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Alskad Empire Chronicles #1
The Diminished
In the Alskad Empire, nearly all are born with a twin, two halves to form one whole…yet some face the world alone.
The singleborn
A rare few are singleborn in each generation, and therefore given the right to rule by the gods and goddesses. Bo Trousillion is one of these few, born into the royal line and destined to rule. Though he has been chosen to succeed his great-aunt, Queen Runa, as the leader of the Alskad Empire, Bo has never felt equal to the grand future before him.
The diminished
When one twin dies, the other usually follows, unable to face the world without their other half. Those who survive are considered diminished, doomed to succumb to the violent grief that inevitably destroys everyone whose twin has died. Such is the fate of Vi Abernathy, whose twin sister died in infancy. Raised by the anchorites of the temple after her family cast her off, Vi has spent her whole life scheming for a way to escape and live out what's left of her life in peace.
As their sixteenth birthdays approach, Bo and Vi face very different futures—one a life of luxury as the heir to the throne, the other years of backbreaking work as a temple servant. But a long-held secret and the fate of the empire are destined to bring them together in a way they never could have imagined.
The singleborn
A rare few are singleborn in each generation, and therefore given the right to rule by the gods and goddesses. Bo Trousillion is one of these few, born into the royal line and destined to rule. Though he has been chosen to succeed his great-aunt, Queen Runa, as the leader of the Alskad Empire, Bo has never felt equal to the grand future before him.
The diminished
When one twin dies, the other usually follows, unable to face the world without their other half. Those who survive are considered diminished, doomed to succumb to the violent grief that inevitably destroys everyone whose twin has died. Such is the fate of Vi Abernathy, whose twin sister died in infancy. Raised by the anchorites of the temple after her family cast her off, Vi has spent her whole life scheming for a way to escape and live out what's left of her life in peace.
As their sixteenth birthdays approach, Bo and Vi face very different futures—one a life of luxury as the heir to the throne, the other years of backbreaking work as a temple servant. But a long-held secret and the fate of the empire are destined to bring them together in a way they never could have imagined.
454 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2018
89 people are currently reading
6402 people want to read
About the author
Kaitlyn Sage Patterson
10 books123 followersKaitlyn Sage Patterson grew up with her nose in a book outside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. After completing her M.F.A., she moved to South Korea, where she taught English and started writing her debut novel. THE DIMINISHED will be published by HarlequinTEEN in April 2018, followed by its sequel in 2019.
When she's not staring off into space and trying to untangle some particularly troublesome plot point, she can be found in her kitchen, perfecting the art of the macaron; or at the barn, where she rides and trains dressage horses; or with her husband, spoiling their sweet rescue dogs.
When she's not staring off into space and trying to untangle some particularly troublesome plot point, she can be found in her kitchen, perfecting the art of the macaron; or at the barn, where she rides and trains dressage horses; or with her husband, spoiling their sweet rescue dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
May 3, 2018
3 stars for this new YA fantasy, the first half of a duology. Review first posted on Fantasy Literature:
A shattered moon, broken into two halves, is featured on the cover of The Diminished, Kaitlyn Sage Patterson’s debut YA fantasy novel. It’s an apt symbol for the world created in this novel: the vast majority of people are born as twins, with a mystical emotional tie between them. The chapters alternate between the points of view of two sixteen year old characters at opposite end of society: defiant Vi, one of the diminished, and kindhearted Bo, the designated heir to the throne.
When one twin dies, sooner or later the other twin almost invariably falls into a profound and often murderously violent grief, unable to cope with life without their twin. Vi Abernathy is one of these surviving twins, called the diminished or (derogatively) dimmies; her twin Prudence died soon after birth. Though Vi has never lost herself to the dangerous grief that is typical of the diminished, her parents abandoned her in childhood to a brutal life of indentured service to the temple. Her only solace is her friendship with Sawny, another temple servant, and the thought that one day she will escape the slavery of the temple and live free.
Oddly enough, considering the low estate of the diminished in the Alskad Empire, children who are born single, without a twin, are part of the upper crust of society. Only a singleborn person can rule the empire. Representing this small social group is Bo Trousillion, a teenager who is designated as the heir to the throne by his great-aunt, Queen Runa. Despite his life of privilege, Bo is a kindhearted young man. He’s in love with his handsome but inconsistent cousin Claes. Being gay in the Alskad Empire doesn’t raise any eyebrows at all, though Bo, as the heir to the throne, is nevertheless pressured to marry soon after his sixteenth birthday.
When Vi is caught with a secret stash of pearls that she was supposed to gather only for the temple, she’s offered a choice between life as one of the dreaded Shriven or a years-long sentence to temple servitude in the distant colony of Ilor, where the harsh life of temple slavery is generally a death sentence. But on the lengthy journey across the ocean to Ilor, Vi concocts a new plan. Meanwhile Bo gradually (and very belatedly) becomes aware that his life is in danger, especially after a secret is revealed to him that may alter not only his life, but the course of the kingdom.
The Diminished has an intriguing concept in the concept of a twin-based society and its various side effects on the people of that society. Its impact was lessened somewhat because I was never able to entirely buy into the fundamental notion of the diminished, partly because it was unclear, for most of the book, whether it is an actual devastating grief (because of the MAGIC!connection) or just social conditioning that makes the diminished lose their sanity and will to live. A third reason is suggested near the end of the novel, at least for some portion of the population, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in the pending sequel.
The pacing of The Diminished lags in several places, and overall it felt a little flat. Vi is an angry, rebellious soul, most justifiably so, but she expends too much of her energy in impulsive and pointless defiance. Bo, on the other hand, is too naïve, trusting where the situation calls for suspiciousness. But both characters are learning and growing through their experiences. Each one finds a love interest; Bo’s queerness is presented matter-of-factly and not as his defining characteristic.
A strong point in The Diminished is its thoughtful treatment of the issues of colonialism, slavery and agency. We see the dualism of society, the haves and have-nots, and desperation for freedom both on an individual level, through Vi’s eyes, and on a group level, where not only those who have lost their twins are forced into a diminished role in this society. The novel ends with some plot threads resolved but much of the story yet to be told in the still-unnamed sequel to this duology, due to be published in 2019.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Harlequin Teen, for review. Thanks!
A shattered moon, broken into two halves, is featured on the cover of The Diminished, Kaitlyn Sage Patterson’s debut YA fantasy novel. It’s an apt symbol for the world created in this novel: the vast majority of people are born as twins, with a mystical emotional tie between them. The chapters alternate between the points of view of two sixteen year old characters at opposite end of society: defiant Vi, one of the diminished, and kindhearted Bo, the designated heir to the throne.
When one twin dies, sooner or later the other twin almost invariably falls into a profound and often murderously violent grief, unable to cope with life without their twin. Vi Abernathy is one of these surviving twins, called the diminished or (derogatively) dimmies; her twin Prudence died soon after birth. Though Vi has never lost herself to the dangerous grief that is typical of the diminished, her parents abandoned her in childhood to a brutal life of indentured service to the temple. Her only solace is her friendship with Sawny, another temple servant, and the thought that one day she will escape the slavery of the temple and live free.
Oddly enough, considering the low estate of the diminished in the Alskad Empire, children who are born single, without a twin, are part of the upper crust of society. Only a singleborn person can rule the empire. Representing this small social group is Bo Trousillion, a teenager who is designated as the heir to the throne by his great-aunt, Queen Runa. Despite his life of privilege, Bo is a kindhearted young man. He’s in love with his handsome but inconsistent cousin Claes. Being gay in the Alskad Empire doesn’t raise any eyebrows at all, though Bo, as the heir to the throne, is nevertheless pressured to marry soon after his sixteenth birthday.
When Vi is caught with a secret stash of pearls that she was supposed to gather only for the temple, she’s offered a choice between life as one of the dreaded Shriven or a years-long sentence to temple servitude in the distant colony of Ilor, where the harsh life of temple slavery is generally a death sentence. But on the lengthy journey across the ocean to Ilor, Vi concocts a new plan. Meanwhile Bo gradually (and very belatedly) becomes aware that his life is in danger, especially after a secret is revealed to him that may alter not only his life, but the course of the kingdom.
The Diminished has an intriguing concept in the concept of a twin-based society and its various side effects on the people of that society. Its impact was lessened somewhat because I was never able to entirely buy into the fundamental notion of the diminished, partly because it was unclear, for most of the book, whether it is an actual devastating grief (because of the MAGIC!connection) or just social conditioning that makes the diminished lose their sanity and will to live. A third reason is suggested near the end of the novel, at least for some portion of the population, and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in the pending sequel.
The pacing of The Diminished lags in several places, and overall it felt a little flat. Vi is an angry, rebellious soul, most justifiably so, but she expends too much of her energy in impulsive and pointless defiance. Bo, on the other hand, is too naïve, trusting where the situation calls for suspiciousness. But both characters are learning and growing through their experiences. Each one finds a love interest; Bo’s queerness is presented matter-of-factly and not as his defining characteristic.
A strong point in The Diminished is its thoughtful treatment of the issues of colonialism, slavery and agency. We see the dualism of society, the haves and have-nots, and desperation for freedom both on an individual level, through Vi’s eyes, and on a group level, where not only those who have lost their twins are forced into a diminished role in this society. The novel ends with some plot threads resolved but much of the story yet to be told in the still-unnamed sequel to this duology, due to be published in 2019.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher, Harlequin Teen, for review. Thanks!
June 28, 2018
This novel was something unique; the plot idea is unlike anything I've read before and the world building was a class act. The details here, large and small, were truly breathtaking and I commend the author for shining a light on so many overlooked themes, like platonic relationships and normalizing non-traditional families. The representation was really well done, and although the story was quite slow for awhile, it picked up after the first half and I zoomed right through. The cover is simply gorgeous and truly fits the book's aesthetic well, so kudos to the people who were in charge of designing it! I felt the romance was middle of the road for me; it was nice and fine but I also felt it wasn't memorable. I'm truly interested to see how the author's writing grows in the next novel, as I think she's one of the most forward thinking and original storytellers I've read lately.
Review copy was furnished by the publisher via NetGalley.
Review copy was furnished by the publisher via NetGalley.
April 7, 2018
The Diminished by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson is the first book in what seems to be an untitled as yet young adult fantasy duology. The story takes place in a world known as the Alskad Empire where the vast majority of births result in twins with the very rare singleborn birth.
Bo Trousillion was a singleborn which has put him in the running to take over the thrown one day. Any singleborn would be eligible to be chosen but since the current queen is Bo’s great-aunt he knows he will be the chosen one and is in training learning all about the court politics and what the job will entail and living in luxury.
Vi Abernathy on the other hand was born a twin but her sibling passed shortly after birth making her a diminished. Those that lose their other half or twin are walking time bombs known to lose their minds once separated so Vi’s mother gave her over to the temple where she has been raised.
The book picks up Vi and Bo’s lives as they are both nearing their sixteenth birthdays alternating the point of view between the two and their very different lives. For me this was a bit of a slow starter as the story begins to unfold, however once it got going the world and characters were quite interesting.
There were a lot of different elements to this one once it gets going with focusing on both sides of the world. And being a Harlequin title it was no surprise to find romance in this fantasy with a lot of relationships being built with the characters as their stories go along. By the time it was over I was quite ready to see where the characters head in the next book of the series.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Edelweiss.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Bo Trousillion was a singleborn which has put him in the running to take over the thrown one day. Any singleborn would be eligible to be chosen but since the current queen is Bo’s great-aunt he knows he will be the chosen one and is in training learning all about the court politics and what the job will entail and living in luxury.
Vi Abernathy on the other hand was born a twin but her sibling passed shortly after birth making her a diminished. Those that lose their other half or twin are walking time bombs known to lose their minds once separated so Vi’s mother gave her over to the temple where she has been raised.
The book picks up Vi and Bo’s lives as they are both nearing their sixteenth birthdays alternating the point of view between the two and their very different lives. For me this was a bit of a slow starter as the story begins to unfold, however once it got going the world and characters were quite interesting.
There were a lot of different elements to this one once it gets going with focusing on both sides of the world. And being a Harlequin title it was no surprise to find romance in this fantasy with a lot of relationships being built with the characters as their stories go along. By the time it was over I was quite ready to see where the characters head in the next book of the series.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via Edelweiss.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
April 10, 2018
4 stars!
I thoroughly enjoyed The Diminished and found it to be a solid debut novel that had me on the edge of my seat by the final chapters!
The Diminished follows two main characters, Vi Abernathy and Bo Trousillion. Vi is one of the diminished, having lost her twin at a young age and raised in the temple amongst other diminished and orphans. Bo, on the other hand, is single-born, destined to be named heir to the crown of the Alskad Empire. The Diminished is truly a tale of two cities - despite growing up within miles of each other - Vi and Bo have been dealt very different hands. However, their lives will come to twine around each other in ways neither would have expected.
I did feel that the pacing was a bit slow at first, as the story's premise was gradually set and the world was built. I was a little weary as I felt as though there wasn't a whole lot happening during the initial chapters, but the story makes up for it later on. Stick with it!
There are several societal and historical elements touched upon in this book and I enjoyed the way the author related each one, even if only subtly. First, was the LGBT representation. One of the main characters is gay, but it's never made into a big deal, it doesn't overtake the storyline. It's totally acceptable in this culture and I loved the way it was handled. Second, women in traditionally male roles. Again, no big deal. If anything, it was mentioned as odd when a man held a traditionally female role in this world. That's just how things are (right on!). Third, the racism connection. In this world, people are not mistreated for the color of their skin, but instead the status of their twin (or lack thereof). Those who have lost a twin are treated as dangerous scum, followed by the superstition that they could succumb to the grief of their loss at any moment and essentially go postal on those around them. I felt like this representation connected well with the racism seen in the world today. Fourth, the connection to the slave trade. There is an island colony in the Alskad Empire where the impoverished travel to find work. While they are not necessarily forced to travel there - their contracts (typically sold via a "broker") last years at a time and many are sent to work on the plantations across the island. Many never live to see the end of their contract. In general, the author has done a fine job taking very real elements and weaving them seamlessly into this fantasy world.
Lastly, this is a novel driven by its characters. While Vi and Bo's stories are thoroughly interesting, they meet some fantastic secondary characters along their journeys that help to fine tune this story into the gem it is. I loved the banter and relationships built between Mal, Quill and Swinton - plus there are other characters I just need to learn more about and discover the status of! There is a healthy dose of mystery to this story that is very central to the characters and I cannot wait to see where things go!
I received this copy from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
View review on my blog Library in the Country
"I came up feared and hated for a thing I had no control over in a world divided."
I thoroughly enjoyed The Diminished and found it to be a solid debut novel that had me on the edge of my seat by the final chapters!
The Diminished follows two main characters, Vi Abernathy and Bo Trousillion. Vi is one of the diminished, having lost her twin at a young age and raised in the temple amongst other diminished and orphans. Bo, on the other hand, is single-born, destined to be named heir to the crown of the Alskad Empire. The Diminished is truly a tale of two cities - despite growing up within miles of each other - Vi and Bo have been dealt very different hands. However, their lives will come to twine around each other in ways neither would have expected.
I did feel that the pacing was a bit slow at first, as the story's premise was gradually set and the world was built. I was a little weary as I felt as though there wasn't a whole lot happening during the initial chapters, but the story makes up for it later on. Stick with it!
There are several societal and historical elements touched upon in this book and I enjoyed the way the author related each one, even if only subtly. First, was the LGBT representation. One of the main characters is gay, but it's never made into a big deal, it doesn't overtake the storyline. It's totally acceptable in this culture and I loved the way it was handled. Second, women in traditionally male roles. Again, no big deal. If anything, it was mentioned as odd when a man held a traditionally female role in this world. That's just how things are (right on!). Third, the racism connection. In this world, people are not mistreated for the color of their skin, but instead the status of their twin (or lack thereof). Those who have lost a twin are treated as dangerous scum, followed by the superstition that they could succumb to the grief of their loss at any moment and essentially go postal on those around them. I felt like this representation connected well with the racism seen in the world today. Fourth, the connection to the slave trade. There is an island colony in the Alskad Empire where the impoverished travel to find work. While they are not necessarily forced to travel there - their contracts (typically sold via a "broker") last years at a time and many are sent to work on the plantations across the island. Many never live to see the end of their contract. In general, the author has done a fine job taking very real elements and weaving them seamlessly into this fantasy world.
Lastly, this is a novel driven by its characters. While Vi and Bo's stories are thoroughly interesting, they meet some fantastic secondary characters along their journeys that help to fine tune this story into the gem it is. I loved the banter and relationships built between Mal, Quill and Swinton - plus there are other characters I just need to learn more about and discover the status of! There is a healthy dose of mystery to this story that is very central to the characters and I cannot wait to see where things go!
I received this copy from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
View review on my blog Library in the Country
August 2, 2020
Thank you so much to HarlequinTeen and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this lovely debut by Kaitlyn Sage Patterson. The world-building in this in debut fantasy novel is unique and complex. Vi and Bo grow up in very different situations on a world where nearly all births are now twins. Even the MOON has split in half with its own twin staring down at you from the sky. Bo is celebrated as a singleton birth and a future king. Vi, whose twin died, is a Diminished, cast out and forced into servitude. They’re both approaching their sixteenth birthday, and starting to question the truths they’ve always been told. The prose Patterson uses is quite lovely. I really enjoyed her word choices, and in particular she has a knack for foods. Yum! This is a great book for you if you love palace intrigue and complex political situations.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author.
Please excuse typos/name misspellings. Entered on screen reader.
April 9, 2018
Vi has lived her whole life a diminished since her twin died so young. Her whole life she has spent tampering down her temper and envying all the twins, not because of the privileges they have, but for the wholeness they have. Bo is a singleborn and soon to be named heir to the throne of Asklad. Their lives somehow intertwine despite the fact that Vi is headed to a life of servitude and Bo a life of luxury.
The Story
This story wasn’t much like anything I read, however, that doesn’t mean it was the best thing I read. The biggest feat this book provided was a complex world that I haven’t seen in any other book. Unfortunately world building isn’t everything, and the lack of a plot that actually created the desire to continue the book had me wishing that the story would just get on with it.
The pacing was a little off kilter, as sometimes having multiple POV can cause. There were times where one character had several chapters dedicated to their voyage over, while the other character has little mention to the same voyage. Too much time was spent on food. I’m not joking, there were so many moments in the book where the author spent a lot of time describing the food they ate. While it adds to some aesthetic appeal in the world, it didn’t actually add anything to the actual story.
The World Building
The Alskad empire provided quite a bit of world building. There is a rich history that we are briefly introduced on that explains why everyone, except the select few chosen to rule, is born with a twin. I wish it was explained a bit more thoroughly the ramifications early on what the loss of someone’s twin can cause, not just the fact that they are called a dimmy, looked down upon, and at some point succumb to a rage. I did love the idea of the connection that the twins could feel from each other and what it meant to the relationship they had and how it built them as a characters.
I think one of the biggest points this book offers is a world where there is LGTBQA+ rep that naturally flows. Because a singleborn can be born from anyone, not just an already established royal family, it was not stressed for royal relationships to be hetero to provide further heirs to the empire. With that understanding, the culture of the people seemed to be open to whatever orientation someone chose, without batting a lash or making a big deal out of it. It was simply a normality.
Another aspect that was woven in was the oldfashioned male/female roles were reversed. Jobs such as “papergirl” or the captain of a ship being a woman were just a few ways that emphasized the point of the traditional male dominate world was not coalescent with the one featured in the book.
The Characters
Bo-Though he was such a naive little brat, his intentions are good, so he falls into what most may consider the cinnamon roll category. The entire time I wanted to slap his hand and tell him to stop being so trusting and put him in my back pocket for safe keeping. His vulnerability made him sweet and likable.
Vi-This girl has the fierce loyalty that everyone wants in a best friend. I enjoyed reading her character arc as she went from a girl focused on just surviving to a girl with a mission.
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The Story
This story wasn’t much like anything I read, however, that doesn’t mean it was the best thing I read. The biggest feat this book provided was a complex world that I haven’t seen in any other book. Unfortunately world building isn’t everything, and the lack of a plot that actually created the desire to continue the book had me wishing that the story would just get on with it.
The pacing was a little off kilter, as sometimes having multiple POV can cause. There were times where one character had several chapters dedicated to their voyage over, while the other character has little mention to the same voyage. Too much time was spent on food. I’m not joking, there were so many moments in the book where the author spent a lot of time describing the food they ate. While it adds to some aesthetic appeal in the world, it didn’t actually add anything to the actual story.
The World Building
The Alskad empire provided quite a bit of world building. There is a rich history that we are briefly introduced on that explains why everyone, except the select few chosen to rule, is born with a twin. I wish it was explained a bit more thoroughly the ramifications early on what the loss of someone’s twin can cause, not just the fact that they are called a dimmy, looked down upon, and at some point succumb to a rage. I did love the idea of the connection that the twins could feel from each other and what it meant to the relationship they had and how it built them as a characters.
I think one of the biggest points this book offers is a world where there is LGTBQA+ rep that naturally flows. Because a singleborn can be born from anyone, not just an already established royal family, it was not stressed for royal relationships to be hetero to provide further heirs to the empire. With that understanding, the culture of the people seemed to be open to whatever orientation someone chose, without batting a lash or making a big deal out of it. It was simply a normality.
Another aspect that was woven in was the oldfashioned male/female roles were reversed. Jobs such as “papergirl” or the captain of a ship being a woman were just a few ways that emphasized the point of the traditional male dominate world was not coalescent with the one featured in the book.
The Characters
Bo-Though he was such a naive little brat, his intentions are good, so he falls into what most may consider the cinnamon roll category. The entire time I wanted to slap his hand and tell him to stop being so trusting and put him in my back pocket for safe keeping. His vulnerability made him sweet and likable.
Vi-This girl has the fierce loyalty that everyone wants in a best friend. I enjoyed reading her character arc as she went from a girl focused on just surviving to a girl with a mission.
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January 30, 2018
Showing my cards up front: I've read this book several times as a beta reader. But if you like, you may check my other reviews to see that I very rarely leave comments, and very rarely leave 5* reviews. I could've given this 4*, said nothing, and the author would've been pleased.
But this isn't a 4* book, for several reasons.
The world building is phenomenal, a riff on colonialism that combines and recreates in interesting ways (the Alskad empire is resonant of the Austrian empire circa 1850, the colonies something like Cuba and Madagascar and India rolled together, with plantations from the American South, the capital sort of Londony, but the convent Vi grows up in has the barren, rocky seascapes of Wales or Ireland). She does great things with flora and fauna, with technology, and especially with food. If like me you enjoy reading about interesting food in books, Patterson has you covered.
The plotting is quick and mysterious and driven by concern for our main characters. There's a conspiracy afoot, one which threatens to shake the empire to its core, and unbeknownst to our protagonists they are the only ones who can prevent war on one side and totalitarian control and slavery on the other.
But it's the characters who really sell the book. The rest is just window dressing if you don't care for them, and the author has excelled here. Vi is a female lead who evades that "strong female lead" stereotype because she won't accept that there's anything unusual about her strength. She *is* strong, mentally and physically, and not very attractive nor very interested in making herself be (though the plot will force her into situations where this is a necessity; Vi doesn't always get to play to her strengths). She's very results-oriented in a way that only male characters are usually allowed to be in YA lit. She's been abandoned, left to the madness and death that afflict people whose twin has died, but she perseveres, and that's her biggest trait: perseverance. That underdog fighting spirit is what's most endearing about her.
Then there's Bo, a wealthy, coddled aristocrat who is one of a half dozen that may be selected as heir to the empire. But he's not a very good schemer or pleaser of people; he's earnest and kind and too trusting. Not a good politician, in other words. These things that make him more human (and also less stereotypically male) will be challenged by people around him; he'll need to deal with evil people without losing himself in the process. The other thing about Bo, and it's handled so matter of factly, so adroitly, is that he's gay and that's not a big deal. I can't tell you how many gay characters I've read who have that as their single defining feature. Bo is gay in the same way that Vi is cisgender, and that's that. This may be my favorite part about Bo - how natural his sexuality is. More characters like this please.
I don't want to reveal too much of the plot, because that's a big part of the pleasure of this novel, but I will add that the author challenges traditional foundations of power - nobility, sex, gender, church, wealth - in refreshing and exciting ways. You haven't read a book quite like this before, and you absolutely owe it to yourself not to miss this one.
But this isn't a 4* book, for several reasons.
The world building is phenomenal, a riff on colonialism that combines and recreates in interesting ways (the Alskad empire is resonant of the Austrian empire circa 1850, the colonies something like Cuba and Madagascar and India rolled together, with plantations from the American South, the capital sort of Londony, but the convent Vi grows up in has the barren, rocky seascapes of Wales or Ireland). She does great things with flora and fauna, with technology, and especially with food. If like me you enjoy reading about interesting food in books, Patterson has you covered.
The plotting is quick and mysterious and driven by concern for our main characters. There's a conspiracy afoot, one which threatens to shake the empire to its core, and unbeknownst to our protagonists they are the only ones who can prevent war on one side and totalitarian control and slavery on the other.
But it's the characters who really sell the book. The rest is just window dressing if you don't care for them, and the author has excelled here. Vi is a female lead who evades that "strong female lead" stereotype because she won't accept that there's anything unusual about her strength. She *is* strong, mentally and physically, and not very attractive nor very interested in making herself be (though the plot will force her into situations where this is a necessity; Vi doesn't always get to play to her strengths). She's very results-oriented in a way that only male characters are usually allowed to be in YA lit. She's been abandoned, left to the madness and death that afflict people whose twin has died, but she perseveres, and that's her biggest trait: perseverance. That underdog fighting spirit is what's most endearing about her.
Then there's Bo, a wealthy, coddled aristocrat who is one of a half dozen that may be selected as heir to the empire. But he's not a very good schemer or pleaser of people; he's earnest and kind and too trusting. Not a good politician, in other words. These things that make him more human (and also less stereotypically male) will be challenged by people around him; he'll need to deal with evil people without losing himself in the process. The other thing about Bo, and it's handled so matter of factly, so adroitly, is that he's gay and that's not a big deal. I can't tell you how many gay characters I've read who have that as their single defining feature. Bo is gay in the same way that Vi is cisgender, and that's that. This may be my favorite part about Bo - how natural his sexuality is. More characters like this please.
I don't want to reveal too much of the plot, because that's a big part of the pleasure of this novel, but I will add that the author challenges traditional foundations of power - nobility, sex, gender, church, wealth - in refreshing and exciting ways. You haven't read a book quite like this before, and you absolutely owe it to yourself not to miss this one.
December 27, 2017
I really enjoyed the inclusive nature of this story. Too often when authors try and integrate LGBTQ, it becomes the whole story. The Diminished allows characters to be who they are and allows women to succeed in traditionally male roles without making a fuss.
The mix of steampunk and fantasy got a bit convoluted at times, but mostly because I just wanted more. Are there other solar vehicles besides the steamships? Do some born differently really have magical powers? The mixture of genres didn't pull me out of the story, it simply left me pouting in the corner wanting more boats with pretty sails.
The Diminished is a shockingly quick read with a truly unique premise. I look forward to seeing where the next book will lead.
The mix of steampunk and fantasy got a bit convoluted at times, but mostly because I just wanted more. Are there other solar vehicles besides the steamships? Do some born differently really have magical powers? The mixture of genres didn't pull me out of the story, it simply left me pouting in the corner wanting more boats with pretty sails.
The Diminished is a shockingly quick read with a truly unique premise. I look forward to seeing where the next book will lead.
April 10, 2018
One word to describe this book would be.......... Perfection!
This is a debut novel that shines the light on platonic, sibling relationships, which is rare to find in YA. The Diminished is a very inclusive story, and the author doesn't turn the entire story to revolve around that; instead, she integrates it into her storyline pristinely.
The Alskad empire might be an imaginative world, but it lowkey takes jabs on the society that we live in today. We get those who are privileged, just because they were single born. The diminished, who get blamed for things that they didn't do. And those who still have their twins alive, most of which are shallow enough to believe everything they hear instead of actually seeing for themselves.
There is a political element that serves as the spine of the storyline, which is executed perfectly! The political element might be the spine of this amazing story, but the characters are the reason why the storyline shines despite the fact that the moon is split. *winks*
Kaitlyn's writing style was so beautiful, that I couldn't stop myself from highlighting all of this awesomeness.
I shipped the couples in this story, and no. I can't tell you who!
Reading this book was like riding a Ferris wheel that levitates in the air, then dives deep into the sea! I can't wait to see what happens next.
I won an ARC of The Diminished from a giveaway, but this doesn't affect my review in any shape or form.
This is a debut novel that shines the light on platonic, sibling relationships, which is rare to find in YA. The Diminished is a very inclusive story, and the author doesn't turn the entire story to revolve around that; instead, she integrates it into her storyline pristinely.
The Alskad empire might be an imaginative world, but it lowkey takes jabs on the society that we live in today. We get those who are privileged, just because they were single born. The diminished, who get blamed for things that they didn't do. And those who still have their twins alive, most of which are shallow enough to believe everything they hear instead of actually seeing for themselves.
There is a political element that serves as the spine of the storyline, which is executed perfectly! The political element might be the spine of this amazing story, but the characters are the reason why the storyline shines despite the fact that the moon is split. *winks*
Kaitlyn's writing style was so beautiful, that I couldn't stop myself from highlighting all of this awesomeness.
I shipped the couples in this story, and no. I can't tell you who!
Reading this book was like riding a Ferris wheel that levitates in the air, then dives deep into the sea! I can't wait to see what happens next.
I won an ARC of The Diminished from a giveaway, but this doesn't affect my review in any shape or form.
March 17, 2018
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in a giveaway and chose to review it. This in no way impacts my opinion.
This is a really cool and interesting book. I love the fact that unlike a lot of fantasy novels, we aren't given a whole lot of backstory and history. Instead, we are expected to be fully immersed in the world, the story, and the types of challenges that these characters face on a day to day basis. But it really worked. I thought that it was a little long but only because this entire book is basically just a set up for the rest of the series. There is an overarching plot but you know immediately that the "resolution" just means more problems for the future. Which is fine because I want more of this but I don't know that I wanted 400 pages of just this. Full review to come on Books and Ladders!
This is a really cool and interesting book. I love the fact that unlike a lot of fantasy novels, we aren't given a whole lot of backstory and history. Instead, we are expected to be fully immersed in the world, the story, and the types of challenges that these characters face on a day to day basis. But it really worked. I thought that it was a little long but only because this entire book is basically just a set up for the rest of the series. There is an overarching plot but you know immediately that the "resolution" just means more problems for the future. Which is fine because I want more of this but I don't know that I wanted 400 pages of just this. Full review to come on Books and Ladders!
February 5, 2018
I don't read a lot of high fantasy but DAMN. The unique premise of this one sucked me right in, and the wonderfully rendered POV characters kept me reading. There truly is something here for everyone -- high stakes action, jaw-droppingly beautiful world building, hints of (queer and hetero) romance, gorgeous writing, and deep emotional beats and character development. And also -- OMG, you guys -- the food porn. I want to eat everything in this book. Seriously, hand me a knife and fork. I'll just be here, stuffing my face and eagerly awaiting more adventures with Vi and Bo.
November 24, 2017
I just LOVED this book! The characters and plot are well developed and I just couldn't put this book down! I read this book in less than a day! In my opinion, this is going to be one of the best books of the year! Kaitlyn Sage Patterson, well done! I'm a fan now!
December 9, 2017
Wow- I love this book so much! I was completely sucked in to the story. In a world populated by twins, Vi is "diminished" meaning the sole surviving twin of her pair, and the world waits for her to succumb to grief or murderous rage. Twins who have lost their other half make up the most hated and feared members of society. Stories of outcasts and people on the fringes are always my favorites, so this was right up my alley.
I loved how casually same-sex relationships were treated, like it was an equally valid choice in this world. People come in all skin tones, and our inherent sexism is lacking from Patterson's world. I feel as if anyone—or at least a great number of people—will find a character they can identify with in this book. Yet, it doesn't come off as forced or some political statement, rather, Patterson has created a new world with complex and diverse characters that I found believable.
Rich with detail, Patterson has created a three dimensional world complete with food, sacred texts to a new religion, and interesting technology (Sun Ships). She manages to straddle the divide between too much and too sparse details—a tricky act in my opinion. The tension was taut through out, and I both couldn't wait to get to the end and dreaded finishing it. It didn't feel formulaic at all.
Full disclosure: I don't generally read fantasy or YA, but this book was a complex and enjoyable read for anyone. I woke up early on a Saturday because I had to finish the last 50 pages before I did anything else today!
I loved how casually same-sex relationships were treated, like it was an equally valid choice in this world. People come in all skin tones, and our inherent sexism is lacking from Patterson's world. I feel as if anyone—or at least a great number of people—will find a character they can identify with in this book. Yet, it doesn't come off as forced or some political statement, rather, Patterson has created a new world with complex and diverse characters that I found believable.
Rich with detail, Patterson has created a three dimensional world complete with food, sacred texts to a new religion, and interesting technology (Sun Ships). She manages to straddle the divide between too much and too sparse details—a tricky act in my opinion. The tension was taut through out, and I both couldn't wait to get to the end and dreaded finishing it. It didn't feel formulaic at all.
Full disclosure: I don't generally read fantasy or YA, but this book was a complex and enjoyable read for anyone. I woke up early on a Saturday because I had to finish the last 50 pages before I did anything else today!
January 22, 2018
THE DIMINISHED is an incredibly rich, imaginative fantasy debut that I loved. It's set in a world where almost everyone has a twin. Those born alone, the Singleborn, lead of life of exceptional privilege. Those whose twins have died are the Diminished – the permanent servant class of the Alskad Empire. The story follow Bo, a Singleborn heir to the throne struggling to accept his destiny, and Vi, a Diminished, desperately trying to escape her fate. From adventure on the high seas to romance and kissing, this book has something for everyone.
While the Alskad Empire is a wholly unique, fascinating realm, what I admired most about this book is that it has important things to say that the reader can take back into the real world. From its analysis of cyclical poverty to its take on using scapegoats to maintain cultural order, I think this book will have many readers asking questions about the world of Alskad and the world of their own.
While the Alskad Empire is a wholly unique, fascinating realm, what I admired most about this book is that it has important things to say that the reader can take back into the real world. From its analysis of cyclical poverty to its take on using scapegoats to maintain cultural order, I think this book will have many readers asking questions about the world of Alskad and the world of their own.
July 29, 2019
Hovering somewhere between 3 and 4 stars.
April 4, 2018
ARC provided by publisher for an honest review.
I ended up liking this more than I thought I would. Some of the plot is somewhat predictable, but overall the world building and the characters kept me coming back for more.
The story is told through alternating chapters between Bo and Vi. I enjoyed both of their stories, although I found Bo to be a little bit whiney and frustrating at times. They both have grown up under very different circumstances, but they have some similarities. They are both smart, resilient and strong. Vi also tries to help those who need it and feels guilty when she can’t. Bo trusts a little too easily, and sometimes this works out for him but doesn’t at other times.
There are lots of fun secondary characters throughout the story that are worth mentioning. Quill and Mal are twin brothers that Vi meets in her travels. They are both sweet and very endearing and don’t seem afraid of Vi because she is diminished. They go out of their way in fact to help her better her situation, although that doesn’t really work out well for her in the end. Swinton is also a diminished and is the one to help Bo in his search for Vi. He is also sweet and a bit of a flirt, but I really like him and Bo together. Curlin is a childhood friend of Vi’s who betrays her, but tries to make up for that betrayal at the end. We don’t get to know her as well as the others, but she has an important role to play in the story.
The plot unfortunately is a bit predictable, but it is still a fun and interesting one. There are a few surprises that I didn’t see coming, especially the role that the Temple and the Shriven (the religious enforcers) had in the great scheme of things. The writing is also well done, with lots of nice descriptions of this world. The world building was spread out enough that you never felt overwhelmed by it but would just go with the flow of the story. There is some romance between some of the characters and for the most part I found it sweet and not too overwhelming. The romances certainly don’t rule the storylines of the characters, but were nice additions to it.
I loved the world that the author has created here, and it was that more than anything that kept me reading. I really liked the background legend that explained why everyone was born as twins, it had to do with the moon breaking in half but I won’t say more than that. I have worked with lots of twins over the years and I have always noticed that connection that they seem to have that is different than the usual sibling bond, and the world this is set in takes that bond and expands on it. I found it fascinating that when one twin dies, the other soon dies or goes insane and starts killing others. Not all twins seem to share this fate, but most do. Also, the twins seem to need to stay near each other to feel the connection, they can travel away from each other, but apparently not for long. Some other aspects of this world that are worth mentioning, women seem to have the more dominant roles in business and the armed forces. It is mentioned several times that Mal and Quill’s dad is the only man to reach a high rank in the navy. Sexual orientation is no big deal, you love who you love and that can be anyone of either sex. The religion that rules over this world is also interesting and ends up playing a larger part in this story than you initially think they will.
Overall this is a story worth checking out and maybe adding to your TBR. There is at least one more book planned and I will definitely be looking out for it. I want to know how Bo and Vi’s story ends.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
I ended up liking this more than I thought I would. Some of the plot is somewhat predictable, but overall the world building and the characters kept me coming back for more.
The story is told through alternating chapters between Bo and Vi. I enjoyed both of their stories, although I found Bo to be a little bit whiney and frustrating at times. They both have grown up under very different circumstances, but they have some similarities. They are both smart, resilient and strong. Vi also tries to help those who need it and feels guilty when she can’t. Bo trusts a little too easily, and sometimes this works out for him but doesn’t at other times.
There are lots of fun secondary characters throughout the story that are worth mentioning. Quill and Mal are twin brothers that Vi meets in her travels. They are both sweet and very endearing and don’t seem afraid of Vi because she is diminished. They go out of their way in fact to help her better her situation, although that doesn’t really work out well for her in the end. Swinton is also a diminished and is the one to help Bo in his search for Vi. He is also sweet and a bit of a flirt, but I really like him and Bo together. Curlin is a childhood friend of Vi’s who betrays her, but tries to make up for that betrayal at the end. We don’t get to know her as well as the others, but she has an important role to play in the story.
The plot unfortunately is a bit predictable, but it is still a fun and interesting one. There are a few surprises that I didn’t see coming, especially the role that the Temple and the Shriven (the religious enforcers) had in the great scheme of things. The writing is also well done, with lots of nice descriptions of this world. The world building was spread out enough that you never felt overwhelmed by it but would just go with the flow of the story. There is some romance between some of the characters and for the most part I found it sweet and not too overwhelming. The romances certainly don’t rule the storylines of the characters, but were nice additions to it.
I loved the world that the author has created here, and it was that more than anything that kept me reading. I really liked the background legend that explained why everyone was born as twins, it had to do with the moon breaking in half but I won’t say more than that. I have worked with lots of twins over the years and I have always noticed that connection that they seem to have that is different than the usual sibling bond, and the world this is set in takes that bond and expands on it. I found it fascinating that when one twin dies, the other soon dies or goes insane and starts killing others. Not all twins seem to share this fate, but most do. Also, the twins seem to need to stay near each other to feel the connection, they can travel away from each other, but apparently not for long. Some other aspects of this world that are worth mentioning, women seem to have the more dominant roles in business and the armed forces. It is mentioned several times that Mal and Quill’s dad is the only man to reach a high rank in the navy. Sexual orientation is no big deal, you love who you love and that can be anyone of either sex. The religion that rules over this world is also interesting and ends up playing a larger part in this story than you initially think they will.
Overall this is a story worth checking out and maybe adding to your TBR. There is at least one more book planned and I will definitely be looking out for it. I want to know how Bo and Vi’s story ends.
https://elnadesbookchat.com
April 12, 2018
Kaitlyn Sage Patterson has built a rich and troubled world in THE DIMINISHED that's as real and troubling as our own. The story is told in the dual POV of Vi and Bo, who are from very different parts of the same world: Vi is a servant trying to survive her harsh reality; Bo is the heir to the throne trying to become the best ruler he can. Both live without twins in a world where twins are the norm. Bo is a treasured singleborn, but Vi's twin died very young, making her a "Diminished." And it's this moniker that provides the thread of the mystery that's unraveled in the book.
THE DIMINISHED is part mystery, part love story, part adventure, with Vi and Bo traveling far from their kingdoms, getting into scrapes and uncovering devastating secrets.
I read this as part of an ARC tour with no expectation of review.
THE DIMINISHED is part mystery, part love story, part adventure, with Vi and Bo traveling far from their kingdoms, getting into scrapes and uncovering devastating secrets.
I read this as part of an ARC tour with no expectation of review.
March 2, 2018
5/5 Stars
"In the Alskad Empire, nearly all are born with a twin, two halves to form one whole... yet some face the world alone."
Bo and Vi are two people forced to face the world alone. Bo is the heir to the Alskad throne, Singleborn, and blessed by the gods as morally whole and able to rule the empire. Vi is Diminished, doomed. Her twin died in infancy and she has waited for the day that grief steals her mind and causes her to do unspeakable things. When Vi finally breaks, the Shriven, servants of the Temple, will put her down. Bo and Vi feel so alone, both desperate for a twin they can never have to fill a void they can never fill.
Both Bo and Vi are approaching their 16th birthday, and on that day Bo will become Heir Apparent to the Alskad Empire and Vi will no longer be a ward of the Temple. Bo must learn to navigate diplomacy and politics while Vi wants to find a way to live peacefully away from the eyes always waiting for her to break. Neither Bo nor Vi are prepared for the secrets that will have consequences that ripple into both of their lives and shake the empire to its very core. Only Bo and Vi, unbeknownst to them, can prevent the empire from tipping towards tyranny or chaos
I was not prepared for this book. The story sounded well enough on the back cover, fairly straight forward. As I read though, I couldn't help but notice how well certain themes were woven into the story. Digs at colonialism, expansionism, traditional power, wealth, gender, and church overreach led to a refreshingly thoughtful story that enraged as it entertained. I raged with Vi at the injustices to contract and temple workers, I mourned with Bo at the loss of his freedom in becoming the Heir Apparent. Patterson was able to beautifully draw parallels to very real issues in our world and weave them smoothly into her story.
The world building was PHENOMENAL. Patterson easily immerses the reader in the empire, describing landscapes, buildings, smells, even humidity- making me feel all the sensations with her flawless descriptions. The food made my mouth water, I love it when authors use food in their world building, it's one of the quickest ways to my heart. All people can relate over food, even if they are unfamiliar menus, we all can relate to the love of food. Its a simple thing, describing a meal, but it does so much to enrich the world building in the story, giving us a feel, not just for the surroundings, but also for the culture.
I loved the way that LGBT representation was included in this book. Bo is gay, just like the sky is blue, just like Vi is cis. Patterson was able to make multifaceted characters without boiling them down to gay being the only thing that defines them, like many authors are wont to do when they include LGBT characters. Bo's sexuality is so natural, he just is. He is kind and caring and able to maneuver politically without losing his soul, and by the way, he's gay. This is by far the best book that weaves LGBT representation into its plot the most seamlessly and least abrupt. Many authors are so excited to include an LGBT character, which is great, but they forget to give the character dimension. Bo is what more authors should strive for.
Vi is not your typical strong female character. She's strong but she isn't aware that she's strong. She believes what the temple has taught her: that she is less than human as a Diminished. Vi doesn't have that stereotypical, "I'm strong and beautiful but I don't know it" YA trope, shes more, so much more than that. She's real and she's a victim of a persecution used to control the population by making them fear people like her. All her issues are centered around her upbringing in a Temple meant to protect the people from her. Even to herself, she is the enemy, and she waits for the day she breaks. Vi is so incredibly intricate and her suffering has made her so strong, she just doesn't know it yet.
As this book isn't published yet, I won't delve too much into the plot and risk ruining it for future readers. However, be prepared for a story that eases you in and then begins galloping away with you until its 4:00 am and you should be asleep but you can't stop reading. Yeah, it happened to me too.
*I received this ARC from Harlequin Teen and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
"In the Alskad Empire, nearly all are born with a twin, two halves to form one whole... yet some face the world alone."
Bo and Vi are two people forced to face the world alone. Bo is the heir to the Alskad throne, Singleborn, and blessed by the gods as morally whole and able to rule the empire. Vi is Diminished, doomed. Her twin died in infancy and she has waited for the day that grief steals her mind and causes her to do unspeakable things. When Vi finally breaks, the Shriven, servants of the Temple, will put her down. Bo and Vi feel so alone, both desperate for a twin they can never have to fill a void they can never fill.
Both Bo and Vi are approaching their 16th birthday, and on that day Bo will become Heir Apparent to the Alskad Empire and Vi will no longer be a ward of the Temple. Bo must learn to navigate diplomacy and politics while Vi wants to find a way to live peacefully away from the eyes always waiting for her to break. Neither Bo nor Vi are prepared for the secrets that will have consequences that ripple into both of their lives and shake the empire to its very core. Only Bo and Vi, unbeknownst to them, can prevent the empire from tipping towards tyranny or chaos
I was not prepared for this book. The story sounded well enough on the back cover, fairly straight forward. As I read though, I couldn't help but notice how well certain themes were woven into the story. Digs at colonialism, expansionism, traditional power, wealth, gender, and church overreach led to a refreshingly thoughtful story that enraged as it entertained. I raged with Vi at the injustices to contract and temple workers, I mourned with Bo at the loss of his freedom in becoming the Heir Apparent. Patterson was able to beautifully draw parallels to very real issues in our world and weave them smoothly into her story.
The world building was PHENOMENAL. Patterson easily immerses the reader in the empire, describing landscapes, buildings, smells, even humidity- making me feel all the sensations with her flawless descriptions. The food made my mouth water, I love it when authors use food in their world building, it's one of the quickest ways to my heart. All people can relate over food, even if they are unfamiliar menus, we all can relate to the love of food. Its a simple thing, describing a meal, but it does so much to enrich the world building in the story, giving us a feel, not just for the surroundings, but also for the culture.
I loved the way that LGBT representation was included in this book. Bo is gay, just like the sky is blue, just like Vi is cis. Patterson was able to make multifaceted characters without boiling them down to gay being the only thing that defines them, like many authors are wont to do when they include LGBT characters. Bo's sexuality is so natural, he just is. He is kind and caring and able to maneuver politically without losing his soul, and by the way, he's gay. This is by far the best book that weaves LGBT representation into its plot the most seamlessly and least abrupt. Many authors are so excited to include an LGBT character, which is great, but they forget to give the character dimension. Bo is what more authors should strive for.
Vi is not your typical strong female character. She's strong but she isn't aware that she's strong. She believes what the temple has taught her: that she is less than human as a Diminished. Vi doesn't have that stereotypical, "I'm strong and beautiful but I don't know it" YA trope, shes more, so much more than that. She's real and she's a victim of a persecution used to control the population by making them fear people like her. All her issues are centered around her upbringing in a Temple meant to protect the people from her. Even to herself, she is the enemy, and she waits for the day she breaks. Vi is so incredibly intricate and her suffering has made her so strong, she just doesn't know it yet.
As this book isn't published yet, I won't delve too much into the plot and risk ruining it for future readers. However, be prepared for a story that eases you in and then begins galloping away with you until its 4:00 am and you should be asleep but you can't stop reading. Yeah, it happened to me too.
*I received this ARC from Harlequin Teen and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
August 24, 2018
I loved this book so much. The world building is so rich and thoughtfully done, and the characters captured my heart. Sweet, sweet Bo and scrappy Vi. I JUST WANT TO HUG THEM. I can't wait to read the sequel! If you find the first couple of chapters slow, stick with it! The world building is great in those early chapters, but the action really takes off around chapter 5. Final thought: Can I please just travel by sunship from now on?
September 21, 2018
This review was originally posted on The Moonlight Library
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
In the world of The Diminished, everyone is born with a twin, except those who are singleborn who are destined to rule. If a twin dies, the remaining twin becomes ‘diminished’ – cursed to go insane, they are shunned by society. This is the story of a young singleborn man named Bo and a diminished woman named Vi, and their journey to discovering the truths about their destinies.
This book had one of the most intriguing synopses I had come across in a long time and I was quite keen to dive in. And like Vi diving for pearls in the opening pages, I thought I had the potential to uncover something rich and worthwhile. And there are elements of awesome in this. The worldbuilding is original and solid. The two main characters are at least entertaining, if not likeable. But for me it was the inconsistencies presented in the text itself that kept me asking, “What’s really going on here?”
I read an ARC kindly provided via Netgalley and I don’t know what date it appeared there, but there seemed to be a substantial amount of work needed to whip this into publishable state. Little inconsistencies abounded that reflected badly on the characters presenting them, such as Bo referring to someone’s hair as black on one page and white-blonde on the next, referring to a sum of money as both ‘a large sum’ and on the next page ‘negligible’, and Vi thinking that ‘perhaps’ a group of people had already found her when she’s standing right in front of them. The inconsistencies made the characters seem stupid. It is specifically with examples such as the last one that made me think sense had been thrown out the window in favour of pretty or dramatic sentences, rather than giving us consistencies within the writing itself.
Whilst trying to ignore what is obviously going to be edited before release, I wanted to make a note about several things:
- The love triangles were incredibly lukewarm.
- Both Bo and Vi meet their love interests while travelling, and I was never, ever convinced that anything was genuine, and I was always fearful that any of them would betray the main characters for financial or otherwise gain.
- The worldbuilding was pretty cool, with a moon split in two halves which obviously influenced the whole ‘twin’ ideologies and appears on the cover of the book in some instances.
- The characters largely make OK decisions, except when it was necessary to the plot for them to make incredibly stupid ones.
- The characters seemed largely unfocused on their goals and only remembered them when it was time to make a dramatic statement.
- On the plus side, some people might be interested to know that Bo is gay, if not bisexual.
- I think this would make a really good TV show, especially if It centred on casting real-life twins or siblings. There's lots of travel and scuffles and locations and things that go boom.
Look, the whole thing was just underwhelming but I can’t figure out if it’s because I was frustrated and annoyed by the editing needed or if the whole book was just underwhelming, or if I was let down by such a great concept.
I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
In the world of The Diminished, everyone is born with a twin, except those who are singleborn who are destined to rule. If a twin dies, the remaining twin becomes ‘diminished’ – cursed to go insane, they are shunned by society. This is the story of a young singleborn man named Bo and a diminished woman named Vi, and their journey to discovering the truths about their destinies.
This book had one of the most intriguing synopses I had come across in a long time and I was quite keen to dive in. And like Vi diving for pearls in the opening pages, I thought I had the potential to uncover something rich and worthwhile. And there are elements of awesome in this. The worldbuilding is original and solid. The two main characters are at least entertaining, if not likeable. But for me it was the inconsistencies presented in the text itself that kept me asking, “What’s really going on here?”
I read an ARC kindly provided via Netgalley and I don’t know what date it appeared there, but there seemed to be a substantial amount of work needed to whip this into publishable state. Little inconsistencies abounded that reflected badly on the characters presenting them, such as Bo referring to someone’s hair as black on one page and white-blonde on the next, referring to a sum of money as both ‘a large sum’ and on the next page ‘negligible’, and Vi thinking that ‘perhaps’ a group of people had already found her when she’s standing right in front of them. The inconsistencies made the characters seem stupid. It is specifically with examples such as the last one that made me think sense had been thrown out the window in favour of pretty or dramatic sentences, rather than giving us consistencies within the writing itself.
Whilst trying to ignore what is obviously going to be edited before release, I wanted to make a note about several things:
- The love triangles were incredibly lukewarm.
- Both Bo and Vi meet their love interests while travelling, and I was never, ever convinced that anything was genuine, and I was always fearful that any of them would betray the main characters for financial or otherwise gain.
- The worldbuilding was pretty cool, with a moon split in two halves which obviously influenced the whole ‘twin’ ideologies and appears on the cover of the book in some instances.
- The characters largely make OK decisions, except when it was necessary to the plot for them to make incredibly stupid ones.
- The characters seemed largely unfocused on their goals and only remembered them when it was time to make a dramatic statement.
- On the plus side, some people might be interested to know that Bo is gay, if not bisexual.
- I think this would make a really good TV show, especially if It centred on casting real-life twins or siblings. There's lots of travel and scuffles and locations and things that go boom.
Look, the whole thing was just underwhelming but I can’t figure out if it’s because I was frustrated and annoyed by the editing needed or if the whole book was just underwhelming, or if I was let down by such a great concept.
March 29, 2018
I love this book! This is the first book I've read in a hot minute. I didn't put this book down unless I was in class. All of my free time went to reading this book. It was absolutely amazing! It kept me on my toes the whole time! The world in this book is amazing! The characters are also amazing! absolutely wonderful! I really hope and wish this book will become a series! Or at least have a part two! (spoiler) I love Vi and Quill! I hope if there is a second book their romance grows! They are a prefect couple! Same with Bo and Swinton! I might have to re-read this book in about a year or so, that's how much I loved it! Really great book and worth it!
April 21, 2018
The Diminished is compulsively readable. It’s the story of Vi and Bo, both born into a post-cataclysmic, earth-like world where nearly everyone has a twin. The interconnectedness of twins is such that if one dies, the other almost always grieves to death within a short period of time; most people cannot survive the loss of their other half. I say ‘most people’ because in the rare case that a bereaved twin doesn’t simply pine away, they eventually become unstable. Prone to gruesome and unpredictable violence, the titular Diminished—those who’ve lost their twins— are shunned by society.
Vi’s twin died in infancy and, remarkably, she’s managed to avoid the murderous insanity exhibited by most of the Diminished. She’s now sixteen and about to be cast out of the loveless temple where she was raised. Bo, on the other hand, is one of the very few singleborn of his generation, and is destined to rule the Alskad Empire. Although neither of them realizes it, the fate of their society rests on a shared secret from their past.
Told from alternating perspectives, The Diminished incorporates some of the most beloved elements of the YA and Fantasy genres in such an engaging and fresh manner that it will appeal to readers of every taste. I loved the lavish descriptions: the clothes, the scenery, the incredibly inventive food. I also loved the nonstop creativity of the plot and the setting; the Alskad Empire seemed at once so realistic and so unfamiliar. But it was the characters who won me over: the way their personalities complimented one another, their believability, even their humor. Vi is feisty and Bo is sweet and I could not stop thinking about what was going to happen to them next. The Diminished is destined to be an instant classic.
Vi’s twin died in infancy and, remarkably, she’s managed to avoid the murderous insanity exhibited by most of the Diminished. She’s now sixteen and about to be cast out of the loveless temple where she was raised. Bo, on the other hand, is one of the very few singleborn of his generation, and is destined to rule the Alskad Empire. Although neither of them realizes it, the fate of their society rests on a shared secret from their past.
Told from alternating perspectives, The Diminished incorporates some of the most beloved elements of the YA and Fantasy genres in such an engaging and fresh manner that it will appeal to readers of every taste. I loved the lavish descriptions: the clothes, the scenery, the incredibly inventive food. I also loved the nonstop creativity of the plot and the setting; the Alskad Empire seemed at once so realistic and so unfamiliar. But it was the characters who won me over: the way their personalities complimented one another, their believability, even their humor. Vi is feisty and Bo is sweet and I could not stop thinking about what was going to happen to them next. The Diminished is destined to be an instant classic.
January 17, 2018
I completely adored this book.
So we read about one of the main characters by the name of Vi. Vi is one of the diminished and that means that she was born with a twin who died and unlike the majority that die after their twin's death, she survives. Having been abandoned for that fact at a temple, she spends her days with her close friend until they move away. Being diminished, she is not treated fairly and is constantly looked down due to the fact that the diminished are expected to fall into rages of destruction.
In another point of view in this book, we are introduced to Bo. A rare single born whom is chosen as the Queen's successor. Living a more lavished lifestyle, we see his insecurities and a complete opposite to Vi's point of view. We see a new will to survive in a world of royalty due to his title.
The fact that this book doesn't immediately tie these two characters together is amazing. This book does not feel forced and with the numerous amounts of diverse and complicated characters is what makes this book great. No magic in this book was refreshing with everything that has been coming out lately. The fact that same sex couple was inclusive in this story was great. I was happy that that reason alone wasn't what the book was about. A ship containing advanced technology was great. As good as I had gotten to foreshadowing things there were a few details in this story that I did not see coming which, once again, is completely refreshing.
So we read about one of the main characters by the name of Vi. Vi is one of the diminished and that means that she was born with a twin who died and unlike the majority that die after their twin's death, she survives. Having been abandoned for that fact at a temple, she spends her days with her close friend until they move away. Being diminished, she is not treated fairly and is constantly looked down due to the fact that the diminished are expected to fall into rages of destruction.
In another point of view in this book, we are introduced to Bo. A rare single born whom is chosen as the Queen's successor. Living a more lavished lifestyle, we see his insecurities and a complete opposite to Vi's point of view. We see a new will to survive in a world of royalty due to his title.
The fact that this book doesn't immediately tie these two characters together is amazing. This book does not feel forced and with the numerous amounts of diverse and complicated characters is what makes this book great. No magic in this book was refreshing with everything that has been coming out lately. The fact that same sex couple was inclusive in this story was great. I was happy that that reason alone wasn't what the book was about. A ship containing advanced technology was great. As good as I had gotten to foreshadowing things there were a few details in this story that I did not see coming which, once again, is completely refreshing.
March 21, 2018
So I got an ARC of this from my local library and I was thoroughly impressed. I didn't really know what to expect walking into it but it offered such a different story than what I have been reading lately.
I like that it is told in the dual perspective of Bo and Vi. I loved both of them for so many reasons. I also LOVE the male/male romance in here, 10/10 support shipped that. I also really loved the whole motley crews camaraderie. They were such a cool cast to have along on this wild adventure. The fact that twins are a main point to this book was so cool because I love stories based on twins. This whole world valued twins which was really intriguing because in real life, I feel like twins are kinda rare.
I did love this book a ton, but I have only one complaint. I feel like the world building could've used a little more development. This is so different from most books I've read, it has a whole system of life unlike anything else so it was kind of confusing in the beginning to understand the dynamic of the world. But once I got into it, I started to be able to piece it together and understand more. Maybe there will be a map in the final edition of this book? Who knows!
I am so excited for this to be released April 10th so I can pick up my own copy and hopefully read it again! But also now I have to anxiously await the arrival of the unannounced sequalllll ughhhh.
I like that it is told in the dual perspective of Bo and Vi. I loved both of them for so many reasons. I also LOVE the male/male romance in here, 10/10 support shipped that. I also really loved the whole motley crews camaraderie. They were such a cool cast to have along on this wild adventure. The fact that twins are a main point to this book was so cool because I love stories based on twins. This whole world valued twins which was really intriguing because in real life, I feel like twins are kinda rare.
I did love this book a ton, but I have only one complaint. I feel like the world building could've used a little more development. This is so different from most books I've read, it has a whole system of life unlike anything else so it was kind of confusing in the beginning to understand the dynamic of the world. But once I got into it, I started to be able to piece it together and understand more. Maybe there will be a map in the final edition of this book? Who knows!
I am so excited for this to be released April 10th so I can pick up my own copy and hopefully read it again! But also now I have to anxiously await the arrival of the unannounced sequalllll ughhhh.
December 30, 2017
From the first page, I was hooked. Entering this world of mystery, intrigue, love and corruption was deeply satisfying. I fell in love with Vi and Bo -- can't wait to read of their adventures in book 2! AND, how refreshing it is to read a book where one of the main characters is gay and it's just no big deal.
February 8, 2018
I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK. I received the ARC for it, but i can't wait to own the final copy :>
This would've been a quick read.... But i kept stopping because of all the emotional scenes. I think I cried so many times. It took me a whole week just to finish the last 4 pages ( i was dreading the ending).
Totally suggest reading
This would've been a quick read.... But i kept stopping because of all the emotional scenes. I think I cried so many times. It took me a whole week just to finish the last 4 pages ( i was dreading the ending).
Totally suggest reading
February 9, 2018
Argh I just wrote a super long review and it didn't save and now I'm in a bad mood. Full review to come later, but this is gorgeously written book with plenty of action, romance, and suspense set in a vibrant world. Add to your list right now and keep a steady eye on the release date.
March 18, 2018
This novel is made up of a fairly interesting concept and world. Every person has a twin, the few single born are destined to rule. The people, who for whatever reason, lose their twin either die from the heartbreak or descend into a violent madness. I’m going to be honest and state that YA and I have a fairly love/hate relationship, but I enjoyed the bones of this novel quite a bit. I did find myself irritated most often with the POV MC Bo, the heir to the throne (this is told in alternating POV). The world is described as full of political intrigue and assassination attempts on the part of the single born as they vie for their place in the hierarchy. Despite this, Bo was unwaveringly naïve. He grew up in court, the presumptive heir apparent, survived multiple assassination attempts on his life, yet he trusted easily—far too easily in my opinion with his supposed background—and relied on others to discern for him the machinations of others. It was naïve to the point of stupidity. This just didn’t seem very likely given the description of his world and upbringing. Saying that, I did really enjoy this. It was an easy and entertaining novel. Fairly action packed and a quick read. I was pleased that the author treated same sex attraction as utterly normal and it was refreshing to have a LGBT main character. Knowing that I am reading a YA novel through the eyes of an adult, I did give it quite a bit a leeway I might not to a novel geared towards a more aged audience. I think my children would really like this novel, and really that’s all you can ask for.
I was gifted this novel by the publisher and the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was gifted this novel by the publisher and the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 27, 2018
THE DIMINISHED presents an interesting and entirely unique premise centered around twins. From the start, I was intrigued by the central question of the novel- in a world of twins, what would it be like to face the world alone?
In working to answer that question, Patterson skillfully developed the world of THE DIMINISHED. In fact, the strongest part of the novel is the worldbuilding, and it's also the reason why I kept reading. Information dumps are avoided and the reader is provided with an excellent overview of society almost immediately.
While the novel is well-written and the two points-of-view are engaging, THE DIMINISHED starts slow and never picks up the pace. I was disappointed that, halfway through the book, the narrative hadn't gotten any closer to the big reveal. While strong in many areas, THE DIMINISHED is weighed down by an extra padding of scenes that don't progress the plot.
In working to answer that question, Patterson skillfully developed the world of THE DIMINISHED. In fact, the strongest part of the novel is the worldbuilding, and it's also the reason why I kept reading. Information dumps are avoided and the reader is provided with an excellent overview of society almost immediately.
While the novel is well-written and the two points-of-view are engaging, THE DIMINISHED starts slow and never picks up the pace. I was disappointed that, halfway through the book, the narrative hadn't gotten any closer to the big reveal. While strong in many areas, THE DIMINISHED is weighed down by an extra padding of scenes that don't progress the plot.
April 10, 2018
Actual Rating: 2.5
link to blog
This was a book with a very interesting concept that i was so intrigued to read. Twins are always used as a scare/creep factor in many movies and books, but with this one, they are seen as idyllic and normal while being without one is the scary thing. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t as cool and unique as i was hoping. Predictable, with dreary characters, i just could not get into this one.
The writing style is a very standard one. It was clearly well thought out before Patterson began to write, however, it made it all too predictable with major hints given at the very beginning to the ultimate twist in the middle. When a book is too predictable i instantly become bored. Not only was it the twist, but the general storyline as well. I was expecting something highly entertaining but all I got was a dull plot.
The characters were all very similar to one another. I couldn’t even tell the difference between the two perspectives (although that could be debated why) and the romance between Vi and her “love interest” is one of the oddest and totally irrelevant romances i think i have ever encountered. It just made for a very disjointed read.
I do have to say that the character development was good. It seems that a lot of people, even the side characters grew a lot throughout and i did really enjoy that part of it. They learned from their mistakes and got out of their comfort zones for the benefit of their friends. I just wish that they had more of a personality. Ever guy had some sly sardonic look, and the girls were all out to prove themselves. Cliche is definitely a great word to describe this book.
I really wanted to like this but i didn’t enjoy myself while reading it. I had to tell myself to pick it up rather than actually wanting to get back into the story, and for this reason, i just can’t give it a higher rating. Interesting story but not gripping enough, with very little to keep you entertained.
link to blog
This was a book with a very interesting concept that i was so intrigued to read. Twins are always used as a scare/creep factor in many movies and books, but with this one, they are seen as idyllic and normal while being without one is the scary thing. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t as cool and unique as i was hoping. Predictable, with dreary characters, i just could not get into this one.
The writing style is a very standard one. It was clearly well thought out before Patterson began to write, however, it made it all too predictable with major hints given at the very beginning to the ultimate twist in the middle. When a book is too predictable i instantly become bored. Not only was it the twist, but the general storyline as well. I was expecting something highly entertaining but all I got was a dull plot.
The characters were all very similar to one another. I couldn’t even tell the difference between the two perspectives (although that could be debated why) and the romance between Vi and her “love interest” is one of the oddest and totally irrelevant romances i think i have ever encountered. It just made for a very disjointed read.
I do have to say that the character development was good. It seems that a lot of people, even the side characters grew a lot throughout and i did really enjoy that part of it. They learned from their mistakes and got out of their comfort zones for the benefit of their friends. I just wish that they had more of a personality. Ever guy had some sly sardonic look, and the girls were all out to prove themselves. Cliche is definitely a great word to describe this book.
I really wanted to like this but i didn’t enjoy myself while reading it. I had to tell myself to pick it up rather than actually wanting to get back into the story, and for this reason, i just can’t give it a higher rating. Interesting story but not gripping enough, with very little to keep you entertained.
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