"Review My Books" Review by Emily
DROWNED
Drowned #1
by Nichola Reilly
Series: A Drowned Novel (Book 1)
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (June 24, 2014)
Goodreads | Amazon
Drowned was sent to me by Andye @ Reading Teen because she was unable to finish/not interested in some books she had but thought they deserved to be reviewed! Thank you, Andye, because I really enjoyed Drowned. Here are my thoughts...
Drowned started out slow for me. I was kind of annoyed because I was suddenly thrust into this dystopian world that I knew nothing about and it wasn't explained very well. I still am not sure how the world came to be ruined by tides (it was never explained completely) but I did like the story once I pushed past that.
I started to enjoy the book at about 100 pages in. I know, for some of you, that you wouldn't have read that far if you didn't like it, but I was determined to not give up on this book. Coe, the main character, is invited to become a royal aide for the princess. I'm not quite sure how this dystopian world came to have a princess and a king, but I love and princess-y story so this made me happy (well, it did at first..)
The first chapter that the princess was introduced in, I liked. However, the more we saw her, the more I started to dislike her. I really loved the friendship/relationship between Coe and Tiam and the princess only got in the way of that. By the end of the book, I was like, "oh great, her again."
I really liked all of the other characters, though. Coe was generally likable, although it seemed like a lot of the characters in the book did not like her. Some of the things she did were reckless but for the most part she was brave and intelligent. I was confused about how she lost her arm, though. It's clearly stated in the beginning and also is seen on the cover of the book, but I didn't think it was explained very well. It's just a vague "she had an accident" type of thing and I wasn't a big fan of that, per se.
I loved Tiam. I wish he would have made his move earlier, because by the time he does, it's too late. I also wish we would have seen a bit more of him in this book because I loved when he and Coe were together.
I love when dystopian books have characters who don't know what certain things are-- like mirrors, and soap. It really makes me take a step back and think about what the world would be like without those things. Most of the characters in this book didn't even know how to read. That really surprised me and made me fearful of what might happen in the future.. people not knowing how to read? Crazy.
This book is left in a major cliffhanger. I was not expecting it at all but I knew, when I only had ten pages left and things weren't resolved, that I was not going to happy. I was really invested in this story by the end of it and I'm now dying for the sequel. Although I felt like a lot of details were missing, I loved reading about the world. I wish there would also be a prequel so we understand how all of this came to be. I think I would rate this book 3.5-4/5 stars. I enjoyed it once things picked up.
And here is the link to the review on my blog: http://teaandfangirling.blogspot.com/2014/07/review-drowned-by-nichola-reilly.html?m=0
Drowned #1
by Nichola Reilly
Series: A Drowned Novel (Book 1)
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Teen (June 24, 2014)
Goodreads | Amazon
Coe is one of the few remaining teenagers on the island of Tides. Deformed and weak, she is constantly reminded that in a world where dry land dwindles at every high tide, she is not welcome. The only bright spot in her harsh and difficult life is the strong, capable Tiam—but love has long ago been forgotten by her society. The only priority is survival.
Until the day their King falls ill, leaving no male heir to take his place. Unrest grows, and for reasons Coe cannot comprehend, she is invited into the privileged circle of royal aides. She soon learns that the dying royal is keeping a secret that will change their world forever.
Is there an escape from the horrific nightmare that their island home has become? Coe must race to find the answers and save the people she cares about, before their world and everything they know is lost to the waters.
Drowned was sent to me by Andye @ Reading Teen because she was unable to finish/not interested in some books she had but thought they deserved to be reviewed! Thank you, Andye, because I really enjoyed Drowned. Here are my thoughts...
Drowned started out slow for me. I was kind of annoyed because I was suddenly thrust into this dystopian world that I knew nothing about and it wasn't explained very well. I still am not sure how the world came to be ruined by tides (it was never explained completely) but I did like the story once I pushed past that.
I started to enjoy the book at about 100 pages in. I know, for some of you, that you wouldn't have read that far if you didn't like it, but I was determined to not give up on this book. Coe, the main character, is invited to become a royal aide for the princess. I'm not quite sure how this dystopian world came to have a princess and a king, but I love and princess-y story so this made me happy (well, it did at first..)
The first chapter that the princess was introduced in, I liked. However, the more we saw her, the more I started to dislike her. I really loved the friendship/relationship between Coe and Tiam and the princess only got in the way of that. By the end of the book, I was like, "oh great, her again."
I really liked all of the other characters, though. Coe was generally likable, although it seemed like a lot of the characters in the book did not like her. Some of the things she did were reckless but for the most part she was brave and intelligent. I was confused about how she lost her arm, though. It's clearly stated in the beginning and also is seen on the cover of the book, but I didn't think it was explained very well. It's just a vague "she had an accident" type of thing and I wasn't a big fan of that, per se.
I loved Tiam. I wish he would have made his move earlier, because by the time he does, it's too late. I also wish we would have seen a bit more of him in this book because I loved when he and Coe were together.
I love when dystopian books have characters who don't know what certain things are-- like mirrors, and soap. It really makes me take a step back and think about what the world would be like without those things. Most of the characters in this book didn't even know how to read. That really surprised me and made me fearful of what might happen in the future.. people not knowing how to read? Crazy.
This book is left in a major cliffhanger. I was not expecting it at all but I knew, when I only had ten pages left and things weren't resolved, that I was not going to happy. I was really invested in this story by the end of it and I'm now dying for the sequel. Although I felt like a lot of details were missing, I loved reading about the world. I wish there would also be a prequel so we understand how all of this came to be. I think I would rate this book 3.5-4/5 stars. I enjoyed it once things picked up.
Emily
I agree that it was slow to start. It picked up about 1/2 way through for me. You liked it a bit more than I did. I had some issues with it which I discussed in my review. The end is definitely a cliff hanger and I am looking forward to seeing where the next book goes. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHmm. I'm still not sure whether I'll pick this one up! Maybe if I see it around in the library.
ReplyDeleteI am still debating whether I do or don't want to read it. For me, it reminds me of another book by Julie Kagawa, called Exodus. I really enjoyed that trilogy but I'm unsure if I am ready to go into another too similar to it.
ReplyDeletehttp://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/08/perfect-portugal.html