I haven’t read a YA dystopian like this in a while and I’m glad this is the one I picked up. The world Marie Lu has created transports you in pretty easily without needing an extensive amount of explanations. Anything that needs to be known is implied and it feels like the author understands that she doesn’t need to tell the reader everything. I like Day’s relationship with his family a lot and it was nice to see June’s thoughts and questions as she struggled with the morality of the Republic’s actions. It made both of them much more relatable as people. June and Day both believe they are on the right side of the war for valid reasons which is what makes it that much harder for them to have complete disdain for each other. I think the pacing for their romantic relationship could have been better, but on the other hand I think they both are still in the initial infatuation stage of the relationship. June’s attempt to save him would have happened regardless of her feelings for him, I think, because she realized that having him executed was morally wrong. Usually with relationships that develop too quickly my main issue is that the two characters involved are declaring their undying love for each other and are willing to risk their lives for a person they barely know. In this case, the actions taken were circumstantial more than anything else and I’m sure their relationship will be further developed as the books go on.  

Now, speaking of the Republic, the government is gross. They’re completely willing to commit genocide against their own people as long as they are allowed to stay in power. The worst part is that a lot of the people that are fully aware of what is going on and are following orders are like Thomas. People who truly believe that what they are doing is for the greater good and therefore justified despite the immoral implications. I really like Thomas as a character because he embodies my favorite kind of antagonist. He is the kind of person that fuels corrupt governments like those shown in this world. It really is terrifying to see, yet so realistic. I’m glad June was able to make her own moral decisions about what was happening and realize what a monster Thomas truly is. It is amazing that he was able to murder his friend and still have the audacity to pursue a romantic relationship with his sister. I don’t think I’d be able to look at someone I did that too in the eye. I’m looking forward to see how he reacts in the long term to June and Day’s escape. Something tells me we haven’t seen all the war criminal crazy that Thomas can be. Overall, I’m glad I finally picked this up and that my over indulgence in YA dystopian a few years ago didn’t continue to stop me from reading something like this. I’ll be picking up the sequel soon.