(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review).
(This review may contain spoilers).
Despite the title of this book (and the blurb) sounding really similar to the Hunger Games, I was really intrigued by the plot of this. The whole concept of a battle royale type setting is a really intriguing one, especially when the book deals with the fallout from people being forced to kill other people.
I wasn’t really clear as to how the boys from each nation were picked to take part in the harem games. Alex as a character was really intriguing – I found it quite interesting how he was a hermaphrodite, though it didn’t really make much of a change to the story. I would have liked to see a bit more explanation about how someone with male and female parts fits into the society created.
I did feel that there was something of info-dumping through this book, especially at the start. Rather than having a list of the male characters who were supposed to fight in the games, I would have liked the author to show their personalities more. As the book went on, I did get to know the characters more and more.
I liked Alex’s relationship with his brides, as opposed to most of the other contestants. I liked the contradictions in his character – the fierce protectiveness over the six brides and his willingness to fight and kill for them, but also his gentle, almost childlike nature at times in the book. The way he treated them after a battle was especially sweet.
To be honest, if it wasn’t for the style of writing this book had, I probably would have given it four stars. I didn’t like the use of the script format and the book changed first person POVs with little to no warning. I really felt that style detracted from what would have otherwise been quite an entertaining book to read.
I also liked the Christian aspects in the book, even if I didn’t exactly agree with some of it. And the use of technology worked really well here, as well as the different powers the girls had.
I would probably read the sequel to this book at some point in the future. It would be good to see where the characters go next.
Ink of Blood 