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
optimisms's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This book is very entertaining, but not incredibly original or masterful. A good popcorn read, but nothing worth analyzing in English class.
Things I enjoyed:
1. Although the premise isn't that original, the author does a good job with it. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader very entertained. The scenes truly had me on edge, . The evils of the Jewel are surprising enough when they're revealed (specifically in the next point); it's generally not a rehash of other dystopian atrocities but rather new atrocities or new spins on old atrocities. The plot twist/surprise on the last page was unexpected but plausible. Unlike other dystopias where it's difficult to believe anyone would actually keep this clearly bad system in place, this story does a pretty good job explaining why some less-practical traditions have continued or why everybody just accepts this as the way of the world. This is all I can think of off the top of my head, but I've read this book 2 or 3 times now and each time I've been impressed with Ewing's storytelling (with one glaring exception in Book 2).
2. The scene/storyline/plot twist that mainly takes place in Chapters 9 and 10 completely shocked me. All the clues were there, and if you were really paying attention, you would know what happened before it's revealed, which makes for the most satisfying plot twists in my opinion. It does a fantastic job of setting up just how ruthless and dangerous this place is. Up until now, it's appeared that while there are some very negative things about the relationship between surrogate and mistress, surrogates have it pretty good, what with the luxury they live in. That storyline really raises the stakes, and makes it a lot more believable when other negative things are revealed.
3. I love the portrayal of the relationship between our protagonist and our main antagonist. It could be played very one-note, with just complete hatred or obedience or defiance. But instead there's a lot of nuance. There are scenes where the antagonist appears almost motherly and loving towards the protagonist, while there are other scenes that very clearly remind the reader that they are not equals. Some things done to the protagonist are disgusting and evil, and others almost seem caring. It's not by any means a redemption arc, but it almost does enough to humanize the antagonist.
Things that bother me:
1. First of all, let me just say that this entire story feels like an amalgamation of elements of The Hunger Games, The Selection, and The Handmaid's Tale, off the top of my head. I think the Handmaid's Tale comparison is obvious, with the forced surrogacy. The Selection comparison is a little more difficult, but just from the covers, I feel like it's very obviously been influenced by The Selection, plus with the forbidden love, obvious caste system, the clear focus on royalty and social status and the relationships between those who are "lesser" and those who are "greater."
And then there's the Hunger Games. There is an Augury test to prove skills and lot numbers are assigned based on performance, not unlike the tribute tests and rankings in THG. You could even go as far as to compare the bidding process at The Auction with the sponsors in THG; both are significantly based on the surrogates'/tributes' performances and ratings before the Auction/Games, and both play a significant role in what happens to them after. I already mentioned the obvious caste system, but the geographical dividing of the regions based on industry is exactly like the districts in THG. The protagonist's father died when she was young and she has a unique bond with her younger sister, whose name happens to be the same theme as hers (Katniss & Primrose are plants, Violet & Hazel (and Ochre) are colors). There's a mute assistant as well as castrated male assistants (to me, both scream of Avoxes). There's a prep stylist who's not at all what you expect and might actually be a good guy, just like THG's Cinna. There are many more comparisons, but I'll stop here.
2. All. The. Cliches. I already mentioned the caste system, the geographical divide by industry (also present in Divergent), the protagonist devoted to her younger sister, the themed names (aside from Hazel/Ochre/Violet, there's also Ash/Cinder, Raven/Crow, Pearl/Garnet/Carnelian/Opal, Azalea/Cobalt, etc), and the forbidden love. Others include: Our protagonist is the best at everything, not a Mary Sue because she certainly has flaws, but she's the best at Auguries and at music plus she's gorgeous, etc. This relationship is total insta-love. Idk if others would consider this a cliche, but I've definitely seen it plenty of times, where the people in charge are expected to be very cold and detached and then we find out that, shocker! They're actually not all that bad (certainly some are but there are some characters that aren't) (looking at you, Selection series)! Again, there are more, but I'll stop.
3. I just have a little difficulty believing no one outside the Jewel knows about. I won't go into too much detail for spoilers' sake, but I just feel like someone would know about it, or at least question it. If everyone outside the Jewel, or even just everyone in the Marsh, can bear children, doesn't anyone wonder why only some girls from the Marsh are taken? I don't think this is explained enough.
TL;DR I enjoyed this book, and as I said, I've read it a few times and each time I've really enjoyed it. I just can't sing its praises like others because so much is stuff I've seen before.
Things I enjoyed:
1. Although the premise isn't that original, the author does a good job with it. There are enough twists and turns to keep the reader very entertained. The
Spoiler
"forbidden love"Spoiler
waiting tensely for them to get caught through the whole scene2. The scene/storyline/plot twist that mainly takes place in Chapters 9 and 10 completely shocked me. All the clues were there, and if you were really paying attention, you would know what happened before it's revealed, which makes for the most satisfying plot twists in my opinion. It does a fantastic job of setting up just how ruthless and dangerous this place is. Up until now, it's appeared that while there are some very negative things about the relationship between surrogate and mistress, surrogates have it pretty good, what with the luxury they live in. That storyline really raises the stakes, and makes it a lot more believable when other negative things are revealed.
3. I love the portrayal of the relationship between our protagonist and our main antagonist. It could be played very one-note, with just complete hatred or obedience or defiance. But instead there's a lot of nuance. There are scenes where the antagonist appears almost motherly and loving towards the protagonist, while there are other scenes that very clearly remind the reader that they are not equals. Some things done to the protagonist are disgusting and evil, and others almost seem caring. It's not by any means a redemption arc, but it almost does enough to humanize the antagonist.
Things that bother me:
1. First of all, let me just say that this entire story feels like an amalgamation of elements of The Hunger Games, The Selection, and The Handmaid's Tale, off the top of my head. I think the Handmaid's Tale comparison is obvious, with the forced surrogacy. The Selection comparison is a little more difficult, but just from the covers, I feel like it's very obviously been influenced by The Selection, plus with the forbidden love, obvious caste system, the clear focus on royalty and social status and the relationships between those who are "lesser" and those who are "greater."
And then there's the Hunger Games. There is an Augury test to prove skills and lot numbers are assigned based on performance, not unlike the tribute tests and rankings in THG. You could even go as far as to compare the bidding process at The Auction with the sponsors in THG; both are significantly based on the surrogates'/tributes' performances and ratings before the Auction/Games, and both play a significant role in what happens to them after. I already mentioned the obvious caste system, but the geographical dividing of the regions based on industry is exactly like the districts in THG. The protagonist's father died when she was young and she has a unique bond with her younger sister, whose name happens to be the same theme as hers (Katniss & Primrose are plants, Violet & Hazel (and Ochre) are colors). There's a mute assistant as well as castrated male assistants (to me, both scream of Avoxes). There's a prep stylist who's not at all what you expect and might actually be a good guy, just like THG's Cinna. There are many more comparisons, but I'll stop here.
2. All. The. Cliches. I already mentioned the caste system, the geographical divide by industry (also present in Divergent), the protagonist devoted to her younger sister, the themed names (aside from Hazel/Ochre/Violet, there's also Ash/Cinder, Raven/Crow, Pearl/Garnet/Carnelian/Opal, Azalea/Cobalt, etc), and the forbidden love. Others include: Our protagonist is the best at everything, not a Mary Sue because she certainly has flaws, but she's the best at Auguries and at music plus she's gorgeous, etc. This relationship is total insta-love. Idk if others would consider this a cliche, but I've definitely seen it plenty of times, where the people in charge are expected to be very cold and detached and then we find out that, shocker! They're actually not all that bad (certainly some are but there are some characters that aren't) (looking at you, Selection series)! Again, there are more, but I'll stop.
3. I just have a little difficulty believing no one outside the Jewel knows about
Spoiler
the AuguriesTL;DR I enjoyed this book, and as I said, I've read it a few times and each time I've really enjoyed it. I just can't sing its praises like others because so much is stuff I've seen before.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Slavery, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Body horror, Classism, Confinement, Trafficking, Infertility, and Sexual violence
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Blood, and Rape
kamryn_grace_'s review
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Medical trauma
Moderate: Blood, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Rape
More...