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adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
WARNING: The second half of this review DOES contain SPOILERS** This is my second time reading this book (I wanted to reread it before I started the next one, Endless Knight). The first time I read this book, I zoomed through it. The beginning (though a little confusing) totally had me hooked and the ending was so amazing it definitely left me wanting a lot more. Second time reading this book, still loved the beginning and the end though some of the parts in between (and some of the characters) I could do without. This was the first post-apocalyptic story I'd ever read and it was really good. Finding out about the Arcana cards and the powers these kids have was interesting; it kept me engaged and wanting to know more. Overall I'd give this book 4 out 5 stars.
**SPOILERS**
One thing I think could have changed is the time spent on describing Evie's life before the flash. The story starts off after the flash where Evie is telling Arthur her story, then it goes back to a week before the flash and Evie is talking about her life and everything that happened a week before leading up to the flash. This is a little over 100 pages of her talking about her boyfriend and school and how her mom sent her to a mental hospital. Honestly the before flash parts should have only been maybe 20 pages, AT THE MOST, and could have only gone over what happened 2 days before the flash. All that other stuff wasn't necessary. Also think there should have been more explaining and description of the world right after the flash. The book jumps from the flash happening to 246 days later. What happened those first 240 days? How did they world become what it is now with slavers and bagman and cannibals? Also the very end seemed rushed a little bit.
Another thing, why is it that all the guys in this book are ALWAYS thinking about sex (with the exception of Matthew)? Jackson is constantly trying to sleep with Evie, Finn is trying to sleep with any girl with a pulse, all the militia guys are drooling over Evie, and even Arthur talks about wanting to get her in bed. What does that say about guys? The only thing they can do is think about sex? I mean even when Evie and Matthew are with Finn in the cage and Jackson and Selena come to rescue them, this is what happens with Finn:
"As Jackson freed Matthew and me, Finneas gawked at Selena-probably from witnessing her tableau, possibly because she was so freaking gorgeous anyway. 'Another chick? Hellooo, hotness.' Though we were surrounded by a melee, Finn took his time checking her out. 'Dude. It is raining hot ass today. Screw the toothless daughter-I'm coming with you guys."
Really? In the middle of a rescue mission all he can think about is how hot Selena is and sleeping with her? Jackson's character, when not trying to sleep with Evie, is aggressive, volatile, and abusive. I really hope he leaves the story soon or he at least softens up a bit. Evie's character seemed weak in the beginning, not necessarily just physically (though she can't fight and Jackson does have to save her) but the fact that she let others tell her what she should do and lets her boyfriend pressure her into sleeping with him. However, by the end Evie doesn't let anyone push her around and she finally fights back. When we find out that Evie was pretending to be drugged and that she planned to kill Arthur and she began to reveal to him her power, it was an awesome moment. The first time I read this book I was worried about Arthur doing something terrible to Evie, then when the tables turned and she started attacking him, it was an amazing surprise twist that made the ending so great.
Arthur, though he was a crazy psychopath, was an interesting character. He played the villain really well. He was so creepy and weird, which worked. I think he's one of my favorite villains.
**SPOILERS**
One thing I think could have changed is the time spent on describing Evie's life before the flash. The story starts off after the flash where Evie is telling Arthur her story, then it goes back to a week before the flash and Evie is talking about her life and everything that happened a week before leading up to the flash. This is a little over 100 pages of her talking about her boyfriend and school and how her mom sent her to a mental hospital. Honestly the before flash parts should have only been maybe 20 pages, AT THE MOST, and could have only gone over what happened 2 days before the flash. All that other stuff wasn't necessary. Also think there should have been more explaining and description of the world right after the flash. The book jumps from the flash happening to 246 days later. What happened those first 240 days? How did they world become what it is now with slavers and bagman and cannibals? Also the very end seemed rushed a little bit.
Another thing, why is it that all the guys in this book are ALWAYS thinking about sex (with the exception of Matthew)? Jackson is constantly trying to sleep with Evie, Finn is trying to sleep with any girl with a pulse, all the militia guys are drooling over Evie, and even Arthur talks about wanting to get her in bed. What does that say about guys? The only thing they can do is think about sex? I mean even when Evie and Matthew are with Finn in the cage and Jackson and Selena come to rescue them, this is what happens with Finn:
"As Jackson freed Matthew and me, Finneas gawked at Selena-probably from witnessing her tableau, possibly because she was so freaking gorgeous anyway. 'Another chick? Hellooo, hotness.' Though we were surrounded by a melee, Finn took his time checking her out. 'Dude. It is raining hot ass today. Screw the toothless daughter-I'm coming with you guys."
Really? In the middle of a rescue mission all he can think about is how hot Selena is and sleeping with her? Jackson's character, when not trying to sleep with Evie, is aggressive, volatile, and abusive. I really hope he leaves the story soon or he at least softens up a bit. Evie's character seemed weak in the beginning, not necessarily just physically (though she can't fight and Jackson does have to save her) but the fact that she let others tell her what she should do and lets her boyfriend pressure her into sleeping with him. However, by the end Evie doesn't let anyone push her around and she finally fights back. When we find out that Evie was pretending to be drugged and that she planned to kill Arthur and she began to reveal to him her power, it was an awesome moment. The first time I read this book I was worried about Arthur doing something terrible to Evie, then when the tables turned and she started attacking him, it was an amazing surprise twist that made the ending so great.
Arthur, though he was a crazy psychopath, was an interesting character. He played the villain really well. He was so creepy and weird, which worked. I think he's one of my favorite villains.
alright. i'm obsessed. i found parts of the book a lil slow but the last parts of the book got me gooooood!!! also i'm in love with jackson obviously
While it took me a bit to get into this book, mainly because of it opening in the unlikeable psychopath Arthur's point of view, it didn't take long until I was hooked.
Evie's story unwraps slowly, taking you back to before the flash, before the true adventure begins and helping you to understand her fragile weakness and why it's such a big part of her. She's this character that doesn't really understand people or the world despite having incomprehensible abilities that even she doesn't believe are real. She doesn't really understand what a healthy relationship is, or a healthy friendship. Her closest friends only have small moments where they feel like friends and her love/hate relationship with Jackson draws you in from their first meeting.
I spent a lot of the story not sure if I even liked Jackson and wondering if Evie would ever grow to be truly strong. I didn't like how despite having the ability to be a strong female lead, she rejected the parts of her that made her strong and instead hid behind Jackson even though for much of the story she didn't even like him. Also the way women are viewed after the flash was kind of appalling to me. I'll admit that if the circumstances of the flash really occurred it's a possible and even likely reaction by men to treat the few remaining women as sex objects to be owned and abused, but that doesn't mean I have to like that frightening idea.
Overall while it's very clear that this is just the first part in a much larger story, the world being created here is entrancing and I can't wait to read more.
Evie's story unwraps slowly, taking you back to before the flash, before the true adventure begins and helping you to understand her fragile weakness and why it's such a big part of her. She's this character that doesn't really understand people or the world despite having incomprehensible abilities that even she doesn't believe are real. She doesn't really understand what a healthy relationship is, or a healthy friendship. Her closest friends only have small moments where they feel like friends and her love/hate relationship with Jackson draws you in from their first meeting.
I spent a lot of the story not sure if I even liked Jackson and wondering if Evie would ever grow to be truly strong. I didn't like how despite having the ability to be a strong female lead, she rejected the parts of her that made her strong and instead hid behind Jackson even though for much of the story she didn't even like him. Also the way women are viewed after the flash was kind of appalling to me. I'll admit that if the circumstances of the flash really occurred it's a possible and even likely reaction by men to treat the few remaining women as sex objects to be owned and abused, but that doesn't mean I have to like that frightening idea.
Overall while it's very clear that this is just the first part in a much larger story, the world being created here is entrancing and I can't wait to read more.
Book discussion coming to the podcast very soon!
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received this ARC book from the giveaway.
I have not read the authors other series so I had no clue of her writing style. After reading this book, I will have to read Immortals after Dark.
Rarely do I read a book that is unique that it can't be compared to another book out there. This book circles around the theme of the Tarot Card deck in an apocalyptic war zone between good and bad. It was so well written. Full of twists and turns and uncertainty that the characters faced. I loved the relationships that formed among the characters to show that although they are special, they have human emotions as they learn about each other.
I couldn't put the book down! I can't wait to read the next book when it comes out with such a ominous cliffhanger.
I have not read the authors other series so I had no clue of her writing style. After reading this book, I will have to read Immortals after Dark.
Rarely do I read a book that is unique that it can't be compared to another book out there. This book circles around the theme of the Tarot Card deck in an apocalyptic war zone between good and bad. It was so well written. Full of twists and turns and uncertainty that the characters faced. I loved the relationships that formed among the characters to show that although they are special, they have human emotions as they learn about each other.
I couldn't put the book down! I can't wait to read the next book when it comes out with such a ominous cliffhanger.
Such an immensely frustrating read. There's not a single likeable character and the plot goes nowhere for about 13 chapters before suddenly skipping over and ahead of the moment you're waiting for.
A friend recommended this series to me (thanks Jaimie)! Very unique story line. Was a bit of a slow start then picked up. I’m excited to continue the story in book 2!