Branded
By Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki
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.
My Review:
* I received an eARC from the authors in exchange of an honest review.
I remember when I first started blogging that this was one of the first books I won and felt the need to review. It was awesome and it just got BETTER! I absolutely LOVED the extra scenes and this time around it had a more of a New Adult feel to it, compared to the old version.
I still ADORED Cole this time around. He continues to be the understanding, beautiful piece of man candy that he was last time I read about him. I loved how he knew when to push and when to respect Lexi and give her space.
"Any other guard would've beat or raped you by now, and you just keep pushing me when I'm trying to do the right thing."
Lexi was an abused turned strong heroine. She's been dealt a bad hand since her father died and thanks to her mom remarrying, her life turned into hell. Even after surviving being wrongly accused, she still found it in her to be brave, strong and, most importantly, to always fight for what's right. She had my respect from the beginning.
"No matter what I say you won't believe me. When you look at me ... like everyone else, you see nothing but my brand. The commander labeled my a whore, so that must make me one. Right?"
Zeus was as cute and cuddly as ever! I loved how he was described as a total goof ball, but still loyal and VERY smart (which I know seems like an exaggeration, but I have a dog. He's proved how smart he really is. I actually learned NOT to underestimate him.).
"Meet Zeus, my crap-for-brains guard dog."
Keegan was still a domineering, tattooed giant who loved to point out that he was in charge and the Lexi HAD to listen to him. Well I hate to break it to you buddy, but you felt and Lexi grew up. She can very well make her own damn choices and love WHOEVER she wants. Just because you don't like the guy doesn't mean he doesn't treat her with respect and that they both love each other. I think the end he met was Karma. There's a reason everyone calls her a bitch C:
I had actually forgotten about the ending. It was so sweet re-reading it. I almost cried because I seriously wasn't expecting it. Everything was going to hell, who knew the authors still had a plot point to exploit? I certainly didn't.
Conclusion: I NEED Book #2.
"So we'll take one day at a time, because each day is one day we didn't have before."
My Favorite Quotes (This Time Around):
"My life was a colorful facade."
"I know what if feels like to be a failure. It haunts you constantly."
My Rating:
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**Book Look(s)**
**These Book Looks were inspired by the main plot changes during this novel. The last Book Look has nothing to do with the series. It's based solely on the Beautiful Cover!**
**These Book Looks were inspired by the main plot changes during this novel. The last Book Look has nothing to do with the series. It's based solely on the Beautiful Cover!**
For my previous Book Looks click here!
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**Teaser Picture**
-Swoon-
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**Teaser Picture**
-Swoon-
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**Excerpt**
I turn on the faucet for a long while only to discover ice-cold water rushing out. The water never warms and I begin to understand. The Commander thinks he can wash away my soul by freezing me to death. He thinks he can destroy me by stripping away my possessions. But he can’t and I won’t let him take my memories, my ambition, and my pride.
He thinks I’m so easily broken.
The Commander doesn’t know anything about me, what I grew up with, what I endured—the father I lost, the mother I hate, the brother who walked out of my life, and the stepfather I was forced to accept. He thinks since I was rich, making me poor will cause me to give up. What he doesn’t understand is that, after my father passed away, I grew up behind walls of hatred. I had nothing, but had everything at the same time. I owned expensive clothes, enjoyed good schooling, and lived in a nice home. But my body was just a shell protecting an empty, desperate heart. My life was a colorful façade.
I had so much time to sit and think. I spent the majority of my life between four walls. I was abandoned, neglected, starved, betrayed, and abused. I’ve already been treated like the scum of the earth, so the Hole is nothing new. He wants to erase every sign of my existence on this earth, but I won’t let that happen. He can strip me naked, but he’ll never reach my soul.
It’s personal, completely personal.
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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.
Thank you so much!!! <3 it and the outfits
ReplyDeleteNo problem!! C:
DeleteI'm glad to help!