tallyvauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Did I like it: 4★
Does it fit the genre: 5★
Does it do what it's trying to do: 5★
Storyline: 4★
Writing style: 3★
Characters: 4★
Plot Twists: 1★
Pacing: 2★
Total: 3.5★
Breakdown:
I love Kiera Cass and how she dives right into her worlds that are full and beautiful. I was a little confused with regard to where everything was but my main critique is that the beginning totally set the pace for the book, being slow but not painful slow, just well-paced. Then, the last 25% of the book was just time skips GALORE. Like I don't even know how much time passed in that short period. A month? More? Less? It really wasn't clear. I loved the politics of the courts so seeing Hollis leave was a bit of a ding. Also, the story to a certain degree was painfully clear just from the title of the book so the plot twists were either poorly done with a very sudden character switch that didn't make sense. Her best friend, the King, those weren't plot twists those were just random plot stabs. Felt very very very out of place.
Does it fit the genre: 5★
Does it do what it's trying to do: 5★
Storyline: 4★
Writing style: 3★
Characters: 4★
Plot Twists: 1★
Pacing: 2★
Total: 3.5★
Breakdown:
I love Kiera Cass and how she dives right into her worlds that are full and beautiful. I was a little confused with regard to where everything was but my main critique is that the beginning totally set the pace for the book, being slow but not painful slow, just well-paced. Then, the last 25% of the book was just time skips GALORE. Like I don't even know how much time passed in that short period. A month? More? Less? It really wasn't clear. I loved the politics of the courts so seeing Hollis leave was a bit of a ding. Also, the story to a certain degree was painfully clear just from the title of the book so the plot twists were either poorly done with a very sudden character switch that didn't make sense. Her best friend, the King, those weren't plot twists those were just random plot stabs. Felt very very very out of place.
evadis's review against another edition
1.0
Favoriete (romantisch bedoelde) quote: 'Als je een vogel was, zou je een kanarie zijn.'
sarahelainereads's review against another edition
2.0
A quick, non-spoiler overview of The Betrothed:
Hollis: *swoons* King Jameson!!
Jameson: oh Hollis, you are so funny. Ha ha. Ha. Ha.
Silas: *looks at Hollis*
Hollis: oh my GoSH his bLUe EyEs so preTTy
Delia Grace: Hollis, you’re my best friend but also I think you suck.
Hollis: ...whatt?
Hollis’ Parents: Hollis, we want to control everything in your life. Deal with it.
Hollis: *stomps foot*
Silas: Hollis, even though you barely know me, I think you are my soulmate.
Hollis: um, what? Sorry, I was too busy thinking about your bLUe EyEs
Etan: *rolls eyes sarcastically at everyone*
And, now a more in-depth, spoiler-filled review for those of you who have already read this:
I think this might be one of the reasons why I had such a hard time with this one-- both of the love interests sucked. Kiera dear, you tried, but you failed.
Yes, Kiera Cass, both of these sweet potatoes are blander than bland.
First, King Jameson was the most uninteresting person I’ve ever read about in my entire life. I saw a few reviews prior to reading this that compared him to Maxon (and also Silas to Aspen) and that could not be further from the truth. Honestly I’m kind of insulted in behalf of Maxon. Literally all Jameson cares about is how beautiful Hollis is, and he’s constantly saying that Hollis is so witty and hilarious, which makes zero sense… because Hollis is not witty or hilarious!!!
Honestly. I rolled my eyes every time he spoke. How is this man a king of a country and why has he not been overthrown or assassinated yet??
And then we get to Silas, who, I’m pretty sure, I’m supposed to like.
But I’m actually not sure why I’m supposed to like him because I personally think he’s worse than Jameson.
His character was so flat!!
Like, he talks to Hollis a total of what, three times?? And then they both kiss each other, he tells her she is his soulmate, and she agrees. And she thinks he understands her.
For example, we have this cringeworthy lovely bit of internal musings from Hollis:
Silas kept catching things that I didn’t know about myself. He said he liked the way I thought. And he was right, I had plenty of good ideas. And he said that I tried, and he was right about that, too. I had a hard time giving up.
Sometimes being in Hollis’ head was like listening to a child. How is she even supposed to know who she likes or what she wants if she doesn’t even understand the basics of who she is?? But somehow this random guy she just barely met knows her well?
Here’s the kicker: Silas uses the exact same pickup lines as Jameson. But somehow Hollis thought it was artifical when Jameson said it but romantic when Silas said the exact same thing?
Um… okay.
Anyways. I have beef with most of the characters in this novel except Valentina and Etan. I honestly think this whole book should be re-written about the two of them. The limited interactions we had with those two characters were immensely more interesting than the other 95% of the plot.
My predictions for Book 2? I think there will be a plot twist that Hollis is actually an Isolten (come on, did anyone else notice the numerous references to how much she looked like one?) aaand I also think that Silas is not dead (obviously) but Hollis will fall in love with the sarcastic Etan because the girl can’t just commit her heart to one guy. (Also because Etan is 1000 times more interesting than Silas, just saying). So, if either of these things happen, remember that you heard it here first.
Review on Blog
Hollis: *swoons* King Jameson!!
Jameson: oh Hollis, you are so funny. Ha ha. Ha. Ha.
Silas: *looks at Hollis*
Hollis: oh my GoSH his bLUe EyEs so preTTy
Delia Grace: Hollis, you’re my best friend but also I think you suck.
Hollis: ...whatt?
Hollis’ Parents: Hollis, we want to control everything in your life. Deal with it.
Hollis: *stomps foot*
Silas: Hollis, even though you barely know me, I think you are my soulmate.
Hollis: um, what? Sorry, I was too busy thinking about your bLUe EyEs
Etan: *rolls eyes sarcastically at everyone*
And, now a more in-depth, spoiler-filled review for those of you who have already read this:
Spoiler
I fully admit that I was in love with [b:The Selection|10507293|The Selection (The Selection, #1)|Kiera Cass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1322103400l/10507293._SY75_.jpg|15413183]. Maxon Schreave has my heart more than like, 99% of fictional characters. I loved him. Sometimes I still open up [b:The One|18635016|The One (The Selection, #3)|Kiera Cass|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1395612906l/18635016._SY75_.jpg|21587145] and read his lines so I can swoon at them. And even though I was Team Maxon all the way, I still liked Aspen. I thought he was a good guy. He was likeable, he was relatable.I think this might be one of the reasons why I had such a hard time with this one-- both of the love interests sucked. Kiera dear, you tried, but you failed.
Yes, Kiera Cass, both of these sweet potatoes are blander than bland.
First, King Jameson was the most uninteresting person I’ve ever read about in my entire life. I saw a few reviews prior to reading this that compared him to Maxon (and also Silas to Aspen) and that could not be further from the truth. Honestly I’m kind of insulted in behalf of Maxon. Literally all Jameson cares about is how beautiful Hollis is, and he’s constantly saying that Hollis is so witty and hilarious, which makes zero sense… because Hollis is not witty or hilarious!!!
Honestly. I rolled my eyes every time he spoke. How is this man a king of a country and why has he not been overthrown or assassinated yet??
And then we get to Silas, who, I’m pretty sure, I’m supposed to like.
But I’m actually not sure why I’m supposed to like him because I personally think he’s worse than Jameson.
His character was so flat!!
Like, he talks to Hollis a total of what, three times?? And then they both kiss each other, he tells her she is his soulmate, and she agrees. And she thinks he understands her.
For example, we have this
Silas kept catching things that I didn’t know about myself. He said he liked the way I thought. And he was right, I had plenty of good ideas. And he said that I tried, and he was right about that, too. I had a hard time giving up.
Sometimes being in Hollis’ head was like listening to a child. How is she even supposed to know who she likes or what she wants if she doesn’t even understand the basics of who she is?? But somehow this random guy she just barely met knows her well?
Here’s the kicker: Silas uses the exact same pickup lines as Jameson. But somehow Hollis thought it was artifical when Jameson said it but romantic when Silas said the exact same thing?
Um… okay.
Anyways. I have beef with most of the characters in this novel except Valentina and Etan. I honestly think this whole book should be re-written about the two of them. The limited interactions we had with those two characters were immensely more interesting than the other 95% of the plot.
My predictions for Book 2? I think there will be a plot twist that Hollis is actually an Isolten (come on, did anyone else notice the numerous references to how much she looked like one?) aaand I also think that Silas is not dead (obviously) but Hollis will fall in love with the sarcastic Etan because the girl can’t just commit her heart to one guy. (Also because Etan is 1000 times more interesting than Silas, just saying). So, if either of these things happen, remember that you heard it here first.
Review on Blog
puki's review against another edition
2.0
*INCLUDES SPOILERS*
Even though this book got a lot of criticism, I want to start this review with saying I liked and enjoyed it very much.
Though there were some plottwists that felt really rushed. Like Delia Grace going from a supportive friend to being super jealous and manipulative.
But most of all the appearing of the Darkest Knights. They were mentioned like once in the book and suddenly they just appear out of nowhere, killing half of the characters. And only after all fo this happened we got to know the whole history of the Eastoffe family.
Also I felt like I couldn't really mourn the death of Silas, because... I literally know nothing about this dude. We witnessed so little interaction between him and Hollis, even after they fled the palace. I mean he was nice and all, but I didn't came to love him. And I fall in love with characters so easily, but there was just nothing there. Sure, there were many sweet words exchanged, but as soon as we got the chance to really get to know him as a character, he was killed off like he never really mattered anyway. Like he was just a means to drive the story along, to show Hollis how unhappy the palace made her. Which I find really sad, because he had potential to be an amazing love interest.
At this point I want to to take a second to mourn my babies Sullivan and Valentina. My poor babies. They had character. They had background.
Sullivan was a shy, kind boy who was on the run with his family. He had a hard time showing his affection towards his family and Hollis, but he loved them nevertheless. He didn't deserved to die at such a young age.
Valentina is a misunderstood and misjudged queen, being manipulated and isolated by the man she unfortunately married. She is scared for her life, because she can't seem to produce an heir and had already 3 miscarriages.
My poor babies deserved better.
Even though this book got a lot of criticism, I want to start this review with saying I liked and enjoyed it very much.
Though there were some plottwists that felt really rushed. Like Delia Grace going from a supportive friend to being super jealous and manipulative.
But most of all the appearing of the Darkest Knights. They were mentioned like once in the book and suddenly they just appear out of nowhere, killing half of the characters. And only after all fo this happened we got to know the whole history of the Eastoffe family.
Also I felt like I couldn't really mourn the death of Silas, because... I literally know nothing about this dude. We witnessed so little interaction between him and Hollis, even after they fled the palace. I mean he was nice and all, but I didn't came to love him. And I fall in love with characters so easily, but there was just nothing there. Sure, there were many sweet words exchanged, but as soon as we got the chance to really get to know him as a character, he was killed off like he never really mattered anyway. Like he was just a means to drive the story along, to show Hollis how unhappy the palace made her. Which I find really sad, because he had potential to be an amazing love interest.
At this point I want to to take a second to mourn my babies Sullivan and Valentina. My poor babies. They had character. They had background.
Sullivan was a shy, kind boy who was on the run with his family. He had a hard time showing his affection towards his family and Hollis, but he loved them nevertheless. He didn't deserved to die at such a young age.
Valentina is a misunderstood and misjudged queen, being manipulated and isolated by the man she unfortunately married. She is scared for her life, because she can't seem to produce an heir and had already 3 miscarriages.
My poor babies deserved better.
librarianmillie's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. I was really disappointed in this book. The Selection was dumb, but I loved it. I never connected with Hollis and the romantic tension fell flat. There were zero stakes or consequences for any of the characters actions as well. I wished this was better.
lavslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
nelli_lakatos's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much and the ending! Can't wait to read the next book!
jena's review against another edition
3.0
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The Betrothed was a quick and cute read but unfortunately it didn’t live up to the expectations I had for it. This book was written by the author of The Selection series which I LOVED and is definite reread material. I wanted that from this book, but didn’t get it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Hollis Brite is thrilled when King Jameson makes it known that he intends to make her his queen. She quickly realizes that this isn’t the “happily ever after” she has imagined for herself and finds herself falling in love with a commoner. Drama, of course, ensues. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The problem I had is that the characters don’t feel well developed. I felt no emotional attachment to either love interest and I felt that Hollis, our main character, had different personality traits that didn’t line up with her story. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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There’s nothing better than a great best friend storyline and that’s where this book failed me too. Delia Grace starts out as a lovable character but ends up falling short for me too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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On the other hand, as I said, the story is quick and cute and kind of fun. There’s definitely some twists and a little bit of action. But if you’re going into this hoping for a great romance or something similar to The Selection, you will be disappointed. This definitely won’t be a reread for me or a book I keep forever but will I read the sequel? For sure! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Betrothed was a quick and cute read but unfortunately it didn’t live up to the expectations I had for it. This book was written by the author of The Selection series which I LOVED and is definite reread material. I wanted that from this book, but didn’t get it. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Hollis Brite is thrilled when King Jameson makes it known that he intends to make her his queen. She quickly realizes that this isn’t the “happily ever after” she has imagined for herself and finds herself falling in love with a commoner. Drama, of course, ensues. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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The problem I had is that the characters don’t feel well developed. I felt no emotional attachment to either love interest and I felt that Hollis, our main character, had different personality traits that didn’t line up with her story. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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There’s nothing better than a great best friend storyline and that’s where this book failed me too. Delia Grace starts out as a lovable character but ends up falling short for me too. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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On the other hand, as I said, the story is quick and cute and kind of fun. There’s definitely some twists and a little bit of action. But if you’re going into this hoping for a great romance or something similar to The Selection, you will be disappointed. This definitely won’t be a reread for me or a book I keep forever but will I read the sequel? For sure! ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
bookswithtrident's review against another edition
2.0
I didn’t like this as much as the selection, I wasn’t super invested and it wasn’t super great. The end was quite a jolt however, and didn’t go where I intended it to.
alex_grenn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0