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erinarkin20's review
3.0
Tarnished is the second book in the Perfected series by Kate Jarvik Birch and I have to say, I think I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first book. Where book one established the back story and the basis for the situations Ella faces in this book, this one felt a bit different. Tarnished has quite a bit of action, some swoony bits, and progress within the story. I loved that we got to learn a bit more about the kennels and the rebel group.
Ella has definitely changed since she moved in with the Congressman and his family. This book kicks off with her in Canada at a safe house since she successfully made it over the border but it isn’t like she expected…mostly because Penn isn’t with her. Because of that, she decides she needs to go back to him so they can get away together. When she sees Penn at a press conference with his father, she immediately puts her plan into action. What she didn’t count on was running into someone from her past. She also didn’t count on that person to help her get back to Penn.
As Ella makes her way back to Penn, she gets exposure to the black market and the seedy side of life as a pet. She definitely takes some risks here and I appreciated how she didn’t shy away from them. In addition to that, she began to stand up for herself and I think that pushed people to look at her differently.
The relationship between Ella and Penn is interesting. Having read book one a while ago I needed to go back to understand how it developed. While I liked both of these characters, I wasn’t sure why either would be willing to risk so much for each other. It could be just the time that elapsed from when I first read about their budding relationship but I needed a reminder as to why they would be open to risking everything just to be with each other.
We definitely find out more about everything with this installment. I loved the part where the girls were infiltrating the kennels to obtain more information. They definitely faced their worst nightmare and were rewarded with quite the haul of information which not only helped them expose what is really going on, but it created additional risks and concerns for Ella.
If you are looking for a new dystopian that has plenty of action and a great story, definitely consider this book. I admit, the idea of pets that look and act human intrigued me and as I learned more in this book about what was really happening, I was even more interested. I don’t know what that says about me but I do know that tells me Birch wrote a good book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
Ella has definitely changed since she moved in with the Congressman and his family. This book kicks off with her in Canada at a safe house since she successfully made it over the border but it isn’t like she expected…mostly because Penn isn’t with her. Because of that, she decides she needs to go back to him so they can get away together. When she sees Penn at a press conference with his father, she immediately puts her plan into action. What she didn’t count on was running into someone from her past. She also didn’t count on that person to help her get back to Penn.
As Ella makes her way back to Penn, she gets exposure to the black market and the seedy side of life as a pet. She definitely takes some risks here and I appreciated how she didn’t shy away from them. In addition to that, she began to stand up for herself and I think that pushed people to look at her differently.
The relationship between Ella and Penn is interesting. Having read book one a while ago I needed to go back to understand how it developed. While I liked both of these characters, I wasn’t sure why either would be willing to risk so much for each other. It could be just the time that elapsed from when I first read about their budding relationship but I needed a reminder as to why they would be open to risking everything just to be with each other.
We definitely find out more about everything with this installment. I loved the part where the girls were infiltrating the kennels to obtain more information. They definitely faced their worst nightmare and were rewarded with quite the haul of information which not only helped them expose what is really going on, but it created additional risks and concerns for Ella.
If you are looking for a new dystopian that has plenty of action and a great story, definitely consider this book. I admit, the idea of pets that look and act human intrigued me and as I learned more in this book about what was really happening, I was even more interested. I don’t know what that says about me but I do know that tells me Birch wrote a good book.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
themagicalpan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book was slow for the first half and then picked up for the rest. It felt impossible to put down once I got to a certain part. It's a little predictable, but still very gripping.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Slavery, Pedophilia, Trafficking, Medical trauma, Rape, Infertility, Murder, Death, and Pregnancy
kaplanlk0086's review
medium-paced
3.25
It has been awhile since I read the first book so there were some things I had forgotten when I got ready to listen to this book, which is the second in the series. In a otherwise consistent line of what happens if we have a ya romance mixed with a dystopian society, this story throws in “hey girls are kept as household pets.” Like the first book this ended set to pick up Ella’s story in the third book for the conclusion.
bestdressedbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
I am really enjoying this series, gruesomely dystopian and fast paced :)
fsmeurinne's review against another edition
4.0
Tarnished is sequel to Perfected. The story starts a week later after Perfected ended.
Ella is stuck in a Canadian safe house, a refugee center. Penn isn't with her, so this
story starts with Ella wanting to get back to Penn, who is with his father. There is a bit
of a twist when she runs into someone and Ella is exposed to the black market and the
life of a pet allowed to be bought, I loved that we get to see her taking some risks, also that we find more about the kennels and enjoyed the part where they try to get the
information with the girls. All she wants is to rescue and be reunited with Penn and
expose the breeding program.
If you haven't read this series, let me tell you these books are a very different kind of
dystopian story from the ones you usually read, like my review for the first book, this
book is also very well written, I love technology so this is what made me read it in the first place. I can't wait for next book either.
Ella is stuck in a Canadian safe house, a refugee center. Penn isn't with her, so this
story starts with Ella wanting to get back to Penn, who is with his father. There is a bit
of a twist when she runs into someone and Ella is exposed to the black market and the
life of a pet allowed to be bought, I loved that we get to see her taking some risks, also that we find more about the kennels and enjoyed the part where they try to get the
information with the girls. All she wants is to rescue and be reunited with Penn and
expose the breeding program.
If you haven't read this series, let me tell you these books are a very different kind of
dystopian story from the ones you usually read, like my review for the first book, this
book is also very well written, I love technology so this is what made me read it in the first place. I can't wait for next book either.
moonbell's review against another edition
4.0
I read the first book because the description just screamed 2013 YA trash and honestly that’s exactly what it was and so I expected this one to be the same but it actually was quite good! It’s no high literature of course, but it’s not trash anymore.
Also the sorority here, I love when women are friends, sadly something not quite common on YA books.
Also the sorority here, I love when women are friends, sadly something not quite common on YA books.
jezzebelljc's review against another edition
4.0
"I had no idea what sort of lives normal people lived, but I wanted to know."
The Good
This one is even better than the first. What drew me to Perfected was the outrageousness of owning a human as a pet. In this second installment, things get so much worse than simply owning a human being (and that was bad enough?!?!). This is one of those series that make me think the entire time I'm reading it. I can't help but go over in my head and digest the information of what is considered acceptable by people in this future world. It's all written to be believable based on the justifications given by corrupt politicians, but I can't help shaking my head at what's going on and I desperately want these politicians and NuPet dealt with.
Ella has moved so far in her character from where she was in the beginning of the first one. She is a sweet soul with a desire to help others. She's also willing to stand up and get things done. Missy in this one was a jewel. I remember not really caring for her in the first one, but her character was fantastic this go round.
The action is really revved up in Tarnished. It's not the action that had me turning pages and trying to get to the end though, it was more that I HAD to know what would happen. It's not an action-packed thrill ride, more of a psychological derby. The writing flows well and there were some truly beautiful quotes embedded in the story.
"Morning was just an idea that night was considering, a blush-colored dream."
The Bad
The only small thing that bothered me was how badly she wanted to 'escape' in the beginning when I wasn't able to tell that the situation was that bad. In fact, she just goes to much worse. I wish I would've been able to see why this place in Canada that she's staying in the beginning is so terrible that she has to get out immediately. Surely it can't be just because she has to see Penn. This didn't detract anything from the story, just had me scratching my head a bit.
There are circumstances of prostitution and murder so you may want to be sure you want to read it before determining whether your kids can.
The Romance
Penn was a big deal in the first one. In fact, he went from hating Ella to showing her how to be free. In this one, they have a very cute relationship and definitely are committed to each other. It's all gumdrops and rainbows in that department.
Conclusion
Tarnished is a very well-written follow up and was even better than Perfected. The series is intoxicating in the way that it stimulates your mind and really makes you think. I love the characters and am so glad to continue to see them grow. The action went up a notch and the story-line got even more intense. I'm a fan!
The Good
This one is even better than the first. What drew me to Perfected was the outrageousness of owning a human as a pet. In this second installment, things get so much worse than simply owning a human being (and that was bad enough?!?!). This is one of those series that make me think the entire time I'm reading it. I can't help but go over in my head and digest the information of what is considered acceptable by people in this future world. It's all written to be believable based on the justifications given by corrupt politicians, but I can't help shaking my head at what's going on and I desperately want these politicians and NuPet dealt with.
Ella has moved so far in her character from where she was in the beginning of the first one. She is a sweet soul with a desire to help others. She's also willing to stand up and get things done. Missy in this one was a jewel. I remember not really caring for her in the first one, but her character was fantastic this go round.
The action is really revved up in Tarnished. It's not the action that had me turning pages and trying to get to the end though, it was more that I HAD to know what would happen. It's not an action-packed thrill ride, more of a psychological derby. The writing flows well and there were some truly beautiful quotes embedded in the story.
"Morning was just an idea that night was considering, a blush-colored dream."
The Bad
The only small thing that bothered me was how badly she wanted to 'escape' in the beginning when I wasn't able to tell that the situation was that bad. In fact, she just goes to much worse. I wish I would've been able to see why this place in Canada that she's staying in the beginning is so terrible that she has to get out immediately. Surely it can't be just because she has to see Penn. This didn't detract anything from the story, just had me scratching my head a bit.
There are circumstances of prostitution and murder so you may want to be sure you want to read it before determining whether your kids can.
The Romance
Penn was a big deal in the first one. In fact, he went from hating Ella to showing her how to be free. In this one, they have a very cute relationship and definitely are committed to each other. It's all gumdrops and rainbows in that department.
Conclusion
Tarnished is a very well-written follow up and was even better than Perfected. The series is intoxicating in the way that it stimulates your mind and really makes you think. I love the characters and am so glad to continue to see them grow. The action went up a notch and the story-line got even more intense. I'm a fan!
chllybrd's review against another edition
4.0
PERFECTED was an interesting book, but TARNISHED definitely stepped the series up another level.
Ella tended to annoy me in PERFECTED, but TARNISHED brought her out of her 'pet' shell. She goes from meek to fierce and her loyalty to those she cares about shines through in just about every situation. She still has a few sheltered girl moments, but when she catches up to the game, she totally redeems herself in my eyes.
The romance between Ella and Penn. It's missing the spark I would expect to feel and they don't really have time to grow a relationship in TARNISHED. You can tell they feel things for eachother, but it isn't quite there for me yet. Maybe book three will bring their relationship into another level that will make me feel like they are a couple.
TARNISHED really surprised me. I was hesitant to pick up a review copy and when I had it it took me a while to read it. Thankfully when I started reading it, I had no problem staying engaged and it made me want to continue the series. Not sure when book 3 will be out, but I will make sure to keep an eye out for it.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Ella tended to annoy me in PERFECTED, but TARNISHED brought her out of her 'pet' shell. She goes from meek to fierce and her loyalty to those she cares about shines through in just about every situation. She still has a few sheltered girl moments, but when she catches up to the game, she totally redeems herself in my eyes.
The romance between Ella and Penn. It's missing the spark I would expect to feel and they don't really have time to grow a relationship in TARNISHED. You can tell they feel things for eachother, but it isn't quite there for me yet. Maybe book three will bring their relationship into another level that will make me feel like they are a couple.
TARNISHED really surprised me. I was hesitant to pick up a review copy and when I had it it took me a while to read it. Thankfully when I started reading it, I had no problem staying engaged and it made me want to continue the series. Not sure when book 3 will be out, but I will make sure to keep an eye out for it.
* This book was provided free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
aprilk's review against another edition
4.0
Tarnished is the dark and gritty sequel to Perfected. It picks up shortly after Ella had to leave Penn behind at the Canadian border so that she could take refuge. After all of that Ella cannot stand to leave Penn behind especially after she sees him on television and he seemed really dejected and off. So she escapes and heads back to the states where she has no rights and isn't even considered human by most. I definitely didn't foresee her unexpected companion through all of this but was glad that she was not alone. Tarnished definitely got a bit edgier than Perfected, showing more details of what goes on at "The Black Market" and with the mystery of who's killing off the pets. It's pretty cringe worthy thinking of genetically modified humans used as pets and then all of the horrible things we discover in this story, but it definitely kept the story interesting. I was completely caught up in this book and need to know what happens next! I can't wait to read Unraveled.
** Thank you Entangled Teen and Netgalley for providing me with this copy to review. **
** Thank you Entangled Teen and Netgalley for providing me with this copy to review. **
battlehamster67's review against another edition
3.0
After the first book I was expecting something more for the second one. And.... This book the writing is just so... interesting? It seems rushed, like it was written in a creative writing class. Or even Nano Wrimo. I have also found the worst typo I have ever seen in a book in this one, which is why I am giving it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The typo is on page 68, "For a moment I hesitated, trying to remember the name that Ella had made up for me. 'I'm Gigi.' " Okay, this is the worst typo I have ever seen because this is something that should have been caught super easily! Ella isn't the one that made up the name Gigi for herself! Someone else did, that name should be different...
Anyways, this book had some good parts but I found myself wanting to gag at the romance between Penn and Ella. I mean it's so... superficial! I mean she basically drools over him the entire book, and that's all she can think about. Also some things in this book just did not add up, I mean Ella goes from being terrified about something to doing it within half a page. Which does not stand with who her character his. I just felt like the author threw her around doing whatever which just diddn't make sense for her overall character development.
I am hoping that the third book, if there is one, will be better than the first two. However after reading Perfected and Tarnished I do not have high hopes.
The typo is on page 68, "For a moment I hesitated, trying to remember the name that Ella had made up for me. 'I'm Gigi.' " Okay, this is the worst typo I have ever seen because this is something that should have been caught super easily! Ella isn't the one that made up the name Gigi for herself! Someone else did, that name should be different...
Anyways, this book had some good parts but I found myself wanting to gag at the romance between Penn and Ella. I mean it's so... superficial! I mean she basically drools over him the entire book, and that's all she can think about. Also some things in this book just did not add up, I mean Ella goes from being terrified about something to doing it within half a page. Which does not stand with who her character his. I just felt like the author threw her around doing whatever which just diddn't make sense for her overall character development.
I am hoping that the third book, if there is one, will be better than the first two. However after reading Perfected and Tarnished I do not have high hopes.