Book Review: Branded (Sinners #1) by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Summary: 
Fifty years ago The Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society.

To punish the guilty, he created the Hole, a place where sinners are branded according to their sins. Sinners are forced to live a less than human existence in deplorable conditions, under the watchful eye of guards who are ready to kill anyone who steps out of line.

Now, LUST wraps around my neck like thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit, and the Hole is my new home.

Constant darkness.

Brutal and savage violence.

Excruciating pain.

Every day is a fight for survival.

But I won’t let them win. I will not die in the Hole.

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

Release Date: June 2013
Age Group: YA
Source: e-book
Reviewed By:  Nat

Review:
I downloaded this book for two reasons: one) it sounded like the twisted crap I enjoy and two) I read a little about the authors and discovered one was a nurse… yes please, I judged a book by its author and I scored! Anyone who doubts the reading power of a nurse is just plain dumb. A lot of my reading gals are from the hospital that Kelli and I used to slave work for and the majority of our fellow book cronies were nurses; they know what’s going on because they see the twisted realities of healthcare. #enoughsaid 

Therefore, nurses have an unfailing muse- freaky people in freaky situations. They are from the trenches and in one night shift could probably outline an entire series plot (I know because I hear Sweet Stuffs stories and sometimes think to myself “Oh that would be a good plot twist, sad… nah).

My goal is to use as many multiple descriptive adjectives as I can, to convey my absolute love for this book! It is now one of my top favorite dystopian tales ever.  It was so TWISTED, BRILLIANT, GRITTY and wait for it ORIGINAL! When I finished chapter one I was panting and hooked! I actually stopped three pages in and checked to make sure I hadn't skipped ahead and that I was in fact in chapter 1. Ketner & Kalicicki have created a gut wrenching dystopian world. It is like The Purge meets The Capital. 

You are just thrown right into The Hole and I felt like I was right next to our leading lady Lexi Hamilton. I wanted to hide under a rock because I was shell shocked. The premise of this book takes place in in a post WWV society run by a dictator known as The General

He controls our depraved society and believes sinners make the human race unforgivable. His power is a crushing fist, rendering all beneath him helpless. So much so, even family members turn on each other when an accusation surfaces. Just an accusation. No trial, no evidence, nothing but an accusation.

You don’t just get sent to the hole, you get demoralized as the final blow. If the concept of The Hole isn’t twisted enough just add a branding to the sinners (residents). It’s crazy! The general premise of marking sinners with colored tattoos was cleverly planned and unique.

I just know someone would have accused me of lust just because I’m a reader... my logic- frequent book lust. Anyway, the whole branding process that takes place before being thrust into the hole was so barbaric and vivid and I might have wanted to punch someone in the face. 

Lexi.
Lexi was soft and a true innocent beauty but without all the damsel in distress baggage. I loved her growth and her determination to keep her dignity. She was a fighter and she really kept evolving throughout the story and it didn’t feel like someone I had read before, she was unique. The flashbacks to her life were so creepy and heart wrenching that you feel like you are suffering with her. There are so many twists and turns and if you want to know more details? Read the book. You will not be disappointed, it’s impossible.

Love.
...and then I was thinking, what’s with this guard? And in steps Cole; he is a bit of a mystery but awesomesauce. #needmorecole Cole had Dimitri-like qualities and that is the highest honor I can give a fictional man. DONE.

It is pretty impressive that in the mix of all this crazy there was a love story! #YYYEEESSSSS I am always up for a struggling love story, it’s a must really. I was so happy that there wasn't a love triangle. It seems like there is always a triangle but to be honest, ain't no body got time for that in The Hole.


In short this series is gruesome, terrifying, violent, and heart wrenching and I can’t wait for the next installment, Hunted (Sinners #2)! Which is set to release July 5th, 2015 and a teaser of chapter 1 and a giveaway are available HERE.
  
You can overcome anything short of death! 
 #mynewmantra 
PS
Dear Ketner & Kalicicki, 
Write faster, bring it and thanks- now I want a dog... a BIG dog.
 

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