So today, I’m going to spotlight, and then post my review for this amazing adult indie book I was lucky enough to get a reader copy of.

As many of you know, the new trend in novels that’s growing in the same way vampire novels have (and still are) is dystopian novels. Novels set in a world years from now, where the world has collapsed in some way and society has rebuilt with new principals. I have read countless numbers of these type of books, from Life As We Knew It, which is not a far future but a future where the moon has shifted and life changes drastically, to The Hunger Games, where life is crappy and people get thrown into a battle royale to survive, and I have to say, I love this genre. I’ve read the Delirium series, and the Divergent series. I pick up these books constantly.

But off of me, Branded, speaking with my heavy dystopian background, is interesting. Looking at the cover:

First, it’s beautifully done, one of my favorite indie covers to date. I wan’t sure how I felt about this. When I see “Sinner’s Series” I automatically think.. crazy religious cult, and sometimes those books drive me batty, but I’m glad to say the amount of religion in this book is set to just the 7 Deadly sins.

Here’s a blurb about it:

“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.”

If that blurb doesn’t make you interested hopefully my review will.

Thing I loved:

I loved the idea that in this new society, when someone is a criminal it goes back to the base of all crimes, the 7 deadly sins, which I think is a genius idea. GENIUS! So many times in future novels things get so far fetched! This goes to base instinct, base learning. I think out of everything, it would be the first instinct. So in this society, if you are suspected of committing one of the 7 Deadly Sins (Pride, Wrath, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, Lust,Greed) Each has it’s own color brand, and once they are branded they are thrown into The Hole, the new prison. There’s no judge or jury in this world, if you are accused, you are guilty! End of story! I loved the set up, I loved the character development. This is a really well thought out book, and you can tell they didn’t want to just follow the herd. These ladies are making their own path, and I am loving it.

Things I Only Liked:

I am terrified of Spiders, so if you are terrified of them, beware! I won’t give anymore out, but there is stuff of nightmares in this book for us spider fearers! 🙂

Things I Disliked:

The only thing I can say I slightly disliked was the romance set up, for me, I expected it to happen once they mentioned it was banned, but that’s the only slight flaw I had with the book! That’s saying something!

Grade: A- (Everything else is this book kept me guessing, and I was always right on the edge! Great writing!)

(I was given a reader copy of this book in exchange for a honest and fair review, all opinions are my own and not influenced by the authors)

About the Authors: