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dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I should have DNFed this book. But it was our book club book so I listened to the end. There is not a single original element. Everything is stolen: mainly from the Hunger Games (kids going though death trials in an arena, heroine killing with a bow, protecting her younger sister who is everything for her, there is even the Seam - seriously Suzanne Collins should sue), also from Harry Potter (the moving labyrinth), with the most horrible writing for the love story (teenagers spooning in bed together but ZERO body reaction???).
Right after i was done i had to 1/ read a REAL romance novel to remind me of what a real love story was, and 2/ re-re-read the Hunger Games to remind me of what is good writing and worldbuilding.
There are so many plot holes i stopped trying to understand a quarter of the way through (for instance we don't know how or why the trial participants are chosen, or even what are the rules of the trials).
But also most of the characters are just ridiculous. They have no real feelings but the loooooove they feel for the other for no good reason and spend the whole book hating themselves. I don't remember a main male character I despised as much as Kai.
If I had a physical version of the book I would hurl it through the window or burn it - but thankfully it was an audiobook. Delete.
Right after i was done i had to 1/ read a REAL romance novel to remind me of what a real love story was, and 2/ re-re-read the Hunger Games to remind me of what is good writing and worldbuilding.
There are so many plot holes i stopped trying to understand a quarter of the way through (for instance we don't know how or why the trial participants are chosen, or even what are the rules of the trials).
But also most of the characters are just ridiculous. They have no real feelings but the loooooove they feel for the other for no good reason and spend the whole book hating themselves. I don't remember a main male character I despised as much as Kai.
If I had a physical version of the book I would hurl it through the window or burn it - but thankfully it was an audiobook. Delete.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism