The Almost Girl (Riven Chronicles, #1)

by Amalie Howard

[bookishzelda]

When I first started reading the book I was like this is kind of a female Terminator. Now let me shock you and say that I have never seen the Terminator movies just know the concept. Really though it’s not the same at all it’s a lot cooler. I really liked the book and found myself falling in love with the plot and characters.

Caden and Riven. Whoo I loved their romance, like ship them kind of love. There were some scenes that I was like yes this is awesome. The bathroom one in particular….Riven was taught not to love and that it’s a weakness. Drilled into her head over and over. She’s a trained soldier so it’s cute to see her lighten up a bit with Caden. Even when she doesn’t want to. I also like the way Caden is so patient. He has his moments where he gets frustrated of course but he always comes back and they support each other even when they want to kill each other. It’s like two magnets they can’t seem to resist the pull. I love love that about them. I admit the Sci-Fi girl in me was all over this book but the romance was definitely one my favorite parts or is my favorite part.

I have a strong fascination with Alternative Universes. I’m just one of those people that say if you can’t disprove it then it’s possible. I just like the idea that there are all these threads that have different paths, different evolution. For some reason the idea clicks with me more than aliens and for a good story your options can be limitless.

There is a bit of mystery the story unravels as we go along. We don’t get everything right away even though you know there is more to the story. Riven doesn’t reveal why Caden is her target full until later in the book and even then things aren’t as they seem. It’s very intricate web of lies, political and espionage. Nobody is going to lay their cards on the table until they are ready and it’s not just Caden that seems to be in the dark. I loved how the plot develops at an adrenaline pumping pace as we spend a lot of it either hunting or being hunted.

I loved Riven, I loved Caden, I loved Shae and even June. I just like every character that was introduced. Even if I liked them because I wanted to slap them. Riven is definitely kick-ass and pretty fearless. She also very strategical, which is interesting to me about her. She can be fueled by rage but then she gets this calmness about her a realizes that it’s the way to win the fight. She also has major issues with emotions and expressing them, so at times she can be very awkward. Caden seems so innocent but he’s actually pretty tough. He had that perfect balance to his personality.

I really liked the ending. Although normally I might get a bit angry at it, I felt like it fit. If Riven had acted any differently she wouldn’t be her.