Paperback edition: -
Source: Kindle
Rating: 5 stars
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.
Favourite quote: "You're amazing just the way you are. There's not a single thing I would change about you. When you smile my entire world stops. All I see is you. I need you."
For a debut novel, this one really blew me away! I sometimes cringe when I read a debut novel as sometimes authors have to find comfort in writing, but with Branded I could tell that the authors felt passionate and comfortable while writing it! I had been wanting to read Branded since I first heard about it after one of the authors approached me about reading the first chapter! I normally don't like just reading the first few chapters of a book because then I'm even more desperate to read the whole thing! With Branded I wasn't sure what to expect as it didn't have a cover or a synopsis at that point, but I soon became addicted! Once I started reading this book, I couldn't stop so when I got an ARC of it I screamed! This book is not for the fainthearted! It's bloody and gory and full of suspense! It's definitely for someone who loves an adventure or for someone who loves discovering something new! The plot of Branded really blew me away! It was a fresh idea with new elements added and there was so much going on in it! I did cry several times during it as well! I knew that I was going to, but I tried so hard not too! It really hits you hard and it really will make your heart break! The suspense throughout this book really was mind-blowing as well! It felt like I was watching my favourite action film for the first time! You know, when your eyes are glued to the screen and you can't look away! Well, with Branded I was hooked from page one and I couldn't stop reading until I got to the last page! What I enjoyed about this book was that I found out things that I thought that I wasn't going too! I thought that some of it would have carried over to the next book, but that actually probably won't happen as secrets get revealed in this book and then resolved! The characters were also amazing! I couldn't help but feel sorry for Lexi as she had been through so much and then when she gets put in The Hole my heart broke for her! As I discovered her story I started to feel so much more for her! I connected with her the whole way through this book and that connection didn't break once! Cole was so hot! I loved that he was in nearly all the scenes and he had such a big role as he was my favourite male character! Cole would do anything for Lexi and you could see that everytime he was with her! It was so sweet, but in Lexi's world you really needed something beautiful and for me that was it! I am definitely going to read the next book in this series and I will probably be begging the authors to let me read any chapter from it! I saw the original cover for this book and I have to be honest and say that I adored that cover, but after reading Branded I can see how well the new cover suits it! Huge thank you to Abi and Missy for an ARC of Branded!
Author bios:
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.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AbiandMissy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AbiandMissy