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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
I needed an audiobook for my long drive, and when I realized this author had another YA book and it was available, I didn't even think twice before downloading. I was a little disappointed though, sadly. It was an entertaining book, a really great audiobook, but I had issues with Ten. I get that the whole book is centered around her decision to choose, but the inner dialogue was soooo repetitive that, for me, it took away from the story rather than adding value. Overall: lots of adventure, lots of character growth, a fun romance, but too much whining.
http://angelerin.blogspot.com/2016/08/firstlife-by-gena-showalter-review.html
So far I have loved all of the Gena Showalter books that I've read. So when I saw Firstlife I knew I would have to give it a shot. Even though the summary sounds...strange. Maybe a little too strange for me, but I knew that if Gena wrote it then it must be good. Right?
#TroikaOrMyriad?
Well it is good!! The whole idea of Firstlife and Everlife is very intriguing. I think after reading this one I still want more information about Troika, Myriad, and Everlife in general. I'm hoping in the next book there will be even more details!! I'm sure there will be.
#INeedMoreDetails
One thing that I really liked is the poems here and there in the novel that can be read down and up. I know that is random and such a small detail, but I really think that is such a cool tidbit. Something I did not think was a cool tidbit though is Ten's number OCD. That really started to grate on my nerves. In general Ten started to get on my nerves as the book went on. Which is ultimately what led this to be a 4 star book instead of a 5 star book for me. I will say that I really like both Archer and Killian. That was a major plus!
#AlmostFiveStars
Overall I am not sure what I expected from Firstlife, but it is better than what I thought it would be. I don't think it's for everyone though, because it is a little out there. Gena Showalter is such a talented writer and I'm curious where she will take this story in book two.
#BetterThanExpected
I recommend Firstlife for Gena Showalter fans and for anyone remotely curious. I don't think the summary (or review) can accurately sum this one up without spoilers. You'll just have to try it for yourself!
#SeeForYourself
So far I have loved all of the Gena Showalter books that I've read. So when I saw Firstlife I knew I would have to give it a shot. Even though the summary sounds...strange. Maybe a little too strange for me, but I knew that if Gena wrote it then it must be good. Right?
#TroikaOrMyriad?
Well it is good!! The whole idea of Firstlife and Everlife is very intriguing. I think after reading this one I still want more information about Troika, Myriad, and Everlife in general. I'm hoping in the next book there will be even more details!! I'm sure there will be.
#INeedMoreDetails
One thing that I really liked is the poems here and there in the novel that can be read down and up. I know that is random and such a small detail, but I really think that is such a cool tidbit. Something I did not think was a cool tidbit though is Ten's number OCD. That really started to grate on my nerves. In general Ten started to get on my nerves as the book went on. Which is ultimately what led this to be a 4 star book instead of a 5 star book for me. I will say that I really like both Archer and Killian. That was a major plus!
#AlmostFiveStars
Overall I am not sure what I expected from Firstlife, but it is better than what I thought it would be. I don't think it's for everyone though, because it is a little out there. Gena Showalter is such a talented writer and I'm curious where she will take this story in book two.
#BetterThanExpected
I recommend Firstlife for Gena Showalter fans and for anyone remotely curious. I don't think the summary (or review) can accurately sum this one up without spoilers. You'll just have to try it for yourself!
#SeeForYourself
“Ten tears fall, and I call. Nine hundred trees, but only one is for me. Eight times eight times eight they fly, whatever you do, don't stay dry. Seven ladies dancing, ignore their sweet romancing. Six seconds to hide, up, up, and you'll survive. Five times four times three, and that is where he'll be. Two I'll save, I'll be brave, brave, brave. The one I adore, I'll come back for.”
I’ve had the hardback of Firstlife sitting on my shelf for a while now, and I picked it up based off the cover this time. I mean, let’s talk about how gorgeous it is!! The story sounded interesting, and I remember seeing a lot of Bookstagram posts about it, mainly based on the cover. Let’s be real, any book with a beautiful cover is bookstagram worthy! I love the detail inside of the hourglass on this one- it makes the book insides intriguing all on its own!
Firstlife captivated me the moment I picked up the book. Ten seems to have a tragically accepting life, being trapped inside the Prynne Asylum all because she wasn’t choosing to sign with either side. It seems really sad that her first life was spent preparing to be with Myriad, even if she didn’t know what she wanted. When she vocalized that- her parents locked her up. That world just seems super depressing to me. Her dad- a JERK, BTW. He was just using Ten to gain all the Myriad riches.
Ten is inside the Asylum for a good portion of the book, with a new roommate (Bow) and a hottie (Killian) that comes into the Asylum with eyes only for her. The “warden” Vans is straight up cruel. He will do anything to anybody if he gets paid for it. In any way. He is always watching on camera, and he’s just creepy in general. I cringed everytime his name came up, at all.
The two different realms you could end up in after death are Myriad or Troika. If you don’t sign with either, you would end up in Many Ends, where you’re tortured forever. Both Myriad and Troika are at war, and Ten is the newest focus of both of them. She is supposedly “fused” with a general on the Myriad side, so they will play dirty to get her. Myriad is the “dark” side. They fight dirty, but try and win you over with all the riches they can offer. Troika is the “light.” They forgive, fight fair, and I think peaks the interest more of Ten.
The bummer to this book, is that there is 400+ pages of Ten not being able to decide which side to choose. I mean, she was in prison and a bunch of her friends DIE because she can’t make up her mind. That super sucks, but at the same time she’s thinking about how she wants to spend the rest of her days. Like, A LONG TIME. It literally takes her *SPOILER ALERT* going to Many Ends 3 TIMES to even make a full decision. Yeah, her life was so bad in the “pre” that she died 3 times. HOW SAD IS THAT!??! Seriously, this book is full of violence, which I don’t mind, but I would think twice before letting your pre-teen read about. You never knew what horrible thing was going to happen to poor Ten, it totally kept me on my toes.
The ending ended up being such a nail biter, but I’m so happy it ended how it did. If you really wanted to spoil the entire book, just go to the last page- the last words spoil the entire book! I’m normally the type of person who will read a bit in the back, just to see how they get there, but I’m SO glad I didn’t this time around!
All in all, I did love this book. It took me several weeks to read, as I’ve been slower reading physical copies of books. I’ve been so busy and exhausted before bed, I’ve just been going right to sleep. Whereas at work, I’ve been able to read on my Kindle, so I’ve been going through those faster. I will be picking up the 2nd book in this series on both Kindle and hardback. Kindle so I can read it ASAP, and hardback because- DUH- it’s pretty and needs to go on my shelf!
I’ve had the hardback of Firstlife sitting on my shelf for a while now, and I picked it up based off the cover this time. I mean, let’s talk about how gorgeous it is!! The story sounded interesting, and I remember seeing a lot of Bookstagram posts about it, mainly based on the cover. Let’s be real, any book with a beautiful cover is bookstagram worthy! I love the detail inside of the hourglass on this one- it makes the book insides intriguing all on its own!
Firstlife captivated me the moment I picked up the book. Ten seems to have a tragically accepting life, being trapped inside the Prynne Asylum all because she wasn’t choosing to sign with either side. It seems really sad that her first life was spent preparing to be with Myriad, even if she didn’t know what she wanted. When she vocalized that- her parents locked her up. That world just seems super depressing to me. Her dad- a JERK, BTW. He was just using Ten to gain all the Myriad riches.
Ten is inside the Asylum for a good portion of the book, with a new roommate (Bow) and a hottie (Killian) that comes into the Asylum with eyes only for her. The “warden” Vans is straight up cruel. He will do anything to anybody if he gets paid for it. In any way. He is always watching on camera, and he’s just creepy in general. I cringed everytime his name came up, at all.
The two different realms you could end up in after death are Myriad or Troika. If you don’t sign with either, you would end up in Many Ends, where you’re tortured forever. Both Myriad and Troika are at war, and Ten is the newest focus of both of them. She is supposedly “fused” with a general on the Myriad side, so they will play dirty to get her. Myriad is the “dark” side. They fight dirty, but try and win you over with all the riches they can offer. Troika is the “light.” They forgive, fight fair, and I think peaks the interest more of Ten.
The bummer to this book, is that there is 400+ pages of Ten not being able to decide which side to choose. I mean, she was in prison and a bunch of her friends DIE because she can’t make up her mind. That super sucks, but at the same time she’s thinking about how she wants to spend the rest of her days. Like, A LONG TIME. It literally takes her *SPOILER ALERT* going to Many Ends 3 TIMES to even make a full decision. Yeah, her life was so bad in the “pre” that she died 3 times. HOW SAD IS THAT!??! Seriously, this book is full of violence, which I don’t mind, but I would think twice before letting your pre-teen read about. You never knew what horrible thing was going to happen to poor Ten, it totally kept me on my toes.
The ending ended up being such a nail biter, but I’m so happy it ended how it did. If you really wanted to spoil the entire book, just go to the last page- the last words spoil the entire book! I’m normally the type of person who will read a bit in the back, just to see how they get there, but I’m SO glad I didn’t this time around!
All in all, I did love this book. It took me several weeks to read, as I’ve been slower reading physical copies of books. I’ve been so busy and exhausted before bed, I’ve just been going right to sleep. Whereas at work, I’ve been able to read on my Kindle, so I’ve been going through those faster. I will be picking up the 2nd book in this series on both Kindle and hardback. Kindle so I can read it ASAP, and hardback because- DUH- it’s pretty and needs to go on my shelf!
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“Jut then I’m stuck by a truth so real it might as well be a bolt of lightning: there is no greater evil than the one that cloaks itself in virtue.”
First 100 pages: ugh I don't understand any of this and it's boring
Second 100 pages: okay well I understand a bit more but it's still kinda meh
Third 100 pages: this is starting to make sense
Fourth 100 pages: okay this is actually good I'm invested in it now
Last 50ish pages: the confusion is still there but I'm too invested in the story to care about the fact that I don't entirely understand what's going on
Second 100 pages: okay well I understand a bit more but it's still kinda meh
Third 100 pages: this is starting to make sense
Fourth 100 pages: okay this is actually good I'm invested in it now
Last 50ish pages: the confusion is still there but I'm too invested in the story to care about the fact that I don't entirely understand what's going on
2.5/5*
Disclaimer: I read the Swedish translation of this, which might have affected my judgement and so on. Moving on.
I'm not a big fan of this book, for a variety of reasons. Something that surprised me, and that I didn't remember from the first time I read it, is the very stereotypical and slightly racist portrayal of Russian people, and that really threw me off in the beginning. Also, Killian gives off such rapist vibes while attempting to flirt with Ten in the first part of the book, although he's supposed to be such a ladies' man. Do girls actually enjoy that? I certainly Do Not.
Another thing: Literally all they do is talk about sex. They're constantly in the middle of almost dying, and they just talk about sex. Ten has been tortured in some horrible prison for several years and all she thinks about is how she never had sex with her ex boyfriend. Sounds a tiny bit unrealistic to me, and also makes me as a reader focus on the wrong things in the story. I'm not interested in anyones sex life, I'm interested in this high-stakes-life-or-death-drama we have going on.
I'm not going to completely drag this, however, because I do think it has some good aspects. The worldbuilding, first of all, is super fascinating and well done. The many different places and settings are really well-described, which surprised me. I also enjoy the theme of being forced to make a decision, not being able to decide on your own but instead being constantly influenced by other people, because I think that that's something everyone can relate to.
In conclusion, this is not the best book I've ever read, but I do think it's an enjoyable read and I'm excited to see where this series goes in the following books.
Disclaimer: I read the Swedish translation of this, which might have affected my judgement and so on. Moving on.
I'm not a big fan of this book, for a variety of reasons. Something that surprised me, and that I didn't remember from the first time I read it, is the very stereotypical and slightly racist portrayal of Russian people, and that really threw me off in the beginning. Also, Killian gives off such rapist vibes while attempting to flirt with Ten in the first part of the book, although he's supposed to be such a ladies' man. Do girls actually enjoy that? I certainly Do Not.
Another thing: Literally all they do is talk about sex. They're constantly in the middle of almost dying, and they just talk about sex. Ten has been tortured in some horrible prison for several years and all she thinks about is how she never had sex with her ex boyfriend. Sounds a tiny bit unrealistic to me, and also makes me as a reader focus on the wrong things in the story. I'm not interested in anyones sex life, I'm interested in this high-stakes-life-or-death-drama we have going on.
I'm not going to completely drag this, however, because I do think it has some good aspects. The worldbuilding, first of all, is super fascinating and well done. The many different places and settings are really well-described, which surprised me. I also enjoy the theme of being forced to make a decision, not being able to decide on your own but instead being constantly influenced by other people, because I think that that's something everyone can relate to.
In conclusion, this is not the best book I've ever read, but I do think it's an enjoyable read and I'm excited to see where this series goes in the following books.