AUTHOR: Renee Ahdieh
PUBLISHER: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
PUBLISHING DATE: May 16, 2017
FROM GOODREADS: The only daughter of a prominent samurai, Marikop has always known she been raised for one purpose and one purpose only: to marry. Never mind her cunning, which rivals that of her twin brother, Kenshin, or her skills as an accomplished alchemist. Since Mariko was not born a boy, her fate was sealed the moment she drew her first breath.
So, at just seventeen years old, Mariko is sent to the imperial palace to meet her betrothed, a moan she did not choose, for the very first time. But the journey is cut short when Mariko's convoy is viciously attacked by the Black Clan, a dangerous group of bandits who've been hired to kill Mariki before she reaches the palace.
The lone survivor, Mariko narrowly escapes to the woods, where she plots her revenge. Dressed as a peasant boy, she sets out to infiltrate the Black Clan and hunt down this responsible for the target on her back. Once she's within their ranks, though, Mariko finds for the first time she's appreciated for her intellect and abilities. She even finds herself falling in love - a love that will force her to question everything she's ever known about her family, her purpose and her deepest desires.
MY THOUGHTS: I gave this book the old college try. I love the cover and think it's one of the best I've seen this year. In addition, I was really interested in the first few chapters of this book because the action started right away and the cultural aspects were very interesting. However, I quickly bored and I found myself actually avoiding reading because I didn't want to pick up this book. I read about 145 pages into it and since there was still quite a bit to go, I decided it was best for me to move on. Had I not done so, I'd probably STILL be avoiding reading and there are too many good looking books on my shelf to do so. I didn't really connect with the characters and I found myself not really caring what happened. I don't know if I will ever pick this book back up some day. I've seen some people really love it and I've seen some who have struggled like I did. It's probably a good book for many readers out there, but it just wasn't for me.
RATING: None since I don't feel it's fair because I didn't finish it.
No shame in it. I have been on a good run but DNF is sometimes the only answer. Not enough hours in a day to force your way through something!
ReplyDeleteYou make such great points yet I always struggle with DNF'ing.
DeleteInteresting....I know this book has been hyped all over the place. Sometimes that can do more harm than good. But I'd say 145 pages is a good try!
ReplyDeleteI don't always have the best luck with over hyped books.
DeleteThere are lots of hyped books that I've either DNFed or just not liked very much, so I wouldn't feel bad about not finishing this one!
ReplyDeleteI actually don't feel too badly which is how I know I did the right thing.
DeleteYou tried. I'd say that's enough time and effort. And like you said, there's plenty of books waiting:)
ReplyDeleteThere sure are!
DeleteYou did the right thing. If it wasn't working for you, then you should move on to something else. I stopped a book last week after reading about 150 pages. I didn't care what happened to anyone in the book so it was time to move on. I hope your next read is better!
ReplyDeleteYea, not caring about any of the characters is a real struggle in ANY book.
DeleteA DNF! There's hope for you yet! *giggles* It's a lovely cover but I have heard very mixed views on it. You know me, I'm very much a DNFer if I'm not liking it!
ReplyDeleteI knew you'd be proud!
DeleteI have definitely seen lots of so-so reviews of this one out there. You're not alone! I still might pick it up, but it will be from the library. I have been burned by hype more than once.
ReplyDeleteIt seems I'm always getting burned by the hype.
DeleteOh no- sorry about the DNF! Sometimes it's for the best though- they can't all work right? :)
ReplyDeleteVery true and that's a good way to look at it.
DeleteIf I have no interest in going back to a book then the best thing is to just DNF and move on. :) I am proud of you I know how hard it is for you to not finish a book...lol.
ReplyDeleteYep, I feel like I'm making strides in the DNF department.
DeleteI struggled with this one too, and won't deny that there were moments I was tempted to DNF especially since I detested the protagonist. Don't feel bad, you soldiered on as long as you could!
ReplyDelete~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
I know that wasn't an easy decision for you. Your reason for abandoning it is the exact reason I try to DNF books if I need to. I will get stuck not reading anything at all.
ReplyDeleteYea, it wasn't worth entering a long slump. I'm glad I did it.
DeleteOh no. That is such a bummer when it happens. :/
ReplyDeleteYep especially when I see people raving about it. Makes me wonder what happened on my end.
Deletewow!!! this is a first Barb!!! I know what you mean. Soo many books... why spend your time reading one that is not elating you :)
ReplyDeleteYep, you are totally right!
DeleteOooooh yeah I have not been hearing the best of things about this one. I loved this authors debut, was pretty meh about the second, and don't think I'll be picking this one up.
ReplyDeleteI struggled with this one too, and won't deny that there were moments I was tempted to DNF especially since I detested the protagonist. Don't feel bad, you soldiered on as long as you could!
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I'm not reading this review yet! I have the book on my nightstand so it will be in the rotation soon. I'm looking forward to coming back to this review! #GetSocial17
ReplyDeletei've heard a lot of hype but haven't actually seen anyone read it. I'll have to go in to cautiously #getsocial17
ReplyDeleteQuite a few people I know have DNF'd this one. You're right though, the cover is certainly pretty! #getsocial17
ReplyDelete