Okay so I really don’t know how to start this review. I know that I was extremely excited to read this book and I kept hearing great things about it. When I began the book I had no idea what it was about to be honest, I knew it was dystopian and a great book. I don’t like to know the plots or summaries previous to reading the books because then the book get ruined even if it’s spoiler free. SO to be honest I didn’t know what to expect. And what I read I was really surprised.
To begin I wasn’t expecting a world like this. It was very dark in a sense but the book wasn’t gloomy. I think the author did a great job at balancing the two. Rhine the protagonist was so interesting to read about. I think the way she contemplated about her life as Mrs. Ashby & kidnapped girl was amazingly written. When the book began I was like how can she stand being in this world. It’s horrible how can she be forced to marry someone and be kidnapped from her brother it’s pretty horrible. But then it’s balanced out by a not so horrible husband, and having everything she could desire (food, games, pool, beautiful house, loving husband, and amazing staff) except freedom. At times while reading the book I would think to myself it’s not so bad, maybe she should stay and make Lindson happy. That right there is why I think the author did an amazing job, because she had me contemplating the realness to this life Rhine was living. There were points in this book were Rhine would lie so beautifully that she believed the lies herself.
Rhine was an amazing character that was so strong willed. She played her part beautifully and stuck to her plan. I felt so bad for Jenna, she was the hardest to read about. She’s like that person you can’t save and you know is doomed. She was an amazing sister wife and wish her story could have ended differently. Cecily was so naïve in every way but it wasn’t her fault. She was so easily manipulated. Lindson was so much like Cecily, he was naïve and sweet at the same time. It was unfortunate that he had such a horrible father to control his life like that. I really like him, and I would forget at times that he was only 21 and acted so much older at times. I was left wanting Rhine to love him at times. But I knew it could not be so. This book reminded me of Matched, in the way there was no freedom. Although matched was an extreme case controlling Vaughn was not too far off. Vaughn was a great villain, I will say that. What he did was horrible and he was so creepy at times that I would be scared for Rhine. I really felt like he watched her at all times. He really freaked me out.
Now this book is not my normal type of book that I read. It was different and not what I was expecting. It reminded me of Matched, in that it was slower paced but then not really. Not much happened action wise, but things were still moving. It was slower paced but not boring! I am one to say that if I would have known that this book was about polygamy, dying races, kidnappings, and all the other horrible stuff in this book I probably wouldn’t have read it. BUTTTT!!!!!! It was done so well that I am glad I didn’t know much about the book. I normally love reading my paranormal romance where I ache for that kiss, or can’t wait for that couple to get together. Wither is not this at all!!!!!! But just because it wasn’t doesn’t mean it wasn’t good. Now that I think about it, before I read Hunger Games I read the summary and did not want to read it because I thought that’s not my type of book. BUT man am I glad I read it. Granted Wither is no Hunger Games but you get the point. I can’t wait to read the second book that follows this trilogy. It was so well written and I really couldn’t put the book down. I am so glad I read this book!!
