Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I absolutely loved Bartol's Under Different Stars. So I was hoping the proverbial lighting took mercy on me and decided to strike twice, and that's exactly what it did.
Too bad I accidentally spoiled the entire trilogy for myself and I'm anything but happy about the outcome
Too bad I accidentally spoiled the entire trilogy for myself and I'm anything but happy about the outcome
This was my Kindle First pick for July. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn't what I got. Secondborn is a set in a government divided by nine fates, each with their own unique function, and ruled by first born children. Second born children are "transitioned" into lives of supporting and serving the first born, and they can only elevate their status if their older sibling dies or if they win the second born trials.
Roselle, the main character, is the second born daughter of the Clarity of Swords (essentially the ruler of the military) and because she is a threat to her first born brother, is transitioned out to the front lines of a war with the rebellion. She is very attractive and draws attention wherever she goes. Everyone seems to be either out to kill her or control her. Roselle has rare moments where she makes decisions for herself, but mostly she does whatever the closest person to her tells her to do. I understand that being young can mean you're easily influenced, but it bothered me how wishy-washy she could be.
Another problem I had with this book was that it seemed like it was taking many elements from various popular YA books and mashing them together. For example, the fates are similar to factions in Divergent, or Roselle does some press conferences and has an flamboyant assistant who dresses her that is eerily similar to Cinna from The Hunger Games. There are even cyborg hounds similar to the mutant hounds at the end of Hunger Games.There is a point in the middle where it moves from one element to the next without any real plot or direction.
There is also a good deal of political dealings in this book that can be interesting at times, but we never find out how things were established into the fates and firstborn rule. I would have liked to understand more about it as I felt like the book only scratched the surface when it was touched on.
I'm not thrilled about the way the book turned out, but it was still entertaining, so I gave it three out of five stars. I'd be open to reading a second book if there is another one.
Roselle, the main character, is the second born daughter of the Clarity of Swords (essentially the ruler of the military) and because she is a threat to her first born brother, is transitioned out to the front lines of a war with the rebellion. She is very attractive and draws attention wherever she goes. Everyone seems to be either out to kill her or control her. Roselle has rare moments where she makes decisions for herself, but mostly she does whatever the closest person to her tells her to do. I understand that being young can mean you're easily influenced, but it bothered me how wishy-washy she could be.
Another problem I had with this book was that it seemed like it was taking many elements from various popular YA books and mashing them together. For example, the fates are similar to factions in Divergent, or Roselle does some press conferences and has an flamboyant assistant who dresses her that is eerily similar to Cinna from The Hunger Games. There are even cyborg hounds similar to the mutant hounds at the end of Hunger Games.There is a point in the middle where it moves from one element to the next without any real plot or direction.
There is also a good deal of political dealings in this book that can be interesting at times, but we never find out how things were established into the fates and firstborn rule. I would have liked to understand more about it as I felt like the book only scratched the surface when it was touched on.
I'm not thrilled about the way the book turned out, but it was still entertaining, so I gave it three out of five stars. I'd be open to reading a second book if there is another one.
The challenge with writing this review is trying to organize my many many notes into something coherent. I picked up [b:Secondborn|32972153|Secondborn (Secondborn #1)|Amy A. Bartol|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496425885s/32972153.jpg|56825332] because I like to check out the occasional buzz book on Goodreads. This one has been popping up all over my feed and seems to have pretty good reviews (plus I'm auto-approved on netgalley, which didn't hurt!). But the more I read, the worse it seemed to get.
Don't get me wrong, I feel like Bartol has the potential to write a book I'd really enjoy. Parts of the story were compelling and there were some lines of dialogue I enjoyed, such as this:
Unfortunately, though, that is where the positive ends for me. I think a whole lot of the problem was down to editing - this felt like a very hectic and messy first draft that needed several more rounds of heavy editing before going to print. Let me try and break this down somehow.
• The pacing is all over the place. The first few chapters are a constant stream of action, which in some circumstances could definitely be a positive, but here it didn't run smoothly. To be frank, it was hard to follow as we zipped from Roselle being ordered to be a soldier to her weird fight with her brother that got her mother to order her death to her... escape? Cordial leaving? At first, I thought she was running away with Dune but, given the subsequent events, I think she was just leaving to become a soldier as planned (right?).
Then there's some kind of terrorist attack that Roselle gets caught up in, but suddenly she's being snatched up by a hunky soldier and taken to her new life. What a mess. Later, however, the pacing starts to lag. We get a lot of filler in the form of Roselle adjusting to her new life as a soldier, shaving her legs (more about that later!) and the developing romance with Hawthorne.
• Characters come and go, never to be seen again. I counted at least three times when characters appeared to further the plot in a certain direction, give Roselle a helping hand, and then POOF! They were gone forever.
• No world-building or reason given for this society. [b:Secondborn|32972153|Secondborn (Secondborn #1)|Amy A. Bartol|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496425885s/32972153.jpg|56825332] employs the "society divided into groups" trope, as is used in [b:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328559506s/13335037.jpg|13155899] and other YA sci-fi/fantasy. The groups are decided by the order of birth: firstborns rule, secondborns are sent to work for the government, thirdborns are forbidden. So... why? Or even... how? How did this society come to adopt this system? Why do they think it's a good way to live? Given that there seem to be a lot of casualties and therefore no population issues, why are families only allowed two children?
We are dropped into this world without any explanation or background info. This was another reason the beginning was so hard to follow with all the mention of "Fates of this" and "Fates of that" without any context.
• Roselle breaks character often. We are told a lot about Roselle - that she has been training her whole life to be a soldier and that she's super special and tough and good at everything, but do we see that? Not really. In fact, much of the romance develops through Roselle breaking down and/or being stupid so Hawthorne can swoop in and comfort or educate her. She always seemed weak and dependent on others, contrary to what we were supposed to believe.
• The romance is silly and lacking in chemistry. There is no gradual build or development. Hawthorne is literally introduced to the reader with a conversation about sex and their entire romance consists of Roselle going googly-eyed over his big, strong arms. It felt like the romance was there because the author thought we needed a romantic subplot.
• Obsession with looks and beauty. This book is crammed full of blandly good-looking white people, and this is how most are characterized (by their good looks, not their whiteness). The young men all have big muscles, and Roselle is so freaking beautiful that the rules of the military are bent so that she doesn't have to cut her gorgeous hair. No, I'm not joking.
Oh hell, why does the author let this happen? Why would soldiers decide one didn't need to have her cut because she's so freaking hot?! Does Bartol really think Roselle's worth as a character depended on her hair not being cut? Maybe this wouldn't be such a big deal if Roselle's lack of haircut was just said in passing, but such a fuss is made about it. The author goes out of her way to explain how it is just unthinkable to cut Roselle's hair.
• Bizarre leg-shaving scene. Okay, everything about this was just weird. Roselle shaves her legs in front of the soldier guys and they all stare at her in amazement and basically get boners. That's weird anyway, but Roselle's reaction when Hawthorne tells her the guys have never known a woman to shave her legs is just frustrating. She suddenly freaks out that they might find her "disgusting" because, you know, all that matters is if the soldier boys are disgusted by your shaving habits. But don't worry, Roselle, because Hawthorne assures her:
Eww.
I do think, lurking underneath all of this, is a good writer in need of a better editor. I don't say that often about books I give one star to, but I really felt it here. I'm curious about where Bartol could go in the future. But I won't be recommending [b:Secondborn|32972153|Secondborn (Secondborn #1)|Amy A. Bartol|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496425885s/32972153.jpg|56825332].
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
Don't get me wrong, I feel like Bartol has the potential to write a book I'd really enjoy. Parts of the story were compelling and there were some lines of dialogue I enjoyed, such as this:
“It outlived its usefulness, so it was killed. There’s something to be learned in that.”
“Never outlive my usefulness?”
“Never, ever trust the pack.”
Unfortunately, though, that is where the positive ends for me. I think a whole lot of the problem was down to editing - this felt like a very hectic and messy first draft that needed several more rounds of heavy editing before going to print. Let me try and break this down somehow.
• The pacing is all over the place. The first few chapters are a constant stream of action, which in some circumstances could definitely be a positive, but here it didn't run smoothly. To be frank, it was hard to follow as we zipped from Roselle being ordered to be a soldier to her weird fight with her brother that got her mother to order her death to her... escape? Cordial leaving? At first, I thought she was running away with Dune but, given the subsequent events, I think she was just leaving to become a soldier as planned (right?).
Then there's some kind of terrorist attack that Roselle gets caught up in, but suddenly she's being snatched up by a hunky soldier and taken to her new life. What a mess. Later, however, the pacing starts to lag. We get a lot of filler in the form of Roselle adjusting to her new life as a soldier, shaving her legs (more about that later!) and the developing romance with Hawthorne.
• Characters come and go, never to be seen again. I counted at least three times when characters appeared to further the plot in a certain direction, give Roselle a helping hand, and then POOF! They were gone forever.
• No world-building or reason given for this society. [b:Secondborn|32972153|Secondborn (Secondborn #1)|Amy A. Bartol|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496425885s/32972153.jpg|56825332] employs the "society divided into groups" trope, as is used in [b:Divergent|13335037|Divergent (Divergent, #1)|Veronica Roth|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328559506s/13335037.jpg|13155899] and other YA sci-fi/fantasy. The groups are decided by the order of birth: firstborns rule, secondborns are sent to work for the government, thirdborns are forbidden. So... why? Or even... how? How did this society come to adopt this system? Why do they think it's a good way to live? Given that there seem to be a lot of casualties and therefore no population issues, why are families only allowed two children?
We are dropped into this world without any explanation or background info. This was another reason the beginning was so hard to follow with all the mention of "Fates of this" and "Fates of that" without any context.
• Roselle breaks character often. We are told a lot about Roselle - that she has been training her whole life to be a soldier and that she's super special and tough and good at everything, but do we see that? Not really. In fact, much of the romance develops through Roselle breaking down and/or being stupid so Hawthorne can swoop in and comfort or educate her. She always seemed weak and dependent on others, contrary to what we were supposed to believe.
• The romance is silly and lacking in chemistry. There is no gradual build or development. Hawthorne is literally introduced to the reader with a conversation about sex and their entire romance consists of Roselle going googly-eyed over his big, strong arms. It felt like the romance was there because the author thought we needed a romantic subplot.
• Obsession with looks and beauty. This book is crammed full of blandly good-looking white people, and this is how most are characterized (by their good looks, not their whiteness). The young men all have big muscles, and Roselle is so freaking beautiful that the rules of the military are bent so that she doesn't have to cut her gorgeous hair. No, I'm not joking.
“Why can’t we just cut it?”
“I can’t.” She looks almost embarrassed. “I see this sometimes, when an intake subject is exceptionally lovely. There’s sometimes a proviso that stipulates details about appearance.”
Oh hell, why does the author let this happen? Why would soldiers decide one didn't need to have her cut because she's so freaking hot?! Does Bartol really think Roselle's worth as a character depended on her hair not being cut? Maybe this wouldn't be such a big deal if Roselle's lack of haircut was just said in passing, but such a fuss is made about it. The author goes out of her way to explain how it is just unthinkable to cut Roselle's hair.
• Bizarre leg-shaving scene. Okay, everything about this was just weird. Roselle shaves her legs in front of the soldier guys and they all stare at her in amazement and basically get boners. That's weird anyway, but Roselle's reaction when Hawthorne tells her the guys have never known a woman to shave her legs is just frustrating. She suddenly freaks out that they might find her "disgusting" because, you know, all that matters is if the soldier boys are disgusted by your shaving habits. But don't worry, Roselle, because Hawthorne assures her:
“Roselle, you just made their top-five lists,” he says, pointing in the direction of the other soldiers. “Honestly, you were probably on that list anyway, but now it’s a safe bet you’re number one.”
Eww.
I do think, lurking underneath all of this, is a good writer in need of a better editor. I don't say that often about books I give one star to, but I really felt it here. I'm curious about where Bartol could go in the future. But I won't be recommending [b:Secondborn|32972153|Secondborn (Secondborn #1)|Amy A. Bartol|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496425885s/32972153.jpg|56825332].
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-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
This is the 1st in a series. I really enjoyed this book. I read it on a plane ride and I was engaged enough that I wanted to finish it.
If you want a detailed world building story, this isn't it. If you want a beach read dystopian story. This one could be for you.
I did not, however, find the romantic interest between Hawthorn and Rosalinda believable.
Despite enjoying the story I'm not sure I will feel compelled to read the series.
If you want a detailed world building story, this isn't it. If you want a beach read dystopian story. This one could be for you.
I did not, however, find the romantic interest between Hawthorn and Rosalinda believable.
Despite enjoying the story I'm not sure I will feel compelled to read the series.
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Firstborns rule society.
Secondborns are the property of the government.
Thirdborns are not tolerated.
Long live the Fates Republic.
This book releases August 1st, but thanks to Amazon I was able to read it earlier. I chose this as my July Kindle First book and I was pleasantly surprised.
I never read science fiction. However, I’m trying to get more into it because I always end up liking the movies based off of science fiction books. I like the movie then I go back to read the books. Then I find myself wishing I didn’t already know what was going to happen.
This month I took a leap and put myself in a position I have been trying to avoid: liking the first book in a series and left to wait on the next.
Such a first world problem, but still a problem nonetheless. Plus, I read too fast so I was already finished in only a day. Set myself up for failure.
The book was science fiction-y, but it also had some romance and feminist aspects to it. I enjoyed the balance. The world created was very interesting and I’d love to know more about it. I could even do with less romance in book 2. I think this is supposed to be a 3 book series so looking forward to reading the next ones in subsequent years.
At 20%
I don't have a very good reason for not finishing this one beyond 'I don't want to'. I didn't enjoy being thrust into the world without much explanation. And I don't like the over-the-top evilness of the bad guys, especially the protagonist's mother.
I might continue it at some point. But right now, I've got too many others books to read.
I don't have a very good reason for not finishing this one beyond 'I don't want to'. I didn't enjoy being thrust into the world without much explanation. And I don't like the over-the-top evilness of the bad guys, especially the protagonist's mother.
I might continue it at some point. But right now, I've got too many others books to read.
I waited to review Secondborn because the cliffhanger made me really mad and I didn't want to give the book an undeserved rage review. Let's be clear: I hate cliffhangers. The relief I've been looking for is robbed from me in the last pages and for what, a cheap marketing trick to get me to read the next book?! No, I Do Not appreciate.
That said, I wouldn't have been so upset if there wasn't so much interesting happening in Secondborn. Roselle is a complex and empathic character. She's clever, resourceful, and loyal. I was in her camp immediately and she never fell out of favor.
The world Bartol presents is interesting, complex, and immersive (even though it does have some kind of arena to the death 🙄, and no ya be complete without a Gladiator style arena?). After reading Traitor Born and seeing that my fears for the direction of this book were assuaged, it's easier to come back and review this book.
I still don't appreciate cliff hangers, but as a whole this book is a delight. I can recommend the series to any interested party guilt free.
That said, I wouldn't have been so upset if there wasn't so much interesting happening in Secondborn. Roselle is a complex and empathic character. She's clever, resourceful, and loyal. I was in her camp immediately and she never fell out of favor.
The world Bartol presents is interesting, complex, and immersive (even though it does have some kind of arena to the death 🙄, and no ya be complete without a Gladiator style arena?). After reading Traitor Born and seeing that my fears for the direction of this book were assuaged, it's easier to come back and review this book.
I still don't appreciate cliff hangers, but as a whole this book is a delight. I can recommend the series to any interested party guilt free.
