Last Star Burning

I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

DNF @ 78%

I know, I know, at 78% why couldn't I just finish it? I feel a bit guilty about this too, but I stopped reading to shower, do some chores, and spent pretty much all that time steaming over how I hated the direction this book was going. The scene I had left on had me rolling my eyes when I put the book down, but by the time I could read it again I wanted to throw my iPad across the room.

I can't say much of what bothered me about this book because I don't want to spoil the book for people who still want to read it, but there are a few things I can say.
Please take this all with a grain of salt. If you haven't read much YA or are new to reading, you actually might enjoy this. If you read a ton of YA–especially YA dystopia this might not be the thing for you.

To start, let me say that I was actually really enjoying this book in the beginning, wondering why my GR friends didn't have a good time with it. “What gives?” I thought. Then Sev runs off with Howl. Immediately, my like for the book started slipping. Why? Because I dislike when secrets are continuously used as a plot device. I get it adds suspense, I understand explaining secrets all at once can be considered info dumping, but... UGH!!!
Every time, Sev asks a pretty darn good question she is put off and, I mean, she's trusting her life to this guy, are you telling me that even explaining the destination is going to kill him? And all the other secrets– Literally the secrets and lack of trust DOES NOT STOP. 78% in, another “huge” reveal that can change everything rolls eyes, I'm just done.

Another thing is how some scenes or reactions don't make sense – I feel like I miss something. This whole part since they've made it to the mountain has just felt sloppy. A new recruit who has no formal training is taken out into the field to patrol –where is the armory? Did they go there first or did the dude just take her outside? Also, no one can get away from required testing THAT easily. Just... I've got to let it go. Honestly, the longer I spend on this review, the more frustrated I get that I've spent my morning & afternoon reading this. I feel so let down.

As annoyed as I am, people who aren't tired of secrets being held back from the MC, might like this book. The characters are pretty charming, the world is interesting and explored–with hopefully more to come, and the romance isn't front and center. Truly, the romance almost seems refreshing, yes most of it relying on looks and the fact they've been through dangerous situations together, but I feel there was time and situations for it to grow.
In fact, the possibilities of others liking it, and the romance part are what give this book the additional second star.

This is not a down and out horrible book. There is something here that people may like, unfortunately, it just rubbed me the wrong way.