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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I'm angry at this book and I want more at the same time.
This book started off like garbage, and I read through the first part slowly. The writing was especially bad, overexplaining everything about the world which made the worldbuilding really unenjoyable. There is zero diversity or inclusivity in this book, the names in this book are horrifying and most (if not all) characters are quite shallow. Aspen, America's secret love, is sexist and really annoying. I feel like the plot in the beginning was really underwhelming. But the premise of the selection, whilst not the most creative, was intruiging and it was especially the caste system that kept me reading.
Then the second half of the book hit and I couldn't put it down. Though most other characters in the selection were forgettable at best, the chemistry between the main leads was supreme. It was so good, it had me smiling, it had me reading at 1am, I loved it. Besides, I love the maids and the banter. More of that, please.
BUT THEN THE ENDING CAME. My god, I have never despised America more. Absolutely loathed it. I'm starting to think I might just dislike love triangles in general.
Luckily, I was promised America would get her shit together. Besides, with fewer girls in the selection hopefully they become less forgettable and less stereotypical. With less worldbuilding needed, the writing shouldn't be as bad either. And most of all, I'm hungry for more dates and late night conversations that make me giggle. On to the next book, I guess.
This book started off like garbage, and I read through the first part slowly. The writing was especially bad, overexplaining everything about the world which made the worldbuilding really unenjoyable. There is zero diversity or inclusivity in this book, the names in this book are horrifying and most (if not all) characters are quite shallow. Aspen, America's secret love, is sexist and really annoying. I feel like the plot in the beginning was really underwhelming. But the premise of the selection, whilst not the most creative, was intruiging and it was especially the caste system that kept me reading.
Then the second half of the book hit and I couldn't put it down. Though most other characters in the selection were forgettable at best, the chemistry between the main leads was supreme. It was so good, it had me smiling, it had me reading at 1am, I loved it. Besides, I love the maids and the banter. More of that, please.
BUT THEN THE ENDING CAME. My god, I have never despised America more. Absolutely loathed it. I'm starting to think I might just dislike love triangles in general.
Luckily, I was promised America would get her shit together. Besides, with fewer girls in the selection hopefully they become less forgettable and less stereotypical. With less worldbuilding needed, the writing shouldn't be as bad either. And most of all, I'm hungry for more dates and late night conversations that make me giggle. On to the next book, I guess.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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:
No
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I listened to this book expecting a weird lil The Bachelor but make it Dystopian but actually I got neo-capitalism with no push back from our main characters?? And a caste system under a monarchy in some of the worst dystopian world building I’ve ever experienced. But with The Bachelor.
Anyway … I found it entertaining in how bad it was, but some of the problematic stuff really set me off so here’s some stream of consciousness dumbass notes I made while listening:
Anyway … I found it entertaining in how bad it was, but some of the problematic stuff really set me off so here’s some stream of consciousness dumbass notes I made while listening:
- one girl that just started to wake up to the ills of a CASTE SYSTEM starts telling off an even less-aware man boy who can’t imagine the lives of his subjects. Oh but it’s the bachelor? But like kinda dystopian cause ya know. A caste system exists sort of. Oooohhhh so spicy.
Not to mention she participates: “but that was fine with me. I did enjoy the company of sixes.” - God it’s so sexist and misogynistic and it’s giving homophobic when America calls Maxim less masculine for standing a certain way or wtvr
- It’s giving Wattpad, but the types of fics where there’s a paragraph every couple pages about an outfit change. I know the outfits are a part of the character structure but it’s the way she’s giving “not like other girls” when she makes her choices. And how her servants are approving like she’s really pushing back from the inside of the system here by choosing a family necklace. Like yes fashion is political but not when you could’ve refused to enter this system in the first place. It’s not an order to join the selection. It’s an optional beauty/fiance pageant that she was never that forced in to by her place in the caste either. Her parents wanted it for upward movement reasons kind of but not even in a desperate way. Idk it’s all pretty contrived and the stakes don’t feel that high.
- omg were we lowkey praising an ED in the first couple chapters when she’d eat less for her bf?? I get why she did it but it felt more like a flex almost.
- SHE IS NOT A GIRLS GIRL
- She’s not pro-rebel?? Girl WHY you don’t wanna be here, you were told he’s unsafe, wtf? Why don’t you wanna topple the monarchy? Your ex-bf can barely afford to eat. She’s low enough that she should at least be kind of on their side??
- The series upholds this structure. The caste system isn’t … bad???? HUH this world order is FINE?!? Bruh wtf. Not even a lil bit radical? Oh wow ok
There are LITERALLY SLAVES in chapter 13 - her servant was “sold” for a debt. SPOILER!! Come ON
Your own brother is obsessed with becoming a 2. Which destroyed your family. And you still don’t care about the caste 😭 And history isn’t recorded; it’s been edited and passed down by word of mouth only. It’s only passed down by some or kept secret in chapter 17. - LOL she apologizes for telling the prince she’s had hunger/starvation before. SHES MAD IT UPSETS HIM OHMYGOD stfu.
Ramble over. These are just personal notes honestly so take it as you will.
I’m gonna go start the next one tho 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
I’m gonna go start the next one tho 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is just one of those books where I don't really care much to criticize. If it keeps me entertained (and I don't cringe 90% of the time) I'm good with it.