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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
A Great Take on the Classic Gender Equality Debate!
Two countries, the perfect dichotomy. Matrus versus Patrus. Women versus men. So similar, yet polar opposites. Both want but one thing, for one gender to have complete control. And they will do anything to achieve their goals.
Meet Violet, an outcast on both sides who is wanted for multiple cases of womanslaughter, Violet doesn’t have many options left for life. If she denies the queen’s offer, she’ll be killed immediately but if she follows through with this crazy mission, she’s putting her life on the line for a cause she doesn’t even understand. With so few options, Violet chooses the lesser of two evils and is whisked away from everything she knows. She’s lived in Matrus her whole life, she’s used to having complete freedom, well as free as one can get in a detention center. But things won’t be like that from now on. In Patrus she’ll have nothing, the dog probably has more rights than her, but she’ll make it work. Soon she’ll realize that “trying to make sense of rules that didn't make sense was rather a losing proposition” and instead follow her own path. Along with some troublesome males and a confused heart, Violet risks everything, which honestly isn’t that much anymore, to get her old life back.
I really liked Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Gender Game, but I knew it was a unique topic. Sure, almost everyone knows sexism exists, and some have even gone so far as to create a matriarchy in their story, but who has included both a matriarchy and a patriarchy? It’s almost unthinkable, it seems it would never work. I was worried that I would start the story and be severely underwhelmed by the writing. But luckily I was wrong, the writing was great, the storyline was well thought out, and the characters, while few in number, were extremely well developed. They weren’t static, instead they change before the reader’s eyes. With each new development, the characters act realistically and adequately, both for basic human nature but also their formed characteristics. I found myself getting sucked into the story, as if I was watching with my own eyes and for that reason the ending DEVASTATED me! A cliffhanger guys! A CLIFFHANGER! WHY DO AUTHORS THINK THIS IS ACCEPTABLE? IT IS NOT BY ANY MEANS OKAY TO USE CLIFFHANGERS! TAKE NOTES FUTURE AND CURRENT AUTHORS.
Now for the moment you've all been waiting for folks, the part where Kenzi loses her head over absolutely nothing. It happens everytime, but I promise this time it's relevant. I HATE romance. It's a fact of life. I am to romance as Severus Snape is to Harry Potter. Romance and I just don't get along, it's a reality I have come to accept. However, this book had a great example of a romance done right. The romance ADDED to the plot instead of BECOMING the plot. IT'S A MIRACLE! A teenage girl actually managed to keep her head long enough to do what she needed to do and somehow, the world didn't stop turning. A long overdue plotline I'm sure.
*SPOILERS AHEAD! I REPEAT SPOILERS AHEAD!*
You're probably wondering what romance I'm talking about and it is, of course, that of Viggo and Violet. I knew it would happen from the beginning, and let me tell you I was DREADING it. I was waiting for that moment where the stupid girl fell in love and fell into the normal romantic trope. Anyways, it wasn't like that!! If you watch Riverdale you'll remember the iconic scene in the trailer with Betty and Juggy and THAT HAPPENED AND I WANTED TO SCREAM!
*SPOILERS END HERE! IT IS SAFE TO READ NOW!*
But anyways, the tension and the relationship developed over time, and they actually had lives outside the romance too. It was incredible! So yes, this is my belief on the romance of this story, it is well done, and doesn't make me want to cry or set the book on fire, although I can't say the same for that CLIFFHANGER!
I recommend The Gender Game for lovers of science fiction and futuristic dystopias, as the novel fits almost perfectly in these two categories. I feel that while the story does include some classic dystopian archetypes, *cough* rebellious girl falling in love with the bad boy *cough* it still has a sense of originality to it, rather than sounding like a cookie cutter book, which I can't stand. (I'd like to point out that somebody compared this book to Twilight and I almost lost it. I felt so attacked in that moment, I just wanted to cry. [Sorry if you're a Twilight fan but I can't stand the novel, and the writing is atrocious honestly.]) I can't wait to read the next book in the series and I'm starting Monday so wish me luck guys!
Two countries, the perfect dichotomy. Matrus versus Patrus. Women versus men. So similar, yet polar opposites. Both want but one thing, for one gender to have complete control. And they will do anything to achieve their goals.
Meet Violet, an outcast on both sides who is wanted for multiple cases of womanslaughter, Violet doesn’t have many options left for life. If she denies the queen’s offer, she’ll be killed immediately but if she follows through with this crazy mission, she’s putting her life on the line for a cause she doesn’t even understand. With so few options, Violet chooses the lesser of two evils and is whisked away from everything she knows. She’s lived in Matrus her whole life, she’s used to having complete freedom, well as free as one can get in a detention center. But things won’t be like that from now on. In Patrus she’ll have nothing, the dog probably has more rights than her, but she’ll make it work. Soon she’ll realize that “trying to make sense of rules that didn't make sense was rather a losing proposition” and instead follow her own path. Along with some troublesome males and a confused heart, Violet risks everything, which honestly isn’t that much anymore, to get her old life back.
I really liked Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Gender Game, but I knew it was a unique topic. Sure, almost everyone knows sexism exists, and some have even gone so far as to create a matriarchy in their story, but who has included both a matriarchy and a patriarchy? It’s almost unthinkable, it seems it would never work. I was worried that I would start the story and be severely underwhelmed by the writing. But luckily I was wrong, the writing was great, the storyline was well thought out, and the characters, while few in number, were extremely well developed. They weren’t static, instead they change before the reader’s eyes. With each new development, the characters act realistically and adequately, both for basic human nature but also their formed characteristics. I found myself getting sucked into the story, as if I was watching with my own eyes and for that reason the ending DEVASTATED me! A cliffhanger guys! A CLIFFHANGER! WHY DO AUTHORS THINK THIS IS ACCEPTABLE? IT IS NOT BY ANY MEANS OKAY TO USE CLIFFHANGERS! TAKE NOTES FUTURE AND CURRENT AUTHORS.
Now for the moment you've all been waiting for folks, the part where Kenzi loses her head over absolutely nothing. It happens everytime, but I promise this time it's relevant. I HATE romance. It's a fact of life. I am to romance as Severus Snape is to Harry Potter. Romance and I just don't get along, it's a reality I have come to accept. However, this book had a great example of a romance done right. The romance ADDED to the plot instead of BECOMING the plot. IT'S A MIRACLE! A teenage girl actually managed to keep her head long enough to do what she needed to do and somehow, the world didn't stop turning. A long overdue plotline I'm sure.
*SPOILERS AHEAD! I REPEAT SPOILERS AHEAD!*
You're probably wondering what romance I'm talking about and it is, of course, that of Viggo and Violet. I knew it would happen from the beginning, and let me tell you I was DREADING it. I was waiting for that moment where the stupid girl fell in love and fell into the normal romantic trope. Anyways, it wasn't like that!! If you watch Riverdale you'll remember the iconic scene in the trailer with Betty and Juggy and THAT HAPPENED AND I WANTED TO SCREAM!
*SPOILERS END HERE! IT IS SAFE TO READ NOW!*
But anyways, the tension and the relationship developed over time, and they actually had lives outside the romance too. It was incredible! So yes, this is my belief on the romance of this story, it is well done, and doesn't make me want to cry or set the book on fire, although I can't say the same for that CLIFFHANGER!
I recommend The Gender Game for lovers of science fiction and futuristic dystopias, as the novel fits almost perfectly in these two categories. I feel that while the story does include some classic dystopian archetypes, *cough* rebellious girl falling in love with the bad boy *cough* it still has a sense of originality to it, rather than sounding like a cookie cutter book, which I can't stand. (I'd like to point out that somebody compared this book to Twilight and I almost lost it. I felt so attacked in that moment, I just wanted to cry. [Sorry if you're a Twilight fan but I can't stand the novel, and the writing is atrocious honestly.]) I can't wait to read the next book in the series and I'm starting Monday so wish me luck guys!
SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!
Bella Forrest has a truly amazing mind and has done it yet again. As a fan of her other books, I jumped at the chance to read this book and I am so happy I did. Another book that I had a hard time attempting to put down. (Ahh, but the kiddo needed supper, lol)
The Gender Game had an interesting dystopian world. The women live in the country of Matrus. The country ruled by women, and where the men have a very limited ability to do much of anything. The men are there to be a force of labor and only a select few are given the ability to have an education. The men live across the toxic river in the country of Patrus, the country ruled by men and where the women are essentially nothing more than a household pet. The women don't leave the home, or really do anything without prior approval from their husbands. While learning about the different countries you also begin to learn the story of Violet.
The first couple chapters of the story give you insight as to why Violet has been bounced from one disciplinary home to another, and eventually what has lead to the events that make up the bulk of the book. After a final "strike" on Violet's record she is given the chance to keep her life if she were to go undercover in Patrus with her fake "husband" Lee. There is also an underlying love story that I was beyond pleased with. It wasn't a "love triangle," forced, rushed, or made unbelievable. It was strong, and passionate, but only took up a rather small portion of the book. The rest is about the growth of a young girl, how she comes into her own, and does what needs done for the benefit of the country. Violet is strong and independent and has a hard time adjusting to life in Patrus, but does eventually come to understand that she really does need to subdue her natural instincts to be able to do the task required of her.
You learn that not everyone is who they may appear to be. That you should trust no one. And that ENDING!!!! It was just beyond words. I am already hating the wait until we get the next book. If you pick this up, I assure you, you won't want to put it down. Happy Reading!
Bella Forrest has a truly amazing mind and has done it yet again. As a fan of her other books, I jumped at the chance to read this book and I am so happy I did. Another book that I had a hard time attempting to put down. (Ahh, but the kiddo needed supper, lol)
The Gender Game had an interesting dystopian world. The women live in the country of Matrus. The country ruled by women, and where the men have a very limited ability to do much of anything. The men are there to be a force of labor and only a select few are given the ability to have an education. The men live across the toxic river in the country of Patrus, the country ruled by men and where the women are essentially nothing more than a household pet. The women don't leave the home, or really do anything without prior approval from their husbands. While learning about the different countries you also begin to learn the story of Violet.
The first couple chapters of the story give you insight as to why Violet has been bounced from one disciplinary home to another, and eventually what has lead to the events that make up the bulk of the book. After a final "strike" on Violet's record she is given the chance to keep her life if she were to go undercover in Patrus with her fake "husband" Lee. There is also an underlying love story that I was beyond pleased with. It wasn't a "love triangle," forced, rushed, or made unbelievable. It was strong, and passionate, but only took up a rather small portion of the book. The rest is about the growth of a young girl, how she comes into her own, and does what needs done for the benefit of the country. Violet is strong and independent and has a hard time adjusting to life in Patrus, but does eventually come to understand that she really does need to subdue her natural instincts to be able to do the task required of her.
You learn that not everyone is who they may appear to be. That you should trust no one. And that ENDING!!!! It was just beyond words. I am already hating the wait until we get the next book. If you pick this up, I assure you, you won't want to put it down. Happy Reading!
It was an okay dystopian novel. I am not sure I'd continue the series, though the cliffhanger ending almost demands I do. I prefer to be unpredictable.
Sucks you in!
I loved this book! It really sucks you in until the very end and then keeps you wanting more! Ready for book #2!
I loved this book! It really sucks you in until the very end and then keeps you wanting more! Ready for book #2!
Badly written and the characters had no depth. The concept of separate "countries" based on a dominant gender was not developed properly or even thought through at all in my opinion
I couldn't possibly have hated this book more. I applaud the author for writing a whole series, something I've never done in my life, but that's the only accomplishment I see here.
Very enjoyable
This book would have gotten 5 stars from me if it hadn’t been so slow in the beginning. I ended up putting the book on hold for long periods of time due to the fact that it didn’t intrigue me. Thankfully I decided to come back and finish the book. The end was a whirlwind of emotions and I love every second of it. It ends in quite the cliff hanger so I can’t wait to read the next book. If you enjoyed Divergent then I think you’d really enjoy this book. Don’t give up on it like I almost did, cause I promise, it’s worth it.
This book would have gotten 5 stars from me if it hadn’t been so slow in the beginning. I ended up putting the book on hold for long periods of time due to the fact that it didn’t intrigue me. Thankfully I decided to come back and finish the book. The end was a whirlwind of emotions and I love every second of it. It ends in quite the cliff hanger so I can’t wait to read the next book. If you enjoyed Divergent then I think you’d really enjoy this book. Don’t give up on it like I almost did, cause I promise, it’s worth it.
It doesn't get better
If you find yourself a few chapters in and are wondering if it gets better... It doesn't. Just stays on and on.
If you find yourself a few chapters in and are wondering if it gets better... It doesn't. Just stays on and on.
This book kept popping up.."If you liked The Hunger Games..." so I finally bought the book. Maybe it was to just tell those ads to knock it off. I figured it was just another YA cliche book but I like those so it wouldn't be a total loss.
Um...this was surprisingly good. The concept was pretty unique, although I would have liked a bit more details about the difference between Matrus and Patrus. And the explanation at the end seemed a little more "villain confessing because he thinks he's getting away with it" than natural. But I'm intrigued to find out what happens next in this adventure.
Um...this was surprisingly good. The concept was pretty unique, although I would have liked a bit more details about the difference between Matrus and Patrus. And the explanation at the end seemed a little more "villain confessing because he thinks he's getting away with it" than natural. But I'm intrigued to find out what happens next in this adventure.
Could not get into this book.
Bought audio book (not library, actually bought it) returned it. Did not like story or the narrator. Double whammy.
Bought audio book (not library, actually bought it) returned it. Did not like story or the narrator. Double whammy.