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wrappingpaper's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
4.75
I read this book in one day. I originally started this series not expecting much beyond a naive romance story however I can now say it’s much more than that.
This book progressed quickly from the start, with multiple plot points and key moments coming in fast. Then, about halfway, it started to take a very emotional turn, so much so I even cried at the end.
Overall, this book really exceeded my expectations. Am I mad about (spoiler alert) Celeste being killed off right after having the best character development ever?? Yes. And I think that’s what makes this book so great - I’ve gotten so genuinely attached to the characters that I simply want nothing bad to happen to them in their messed up world.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how the books progress for the last two parts. The story has got me hooked and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!!
This book progressed quickly from the start, with multiple plot points and key moments coming in fast. Then, about halfway, it started to take a very emotional turn, so much so I even cried at the end.
Overall, this book really exceeded my expectations. Am I mad about (spoiler alert) Celeste being killed off right after having the best character development ever?? Yes. And I think that’s what makes this book so great - I’ve gotten so genuinely attached to the characters that I simply want nothing bad to happen to them in their messed up world.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how the books progress for the last two parts. The story has got me hooked and I can’t wait to find out what happens next!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Classism, Death, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol
booksandstardust's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent and Blood
Minor: Infertility
kingangie's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gun violence, and Violence
Moderate: War and Blood
pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Gun violence, Grief, Physical abuse, Violence, War, and Death
iris_parsons's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Death
hkantola11's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
isaxbella's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
!!Spoilers!!
I actually did like this better than the last one. Of course it's still very young-adultish, but it's easy and fun to read. Some things don't really make sense, like that after that many rebel attacks the guards aren't better trained or the security of the palace isn't better. Especially in the end, when the rebels just passed as guards. As if at least the other guards wouldn't recognise them?
I was especially sad that Celeste had died, because I actually really liked her in the end. Good character redemption arc, I would say.
I actually did like this better than the last one. Of course it's still very young-adultish, but it's easy and fun to read. Some things don't really make sense, like that after that many rebel attacks the guards aren't better trained or the security of the palace isn't better. Especially in the end, when the rebels just passed as guards. As if at least the other guards wouldn't recognise them?
I was especially sad that Celeste had died, because I actually really liked her in the end. Good character redemption arc, I would say.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent
ellawatwat's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-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
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and War
reesespuff6's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Gore, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Murder, Violence, Death, and War
prashiie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
“Not wanting the crown means you're probably the best person to have it.”
The Selection is coming to an end and it’s finally time for Maxon to decide who is going to be the One. Even when she decides to let go of Aspen, America still doesn’t understand Maxon and makes it unnecessarily complicated. As if the king not liking America didn’t make it complicated enough for her. The king finds new ways to hurt America’s image, but her reaction to it only inspires the public and makes them love her more. And it was so good to see that the four remaining girls started to bond more, very wholesome. We even find out that Celeste has a heart, can you imagine!
The Northern rebels had a slightly bigger part in this book and we learn more about their motives and their allies. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I have to admit the ending felt very abrupt. It just felt very anti-climatic.
Very close to the end, Maxon finds out about America and Aspen. He had his doubts before, but trusted her too much to let it influence him. But when he finds out his gut feeling was right all along, he is heartbroken. Then, the southern rebels attack and kill Celeste, just when she starts acting like a human being. At the same time, Maxon gets wounded and this near-dead experience makes him realise how much America meant to him. This makes him forgive her. No need to talk about it, no need to even know if the affair is still going on. The king also died during the attack, very convenient as that also solved a big problem. They were now free to marry each other and to change the country, just like that… The book ends with their marriage and we only get a glimpse of the changes that are waiting for Illéa.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent and Violence
Minor: Grief, Blood, and Vomit