A review by stewardofbooks
Unleashed by Amber Kirkpatrick

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

 In a world where certain individuals have Gifts and others don't, division and suspicion lurk. Some hate the Gifted and want to destroy them and some want to use them for their own gain. The Gifted communities have to stick together if they want to survive.

I enjoyed the depth of this book. Yes, there's romance and banter and fun but it also portrays the grim realities of a minority community that is fighting for survival. I loved how the organization not only fights with weapons but also by advocating and caring for their community. There are scenes in this book that are heavy and dark but those were written in such a respectful way. I know 'respectful' might sound like a strange word to describe it but that's what I felt. The dark parts were written very realistically but without glorifying evil and without glossing over the violence as just another part of war/the struggle. And I thought that was respectful. The victims were written with dignity and respect and a real acknowledgement of the trauma that the survivors are left with.

All in all a really well rounded read, fun and sweet but also thoughtful and full of action and suspense.