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agiecummings's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Again, this is a book I have read literally countless times. But I am re-reading it in 2023 and actually taking the time to write my review out.
This is a 4.5⭐️ read for me, but it is SO CLOSE to a 5, and it only suffers from the fact that America starts to piss you off a little with her attitude towards Maxon and I think this book would really benefit from a dual POV so you could know what he was thinking. Because you start to think her reasoning is correct, even though in reality he fully loves her. And I think that probably is an accurate reflection of feelings of people in this situation (basically being cast on The Bachelor), but it’s so frustrating to have ONLY that perspective.
Similarly, I think we gloss over the king hurting his son too quickly. I just need to name that those actions make the king heinous and I’m glad he gets killed in Book 3, there I said it.
Finally, the scene in the safe house/hideaway is one of my fave scenes in a book ever. Only slightly topped by a scene in Book 3, which I’ll discuss once I’ve re-read. But I love how romantically Maxon is written and I love how much these two actually love each other.
Book 2 is still fab because you finally have America realizing that Aspen isn’t what she actually wants, and there’s nothing better than that: knowing that she’s here for Maxon and they’ve simply ✨got✨ to end up together. ❤️
This is a 4.5⭐️ read for me, but it is SO CLOSE to a 5, and it only suffers from the fact that America starts to piss you off a little with her attitude towards Maxon and I think this book would really benefit from a dual POV so you could know what he was thinking. Because you start to think her reasoning is correct, even though in reality he fully loves her. And I think that probably is an accurate reflection of feelings of people in this situation (basically being cast on The Bachelor), but it’s so frustrating to have ONLY that perspective.
Finally, the scene in the safe house/hideaway is one of my fave scenes in a book ever. Only slightly topped by a scene in Book 3, which I’ll discuss once I’ve re-read. But I love how romantically Maxon is written and I love how much these two actually love each other.
Book 2 is still fab because you finally have America realizing that Aspen isn’t what she actually wants, and there’s nothing better than that: knowing that she’s here for Maxon and they’ve simply ✨got✨ to end up together. ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse
meredithamadee's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child abuse
isaxbella's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Okay so I think if I hadn't read this book when I was younger, I'd probably not like it as much. A lot of it doesn't make sense. The differences between the rebel groups are not explained at all and a lot of world building in that department is missing. At the end it didn't make any sense that the king didn't send America home, but still told her she is horrible and can't be queen. He could've just gotten rid of her??
To The love triangle is frustrating, even though I can kind of understand America and her indecisiveness. I liked Aspen for some time, but in the end he just felt like the loser who'd chose her no matter what.
I like that America has more self confidence, but in the end she regretted doing the presentation, which I didn't understand. She was so determined and it wasn't like she didn't have enough time to think about the consequences. For her to bring Gregory's book was beyond stupid and didn't make any sense. She wouldn't have been that delusional?
Well in the end, I have to say that I still enjoyed it. I loved it as a teenager and I think for the age group of 12-15 it's probably flawless, so I won't judge. I will also reread the last one! :D
To The love triangle is frustrating, even though I can kind of understand America and her indecisiveness. I liked Aspen for some time, but in the end he just felt like the loser who'd chose her no matter what.
I like that America has more self confidence, but in the end she regretted doing the presentation, which I didn't understand. She was so determined and it wasn't like she didn't have enough time to think about the consequences. For her to bring Gregory's book was beyond stupid and didn't make any sense. She wouldn't have been that delusional?
Well in the end, I have to say that I still enjoyed it. I loved it as a teenager and I think for the age group of 12-15 it's probably flawless, so I won't judge. I will also reread the last one! :D
Content Warnings
Minor: War, Blood, Death, and Violence
reesespuff6's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Classism, Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, War, Blood, and Gore
kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Gun violence, Child abuse, and Violence
Minor: Blood
kenzie_simone456's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, War, and Domestic abuse
annttenne's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Violence
kaadee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book definitely has “middle book syndrome”. It was enjoyable but not as good as the first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Minor: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Murder, Violence, and War
im_just_vidu's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'm not sure if I like this book. I liked the first book a little, because it was good at world building and character formation. But this...? I don't know. I don't have such positive idea about this book. It was more like passing the ball from one to another. It was just not that good.
America is looking at both Maxson and Aspen thinking both of them are good. Yeah, they are good. Then why the heck are you still looking at both of them, kissing both of them and longing for both of them. It's like cheating in a premium way. I don't like that at all.
And same goes with the Maxson. I hope someone will understand that "If you really love the first person, you wouldn't even think about the second one". What kind of stupid dating game is this? And yeah, you want to show the world how great person Maxson is by showing him forgiving everyone for their faults and all. I wonder if he does the same if he knows that America also goes back and forth with Aspen and Maxson.
Being a prince must be nice. You can have so many girls around you and experiment with them while saying it "finding the right one". Bleh. Bullshit.
America is looking at both Maxson and Aspen thinking both of them are good. Yeah, they are good. Then why the heck are you still looking at both of them, kissing both of them and longing for both of them. It's like cheating in a premium way. I don't like that at all.
And same goes with the Maxson. I hope someone will understand that "If you really love the first person, you wouldn't even think about the second one". What kind of stupid dating game is this? And yeah, you want to show the world how great person Maxson is by showing him forgiving everyone for their faults and all. I wonder if he does the same if he knows that America also goes back and forth with Aspen and Maxson.
Being a prince must be nice. You can have so many girls around you and experiment with them while saying it "finding the right one". Bleh. Bullshit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying and Colonisation
Minor: Death, Cultural appropriation, and Violence
ilovegilmoregirls's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Police brutality, Violence, Child abuse, War, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, and Misogyny
Content warnings more about - child abuse(physical) Death (sibling) Murder (mentioned)