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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this story that I ran to get the second book. The characters are all so unique in what they want out of the challenge and all are morally gray while also having redeeming qualities. The authors did a good job at picking which POVs to portray. Something I wish i got more of is probably the fighting between the champions before they become kumbaya, it would've created higher stakes. That is not to say that they did not betray each other, time and time again, espcially Isobel and Alistar. Im ready to see what comes of them two.
Deliciously dark and wonderfully wicked. In the top 5 of books I've read so far in 2022. Agree with most reviewers that if you liked V.E. Schwab's Vicious and at least tolerated the Hunger Games, you will enjoy this. The twists were set up well enough to not be completely out of left field, but not so obvious as to be predictable. Most of the characters are fully compelling. Pending how book 2 goes, I could see this being a good candidate for a solid movie.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Présentation des personnages beaucoup trop longue, ça aurait été bien pour une série de 5-6 tomes mais c'est une duologie. L'action commence au 3e tiers. J'ai bien aimé comment l'histoire est monté par chapitre à travers les différents personnages.
Un flop...mi aspettavo molto, molto di più! Probabilmente avevo aspettative troppo alte, speravo in un libro che avesse protagonisti davvero "cattivi", invece ho trovato nè più nè meno un hunger game di ambientazione fantasy:c'è un gruppo di adolescenti intrappolati in un'area circoscritta, che devono uccidersi a vicenda fintanto che non ne rimarrà uno solo in vita, ci sono degli sponsor che cercano di aiutarli, c'è addirittura l'eroina di turno che in un certo senso si offre volontaria per impedire alla sorella minore di partecipare al gioco al massacro...mah...niente di innovativo...
***
A flop ... I expected much, much more! I probably had too high expectations, I was hoping for a book that had really "bad" protagonists, instead I found nothing more or less than a Hunger game with a fantasy setting: there is a group of teenagers trapped in a limited area, who have to kill each other each other until only one remains alive, there are sponsors who try to help them, there is even the heroine-to-be who, in a certain sense, offers herself as a volunteer to prevent her younger sister from participating in the game of massacre...mah... nothing innovative...
***
A flop ... I expected much, much more! I probably had too high expectations, I was hoping for a book that had really "bad" protagonists, instead I found nothing more or less than a Hunger game with a fantasy setting: there is a group of teenagers trapped in a limited area, who have to kill each other each other until only one remains alive, there are sponsors who try to help them, there is even the heroine-to-be who, in a certain sense, offers herself as a volunteer to prevent her younger sister from participating in the game of massacre...mah... nothing innovative...
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm going to start by saying that I’m spoiled. I managed to acquire an autographed copy with the signatures of both authors. I also met Amanda Foody in person; she was so awesome!
Anyways, onto the review.
I’m not exactly sure how to categorize this book. On the one hand, I had fun and enjoyed myself. On the other, I was a bit confused by the story's magic system, world-building, and plot direction.
At first, I was inclined to believe this story was told from the perspective of the world’s villains turned hero. And to some extent, it is. But there was such a variety of characters who the true villains can be debated.
The world-building was tricky for me to understand and get the hang of. There’s magic and technology, as this is a “modern” story of sorts. I was torn between these two juxtapositions as it seems like magic is a lot more archaic, and other than being all-powerful for the select few who can use it, it doesn’t serve too much function for the average person.
But that could just be me.
I wish that the world was fleshed out more, and this really could’ve been done by the various characters whose POV we get throughout. This world seems intriguing, but considerable plot and lore holes throughout the book make the world seem clunky and incomplete.
Also, the beginning could be a turnoff for a considerable few, especially if they’re not fans of edge-lord teenagers and their internal monologues about how badass and “evil” they and their families are.
Again, that’s just me.
Overall, I had fun reading this book, even if it made me want to go through the pages and throttle some characters, cough, Isobel.
4/5 stars. Yes, I’m biased because the author signed my book. I can be bribed with autographed copies, but I truthfully had fun.
Anyways, onto the review.
I’m not exactly sure how to categorize this book. On the one hand, I had fun and enjoyed myself. On the other, I was a bit confused by the story's magic system, world-building, and plot direction.
At first, I was inclined to believe this story was told from the perspective of the world’s villains turned hero. And to some extent, it is. But there was such a variety of characters who the true villains can be debated.
The world-building was tricky for me to understand and get the hang of. There’s magic and technology, as this is a “modern” story of sorts. I was torn between these two juxtapositions as it seems like magic is a lot more archaic, and other than being all-powerful for the select few who can use it, it doesn’t serve too much function for the average person.
But that could just be me.
I wish that the world was fleshed out more, and this really could’ve been done by the various characters whose POV we get throughout. This world seems intriguing, but considerable plot and lore holes throughout the book make the world seem clunky and incomplete.
Also, the beginning could be a turnoff for a considerable few, especially if they’re not fans of edge-lord teenagers and their internal monologues about how badass and “evil” they and their families are.
Again, that’s just me.
Overall, I had fun reading this book, even if it made me want to go through the pages and throttle some characters, cough, Isobel.
4/5 stars. Yes, I’m biased because the author signed my book. I can be bribed with autographed copies, but I truthfully had fun.
2.5 DNF.....at 55% I just wasn't getting into it. Was reading for RFAL-Illinois.