Scan barcode
anastasiaeleni's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
5.0
Holy fucking hell— that ending! This entire book! 😭🤯🔥
rooshisreading's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kitsuneheart's review against another edition
4.0
Battle Royale, but for druids. As in, animal handling proficiency!
On Koral's island, the Landers are the elite, arriving on the island first and claiming homes below ground. The Renters came after, and live under the dangerous sun, scraping by and dying young. Koral's family is worse off than most, with a terminally ill sister whose medicine leaves them further impoverished, and years of bad returns selling the dangerous maristags. Koral sees only one way out: win the Glory Race, in which no Renter has ever competed, and in which many, many competitors die.
And, as with any other YA Battle Royale, add in a romance plot. Though, to be fair, NOT a triangle! IT's pretty mutual and healthy, which I appreciate.
Overall, it's pretty enjoyable. It's got a definite "horse girl grew up" vibe, with Koral KNOWING there's something SPECIAL about her maristag, and having a RARE CONNECTION with the creature, but it's not overdone. And Koral does have the background raising maristags to justify her skill in handling the creature, even if it isn't a special kind.
The book itself claims a comparison to the Hunger Games, so I don't feel so bad saying there are a LOT of parallels. Certainly, there's plenty of fiction (based on fact...) out there about the rich exploiting the poor for entertainment, but the whole spectacle of the Glory Race has a lot of Hunger Games vibes. Fancy outfits, big parties, an "elected" leader who has been around, despot-ing for AGES.
I'd say this a good pick for someone who liked the Hunger Games and wants more of the like. And that's fair! There's a lot of people out there looking for that. And, again, horse lovers are gonna like this, as well. As a general YA fantasy, it's pretty good, but does remain at 4 stars, for me.
There's no announcement on Goodreads of a sequel, but there is plenty of room there.
Advanced review copy provided by the publisher.
On Koral's island, the Landers are the elite, arriving on the island first and claiming homes below ground. The Renters came after, and live under the dangerous sun, scraping by and dying young. Koral's family is worse off than most, with a terminally ill sister whose medicine leaves them further impoverished, and years of bad returns selling the dangerous maristags. Koral sees only one way out: win the Glory Race, in which no Renter has ever competed, and in which many, many competitors die.
And, as with any other YA Battle Royale, add in a romance plot. Though, to be fair, NOT a triangle! IT's pretty mutual and healthy, which I appreciate.
Overall, it's pretty enjoyable. It's got a definite "horse girl grew up" vibe, with Koral KNOWING there's something SPECIAL about her maristag, and having a RARE CONNECTION with the creature, but it's not overdone. And Koral does have the background raising maristags to justify her skill in handling the creature, even if it isn't a special kind.
The book itself claims a comparison to the Hunger Games, so I don't feel so bad saying there are a LOT of parallels. Certainly, there's plenty of fiction (based on fact...) out there about the rich exploiting the poor for entertainment, but the whole spectacle of the Glory Race has a lot of Hunger Games vibes. Fancy outfits, big parties, an "elected" leader who has been around, despot-ing for AGES.
I'd say this a good pick for someone who liked the Hunger Games and wants more of the like. And that's fair! There's a lot of people out there looking for that. And, again, horse lovers are gonna like this, as well. As a general YA fantasy, it's pretty good, but does remain at 4 stars, for me.
There's no announcement on Goodreads of a sequel, but there is plenty of room there.
Advanced review copy provided by the publisher.
erlhopkins's review
1.0
0/5
this was actually the worst book i’ve ever read. plot-hole ridden, unoriginal, unclear descriptions, confusing, dumb trash
this was actually the worst book i’ve ever read. plot-hole ridden, unoriginal, unclear descriptions, confusing, dumb trash
pixiepie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The action picks up in this right away! The world building was amazing too. This was a really fun book. Not sure how I feel about the ending but I think the story was as it needed to be.
ritikaj1's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
3.5
magpiewithpebbles's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
crafty_nivette's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
scottyreadsstuff's review
I tried but I couldn’t in the end. It’s not bad, it’s just not for me. I’d still recommend it to someone who loved The Hunger Games and wants something a little different and fresh.
lothtor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75