Wicked

I have really enjoyed almost every JLA book I've read. However, this is not one of them. I was really let down by this book. The premise was interesting and I loved the characters, especially Tink. But the storyline was a massive letdown. It was nauseatingly predictable and bland. The characters just kind of fell together and their relationship just magically became a thing (it wasn't even instalove, it was something else). I will continue this series simply because I want to learn more about Tink (granted I have a feeling we may not learn much more).

CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 7
Atmosphere: 4
Writing: 7
Plot: 2
Intrigue: 1
Logic: 4
Enjoyment: 3

WHAT IS THIS?! I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THIS IS. IT'S A FREAKING CLIFFHANGER. I CAN'T EVEN RIGHT NOW. THIS FREAKING PLOT TWIST. WHAT IN THE WORLD.
Okay, let's start with the things I like. I like how the book wasn't overly obvious about its “surprises,” as evidenced by my rant in the beginning of this review (let's shout it again: PLOT TWIST). Anyways, it wasn't obvious in the way that one phenomenal thing is mentioned, and that phenomenal thing is obviously applied to the former phenomenal thing that just happened. I know you know what I'm talking about. So when people started talking about a prince (I'm trying not to spoil anything here), it wasn't immediately applied to that fae that was introduced right before the mentioning of said prince. And then there was that other incident that is related to the plot twist. I reiterate: WHAT IN THE WORLD?! THIS PLOT TWIST. flaps arms around I can't even. .-. Plus, I don't have the second book immediately on me now so I'm pretty much just thinking, “Should I get it? Of course, I want to know what happens, but I have a feeling things are going to take a downturn. But then again, I do want to know what happens. But on the other hand, I have a feeling I know what's going to happen...” And so it goes on. Book nerd dilemmas, people.
And then there was that traitor. Eh this is one of the things that was a little bit too conspicuous. While the hints Armentrout was dropping weren't blaring out who the culprit was, it was enough to sweep away any doubts about who the traitor was. At least she put an effort in putting the suspicion on other people, so kudos to her for that. PREDICTION: the culprit is in love or something with one of the fae. Am I right or am I right?
And let's not forget the bloodshed. WARNING: be wary of deaths, because while they might or might not all be super personal to whomever (you, the main character, a random dog, etc), it is important to note that there will be gore. The gore isn't completely specified to the point of causing nausea, but I just thought it'd be a fair warning to be wary of the dark parts of this book. It's not going to be a light and fun read, obviously, but it's not exactly going to be clean, either (and I'm not just talking about the romance, of course).
This concludes my rant, for if I delve any further into this, I'm just going to circle back to my previous statements. No need to brainwash you future readers anymore than this review is going to.

3.5 stars not rounded up.

Teetering on 4 stars until the last 10% which was A MESS. So much going on and ended in a cliffhanger. Did I start the second book on audio right away? YES I DID. But I'm not excited as I was everytime I went back to this book. The mystery went from being interesting to being very very very cliche.

Here's hoping its not as cliche as I am anticipating it will be.