Bethany > Recent Status Updates

Still same issues with the way the narrative is presented. And...still feels like there is not really any plot progression at ALL. Its kind of sad really when I had wanted to read this book for quite a while. I'm still trying to hang on though...

I'm finding the narrative style really hard to read. It gets confusing really quick with why certain information is presented they way it is and when within the story.

So far its really like the author is just putting down all of her plot points, but not actually weaving the story smoothly.

Its a lot of "oh here's a fact!" and "here's another fact". But its not feeling like storytelling at all.

Time sequences seem blotchy.

Very heavy on the foul language, especially for something that is written for a young adult teen to (13-15) read.

Chapter 4 : Well I read that one pretty fast. It added another element to the story...well I should say a couple parallels to real life socialism and racism matters...Very well played.

Chapter 2-3 : More is being slowly explained regarding politics for the story, which is nice to have it in bite-sizes as the tale progresses. There was a flavour of Mare's family that she still has immediate contact with, and it seems reasonable for what she has been doing. It was fairly abrupt progression regarding her friend's fate, but judging by how lengthy the book is, there is a reason for it needs pacing.

Chapter 1 : I honestly wasn't sure about this book. Especially reading the first few paragraphs because its hard to relate to as its not a universe I'm yet familiar with. So far, there is a distinction between Silver and Red Bloods, and some of the customs are explained. Its got me though, so I'll have to read to learn more. Writing quality is very well done, so far that I can see.

Katie's dad's money problems have been hinted at. But, I'm kind up astounded that a grade 12 student wouldn't have put two and two together. She's given some money to her dad for an "investment", and I'm sitting there thinking "girl, how clueless are you? Are you the leader of the clueless tribe?"

Katie and Joel have started hanging out. Katie has had a falling out with her friend Paige, and I felt the foreshadowing for what was going to happen at the Gotcha party. Joel greatly surprised me with sticking with Katie during the whole ordeal. There seems to be some foreshadowing regarding Warren. I'm not sure if Katie has his name, or the other way around.

Pretty easy read for middle grade. But, have a gist that the content of the book is meant more for grade 8-12.

There is some foreshadowing regarding Katie's relationships with her mother, father and best friend.

I feel like her English Lit teacher, Mr. Bell, is quite the good mentor from the way he reacted at the end of chapter 2.

Noticed again the foreshadowing when Rose and Dimitri were talking. He told her that this was the first attempt at tracking the two girls, even though Rose mentioned they were tracked 2x. She also mentions how the Psi-hounds only listen to Moroi command.

Also foreshadowing from the discussion between Viktor and Rose regarding the Psi-hounds.

I really dislike Guardian Stan. Mason seems pretty chill. He reminds me of mu cousin Mason.

Dimitri you can tell is TRYING to kind of already take the mentor/big brother roll of Rose, even though its only been a day in story time.