roses_novel_approach's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
mdettmann's review against another edition
4.0
The first book hooked me and left off with a crazy cliffhanger and the second book in the Lone City series did not disappoint! We get more backstory for the secondary characters and the mystery behind Violet's powers is revealed. The overall plot to have Violet help take down the Royalty in the Jewel comes together, only to leave us with another big cliffhanger! A must read for fans of The Selection, only this tells a better story, in my opinion, and has a lot more action.
emrache's review against another edition
3.0
And another dystopian YA fiction (sequel) bites the dust. I'm really on a role in 2017! I'm definitely already on the waiting list at the library for the last in the series.
Got to love curling up with some good junk and a knitting project in the cold winter months.
Got to love curling up with some good junk and a knitting project in the cold winter months.
abbyh1011's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ronimac74's review against another edition
5.0
A amazing follow up to The Jewel. I could hardly put the book down because I kept needing to know what was going to happen next. Filled with hope, strength, and magic, I can not wait to see what happens in the conclusion of this series.
diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
2.0
The Jewel had a nice idea and an interesting setting but it was all ruined by insta-love. Why did I request the sequel then? Blame my optimism. I hoped The White Rose will get right on track. (And there was a pretty dress on the cover.)
LIKES:
* More history. The Jewel left me feeling curious. Why is there a city on an island surrounded with walls? The White Rose did not disappoint me and offered a thorough history and explained how the society got corrupted/twisted the way it is.
* More magic or Auguries, how Amy Ewing decided to call them. Violet will learn a lot more about the powers she possess and her abilities. And she will use them more too.
* Raven, Violet’s best friend, was awesome. In The Jewel Raven didn’t leave any lasting impression on me. But she really shines in The White Rose. Raven is strong, tough, makes good decisions, fights for her sanity. I wish she was the main character.
* More Garnet. Bad boys are my weak spot, so I was thrilled that Garnet has a big role in The White Rose. And it turned out that my fear of him getting involved in a love triangle with Violet was unjustified. What a relief that there were no sparks between them!
DISLIKES:
* Everything was a big cliche. So this is the point where my long history of reading fantasy and dystopian fiction might have kicked in, but… Even though we learn history of Lone City and get to witness a lot of magic, there were no earth-shattering moments. It was all pretty standard.
* Violet – that girl just irritates me! The list of the things about Violet that made my want to throw my eReader across the room is a mile long:
- Wrong decisions on every step.
- Trying to be noble when it’s unreasonable and only will get her killed.
- Blindly trusting people who lied to her before…
- Refuses to acknowledge any facts she doesn’t like. (For example: that Ash slept with a lot of women.)
- Whenever they tell her to bow her head so no one will notice her, she can’t help looking up. Every! Single! Time!
IN THE END…
The Lone City series is a sure example how my tendency to fall for books with pretty covers will be the death of me, or at least the cause of my wish to never read another young adult novel ever again.
All readers who loved The Jewel are going to love The White Rose even more, since they get more action, magic, history and more of their favorite characters. As for me, I was either bored or annoyed depending how stupidly naive was Violet at the moment.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
LIKES:
* More history. The Jewel left me feeling curious. Why is there a city on an island surrounded with walls? The White Rose did not disappoint me and offered a thorough history and explained how the society got corrupted/twisted the way it is.
* More magic or Auguries, how Amy Ewing decided to call them. Violet will learn a lot more about the powers she possess and her abilities. And she will use them more too.
* Raven, Violet’s best friend, was awesome. In The Jewel Raven didn’t leave any lasting impression on me. But she really shines in The White Rose. Raven is strong, tough, makes good decisions, fights for her sanity. I wish she was the main character.
* More Garnet. Bad boys are my weak spot, so I was thrilled that Garnet has a big role in The White Rose. And it turned out that my fear of him getting involved in a love triangle with Violet was unjustified. What a relief that there were no sparks between them!
DISLIKES:
* Everything was a big cliche. So this is the point where my long history of reading fantasy and dystopian fiction might have kicked in, but… Even though we learn history of Lone City and get to witness a lot of magic, there were no earth-shattering moments. It was all pretty standard.
* Violet – that girl just irritates me! The list of the things about Violet that made my want to throw my eReader across the room is a mile long:
- Wrong decisions on every step.
- Trying to be noble when it’s unreasonable and only will get her killed.
- Blindly trusting people who lied to her before…
- Refuses to acknowledge any facts she doesn’t like. (For example: that Ash slept with a lot of women.)
- Whenever they tell her to bow her head so no one will notice her, she can’t help looking up. Every! Single! Time!
IN THE END…
The Lone City series is a sure example how my tendency to fall for books with pretty covers will be the death of me, or at least the cause of my wish to never read another young adult novel ever again.
All readers who loved The Jewel are going to love The White Rose even more, since they get more action, magic, history and more of their favorite characters. As for me, I was either bored or annoyed depending how stupidly naive was Violet at the moment.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
snwsandy's review against another edition
4.0
Second book in the trilogy. It picks up exactly where the first book ends and takes you on a journey through the history of the surrogates and the Lone City, which creates the basis for the need to change the current society (much like any YA book mantra). The history aspect and the connections of the surrogates to the earth, air, water and fire create an intriguing story line. Will be starting the next book to end this YA journey.
emilyusuallyreading's review against another edition
2.0
What I Liked
The new information about the Auguries was really well done for me.
I also liked the scenes in the companion house. Very tragic and compelling.
What I Didn't Like
I liked the prequel to this in a simple, entertainment kind of way. But I found myself hurrying to get through this. Although there was more action, it seemed less real. Going through the Marsh, Farm, Bank, Smoke, Jewel, etc. made this world seem incredibly flat and undeveloped.
I was also unimpressed with character development. Of course all royalty are evil and all poor people are good. The "lionness" is named Sienna and likes fire and all things orange, of course.
I was also bothered by Ewing's attempts to explain powers. Magical powers should stay magical. Science behind this just doesn't make sense. Example: A lobotomy can't make someone hear people's actual thoughts.
And finally, Raven in this book bothered me. As cliche as it is, I don't mind brain damage or amnesia in fiction, as long as there is research behind it. Raven switches from short term to long term memory loss on a whim. If a doctor was looking at her condition, he would say that she was faking it.
The new information about the Auguries
Spoiler
that they've been twisted out of elemental power; that they're so much more than they appearI also liked the scenes in the companion house. Very tragic and compelling.
What I Didn't Like
I liked the prequel to this in a simple, entertainment kind of way. But I found myself hurrying to get through this. Although there was more action, it seemed less real. Going through the Marsh, Farm, Bank, Smoke, Jewel, etc. made this world seem incredibly flat and undeveloped.
I was also unimpressed with character development. Of course all royalty are evil and all poor people are good. The "lionness" is named Sienna and likes fire and all things orange, of course.
I was also bothered by Ewing's attempts to explain powers. Magical powers should stay magical. Science behind this just doesn't make sense. Example: A lobotomy can't make someone hear people's actual thoughts.
And finally, Raven in this book bothered me. As cliche as it is, I don't mind brain damage or amnesia in fiction, as long as there is research behind it. Raven switches from short term to long term memory loss on a whim. If a doctor was looking at her condition, he would say that she was faking it.
illidia316's review against another edition
4.0
The second book in this series is so intense. Important things happen starting at page 1, and don’t stop until the end. I will admit that some events towards the end of the book are very confusing to me, but I’m hoping that it all gets explained in the final book.