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4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
622 global ratings
5 star
63%
4 star
20%
3 star
9%
2 star
5%
1 star
3%
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Top reviews from the United States

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Blue_eyes
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointed
Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2020
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****spoiler alert****This book disappointed me a little bit. Zea is just too naive sometimes in the book. For example, the whole thing with Ryce, he is definitely manipulating her and she can even see that but she chooses to believe he wants her. Then Berta turns on her several times and how she speaks to Zea is just awful bit Zea just over looks it. I was hoping Zea would be more of a badass. Yah she does a good job trying to defend herself but that's all you get for a girl that wants to change the world. And I was hoping prince kevon would be more perspective on what Zea says and not be so clueless all the time. Also how vindictive those girls are, is so wrong. At least have Zea be better on thinking on her feet and be more aggressive to them. I'll probably read the second book in hoping it gets better. I didn't really want it to be JUST like the selection but a version of it that is more badass and not so damsel in distress.
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C Singleton
3.0 out of 5 stars Good concept, but overwhelmingly negative characters
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020
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I'm not 100% sure how I feel about this book. I like the general concept of the series, but it is frustrating to see so many despicable characters. From the queen to the royal guards, the elite society and even the commoners - everyone one of them is hateful, back-stabbing and cruel. Even Katniss had Peeta! In this book, the only person you root for is the heroine.
I have decided to read the second book when it is released, mostly with the hope of seeing all of these terrible characters come face to face with karma
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yaybooks26
3.0 out of 5 stars Unhinged plot that established a fantastic base for the upcoming books.
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2020
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The development of the protagonist was exceptionally well done. Zia's failure to see the manipulative nature of her childhood crush was exceptionally realistic, as it can be hard to see the flaws of the objects of our infatuation. Her hot headedness seems a little explosive, which was surprising given her early successful attempts at self control, but understandable, given the intensely stressful nature of these trials. However, I found issue with the lack of development for almost all other key characters. There was little to no complexity to them, and I am hoping that an added depth will be revealed in future books. I also find several of the events to be completely unhinged and random, as if they're just there to add drama without contributing anything to the plot. I hope that the events of the next book have a stronger sense of purpose.
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cgable3
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t Put Down
Reviewed in the United States on June 20, 2020
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This book was fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the story. I think the characters are well written and there is a good balance to the writing. I was really looking forward to reading the book and it did not disappoint.

Zea is a fascinating character. She has so much innocence to her and yet she wants to fight for a revolution that she does not full understand. She lives in the lowest echelon in their society, the harvesters, and despite her life not being easy and living on rations they are better off then the counseling’s who have no part in this society. I don’t think she fully understand what she want to fight for and this becomes more complicated after she goes to the Oasis. She thinks the fight is just about rations of water and food, but it becomes more than that. They is an evil that underlies the society in the higher echelon and she is going to have to decide where her fight lies and how she wants to be the catalyst of change.

She can be far too trusting throughout the book and I think this is in part a good quality. She is able to see the good, or at least look for the good, in several characters that would otherwise be barely mentionable. Her relationship with Prince Kevon is really very simple, but is made complicated because she has a crush on a boy from her region. This other boy and his mother, as you can see from the beginning, uses and manipulates Zea’s feelings to get her to do what they think will start a revolution. Zea is swept up in their thinking and is almost blinded by what they have told her. While what happens in their region is wrong and the class system is wrong, she doesn’t see that she can have more power if she plays the games and wins, instead of starting a revolution.
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bookworm
5.0 out of 5 stars Truly wonderful...
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2020
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I’ve been on a bit of a Royals kick lately, and just assumed this would be in the same vein...boy was I wrong! Intrigue, deception, and the questioning of morality vs justice are all woven beautifully into this post-apocalyptic anti-fairytale. Zea is a truly complex character who faces trials at every turn that challenge the strength of her convictions as well as her heart. My only regret is that book two isn’t out yet! I highly recommend this book.
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Leah Blaha
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2020
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I don't usually write reviews about books, but this one just needs to be written. Zea is my new heroine and I cannot wait for August to read the second book in the trilogy. Nothing made sense, but in a very good way.I couldn't figure anything out and nothing is as it seems. Friends are enemies and Zea just cannot catch a break. She needs a win and I hope she gets it!
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Kathy L
5.0 out of 5 stars What is the truth????
Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2020
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Just when you think someone is your friend, they betray you or stab you in the back. It is not a safe place to be amongst a bunch of beautiful young women rom various stations or echelons competing for the role of the prince's bride. Who will be the next queen? Can't wait to read the rest of the series.
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Top reviews from other countries

Paula Pike
5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!
Reviewed in Canada on May 16, 2020
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I must say, it’s been awhile since I’ve enjoyed a book this much. It was just soooooo good! The best way to describe it is to compare it to The Selection series. That series was tea parties and petty rivalry, while this one is anger, murder, revenge and bad girls gone psychotic! It was so real in its depiction of a possible future for the world, and the characters were so vibrant and endearing. I loved every single word and read it in record time. A definite must read! Killing me to wait for the next book!!!
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elysia.h
3.0 out of 5 stars Had potential but failed to hit the mark
Reviewed in Australia on September 22, 2020
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This had a really promising storyline, but it just failed to hit the mark. The idea was great, but there was so much that was unrealistic about the characters and what happens. Teens might enjoy this but it’s too cliche for adults.
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Larissa Ambrose
5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down
Reviewed in Australia on August 4, 2020
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I love the story telling, I could picture the trials and always wanted to know what happened next! Can't wait for the next book!!
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