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Don’t Blame the Reckless
Ember:
I don’t regret it.
Not a single second.
Not a single kill.
To the people of Kadjar, Ember is the Bloodhound of the East Sector, a champion for the poor, and an enemy of the rich. She excels at making dangerous enemies, the type that leads to kneeling on a balcony in front of hundreds of people, ready to be publicly executed. To the queen, Ember may be her nation's only hope. Forced by the hands of fate and a ruthless king, the empress is forced to open her eyes and see: Ember Levin is Kadjar's last hope.
Roman:
Contrary to what you may think, I don’t want to die.
My little brother needs me.
My nation needs me.
A king should never be trusted, especially when that king is your father. Prince Roman is trying to his best just to survive. With the king breathing down his neck, one wrong move means Roman will never have the freedom or the power to save his country and his heart. But he can't be the perfect prince his father wants him to be. He has his own secrets, and they just might get him killed.
.
.
.
After a trade war decimated the alliance between Kadjar and Angeles, two strangers from both nations are seeking change. The Kadjarian assassin given a second chance at life is forced to make the journey from her home to Angeles. She comes face-to-face with the Angelesan prince who is troubled by his own demons. These two slowly begin to realize that while they may rule their own worlds, no one can defy the powers that be and make it out alive. A death brings them together, but will death also tear them apart?
I don’t regret it.
Not a single second.
Not a single kill.
To the people of Kadjar, Ember is the Bloodhound of the East Sector, a champion for the poor, and an enemy of the rich. She excels at making dangerous enemies, the type that leads to kneeling on a balcony in front of hundreds of people, ready to be publicly executed. To the queen, Ember may be her nation's only hope. Forced by the hands of fate and a ruthless king, the empress is forced to open her eyes and see: Ember Levin is Kadjar's last hope.
Roman:
Contrary to what you may think, I don’t want to die.
My little brother needs me.
My nation needs me.
A king should never be trusted, especially when that king is your father. Prince Roman is trying to his best just to survive. With the king breathing down his neck, one wrong move means Roman will never have the freedom or the power to save his country and his heart. But he can't be the perfect prince his father wants him to be. He has his own secrets, and they just might get him killed.
.
.
.
After a trade war decimated the alliance between Kadjar and Angeles, two strangers from both nations are seeking change. The Kadjarian assassin given a second chance at life is forced to make the journey from her home to Angeles. She comes face-to-face with the Angelesan prince who is troubled by his own demons. These two slowly begin to realize that while they may rule their own worlds, no one can defy the powers that be and make it out alive. A death brings them together, but will death also tear them apart?
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 12, 2019
111 people want to read
About the author
Maddyson Wilson
7 books15 followersMaddyson Wilson is the author of Doubt The Stars and Don't Blame The Reckless. Her works have also been featured in the 2018 anthology, Many Times, Many Ways. When not writing, Maddyson can usually be found with coffee in hand and pop punk music blaring through her headphones.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 8, 2022
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley (thank you GenZ Publishing). All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🆗 Characters
❌ World-building
❌❌❌ Incoherent plot
DNF at 30%
This book was so promising! Royals, an assassin with a secret mission, revenge, and murders... I am sad to say that this book was really disappointing. It felt like reading a Fanfiction where the author had too many ideas that she tried to pack in one book without taking the time to fully explain the ideas.
I thought this story was happening in a fictional world up until the 20% mark when they started to talk about North America, Cuba, and China. But even after that, I couldn't figure out if this was an alternate timeline where there were royals in North America or if this was a post-apocalyptic kind of world because they also mentioned a plague (very briefly so I have no idea what actually happened there). There is also a ''clash'' between technology and really poor and undeveloped cities. The main character obviously grew up without any technology, but they have limos, helicopters, and paparazzi later in the story. It was weird honestly.
Then there are the characters, they are impossibly bland and ordinary. The main character is a teenager who decided to take matters into her own hands and to kill corrupted and powerful men and women in her country until she gets arrested for trying to kill the empress (I assumed so since she remembered the empress screaming as she was holding a knife to her throat)... She then spent 1 year in jail - quick mention of torture and whipping to gain some sympathy from the reader - and she is to be executed until the empress stops it because she needs Ember to go on a suicide mission to retrieve a prisoner in the neighboring country. Ember then learns that her sister died while she was in jail and the empress tells her that she upheld this information so Ember could become stronger and not break while in jail... So the empress planned all along to use Ember?
The empress also mentions being aware of Ivelisse because she might suspect Ember, but then Ember goes to live with Ivelisse's family for the time of her mission and Ivelisse clearly knows who Ember is when she greets her... As I said, it felt like reading a Fanfiction, with lots of ideas that were not well explained, and that sometimes did not make any sense (for me).
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🆗 Characters
❌ World-building
❌❌❌ Incoherent plot
DNF at 30%
This book was so promising! Royals, an assassin with a secret mission, revenge, and murders... I am sad to say that this book was really disappointing. It felt like reading a Fanfiction where the author had too many ideas that she tried to pack in one book without taking the time to fully explain the ideas.
I thought this story was happening in a fictional world up until the 20% mark when they started to talk about North America, Cuba, and China. But even after that, I couldn't figure out if this was an alternate timeline where there were royals in North America or if this was a post-apocalyptic kind of world because they also mentioned a plague (very briefly so I have no idea what actually happened there). There is also a ''clash'' between technology and really poor and undeveloped cities. The main character obviously grew up without any technology, but they have limos, helicopters, and paparazzi later in the story. It was weird honestly.
Then there are the characters, they are impossibly bland and ordinary. The main character is a teenager who decided to take matters into her own hands and to kill corrupted and powerful men and women in her country until she gets arrested for trying to kill the empress (I assumed so since she remembered the empress screaming as she was holding a knife to her throat)... She then spent 1 year in jail - quick mention of torture and whipping to gain some sympathy from the reader - and she is to be executed until the empress stops it because she needs Ember to go on a suicide mission to retrieve a prisoner in the neighboring country. Ember then learns that her sister died while she was in jail and the empress tells her that she upheld this information so Ember could become stronger and not break while in jail... So the empress planned all along to use Ember?
The empress also mentions being aware of Ivelisse because she might suspect Ember, but then Ember goes to live with Ivelisse's family for the time of her mission and Ivelisse clearly knows who Ember is when she greets her... As I said, it felt like reading a Fanfiction, with lots of ideas that were not well explained, and that sometimes did not make any sense (for me).
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October 15, 2020
When I say I really wanted to like this book, I mean I really did. This had everything that was up my alley: royalty, a mission, a girl who seeks to help people, but everything about what I read was another disaster after another.
- I think my first issue with this book was the lack of worldbuilding. I had no idea about the kind of world I was stepping into when reading this book. It came across as very modern and then something random would make me question whether or not it was. I didn't get any sense of what the surroundings looked like and I didn't feel immersed in the story.
- This book is slower than my Grandma's driving. Impossibly slow. So slow to the point that it was an effort turning the page. Nothing happens. Like at all. For at least 60% of the book, I was sitting there questioning if I was reading some rambles from someone or an actual plot.
- I did like the writing, however. I think Maddyson clearly is talented but this is not the right book for her. I think more thought and attention to detail needed to be added to make the plot more rounded.
- The characters. Ember was dull and sad attempt of being some well-known assassin although we never see this from her. Roman was boring too. I didn't feel the developing romance or even why they would like each other.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to. I felt a lot of it was rushed where the pacing should have slowed and the rest of the book felt like I was hurtling down a very long cliff with no bottom in sight.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
- I think my first issue with this book was the lack of worldbuilding. I had no idea about the kind of world I was stepping into when reading this book. It came across as very modern and then something random would make me question whether or not it was. I didn't get any sense of what the surroundings looked like and I didn't feel immersed in the story.
- This book is slower than my Grandma's driving. Impossibly slow. So slow to the point that it was an effort turning the page. Nothing happens. Like at all. For at least 60% of the book, I was sitting there questioning if I was reading some rambles from someone or an actual plot.
- I did like the writing, however. I think Maddyson clearly is talented but this is not the right book for her. I think more thought and attention to detail needed to be added to make the plot more rounded.
- The characters. Ember was dull and sad attempt of being some well-known assassin although we never see this from her. Roman was boring too. I didn't feel the developing romance or even why they would like each other.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted to. I felt a lot of it was rushed where the pacing should have slowed and the rest of the book felt like I was hurtling down a very long cliff with no bottom in sight.
I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2019
Who can I blame for this?
“Don’t Blame the Reckless” finds Ember, an assassin on the execution black looking for any deal that can save her life and Roman, a prince trying to avoid becoming like his abusive father who find their paths crossing with the two realizing they might be stronger together than they are apart.
This book is a mess.
The world is pretty vague in the beginning which makes the modern day technology feel like a harsh slap against what appeared to be an older, more fantasy like backdrop. There’s not much here in terms of plot I feel like we hit the same beats twice which takes away some of the weight at the end making the whole journey feel rather hollow and pointless. This is only highlighted by the poor pacing where the book reads like it’s happening in a few days and it’s only until we’re told that a month has passed do we as the readers notice and that made some of what I suspect were to be the bigger moments seem too rushed.
The characters were a sad attempt to play into a trope without granting them any depth to actually make it worthwhile. We’re told that Ember is this great assassin who doesn’t let emotions get in her way yet all of her kills happen in flashbacks and her attitude towards actually feeling human emotions does a 180 a few chapters in which is fine female characters don’t have to be just one thing but let me see it happen. I couldn’t really care less about Roman or the romance itself, it also didn’t help that both povs had the same voice so I would find myself forgetting whose chapter I was in and having to go back to make it make sense.
I really don’t know what else to say about this other than it would benefit from another look before final publication.
**special thanks to the publishers for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
“Don’t Blame the Reckless” finds Ember, an assassin on the execution black looking for any deal that can save her life and Roman, a prince trying to avoid becoming like his abusive father who find their paths crossing with the two realizing they might be stronger together than they are apart.
This book is a mess.
The world is pretty vague in the beginning which makes the modern day technology feel like a harsh slap against what appeared to be an older, more fantasy like backdrop. There’s not much here in terms of plot I feel like we hit the same beats twice which takes away some of the weight at the end making the whole journey feel rather hollow and pointless. This is only highlighted by the poor pacing where the book reads like it’s happening in a few days and it’s only until we’re told that a month has passed do we as the readers notice and that made some of what I suspect were to be the bigger moments seem too rushed.
The characters were a sad attempt to play into a trope without granting them any depth to actually make it worthwhile. We’re told that Ember is this great assassin who doesn’t let emotions get in her way yet all of her kills happen in flashbacks and her attitude towards actually feeling human emotions does a 180 a few chapters in which is fine female characters don’t have to be just one thing but let me see it happen. I couldn’t really care less about Roman or the romance itself, it also didn’t help that both povs had the same voice so I would find myself forgetting whose chapter I was in and having to go back to make it make sense.
I really don’t know what else to say about this other than it would benefit from another look before final publication.
**special thanks to the publishers for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
December 6, 2020
I received an eARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
2.5/3 stars.
I had really high hopes for this book, it had all the ingredients to be something I really loved. It had murder, mystery, enemies to lovers ect. however the delivery fell very short for me.
First off let me just add a trigger warning for this book with regards to domestic abuse, torture and drug related abuse.
There were so many inconsistencies with the plot, a lot of information given that characters somehow didn't remember despite there being no real reason for them not to (i.e there was no amnesia ect). The world building didn't feel fully fleshed out, it was confusing to try and immerse yourself fully. And the romance seemed very rushed with no substance at all, it was 0 to 100 in the space of what felt like two chapters at most.
Also, the ending. It was, I don't know. That's how abrupt it was.
I really really wanted to love this book, the idea of it was right up my alley. I loved the themes, I was just disappointed with the storytelling itself. Great potential though.
2.5/3 stars.
I had really high hopes for this book, it had all the ingredients to be something I really loved. It had murder, mystery, enemies to lovers ect. however the delivery fell very short for me.
First off let me just add a trigger warning for this book with regards to domestic abuse, torture and drug related abuse.
There were so many inconsistencies with the plot, a lot of information given that characters somehow didn't remember despite there being no real reason for them not to (i.e there was no amnesia ect). The world building didn't feel fully fleshed out, it was confusing to try and immerse yourself fully. And the romance seemed very rushed with no substance at all, it was 0 to 100 in the space of what felt like two chapters at most.
Also, the ending. It was, I don't know. That's how abrupt it was.
I really really wanted to love this book, the idea of it was right up my alley. I loved the themes, I was just disappointed with the storytelling itself. Great potential though.
June 24, 2019
This is a spoiler-free, four star review!
I enjoyed reading Don't Blame the Reckless! I thought that the story was unique and exciting, and Maddyson's writing style really impressed me.
One of the story';s biggest strengths was its setting; however, I wasn't clear on where and when the story was taking place until about fifty pages in. I think the book would have benefitted from some more descriptive passages for this reason. I also noticed that some of the dialogue sections didn't have much action to them. Each character would speak in a line like this:
"I'm speaking."
"Now I am saying some words."
"Now I, the first character, am speaking again."
This format is usually ok, but when it lasts for close to a page, it can become confusing for the readers.
However, these are pretty much my only (and quite nitpicky) complaints! I loved the characters of Roman and Ember, and Ky owns my heart. I enjoyed the story very much, and I am VERY UPSET ABOUT THAT CLIFFHANGER. I can't wait to see what comes next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed reading Don't Blame the Reckless! I thought that the story was unique and exciting, and Maddyson's writing style really impressed me.
One of the story';s biggest strengths was its setting; however, I wasn't clear on where and when the story was taking place until about fifty pages in. I think the book would have benefitted from some more descriptive passages for this reason. I also noticed that some of the dialogue sections didn't have much action to them. Each character would speak in a line like this:
"I'm speaking."
"Now I am saying some words."
"Now I, the first character, am speaking again."
This format is usually ok, but when it lasts for close to a page, it can become confusing for the readers.
However, these are pretty much my only (and quite nitpicky) complaints! I loved the characters of Roman and Ember, and Ky owns my heart. I enjoyed the story very much, and I am VERY UPSET ABOUT THAT CLIFFHANGER. I can't wait to see what comes next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 3, 2021
What an emotional rollercoaster that was!
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. I kept telling myself I would read one more chapter only to be greeted with another cliffhanger.
It was fast paced and gripping the whole way through. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to full process my emotions towards this book but wow, it is worth the read.
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. I kept telling myself I would read one more chapter only to be greeted with another cliffhanger.
It was fast paced and gripping the whole way through. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to full process my emotions towards this book but wow, it is worth the read.
August 4, 2021
There’s not much here. No world building, no memorable characters, lackluster plot. It was hard to finish and that’s sad because I was so excited based on the summary!
October 19, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! I loved having a somewhat morally gray main character, she was one of my favorite parts of this book. When I finished it, I immediately needed the next book because of the way it ended!
Don't Blame the Reckless follows Ember, the so called Bloodhound of the East Sector. A vigilante assassin, she kills in hopes of gaining a better life for her people. After being caught trying to kill the Empress, she is sent on a mission to free a prison of war from the rival nation. During her mission, she meets Prince Roman, and discovers that they may be just what the world needs.
Let's start this by skipping straight to the end of the book! Ummm, cliffhanger!!! That was absolutely shocking, I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that. It left me desperate for the next book. I do have to say that there were a few conflicts that were left completely unanswered, but I'm depending on the next book to answer those.
The world building in Don't Blame the Reckless was decent, it was a pretty basic fantasy kingdom setup, but I liked it. I loved having the inclusion of tech, so many fantasies leave out tech and go medieval, but having phones added a whole new element. It allowed the plot to move faster, because less time was needed for communication.
I really liked the characters. They all felt somewhat realistic, they both had inner demons you were hoping they could conquer. I liked them before they got together, which says a lot. I've read a lot of books that have assassins as main characters, and it's one of my favorite things to read. That being said, I want to see Ember actually being an assassin in the next book, not just failing to kill people.
The romance in this book was not my favorite, but I still liked it. I was sooo happy that it wasn't a love triangle, I've gotten so tired of those in fantasy books. Although it was insta love, it felt slightly more realistic because it took a bit longer to happen.
The plot was pretty entertaining, but it mainly focused on killing the king. I'm super excited to see where the next book takes it, there's a lot of potential for character development.
As soon as I saw the cover, I needed the book. Its simplicity drew me in, and the color scheme was beautiful. I loved the quote that gave this book the title, it was immediately added to my wall of favorite book quotes. I want the next book now, this book kept me hooked the entire time!
"I guess you can't blame the reckless, though. They never stop to care about who they are hurting, do they?"
Thanks to Netgalley and Maddyson Wilson for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Don't Blame the Reckless follows Ember, the so called Bloodhound of the East Sector. A vigilante assassin, she kills in hopes of gaining a better life for her people. After being caught trying to kill the Empress, she is sent on a mission to free a prison of war from the rival nation. During her mission, she meets Prince Roman, and discovers that they may be just what the world needs.
Let's start this by skipping straight to the end of the book! Ummm, cliffhanger!!! That was absolutely shocking, I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't that. It left me desperate for the next book. I do have to say that there were a few conflicts that were left completely unanswered, but I'm depending on the next book to answer those.
The world building in Don't Blame the Reckless was decent, it was a pretty basic fantasy kingdom setup, but I liked it. I loved having the inclusion of tech, so many fantasies leave out tech and go medieval, but having phones added a whole new element. It allowed the plot to move faster, because less time was needed for communication.
I really liked the characters. They all felt somewhat realistic, they both had inner demons you were hoping they could conquer. I liked them before they got together, which says a lot. I've read a lot of books that have assassins as main characters, and it's one of my favorite things to read. That being said, I want to see Ember actually being an assassin in the next book, not just failing to kill people.
The romance in this book was not my favorite, but I still liked it. I was sooo happy that it wasn't a love triangle, I've gotten so tired of those in fantasy books. Although it was insta love, it felt slightly more realistic because it took a bit longer to happen.
The plot was pretty entertaining, but it mainly focused on killing the king. I'm super excited to see where the next book takes it, there's a lot of potential for character development.
As soon as I saw the cover, I needed the book. Its simplicity drew me in, and the color scheme was beautiful. I loved the quote that gave this book the title, it was immediately added to my wall of favorite book quotes. I want the next book now, this book kept me hooked the entire time!
"I guess you can't blame the reckless, though. They never stop to care about who they are hurting, do they?"
Thanks to Netgalley and Maddyson Wilson for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 13, 2020
An assassin, a prince, a betrayl, and a lot of heart ache.
Rating: 4/5
Don't Blame the Reckless is a fantastic story of what happens when one powerful, strong willed woman is pushed to her limits and when one unsteady man lets a strong woman into his life. Wilson was able to craft explicitly strong, willfull characters that stormed through their world and tried, seriously tried, to make a change. Reading this book in the wake of the 2020 election was a treat (it left me really hopeful that regardless the outcome, there is such a strong will for change that anything is possible) and helped block out some of the craziness in the world around me for a few days.
I loved Ember. The attitude, the confidence, the ability to do what needed to be done, all of it was extremely refreshing. And to have such a strong female MC, one who has little time for romance (despite the fact that she and Roman totally vibe) was also extremely inspiring. While the beginning is a little hard to sift through, and I really do believe that Wilson should have put a little more work into letting us know that despite it's more aged undertones that the book was a modern dystopian fairytale, the ending was phenomenal. I am very hopeful that the book will lead to a series, because I would love to see how Ember continues to rock the world around her.
There were some consistency issues throughout the book, including some moments where I felt that there were a few words, or even paragraphs, missing. Overall, though, this is a book that I would recommend for anyone looking for a touch of modern dystopian fiction.
Thank you to the publishers, GenZ Publishing, and the author for a copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
Rating: 4/5
Don't Blame the Reckless is a fantastic story of what happens when one powerful, strong willed woman is pushed to her limits and when one unsteady man lets a strong woman into his life. Wilson was able to craft explicitly strong, willfull characters that stormed through their world and tried, seriously tried, to make a change. Reading this book in the wake of the 2020 election was a treat (it left me really hopeful that regardless the outcome, there is such a strong will for change that anything is possible) and helped block out some of the craziness in the world around me for a few days.
I loved Ember. The attitude, the confidence, the ability to do what needed to be done, all of it was extremely refreshing. And to have such a strong female MC, one who has little time for romance (despite the fact that she and Roman totally vibe) was also extremely inspiring. While the beginning is a little hard to sift through, and I really do believe that Wilson should have put a little more work into letting us know that despite it's more aged undertones that the book was a modern dystopian fairytale, the ending was phenomenal. I am very hopeful that the book will lead to a series, because I would love to see how Ember continues to rock the world around her.
There were some consistency issues throughout the book, including some moments where I felt that there were a few words, or even paragraphs, missing. Overall, though, this is a book that I would recommend for anyone looking for a touch of modern dystopian fiction.
Thank you to the publishers, GenZ Publishing, and the author for a copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.
June 26, 2019
What I liked about the story –
The idea of this story is great with just enough tensions and drama that keep you at the edge of the seat. The budding friendship and romantic tension that builds between the main characters make you feel like love can be found even in the darkest of times. It also makes you believe that a person who is as closed off and filled with hatred as Ember can also eventually learn to trust and open her heart for someone. Whereas, someone who is abused daily, such as Prince Roman is still capable of love and trust is also an eye-opener.
Moreover, feeling of loneliness and having trust issues as not only a problem but something that you eventually learn to accept and grow from has been very well highlighted by the author. Putting this issue in a situation where you have nothing, stems from the belief that you can grow things once again and make things right.
What I didn’t like about the story –
The story seems a bit rushed and jumps from one place to another very quickly. At once, we are with Ember and Roman discussing a fight plan and the next they are running from something that has caused great havoc. If the chapters were written with much more details, it would be nice to read more emotions and thoughts of the characters. The story also changes POV hastily and doesn’t give us enough time to understand the character’s perspective closely. The cliff-hanger at the end again feels very rushed with the way the story was progressing.
Conclusion:
With the cons aside, I really enjoyed reading this dystopian novel of two strong protagonists fighting for what they believe is right. I also look forward to reading the sequel with the cliff-hanger that has been set up. This book is for all those who love a bit of dystopian fantasy with shocking plot twists then this one is for you!
The idea of this story is great with just enough tensions and drama that keep you at the edge of the seat. The budding friendship and romantic tension that builds between the main characters make you feel like love can be found even in the darkest of times. It also makes you believe that a person who is as closed off and filled with hatred as Ember can also eventually learn to trust and open her heart for someone. Whereas, someone who is abused daily, such as Prince Roman is still capable of love and trust is also an eye-opener.
Moreover, feeling of loneliness and having trust issues as not only a problem but something that you eventually learn to accept and grow from has been very well highlighted by the author. Putting this issue in a situation where you have nothing, stems from the belief that you can grow things once again and make things right.
What I didn’t like about the story –
The story seems a bit rushed and jumps from one place to another very quickly. At once, we are with Ember and Roman discussing a fight plan and the next they are running from something that has caused great havoc. If the chapters were written with much more details, it would be nice to read more emotions and thoughts of the characters. The story also changes POV hastily and doesn’t give us enough time to understand the character’s perspective closely. The cliff-hanger at the end again feels very rushed with the way the story was progressing.
Conclusion:
With the cons aside, I really enjoyed reading this dystopian novel of two strong protagonists fighting for what they believe is right. I also look forward to reading the sequel with the cliff-hanger that has been set up. This book is for all those who love a bit of dystopian fantasy with shocking plot twists then this one is for you!
October 18, 2020
1.75/5
Yeah, this book was not my favorite. I feel like the author has a lot of potential, but for me, this book falls flat.
My main problems are..
Worldbuilding: I was a bit confused by the world this story is meant to take place in. I thought that it was supposed to be a more sort of "medival" world at first, but then they kept throwing in more modern characteristics such as different technologies. I think that I really would have enjoyed this book if it were in more of a steampunk world (especially because that was the vibe I got from this book)
Pacing: Pacing is a common dislike of mine that I read in books. As a whole this book was just slow for me, I think that this could be a part of me not really connected to the characters, but I found my mind wandering off at times.
Character: Okay this is a problem that I have noticed in fiction, especially YA fiction lately, but.... MAKE YOUR ASSASSIN CHARACTERS MORE GRITTY. I never really felt like she was this great assassin character and he came across kind of flat to me.
Instalove: I did not really see this great romantic connection between the characters.
Overall this was not one of my favorite books, BUT I would keep an eye out for this author (I expect some really good things from her in the future because this has a lot of the makings of a good book).
Yeah, this book was not my favorite. I feel like the author has a lot of potential, but for me, this book falls flat.
My main problems are..
Worldbuilding: I was a bit confused by the world this story is meant to take place in. I thought that it was supposed to be a more sort of "medival" world at first, but then they kept throwing in more modern characteristics such as different technologies. I think that I really would have enjoyed this book if it were in more of a steampunk world (especially because that was the vibe I got from this book)
Pacing: Pacing is a common dislike of mine that I read in books. As a whole this book was just slow for me, I think that this could be a part of me not really connected to the characters, but I found my mind wandering off at times.
Character: Okay this is a problem that I have noticed in fiction, especially YA fiction lately, but.... MAKE YOUR ASSASSIN CHARACTERS MORE GRITTY. I never really felt like she was this great assassin character and he came across kind of flat to me.
Instalove: I did not really see this great romantic connection between the characters.
Overall this was not one of my favorite books, BUT I would keep an eye out for this author (I expect some really good things from her in the future because this has a lot of the makings of a good book).
December 6, 2020
I got to say that this one was a bit hard to like. The pacing of the story doesn't sit right with me. It felt off at some point which could have been executed greatly without much information dump. The characters were okay, to say the least. Both Ember and Roman were morally grey to some extent. They did some things recklessly here and there. They got me rooted during the climax. I did not expect what happened at all. It was such a cliffhanger.
With this, I'm going to have to give this a three out of five stars. I'm sure there is more room for improvement in the next installment and I'm all in to see it happen.
With this, I'm going to have to give this a three out of five stars. I'm sure there is more room for improvement in the next installment and I'm all in to see it happen.
October 25, 2020
I think this book could have been absolutely awesome. The first two chapters and the prolouge were incredible and I really wanted to like this book. Ember seemed to be just the character I could start liking and Roman... I liked Roman from the very beginning. Like I said, this book sounded like something I could really love - if I would have been able to get my head around the correct setting of this book. It started our as something set in a fantasy world - and next thing I know there is an elevator. It kept going back and forth; I could never quite focus on the characters because the setting was putting me off. While I really liked Roman at the beginning, he sadly became a pretty stereotypical character And Ember... Well, Ember was a character I could't get a grasp on after the third or fourth chapter. and I really didn't care for her anymore. The side characters were annoying, especially Ky. I felt like I knew nothing about him or any of the other side characters. They didn't feel like "people" to me. Just like Side characters and this is something that shouldn't be happening in a book. Also, like I already said, the setting simply wasn't for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2019
Thank you to the publisher for the arc of DBTR in exchange for my honest review
Wow. This story was INTENSE. I love how the author really keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire ride. Even during the slow moments, I was still waiting for something tragic to happen.
Maddy broke my heart, pieced it together, only to shatter it all over again. It might take me a while to get over the ending of this one.
Roman and Ember are both excellent characters and excellent POV characters. Their relationship really hits me in the feels and I've really grown attached to them. #roember
My main reason for giving it 4 instead of 5 stars is I feel like there was something from the story I was missing. I think it was the worldbuilding. It was set up to be a fantasy-dystopian crossover, but honestly, the world didn't feel all that fleshed out. It had so much potential
Other than that though, I loved DBTR, though I will give a heads up for the swearing content, including a couple of F-bombs.
Wow. This story was INTENSE. I love how the author really keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire ride. Even during the slow moments, I was still waiting for something tragic to happen.
Maddy broke my heart, pieced it together, only to shatter it all over again. It might take me a while to get over the ending of this one.
Roman and Ember are both excellent characters and excellent POV characters. Their relationship really hits me in the feels and I've really grown attached to them. #roember
My main reason for giving it 4 instead of 5 stars is I feel like there was something from the story I was missing. I think it was the worldbuilding. It was set up to be a fantasy-dystopian crossover, but honestly, the world didn't feel all that fleshed out. It had so much potential
Other than that though, I loved DBTR, though I will give a heads up for the swearing content, including a couple of F-bombs.
August 17, 2020
For full disclosure, you should know that I had read some of the chapters before the ARC came out, because I designed the book cover. I hadn't read the middle or ending, however, and thus was surprised by them still.
“You have shaken and replaced every thought in my mind, Ember. You make me want to forsake every damn rule I’ve ever been taught.”
- Don't Blame the Reckless (2019)
In the age of political upheaval and media featuring characters who want to "break the wheel," DBTR is bittersweet. On the one hand, there's an angsty, slow(ish) burn romance between a prince and a (freed) assassin a la Throne of Glass. On the other, the story focuses not on some great war or competition but on politics. Ember and Roman both want to escape their fates. Ember is the Bloodhound of the East Sector--an assassin fighting for better socioeconomic conditions (like a bad-ass female Robin Hood) in her dystopian monarchy, based on a future version of the Shenandoah Valley. Roman is the prince of a rich but highly stratified nation. They both want different cards. They both can't be dealt a second hand.
What we get is a story that's as triumphal as it is tragic. It's a story that belays the author's young age (she wrote this in high school). But this is a good thing. The writing is sophisticated, but the cast of characters are a bunch of Generation Z-esque political warriors who are trying to make the system budge an inch while hoping it'll budge a mile. Everyone is stuck in their own roles, but the youth in the book are the ones trying to reshape what those roles look like. It took a bit for me to get into the futuristic but fantasy-feeling North American setting, but aside from those perhaps anachronistic-feeling details, this book has a lot more going on than it seems.
DBTR, while a strong YA romance, is also, at its core, a story about changing societies that an older generation messed up. It's about capitalism and communism and, unexpectedly, friendship and family. That feels pretty salient for teens to read right now.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Content Warnings: abuse, PTSD, guns, violence
“You have shaken and replaced every thought in my mind, Ember. You make me want to forsake every damn rule I’ve ever been taught.”
- Don't Blame the Reckless (2019)
In the age of political upheaval and media featuring characters who want to "break the wheel," DBTR is bittersweet. On the one hand, there's an angsty, slow(ish) burn romance between a prince and a (freed) assassin a la Throne of Glass. On the other, the story focuses not on some great war or competition but on politics. Ember and Roman both want to escape their fates. Ember is the Bloodhound of the East Sector--an assassin fighting for better socioeconomic conditions (like a bad-ass female Robin Hood) in her dystopian monarchy, based on a future version of the Shenandoah Valley. Roman is the prince of a rich but highly stratified nation. They both want different cards. They both can't be dealt a second hand.
What we get is a story that's as triumphal as it is tragic. It's a story that belays the author's young age (she wrote this in high school). But this is a good thing. The writing is sophisticated, but the cast of characters are a bunch of Generation Z-esque political warriors who are trying to make the system budge an inch while hoping it'll budge a mile. Everyone is stuck in their own roles, but the youth in the book are the ones trying to reshape what those roles look like. It took a bit for me to get into the futuristic but fantasy-feeling North American setting, but aside from those perhaps anachronistic-feeling details, this book has a lot more going on than it seems.
DBTR, while a strong YA romance, is also, at its core, a story about changing societies that an older generation messed up. It's about capitalism and communism and, unexpectedly, friendship and family. That feels pretty salient for teens to read right now.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Content Warnings: abuse, PTSD, guns, violence
December 2, 2020
3.5 Stars
I finished this book relatively quickly (in one day), and I really want to say it was an enjoyable read, but it wasn't quite there yet. First reading the description, I was pulled in and loved the plot idea. An assassin pushed into the world of royalty to help her sector but upon reading it, I loved and disliked many aspects of this novel.
Ember Levin. An assassin looking for justice in her sector. She tries to kill the Empress but gets caught in the midst of it. On her execution day, however, the Empress tasks her to do what Ember claims "a suicide mission" instead of getting executed. She takes on that task in hopes that the Empress would help fix her society in the East Sector. Ember disguises herself as a cousin of Ivelisse, a member of the court and future queen, to find and free the prisoners from the Angeles Prison.
I honestly love Ember as a character. She is witty, cunning, morally grey (my favorite), and doesn't care what others think; however, that only lasts for a few chapters, and throughout the book I find her doubting herself and not at all acting like the murderess she is.
Roman Stone. The crown prince of Angeles that has baggage. His relationship with his father--the king--is strained after losing his mother, and him being pushed to be the perfect prince and future leader in the eyes of his father. Roman meets Ember (Helene at the time) at his brother Ian's gala. Roman brings her on a tour around the palace, and Ember tries killing him, but she gets caught and gets sent to prison. Roman can't help but pity her, so he helps her try to escape. As they continue through the story, Roman battles feelings for Ember whilst dealing with his father.
I don't have much to say for Roman except how Maddyson was able to write the trauma of Roman so wonderfully. I could tell how his childhood experiences affected Roman's ability to make relationships and how he always pushes people away. As for the romance in this book, I couldn't exactly tell what trope it was aiming for due to the lack of growth between Roman and Ember. To me, it felt like one moment Roman has no feelings for her, then the second moment they're kissing because their relationship did not go in deep and was overall very shallow.
I felt like the setting was slightly confusing and very vague. I thought it was set in an older era until random technology and the mention of countries we know today popped out. I wish there were more world-building in this world because it would've made this book much more enjoyable; however, it was not a major issue for me.
I don't have much to comment about Maddyson's writing style other than the consistency was somewhat off. The book wasn't choppy, per se, but at some points, the book moved very slowly, and in other points, it felt rushed. I also noticed that both POVs were written with the same voice, and I got confused many times at who's POV I was on especially when they were together.
Overall I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. I enjoyed the plot of this book, and I wish I could've been able to give it a higher rating, but I think there were so many ideas in this book that the main ones couldn't be properly conveyed. It almost read like fanfiction. I think this book was good, and I can't wait to see what else Maddyson has in store for us.
*Courtesy of Gen Z Publishing via NetGalley
*All opinions are my own
I finished this book relatively quickly (in one day), and I really want to say it was an enjoyable read, but it wasn't quite there yet. First reading the description, I was pulled in and loved the plot idea. An assassin pushed into the world of royalty to help her sector but upon reading it, I loved and disliked many aspects of this novel.
Ember Levin. An assassin looking for justice in her sector. She tries to kill the Empress but gets caught in the midst of it. On her execution day, however, the Empress tasks her to do what Ember claims "a suicide mission" instead of getting executed. She takes on that task in hopes that the Empress would help fix her society in the East Sector. Ember disguises herself as a cousin of Ivelisse, a member of the court and future queen, to find and free the prisoners from the Angeles Prison.
I honestly love Ember as a character. She is witty, cunning, morally grey (my favorite), and doesn't care what others think; however, that only lasts for a few chapters, and throughout the book I find her doubting herself and not at all acting like the murderess she is.
Roman Stone. The crown prince of Angeles that has baggage. His relationship with his father--the king--is strained after losing his mother, and him being pushed to be the perfect prince and future leader in the eyes of his father. Roman meets Ember (Helene at the time) at his brother Ian's gala. Roman brings her on a tour around the palace, and Ember tries killing him, but she gets caught and gets sent to prison. Roman can't help but pity her, so he helps her try to escape. As they continue through the story, Roman battles feelings for Ember whilst dealing with his father.
I don't have much to say for Roman except how Maddyson was able to write the trauma of Roman so wonderfully. I could tell how his childhood experiences affected Roman's ability to make relationships and how he always pushes people away. As for the romance in this book, I couldn't exactly tell what trope it was aiming for due to the lack of growth between Roman and Ember. To me, it felt like one moment Roman has no feelings for her, then the second moment they're kissing because their relationship did not go in deep and was overall very shallow.
I felt like the setting was slightly confusing and very vague. I thought it was set in an older era until random technology and the mention of countries we know today popped out. I wish there were more world-building in this world because it would've made this book much more enjoyable; however, it was not a major issue for me.
I don't have much to comment about Maddyson's writing style other than the consistency was somewhat off. The book wasn't choppy, per se, but at some points, the book moved very slowly, and in other points, it felt rushed. I also noticed that both POVs were written with the same voice, and I got confused many times at who's POV I was on especially when they were together.
Overall I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. I enjoyed the plot of this book, and I wish I could've been able to give it a higher rating, but I think there were so many ideas in this book that the main ones couldn't be properly conveyed. It almost read like fanfiction. I think this book was good, and I can't wait to see what else Maddyson has in store for us.
*Courtesy of Gen Z Publishing via NetGalley
*All opinions are my own
December 30, 2020
*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
1.5/5
Don’t Blame the Reckless by Maddyson Wilson is about an assassin named Ember, and a crown prince named Roman, hailing from enemy kingdoms. By some twist of fate, their lives become irreversibly intertwined and they must work together to find some semblance of a future for themselves. Corrupt rulers and suffocating society are just but a few things that bring trouble to their lives. The question is, will they work together to survive? Or will they fight alone in fear of facing their true feelings for each other?
Oh boy. Buckle up, kiddos. You are in for a wild ride.
Let me start of by saying that I have nothing against the author. She has great potential and I’m interested to see what she does in the future. And if there will be a second book, I’d be impartial to read it.
Here goes:
First, there’s no impact of the events. There’s no urgency either. It feels like there’s no consequences. Like someone died (this isn’t a spoiler, it’s in the synopsis friends) and I just didn’t care. Events happen without much explanation or definition. Like a day would pass and I’d be like “oh okay, moving on I guess.”
Next, I guess there’s not much depth to really anything here. Not the characters, not the world, not the plot. I wish the world was explained more because it was really confusing at times. I would have read 100 extra pages if it meant more world-building. The world was interesting enough from the small snippets we got of its history so I would truly love to hear more.
Furthermore, the way the plot progressed. Wilson only really wrote scenes for their dialogue. That’s how this plot progresses, almost purely through dialogue. It kind of gets old. I feel as though this book would have played out better if the written format was like diary/journal entries.
Lastly, I also felt that there’s barely any relationship or character development. The choices each character make one after the other just don’t make sense to me. Because so much in between stuff is missing, it’s so strange and confusing when the very next chapter a character completely changes their mindset without explanation.
I’m going to stop there because whew, that’s a lot. I was honestly just confused and shocked reading this book. I can say that it was interesting enough to finish, but maybe only because of my confusion. I do hope Wilson keeps writing more. Maybe I should check out her other stuff. We’ll see.
1.5/5
Don’t Blame the Reckless by Maddyson Wilson is about an assassin named Ember, and a crown prince named Roman, hailing from enemy kingdoms. By some twist of fate, their lives become irreversibly intertwined and they must work together to find some semblance of a future for themselves. Corrupt rulers and suffocating society are just but a few things that bring trouble to their lives. The question is, will they work together to survive? Or will they fight alone in fear of facing their true feelings for each other?
Oh boy. Buckle up, kiddos. You are in for a wild ride.
Let me start of by saying that I have nothing against the author. She has great potential and I’m interested to see what she does in the future. And if there will be a second book, I’d be impartial to read it.
Here goes:
First, there’s no impact of the events. There’s no urgency either. It feels like there’s no consequences. Like someone died (this isn’t a spoiler, it’s in the synopsis friends) and I just didn’t care. Events happen without much explanation or definition. Like a day would pass and I’d be like “oh okay, moving on I guess.”
Next, I guess there’s not much depth to really anything here. Not the characters, not the world, not the plot. I wish the world was explained more because it was really confusing at times. I would have read 100 extra pages if it meant more world-building. The world was interesting enough from the small snippets we got of its history so I would truly love to hear more.
Furthermore, the way the plot progressed. Wilson only really wrote scenes for their dialogue. That’s how this plot progresses, almost purely through dialogue. It kind of gets old. I feel as though this book would have played out better if the written format was like diary/journal entries.
Lastly, I also felt that there’s barely any relationship or character development. The choices each character make one after the other just don’t make sense to me. Because so much in between stuff is missing, it’s so strange and confusing when the very next chapter a character completely changes their mindset without explanation.
I’m going to stop there because whew, that’s a lot. I was honestly just confused and shocked reading this book. I can say that it was interesting enough to finish, but maybe only because of my confusion. I do hope Wilson keeps writing more. Maybe I should check out her other stuff. We’ll see.
Read
July 26, 2019*Spoiler-free*
Don’t Blame the Reckless is a riveting tale of survival, literal and political, as a young prince and a stone-cold assassin cross paths and discover they both rage against the hands they’ve been dealt.
This YA novel has a multilayered plot supported by a decent cast of characters, and it does not pull its punches. While romance is a strong feature, the focus on politics never wavers. The story dives deep into class systems, systemic poverty, the clash of morality and desperation, and the choice to accept, reshape, or rebel against a given role in society. The elements of trust, budding friendship, and slow-burn romance are used to try and flesh out the characters.
The issues of the book are primarily centered around the worldbuilding. The genre mash of science fiction and fantasy never quite settled, making it difficult to understand what sort of universe these characters are in. For example, the book features advanced technology such as flying trains and chore-performing robots, but there’s also cursed cigarettes and royal families. On top of that, there’s still taxis and polo shirts and lattes, which snaps the reader right back into the modern day. Overall, the setting is rather jumbled.
Overall, Don’t Blame the Reckless is a sharp book centering on young adults’ choices to change the unfair world around them, and it keeps readers hooked all the way to the very last page.
Don’t Blame the Reckless is a riveting tale of survival, literal and political, as a young prince and a stone-cold assassin cross paths and discover they both rage against the hands they’ve been dealt.
This YA novel has a multilayered plot supported by a decent cast of characters, and it does not pull its punches. While romance is a strong feature, the focus on politics never wavers. The story dives deep into class systems, systemic poverty, the clash of morality and desperation, and the choice to accept, reshape, or rebel against a given role in society. The elements of trust, budding friendship, and slow-burn romance are used to try and flesh out the characters.
The issues of the book are primarily centered around the worldbuilding. The genre mash of science fiction and fantasy never quite settled, making it difficult to understand what sort of universe these characters are in. For example, the book features advanced technology such as flying trains and chore-performing robots, but there’s also cursed cigarettes and royal families. On top of that, there’s still taxis and polo shirts and lattes, which snaps the reader right back into the modern day. Overall, the setting is rather jumbled.
Overall, Don’t Blame the Reckless is a sharp book centering on young adults’ choices to change the unfair world around them, and it keeps readers hooked all the way to the very last page.
January 25, 2021
“Don’t blame the reckless.” By Maddyson Wilson.
An assassin, a prince, warring kingdoms and betrayal.
That is everything I love in a story, it has cliffhangers that keep you wanting to read the next chapter instead of putting in down and doing what you should be doing in life. It has the advantage of having two POV characters so we can see events and situations from both sides giving us more insight into the story.
Unfortunately for me as much as I loved this plot of this story it just felt too rushed, as though it should have been broken up into a few more books so we could be given more information and see more growth of the characters. It moved incredibly quickly that I would often forget about the side characters and that the main characters of the stories emotions and thoughts weren’t fully thought out so we as a reader could understand them. At points such as in the beginning I believed were in a fantasy world not a dystopian world, just a few more details may have cleared that up and it was the same throughout the story with large plot points, a few more details and explanation about situations and emotions would have made it a more enjoyable read
I do believe that it was a great story, I finished it in a day and the author has a great style of writing for me it was just the pacing of the story that was a let down for me.
An assassin, a prince, warring kingdoms and betrayal.
That is everything I love in a story, it has cliffhangers that keep you wanting to read the next chapter instead of putting in down and doing what you should be doing in life. It has the advantage of having two POV characters so we can see events and situations from both sides giving us more insight into the story.
Unfortunately for me as much as I loved this plot of this story it just felt too rushed, as though it should have been broken up into a few more books so we could be given more information and see more growth of the characters. It moved incredibly quickly that I would often forget about the side characters and that the main characters of the stories emotions and thoughts weren’t fully thought out so we as a reader could understand them. At points such as in the beginning I believed were in a fantasy world not a dystopian world, just a few more details may have cleared that up and it was the same throughout the story with large plot points, a few more details and explanation about situations and emotions would have made it a more enjoyable read
I do believe that it was a great story, I finished it in a day and the author has a great style of writing for me it was just the pacing of the story that was a let down for me.
dnf
November 29, 2020**Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free e-book in exchange for an honest review**
"Don't Blame the Reckless" by Maddyson Wilson is a dystopian novel about Ember, an assassin, and what happens when she's sent to an enemy country to rescue a prisoner, in exchange for not getting executed.
The thing I liked about this novel is that it got straight to the point and the writing is great, descriptive, but it doesn't feel like that of a finished piece, it needs a little editing still.
The setting is vague, you don't really know where you are until quite far in. Is this futuristic? Fantasy? I had no idea until I was several chapters in, which made it really hard to picture the world. The main characters are both annoying and they had no chemistry whatsoever. I never believed they were in love even though I knew that was where the author wanted to take the story. And the exposition! There is so much! And still, I had no idea what was happening.
In the end, I decided to DNF the book since I had no interest in the story and it was marketed as LGBT+, but no such representation was present. I might read from the author in the future, because like I said, their writing was very good, but this book just wasn't for me.
DNF at 75%
"Don't Blame the Reckless" by Maddyson Wilson is a dystopian novel about Ember, an assassin, and what happens when she's sent to an enemy country to rescue a prisoner, in exchange for not getting executed.
The thing I liked about this novel is that it got straight to the point and the writing is great, descriptive, but it doesn't feel like that of a finished piece, it needs a little editing still.
The setting is vague, you don't really know where you are until quite far in. Is this futuristic? Fantasy? I had no idea until I was several chapters in, which made it really hard to picture the world. The main characters are both annoying and they had no chemistry whatsoever. I never believed they were in love even though I knew that was where the author wanted to take the story. And the exposition! There is so much! And still, I had no idea what was happening.
In the end, I decided to DNF the book since I had no interest in the story and it was marketed as LGBT+, but no such representation was present. I might read from the author in the future, because like I said, their writing was very good, but this book just wasn't for me.
DNF at 75%
December 15, 2020
This book was a fun read... to a point. I really like Ember and her personality. It is always fun to read a character, like her being morally grey and witty i just wish It remind the same throughout the entirety of the book and not get her to do things out of her assassin witty character. That felt off and pulled me out of the story. What also put me out was the info dumping. I've seen a lot of authors lately "telling" the readers what is happening instead of showing them and its frustrating. My other problem is that I feel like if there was a better editing perhaps this book would've been amazing, because as it is, some chapters felt too fanfiction-ish for me and i'm not saying fanfiction is bad by any means! But in this case it wasn't good.
Overall the book was good and enjoyable even with its flaws.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Overall the book was good and enjoyable even with its flaws.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2020
Thank you me and the publisher for an e-copy of this book!!!
Ember is an assassin who has been sent into enemy territory to release a political enemy. If she is successful in for mission, then she will be exonerated and free to live her life.
This book had everything I love. Assassins, royalty, betrayal. I liked Maddyson’s writing style and I wanted to love this book, but something about it just didn’t click for me. I was more interested in Embers backstory than the one that was being told. Roman was kind of boring, but I really liked Ky as a character. I don’t have an major complaints. Hopefully Maddyson writes more because I would be interested in reading more of her work in the future
Ember is an assassin who has been sent into enemy territory to release a political enemy. If she is successful in for mission, then she will be exonerated and free to live her life.
This book had everything I love. Assassins, royalty, betrayal. I liked Maddyson’s writing style and I wanted to love this book, but something about it just didn’t click for me. I was more interested in Embers backstory than the one that was being told. Roman was kind of boring, but I really liked Ky as a character. I don’t have an major complaints. Hopefully Maddyson writes more because I would be interested in reading more of her work in the future
October 31, 2020
Don’t Blame The Reckless by Maddyson Wilson
What?!?? I say again what??? This book was very intriguing but it had so many different plot lines that it seems like it could have been a very great series but the author didn’t want to take the time and threw everything together. If she would have broke all the stories up and took on a plot at a time it would have been great, now we have no answers and so many questions! What happen to ky, why did Ivelissa set them up like that what happen afterwards! She could have started with a book about ember and the stories why she killed all them people in one book then book on Roman and how they met in the second one and went on with their story on the run in the next then killing the king then what happen at the end!!!
What?!?? I say again what??? This book was very intriguing but it had so many different plot lines that it seems like it could have been a very great series but the author didn’t want to take the time and threw everything together. If she would have broke all the stories up and took on a plot at a time it would have been great, now we have no answers and so many questions! What happen to ky, why did Ivelissa set them up like that what happen afterwards! She could have started with a book about ember and the stories why she killed all them people in one book then book on Roman and how they met in the second one and went on with their story on the run in the next then killing the king then what happen at the end!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2020
Don't Blame The Reckless by Maddyson Wilson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Maddyson Wilson wrote a fantasy book that felt more dystopian than the normal medieval route people tend to take. Tech was included in the book where others would have left it out. I have to say, it totally paid off.
We follow Ember, an assassin badass who's fighting for the good of her people.
And Roman, a prince in a rival Nation who just wants change and to get out from under his father.
The plot twists in this book left my head spinning.
I finished Dont Blame The Reckless in one sitting.
AND THAT ENDING.
I need the next book asap.
Maddyson Wilson wrote a fantasy book that felt more dystopian than the normal medieval route people tend to take. Tech was included in the book where others would have left it out. I have to say, it totally paid off.
We follow Ember, an assassin badass who's fighting for the good of her people.
And Roman, a prince in a rival Nation who just wants change and to get out from under his father.
The plot twists in this book left my head spinning.
I finished Dont Blame The Reckless in one sitting.
AND THAT ENDING.
I need the next book asap.
February 16, 2021
I just, well I really wanted to love this book. The idea is great and of course it’s filled with all the things that check off YA boxes.
It’s the execution for me. Some parts feel vastly rushed while others seem to just drag on with no real reason as to why we are even discussing it. I’m not sure if this is an editing error or what, but it hurts the book. It feels like there should have been more time giving depth to the characters and the actual plot, instead of things that just truly don’t make any sense.
*I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sharing a copy of this book with me in return for my honest review.
It’s the execution for me. Some parts feel vastly rushed while others seem to just drag on with no real reason as to why we are even discussing it. I’m not sure if this is an editing error or what, but it hurts the book. It feels like there should have been more time giving depth to the characters and the actual plot, instead of things that just truly don’t make any sense.
*I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for sharing a copy of this book with me in return for my honest review.
November 13, 2020
I cannot believe how terrible this book ended up being. I realllyyy wanted to love it and the first few chapters were promising. But the world building was nonexistent and confusing. The villain was a caricature of other YA villains. The entire plot was ridiculous and truly did not make any sense. It was so infuriating to read because it was so forced. The romance was forced and annoying too. They went from enemies to insta-love with no character or relationship development. And then the ending was so truly awful that I knew I had to rate this as low as possible.
January 14, 2021
Ember is an assassin that kills in order to save her people from the corruption of the government. When she is captured after trying to kill the Empress, she makes a deal. She has to go to the neighboring country of Angeles and free a prisoner in exchange for her life and the reforms her people needs. While on her mission she meets the Angelesan prince, Roman. Roman is just trying to survive. Together they decide to try and do what is best for both countries while staying true to each other.
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and had a lot of action. I loved how there was politics involved but it didn't overwhelm the story. The ending caught me by surprise and I am really hoping that there is a second book...
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and had a lot of action. I loved how there was politics involved but it didn't overwhelm the story. The ending caught me by surprise and I am really hoping that there is a second book...
November 6, 2020
Wow is all I can say this book took me on an emotional roller coaster. I do wish there was an epilogue to the story. I want to know what happens to Ty. I do wonder if people corrupt power or if power corrupts people. I would recommend this book lots of action and heart wrenching moments. Thanks netgalley for the opportunity to read this book
November 18, 2020
Worth a read. There are lots of the usual young adult themes but the book is well written and the plot is well placed.
January 4, 2021
3.5 Stars
I finished this book relatively quickly (in one day), and I really want to say it was an enjoyable read, but it wasn't quite there yet. First reading the description, I was pulled in and loved the plot idea. An assassin pushed into the world of royalty to help her sector but upon reading it, I loved and disliked many aspects of this novel.
Ember Levin. An assassin looking for justice in her sector. She tries to kill the Empress but gets caught in the midst of it. On her execution day, however, the Empress tasks her to do what Ember claims "a suicide mission" instead of getting executed. She takes on that task in hopes that the Empress would help fix her society in the East Sector. Ember disguises herself as a cousin of Ivelisse, a member of the court and future queen, to find and free the prisoners from the Angeles Prison.
I honestly love Ember as a character. She is witty, cunning, morally grey (my favorite), and doesn't care what others think; however, that only lasts for a few chapters, and throughout the book I find her doubting herself and not at all acting like the murderess she is.
Roman Stone. The crown prince of Angeles that has baggage. His relationship with his father--the king--is strained after losing his mother, and him being pushed to be the perfect prince and future leader in the eyes of his father. Roman meets Ember (Helene at the time) at his brother Ian's gala. Roman brings her on a tour around the palace, and Ember tries killing him, but she gets caught and gets sent to prison. Roman can't help but pity her, so he helps her try to escape. As they continue through the story, Roman battles feelings for Ember whilst dealing with his father.
I don't have much to say for Roman except how Maddyson was able to write the trauma of Roman so wonderfully. I could tell how his childhood experiences affected Roman's ability to make relationships and how he always pushes people away. As for the romance in this book, I couldn't exactly tell what trope it was aiming for due to the lack of growth between Roman and Ember. To me, it felt like one moment Roman has no feelings for her, then the second moment they're kissing because their relationship did not go in deep and was overall very shallow.
I felt like the setting was slightly confusing and very vague. I thought it was set in an older era until random technology and the mention of countries we know today popped out. I wish there were more world-building in this world because it would've made this book much more enjoyable; however, it was not a major issue for me.
I don't have much to comment about Maddyson's writing style other than the consistency was somewhat off. The book wasn't choppy, per se, but at some points, the book moved very slowly, and in other points, it felt rushed. I also noticed that both POVs were written with the same voice, and I got confused many times at who's POV I was on especially when they were together.
Overall I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. I enjoyed the plot of this book, and I wish I could've been able to give it a higher rating, but I think there were so many ideas in this book that the main ones couldn't be properly conveyed. It almost read like fanfiction. I think this book was good, and I can't wait to see what else Maddyson has in store for us.
*Courtesy of Gen Z Publishing via NetGalley
*All opinions are my own
I finished this book relatively quickly (in one day), and I really want to say it was an enjoyable read, but it wasn't quite there yet. First reading the description, I was pulled in and loved the plot idea. An assassin pushed into the world of royalty to help her sector but upon reading it, I loved and disliked many aspects of this novel.
Ember Levin. An assassin looking for justice in her sector. She tries to kill the Empress but gets caught in the midst of it. On her execution day, however, the Empress tasks her to do what Ember claims "a suicide mission" instead of getting executed. She takes on that task in hopes that the Empress would help fix her society in the East Sector. Ember disguises herself as a cousin of Ivelisse, a member of the court and future queen, to find and free the prisoners from the Angeles Prison.
I honestly love Ember as a character. She is witty, cunning, morally grey (my favorite), and doesn't care what others think; however, that only lasts for a few chapters, and throughout the book I find her doubting herself and not at all acting like the murderess she is.
Roman Stone. The crown prince of Angeles that has baggage. His relationship with his father--the king--is strained after losing his mother, and him being pushed to be the perfect prince and future leader in the eyes of his father. Roman meets Ember (Helene at the time) at his brother Ian's gala. Roman brings her on a tour around the palace, and Ember tries killing him, but she gets caught and gets sent to prison. Roman can't help but pity her, so he helps her try to escape. As they continue through the story, Roman battles feelings for Ember whilst dealing with his father.
I don't have much to say for Roman except how Maddyson was able to write the trauma of Roman so wonderfully. I could tell how his childhood experiences affected Roman's ability to make relationships and how he always pushes people away. As for the romance in this book, I couldn't exactly tell what trope it was aiming for due to the lack of growth between Roman and Ember. To me, it felt like one moment Roman has no feelings for her, then the second moment they're kissing because their relationship did not go in deep and was overall very shallow.
I felt like the setting was slightly confusing and very vague. I thought it was set in an older era until random technology and the mention of countries we know today popped out. I wish there were more world-building in this world because it would've made this book much more enjoyable; however, it was not a major issue for me.
I don't have much to comment about Maddyson's writing style other than the consistency was somewhat off. The book wasn't choppy, per se, but at some points, the book moved very slowly, and in other points, it felt rushed. I also noticed that both POVs were written with the same voice, and I got confused many times at who's POV I was on especially when they were together.
Overall I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. I enjoyed the plot of this book, and I wish I could've been able to give it a higher rating, but I think there were so many ideas in this book that the main ones couldn't be properly conveyed. It almost read like fanfiction. I think this book was good, and I can't wait to see what else Maddyson has in store for us.
*Courtesy of Gen Z Publishing via NetGalley
*All opinions are my own
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