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punkydory's review against another edition
3.0
3.5: I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first book in the series. But, the end had some really interesting twists that made me excited to read the final book in the trilogy.
kgirardreads's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely love the premise of this series. Hacking genetic code? Fascinating. I love that this series is every bit as philosophical as it is suspenseful. It's definitely a dystopia, but it doesn't completely fall into all of the tropes of a dystopia. There's an evil empire, but that empire is humanized in a way that other novels don't really do, and it's not so much about overthrowing the power structures as it is about redeeming them, I think.
This book picks up where the first left off, and it goes deeper and even more philosophical. Readers will be disappointed by the romance quotient but will be engaged by Cat's endeavor to figure herself out. The end will definitely leave you ready for the next installment. Seriously, there had better be another book, or I will revolt. This is a fast-paced page-turner that will appeal to those interested in science and those interested in the question of what it means to be human.
This book picks up where the first left off, and it goes deeper and even more philosophical. Readers will be disappointed by the romance quotient but will be engaged by Cat's endeavor to figure herself out. The end will definitely leave you ready for the next installment. Seriously, there had better be another book, or I will revolt. This is a fast-paced page-turner that will appeal to those interested in science and those interested in the question of what it means to be human.
lookingforamandaa's review against another edition
5.0
I’m going to keep this review on the shorter side because I still have a lot of the same thoughts as I did for my review of the first book, This Mortal Coil (reviewed here).
In that review, I essentially said that I really liked the science parts of this book because they were in-depth, but also not so much so that I didn’t understand what the characters were talking about. It was explained really well in relation to the story and the world within that story.
I think Cat was even more interesting in This Cruel Design than she was in the first book. We’ve learned some secrets about her past and those secrets have rocked the foundation of Cat’s world. Most of what she thought she knew about herself and her life was a lie. But we learn even more about her and her parentage in this book. I think the complexity of Cat’s character and the issues she was facing made this book fascinating beyond the greater plotlines.
I sort of liked that the romance took place on the backburner. I really liked Cat and Cole together in the first book, but Cole’s actions have become a bit suspect and I’m not loving him like I did previously. Because of all of this, I’m really glad that the romance wasn’t the main focus of the book. Though, there was another love triangle in this one. In the first book there was a sort of love triangle between Cat, Dax, and Cole. And in this second book, a new character is introduced and he is a part of Cat’s missing memories. I didn’t love this until more twists were revealed and we learned certain things.
I’m extremely interested to see how book three is going to conclude all the happenings in this world. There is so much to cover and I’m dying to know how it’s all going to come to an end.
In that review, I essentially said that I really liked the science parts of this book because they were in-depth, but also not so much so that I didn’t understand what the characters were talking about. It was explained really well in relation to the story and the world within that story.
I think Cat was even more interesting in This Cruel Design than she was in the first book. We’ve learned some secrets about her past and those secrets have rocked the foundation of Cat’s world. Most of what she thought she knew about herself and her life was a lie. But we learn even more about her and her parentage in this book. I think the complexity of Cat’s character and the issues she was facing made this book fascinating beyond the greater plotlines.
I sort of liked that the romance took place on the backburner. I really liked Cat and Cole together in the first book, but Cole’s actions have become a bit suspect and I’m not loving him like I did previously. Because of all of this, I’m really glad that the romance wasn’t the main focus of the book. Though, there was another love triangle in this one. In the first book there was a sort of love triangle between Cat, Dax, and Cole. And in this second book, a new character is introduced and he is a part of Cat’s missing memories. I didn’t love this until more twists were revealed and we learned certain things.
I’m extremely interested to see how book three is going to conclude all the happenings in this world. There is so much to cover and I’m dying to know how it’s all going to come to an end.
cardboard_triptych's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sumeeradealwis's review against another edition
5.0
Ok that ending tho?! I was not expecting that!! I acc have no idea what to say my mind is blown. She’s done it again, I managed to hate every character in this book expect Cat wtf happened?! (but not like that, in a good well written hate)
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
5.0
I had forgotten just how much I loved this mortal coil until I opened this cruel design and was sucked right back in! I knew I loved it, but forgot how well written it was, and how rich the world was.
I also love that it’s sci fi and not set in space!
I also love that it’s sci fi and not set in space!
gracedwithbooks's review against another edition
3.0
If there's one thing Emily Suvada can do, its write a book that leaves you winded and wondering what the fork is going to happen next. While I love not knowing what will happen next, the sheer amount of plot twists in this book, were astounding. I couldn't even wrap my head around one before being hit with another. I loved the science and exhilaration of it all but some things, Cat and Cole's relationship for one, were pushed aside for these bigger revelations. I feel like things made important by the last book, were not given as much emphasis here. I love the plot and I cannot wait to see how it ends, but I would love more character growth and conversation instead of it being 90% action.
bookstorianreads's review against another edition
2.0
The twists and turns just became a little too crazy for me. Didn't really care for any of the characters, too.
gretch_79's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
lmskikun's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0