Under my skin is objectively a good book, however i couldn't get into it. I didn't connect with the characters and the plot was easy to follow but quite slow for me.

An interesting dystopian book, I enjoyed the main character, Tate. She is utterly ordinary. It's very refreshing to see in a young adult book. Even though I enjoyed this book, I had some questions that were unanswered at the end.

The first page had me hooked, and I love how it started right away with characterization and worldbuilding.
4 out of 5 stars

Awesome read! I really enjoyed it although I did tend to to find that it took me a bit longer to read this one as it didn’t capture my attention the way some have. Overall a solid 3.5/5

I wouldn't say this is a bad book, not at all actually!
I loved the imagination the author clearly has. The whole thing with the dystopian world, the Guild, the Water Bearers, it was great!

However, did I mention before that I absolutely hate unnecessary romance in a book? This was a prime example!
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, until Tate fell for Quinn that is. I mean, she wasn't even herself half of the time, how the hell could they be in love?? They didn't even talk much! They were just both in a crappy situation together and decided this must be love.

I had conflicting thoughts while reading this book, even right up until the end. It started out interesting enough to keep my interest, having Tate being tested and all. Usually I’m all about a book that starts with the protagonist finding out they’re super special. But I had a totally different image in my mind about what a ‘Water Bearer’ was, and it was honestly a compete let down to find out the truth. I feel like that term was the wrong one, there could’ve been another one chosen to convey what they were!
Next, I totally didn’t see coming why they were being purchased, so props to the author because I usually can spot from a mile away what’s going to happen in a book. Having the blurb say she must fight the General for her ‘mind, body and soul’ was a complete understatement lol
However, I did find the majority of the moments when the general was ... awake... just completely unsettling. And I know that it wasn’t a picnic ride for Tate either but I mean ... I dunno I feel like having them be two separate genders was just too hard for me to grasp especially when inappropriate things would come up or her and Quinn were having a moment and he would start to come back or he couldn’t be sure it was her... blah lol Also I felt like the romance was a little too fast, like one second I blinked and they were loving on each other. I think the main plot could’ve been so much stronger if maybe there wasn’t a romance, or maybe he was an already established romantic interest. I also couldn’t fully suspend disbelief to believe the things she got away with sometimes (though to be fair she did get caught for a lot of them!) Some of the dialogue also was a littttle cheesy, for example when (and to avoid spoilers I’m going to be as obscure as possible) her friend did what she did to be rid of her own burden. That was a little cringe to read. However, even though I probably won’t be reading the sequel, this was a creative book whose premise I have not seen before lol it had strong character development, I really liked Quinn, and the scenes were well detailed!

(I did review this in amazon too but they’re taking awhile to approve it so once they do I’ll add it)

I don’t like what they did to those young kids about testing them for new water bearer position or should I say slaves jobs. They are plain and simple body snatchers who have been hoodwinking the population for centuries, poor gullible souls.

I enjoyed the unusual story in the one. Tate wasn't too wimpy or all of a sudden too strong. She had her losses when things did not go as she thought. At times it seemed too convenient and timely for the General to be subdued. Although the instalove monster began to show its ugly head it backed off. Didn't feel right in a story with two people in one body. Ending was left open. I will definitely be looking for the next book.

I picked this up because the description and the cover called to me.

The storyline was fantastic, and unique the ideas behind the execution was good however the description gave a lot away. Upon picking up the book initially i was engrossed in the story. However about half way through i started to get bored and quite frankly annoyed with the characters. The characters were boring, and painful and sometimes appear to be dumb! The romance was awful, i mean seriously would have preferred none!

The author wrote well and the editing was good but it just was not for me.

I loved this book! It’s pretty unique in the world of YA Dystopia.

When Tate Sullivan goes for her required testing, all she wants is to fail and get on with her life, like all her family members before her. But somehow both she and her cousin Zoe are chosen and they’re whisked off to begin new lives. Everything is not as it seems and it turns out those new lives won’t be theirs for long.

Thank you Netgalley!

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the early copy!

I went into this fantasy/dystopian novel blind. I picked it because it was a read now and had a stunning cover. I recommend checking this interesting and unique start to a series. I hope that a second novel will be coming soon.

Under My Skin By Shawntelle Madison is the first book in the Immortality Strain series.

For Tate Sullivan, life in her small, coastal town is far from glamorous. The affluent lives of the Guild members and their servants isn't something she has ever wanted. But all sixteen year-olds must take a simple test, and Tate's result thrusts her into the Guild's world, one where they hide horrible plans for those they select. Tate must fight the relentless General Dagon for control of her mind, body, and soul to keep the one precious thing she has always taken for granted: herself.

This book was so good! I couldn't put it down and had to finish it the first night I got it.
I found the premise to be so interesting and unique, YA dystopias tend to become repetitive after a while and I can say this novel felt like a breath of fresh air. The creativity and originality in this novel is rare to come by in the other more recent dystopias so Shawntelle's originality itself was a big reason I was hooked.

It is easy to see how thoroughly thought out the world-building in Under My Skin, and I enjoyed the characters in the novel. I applaud Shawntelle Madison for giving readers some strong-willed YA girl characters! From a feminist perspective, the way Tate always stood her ground and ensured that no one was entitled to her body was amazing to see.

I personally felt the romance wasn't anything exciting, and for such a strong concept the story didn't need it.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to see where the rest of the series takes this story!

This was my first dystopian I have read in quite some time, and it made me want to get back into the genre. It was a tad predictable, but honestly it was entertaining regardless of that.

2.5 Stars.
This is a distopian story with a great premise and some psychological aspects to it. All i could think while reading it was that it would make a great action movie.
I appreciated the scientific explanations of what was going on and i can see people liking it, but It wasn't for me.
The writing style and the carachters didn't capture my attention and the plot was predictable, at least to someone that loves to be shocked. It was still a good, ok book and i wanted to know the ending, but it didn't blow me away. Also, there is a tiny bit of romance.

Outstanding storyline. I didn't expect to be as enthralled as I was. An original and engaging storyline that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book. I cannot wait to read more from this author.

A slow start, but an interesting read once you get into it, so much so you can’t put it down , a great heroine and a very different read from a lot of other dystopian stories. Darker and more complex than a lot of other reads of this genre, well worth the read

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion