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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
3.5 really. I spent most of the book thinking it was a 2.5 stars but that end really turned things around. I will have to read the next ones now though!
This book was slow and violent. There were a lot of unanswered questions and not a whole lot going on, more relationship building and conversations and secrets. Tons of glorified violence that I wasn't keen on. On the plus side, it read quickly and there were parts that were engaging. I don't think I'll read more books in the series though.
The book immediately made me feel bad for Violet and I was captivated to know more about her. I really enjoyed the connection her and Viggo shared and I’m anxious to see how that plays out (if it plays out) in the second book.
The idea of the series is really interesting and that was another reason why I couldn’t put the book down. I’ve really been looking for a series that would keep my attention and so far at least, this book has done that.
I was so surprised by how the ending played out. But it’s done the job by wanting me to read more.
Looking forward to completing the series.
The idea of the series is really interesting and that was another reason why I couldn’t put the book down. I’ve really been looking for a series that would keep my attention and so far at least, this book has done that.
I was so surprised by how the ending played out. But it’s done the job by wanting me to read more.
Looking forward to completing the series.
Interesting idea
It's certainly firmly set within the dystopian tradition, however there are some nice elements founded in the premise of a gender-divided society that is increasingly relevant today. Overall, a fairly easy read but definitely interesting.
It's certainly firmly set within the dystopian tradition, however there are some nice elements founded in the premise of a gender-divided society that is increasingly relevant today. Overall, a fairly easy read but definitely interesting.
An interesting twist on post-apocalyptic America. I liked the true feminist perspective as well as the story told with two societies that have no gender equality. The writing seemed fairly simple and although telling a unique tale and creating empathy and love for one character in particular, I didn't feel as connected to this community or plot.
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Okay I have a confession. When a book is compared to another book, I usually roll my eyes. 9 out of 10 times the comparison does not live up to the book it is compared to. When I originally received a copy of The Gender Game for review, I was a bit skeptical of its comparison to one of my favorite dystopians [book:The Hunger Games|2767052] BUT having now read it the description fits. The Gender Game by Bella Forrest is an exciting dystopian about two countries with varying degrees of oppression. Revenge, subterfuge, and secrets set the tone for the series and personally I wound up buying the rest of the series so I could binge read. It is that good!
Violet Bates is 19 at the start of the book and basically one offense away from a death sentence in the Matrian society she’s grown up in. Any violence is too much violence and after accidentally killing not one but two girls, Violet is now looking at extermination. But the queen makes her an offer. Patrus has stolen something valuable and they need it back without causing a war. Violet is to enter Patrus under the guise of marriage and steal back the thing that was taken. With her only other choice death, Violet accepts the terms with one condition, she wants her brother back. You see, in Matrus, boys who are deemed too aggressive are marked and sent to the mines in the north. Violet’s brother was marked and sent away at 8.
I love Violet. She is just a girl, trying to survive. Yes she has a temper, it’s why she is in the situation she is in, but she has good reason. Her mother is dead, she’s never known her father, and when her brother was marked she tried to send him to Patrus, to save him from the mines. All that did was send him earlier and send her into a detention center where she has spent the last 8 years. Violet is tough and extremely mistrusting, but who can blame her?!
Once in Patrus, Violet is paired with an undercover Matrian spy, Lee. Lee was born on the river that separates the two countries and was raised in Matrus for 8 years before he went back to Patrus to live with his father. He considers himself a man of no nation and this makes him a good spy. Lee is standoffish, only giving Violet the details of the plan as he sees fit. And it seems he always gives her the dangerous parts.
Then there is Viggo, a warden of Patrus. Violet is assigned to get to know him and his routine so that Lee and Violet can steal the egg. Yet Viggo gets under Violet’s skin. They are a lot a like. Viggo is mistrusting of the government, only working as warden as his prison sentence. He is strong, yet also kind. It is easy to see where this will go.
I personally enjoyed the dystopian world Bella Forrest has created. The two countries – Matrus and Patrus – are ruled by either women or men, respectively. In Matrus, women rule, violence is looked down on, and advances in science are pursued. In Patrus, the men rule. They are a bit barbaric, women are subservient, and technology is a big influence. It was interesting to see how the author took the stereotypes of men and women and put those as the fundamental aspects of these societies. I’m curious to see how these societies came to power and how they will fall (because they will fail) during the course of the series.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! It was a fast-paced, full of suspense. I enjoyed learning about the two societies from Violet’s perspective and that ending?! Oh my goodness! It’s killer. If you enjoy dystopia, I highly recommend you grab a copy.
Side Note: I alternated reading and listening to this book. The narrator is fantastic. I found myself completely engaged and listened to a majority of the book, only reading a handful of chapters. If you enjoy audios, I highly recommend this one!
Okay I have a confession. When a book is compared to another book, I usually roll my eyes. 9 out of 10 times the comparison does not live up to the book it is compared to. When I originally received a copy of The Gender Game for review, I was a bit skeptical of its comparison to one of my favorite dystopians [book:The Hunger Games|2767052] BUT having now read it the description fits. The Gender Game by Bella Forrest is an exciting dystopian about two countries with varying degrees of oppression. Revenge, subterfuge, and secrets set the tone for the series and personally I wound up buying the rest of the series so I could binge read. It is that good!
Violet Bates is 19 at the start of the book and basically one offense away from a death sentence in the Matrian society she’s grown up in. Any violence is too much violence and after accidentally killing not one but two girls, Violet is now looking at extermination. But the queen makes her an offer. Patrus has stolen something valuable and they need it back without causing a war. Violet is to enter Patrus under the guise of marriage and steal back the thing that was taken. With her only other choice death, Violet accepts the terms with one condition, she wants her brother back. You see, in Matrus, boys who are deemed too aggressive are marked and sent to the mines in the north. Violet’s brother was marked and sent away at 8.
I love Violet. She is just a girl, trying to survive. Yes she has a temper, it’s why she is in the situation she is in, but she has good reason. Her mother is dead, she’s never known her father, and when her brother was marked she tried to send him to Patrus, to save him from the mines. All that did was send him earlier and send her into a detention center where she has spent the last 8 years. Violet is tough and extremely mistrusting, but who can blame her?!
Once in Patrus, Violet is paired with an undercover Matrian spy, Lee. Lee was born on the river that separates the two countries and was raised in Matrus for 8 years before he went back to Patrus to live with his father. He considers himself a man of no nation and this makes him a good spy. Lee is standoffish, only giving Violet the details of the plan as he sees fit. And it seems he always gives her the dangerous parts.
Then there is Viggo, a warden of Patrus. Violet is assigned to get to know him and his routine so that Lee and Violet can steal the egg. Yet Viggo gets under Violet’s skin. They are a lot a like. Viggo is mistrusting of the government, only working as warden as his prison sentence. He is strong, yet also kind. It is easy to see where this will go.
I personally enjoyed the dystopian world Bella Forrest has created. The two countries – Matrus and Patrus – are ruled by either women or men, respectively. In Matrus, women rule, violence is looked down on, and advances in science are pursued. In Patrus, the men rule. They are a bit barbaric, women are subservient, and technology is a big influence. It was interesting to see how the author took the stereotypes of men and women and put those as the fundamental aspects of these societies. I’m curious to see how these societies came to power and how they will fall (because they will fail) during the course of the series.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! It was a fast-paced, full of suspense. I enjoyed learning about the two societies from Violet’s perspective and that ending?! Oh my goodness! It’s killer. If you enjoy dystopia, I highly recommend you grab a copy.
Side Note: I alternated reading and listening to this book. The narrator is fantastic. I found myself completely engaged and listened to a majority of the book, only reading a handful of chapters. If you enjoy audios, I highly recommend this one!
Was drawn to this book as it came as a recommendation after I read the hunger games. However this book I didnt find measured up. The book I found was extremely slow to start and even though the story is told by Violet I really struggled to connect or be interested in her plight. I had to stop reading as was not interested in what would happen to her when she got the opportunity. Might be a good book but not one for me x
I knew this was a knock-off Divergent but it was still worse than I expected to be. The characters had potential but the plot was weak and the writing was worse.