I was actually really looking forward to delving into this title upon winning it through a Goodreads Giveaway, an opportunity that always fills me with excitement and anticipation. The book's description promised a thrilling narrative that intricately wove together a dystopian setting with elements of dark romance, a combination that often leads to an engaging and exciting reading experience. The allure of exploring a world shaped by societal collapse or authoritarian rule, while simultaneously navigating the complexities of a tumultuous romantic relationship, are themes that intrigue me. As I embarked on my reading journey through 2024, I found myself immersed in a variety of narratives, and I realized that I indeed enjoy both of these types of books—the stark realities of dystopian fiction paired with the emotional intensity of dark romance. Each page turned revealed a new layer of intrigue and conflict, captivating my imagination and drawing me deeper into the characters' struggles and desires. However, as I progressed further into the story, I began to feel that there was something within this particular tale that felt disjointed for me.
The pacing seemed uneven at times, with certain plot developments feeling rushed while others dragged on without sufficient payoff. Additionally, the plot sometimes seemed like two separate tales instead of a unified narrative.This disconnect made it challenging to fully invest in their journeys, leaving me feeling somewhat detached from the emotional stakes that were meant to be at the forefront of the narrative. Despite these issues, I appreciated the author's ambition and the unique ideas presented throughout the story. The world-building and characters was rich with tension and uncertainty. As I navigated through the twists and turns of the plot, I couldn't help but acknowledge the potential that lay within the pages, even if it didn't fully materialize in the way I had hoped. Ultimately, while the book had its merits and moments of brilliance, the disjointedness I felt prevented me from fully embracing the experience as I had anticipated.
The Review
In “Acquired: The XX Pandemic Book One” we’re introduced to Zinnia “Zen” and Cyan “Cy” who meet under peculiar circumstances and wind up forming a dark and ravenous romance of sorts leading up to a deadly mystery illness only affecting women. There were pieces of the story that I liked but this story really felt to me like two stories mashed into one and didn’t feel entirely cohesive, and something felt like it was missing. I quite preferred the dystopian side of the story better compared to the dark romance portion but to each their own.
Overall Rating: 2 / 5 Stars
Finished Reading On: November 11, 2024
Book Information
Author Name: E.S. Tremayne
Publisher Name: Independently Published
Published Date: June 30, 2024
Final Thoughts
Have you read Acquired: The XX Pandemic Book One? Drop a comment, a rating, and let me know your thoughts. Thanks for reading!
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