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amelianotthepilot's review against another edition
1.5
Yet again this series is rough. The book cover is truly doing so much work here it is gorgeous.
damn these suck. it’s so back and forth the whole time, within one sentence America decides she's fully into maxon only to decide in the next sentence she’s actually going home and will date aspen. Aspen sucks and Maxon is too mature and kind to her. I still don't understand how these books were spread out like this, I think the whole selection plot could be one book instead of 3-absolutely nothing happens in this book you can honestly skip it. Yet again the rebels are still meaningless.
lol at my old 2014 review tho💀 (I was 15)
repeat: My main problem with the series in general is the random blatant sexism and racism. The girls in the selection are just wives who will bare children, they're objects, and while this is poked at (maybe once) it's not actually called out for being bad. The racism lies mainly in one character being Asian and is referred to as 'exotic' and also seems to be a 'conglomerate Asian' of just random various Asian stereotypes and cultural dress. But furthermore the two groups of rebels the north (implied Canadians) are described as 'civilized' and 'smart' while the south (implied Mexico and South America) are described as 'barbaric' and 'uncivilized', attacking viciously without purpose. There is also heavy classism. Although this is meant to be a dystopian plot device dividing the characters and their upbringings, the characters who rise classes basically immediately forget their struggles and upbringing and the commentary and morals end up not existing. America easily fits into her new raised class and bosses her maids around while displaying minimal niceties the reader is supposed to commend her for.
Overall this is a simple, albeit lacking 2000s dystopian with blatant problems and racism but at least it has pretty dresses and a fun little plot I guess....
damn these suck. it’s so back and forth the whole time, within one sentence America decides she's fully into maxon only to decide in the next sentence she’s actually going home and will date aspen. Aspen sucks and Maxon is too mature and kind to her. I still don't understand how these books were spread out like this, I think the whole selection plot could be one book instead of 3-absolutely nothing happens in this book you can honestly skip it. Yet again the rebels are still meaningless.
lol at my old 2014 review tho💀 (I was 15)
repeat: My main problem with the series in general is the random blatant sexism and racism. The girls in the selection are just wives who will bare children, they're objects, and while this is poked at (maybe once) it's not actually called out for being bad. The racism lies mainly in one character being Asian and is referred to as 'exotic' and also seems to be a 'conglomerate Asian' of just random various Asian stereotypes and cultural dress. But furthermore the two groups of rebels the north (implied Canadians) are described as 'civilized' and 'smart' while the south (implied Mexico and South America) are described as 'barbaric' and 'uncivilized', attacking viciously without purpose. There is also heavy classism. Although this is meant to be a dystopian plot device dividing the characters and their upbringings, the characters who rise classes basically immediately forget their struggles and upbringing and the commentary and morals end up not existing. America easily fits into her new raised class and bosses her maids around while displaying minimal niceties the reader is supposed to commend her for.
Overall this is a simple, albeit lacking 2000s dystopian with blatant problems and racism but at least it has pretty dresses and a fun little plot I guess....
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Classism, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Racism
siglerbooknook's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a reread for me that I remember really loving as a teenager.
I can definitely see why I liked this so much. It is funny and cute and light-hearted. As an adult some of the plot points for the lead characters a bit trivial, but the book isn't aimed at adults, so that doesn't effect the star rating.
While I enjoy a lot of the banter and adore the side characters immensely, I often found the reasons behind decisions, America's temper, and the miscommunication forced. She makes so many rediculous assumptions and often acts out. But I guess I was just as impulsive at 17.
I still find this story incredibly cute and one I look forward to keeping in my collection and sharing with friends in the future.
I can definitely see why I liked this so much. It is funny and cute and light-hearted. As an adult some of the plot points for the lead characters a bit trivial, but the book isn't aimed at adults, so that doesn't effect the star rating.
While I enjoy a lot of the banter and adore the side characters immensely, I often found the reasons behind decisions, America's temper, and the miscommunication forced. She makes so many rediculous assumptions and often acts out. But I guess I was just as impulsive at 17.
I still find this story incredibly cute and one I look forward to keeping in my collection and sharing with friends in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Bullying, Classism, Domestic abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Gun violence, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Infertility, Grief, and Body shaming
booksandstardust's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Sexism
Minor: Infidelity, Child death, War, and Infertility
natalie_j's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Well written, easy read. The more I read, the less I like the main characters (the maids will always have my heart though)<3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Violence, Alcohol, Gun violence, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content, Trafficking, Miscarriage, and Infertility
kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Gun violence, Child abuse, and Violence
Minor: Blood
imaginethisreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence and Gun violence
lisa_m's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
So little actually happened in this book it's comical. I have a really hard time actually explaining what happened in this book. There were some more explanations of how Illia came to be which was interesting but I don't know if I actually still support America and Maxon.
I mean Maxon is mostly great and I understand his decisions. America on the other hand got more and more annoying and I can't identify with her at all anymore. I'm almost hoping Kris will win.
These books are clearly a fantasy. The female reader is supposed to see themselves as America and feel the rush of being so loved by two people. That did not however work for me. I don't understand what anyone sees in America. It is constantly stated how bland and inadequate she is but still everyone absolutely loves her. Her actions are so ridiculous and over exaggerated. Maxon keeps telling her how much he cares about her and then he looks at someone else once and she immediately assumes the worst. She really doesn't trust in his words.
I will still be reading the next book in the series because as annoyed as I was it was still great entertainment. I am invested in the characters and their relationships even though I don't particularly like them.
The whole book is quite patriotic and I just wish we got to see more of the rebels. They show up every few chapters to destroy stuff and steal books and that's it. For a moment I was actually hoping they would kidnap America and she would then join them. That would have at least brought a bit of excitement into the story. I feel like a lot of plot points have been set up and very under explained. The series has the potential if an amazing finally but I'm worried the author will go in the more simple direction and just leave a lot of stuff unexplained.
I mean Maxon is mostly great and I understand his decisions. America on the other hand got more and more annoying and I can't identify with her at all anymore. I'm almost hoping Kris will win.
These books are clearly a fantasy. The female reader is supposed to see themselves as America and feel the rush of being so loved by two people. That did not however work for me. I don't understand what anyone sees in America. It is constantly stated how bland and inadequate she is but still everyone absolutely loves her. Her actions are so ridiculous and over exaggerated. Maxon keeps telling her how much he cares about her and then he looks at someone else once and she immediately assumes the worst. She really doesn't trust in his words.
I will still be reading the next book in the series because as annoyed as I was it was still great entertainment. I am invested in the characters and their relationships even though I don't particularly like them.
The whole book is quite patriotic and I just wish we got to see more of the rebels. They show up every few chapters to destroy stuff and steal books and that's it. For a moment I was actually hoping they would kidnap America and she would then join them. That would have at least brought a bit of excitement into the story. I feel like a lot of plot points have been set up and very under explained. The series has the potential if an amazing finally but I'm worried the author will go in the more simple direction and just leave a lot of stuff unexplained.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Medical content, Body horror, Infidelity, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Violence
Minor: Misogyny and Miscarriage
rosiejaem's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Gun violence, and Sexism
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