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nychta_diamanti's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, Cursing, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Classism, Blood, Bullying, and Confinement
jennanaps's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Grief, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Gun violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Gore, Racism, Toxic friendship, Classism, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Addiction
ashylibrarian's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, Blood, Death, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Murder, Gore, and Classism
Moderate: Sexual content, Body horror, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, and Confinement
kaynova's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Though I deeply enjoyed this book, it would've been five stars if it leaned more into the murder and violence, the symbolism of killing patriarchy, sexism, and classist bigots. It would've been even hotter to see Adina, our protagonist, use both of the brothers in the book, but again, I enjoyed the book for the original premise.
It does start off slow, but the build up is so well done. I love the usage of do not underestimate a woman because of how she presents herself, given the right tools at the right time, she can strike. With that, Joelle does a great job showing how even some of the women characters undermine other women characters and how it bites them in the ass while weaving in camaraderie and how important it is to have someone to support you. Saint and Adina's friendship was a beautiful one, but dare I say it, Esme and Hawthorne's friendship is top tier. It's the "I will sacrifice everything for you" and "I will kill anyone for you", which is toxic and Joelle explores that within every dynamic in the book, but for them its poetic in the way how people view their friendship. Same way with Saint and Adina because most people saw them as friends only because they were people of color, but didn't see that saw each other's strengths and personality and wanted to keep each other safe.
I knew not to trust a white man, so immediately I didn't like Pierce but to see the shift in him, the "I'm good/nice guy" to obviously a terrible boy who wants the world in his fingertips but not the way his family lines did before was magnificent. I also love that Graham (hope I'm spelling it correctly because listened to an audiobook) continued to see his brother in a good light, when in fact, he was as bad as the father (which we will not talk about him, the 3rd, ugh).
This is a great book and pulls you in, but remember to grow into it because of the slow build. Will definitely return for her other works.
Graphic: Murder, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
_taylorisreading's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
on_my_bookshelf's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Bullying, Gun violence, Classism, Gore, Grief, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug use, Gaslighting, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic friendship, Violence, Blood, Confinement, Hate crime, and Death
sahramahtab's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Racism, Classism, Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Confinement, and Toxic relationship
caseythereader's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Gore, Child abuse, Racism, Violence, Blood, Classism, Grief, Murder, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Drug use, Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Gun violence
sarah984's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
The ending felt very silly to me as well
Graphic: Child death, Classism, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Confinement, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism
Minor: Vomit, Toxic relationship, and Animal death
bellebookcorner's review
- 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? Yes
4.25
If you wanted to read something where Hunger Games meet The Selection then I highly recommend picking up this contemporary thriller!
Don’t forget to read the trigger warnings below cause there are some parts that may be sensitive to some readers.
The first few chapters felt slightly confusing and it feels like I’m starting a book from the middle part but eventually there will be an explanation as it goes deeper.
Things started to get a lot more interesting once Adina (the FMC) enter the competition and the other girls were introduced as well.
I really like Adina’s character cause she feels relatable. She’s not a perfect character cause she didn’t make the best decisions at the beginning. But after going through a couple trials and see the true meaning of the competition, she powers through and started to grow into a badass intelligent girl!
I also love the growing friendship Adina and Saint has and I was rooting for them in every trial, at least Adina has one ally she can trust in this barbaric game where loyalty is rare.
As for the romance, I wasn’t rooting Adina with any of the love interests to be honest.
One guy was a psychotic and a narcissists, the other one was just too meek even though he has a good heart. I admire Adina for keeping her head on the game without getting swayed easily.
Overall, this is a fantastic read with great writing style and well developed characters which also comes with a satisfying ending.
The author raises several important topics that occur in the real world and I love the way he conveys these topics really well throughout the story.
I’m really looking forward to read more books from this author in the future!
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Death, murder, violence, racism, cursing, drug use, confinement
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Gun violence, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, and Cursing