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readyforit's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I can’t believe this missed me during my 2014 dystopian phase but I’m glad it found me 10 years later. I think I would’ve liked it more if I read had a copy to read while I listened, since there are a lot of fantasy-esque names to remember. I liked the narrator a lot but I had to slow it down since he has an Irish accent so I couldn’t get through it as fast as I normally do with audiobooks. The beginning was a bit slow to start, as most fantasy books are with world-building, but surprisingly it also slowed down in the middle after Darrow entered the institute. This author is really good at jerking you around with his twists and turns though I’ve never had my jaw on the floor as much as when reading this series.
Darrow is a labor worker in the poorest class of people in the solar system, red. He and his people are told they’re making mars livable for higher classes, but we soon find out the dream has already been realized and all classes of people are living on mars, and other planets. To free his people he must become one of his enemies, a gold, and bring them down from the inside. He goes to the institute (aka hunger games for district 1 kids but somehow more brutal), where he makes friends and enemies, trying to win. We meet a lot of side characters who are all deeply fleshed out, and you either learn to love or hate.
If you liked the hunger games, divergent, or the maze runner, you’ll love this series. I’m definitely going to try listening to the graphic audio and reading along to a physical copy to see if that’s a better experience. Overall, I really liked the book and will reread! I wish this had a larger fan base for a series or movie or better fanart though, since I’m someone who has trouble picturing things in my head.
Graphic: Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Colonisation, Grief, Violence, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Genocide, Police brutality, Death, Rape, Murder, Sexual violence, Slavery, Body horror, Sexual assault, Blood, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide attempt, War, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cursing, Suicidal thoughts, Cannibalism, and Vomit
I’ve seen this labeled as YA but I wouldn’t let your kids read this, it’s really gory. I’d recommend hunger games insteadabitterknitter's review against another edition
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Slavery, Suicide, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Racial slurs, Cursing, Death, Racism, Murder, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Physical abuse, Body horror, and Bullying
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Vomit, Addiction, and Alcohol
patwebb88's review against another edition
3.0
Minor: Blood, Cursing, Death, Gore, and Genocide
jenmarie11's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Violence, War, Colonisation, Cursing, Child abuse, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Classism, Gore, Torture, and Death
veni_vidi_legi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Sexual assault and Cursing
halflingnana's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Cursing, War, Sexual violence, Violence, Torture, Murder, Classism, and Slavery
zanazy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There is a mystery around the death of
The supporting characters in this story are all complicated and complex characters that add to the storyline and make you invest in their fates. Darrow finds himself in a world where everyone should be his enemy, and where despite his new status he is still a lower ranking than his peers, but he rises above and is a natural leader. He is a great example of someone who was born to lead. His leadership growth and the way he adapts and learns from his early mistakes in being a leader humanize him and make him relatable. No character in the story is without flaws.
There is very little romance in the story, which I thought I would miss, but it fits the setting. There are hints of characters becoming more, and the gradual build-up to this relationship is realistic, due to Darrow's early loss in the book. I look forward to seeing how this relationship evolves.
My favorite relationship is that of Sevro and Darrow. Brothers, loyalty, pride, and overcoming misconceptions and status. Sevro and the Howlers are the best, and their loyalty to Darrow, the Reaper is a highlight. I can't wait for Darrow to prove everyone wrong and show that loyalty was not just confined to their trial, some bonds truly cannot be broken and are for life.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: War, Death, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Blood, Sexual assault, Classism, Cursing, and Medical content
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Self harm, Rape, Grief, Physical abuse, and Slavery
bookfulthoughts's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
“I am the spark that will set the worlds afire. I am the hammer that cracks the chains.”
I really liked this one! The story was extremely well written and interesting. The world building was excellent and extremely detailed. I was able to visualize exactly what was happening and what everyone looked like! I like that the plot was never lost in the storytelling and this book sets up for the rest of the books in the series perfectly. I do believe that I can see this book becoming a classic in the near future. I loved the concept of the color classism and how that was presented. In my opinion, that was a unique aspect of the story. I also loved that Darrow wasn’t perfect! I he has many flaws but that’s what makes this book good. It gives his character room to grow and develop in complexity.
My reasoning for not giving it 5 stars. Personally, in certain parts of the book it was very reminiscent of the Hunger Games. Having inspiration is fine and I have no problem with that. I’m not sure if it's just me but some scenes felt too familiar. Another thing I took points off for was the fact that I felt like I should have been more emotionally attached to certain characters but I didn’t feel much when things happened. I felt like it was a little cold at times with other characters. Besides these issues, I really liked this book and I do plan on reading the rest of the series in the near future.
Graphic: Sexual violence, War, Violence, Toxic friendship, Torture, Sexual assault, Murder, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Classism, Animal cruelty, Blood, Death, Stalking, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Racism, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Genocide, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Confinement, and Animal death
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death of parent, Cannibalism, Racial slurs, Sexism, and Self harm
eliaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment, Excrement, Sexual assault, Sexism, Genocide, Gaslighting, Cursing, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Death, Gore, Confinement, Rape, Classism, Animal death, Violence, Torture, Slavery, Sexual violence, Blood, War, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Grief, Murder, and Misogyny
Minor: Vomit and Death of parent
maddramaqueen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, War, Kidnapping, Sexism, Body horror, Violence, Blood, Classism, Misogyny, Torture, Slavery, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Animal death, Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual assault, and Fatphobia