Series: Sinners

Title: Branded

Author: Abi Ketner & Missy Kalicicki

Type: Ebook

Pages: 314

Published: February 18, 2014

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.

Review:  Going into this book I had absolutely no idea what I was getting myself into.  The plot of the novel, really reminded me of Dante’s Inferno, the sinners were separated by the crime that they committed and then branded with the sin upon there neck. For some reason I kept thinking of the 9 circles of hell, in regard to the 7 deadly sins. The sins were divided into pride (purple), wrath (red), greed (yellow), gluttony (orange), envy (green), sloth (black) and lust (blue). Our main character was accused of being lustful and therefore was branded with the blue color. Once inside the “Hole” which I like to connect with hell, Lexi our main protagonist was given a guard to protect her named Cole. From the very beginning of Cole’s and Lexi’s relationship, Cole is always protective and kind towards her. Cole’s job is to keep her in line, make sure she attends her daily duties and protects her from the other prisoners in the Hole. As they spend more and more time together the energy that is brewing between them becomes stronger and stronger, which is very dangerous not only for Lexi but Cole as well. The Commander, the leader of the Hole doesn’t take lightly to any romantic relationships established between sinner and gaurd. While Lexi is trying to survive, the “Hole” there is a war brewing and someone close to her may just be in the middle of it. Will Lexi and Cole be able to fight against the commander and free the sinners once and for all or will they be punished in the most horrible way for allowing themselves to feel?

I gave this book a 3 out 5 stars. I really enjoyed the plot but I felt that there were bits and pieces that weren’t quite fully developed. At times when I was reading I would stop and have to back track to try to make sense of what just happened. Besides from that I thought that the main characters where simply amazing. I loved Cole, he quickly got added onto my book crush list. I felt that the development of Cole’s and Lexi’s relationship was very relatable and was not rushed at all. I really enjoyed this because it really showed them really trying to fight against there emotions while letting parts of them win. Cole, through out the book just always had the right thing to say and was just a huge heartthrob for me. As for Lexi, I always tend to have a problem with main female characters because they are always are portrayed as weak and this defaintly not the case with Lexi. From the very beginning she was strong and powerful, which left the reader feeling prepared for whatever may come next in the book.

If you like suspense, and romance this is a must read holding onto your seat dystopian novel.  Thank you to the lovely authors and net galley for sending me a ARC.