leenakhashab's review against another edition
5.0
Such a awesome book that will keep you wanting more!
I'll keep it short but I really love this book. This dystopian book is really original with the hole and guards and being branded. I loves the idea of how just one mark on your neck can be the difference of that people think of you in the hole and your chances of survival. The story follows Lexi Hamilton a girl from high society and now when she gets dragged into the hole with her hot!!!! guard cole and his dog Zeus. You meet wonderful charaters along the way like sutton and Alyssa. Wonderful book and you should definitely read it!
Follow me on Instagram: Leena.reads
I'll keep it short but I really love this book. This dystopian book is really original with the hole and guards and being branded. I loves the idea of how just one mark on your neck can be the difference of that people think of you in the hole and your chances of survival. The story follows Lexi Hamilton a girl from high society and now when she gets dragged into the hole with her hot!!!! guard cole and his dog Zeus. You meet wonderful charaters along the way like sutton and Alyssa. Wonderful book and you should definitely read it!
Follow me on Instagram: Leena.reads
leonietjeuh's review against another edition
1.0
So I managed to get to page 220 or something before I gave up on this book.
I just wrote a really bad review for it, but immediately felt bad about it, so I tried again:
If you like dystopian novels but don't care about realistic world-building, if you enjoy cheesy romance that comes out of nowhere, if you don't care about sloppy writing style, unnecessary descriptions and dialogues so bad they're embarrassing, this book is definitely for you.
But for me, this book was disappointing at best and insulting my intelligence at worst.
The authors want you to believe the main character is a fighter mainly by telling us she is, but giving us no evidence whatsoever of any strong emotional feelings but self-pity.
And her love for her mysteriously-assigned-to-protect-her guard, whom she likes basically because he's hot and pretty much the only man around who doesn't try to rape her.
There is also a rape scene in this book, which I thought I would point out, because it might be shocking for some readers to have this thrown into their face without warning. I thought the rape scene was unnecessary and only there to convince us of the cruelty of the people in the Hole and to move the plot along.
The authors were so desperate to make us believe that the Hole was shit that they had to make Lexi point it out pretty much every other page, mainly by thinking "How can anyone be so cruel?" Every. Damn. Time.
I realize that this book was self-published and a debut novel and I think that the authors should definitely continue writing, they are really creative, but maybe try to revise your story, rewrite it here and there, before you publish it. Most of the flaws could have been prevented just by thinking it through.
I just wrote a really bad review for it, but immediately felt bad about it, so I tried again:
If you like dystopian novels but don't care about realistic world-building, if you enjoy cheesy romance that comes out of nowhere, if you don't care about sloppy writing style, unnecessary descriptions and dialogues so bad they're embarrassing, this book is definitely for you.
But for me, this book was disappointing at best and insulting my intelligence at worst.
The authors want you to believe the main character is a fighter mainly by telling us she is, but giving us no evidence whatsoever of any strong emotional feelings but self-pity.
And her love for her mysteriously-assigned-to-protect-her guard, whom she likes basically because he's hot and pretty much the only man around who doesn't try to rape her.
There is also a rape scene in this book, which I thought I would point out, because it might be shocking for some readers to have this thrown into their face without warning. I thought the rape scene was unnecessary and only there to convince us of the cruelty of the people in the Hole and to move the plot along.
The authors were so desperate to make us believe that the Hole was shit that they had to make Lexi point it out pretty much every other page, mainly by thinking "How can anyone be so cruel?" Every. Damn. Time.
I realize that this book was self-published and a debut novel and I think that the authors should definitely continue writing, they are really creative, but maybe try to revise your story, rewrite it here and there, before you publish it. Most of the flaws could have been prevented just by thinking it through.
moirwyn's review against another edition
4.0
This review originally appeared on my blog, Books Without Any Pictures:
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2014/06/11/branded-abi-ketner-missy-kalickicki/
Branded is a young adult dystopian novel set in a world run by the Commander, a man who abolished the judicial system in favor of punishing anyone accused of wrongdoing by sending them to the Hole, a forced labor camp. Each sinner is given a colored brand based on which of the seven deadly sins they’ve been accused of committing.
Lexi Hamilton is one such Sinner, and she’s been accused of lust.
I started this book on a night where I wanted something lighthearted, angsty, and a little bit cliché. Branded fits the bill perfectly. It’s dark and edgy, and the world it is set in is so nightmarish that it makes high school look like a piece of cake. Perhaps that’s part of the appeal of YA dystopias. They create something so monstrous that no matter what you’re going through, the world looks a little brighter.
So, pet peeve number one. I’m very picky about the methods of torture in my crappy YA novels being at least somewhat feasible. A brand is made with a hot iron. A tattoo is colored. The picture on the book looks like some sort of lacy Celtic tattoo, and I’m pretty sure that if the Commander cared so much about efficient punishment and ruining people’s lives, the tattoo/brand/thing would not be pretty. And which is it, anyway, a brand or a tattoo? Make up your mind.
When Lexi arrives in the Hole, her experience is a bit different than expected. Normally the guards turn on any sinners with a blue brand pretty quickly and consider them fair game. That would have been Lexi’s fate, but someone is clearly interested in keeping her alive, because she’s had a personal guard assigned to protect her. And of course he’s the perfect image of Mr. Sexiness, and the two of them end up falling in love, even though it’s forbidden for guards and prisoners to do so. Meanwhile, back in the real world, the prisoners of the Hole have had enough, and a rebellion is brewing.
Now, one thing I’m glad about in Branded is that bad things can and do happen to the protagonist, unlike in certain other books *cough* The Winner’s Curse *cough*. Even though she’s being protected more than everyone else, there’s a reason for it in the plot, and that “protection” really doesn’t do much to help Lexi deal with her day-to-day life. She has to learn to fend for herself, and she has to learn that the world she’s in is cruel and that if she doesn’t watch her back she’s gonna get stabbed/raped/blown up/torn apart by angry starving mobs/etc.
I’m also glad that Lexi’s relationship with Cole is a relationship and not a love triangle. That’s rare in YA dystopia, and since I can’t stand love triangles, I was glad to see it work out that way. Pretty sure that Lexi’s feelings for him were the product of Stockholm Syndrome, but at least he proves that he’s a decent guy who’s worthy of her affection. He slowly comes to realize that he’s not just protecting her because he’s been ordered to, but that he genuinely cares about her and will take any risk that’s necessary for Lexi’s sake.
Branded is inherently a bit cliché and ridiculous, but I gobbled it up despite the fact that the type of society described in the novel isn’t sustainable and didn’t seem to serve any purpose. The love was cheesy, the book was dripping with angst and emotion, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I’d definitely recommend it.
http://bookswithoutanypictures.com/2014/06/11/branded-abi-ketner-missy-kalickicki/
Branded is a young adult dystopian novel set in a world run by the Commander, a man who abolished the judicial system in favor of punishing anyone accused of wrongdoing by sending them to the Hole, a forced labor camp. Each sinner is given a colored brand based on which of the seven deadly sins they’ve been accused of committing.
Lexi Hamilton is one such Sinner, and she’s been accused of lust.
I started this book on a night where I wanted something lighthearted, angsty, and a little bit cliché. Branded fits the bill perfectly. It’s dark and edgy, and the world it is set in is so nightmarish that it makes high school look like a piece of cake. Perhaps that’s part of the appeal of YA dystopias. They create something so monstrous that no matter what you’re going through, the world looks a little brighter.
So, pet peeve number one. I’m very picky about the methods of torture in my crappy YA novels being at least somewhat feasible. A brand is made with a hot iron. A tattoo is colored. The picture on the book looks like some sort of lacy Celtic tattoo, and I’m pretty sure that if the Commander cared so much about efficient punishment and ruining people’s lives, the tattoo/brand/thing would not be pretty. And which is it, anyway, a brand or a tattoo? Make up your mind.
When Lexi arrives in the Hole, her experience is a bit different than expected. Normally the guards turn on any sinners with a blue brand pretty quickly and consider them fair game. That would have been Lexi’s fate, but someone is clearly interested in keeping her alive, because she’s had a personal guard assigned to protect her. And of course he’s the perfect image of Mr. Sexiness, and the two of them end up falling in love, even though it’s forbidden for guards and prisoners to do so. Meanwhile, back in the real world, the prisoners of the Hole have had enough, and a rebellion is brewing.
Now, one thing I’m glad about in Branded is that bad things can and do happen to the protagonist, unlike in certain other books *cough* The Winner’s Curse *cough*. Even though she’s being protected more than everyone else, there’s a reason for it in the plot, and that “protection” really doesn’t do much to help Lexi deal with her day-to-day life. She has to learn to fend for herself, and she has to learn that the world she’s in is cruel and that if she doesn’t watch her back she’s gonna get stabbed/raped/blown up/torn apart by angry starving mobs/etc.
I’m also glad that Lexi’s relationship with Cole is a relationship and not a love triangle. That’s rare in YA dystopia, and since I can’t stand love triangles, I was glad to see it work out that way. Pretty sure that Lexi’s feelings for him were the product of Stockholm Syndrome, but at least he proves that he’s a decent guy who’s worthy of her affection. He slowly comes to realize that he’s not just protecting her because he’s been ordered to, but that he genuinely cares about her and will take any risk that’s necessary for Lexi’s sake.
Branded is inherently a bit cliché and ridiculous, but I gobbled it up despite the fact that the type of society described in the novel isn’t sustainable and didn’t seem to serve any purpose. The love was cheesy, the book was dripping with angst and emotion, and I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I’d definitely recommend it.
nannasa16's review against another edition
3.0
http://katnissbraid.blogspot.it/2014/01/branded-sinners-1-unmesedaindie.html
3.5
era cominciato così bene e poi la romance mi ha rovinato tutto, ogni dialogo tra Cole e Lexi mi ha fatto salire gli zuccheri nel sangue di un paio di punti, alla fine del libro penso di aver avuto un attacco di diabete o non so cos'altro.
"i love you so much and you're my life and i piss rainbows when i see you and i want to have sex with you but oh my god it's not the right moment for babies but in future we'll have babies, and we'll live in a world where freedom is given to everyone, because i have i dream that one day my little black children will play with your little white children...blah blah blah". #buonanotte
3.5
era cominciato così bene e poi la romance mi ha rovinato tutto, ogni dialogo tra Cole e Lexi mi ha fatto salire gli zuccheri nel sangue di un paio di punti, alla fine del libro penso di aver avuto un attacco di diabete o non so cos'altro.
"i love you so much and you're my life and i piss rainbows when i see you and i want to have sex with you but oh my god it's not the right moment for babies but in future we'll have babies, and we'll live in a world where freedom is given to everyone, because i have i dream that one day my little black children will play with your little white children...blah blah blah". #buonanotte
bookswithbre's review against another edition
4.0
ARC Review
Branded was phenomenal. I was completely engrossed in the story and I felt like I was right there with Lexi the whole time. I honestly can't fault Branded, there was nothing I disliked. There was good world-building and I had a clear image in my mind, the characters went through character-development and I loved the relationship of Cole and Lexi and how it didn't happen straight away, they had to adjust to it. One of the best books I've read this year and I can't wait for Hunted.
Branded was phenomenal. I was completely engrossed in the story and I felt like I was right there with Lexi the whole time. I honestly can't fault Branded, there was nothing I disliked. There was good world-building and I had a clear image in my mind, the characters went through character-development and I loved the relationship of Cole and Lexi and how it didn't happen straight away, they had to adjust to it. One of the best books I've read this year and I can't wait for Hunted.
marielaiko99's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really good. I liked the beginning the most. I also like the ending a lot. The middle was also quite enjoyable, but not as memorable as the beginning and end. I liked how the descriptions were gritty and graphic. It was more realistic than many of the other dystopians I've read, and I congratulate the authors.
foreverbeautifulbooks's review against another edition
5.0
WOW!
I think my socks have been official rocked!
I am pretty sure I spent so much time trying to read this as fast as I could to get to the intensity, that I totally didn't realize that when I was finished I would be left with--HALLOW!
That is so not a bad thing!
I say hallow because NOW I HAVE TO WAIT! It is like the wait between Divergent books! This book is as great if not slightly better for me than Divergent. I am a fan of Dystopian because despite what some of the haters believe I think some of this stuff is entirely possible! Our world is so messed up and corrupted that all it would take is an evil dictator with enough power to demolish everything that's keeping order and civilized and turn our world upside down. I love the different realities and futures people create in our world.
This was one of the more violent and intense ones. All the characters ripped at my heart and made me scream and want to chuck my NOOK against the wall. The fight for survival and fighting a war no less changes people--irrevocably. Sometimes it doesn't really change them for the better.
It wasn't just the characters that suck you in. The world is vivid and in 4th Dimensional and I found myself falling into every aspect of the world. It was also VERY well written and edited! This book could have easily been sold to a big six in my eyes! I could see this as a movie in my head.
And the TWIST AT THE END!
Yeah, if you have noticed I haven't said much about plot because you really can't without giving pieces away and this book isn't even out yet and I can't give away anything!
Thought provoking, powerful, and heart wrenching!
Big five star score for Ketner and Kalicicki!
I think my socks have been official rocked!
I am pretty sure I spent so much time trying to read this as fast as I could to get to the intensity, that I totally didn't realize that when I was finished I would be left with--HALLOW!
That is so not a bad thing!
I say hallow because NOW I HAVE TO WAIT! It is like the wait between Divergent books! This book is as great if not slightly better for me than Divergent. I am a fan of Dystopian because despite what some of the haters believe I think some of this stuff is entirely possible! Our world is so messed up and corrupted that all it would take is an evil dictator with enough power to demolish everything that's keeping order and civilized and turn our world upside down. I love the different realities and futures people create in our world.
This was one of the more violent and intense ones. All the characters ripped at my heart and made me scream and want to chuck my NOOK against the wall. The fight for survival and fighting a war no less changes people--irrevocably. Sometimes it doesn't really change them for the better.
It wasn't just the characters that suck you in. The world is vivid and in 4th Dimensional and I found myself falling into every aspect of the world. It was also VERY well written and edited! This book could have easily been sold to a big six in my eyes! I could see this as a movie in my head.
And the TWIST AT THE END!
Yeah, if you have noticed I haven't said much about plot because you really can't without giving pieces away and this book isn't even out yet and I can't give away anything!
Thought provoking, powerful, and heart wrenching!
Big five star score for Ketner and Kalicicki!
sadiecass's review against another edition
4.0
1st person-present tense POV always grates on my nerves, but the storyline was so fascinating I kept reading.
I really enjoyed the premise of this. I was also fascinated as to why on earth Lexi was treated different than others. I feared she'd suffer a horrible fate, but the dedication of those around her kept her afloat.
Lexi's inner strength despite the horrible hands fate has dealt her is impressive. I enjoyed her growth and the relationship with Cole.
There was one part I didn't like, most notably how her brother treated her, and how Cole treated her when they got to her brother. I get that the whole situation was difficult, but I really skimmed the whole portion with her ass brother and her training. I didn't like her brother enough to care and got bored.
*Side note: there were some major editing and formatting issues, but I did not mark down any stars for that, but felt I needed to note them. It did make it more difficult to read and detracted some from my enjoyment of the whole story.
I really enjoyed the premise of this. I was also fascinated as to why on earth Lexi was treated different than others. I feared she'd suffer a horrible fate, but the dedication of those around her kept her afloat.
Lexi's inner strength despite the horrible hands fate has dealt her is impressive. I enjoyed her growth and the relationship with Cole.
There was one part I didn't like, most notably how her brother treated her, and how Cole treated her when they got to her brother. I get that the whole situation was difficult, but I really skimmed the whole portion with her ass brother and her training. I didn't like her brother enough to care and got bored.
*Side note: there were some major editing and formatting issues, but I did not mark down any stars for that, but felt I needed to note them. It did make it more difficult to read and detracted some from my enjoyment of the whole story.
pipershaw314's review against another edition
5.0
very good very very good.
I must admit it has been a while since i have read such a great fast-paced, action-packed novel
that is really well written and well rounded
If you haven't, go pick it up and read it now.
You won't be disappointed
I must admit it has been a while since i have read such a great fast-paced, action-packed novel
that is really well written and well rounded
If you haven't, go pick it up and read it now.
You won't be disappointed