BOOK REVIEW: PRIZED by CARAGH O'BRIEN

Title:   PRIZED (Birthmarked #2)
Author:   CARAGH O'BRIEN
Publisher:   Simon Schuster
Pages: Paperback, 356 pages
Acquired: Review Copy received from Simon & Schuster


RATING:   4 out of 5 SINISTER SYLUM STARS!!

Goodreads Description:

Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime.  In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?

REVIEW:

I absolutely LOVED Birthmarked.....so I was very anxious to gets my hands on Prized to continue the saga that became Gaia Stone's life - and of course a bit a Leon!!

Though Prized wasn't as fresh and fast paced as Birthmarked, I certainly enjoyed it. 

Gaia grew further as a woman in Prized.  She became strong willed and definitely a force to be reckoned with. Her stubborn side was very evident!  

At times it felt a little slow within the story - though this can be attributed to the story being set wholly and solely in Sylum.  With Birthmarked we were on a constant run with Gaia and Leon. 

In Prized, Gaia was having to adjust to life under a fairly strict rule that was very different to life belonging to the Enclave (or outside the Enclave walls!).   A guy could barely look in your direction without it being a punishable offence in Sylum. You see, the men outnumber the women by a huge percentage - and "breeding" seemed to be producing more and more boys than girls. 

With this issue of guys to girls ratio......we are given not just a love triangle - but a love square/box...did it work??  Well, to me Leon is the only one for Gaia.  With the introduction of Peter and his brother Will I am not too sure if it was pulled off correctly.  Out of the brothers I felt Gaia had more a connection with Will, though all briefs on the story had Peter as the possible new love interest.

Overall, I enjoyed Prized - I look forward to Promised (Birthmarked #3).

ENJOY!

MARISSA