gossamer_lens's Reviews (1.48k)

Overall enjoyed this book and how things were wrapped up. It was nothing fantastic. But I thought everything was pretty solid an enjoyable with a few standout moments and some moments that were a little less then what I wanted them to be. Very enjoyable overall.

12/15/2021 - I originally rated this 3 starts back in 2013. I think 15-year-old me had just read a lot of dystopian and was still heading into more. As such, I just didn't find the characters or plot super unique or engaging. I think when you've read enough books marketed as "You like Hunger Games? Try this!" it can be hard to surprise or entertain readers with certain tropes. All that said, as a reread, I found it very fun and grappling with surprisingly serious topics and struggles. I don't think it really made the fullest use of any of the themes and the characters acted a little oddly for their circumstances and age... but overall it was a fun read. That combined with the effort Lu makes to very intentionally make POC characters who cannot have their POC identity disregarded, made this almost a 4-star read for me. I wish more books (especially dystopian/real-world set books) made clear racial identification instead of just alluding to the idea that a character is POC. 

2013 - Interesting, although its not the most unique plot, or style-wise. Still very good, and was worthwhile.

I thought there were several interesting issues/themes addressed in this book and overall the plot was fun and engaging. My only real issue was the characters. This series feels like it is meant to be character-driven, but the characters don't feel fleshed out enough to really play well with some of the emotional beats. I liked both our main characters pretty well in the first book. But they both fell a little bit flatter in this sequel. I think they lost a bit of who they were in the name of focusing on the plot. Which left more emotional moments and a good amount of their decisions feeling a little empty. I would have probably given this book a 4 star at the 80% point, but the last 20% definitely veered off course as the main characters were called to make some bigger decisions that left me feeling a bit disconnected from them. Definitely going to read the next book. I hope they regain their footing and the next is more plot-focused as that was the strength of the first book. Honestly, I cannot see where this series has left to go and I imagine that is why I stopped at the end of this book when I read this the first time in 2013.

I wrote a long review and then it got deleted. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed the book overall. I love the female protagonists' point-of-views (POVs) through the whole thing and hated the male protagonists' POVs after the 20% mark. The ending was overall really satisfying though. 

I didn't rate this in 2014... but I'm sure if I had it would have been a 2/3. But as of now, I liked it enough to want to read the 4th book and I think that means something as nothing was left as a cliffhanger at the end of this book. So I really liked it enough to just go back for more because I want to.

I listened to the first 30 minutes of the audiobook. I have had this on my "To Read" shelf for a long while. I was recommended it be a friend I made at a youth camp. They felt it was really impactful and it gave them a lot of comfort and direction. I personally identify as an Ambivert and if this friend was still in my life I might continue reading so I could discuss with them. As is, it just isn't hitting any notes I want to read about. The first 30 minutes come off as a little whiny as Cain establishes this idea that extroverts are some kind of oppressive group that people push you to assimilate into. The whole premise this book is building so it can then continue with combating this premise just doesn't resonate with me. I think I can safely say I gave it a try and just have no interest nor do I think the premise really holds up.

Honestly, if this book had just been the last 50% it would have been a solid 5 star. The politics, consequences, romance, and characters were fantastic, gritty, and fun in the last half. Plus Marie Lu knows how to give a really strong ending. My only complaint was that both POVs were rather annoying in the same way for the first good bit of the book. I got the point of it, they develop as the book goes and you can feel them change... but I don't think being able to feel their changing was really worth having to experience their POVs as being that annoying in the beginning. 

Overall loved this series and will probably seek out something else by Lu in the future.

I would maybe give this a two-star... but as there are so many 5 stars on this book I feel like it's deserving of the rating I truly feel. The sole reason I made it through this book is that I've heard so much praise for it that I was intrigued by what was hyping people up so much. Honestly, I'm still unsure why people have hyped this book. 

The plot is basic, the characters are lackluster, the dialogue is cringy at best and just annoying at worst, and the pacing ugh the pacing. Just all around it was not good writing and in many ways wasn't even fun because I just didn't care. Several things/moments are written just to hit certain beats the author wanted to have. It certainly moves some things along, but it makes several characters look stilted, bad, and frustrating. For how long this book was it should have had more going on. 

And my final point... the sexual moments. I've heard a lot about the "spice". Is there sexual stuff? Sure. Did it give me any feelings of romantic/sexual development between the characters? No. It was just pretty cringy and honestly felt a little like the characters were confused at best or forcing things at worst. 

Will I read the next book? I really don't know. I've heard it gets better... and I cannot imagine it gets worse somehow. I am going to put it on hold at the library and see how I feel when it finally comes around as ready to borrow. I guess I'll decide then if I feel like reading the next one.