I thoroughly enjoyed this book so much that I had a difficult time putting it down for that crazy thing called life. It read like a typical YA Dystopian novel, but with magic thrown into the mix. While reading it I got distinct Hunger Games vibes when they were in the peasant housing area, and Throne of Glass vibes while in the Palace. This book would delight the YA Dystopian and YA Fantasy reader, I also think if you are new to YA this would be a great jumping off point to get into the genre. The next part will have spoilers, so if you haven't read this book yet, I encourage you to go read it and then come back for the spoilery review.
I loved the characters in this book! Victoria Aveyard did a fantastic job creating enticing and well rounded characters. I will admit that I was completely on board for team Maven, I liked Cal too, but I thought Mar had more to bond over with Maven, like the Cause, and similar ways they grew up being overshadowed by siblings. With Cal all I saw was a physical connection between them, but not much else to go on. I should've known better though because that plot twist was a gut wrencher. I couldn't believe Maven was on the Queen's side and was capable of framing his brother for the murder of the king and Mar for the plot against the crown, I had to read that part three times because it was that stunning.
I did enjoy the bit that the author put into the story with Mar thinking about how the soldiers did the real fighting and sacrifice during war, while the King and Princes were protected while on the battle field. I thought it paralleled to how Kings and Princes are protected in our real world, while they send their soldiers to battle and potentially die for their cause. Just found it interesting. I also was so not happy about Colonel Macantho's death since she was a rebel like Mar, and she was also a soldier who fought and was wounded. Her death was one that I was most unhappy about for those reasons, she could've been a great ally for the cause.
Since I loved this book so much and since it left off on such an exciting cliff hanger I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
Until next time,
Happy Reading. :)
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