Review: Almost girl by Amalie Howard

Almost girl by Amalie Howard 

Seventeen-year-old Riven is as tough as they come. Coming from a world ravaged by a devastating android war, she has to be. There’s no room for softness, no room for emotion, no room for mistakes. A Legion General, she is the right hand of the young Prince of Neospes, a parallel universe to Earth. In Neospes, she has everything: rank, responsibility and respect. But when Prince Cale sends her away to find his long-lost brother, Caden, who has been spirited back to modern day Earth, Riven finds herself in uncharted territory.
Thrown out of her comfort zone but with the mindset of a soldier, Riven has to learn how to be a girl in a realm that is the opposite of what she knows. Riven isn’t prepared for the beauty of a world that is unlike her own in so many ways. Nor is she prepared to feel something more than indifference for the very target she seeks. Caden is nothing like Cale, but he makes something in her come alive, igniting a spark deep down that goes against every cell in her body. For the first time in her life, Riven isn’t sure about her purpose, about her calling. Torn between duty and desire, she must decide whether Caden is simply a target or whether he is something more.
Faced with hideous reanimated Vector soldiers from her own world with agendas of their own, as well as an unexpected reunion with a sister who despises her, it is a race against time to bring Caden back to Neospes. But things aren’t always as they seem, and Riven will have to search for truth. Family betrayals and royal coups are only the tip of the iceberg. Will Riven be able to find the strength to defy her very nature? Or will she become the monstrous soldier she was designed to be?

Publishes in US: January 7th 2014 by Strange Chemistry
Genre: YA fantasy
Source: netgalley
Series? Yes?

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    I connected with Riven, she wanted to do the right thing, and she had a protectiveness within her that I really admired. Though, the terminology and references almost turned me off. I got answers, but too slow, I didn't quite understand exactly what Riven was, and there was the mystery Cale. I loved reading her action scenes, learning about just how strong she is physically and mentally, but then watching her learn to depend on others when she finds herself weak or injured, and that sometimes strangers can be kind and worm their way into your heart. 

   But I liked her chemistry and interactions with Caden, and I def wanted to know what made her special. The world building was good, just slower than what I wanted. It seemed really well thought out and I liked the other planet and tech that they used. 

    The family aspect of this one took me by surprise in a good way. There is sibling rivalry and then a deeper relationship formed. There is also appearances and betrayal plot twists that were well written and captivating. 

   The action scenes were heart pounding. And Riven can certainly hold her own with a sword, and hand to hand. Living vicariously through characters like this is always great because I am pretty weak and not at all kick ass like this. 

   All of that said, I did skim through numerous parts of the book because it was slow. Yet I still wanted to know what happened, so I stuck with it. 

    I chose Almost Girl because I liked the cover and the synposis on netgalley. I would def recommend for friends who like science fiction with a strong female lead and a romance. 

Bottom Line: Good science fiction with a strong main character but has slow parts.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you think you could turn off your emotions?