"Thrilling and Frustrating at the Same Time!"
I was surprised by the negative reviews! I thought it was a perfect sequel to a very exciting trilogy! Getting an inside look at the pride, the place where Jacinda should feel the most comfortable, the most at home. However, all the hatred and accusing sentiments toward her for revealing what she is to hunters and, even worse, her falling in love with one! I can feel the anxiety and turmoil Jacinda goes through! If I didn't listen to it I would be skipping the pages just to find out what happens next!
"A Surprisingly Great Dystopian Cinderella Story!"
Most Definitely! It was a great story with a wonderfully strong heroine and two very different love interests vying for her hand! I was very surprised at the easy and almost careless flow of the story. Although I can't see this actually happening in the future (going back to the caste system), I really loved the world she created!
It's hard not to choose the main character, America Singer as the favorite character. She is the one with the most depth and strength of will and mind. However, I really liked Prince Maxon, as well! At first I thought he appeared weak and ineffectual as a secondary love interest, but after reading the book twice, I found him to be sweet and caring. This does not make him weak when comparing him to Aspen who has been toughened by his life as a Six.
My favorite scene was at the end where America kisses Prince Maxon and tells him there is a chance they could become something more, and then Aspen sneaks in her room and she refuses his offer of love. It felt good to see her turn the tables on him!
Yes!
"WOW!! An Amazing Action-Packed Adventure!!"
Definitely!!! I wasn't expecting such a fantastic story when I first purchased it, but it really was a fast-paced adventure ride!
My favorite character has to be Aria! She is an awesome heroine! She may be sheltered and naiive in the beginning, but she undergoes massive growth as a person and strengthens into an impressive figure by the end of the book! She may have started out physically weak, but is her character that is the most strong-willed and determined to protect those she loves. More so than even Perry who always put others before himself!
It took some getting used to her voice. I really didn't like how she did the male characters, especially Perry.
Definitely! I plan to listen to it again!
"No Extreme Points But Kept My Attention"
I have found this book to be the most difficult to describe of all the audiobooks I have listened to so far... If I had to sum the book up in three words it would have to be: One-Dimensional, Confusing, and Entertaining.
The most interesting aspect of the story was the bonds forged between the sister wives. It was the most positive emotions expressed by the narrator towards anyone other than her parents and brother, even that is wrought with saddness (which is to be expected). The least interesting aspect was the romance between Rhine and Gabriel... This really should be one of the best parts of the book, however, it fell flat on its face from the start! I don't think it is possible to really feel in deep connection between the two, especially with her husband sleeping in bed with her almost every night!
Cecily! She did an excellent job capturing her immature and whiny tone! Also, House Master Vaughn sounded very creepy with the voice she gave him!
Not really... It's more of a book you have to take in small doses... I just couldn't take all of the internal monologue and depressing jargon all at once.
"Wonderfully Written Middle Book to This Trilogy!"
It's at least in the top ten, maybe the top five so far!
I really liked reading about Clara and Tucker and Clara with Christian. Christian's character is the most interesting to me of the three. We really find out a lot more about his past and possible future with Clara.
She really does an excellent job with bringing the characters to life!
I did tear up at the end... I won't spoil it for anyone, but the ending was very heartbreaking, because Clara loses more than one important person in her life! I can't wait to find out what happens in the final book! It can't come fast enough!
"Not so much...."
I had read so many great reviews on this book I couldn't resist purchasing it when it went on sale. However, I was very disappointed... The narrator was not very good. I cringed everytime she spoke in Alex's voice. It was just a kind of husky whisper. Not good! Also, the story was very slow going almost throughout! I just could not get into it, especially after the image of the dog dying... Horrific! I understand that was the point to make the reader really see and feel the not so hidden evil of those in charge, but I just couldn't get past it. I also did not like the heroine very much either. Although this terrible regime killed her mother in a brutal way, she still takes FOREVER to finally realize the wrongness and villianous of these people she thinks are "protecting" them from the real horror - Love! And, then like a light switch being turned on, she suddenly switches into anti-government bad girl breaking all the rules when she was just the most comformist there ever was! I just did not see the progression, and the dystopian world did not make sense, really! How and why would any government seek to control our impulse to love?! It isn't possible!
"Love the Story, Hate the Narrator"
I had already read the book, and really looked forward to listening to it on audible. I was very disappointed! The narrator had ZERO emotion in her voice! Save your credit and get the actual book. Your internal voice beats the heck out of this version!
"Loved the Characters Especially the Heroine!"
If any of you were like me, you did not care too much for Rose as a brazen heroine. I was really excited with Richelle Mead's new series, because I liked the overall layout of the world she created of Moroi vamps and damphirs and all. With this new series, we are introduced to a whole new vision into the world through the eyes of the alchemists, the fearful guardians between the world of the vamps and that of the humans. I loved how responsible and smart this heroine is! She doesn't have to beat everyone up to take charge of situations, and she is an excellent role model for all young girls! The only thing I didn't care for in this book was the lack of romance between Adrian. I understood it with all the heartache brought on by his breakup with Rose not to mention the fact that she seriously used him to further her own gains in the VA series, but that is neither here nor there. Bloodlines is an excellent spin off! I suggest everyone listen or read it!
"Even Better Than Bloodlines!"
The story starts off where Bloodlines ended. There is a lot more Adrian, which I LOVED! He is finally getting over Rose, FINALLY, and the romance really starts to heat up between him and Sydney, especially at the very end! I disagree with some critics who say that Sydney is not nearly as strong a main character than her predecessor, Rose. Sydney proves that brains, beauty,and strength can work together quite perfectly in the character of a heroine! The ending is definitely a cliff hanger, leaving us wondering how this forbidden romance can ever work. I am just sad that I have to wait until February to find out what happens next!
"Love, Love, LOVE the story! Hate the Narrator..."
I love the strength of the heroine and the patience and calm of the hero! I hated the narrator! I was hesitant about purchasing this audio version after reading the reviews, and I now see why everyone said how terrible she was. She absolutely ruined one of my favorite scenes when she confesses her lies to Royce.
Definitely!!!!!!!!!!!!