Both books I am talking about today have an average rating of more than four stars each, which is a pretty impressive rating – especially in the age of review bombing. Sadly, those ratings have done nothing to change how I feel about them. I don’t love giving books low ratings as I know how much time and effort goes into writing them, but I also can’t lie about how much I enjoyed something.
Pastel Pink by Nikki Minty
I didn’t completely hate this book, but I also really didn’t like it. There wasn’t much of a plot and the world just didn’t make sense. Also, while refreshing my memory of what I talked about in my review, I remembered the whole ‘reverse racism’ aspect of this book. The light-skinned characters are often ridiculed and seen as useless. Such a weird take.
If this wasn’t published back in 2021, I would probably accuse the cover of being AI, because let’s be honest, it looks very AI generated.
Synopsis: From one ending comes a new beginning…
Ruby was murdered on Earth eighteen years ago and reincarnated on Zadok as a Pastel Zeek named Harlow. To be born at the bottom of her race’s caste colour system to a middle-class family of Magentas has made Harlow a source of conflict amongst the ruling Purples, and a source of derision from all three colours.
When Harlow is attacked by a fuegor on Zadok, the effects of its slow reacting venom triggers an unforeseen phenomenon, and due to the strong connection she had with her former twin sister Jade, her human spirit is unexpectedly drawn back to Earth.
Now living a double life, she has plunged into a world of intrigue on both planets.
On earth, she watches on in horror as Jade reconnects with Lucas, the man who murdered her and got away with it. And to complicate things further, she’s being pursued by Alex, the ghost of Lucas’ twin. On Zadok, she becomes embroiled with Jax, the son of the Commanding family. He’s determined to bring about change to the colony’s colour system, but it’ll come at a cost.
As Harlow mixes with the political intrigue of the Zeeks, will she become a victim of those trying to rigidly maintain the status quo or will she usher in a revolution?
And will ghost Ruby resist the temptation of the handsome Alex or pursue an impossible relationship that could have dire consequences on both planets?
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Hands up if you were also obsessed with this series as a teen and have now realised that it wasn’t really that great. If you’d asked me at 12 what my favourites books were, I would have said Divergent, but then I discovered The Hunger Games and that changed instantly. I never even finished Allegiant despite trying on three different occasions.
I did really love this book when it first came out but it hasn’t stood the test of time, much like most YA dystopia novels. Other than The Hunger Games which will always be the best. I’d be intrigued to attempt a re-read of this at some point, just for nostalgia purposes – and to see if it’s as bad as I think I’m remembering.
Synopsis: One choice can transform you. Beatrice Prior’s society is divided into five factions—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). Beatrice must choose between staying with her Abnegation family and transferring factions. Her choice will shock her community and herself. But the newly christened Tris also has a secret, one she’s determined to keep hidden, because in this world, what makes you different makes you dangerous.
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