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kendra_taylors_version's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Hate crime, Body horror, War, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Torture, Classism, Death, Confinement, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Slavery, Child death, and Violence
knlipke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Holy hell this was not it. I was tense the entire time. It was brutal, it was violent, it was bloody. Loved it
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Child death
caelfind's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Death and Blood
Moderate: War and Violence
hollymileham's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Violence, Death, Murder, War, and Blood
itstruly_flower's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, War, Murder, and Death
Minor: Cursing
jos_books101's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Death, Child death, and War
Minor: Blood
ashybear02's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Murder, Blood, War, Violence, Torture, Kidnapping, and Death
rdawnl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Death, War, and Blood
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
I know it's probably a lazy comparison, but throughout my reading I felt like this followed the same storyline as the first half of 'Mockingjay'. There are a lot of similarities - the hidden bases that 'normal' people believe are abandoned, the filming of a propaganda reel with the main protagonist going off script and so on. It's definitely not a bad thing as the story completely works, but a part of me had hoped for something a bit different.
However, I like it when action takes a back seat to character development and the deepening of a reader's emotional investment into the story, and thus book absolutely achieves that. The twists and turns of Mare's thoughts and feelings, the continual questioning of just who is trustworthy, who is safe, who is going to betray you... by the conclusion, you can totally understand Mare's psyche and her feeling of being totally lost. You know what you hope will happen and what you expect to happen, but there's definitely plenty of room for further surprises. Part of me wants everything to pan out in the 'traditional' way, but there is so much scope for alternatives the other half of me really wants to be surprised!
The author hasn't shied away from taking a darker tone in places to illustrate the change in Maven and the 'oncoming storm'. While not graphic, there are a couple of scenes that, if they made this into a TV show or film, I know I'd be hiding behind a pillow at. In those moments, you do suddenly remember that Mare is just a teenager and so the contrast with the death and destruction she is faced with is quite shocking.
Overall I enjoyed this deeper dive into Mare's head and heart, and I look forward to seeing things continue to play out. Fortunately I don't have to wait long to find out what happens next; the next book in the series is waiting for me at the library!
Moderate: Blood, Child death, and Death
prashiie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The book starts with Mare and Cal running away with the Scarlet Guard. She is ready to go on a quest to find others like her before Maven hunts them all down. There are so many newbloods out there with amazing abilities.
"I could control it if I wanted. I could shut this whole thing down. I could drown us all."
In this book, Mare is very confident of herself and her powers. She realises that she is very powerful and dangerous.
"Lightning has no mercy."
But she is also very angry at the world, especially at the Silvers for the injustice that they bring upon Reds and the newbloods. She didn’t deem them worthy of her mercy which scared and infuriated Cal.
"Anyone can betray anyone."
Maven’s betrayals have really hurt her and now Mare finds it very difficult to trust the people around her. This very sentence haunts her throughout the story.
And at the end, she managed to kill Queen Elara. I expected more of a fight between them - it seemed quite abrupt. At the same time, she also loses her beloved brother Shade. I really liked Shade and his powers, so his death was quite shocking. Unfortunately, Mare ends up in Maven’s hands again to save the people she cares about and he is not happy about his mother’s death.
Very excited to see how the next book plays out!
Graphic: Blood, Torture, Xenophobia, Classism, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Murder, Toxic relationship, Child death, and Death
Minor: Violence, Stalking, and War