charlotteokraska's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
It’s like a combo of handmaids tale and the hunger games with really bad romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Classism, Miscarriage, Murder, Sexual content, Slavery, Rape, and Suicide
youarethelibrarian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book definitely has Handmaid’s Tale vibes. Young women (children, really) are used as surrogates for the wealthy elite in the Jewel. Violet doesn’t have much personality, but I was kept intrigued by the pacing and the world and the plot. The Duchess is actually a really interesting character, because she doesn’t love the idea of the surrogates, but she uses them all the same for her own gains. The romance was rushed and has no depth, but I’m more interested in the other aspects of the plot, anyway.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Child death, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
viviette's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? No
3.0
Well…the ending to me was just too much of a shocker— I already could guess Carnelian was going to find out about Ash and Violet but I really didn’t think she would snitch. I seriously thought she FELL for Ash and instead would just try to frame Violet of a crime to save Ash from execution. I…was very wrong… The book is also quite slow in my opinion and it won’t “leave you on the edge of your seat” or anything, but at a certain point I was definitely wanting to read more. To summarize—read this—it’s a good book and, especially if you liked The Selection, is a sort of classic YA Romance~DARK YA Romance. Dark…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Physical abuse, Eating disorder, and Infertility
Minor: Abandonment and Grief
Wild bloody miscarriage(s) and a strange surrogacy tradition is the WHOLE plot of this book!zozo_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Slavery
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, and Child death
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