Review Detail

Let me lay it out for you. This is a five star book. Period. Heck, I think nearly all of Imogen Rose's books are five stars in my eyes so far. It's kind of crazy. Did the author make a deal with the devil or something to get this level of pure talent or what? Or maybe one of these demons from this book? Hmmm...

So. I'm conflicted, confounded, confused... I'm something... about this book. I really liked Faustine, the first "book" in the series. I'll admit when I got this request for review (and then bought it because I loved it so much and wanted to share with others), I was really a little disappointed that she was putting out a prequel already. It seemed odd. I'm so used to those coming 2-3 books after a series is going.

My confliction (is that a word? No? I just made it up! YES!) comes from the fact that I think I liked Cordelia a whole heck of a lot more than Faustine (the character). I mean A LOT more. In fact, I'll say that there were a few times when I thought Faustine was just downright annoying in this particular book. I think that was because Cordelia comes off as such an amazing strong and deep character that she completely overshadowed everyone else she came into contact with - the good news is that this covers up those few times that I was on the Faustine-hate-train.

So, book 2 (errr... 3... err.. whatever) will be out eventually. Who do I want to read more of? Faustine or Cordelia? It's very confusing - you see my problem right? I SHOULD want to read more about Faustine, but right at this moment, two days after reading it, I could care less about that brat. Bring more Cordelia, baby!

Having said that, you absolutely do not have to have read Faustine to read this book. It will help because you'll have some clues, but it's not necessary. The writing is amazing, it flows off of the page easily. I read this on my Kindle and the formatting was absolutely gorgeous and the editing was amazing, impeccable even - so unheard of in the independent realm of publishing.

There's a bit of a warning written into the description and it's true, this is for the older set of YA, but ya know... I'd let my kids read it probably at the age of thirteen (I'm a very lenient parent, so maybe even earlier) - BUT it is a bit edgier. There's some sex (barely worth mentioning, if I'm being honest) and some cursing. But ya know... these kids had to grow up eventually, right?

I'll be honest, folks. I keep waiting for Imogen to write a bad book. I mean, it happens, right? I have yet to read an author that has written more than five or six books that I didn't dislike one of them. She is one of the YA authors to watch and I'm glad to have gotten to know her work before she gets all famous and writes that really bad book ;)

I wish I could say more... but really, just go buy it.