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lclowe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
becxas's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
Intriguing with interesting questions about genetics and how much is too much. I’m enjoying this YA story.
amybraunauthor's review
5.0
I can't get enough of this series! The sequel packed in even more action, drama, and heart wrenching moments. And I loved every second of it! I learned so much about the world, these excellent characters, and awesome science.
Almost every page was filled with thrilling twists, turns, and unexpected moments. I legitimately did not see some of them coming as Cat's past was revealed. My focus was entirely on the page and I just wanted to know more and more, feeling my heart break a little every time a hurdle was thrown in her way. While she was still her heartwarming, brave self, circumstances made her more complex as difficult choices and treachery crossed her path. I loved seeing more of her, meeting new characters, and returning to old ones.
The action was absolutely wild. There were so many excellent, tense action scenes, all of which led to an absolutely wild and gut-punching ending. The world continued to be frightening and unique, and I am completely spellbound by it as author Emily Suvada adds it to every page.
This series just keeps getting better and better, and I honestly can't wait to see where it goes next. The science is genius, the creativity astounding, the characters complex, and the action nail-biting. This is not a series to miss out on!
Almost every page was filled with thrilling twists, turns, and unexpected moments. I legitimately did not see some of them coming as Cat's past was revealed. My focus was entirely on the page and I just wanted to know more and more, feeling my heart break a little every time a hurdle was thrown in her way. While she was still her heartwarming, brave self, circumstances made her more complex as difficult choices and treachery crossed her path. I loved seeing more of her, meeting new characters, and returning to old ones.
The action was absolutely wild. There were so many excellent, tense action scenes, all of which led to an absolutely wild and gut-punching ending. The world continued to be frightening and unique, and I am completely spellbound by it as author Emily Suvada adds it to every page.
This series just keeps getting better and better, and I honestly can't wait to see where it goes next. The science is genius, the creativity astounding, the characters complex, and the action nail-biting. This is not a series to miss out on!
frekinney's review against another edition
5.0
So many plot twists and crazy reveals. Some of them were more or less expected given the twists that book one ended on, but each one was still exciting and surprising. The development of the relationships between both the old and new characters was fascinating. The cliffhanger at the end hurt, but I'm looking forward to seeing how it gets resolved.
rakoerose's review
5.0
Wow that ENDING, I can’t wait until January. I’ll def be picking up the next one. 👀
Initially I felt a little torn about if I should give this 5 stars or not, as this book in the series relies heavily on a trope I’m not fond of: miscommunication. I began leaning towards a 4.5 or 4 stars because of it but then I had the realization.
Cat’s situation is so unique, that miscommunication really can’t be avoided. She’s unaware of herself, of her past, so of course she’d be unaware of some other things as well. You can never be absolutely sure that what someone is telling Cat is actually true - she’s so out of her element and her comfort zone.
Thus, everything else that I loved about This Cruel Design (ie the birds, the reveals, the action packed nature of everything, the mystery) made me look past it and give 5 stars!
A quick aside: we get introduced to some lgbt rep in this! I won’t reveal who - it’s fun to discover it on your own - but I wanted to mention that in case some are a little hesitant to get into a series that initially seemed pretty hetero. Aside complete. c:
I now really stand by my earlier statement in my This Mortal Coil review that this series would make a great TV show. The sneaky reveals mixed with fast action would be incredible - for some of the moments in the book I was able to picture how someone would block out the scene for being shot on video. It might be because this series is written in present tense, but everything feels so cinematic!
To sum up: I really adore this series and will be quietly waiting for the next one to arrive in my life and blow my mind once again.
Initially I felt a little torn about if I should give this 5 stars or not, as this book in the series relies heavily on a trope I’m not fond of: miscommunication. I began leaning towards a 4.5 or 4 stars because of it but then I had the realization.
Cat’s situation is so unique, that miscommunication really can’t be avoided. She’s unaware of herself, of her past, so of course she’d be unaware of some other things as well. You can never be absolutely sure that what someone is telling Cat is actually true - she’s so out of her element and her comfort zone.
Thus, everything else that I loved about This Cruel Design (ie the birds, the reveals, the action packed nature of everything, the mystery) made me look past it and give 5 stars!
A quick aside: we get introduced to some lgbt rep in this! I won’t reveal who - it’s fun to discover it on your own - but I wanted to mention that in case some are a little hesitant to get into a series that initially seemed pretty hetero. Aside complete. c:
I now really stand by my earlier statement in my This Mortal Coil review that this series would make a great TV show. The sneaky reveals mixed with fast action would be incredible - for some of the moments in the book I was able to picture how someone would block out the scene for being shot on video. It might be because this series is written in present tense, but everything feels so cinematic!
To sum up: I really adore this series and will be quietly waiting for the next one to arrive in my life and blow my mind once again.
lyoungthebookfae's review
5.0
This series has messed with my head, and I love it and hate it at the same time.
readmoreyall's review
2.0
Not as great as the first. Seemed too convoluted and left me not wanting to read the next one. I think sci fi readers would still enjoy it; it’s just not love for me.
listenbeforeigo's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ethansmyth's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25