The Wicked We Have Done

The Wicked we Have Done by Sarah Harian- 4 STARS

Synopsis

Evalyn Ibarra never expected to be an accused killer and experimental prison test subject. A year ago, she was a normal college student. Now she’s been sentenced to a month in the compass room—an advanced prison obstacle course designed by the government to execute justice.
If she survives, the world will know she’s innocent.
Locked up with nine notorious and potentially psychotic criminals, Evalyn must fight the prison and dismantle her past to stay alive. But the system prized for accuracy appears to be killing at random.
She doesn’t plan on making friends.
She doesn’t plan on falling in love, either.

*Netgalley provided me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Overall: Alluring
Characters: Evalyn, Casey, Valerie, Jace...
Page Turner: YES
Series Cont.? yes
Recommend if You Like…Hunger Games 
Book Boyfriend: Casey...
Genre: New Adult/ Dystopian 
Sex Scenes: Yes


Overall


This book was very interesting! It had me from the beginning. I was completely and utterly enthralled from the first page, and could not put it down!! I am disappointed that the book ended and that I have to wait until September to read the next one! But luckily it doesn't end on a cliff hanger. I see a lot of the reviews mention that this book is very similar to some of the other dystopians out there, and I must say I have to agree. HOWEVER, its pretty difficult to come up with something that is completely different with NO similarities. I did see similarities, particularly with the second Hunger Games. But in the end I think that this book is its own. Its got enough differences to really stand out.

The premise of The Wicked We Have Done is really quite interesting. Convicted felons are chosen and placed into an arena (thats my name for it) where their morality is tested. If they were found to be moral less, then they would be executed, but if they were found to have morals then they would be allowed to live. Its obviously a little more complicated than this, but thats the gist. As everyone is tested they begin to care for one another, some possibly falling in love. This book reminded me a little bit of the book The Countdown. 

I loved Evalyns character. She's a fighter with a lot of compassion. She is loyal to a T and stands up for what she believes regardless of the effect it may have on her. If stuck in a battle, I definitely want her on my side! At times this character can be infuriating, because it felt like she was trying to be somebody she wasn't due to the guilt that was eating at her. But at the same time, her guilt was not necessarily misplaced When she tells her story, which I was started to figure out on my own, I was saddened. It's hard to put yourself in those shoes and say you would have done differently, because its not you. Her choices were hard, I only wish she would have trusted her gut. Hindsight is 20/20 and I think what Evalyn really teaches us, is that every moment matters. Not in the "you could die any day" kind of way, more so that the devil is in the details and sometimes we should follow our instinct even when rationalizing everything is so easy. 

What I didn't like:
I was annoyed with the flashbacks from Evalyn. I understood their purpose and how they fit in, but quite frankly I would have preferred to have some of the information earlier. And honestly, I figured out pretty earlier on what the crime was and how it must have gone down, there were hints all over the place. What I don't understand is why she let the trial go on the way that she described. I actually think the flashbacks could have been worked in better and provided better glimpses, even in the writing style. But alas it didn't take away from the action and the plot because they were fairly short.
I also didn't feel quite connected to anyone other than Evalyn. I think part of this is on purpose, because she herself attempts to disconnect to everyone. But again, the action and story line was good enough that it didn't take away from the overall rating.