What do you think?
Rate this book
Eleventh Commandment #4
Reclaimed
This is the FOURTH and FINAL episode in the full-length dystopian romance novel, The Eleventh Commandment.
On the heels of a global epidemic that killed mostly males, a Holy New Order has been ushered in. Thanks to a pharmacological mind-wipe and reprograming of the populace, females have been subjugated. They serve only as laborers, sex workers, or—for a “lucky” few—breeders.
Maree is the Prophet’s concubine, favored for her strong spirit. The injection failed to wipe her mind, a fact she conceals on pain of death. Her 16-year-old sister Zophia was recently identified as a breeder, which means an endless cycle of conceiving, incubating, delivering, and surrendering baby after baby. To spare her sister that fate, Maree strikes what she thinks is a killing blow to the Prophet and escapes with Zophia. They will have to elude not just soldiers, but the roaming bands of Reprobates, violent criminals turned loose from prisons into the wild to discourage such escapes.
The Prophet wants the women returned, but has a second agenda—locating Society Three, the rumored safe haven for those who defy the Holy New Order. If it exists, Maree will find it. The Prophet tasks Kallem Marsh, Captain of the First Guard, to follow the women to Society Three before arresting them.
When Reprobates threaten the women’s lives, Kallem is forced to reveal himself in order to save them. To carry out his mission, he then must persuade the two that he was cast out by the incensed Prophet, who blamed him for their escape. Maree doesn’t trust Kallem an inch, but they’re going to need his help to survive the journey through dangerous terrain.
Yet Maree remembers something from “before”, something Kallem does not—a shared desire that once scorched her teenage soul.
On the heels of a global epidemic that killed mostly males, a Holy New Order has been ushered in. Thanks to a pharmacological mind-wipe and reprograming of the populace, females have been subjugated. They serve only as laborers, sex workers, or—for a “lucky” few—breeders.
Maree is the Prophet’s concubine, favored for her strong spirit. The injection failed to wipe her mind, a fact she conceals on pain of death. Her 16-year-old sister Zophia was recently identified as a breeder, which means an endless cycle of conceiving, incubating, delivering, and surrendering baby after baby. To spare her sister that fate, Maree strikes what she thinks is a killing blow to the Prophet and escapes with Zophia. They will have to elude not just soldiers, but the roaming bands of Reprobates, violent criminals turned loose from prisons into the wild to discourage such escapes.
The Prophet wants the women returned, but has a second agenda—locating Society Three, the rumored safe haven for those who defy the Holy New Order. If it exists, Maree will find it. The Prophet tasks Kallem Marsh, Captain of the First Guard, to follow the women to Society Three before arresting them.
When Reprobates threaten the women’s lives, Kallem is forced to reveal himself in order to save them. To carry out his mission, he then must persuade the two that he was cast out by the incensed Prophet, who blamed him for their escape. Maree doesn’t trust Kallem an inch, but they’re going to need his help to survive the journey through dangerous terrain.
Yet Maree remembers something from “before”, something Kallem does not—a shared desire that once scorched her teenage soul.
85 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 11, 2015
17 people want to read
About the author
Norah Wilson
32 books415 followersA USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and paranormal romance, Norah lives in Fredericton, New Brunswick, with her husband, two adult children, two dogs (Ruby and Neva) and two cats (Ruckus and Milo).
Norah is a three-time finalist in the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest. In 2003, she won Dorchester Publishing's New Voice in Romance contest.
In addition to writing romance, Norah also writes in the mystery and YA genres with writing partner Heather Doherty. The mystery is the cozy variety, not the thriller variety (they dare you to read a Dix Dodd mystery and not laugh out loud).
Norah is a three-time finalist in the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart contest. In 2003, she won Dorchester Publishing's New Voice in Romance contest.
In addition to writing romance, Norah also writes in the mystery and YA genres with writing partner Heather Doherty. The mystery is the cozy variety, not the thriller variety (they dare you to read a Dix Dodd mystery and not laugh out loud).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 15, 2016
I dont understed very much the history but is very good
Read
May 6, 2015This novel is a four part (60-80 page) serial... My review will be for the novel as a whole.
The author did an excellent job sucking the reader into the dystopian world and helping the reader to feel the plight of women in the story. Her scenes are vivid, but her writing is nuts and bolts... Reminded me somewhat of "Under The Never Sky."
This is a world taken hold by religious zealots after a global epidemic decimated the population. A prophet was hailed. Nonbelievers were chemically brainwashed. Colonies erected. Women were blamed and enslaved as whores, workers, or breeders.
Maree, the prophet's personal whore, and her sister escape to find a rumored safe haven of freedom, Society Three. Kallem, a soldier, is sent to track the girls in hopes that they'll lead to this Society Three. Kallem and Maree have a complex past, one in which only one of them is able to remember.
As the dangers of the journey present themselves, Kallem is unable to silently track the women. They must decide to trust his offer to help them further escape and protect them, or take their chances with the immediate danger of rapist and murdering reprobates stalking the area. He must decide what his intentions are once his mission of finding Society Three is over - turn them over to be killed or refute everything he's been brainwashed for years to believe.
The journey is excellent. The characters are dimensional and believable. The story is commanding and flows smoothly and quickly.
I had three complaints for the author:
First, is the "gift" storyline of the book, with healers, seers, and such. It was very difficult to believe such a 'collection' existed to Society Three, but Zophia appeared to be alone in her ability at the Prophet's compound. Hard sell on the para aspect the way it was written.
Second, I had a problem with the female MC and Society Three lumping all the soldiers as "bad" and being willing to kill first and ask questions later. The guard at the end was killed without question, nor threat. They, like Kallem, were brainwashed and had their memories erased. If Kallem, didn't have the journey to discover the 'truth' and the person he was and wants to be again, then he too would've followed orders without question, he too would've appeared cold and unfeeling. He, too, made mistakes... But he was given opportunity to change and be forgiven. Didn't the other soldiers deserve at least that same chance to see the truth?!? So, it was disheartening, counterproductive to the whole " we take care of all - sick, injured, weak, strong, male, female' moral standard of Society Three when they discount these soldiers have been brainwashed and are willing to automatically assume them all worthy of death for the deeds they've done while BRAINWASHED!
Lastly, the end just wasn't gratifying if this is a stand alone. So many lose ends left untied, and by damn if it don't end on a cliffhanger. The blurb "fourth and final episode in the full-length dystopian romance novel" leads you to believe this is a stand alone. I like transparency; if this serial is part of a larger collection, then FUCKING say so in the blurb!!!!! It makes me hesitate to start anything else by the author for fear of winding up in the same situation of an unfinished series!! Authors hurt themselves in the long run with lack of transparency, honesty. I never read any works, knowingly at least, that isn't fully complete. I don't like being distraught about waiting for months or years to FINISH a story!
The author did an excellent job sucking the reader into the dystopian world and helping the reader to feel the plight of women in the story. Her scenes are vivid, but her writing is nuts and bolts... Reminded me somewhat of "Under The Never Sky."
This is a world taken hold by religious zealots after a global epidemic decimated the population. A prophet was hailed. Nonbelievers were chemically brainwashed. Colonies erected. Women were blamed and enslaved as whores, workers, or breeders.
Maree, the prophet's personal whore, and her sister escape to find a rumored safe haven of freedom, Society Three. Kallem, a soldier, is sent to track the girls in hopes that they'll lead to this Society Three. Kallem and Maree have a complex past, one in which only one of them is able to remember.
As the dangers of the journey present themselves, Kallem is unable to silently track the women. They must decide to trust his offer to help them further escape and protect them, or take their chances with the immediate danger of rapist and murdering reprobates stalking the area. He must decide what his intentions are once his mission of finding Society Three is over - turn them over to be killed or refute everything he's been brainwashed for years to believe.
The journey is excellent. The characters are dimensional and believable. The story is commanding and flows smoothly and quickly.
I had three complaints for the author:
First, is the "gift" storyline of the book, with healers, seers, and such. It was very difficult to believe such a 'collection' existed to Society Three, but Zophia appeared to be alone in her ability at the Prophet's compound. Hard sell on the para aspect the way it was written.
Second, I had a problem with the female MC and Society Three lumping all the soldiers as "bad" and being willing to kill first and ask questions later. The guard at the end was killed without question, nor threat. They, like Kallem, were brainwashed and had their memories erased. If Kallem, didn't have the journey to discover the 'truth' and the person he was and wants to be again, then he too would've followed orders without question, he too would've appeared cold and unfeeling. He, too, made mistakes... But he was given opportunity to change and be forgiven. Didn't the other soldiers deserve at least that same chance to see the truth?!? So, it was disheartening, counterproductive to the whole " we take care of all - sick, injured, weak, strong, male, female' moral standard of Society Three when they discount these soldiers have been brainwashed and are willing to automatically assume them all worthy of death for the deeds they've done while BRAINWASHED!
Lastly, the end just wasn't gratifying if this is a stand alone. So many lose ends left untied, and by damn if it don't end on a cliffhanger. The blurb "fourth and final episode in the full-length dystopian romance novel" leads you to believe this is a stand alone. I like transparency; if this serial is part of a larger collection, then FUCKING say so in the blurb!!!!! It makes me hesitate to start anything else by the author for fear of winding up in the same situation of an unfinished series!! Authors hurt themselves in the long run with lack of transparency, honesty. I never read any works, knowingly at least, that isn't fully complete. I don't like being distraught about waiting for months or years to FINISH a story!
March 20, 2015
Good series
This is my type of dystopian fiction. Recommend this series highly. Only reason I didn't give.it 5 stars was because of the telepathy aspect. I'm not big on supernatural powers that manifest after an apocalypse or plague. Otherwise, great.
This is my type of dystopian fiction. Recommend this series highly. Only reason I didn't give.it 5 stars was because of the telepathy aspect. I'm not big on supernatural powers that manifest after an apocalypse or plague. Otherwise, great.
June 22, 2016
the book gets you completely down and worship the cover
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews