A review by pixie_
The Gilded Survivor by Daniela A. Mera
4.0
3.5/5 ⭐️
(Rounded up because I loved the ending, this would've easily been 4 stars if the tournament had more detail)
Thank you to the author for this ARC! I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was super excited to read this book.. the hunger games and the prison healer.. what's not to love?! I really liked the premise of the story but it did start off slow. I think some parts could have been left out and it wouldn't have affected the plot, whereas I felt there wasn't enough detail in other places.
I do think it needed more of an explanation on the background of the Blood Tournament.. why is it really necessary? What counts as winning? How many winners are there? What happens afterwards? I'm still not entirely sure, but I'm hoping this will all be clarified as the series progresses.
I thought the class system was very interesting - the portrayal of relationships between Carmen, Magda and the others at the theatre compared to the Elites.. such an important symbol of money and power corruption. I also loved the development of the relationship between Carmen and Antonio; slow-burn for sure, but their subtle changes in how they speak to each other had me hooked.
I don't speak Spanish - half of it I could just about gather what was said, but I did translate quite a few lines (especially in later conversations between Carmen and Antonio). I do appreciate the authenticity of it but it did affect the pace for me having to look up words/phrases.
I did guess the twist and there is a cliffhanger, but it's not bad one! I neeeeed to know the deal with the ritual stone and the arch at the end.. it can't be a coincidence!! Very excited for book 2!
(Rounded up because I loved the ending, this would've easily been 4 stars if the tournament had more detail)
Thank you to the author for this ARC! I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I was super excited to read this book.. the hunger games and the prison healer.. what's not to love?! I really liked the premise of the story but it did start off slow. I think some parts could have been left out and it wouldn't have affected the plot, whereas I felt there wasn't enough detail in other places.
I do think it needed more of an explanation on the background of the Blood Tournament.. why is it really necessary? What counts as winning? How many winners are there? What happens afterwards? I'm still not entirely sure, but I'm hoping this will all be clarified as the series progresses.
I thought the class system was very interesting - the portrayal of relationships between Carmen, Magda and the others at the theatre compared to the Elites.. such an important symbol of money and power corruption. I also loved the development of the relationship between Carmen and Antonio; slow-burn for sure, but their subtle changes in how they speak to each other had me hooked.
I don't speak Spanish - half of it I could just about gather what was said, but I did translate quite a few lines (especially in later conversations between Carmen and Antonio). I do appreciate the authenticity of it but it did affect the pace for me having to look up words/phrases.
I did guess the twist and there is a cliffhanger, but it's not bad one! I neeeeed to know the deal with the ritual stone and the arch at the end.. it can't be a coincidence!! Very excited for book 2!