Speechless

I honestly expected nothing much for a sequel, but Aveyard and Dolan made me regret ever having thought that. Brilliant plot, amazing performance, it's a re-hear for me, even if I'd have to go through some of the most heart wrenching moments again.

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3 people found this helpful

Middle book

I loved the first book - great characters, plot etc. This one seems to have fallen into the classic series middle book trap. It just doesn't do much or go anywhere. But I'm hoping the next one will pick up again.

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1 person found this helpful

really like this set of books but.....

so I have been listening to this book over the last few days and found that in places it slowed to a place I felt I was going to sleep! then it seamed to flash by and lose me altogether I will listen again a fee times and see if can understand. it could be that it's a little to much for this dyslexicto graps

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Good sequel, not so good narration

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

A decent follow up to Red Queen from a story perspective, but I was disappointed in the narration. Too fast, not enough emotion or distinction in dialogue.

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2 people found this helpful

A bit wishy washy

First of all; the performance of Amanda Dolman was great, I have no criticism of her whatsoever.
The story however....
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so couldn't wait to get started on this one. The story picks up immediately after the first installment's ending, so there's no awkward time gap to fill in. In this book, we see the world expand further and new characters are introduced and the story does get quite dark and upsetting at points too - which one would expect in a dystopian future story based on racism and hatred.
What starts off as a promising sequel quickly becomes and almost continual introspection. I enjoyed Mare's character in the Red Queen, but in this book she became increasingly more irritating. Which isn't great when it's the main character and the story is first person, told with her voice!
Almost every paragraph was followed with a soliloquy on internal conflict. Mare's inner thoughts are repeated CONSTANTLY and don't really change. She's incredibly self centred, believing that she and she alone is the one doing everything to save everyone and she mustn't let anything/anyone distract her from her goal of rescuing new bloods. But then she complains about how her team are afraid and standoffish with her - although she makes no effort with them - and her internal monologue repeats her fear she is going to die alone.
This becomes increasingly annoying. Her selfishness (abandoning her family without word, using Cal, refusing to be diverted from her mission at the expense of thousands of lives) combined with her cut and paste inner self talk is MADDENING.
"I love Cal, no he's a Silver and a distraction, no I would die for him, no I don't need him or anyone, nobody likes me, I don't care what they think, I am the only one who can save everyone, I need to build an army to save everyone, I have to baby Killorn and keep him safe, Killorn is annoying me and I hate him, I hate Maven, I miss Maven, me me me me....." UGH!
So I guess if you can handle that, then you will enjoy this book haha. I only managed to finish it because I want to know how the story ends, and skipping a big chunk of the middle of a trilogy isn't the best idea! I also am quite fond of some of the other characters, despite Mare's incessant introspection and self importance.
I'm hoping that the final part sees her give her head a good shake and realise it's not all about her.

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2 people found this helpful

Reminds me of the hunger games.

Good story line that was not always predictable. Many elements similar to the hunger games but still different enough to grip you. Would love to see it turned into a movie.

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Great 2nd instalment although there are a few issues

Captivating 2nd instalment, the middle if the book drags on a little bit although is arguably important. Given the amount of world-building in the first book I couldn't help but notice a few odd things relating to silver abilities, healers are called 3 different names in the book while it's said there are only 2 types with different abilities, slightly confusing and immersion-breaking. And I don't think i'll ever be okay with the near complete dismissal and lack of description of an important character death.

Although overall a good read that manages to still keep my interest, hopefully it manages to keep for the whole series.

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Wow

Great book !
The story is amazing and kept me at the edge of my seat.

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Good Storyline - main character a bit of a 'mare.

Storyline is good enough to continue with, can't help draw comparisons with the storyline against both the Hunger Games and Frost Blood series a bit but there is enough 'newness' to the storyline for it to feel a coincidence or inspiration more than a rip off.

Pun not even intended in the headline, I just noticed it, but she really is a nightmare. I mean, don't get me wrong she's not awful, but she is ungrateful, and sometimes unintelligent in decision making, and is breathtakingly frustrating that she just stays silent rather than stating the blindingly obvious when challenged sometimes. I don't know how many times we had to be told she doesn't trust anyone, she loves Cal, but she doesn't trust him, she likes Farley but doesn't quite trust her, she likes all her new blood pals, but doesn't really trust them all. Asks a lot of them in return for no trust. Also don't know how many times we have to be told she loves Cal but feels like they can't be together. Ok cool, stop saying it then, we heard you the first time. Feel like the narrator just worried too much about trying to get certain points and feelings across and it became irritating/repetitive after a while.

Narrator is really good though, enthusiastic and kept me engaged.

I would recommend this series despite Mare being a bit annoying.

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1 person found this helpful

Amazing

I tjought it was read wonderfully and the story was great. Would definitely recommend, and i look forward to finishing the series.

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