** NOT A STANDALONE NOVEL! ** In the final moments of "The Culling", Reagan Scott was betrayed. This betrayal changes everything. Not just for the Culling but for the country. As the competition for Presidential Couple continues and the final four are solidified, the campaigning begins, sending Reagan on a tour of the townships to vie for the votes and hearts of the nation. Though she’s finally with the one who has always had her heart, everything else seems to be spinning out of control. With enemies both within the Culling and outside of it, it’s not a matter of if something will happen... but when. When the world comes crashing down around her, will Reagan break under pressure? How far can she make it in the Culling? And more importantly, how far is she willing to go to protect the ones she loves?
Tricia Wentworth is the award-winning author of The Culling series. Though she began writing at a young age, she didn’t realize her love of writing would take over until after she graduated college with her teaching degree. She currently resides in Nebraska with her husband, three sons, and English bulldog. She hoards notebooks, pretty pens, books, and tea. When not reading, writing, or momming, she can be found squeezing in a run or feeding her sugar addiction by baking something ridiculously delicious.
I tried so hard to like this story. I got through the first one, even though it annoyed me. The concept was pretty good.
Unfortunately the authors 1950’s traditional gender roles was just too much.
Do you really think a world were almost all of the population died wouldn’t have had to evolve a little? You don’t think they would have utilised the women anyway they needed to? I mean you didn’t even have an female doctors,the one major character from the health precinct was a nurse. Nurses are great, we need loads of nurses. But all the men were pre-med or scientists but no women??? Why can’t some of the men be nurses and women be doctors?
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out the author wa a 15 year old girl. They certainly had ideas of what a good relationship should be, and reactions by characters that felt really juvenile and unworldly. I groaned and rolled my eyes a lot.
Here is the breakdown in under a minute. Quasi-Spoilers if you didn't finish book one yet. No spoilers if you have.
Chapter 1-3 read them.
Then here's the next hundred or so pages, and no, I'm not kidding. I miss my best friend Henry. My boy friend is so hot. Frank made a dress. Gerdie said something motherly, I look amazing. Let me tell you about this dress for a few pages. Did I mention that my boy friend is super gorgeous? He is. We did an interview. Everyone loves me but i don't know why. I'm gonna self doubt for a while, wanna comes along. Oh look an event that requires a dress. Frank...oh Frank? Will you lookie at that, people are dying on the street from lack of resources but Frank makes a dress that defied logic, again, in less than a week. Oh that Gerdie what a nice lady. I think I'll keep them around when I'm President. Me and my sexy as sin man Lyncon so sexy. But we're totally waiting until marriage to have sex. So much waiting. In the mean time let me tell you about my new dress. Oh hey there Marrisol, what a tool. But maybe she's just a victim of her power hungry narcissistic father who i am pretty sure beats her a lot. So I'm going to be her friend. Yay! We're all friends now. Seriously though I feel bad for Henry i mean he loves me so much but look how undeniably sexy my husband to be is, I mean just look!! Oh that's right you can't , this is a book. Ok so let me put on this dress and I'll tell you exactly how beautiful it is and how handsome my man is. Not that I'm worthy of him. I'm so plain Jane. But this dress though! Taggert! Hey buddy, remember that time I killed someone lol good times. No I'm over it, obviously, look at my pretty dress, and I'm getting married. Seriously though is he the best at everything or what?. Yeah he totally is. Ok bye! Who wants to hear the perfectly scripted speeches we gave? So I said some stuff and everyone loved it but like, do they love me? My man loves me. Did i tell you how hot he is? Let's review, I wear lots of pretty dresses. I just might be a sociopath with narcissistic tendencies. Just kidding, I'm awesome. I murdered my friend but whatevz it's cool. People are dying for me, literally. So I must not be good enough. I'm so good. But do you think I'm the best? VALIDATE ME ! Tell ME I AM THE BEST ! TELL ME I AM PRETTY !!! LIKE MY DRESS !!! LIKE IT!
Are you not entertained??
Oh look, there is where i left the plot, silly me. Let's get back to our shall we?
The last 5 chapters, read them.
So, first and last 3 chapters of the book and you're 100% caught up and ready for , book three. Which on a personal note, is nothing like this fluff and fodder. It's amazing. Book2 is a complete waste of time and energy. I love the author and the only reason I'm leaving such a harsh review is because i hold her in such a high regard and expected better from someone with her unbelievable talent. Then again I'm 41 years old so I'm not the target audience. Take my cynicism with a grain of salt.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved the first book, this one was more just ok. Too many “smooches”, “crap, double crap, crappity crap crap”. I will read the next book to see what happens but I hope the writing will improve. *smirk*
I know the author is confused on feminism, but this book took the "I'm not like other girls because I'm a strong woman" and transformed it into the illusion of choice of independence vs oppression. The MC decided to be soooooo trad military christian wife (in a way that feels very modern and ruined the world immersion). She's also very purity culture and is into the idea of men possessing women with their aggressive predatorial nature and it's sooooo yuck but she thinks its hot. In the modern world we get to choose these values. And the MC was like "as a conservative girl I choose these values" and was explaining her religious beliefs. HOWEVER, the narrative also explained how in this futuristic world there is no organized religion and how women are never taken seriously and how the traditional family unit is key to their society. So the MC fighting to be taken seriously is choosing to be owned by a man and to find worth in a man and her relationship to him. Its so ???? And she is talking about how this is her choice? In 2019 America when this was released this would have been her choice and been a cool narrative. However, in this fututistic society this is not her choice. The author's own values she projects onto her MC is ruining the MC's growth and character development.
This one picked up where the last one stopped and it took a bit for us to find out why Henry did what he did. But when we did learn, he really had no other choice. It did give them all a place to start, a goal to ensure that who the next Presidential Couple is would have a Cabinent free of their own agendas.
It was fun to see the couples band together to do what was needed, to give up their right at the prize to makes sure that no one connected to the corruption would end up running the country. I loved the trips out to each settlement, liked getting to see how those parts of the country work and how the couples were able to wow them.
The drama at the end had me holding my breath. I hated that Reagan had to let Lincoln know the secret she was hiding in the situation they were and how bleak it looked for everyone. Glad I have the next book ready to go.
Oh I don't even know how to score this book. The premise sounds like it should be interesting but the book is FILLED with so much fluff and filler I wanted to die! I got so tired of reading detailed clothing descriptions. They dress up every other paragraph, which means there is a long ass description of whatever dress she is wearing every other paragraph. Then Lincoln walks in looking perfect and we get another description of what he is wearing. He checks her out and says how good she looks. Then they make out. It repeats itself over and over and over.
Also Regan is only 18 and is possibly going to be the next madam president. She is so young. This wouldn't bother me as much if she read like a fucking mature adult but she doesn't. She reads like a niave child because THAT'S WHAT SHE IS! It's not like she's from Denver and has had the opportunity to train for this her whole life. She is a farm girl. What does she know about running a country and the logistics that go into that??? Nothing! Of course she is still naturally just good at everything with little to no effort. She almost beats Lyncoln at a shooting competition. Lyncoln who has literally been training since he was 16. She's been at this, what 2-3 months??? Either Lyncoln really isn't that great or Regan is magic.
Also I will die happy if I never have to read the words, Canoodling, smooching, or hormones ever again. A main plot point of this book is the fact that Regan hasn't had sex. I did appreciate the author giving a very realistic view on loosing your virginity and the awkwardness that comes with it, it also really sucked. It was just another classic example of Regan being very immature and niave. Even freaking Lyncoln who had experience couldn't even handle the word Sex being said. These are the people who are going to run the country???
Like I said in the beginning nothing happened in this book. They dressed up a lot, did some interviews and not a lot else. Any action that took place Regan wasn't really involved beyond being in the classic women role of comforting children or handing out blankets. Even though she's a great shot apparently. The author also built up this huge secret that Lyncoln was keeping from her. And I was intrigued for a couple chapters. I appreciated that Lyncoln and Regan were actually not getting along and I was actually invested in what the secret could be. The fucking secret was SO. STUPID. There was literally no reason he couldn't tell her beyond he was afraid she couldn't handle the fact her family might be in danger. Again, this girl is going to handle the stress of running a country and you don't even trust her enough to handle her feelings!?!
I don't even know what else to say. I should've stopped after book 1 but I was invested. Now I have to suffer through 500 whatever pages of book 3 and hope I don't die from boredom and sheer awkwardness of all the smooching and hormones.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
What a heroine! The main character, Reagan, is a great leader; cunning, but honest and true. I loved the romance and being able to better understand the love she has for who she chose, from the frustrating love triangle, in the first book. This book goes more into detail about the. characters and the world they live in. Because of the added depth I enjoyed the second book even more than the first, it was awesome seeing Reagan grow up more and become ready to lead her country. The suspense of the cliffhanger at the end almost killed me, but I can't wait to read the third book! I would also love to see the author write another series about a girl in the drifter camp.
Okay, so I thought I would be ok with Reagan’s decision, but it made this book insufferable in a lot of ways. Freaking “predator Lyncoln.” Like, why. And why so much. Practically every time Reagan describes him he’s being predatory. Which isn’t a good thing, Reagan. Ugh, it wasn’t fun to read at all. It was repetitive and cringy. Not like the first book. I struggled through this, I really did. It wasn’t all bad, and definitely had an interesting cliffhanger, but I don’t think I can make myself read the next one unfortunately. 2.5 stars...
OMGoodness....I love this girl! She's super hero quality with a crazy inner vocabulary. No improper language, just good, clean, and outrageously hilarious comments that she thinks to herself. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book.
In this second installment we jump right back into the Culling and watch Reagan, Lyncoln, and Henry learn to navigate the sometimes dangerous world of politics and guerilla warfare. Reagan continues to be a heroine that kicks some serious booty not just in a physical sense but a strategic and intellectual one as well.
I'm so glad we got to see more of Reagan's family as well as watching the bonds of friendship with those around Reagan deepen. I'm pretty sure every girl needs a Frank in their life. In fact, I'm taking resumes now for myself.
This story ends with a bang (or a few to be more accurate). The ending will leave you a little shaken and wishing for the third book already. So, grab some popcorn, find your comfy place, and curl up with this adventurous and sweet book.
I wanted to like this book more, but I couldn't. There were too many parties. Magically Lyncoln is perfect and always does the right thing all the time. Most men go too far, and only pull back at the last moment, but not Lyncoln, he's perfect. He can stop before the too far happens, every time. I'm sorry from the way he was built up in the first book it sounded more like he gets what he wants, when he wants. All the normal holidays we celebrate are observed? Its a dystopia, they got their own gig's. honestly, I skipped through a great deal of the book because the over description of clothes and food irritated me. the book didn't get good until the 7 chapters. Then I wanted to read the next book.
The first book in this serious was an entertaining, light read. It wasn’t as complex as most dystopian novels, but it was enjoyable. This book was insufferable. The majority of the book is the main character going on and on about her boyfriend’s good looks, his muscles, and his smell. It’s boring and tedious. It also makes our heroine seem super shallow and silly. She went from being a strong, intelligent young woman to a silly little girl. There’s also some serious misogyny throughout the book with a bunch of puritanical, slut-shaming nonsense. Even little things like the main character criticizing her rival for showing too much “gross cleavage.” This book feels like abstinence-only propaganda more than anything else. Very disappointing.
The Fracturing is a great continuation to the Culling. The sequel was filled with action and enough romance to make me swoon. I am falling more and more in love with the strong couple in this book. I wish they were actual people I could hang out with in real life.
The writing for the second book was not as polished as the first, and felt a bit more repetitive but it was still a great page turner. I appreciate that the author is working hard and fast to get sequels out since she tends to end her books on cliff hanger.
I just cannot wait to read the third book. I'm certain it will be a nail biter.
At the end of the last book, Reagan picked Lyncoln. In this second book, we get to enjoy their relationship as they campaign to be the next leaders of the State. And boy is it fun. There were times when I stayed up way too long reading because I couldn’t put it down.
The world building continues, there is great continuity and we get to learn more about everyone as well as the State. A little more editing is needed, though, to correct some grammar and a couple scenes where events are a little confusing because characters are misnamed. It’s definitely worth continuing and I can’t wait to see how the whole thing turns out!
Okay, this series has kept my eyes glued to the page, anticipating what will happen next. Sometimes I hear the words "Predatory" describing Lincoln and the fact that they both hate the word sex and she blushes when she hears it or says it or anyone remotely suggests it, even after they are married. Still I love this story!
Then when they are captured they are put together, so they can talk about plans to escape. Even putting a gun with three of them so one can kill the rest. I just can't fathom this. Still I love this story. So many cliches and STILL I LOVE THIS STORY! I am deep into the third and final book. I love this story.
I had some reservations with the first book, but it ended with such a cliffhanger twist, I felt like I had to find out what happened. I had quite a wait at the library, but then was able to get a copy early so I started it up ... and stopped.
I gave it a few chapters, but all the things I didn't like in the first book (it just feels so juvenile ... I'm not the intended audience, being an aged 50+ woman) just came rushing back. The relationships and conversations seem very unnatural, and so many things just illogical.
There are other people waiting for the book who seem to enjoy it (based on ratings) so I'll return it so that those who want to read and enjoy can.
Pretty clean and an enjoyable read - easy enough to immerse yourself into the post-apocalyptic world (this series runs along the lines of The Selection series by Kiera Cass) -- but if she talks about her hormones & squinting her eyes again....ack! The romance triangle (a la K-drama style) was interesting, if not a little creepy (I would have a hard time imagining guys playing along with this one). But, over all, I enjoyed the series. Is it 5 stars worthy for me? Nope. I went back and forth between 3 & 4 stars, giving it a 3 because of the hormones bit.
She's done it again! Tricia I am in awe of the character development in these books! I've fallen in love with the world you have created ! I've laughed, cried, and cringed along with the culling family you've made and cannot wait to see where book 3 will take them! I'm also not sure I want it to come out because that means the series is over (unless you can keep it going for another 10 books or so!) Love your writing!
Really liked the second book in the series. Story dives deeper and is much more exciting than the first. Not so much teenage romance as that was keeping me from liking the main character so much. She is strong and mature in most all other facets of her life but acted so childish about relationships. Much better now. Looking forward to the conclusion.
I really liked this book. It was an excellent book 2 for the culling and made you want to read more. The second book really drew you in and had you on the edge of your seat. I think it went more in-depth about the storyline than the first book, so I really liked it. The characters I think got better in a way throughout the book. I really liked the book and I just got the third one so I will start it when I can.
Great book! These cliff hangers 🤦🏽♀️👌🏼Finished both book in a few days,
Love to sea Reagan and Lyncoln together with no more love triangle. Henry and Marisol together is just chaos for everyone, but like that Marisol’s character is not as black and white. Still don’t understand what happened to Julia from book 1. She was kicked out for trying to contact one of the boys before it was their time to meet them, but she is not mentioned again at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Exactly what I hoped for as a sequel to The Culling. So much more of Lyncoln, Reagan growing as a character, spies, fights, humor, family. I loved how Tricia was able to pull me into the special moments and make it feel like I was there beside Reagan and her crew. Fantastic book, I'm beyond excited for book three.
Okay so the last book had me amazed at the quality and the effort the author used to write it and this book was even better! Lincoln showed way more thought and emotion and I like how he took the time to talk about his feelings with Reagan. This book is my favorite book so far and I cat wait for the next book! And so the plot thickens....
Gah! Such a good book. And that ending! What a perfect cliff hanger. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I HAVE to know what happens next! However, this book did drag. Wayyy too much time spent describing what everyone was wearing. The book was probably just too long and could have done with a little less detailing on certain things. But the last few chapters were BOMB!
I liked the storyline but there was way to much repetitious lovey stuff, I get it, she loves him but honestly the character just drones on and on about her feelings etc. The three book set could have been done in two books if there wasn't so much repetitious babble. If I had been reading print instead of listening to the audio book I would have stopped reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The romance in this one was OFF THE HOOK AMAZING!!!:-). The twists & turns & surprises were FIERCE & FANTASTIC!!:-). The writing was impeccable and I ADORE ALL the characters!!!:-). Looking forward to the next one!!!:-). LOVED IT!!:-)
This book was great. I loved seeing a more mature side of Reagan and how her relationship develops with the man she chose at the end of book 1. There was so much suspense and action that it kept me up late reading, again! Can book three be out yet???