Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The first half of this sequel felt really slow to me. I enjoyed getting Carmen’s perspective, but I felt like it didn’t pick up until halfway through, and then I wanted to speed read to find out how everything worked out.
That being said, I love the strong Girl Power themes of this duology and the interspersing of Latinx culture within the fantasy world. This series is worth reading if only for the f/f relationship and the intriguing discussion of males in political power and how they seem to want to build walls (physical and metaphorical) to keep poor folks disenfranchised.
Teacher Thoughts: probably better for high school rather than middle school. I could see male readers not enjoying this much, but I can also see the need for these types of stories.
That being said, I love the strong Girl Power themes of this duology and the interspersing of Latinx culture within the fantasy world. This series is worth reading if only for the f/f relationship and the intriguing discussion of males in political power and how they seem to want to build walls (physical and metaphorical) to keep poor folks disenfranchised.
Teacher Thoughts: probably better for high school rather than middle school. I could see male readers not enjoying this much, but I can also see the need for these types of stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, War, Classism
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
TL;DR: A much darker and deeper sequel that finds love and hope in nasty political circumstances
After finding book 1 underwhelming, this followup completely transformed my view of the duology, making the most of the setting and characters. The switch to Carmen, a slightly messier protagonist, and also to the revolutionaries worked so much better for me than the society stuff from book 1. The romance is compelling and convincing, but balanced well with the very serious (at at points brutal) rebellion themes. It can still be a bit simple (particularly with the villain), but this book has made me far more interested in revisiting the first - dark yet hopeful YA done right.
8/10 in personal rating system
After finding book 1 underwhelming, this followup completely transformed my view of the duology, making the most of the setting and characters. The switch to Carmen, a slightly messier protagonist, and also to the revolutionaries worked so much better for me than the society stuff from book 1. The romance is compelling and convincing, but balanced well with the very serious (at at points brutal) rebellion themes. It can still be a bit simple (particularly with the villain), but this book has made me far more interested in revisiting the first - dark yet hopeful YA done right.
8/10 in personal rating system
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
i loved this book! this story is amazing, so fun and interesting to read although dark and heavy at times, the characters were so loveable and well developed definitely worth the read!
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
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
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I understand why the ending was chosen, and I appreciate the message of hope and revolution… but I was really hoping for more vengeance against one particular character. That’s the only markdown.
The rest? Gorgeous and inspiring and emotionally evocative. Highly recommend.
The rest? Gorgeous and inspiring and emotionally evocative. Highly recommend.
adventurous
challenging
reflective
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:
Complicated
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated