Review by Eniekko -- Temptation Trials Part I by B. Truly

[Eniekko]

[Following is a volunteer review of "Temptation Trials Part I" by B. Truly.]

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2 out of 4 stars

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Cali and Stefani are best friends living in the post-World War 3 era. Under a strict dictatorship rule, the whole world is unified and governed with suffocating laws and unfair notions. Wanting to take a quick break from their dreary life, they attend a party which quickly turns into a nightmare. Lucky for them, they are saved by Cade and Tobias.

The more time the couples spend together, the more they fall for one another. But in a world like theirs, love is not an option. There is only one way they can fight for their future, entering the Temptation Trials, a sadistic game where no one has ever won.

Will they triumph? Or are they going to get proven that love doesn’t have a place in the time they live in?

Reading the Temptation Trials Part I by B. Truly is a stroll in a park as compared to other dystopian novels. Even if it describes life after the third world war, the overall atmosphere of the book is light-hearted. It wasn’t tear-jerking or overly scary. The unfairness of characters’ situation was told by quick narrative which lessens the feeling of dread.

I liked it a lot when the story attempted to take it’s time to build up the romance between the couples. It wasn’t just an instantaneous love although there was an immediate attraction. The characters thought it through and decided what they should do next. But, I also couldn’t help but be disappointed with the lack of depth. While I was reading, it makes me wonder, ‘Were the moments they shared together really enough for them to go through the trials?’ In all honesty, it did seem more of a young love type to me. In regards with the writing, there was more on “telling” the readers about how the characters feel, instead of “showing”.

Another positive point was that the main characters are human. Not unlike most dystopian young adult novels nowadays, the characters are not vampires, super powered individuals or a destined savior of the human race. It’s definitely a welcome break on my part.

After finishing the book, I really wanted to read what happens next. It made me really curious to find out who the characters end up with and how they are connected with the mystery that lies in the background. If I can rate this 2 and a half or 3, I will. But I couldn’t because it left me with so many questions which could have been answered if more details were given.

As an example, there was so limited information given about the trials despite the fact that there were already previous seasons of it. Or, the fact that there is a secret organization whose purpose isn’t clearly defined.

Speaking of which, another reason I couldn’t give a higher rating, is because of the seemingly unrealistic reactions of characters or the people to some events. Like, when only 9 years after the war that almost re-wrote and re-established the whole world, it is already thriving and is under one rule. Another is when a supposed secret operative immediately reveals his identity to a stranger. Then, bring the said stranger to the base of operations. That bit made it seem entirely ridiculous to me.

To summarize, I give this 2 out of 4 stars because I most definitely would want to read the next installment of this book but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it would give more details and be more realistic to an extent.

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Temptation Trials Part I
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Like Eniekko's review? Post a comment saying so!

[Donatelloo]

Nice review .. I also rated it the same

[kandscreeley]

I haven't seen a lot of people that really enjoyed this book. It's too bad because it has a great idea behind it. Thanks for the review.

[Eniekko]

Nice review .. I also rated it the same

Thanks!

-- 26 Jul 2017, 11:10 --

I haven't seen a lot of people that really enjoyed this book. It's too bad because it has a great idea behind it. Thanks for the review.

To be fair, I did enjoy reading it and I would be glad to read the next one as well. I also agree that the idea behind it is really good. There are just some parts of the it that I felt the author could have written a bit better.