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miranda226's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
3.5 ⭐️ I thought the premise was interesting and it was a decent YA dystopian novel. Some parts reminded me strongly of the hunger games, so I think fans of dystopian YA will overall enjoy.
Both main characters are somewhat anti-heroes, complicated and naive. I struggled a bit with the plot - it felt like there were too many things to tell what was the main climax - but that could be partly because it’s the first in what will be a series. The fighting scenes felt jarring at times - I could see this being adapted as a TV series or movie, for all its abruptness, the writing was descriptive and painted a scene that I think might be better captured onscreen than in a novel.
Both main characters are somewhat anti-heroes, complicated and naive. I struggled a bit with the plot - it felt like there were too many things to tell what was the main climax - but that could be partly because it’s the first in what will be a series. The fighting scenes felt jarring at times - I could see this being adapted as a TV series or movie, for all its abruptness, the writing was descriptive and painted a scene that I think might be better captured onscreen than in a novel.
Graphic: Drug abuse and Violence
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault
gallivantingsushi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I got this through Amazon first reads and I appreciate they showcase a diverse group of authors, and the premise of a society by and for people of color intrigued me immensely. However, I was immediately shocked to find that society was based on not just racist and oppressive, but actively genocidal premises, and leaves us rooting for the mainly-white rebellion? It seems a strange choice for an author of color to make.
Also, given how the novel clearly intends to explore race politics, I'm shocked that it doesn't even mention what happened to Asian, Latinx, and especially Native people during the building of the Union.
Aside from those two big questions I also found the plot jumpy and somewhat illogical, and the characters one dimensional. I think Saige and Avi were intended as foils (strength/weakness, traumatized/pampered) but to me they read more like two sides of a complete person. Which made it extra weird that in this "story of friendship" the protagonists don't meet for half the book, and then don't really like each other.
Overall interesting and good enough to finish, but I was hoping for more.
Also, given how the novel clearly intends to explore race politics, I'm shocked that it doesn't even mention what happened to Asian, Latinx, and especially Native people during the building of the Union.
Aside from those two big questions I also found the plot jumpy and somewhat illogical, and the characters one dimensional. I think Saige and Avi were intended as foils (strength/weakness, traumatized/pampered) but to me they read more like two sides of a complete person. Which made it extra weird that in this "story of friendship" the protagonists don't meet for half the book, and then don't really like each other.
Overall interesting and good enough to finish, but I was hoping for more.
Graphic: Genocide, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
arthur_ant18's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Police brutality, War, and Classism
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Deportation
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
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