{my thoughts} - This is a short book that gives the readers of {the blemished trilogy} some more insight on Elena Darcy. If you have read the previous two {blemished books} you would know that she is a GEM and that she was created to be pure perfection. She is also on of few GEM's that have a soft side for those that are considered the Blemished based on society's ruling. I enjoyed getting to know her personality more and learning that it hadn't been a fluke choice of hers when she had assisted in the escape that had taken place in a previous book. This book is a must read for anyone that is a fan of {the blemished trilogy}.

{reason for reading} - I was given a copy of this book by the author in return for an honest review. ( )

{my thoughts} - This is a short book that gives the readers of {the blemished trilogy} some more insight on Elena Darcy. If you have read the previous two {blemished books} you would know that she is a GEM and that she was created to be pure perfection. She is also on of few GEM's that have a soft side for those that are considered the Blemished based on society's ruling. I enjoyed getting to know her personality more and learning that it hadn't been a fluke choice of hers when she had assisted in the escape that had taken place in a previous book. This book is a must read for anyone that is a fan of {the blemished trilogy}.

{reason for reading} - I was given a copy of this book by the author in return for an honest review. ( )

3.5 stars

Seeing as Elena was one of my favourite characters from The Blemished it was great to read a whole novella about her. I also liked finding out more about the GEMs, and about how they live their lives. The plot was very interesting, with just enough excitement to stop me being able to put it down. I was scared that I'd get bored just reading about a pageant, but during the first half we get to learn so much more about Elena and her family, and in the second half so much other stuff is going on that I didn't once get bored with it.

The only problem was that some things happened too quickly. There was enough going on in this book to make it about 50-100 pages longer. That way there would have been enough time for better descriptions of everything, and the romance would have moved at a more realistic pace. As it was I hadn't got to know Jake well enough be be really upset about what happened at the end, I only felt a little sad.

All in all a really good in-between book (usually they're not great) and I hope that Elena and Mina will meet again during The Unleashed, which I can't wait for. :) ( )

Wow. This was a fast paced and great read. I like that it wasn't exactly a happy ending. When the story left area 14 you didn't get to know what happened to Elena, the only character who was left behind that I really cared about. I'm glad that I ordered the whole series so I got a chance to read this novella. Sarah Dalton knows how to tell a good story. The pacing on this was like the first book, where I felt like I couldn't set the story down. This is what I expect from Sarah Dalton. 4 stars ( )