Read With ME (207)

This is a book that has been on my TBR shelf forever! So I'm really glad I have now finished book one in this series and I'm pleased to say that I enjoyed it immensely and I can't wait to read #2 sooner rather than later (hopefully). I've heard so much about this book since it's been out, it's still all the rage on Booktube and other social media platforms but I feel like it's one of those books that's better to read if you are told very little about it ahead of time. I read and watched several "spoiler free" reviews and although they didn't come out and give anything specific away I still feel like I had an idea of what to expect and that took away from my overall reading experience so I'm not going to do that in this review. Regardless this was a really fun book to read and I've been on a total ya/fantasy kick as of late and this was certainly no exception. It was your typical ya fantasy novel with a female protagonist that had a bit of a Hunger Games/Divergent feel to it, although the storyline and the characters were totally different and completely unique to this particular novel but nevertheless it had a similar vibe to ya books I'd read, and thoroughly enjoyed, in the past. Following in the tradition of those two other trilogies, I would love to this series adapted to film...fingers crossed!

Again, I don't want to divulge to much, but this is a story about Mare, a teenager who was born and raised in a world divided by two types of humans, Reds and Silvers. Silvers are the dominant race, with special powers and all the advantages and they live comfortably, with complete control of the government, military and all other resources. Reds are inferior by birth, oppressed into basically slavery and sent off to the front lines of a never ending war on behalf of the Silvers when they reach 18 years of age. Mare is a Red by a series of events places her in the "protection" of Silver royalty, "hidden in plain sight" when a group calling themselves the "Scarlet Guard" threatens a rebellion against the Silvers and Mare is caught right in the middle and cannot trust anyone.

I gave this four out of five stars only because there were some chapters that seemed to drag on and I found myself skimming through but for the most part this book had a lot going on and held my attention. It's definitely a high fantasy novel with a bit of a romantic triangle thrown in to thicken the plot a bit and overall a great read that sets you right up for the second book in this series. I recommend to anyone who enjoys high fantasy ya, especially those who liked the Hunger Games and the Divergent trilogies.