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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This book is CHEESY. This is a pretty poster YA fantasy, with an easy to follow plot, loveable characters, and plenty of moments where I had to set the book down and stare into the void to fully comprehend some of the “wtf just happened” moments.
AND YES, the plot does move about an inch forward in the grand scheme of things. This was really a deep dive into the relationship between Pae and Kai, and I LOVED IT. We got so much build up and banter in Powerless, that I really enjoyed the change of pace as their relationship ebbed and flowed. I think this is an area that is frequently overlooked and buzzed right by with little thought, in many fantasy series’. I feel like this book gave me a much better understanding of the characters relationship, and I think it is needed for what it seems like the series is building up to. (More on this in the spoiler portion below!)
Most of the time YA is not for me, as it just doesn’t scratch that itch that makes me begging to read more, but Lauren, oh Lauren. The banter and chemistry between these two characters has me kicking my feet and giggling!!!! For me, I know a book is 5 stars when I can remember the plot, no matter the length between books. The second I started reading, I was thrown right back into the world of Ilya. There are so many books in the fantasy realm that have very similar plots and tropes, that I thrilled to find myself remembering even some of the smallest moments from the Powerless. There is something about the way Lauren writes the banter in these books that keeps me hooked as if I was reading an adult fantasy. It’s cheesy, but also, well written?? Some cheesy love stories are difficult to get through because it feels so young and rushed. But Reckless is easy breezy, as it reads so smoothly.
SPOILER ALERT. DON’T READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOK YET. or do, idk. you do you.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Possible theory?:
So as I mentioned above, I think this book gave us an opportunity to really understand the relationship between Kai And Pae, so we can watch their relationship develop and evolve in real (slow) time. BUT I think that was intentional.
AFTER THAT ENDING, in the next book I don’t think we’re going to see Kai and Pae together for a while. I think a lot of the next book will be time with Pae and Kitt, while the story takes some massive leaps into what Kitt’s rule is going to be like, and what this means for the future of the elite/ordinary. So having this book really helps add to the tension as we step away from Kai. I think Pae and Kitt too have a connection, so I would be surprised if this forced proximity doesn’t lead to some drrrrraaammmmaaaa as we watch their relationship develop as well.
Some unhinged questions rattling my brain:
WHO IS THE ENEMY TO LOVER HERE? Could it possibly be Kitt at the end???? Are we going to see some twilight-level love triangle here? (If so I will strongly proclaim myself team Kai till death).
Some of my favorite moments: (in sequential order)
✨“And then she smiles, bright and big like the night sky hanging above us. I fear she could rival the stars.”✨ This came a bit earlier in the book, and it made my heart melt, hearing this from Kai before they’ve really given in to the relationship.
“If she is Shadow, then I am Flame. This girl is the very thing I can’t seem to escape—can’t seem to go anywhere without the remnants of her following. Where I am, she is. Whether it’s in the flesh or in the fragments of my mind. And where there is a flame, there is always a shadow. She is my inevitable.”
AND YES, the plot does move about an inch forward in the grand scheme of things. This was really a deep dive into the relationship between Pae and Kai, and I LOVED IT. We got so much build up and banter in Powerless, that I really enjoyed the change of pace as their relationship ebbed and flowed. I think this is an area that is frequently overlooked and buzzed right by with little thought, in many fantasy series’. I feel like this book gave me a much better understanding of the characters relationship, and I think it is needed for what it seems like the series is building up to. (More on this in the spoiler portion below!)
Most of the time YA is not for me, as it just doesn’t scratch that itch that makes me begging to read more, but Lauren, oh Lauren. The banter and chemistry between these two characters has me kicking my feet and giggling!!!! For me, I know a book is 5 stars when I can remember the plot, no matter the length between books. The second I started reading, I was thrown right back into the world of Ilya. There are so many books in the fantasy realm that have very similar plots and tropes, that I thrilled to find myself remembering even some of the smallest moments from the Powerless. There is something about the way Lauren writes the banter in these books that keeps me hooked as if I was reading an adult fantasy. It’s cheesy, but also, well written?? Some cheesy love stories are difficult to get through because it feels so young and rushed. But Reckless is easy breezy, as it reads so smoothly.
SPOILER ALERT. DON’T READ FURTHER IF YOU HAVEN’T READ THE BOOK YET. or do, idk. you do you.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Possible theory?:
So as I mentioned above, I think this book gave us an opportunity to really understand the relationship between Kai And Pae, so we can watch their relationship develop and evolve in real (slow) time. BUT I think that was intentional.
AFTER THAT ENDING, in the next book I don’t think we’re going to see Kai and Pae together for a while. I think a lot of the next book will be time with Pae and Kitt, while the story takes some massive leaps into what Kitt’s rule is going to be like, and what this means for the future of the elite/ordinary. So having this book really helps add to the tension as we step away from Kai. I think Pae and Kitt too have a connection, so I would be surprised if this forced proximity doesn’t lead to some drrrrraaammmmaaaa as we watch their relationship develop as well.
Some unhinged questions rattling my brain:
WHO IS THE ENEMY TO LOVER HERE? Could it possibly be Kitt at the end???? Are we going to see some twilight-level love triangle here? (If so I will strongly proclaim myself team Kai till death).
Some of my favorite moments: (in sequential order)
✨“And then she smiles, bright and big like the night sky hanging above us. I fear she could rival the stars.”✨ This came a bit earlier in the book, and it made my heart melt, hearing this from Kai before they’ve really given in to the relationship.
“If she is Shadow, then I am Flame. This girl is the very thing I can’t seem to escape—can’t seem to go anywhere without the remnants of her following. Where I am, she is. Whether it’s in the flesh or in the fragments of my mind. And where there is a flame, there is always a shadow. She is my inevitable.”
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
The pacing is a lil better in this one, the will they wont they is a bit tired at this point but I'm going to keep going with the series. The end was quite the cliff hanger I wasn't expecting that... but I do want to see where this goes and finish it.
adventurous
emotional
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
Devoured this book! The banter is A +
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-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:
Complicated
I'm going to "pretend" I enjoyed this book all the way through. That I wasn't close to DNF it near the end. The end being the best part.
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-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:
No
So I am just going to pretend this book doesn't exist.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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:
Yes