Reached - Ally Condie

Began reading: 10.1.2016
Completed reading: 18.1.2016
Overall rating: 4 stars

Cassia's journey began with a momentary glitch in the otherwise perfect facade of the Society. After crossing canyons to break free, she waits, silk and paper smuggled against her skin, ready for the final chapter.

The wait is over.

Cassia has raged against those who threaten to keep away what matters most - family, love, choice. Her quiet revolution will soon explode into full-scale rebellion.

In the gripping conclusion to the bestselling Matched trilogy, Cassia, Ky and Xander return to the Society to save the one thing denied to them for so long: the power to choose.

Reached by Ally Condie is the third and final novel in the Matched series. It combines science fiction, fantasy and a hint of romance to create an interesting plot for young adults. Overall, I enjoyed the book, especially as the structure was more clearly defined.

I found the book to be well-written, as expected, with some grammatical errors. There were also quite a few good quotes that are worth sharing. These include:

I can’t wait to get out of this uniform. It promises more than we can deliver, and it represents something I haven’t believed in for a while now (p. 46).

Either the Rising will take me to the ones I love or I will find a way to do it myself (p. 125).

There are many of them in the world, I think, good men and women with their frail deeds. Wondering what might have been, how things might have danced, if we had only dared to be bright (p. 128).

You cannot change your journey if you are unwilling to move at all (p. 232).

If you let hope inside, it takes you over. It feeds on your insides and uses your bones to climb and grow. Eventually it becomes the thing that is your bones, that holds you together. Holds you up until you don’t know how to live without it anymore. To pull it out of you would kill you entirely (p. 255).

‘You walked through the Carving to find me,’ I tell Cassia softly. ‘I’m going to walk through this to reach you’ (p. 291).

When you fall in love the first time, we don’t know anything. We risk a lot less than we do if we choose to love again (p. 504).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

There were a few plot twists throughout the novel, which kept me interested. In particular, I liked how the twists weren’t too major. Each twist was subtle, and readers could predict the lead-up to it. Deaths of some significant characters kept me intrigued. *WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* My favourite twists were when Xander realised his feelings for Lei, and when Cassia realised who Lei really was. I predicted that Xander would fall for Lei, but I didn’t recognise who Lei was until Cassia pointed it out. I didn’t see Xander and Lei coming — totally unpredictable. I hoped that he and Indie would be together, but I think these two make a cute couple.

As I mentioned previously, this novel’s structure was more clearly defined, in comparison to the two previous books. I think that this was one of the main reasons why I enjoyed this book. I could easily distinguish where I was in the book, as the complication and resolution were emphasised. If only Condie had done this in her previous novels… Anyway, it was great to see!

I was glad to read about the secondary characters from the past two books. Even Em got a mention! I still don’t understand why some of these characters barely got a mention in the last book, but bringing them back made the plot and characters more realistic. It would have been great to know what happened to Em and Hunter in the end, but I suppose that it’s good to leave a bit of mystery for the readers.

Including Xander’s point-of-view in this novel was also a good move. It provided readers with yet another voice, and added diversity to the slightly dull voices of Cassia and Ky. As I mentioned in my review for the last novel, I found Cassia’s and Ky’s points-of-view to be a bit dull, but including Xander’s voice added diversity.

The love triangle was beginning to drag on. I was hoping that this love triangle would have finished at the end of the last novel, but no. In this novel, Xander just kept going on about how he’s trying to let Cassia go. JUST. LET. IT. GO.

                                                          

*WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* I got a bit excited when Indie became attracted to Ky, but I was also confused. I thought she liked Xander. I was so confused. I wanted her to be with Xander! In the last book, Cassia mentioned that Indie was in love with him, and yet she hardly showed any interest to him in this book. It just goes to show that the loosely-used ‘love’ in this series made things somewhat unrealistic. I was excited when she kissed Ky because I thought it would spice up the dull love triangle, but obviously not. I was left disappointed.

As always, Cassia is my favourite character, but I had hoped that Indie would end up taking that position. Obviously, it didn’t happen. *WARNING: SPOILER* I still have no idea why she had to die. I mean, it would have been better if she became the Pilot. It’s just another disappointment for me.

       

*WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* My favourite parts of the novel include when Ky contracted the mutated Plague, the idea of the Gallery, and the dance section in the end. I liked the part when Ky contracted the Plague because it made him more realistic. Up until this part, he seemed to be invincible, so having him finally succumb to something made him more realistic. I enjoyed the idea of the Gallery, as it was set up in an unexpected place, and allowed people to share their poems, songs, etc. It was very creative, and I would have loved to have been able to be there. Finally, the dance section towards the end was also sweet. I could see the little girl with the wings running around and dancing with Ky. I could also picture Cassia and Xander talking and dancing together.

Recommendation time! If you like Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, Naughts and Crosses by Mallorie Blackman and Countdown by Michelle Rowan, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Elysium, Oblivion, and In Time.

My reviews for Matched and Crossed can be found by clicking on the titles.

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Crossed - Ally Condie

Began reading: 6.1.2016
Completed reading: 10.1.2016
Overall rating: 3.8 stars

The Society chooses everything.

The books you read.

The music you listen to.

The person you love.

Yet for Cassia the rules have changed. Ky has been taken and she will sacrifice everything to find him.

And when Cassia discovers Ky has escaped to the wild frontiers beyond the Society there is hope.

But on the edge of society nothing is as it seems...

A rebellion is rising.

And a tangled web of lies and double-crosses could destroy everything.

Crossed by Ally Condie is the second novel of the Matched trilogy. This novel combines dystopian concepts with romance, science fiction and fantasy themes to create an adventurous plot suitable for young adults. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and it helped that I liked the first novel too; however, there were issues with it, which I will discuss in detail.

Let’s start with the positives! As I expected, the book was well-written. Similar to the previous novel, everything was described in great detail. I had no difficulty picturing myself in the scenario with the characters, which is always what I love most in books. As usual, there were some great quotes that I will share with you:

The dead do not see but I do.

I see too many things. I always have (p. 4).

The Society wants us to be afraid of dying. But I’m not. I’m only afraid of dying wrong (p. 5).

It was brave of them to love again. It made me think I could do it too (p. 151).

I lift the tablet to my mouth. And then I hear a voice from a place deep in my memory.

You are strong enough to go without.

Fine, Grandfather, I think to myself. I will be strong enough to go without the tablet. But there are other things I’m not strong enough to go without, and I intend to fight for them (p. 307).

Love changes what is probable and makes unlikely things possible (p. 322).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

As I found in the first novel, I really love dystopian novels, and it was no surprise that I enjoyed this book. The plot was similar to other science fiction novels that I have read, but I still really enjoyed this book. I think that I found this novel to be relatable, especially as it was directed at young adult readers. Whatever the reason, I enjoyed the plot, which helped me enjoy the book overall.

The characters that were introduced in this book contained a lot of emotion and mystery, which was good. I was wary about these new characters, but they added depth to the otherwise dull and predictable interactions between Cassia and Ky. The situations were also emotional, which was great. I felt sad when a particular secondary character passed away, but as I said, it gave the plot more depth. I hope this emotion and mystery continues in the next novel!

                     

The ‘adventure’ aspect of the plot kept me interested. *WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* I really enjoyed reading about how Cassia followed Ky through the Carving. I thought that the idea of Cassia following Ky through a canyon, especially with no idea which canyon he’s in, was creative. I also enjoyed the idea of a township in the middle of the canyon. The canyon was associated with colours, including red, orange, blue and pink, which I could just imagine. 

                                     

I’m glad that Condie decided to add Ky’s point-of-view in this novel, as it gave us a new perspective, and provided us with his history and thoughts. The downside to this was that his point-of-view seemed very similar to Cassia’s, and so I was often confused about whose point-of-view I was reading. Speaking of points-of-view, Cassia’s was a little irritating. She was constantly mentioning Ky, and it became too repetitive. *WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* It seemed ok in the beginning of the novel, when she was searching for him, but once she found him, it was unnecessary.

                      

As I mentioned in the previous review, I had hoped that this novel would incorporate more of the secondary characters, especially Cassia’s school friends (Em and Piper), Cassia’s family, and Ky’s ‘parents’. I was disappointed when not one of these characters made an appearance. I was also surprised to find that Cassia DID NOT mention her parents and brother. If I were in her position, I would be worrying about them way more often than she did. It made the plot somewhat unrealistic.

The structure of the novel was not obvious, just like in the previous book. I found the structure to be jumbled, and unclearly set. There was nothing to indicate a major complication in the plot, nor was there a massive climax at the end. I felt that the story just ‘plodded along’, which made it feel dull and dragged out. I’m beginning to wonder if this is Condie’s style of writing…

As in Matched, my favourite character was Cassia, as she developed the most throughout the novel. She’s also responsible, compassionate and not afraid to stand up for her beliefs.

*WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* I ship Indie and Xander together — oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I really, really, really hope they meet each other in the next novel. I wonder what they would be like together… probably really adorable! If I had one wish for the next book, it’s that these two get together!

                                             

My favourite parts of the novel include when Cassia is journeying through the Carving towards Ky, and when Ky helps Cassia through the tunnel. As I mentioned earlier, I really enjoyed reading about Cassia’s journey, as it was creative, and demonstrated how strong her love for Ky is. I also liked when Ky helped Cassia through the tunnel, as it shows how he will always support her. Here is the excerpt:

I try to calm myself, tell myself it’s all right. Living things have flown from tighter spaces than this. I’m just a butterfly, a mourning cloak, sealed inside a cocoon with blind eyes and sticky wings. And suddenly, I wonder if the cocoons sometimes do not open, if the butterfly inside is ever simply not strong enough to break through.

A sob escapes my throat.

‘Help,’ I say.

To my surprise, it’s not Hunter who speaks from ahead. It’s Ky’s voice from behind.

‘It will be all right,’ he says. ‘Push along a little more.’

And even in my panic, I hear the music in his deep voice, the sounds of singing. I close my eyes, imagining my breath is his own, that he is with me.

‘Wait a moment if you need to,’ he says.

I picture myself smaller even than I am now. Climbing into the cocoon, pulling it tight around me like a real cloak, a blanket. And then I don’t imagine myself bursting out. I just stay tucked inside, trying to see what I can.

At first, nothing at all.

But then I feel it. Even hidden away in the dark, I can tell that it is there. Some small part of me is always, always free.

‘But I will,’ I say out loud.

‘You will,’ Ky says behind me, and I move, and then I can feel space above me, air to breathe, a place to stand (pp. 242-243).

Recommendation time! If you like Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, Naughts and Crosses by Mallorie Blackman and Countdown by Michelle Rowan, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Elysium, Oblivion, and In Time.

My review for Matched can be found by clicking on the title.

I will also be reviewing the final book the Matched series: Reached. Keep an eye out for that!

Happy reading!

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Matched - Allie Condie

Began reading: 2.1.2016
Completed reading: 4.1.2016
Overall rating: 4 stars

On her seventeenth birthday,

Cassia meets her Match, Society dictates

he is her perfect partner for life.

Except he’s not.

In Cassia’s society, Officials decide who people love.

How many children they have.

Where they work.

When they die.

But, as Cassia finds herself falling in love with another boy,

she is determined to make some choices of her own.

And that’s when her whole world

begins to unravel…

Matched by Ally Condie is a young adult novel that combines dystopian concepts with romance, science fiction and fantasy themes. I have wanted to begin this series for so long, but I only bought them for myself this Christmas. I fell in love with the cover, and I was not disappointed with the story.

                                  

The book was well-written, and everything was described in great detail. I had no difficulty picturing myself in the scenario with the characters. There were some great quotes, which I will include below. These include:

I don’t move. I don’t want to go inside yet.

If I do, that means that this night is coming to an end, and I don’t want that (p. 21).

Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part of theirs (p. 25).

Is falling in love with someone’s story the same thing as falling in love with the person himself? (p. 196).

We go through a forest that is complicated and full of tangles and there are no stone cairns to guide us except the ones we build ourselves (p. 221).

Everything I dream is something simple and plain and everyday.

That’s how I know they are dreams. Because the simple and plain and everyday things are the ones that we can never have (p. 260).

We have come so far but never made it to the top (p. 303).

…I am higher now. If I had wings, I could spread them. I could soar (p. 314).

If she had a way to track all my memories, she would see they are pure. That I truly wanted to fit in and be Matched and do everything the right way (p. 341).

This is a difficult balance, telling the truth: how much to share, how much to keep, which truths will wound but not ruin, which will cut too deep to heal (p. 357).

My father has always broken the rules for those he loves, just as my mother has always kept them for the same reason. Perhaps that is yet another reason why they make a perfect Match (pp. 361-362).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

I really love dystopian novels, so it was no surprise that I enjoyed this book. The plot was similar to other science fiction novels that I have read, but I still really enjoyed this book. I’m not entirely sure why people have found the originality of the plot to be a negative on Goodreads, but I really did enjoy reading the plot.

I thought that the story was unpredictable, which was great! I wouldn’t say there were plot twists, but a few unexpected moments throughout which kept me interested. *WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* For example, the way Cassia’s parents reacted to her announcement that she loved Ky. I hope that the next novel will have a plot twist or more unexpected turns!

A few reviews on Goodreads mention the slow pace of the novel, and I have to agree with them. The story was a little slow-paced for my liking, but I suppose that this novel was more of an introduction to the characters. I’m glad that there weren’t too many ‘major’ events occurring in this novel, as it would’ve been unrealistic and overwhelming. Anyway, I was a little confused about where I was in the book, especially since the structure jumbled. I hope that the next novel will be a little more structured.

*WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* I also found that the timing for Cassia and Ky revealing their love was unrealistic. There was hardly any reason for them to develop feelings for each other so soon — they only spent a couple of days together, writing. This was a bit of a letdown for me.

                                               

My favourite character by far was Cassia, as she developed the most throughout the novel. She’s also responsible, considerate, and not afraid to stand up for her beliefs. I felt bad for Xander, especially since he didn’t do anything wrong. WHY HURT HIM LIKE THIS?! I also felt bad for Ky at the end. 

                                                         

I hope to read more about the secondary characters in the next book. I want to know more about Cassia’s parents, Bram, Xander and Em! Can you tell how impatient I am to read the next novel?

My favourite part of the novel was when Cassia and Ky declared their love for each other.

‘Close your eyes,’ I say to Ky, and I bend down, his breathing above me while he waits. ‘There,’ I say, and he looks at what I’ve written.

I love you.

I feel embarrassed, as though I am a child who has tapped out these words on her scribe and held them out for a boy in her First School class to read. My writing is awkward and straggly and not smooth like Ky’s.

Why are some things easier to write than say?

[…]

Ky looks at me. For the first time since the showing, I see tears in his eyes.

‘You don’t have to write it back,’ I say, feeling self-conscious. ‘I just wanted you to know.’

‘I don’t want to write it back,’ he tells me. And then he says it, right out there on the Hill, and of all the words I have hidden and saved and treasured, these are the ones I will never forget, the most important ones of all.

‘I love you’ (pp. 274-275).

                        

Recommendation time! If you like Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, Naughts and Crosses by Mallorie Blackman and Countdown by Melissa Marr, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Elysium, Oblivion, and In Time.

I will also be reviewing the rest of the books from the Matched series: Crossed and Reached. Keep an eye out for those!

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Unbecoming - Jenny Downham

Began reading: 26.12.2015
Completed reading: 2.1.2016
Overall rating: 3.7 stars

Three women - three secrets - one heart-stopping story.

Katie, seventeen, in love with someone whose identity she can't reveal.

Her mother, Caroline, uptight, worn out and about to find the past catching up with her.

Katie's grandmother, Mary, back with the family after years of mysterious absence and 'capable of anything', despite suffering from Alzheimers.

As Katie cares for an elderly woman who brings daily chaos into her life, she finds herself drawn to her. Rules get broken as allegiances shift. Is Mary contagious? Is 'badness' genetic?

In confronting the past, Katie is forced to seize the present. As Mary slowly unravels and family secrets are revealed, Katie learns to live and finally dares to love.

Unbecoming by Jenny Downham is a realistic, contemporary fiction novel that explores the challenges of dealing with Alzheimers and the stigma associated with sexuality. I had no idea what this book was about when I purchased it, but I was hoping for something that wasn’t in this book.

There were some minor spelling and grammatical errors throughout the novel; however, overall, the book was well-written and included some great quotes. Here are some examples:

‘It takes more than biology to be a parent, it takes sacrifice. You can’t just run about doing what you like’ (p. 15).

‘Pleasure is spread through the earth in stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find’ (p. 126).

Time travel makes the world a nicer place (p. 126).

Risk your heart and make things HAPPEN!! (p. 130).

Some things get listened to more than other things (p. 140).

‘Dare to see yourself in your own future… Dare to see all your possibilities laid out’ (pp. 249-250).

You can’t unknow things. You can’t shove information to the back of your mind and not have it hurt you. You can lie to yourself…, you can refuse to think about it… You can even get dementia and have memories fall away. But the really important ones are like blue blanks in your head — they have an emotional charge that never leaves. They spill and hurt and damage (p. 312).

‘…truth doesn’t exist.’

‘…because everyone’s got their own side of a story’ (p. 372).

The story-line was really interesting! Until I read this book, I hadn’t really read anything similar. As I mentioned previously, this book explores various contemporary situations. By exploring these circumstances, readers see how each character learns to overcome difficulties and accept each other for who they are.

                   

Speaking of characters, each individual had their own personality and flaws. This made the plot more interesting, as it determined how each person would cope with the situation. *WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* For example, Mary’s bright personality reflected a positive reaction to Katie’s announcement, regarding her sexual orientation. I thought that the diverse personalities made the story more realistic, as everyone has flaws.

I found the book to be slow-paced and predictable, which let me down. I thought that all the major parts of the book occurred too early, and the rest of the novel seemed to just drag on. I will say that there were more interesting sections towards the end, but I thought the book would’ve been better if some of the highlights were spread throughout, rather than in the beginning and a bit at the end. Again, the plot was predictable, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who saw what was coming. In my opinion, a plot twist would have improved the story.

                                                         

Because the novel was somewhat predictable and felt as though it was being dragged out, I was very close to not finishing the book. As I said, I could see what was coming; yet I was hoping a plot twist would pop up. Unfortunately, it didn’t and I was relieved when I finished it.

I found Pat to be the most relatable, as she was described as a ‘home body’, responsible and introverted; however, it sucks that I only had the flashbacks to see how she interacted with others. I really enjoyed Mary and Jack too. Mary had such a bright, sweet personality and I think it was a great idea to make her the focus of the novel. Jack’s appearances as a ghost were also sweet, especially seeing how he encouraged Mary to open up to her family. It was also adorable when Katie found his sticky notes around Mary’s house. It showed that he really cared for Mary, so I thought it was very heart-warming.

                    

On the other hand, I didn’t really like Caroline.  As I mentioned previously, each character had their flaws; however, I thought that Caroline’s flaws were emphasised more than the others. She was very rude, impatient and cruel to Mary. I understand that this is common and makes the plot more realistic; however, how can she be so cruel to her own mother? She explains her past, especially about how Mary used her as a kind of trophy, but she should understand, since she comes down so hard on Katie. Similarly, I thought that Katie would be my favourite character in the book; however, she turned out to be childish and irresponsible. It just really annoyed me.

I would say that Mary’s flashbacks and letters, as well as Pat’s diary entries, were my favourite parts of the book. I really enjoyed reading these sections, as they occurred in a different time — when gender equality and diverse family structures were limited. It provided me with an insight into societal expectations during the 1950s, which I always find fascinating.

       

Recommendation time! If you like Henry’s Sisters by Cathy Lamb, Risk by Fleur Ferris, Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson, and Before I Die by Jenny Downham, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Still Alice, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Notebook. 

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Let It Snow - Maureen Johnson, John Green & Lauren Myracle

Began reading: 23.12.2015
Completed reading: 26.12.2015
Overall rating: 4 stars

The worst blizzard for fifty years.

Three wintry love stories.

One magical night.

It's Christmas Eve and Gracetown has been buried by snow. But the weather is more than just an inconvenience. When one girl unexpectedly steps off a stranded train, she sets off a series of life-changing events.

Soon fourteen pumped-up cheerleaders will descend on the local Waffle House, the Duke's DVD night will be rudely interrupted for a Twister mission, and a lovesick barista will determine the fate of a single teacup pig...

As the three stories collide, strangers cross paths and romance blossoms with heart-warming consequences.

Let It Snow by Maureen Johnson, John Green and Lauren Myracle is a Christmas-themed young adult novel which involves contemporary romance to bring festive cheer to the holidays. I wasn’t going to review this book, as I’m not really into Christmas-themed novels, but I thought that reading stories of snowy Christmas stories would be a great contrast to the usual hot Australian Christmas. Personally, I wasn’t disappointed!

The novel was well-written, and filled with some great quotes. For example:

…when it’s real, when it’s your life… that person can feel even farther off and more unobtainable than an actual celebrity. Proximity doesn’t breed familiarity (p. 5).

…once you think a thought, it is extremely difficult to unthink it (p. 195).

‘We are all flawed, my dear. Every one of us. And believe me, we’ve all made mistakes’ (p. 294).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

I really loved the humour that had been scattered throughout the novel. I chuckled a few times, and got weird stares from strangers around me. Here are a couple of examples:

Just then, my phone started ringing. The ring must have been damaged by the water as well, so now it had a high, keening note — kind of the sound I imagine a mermaid might make if you punched her in the face. Surprised. A little accusatory. Hurt. Gurgley (p. 117).

‘No offense, but Billy Talos is a little bit greasy, isn’t he? I feel like if you wrung out his hair every day or two, you could potentially end America’s dependence on foreign oil’ (p. 153).

                                                       

I thought that the short stories varied, in terms of interest. I extremely enjoyed Maureen Johnson’s story, The Jubilee Express. John Green’s story, A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle was ok, but I didn’t really enjoy Lauren Myracle’s story, The Patron Saint of Pigs. I will explain Johnson’s story later, but John Green’s story didn’t disappoint. Having read The Fault in Our Stars, I had an idea of what to expect — quirky humour — and I wasn’t let down. However, the ending to this story was a little predictable. I will also explore Lauren Myracle’s novel later.

The three stories were linked to each other, which made it seem as though the book was one story, told in three different perspectives. Anyway, I enjoyed it, as it never left me questioning what happened to characters. In each story, the characters would make an appearance or were mentioned, which was great!

                   

My favourite character by far was Jubilee. She was quirky, friendly, realistic, and therefore relatable. I was glad that she made an appearance in the end of Myracle’s story, because I couldn’t get enough of her character.

Speaking of Jubilee, I really liked Johnson’s story the most. The story was unpredictable, adorable, and unique. So much happened in this story, but I suppose that is why I enjoyed it the most. I loved seeing how Jubilee realised her relationship with her boyfriend was detrimental, and how her character developed. I’m glad she found happiness in the end.

I didn’t enjoy reading Lauren Myracle’s story very much, as it was repetitive and the main character was so annoying! Throughout the story, Addie kept saying how everyone was targeting her, saying how she was putting herself before others. I agreed with everyone — she didn’t see how she affected others. She started saying ‘I love you’ too early for my liking, which just emphasised how clingy and odd she was. Also, she asked too much of her boyfriend, Jeb. For example:

‘I… I want you to follow me onto a plane and serenade me in the first-class cabin, like Robbie did to Julia in The Wedding Singer,’ I said. ‘I want you to build a house for me, like Noah did for Allie in The Notebook. I want you to fly me across the ocean at the prow of an ocean liner! Like the guy in Titanic, remember?’ (p. 232).

                        

Recommendation time! If you like How to Keep a Boy from Kissing You and How to Convince a Boy to Kiss You by Tara Eglington, Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, and The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes Love Actually, and The Polar Express.

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The Winner's Crime - Marie Rutkoski

Began reading: 18.12.2015
Completed reading: 22.12.2015
Overall rating: 4.1 stars

FOLLOWING

YOUR HEART

CAN BE A CRIME

A royal wedding should be a celebration, with fireworks and dancing till dawn. But for General's daughter Kestrel, betrothed to the Crown Prince, marriage is a trap.

Just as they fell in love, Arin became her enemy. Kestrel aches to tell him the truth - that her engagement was the price she paid to save his life. But in a world of lies and intrigue, how can she trust him if she doesn't even trust herself? The truth will come out, and when it does, Kestrel and Arin will learn the high cost of their crime...

The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski is the second novel in The Winner’s Trilogy. This young adult book combines fantasy, romance and dystopian themes to create a story about how one’s beliefs and actions have the power to impact other individuals. Personally, I thought that this book was better than the first. I’m looking forward to reading the third and final book of the trilogy!

As with the first book, this novel was well-written with some pretty good quotes throughout. For example:

Arin would trade his heart for a snarled knot of thread if it meant he would never have to see Kestrel again (p. 13).

…as a child, Kestrel had been charmed by the idea of gods. They made for good stories (p. 30).

Verex: ‘Borderlands is a game, not a book.’

Kestrel: ‘Borderlands could be like a book, if one had constantly shifting possibilities for different endings, and for the way characters can veer off course into the unexpected. Borderlands is tricky, too. It tempts a player into thinking she knows the story of her opponent. Take the story of the unexperienced player. The beginner who doesn’t see the traps being set’ (p. 41).

‘If you won’t be my friend, you’ll regret being my enemy’ (p. 44).

Her anger was folding onto itself in as many layers as her ball gown — anger at Arin, at the way he was committing political suicide.

Anger at herself. At her own bare feet and how they were proof — pure, naked, cold proof — of her hope, her very need to see someone that she was supposed to forget (p. 61).

…she hadn’t expected this: this stupid hope, this punishing one, for who would long to see someone who was already lost? What good would it have done?

None (p. 62).

Kestrel: ‘Pressing where you’re not invited seems to be a habit with you.’

Arin: ‘And yours is to put people in their place. But people aren’t gaming pieces. You can’t arrange them to suit yourself’ (p. 109).

‘Kestrel, I know you think that you’ve hidden your heart where no one can see it.’ Verex’s dark eyes held hers. ‘But you need to hide it better’ (p. 279).

‘Sometimes you think you want something,’ Arin told him, ‘when what you need is to let it go’ (p. 308).

More quotes from the book can be found here.

I thought that the plot was well-paced. If you read my review for the previous novel, you would know that I thought the story was slow-paced, but turned out to be great. This novel was well-paced throughout, which I enjoyed. Because of this, I enjoyed the story from start to finish.

                                                  

There was some humour in the book, which kept me interested. For example, Kestrel’s conversation with Jess:

‘I didn’t sleep well last night […]. You snored,’ Kestrel said.

‘I did not.’

‘You did. You snored so loudly that the people in my dreams complained’ (p. 63).

*WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILER* This use of humour demonstrated how close the girls were. Unfortunately, their close relationship ended soon after this. I would have liked to have known more about Jess, and see these two interact more, but their ruined friendship also helped keep the plot interesting.

The plot twist in the end was definitely unexpected, and made me weep just a little bit. I won’t say who was involved in this sudden development, but it hurt because the two characters were meant to be so close! All I can say is that HE SHOULDN’T HAVE DONE THAT!! HOW COULD YOU?!

                     

As in the first book, I wouldn’t say that Kestrel was my favourite character; however, I did find her to be most likeable. She was strategic, compassionate and confident. She hasn’t really changed since the first book, especially with betraying those she loves. I just wished she would express her feelings and thoughts better.

As I mentioned previously, I would have loved to have known more about the characters, especially Jess and Risha. I would love to know what Risha thought about her family in the east, and I hope she will make more of an appearance in the next book! I also would have loved to have read more about Sarsine. I’m not sure why, but I think she is an interesting character.

                    

Recommendation time! If you like the Luxe series by Anna Godbersen, the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas, you will love this book. Also, I recommend this book to anyone who likes the Matched series by Ally Condie, and The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.

My review for The Winner’s Curse can be found by clicking on the title.

I will also be reviewing the final book of The Winner’s Trilogy, The Winner’s Kiss, when it becomes available next year. Keep an eye out for that!

Happy reading!

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