ARC Review- ROOK by Sharon Cameron

Publisher: Scholastic 

Publication: April 28, 2015

Genre: YA Dystopian 

Source: Print ARC

Stars: 2.5

About the Book:

History has a way of repeating itself. In the Sunken City that was once Paris, all who oppose the new revolution are being put to the blade. Except for those who disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. Is the mysterious Red Rook a savior of the innocent or a criminal?

Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy’s arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she.

As the Red Rook grows bolder and the stakes grow higher, Sophia and René find themselves locked in a tantalizing game of cat and mouse.

Review: 

I had a very hard time getting into Rook. It was one I happened to glance upon while browsing Goodreads. As soon as I read the synopsis, I just knew I had to have it. When I received the ARC in he mail one day I was elated with pure joy! I started right away as you can imagine. But after a few pages I put it down and chalked it up to being too tired to read at the moment. I noticed that I did that a lot throughout the book. It took me forever to finish. I was so bored beyond tears. Through the boredom I found that I didn't like not one character. Not one. And believe me, I tried. I wanted to like this book so bad but it just wasn't in the cards for me. 

The story starts off with the mysterious Red Rook freeing a family of prisoners from being executed by Leblanc; a very sadistic man. Turns out that the Rook is none other than a girl; Sophia Bellamy. I really did like her at first. Truly I did. But as I stated above, I was bored and couldn't get into this. I tried liking the parts that shared Sophia and Rene-the love interest... But again, bored and didn't care for them. It's nice that the book was finished in one instead of a series because I just wouldn't be able to continue. 

Overall, this is not a book I can personally recommend. I like a little bit more action in my books and I don't like to be bombarded with useless information. If this is something you don't like either, I'd suggest skipping this one. This is such a disappointment for me because it's one I truly wanted and looked forward to. I still will try and read the author's other works to see if I like anything. 

*Thank you to Scholastic for providing me with an ARC for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

About the Author:

Sharon Cameron was awarded the 2009 Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for her debut novel, The Dark Unwinding. When not writing Sharon can be found thumbing dusty tomes, shooting her longbow, or indulging in her lifelong search for secret passages.