Name: Branded (A Sinner Series)
Rating: 3.952380952380953 (21 reviews)
ISBN: 9781942664826

Missy Kalicicki

Abi Ketner

Branded (A Sinner Series)

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.

The Sinners Series

Branded

Megan Williams

The Plot. One of the main focuses of the book and what I think was a life lesson or moral of the story, was the seven deadly sins. There aren’t a lot of books that really approach the subject of this, but these two authors really manage to bring them into a story that can capture the reader’s attention and hold it captive long after the book is over. 

The way the authors wrote the book in first person by the character Lexi made the book so much more intense as the reader gets the opportunity to see the world that was created through the book in a personal experience. This book was definitely not lacking emotion as the authors write so much despair, and grief and hope into this book that it really takes a while to digest the multiple events in this book.The writing style was amazing and it really brought the book to life. I loved how the authors used the seven deadly sins to really add depth and intrigue to the book by focusing on some of the key points that we face in society today. 

Lexi & Cole. Lexi was a character that a lot of readers will connect with as she shows her strength as a girl put into several difficult positions. I loved how the authors made her into a character that was blind to how others saw her because it made her more unique and down-to-earth. Seeing the book through her eyes really brought the conflict to life and I really enjoyed how real the whole book felt.

Cole was so confusing because I was stuck between hating him for his position in Branded, but than he would confuse me with how he treated Lexi. I was never sure if her really cared for her because he was so ornery and would flip back and forth. I did love how Lexi reacted to him and how she felt like she could trust him yet held almost everything back. It was great seeing how they would protect each other yet not admit that they liked each other and respected each other.

Other Characters. One of my favorite characters (besides Lexi and Cole) was Alyssa Jenkins. She was such a darling girl and her situation was such a tragedy. I loved how she was brought out of her shell by Lexi, and how she brought Lexi so much fun and laughter even though there was plenty of heartbreak. It was great of the authors to make her almost a focal point because of how Alyssa’s situation affected later choices that Lexi made.

Another character that I liked was Dr. Sutton because he was always was one step ahead of everyone else and when his secret was revealed it was super surprising. I thought that he was a great help to Lexi and Cole and I loved how considerate and caring he was. It really helped when reading about the horrors of the Hole.

The End. I absolutely loved the ending because of all the big reveals. It was just one event after another and really brought this book to a great conclusion. I also loved the people that Lexi ends up reuniting with and I think it’s an interesting way to bring the book almost back to the beginning but in a new direction.

Alexandra Mellas

I received a copy of Branded from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, sometimes a book and a reader do not suit. I was very excited by Branded by self-publishing début authors Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki; I received an advance copy through Netgalley and got stuck in straight away. My excitement did not last and I did not finish the book.
The novel has a great premise – after the last World War, the Commander came to power and is forcing the populace to live under a stern set of rules – anyone who commits one of the seven deadly sins is arrested, branded and forced to work in the Hole. There’s a lot more to it (or so I assume from other reviews) but I only made it 33 pages in.
I have two reasons for putting down Branded:

 
   The heroine, Lexi, is melodramatic from the beginning – everything is harder and scarier for her, but she is superior to all the everyone around her in both understanding and strength. Or so she keeps telling us; I’m not interested in hearing Lexi’s thoughts on how wonderful she is, or how she has to be strong through this awful time. I want to see Lexi prove her strength by reacting to her tragic circumstances, it’s not enough to tell me that she can and then have her ‘lose it’ repeatedly. 
   There is a big difference between the styles of every author and as a reader you accept some styles are better than others. The writing styles in Branded did not suit me. This is a self-published novel, a brave undertaking but one that can leave your book open to flaws. There are a lot of problems with the phrasing: 
 


  “The door is partially covered, but it exists.” – This is not the Matrix – a spoon is just a spoon. You can’t hide something that doesn’t exist.


“I squint my eyes” – Really? By definition squint refers to your eyes – what else would Lexi be squinting?

My problem with Branded, publishing in its second edition on 28 June 2014, lies in the potential I see. Lexi could be a strong and passionate character with a little work. All those sentences that make me cringe could be fixed if they pushed their editor a little harder.

A self-publication like Branded is a wonderful achievement and I applaud Ketner and Kalicicki for their hard work and ambition. It’s wonderful to see the authors re-releasing the book with improvements but I’m disappointed that I’m not seeing the best work they can produce.

I may try this book again in the future – perhaps being in a different mood will help – but Branded has a lot of potential and I think it will be very well received.

Samantha

Where to start. I got this book as a free read from Month9Books, and boy am I glad I did. I found myself sucked in deep.
I love that it wasn't just a cheesy love story. It was dark and well thought out.
I love the relationship between Cole and Lexi, and I love that it wasn't insta-love. It was built nicely, although he just seems way too good to be true. it definitely seems like he has some secrets he's hiding that will come out in the next book.
I love Bruno and Sutton, I feel they were both great supportive roles throughout the book. and Zeus, my sweet drooling Zeus. 
I will say I was really saddened (view spoiler)[ with Keegan dying in the end  (hide spoiler)]. I was really hoping to see more of him later on. 
I really love it when a book is able to break my heart. This one definitely did it when they fulfill Alyssa's wish in the end. 
I was really pleased with this book, and i'm definitely adding it to my Favorites shelf. can't wait to read the next one

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

3.5 STARS

Branded was quite a thrill to read! It’s got a great, angsty forbidden love and a plot chock-full of intense action. It’s dark and gritty, and the authors hold nothing back. This is a young adult book, but there is death, gore, and murder, so just beware! If you think this is just a simple, clean dystopian, you’re going to be in for a shock. There is an incredible amount of violence in this book, which I really enjoyed, because the authors really make me feel for the main character, and for her pain.

In the world Lexi Hamilton lives in, there exists The Hole, the place where people are sent to when they are accused of displaying one of the seven deadly sins. Lexi is wrongfully accused of Lust, and is forced into The Hole, and is branded with a blue band around her neck. The blue represents lust, and there are different colors for each deadly sin. These brands dehumanize those who are marked, and even worse, The Hole is absolutely filthy. It’s dirty and grimy, and the people live there do anything and everything to survive, including killing others.

It’s so, so painful for Lexi to be taken to The Hole. She has an awful, tragic past, and even though she’s a good person, she’s closed off. Her heart can’t take any more pain in her life, and I felt so much for this girl. She’s been dealt a bad hand in life, but being sent to The Hole might just ironically be the best thing that could have happened to her. Lexi is assigned a guard, a gorgeous man named Cole. He’s tough on Lexi but he still treats her infinitely better than other guards would. Lexi and Cole have to spend time together, especially since they live in rooms right next to each other. Lexi sees him only as an untrustworthy guard working for the evil Commander, but she slowly starts to see the good, kind side of Cole. He has a good heart, he’s loyal, and he’s got a dog named Zeus!

Cole is such a sweetheart! He’s cold in the beginning of the book, and doesn’t see Lexi any differently from the other prisoners in The Hole, but as he gets to know her, he falls for her goodness, for her huge heart, and for her incredible courage. Because no matter how bad her situation is, Lexi always moves forward. Some things might bring her down, but she’ll get back up. I really admired Lexi, and I adored Cole for his sweet actions and words.

“You’re beautiful. That’s the problem.” He shuffles his feet and shifts his weight uncomfortably. “They can’t stop looking at you.” He glances up at me for a brief second before locking his gaze on something behind me. “And I understand why.” The words come out so soft I can barely hear them.

Sadly, the romance sort of tapered off during the second half of the book. I mean, I still really wanted Lexi and Cole to get their happily ever after, but it just wasn’t the main focus of the story anymore. At least for me it wasn’t. In the second half, I didn’t feel the same intensity between Lexi and Cole as I did in the first half. And the book shifted more towards the rebellion against The Commander and his soldiers. There’s some awesome action scenes, but things moved a little too fast for me near the end, so I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as I wanted to.

Branded has some twists and turns that kept me reading, and for dystopian fans, or even romance fans, this book is worthy a try. Cole is the sweetest, and Lexi is such a tough heroine. I give a 4 for the first half, and 3 for the second, so 3.5 stars!

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Genesis (@whisperingchapters)

I received the kindle version of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Since the book starts, it leaves the reader glued to the pages and wanting so much more. A few readers have said they didn't like Lexi's character because she was weak. I don't find her weak at all. The authors wrote her life in such great detail that you can feel every emotion she went through, every pain she endured. She is not a weak character. Lexi stayed true to what she believed in, she woke up every day hoping for a better future. I honestly believe Lexi is one of the strongest characters I have ever read.

Lexi is judged for being lustful, but it is a mistake, one that she can't escape from no matter how hard she tries. The government takes her to the Hole, which is where they keep the branded and where they work; let me tell you, it is not a place you want to work and/or live in. Seeing as Lexi has lust wrapped around her neck, she would've had the job of working as a prostitute, but she is being protected.

Enter Cole, Lexi's hot guard. He was given orders to protect Lexi but no one knows why, not even the reader until the very end. Cole started out to be a mysterious character, one that I couldn't figure out, but I love that because it made me want to keep reading and find out more about him. Lexi is attracted to Cole from the moment she sees him, and even more so when she sees him shirtless, which left me breathless when the scene described.

Lexi is Cole's assignment. His job is to make sure she isn't harmed. As mentioned before, Lexi has the brand of lust. When people notice her, they automatically see her as someone to have fun with, someone to use as a toy, but she obviously isn't like that. That is why Cole is there to protect her from harms way, from men AND women's dirty hands.

The story isn't centered in ONLY Lexi. Yes, the story is in her point of view, but it doesn't focus only on her. It focuses on everything as a whole. It focuses on the life in the Hole, how it is, how the people are, how the government treats those that are judged. It focuses on survival, trying to survive every day, not only for Lexi but for Cole, Sutton, the hospital doctor, Alyssa, a patient in the hospital that Lexi gets attached to... While it is in Lexi's point of view, she is not the center of attention, everyone and everything is.

As the story developed, I found myself drawn to every character, especially Cole and Lexi. I believe they got attached because they were a part of a few sane people in that place, plus Cole would be with her everyday and would spend time with her, leading him to see her for who she really is, not for the branding that dictates her life.
When I say this book has a climax that no one can expect, I mean it. When I found out who is the Commander and who tipped him off, I was mind blown completely. I totally did NOT see that coming; I got blind-sided. I enjoyed reading this book because the authors wrote the book with details. Those details were the ones that got me submerged into the Sinners world. I imagined every scenery, every character and felt every emotion the characters had. This doesn't happen with every book that I read. It is rare to find a book like this one.

Another reason why I love this book is because it is different than any other book I have ever read. The branding, the seven deadly sins, the government...everything was so new to me. I loved that I could enter a new world that I hadn't experienced before and you can too!

In a future where sinners are forced to live in deplorable conditions in a government-controlled area called the Hole, Lexi Hamilton is accused of the crime of lust, and she must fight for survival to escape her fate.

Branded (A Sinner Series)

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