Gambit by C.L. Denault Series: The Prodigy Chronicles
Published by REUTS publications (3.31.2015)
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult
Format: eARC, 556 pages
Source: NetGalley
In Earth’s battle-ridden future, humans have evolved. Those with extraordinary skills rise to power and fame. Those without live in poverty.
Sixteen-year-old Willow Kent believed she was normal. But when a genetically-advanced military officer shows up in her village and questions her identity, long-buried secrets begin to emerge. With remarkable skills and a shocking genetic code the Core and its enemies will do anything to obtain, Willow suddenly finds the freedom she craves slipping through her fingers. Greed, corruption, and genetic tampering threaten every aspect of her existence as she’s thrust, unwilling, into the sophisticated culture of the elite Core city. To ensure peace, she must leave the past behind, marry a man she’s never met, and submit to the authority of a relentless officer with a hidden agenda of his own.
Her life has become a dangerous game. How much will she sacrifice in order to win?
My thoughts
I have very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I loved the idea of it, but on the other, it didn’t really stand out. I found this book to be forgettable. Already the details are slipping away, I’m afraid.
What I did love was the idea of the Surge and the skills or abilities that came from them. Very cool! Willow’s ability to manipulate elements was awesome. (Sadly, though, I forget already what her second skill was…)
I didn’t care much about the characters, but I do have to say that I was intrigued by Reece from the start despite his violence. At first he seems harsh, almost villainous, but he has clear reasons for everything he does. View Spoiler »
Willow was a badass, sure, but I found her to be a bit too headstrong. She was very immature at times, and very mule-headed. Headstrong is good, but she took it to a whole other level! The way she constantly cajoled Reece was kind of annoying, and I’m pretty sure in real life she would have ended up dead for being so impudent!
I would have liked to see more world building, because what little that existed intrigued me. There was mention of an Uprising in 2032, there’s no satellites, there’s an environmental ban on fuel production, and the photovoltaic windows were cool (solar cells in the glass turn sunlight into energy). But everything was rather vague, and I couldn’t get a very good grasp on what happened in the past or the structure and society of the present world.
View Spoiler »Honestly, despite the complaints, I still enjoyed this one while I was reading. It has plenty of action, and the romance isn’t bad, but you can’t think too much into it because some things just don’t make much sense.
Favorite quotes
“Love is love, regardless. You can’t control it, and it won’t follow the rules.”
“We’ll always be family. Nothing will ever change that, no matter what happens.”
“He wanted respect? Fine. I’d respectfully bash his head in with my weapon of choice.”
This made me giggle!
Overall Assessment
Plot: 3/5
Premise: 4.5/5
Writing style: 3.5/5
Originality: 3.5/5
Characters: 2.5/5
World-building: 2/5
Pace: 4/5
Feels: 2/5
Cover: 4/5
Overall rating: 3/5
I just read this book and although I enjoyed it more than you, I still have some if your concerns. I wanted more world building – there was a little but it could have done with more.
I didn’t find Willow immuature, I wasn’t get that vibe. Headstrong hell yeah but not really immuature. she was throw into this world and she didn’t want to be there, she doesn’t want people to control her – I think that is what she is.
with Reece I think there is a difference between tyring to get someone to listen and follow you and man-handling. He rubbed me the wrong way – he felt like the dominate alpha. I grew to sort of like him but he isn’t my favourite character.
I am glad that you thought the book was okay.