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katherinebriggs's review
5.0
Marissa Shrock's The First Principle is enthralling and action-packed. I read it in one sitting! This fast-paced novel faces choices of life, death, and faith head-on in a startling view of what tomorrow could bring. Which side will you take? I recommend this to teen and college age friends.
sparksofember's review
3.0
After my review of The Liberation, I felt compelled to check out The First Principal, especially since I already owned the ebook anyway. And I have to say, I liked this one quite a bit more. I finally got an answer to the age question of that one character (he’s 21 when she’s 17) and I found the majority of the book much more believable.
The blurb explains the story well – Vivica is already questioning the laws against teenage pregnancy when she discovers she herself is pregnant and has to make a choice. At the same time, some political machinations are occurring, both in regards to the rebel group and with her mother’s bid for the presidency. The adventure Vivica finds herself on was tense, nail-biting and fairly believable for a 17-year-old teen. There was more detail and description – I really enjoyed the book.
I still had some minor qualms. For one, 21 is a bit young for me to really buy someone as such a high-level Emancipation Warrior. Also I’d been feeling guilty for how unbelievable I found book #2 compared to book #1 and then the big climactic ending happened and made me lol. I may have never felt a single labor pain prior to my emergency c-section but I know childbirth is rarely quite the way it went in the book. (And I say that while having a friend who has literally given birth so quickly that the paramedics barely made it to the house in time for her third child.)
But those were minor and altogether I found The First Principal a stronger book than the sequel and I definitely think teen girls would like it.
The blurb explains the story well – Vivica is already questioning the laws against teenage pregnancy when she discovers she herself is pregnant and has to make a choice. At the same time, some political machinations are occurring, both in regards to the rebel group and with her mother’s bid for the presidency. The adventure Vivica finds herself on was tense, nail-biting and fairly believable for a 17-year-old teen. There was more detail and description – I really enjoyed the book.
I still had some minor qualms. For one, 21 is a bit young for me to really buy someone as such a high-level Emancipation Warrior. Also I’d been feeling guilty for how unbelievable I found book #2 compared to book #1 and then the big climactic ending happened and made me lol. I may have never felt a single labor pain prior to my emergency c-section but I know childbirth is rarely quite the way it went in the book. (And I say that while having a friend who has literally given birth so quickly that the paramedics barely made it to the house in time for her third child.)
But those were minor and altogether I found The First Principal a stronger book than the sequel and I definitely think teen girls would like it.
lizanne95's review
This has got to be my new favorite futuristic novel. I have actually never read a futuristic novel that is Biblically based. The Christian values and beliefs that were intertwined throughout the book were something that I really enjoyed.
This book really touched on what could happen to Christians around the world when the end times come to pass. It really made me think about if I was ready for end times and if I would be willing and strong enough to stand for what I believe in.
The only thing I really didn’t like about the book was the ending. It gets stopped at quite the cliff hanger. I’m hoping like crazy that there will be a sequel coming out. The way this book had me hooked has me looking forward to more books that Marissa Shrock will publish.
Very touching and heartfelt, I would recommend this book to anyone.
“Book has been provided courtesy of Kregal Publications”.
This book really touched on what could happen to Christians around the world when the end times come to pass. It really made me think about if I was ready for end times and if I would be willing and strong enough to stand for what I believe in.
The only thing I really didn’t like about the book was the ending. It gets stopped at quite the cliff hanger. I’m hoping like crazy that there will be a sequel coming out. The way this book had me hooked has me looking forward to more books that Marissa Shrock will publish.
Very touching and heartfelt, I would recommend this book to anyone.
“Book has been provided courtesy of Kregal Publications”.
juliebihn's review
4.0
Exciting YA dystopian that I found surprisingly light on emotion, given the subject matter. Full review at http://kinynchronicles.blogspot.com/2015/09/review-last-principle-by-marissa-shrock.html
(In connection with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book.)
(In connection with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book.)
cctblog's review
4.0
The world presented in The First Principle is scary ... yet feels all too familiar. As I read, I thought, "This could really happen here." Not all of it, of course, but the disregard for life and hatred of God's Word are already present in our society—The First Principle just takes it to another level.
As teen dystopian fiction goes, this is really good. I appreciate Shrock's willingness to tackle tough issues like abortion and tolerance, and those issues are wrapped in an engaging story. I do have to say that the events near the end of the novel didn't keep my attention nearly as well as those at the beginning, but that may have just been me.
While romance isn't a main focus of The First Principle, Ben (Vivica's ex) and Drake (her "handler," so to speak) both make intriguing romantic partners for Vivica. If there's a sequel, and I truly hope there is, I'd love to see those relationships develop. I'm definitely "Team Drake" for now!
I have to be honest: I'm not a fan of the cover. I never would have picked up this book based on the cover alone. I'm glad I didn't let the cover influence my decision to read this book, but I'm afraid it will keep some teens away, and that's too bad. This is a thought-provoking novel that our teens should be reading. 4 stars.
Content note: In a world where teens (and younger) are reading The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Twilight, The First Principle is quite tame. There is some discussion of sex, which is natural considering the main character is pregnant. Nothing is graphic or inappropriate, however, and I would think this novel is appropriate for ages 13 and up.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
As teen dystopian fiction goes, this is really good. I appreciate Shrock's willingness to tackle tough issues like abortion and tolerance, and those issues are wrapped in an engaging story. I do have to say that the events near the end of the novel didn't keep my attention nearly as well as those at the beginning, but that may have just been me.
While romance isn't a main focus of The First Principle, Ben (Vivica's ex) and Drake (her "handler," so to speak) both make intriguing romantic partners for Vivica. If there's a sequel, and I truly hope there is, I'd love to see those relationships develop. I'm definitely "Team Drake" for now!
I have to be honest: I'm not a fan of the cover. I never would have picked up this book based on the cover alone. I'm glad I didn't let the cover influence my decision to read this book, but I'm afraid it will keep some teens away, and that's too bad. This is a thought-provoking novel that our teens should be reading. 4 stars.
Content note: In a world where teens (and younger) are reading The Hunger Games, Divergent, and Twilight, The First Principle is quite tame. There is some discussion of sex, which is natural considering the main character is pregnant. Nothing is graphic or inappropriate, however, and I would think this novel is appropriate for ages 13 and up.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Kregel Publications. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
longtimereader's review
5.0
The First Principle is hard hitting. This book hit me so hard, that I put it down to take a break after 20 pages! Here is a government controlling the Bible, all the way down to forced termination of pregnancies that aren't approved. One such example, teen-age pregnancy. The Rebels are dead set against this. Vivica Wilkins, the Governor's daughter totally shocks herself when she finds herself upset about the Termination Law by defending a classmate that she hardly knows. To top things off, she finds herself in a situation that is beyond what she expected. It's the tip of the iceberg. Her Mother, the Governor, is doing her part to crush the Rebellion. Will this also crush her own child, or will she care?
This book is amazing, and scary, realistic, and covers topics that are relevant. I was really impressed by the way this book unfolded, and what all it covered. In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
This book is amazing, and scary, realistic, and covers topics that are relevant. I was really impressed by the way this book unfolded, and what all it covered. In conjunction with the CSFF Blog Tour, I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
bookworm_mommy's review
3.0
I received this book as a review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I requested the book for two reasons. The first being that futuristic dystopian literature is still such a hot area for young adult fiction. I like to explore authors’ different takes on the prevalent theme. However, the bigger draw for me was the author herself, Marissa Shrock. She is a middle school language arts teacher, as I was once, publishing her first novel. So my assumption was that she would have a good handle on what appeals to teen readers. I was not disappointed.
Fifteen-year-old Vivica Wilkins is the daughter of a governor in the not too distant future United Regions of North America. She has been indoctrinated that government knows best and to toe the line. Vivica doesn’t question her life until she discovers her illegal pregnancy and begins to wonder about the sanctity of life and if the government is really looking out for the best interest of those it’s meant to serve.
Vivica is driven by both internal conflict and external events. She is surrounded by characters who are each true to their own natures and have their own agendas. This at times creates support for Vivica and her journey and at other times creates a lot of the plot tension that kept me turning pages.
While the idea of a United Regions of North America and the government structures was confusing at times, I think both were adequately explained throughout the story. It was just such an unfamiliar (yet recognizable) “country” and government system that at times I had to pause in the story and think. Never a bad thing. Shrock creates a very believable option of a future society full of government control and the acceptance of any beliefs but those founded on Biblical principles.
My qualms with the story came in two linked areas. The first being the relationship between Vivica and the father of her child. It just seemed a bit too dramatic and forced to me. It also seemed in place for the sole purpose of pushing Vivica to accept Christ and the Emancipation Warriors beliefs. The beliefs the Emancipation Warriors are fighting for in the book are unashamedly Christian and biblically based. Both good things to expose young readers of today too. However, many times it seemed nothing more than a plot device and will perhaps turn some readers off the book as a whole.
As far as questionable content for the conservative reader, there is both violence (although not graphic) and, as mentioned, teen pregnancy. However, I believe it is perfectly acceptable for young adult readers. The book brings a perspective not really found in current YA dystopian novels. Most are based on the achievement of the individual protagonist. While Vivica is strong and certainly does her part, it is clear that there is a bigger work at play and that God ultimately helps people succeed. Additionally, the story world created by Shrock is not as fantastical and fictional as most dystopian worlds tend to be. She took trends we already see in our current culture and simply magnifies them in her future story world.
Overall, I think this is a worthwhile book for both teens and adults alike. It made me ponder some of the things I see around me in society and government. I was rooting for Vivica, which kept me turning pages. And the book ended in such a way that I wonder if this is the first in a series – an idea that I would fully support as a reader.
Pros: fast-paced; dynamic protagonist with antagonists I loved to dislike; realistic future worldview
Cons: some plot jumps; spirituality as plot device
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (Good)
***This review also appears on The Christian Manifesto website
Fifteen-year-old Vivica Wilkins is the daughter of a governor in the not too distant future United Regions of North America. She has been indoctrinated that government knows best and to toe the line. Vivica doesn’t question her life until she discovers her illegal pregnancy and begins to wonder about the sanctity of life and if the government is really looking out for the best interest of those it’s meant to serve.
Vivica is driven by both internal conflict and external events. She is surrounded by characters who are each true to their own natures and have their own agendas. This at times creates support for Vivica and her journey and at other times creates a lot of the plot tension that kept me turning pages.
While the idea of a United Regions of North America and the government structures was confusing at times, I think both were adequately explained throughout the story. It was just such an unfamiliar (yet recognizable) “country” and government system that at times I had to pause in the story and think. Never a bad thing. Shrock creates a very believable option of a future society full of government control and the acceptance of any beliefs but those founded on Biblical principles.
My qualms with the story came in two linked areas. The first being the relationship between Vivica and the father of her child. It just seemed a bit too dramatic and forced to me. It also seemed in place for the sole purpose of pushing Vivica to accept Christ and the Emancipation Warriors beliefs. The beliefs the Emancipation Warriors are fighting for in the book are unashamedly Christian and biblically based. Both good things to expose young readers of today too. However, many times it seemed nothing more than a plot device and will perhaps turn some readers off the book as a whole.
As far as questionable content for the conservative reader, there is both violence (although not graphic) and, as mentioned, teen pregnancy. However, I believe it is perfectly acceptable for young adult readers. The book brings a perspective not really found in current YA dystopian novels. Most are based on the achievement of the individual protagonist. While Vivica is strong and certainly does her part, it is clear that there is a bigger work at play and that God ultimately helps people succeed. Additionally, the story world created by Shrock is not as fantastical and fictional as most dystopian worlds tend to be. She took trends we already see in our current culture and simply magnifies them in her future story world.
Overall, I think this is a worthwhile book for both teens and adults alike. It made me ponder some of the things I see around me in society and government. I was rooting for Vivica, which kept me turning pages. And the book ended in such a way that I wonder if this is the first in a series – an idea that I would fully support as a reader.
Pros: fast-paced; dynamic protagonist with antagonists I loved to dislike; realistic future worldview
Cons: some plot jumps; spirituality as plot device
My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars (Good)
***This review also appears on The Christian Manifesto website
ltsings's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent! I loved this Christian, Dystopian novel. I really enjoyed my first book of 2015.
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