#dividing eden

[atlasxavery]

Books I’ve read in 2020:

→ Into the Garden by Joelle Charbonneau

[evasjacks]

Ada give me a book rec please, I think our tastes are similar because I like the Six of Crows duology and Vicious... thanksies in advance ily

Heyy there!! You have fantastic taste if you’ve already read both Vicious and Six of Crows,,, like damn.

Okay, I’m gonna give you a bunch of recs because a) I love recommending books, and b) they’re ridiculously underrated and deserve appreciation

The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, a group of gifted teenagers help the FBI with their investigations . SO many plot twists, so much mystery, it isn’t fantasy though.

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau, fantasy series about twins next in line for the throne, and they have to fight to earn it. Amazing.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt, not fantasy, modern classic, very dark academic if that’s what you’re into, but anyone who has read Vicious and soc has read this one as well. 

Hope this helps! Feel free to dm me if you read these, I love them so much and I’d love to discuss them!

[tiberiaschooseme]

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau

“Freedom was a myth. Carys’s brother Andreus didn’t think so. He said a person could feel free even when walls surrounded him... he was wrong. Freedom was a mirage.”

[kirawarner]

JOMP Book Photo Challenge January 20: Glasses

Reading: Eden Conquered by Joelle Charbonneau

[shakespeare-and-blue-roses]

Dividing Eden - Joelle Charbonneau

After a much-needed trip through some other genres, I’ve returned to the YA section of my TBR. I could’ve chosen a better starting place than Dividing Eden. Not that it’s a terrible book, it’s just that Joelle Charbonneau has not impressed me thus far. This book is definitely better than the Testing trilogy, but as far as YA lit goes I still think it has miles to go before it’s Hall of Fame worthy.  

On the plus side, I loved the setting. YA fantasy tends to be sort of a one-note deal, but Dividing Eden actually had some great worldbuilding. I was so intrigued by the combination of magic and technology in a fantasy setting. Not something you see very often. It definitely made me want to explore the world more and learn how it worked. I think Charbonneau did a great job of balancing the magic and electricity; they both had a place in her world but they didn’t clash with one another. That’s important because it’s very easy to put magic in a world because it’s cool, even if it doesn’t serve a purpose.

I thought the characters were mostly well done. My only hangup was that Andreus seemed to do a complete switch as soon as the Trials started. In the beginning of the book he was the enthusiastic scholar, trying to hide his asthma and help his kingdom. When he found out the Trials were to take place, he abandoned his pact with Carys awfully quickly, which is a dick move after everything Carys did for him.

In trademark Charbonneau fashion, no plot point is to be trusted. There were some twists at the end, but I wasn’t as mad about them as I was with the Testing books. They were sort of obvious but at least once the plot twisted it stayed there.

I have one complaint that I also had with the Testing books, which is that Carys is caught in a love triangle that appears to have nothing to do with the story. Like it’s literally just there to create extra tension. The guys are so bland that I can’t even remember their names. They aren’t significant until the last maybe 30 pages, either. Just like magic, if you’re going to put characters in a story, they better serve a purpose beyond looking pretty.

Although I didn’t hate it, I don’t think I’ll be continuing the series, mostly because I refuse to reread the Testing series, and I don’t trust Joelle Charbonneau enough to go through that again.

[chaosinthmindofascorpio]

“Power was a prize too many wanted and would do almost anything to have.”

Dividing Eden, Joelle Charbonneau

[jamiesshelves]

Book: Dividing Eden Series: Dividing Eden (Book 1) Author: Joelle Charbonneau Pages: 432 Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) Favorite Quote: “Everyone wanted something, and when someone coveted a thing enough, rarely did they question the price.” Recommendation: If sibling rivalry, royalty and court games

Synopsis:

Twins Carys and Andreus were never destined to rule Eden. With their older brother next in line to inherit the throne, the future of the kingdom was secure. But appearances—and rivals—can be deceiving. When Eden’s king and crown prince are killed by assassins, Eden desperately needs a monarch, but the line of succession is no longer clear. With a ruling council scheming to gain power, Carys and Andreus are faced with only one option—to take part in a Trial of Succession that will determine which one of them is worthy of ruling the kingdom. As sister and brother, Carys and Andreus have always kept each other safe—from their secrets, from the court, and from the monsters lurking in the mountains beyond the kingdom’s wall. But the Trial of Succession will test the bonds of trust and family. With their country and their hearts divided, Carys and Andreus will discover exactly what each will do to win the crown. How long before suspicion takes hold and the thirst for power leads to the ultimate betrayal?

My Opinion:

Carys was an interesting character to read. Willing to do anything to protect her brother, strong, intelligent, and fighting an addiction

Andreus however was AWFUL! I DESPISE THIS GUY! So awful to his sister who is willing to do anything for him. Reading his POV was painful

Andreus is also an idiot. Literally brainwashed in a week by a girl who he claims is in love with him *insert eye roll*

This book did keep my interest through the entire thing

I am interested to see Carys fuck shit up in the next and final book

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[live-and-breathe-fantasy]