the kids didn’t bother me as much as the first one. They kind of irritated me in the first book.
It did take an odd and random turn when they get caught and have to fight in a coliseum. I just thought it was out of line of the story, but in the end, it did make sense why the story when the route it did.
The kids definitely grew up in this book. I think they really realized after the end of the first book that this was real, they were stuck, and had to actually start taking things more seriously. They learned to work together, be a team, and help each other get through the situation.
The ending was very fast. I was actually really surprised in the end when it just ended. I thought the point of this book was a build up for the next book for the next battle Cade had to face as contender, but it happened and finished at the end of this book. So, makes me wonder what happens in the next book then
This is more of a 3.5 star rating for me. I would say I enjoyed it more than the first. Mostly because the kids didn’t bother me as much as the first one. They kind of irritated me in the first book.
It did take an odd and random turn when they get caught and have to fight in a coliseum. I just thought it was out of line of the story, but in the end, it did make sense why the story when the route it did.
The kids definitely grew up in this book. I think they really realized after the end of the first book that this was real, they were stuck, and had to actually start taking things more seriously. They learned to work together, be a team, and help each other get through the situation.
The ending was very fast. I was actually really surprised in the end when it just ended. I thought the point of this book was a build up for the next book for the next battle Cade had to face as contender, but it happened and finished at the end of this book. So, makes me wonder what happens in the next book then
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
Trapped on an alien world, Cade and his friends have been waiting for the next round of the life or death Contest to begin. When they leave their safe haven to train for it, their paths diverge wildly...
I'll be honest; I went into this expecting more of what we had in the first book. I'd have been perfectly happy with that! It was good, exciting fun. This one has a completely different type of story line and adds several layers to what's going on, though.
I still think these are a shade below Taran's Summoner books, but only a shade below. This one is more complex than the first, with a lot of things going on on various levels. Taran is able to keep a lot of things going while only following one character, which is very clever.
I was expecting things to stop a couple of chapters before they did, and now I'm really worried about what might happen in the third book! I don't know where things can go from here, but I'm looking forward to finding out.
I'll be honest; I went into this expecting more of what we had in the first book. I'd have been perfectly happy with that! It was good, exciting fun. This one has a completely different type of story line and adds several layers to what's going on, though.
I still think these are a shade below Taran's Summoner books, but only a shade below. This one is more complex than the first, with a lot of things going on on various levels. Taran is able to keep a lot of things going while only following one character, which is very clever.
I was expecting things to stop a couple of chapters before they did, and now I'm really worried about what might happen in the third book! I don't know where things can go from here, but I'm looking forward to finding out.
acolyteofsins's review against another edition
1.0
DNF - Suchhhhhh a slow start. I literally couldn't.
chloelouise_xiv's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
elinaaslaniasl's review against another edition
4.0
Much better than the first book and a really interesting world building as you get more explanations in this book.
johanna_b's review
4.0
It's almost scary how much this book was made for me. There were dragons and pirates and gladiators and a whole load of other stuff that I love but never thought would work together in the same book. However, I was proven wrong. The plot was structured similarly to the first one in that the whole book is basically leading up to an event that lasts only a page or two but this time I didn't mind that as I knew what to expect and really enjoyed all the action leading up to it.
One thing I've found that I really appreciate about this series is that the author, who's a man, does a great job of portraying the females in his books, especially Amber. In the past I've read some books where the female characters written by men are just so cringe. But that wasn't the case here and it helped to make the character dynamics so genuine. I haven't found the time to pick up a lot of sequels lately but I'm really glad I was able to read this one and as soon as I finished reading it I reserved the third book from the library! I'm so glad I discovered this series and can't wait for the finale! Happy Reading :)
One thing I've found that I really appreciate about this series is that the author, who's a man, does a great job of portraying the females in his books, especially Amber. In the past I've read some books where the female characters written by men are just so cringe. But that wasn't the case here and it helped to make the character dynamics so genuine. I haven't found the time to pick up a lot of sequels lately but I'm really glad I was able to read this one and as soon as I finished reading it I reserved the third book from the library! I'm so glad I discovered this series and can't wait for the finale! Happy Reading :)
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is such honest good fun, and we continue on with both the action and adventure we saw in book one. It branches out away from the competition a little, but find another instead!
Sadly I didn’t think that was different enough, but that is often the case with these sorts of trilogies. Look at the hunger games, the extinction trials, the nyxia trilogy. It repeats a similar format to vary the impact on the reader while staying with the overall plot.
In this case it works well but not brilliantly. I did love the gladiatorial element, and getting an insight into other residents of the planet. The adventure was perhaps a little too straight forward from a story telling perspective, it all seemed clear if things were going to go well or poorly for the most part. It is however still fast paced and fun; so you don’t have much time to notice! :)
I’m definitely interested in what Cade and co get up to next, so will be picking up book three as soon as it’s out! 3.5 stars.
This book is such honest good fun, and we continue on with both the action and adventure we saw in book one. It branches out away from the competition a little, but find another instead!
Sadly I didn’t think that was different enough, but that is often the case with these sorts of trilogies. Look at the hunger games, the extinction trials, the nyxia trilogy. It repeats a similar format to vary the impact on the reader while staying with the overall plot.
In this case it works well but not brilliantly. I did love the gladiatorial element, and getting an insight into other residents of the planet. The adventure was perhaps a little too straight forward from a story telling perspective, it all seemed clear if things were going to go well or poorly for the most part. It is however still fast paced and fun; so you don’t have much time to notice! :)
I’m definitely interested in what Cade and co get up to next, so will be picking up book three as soon as it’s out! 3.5 stars.