This took me a little while to get into but I ended up really enjoying it. The world building, the characters and the dynamic between the siblings were well developed and the ending has you wanting to pick up the next book.

Please read my complete review here: http://narrativemuse.co/books/dividing-eden/

The thing is, I'm an absolute sucker for YA Fantasies and Dividing Eden seems to have it all - assassinations, mystery, intrigue and power plays. And yet, <b>I was left feeling rather underwhelmed for the most part</b>.

<b>I enjoyed the writing</b>; it was easy to read and descriptive and contemporary and it wasn't difficult to devour large chunks of the book quickly. However <b>the world building was just too slow and unclassified</b> for me. At about the halfway point in the book I still had no idea about the world and I had so many unanswered questions. Even by the end of the book I just feel like there wasn't enough information put across for me to get a clear idea of the world I was in and the why's of everything. I have no doubt that the author had put thought into the world but it just didn't come across in the narrative.

The plot meanders a little around getting to know the main characters initially and then the assassination and the trials that the twins must go through to determine the successor to the throne. The court intrigue fell a little flat for me with far too many cliches and far too much predictability. What was more interesting however were the intimations of something 'other', some other force just outside of the Castle walls and a far bigger scenario at play. As I said, the world building is severely lacking for me, so I'm not sure of <i>WHY</i> there is this other force or <i>WHAT</i> they even are but they <i>are</i> there.

<b>I liked the characters but there was no one that I really loved</b>. I enjoyed the theme of family and loyalty and betrayal being the central focus rather than a romance however I was also inevitably frustrated when someone was so easily able to estrange such a supposedly profound and strong relationship. I enjoyed the alliances that Carys seemed to make throughout the book and she was probably my favourite character because, as well as being a sucker for YA fantasies, I also have a soft spot for strong female characters and while she isn't a heroine that I am going to rave about and insist that everyone should read about, she was strong and fierce in her own way.

Something I did like was the way that the book broaches issues like chronic illness and addiction. They were not really a focal point but I liked that there was a small representation there.

There's some technology relying mostly on wind power providing at the very least lights to the castle and to it's city. Again, another world building issue here that I had would be the reconciling of having electricity and yet the apparent use for it was for lights and yet no other technologies seemed to emerge... I would have like a bit of further explanation about this.

I think that's my main problem with most of the book - <b>I just wanted more explanation</b>. I wanted to know what the history was, why the royals were how they were, how does this world work, who the Xhelozi were and why they hunt the people of Eden. Is that just who they are or what they do? Or is there more to this story?

With a hint of magic and hopefully more detailed explanations to come I'll probably go ahead with the sequel because, as previously mentioned, I'm a sucker for YA fantasies and while this didn't wow me I'm interested to see where the author is going with this one and I believe it's a duology so one way or another the next book would give me closure.

<blockquote><b>. . . the getting of power is often the easy part. It is keeping it that can prove difficult</b></blockquote>

The writing style of this book didn't suit me at all, however the plot held my interest adequately. It definitely picked up towards the end of the book, so I'm anticipating the second book in this series.
The two main characters weren't well developed, their feelings and trust in eachother was constantly changing and felt unbelievable, and hence I struggled to believe many of their interactions.
*2.75 stars*
In short:
-good premise
-interesting world
-needed better world building but also less info dumps about irrelevant info
-didn't get along too well with the writing style.

A great YA read with likeable characters. I really enjoyed it!

Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau is Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake meets Game of Thrones and is a dangerous tale of political intrigue, thrilling action, unexpected betrayals and lingering mystery.

Twins Carys and Andreus were never meant to rule the Kingdom of Eden. Their older brother Micah was to sit on the throne upon the conclusion of their father’s reign, until a tragedy sees both their father and brother cut down by assassins. Though heartbroken by grief, Eden needs a Monarch and the laws state that both Carys and Andreus must compete in a number of trials against one another until a new King or Queen is chosen. Carys and Andreus have always been close and have kept each other’s secrets. Competing against each other is a nightmare, but as the trials begin it becomes clear that there are sinister forces willing to go to great lengths to control the crown, even if it means manipulation and turning the siblings against one another….

In the spirit of honesty, I have to say it took me almost half of Dividing Eden to really find myself invested in the story. In fact, I was concerned in the beginning that I would end up finding the book lacking. Then from around the halfway mark, I began to find myself enamoured by the story as the mystery, intrigue, betrayal and manipulations began to pick up. From that moment on, I was hooked, and even now after I’ve turned the final page in book one, I’m wondering what will happen next and why certain characters did what they did.

Dividing Eden unfolds through the back and forth POV’s of twins Carys and Andreus. Carys is known for her cold, unfeeling exterior while Andreus is somewhat of a ladies man and a visionary. Both are very different and bring a different side to this well written story. While Andreus is known for being the kinder of the two siblings, Carys sports an unexpectedly caring side to her that she keeps to herself. Carys genuinely wants what’s best for the kingdom, and her brother, even as he begins to make choices based on the words and whims of others as the novel progressed.

Personally, I thought Carys the more likable of the two characters. Andreus was too easily swayed by his feelings for a certain woman and I felt as though he should have stood by his sister more; especially when she was so clearly doing everything right by him. You know when you want to just grab someone and give them a good shake for their stupidity? Yeah, that was Andreus for me. While Carys had traits I admired and appreciated. I think she could become a kick-ass heroine if given the chance.

Charbonneau includes two male characters in Dividing Eden who are potential love interests for Carys. On the whole, romance is a very minimal aspect to the story, but I will be keeping an eye out to see what happens. Eriik has been nothing but good to Eden and he seems like the whole package, whilst Garret is more mysterious, but I honestly believe he has Carys best interests at heart.

Despite its slow beginning for me, I did enjoy Dividing Eden and I look forward to discovering more about this world author Joelle Charbonneau has created. Hints of dangerous creatures and magical abilities have me intrigued and looking forward to reading more after the thrilling way this first novel concluded!

Couldn't get into the story, I tried but I just don't think it was for me.

"People make terrible choices out of fear of losing what they hold dear." - Dividing Eden

I'm generally not a big fan of dual perspectives but this story did it well, the chapters oscillates between Carys and Andreus; royal twins who must battle it out for the throne yet one is a sworn protector of another and keeper of a dark secret. It's like watching a bomb being set off except the characters knows nothing but you (the reader) sees everything. The plot is fast paced and it explores the themes of duty, honour and power. I liked that Carys is portrayed as a strong female character who is strategic, gutsy and honourable but still has her own faults and vulnerabilities. Dividing Eden has court intrigue, politics, magic, villainy and characters with secrets, it's a great set up for the next book! Recommended for fantasy lovers that likes strong female characters, political intrigue, trials and tribulations.

- NJ