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3.09 AVERAGE
3.09 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the concept is quite interesting, but this was NOT the love story I wanted to read. not so subtle hints & a plot twist around pg 100 kind of turned me off... but I finished it nonetheless.
I really wanted to like this novel. Let me explain, I loved the idea of the Love Interest. The passion and fear of the boys falling in love with each other and risking one another’s death. But it just wasn’t executed that well. The writing died off a lot, and I think I was too mature for a lot of the thoughts the characters had.
What I did like?
1. 1st person perspective from a male’s POV. This is massively rare in YA fantasy (even if it still is based in more reality than fantasy), so that’s a win from me.
2. Openly discussed the fact that men have body dysmorphia & lookism concerns (even though that was botched up by plastic surgery… thanks).
3. LGBTQ+ content that felt real (yay! The only point that saved this novel from 1 star).
Overall, I just expected more I guess.
What I did like?
1. 1st person perspective from a male’s POV. This is massively rare in YA fantasy (even if it still is based in more reality than fantasy), so that’s a win from me.
2. Openly discussed the fact that men have body dysmorphia & lookism concerns (even though that was botched up by plastic surgery… thanks).
3. LGBTQ+ content that felt real (yay! The only point that saved this novel from 1 star).
Overall, I just expected more I guess.
2.5 *
An initially super original, gay spy story that spiralled into one too many cliched action scenes in the last 60 or so pages. Extremely hot and cold dialogue.
Promising author
An initially super original, gay spy story that spiralled into one too many cliched action scenes in the last 60 or so pages. Extremely hot and cold dialogue.
Promising author
adventurous
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:
Yes
What a strange, strange novel. It was meta. It was possibly satire? It was almost a rom-com. It was partially a dystopian novel. It definitely had a lot of promise, and that promise would likely have been realized under a more masterful wordsmith. At the same time, I feel bad for Mr. Dietrich, since I'm pretty sure all the reviews out there are critiquing his skills as opposed to his story.
There were some good moments. The tropes and the commentary on formulaic YA novels was intriguing. And there's nothing quite as satisfying as someone yelling, "I'm the protagonist, f-cker!"
But there were just too many plot holes. It doesn't make sense that the LIC is that powerful. It doesn't make sense that they have the technology to do so much, yet have no other way of controlling their "chosen" few. Why does Juliet even need a love interest if her best friend is already there to fill the LIC in? Why would Caden be selected over someone with history? History is always a plus. And what makes the distinction between the "real, free world" and the slaves stuck as love interests? I don't understand why some people ended up in the position they did.
Also, the dialogue was so, so cringey and awkward. THINK ABOUT HOW REAL PEOPLE TALK. Because these characters sounded so unrealistic, it hurt. Somehow, I had a really tough time getting invested in the actual love story too. And there were a lot of things going on there that just wasn't okay. How did people move on from cheating, lying, etc. so easily?
This book definitely had a lot of unrealized potential. What a shame.
There were some good moments. The tropes and the commentary on formulaic YA novels was intriguing. And there's nothing quite as satisfying as someone yelling, "I'm the protagonist, f-cker!"
But there were just too many plot holes. It doesn't make sense that the LIC is that powerful. It doesn't make sense that they have the technology to do so much, yet have no other way of controlling their "chosen" few. Why does Juliet even need a love interest if her best friend is already there to fill the LIC in? Why would Caden be selected over someone with history? History is always a plus. And what makes the distinction between the "real, free world" and the slaves stuck as love interests? I don't understand why some people ended up in the position they did.
Also, the dialogue was so, so cringey and awkward. THINK ABOUT HOW REAL PEOPLE TALK. Because these characters sounded so unrealistic, it hurt. Somehow, I had a really tough time getting invested in the actual love story too. And there were a lot of things going on there that just wasn't okay. How did people move on from cheating, lying, etc. so easily?
This book definitely had a lot of unrealized potential. What a shame.
The Love Interest is fantastic! I think the concept is original and fantastic, it gave me sort of sci-fi vibes too which was really interesting.
The characters are likeable and somehow relatable even despite their unusual circumstances. I loved Caden and Dyl so much!! Every interaction made me smile and swoon just a little bit more.
I think the author does a fantastic job in providing a fantastical plot that’s filled with relatable characters who you can’t help but care about whilst also featuring a really strong LGBT message, as well as being a strong advocate for self-acceptance.
"I didn't exist to teach her a lesson, and it irks me that she thinks labelling me is okay now. Like, by liking guys I automatically take on that role in her life. That I'm suddenly a supporting character in her story rather than the hero of my own."
I was asked in another post if this story features a love triangle, and without giving too much away, whilst it does feature certain elements of a love triangle, it certainly doesn’t follow the usual stereotypes.
The pace is great, I never once found myself drifting off or getting bored, I was fully invested in the story from the very beginning. The characters are compelling, the ‘antagonists’ are menacing and, in some cases, downright creepy!
The slow burn romance was perfection, it was so sweet (even with the slight confusion towards the end) and features probably my favourite romance trope of all time! It was light-hearted, sweet and so much fun to read.
There were a couple of plot points I was unsure of and have a few questions about, like, why Dyl lied, and why the LIC feel the need to incinerate EVERYONE, but it was nothing major and certainly didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I’d highly recommend this fast-paced, action-packed, diverse YA to anyone looking for a new take on the traditional ‘spy’ storyline. It actually reminded me a little bit of the film ‘This Means War’ (if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it) but with more creepy robots, cool inventions and teenage angst.
If you'd like to read more reviews, take part in giveaways and more, I'd love for you to head over to My Endless Shelf.
The characters are likeable and somehow relatable even despite their unusual circumstances. I loved Caden and Dyl so much!! Every interaction made me smile and swoon just a little bit more.
I think the author does a fantastic job in providing a fantastical plot that’s filled with relatable characters who you can’t help but care about whilst also featuring a really strong LGBT message, as well as being a strong advocate for self-acceptance.
"I didn't exist to teach her a lesson, and it irks me that she thinks labelling me is okay now. Like, by liking guys I automatically take on that role in her life. That I'm suddenly a supporting character in her story rather than the hero of my own."
I was asked in another post if this story features a love triangle, and without giving too much away, whilst it does feature certain elements of a love triangle, it certainly doesn’t follow the usual stereotypes.
The pace is great, I never once found myself drifting off or getting bored, I was fully invested in the story from the very beginning. The characters are compelling, the ‘antagonists’ are menacing and, in some cases, downright creepy!
The slow burn romance was perfection, it was so sweet (even with the slight confusion towards the end) and features probably my favourite romance trope of all time! It was light-hearted, sweet and so much fun to read.
There were a couple of plot points I was unsure of and have a few questions about, like, why Dyl lied, and why the LIC feel the need to incinerate EVERYONE, but it was nothing major and certainly didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Overall, I’d highly recommend this fast-paced, action-packed, diverse YA to anyone looking for a new take on the traditional ‘spy’ storyline. It actually reminded me a little bit of the film ‘This Means War’ (if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it) but with more creepy robots, cool inventions and teenage angst.
If you'd like to read more reviews, take part in giveaways and more, I'd love for you to head over to My Endless Shelf.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No