Challenge Corner discussion

In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime.

Ch 4 (view spoiler)[ So this has been interesting, but I'm not crazy about it like I was the first time I read it. I don't like how Brooklynn is constantly described as boy-crazy. There's other ways to describe that and I'm kinda over this middle-school lingo. Max is interesting, but seriously who is he?? I don't trust Queen Sabara. The language thing is super fascinating as well. but like how can Charlaina understand all of them?? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 9 (view spoiler)[ Okay I'm really mad rn. I LOVED this book when I first read it and right now it's such a damn let down :( Charlaina is so judge-y and her friendship with Brooklynn makes no fucking sense!! She acts like she doesn't even like Brook??? Also, Max's character is weird and he shouldn't have any motivation to keep Charlaina safe?? What is he hiding? And what was up with her parents refusing to leave their house when bomb sirens are going off? So many weird things are happening rn (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 15 (view spoiler)[ I'm so over this book ugh. Charlie has been fucking brainwashed by the crown and I absolutely hate it. PLUS Brooklynn is a rebel and NOW SHES TURNED INTO A DIFFERENT PERSON. I'm so annoyed. But hey Max is a prince so yay *rolls eyes* (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Ch 4 [spoilers removed]

Ch 9 [spoilers removed]"

I loved the (view spoiler)[language aspect as well. I also agree that this book seems a bit juvenile at times. :/ (hide spoiler)]

I agree. (view spoiler)[I don't like how quick Max and Charlie got together. Seems to insta love for me and I was really annoyed that her parents kept insisting on staying behind. It was weird. -.- (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Ch. 15 [spoilers removed]"

It wasn't quite that bad for me but it was a bit of a let down. I'm pretty sure I have read this before and I remember it as better but it was like 8 years ago so I was a lot younger. :S

I'm really curious what the next book is going to be about. They didn't really leave any questions unanswered. :/

Review(view spoiler)[ This was a pretty good book. Somewhere between a 3.5 and a 4.5. I liked Charlie. I also liked that her gift was languages since I am always envious of people who can speak more than their native language.

I also found Angeline's gift to be really cool. I'm glad she had it or a lot of people would have died.

I think I might just be getting tired of YA books but this book seemed a bit juvenile at times and the romance between Max and Charlie seemed a bit forced and insta love. That's the main reason this is a 4 star instead.

I was surprised that Brooke and Xander were double agents. I'm glad that Brooke didn't truly betray Charlie and that Xander and Max were willing to work together for the good of the kingdom.

I'm also happy that no one from the story died! Although I wish the Queen had. I can't believe the old croon is still around. Infecting Charlie with her evil spirit. :( (hide spoiler)]

Bookbuyer wrote: "I'm really curious what the next book is going to be about. They didn't really leave any questions unanswered. :/"

(view spoiler)[ It's about Charlie struggling with the Queen still inside her or something (hide spoiler)]

Finished (view spoiler)[ Wow okay this freaking sucked. I'm so upset about it because I LOVED it the first time. So Sabara isn't even dead and now Charlie is like yeah that bitch was totally evil. UGH NO. I don't really understand what Angelina's power was either so. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea wrote: "Bookbuyer wrote: "I'm really curious what the next book is going to be about. They didn't really leave any questions unanswered. :/"

[spoilers removed]"

Cool. I guess they did leave that kind of open. :)