Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicick | Book Review

549871_543681332339041_863237682_nBRANDED BY ABI KETNER & MISSY KALICICKI  

Genre: YA, Dystopian

Source: Netgalley (in return for an honest review)

“The seven deadly sins lust-blue gluttony-orange greed-yellow sloth-black wrath-red envy-green pride-purple”

Series: Sinners

Synopsis:
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.

Goodreads | Amazon

review

*I would like to thank Netgalley for this as an e-book from netgalley in return for an honest review.*

This is an amazing book for fans of the Shatter Me trilogy by Tahereh Mafi and the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth.

Branded is a fast paced, unique concept dystopian novel revolving around sins, forbidden love and the need to drive a revolt against the standing government. This is a story about Lexi and how she came to be and her life in the Hole. The Hole is the place where those accused of sins are taken after they are branded with the color of their sin around their neck. Her life is crumbling around her and she struggles with the judgement and consequences that surround her newly branded skin.

This story has absolutely everything. The world building was amazing and it was so greatly detailed that I felt like I was there. Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life and the character development was greatly done as well. Most times you find books with either great world building and characters or a astounding plot, but for me Branded contained both. The plot was filled with sorrow and unexpected twists that I never saw coming. I also felt like the book covered some deeper topics that really round out the book and made it more than a normal dystopian novel.

Lexi was a strong female character that struggled and was weak at moments, but had so much growth and became a fighter because thats what she wanted for herself. Then with all great books there was the swoon worthy character of Cole. How could you help, but fall in love with him and his trusty dog Zeus. I have to say that Zeus was one of my favorites! Even the secondary characters played such a large role in the book.

Action packed up to the very last pages, I was very impressed with this book and happily surprised. Lately all the dystopian books I have read recently all seem to share too many qualities and Branded is for sure a unique, one of a kind read that I highly recommend!

4.5