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nklosty's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to like this book. The idea is solid, and I think kids would like books like this. I still think many kids would like the book, but I found too much of what Gwendolyn did far-fetched. I am ok with stretching my imagination, but this was a bit out of my comfort zone. 73
noracalloway's review against another edition
3.0
Probably 3.5 Stars
I liked this one and it sped by, but there were some unexpectedly dark and sad topics discussed. I enjoyed it but I also didn’t like the ending. It wasn’t very conclusive and overall the whole book just left me a bit meh. So many loose threads never answered, no satisfying ending, and the characters from the beginning I forgot existed because of how quickly they moved on.
Edit: just found out there’s a sequel. Not sure if I’m going to read it, but it exists. So there’s that.
I liked this one and it sped by, but there were some unexpectedly dark and sad topics discussed. I enjoyed it but I also didn’t like the ending. It wasn’t very conclusive and overall the whole book just left me a bit meh. So many loose threads never answered, no satisfying ending, and the characters from the beginning I forgot existed because of how quickly they moved on.
Edit: just found out there’s a sequel. Not sure if I’m going to read it, but it exists. So there’s that.
ashleighmacro's review against another edition
4.0
Hugely entertaining and action-packed thriller that’s bound to go down a storm.
Originally posted on my blog Ashleigh Online
While I’m not convinced that this genre is going to be the next dystopian (and oh how I love a dystopian), I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed assassin-filled, crime-based thriller The Cruelty. It doesn’t come without its flaws, but I can see why its publishers are excited about it and I can absolutely see this book going down brilliantly well with a broad audience of young adults.
Gwendolyn is totally badass and I love that despite a dash of romance towards the beginning of this novel it carries itself completely without it. It’s action-packed and there’s never a dull moment as we join her on her incredibly dangerous adventure across the globe that’ll have you on the edge of your seat.
I did have a few gripes with this novel, but none of them stopped me from enjoying its hugely entertaining plot. The main issue I had was the speed at which Gwendolyn seems to learn how to kick ass, break bones and even kill people, and how easy it seems to be for her to move around the world the way she does. But the speed at which she does so, however unrealistic it is, does help keep the fast pace of the novel so I suppose without that flaw it wouldn’t be as gripping as it is.
You can see my dilemma, here. It’s a book that I loved reading and had me hooked, but I certainly didn’t believe every word I read and I had to learn not to ask too many questions and look past some of the more unrealistic moments. If you think you can do the same, I’d recommend it. If not, I’d suggest looking elsewhere!
Originally posted on my blog Ashleigh Online
While I’m not convinced that this genre is going to be the next dystopian (and oh how I love a dystopian), I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed assassin-filled, crime-based thriller The Cruelty. It doesn’t come without its flaws, but I can see why its publishers are excited about it and I can absolutely see this book going down brilliantly well with a broad audience of young adults.
Gwendolyn is totally badass and I love that despite a dash of romance towards the beginning of this novel it carries itself completely without it. It’s action-packed and there’s never a dull moment as we join her on her incredibly dangerous adventure across the globe that’ll have you on the edge of your seat.
I did have a few gripes with this novel, but none of them stopped me from enjoying its hugely entertaining plot. The main issue I had was the speed at which Gwendolyn seems to learn how to kick ass, break bones and even kill people, and how easy it seems to be for her to move around the world the way she does. But the speed at which she does so, however unrealistic it is, does help keep the fast pace of the novel so I suppose without that flaw it wouldn’t be as gripping as it is.
You can see my dilemma, here. It’s a book that I loved reading and had me hooked, but I certainly didn’t believe every word I read and I had to learn not to ask too many questions and look past some of the more unrealistic moments. If you think you can do the same, I’d recommend it. If not, I’d suggest looking elsewhere!
morgan_s_312's review against another edition
3.0
Okay I gave this 3 stars. I enjoyed it more than 3 stars worth, but so much of it wasn't plausible. A 17 year old diplomat's daughter decides to save her father when he disappears--but I'm supposed to believe she single handedly does some of the things she does? Nope. Spoilers ahead sort of. 3 weeks of training and she's suddenly some Russian-style assassin? Nope. Okay so she's lived all over the world and knows multiple languages already--fine. But there's very little chance 3 weeks of training paired with a language ability is going to have her taking down an entire crime ring herself. At least I enjoyed it mostly.
jennifermreads's review against another edition
2.0
Received advanced reader copy from publisher via Baker & Taylor book supplier
After her father disappears, Gwendolyn learns he was much more than a paper-pusher for the state department. She then sets out across Europe to try to find him.
I started reading this ARC before I knew of the controversy surrounding the author. For a guy who worked in advertising it was a bozo, rookie interview move to say something so ridiculous to a group you were marketing towards: “The morality of the book is more complicated than a lot of YA so I wanted to try doing it on my own,” Bergstrom said. “In a lot of YA, the conflict takes place inside a walled garden, set up by outside adult forces. If you think of those stories as a metaphor for high school, they start to make a lot more sense, but that was one thing I wanted to depart from.” (Publisher’s Weekly 11/24/15).
That quote? It soured the book for me even more. I was already on the fence with it. I was having a hard time not just throwing the thing against the wall and screaming “They made this movie already you idiot! It was called Taken! Just switching the adult/teen roles doesn’t make it original!” I also had an incredibly difficult time believing that this particular teen could suddenly transform into a kick-ass spy. I guess her gymnastics background prepared her for killing people? Yes, she spent time training with an actual spy but can the mind AND body change so quickly – and so much – in such a short amount of time?! It just never hit “believable” for me. Alex Rider from Anthony Horowitz? That I believed. Tess from The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes? That I believed.
So, give me a book that was already riding a thin line and add in the Publisher’s Weekly article and what I end up with is regret I spent time reading the book at all.
After her father disappears, Gwendolyn learns he was much more than a paper-pusher for the state department. She then sets out across Europe to try to find him.
I started reading this ARC before I knew of the controversy surrounding the author. For a guy who worked in advertising it was a bozo, rookie interview move to say something so ridiculous to a group you were marketing towards: “The morality of the book is more complicated than a lot of YA so I wanted to try doing it on my own,” Bergstrom said. “In a lot of YA, the conflict takes place inside a walled garden, set up by outside adult forces. If you think of those stories as a metaphor for high school, they start to make a lot more sense, but that was one thing I wanted to depart from.” (Publisher’s Weekly 11/24/15).
That quote? It soured the book for me even more. I was already on the fence with it. I was having a hard time not just throwing the thing against the wall and screaming “They made this movie already you idiot! It was called Taken! Just switching the adult/teen roles doesn’t make it original!” I also had an incredibly difficult time believing that this particular teen could suddenly transform into a kick-ass spy. I guess her gymnastics background prepared her for killing people? Yes, she spent time training with an actual spy but can the mind AND body change so quickly – and so much – in such a short amount of time?! It just never hit “believable” for me. Alex Rider from Anthony Horowitz? That I believed. Tess from The Fixer by Jennifer Lynn Barnes? That I believed.
So, give me a book that was already riding a thin line and add in the Publisher’s Weekly article and what I end up with is regret I spent time reading the book at all.
harraudrey's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
opticflow's review against another edition
2.0
If you read spy genre or watch spy films, you know exactly what you're in for - big bad bosses with Eastern European accents, sexy lady props, escape in a hail of gunfire, double agents, chase scenes, combat training montage, explosions. Yeah, it's all here. This action packed spy cliché was written so seriously that it became laughable. Picture me reading this on the bus and cracking up like a lunatic. There is no difference between this 17 year old girl's single minded focus and abilities and Jason Bourne's, so what could have set this apart is exactly what makes it a disappointment.
lady_sarabella's review against another edition
5.0
A great read, for teens and adults alike. If you enjoyed watching 'Taken', you will love this book!