Actual Rating: 3.5
I've read the first book of Bartol's Kricket series, and I got to say I liked this one more. While it does have romance it does not take center stage in this book like it did halfway through Under Different Stars (You can read how I felt about that HERE). First, I found the mix of colors on the cover gorgeous, I know they say don't judge a book by it's cover but sometimes you can't help it. Secondly, the synopsis was pretty interesting, given that technically in my family I would have been a Thirdborn, so shot and killed in this world. Third, I was hoping for a strong female character, being female myself I always lean toward female protagonists (and antagonists as well) in stories.

While yes, Roselle was a strong character she did have inconsistencies in her personality. One minute she was graceful, witty, and powerful, then the next she's a shaky and anxious mess. Plus in the beginning of the book you see she is a most loyal soldier, then suddenly she's this rebellious troublemaker. While I am all for strong characters to have faults, this change in personality had no transition.

The romance was great, since it did not interfere too much in the plot, or create drama just to create drama. I think I know where Bartol is going with it which makes me more optimistic about it. This book did remind me heavily of The Hunger Games series, especially Catching Fire but once again I preferred this book over that one.