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bluejaybooks's review against another edition
On the one hand, this book had me hooked. On the other, this felt very much like a transitional book between the first and second. But maybe that's just how the story needed to be told ;)
joanna1905's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, Jay proves himself to be one talented bastard. This whole world of Dev1at3 is not something I would usually think I would enjoy but god damn everything he touches is gold. I love this world and these characters and I absolutely cannot wait to see how it will culminate in the final book next year.
I must say I didn't find the twists in this book AS shocking as I found the ones in book one however, they were still fanatically executed.
I love all the characters and I love how they almost all exist in a morally grey area. I do wish we got to see more inside Eve's head and her descent into evil.
Overall a fantastic read - but damn Kristoff you already made me lose Kaiser so CRICKET BETTER SURVIVE!!
I must say I didn't find the twists in this book AS shocking as I found the ones in book one however, they were still fanatically executed.
I love all the characters and I love how they almost all exist in a morally grey area. I do wish we got to see more inside Eve's head and her descent into evil.
Overall a fantastic read - but damn Kristoff you already made me lose Kaiser so CRICKET BETTER SURVIVE!!
ambeesbookishpages's review against another edition
4.0
The full review + more can be found at The Book Bratz
Check out my review of LIFEL1K3 here and give it a like!
*This review contains spoilers of LIFEL1K3*
After the end of LIFEL1K3 I was desperate to read DEV1AT3! The shocking ending to LIFEL1K3 had me reeling and questioning everything I knew about this world and these characters. This installment of the series reveals revelations and events that are going to change all of the characters in one way another.
*This paragraph is going to contain a bulk of the spoilers, if you would like to skip ahead*
There is a lot to talk about but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. So, at the end of LIFEL1K3 we learn that Eve is actually the Lifelike of Ana, Nicholas Monrova's daughter. Nicholas who is the head of Gnosis laboratories is the master mind behind the Lifelikes, and couldn't accept the fact that his "children" were flawed. Nicholas couldn't deal with the fact that after the attack on his family that killed Grace (The Lifelike that Gabriel is desperate to recreate) Ana was left brain dead. With the help of Silas, who we learned isn't Eve's grandfather, they were able to transfer her personality profile into the newest Lifelike. Eve's memories are false, all implanted by the mem drive that attached to her skull and after her mem drive was damaged by Faith, another Lifelike, she begins to see memories that don't belong to her. In the climax of the story we learn several important things that lead us to where we are in DEV1AT3. The body of Ana Monrova is still alive but brain dead and being held in an known Gnosis facility, Ezekiel shot Ana two years earlier when her family was executed, Lemonfresh is actually the anomaly who has powers and Eve has send both of them away.
Which brings us to DEV1AT3! In this novel we don't get much of Eve's point of view, there is only a handful of chapters and they don't give us much to work with. A majority of this novel is told from Lemonfresh, Ezekiel, and Cricket's perspective. But I like the fact that there wasn't a lot of Eve chapters. We get to see her downfall and the monster she is becoming from the perspective of the people who love her the most and how they deal and comprehend it. Which I enjoyed a lot more then I initially anticipated that I would.
In DEV1AT3 the search for Ana's body begins. With Ana's blood Gabriel will be able to unlock Myraid, the super computer in Gnosis labs that contains information on how to create Lifelikes and the virus that destroys the three laws in robots. But Ezekiel is going to do everything in his power to stop this, but first he has to find and rescue Lemonfresh who disappears in the beginning of the novel. Ezekiel struggles with the promise he made to Lemonfresh about never leaving her behind and his desperate search for the girl he loves. We see a lot of back and forth on his actions and what he does through out the entirety of DEV1AT3. We see more of Ezekiel's emotionally maturity in this novel. How he has this attachment to Eve, but he fell in love with Ana and he can acknowledge that but there is also something about Eve he can't get out of his head. He rushes head first into danger before thinking things through and he trusts super easily. We see a progression of his emotional growth through this novel, but I am hoping Ezekiel continues to grow in the next book.
A lot happens in DEV1AT3 that changes the whole course of the plot. We are introduced to new essential characters, new settings and shocking secrets that are uncovered through out the novel. I still stand by the fact that I love Jay's world building and I love the new settings he introduced in this novel to expand on this world. I'll leave it with this: We learn more about the mysterious Brotherhood and a resistance group.
Overall I really enjoyed DEV1AT3 and I can't wait to see what is going to happen in TRUEL1F3 considering the painful cliff hanger that we are left with. I'm writing this review after completing the whole series and I'll say this: We've seen nothing yet.
Check out my review of LIFEL1K3 here and give it a like!
*This review contains spoilers of LIFEL1K3*
After the end of LIFEL1K3 I was desperate to read DEV1AT3! The shocking ending to LIFEL1K3 had me reeling and questioning everything I knew about this world and these characters. This installment of the series reveals revelations and events that are going to change all of the characters in one way another.
*This paragraph is going to contain a bulk of the spoilers, if you would like to skip ahead*
There is a lot to talk about but I don't want to spoil it for anyone. So, at the end of LIFEL1K3 we learn that Eve is actually the Lifelike of Ana, Nicholas Monrova's daughter. Nicholas who is the head of Gnosis laboratories is the master mind behind the Lifelikes, and couldn't accept the fact that his "children" were flawed. Nicholas couldn't deal with the fact that after the attack on his family that killed Grace (The Lifelike that Gabriel is desperate to recreate) Ana was left brain dead. With the help of Silas, who we learned isn't Eve's grandfather, they were able to transfer her personality profile into the newest Lifelike. Eve's memories are false, all implanted by the mem drive that attached to her skull and after her mem drive was damaged by Faith, another Lifelike, she begins to see memories that don't belong to her. In the climax of the story we learn several important things that lead us to where we are in DEV1AT3. The body of Ana Monrova is still alive but brain dead and being held in an known Gnosis facility, Ezekiel shot Ana two years earlier when her family was executed, Lemonfresh is actually the anomaly who has powers and Eve has send both of them away.
Which brings us to DEV1AT3! In this novel we don't get much of Eve's point of view, there is only a handful of chapters and they don't give us much to work with. A majority of this novel is told from Lemonfresh, Ezekiel, and Cricket's perspective. But I like the fact that there wasn't a lot of Eve chapters. We get to see her downfall and the monster she is becoming from the perspective of the people who love her the most and how they deal and comprehend it. Which I enjoyed a lot more then I initially anticipated that I would.
In DEV1AT3 the search for Ana's body begins. With Ana's blood Gabriel will be able to unlock Myraid, the super computer in Gnosis labs that contains information on how to create Lifelikes and the virus that destroys the three laws in robots. But Ezekiel is going to do everything in his power to stop this, but first he has to find and rescue Lemonfresh who disappears in the beginning of the novel. Ezekiel struggles with the promise he made to Lemonfresh about never leaving her behind and his desperate search for the girl he loves. We see a lot of back and forth on his actions and what he does through out the entirety of DEV1AT3. We see more of Ezekiel's emotionally maturity in this novel. How he has this attachment to Eve, but he fell in love with Ana and he can acknowledge that but there is also something about Eve he can't get out of his head. He rushes head first into danger before thinking things through and he trusts super easily. We see a progression of his emotional growth through this novel, but I am hoping Ezekiel continues to grow in the next book.
A lot happens in DEV1AT3 that changes the whole course of the plot. We are introduced to new essential characters, new settings and shocking secrets that are uncovered through out the novel. I still stand by the fact that I love Jay's world building and I love the new settings he introduced in this novel to expand on this world. I'll leave it with this: We learn more about the mysterious Brotherhood and a resistance group.
Overall I really enjoyed DEV1AT3 and I can't wait to see what is going to happen in TRUEL1F3 considering the painful cliff hanger that we are left with. I'm writing this review after completing the whole series and I'll say this: We've seen nothing yet.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
So. It will take me some time to gather my thoughts after that ending. This was one of my most anticipated books of the year. And it did not disappoint in the slightest.
I loved all of it. The story was compelling, being told from various perspectives and combing various characters and story arcs in an unforgettable finale. I literally could not stop reading for any point. I did not want to leave this world or its characters for any reason. This was helped with the action, which was intense, nearly non-stop, unforgiving, and cinematic.
I can't get over how amazing this world is. You can see where Jay Kristoff got his inspiration from, but he turned it into something completely his own and utterly unlike anything I've ever read before. I wouldn't actually want to live in this world, but as a reader, I want to keep exploring it.
As with all Jay Kristoff books, the characters were incredible. Each one was memorable, layered, and I wanted (almost) all of them to succeed (looking at you, villains). I honestly can't decide whose story was my favourite, though it was likely a tie between Ezekiel, Cricket, or Lemon. Even the side characters added were memorable and fun. Each chapter had a distinct voice to its corresponding character, another testament to Kristoff's talent.
And the ending. Good God THE ENDING. I knew it was going to be wild and heart-wrenching, and it was both of those and more. I honestly have so many questions and am desperate for answers. I love this series and love this book, and am already counting the days until I can reunite with the few survivors and see where their journey leads them.
I loved all of it. The story was compelling, being told from various perspectives and combing various characters and story arcs in an unforgettable finale. I literally could not stop reading for any point. I did not want to leave this world or its characters for any reason. This was helped with the action, which was intense, nearly non-stop, unforgiving, and cinematic.
I can't get over how amazing this world is. You can see where Jay Kristoff got his inspiration from, but he turned it into something completely his own and utterly unlike anything I've ever read before. I wouldn't actually want to live in this world, but as a reader, I want to keep exploring it.
As with all Jay Kristoff books, the characters were incredible. Each one was memorable, layered, and I wanted (almost) all of them to succeed (looking at you, villains). I honestly can't decide whose story was my favourite, though it was likely a tie between Ezekiel, Cricket, or Lemon. Even the side characters added were memorable and fun. Each chapter had a distinct voice to its corresponding character, another testament to Kristoff's talent.
And the ending. Good God THE ENDING. I knew it was going to be wild and heart-wrenching, and it was both of those and more. I honestly have so many questions and am desperate for answers. I love this series and love this book, and am already counting the days until I can reunite with the few survivors and see where their journey leads them.
lighthuis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
rakoerose's review against another edition
5.0
”Folks always need someone to hate. Usually someone different. If we can’t find an Other, we make one up. It’s just the way people are.”
I’m just as invested as I was before. And boy howdy did that ending come for me and my naive, trusting heart.
Initially I was worried that since this book focuses on a variety of characters instead of a more singular focus on Eve like last time, that I’d like it less. That turned out not be true for me! I liked seeing new characters and getting invested in all the different outcomes. This also made the ending super satisfying when everything came together. I think I’m discovering this year that I really enjoy non-linear and non-singular stories when they are done well.
Speaking of new characters, Abraham is now my favorite in this series. He’s remarkably logical and level-headed, considering his upbringing. As a child raised in the Brotherhood, he could have easily been totally indoctrinated to believe the same things. It’s nice to see someone with a solid head on his shoulders.
The religious motifs are strong in this series and I’m 100% here for it.
I’m just as invested as I was before. And boy howdy did that ending come for me and my naive, trusting heart.
Initially I was worried that since this book focuses on a variety of characters instead of a more singular focus on Eve like last time, that I’d like it less. That turned out not be true for me! I liked seeing new characters and getting invested in all the different outcomes. This also made the ending super satisfying when everything came together. I think I’m discovering this year that I really enjoy non-linear and non-singular stories when they are done well.
Speaking of new characters, Abraham is now my favorite in this series. He’s remarkably logical and level-headed, considering his upbringing. As a child raised in the Brotherhood, he could have easily been totally indoctrinated to believe the same things. It’s nice to see someone with a solid head on his shoulders.
The religious motifs are strong in this series and I’m 100% here for it.
ryoflame's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I felt like this one meandered a lot more than the first one and sometimes didn't seem to really go anywhere. Switching between different characters' stories constantly would have been fine but sometimes it just felt like nothing was really happening. Still, I love the characters and I want to follow their story through to the end of the trilogy. On to book 3!
kathrynleereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Jay Kristoff has done it, once again. After the twists and turns that brought Lifel1k3 to a close, I was a little worried that Dev1at3 might be lacking the awe-factor that made me fall in love with Kristoff's writing.
As usual, I was very quickly corrected. Dev1at3 focuses more closely on Lemon, Ezekiel, and Cricket, Eve taking more of a backseat, as they fight their way through the week or so following the events of Lifel1k3.
Following four such different characters allowed readers to observe how many different ways character growth can be shown.
As the only human among the four, Lemon's growth was the most traditional, in terms of what might be expected from a YA dystopian book. She met people, learned more about family (and, more specifically, found family, which is my personal favorite), and really came into her own.
Eve, Zeke, and Cricket, on the other hand, are each going through what I consider to be less as growth, and more as awakenings.
Cricket spent the later parts of the book experimenting with what it meant to follow orders from humans, using Solomon as a guide. He learns to question things that he has just accepted and taken for granted in the past.
Ezekiel starts to come to terms with the fact that, despite his high breadth of knowledge, he is really only a few years old, and isn't as emotionally mature as he might seem, even to himself.
Eve spends Deviate trying to reconcile who Ana Monrova was, who she herself was, and who she is now. As Eve's POV was significantly less present in Dev1at3 than in Lifel1k3, it was sometimes difficult to understand where her head was.
I believe this was done to put readers in the same shoes as the other characters, who were just catching glimpses of her atrocities instead of really being able to understand her reasoning (not that her reasoning would have helped much, she was committing some pretty awful acts).
As Kristoff (again), wrapped up the book with most character's fates up in the air, I am dying to know where Truel1f3, the final installment in the series, brings our characters.
As usual, I was very quickly corrected. Dev1at3 focuses more closely on Lemon, Ezekiel, and Cricket, Eve taking more of a backseat, as they fight their way through the week or so following the events of Lifel1k3.
Following four such different characters allowed readers to observe how many different ways character growth can be shown.
As the only human among the four, Lemon's growth was the most traditional, in terms of what might be expected from a YA dystopian book. She met people, learned more about family (and, more specifically, found family, which is my personal favorite), and really came into her own.
Eve, Zeke, and Cricket, on the other hand, are each going through what I consider to be less as growth, and more as awakenings.
Cricket spent the later parts of the book experimenting with what it meant to follow orders from humans, using Solomon as a guide. He learns to question things that he has just accepted and taken for granted in the past.
Ezekiel starts to come to terms with the fact that, despite his high breadth of knowledge, he is really only a few years old, and isn't as emotionally mature as he might seem, even to himself.
Eve spends Deviate trying to reconcile who Ana Monrova was, who she herself was, and who she is now. As Eve's POV was significantly less present in Dev1at3 than in Lifel1k3, it was sometimes difficult to understand where her head was.
I believe this was done to put readers in the same shoes as the other characters, who were just catching glimpses of her atrocities instead of really being able to understand her reasoning (not that her reasoning would have helped much, she was committing some pretty awful acts).
As Kristoff (again), wrapped up the book with most character's fates up in the air, I am dying to know where Truel1f3, the final installment in the series, brings our characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Medical content, Gore, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Violence, War, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Abandonment, Car accident, and Cursing
laiamorgan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0