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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Surprising Fun
Surprised how much I enjoyed it! Great premise. Ready for book two now, of course. Definitely smacks of Hunger Games.
Surprised how much I enjoyed it! Great premise. Ready for book two now, of course. Definitely smacks of Hunger Games.
So good!
This book was great! I could not put it down. I’m a fan of dystopian novels and this book fit right in.
This book was great! I could not put it down. I’m a fan of dystopian novels and this book fit right in.
[I copied part of this from my review of the third book, as I felt it was probably more relevant here]
I love this book and the concept so much, Violet is an incredible female protagonist and I don't really have anything bad to say about her.
However, I do have a huge issue with the concept. Bella tries to portray both Patrus and Matrus as equally bad, which is obviously supposed to parallel misogyny/misandry, but it from what we've been told about Matrus and and Patrus, Matrus definitely is nowhere near as bad as Patrus. Both monarchy's are equally awful, definitely, but in regards to the actual people there (and Violet says herself early on that it isn't the publics fault for the actions of the Monarchs, and the public don't even know about a lot of the crappy things their leaders are doing) the women of Matrus treat males much better than the men of Patrus treat women. In regards to the PUBLIC (and only the PUBLIC, not the LEADERS of both nations, I agree they're equally bad) men aren't treated like animals (as described in the books) the way women are treated in Patrus. It is so surreal to me that anyone could view them as equally bad, when one is astronomically worse than the other.
I love this book and the concept so much, Violet is an incredible female protagonist and I don't really have anything bad to say about her.
However, I do have a huge issue with the concept. Bella tries to portray both Patrus and Matrus as equally bad, which is obviously supposed to parallel misogyny/misandry, but it from what we've been told about Matrus and and Patrus, Matrus definitely is nowhere near as bad as Patrus. Both monarchy's are equally awful, definitely, but in regards to the actual people there (and Violet says herself early on that it isn't the publics fault for the actions of the Monarchs, and the public don't even know about a lot of the crappy things their leaders are doing) the women of Matrus treat males much better than the men of Patrus treat women. In regards to the PUBLIC (and only the PUBLIC, not the LEADERS of both nations, I agree they're equally bad) men aren't treated like animals (as described in the books) the way women are treated in Patrus. It is so surreal to me that anyone could view them as equally bad, when one is astronomically worse than the other.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Classism
Moderate: Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Torture
Does not get good till like chapter 15. After that i's very good but over all it's slow.
I was looking for something to fill the gap from rereading The Hunger Games and The Gender Game was recommended as a similar read. I found the book to have an interesting storyline and it definitely kept me interested throughout the book. It is a quick read, easy to follow. It is not on the same level as The Hunger Games, but it is a good alternative.
Had a hard time getting into it, but after 50% through it get better
I started reading this a month or two ago and while it was somewhat slow going at first, I hit a point a few days ago where I just could not put it down!
Slow start, but great ending
I thought it was a little slow at the beginning. But the tempo quickly picks up in the book and it ends in a wonderful suspense. Can’t wait to read the next book.
I thought it was a little slow at the beginning. But the tempo quickly picks up in the book and it ends in a wonderful suspense. Can’t wait to read the next book.
Loved the entire series. Great world building and character development. Really interesting commentary.