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roseleebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This was an adventurous read and was a lot of fun while still feeling high stakes at times. It has great representation and I loved the setting.
I did feel that some of the characters were a bit one dimensional but that didn't take away too much from the story and how enjoyable I found the book.
The audiobook format was excellent with narration that added to the story.
Looking forward to the next book!
I did feel that some of the characters were a bit one dimensional but that didn't take away too much from the story and how enjoyable I found the book.
The audiobook format was excellent with narration that added to the story.
Looking forward to the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Child death
Minor: War and Injury/Injury detail
iamcortney's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
3.75
This feels like a YA novel although I don’t think it is. It’s a fun and interesting story, though the main character is a bit of an idiot sometimes. Spent the first half of the book pretty frequently frustrated with his choices and interpretations of what’s happening around him. I was much less annoyed for the second half, so he does turn it around.
Without spoiling the plot, it wasn’t too hard to predict the twists but they were still fun to read. I’m interested enough that I’m gonna read the second book so I know how everything turns out.
Also worth noting is that this book did a good job with LGBTQ+ inclusion and normalization. There was a lot of representation as well as positive and healthy discussions about gender dysphoria and taking time to figure it out.
Overall, a fun read I’d recommend, but nothing that blew my mind or felt overly exceptional.
Without spoiling the plot, it wasn’t too hard to predict the twists but they were still fun to read. I’m interested enough that I’m gonna read the second book so I know how everything turns out.
Also worth noting is that this book did a good job with LGBTQ+ inclusion and normalization. There was a lot of representation as well as positive and healthy discussions about gender dysphoria and taking time to figure it out.
Overall, a fun read I’d recommend, but nothing that blew my mind or felt overly exceptional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Bullying, Xenophobia, Emotional abuse, Cursing, and Murder
Minor: Child death and Death
rubyroses's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.5
Wow this book has definitely left a permanent mark on me !! 🤩
The way Aiden Thomas presented so much diversity in such a nonchalant way filled my heart with joy. It was so nice to see a world where everyone is accepted and no one blinks an eye.
The story itself was fast paced and exciting but occasionally felt rushed. For a land that was describe to be quite big it was a bit unbelievable that it was only a day by boat between the cities. I also wished the trials were more thought out. For a competition that determines the fate of the world and the death of an individual they definitely lacked depth and dare I say imagination.
Luckily the dynamics between Teo & the golds also partaking in the trial was enough to keep me entertained for 405 pages. Overall it was a truly enjoyable book but definitely had a few holes in the plot.
The way Aiden Thomas presented so much diversity in such a nonchalant way filled my heart with joy. It was so nice to see a world where everyone is accepted and no one blinks an eye.
The story itself was fast paced and exciting but occasionally felt rushed. For a land that was describe to be quite big it was a bit unbelievable that it was only a day by boat between the cities. I also wished the trials were more thought out. For a competition that determines the fate of the world and the death of an individual they definitely lacked depth and dare I say imagination.
Luckily the dynamics between Teo & the golds also partaking in the trial was enough to keep me entertained for 405 pages. Overall it was a truly enjoyable book but definitely had a few holes in the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Xenophobia
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child death and War
micheala's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I don't read a ton of YA, so I'm going to make this vibe comparison and we're just going to have to go with it ok?
This book gave me The Hunger Games vibes - mainly in the set up of the competition. In this case, every decade there is a competition for 13-18 year olds, that if you get chosen (and there is no way not to be eligible during those ages) you have to compete, and if you lose you die.
Personally, the competition portion of this book was the least interesting part of it. The characters and world are so rich and well developed that I'm glade we spent more time between trials then in each of the five events.
There was one moment during one of the trials that made me physically uncomfortable, when Teo, the MC, gets magically roofied by another competitor - nothing sexual happens, however it still gave me the major icks.
I did also see most of the ending coming. Because this is only a duology, I'll probably pick up the sequel once it comes out, but I'm also not losing my mind waiting either.
In terms of Adien Thomas' other works, I liked this more than Lost in the Never Woods but less than Cemetery Boys.
This book gave me The Hunger Games vibes - mainly in the set up of the competition. In this case, every decade there is a competition for 13-18 year olds, that if you get chosen (and there is no way not to be eligible during those ages) you have to compete, and if you lose you die.
Personally, the competition portion of this book was the least interesting part of it. The characters and world are so rich and well developed that I'm glade we spent more time between trials then in each of the five events.
There was one moment during one of the trials that made me physically uncomfortable, when Teo, the MC, gets magically roofied by another competitor - nothing sexual happens, however it still gave me the major icks.
I did also see most of the ending coming. Because this is only a duology, I'll probably pick up the sequel once it comes out, but I'm also not losing my mind waiting either.
In terms of Adien Thomas' other works, I liked this more than Lost in the Never Woods but less than Cemetery Boys.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Xenophobia, Confinement, Dysphoria, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
ree_the_owlgirl's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child abuse, Death, Murder, Violence, War, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Classism
Moderate: Abandonment, Dysphoria, Xenophobia, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail
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