I was a bit nervous going into The Darkest Legacy. I had read The Darkest Minds series two years ago when I was still new to the book community and loved it. However, I remembered almost nothing from it and over the years my reading tastes have changed quite a lot. It seemed I had nothing to worry about because this book was amazing. I was absolutely thrown back into the dystopian world I had grown to love in the original trilogy and given an even better lead character, Zu. This book basically had everything I love in an urban fantasy/dystopian/fantasy novel. It had snark, romance, and action. The endless action that had me gripping the book for dear life. Honestly, it was thrilling. It’s been a while since I read a book that wasn’t a romance and this was a good book to jump into.
I also want to mention quickly here that this review may contain mild spoilers for the previous The Darkest Minds series. If you haven’t read them I would advise coming back after. With that, I would also recommend reading the original trilogy before trying to jump into this one. There is a lot of character development and references that will make a lot more sense. This continuation is definitely not a spinoff.
The Darkest Legacy follows Zu, who we know well from The Darkest Minds. Zu is a yellow, which means that she can control electricity. However, since the events of In The Afterlight she is now working with government, along with Chubs and Vida. Liam and Ruby have been missing for years, has taken off due to their own free will. The Darkest Legacy by Alexandra Bracken starts off with a bang though. We are instantly thrown into a chaotic world and a series of events after Zu is blamed for a terrorist attack. Forming an uncomfortable alliance with Roman and Priyanka, Zu goes on a mission to save her name and find Ruby and Liam. There is just so much to this story and honestly, I don’t want to say too much on this plot because I feel it’s best to go in not expecting anything. There is secret keeping, murder, and a sweet romance that kind of makes you want to gush.
Where do I even start with what I actually liked about The Darkest Legacy? Hell, I gave it five damn stars. I think my favourite thing was Roman and how he constantly got common English phrases wrong. It was amusing as heck and made me laugh so much. Roman is Russian and English is obviously not his mother tongue but he tries so hard. I just loved Roman actually. Fun fact: I am actually a quarter (I believe) Russian. So, I obviously love when characters in books are as well. However, Roman was a mixture of the biggest softy and badass. It was an interesting mixture but I loved how Alexandra Bracken merged the two together.
Priyanka and Zu were also so fucking kickass. The pair of them were badass ins o many different ways that I am struggling to even draw an example. I loved the way the pair worked together and how the skills Vida had taught in the previous books were implemented through Zu. I absolutely love female characters in books and additionally, I am here for supportive female friendships. I am so happy to say The Darkest Legacy had that. Which is a major fuck yeah.
I will end what I liked there because I don’t want to spoil anything
My biggest problem with The Darkest Legacy was that one of the ‘evil’ characters is someone who likes females – I can’t specify sexuality because it is never discussed in full. I feel this will change with the sequel but I did find it a problem while reading at some points. I know a lot of people who do like females get annoyed when characters who also do are evil or killed so I just wanted to mention it. Again, I do think this will be an issue resolved in later books but for now, it was like eh.
My only other complaint was that I was so involved in The Darkest Legacy that 569 pages weren’t enough story for me. I desperately was flipping the pages wanting more. Especially with where the book leaves off. I can’t believe that it’ll be a whole years wait before the sequel to this releases. At least The Darkest Minds movie will come out before then.
Overall, Alexandra Bracken creates yet another spectacular dystopian world that I don’t want to live in. The story has all the key elements to keep you absolutely riveted and engaged. The writing style has only improved and the character development is spectacular. Not only that but the diversity is present in the story which makes it even better. Ultimately, The Darkest Legacy left me speechless. I loved the kickass characters and the sprinkling of romance throughout is barely enough to mention, which is how I love fantasy books to be....more
I always try to support Australian authors and Lynette Noni has been on my radar for a while. I just haven’t had the time to pick up one of her books. I was scanning the bookshop for a read for a flight when I came across Whisper, which I had just seen one of my close friends rave about. So, I picked it up and I am not regretting the choice at all.
Whisper by Lynette Noni follows a girl who is simply known as Jane Doe. For over two years she has not said a word. As the reader, we don’t know why for around half the book so I won’t say why in my review. Jane goes through a series of tasks each day, there is a routine. It is boring, it is torturous and it is not a way to live. Overall, Jane has no quality of life after being taken after checking herself into a mental health ward. This is ultimately one day there’s a change in the routine. She now spends time with a boy, who slowly slips in under her defences by simply being kind. However, that is not all this book is. There is betrayal, there is deceit and the class ‘the government is full of liars and people who need to be locked up’ plot lines. There are some iffy things throughout the books, which I’ve tried to mention in the trigger warnings, but overall I really did enjoy the second half of this book. The first half was incredibly flat as we get to know Jane and everyone around her. It is simply following her routine several times and learning what she knows (which is nothing).
Enough dribble because I’m trying to keep this review short. Time to jump into what I liked and didn’t like about Whisper by Lynette Noni.
L I K E S ✗ SECOND HALF OF THE BOOK WAS AMAZING
The second half of this book basically had it all. I was so enthralled in it and could not put the book or my kindle down (I alternate reading). I was shocked by some of the reveals and I was definitely kept on my toes.
✗ REMINDED ME A LITTLE OF SHATTER ME
If you know me you know I didn’t initially like Shatter Me but it is now one of my favourite series. I really did get some Shatter Me vibes throughout this book. The whole government, powers and weird love triangle really do feel very similar. However, Whisper does stand on its own with it’s twists and turns.
✗ A GOOD SET UP FOR BOOK TWO
I feel like what Whisper really was, was a set up for book two. The characters are still slightly undeveloped and there is still a long way to go with the plot. So ultimately, an incredibly good set up for book two which I hope will blow this one out of the water.
✗ SET IN AUSTRALIA
Not much to say here, I just get really excited whenever anything is set in Australia and I’ve actually been to the locations mentioned. I guess this is how people in the UK and America feel because this is literally one of the first books I’ve read that is set in Australia (Sydney to be exact).
D I S L I K ES ✗ 50% OF THE BOOK WAS FLAT
I mentioned it earlier in this review but the first 50% really was brain numbingly boring. I was ready to throw it on the DNF pile. However, I pushed through because Whisper did come some highly recommended by a friend. I’m glad I did but that beginning really should have been tightened or shortened. The repetition of what I was reading did get to me at some points.
✗ POSSIBLE LOVE TRIANGLE TO ARISE AND I HAVE A FAVE
This was a big one. I can feel a love triangle rising. I want love triangles to die unless they’re polyamorous. They’re truly the bane of my existence, especially since I think my favourite of the two guys is not going to get the girl. Seriously, I hope Lynette Noni shoots this in the foot in the next book or I will riot.
✗ FELT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE MENTAL HEALTH INCLUSION
If you’ve kept quiet for over two years due to a trauma you experienced I think there would be some side effects. Particularly with mental health. Including the fact that Jane says that she has been tortured by one of the people for two years. However, there was no mental health apart from panic attacks/anxiety (which were well represented). I feel there should have been some depression or PTSD to really solidify Jane as a character and make her appeal to me in a greater sense. I don’t believe that she came out of a lot of trauma with only anxiety.
Ultimately, Whisper did have its flaws and I am sincerely shocked by how much I enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the sequel. Hopefully the next book will be a bit more diverse as well because this…wasn’t. I really don’t know what to say about this book and I’m realizing the more I type that this review is a straight up mess. I hope it makes somewhat sense and helps you decide whether to pick up Whisper or not. ...more
Sometimes you have to stick with a series to the end for it to be worth it. Shatter Me is this series. Ignite Me was everything and more than what I wanted or expected. It was honestly such a shock, I can barely format the words I need to describe it. This series, and book, in particular, are the definition of character development. I’m aware I’ve said this in like every book for this series, but I just can’t not. It is so well done that I want to read everything this author has ever put in the world. I obviously had some problems but I really feel as if this book is deserving of the five stars I’ve given it. I mean, I’m so damn excited for the fourth book to come out in the next few days (possibly already out when this review goes live).
Ignite Me is where shit gets real for Juliette. It’s where the climax happens and she takes charge. I honestly can’t say much about the plot without spoiling the entire book, so I’m going to try and keep this brief. She faces problems with romance; obviously, due to Adam being the turd he was always destined. The action in this book is fast paced (which, I’ll get into later in this review). There’s a lot of moments that left me with my jaw dropped, unable to believe what was happening. I was blown away, honestly. This is the conclusion to end all other conclusions.
I really didn’t talk about the plot for Ignite Me at all. So, let’s just jump into a more descriptive list of my likes and dislikes of this book. If you’ve read this book, let me know your thoughts in the comments too! Did you enjoy this series?
L I K E S ✗ KENJI IS MY FAVE
Honestly, Keni is amazing. I’ve been meaning to talk about him in my other reviews but around my love for Warner and hate for Adam I kept forgetting #oops. However, I feel like he was really spotlighted in this book. He also had the best power in my opinion, the ability to go invisible is up there for me (I mean, Violet was my favourite in The Incredibles). He doesn’t hold back and is Juliette’s best friend. It is always enjoyable to see a platonic boy/girl friendship in fiction as well, especially where neither one is interested in the other romantically. I really hope we get more of his backstory in Restore Me because I am so interested. I’ve also been seeing theories that he will be queer and I am 100% into this possible storyline.
✗ WARNER SPITS SOME TRUTH
A lot of this series has been people coddling Juliette. She hasn’t been forced to make decisions or known a lot of the information. Everyone seems to tiptoe around her in order to make her feel safe and unafraid. Which is all nice, but man does it feel like a weak main character in some parts. Warner thankfully saves the day in Ignite Me and spits some truth. He says things I’ve been thinking since the first book and it felt so good to see it on paper (well, screen, I read on my kindle). I also loved hearing that my theory was right. I love it.
✗ OK BUT REAL TALK THIS IS UP IN TOP TEN COVERS
Not much to say on this, just how fucking gorgeous is this cover? Man, I finished this book and just stared at the cover for like twenty minutes it was so beautiful. What are some of your favourite covers?
✗ JULIETTE IS MY QUEEN
Juliette reached the level of one of my ultimate favourite female characters to exist. I’m as shocked as you are. Considering it took me three reads of the first book to even get here I wasn’t expecting this at all. However, I am pleasantly surprised and not mad at all. Juliette hits all new levels in Ignite Me. She really comes into herself. She really makes decisions for herself and she really becomes the hero so many young adults need. Someone combating PTSD, anxiety and depression has the ability to be a hero and I feel like that’s important. She is honestly such a powerful young adult this series and I will not tolerate any slander against her.
✗ WARNER AND JULIETTE
I don’t think this is a topic I have to say much on either. I feel as if this is an obvious one that would have a wink wink, nudge nudge attached to it. These two have hit my ultimate OTP lists and I am absolutely in love with the pair of them together. The chemistry and the love written on the page is so clear. No matter how creepy I still think some elements are, I can definitely swoon over this OTP.
✗ WARNER DEVELOPMENT
This could also be viewed as lack of development. Warner both changes as a character and doesn’t. The changes happen through him revealing information about himself – which makes me think this story is very character driven, something I am not usually interested in – not him actively changing himself. He shares pieces of himself with Juliette and changes how we look at him, not actually changing how he thinks. Which, I think is a really interesting tactic that I appreciate the author using. It’s not one I see a lot in books.
✗ I LOVE THE POWERS
This is kind of irrelevant but I love the fantasy element of powers being added, making it urban fantasy. It reminds me of The Darkest Minds which I love. Though in a similar way it kind of feels as if everyone in this book has powers as well. Would have been interesting if someone didn’t have powers.
✗ MENTAL HEALTH DEVELOPMENT
This particular point is super important to me as someone who has a mental health issues. I’m really talking about this as what happens over the course of all the books too. There are so many issues represented throughout the text and it really does shock me. I feel as if the main three are what I presume Juliette suffers with – PTSD, anxiety and depression (as I mentioned before). I feel like seeing these in the text and with Juliette’s growth I really feel empowered. I have all three of these particular mental health diagnoses and I feel they were represented beautifully throughout the entirety of Shatter Me. The ascension from a quiet girl into someone who cannot be silenced is a journey I have taken myself and it’s not an easy one, which I feel like is well represented in this series.
✗ CANT WAIT FOR RESTORE ME
I straight up can’t wait. Someone get this book in my hands now. I wish I had timed this more perfectly with the release, but I guess I just get more excited in the waiting period.
D I S L I K E S ✗ ADAM IS A TURD PART THREE
Honestly, no redemption arc for Adam, please. It is all I want in the world. Truly. I hate him so damn much and to see him suffer would be great. I love James, but Adam can be a turd elsewhere. I feel as if Ignite Me really solidified this as well. He just really switched and become one of those ‘nice guys’ who lose it when they’re rejected. It was just lowkey uncomfortable and had me thinking he was basically waving warning flags all over the place. Boo hoo, you didn’t get the girl. There’s a war going on you, dickhead, protect your brother and stop acting like someone ate the last tasteless blob in existence.
✗ IT IS ALL OVER SO FAST
Within a few pages and chapters, all the action is over. I was left feeling like ‘what?’ It felt like there was so much build up and there should have been more. I understand it was to show how powerful Juliette had become but I really just wanted more from the final scenes but nope. It’s all over so fast and it is so damn easy. I really feel like there should have been more suspense.
✗ NOT ENOUGH GIRLS ARE THEY ALL DEAD
I think the weird heading things I use says it all. There was a total of five females who had dialogue in this book – including Juliette. How ridiculous is that? There was like five men in the first chapter alone. I would love to see Juliette get a female best friend in Restore Me.
Overall, this series sincerely deserves the hype it has received. I’m so glad I finally forced myself to push through because I am so thankfully shocked and happy to have been apart of this ride. The Shatter Me series is a heartbreaking series in which no one actually really dies. It is a complicated world in which grows over each book and has such a powerful message in the end. I never thought I’d say this but I recommend it....more
Unravel Me was 100 times better than Shatter Me. You know how sometimes a middle book can be a drag and you want to cMY UNRAVEL ME REVIEW IS ALSO HERE
Unravel Me was 100 times better than Shatter Me. You know how sometimes a middle book can be a drag and you want to completely give up while reading it? Unravel Me is not that. It was exciting, it had developed, and it had Adam taking a backseat. This series contains action, love, and heartbreak. I have some issues; mainly with obsessive and borderline abusive behaviours from the male characters, but this series really improved within one book. I wish I had gotten to it a lot sooner.
This particular book takes a look at Juliette learning her powers and growing stronger by herself. Obviously, in the last book, she relied on Adam a lot and I even wrote about it in my review because I hated it. This book, however, she really comes into herself. At Omega Point she learns how to socialize with others and really become a member of society, rather than secluding herself away from everyone in favour of Adam. Which, I think is important. The story has Warner come in, and basically fuck shit up, but I love Warner so I am okay with it. Throughout Unravel Me the overall message is power. Power within yourself and using your power and voice. Everything goes to shit numerous times in this book but man, did I love seeing Adam not get the girl. It filled me with a sick sense of joy and I am not ashamed of it.
So, before I bitch about Adam too much I should probably just jump straight into what I did and didn’t like about this book. Considering I gave this book four stars and the first two, there are a lot of things I did enjoy.
L I K E S ✗ JULIETTE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
I love a girl who can rely on herself and no man. Thank God this is what happens in Unravel Me. Juliette becomes a woman who can rely on herself, can trust herself and can develop as an individual in a free environment – something she has never had the opportunity to. I really feel like Juliette comes into her own throughout Unravel Me and if that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. Her representation of anxiety and depression is so realistic and the stand out part of her character. I really can’t wait to see where her character goes in the final book of the trilogy (before Restore Me comes out).
✗ FEMALE CHARACTERS GET A LARGER ROLE
It’s literally only two female characters, Sonya and Sara, but I will take what I can get. I mean seriously, I will take whatever small scraps I can get. This is a big thing in fiction anyway, I swear authors just refuse to put in supporting female characters and it is very hard to imagine a girl just surrounded by men being all good. Obviously Juliette remembers the world from before, especially since most of the shit happened while she was in isolation, and she didn’t have any friends so it makes sense why she attached herself to Adam (aka the first boy who called her pretty, or in this case could touch her). I just wish Sonya and Sara got more page time.
✗ LOVING THE VILLAIN LINE
I feel like in books I typically always hate the villain storyline. I’m never curious about it, I just want the characters to kill the antagonist and be over with it. However, I find myself really curious about the world and villain in the Shatter Me series. It’s not so much that it’s complex; I just always find it interesting how corrupt governments get in dystopian (lmao basically the government we have currently). I just want to find out more about Anderson and what he is doing, what his ultimate goal was, and how he came to his position. I can’t help it. Hopefully all is revealed in Ignite Me.
✗ WORLD DEVELOPMENT
This is a point I don’t have much to say on. I feel like Unravel Me had incredible world building that brought everything from the first book together. I found myself a little lost about the world in the first one, since Juliette is confused and doesn’t really understand, but in this book it really felt like the writing was more together and as if it put the world in concrete.
✗ WRITING REMAINS AMAZING
You can fault the author on a lot of things but her writing oh my God, what a gift. At some parts I’m like what? But, it is all just so beautifully descriptive and highlights the mental health issues that she wants to include so well in my opinion.
✗ WARNER X JULIETTE HAS SO MUCH MORE CHEMISTRY
The love triangle is falling and I’m the one governing the tank that is firing at it. I am so on board this ship. Fuck yes, give me this shit. I knew this couple was going to happen because I have been on the Internet and book community for a while and I am not mad. I also follow Whitney from WhittyNovels and that girl is always screaming about these two. I can understand why now. The chemistry between the two characters is so much more than the chemistry between Adam and Juliette. It feels like Warner actually understands Juliette whereas Adam has wanted Juliette for so long that he does not care who she is as a person. Which is pretty shitty, lets be real. I mean, Warner still gives me some weird vibes but I can vibe with it much more than Adam. Plus a love triangle ending is the reason for my happiness.
D I S L I K E S ✗ ADAM CAN GTFO
That’s it. Adam can exit stage left and I will be fine. No redemption arc. Let him burn. Someone shoot him. I have no idea, I just hate Adam. I can’t put it in many other words than that, weird ass possessive, jealous tool. I ain’t here for this toxic masculinity.
✗ STILL NEEDS MORE FEMALE CHARACTERS
I beg. Give me more female women so it is not just one in the role. It kills me.
Overall, I really didn’t hate that much. Trust me, I’m as shocked as you are. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. However, I will admit it is trash. Honestly, it is cheesy and definitely, a guilty pleasure read. I ranted about the book for like half an hour to a friend on the phone but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. Especially since so many things I hated in the first book have left. Hopefully Ignite me is perfect and has no Adam....more
I actually have goosebumps. Oh my God. I was expecting something terrible from the low rating but nope. New favouriGuys. This. Is. So. Fucking. Good.
I actually have goosebumps. Oh my God. I was expecting something terrible from the low rating but nope. New favourite. I just realised this wasn’t a series and now I’m so sad.
Thank you Penguin Australia for sending me a review copy. All thoughts are my own.
R A M B L E
I went into this book with some low expectations. I’m not exactly sure why. I had requested it from Penguin a few months prior and had been really excited, but by the time I received it I was a little apprehensive. I’m not sure if it was just because I wasn’t in the mood for a dystopian or what but I decided to pack it when I was visiting my friend, partially because I wanted to read it and so did she (she later bought the book anyway).
This Mortal Coil is good. Like, amazingly good. I truly didn’t know what I expected but it wasn’t this. The fact this book is a debut shocks me as well. It reads like an author who has been writing for years. Truly. There were some cliché lines throughout, but honestly those lines don’t bother me like they bother so many in the book community. I believe the ‘I let out a breathe I didn’t know I was holding’ line is used but, guys, I’ve actually let out a breathe I didn’t know I was holding so I don’t give two shits about that line in the slightest.
The only reason I didn’t give This Mortal Coil a full five stars is purely for the weird romance featured throughout. I’m incredibly picky with my romances in books though, and most of the time I don’t enjoy them as much as my friends. Also, I had a bit of confusion with all the scientist lingo and coding language. This could have been something I missed while reading and left me confused later on, but I nonetheless I enjoyed this book immensely.
Furthermore, the author of this book is Australian. I love supporting fellow Aussies in the publishing world since I feel I don’t do it enough. So, when I found out Emily Suvada was a fellow girl from Aus I was pretty stoked.
P L O T
This Mortal Coil is a complex dystopian that focuses on the me vs. you that so many of us have. In this world, there is no cure for a virus besides eating the flesh of the infected. Resources are dwindling away and friendships no longer matter in the circumstances of life. Especially since Cat’s father told her not to trust the very people who took him and have been trying to create a cure.
The plot was incredibly interesting to me. I was completely absorbed and unable to look away. It barely mattered that I was staying with my friend because I finished this book in two days. It was amazing.
The author includes so many jaw-dropping moments in the 400 pages that truly leave you wanting more of her writing and world building.
C H A R A C T E R S
For this section, I’m only going to talk about the main character very briefly. I don’t want to give too much away within the book by talking about all the characters of importance and relevance to the story. I really feel Cat is truly the most important character, as well, especially with how this book ends.
#C A T A R I N A
I’m not too familiar with hacking or coding. Which may be why I stay very far away from dystopian and science fiction novels. Terminology is lost on me and I truly am just stumped. However, Catarina was the perfect main character. Sure, some parts were a tad confusing for me (but seriously, I know nothing about tech) but I really feel like each component was explained in a way that the most clueless person (me) could understand what was happening.
In terms of Cat as a character, she was incredible. I personally found her wholly unique and unlike any other character, I have personally read about. I absolutely adore discovering characters like that too, ones that are so unlike others. Cat had fear, she had distress and she had moxie (to reference one of my favourite books).
O V E R A L L
I’m incredibly excited to read more of Emily Suvada’s work. This Mortal Coil definitely hits straight into my favourite books of the year. It also hits one of the prettiest books I own because the pages on the UK/AUS version is gorgeous!
I also apologise since this isn’t my best review, I’m a bit out of sorts since it’s been a few weeks since I’ve written and I’m playing catch up on the few books I read. I hope that isn’t too much of a problem!...more
Thank you NetGalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for review
DNF @ 10%
It's been a while since I've had a DNF. Like, a really long time. However, Thank you NetGalley for sending me an eARC in exchange for review
DNF @ 10%
It's been a while since I've had a DNF. Like, a really long time. However, Runebinder really wasn't the book for me. I feel as though I may have DNF'ed it a little early but when the word 'lust' is mentioned twice within a page I can't help the gag that leaves my body and forces me to drop my phone. Can't deal.
I also was struggling with the writing style. I'm not sure if it was just the eARC version but it was formatted a tad strange that let to me getting lost, quite a bit. I really couldn't deal. Not only that, but I feel like you're just expected to know what's going on in this world. It's an urban fantasy mixed with a dystopian from the seems of it but nothing was explained by 10%, something that frustrates me because it leaves me wondering if I missed something pages back.
I'm sure the diversity through this is great, but I just really couldn't get into the writing. I may come back at a later date when I can purchase a physical copy, but for now its a no....more
I was sent a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own and receiving the copy in no way impacted my thoughts towards this novel.
Buddy read with Caitlin.
I love the idea of supporting debut authors, especially Australian ones. That's why when I saw I could apply to receive this book for review I jumped on it. Fast. Tristen Willis, the author, also owns an Etsy store called BurningPagesCandles so when I received this package I was so excited that some of her products were included.
The book itself reminded me of both The Maze Runner and Divergent. Obviously, it is not those two books but reading through The Genesi Code I couldn't help but compare it to those two books. It could have just been the dystopian themes throughout, though.
I did have some problems with this book, but I tend to whenever I read and some are nitpicky things that probably only annoy me. These were that sometimes the plot moved too fast and I got lost, leaving me to flip back pages and scan over what I had missed. In the beginning, there was a lot of mundane activity described that left me confused how it added. By a lot, I mean it was listed for paragraphs. It also took me a bit to fall into the writing style, but once I did the previous problems weren't as obvious to me.
At the end of the day, this is a fast paced debut novel that features a strong lead and delivers the plot in an interesting, but exciting, way.
P L O T
What is the Genesi Code? Well, the Genesi Code was a strand of DNA that the government curated to create the ultimate army. Things didn't go to plan, however, and the Genesi did turn on humans. Since they were superior in almost every way they succeeded in almost wiping out the human race.
Luka's father had been working with the government to find a cure for the Genesi when he was murdered. This is something that haunts her as she was there when it happened and she can't remember what happened. With her best friend Harvey, the pair train for ten years in the hopes of being accepted in the military when they graduate.
The plot in The Genesi Code moves fast. It has to considering the book is quite short. We follow Luka and Harvey at the training base as they make friends and enemies with their cohort. We don't get a lot of the training, which I was a bit sad about since I love training montages but we do get to really see them build relationships with the people that surround them.
When the action starts it leaves you sitting on the edge of your seat. The author weaves a story that leaves you shocked at characters decisions and desperately needing the next book in the series.
C H A R A C T E R S
For this section, I'll only be talking about the main character Luka, as I feel the book didn't go into as much depth with the side characters. This is only book one, though.
#L U K A
Luka was a pretty kick-ass main character. She is strong and definitely ready to actually kick your ass. As she was one of the three girls present in this story (something that annoyed me a little, where are my kick-ass women?) she had to be strong. Especially since she is in the military. She is. She can outrun and outfight most of the other people in her cohort.
I would also say Luka had an almost clinical personality if that makes sense. I definitely enjoyed it since I get told I have that sort of personality. It was interesting to see another character portrayed in that way.
I'm very excited to see how Luka expands in the next books and what she decides to do.
O V E R A L L
Overall, this was a stellar debut. I enjoyed every minute and was able to read the book in two sittings throughout the day (the only time I stopped was to play Cards Against Humanity with my family). It's been a while since I finished a book in a day, so I think that sings high praises in itself for this book.
Trigger Warnings: kidnapping and experimentation on children, cancer mentions, poverty mentions, mentions of suicide
WARNING: this review will have spoilers for Warcross, the first book in the series, mingled throughout. I have tried to keep them minor but there is a large one mentioned. So I recommend reading Warcross and then coming back for my thoughts on the finale of this duology.
Wildcard by Marie Lu was one of my most anticipated reads of 2018. When I received a copy of Wildcard in the mail I think I actually cried from excitement. It is truly such a beautiful book. However, after jumping into this one almost instantaneously, I feel I should have made an effort to re-read Warcross. I think that added to my overall disappointment with Wildcard. That isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy this particular story, because I somewhat did, however, I felt a level of disconnect throughout the story that furthered my disappointment.
Wildcard picks up pretty soon after Warcross finishes. With Emika still coming to terms with everything and Hideo’s technology and algorithm being implemented in almost all of the lenses. Emika is still not under the algorithm but at the Warcross Closing Ceremony, it will be implemented into all lenses. As Hideo continues to try to locate his brother’s kidnapper. Unbeknownst to Hideo Emika has stumbled across not only Hideo’s brother but a whole new organisation, one that seems intent on bringing down the algorithm as much as she is. However, not all is easy in this universe. While relying so heavily on technology has advanced the world it has also placed many barriers and allows falsehoods to be created quite easily. New enemies arise and old friends are there. Unfortunately for me, Wildcard did not deliver on the hype and I am pretty disappointed.
I’m really struggling to put my thoughts together about this book. I’m struggling to identify the reasons why I did enjoy this book, despite the fact I did. I think it was just the familiarity of Marie Lu’s writing style that did have me enjoying this one. Despite the fact it felt as though Marie had lost the strings of these particular characters and world. I feel like this may be a common thing with Marie Lu and series, her finale books tend to lack that punch that they desperately need to push through.
I guess I should get my complaining out of the way, then maybe I will think of some things I did enjoy in Wildcard.
I feel that my biggest problem with this book was that it didn’t feel similar to the first one at all. Maybe it’s because I read the first book so long ago, but there felt like there was a disconnect between the characters and their stories.
Not only that, but Emika felt as though she had lost those kickass bounty hunter ways that I had grown to love about her in Warcross. Hell, it almost felt like she had no personality at all and was purely there to view everything that was going on. It made the book really difficult to read for me. I am a massive fan of basically all female characters but I feel that Emi’s personality got lost in the sheer size of t his novel.
My other problem was the plotline. I know it now sounds as though I like nothing about this book. I just felt as though Marie Lu went a completely different direction than what she lined us up for. It honestly didn’t work well for me. I expected a whole different story and was disappointed that Marie Lu the queen of antiheroes didn’t fulfil. There was the perfect line up for it too and it just didn’t hit that mark.
I did really enjoy some of the backstories we got for some of the characters. I feel this could have been added on heavily though. The whole book basically lacked layers overall and made it difficult to stay engaged.
Overall, I’m really trying to keep this review short because I don’t want to spoil anyone. I already have spoilers for Warcross mingled throughout this, which is a dangerous game. I totally get that maybe I just had high expectations. I think that is it in part, but I really think that this was cursed by how I feel about most of Marie Lu’s finales. Just slightly underwhelmed. This series really would have worked best as one book that stayed that way. No matter what kind of cliffhanger it did leave behind. ...more
- great characters - amazing writing - awesome in total - i'm actually into gaming now???? - I'm so in love with the MC's - Emi & Hideo are so sweet lmao - it's written in a way that's like a film, you get so sucked in - pick. this. up. - THE ENDING IS WORTH IT - but also i guessed half of it (the other half had me screeching) - this cover still sucks and i could have made it on word art when i was 8...more
Invictus has stumped me. And, not in a good way. It's stumped me because I have never been this confused on how to rate a book. I've struggled between a 4 and a 3 for the beginning of the book, but as the story continued my attention wavered and I struggled to stay absorbed in the world and plot. I'm honestly just confused.
I should point out, sci-fi isn't my usual genre. I don't actively reach for a science fiction book. However, I trusted this author after how amazingly she executed Wolf by Wolf (a retelling of history that did a take on what would happen if Hitler had won). Sadly, I'm never going to be a science fiction and I think that's where the book lost me. Inter dimensional travel is a confusing concept and it went straight over my head. I got grasp time travel, just, so adding that extra element had my eyes rolling back into my head from the confusion I was feeling.
Simply, I just couldn't connect to either the world or the characters because of this. The addition of a new system of swear words also did my head in. I'm not a fan of swear words (curse words, cuss words, whatever you want to call them) being recreated. I'm a big fan of using cuss words so I don't see the point in changing it up. That could just me.
To get back to the book in this ramble, it just wasn't for me. Don't let this deter you from this book, though, I know others out there have loved it and I am simply an unpopular opinion in the sea of praises.
C H A R A C T E R S
In this section, I usually break down the characters and begin talking about how they added to the plot. However, for this book, I don't have a lot to say about any character, in particular, even the main character. But, to list everyone for you there is Farway (our main character) and his crew on the Invictus, Pyria, Imogen and Gram. Added to the crew on the adventure is Eliot, who is a mysterious girl who brings drama to the storyline.
Farway was egotistical. That is the one word I would choose to describe him. I'm not even sure how I felt about his character apart from confused. I didn't understand a lot of his inner monologue and was left staring at the book with my face scrunched in confusion a lot. I was excited to read about his illicit activities and evading the authorities of his world, but that wasn't really what this story was. It was confusing and my head is still spinning from it.
Pyria was Farway's girlfriend. I must have missed something because this shocked me. I didn't really feel the chemistry between the pair and felt their relationship was almost forced. It was a struggle to read. I could see the pair as close friends and I wish that had been their dynamic instead. Pyria is also the medic on the ship and the only logical one in most situations, I'm not sure how I felt about her, though. I really felt she took a backseat when it came to Farway's plot.
Imogen would be Farway's wild cousin. She changes her hair every day and has an undying passion for gelato (much like her cousin). Imogen is the one who clothes them on their time travelling missions because you can't turn up in Ancient Rome dressed in jeans and a polo, right? She had to be my favourite character until romance was added to her storyline with the only other male on the ship.
Gram was the one they all relied on to get them to their destination safely. I believe that makes him the engineer? I'm not sure, I forget. I did like him as a character and I didn't mind his romance with Imogen but communication problems are the bane of my existence and basically 80% of the romance between the two. I didn't feel like we focused enough on Gram either. He seemed to suffer from OCD tendencies and a panic attack in his first chapter, but I could be very wrong. I will, however, count those as triggers so people can be cautious.
Finally, Eliot. Literally the female version of Farway. She was egotistical and did everything for her friends and family. I wasn't expecting her to have alopecia, but I did think it was an interesting addition to the plot. I don't have much to say about her. When her 'mystery' was revealed I was unimpressed and expecting more. She was simply there, I did enjoy her friendship with Imogen though.
P L O T
For me, the plot was what let the book down subcutaneously, I think. We open with Farway failing his exams and then we have a heist. Which, if you ask me, is an amazing start to a novel. The book slowly falls away from this though, leading into a bigger problem for the universe and everyone in it. We learn about time travelling and what the threat is, but I was a tad unimpressed.
This really was probably just me, because I didn't read the blurb. I was expecting heists to follow the whole book and to be left on the edge of my seat in anticipation. I was more so flipping pages thinking about all the chores I had to do once I finished a chapter.
O V E R A L L
This was a space adventure filled with a diverse cast that unfortunately fell flat on me. I didn't enjoy the romance and I most certainly did not feel absorbed to the plot. I would still recommend this to everyone when it releases later this month, but unfortunately is not the book for me. If you're a fan of Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo or heist novels, this may just appeal to you. ...more
I usually try to finish books I read this far. However, it's so boring. This book had a strong start and then it disappeared, only to come baDNF @ 68%
I usually try to finish books I read this far. However, it's so boring. This book had a strong start and then it disappeared, only to come back and disappear again. There is a lot of training and not a lot of action, which is incredibly boring.
The world is incredibly interesting. I don't think a lot about a post-mortality world, but one of my good friends does quite a bit so it was interesting to see another's interpretation of what I've heard discussed. That doesn't make up for how boring it was to read the history.
Don't get me wrong, this isn't a bad book. It's just a slow book and I'm not in the mood for that. The best parts were the journals, purely because I couldn't tell the difference in voices between our main characters a lot of the time. ...more
I tried. I can't. I'm sick of seeing this on my CR so I tried to pick it up again today but I ended up throwing it across my room. It's just DNF @ 30%
I tried. I can't. I'm sick of seeing this on my CR so I tried to pick it up again today but I ended up throwing it across my room. It's just too much without explanation for me. I may revisit another day. ...more
If Cinder wasn't for you and you don't want to continue the series, pick up Scarlet because it will change your mind completely. I'm currently RE-READ
If Cinder wasn't for you and you don't want to continue the series, pick up Scarlet because it will change your mind completely. I'm currently in a bit of review slump so this is going to be short and sweet.
I love the characters. I adore Iko and CAPTAIN CARSWELL THORNE, aka love of my life. I also like Scarlet. I hate Wolf. I hate Scarlet and Wolf together. But, everything else I love. I feel the whole thing with Scarlet and Wolf happened too quickly and I find him quite creepy. I don't know, could be the fact (view spoiler)[he's genetically altered? (hide spoiler)]
The plot in this picks right up where Cinder left off, and shit is getting crazy. I absolutely adore this series. ...more
The Walled City was a book that was faced paced and full of action. I find that is how most of the author’s books go. They go quickly and you’re left wondering if you really did just read that book. I got The Walled City for Christmas last year from a really close friend of mine. We both exchanged books and I have slowly been making my way through the ones I was gifted. This one, in particular, I was excited for since I adored the authors Wolf by Wolf series.
This just ended up a bit meh for me. I wasn’t super into the book but I did read it in one sitting in under two hours while sitting by a pool. It was super fast and the chapters are even shorter so you feel like you’re reading a lot faster than you normally would, or at least I did. I found the story to have so much potential but the execution of it to fall flat on me, unfortunately.
The Walled City is told in three perspectives, just as it is promised in the blurb. Dai, Jin, and Mei Yee. They’re all in this city for their own reasons, all with a goal. It was pretty heartbreaking reading each reason why they were in the city. However, I found Mei Yee’s to be the most tragic. She had been sold by her father to fund his alcohol addiction. Leaving her to take up residence in a brothel. I was pretty taken aback by how graphic some of her scenes were, which I presume was the point since the book is loosely based on an actual city that existed.
Each character had such a goal I feel their personalities got a little lost behind it. At some points, I confused characters as well, though that could have been the heat and not the actual writing. I just found that with the chapters being so short you barely got the POV of a character when it was ripped out from underneath your feet and you were moving on to one of the other protagonists. If that makes sense?
Overall, The Walled City isn’t a bad book. It just didn’t absorb me and keep me wanting to read. I was a tad disappointed, obviously, but that is simply because I put expectations on myself. However, at the end of the day, it isn’t a good book and it isn’t a bad book. The Walled City is just average, despite the exciting premise and diverse cast. ...more
I refuse to put myself in a position where the likelihood of myself being triggered is high. I don't think the "kill marks" which feature in this bookI refuse to put myself in a position where the likelihood of myself being triggered is high. I don't think the "kill marks" which feature in this book are okay. My friend Cait talks more about how they these marks can be connected to self harm. I was curious about this book but after hearing several quotes which feature in the book about these marks I am physically sick and disgusted. It honestly saddens me. I wonder how such a thing passed by so many ARC readers though.
The cover itself is a representation of self harm. Something that people also need to be aware of. It is not simply a wall with gold paint.
Please proceed with caution if you choose to read this book despite the triggers present. Stay safe. As soon as you feel even slightly triggered, put the book down. Your mental health and physical well being is more important than this story. Please be careful, you're all too important.
On top of all this, there are racist stereotypes and ableist attitudes all throughout this book. Something which shouldn't be supported at all, in my opinion.
Also, to tell people their opinion about the racism, ableism and triggers which feature in this book is invalid or wrong is highly ignorant behaviour . You are allowed to enjoy this book, but stay away of the problems that do feature and stay open to others opinions, especially those who have been harmed by this novel.
For more information on the ableism, which is primarily about chronic pain because described as a gift, read Emer's review. She suffers from chronic pain and talks about her views on the topic. ...more
Sorry, that person's shelf is private.
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