I think TWR plants a lot of seeds for betrayal and plot twists in book three, but it is too early to tell. The only twist really is the ending, but again, it isn't something that you can't guess.

I found myself skimming a lot during the middle part of the book and towards the end.

It's all about survival and being on the run and learning the truth about why the girls have the auguries. Unfortunately, TWR doesn't really give any of that. I loved reading about life in the palaces and about the girls learning to survive in such an awful environment. It sounds like your typical YA book, but there are such darker themes with surrogates and companions and such. I really liked The Jewel because of how unique the concept was. You have a great first book then comes Second Book Syndrome and finally you get to meet a (usually) great last book of the series. Many great series suffer from this exact condition. This book is suffering from a severe case of Second Book Syndrome. I am not a doctor nor do I play one on TV, but I would like to diagnosis. The book ends on a pretty big (yet not very surprising) cliffhanger that sets up book three to be full of action. With Violet's help, there is a real possibility of The Jewel being overthrown and freedom being restored to the people of the island. Towards the end of the book they reach their destination, and Violet is finally able to learn why she is so important. Most of the book is spent with Violet and her companions on the run. Lucien helps rescue Violet as promised along with an unlikely ally, Garnet. Ash and Violet have been caught and now all hell has broken loose. The White Rose picks up immediately where The Jewel left off. Find this review and many others at Southern Bred, Southern Read Book Blog !

The White Rose by Amy Ewing