The Raging Ones

2022 re-read:
This time around, 4 years later, I found Part 1 to be slow, but once Part 2 hits (about 30% in) things just go. What a book and while I remembered some of the twist at the end, not everything and ohhhh riiighhhht, this is why I was so excited to read book 2 which I'll finally be getting to.
Most of my below sentiments are the same.
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I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Wow.
A day after reading this and that is STILL my opinion.

At first glance this book may not seem like my thing; I tend to like books that have a very clear goal and a path to victory. While the characters do have a goal: join Saga 5 to get off the planet, the first half of the book might seem slow to people since they are preparing to join the program. I dislike slow books, but this one didn't seem slow to me. I'm into character development as well and there are some characters that I could read about their average week and still be happy. Which might be why I didn't mind the lack of action or adventure. It truly isn't needed because the characters are great and there is a reason for why it takes so long for them to get to the space program. I just assumed the space program would be most of the book– my bad.

Anyhow, let me tell you about my new children. Their names are Court, Mykal, and Franny. They are wonderful and amazing. Court is a little thief who used to live with the Influentials, so he is a bit uppity, but he knows how to act the part to get them into the program. Mykal is a sweetheart, little fluff who I wanted to protect so badly, but was also able to kill huge bears by 8 years old– little wilderness babe. Franny is the one you would expect to be a thief, but she is so nice, hates thieving, can trust people too quickly, but won't take your BS. I just love them all, including Court, who breaks my heart.
It should also be mentioned that they are all connected so they feel what the other feels, tastes what they taste, and sense each other's emotions. This doesn't mean they all get into a romantic relationship or that there is a love triangle around Franny. NOPE! I was so happy. Instead, Court and Mykal are the ones who like each other, but keep their distance because reasons–which definitely come up in the book and make so much sense. Their connections make things difficult for them and there is jealousy and hard feelings because they sense EVERYTHING.
I swear to all that is bright, if one of these children die I will harm someone...violently. Do not touch them.

Writing/Pacing: AWESOME– perhaps some might find it slow
Characters: L O V E
Story: Absolutely hooked me and that ENDING!!! Cliffhanger and not one I dislike. I WANT to read the next book so. badly. I want to know what is going on. takes deep calming breath Okay, so this book might also feel like an initial stepping stone to greater things, but isn't so obvious until the end. So, if that annoys you (1st book has a set up feel, etc.) I still think you should give this a try.

In conclusion, if you like character heavy stories, sci-fi/fantasy mixes, LGBT rep (Court and Mykal aren't the only couple mentioned thus far), and ~space~ then please go check this book out. It totally deserves all the love.

DNF - PG 39

Why?

I'm trying to remember why I added this book to my TBR. I can't. I added this to my TBR before it was ever released and, honestly, I think I thought it was a poly story. So...that's on me. I didn't do my proper research then.

Now, thought, I think I must have thought that I had a good reason for it being on here. ... I just can't imagine what it was.

I've never read anything by the Ritchie sisters, up until this book. They, apparently, write NA contemporary romance and are pretty popular. Their genre preference shows. I love sci-fi and fantasy. I love YA sci-fi and fantasy. This book has a lot more in common with NA contemporary romance than it does YA spec fiction. (That can be, depending on your preference, a good thing or a bad thing. For me, it was a bad thing because I don't like NA, and I don't much like contemporary romances.)

These characters are hard, bitter, they fit in to the standard NA formula quite well, in my experience. I universally dislike them. Franny is...honestly, I would be quite happy to never spend one more moment with her, ever. I truly cannot stand her. Court and Mykal...I dislike both, though not quite as stridently as Franny. They way they react to each other, I do not like the idea of them being a couple and their ‘link' is somewhat off putting to me.

The writing style isn't what I expect from sci-fi and fantasy. Not even YA sci-fi and fantasy. It feels contemporary. That's both from the structure of the writing and, save a few oddities, the word choices. (I once tried to read a sci-fi book that everyone claimed was written like an urban fantasy. It was because I couldn't stand the main character and I could not read the book.) The way a story is told is important. For me, this did not work.

There is a lot of attention put on emotions and, especially, the relationship between Court and Mykal. That's fine, but this level of intensity this early one leaves me feeling cold because I have no connection to them so I do not care. I ‘read' (listened, really) to the first three chapters, one from each of the main character's and...Mykal's - who was the third perspective - was all about the relationship and link between him and Court. Fine. For me, it happens way to early in the book. I do not care. (And I don't think their relationship is going to be very healthy, honestly. Partially because of the link - how could it be? - but I'm not thrilled with the way they treat each other, either.)

Finally, I am slightly curious about the world building. I would like to have answers about death days and how all this is possible and why and what's up with their frozen country? But, I am a character reader - I've heard that these authors are character authors (and that they struggle with plot which does not make me confident at all) so, if I already can't stand the people, why should I bother trying to read any more?