Review Wednesday: The Black Key by Amy Ewing

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE JEWEL. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about The Jewel by clicking on the link: Review: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title: The Black Key (The Lone City #3)

Author: Amy Ewing

1st Date of Publication: October 4, 2016

ISBN: 9780062235848

# of Pages: 295

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Violence)

Buy on Amazon

Book Description: 
For too long, Violet and the people of the outer circles of the Lone City have lived in service to the royalty of the Jewel. But now the secret society known as the Black Key is preparing to seize power.

And while Violet knows she is at the center of this rebellion, she has a more personal stake in it—her sister, Hazel, has been taken by the Duchess of the Lake. Now, after fighting so hard to escape the Jewel, Violet must do everything in her power to return to save not only Hazel, but the future of the Lone City.

Setting: Various Locations in Lone City (Fictional)

Point of View: 1st Person- Violet Lasting

Goodreads Rating: 4.11

My Rating: 4.25

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both

View on the Cover: The cover looks really cool. It looks like the girl is surrounded by broken glass, and there's a person in each little shard of glass.

View on the Title: In the second novel, you find out that the Black Key is a rebel society fighting for equality, but they have not physically fought yet.

Pros:

• The book seemed like it went so quickly that I didn't realize that I was near to the end. The action was very balanced and continued at a very quick and easy path.
• I really liked Violet's character in this book. She has more purpose and drive to get the Auction to stop and for everyone to be free. Her character becomes more mature
• The Paladin are better exlained and their powers are truly seen by the end of the series. It makes me want to be a Paladin.
• The Duchess of the Lake, the villanous, becomes a more redeemable character. Her actions to her entire situation make her seem more human.

Cons:

• The only real issue I had was Ash. I wish Ash's character had more development. I felt that he has always lacked in character after the firs book. He's the boy who is taken advantage of and is willing to do anything for Violet. I just feel like his character is very flat.

Critics' Reviews:

“Excellent world building… skillful descriptions.” -Booklist
“Ewing writes a fast-paced story that takes readers into the inner workings of a society that is obsessed with power and perfection.” -School Library Journal
“The story’s setting is interesting. A decadent matriarchal society is thought provoking. This is a quick read. Good storytelling.” -VOYA
“Ewing bravely blends several genres. This solidly sets fans up for the next volume.” -Kirkus

Amy Ewing's Website:

www.amyewingbooks.com

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Eve by Anna Carey

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Anticipation Friday: The Black Key by Amy Ewing

Goodreads Description
For too long, Violet and the people of the outer circles of the Lone City have lived in service to the royalty of the Jewel. But now the secret society known as the Black Key is preparing to seize power.

And while Violet knows she is at the center of this rebellion, she has a more personal stake in it—her sister, Hazel, has been taken by the Duchess of the Lake. Now, after fighting so hard to escape the Jewel, Violet must do everything in her power to return to save not only Hazel, but the future of the Lone City.

Preorder on Amazon

Other info
Expected Date of Publication: October 4, 2016
Stand-Alone or Series//Companion: Series- Lone City #3
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Society, Young Adult Fantasy

Why Am I Anticipating This Book?

•  The cover of this is very interesting to me. It's very abstract looking. The girl is wearing the same dress as in the first two books. If you look close enough, there are faces of different people.
• This is the final book to the Lone City series and it left at such a cliff hanger that it has been bothering me for a year of what will happen.
• When I found out that Violet's beloved sister, Hazel, was taken from Violet's old evil master, Duchess of the Lake, I got really upset. Stay innocent, Hazel! Stay innocent!

New Release Review: The White Rose by Amy Ewing

*DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THE JEWEL. THERE MAY BE SOME SPOILER. If you want to read this series, read my review about The Jewel by clicking on the link: Review: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title: The White Rose (The Lone City #2)

Author: Amy Ewing

1st Date of Publication: October 6, 2015

ISBN: 9780062235817

# of Pages: 320

Genre: Young Adult Dystopian

Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: Violet is on the run. After the Duchess of the Lake catches Violet with Ash, the hired companion at the Palace of the Lake, Violet has no choice but to escape the Jewel or face certain death. So along with Ash and her best friend, Raven, Violet runs away from her unbearable life of servitude.

But no one said leaving the Jewel would be easy. As they make their way through the circles of the Lone City, Regimentals track their every move, and the trio barely manages to make it out unscathed and into the safe haven they were promised—a mysterious house in the Farm.

But there’s a rebellion brewing, and Violet has found herself in the middle of it. Alongside a new ally, Violet discovers her Auguries are much more powerful than she ever imagined. But is she strong enough to rise up against the Jewel and everything she has ever known?

The White Rose is a raw, captivating sequel to The Jewel that fans won’t be able to put down until the final shocking moments.

Setting: Various Locations in Lone City (Fictional)

Point of View: 1st Person- Violet Lasting

Goodreads Rating: 4.05

My Rating: 4

Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover

View on the Cover: I love how the cover Violet looks stronger and more stubborn than she did in the first cover. The way her dress is arranged looks like a white rose.

View on the Title: Since the first book ended up being place, I assumed this was the same case but I won’t reveal that information until you read this.

Pros:

• I thought this book was so much better than the first book.
• Violet’s character becomes developed a lot more as she is able to escape the Jewel and finds out what and who she wants to fight for.
• Ash’s character is also developed more and he becomes more lovable.
• There is a huge emphasis on family, which is seen through Ash and Violet. All their actions are based on how their families will be treated.
• I also love Garnet’s character. When he was first introduced in the first novel, I was not a big fan of him since he was disrespectful in all his encounters with the characters. All his disrespectfulness is put into perspective in this one as his character continues to develop.

Cons:

• I felt that Raven’s character was not developed enough in this book. I understand that most of it she is mentally damaged but once it got to a certain point in the novel Raven’s character.
• The people in charge of getting Violet out agitated me a bit because they try to get her to understand her Auguries while she tries to find her purpose but the continue to treat her as if she is incapable.

Critics' Reviews:

“This fast-paced plot and a surprise twist will make readers anxious for the next series entry. A must-read for fans of the previous title; they will not be disappointed.” -School Library Journal

Amy Ewing's Website:

www.amyewingbooks.com

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Eve by Anna Carey

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Review Wednesday: The Jewel by Amy Ewing

Title: The Jewel (The Lone City #1)
Author: Amy Ewing
1st Date of Publication: September 2, 2014
ISBN: 9780062235794
# of Pages: 358
Genre: Young Adult Dystopian
Age Rating: 15+ (Language, Violence)

Buy it on Amazon

Book Description: The Jewel means wealth. The Jewel means beauty. The Jewel means royalty. But for girls like Violet, the Jewel means servitude. Not just any kind of servitude. Violet, born and raised in the Marsh, has been trained as a surrogate for the royalty—because in the Jewel the only thing more important than opulence is offspring.

Purchased at the surrogacy auction by the Duchess of the Lake and greeted with a slap to the face, Violet (now known only as #197) quickly learns of the brutal truths that lie beneath the Jewel’s glittering façade: the cruelty, backstabbing, and hidden violence that have become the royal way of life.

Violet must accept the ugly realities of her existence... and try to stay alive. But then a forbidden romance erupts between Violet and a handsome gentleman hired as a companion to the Duchess’s petulant niece. Though his presence makes life in the Jewel a bit brighter, the consequences of their illicit relationship will cost them both more than they bargained for.

Setting: Jewel, Lone City (Fictional)

Point of View: 1st Person- Violet Lasting

Goodreads Rating: 3.81

My Rating: 3.75


Part of the Book that Caught My Attention: Both title and cover
View on the Cover: The cover is gorgeous. I love the dress since it is very elegant and also cascades into a jewel.
View on the Title: The title is very enticing because it made me question what "The Jewel" was. I thought it would be a person , but it is actually a place.

Pros:

•  I love the strength that Violet has despite everything she's been through before and during the novel. She has her identity and the ability to find love taken away from her and she still finds a way to fight for both.
• I'm glad that the story was not about the best girl in the whole Auction, but she was one of the better ones. She was Lot 197 out of 200, which showed how valuable she is that becomes a bigger part in the trilogy.
• Garnet's (Duchess's son) character was a bit of comic relief simply because he was great at angering his mother, the Duchess.
• Ash's character showed a lot of strength in similar ways that Violet has had, which allows them to understand each other better and empathize together.

Cons:

•  The way that the royalty treats those below them is horrendous. Young girls with Auguries are forced to leave their homes just to become surrogates (hold the royalty's children). But before they even reach homes of the royalty is get auctioned based on how good they are. I guess this could be a wakeup call toward things like the sex trade.
• I also hated that the fact that her identity was completely taken away as soon as she got to Auction. She no longer becomes Violet Lasting but Lot 197. It loses her ability to be a person. 
• The Duchess of the Lake, Violet's owner, bothered me so much. She always teased and used fear with Violet even when Violet caused no problems. She was so self-righteous.
• Not only are the girls treated poorly but their identities are taken away by using a number.

Critics' Reviews:
“With its taut, provocative plot and irresistible characters, THE JEWEL had me tearing through pages right up to the final, startling twist. I need the next book now!” -Andrea Cremer (international (bestselling author of The Nightshade Series)
“Will have fans of Oliver’s Delirium, Cass’ The Selection, and DeStefano’s Wither breathless with anticipation for the sequel.” -Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Ewing writes a fast-paced story that takes readers into the inner workings of a society that is obsessed with power and perfection.” -School Library Journal
“Excellent world building… skillful descriptions.” -Booklist

Amy Ewing's Website:

www.amyewingbooks.com

Other Recommendations:

The Selection by Kiera Cass
Eve by Anna Carey
Wither by Lauren DeStefano
Delirium by Lauren Oliver