I’m a little nervous this review. I AM. Mostly because I didn’t have a positive experience with An Ember in the Ashes, and I know so many people love it! But I do want to talk (logically, I hope?) about what went wrong for me. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A LONG POST. I think it’s the longest review I’ve ever written (!!) All spoilers will be hidden. All feelings will not.
Proceed with cautious. I am not a cuddly pineapple* today.
* If, in fact, pineapples are ever cuddly. We have sort of acidic juice and prickly fronds. BUT I DIGRESS.
I had high expectations for An Ember in the Ashes! I did! I absolutely flailed with happiness when I (super luckily) received a review copy. And just to add in a bit of perspective, my friends Jeann and Brett both loved it! I highly recommend checking out their reviews. Reading is so subjective.
-~-
…and this makes me sad, because I wanted to like it.
- WHERE IS THE WORLD-BUILDING? One thing I need (and love) in fantasies, is to be sucked into another world. For the first time, EVER, I actually paused my reading and thought, “Gee, I wish this author had a pinterest or some sort of visuals I could see so I could get a better grip on the setting.” Um…that’s not good. The book should show me the setting. It should spark my imagination! But I felt I had next to nothing to work with. The description is sparse and the history is null. I don’t know HOW the hierarchy began. I don’t know WHY the slaves are slaves. I don’t understand WHAT kind of world it is. I just can’t see it…and that bothers me 100%.
- ALSO, IS THIS DYSTOPIAN OR HIGH FANTASY? I assumed fantasy, but people are shelving it as dystopian on Goodreads!! And that does make s difference. The dialogue in An Ember in the Ashes is overly modern — and if this is dystopian that makes sense. But there’s NOTHING ELSE to indicate it is. Help.
- LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT SUPER MODERN DIALOGUE, YES? Now I like modern writing…in the right books. In fantasy? Not so much. Here are a few phrases they were saying:
“Not gonna do it.”
“What’s the catch?”
I am full of it, of course.
- THE SETTING IS HEAVILY BASED ON THE ROMANS…BUT IT LACKS THE DISCIPLINE. I’m pretty sure Roman soldiers didn’t walk around molesting and strangling their slaves, like straight after they walk out of a meeting with a superior officer. Students were flayed for being late. But if they were walking past a slave and stopped to rape her, that’s okay. I get that it’s a “we are superior to slaves” attitude. But it didn’t make sense to me at all in terms of one minute they’re super-strictly-disciplined and the next it’s all eh-who-cares-free-for-all.
- RAPE IS USED AS A “SHOCK FACTOR” AND NOT ACTUALLY AN ADVANCEMENT TO THE PLOT. In a historical-based fantasy world, yes, rape is a reality. But I felt it was thrown in here for the “brutal factor”. It’s threatened every. other. chapter. which wears thin.
- THE ROMANCE DIDN’T WORK FOR ME. NOT EVEN A LITTLE. How am I supposed to ship these two narrators?! Elias and Laia couldn’t be WORSE for each other. Their relationship had no spark and definitely no embers (har har). Elias has so much chemistry with his bestfriend and soldier companion, Helene. They were PERFECT for each other. They worked well together, they sizzled with backstory and secrets and bonds forged in battle. And yet…I totally feel the book is desperately trying to pitch Elias and Laia together. It would be the worst thing in the world. I will cry.
- IT’S REALLY EXTREMELY VIOLENT…BUT THE VIOLENCE IS POINTLESS. It barely ever advanced the plot. It was mos
tly all for a SHOCK FACTOR for the readers. For me, when violence is used cheaply, it just becomes distasteful. I want to be filled with righteous anger so I can mount my warhorse and demand the villains’ heads! I wanted to be horrified and scared! Not…disgusted. But in this? I just wanted it to all stop, because nothing made sense. No reason. No logic. Just let’s gouge everyone’s eyes out for lolz to show that the Commandant is a sicko. Which we kinda picked up already.
I had teeth-grinding difficulty during the trials too. Just the illogicalness of it!
Basically, the empire has picked the best 4 kids from the brutal military academy to compete for title of Emperor. Smart, no? The only way to get through these trials is to be as cruel and bloody as possible. To prove you’re worthy to rule?? Because that makes sense. Not. But that aside… I just kept feeling like the trials were only designed to be violent, cruel and bloody instead of actually getting the contestants to PROVE who is worthy to rule. So sure, they fought supernatural ghouls — but they were never tested on IMPORTANT STUFF like making battle tactics, showing leadership of armies, or showing understand of politics or justice. It was just “GIVE THE KID A SWORD AND IF HE KILLS ALL THE THINGS HE CAN BE KING. YEAAAAAH.” Which makes, like, no sense.
But I gotta talk this out, folks. More spoilers below. WATCH OUT.
As you know by now, the book is dual narrated by Elias and Laia. He’s the military kid, she’s the slave girl.
Laia is a commoner, growing up with her grandparents after her parents (who worked for the Resistance) were murdered. In the first chapter, Laia’s brother gets shipped off to a torturous prison for for fraternising with the Resistance. Laia’s only hope is to go to the Resistance (omg, no) and bargain with them to get her brother out. From the way they treat her from the get-go, I knew the Resistance/Rebels were bad news. IT’S SO OBVIOUS. It was so hard to read, knowing Laia is getting screwed over. They send her to be a spy/slave in the Military Academy to get “information” in exchange for busting her brother out. She agreed before she’d even made a bargain. She didn’t even know how to be a spy.
I did like Laia. She was cute and sweet and rather (oddly) innocent (considering she had her parents/sister/grandparents murdered). But Laia was a character I easily cared about.
…because I’m being far too negative and I apologise for that…
Evidently, I had a tough time with this book — but there are still positives!! I PROMISE THERE ARE. So how about some things I loved?!
- The writing was really crisp and addictive and easy to follow.
- The story line was slow at the beginning. I felt it took 100-pages to get everyone into position, BUT! After that! The action was balanced well with the quiet moments, and I kept flipping pages anxiously.
- I really loved Helene and Elias! I LOVED THEM. I ship them so dreadfully hard.
- It was seriously dark and gritty, which was fabulous to read, because so often I think books promise to be historically realistic and then shy away. (Although, it’s still nowhere near as brutal as Game of Thrones or Red Rising.)
- Loads of action!
- Lots of creepy psychopaths to keep an eye on and hope they don’t do anything too horrific.
- There was a fair bit of supernatural things going down, which surprised me, but HEY. I’m all for terrifying night demonic thingies and spiritual mind readers called Augurs.
- HAIL CEASAR. SOMEONE STABBED CEASAR. *runs away screaming*
-~-
ALL IN ALL:
I liked the characters and the writing, but so many plot holes just make me cry. It’s still not a bad read! I still say give it a go! Particularly if you like gritty books and you’re more likely to get embroiled with the character’s emotions than the plot details. (My brain really zeroes in on that kind of thing, but yours might not and this could totally be your next favourite read.) It has a wicked cliffhanger that totally makes me want the sequel.
THANK YOU HARPERCOLLINS FOR THE REVIEW-COPY. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir was published in June, 2015.
Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.
There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.
-~-
I loved this book, but I had the same issues with it you raised: thin worldbuilding, Elias/Laia romance-fail (nooooo Ms Tahir, his OTP is obvs Helene), and choosing the Emperor based on who could be the cruelest? Wtf makes no sense. But despite it I love the book, mainly cos of Elias/Helene.
You always take the most gorgeous book photos! I love your composition and how well you match colours.
HECK YES. HELENE FOR EMPEROR TOO, WHILE WE’RE AT IT. I don’t see why she could’ve have risen to the throne. I would’ve been on board with that. *cries piteously in the corner* I totally get the kill-something-you-love, but EVERY SINGLE TRIAL was like that! I just expected them to be tested on more than just cold-blooded murder. -_-
fjaklsd thanks, Aentee!!
YEAHHH NAHHH this doesn’t sound like my kinda book. ALTHOUGH I do love all the photos 😛 But yeah, not a big fan of violence (it’s why I didn’t like Angelfall, along with other things) and dystopian/fantasy books are not my thing (ahem Red Queen).
PHOTOS ARE FUN. BUT ALSO, AFJLDS THANK OU. XD Heh, I feel like this definitely wouldn’t be your kind of book…just with the violence/fantasticalness.
I have to agree that world building is particularly important, especially if it’s meant to a dystopian. And if you cannot even tell whether it is a fantasy or a dystopia… well, that speaks bucket loads on its own. I’m sorry that it didn’t live up to the hype for you, but thanks for the warnings! I’ve heard nothing but great things about it and would have been blind-sided with all that stuff otherwise.
I blame goodreads for confusing me on the dystopian/fantasy side. 😉 and the modern speech. AGH. Too much confusion. Bleh. But yes, it is a shame, because I totally looked forward to this one! I hope I didn’t put you off too much? *worried face*
Don’t fear! I’ll still read. I’m actually glad that I know all this stuff before going into the book so I won’t be scared off. 🙂
I have to disagree a bit.
I loved the world. I am a big fan of Ancient Rome, though. I don’t know much about the HISTORY of Ancient Rome. I know the mythology better. (I know Ancient Greek mythology the best out of all the mythologies.) Ancient Rome had great strategies. I can see why you think that the Trials were confusing. Just blood and gory, guys! That’s all you’ll ever need to succeed in life!
Now that I read your review, I do see some faults. The rape was for shock. It didn’t help the story.
I knew the romance was terrible. Helene and Elias would have been better. I feel like there was a love square building up.
And love squares are worse than love triangles.
I am one who is not completely okay with violence. Fighting to protect, that’s okay. To defend. Because of your survival. Those are okay. Plain slaughtering for sport? Uh. No.
The characters are fantastic, though. I loved Laia. She seemed weak at first, but she grew. She did take that spy position a little too quickly, though.
I see your problems with this book. I understand them completely. The complications you mention are valid. I can see how this book can be different for everyone and how other people see it.
I did not see the complications you did on my own. Now, I see.
OH but I’m glad you liked it!!! And, to be honest, I don’t know much about Ancient Rome. I mean I studied it in school, but pssht, I have the memory of a guava. I just remembered Rome being more about, like you said just now, strategies! And military genius! GREAT MINDS. Like they built all those roads that lasted forever, right??? But there, AEitA only seemed to take the gory bits. Whereas I was hoping for the culture, as well. 🙁 But that’s totally subjective also. BOOKS ARE SUBJECTIVE. XD
I have to agree now. I love their culture. Roman culture is great.
I’m an angry person. (Very neurotic so emotions are tenfold for me.) I liked the gory parts a little too much.
I do have to agree with some of your points. You do raise good points. It is a gory book. All death and destruction. You can say the death is a truth about the death around everywhere.
Well, I loved this book.But I understand why you had problems. One thing I love about reading is how it’s so personal and everyone has different opinions. (Humans think surprisingly differently despite being so alike) I thought that the violence was a reality in a harsh world and it added the tone, and the characters were trying to rebel against it and trying to remake their world. And I thought that the sparse worldbuildings left our imaginations to fill in the gap, though I imagine it’ll be fleshed out later in book two.
Still, great review, Cait 🙂
YES! Reading is mega-subjective, right?! That’s why I hate to say “NEVER READ THIS BOOK IT SUCKS” because somewhere, it’s someone’s favourite. (Not that this book sucks that bad, but, you know…just saying that about any book.) *sigh* I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT THOUGH.
*redeems cookie* I’m just so sad about Ember because when I read the blurb I was like HELL YES and then I read so many reviews and tweets that were just, “well, meh”. And since basically I just wanted this one for the worldbuilding, and basically all the negative points you mentioned could easily be deal breakers for me, I’m going to pass on Ember. At least for now.
*weeps for books with wonderful premises but are mediocre* *weeps also for mediocre books with beautiful covers*
*sprinkles cookie crumbs in your hair*
Agh, but sorry for putting you off. 😐 It really did disappointment. Like I don’t feel like I had out-of-this-world expectations because I hadn’t read from this author before BUT YEAH. This. Hmm. No.
I think it’s good to see a review where someone isn’t gushing about this book as it gives me a more rounded view about the book and gives me more insight as to whether it’s a book I’m going to enjoy or not. Great review, thanks as always Cait!
Aw, thanks, Thea! And I feel like the black sheep here amongst all the golden reviews. XD
Wait, where’s my cookie??? I WANT MY COOKIE.
I hear what you’re saying–some of your descriptions of what happened make me really angry at the writer. Like, I’m fine with violence, and I’m fine with main character deaths and side character deaths and whatnot, but not when it’s there for shock value alone, and not when it doesn’t make sense. Like, not every death has to have a clear meaning–but I like to think that the characters I care about do matter at least a little bit to the author. I don’t know, maybe I’m not explaining myself that well. On the whole, I’m good with violence though–I like dark and gritty, though I’m fine with novels that have zero violence too.
Like I said in my comment on your Goodreads review, for some reason I’m still terribly tempted to read this book (you know, after I gobble up Game of Thrones which may take a while). But this might be because I’m a contrary person and sometimes bad reviews make me want to read the book. *hides sheepishly*
WELL HERE YOU GO. *hands you small crumbs* YOU SHOULD’VE COME SOONER ‘CAUSE I HATE THEM ALL.
I like dark and gritty novels too! But I like it when it has a direction…and I’m hard pressed to explain that clearly, tbh. Because there are so many violent and scary books that I ADORE. And I’m trying to pinpoint the difference. >_< I think it's emotion? Like emotional rebounds? Everyone in this book seemed to take everything totally calmly with no PTSD. *shrugs* But I could've misinterpreted it too. Bah, read this before GoT then because GAME OF THRONES IS HUGE. lol But GoT is definitely the stronger, I say. 😉
Yeah no, the whole using sexual abuse and rape as development is just baaaaaad and puts me off this book entirely. I doubt anything could rescue it. The plot holes too, what the holy heck?! No, this will not be a book I read, and I’m thankful you reviewed this Cait because the issues you had would be issues I would have, and they’d be bigger for me, so thank you! At least you enjoyed it and it wan’t a waste in the end eh? 😉
Welll YAY, I’m glad I saved you gnashing your teeth over this one. And yes, I’m pleased that there were things I did like, but overall? Erk. So many issues. 0_0
Gah this book disappointed me on levels that are painful to even talk about again -_- So much for being one of my most highly anticipated books this year, it barely made 3 stars for me! Yes, Elias and Laia were being forcibly pitched together. Yes, Elais didn’t deserve Helene because she’s loyal and faithful and good and he’s just a spineless prawn. Yes, rape was a plot device in this book. Do you ship Keenan & Laia? Because if I read the next book in the series, it will only be for them <3
Erk, yes. Actually most of my highly anticipated reads for the year have fallen flat. It’s monstrous news, to be honest. But aghhh, this one?! Elias and Laia were so WRONG for each other. And spineless prawn omg. XD I do not disagree. XD I don’t not ship Keenan and Laia. But I haven’t really gotten to know Keenan. He seems rather spineless too, tbh. >_<
Hey Cait, thanks for the shoutout!
Listen, I completely understand your issues with the book – and hey, 3/5 stars isn’t particularly bad. Obviously there are problems with the book, and I agree wholeheartedly with your issues about the worldbuilding and the Trials in particular. The worldbuilding lacked depth, the supernatural element was tacked on, the Trials were dystopian derivative, and the forced romance between Elias and Laia was hamstrung and ill-reasoned.
BUT.
Ember gets massive respect from me for the world it *did* give us. Hunger Games (which is what Ember has been compared to often, next to Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire), tested the waters around Roman-esque society, but never made the plunge. Ember did – it re-imagined the Roman conquest of Persia/Middle East/etc in the late B.C.’s, early A.D.’s and meshed in some folklore and historical elements. It was refreshing to have a fantasy set in a desert and to incorporate traditional supernatural elements from those cultures that aren’t seen very often in Western/European themed literature.
On a side note: YOU SHIP ELIAS AND HEL I LOVE YOU CAIT I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY PERSON. *HUGS CAIT AND SQUEES*. GAH! You are TOTALLY right, especially about Elias being so mean. Jerk. :'( I really loved Hel, even if she was slightly conflicted and willing to sacrifice her integrity for the greater good; at least she wasn’t a blind sheep to slaughter like Laia.
But, in any case, I completely respect your score and your review (which was really in-depth, clearly you thought hard about this!). All of your criticisms were fair, and in the end, there was only a one-star score difference between us.
I *am* still looking forward to the sequel, BUT I will be judging it much harsher, especially if it fails to address some of my own criticisms – and if it keeps pushing a romance nobody wants down our throats.
Great post Cait!
Omg, we are Helene and Elias shippers together then! WE CAN CALL THEM HELIAS. *nods*
Agh, but yes, worldbuilding. *sad face* I originally gave it a 2-star rating, actually, but came back for the 3 because even though I was disappointed, the story was captivating! I was INTERESTED and I wanted to know what would happen next, so that makes a good story right? And I felt endlessly sorry for the poor abused little characters. :’|
And true! True! The actual Roman-ness of the fantasy was great. I’ve definitely read a few desert fantasies but I LURVE IT WHEN THEY’RE NOT WESTERN/EUROPEAN THEMED. Okay, but Rome is in Europe but you know what I mean. XD British fantasy-esque or something. hehe. (Have you read A Girl of Fire And Thorns?? It’s like middle-eastern fantasy and soooo goooood.) So the Roman-ness was definitely good. *nods*
ONLY A YEAR TO WAIT FOR THAT SEQUEL. 😉
I think the importance of world-building depends on the kind of book it is. If it’s fantasy or dystopian, I find it’s incredibly important. If it’s romance, contemporary, or something which is really character-focused, I find it’s less important.
There are exceptions to that rule, for example The Selection. The world-building wasn’t amazing in that book, but I didn’t feel it needed to be because I can imagine a castle, and sparse descriptions worked find for that. ACOTAR on the other hand, needed the wonderful descriptions it had.
My feeling for violence in books / TV / films is another one that’s tricky to summarise. Sometimes people / characters will do violent things for the sake of it, because that’s the kind of person they are, but there’s a difference between that and an author throwing violence in for no reason. If that makes sense.
I know a lot of people had conflicting views about a rape scene in the last season of GoT, because it wasn’t in the book, and it wasn’t really their to advance the victim’s storyline, it advanced another character’s storyline instead. I found that a bit distasteful, because it was essentially used just for the shock factor.
True, true! Especially if it’s a world outside of our own. Like in a contemporary, you don’t need to go in and tell us all about how high schools were invented because — um, — everyone knows! But in fantasy, we NEED more information because we’re being tossed into a totally new society. D: I loved the world building in ACOTAR. Omg, so beautiful and lush and like it seemed to really set up a world without tons of info dumps too which was GREAT.
Oh, and I was so looking forward to this one! I’m still going to read it, but I do hope I like it!
In high fantasy, world building is a must. I’m all about the characters, but the characters experiences/reactions/thoughts/motivation/etc. all should come from their world building. They’re going off to fight a god? Awesome! But why? What has that god done that requires them being fought? And how, he’s a god?! And why this character and not somebody else? I’m specifically thinking of The Belgariad series by David Eddings here (I love if, if you’ve read it and didn’t, please be nice!). All those questions are answered with history and politics and a whole load of other world building! It’s needed! And I love it!
I like violence – I like being shocked and outraged by it – but there needs to be a reason for it. Have you read the dystopian novel The Culling by Steven dos Santos? SO VIOLENT. I think there’s a reason for it, but I’d be interested to know what you thought 🙂
But this book… :/ I’m scared. But I won’t give up hope!
I HOPE YOU LIKE IT TOO. I basically always hope people like books, hehehe, because I am being a lemon here.
Yesss, that’s exactly how I feel. And when you take out that backstory and the world-building, there are too many “BUT WHYYYYYS” just dancing about. I need tok now all the things. Or at least some of the things. EVEN 2% OF THE THINGS WOULD’VE BEEN ETTER THAN THIS.
Aww shame you didn’t like this one more! BUT STILL. I am very eager to read this, because the majority of things I’ve heard HAVE been quite good. Although I HAVE read a few people say this is more brutal than GoT. HAHAHA WHAT. Is that even possible? Still, I’ll keep an open mind 🙂
Basically I hear 90% good things too…so, heh, hopefully I’m a minority and you like it, right?! It is SO not more brutal than GoT. I had an analysis of that in my review, but I took it out because heck this review is so long. But srsly, all those “the violence makes Game of Thrones look tame!” pitches are absolute ridiculousness. -_-
GIVE ME THAT COOKIE CAIT!!!
I don’t like it when fantasy books have modern conversations. I recently read a fantasy book set in 14th century and the conversations just felt too normal and it bothered me a lot that I wasn’t able to finish it.
*hands cookies over*
YOU DID GOOD. *pats head*
I’m torn because I like that I’m not having to struggle through old-style-speak but AT THE SAME TIME IT FEELS SO OFF AND I GET THROWN.
I read this about a month ago and loved it. I guess that I just invented a backstory about the Martials for myself. Or I’m not such a discerning reader. Either is possible. I did go into the book knowing that there’s going to be a sequel which probably helped me. Eliza’s and Helene for sure. That last scene between the two of them. Heartbreaking.
I’m so glad you liked it though!!! YAY! It’s much more fun to like books and afljksd I ship Helene and Elias so hard. ALSO HELENE FOR PRESIDENT. I don’t understand why she was automatically NOT going to get the top rank? Like, um, why? She did just as good as Marcus???
YES EXACTLY YOU HIT ALL MY POINTS WITH THIS BOOK(except I think you liked more parts than me, ha! It was a 1 star for me). I agree completely. Where was the worldbuilding? The gratitious rape and violence made me ANGRY. Now, I love me some brutal books in my time. But, rape does not need to be part of your shock factor, and a bit of well-placed violence goes a lot further than just blood, blood, killing, la la la on every page. Also the part you have in your spoiler tag–YES, THAT. I mean, why did they have them kill all those kids? Like, just because one of them is going to become emperor, okay, but like, THEY’RE STILL GOING TO NEED PEOPLE TO LEAD THE ARMY. AND YOU JUST KILLED YOUR BEST ACADEMY GRADUATES. Oh, and yeah, I TOTALLY shipped Helene and Elias more than I did Elias and Laia.
OMG SO MANY PEOPLE AGREE WITH ME!!! *FLAILS* I felt lik eI was going to be a lone pumpkin in this. BUT I AM NOT AND THAT MAKES ME GLAD. And still sort of guilty, because I did want to like it. >_>
There will be no army to lead the way they’re going. Although, what the heck was “the darkness”??!! GAH. So angry at the lack of world building.
Wow, I definitely won’t be picking this one up! Though I must admit I wasn’t all that interested in it upon reading the blurb. (I’m not trying to sound like a super special snowflake, honest). I can’t stand it when sexual assault and sexual violence are used for the shock factor, so I won’t be checking this one out!
Thanks for the honest review. 🙂
I can’t really say you’re missing out. >_< But yes, the sexual violence/assault was quite annoying and I'm seeing it MORE in YA and I don't know how I feel about that. On one hand, it's realistic. On the other hand, I read YA to get away from that. >_>
I had high hopes for this book. I kept hearing that it was “amazing” and “fantastic” and “sure to be the next great series” or whatever, but it sounds like not so much, maybe.
I’m curious so I’ll still read it, but at the same time what I expect out of it has gone way down.
I think it’s been sold very very hard. hehe. It felt like one of those really bloody/gory action movies that don’t have a lot of plot — just a lot of whacking people with swords.
Perfect review, Cait! I also had issues with this book. All the rape-threats and brutality did not effect me. Same as you, I felt as it was only used as shock factor and it did not advnaced story in any way. It all felt off in many ways and it really bothered me. Which resulted in me not caring about any of characters. Sadly.
And about your fantasy/dystopia dilema. IMO, I would say that An Ember in Ashes is fantasy since there is magic and some supernatural stuff. It did not get any dystopia vibes from this book, but I rarely pay attention to slang and modernity of dialogues. *shrugs*
Awk, thanks, Lucia!! I STILL FEEL BAD THO. I wanted to like it so much! I wanted the violence to mean something (like in Red Rising, heeeck yes, it advanced the plot and meant a lot) but here it just felt mostly like threats and I knew no one was going to go down too hard. Magically healing the heroes?! COME ON.
UGHHHHHH CAIT. I actually could barely find anything positive about this book, haha. But YES. WHERE WAS THE WORLD-BUILDING???? Everyone raved about it and I sat there dumbfounded. Because I absolutely could NOT see it. And I was soooo disappointed in the Roman aspect – I took Latin for three years and it was a lot more about the culture and mythology and history than actually speaking the language, obviously, and the only resemblance I really saw was in a few of the words and the Augurs. Who actually told the future by looking at livers of dead things, I’m pretty sure. They didn’t just magically know. And the brutality totally didn’t feel authentic. Like, yeah, the Romans were obviously brutal, but they were also very culturally astute? Is that what I’m trying to say? Highly refined for their time? IDK. ANYWAY. Everything just felt like THREATS THREATS THREATS, and none of it ever had an actual impact.
And ugh, I HATED the fate aspect. “He was meant to die. K cool? Cool. Let’s move on now. YOU WERE MEANT TO BE EMPEROR SO WE MADE IT HAPPEN!” Nothing feels authentic. The stakes aren’t even close to being high because IT WAS ALL ORCHESTRATED BY THE AUGURS AND THE ~~~UNIVERSE~~~. Idk. That stuff just always makes me mad. I can accept, like, a single prophecy as long as it’s obvious that the character really has to WORK to get there.
AND WHAT EVEN WAS THE ROMANCE. I wasn’t into Elias/Helene, probably because Elias’s narration just felt too stiff, but Elias/Laia made NO SENSE. NONE. THEY CAME OUT OF NOWHERE. THEY HAD NOTHING TOGETHER. And now they’re just gonna like, run away together? DO THEY KNOW A SINGLE THING ABOUT EACH OTHER? HONESTLY? UGH. RAGE. RAGE RAGE RAGE.
I was sooooo bored that by the time the trials came around, I was hardcore skimming. NONE OF IT MATTERED. I STILL GOT THE GENERAL IDEA OF THE BOOK. AND I DIDN’T LIKE IT. Oops.
AHHH YOU AND ME BOTH, MY FRIEND. WE OUGHT TO CONSOLE EACH OTHER WITH MARSHMALLOWS AND SMALL CUPCAKES WITH RAINBOW SPRINKLES, BECAUSE FOOD IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THROUGH THIS MESS. I don’t understand how anyone could not see the plot-holes….buuuuut at the same time I have a super analytical brain and I don’t WANT everyone to hate on this book with me! So yeah. But seriously…I felt the Romans were so much more in line. Like, yes they were brutal and cruel and awful…and there was definitely rape. But not in front of commanders like that?! Or maybe I wasn’t reading the right history books. D:
What even where the Agurs?? Like, really?? Magic men? Gah. They were just popping around leaving convenient clues too, which bugged me.
YES THEY HAD NO CONNECTION. The only possible thing I can think of is Elias was attracted to Laia because it was a sort of rebellion…and he has a soft heart (kinda??) but why Laia and not the other slave girl. (Izzy? Was that her name. Gah. I forget already.) Like I don’t really buy into the whole “and they saw each other and fell in love instantly blah blah” stuff.
You did an amazing job reviewing this book! I have not read this one but it is going to happen very soon. I am sad to hear that the world building is lacking. It is my favorite element of fantasy! Awesome job with the pictures too!
AHHH THANK YOU. I was so nervous to post it!! I postponed it like twice because I was scared of how harsh I was being. D: SO I’m glad it wasn’t too ranty or anything. And thank you. 😉 I had such fun with my camera!
SEE CAIT, I feel your pain, because I felt EXACTLY the same way about this book as you. I wrote a review on it and realised I was being a LITTLE (uhum) bit too harsh and that’s not my style (how do you make your reviews so nice while still not saying you love it?! I just go all out negative aha) so I’m changing it into something a little differen. BUT YES. I really didn’t like it compared to everyone else which is sad, to me it felt too much like it was written FOR film, and the unecessary violence/lack of world building annoyed me way too much. -_-
Zomg, you think this is nice?! WELL I HAVE SUCCEEDED THEN. I edited this so hard because I was freaking out about how harsh I was. >_< *cries* But honestly, I just bottomed out when I finished and was so angry and disappointed. It could totally be one of those plot-less action movies. hehe.
I SHIP NONE OF THEM. I liked Elias BY HIMSELF. As in, when he wasn’t worrying about how he felt about Helene and Laia. He had a screwed-up mom which would have been enough for a book. BUT WHY ADD SOME DOUCHEY-NESS TO HIM BY, like you said, HAVING HIM SAY “I can never love Helene”. WHAT?
I also had the same problem with the world-building. I guess it was good that the characters carried the story (mostly, at least).
As for the violence, the shock factor worked but by the end, I was just asking myself “so what’s the point?” I would imagine that the violence was used as a device for some world-building but it didn’t do much to further the plot or action.
HA. I CAN CONCUR WITH THAT. XD He was a bit of a soft-hearted darling underneath, but, zomg, he was horrific when it came to girls. Just bad decisions the whole time. -_-
WHY COULDN’T HE LOVE HELENE??? WHYYYYY? I DON’T UNDERSTAND? To me, it felt like they had a ton of chemistry. D:
World-building is super important to me. I mean, why bother setting your story in a place other than our world if you’re not going to flesh it out and explain things? Too often, it’s as if the author thinks the reader is in their head with them. But we’re not. The author might know how their fantasy world came to be the way it is, but unless they show the reader, we’re not going to know! Not even awesome characters can make up for a weak world (especially since, in the books I’ve read, weak world-building and weak characterization seem to go hand in hand; if you can’t picture the world because the author hasn’t given the reader enough information, chances are the characters will be similarly blank).
I like some violence in the books I read, but not gratuitous violence. It has to make sense in the context of the story. Even then, sometimes it can go too far. (That’s one of the reasons I didn’t like Unwind; yes, the world has some pretty awful ideas and customs, but I thought it went too far in some ways. Sometimes things can actually be scarier if you don’t spell everything out. That book showed the most horrific things, and left me with the impression that the author was just trying to make bloodthirsty teenage boys say, “That was awesome!” All it did for me was leave me with more questions — especially about medical ethics — and a lingering sense that the world-building was weak.)
YESSS. I totally agree. And I know, from experience, that world-building is uber hard. But loads of people are involved in making a book and helping it to be better…so I just wonder sometimes if it’s just me picking at the plot holes? But I’ve had a ton of people agree with me on the plot holes. SO YEAH. It’s sad. I NEED SO MUCH MORE INFORMATION.
yes! I like a book to be gritty and bloody (hellooooo zombies) but I just need to understand the world and love the characters and feel like the violence is pushing the plot along instead of just making everything gratuitously bloody. Unwind terrified me. XD
Unfortunately, this book really doesn’t sound like it’s for me. I’ve read a couple of reviews that have pretty much said the same thing about the worldbuilding lacking a sense of depth. I’m also not really a fan of random violence in books. If there’s going to be excessive violence, it better have a ton of meaning or else I’ll hate it. I guess I never know, though, because I loved The Battle of the Five Armies and that whole movie was pretty much constant fighting.
It’s got to have the world building if it’s going to have me dancing and shrieking its glory. This? This was like it was built on a world of potato mash. GAH. I was so disappointed.
I am REALLY excited to read this book…. but now I am also really nervous!!! I WANT TO LOVE IT SO BADLY!!! I REALLY WANT TO LOVE IT! GAAHHH! I have to admit that a big part of me is hoping this is one of those books we disagree on. I want it to blow me away, but the things you didn’t like about it feel like things that will make it hard for me to really love this book too. FINGERS CROSSED I ENJOY IT ANYWAY.
GAH. I HOPE I HAVEN’T PUT YOU OFF. (Or spoiled anything! DX) We do disagree on a few books so this totally might be one of them, right?!! It’s much more fun to love a book. *heavy sigh*
I’m reading this right now and am so far “meh” about it and ended up starting another book. However, it may be because I’m in a contemporary mindset after reading a few, and that’s really my niche. I’m going to finish it and review it ASAP.
Lovely review!
Fantasy is totally my niche, so this totally gutted me not to like it. xD BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT TOO. Sometimes it’s seriously hard to make one’s brain change tracks and read a different genre, right?! I can’t wait to read your review though. 😉
Thanks for your honest thoughts. I love hearing what people REALLY like and dislike about a book. I don’t read a lot of a fantasy, so when it comes to world building, I guess it depends. I think certain aspects need to be explained so the book makes sense, but other things aren’t as important. But for this one, yeah, I’d want to know more about the hierarchy and slaves.
As for the violence, I think it has to have a reason. Otherwise, it’s just gratuitous.
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
I am nothing if not honest. hehe. SOMETIMES TOO MUCH SO. (My sister tells me this when I honestly comment on her outfit. Gee, she just doesn’t appreciate my reviewer mind. *huffs*) I feel like world building is important. Like I CAN overlook it…but…gah, I’d really rather understand it.
This whole thing sounds gross. Sounds like the author was more interested in shocking the audience than telling a good story. Shock factor is important, but it can’t be the WHOLE point of a book!
I kind of wish the violence expanded the plot…it’s hard to explain what I’m looking for but I KNOW it when I see it. >_<
I’d like to claim my cookie, please. After spending HOURS reading and writing comments for Bookish Games Mafia, I think I actually deserve two cookies. (Maybe three.) And that’s all I have energy left to say, because my brain is fried. Besides, we already discussed our mutual problems with this book.
Oh! I lied. I do have one more thing to say. I didn’t care about any of the characters, really, but Elias and Helene were a MUCH better ship. They actually KNEW each other. And had things in common. And made sense as a couple. Elias is a jerk.
oMG, you are so patient and dedicated. *hands you small cookie because, honestly, has eaten the rest*
Elias is a jerk. But, to be fair, his mother isn’t the best role model. He’s relatively okay for someone who was brought up so horrible. ALTHOUGH AT THE SAME TIME. WHAT THE HECK, ELIAS??? USE YOUR BRAIN??
Hahahaha I’m picturing you looking down, seeing a pile of crumbs, and handing me the half-eaten cookie in your hand. 😀 (Understandable. Cookies are hard to share.)
His intelligence has probably been bashed out if him with all the fighting, let’s be honest.
They ARE hard to share. And *whispers* just so you know, my last baking episode with my preschooler nephew ended with me noticing he was letting my dog lick his spoon between making biscuits. 0_0 Neither dog nor preschooler understood why I was ranting that it was NOT OKAY.
But here.
Have a cookie made with dog love.
Erm. Maybe I’ll make my own. ;
Oh, you CHICKEN. Where is your wild side. COME NOW.
Let’s be honest…am I really going to turn down a cookie, dog slobber or not? 😀
I always read your posts and therefore wonder: when can you ship a couple? Perhaps you could do a list on Tuesday or writing tips? I thinks a lot of people would benefit from writing tips from someone who has read as many books as you.
Love from the Netherlandsz
Do you mean when do I ship a couple? Or when should a reader ship a couple? Because I think that depends on the reader! And I can totally do a post on writing tips! 🙂 Do you have any specific requests?! I’m always open for post ideas!
I would love writing tips on any subject, but I meant writing tips on how to write a good romance. A romance that (almost) everyone will love/ship. I don’t know anyone who has read as much books as you have, so you’re kind of an expert :).
Okay! I’ll totally put that on my to-do list, although I warn you I have totally weird romance-in-books requirements. XD But BAH. I don’t know if I’m an expert, but that’s still nice of you to say. 😉
Well I sure am very curious right now. Can’t wait to see it!
I survived this review so I GET A COOKIE?!! (Where is it?! It didn’t present itself to me…) I actually didn’t like Helene, and while I’m not really on board the Elias and Leia ship, I didn’t totally mind them together. And yes, the trials felt so out of place! I was like, Huh? Where did that come from? So random… Didn’t expect that at all. I’m really sick of trials and games and stuff like that. I did think the pacing was a bit uneven, though. And I loved all the creepy psychopaths! (I want more of the Commandant in the next book!) Everything else you said I completely agree with. There was so much hype and glowing praise and then I read it, expecting to be blown away… and I wasn’t.
WELL. YOU SEE. YOU CAME LATE TO THE PARTY AND I ATE ALL THE COOKIES. *offers you small crumbs* That’s the best I can do, tbh.
I wasn’t against the trails so much (although totally agree it was like — BOOM — we need more plot! Whatdowedo? Trials!) but if they’d just made sense instead of let’s see who’s more unhinged. -_- Every trial made them display the same techniques: kill all the people without question. GAH.
I think I really do agree with everything you pointed out. Even so, I gave the book pretty high marks. I enjoyed it a lot and the trials were so shocking. Like you said, I think a lot of the book just hands out shock factor. There was no point to the trials other than hindering themselves. It was painful to read, but still super illogical. You’d think more of the people in the world would have an issue with them.
YES. Like it’s a big smack in the face — which is kind of interesting (and hard to put down!) when reading…but afterwards, I guess it doesn’t stick with me for long? OR SOMETHING. LOL I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I’M SAYING.
I too was disappointed in this book but I also really enjoyed it in its own way.
I thought the plot was too predictable at times and the romance was wayyyy underdeveloped (between the two leads that is). It was also extremely slow to get into because it is a rather long book and I too thought the first 100 pages were tedious to get through at times.
With the world building, it was the supernatural elements that I had a hard time grasping! Trying to keep them all straight when they were introduced ~100 pages before was difficult for me. I didn’t mind the violence or rape factors in terms of their shock factor presence because that’s what I picture when I think Ancient Rome and I know that is a very stereotypical/prejudicial view of ancient Rome but that’s what my limited ancient-history knowledge has led me to believe.
I hoping the sequel will remedy the faults of the first book because I think this could be a great series!
Same! I totally understand that. XD I think I gave it 2-stars to start with, but came back and gave it 3 because I kinda did like it and there were some high points. And I think it was brave to be so violent for YA…even if I thought it didn’t go anywhere.
And YES. The supernatural stuff just was weeeeird. Like they didn’t even fully explain how that fit into the world?!
I studied Rome in school, but I don’t feel like I’m too knowledgeable on the subject now, SO YEAH. You’re probably right.
Yes, yes, and more yes. #BOOKISHTWINSSTRIKEAGAIN I also rated this one three stars, and I completely agree with all your points.
I didn’t notice as many plot holes as you did (look at you Cait, being all observant and stuff!), but I still did find some that made me go “WHAT?” (And the way that rape was used to advance the plot irritated me to no end as well. )
Same with the world-building: I thought the atmosphere was wonderfully done, but the backstory was just completely missing. We don’t know anything about how the empire was formed or its government policies, etc, etc.
Helene + Elias = ♥ 😉 Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous review!
WE ARE JUST TOTALLY ON PAR, ZOE. OMG. SOMEONE AWARD US WITH SMALL CUPCAKES WITH COPIOUS SPRINKLES.
Seriously I wish I could turn my analysing brain OFF. These days it’s just like on mega-high alert and it’s killing my reading joy. GAH. They could’ve at least put a little diagram in the back or something, to show us the hierarchy. Like scholars were at the bottom?? Or something??? Where did the slaves come from??? How big were the Martials houses??? Where there any other races in between? GAH.
I could not get into An Ember in the Ashes, I think my expectations were way to high and the slow storyline got to me xP I LOVE the cover of your version more than the US on it’s sooooo pretty ^^
AH. I can understand that. *nods* Although, weirdly, I actually prefer the US cover. XD
I think I might read this book anyway, just because I’ve heard so many good things about it?? And because I have it from the library, so I may as well. 😛
ANYWAY. I think violence should have a point? Case in point: A Song of Ice and Fire vs. Game of Thrones. In GoT it’s used to set the mood – it’s there for shock value? And in ASOIAF… well, we talked about this literally just the other day, but GRRM’s violence isn’t gratuitous. He uses it to make a point about what’s WRONG! Like… oh dear, I have a terrible memory about what happens in which book? So I’m not sure if the Riot of King’s Landing was in ACoK or ASoS? But like… what happened to Lollys Stokeworth or the High Septon? GRRM very clearly shows that it was HORRIBLE. And the show pretty much completely ignores that nuance in favor of pure shock value…
CAn’t let those library books go back unread! (Okay, that’s probably just me. xD But I loathe returning unread books! I go back on my knees and beg for extensions even when I’ve maxed them out. XD HEH.)
Anyway. Erk, I agree. Sometimes, in the show, I think the violence (and sex, let’s be honest) is totally just there to smack you in the face. Whereas in the book I always feel it’s going in a direction (though not always. It gets over the top, like that time Arya was sitting there listening to some sick soldier dude talk about rape in such detail??? WELL. I mean, I GET THAT. Because she then got Jakan Hagar to kill him. BUT still. That part really made me sick.) The riot was in ASoS. THAT WAS SAD. And I feel like GRRM actually comes through with the violence afteraffects — like Lollys particularly. How she has PTSD and agrophobia. So understandable.
COOKIES YAY!!!! MINE NEEDS TO BE CHOCOLATE CHIP.
But to discuss your review… funnily enough, I just picked this book up from the library, andI was pretty interested in reading it. Honestly, the thing that bothers me most about your review is how you described it as “gritty.” I’m not much for super gritty stuff that uses violence and rape purely for shock value; it’s the sort of thing that would eventually make me close the book in disgust. I’m still going to read it (or at least start it), but I’m glad I’ve been forewarned.
Then again, I do love Hugner Games, so if the writing and characters (which is what gets me for HG) are as good as you say, then I might be fine. 🙂
Alexa
thessalexa.blogspot.com
verbositybookreviews.wordpress.com
*sprinkles chocolate chip cookie crumbs in your hair*
Oh oh I do hope you try it and let me know how you go??!
OMG I can’t believe you didn’t like this one!! I totally felt the opposite about the world building! 🙁 I thought it was amazing! Is it really sadistic to say the violence was refreshing? I prefer YA, but sometimes they’re just too… clean? I never really considered whether it progressed the plot at all.
All of your points were perfectly valid though and to each her own!!
Re: killing certain individuals – I’m guessing it’s the whole man vs. woman thing. We see it all the time in movies. Can’t kill dem ladies (or whatever). I’m not saying his logic makes sense, just saying it’s not that uncommon.
Gah, I AM SORRY!! I totally wanted to like it. I always feel intensely sucky when a book I am highly anticipating just bottoms out for me. 🙁 And no it’s not sadistic! I GET IT. Have you read Red Rising? *whispers* I totally recommend it, like seriously, it’s way more violent than this, and I felt it had a point and direction. xD
I DON’T KNOW. I DON’T KNOWWWWW. I will read this because I have it already and I bought it with my own money, but once I do read it, I WILL COME BACK and compare my thoughts with yours 🙂
YES DO THAT BECAUSE I AM CURIOUS IF YOU’LL LIKE IT. *whispers* I hope I didn’t put you off too much though?! 🙁
So, I am trying to concoct a review for this book right now. Well, I would be, if my stupid blog wasn’t down, and hadn’t been for DAYS, and only seems to come back up in the middle of the night. I digress. Anyway. So, when I first read it, I LOVED it- well, after I had gotten into it, anyway. But then I read The Wrath and the Dawn a few weeks later and was like “well wait- this is fantasy and I like it MUCH better”. So then I couldn’t decide WHAT I thought about this book.
Basically, I still like it for sure. BUT. I have the same problems you had, when looking back. And while I enjoyed it in the moment, now, looking back, I see ALL the holes and they’re driving me mad. Like Laia and Elias- there is no chemistry, I agree. But I guess I wonder what on earth the point of dual narrators is if they are NOT going to end up in some kind of romance? Unless there’s plans for offing one of them (that’s how I knew what was going to happen in Allegiant- random dual POVs!)
As for the Trials, I DO see what you are saying, but that was one of the things that didn’t bother me- only because I am assuming that someone, somewhere is going to realize how stupid it all is, and how killing your friends just proves that you’re a complete piece of garbage. But maybe I am reading too much into it 😉
I DID need more world building though. 100%- that is what was holding me back DURING the actual reading- I am afraid it wasn’t ever going to get a 5 star from me, simply because of that, if nothing else. I just hold out hope that questions will be answered in book 2!
I AM GLAD YOUR BLOG IS BACK THO. 0_0 I swear, when my blog has problems, I absolutely freak out the worst. I can deal with many things, but my blog is my adorable precious baby and it cannot be lost. *nods ANYWAY. I am digressing too, but I blame you.
I feel like dual narrators mean they HAVE to end up together. I just wish Helene hadn’t been so….good for Elias. They had too much spark for it just to be tossed aside. Gah. I would’ve preferred to see Elias as king/president/emperor and then seen him have to struggle with trying to rule “cruelly” but in reality being deviously kind. THAT IS MY KIND OF BOOK. If he and Laia are just lurking around with the rebels in bk 2, I’m probably going to scream and then nap and possibly eat a pancake. Just so you know.
I read it! 😀 (The review, not the book… I do not want to read the book…) *imperiously demands promised cookie* (…But seriously it’s not difficult reading any of your posts because HILARIOUS and easy to read even when… erm… the book is problematic.)
I don’t like a super amount of violence, and yes, it has to have a reason! Also that is super awkward when the possible ship is not shippable but another is… o.o
GORGEOUS BOOK PHOTOGRAPHY. At least it is a lovely cover to take pictures of. 😉 And that one with the hot cocoa and the sweater sleeve… I AM SUDDENLY REMINDED IT’S COLD WHERE YOU ARE. And I’m dying of heat around here. I would love to trade thankyouverymuch. XD
*hands you half a cookie*
I mean, I’d give you the whole but.
I ate it.
STILL. I AM GLAD YOU LIKE MY REVIEWS. Seriously, knowing that is just glorious because I felt sooo guilty about this review I actually postponed it twice. >_< Like I seriously went like wildfire, when usually I find at least a few things to dance about. ERK YES IT IS COLD. Although you would probably laugh at what I consider cold. I will die of cold at 15C (59F) okay?! I am not built for coldness.
I have been SO AFRAID to read this book. It has a literal ton of hype and I immediately distrust those books and lower my expectations… I DON’T KNOW. I want to read it this summer but it will be a bumpy ride.
ALSO ALSO I started reading Heir of Fire and HOLY WHAT. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
And, yes, pineapples ARE cuddly.
Duuuude. YOU SHOULD READ IT IF YOU WANT TO. And then you can come and we can talk about it. Also HEIR OF FIRE. IF YOU NEED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT I AM HERE. DO YOU NEED TISSUES? CHOCOLATE? OZMG WAIT TILL THE ENDING.
Okay, okay, I requested it from the library and should be reading it this summer… And YES! Give me chocolate and hugs because HEIR OF FIRE IS RUINING MY LIFE.
YOU WILL NOT BE OKAY BY THE END OF HEIR OF FIRE. IF YOU THINK YOU ARE UNOKAY NOW, YOU WILL BE UNOKAYIER LATER. (That is a word, don’t knock it.) The cliffhanger is so cruel. *breaks down sobbing in remembrance*
Cliffhangers are the BANE of my existence! *glares at Mark of Athena* But I will endure for the sake of this AWESOME series! I’m up to the point *SPOILERS* where Manon chose her wyvern. I was CHEERING during that scene, my god.
It’s too bad you didn’t like this book! I’ve been sort of… skittering around it lately. I saw it in the bookstore for quite a bit off as part of their New Releases Bargain but I just decided not to get it. I think all the hype around it is something I’m quite afraid of. As always, I value your honest reviews and opinions. It’s really refreshing and helps me gain lots of perspective about the book before deciding whether I’ll pick it up or not. I might pick it up sometime, but the list is long and time is short, so it probably won’t be until farther into the future. Thanks for reviewing this one, Cait!
On a side note, beautiful photography as always. I liked the first photo and the photo with the mug. Mostly because that drink looked delicious.
Second side note, is that “That don’t make no sense” gif from “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” (Or whatever the confuzzlingly long title of the Odyssey retelling movie is)? Because it looks like it would be! Just wondering, heh.
Hype is scaring. *gulps* I mean, mostly I’m onboard with it…but THIS TIME I FELL HARD. I am a little lemon. I hope I didn’t spoil too much for you, though?!
afjsdkl thank you!! And that drink WAS delicious. I used to be hard against coconut milk in my hot chocolates, but seriously, I will convert the universe if I can. 😉 COCONUT MILK. TRY IT.
(I’m pretty sure that gif is from Brother Where Art Thou. OMG THAT MOVIE WAS SO WEIRD. XD)
Awesome review. This one has been on my TBR list, but I am not liking the issues you had with it. I am okay with things like violence and rape as long as there is a point. When things like that are there solely for shock value, it’s just annoying. I will probably still give this one a chance though.
Do try it!! It gets so many raving reviews, after all, I’m like a picky little lemon here. 😉
Ok so I read this and LOVED IT SO HARD, although I am totally with you that the Elisa and Helene are DESTINED AND I WILL SOB IF THEY DON’T END UP TOGETHER. But the further away from the reading of the book I get the more I’m noticing the plot holes and going BUT THAT MAKES NO SENSE. Which SADDENS me, because when I first read it I loved it. I think it’s one that I really need to not look too hard at, and just keep my fuzzy glasses on the entire time. But I agree with all of your gripes, there were some serious plot holes and issues. Definitely a bit of a mixed bag.
WE NEED RAISE A BANNER AND WEAR TEE-SHIRTS THAT SAY HELENE AND ELIAS FOREVER. Or Helene for president. Basically Helene for ruler of all. IT’s the only way I’m gonna be appeased, tobh.
YES YES YES YES. I had such a tempestuous relationship with this book, and was floored to see so many people raving about it — I don’t want to be *glad* a book is getting negative reviews, but I like knowing that some people had the same problems as I did! I don’t even know where to BEGIN — The characters were so flat, and the violent was, like you said, gratuitous without having any emotional depth. I understand what she was trying to do with the Ancient Roman theme, but it was so … surface level. So flat. And the writing in general was very “YA-okay.” Like, the writing was serviceable, but nothing stood out to me as amazing. There was something about the Trials in general that was so vaguely written, I found those scenes confusing to get through. And the casual rape and violence against women! So much of this book felt gory for the sake of gore, edgy for the sake of edge — I didn’t feel like it had any substance. After I finished it, I dropped it aside with little satiation, just a bad taste on the back of my tongue.
Oh, I know how you feel!! When I grate a book to lemon dust, I like to see if other people are doing the same or if I’m alone in a small ship of sadness and hate. GAH. But, I didn’t hate this all up. Just some parts. I WANTED IT ALL TO BE DEEPER AND TO HIT ME EMOTIONALLY. I want to cringe, yeah, but to feel for the characters. I missed that entire connection…and I don’t even know how to quite explain how to get that connection. I just know I got it with Red Rising and Game of Thrones — making An Ember an even poorer comparison. 🙁
DUDE I SUPER AGREE WITH YOU ON EVERYTHING. I read this one around two months ago and didn’t like it. I mean there were some okay stuff, but overall? It was problematic. There was no world-building at all, everything was dependent on making all these capitalized names like Martials, Scholars and then nothing else was given aside from that. I don’t even know what the damn place looks like, and I don’t even know the backstory because everything was just said in passing! And yes, I complained about the language used in this book on Twitter because it was so jarring how “modern” it was when it’s supposed to be some sort of historical fantasy. I saw a “piss off” used here and I was like WHY IS HE USING THAT. WHYYYY?!!
And the rape used as a plot device (which happened like 4 times? One, assaulting Laia? Two, assaulting Laia again? Three, pretending to rape Laia in order to “protect” her from the antagonist, and fourth, assault on Helene? WTF). It was so disconcerting seeing it happen so casually. And it was being repeated so many times just to add some sort of gritty edge to the novel, to make it bleaker, but it was just so damn insensitive. It came to the point that I felt this needed a trigger warning.
And the romance can suck it. It sucks. Period. Both characters feeling something for two people each? A love square?! What the hell.
I’m not even sure I want to read the next book now. This book is a mess.
GOOD. *nods* Everyone should agree with me on everything. It is basically the only way to live.
It was totally problematic. :O I think I enjoyed it more in retrospect, but seriously??? I fell through those world-building holes in the middle of the universe. And that is not okay. 0_0 And yes, the language. GAH. That’s why I am really torn with the “BUT IS IT DYSTOPIAN MAYBE???” because that’s the only logical reason. I mean, yeah maybe it’s just because it’s YA. But still. You don’t have to wax Shakespeare to be semi-historically accurate.
I DON’T THINK ANY OF IT WAS LOVE. I don’t understand why Elias spurned Helene….like he’d die for her but no feelings?? WHAT THE HECK DUDE??? And I feel like his interest in Laia is more of a rebellion thing. Because, like. No.
Sometimes, I want to read a book because… cover love. Seriously, the covers for this book were amazing! However I also dreaded it. Because I’ve been writing a book with a similar Roman inspired civilization, and I hate it when people publish their sickeningly popular, tauntingly similar book before me.
Really. It’s quite rude.
In that case, your review actually encouraged me! It makes me want to create a story that’s deeper and a world that’s richer. It makes me want to read it and take notes and figure out a way to do things better.
Gawsh, it IS rude. People do that to me all the time and I’m left sitting here going, “BUT I WROTE THAT DARN YOU.” *huffs* Where are their manners? Seriously.
Good luck with your story, too!! XD
I was dying to read this book until this review and I thank you for pointing this stuff out – about the rape and brutality – because I can’t remember the other reviews I’ve read mentioning that. I don’t like my books too gritty, and I don’t like reading about rape, even if it’s only just mentioned. I don’t think I’d be able to stomach this book now. Great review, very informative.
Aw, thanks, Rochelle!! I really hope I’m informative without being too spoilery, you know? It is hard to balance sometimes. >_< AGH.
Cait, I love your considered review so much! The lack of world building was the reason why I took some points off, because even though it’s a “Greco-Roman” world, you still have to address it somehow. Speaking of the trials, it just didn’t make sense! And yes Elias’s hesitance was really confusing. I just don’t know why the empire would train up all these Black Masks from childhood, then make them kill each other? How does that even make any sense at all? Great review, thanks for explaining your thoughts on this one!
I loved this book- I loved the characters, the world building, and the suspense. But I can understand your struggles with it, especially the romance, which I didn’t particularly care for either. Thoughtful review!
Cait I totally see your points, I did enjoy the book, but you are correct about it all, I’m glad that I wasn’t the only one that didn’t totally love the book.
Like you I thought that it should be Helene and Elias. In the Trial 3 I actually thought that it was just a fake vision, that the Augurs had put a glamour of some sort so they THOUGHT it was their friends, I was appalled that it actually ended up being. I thought that it would be exposed when they ripped the shirt from Helene, I thought that it would show that it wasn’t actually her, I was really disappointed because up to that point I actually bought whatever story was being weaved, but as you said, why on earth would they kill off their best students for a mere sport when they are about to be attacked! It cannot be because of the Commandment being nasty because the Trials were not up to her but the Augurs.
I felt all your dilemmas but I just thought that it was lacking because it was the first book in a series, there are some series’ where the first books are kinda disappointing and boring because of the world creation and building but then it gets better in consecutive books, but yes you are right, so many things just don’t add up!
Love your review (copious details are awesome, never fear!), Cait, although it makes me wonder if I will end up liking this as much as I anticipated. I FEAR GORE INTENTLY. Gore and violence and things that don’t really make sense, I notice them and I am dissatisfied. And I didn’t predict this would be as violent as you said, so I’m scared. I think I’ll hesitantly see if my library has it and peek into it there. *nods* x
Trackbacks
[…] Fury: Cait is super funny and so quirky it’s amazing, lol. I love her posts so much, and her reviews are so thorough and thoughtful. Plus, you gotta love that heading. “Read, Write, Rule World.” That speaks to me on a spiritual […]
Looking For Something?
Connect
2018 Reading Challenge
C.G. Drews’s books on Goodreads
A Thousand Perfect Notes
ratings: 614 (avg rating 4.27)
The Boy Who Steals Houses
ratings: 3 (avg rating 5.00)
Archives
Categories
GRAB MY BUTTON