Branded by Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Title: Branded
Author: Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki
Pages:384
Genre: Teens & YA
Version reviewed: E-book provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Publication:
Website:http://www.abiandmissy.com/
Add the book on goodreads:Here
Where to buy it at:Amazon


Goodreads 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. 

To punish the guilty, he created the Hole, a place where sinners are branded according to their sins. Sinners are forced to live a less than human existence in deplorable conditions, under the watchful eye of guards who are ready to kill anyone who steps out of line.

Now, LUST wraps around my neck like thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit, and the Hole is my new home. 

Constant darkness. 

Brutal and savage violence. 

Excruciating pain. 

Every day is a fight for survival. 

But I won’t let them win. I will not die in the Hole. 

I am more than my brand. I’m a fighter. My name is Lexi Hamilton, and this is my story.

Review:
I had actually forgotten what this book was about, I just  saw that it was on the most requested page on NetGalley and figured if it was in high demand then the review would be as well. I have been trying to get my TBR pile down to at least a decent stack, a task I am afraid I shall never accomplish since I am constantly adding to it, but this was towards the top and this book became my choice for the day.

I actually binged read this book to the best of my abilities. If I was not taking care of my daughter you can bet your buns that I was reading this book and after looking  back at the synopsis this quote reminds me why I chose the book in the first place.

"Now, LUST wraps around my neck like thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me."

That sentence truly is genius because it snags a reader and draws them in with questions that are quickly answered. Yes the book is a little raw in the writing form but the story itself is brilliant.

The new world is run by the Commander, a man who believes himself to be pure and above all runs it so that anyone caught committing one of the 7 deadly sins gets branded a color that represents their sins and is sent to the Hole, a concentration camp of sorts.

The bad thing is that I could totally see this happening in the distant future given how some people act with their religion. It is just as corrupt as the system we have in place now however, if you have money you can send an innocent person to jail or escape the charges yourself.

I like so much of this book, I like that Lexi, our main character was struggling with this deep dark secret and still found a light in the darkness that was the pit. I like that Cole was suppose to be this big bad guard who is not suppose to have feelings but instead has a big sloppy Dog named Zeus, who was my favorite out of the entire story by the way, and does nice things for dying girls.

I also disliked a lot of this book, it seemed like the love that Cole and Lexi had came along really fast. It happens in books alot and it tends to be a pet peeve of mine since I am a firm believer that you don't really love someone until you really know someone and to know someone takes time. 

I also didn't like that one letter from her deceased father cleared up all the negative emotions Lexi has for her brother... it might just be because I hold a gold medal in holding a grudge and being vindictive but it just didn't sit right with me.

And sadly when the commander was revealed, I had already figured out who he was.

Still it is a worth the read but it is pretty fast paced.

Rating:
4 out of 5 stars!