I feel a bit bad giving this 2 stars because there were definitely some aspects that were good, but the world building and character motivations just felt so flat to me. It felt like watching a movie of cardboard cut outs. Like yeah, that movie could have some interesting plot points or scenes, but it’s all cardboard and paper sets and characters, so you don’t feel all that connected to it. The relationship was good though.
!!! Spoilers ahead !!!
First off, Rory. I get that Rory may have been a bit horrified when Mara showed up, but to literally be on the verge of killing her? A literal victim who is miraculously alive? Your best friend/love interest? Come on. It felt like a forced enemies to lovers plot. Like they were not enemies.
Second, Carter. This made me wonder if the author was an only child. Another example of it being obvious that Mara was a victim and someone who loves/loved her deeply trying to kill her. Like what? I have a little sister, and I could accept if the author tried to say that after Mara killed their parents she couldn’t bring herself to love her again, but to say that she looked her in the eyes and acted like she didn’t see anyone staring back at her is just totally not how it would happen. I know it’s fiction but that’s just not how sibling bonds work. Oh, and Carter saying “I forgive you” just made me upset. Like forgive her for what? None of that was her fault. How could it have been? To forgive is to assign blame, and Mara did not deserve that.
Third, Mal. Okay just a little thing here, but shouldn’t he have been campaigning for the Altered since he seemed to hope for his daughter to be cured one day? He was a villain just to be a villain, and Rory was no better that he was when she freed Mara. In fact, what she did was arguably much worse.
Fourth, world building. The world just felt kind of disconnected and I couldn’t feel immersed. Not terrible, just very meh.
The thing that made me the most upset was the continual belief that Mara is a “monster.” Like no? She wasn’t physically in control so what do you mean?
Positives! I did really like Mara and Rory’s relationship, and there was significant character growth throughout for various characters (even if some of it felt a bit forced). I liked the relationship enough that this book got 2 stars instead of 1 with all the problems listed above.
I think this book will find people who’ll like it, but it just wasn’t for me.
!!! Spoilers ahead !!!
First off, Rory. I get that Rory may have been a bit horrified when Mara showed up, but to literally be on the verge of killing her? A literal victim who is miraculously alive? Your best friend/love interest? Come on. It felt like a forced enemies to lovers plot. Like they were not enemies.
Second, Carter. This made me wonder if the author was an only child. Another example of it being obvious that Mara was a victim and someone who loves/loved her deeply trying to kill her. Like what? I have a little sister, and I could accept if the author tried to say that after Mara killed their parents she couldn’t bring herself to love her again, but to say that she looked her in the eyes and acted like she didn’t see anyone staring back at her is just totally not how it would happen. I know it’s fiction but that’s just not how sibling bonds work. Oh, and Carter saying “I forgive you” just made me upset. Like forgive her for what? None of that was her fault. How could it have been? To forgive is to assign blame, and Mara did not deserve that.
Third, Mal. Okay just a little thing here, but shouldn’t he have been campaigning for the Altered since he seemed to hope for his daughter to be cured one day? He was a villain just to be a villain, and Rory was no better that he was when she freed Mara. In fact, what she did was arguably much worse.
Fourth, world building. The world just felt kind of disconnected and I couldn’t feel immersed. Not terrible, just very meh.
The thing that made me the most upset was the continual belief that Mara is a “monster.” Like no? She wasn’t physically in control so what do you mean?
Positives! I did really like Mara and Rory’s relationship, and there was significant character growth throughout for various characters (even if some of it felt a bit forced). I liked the relationship enough that this book got 2 stars instead of 1 with all the problems listed above.
I think this book will find people who’ll like it, but it just wasn’t for me.