Review: Branded by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

Title: Branded
Series: Sinners 1
Author: Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki
Publisher:  Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

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Goodreads 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.

What I thought:
Branded is a good book. It's a really good book and it has the potential to better than that, it just doesn't reach all the way. This one is hard to review because my heart doesn't agree with my head. I'll try to tell you why.

I loved the general story line.  The outlines of what happens make for a truly good book: Lexi finds the will live again, she meets Cole the guard, she starts working at the hospital, and so on, don't wanna spoil it. I just have minor issues with how it's done. Lexi is new to the hole, Cole is a guard at the hole. She knows nothing and he should be able to answer her questions, right? Wrong. Before the line between Cole's role as just a guard and as a friend is muddled she asks a lot of relevant questions that he, understandably, won't answer. The thing is, she asks why she is treated differently than all the other sinners, and he basically says " I got orders, I follow them without question". And that's it. She is treated differently and we never get to know why. Stuff like that bothers me.

So does their somewhat cheesy and fall-in-love-way-too-fast relationship. It's really not that bad, it's just a hangup of mine. I guess that's my biggest issue, Cole and Lexi's relationship. That or Lexi's weakness.

Lexi has hit rock bottom and she is unsure of her self, but she's still a bit to weak to be a character I can fall in love with. While she has some redeeming qualities, as her strong sense of empathy and her ability to love, I like Cole better.

When we get to the fight-for-what-you-believe-in part the book it gets a whole lot better! Suddenly the book picks up the pace and is full of adrenaline filled scenes. It adds friction between characters and Lexi goes from being meek to a become a character I can actually like for any other reason than her empathy. She stands up for her self and for those she cares about and she suddenly developed some balls, to be frank.

I've had this labeled as a four star review since I finished the book, because that's what my heart tells me. While reading it I really like it, but that's how I feel about most books. After having sat on it for a while and thinking for a bit I can't in all honestly give it four stars. It hurt's my heart but my brain just won't give in on this one. Stupid brain...

My rating:

About the author:
Abigail Ketner

Is a registered nurse with a passion for novels, the beaches of St. John, and her Philadelphia Phillies. A talented singer, Abi loves to go running and spend lots of time with her family. She currently resides in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, triplet daughters and two very spoiled dogs.

Melissa Kalicicki
Received her bachelor’s degree from Millersville University in 2003. She married, had two boys and currently lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Aside from reading and writing, her interests include running and mixed martial arts. She also remains an avid Cleveland sports fan.

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