A review by first_edition
Broken Bonds by J. Bree

fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

PROS:

  • It's less than 300 pages
  • Junk-food book. Just something about it that IS likable, even if most of it is stupid.
  • Very fast-paced because everything is skimmed over and nothing important really happens until the final 10% of the story. (This is also a CON)

CONS: 

  • A LOT of grammatical errors and run-on sentences! 
  • LOTS of telling instead of showing 
  • Dramatic and immature FMC
  • Unclear motivations. I don't really understand what ANYONE wants to actually do long-term, especially Oli. 
  • Lack of high-stakes.  The author NEVER tells us what's at stake, besides “the end of the world if Oli Bonds with them or just doesn't get away from them," but WHYYYYY?!
  • Sexual assault (M on F), then F blames herself and tries to justify/defend her attacker.
  • Lack of plot. Actually, a lack of anything descriptive and relevant. For 90% of the book, all we get is Oli SAYING she can't Bond because Bonding with them will only make her more dangerous to the world, but never WHY/HOW!
  • NOTHING is explained! 
  • Why is Oli the only Bond that is strongly affected by the tug of her Bonds, while her Bonds—and others—clearly aren't as affected by it?
  • Why is Sage shunned for being rejected by her Central (Riley) while Riley is still without any consequences at all?And by that logic, shouldn't Oli's Bonds all by shunned for being rejected by their Central as well? Why is Oli the one being shunned for just doing the same thing as Riley did, yet Riley isn't shunned?
  • Whether Oli is with her Bonds or not, the Resistance will STILL be taking people and either killing them or brainwashing them, so why is she so adamant that her escape from her Bonds will somehow protect everyone from “dying and rotting"? There is NOTHING in the book that even supports that illogical thought!🤦🏻‍♀️ 
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