3.5 stars
This was a good beginning to a enthralling new dystopic series. First, I really need to clarify some things. For those of you that have read the official blurb, this is NOTHING remotely similar to the Twilight romance. Not at all. Zero, zilch, nada. No vampires, no "you're too dangerous for me, no insta-love, nothing. Alright, now that that's out of the way, here's a my own blurb:
Ambrose is the duchess of a harsh winter land that is under the rough strictures of the government of Legalia. It's people are suffering in incredible poverty. Ambrose is alone save for her invisible friend who no one else can see or here. She married to Erik who couldn't give a rat's ass about poor Ambrose who simply tries to be a good wife. Then, during a speech one day, Exodus, a rebel group attacks. Ambrose is caught up in the chaos and is rescued by a new senator named Vasser. As a punishment for being a denizen (the poor people) sympathizer,
Ambrose is sent to cause more destruction and pain to the lands under Legalia's rule in hopes of flushing out Exodus. With Vasser at her tries, she tries to undermine Legalia in the best ways she can.
Ambrose struggles to make friends and come to terms with what she is, and I loved being a part of that journey. The book does have a hunger games feel to it, but she doesn't have the instant strongess (i know that's not a word) and courage that Katniss just seemed to have inherently from the get-go. That is what makes Ambrose endearing.
Overall, a must-read for dystopia lovers who want the feel of something similar to a melding of the Golden Compass and Hunger games yet has its own quirks and voice.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23812905-the-charismatics