Review Detail

5.0 1
Middle Grade Fiction 281
Absolutely Brilliant!!
Overall rating
 
5.0
Plot
 
N/A
Characters
 
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Writing Style
 
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Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
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MY THOUGHTS
I've been seeing this book around for awhile, but it just didn't really interest me. Mostly due to the fact that it takes place during a war. One day, I decided to read the synopsis again and saw:
"She must disguise herself as a man named Aristos."
I knew that I had to read this book!! I love books that include the trope of a girl pretending to be a boy!
And I am so glad that I decided to pick up this book!

This book takes place in a dystopian type world where, at age eighteen, people get their designated job areas (Ex: Health, Environment, Military, etc.). Aris and Calix are in love with each other and are about to Promise to one another (kind of like engagement). Then Calix gets drafted into Military. Aris decides to become a pilot within the Military, to be with Calix again. Problem is, women are not allowed in the Military. Aris must disguise herself as a man, even though she could potentially be arrested for impersonating a soldier. But what if becoming a soldier means more than just finding Calix?

My favorite thing about this book is how much Aris changes in the book! Her personality, what's important to her, her life, so many things change about her. Maybe for the better, maybe not. And it's amazing seeing what's changed in her through just this book. Even physically, she changed. In the beginning, she has a limp, one that causes people to see her as fragile, but by the end it's not even noticeable! She becomes so much stronger!

On that note, the characters are great and dimensional! And I'm not just taking about Aria! Her friends, fellow soldiers, everyone is so well-developed into the story!
The book is also in third person and does not just follow Aria. We also get to follow Ward Nekkos of Atalanta and Ward Vadim of Ruslana, who give us a bigger insight of the war. Honestly, this book would not be able to work without seeing their lives in the story.

As far as romance, I was surprised to find how much little focus there was on the romance, which made me so happy. Based on the synopsis, one would think that there would be a focus on the romance between Aria and Calix, but that is not the focus or the point of the book. This book is about so much more than that!

IN CONCLUSION
Overall, this book is well-crafted and brilliant. The characters, world, everything within this story are woven so seamlessly within this book. I love the changes that Aria goes through, but let's be honest here, I loved everything about this book! It's so brilliantly written, real (even though it's in a dystopian world), and it evoked my emotions! These are all signs of a very very great read!
I'm very thankful that I discovered this book and am also able to read the sequel right away!
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