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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
marange's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
3.0
rbylll's review against another edition
3.0
***These are my random thoughts after finishing the book. Some of the thoughts are an overall review of the book, or any questions/feelings that nagged at me throughout. There will almost definitely be spoilers. Read at your own risk.*** ‐----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 stars
Appreciated the different look at a dystopian (what happens after the evil government falls?)
Feels like there was a lot more world-building that could've been explored
I felt for the MC, she was the perfect poster child of the Delegation
3 stars
Appreciated the different look at a dystopian (what happens after the evil government falls?)
Feels like there was a lot more world-building that could've been explored
I felt for the MC, she was the perfect poster child of the Delegation
vbkelly's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
aislene's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
lanoli's review against another edition
3.0
Ending was unsatisfactory, but an interesting storyline of a society built on operant conditioning.
read_game_stitch's review against another edition
4.0
I've been looking forward to reading this standalone dystopian novel, and it was a relatively short read with a strong mystery plot. The main character, Sonya, is serving a life sentence in prison and living with the impact of being the literal poster girl for an overthrown dystopian regime when she's asked to investigate the historic disappearance of a three year old girl.
This book is written in present tense, which has been bothering me a lot less recently than it used to. Probably because it's everywhere now, so I haven't had much option but to get used to it. However I had a bit of a slow start with this one. Present tense is the 'main' tense here, but because of the nature of the story, it regularly focuses on the past, leaving large sections also in the past tense. It made reading the start of this book much slower than normal, as my brain struggled to flick between the two tenses on the same page, until the plot really kicked in and swept me along.
When it did get going, I loved the plot. Finally outside the prison walls, Sonya learns details about both the new regime and the old one that she was a part of. There's a similarity to the author's previous adult book, Chosen Ones, in that both books focus on the impact of major events 10 years or so later. For Chosen Ones, it's the ongoing impact of taking on The Dark One as a group of teenagers, picking up with them a decade later, still traumatised and dealing with the fame for what they did. For Poster Girl, it's Sonya a decade on, now on day release from prison to investigate a 3 year old girl's disappearance and dealing with the impact of being synonymous with the previous regime and her part in it.
Because Sonya has been trapped in prison with the other remaining family members of the Delegation since the age of 17 and everyone expects her to be a certain thing, she's a bit like a 17 year trapped in time. So although the book is described as Adult (and there is a bit of non-explicit sex), it reads as probably more young adult or new adult to me. I didn't mind this personally, but I thought it was worth pointing out in case anyone was expecting a really gritty, adult dystopian thriller.
In summary, Poster Girl is a complete and satisfying standalone with a strong mystery/investigation story and flawed characters that really engaged me. My only criticism is the transition between past and present tense that slowed me down to start with.
This book is written in present tense, which has been bothering me a lot less recently than it used to. Probably because it's everywhere now, so I haven't had much option but to get used to it. However I had a bit of a slow start with this one. Present tense is the 'main' tense here, but because of the nature of the story, it regularly focuses on the past, leaving large sections also in the past tense. It made reading the start of this book much slower than normal, as my brain struggled to flick between the two tenses on the same page, until the plot really kicked in and swept me along.
When it did get going, I loved the plot. Finally outside the prison walls, Sonya learns details about both the new regime and the old one that she was a part of. There's a similarity to the author's previous adult book, Chosen Ones, in that both books focus on the impact of major events 10 years or so later. For Chosen Ones, it's the ongoing impact of taking on The Dark One as a group of teenagers, picking up with them a decade later, still traumatised and dealing with the fame for what they did. For Poster Girl, it's Sonya a decade on, now on day release from prison to investigate a 3 year old girl's disappearance and dealing with the impact of being synonymous with the previous regime and her part in it.
Because Sonya has been trapped in prison with the other remaining family members of the Delegation since the age of 17 and everyone expects her to be a certain thing, she's a bit like a 17 year trapped in time. So although the book is described as Adult (and there is a bit of non-explicit sex), it reads as probably more young adult or new adult to me. I didn't mind this personally, but I thought it was worth pointing out in case anyone was expecting a really gritty, adult dystopian thriller.
In summary, Poster Girl is a complete and satisfying standalone with a strong mystery/investigation story and flawed characters that really engaged me. My only criticism is the transition between past and present tense that slowed me down to start with.
whoevencaresthen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bethbolton's review against another edition
2.0
I won an ARC copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you Goodreads!
First of all let it be known that Veronica Roth is a person I truly look up to and admire. I do like her writing style, and I adore her. I love the way she gives descriptions — it makes it feel as if I am actually in the scenes. But this book just failed to grasp me in any way and ended up being a DNF after reading about 50%.
For me, this book was lacking in a hook. I found myself getting confused because it felt like there was a lack of background/history to what actually happened before the government was overturned. I think I just wanted…more.
Let’s be totally fair here, too: I see other reviews relating this to 1984 which I know is hailed as a classic, but I LOATHED that book. If I had known that comparison beforehand, I probably would have skipped this knowing it just wasn’t for me. So please still give Veronica a chance — she is a wonderful writer but this one just didn’t hit my particular reading choices.
First of all let it be known that Veronica Roth is a person I truly look up to and admire. I do like her writing style, and I adore her. I love the way she gives descriptions — it makes it feel as if I am actually in the scenes. But this book just failed to grasp me in any way and ended up being a DNF after reading about 50%.
For me, this book was lacking in a hook. I found myself getting confused because it felt like there was a lack of background/history to what actually happened before the government was overturned. I think I just wanted…more.
Let’s be totally fair here, too: I see other reviews relating this to 1984 which I know is hailed as a classic, but I LOATHED that book. If I had known that comparison beforehand, I probably would have skipped this knowing it just wasn’t for me. So please still give Veronica a chance — she is a wonderful writer but this one just didn’t hit my particular reading choices.
allisonparadise's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad, but I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I just can’t give up on Veronica Roth for some reason.
lelderkin1128's review against another edition
4.0
This is a beautiful book. I loved the complexities and the world building most. Sonya was interesting and complicated. I didn’t need the romance at all. But I thought it ended perfectly.