lornarei's review against another edition
3.0
This seemed to have such a unique, interesting concept for dystopian YA that I was excited to read it. So why is my review only three stars (a rounding up from 2.5)? Well, because despite the seemingly unique idea I had the feeling that I’d read this all before, many times over. I’m all for girl power – bring it on, but can we have a different kind of heroine occasionally? It’s the Hunger Games/Divergent/The Testing all over again (with a splash of the movie Dave thrown in, lol) – where a seemingly milquetoast/ordinary girl all of the sudden becomes kick-ass warrior/symbol for the good guys/the rebellion’s only hope.
That said, it did hold my attention and I did keep thinking about it, wondering what was coming next. It certainly seems set up for a series. I would like to “see” more of this world and see what happens, I would just like a little more variety in my dystopian plots.
Spoiler
In this case I was puzzled by the fact that she didn’t even discover her fire power until almost halfway through the book, didn’t really know how to control it and yet a short time later the entire climactic plan to assassinate the Fuhrer is built almost completely around her. And of course she succeeds, with a little help from the final part of the formula … the boy. Are there any YA dystopians that don’t have the star-crossed lovers?That said, it did hold my attention and I did keep thinking about it, wondering what was coming next. It certainly seems set up for a series. I would like to “see” more of this world and see what happens, I would just like a little more variety in my dystopian plots.
froydis's review against another edition
3.0
Well, this one was kind of disappointing. It has such a fantastic premise, I was exited to read it. However, the writing is not so great, and some of the plot is a bit sub-par. I did like the characters for the most part, and the relationship between the MC and her uncle was great. The romance really didn't work for me, and the resolution of that romance didn't feel organic to the overall plot. It was just kind of dropped in there to tie up lose ends. Overall, its an interesting read, but there are other alternate history (future?) reads that are quite a bit better.
lsoccer12's review against another edition
3.0
More like 3.5 stars.
The story could have used a bit more development, but it was honestly about time I read something different so I was willing to overlook it. :)
I enjoyed the protagonist and the setting as well.
I would definitely read the sequel!
The story could have used a bit more development, but it was honestly about time I read something different so I was willing to overlook it. :)
I enjoyed the protagonist and the setting as well.
I would definitely read the sequel!
dianasbooks's review
4.0
3.5
16-year-old Zara has grown up in a world where Hitler and the Nazis win WWII. Zara and Uncle Red live on a cabbage farm after Zara's mother was killed during a rebel attack on the Nazi empire. She has always been told to be cautious and lay low. This is even more important when Zara discovers she is a dual anomaly, who has the power to manipulate wind and lightning. This is a curse until id becomes a useful weapon to the rebellion against the Nazi empire.
What I enjoyed the most about this book is how descriptive and vivid it is. I wasn't really invested in the romance between Zara and because I knew it would be hard to remain together while fighting a war but, I was still hopeful that they would make it through in the end.
16-year-old Zara has grown up in a world where Hitler and the Nazis win WWII. Zara and Uncle Red live on a cabbage farm after Zara's mother was killed during a rebel attack on the Nazi empire. She has always been told to be cautious and lay low. This is even more important when Zara discovers she is a dual anomaly, who has the power to manipulate wind and lightning. This is a curse until id becomes a useful weapon to the rebellion against the Nazi empire.
What I enjoyed the most about this book is how descriptive and vivid it is. I wasn't really invested in the romance between Zara and because I knew it would be hard to remain together while fighting a war but, I was still hopeful that they would make it through in the end.
elvenavari's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know I wanted a combination of The Hunger Games & X-Men set in a what if the Axis powers had won WWII setting until I read this book. The writing was well done. The plot and characters were well developed. I honestly wouldn't mind to read a sequel.
cmw119's review
4.0
Interesting take on what “could have been.” Its historical fiction but also not, and there’s something in there for Sci-fi lovers as well (that’s not actually me but it fits in with the story).
prof_shoff's review against another edition
2.0
Although Richmond's envisioning of the future isn't as far-fetched as it seems, the story is somewhat derivative and less compelling than I'd like.