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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
This book wasn't as great as I hoped it would be. There were things I really didn't enjoy about this book, but there were also some things I did like.
Let's start with the bad and end with the good.
The main problem I had with this book was that it was very formulaic. It contains many tropes that are common in YA fantasy, like the enemies-to-lovers trope, the chosen one trope, and the we-must-find the-magical-object-to-stop-the-evil-in-the-land-trope. I don't think tropes are necessarily bad and I don't think that just because a book has a lot of tropes in it means that it is formulaic. The reason why I personally thought that "The Traitor's Game," was formulaic is because the tropes were followed to a t, especially the chosen one trope.
Because the author did not not bring to anything new to the tropes in this book I found the plot to be rather trite. I wasn't necessarily bored when I was reading it, but I also wasn't enthralled either. It was one of those type of books that kept my attention when I was reading it, but I wasn't anxious to pick up again when I was taking a break from reading it.
Now, onto the things I think were well done. Despite what I said previously, there was one trope I do think that the author did handle well and that is the insta-love trope. I'm not usually a fan of insta-love stories, but I do like it in this instance. The reason why I think it works well in this case is because "The Traitor's Game," is told from the perspectives of both Kestra and Simon. I think that the romance between them seemed more natural, since we could see how both of their feelings changed.
The other thing I think was well done in this book was the foreshadowing. The author gave hints that were not blatantly obvious, but were also not so subtle that they went undetectable. While I do think that not all of the plot twists were shocking, I do think that they made sense, which I appreciate.
Though I personally did have some problems with this book, those problems wouldn't stop me from recommending this book. I think people looking for very clean fantasy reads may like this book. It has no swearing, minimal violence, pretty much no sexual content (there are some kisses, but they do not get super steamy), and very little magic (there are no spells, chants, demons, witches, etc..., just a magical sword and an evil guy who has some magical powers that are kinda more like superpowers).
I will say, though, that based on my problems with this book, I'm not sure if I will continue this series. If I do, I think it will be a long while.
Let's start with the bad and end with the good.
The main problem I had with this book was that it was very formulaic. It contains many tropes that are common in YA fantasy, like the enemies-to-lovers trope, the chosen one trope, and the we-must-find the-magical-object-to-stop-the-evil-in-the-land-trope. I don't think tropes are necessarily bad and I don't think that just because a book has a lot of tropes in it means that it is formulaic. The reason why I personally thought that "The Traitor's Game," was formulaic is because the tropes were followed to a t, especially the chosen one trope.
Because the author did not not bring to anything new to the tropes in this book I found the plot to be rather trite. I wasn't necessarily bored when I was reading it, but I also wasn't enthralled either. It was one of those type of books that kept my attention when I was reading it, but I wasn't anxious to pick up again when I was taking a break from reading it.
Now, onto the things I think were well done. Despite what I said previously, there was one trope I do think that the author did handle well and that is the insta-love trope. I'm not usually a fan of insta-love stories, but I do like it in this instance. The reason why I think it works well in this case is because "The Traitor's Game," is told from the perspectives of both Kestra and Simon. I think that the romance between them seemed more natural, since we could see how both of their feelings changed.
The other thing I think was well done in this book was the foreshadowing. The author gave hints that were not blatantly obvious, but were also not so subtle that they went undetectable. While I do think that not all of the plot twists were shocking, I do think that they made sense, which I appreciate.
Though I personally did have some problems with this book, those problems wouldn't stop me from recommending this book. I think people looking for very clean fantasy reads may like this book. It has no swearing, minimal violence, pretty much no sexual content (there are some kisses, but they do not get super steamy), and very little magic (there are no spells, chants, demons, witches, etc..., just a magical sword and an evil guy who has some magical powers that are kinda more like superpowers).
I will say, though, that based on my problems with this book, I'm not sure if I will continue this series. If I do, I think it will be a long while.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
pretty predictable but still an interesting story line.
Ok to be begin, main character (Kestra) is 16. Should’ve stopped right there I don’t like protagonists that young. Also her whole relationship with the love interest was fake af. They barely had any conversations, with minimal to no banter (the audacity) before they were in love 3 days later….. I finished this only bc I had put in too much time to not count it in my challenge lmao. I won’t be reading the others but maybe I’ll google how it ends
adventurous
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
Too predictable, I wasnt even excited to keep reading, it was just something to do during my commute
I really liked this latest book by Jennifer Nielsen. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars. The reason is because I found it a little choppy and confusing in places. Also, the story is told from two different points of view and at times, I couldn't tell you which character was narrating. Their voices were too similar.
The setting was interesting. Villains were cruel and evil (I kept thinking of the Emperor from Star Wars.). I liked Simon and most of the time I liked Kestra. The story really drew me in, making me want to read more. While I didn't like it as well as The False Prince series, it was still enjoyable and I plan to read the next book in the series.
The setting was interesting. Villains were cruel and evil (I kept thinking of the Emperor from Star Wars.). I liked Simon and most of the time I liked Kestra. The story really drew me in, making me want to read more. While I didn't like it as well as The False Prince series, it was still enjoyable and I plan to read the next book in the series.
I felt the timing of the love story felt off, but otherwise a solid bok.
Great story, great twists even though I k=ind of piece it together. Kestra I love. Trina can go fly a kite. I understand the never having been loved feeling but at some point, you have to get over yourself and the pain and move along. Tanger is a piece of work. Simon needs to grow a backbone.
I am so on the fence with this book.
On one hand, I enjoyed it - it's a good story with a good lead. On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed.
I liked Kestra - she was determined and sassy. I liked how she was making her own plans although he naivety showed at times.
I think was disappointed the insta-love and Simon. I disliked how he was pushing her to tell him where the blade was - like he was owed her trust after 3 days.
The book started really well but fell a bit flat towards the end.
On one hand, I enjoyed it - it's a good story with a good lead. On the other hand, I was a bit disappointed.
I liked Kestra - she was determined and sassy. I liked how she was making her own plans although he naivety showed at times.
I think was disappointed the insta-love and Simon. I disliked how he was pushing her to tell him where the blade was - like he was owed her trust after 3 days.
The book started really well but fell a bit flat towards the end.