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medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Starts off at an interesting clip with solid enough characters and setting. Doesn't really get engaging again until the last stretch of chapters. I won't get too deep into my dislikes but the uneven pacing of the action interspersed with a whole lot of chemistry devoid 'romance' and lackluster hookups from the leads made everything between the beginning of the book and the end progress in a way I personally did not find appealing.
The buildout for the politics, belief and value systems, and history of conflict in this world works on a surface level. As the story goes on it gets difficult to parse out from Wren's perspective which side we are supposed to be rooting for because she had some flip-flopping ass motivations. Like what is supposed to be the takeaway? Both sides--the Primes and the Modified led rebellion--are equally corrupt? I don't know, it just doesn't work for me. Perhaps if her ties to the rebellion (who she eventually turns spy for) were emotionally stronger and Wren was more empowered in her modified identity that argument would be more nuanced
The way this book was marketed you would think it was the next Hunger Games or Divergent. I would compare this more to Shatter Me, both being closer in theme, tone, and writing style. This book is supposed to be adult dystopian but Wren's voice, her attitude, and the writing style give YA.
The way this book was marketed you would think it was the next Hunger Games or Divergent. I would compare this more to Shatter Me, both being closer in theme, tone, and writing style. This book is supposed to be adult dystopian but Wren's voice, her attitude, and the writing style give YA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, War, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder, War
Minor: Sexual assault
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Was this book a literary masterpiece? No. Were there plot holes? Yes. Were there obvious twists? Yes. But damn it was a lot of fun. I ate that shit up. The world building was lacking for me but I think the series has a lot of potential given the world is opening up, but I really want to know more about why the world is the way it is. I think the premise is really interesting and the mod concept is clever. Even though rhe main twist was obvious Cross being wolf I still ate that shit up when it was revealed and honestly it kept me hooked because I was just waiting for it. Wren got annoying at times with her impulsive acts just being plain dumb at times even though she is a smart girl. But the vibes were great, I loved the romance, the concept has a lot of promise, and I’ll definitely read any future books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Slavery, Suicide, Vomit, Toxic friendship, War
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This is the Taco Bell of books. You know it might not be the best for you,and you’re absolutely going to regret it.But dang it,if it isn’t easy to devour at 11 o’clock at night. With that said,I am not a fan of the MMC. He’s so cringe.No,I take that back. He’s an absolute walking red-flag. 😂Things that he said make me suspect that Dani Francis is a man writing as a woman. There were some moments where I read the dialogue and said, “Said absolutely no woman ever. 😂”
Is it as awesome as Fourth Wing? Not quite, but I see the potential in future books in the series. Wren is kick-ass. Also, I enjoyed the question of whether or not anyone is a ‘good side’ during a war. I enjoyed the action and the ending. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Hopefully the author gets some of the yuck out of that MMC,so I can continue on. I read this via Libby.
Is it as awesome as Fourth Wing? Not quite, but I see the potential in future books in the series. Wren is kick-ass. Also, I enjoyed the question of whether or not anyone is a ‘good side’ during a war. I enjoyed the action and the ending. I look forward to reading the next book in this series. Hopefully the author gets some of the yuck out of that MMC,so I can continue on. I read this via Libby.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Violence, Grief
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Classism
Minor: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Deportation
adventurous
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:
Yes
I have mixed feelings about this book, yes I did enjoy reading it. However I felt it was missing a lot of depth. I think SO much more could have been done with this! The idea at the base level is extremely good, but it needed more.
The writing felt like a YA dystopian book but with a “romantic” element slapped on top.
The FMC is supposed to be this bad ass, sharp shooting, powerful lead. Almost all of her skills go to waste. Most of this book she tampers herself down, once she finally starts revealing her skills - other than shooting - she’s still not THAT impressive. She catches the eye of her commanding officer, in a relationship that is purely physical. And this protects her somehow.
She’s joined the rebellion because that’s what leads are supposed to do in dystopian books! And she’s not really that helpful towards that either. She’s kind of playing both sides - enjoying the messed up government she’s a part of. Making friends with people who dislike what she is. She has a lot of moments that feel very juvenile. And honestly, she’s 20, it shows.
I felt there could have been more world building. She has this connection with Wolf, but she goes months without talking to him in the book. Like the author just kind of forgets to write her talking with anyone, when early on it was set up where it was like she talked to him in her head all the time. She gets a boyfriend and kind of just forgets about everyone around her.
I really like the idea of the mods, their skills that can go hidden. Their different types of mods and their mental skills. The government in place took over by killing the mods, but again. There could have been SO much more detail and world building in what the world was like 25 years prior.
I rate this book a 4 because I did at the base enjoy it. I just can’t quite give it a five because I wanted more. I wanted more depth, more political uprise, more world building.
I’m interested to see where book 2 will go, and if it will have those missing elements.
I’d also be interested to know what big name author is behind this book.
The writing felt like a YA dystopian book but with a “romantic” element slapped on top.
The FMC is supposed to be this bad ass, sharp shooting, powerful lead. Almost all of her skills go to waste. Most of this book she tampers herself down, once she finally starts revealing her skills - other than shooting - she’s still not THAT impressive. She catches the eye of her commanding officer, in a relationship that is purely physical. And this protects her somehow.
She’s joined the rebellion because that’s what leads are supposed to do in dystopian books! And she’s not really that helpful towards that either. She’s kind of playing both sides - enjoying the messed up government she’s a part of. Making friends with people who dislike what she is. She has a lot of moments that feel very juvenile. And honestly, she’s 20, it shows.
I felt there could have been more world building. She has this connection with Wolf, but she goes months without talking to him in the book. Like the author just kind of forgets to write her talking with anyone, when early on it was set up where it was like she talked to him in her head all the time. She gets a boyfriend and kind of just forgets about everyone around her.
I really like the idea of the mods, their skills that can go hidden. Their different types of mods and their mental skills. The government in place took over by killing the mods, but again. There could have been SO much more detail and world building in what the world was like 25 years prior.
I rate this book a 4 because I did at the base enjoy it. I just can’t quite give it a five because I wanted more. I wanted more depth, more political uprise, more world building.
I’m interested to see where book 2 will go, and if it will have those missing elements.
I’d also be interested to know what big name author is behind this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Slavery, Murder
Minor: War
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence