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wizardingwisteria's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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
4.5
The first quarter of this book was easily 5 stars. It lulled down to a 3 star read in the middle sections and then climbed back up to a high 4 star read by the end
Overall, this is a fantastic adventure with likable distinct characters that fit into the world perfectly. I really enjoyed watching Scarlett grow along with Albert while also learning of his powers at the same pace as her
Scarlett has a fantastic introduction that sets the pace for most of the story. Although, as much as I loved her, I became annoyed with her while Albert was being introduced to the narrative. She bullies him relentlessly while Albert is simply attempting to live in a world that he is almost entirely unfamiliar with. Her treatment of Albert was over the top and heavy handed and it stunted the believability of their later friendship
The sections that lulled for me simply lacked the action that was constant in the first quarter of the book. The two attempt to lay low in a town for a bit. What begins as world building quickly turns into info dumping as every little intricacy of this dystopian society is explained in great detail to Albert as he asks Scarlett and strangers around him endless questions to further hammer in how dystopian the world actually is. I found myself getting bored quite quickly
Ironically, while the info dumping was a pain to get through I also became frustrated about the lack of explanation about other elements in the story. The tainted especially. The tainted are the reason that this world is a dystopia and yet I still don't feel like I really understand what they are. The characters discuss at length about how vicious they are and how quickly they will eat you alive but there is no explanation as to how they became the way that they are. There is also not much of a history of the world. How long have the tainted been around? What causes people to become tainted? No clue, but they're here now so be afraid because all the characters said so. Of all of the fear and paranoia about the tainted Scarlett and Albert only have one solid interaction with them late in the book. It was an element that could have been expanded
Other than the brief period of info dumping, the writing style was entertaining and witty. The author's sense of humor glimmers through in so many of the lines
I'm excited to pick up the next in the series!
Overall, this is a fantastic adventure with likable distinct characters that fit into the world perfectly. I really enjoyed watching Scarlett grow along with Albert while also learning of his powers at the same pace as her
Scarlett has a fantastic introduction that sets the pace for most of the story. Although, as much as I loved her, I became annoyed with her while Albert was being introduced to the narrative. She bullies him relentlessly while Albert is simply attempting to live in a world that he is almost entirely unfamiliar with. Her treatment of Albert was over the top and heavy handed and it stunted the believability of their later friendship
The sections that lulled for me simply lacked the action that was constant in the first quarter of the book. The two attempt to lay low in a town for a bit. What begins as world building quickly turns into info dumping as every little intricacy of this dystopian society is explained in great detail to Albert as he asks Scarlett and strangers around him endless questions to further hammer in how dystopian the world actually is. I found myself getting bored quite quickly
Ironically, while the info dumping was a pain to get through I also became frustrated about the lack of explanation about other elements in the story. The tainted especially. The tainted are the reason that this world is a dystopia and yet I still don't feel like I really understand what they are. The characters discuss at length about how vicious they are and how quickly they will eat you alive but there is no explanation as to how they became the way that they are. There is also not much of a history of the world. How long have the tainted been around? What causes people to become tainted? No clue, but they're here now so be afraid because all the characters said so. Of all of the fear and paranoia about the tainted Scarlett and Albert only have one solid interaction with them late in the book. It was an element that could have been expanded
Other than the brief period of info dumping, the writing style was entertaining and witty. The author's sense of humor glimmers through in so many of the lines
I'm excited to pick up the next in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying