Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm??? floored??
hands down the best YA trilogy I have read in a long time.
this is a dark, violent book, but what strikes me is the kindness. Isabel is traumatised and is shown kindness by a small handful of other characters, yes, but I feel like the author themselves treats Isabel with kindness too. a lot of fucked up things take place, a lot of violence, and death, and abuse, but...we're shown a very complex, multifaceted set of characters - even the "evil" ones. and Isabel deserves kindness, and the way this is written, it's clear that the author loves her, even as shit keeps piling up.
that's not even getting into the politics of the world building... a strong start to a trilogy, and I was so hooked I read all three books back to back over the weekend.
hands down the best YA trilogy I have read in a long time.
this is a dark, violent book, but what strikes me is the kindness. Isabel is traumatised and is shown kindness by a small handful of other characters, yes, but I feel like the author themselves treats Isabel with kindness too. a lot of fucked up things take place, a lot of violence, and death, and abuse, but...we're shown a very complex, multifaceted set of characters - even the "evil" ones. and Isabel deserves kindness, and the way this is written, it's clear that the author loves her, even as shit keeps piling up.
that's not even getting into the politics of the world building... a strong start to a trilogy, and I was so hooked I read all three books back to back over the weekend.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did not enjoy the ending but I dod like the book and I get why it happened and I want to read the next book but I am annoyed
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
**This review contains spoilers, I just don't want Goodreads to hide it.**
The entire novel read like a screenplay, as if there was more to be communicated about the characters through body language and facial expressions that, whilst reading, left the novel feeling empty. Throughout the book, I get the sense that I'm supposed to sympathise with Isabel and to an extent I really do, but her character is so unlikeable. Her sense of empathy fluctuates so erratically, and the main reason I feel this is likely because her character isn't fleshed out well enough, as if there's a layer of depth I kept searching for but never got to. For example (major MAJOR spoiler ahead) her killing Nick Larrington reads as if it should be out of the desperation to survive, when in reality I feel as if her character hasn't developed at all, despite the ostensible impact of Emma and Grace's presence in her life.
The most interesting bits of the novel were the last three chapters (36, 37 & 38), in which I finally received the character depth the rest of the novel was lacking. The way Isabel reacted to what was a well written twist put too far back in the book is what is encouraging me to read The Hummingbird Killer, which ultimately I think I will. Another aspect of this book I really enjoyed was the world building, which seamlessly constructed the dystopian outcast of modern-day civilisation: Espera. The book includes a map, which is always a pro, in my opinion.
An overall summary would be that this book is a fairly good read if you are running low on options. It is very, very slow, and Isabel Ryans can be extremely frustrating for most of it, but it is worth a shot if you are into modern dystopian action novels.
The entire novel read like a screenplay, as if there was more to be communicated about the characters through body language and facial expressions that, whilst reading, left the novel feeling empty. Throughout the book, I get the sense that I'm supposed to sympathise with Isabel and to an extent I really do, but her character is so unlikeable. Her sense of empathy fluctuates so erratically, and the main reason I feel this is likely because her character isn't fleshed out well enough, as if there's a layer of depth I kept searching for but never got to. For example (major MAJOR spoiler ahead) her killing Nick Larrington reads as if it should be out of the desperation to survive, when in reality I feel as if her character hasn't developed at all, despite the ostensible impact of Emma and Grace's presence in her life.
The most interesting bits of the novel were the last three chapters (36, 37 & 38), in which I finally received the character depth the rest of the novel was lacking. The way Isabel reacted to what was a well written twist put too far back in the book is what is encouraging me to read The Hummingbird Killer, which ultimately I think I will. Another aspect of this book I really enjoyed was the world building, which seamlessly constructed the dystopian outcast of modern-day civilisation: Espera. The book includes a map, which is always a pro, in my opinion.
An overall summary would be that this book is a fairly good read if you are running low on options. It is very, very slow, and Isabel Ryans can be extremely frustrating for most of it, but it is worth a shot if you are into modern dystopian action novels.
Isabel is an assassin who kills targets and feels no remorse. Her persona gives me a Killing Eve vibe. The start of the storyline reminds me of Stranger Things (think Thirteen's POV). Starting off as a loner and then having a community of friends around her Isabel is slowly poisoned as it's a race against time to find out who has done this to her.
⚠️TW: Blood, violence, strong language, murder, warfare, child abuse, poisioning, kidnap,
With a lot of murder, excitement and betrayal this book (after getting halfway through) became a more of a pageturner for me towards the end. This was partly due to me being in a reading slump and struggling to pick up anything - through no fault of the author.
There was a twist in the tale I also didn't expect as Isabel lets people in and cares about other characters towards the end. I would read this book again with a fresh mind to ensure I read the narrative properly.
The author's note at the end was interesting as some of the ideas mentioned in the book are based on real inventions and this alternate reality is based in Yorkshire - where I used to study at university.
A great action, violent filled dystopian world filled with hope and friendship to immerse yourself in.
⚠️TW: Blood, violence, strong language, murder, warfare, child abuse, poisioning, kidnap,
With a lot of murder, excitement and betrayal this book (after getting halfway through) became a more of a pageturner for me towards the end. This was partly due to me being in a reading slump and struggling to pick up anything - through no fault of the author.
There was a twist in the tale I also didn't expect as Isabel lets people in and cares about other characters towards the end. I would read this book again with a fresh mind to ensure I read the narrative properly.
The author's note at the end was interesting as some of the ideas mentioned in the book are based on real inventions and this alternate reality is based in Yorkshire - where I used to study at university.
A great action, violent filled dystopian world filled with hope and friendship to immerse yourself in.
I'm unwell, it destroyed me emotionally, can't wait to read the next one
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
sad
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