Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “Secondborn (Secondborn #1)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

Secondborn

(Secondborn #1)

Amy A. Bartol (Goodreads Author),

Kate Reinders (Narrator)

3.97 · Rating details · 20,177 ratings · 1,551 reviews

Firstborns rule society. Secondborns are the property of the government. Thirdborns are not tolerated. Long live the Fates Republic.

On Transition Day, the second child in every family is taken by the government and forced into servitude. Roselle St. Sismode’s eighteenth birthday arrives with harsh realizations: she’s to become a soldier for the Fate of Swords military arm ...more

Get A Copy

Audible Audio, Unabridged

Published August 1st 2017 by Brilliance Audio

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Secondborn, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Add this book to your favorite list »

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.97 ·

Rating details

· 20,177 ratings · 1,551 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of Secondborn (Secondborn #1)

Aug 08, 2017 Emily May rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2017

The challenge with writing this review is trying to organize my many many notes into something coherent. I picked up Secondborn because I like to check out the occasional buzz book on Goodreads. This one has been popping up all over my feed and seems to have pretty good reviews (plus I'm auto-approved on netgalley, which didn't hurt!). But the more I read, the worse it seemed to get.

Don't get me wrong, I feel like Bartol has the potential to write a book I'd really enjoy. Parts of the story were ...more

flag 443 likes · Like · see review

Jul 01, 2017 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-first, fantasy-all, kindle-own

This book was my Kindle First pick for July. I picked a good one this time =)

****SOME SPOILERS****

This is actually the first book I have read from this author. I do know she has some other popular books out there that I plan on reading at some point.

This book is about Roselle. She a second born. Her brother, Gabriel and is the first born. The first born are the popular and special ones. And even though Gabriel would have liked to be in the military so to speak, it's Roselle that has to go and ...more

flag 134 likes · Like · see review

May 03, 2018 R.K. Gold rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2.5/5
0-50% was 1/5
51-80% was 2/5
81-100% was 3.5/5

This review will contain spoilers so if that bothers you do not read on.

If the ratings are not clear to you all I mean is that I struggled to get into the book early on, but there was at least something compelling me to finish. Though none of the characters (especially Roselle) stood out to me there was something about the world that made me want to at least finish this book.

Unfortunately, this book did fall flat in some regards. There was very li 2.5/5
0-50% was 1/5
51-80% was 2/5
81-100% was 3.5/5

This review will contain spoilers so if that bothers you do not read on.

If the ratings are not clear to you all I mean is that I struggled to get into the book early on, but there was at least something compelling me to finish. Though none of the characters (especially Roselle) stood out to me there was something about the world that made me want to at least finish this book.

Unfortunately, this book did fall flat in some regards. There was very little world-building, very little character development, and a plot that sometimes lost its way. The actual events that happened didn't really matter. What mattered was proving to the reader that Roselle was a worthy leader so in the following books the rebellion would make sense.

Unfortunately, I don't think this book did a good job proving Roselle was a leader. It proved she's capable of killing an army on her own when she wants, but for some reason is able to lose fights when it's convenient for a male character (usually a love interest or an aspiring love interest) to comfort her. Oh, also the love interest felt incredibly forced at first, but I got over it because Hawthorne became interesting by the end of the book.

The main villain, or at least the man I assume to be the main villain doesn't have much depth. He's just evil for the sake of being evil.

There is also a war going on but we only actually see one war scene and it's mostly Roselle tripping over corpses to see if anyone is alive. She's never in any danger and even though it's obvious she isn't going to die, she never felt close to dying at any point throughout this book, even though many people want her dead. She was kind of an annoying main character because she was just perfect. She was attractive but didn't know it, a weapons expert, and incredibly innocent and naive (like literally someone who justified killing guards but also nursed little animals back to health).

The best parts of the book were the descriptions of the advanced technology. The final three chapters were the most intriguing and did enough to make me curious about the rest of the series (as long as they remain on KU).

I hope the second book does a better job world building and also goes into more detail about the secondborn trials. I don't care if it's derivative of hunger games as it's entertaining. It kept getting referenced throughout the book but we rarely saw it.

I do want to finish this on a positive so I will say Clifton Salloway was an interesting character. He was by far the most well developed and had the most intriguing story of the cast. ...more

flag 42 likes · Like · see review

Jun 02, 2017 Christa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle-unlimited, owned, dystopian, ya, 2019, 2017, favorites-2017, christa-recommends, freebie, best-of-kindle-unlimited

I had to reread this before I started book two and it was even better the second time.

Secondborn is a dystopian where parents give their second born child to the government. Because of this, importance is given to the firstborn child while the second born child is neglected. Our main character Roselle is a second born. Her mother is the Clarity (leader) of her Fate (caste system).

Due to her mother's high ranking, Roselle is a very famous second born. She has been a media darling from an early ...more

flag 31 likes · Like · see review

Aug 10, 2017 Cheryl La Pa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-aug, fantasy, top-to-read, sci-fi-romance

4.5 stars. Loved it!
Secondborn is set in a dystopian world where there are only two tiers of society – the firstborns who rule and the secondborns who serve the firstborns. Thirdborns are forbidden.

I was entertained and spellbound from the first page and there were enough surprises and twists to keep it unpredictable and intriguing. The romance was sweet, though it did not dominate the story, which was more focused on Roselle trying to survive being a secondborn and seeking a way to improve the ...more

flag 31 likes · Like · see review

Aug 15, 2017 Rae rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, favorites

So I did an audiobook reread of this before starting Traitor Born because when trying to remember all the important details I couldn't for the life of me and I hate going into a book in a series without the previous one fresh on my mind. What suprised me with this second read was that I STILL had no clue what happened or was going on in the first at least 40% of the book. I remember having the same problem the first time I read this. Its like once you get clear of the jumbled mess that the begin So I did an audiobook reread of this before starting Traitor Born because when trying to remember all the important details I couldn't for the life of me and I hate going into a book in a series without the previous one fresh on my mind. What suprised me with this second read was that I STILL had no clue what happened or was going on in the first at least 40% of the book. I remember having the same problem the first time I read this. Its like once you get clear of the jumbled mess that the beginning is, things just start to click and fall into place. The characters finally take shape and the plot becomes clear. Its just a shame that it takes that long for this to happen. I can see quite a few people who would probably DNF before then, but if you just push through the mish mash of the beginning, the rest is really quite good!

I did enjoy this again, and audiobook is always a different experience no matter the story, so that was a great way to reread in my opinion. That cliff hanger ending is what gets you though. I hate feeling like there is no conclusion and this ends on a pretty major plot twist. It does leave you wanting more though so in that regard A+, Amy Bartol. I am happy that I have book two waiting for me this time around, I'm ready to find out what happens next!

___________________________________________________
Kindle First pick for the month of July :)

So since this was a freebie, I decided to go ahead and give it a go!!!
I really had a hard time in the beginning getting into the book, it seemed like there were so many different terms, and characters and places and descriptions just thrown at you and it was really difficult to keep up with it all. I kept finding myself going back and rereading entire chapters just to understand what I had read, which got really frustrating. But then lo and behold once I got about 1/3 of the way into the book it really picks up and it was soooo good from there on!!! i think i just needed to get into the world first and then everything fell into place.

This book definitely has a bit of a Hunger Games/Divergent vibe to it. I liked the world it was set in once I finally began to understand how it worked. The social hierarchy between the secondborn and firstborns was well thought out. The war to change the fate of the poor secondborns forced into fighting for the privileged firstborns really makes you want to jump in and fight for the equality of their lives.

Keeping this short, and sweet, I did enjoy this book once I was able to push through that first bit. I am definitely going to have to get the second book to see where this story goes. It ended on a major cliffhanger (ugh) so I want to know what happens. Hopefully I still remember all the important details by the time book 2 is published because i'm not sure that I could make it through that beginning of book 1 again!!! Here's to patiently waiting!

Happy Reading! ...more

flag 35 likes · Like · see review

Dec 20, 2017 Sophie "Beware Of The Reader" rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

5 solid stars

I had forgotten how much I love Amy’s books. It’s been a long time since I’ve read one of her stories but now I’m already on the ARC of Traitor Born as I can’t stop anymore!

I have to thank Michelle Chen as she recommended this book when I was busy with the “Bests of 2017” challenge. I looked into it and the blurb plus the gorgeous cover had me immediately buying the book.

What is it about?
It’s not PNR or Fantasy but it’s happening in another time or context where Firstborns have it a ...more

flag 23 likes · Like · see review

Sep 01, 2017 Mindy Lou's Book Review rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017, audible-owned, pnr-scifi-fantasy, action, 2019, own-paperback

I loved this! This was a great start to a new Dystopia series and I had a really hard time putting this down. I listened to the audible version and have nothing but good things to say about the narrator. I am limited to when I can listen and if I had the time, I would have listened straight through to the end.

I'm a fan of this kind of series and I especially love a female warrior. I really liked Roselle's character.
The unfairness to her situation and all Second Born situations makes you root h ...more

flag 22 likes · Like · see review

Jan 15, 2018 Nadhira Satria added it · review of another edition

Shelves: the-valley-of-dissappointment, dnf

dnf @20%

The main character has a personality of a goldfish.

flag 18 likes · Like · see review

Jul 13, 2017 Robin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Familiar story

I read this via Amazon Kindle First Reads.

I found "Secondborn" very like other popular dystopian books about teenage girls--almost to the point of not finishing the book. Select people get all the privileges, and the rest are basically slaves in need of a savior/hero.

Naturally, our protagonist is blessed with incredible fighting skills, she is reluctant to fill the hero position, and she doesn't have any choice.

Neither, apparently, does she have any choice but to fall madly in lust ...more

flag 15 likes · Like · see review

Jul 31, 2017 Bookphenomena (Micky) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: dnf, disappointed, 2017-read, baa-baa-black-sheep, dystopian

DNF @50%

I have tried repeatedly with this book, returning to it to read a bit more and unfortunately I cannot cope with the slow pace and lack of connection with the MC. I have been bored to this point. I truly am disappointed considering my love of the kricket series. I have decided that rather than continue to labour, DNF it is with a rather heavy heart.

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Jul 02, 2017 Heather rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Fast paced. Mysterious. Heart pounding. Romantic. Bartol takes all of these attributes and weaves them together with a delicious sci-fi/dystopian that produces Roselle, a secondborn child whose life no longer belongs to herself in a world where firstborns are revered. Conscripted into the military by her ruling mother, Roselle quickly learns that there is a power struggle afoot within the Fates hierarchy and that she just might be one of the pawns at the center of it. Rather than stand back and ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

May 14, 2018 Beth marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: own-to-read

14.05
I'm putting this back on my TBR until I get a physical copy, I think there's a lot going on and I can't keep up properly.

Hopefully I can get around to this sooner rather than later, because what I DID get I'm kind of intrigued!
-------- ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Aug 15, 2017 Beth Hudspeth rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-reads

Kindle First book. I was so proud when I saw Amy's book on there!

This is a unique dystopian. I liked it, but some parts seemed drawn out. Looking back at other Amy Bartol series, she usually starts out a little slow to build up to the juicy part so I bet book 2 and 3 will be awesome. I will definitely continue the series and I can't wait for the next to come out! ...more

flag 12 likes · Like · see review

Nov 22, 2019 nati ♡ rated it it was ok · review of another edition

2.25 🌟
-didn't care for the characters
-interesting concept and world!
-could've been done so much better ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Aug 04, 2017 Jen (The Starry-Eyed Revue) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: dystopian-post-apocalyptic, re-read, favorites, audiobooks, girl-power, 2017, 2018

ETA 4/18/18: Re-read so I could start Traitorborn, now that it's released. And good thing, too, because I forgot soooo much! :P

****

There is just something about a book by Amy A. Bartol. They're just so fun and entertaining and always leave me wanting more. I loved her KRICKET series and I'm still hoping there's another book forthcoming, but I may have enjoyed this book even more. It was so engaging! I loved the world -- despite being a dystopian, which I kinda swore off for the longest -- and th ...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Feb 08, 2019 Jina | BookRampage rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2019

That was so good. Holy balls.
I don’t know what to do with myself.
So
Many
Emotions
How do I know what I feel?!
Twist over there, turn over there. Who knows what will happen?!
*internally screams*

4.5 for me, so close to a 5 so close. I’m a sucker for any book this woman writes.

flag 9 likes · Like · see review

Feb 10, 2018 Amanda Kratz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I really enjoyed this book. It felt a bit like hunger games at times (and I have a feeling the next one really will), but still there was lots of action, good political manipulation, a touch of romance (although seriously everyone is in love with her and we have at least 3 potential love interests - and I see the good & bad of all 3)

Okay but first let me address the big white elephant in the room and talk about the general concept. So in this story families are limited to 2 kids (that’s it) the I really enjoyed this book. It felt a bit like hunger games at times (and I have a feeling the next one really will), but still there was lots of action, good political manipulation, a touch of romance (although seriously everyone is in love with her and we have at least 3 potential love interests - and I see the good & bad of all 3)

Okay but first let me address the big white elephant in the room and talk about the general concept. So in this story families are limited to 2 kids (that’s it) the first borns are privileged and live a charmed life. 2nd borns have no rights, are slaves/soldiers, and are NOT allowed to have kids. So were this an actual society you would have a 50% population reduction every generation. It just isn’t a sustainable model. Where are all these people coming from? Was their overcrowding? It talks as though this is the way it’s been for generations. It isn’t possible to have this many people. Sorry, it’s just stupid and doesn’t make sense. So let’s ignore the entire premise of the book and focus on the story. (Logic need not be applied)

So basic story is we have 9 Fates (read as districts). Military, political, technology, agriculture, fishing, etc. There is a Clarity (king/Queen) in charge of each district. Our main character Roselle is the second born of the Clarity of Swords (military). She has spent her entire life growing up in front of cameras, her entire life broadcast while trained to be the perfect second born, sworn to the cause to sacrifice her life for the good of the Fates. The story starts on her 18th birthday where she is being given to the military. There are rebels, the Gates of Dawn, who oppose the treatment of the second borns and are causing problems among the Fates. There are many interesting political group who have taken an interest in Roselle and would rather see her take her mother’s place as Clarity versus her older brother who has some drug abuse problems.

The story is well told however there are some awkward moments (ex: explaining a catheter in her body armor) and there is plenty of action. I really loved the way the characters were written. You like who you are supposed to and hate who you are supposed to. There is one main romance throughout the book but I see there potential for other suitors later in the series. Some characters are brought in though and then disappear completely until they are needed 200 pages later.

They keep mentioning these second born trials where 1000 people go in and 1 wins and gets to have their status changed to a first born. I have a feeling this is where book 2 is headed and I’m excited to see it. I will continue with the series when the next book comes out April 2018.

Edit re-read 2019- I still love this! Yes there are problems with the world building - mostly the math just doesn’t add up at all but I don’t care. I love the world, I love the people, love the story. I’m bumping it to 5 stars it has its flaws but whatever my rules my ratings. ...more

flag 13 likes · Like · see review

Sep 08, 2017 Maria rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook, series, science-fiction, first-person, young-adult, dystopia, fave-heroine, arc-reviewed

MANY THANKS TO 47NORTH FOR PROVIDING ME WITH THIS REVIEW COPY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW

FINAL RATING: 4.25

Now I know that it was only a fantasy. I’ll never be one of them. I’ll always be just a secondborn, a shadow, soon to fade from their lives.

Secondborn is a pleasant surprise!

When I requested this book on Netgalley, I thought the synopsis sounded great, ratings on Goodreads were high, so what could go wrong, right?

Despite the intriguing synopsis, I wasn't expecting much fr ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Jun 25, 2017 Kelly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: new-adult, strong-female-characters, series, sci-fi, dystopian, action, arc, 2017

I have read everything I can by Amy Bartol. Her Premonition Series is my go to series whenever I have book issues. I love the worlds she creates. I love how she develops tension in her characters’ relationships. I love her strong female characters.

I thought the story was interesting with the caste system and how they used their secondborn children as slaves. I really enjoyed the sci-fi dystopian feel it had going on. There are plenty of twist and turns to keep you interested. Mrs Bartol is know I have read everything I can by Amy Bartol. Her Premonition Series is my go to series whenever I have book issues. I love the worlds she creates. I love how she develops tension in her characters’ relationships. I love her strong female characters.

I thought the story was interesting with the caste system and how they used their secondborn children as slaves. I really enjoyed the sci-fi dystopian feel it had going on. There are plenty of twist and turns to keep you interested. Mrs Bartol is known for her subtle foreshadowing. I think I see some brilliant things to come in the next book.

What I liked:
I liked Roselle as strong female character. She did receive training since she was very young to survive. She continued to do that through Transition. She did learn she needed to accept help from people. She was not blinded to others motives. She helped other even at her own expense.

Mrs. Bartol writes excellent fight scenes. She seems to really know what works in them. She plays close attention to details like sword moves and fighting styles. Her scenes always makes me wonder if she has had extensive training or knows someone who has. Many of the moves or weapons she has in her books are things my second degree black belt children have or are learning.

I love that Mrs. Bartol puts a glossary at the end of the book. Some of the lexicon is described extensively in the story. Other things are not. I think it helps you get a clear idea of what each new word is.

What didn't work for me:
Everyone wants/loves/needs Roselle. I understand that everyone watched her grow up and felt they knew her. Everyone seems to want her for their own reasons: Rose Garden Society, Clifton, Hawthorne, Clarity Bowie (possibly for his son or whatever,) Reykin, Gates of Dawn, Agent Crow. I’m probably missing someone or some group. This is the exact thing that Mrs. Bartol did with Evie in the Premonition Series and Kricket in the Kricket Series. All of her female leads have been desired by everyone or pawns in her stories. Everyone wanted Evie because she freely loved, was dangerous and had a soul. Everyone wanted Kricket for her powers and because she was gorgeous and exotic. Roselle is no different. I would have liked to see something new.

I know it isn’t easy to build a world in sci-fi books. The story had its own lexicon that is new to the reader. That being said, there were many parts of the book that seemed like Mrs. Bartol was telling you vs. showing you the story. She went into great detail telling us about fusion blade. She could have presented the same information to us by having Roselle use the fusion blade.

I felt the pacing was off. I think it might be due to the showing vs telling of the story. The beginning was very slow going. I remember twice looking down at the percentage finished and thinking “I hope it picks up.” It did pick up about a third of the way in. The pacing seemed more balanced from the middle of the book to the end.

I did think the book was good and would give a 4-star rating. I would recommend it to a friend. I think Amy Bartol fans would notice the character similarity in our main female heroine to her other books. I think it is a great start to a series.

Received an ARC from NetGalley for a honest review. ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2017 Mel (Epic Reading) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-netgalley

This is a frustrating 4 stars for me because it should be 5. Secondborn is a wonderful dystopian teen novel that belongs alongside Divergent, Hunger Games and the Maze Runner; up until it shatters itself for no good reason.

Amy A. Bartol does a really good job of setting up her dystopian society (though a poor job of explaining why society is that way but I can overlook this miss) and helping us to understand the hierarchy of firstborn, secondborn and (god forbid) third or less born. She illustr This is a frustrating 4 stars for me because it should be 5. Secondborn is a wonderful dystopian teen novel that belongs alongside Divergent, Hunger Games and the Maze Runner; up until it shatters itself for no good reason.

Amy A. Bartol does a really good job of setting up her dystopian society (though a poor job of explaining why society is that way but I can overlook this miss) and helping us to understand the hierarchy of firstborn, secondborn and (god forbid) third or less born. She illustrates imaginative buildings that if shown on the silver screen would be gorgeous; and all the while keeping your attention because she shows us things instead of telling us. Our lead gal is strong, interesting, if a little consistent sometimes (but aren't we all?).

It all seems to be coming together beautifully. A villain is introduced, family dynamics are a mess and friends plus a romantic interest show up and things are really clicking. There's action that develops the characters forward and a lot of plot, but it's all easily understood.

And then Bartol makes a CRITICAL MISTAKE, that nearly ruins the whole book for me.
She takes this wonderfully set-up, moving forward group of people and jumps forward one year. Which means, we have to assume the relationships have grown (including the romance between lead gal and boy), catch up on politics, hear in passing about momentous battles and just assume the development of everything. UGH!

So, what should have happened?
This first book in the series should have ended with the major event that happens shortly after the year break. Having the story in that year be fleshed out and relationships developed would have been perfect. Then when our major event happens it would have everyone dying for book 2.
It's a calculated error, if you will, because I get that the time jump allows more exciting things to transpire in this book. But plot moving forward at the risk of the world and characters you've built is the wrong choice here.

Bartol has a compelling writing style. It did occur to me a few times that maybe the flow of the story was inconsistent; but by no means did it stop me from picking up the book.

I'm sorry to give this book only 4 stars but the gap in time just killed the momentum for me and makes all the relationship things that happen after it difficult to believe because I felt like it just skipped ahead and nothing felt genuine. I want to believe in the live and devotion these characters developed during that one year but I wish I had experienced it myself.

I will read book 2, but I think I'll always mourn that missing year. Maybe to fix the hole Bartol can write a novella to bridge the gap...

To read this and more of my reviews visit my blog at Epic Reading

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review. ...more

flag 10 likes · Like · see review

Jan 09, 2018 Lillian ☁ Cloud 9 Books ☁ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: arc, romance, favorites, science-fiction, dystopia, read-in-2018, young-adult

***** 4.5 Stars *****

"Never, ever trust the pack."

Although Roselle is from a powerful family, she has no rights because she isn't the firstborn child. Everything is chosen for her. Her mentor trains her from a young age so that she could fight in the military. Her clothes are selected to obtain a certain reaction from the citizens. Even her speeches are prepared for her.

When Roselle finally leaves her unloving family for the military, she makes new friends and also new enemies. Her life gets p ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Jul 06, 2017 Amy J RAREtte4Life rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: pnr-fantasy

Read early through Amazon prime.

Honestly I was a bit concerned through the first 25% of the story due to the similarities to The Hunger Games and the devotion to world building. I kept on reading and am so happy I did. World building is a part of every PNR/Fantasy/Dystopian story, personally I tend to get impatient with it especially when a great story is looming in the background. Due to the brilliance of Amy Bartol I fell head over hills with her world and the story of Secondborn.

I have so m ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 01, 2017 Ashlee » Library In The Country rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

4.25 (Reread on 12/21/17 - I still love this!)

Let me start by saying that Amy is the author of one of my favorite series (the Kricket Series) and I find that I really enjoy her writing and storytelling. Naturally, I was really looking forward to picking this book up when it was released.

Needless to say, it did not disappoint. The story is fast-paced and had several crucial plot twists that I did not see coming but really enjoyed. The characters are relatable, realistic, lovable and even a littl ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 30, 2017 Ian rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Young Adult Dystopian Science Fiction.
Who'd have thought it.

I tend to like books that stand on their own. I want to be able to read a series out of order without it mattering. I want resolution. I hate open endings and cliffhangers. There are a few reasons this book should annoy me but it's saved by likeable characters. ...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Jul 05, 2017 Tracey rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: read-in-2017

Secondborn offers many unique takes on the "realms separated by factions" trope, with interesting worldbuilding through the relationships between firstborn and secondborn and the hierarchy that separates them.

The pacing here is terrible. We get detailed fight scenes of Roselle besting foes in various forms of combat, but get two pages of exposition telling us what happened in a year. Exposition about the weirdest things come at the most bizarre times. Is directly after a terrorist attack and lea ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jul 02, 2017 Megan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: un-put-down-able, re-read-worthy, strong-female-lead, the-human-condition, sci-fi, i-ve-recommended, ya, love-triangle

4.5 stars

There are two things wrong with Amy Bartol's books. 1.) They end. 2.) There is a finite amount of them. She always creates such rich worlds and characters, and they always leave you wanting more, more, more. Just be forewarned that you will experience a book hangover immediately after finishing this one. I can't wait for the next book in this series--so excited to see where Roselle's story will lead next! ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Sep 06, 2017 Dirty Dayna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series-to-finish

4 Fates of the Republic Stars
I love this new spin on a Dystopia world. It is like the author took all the different dystopias (Game of thrones, Red Queen, Divergent and the Hunger Games and creating a world that has a bit of all of those in one story.

This story is about Roselle St. Sismode who is a secondborn she is sent away to serve as is her duty as a secondborn and leaves behind the only family she has ever known (Dune who isn’t biologically family). Roselle has been video tapped for the w ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Aug 13, 2017 Shelley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017-release, arc-netgalley, young-adult-fantasy

*Source* NetGalley
*Genre* Fiction / Science Fiction / Action & Adventure
*Rating* 4.0

*My Thoughts*

Secondborn is the first installment in author Amy A. Bartol's Secondborn series. 18-year old Roselle St. Sismode lives in a world where first born children are given every opportunity to succeed; where second born children are sold to the government to do what they want; and where third born children are hunted down and killed by a group known as Censor's. For Roselle, everything she's ever done has ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

Jan 16, 2018 Jen | Reads Past Her Bedtime rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, ya-pnr-fantasy, kick-ass-hero-heroines, fantasy-romance, dystopian

I L.O.V.E.D this book.

It might not be for everyone, but Amy Bartol’s The Premonition series is one of my favorites because of how she writes and she carried her wonderful writing into this book.

The story building is so great... even reading the glossary at the ending shows you how invested and creative Amy is as a writer.

I got major Hunger Games vibes from this book but it was original enough to not make me care. The main character; Roselle was a strong female lead who finds herself in interes ...more

flag 6 likes · Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA Fantasy/Dystopian - The female is chosen to be a protector/servant of the elite "supreme race" by competition/training (I think?) and is stronger than her brother. [s]	5	49	Feb 01, 2018 03:10PM
YA Buddy Readers'...: Secondborn (Secondborn #1) by Amy A. Bartol - Starting September 11th 2017	5	11	Sep 13, 2017 10:09AM
SOS: Serious Over...: [September 2017] "Secondborn" Discussion	1	25	Sep 03, 2017 11:50AM

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Fantasy

327 users

Young Adult

193 users

Science Fiction > Dystopia

167 users

Science Fiction

106 users

Romance

86 users

New Adult

76 users

Fiction

62 users

Audiobook

20 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Fantasy

20 users

Fantasy > Paranormal

18 users

See top shelves…

About Amy A. Bartol

Amy A. Bartol

6,447 followers

Author of the Secondborn Series:
Secondborn (Book 1)
Traitor Born (Book 2)
Rebel Born (Book 3)

Author of the Premonition Series:
Inescapable (Book 1)
Intuition (Book 2)
Indebted (Book 3)
Incendiary (Book 4)
Iniquity (Book 5)

Author of the Kricket Series:
Under Different Stars (Book 1)
Sea of Stars (Book 2)
Darken the Stars (Book 3)

The Divided - A Science Fiction Romance short story, which is included in t ...more