Captive by Aimee Carter

Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion (bk. 2)

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi/Thriller

Subjects: social classes, government, identity, Washington DC

Setting: Washington D.C. and Elsewhere (Michigan)

POV/Tense: 1^st person POV, past tense: Kitty Doe

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 298 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary/ product description: “For the past two months, Kitty Doe's life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate the Prime Minister's niece, her frustration grows as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoats keep her in the dark more than ever.

But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she's accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape.

As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she'll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in—but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?”

My Review:  As the sequel to Pawn, and 2^nd book in the Blackcoat Rebellion series, Captive continues Kitty’s story. Kitty went through a surgical procedure to become Lila Hart without her consent. She has become the face of the Blackcoat rebellion. Kitty is a pretty interesting character. She has a learning disability: Dyslexia. She can’t read, but she’s still smart. I haven’t read any other book series with a main character that has a learning disability. I think most authors are avid reader, so they wouldn’t usually write a character that doesn’t read a lot. Lots of people have this learning disability, but most are able to get over it by the time they’re a teen. Kitty still can’t really read of write. This is why she only is placed as a III after her test. She’s also very stubborn and determined to do what she thinks is right. When she was Masked as Lila, she had to learn how to act like Lila and eat and do what Lila would do. Lila didn’t eat red meat, so Kitty could no longer eat red meat.

There’re some interesting guys in these books. Her boyfriend Benjy is cute and goofy and also smart. He helped Kitty with writing and reading assignments in the group home they grew up in. Benjy is in the Hart’s manor now too and Knox’s assistant.  Knox is a bit broody and always planning things and keeping secrets. You never know whether you can trust him.

Lila breaks a rule and is sent to Elsewhere and finds out how people are living there and that she can help the rebellion further it’s plans. Some of the people there were born there and it’s all they know. There are prisoners there too. Mercer runs Elsewhere and Lila is invited to live in his Manor for her own protection. There are Guards that will kill you for stupid things and breaking the rules can lead to fighting for your life. It’s a horrible place. Stuff is going down and the rebellion must take its chance to take over and Kitty must help.

Fast paced and thrilling, Captive is a great sequel. Maybe not as amazing as the first book, but still really good. I highly recommend this to fans of The Selection series by Kiera Cass, The Jewel by Amy Ewing and fans of the TV show Scandal. It you love political intrigue and thrilling stories with lite sci-fi, then read this series.

Cover Art Review: I like the colors and the maze. The title is interesting and the girl’s eye showing through. I love the cover under the dust jacket too.

The Elite by Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection (bk. 2)

Genera: Dystopian sci-fi/Romance

Subjects: contests, love, royalty, caste systems, politics, resistance to government

Setting: California (Angeles is clearly Los Angeles) 

POV/Tense: 1st person POV (America) 

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 323 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: HarperTeen

Summary/ product description: “The hotly-anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Selection.

Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Iléa.

America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.

Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.”

My Review: I love this series. I can’t believe it’s not going to be a TV show now. It could have been perfect, or they could have ruined it. At least we have the books and The One to look forward to. I hate that I waited over six months to finally read this, but TBR pile are so big. I think this was a great sequel. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was awesome and full of many twists. I kind of mad at some thing that happened, but they added to the story.

I started to doubt whether I was still Team Maxon. I like Aspen too. If I was America, it would be difficult for me to choose. I liked that we got to see more of what the world was and how it got to be that way. This dystopian is so unlike other dystopian because it’s not about survival. It is about a messed up government and one of the main characters is the prince. I just love how interesting the plot and the characters are.

I felt so emotional reading this book. I was really felt what America was feeling through her narration. She’s such a realistic and believable protagonist. She’s funny, awkward and creative. She’s kind of like me, except a musician instead of an artist. We get to meet her family again and see how much they care for her. Her maids are also really awesome and caring. May, America’s sister, got along well with them.

I really happy I read this. I don’t really understand all the bad reviews out there. Sure, The Selection, the 1^st book, was better. But, the Elite was pretty awesome too. I really feel like this a is a driven story with great characters. Sequels are always harder. I enjoyed all the way and really want The One (or at least The Guard novella) now. If you haven’t read the Selection series, I recommend it if you liked Pawn by Aimee Carter, Crewel by Gennifer Albin or if the idea of royalty and dystopian put together sound interesting. This is a very unique series and all teen girl out there should read it.

Cover Art Review: I love this cover. The color’s okay, but I just love the whole photo-shoot they did for this series. The dress and the mirrors and tinsel. It’s so gorgeous.

Pawn by Aimee Carter

Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion (bk. 1)

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi/Thriller

Subjects: social classes, government, identity, Washington DC

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 343 pgs

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary/ product description: “YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.”

My Review: I read this book in one day. If my eye never got tired, I may have read it in one sitting. This book is full of twist and tons of family and political drama. It’s like The Selection by Kiera Cass in a bunch a ways, but with less romance and more action. There are unique characters and a great plot. It read as a movie, almost. The world building is completely unique, but it’s definitely well done. This book is fast and you won’t be able to stop reading. Get ready for a real page-turner.

Kitty is dyslexic. I haven’t read any books with a main character who has a learning disability. I think most authors are avid reader, so they wouldn’t usually write a character who doesn’t read a lot. Lots of people have this learning disability, but most are able to get over it by the time they’re a teen. Kitty still can’t really read of write. This is why she only is placed as a III after her test. Benjy, who was in the group home with her, and also her boyfriend, has helped her with writing and reading assignments. He’s really smart and thinks that Kitty is smart too, even if she can’t read. Kitty is clever and good at memorizing. When she becomes Masked, she quickly learns how to act like Lila.

The most unique think about this book is probably the Masking. Kitty unwillingly undergoes a plastic surgery procedure that make her look like the Prime Minister’s niece, Lila Hart. The change her face, hair, make her taller and more curvy in places. Her eyes stay the same since her and Lila have eyes that are the same shade of blue. Kitty looks in a mirrior and doesn’t see herself anymore. This story is about identity. Discovering who you are and where you belong in society. There’s a caste system based off of one test. They receive a tattoo of their rank afterward. The major question is, “Are you more than the tattoo on the back of your neck?” You should have the freedom to decide your own destiny and make you own choices. Society should choose your life for you. Life should be what you make it. The book had so really great discussion questions in the back of it in case anyone wants to use this as a book club book.

There may have been not much romance, but there was a lot more action than I expected. There was a lot of deceit between characters. Everyone has a secret. Not everyone is who you think they are, or on the side that they should be. This Hart family is one crazy messed up family. I really liked the character Knox. He wasn’t part of a love triangle, but he was Lila’s fiancée. Kitty doesn’t swoon for him because she loves Benjy and wants him back. Knox is pretty helpful and has some strong beliefs, but he helps Kitty along the way, and teaches her how to be Lila. Lila was apparently involved in The Blackcoat Rebellion, and that’s supposedly why the prime minister’s mother Augusta wanted to get rid of her. There are some major twists near the end and a really epic ending. I wonder what will happen in the second book. I highly recommend this to fans of The Selection series by Kiera Cass and fans of the TV show Scandal. It you love political intrigue and thrilling stories with lite sci-fi, then check this out.

Cover Art Review: Cool cover. I recognize the labyrinth symbol from art history. It was in a cathedral, on the floor and meant to symbolize a journey. The eye is behind it and you see the III in the pupil. I like the title and the way it’s debased.