You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
This is the sort of nonsensical drek that gives YA a bad name. I have not felt this much hatred towards a book since Shiver. And maybe The Barcode Tattoo. So many things are wrong with this.
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I absolutely love this series and this one is no exception! I love the depth that this series takes with character development and how intertwined the characters are.
Really enjoyed the bit of drama and danger in this one. I loved the ended! Ready for the next book.
**1.5 stars**
*sighs* After such a disappointing sequel, I was hoping that the series would redeem itself in the last book but nope...Instead, this only proves that just because a book has a beautiful and captivating cover doesn't mean the plot is as well. (prepare for rambles and rant)
My Thoughts:
1. Okay, my biggest pet peeve about this series is that it is categorized as a dystopian. This is not a dystopian, it is a middle grade romance. A dystopia is suppose to be the opposite of a utopia; it's characterized by human suffering, totalitarian governments, or natural disasters. In this series the only thing that slightly makes this a dystopian is the caste system and the threat of the rebels. If you removed these elements from the book and replaced it with a historical setting in Europe, it hardly would have made a difference. The "threat" in this book was resolved so quickly that it made me wonder why did it take so long for them to think of such a simple solution?!
2. There was absolutely no world-building nor any reasonable explanation for the rebels' motivation. The explanation the author had for the objectives of the southern and northern rebels were so predictable and stupid *roll eyes* None of it felt slightly believable or realistic which made the storyline in this series so illogical.
3. This series had the potential to be so much better had the main character didn't annoy and frustrate me to death. Honestly, I was glad to see America realize that she can't expect to lead two boys on without suffering any consequences. The opening scene already almost had me put the book down. I couldn't stand how America's personality kept switching between insecure and emotional to being strong-willed and brave. Another thing I couldn't stand, the I-really-love-him-but-won't-say-it-until-he-says-it-first. MY GOD, why are you still playing games and trying to be coy? This isn't middle school!! If the author thought this was a good method to build tension and suspense, it wasn't. It only made me more eager to throw this book across my room.
4. The writing in this book doesn't make it feel like a YA series. If anything, I'd say this fits more into middle grade. The dialogue, descriptions, and even the character's behaviour all feel so immature and simple-minded. The plot was very linear, predictable, and cheesy. Literally, almost all of my theories and predictions were true once they were revealed. There was hardly any unexpected twists or surprises. (if there was, it didn't last very long)
5. There were so many sudden personalities changes in so many characters that it hardly seemed remotely believable. I might as well be reading a whole new cast of characters because characters like Celeste and Aspen don't even resemble themselves from the first two books. And don't even get me started on my feelings on Kota...
6. Let's talk about the romance. America and Maxon makes Romeo and Juliet look like a sane couple. The level of unnecessary drama and angst was so high that it's ridiculous. Believe it or not, I really liked Maxon when I first read about him in The Selection. He was this awkward and shy prince but now he's changed into this egotistical and selfish royal.
5. Don't mistake this lengthy rant to mean that I hate this book, I DIDN'T (mostly). My overall feelings about this book were: frustrated, annoyed, and disappointed. There were one too many times where was cringing or rolling my eyes. This was a mediocre series; I had expected this book to be more adventurous and less predictable, but at least now I'm glad that it's finished and over with.
*sighs* After such a disappointing sequel, I was hoping that the series would redeem itself in the last book but nope...Instead, this only proves that just because a book has a beautiful and captivating cover doesn't mean the plot is as well. (prepare for rambles and rant)
My Thoughts:
1. Okay, my biggest pet peeve about this series is that it is categorized as a dystopian. This is not a dystopian, it is a middle grade romance. A dystopia is suppose to be the opposite of a utopia; it's characterized by human suffering, totalitarian governments, or natural disasters. In this series the only thing that slightly makes this a dystopian is the caste system and the threat of the rebels. If you removed these elements from the book and replaced it with a historical setting in Europe, it hardly would have made a difference. The "threat" in this book was resolved so quickly that it made me wonder why did it take so long for them to think of such a simple solution?!
2. There was absolutely no world-building nor any reasonable explanation for the rebels' motivation. The explanation the author had for the objectives of the southern and northern rebels were so predictable and stupid *roll eyes* None of it felt slightly believable or realistic which made the storyline in this series so illogical.
3. This series had the potential to be so much better had the main character didn't annoy and frustrate me to death. Honestly, I was glad to see America realize that she can't expect to lead two boys on without suffering any consequences. The opening scene already almost had me put the book down.
Spoiler
It's sad that America had to resort to seduction to gain Maxon's love. I mean, when she said she was going to try to win the selection I thought she would BY REVEALING HER TRUE FEELINGS NOT OFFER TO HAVE SEX WITH HIM!!!4. The writing in this book doesn't make it feel like a YA series. If anything, I'd say this fits more into middle grade. The dialogue, descriptions, and even the character's behaviour all feel so immature and simple-minded. The plot was very linear, predictable, and cheesy. Literally, almost all of my theories and predictions were true once they were revealed. There was hardly any unexpected twists or surprises. (if there was, it didn't last very long)
5. There were so many sudden personalities changes in so many characters that it hardly seemed remotely believable. I might as well be reading a whole new cast of characters because characters like Celeste and Aspen don't even resemble themselves from the first two books. And don't even get me started on my feelings on Kota...
6. Let's talk about the romance. America and Maxon makes Romeo and Juliet look like a sane couple. The level of unnecessary drama and angst was so high that it's ridiculous. Believe it or not, I really liked Maxon when I first read about him in The Selection. He was this awkward and shy prince but now he's changed into this egotistical and selfish royal.
5. Don't mistake this lengthy rant to mean that I hate this book, I DIDN'T (mostly). My overall feelings about this book were: frustrated, annoyed, and disappointed. There were one too many times where was cringing or rolling my eyes. This was a mediocre series; I had expected this book to be more adventurous and less predictable, but at least now I'm glad that it's finished and over with.
An improvement over the last book, but the ending is incredibly rushed, as if there was a page limit that was reached.
I would rate this 4 or 4.5 stars. Less than 5 bc I felt fine parts were repetitive and the book could’ve been shorter. Still a great book in the series though!
okay everyone needs to read this book series!!! literally read the first three in less than 24 hours. honestly team maxon and aspen need to end up with people who actually love and care about them because america was way more annoying in this book. but still love the drama and definitely recommend.
Ahhh! This book pulled my emotions in so many different directions! So good!
AHHHHHH!!! I cannot believe it's over! I know that there are more books though so that's a relief. I am really not ready to let go of these characters just quite yet. The ending was perfect, it was sad and suprising and adorable and just everything. I loved this book. The fight against the different rebels and the struggles that America and Maxon faced during the process of trying to open up to each other as well as the struggles America and Aspen faced trying to let go of the past. It was all so well done. These characters were so real and so well written. These books are definitely a forever favourite of mine.
There is a lot of stigma around Princess books and whatever else. But I honestly recommended these books to everyone, not just girls.
There is a lot of stigma around Princess books and whatever else. But I honestly recommended these books to everyone, not just girls.