3.5 Stars

I have so many mixed feelings about this book. I had to review my rating system because the book was good, but I didn't feel like it deserved four stars. But I also felt it wasn't bad enough to get three stars, hence the 3.5 stars. I love books about women empowerment, and I loved both Nomi and Serina. Unfortunately, this book was just too much Red Queen and The Selection. I did enjoy it, the writing was effortless and easy to read, it was just too predictable.

I would definitely pick up the second book, and I'm hoping for more originality from it. The world Banghart created is unique and vivid and I can't wait to see it be further developed. I also loved the character development both girls went through, and I can't wait to see more of them.

I completely identify with Nomi, and if I had to live in the world she lives in, we would be exactly alike. She's fierce and feisty and doesn't let any man stand in her way. I liked the reversal of their roles. Nomi never trained to be a Grace, yet she was chosen to be one. She was thrown into the deep end, but I loved how she handled the challenges thrown at her.

Serina had the best character development in the series. She was raised to be submissive and to follow the rules men set out for her. She is then sent to an island prison where the guards force the women to fight each other to the death in order to earn rations for their respective crews. She learns how to empower women and convinces the women on the island to lifting each other up to incite a rebellion. I love how she finds her own inner strength, but her love story felt a little forced to me.

I am excited about the second book, and I believe it can only get better from here.

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