I thought this book was very good. I thought it was a very strong mix between the cinder series and ember in the ashes. I really enjoyed not only the lead characters but also the plot. I thought the world building was done so well and It was easy to become invested in these characters. I enjoyed how this story avoided the insta love issue and made for interesting story. I did think the book had slow moments but overall I was captured from page one. I am very invested in where this series goes in book two! ( )

I thought this book was very good. I thought it was a very strong mix between the cinder series and ember in the ashes. I really enjoyed not only the lead characters but also the plot. I thought the world building was done so well and It was easy to become invested in these characters. I enjoyed how this story avoided the insta love issue and made for interesting story. I did think the book had slow moments but overall I was captured from page one. I am very invested in where this series goes in book two! ( )

teen fiction (dystopian fantasy / action-romance, book 1 of 2-book series, look for Umbertouched in 2018).
Author has background in neuroscience but has become successful writer instead. Complicated and lifelike characters make this better than your typical teen dystopian fiction.

Parental notes: no foul language (this world has its own swears, usually something like "Scars!" or "Goddess!"). There is a bit of drinking, and Zivah uses medicinal concoctions to relax her patients, but there isn't any recreational drug use. As far as romance, characters only go as far as kissing. There is violence but it's brief and not gorey. ( )

It took me several chapters (basically all of Part One) to truly connect with the story, writing, and characters of this novel. Part of that is due to the shifting first person point of view. The switches did not add much to the story, and at some points, took away in that it was more difficult to form a bond with the characters.

The plot was interesting enough, although the end was predictable. I found that I liked Zivah’s stay in the Rosemarked colony more than I did the spy/sleeper soldier aspect.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book. Not my favorite, but still worth the read. ( )