Pretty good book other than beating you over the head with pro-choice propaganda. After reading the first Birthmarked book I almost recommended this series to some teen girls I know. I'm glad I read the whole series first, because now I know that'd be a bad idea. This also means I wouldn't recommend it to any of the many teachers I know, which is unfortunate because it's otherwise a story with universal appeal. My goodness. Gaia just can't seem to stop playing those boys emotions, now can she? I have to say she had no morals at all when it came to this. It was obvious from the beginning that she would end up with Leon; it's the standard story arc for all angst filled YA. And yet Gaia finds herself becoming attractive to Will but also his brother. First of all, they are brothers and playing them against each other is simply wrong. Second, she was still in love with Leon! Need I say more?Then she acts like a witch toward Leon. And gets upset because he's mad at her. They finally get back together after she gets caught kissing another guy! Like right after, on the same day.In the Enclave Gaia's job included taking babies from their mothers. Yet she is surprised when Sylum takes her sister from her. funny how things work out that way, huh? I mean really how could she not see this coming?The author might think it was needed but I found a lot of gross details. Let me begin by saying that the main character is a midwife and helps birth babies. Which is quite alright except it can just be mentioned I don't need to know everything... in detail. Also there is an autopsy that she helps with. All that I need to know, as a reader, is what they found. I do not want to know about them peeling back the skin and digging through the organs. Disgusting.Also, this is just a question, it isn't a problem. What was the point of mentioning Will's gay uncles. It doesn't bother me, I was just wondering. It is only mentioned once or twice and doesn't affect the story at all. Was there a point in including them, or were they just extra, filler characters? I suppose it could be a way of saying that because there was a shortage of girls in Sylum the guys were finding other options. If it was then explain it more. If not why include it?Overall it was a good book. I like the writing style and it had a decent plot. I would just suggest cutting out some of the angst and all of the gross details.
Do You like book Das Land Der Verlorenen Träume (2012)?
Absolutely amazing! Something about the world of Sylum and the changes in Mlass Gaia completely encompassed me. I loved this book and enjoyed it significantly more than Birthmarked, which I didn't think was possible. Being such a big fan of Gaia, it was such a lovely read to see her be portrayed so differently and treated so differently. The write made you feel the passion between Gaia and all of her admirers…I certainly couldn't have picked either. As a reader, I was equally as torn! The write made you really feel the longing, the pain, the suffering of the stocks…The joy and excitement of overcoming the system…and so much more. I want to download the next book - immediately! Although I'm scared for it all to end. This is probably one of the top two books I have ever read - with The Giver.
—Suze
The writing and story-telling of this book are certainly worthy of a 4-star rating, but the philosophy? Oh dear. It seemed like the whole book was a thinly veiled attempt to push a liberal agenda (abortion being the most blatant). What happened to "life first?" The "love square" was also grating. I have not yet read the final book in the trilogy, so maybe Gaia's character arc continues to a better place.
—danimanton
Did not like the turn the second book made with the abortion theme.
—QueenB
I couldn't put this one down! I read it in less than two days.
—emsarah42
I loved it, despite the dreaded "love square!"
—amna
