Review: Flawed by J.L. Spelbring

Flawed

Author: J.L. Spelbring
Series: Perfection #1
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Genre: YA Science Fiction/Historical Fiction/Alternate History
Format: egalley
Release Date: August 12, 2014
Source: egalley received from publisher via NetGalley
Rating: 4 Stars
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***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***   

Synopsis from Goodreads:

In a world where Hitler won the The War, and perfection is constantly sought, Ellyssa has broken free from her austere life and has found another meaning for her existence.

Family, friendship, and love.

But her happiness is short lived. Ellyssa finds herself on the run, again. Her father's work didn't die with him, but lives on in her siblings, Aalexis and Xaver, and they are determined to complete his unfinished dream.

My Review:

I felt kind of mediocre about the first book in this series, but I am so happy I continued because I really liked this follow-up. While the POV still bothered me (3^rd person omniscient has never been my favorite), the story itself was so engaging and interesting that I got swept away.

It picks up right where Perfection left off with Elyssa on the run. We get a lot of world-building in this book and it was really well done. No detail is left unexplained and I really appreciated all the time the author so obviously put into this elaborate story. This book broke my heart because we see the concentration camps that still exist long after Hitler’s death. Only these camps aren’t just limited to Jews. These camps are for all “inferiors”. Anyone that doesn’t have that perfect shade of blonde hair and that perfect shade of blue eyes. Sure, some are close enough to scrape by and join society, but anybody far away from this Aryan standard is condemned to the concentration camps which haven’t changed at all, down to the striped pyjamas. It was heart-breaking to watch this all go on. Heart-breaking to see a world broken and subdued by the evil dictator, Hitler. I’m still not really sure how Elyssa and her friends plan on stopping it. But I’m excited to find out.

There are a lot of new characters in this book as well as getting to know the old characters a bit better. I enjoyed getting to know Aelexis and Xaver better, although I was shuddering reading about Aelexis. But honestly even though I hate her and seriously think she might be a sociopath, I also kind of feel bad for her. This is what she was bred to be, all she’s been taught. She’s really just a young girl and I really kind of hope that she is able to redeem herself or at least see how wrong she is by the end.

I still hated the romance though. Rein and Elyssa just felt so forced. Their relationship never really felt genuine and I didn’t get any feels as they tossed around the “L” word casually throughout the book. I honestly kind of wish she was with Woody (which is a sort of love triangle going on). I’m just not shipping this thing with Rein. Nope.

I really really enjoyed this follow-up to Perfection. The world is a lot more intricate and we get to know the characters a lot better. With all the exciting new information we get in this book, you can’t help but anxiously await the third and final installment. A unique series if you’re into historical fiction, alternate histories, or just science fiction in general. Happy reading all!

 Let's talk! Have you read this book? What do you think of Elyssa and Rein? Are you Team Woody? What do you think of this scary alternate history? Did you enjoy the world-building as much as I did? And what was your take on Aelexis? Pure evil or lost girl?