Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway: Branded (Sinners #1)
by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki
BookCrushin is thrilled to be a part of today’s stop on the YA Bound Blog Tour for Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki’s first novel in the Sinners series, Branded. You will find all the book information, my book rating, my spoiler-free review as well as a tour-wide giveaway!
Branded (Sinners #1) by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki
Category: Young Adult (Upper), New Adult, Dystopian
Publication: June 28, 2013
Purchase: Amazon, B&N
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.
Spoiler-Free Review:
I am a huge sci-fi fan especially the of the dystopian genre. Branded did not disappoint! This book is full of action, heartache, strength and love. This story is dark. The world is not pretty, it’s gory and awful. This book will not be for everyone, especially if you are sensitive to certain subject matters I would pass on this book. I say it is upper YA due to the subject matter, but I would put it under New Adult so that’s why I listed both in the category. I don’t want to give too much away so this review will be hard for me to put into words. I was engrossed with the story and I am eagerly awaiting book 2.
The world building is simple yet enthralling. In this new era, the 7 deadly sins, sloth, gluttony, greed, envy, pride, wrath and lust are what you can be accused of and exiled to the Hole. The Hole is so violent most don’t survive long. Each sinner is branded around the neck with the color associated with their sin so they can always be identified.
Lust is what sin Lexi is branded with. Lexi is innocent but once accused you are committed to the Hole, without a chance for trial. Lexi’s life is complicated and now that she’s been accused it’s worse. But she seems to have come into some favor in the Hole, although she does not know why, she has been assigned a 24-7 guard, Cole and his dog Zeus, who have been tasked with keeping her alive & making sure she makes it to her job every day. She was assigned to work in the hospital and it is here that she discovers a lot about herself as well as life in the Hole.
Amongst the non-stop action, twists and emotional rollercoaster ride this book puts you through there are some themes that resonate. People will rebel when oppressed, beauty is found in the least expected places and love conquers all. Hope and Love – those are the real winners always.
This could have been a 5-heart book as the plot was unique, but there were just some things that were a little too much. Possibly too much violence, some plot points were too advantageous, and it kinda drags a little in the middle and I just wanted to move on. I feel like a cleaner plot and some continuity could have done wonders. I still enjoyed the book a lot.
[book rating=4.0/5.0]
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 incredible adventure.
Author Links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr | Pinterest | Goodreads-Abi | Goodreads-Missy
Giveaway:
20 ebooks of Branded (mobi) Open Internationally
5 signed print copies and picture of Cole (US only)
