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n0ize's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Body horror, Death, Transphobia, Cannibalism, Colonisation, Slavery, War, Murder, Blood, Classism, Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
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 insteadsaskiajva's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Even with these faults, I ended up plowing through this in just a couple days and am excited for book 2 and 3. I highly recommend this for fans of the Hunger Games and anyone who loves world building that features the cruelest of humanity and those moments that make you go “holy shit, that’s messed up”. The audiobook narrator also does a great job, though there was at least one line i couldn’t understand what he said even after rewinding, and it was hard to tell who was talking on occasion, but overall it did not take away from my enjoyment.
Graphic: Slavery, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Death of parent, Excrement, Death, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, War, Fire/Fire injury, Rape, Grief, Murder, Blood, Classism, Torture, Violence, Body horror, Cannibalism, and Gore
Moderate: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Misogyny
katharina90's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
I didn't care for the audiobook narration either.
Not going to pick up the sequel.
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Rape, Classism, Kidnapping, Slavery, and Confinement
Minor: Ableism, Cannibalism, and Colonisation
jacksonmax12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Pros: fast-paced but manageable, accessible sci-fi with exposition woven seamlessly into the story.
Cons: The main character has a lot of plot armor. There is a lot of graphic violence and child death
Graphic: Colonisation, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, Racism, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Police brutality, Blood, Rape, Child abuse, Child death, and Kidnapping
defymavity's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Definitely recommend, but it is not for everyone. Not a full 5 stars only because the characters were all very similar-ish. But not in a bad way, i just like a little more development I think.
Graphic: Violence, Gore, Torture, and Death
Moderate: Animal death and Slavery
Minor: Rape, Cannibalism, Colonisation, and Sexual violence
If you like your dystopian novels dark and intriguing. This is for you.a_bow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Murder, Police brutality, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Bullying, Colonisation, Misogyny, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Addiction, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Ableism, Blood, Self harm, and Pedophilia
Minor: Abortion, Medical content, and Vomit
anni_swanilda'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
3.75
Graphic: Xenophobia, Racism, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Classism, Death, Grief, Physical abuse, Torture, Animal death, Violence, Murder, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death of parent, Cannibalism, Medical content, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and War
Minor: Colonisation
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
meridith_bex'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? No
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Slavery, Murder, Colonisation, War, Torture, and Classism
Moderate: Rape, Blood, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Minor: Cannibalism and Blood