husnaibrahim_'s reviews
206 reviews

So, I finally got around to this book, and let’s just say my feelings about it are all over the place. The thing is, I liked this book but I’m not sure I liked it well enough to actually say I  enjoyed it. 

Honestly, there’s a lot happening in this book, maybe even too much. It’s like a whirlwind of characters, factions, and wars right from the get-go. And I have to say, it’s a bit overwhelming. Like, couldn’t we have eased into it a bit more?

I didn’t particularly like how we didn’t really get an introduction or an insight to what was really going on. Instead, the book  opened up to a full blown war with Taifa leading the charge, and it’s a struggle to keep up.  

I mean, don’t get me wrong, there are some interesting moments in there. Taifa’s journey, for one, is pretty captivating. And then there was Champion Tsiory and the rage. From nobody to frontline warrior, his evolution is intense and emotional, adding some depth to the chaos.

But man, I wish there was more of a gradual introduction to the world and its characters. Jumping in blind made it tough to really get a grip on what was going on. It took me a good few chapters to start piecing things together, and by then, I was already feeling a bit lost.

Maybe just maybe, if I had read this book before the seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I would have enjoyed the latter a bit more.

I loved a lot of things about this book. Starting with Eve Benedict herself! She was a standout character, flawed yet utterly captivating. The imperfections in the narrative made it all the more compelling. It was just such a perfectly imperfect book. I didn’t really clock it from start -what was going to happen to eve- so I was really shocked and completely unprepared when it happened. Particularly with Eve’s fate and Julia’s involvement but I have to say I loved the way it went down!

Julia’s reaction felt authentic, and I love how everything became way too complicated. How traverse and Nina were brought into the mix caught me off guard, but in the best possible way? I honestly never saw it coming and I’m glad. 

I also like that this book gives you a little glimpse into the mundane and chaotic aspects of celebrity life. Because what do you mean sporting events were manipulated by death and that the people’s celebrity princess was also a home wrecker?! Overall, I think the complexities surrounding Eve’s status added so much depth to the narrative, making it such an engaging read.

I’m sorry, but a lot about this book was way too obvious to me.

Maybe it’s because I’m currently in the present, and I am reading about the future, but right from the start, right from the jump, I kept saying, “Bart was definitely killed through the holo game.” It was just glaringly obvious to me that no one broke into the apartment, no one tampered with the droid, and still, he was alone. I kept thinking, “why can’t Eve see this? It’s definitely the holo!” And the way everyone was so hesitant and surprised that it was the Holo? Come on, they were way more advanced than we currently are; because obviously, it’s the future. So why are you so surprised? It was a bit frustrating, to be honest.

Then there’s Benny. It was like he was laying it on way too thick, you know? Crying, weeping, professing his love for her—it all seemed a bit much. So imagine my surprise when it didn’t turn out to be him! I would have seen it coming if I didn’t feel he totally didn’t care much about what happened to Bart. I kept thinking, “He’s being too nonchalant and this is too much. He’s definitely the killer.” But then again, it could have also been the other guy since he wasn’t part of the group from the start. I mean, he didn’t grow up with them, and he also seemed a bit distant, so it probably is him. But then I was like, “Then it will be too obvious if it’s him because he’s the newcomer in the group.”

So I was thinking the best option Nora would’ve gone with is Benny. And I’m glad it didn’t go that way because I love it when I’m always proved wrong in crime thrillers!

And can we talk about Eve’s humor? I love it when she’s hilarious about murder. All the head jokes -seeing as Bart was literally decapitated! It was nice to move away from the trauma ones for a change.