Mia Morrissey has escaped: America, the Registry, and the role she was raised for— a perfect bride auctioned to the highest bidder. She’s enemy number one to the world’s largest power, and there’s no turning back now.
From the moment she and her friends Andrew, and Carter cross the border into Mexico it becomes clear their troubles are only beginning. The young men are immediately picked up by a violent and omnipotent militia—The Collection—and it’s Mia’s turn to rescue them.With time running out, her ex-fiancé’s henchman on her trail, and a dangerous tide shifting back in America, Mia will do whatever she has to. Even if that means risking everything and putting herself back on an auction block. The price of freedom is never too high…but what if the cost is her life? (Goodreads)
I reviewed the first one in this series here. I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing in exchange for my honest opinion. And that opinion: I like this series, but the writing kind of bothers me. I noticed this in the first book, The Registry, but in this book it started to grate on me. Maybe it's just my inner editor, but the entirety of this book is telling and not showing. So, I know I can be guilty of this in my own writing, but I do try to avoid it. This book, however, is entirely full of it, which is okay I guess, but makes it hard to really get in touch with the characters, or feel any emotional depth to their experiences. The story is engaging, though deeply disturbing in the way women are treated and thought of, which was interesting enough to keep me reading. I have to admit, though, that I felt like it was far too easy to fall out of the story when I'd stumble across a line that made me want to turn on track-changes. Anyhow, I enjoy the incredibly horrific storyline of these, but I will sample the next book before I buy it, to see if the writing is any more to my liking.
I like a good balance of showing to telling. I really don't like all showing, but too much exposition is grating.
ReplyDeleteThere's a good balance to strike, I think! :)
DeleteYou are SO welcome, Meradeth! I think all of us here were eagerly awaiting your release date :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Faith!!! :)
DeleteSometimes it sucks being a writer because you can't enjoy a book like you used to...before you knew all the things the writer was doing wrong!
ReplyDeleteSo true!!! :)
DeleteTelling is for first drafts. Then I go back and flesh it out with showing.
ReplyDeleteAn intriguing concept, at any rate. Good that the release went well for you!
ReplyDeleteI always worry about the telling, not showing. There are so many pieces to making a really excellent book.
ReplyDeleteLove your book covers. They are stunning!
Me, too! There are so many things to remember, that's for sure!
DeleteSounds like an interesting concept. I appreciated your honest review. It can be hard when there is too much telling instead of showing.
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you that your release has been such a hit! Yeah!!
Thanks to so many awesome people :)
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