Today I want to welcome all of you to my stop on the Branded tour. Both Abi and Missy are really sweet and I hope you guys enjoy.
Title: Branded
Author: Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki
Published: June 28th, 2013
Book rating: 3 stars
Cover rating: 4 stars
Format: eARC, 252 pages
Source: Lady Amber and Authors
Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours
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.
Awhile back I was contacted by two lovely ladies and asked if I wanted to read the first chapter of their new book. I gladly accepted their offer and was immediately sucked into the story, after finishing the chapter they gave me I couldn't wait to read the whole thing. When I received Branded I dove in, excited to see what this book had in store for me. After rereading and loving the first chapter, just as much as I did the first time I read it, I found I was sadly disappointed after that.
I have seen so many stellar reviews for this book so I'm not sure if it's just me or what but this just wasn't for me. It starts off with Lexi being captured by guards, branded for her sin (lust), and taken to The Hole which is a sort of prison town where all sinners go. You're pretty much thrown in there and have to fend for yourself. If you're lucky you're given a job, it's rare to find food, and the living is less than okay. I liked Lexi at first, I was intrigued by her. I wanted to know why she was accused of lust and who she was. Finding out more about her throughout the book was fun, her background was interesting but I didn't really connect with her so she was just okay for me in the end. From the beginning Lexi has a body guard to protect her from some unknown danger, this is when we meet Cole. I can't deny that I was excited to have a hot hunk of man to admire throughout this book but yet again I didn't even connect with him nor did I find him all that attractive. He was made out to be hot but I just didn't find him totally swoon worthy. Lexi and Cole's relationship was so underdeveloped for me. I do not like relationships that have that instant love vibe and that's what I got from theirs. Yes, Cole did save Lexi and I can see how that could make you appreciate someone and be thankful but I would have liked to see more than that. I was also disappointed with the fact that I figured almost everything out by myself the last half of the book, I wish the suspension and 'on edge' feeling could have lasted throughout the entire thing.
The only reason I gave this book three stars instead of two is because I like the actual idea and world that Abi and Missy tried to create. I think a lot of people are truly judgmental when it comes to the sins of others. The sins Branded focuses on can be really deadly and I know that everyone has different opinions and outlooks on these things. A great deal of those people disagree or look down on certain sins that were made out to be bad in this book and that's realistic. I also really liked that the book had a lot of action.
Overall Branded was just an okay read for me, like I said a lot of people loved it so don't rule it completely, it could become a favorite for you.
Abi Ketner Is a registered nurse with a passion for novels, the beaches of St. John, and
her Philadelphia Phillies. A talented singer, Abi loves to go running and spend lots of
time with her family. She currently resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband,
triplet daughters and two very spoiled dogs. Melissa Kalicicki received her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in 2003. She married, had two boys and currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Aside from reading and writing, her interests include running and mixed martial arts. She also remains an avid Cleveland sports fan. 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.
Too bad you didn't like the book :( I was totally hooked on!
ReplyDeleteFollowing you now via GFC (I found you because of The Undomestic Fangirls nomination :) )