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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
hopeful
sad
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
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
"Do you want to stick needles in the living or scalpels in the dead?" (paraphrase)
This is the quote I first saw upon opening this book, and I was intrigued. "A YA book about flaying? Sure!" But no. There is no flaying in this book. They talk about it and show the products of flaying (skin books: touch your dead relatives forever!) but they don't actually have a scene in which someone (a dead person) is flayed.
On top of that, I didn't think it was particularly well-written, although the concept was interesting albeit morbid.
The Boltons would be just as disappointed as I am.
This is the quote I first saw upon opening this book, and I was intrigued. "A YA book about flaying? Sure!" But no. There is no flaying in this book. They talk about it and show the products of flaying (skin books: touch your dead relatives forever!) but they don't actually have a scene in which someone (a dead person) is flayed.
On top of that, I didn't think it was particularly well-written, although the concept was interesting albeit morbid.
The Boltons would be just as disappointed as I am.
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was something... not necessarily a good thing at that. I really didn't like the writing style, but the odd thing is there was a few passages that were actually quite well written, and it makes me quick disappointed seeing her potential. Anyway the characters were very... eh. I literally don't know how I feel abt the characters. The 'love interest' was very undeveloped and I didn't care for most of the characters, apart from Obel. The concept was so interesting but it was not executed well at all. The only redeeming qualities was the ending. I did enjoy the last third of the book. I did get glimpses of good bits but they just weren't long enough. I hope the other books in this series are better but I will not be reading them.
I'm very divided by this book, there were some parts that I was like 'Wow, this is so cool and intetesting!' at and others I was like 'Meh'.
The story follows Leora who, apparently, 'has a secret to keep' which I would totally say is misleading as it isn't something she knows about til the last bit of the book.
As with everything in this book, I'm unsure what to make of Leora. She's very adamant in her belief that blanks are bad people and that the stories she's been told growing up are truth and she should honour her ancestors and so on. All of that really made me surprised when she changed her mind entirely at the end of the book, it was so... rash? So unlike her that I don't know how to feel about it.
I must say, I did enjoy the character of Obel, he was a bit cold at first but I grew to really like him and he was, in a way, refreshing- he was an enlightener in a way.
The concept of the ink on people's skin took a while for me to get a hold of- from the synopsis I imagined literally every word would be inked on them (was very confused when no one was being careful with their words) but that wasn't to be and I didn't realise that as quick as I should have.
I do feel as if nothing really happened until the last third in the book, it was quite slow to start with and whilst some of it was useful in character/world building, I think there could've been some action or just something to spice it up a bit.
The story follows Leora who, apparently, 'has a secret to keep' which I would totally say is misleading as it isn't something she knows about til the last bit of the book.
As with everything in this book, I'm unsure what to make of Leora. She's very adamant in her belief that blanks are bad people and that the stories she's been told growing up are truth and she should honour her ancestors and so on. All of that really made me surprised when she changed her mind entirely at the end of the book, it was so... rash? So unlike her that I don't know how to feel about it.
I must say, I did enjoy the character of Obel, he was a bit cold at first but I grew to really like him and he was, in a way, refreshing- he was an enlightener in a way.
The concept of the ink on people's skin took a while for me to get a hold of- from the synopsis I imagined literally every word would be inked on them (was very confused when no one was being careful with their words) but that wasn't to be and I didn't realise that as quick as I should have.
I do feel as if nothing really happened until the last third in the book, it was quite slow to start with and whilst some of it was useful in character/world building, I think there could've been some action or just something to spice it up a bit.
This book was a bit slow at first, but it turned out to be amazing!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Interesting beginning but felt dragged down and a bit lecture-y. I was intrigued by your big life events being tattooed on your skin so everyone could see who you are. However, it started to feel like a morality tale.
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had read it when I was younger.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No