Sisters Red reminds me of fan fiction. But not in a bad way. I guess back when I read fan fiction (of X-Men Evolution..don't judge me) the best ones had a coherent plot but also took their time resolving it. It's an interesting mix that's for sure. We have pretty intense fast paced action sequences, like a sprint and then it's balanced out by these scenes that are quieter and let us kind of stroll through the narrative without being too slow, for me at least.

The narrative is split into alternating first person accounts between the titular sisters. It was never hard to distinguish between them because their internal struggles are just so different. That said their language and phrasing were extremely similar. Maybe that was on purpose to showcase their closeness? For me that bond and the resolution of the girls' relationship was by far the most interesting aspect of the book. I must say that the big twist was pretty apparent from almost the beginning. And the ending was pretty damn convenient but I'm a sucker for happy endings so I'm ok with it.

First finished book of the new year! woot woot.

I'd heard a lot about Cinder before reading it and unfortunately had been spoiled for a great many things (thanks a lot internet) but it was still a very enjoyable read. I love good world building and good sci-fi world building is a thing of beauty. The tech was both cool and believable, the pacing of the story was that perfect medium between slow and too intense. This is the first book in a quartet and the ending is no ending at all. So there's that, be prepared.

I would like to talk about one of my favorite aspects of the book for a sec, Prince Kai's situation. It's a pretty common trope, royal hottie forced into an unwanted marriage with the bad guy, needing to be saved by their true love aka the pauper below their station. We've seen it a thousand thousand times but what's cool here is that it's flipped on it's head. Reversals of tired gender roles? I'm for it. Plus it works to add urgency in the story. (Kai pov you were my favorite)

Don't let the back of the book fool you, Mrs. Stanton does not have very much to do in this book. I keep expecting her to be behind something based on the back of the book's description, but nope.

We get a bit less Dreadnought in this installment but what we do see of him (which isn't insubstantial don't get me wrong) is pretty damn good.

I feel like there were times when M.K. Hobson was able to be a bit more subtle and take things a bit deeper. But some spots were still a bit pulpy, let's not play. I feel like this book might have gotten more attention if it had vampires, or steamy sex scenes or both. So it was kind of refreshing that there weren't any of those things.

For the added subtlety there is also equal amounts of hammering it home. But I am a-ok with that. Also really Hobson, did you go out of your way to add the hardest to pronounce names of things?

Characters with real flaws, exciting plot and magic abound. And I approve.