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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I might've enjoyed this more if it'd been 1/3 shorter. Have some faith in your reader! We get it. You didn't need to repeat phrases, ideas, and scenes a million times.
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Almost everything in this book is taken from other books or musicals. It’s basically a hunger games/red queen mashup, with a few musical references thrown in.
“Welcome, fellow Ilyans, to the sixth ever purging trials!” Complete with colorful-haired interviewer who interviews the contestants ahead of time to help them win people’s favor. Because that’s important to this trial. For some reason.
Random “gifts” are left in the trial (including a bow, which the main character is extremely good with and uses to shoot a rabbit in the eye).
The audience honors the fallen with a hand symbol quietly.
Bonus musical/movie references:
“We need you alive, Kitty (Hamilton), -I- need you alive.”
The dad teaches the main character to hide her feelings and her fear (conceal, don’t feel, put on a shoooooowwww)
And a very Inigo Montoya feeling scene towards the end
“Welcome, fellow Ilyans, to the sixth ever purging trials!” Complete with colorful-haired interviewer who interviews the contestants ahead of time to help them win people’s favor. Because that’s important to this trial. For some reason.
Random “gifts” are left in the trial (including a bow, which the main character is extremely good with and uses to shoot a rabbit in the eye).
The audience honors the fallen with a hand symbol quietly.
Bonus musical/movie references:
“We need you alive, Kitty (Hamilton), -I- need you alive.”
The dad teaches the main character to hide her feelings and her fear (conceal, don’t feel, put on a shoooooowwww)
And a very Inigo Montoya feeling scene towards the end
This book lives up to the hype! The banter between the main characters is top-notch, creating intense chemistry without relying solely on steamy scenes. This is a masterclass in tension-building. I initially picked it up thanks to BookTok buzz but stayed for the gripping plot development. Reminiscent of the Hunger Games with its intense vibe, the banter truly steals the show.
Not specific he spoilers but things that could hint!
The ending crushed me with like 3 back to back blows to the heart
The ending crushed me with like 3 back to back blows to the heart
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The book is great, I think I could've loved it, but I missed do much of this book. This was my first attempt in a long time to listen to an audiobook. I think I would've enjoyed this a lot more if I just read it, I missed a lot this way. I might still listen to the rest of it and potentially go for a reread after some time has passed.
The beginning of an addiction.
Okay no but seriously I can't remember the last time a book took my actual breath away.
The book has everything: a captivating story set in an incredible world, a strong and brave female protagonist, enemies, fights, deaths, and yes, lots and lots of tension and romance between two characters!
Yes as I've seen other mention this.. this series is heavily inspired by other existing ones, (won't say any names) but you can't reinvent the wheel and Lauren managed to create a perfect mix between them while also adding her own unique story telling and her very own characters.
I'm so excited on what else she's gonna publish in the future.
Okay no but seriously I can't remember the last time a book took my actual breath away.
The book has everything: a captivating story set in an incredible world, a strong and brave female protagonist, enemies, fights, deaths, and yes, lots and lots of tension and romance between two characters!
Yes as I've seen other mention this.. this series is heavily inspired by other existing ones, (won't say any names) but you can't reinvent the wheel and Lauren managed to create a perfect mix between them while also adding her own unique story telling and her very own characters.
I'm so excited on what else she's gonna publish in the future.
Let’s talk characters because wow. Kai? That man saw Paedyn once and decided she was his entire world, and honestly, I respect it. Paedyn? Absolute legend—no cringy not like other girls nonsense, just straight-up badass.
Adena, my beloved, I will never recover. Was I supposed to get attached? No. Did I? Absolutely. The rest? We don’t talk about them. Except Jax and Andy—we stan forever.
The romance? Flawless. Kai and Pae’s chemistry was off the charts, and his POV? A gift. Their scenes had me grinning, screaming, and twirling my hair. And that ending? Pure pain. I need book two immediately.
Now for the meh: The action was minimal, barely making an impact. The Trials wrapped up too quickly to feel truly intense. The world-building felt light, leaving a lot unexplored. The plot followed a familiar pattern, with strong Hunger Games influences. However, the plot twists still managed to surprise me.
Final verdict? Not a 5-star, but definitely fun. If you’re here for the romance, you’ll devour this. If you want deep politics and epic battles… maybe look elsewhere. But will I be reading the sequel? Obviously.
Adena, my beloved, I will never recover. Was I supposed to get attached? No. Did I? Absolutely. The rest? We don’t talk about them. Except Jax and Andy—we stan forever.
The romance? Flawless. Kai and Pae’s chemistry was off the charts, and his POV? A gift. Their scenes had me grinning, screaming, and twirling my hair. And that ending? Pure pain. I need book two immediately.
Now for the meh: The action was minimal, barely making an impact. The Trials wrapped up too quickly to feel truly intense. The world-building felt light, leaving a lot unexplored. The plot followed a familiar pattern, with strong Hunger Games influences. However, the plot twists still managed to surprise me.
Final verdict? Not a 5-star, but definitely fun. If you’re here for the romance, you’ll devour this. If you want deep politics and epic battles… maybe look elsewhere. But will I be reading the sequel? Obviously.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes