\n A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.\n <\/p>\n
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The Plague has left a population divided between Elites and Ordinaries\u2014those who have powers and those who don\u2019t; now, an Ordinary teen fights for her life.<\/p>\n
Paedyn Gray witnessed the king kill her father five years ago, and she\u2019s been thieving and sleeping rough ever since, all while faking Psychic abilities. When she inadvertently saves the life of Prince Kai, she becomes embroiled in the Purging Trials, a competition to commemorate the sickness that killed most of the kingdom\u2019s Ordinaries. Kai\u2019s duties as the future Enforcer include eradicating any remaining Ordinaries, and these Trials are his chance to prove that he\u2019s internalized his brutal training. But Kai can\u2019t help but find Pae\u2019s blue eyes, silver hair, and unabashed attitude enchanting. She likewise struggles to resist his stormy gray eyes, dark hair, and rakish behavior, even as they\u2019re pitted against each other in the Trials and by the king himself. Scenes and concepts that are strongly reminiscent of the Hunger Games fall flat: They aren\u2019t bolstered by the original\u2019s heart or worldbuilding logic that would have justified a few extreme story elements. Illogical leaps and inconsistent characterizations abound, with lighthearted romantic interludes juxtaposed against genocide, child abuse, and sadism. These elements, which are not sufficiently addressed, combined with the use of ableist language, cannot be erased by any amount of romantic banter. Main characters are cued white; the supporting cast has some brown-skinned characters.<\/p>\n
A lackluster and sometimes disturbing mishmash of overused tropes.
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\n (Fantasy. 14-18)<\/i><\/p><\/div>\n\n
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Pub Date:<\/b> Nov. 7, 2023<\/p>\n
ISBN:<\/b> 9798987380406<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Page Count:<\/b> 538<\/p>\n
Publisher:<\/b> Simon & Schuster<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Review Posted Online:<\/b> Sept. 9, 2023<\/p>\n
Kirkus Reviews Issue:<\/b> Oct. 1, 2023<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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