Under normal circumstances a blog tour book is reviewed and featured independently . Today both of these books will be reviewed. Both books have links for you to check out the tours, and all the fun they have to offer ! I'm going to start with Krista McGee's "Luminary" book 2 in the "Anomaly" series.
Hand in hand with that Mousehead & Tales will be showcasing "Branded" a Sinners Series by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki ! Make sure to read about both. It's a rare day when 2 books rate high and have me looking forward to reading more!
"She was an anomaly with a death sentence. Now she's free.
Thalli was scheduled for annihilation. She was considered an anomaly--able to experience emotions that should have been eradicated by genetic modification. The Scientists running the State couldn't allow her to bring undue chaos to their peaceful, ordered world. But seconds before her death, she is rescued.
Now Thalli is above ground in a world she thought was destroyed. A world where not even the air is safe to breathe. She and her three friends must journey across this unknown land, their destination a hidden civilization. It's their only chance of survival.
Broken and exhausted after an arduous journey, they arrive in New Hope, a town that survived the nuclear holocaust. When Thalli meets the people there--people actually "born" to "families"--her small world is blown wide open.
Soon after their arrival to New Hope, the town comes under attack. She has escaped imminent death, but now Thalli is thrust into a new fight--a fight to save her new home. Does she know enough about this world of emotions, this world of chaos, to save not only herself, but the people she has come to love?"
Well... I must say that having two books, both having been given to me in exchange for an honest review, as well as the chance to take part in the blog tour for "Luminary" book 2 from the "Anomaly" series by Krista McGee
Mousehead & Tales gives this book 4 $ $ $ $, or 4 stars.
I was impressed with the way this book choose to portray spirituality through the pov of "Thalli".
Thalli is from 40 years in the future. A nuclear war has destroyed most of the land . After tricking rich people who thought to buy their way into an underground facility that has prepared for everything . Including a better human race. Devoid of emotions that can cause many of the uglier emotions of humanity.
There were a group of scientists that fooled even the government and became the ruling class over genetically engineered children. Logic supposedly rules completely . Thalli was different from the others. Slated to die because of her "emotions " Thalli gets a rescue from 2 other kids that were brought up with the belief system of the scientists as well as a 90 yr. old man John. John was not raised in the underground "State" he was visiting his son and ended up stuck there once the top side of earth became unlivable due to the destruction of a very deceitful group of "Brilliant " minds.
I'll say right off the bat that anyone who reads my reviews knows I'm not a religious person. This book is steeped in spirituality .
Having it delivered through the mind of Thalli is almost soothing . Instead of feeling preached at I found it interesting to have religion re interrupted by a computer. Thalli has emotions. Music is her passion and like anyone it can soothe emotions that her mind hasn't come to terms with yet. Often during the narrative Thalli comments on how a persons voice reminds her if a certain instrument .
This is a YA sci-fi/ spiritual / romance/ adventure all rolled up into a very interesting mix. The characters that you meet besides Thalli... Berk, Alex, John, Rhen... The people of New Hope ( Texas not Pennsylvania ) & the Athenianians, lovely Helen, overwhelmed Alex and the truly disturbing King Jason.
The premiss of this book has been done many times. The argument over science vs. religion, if the arts, music, dance, are important . If the soul is real.. Ghost in the machine ect. These topics are always swirling around each other. They always get an interesting result. This series of books would be an interesting read for both true believers and proponents of science, as well as Agnostics who just aren't sure.
If there are fans of Nalini Singh's "Psy- Changeling " series reading this the underground "State" almost feels like a middle ground .
In book 2 of the "Anomoly" series you're left waiting for the next book. Thalli's journey has not ended. Though it's not a pleasant ending, it absolutely has me wondering what's coming next! I say well done to Krista McGee in tackling a tricky topic to write about and finding a way to not truly be offensive regardless of a readers personal opinions. I will defiantly be keeping my eye on this author!
About the Author
Krista writes for teens, teaches teens, and more often than not, acts like a teen. She and her family have lived and ministered in Texas, Costa Rica, and Spain. Her current hometown is Tampa, FL.
Author Links:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5015496.Krista_McGee
***
Luminary (Anomaly #2)
by Krista McGee
Release Date: 01/07/14
Thomas Nelson
Summary from Goodreads:
She was an anomaly with a death sentence. Now she's free.
Thalli was scheduled for annihilation. She was considered an anomaly--able to experience emotions that should have been eradicated by genetic modification. The Scientists running the State couldn't allow her to bring undue chaos to their peaceful, ordered world. But seconds before her death, she is rescued.
Now Thalli is above ground in a world she thought was destroyed. A world where not even the air is safe to breathe. She and her three friends must journey across this unknown land, their destination a hidden civilization. It's their only chance of survival.
Broken and exhausted after an arduous journey, they arrive in New Hope, a town that survived the nuclear holocaust. WhenThalli meets the people there--people actually "born" to "families"--her small world is blown wide open.
Soon after their arrival to New Hope, the town comes under attack. She has escaped imminent death, but now Thalli is thrust into a new fight--a fight to save her new home. Does she know enough about this world of emotions, this world of chaos, to save not only herself, but the people she has come to love?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18126905-luminary?ac=1
Goodreads link to book one:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16124145-anomaly
Buy Links:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/luminary?store=allproducts&keyword=luminary
http://www.bookdepository.com/Luminary-Krista-Mcgee/9781401688745
http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/luminary-1
Anomaly Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Anomaly-Krista-McGee-ebook/dp/B00B7QRB94/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/anomaly-krista-mcgee/1113733043?ean=9781401688721
http://www.bookdepository.com/Anomaly-Krista-Mcgee/9781401688721
***GIVEAWAY***
3 sets of print copies of Anomaly and Luminary (US only)
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MjM0OGI5ZGJmNWUwNzllYTYzNjAyYzhhZGU0MDc0OjIxNg==/
Blog Tour Hosted by:
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. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.
Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.
Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.
The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.
I received a copy of "Branded" by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki to give an honest review & take part in the blog tour hosted by YA Bound.
Mousehead & Tales gives " Branded" - A sinners series 4 $ $ $ $. By the star rating that is 4 stars.
The story is dark. Right from the first pages your looking through the lovely eyes if Lexi Hamilton. With a self hung noose hanging from a chandelier in her posh "High Society" home Lexi is planning on ending her young but pain filled life. Taking control after years of having none. Timing ends up stopping her fateful decision when she see's the Commanders troops coming to "arrest" her.
At this point in the tale Lexi escapes her home through what is almost mentally a rabbit hole into a hellish world.
The judicial system as we know it is gone. You are no longer innocent until proven guilty. You are no longer judged by a jury of your peers. You are taken and branded with a color around your neck, a tattoo collar that tells all the other residents what your "Sin" is. Lexi is branded blue, meaning she was found guilty of lust.
This is when Lexi is introduced to her guard Cole & his Great Dane Zeus. He is her guard, initially supposed to watch Lexi for the first 48 hrs. for any signs of possible self-harm or suicide. Ironically though Lexi had been interrupted in her own efforts to end her life, she will not give the terrible world that she's lived in take any more from her.
So with that to start out with I'm going to say that this book really took me by surprise . I wasn't sure how I felt about Lexi & the way she behaved but I was absolutely intrigued to find out what nightmares she had endured to be so confusing.
I honestly abhor the current judicial system and the joke of actually being treated "innocent until proven guilty" having personally spent time in court. My public defender.. Or public defender was an absolute disaster. Having been found guilty if a minor crime and being shocked & outraged that I would be punished made me relate to Lexi's plight in a unique way. I honestly shuddered when I compared and extrapolated what my experience would be had I lived in the world as the authors of "Branded" created.
I will say immediately that if disturbing subject matter is hard for you to imagine than you might have a hard time dealing with a lot of the topics touched upon in "Branded". Though as with all darkness there are beautiful people and possibilities that only shine brighter due to the horror surrounding them. Such is the case with a number if characters that come and go as Lexi struggles through life.
I was drawn into this tale. I will read the next book in the series. If you enjoy tales of uniquely strong heroines. Action, adventure, and hope where most would see only despair than I highly recommend reading "Branded".
It was also refreshing to read a book that was completely based on a possible reality. I enjoy urban fantasy, paranormal romance , and all the other forms if fantasy involved with the planet earth in it's future days. I appreciated that all the strength found in this book was derived from the skill set that every man and woman even child has right now. It's a rare thing that w/o any supernatural assistance or futuristic technology people were able to still choose right from wrong and make their stand. I hope that there are more books that follow in this ideology. For me it was a refreshing change of pace and I thank the authors for it.
***
Branded (Sinners #1)
by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki
Release Date: 06/28/13
252 pages
Summary from Goodreads:
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. He created the Hole where sinners are branded according to their sins and might survive a few years. At best.
Now LUST wraps around my neck like blue fingers strangling me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit and now the Hole is my new home.
Darkness. Death. Violence. Pain.
Now every day is a fight for survival. But I won’t die. I won’t let them win.
The Hole can’t keep me. The Hole can’t break me.
I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter.
My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17402117-branded?ac=1
Buy Links:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/branded-abi-ketner/1115861790?ean=2940016481692
About the Authors
Abi and Missy met in the summer of 1999 at college orientation and have been best friends ever since. After college, they added jobs, husbands and kids to their lives, but they still found time for their friendship. Instead of hanging out on weekends, they went to dinner once a month and reviewed books. What started out as an enjoyable hobby has now become an incredibleadventure.
Author Links:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17402117-branded
https://twitter.com/AbiandMissy
http://facebook.com/AbiandMissy
***GIVEAWAY***
20 ebooks of Branded (mobi) Open Internationally
5 signed print copies and picture of Cole (US only)
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MjM0OGI5ZGJmNWUwNzllYTYzNjAyYzhhZGU0MDc0OjIxNQ==/
Blog Tour Hosted by:
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