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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Two cites separated by a river. One side is ruled by misogyny, the other is ruled by misandry, and the lead character slowly (very slowly) realizing that she doesn't fit in in either society. There are a few moments that seemed a bit forced but overall I thought the plot was good and interesting enough to keep me reading.
The Gender Game is a new take on dystopian worlds for me. I liked that they were divided by gender, though I did not like the way men and women were treated in each respective land.
Matrus is ruled by women and men are little more than an inconvenience to most women there.
Patrus is ruled by men, women are "owned" by their husbands there and can not do anything without them or a guardian appointed by their husband.
We first meet Violet our MC when she is trying to sneak her brother across the river into Patrus, since he was marked as too aggressive for Matrus. Things do not go as planned and both Violet and her brother are captured. Her brother is sent off and we don't really learn anything besides he was sent up north to the mines ( or was he?)
Violet has had it rough since her brother was captured and carted off, she has been in and out of trouble, committed womanslaughter twice and is now facing certain death. When she is given the chance to wipe her slate clean; by retrieving something that Patrus "stole" from Matrus she eventually takes it with the stipulation that she gets to visit her brother.
This is where things really slowed down for me, and I started only reading a chapter at night before bed. I couldn't see Violet in Patrus acting like one of their women. She was so lively and kick ass. But to be subservient and meek was totally out of character for her.
I won't give too much more away, Violet starts to finally come back into character. The retrieval goes off without a hitch, and then, of course, there is another twist thrown in. I'm reading the next book now, mainly because I need to know if Violet ever finds her brother.
Matrus is ruled by women and men are little more than an inconvenience to most women there.
Patrus is ruled by men, women are "owned" by their husbands there and can not do anything without them or a guardian appointed by their husband.
We first meet Violet our MC when she is trying to sneak her brother across the river into Patrus, since he was marked as too aggressive for Matrus. Things do not go as planned and both Violet and her brother are captured. Her brother is sent off and we don't really learn anything besides he was sent up north to the mines ( or was he?)
Violet has had it rough since her brother was captured and carted off, she has been in and out of trouble, committed womanslaughter twice and is now facing certain death. When she is given the chance to wipe her slate clean; by retrieving something that Patrus "stole" from Matrus she eventually takes it with the stipulation that she gets to visit her brother.
This is where things really slowed down for me, and I started only reading a chapter at night before bed. I couldn't see Violet in Patrus acting like one of their women. She was so lively and kick ass. But to be subservient and meek was totally out of character for her.
I won't give too much more away, Violet starts to finally come back into character. The retrieval goes off without a hitch, and then, of course, there is another twist thrown in. I'm reading the next book now, mainly because I need to know if Violet ever finds her brother.
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For me, there were too many plot holes, feeble characters (she’s smart enough for difficult circumstances and utterly nonsensical for simple/obvious situations) and what sounded like a promising story premise but it just turned into a mini dumpster fire.
It was fast pace with odd encounters so holding my attention was not a problem. This book probably will be most appreciated by a certain age group – 8-14yrs and could undoubtedly fill a teacher’s discussion planner for months – many aspects of stereotyping to scrutinize. But it’s nowhere close to being intelligent enough or filling in holes that Hunger Games or Divergent leave on readers – don’t believe the “marketing” on the book jacket!
Gender game – one naturally wonders about romance…forget about it. The book has plenty of violence (homicide, cage fighting, near rape…) but gives the reader an absurdly clumsy romance!?
World building - ?? They ride motorcycles, fly helicopters, track people, yet, use landline phones and rowboats? Zero points. But there’s a forest that is deadly but I guess the sequel unlocks that mystery.
The ending was definitely easy to see coming and was intended to boggle the reader's mind as to wonder if you/I could really stomach to foray into the sequel. I’m tempted because nothing makes sense but a part of me is curious to see how bad the book could be. It’s the proverbial roadside wreck/rubbernecking ploy.
For me, there were too many plot holes, feeble characters (she’s smart enough for difficult circumstances and utterly nonsensical for simple/obvious situations) and what sounded like a promising story premise but it just turned into a mini dumpster fire.
It was fast pace with odd encounters so holding my attention was not a problem. This book probably will be most appreciated by a certain age group – 8-14yrs and could undoubtedly fill a teacher’s discussion planner for months – many aspects of stereotyping to scrutinize. But it’s nowhere close to being intelligent enough or filling in holes that Hunger Games or Divergent leave on readers – don’t believe the “marketing” on the book jacket!
Gender game – one naturally wonders about romance…forget about it. The book has plenty of violence (homicide, cage fighting, near rape…) but gives the reader an absurdly clumsy romance!?
World building - ?? They ride motorcycles, fly helicopters, track people, yet, use landline phones and rowboats? Zero points. But there’s a forest that is deadly but I guess the sequel unlocks that mystery.
The ending was definitely easy to see coming and was intended to boggle the reader's mind as to wonder if you/I could really stomach to foray into the sequel. I’m tempted because nothing makes sense but a part of me is curious to see how bad the book could be. It’s the proverbial roadside wreck/rubbernecking ploy.
Decent young adult book with a good concept. Kept me interested throughout. One society is matriarchal, the other is patriarchal, but the story isn't really about that, which was a little disappointing. It was more of a caper and romance with the societal stuff as a side-story.
This was an okay-read. Entertaining but not mind-blowing.
I didn't like the ending very much..
I didn't like the ending very much..
I honestly couldn't finish this book. It had some great ideas but was boring. I couldn't connect to the characters but was disappointed at every turn. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen but it didn't so I quit it.
The book starts a little slow as it describes the world and settings. However it picks up and leaves you wanting more. A few slow plots but over all a great read. I was excited to start the second book.
Very interesting book. Made me want to keep reading, I finished the entire series in under 2 months! Action packed with a hint of romance and a lot of feels.
Did not expect that ending. However I don’t care enough to continue. Fun while it lasted.