Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I love when I get excited to write a book review:
At the beginning of this book, I was highly disappointed. I was frustrated with the unoriginality of the plot: it was a direct mix of the selection books and the hunger games. Zea seemed immature and impulsive, without any intelligence or wisdom to combat those qualities. I was also frustrated with her infatuation with Ryce. I put this book on the back burner because I wasn’t sure if I would continue reading it.
However, about a third of the way into the book, things started to turn around. I met some more characters, who at first seemed dry and one-dimensional, but as the book progressed they got increasingly multidimensional and interesting. My favorite example of this is Berta, because her character did not change at all over the course of the book. That is what made her so interesting. She did not step out of the villain light that she was cast in, even though it seemed like she would “change for the better” in many different scenes. I loved that Zea’s perspective of Ryce changed over time, and she realized that he wasn’t as amazing as she had originally thought. The only character I couldn’t really appreciate was the prince. His name, Kevon, gets on my nerves a little bit (although I think that is a personal problem), and he didnt seem to develop at all over the course of the story. He stayed the exact same. I am curious to see if this changes over the next two books.
At the end of the book, it seemed like all of the plot, character growth, and badass action scenes were happening at once. I think Castel could have done a better job spreading out the character development and plot throughout the whole book, which would have kept my interest but also would have made the plot much less confusing and easier to follow. The motives of characters and explanations behind sudden plot twists were usually murky and unclear.
I was very excited to write this review because my opinion of the book shifted so much while reading it. I started out thinking it was mediocre, and then I shifted to not even wanting to finish the book, and then I devoured the rest of the book and couldn’t get enough of the story. I will definitely read the sequel, although I am curious to see whether my opinion will regress again or stay in this zone of positivity and approval.
At the beginning of this book, I was highly disappointed. I was frustrated with the unoriginality of the plot: it was a direct mix of the selection books and the hunger games. Zea seemed immature and impulsive, without any intelligence or wisdom to combat those qualities. I was also frustrated with her infatuation with Ryce. I put this book on the back burner because I wasn’t sure if I would continue reading it.
However, about a third of the way into the book, things started to turn around. I met some more characters, who at first seemed dry and one-dimensional, but as the book progressed they got increasingly multidimensional and interesting. My favorite example of this is Berta, because her character did not change at all over the course of the book. That is what made her so interesting. She did not step out of the villain light that she was cast in, even though it seemed like she would “change for the better” in many different scenes. I loved that Zea’s perspective of Ryce changed over time, and she realized that he wasn’t as amazing as she had originally thought. The only character I couldn’t really appreciate was the prince. His name, Kevon, gets on my nerves a little bit (although I think that is a personal problem), and he didnt seem to develop at all over the course of the story. He stayed the exact same. I am curious to see if this changes over the next two books.
At the end of the book, it seemed like all of the plot, character growth, and badass action scenes were happening at once. I think Castel could have done a better job spreading out the character development and plot throughout the whole book, which would have kept my interest but also would have made the plot much less confusing and easier to follow. The motives of characters and explanations behind sudden plot twists were usually murky and unclear.
I was very excited to write this review because my opinion of the book shifted so much while reading it. I started out thinking it was mediocre, and then I shifted to not even wanting to finish the book, and then I devoured the rest of the book and couldn’t get enough of the story. I will definitely read the sequel, although I am curious to see whether my opinion will regress again or stay in this zone of positivity and approval.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Writing became too cringy, felt like middle school stuff
dark
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Cross between hunger games and the selection. Felt like the plot just had things happen without an internal driving force. The writer just made things happen without a lot of character development. Not my favorite book, but the plot twists and the way it sets itself apart from the selection and hunger games keeps me reading because I’m curious about how the plot will develop, but I’m not connected to the characters.
The overall storyline, the series of plots and the climax were so good but the characters were difficult to connect with, throughout a lot of the book so that’s the only thing, stopping this book from receiving full five stars. The main character is flawed and relatable at times. I loved the plot twists and turns, betrayals and other components that made the overall experience of reading this book, compelling the most! Can’t wait for the second book!
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
A decent attempt at crossing The Selection with the Hunger Games. I found the writer had interesting choices, but did not fully realize their potential. The characters needed more depth and overall more time detailing the world. The exposition was rather flat, but there was always some odd scene I did not see coming. I don't see myself finishing this series.
Great world building, I found myself getting attached to the characters! I could see this being a 5 Star series, and I'm excited to read more.
Zea is relatable as a young girl who wants more for her community while also finding love. The political intrigue is very Hunger Games, and the "princess trials" are much like the Selection but much more entertaining.
Zea is relatable as a young girl who wants more for her community while also finding love. The political intrigue is very Hunger Games, and the "princess trials" are much like the Selection but much more entertaining.
This book infuriated me to no end and I don’t even know if it’s even worthy of one star