E

E #1

by Kate Wrath

Life is harsh. It makes no exceptions. Not even for the innocent.

Outpost Three: a huddle of crumbling buildings choked by a concrete wall. Cracked pavement, rusted metal, splintering boards. Huge robotic Sentries police the streets, but the Ten Laws are broken every time one turns its back.

Eden is determined, smart, and a born survivor. Stripped of her memories and dumped on the streets of the Outpost, slavers and starvation are only the beginning of her problems. A devastating conflict is coming that threatens to consume her world and tear her newfound family apart.

*This is an alternate cover edition of ASIN B00K4EOTT0.

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Young Adult, Fiction, Post Apocalyptic, Fantasy, Amazon

ebook

First published May 3, 2014

About the author

Kate Wrath is a sci-fi/fantasy author from southwestern New Mexico. She has written two series: The E Series, and Fairytale Evolution.


Kate believes in literature as an art form, world peace, and animal rights, but aspires to write total trash that is full of senseless violence, with characters who eat house pets.

Reviews

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author for an honest review (R&R).

I am in complete love with this book! Eden, our main character, who is not that typical girl that is just stupid, ignorant, obnoxious, selfish or self-centered. Eden is beyond better. She is strong, brave, loving, understanding, and NOT STUCK UP! She understands what it means to be put in a certain position, no whining, no complaining, no crying over stupid things; no, Eden knows when to shut up, knows what is expected. Like the scene when Eden interferes with Matt almost killing Coyote Dan and Matt hits her before one of his men stabs her. She does not cry, pout, get revenge, ignores Matt, or tries to act like nothing happens. Matt tells her if she knows why he hit her, Eden response with "yes" that is all!! No hateful comments, not bickering, Eden knows what she did and knows she is wrong. I just love Eden.

Jonas, oh Jonas, how i love your awkward staring and your dedication and your need to keep Eden safe. However, my friend, I hate your secrets, your quietness, your alliance, the way you did not help Oscar, and the fact that there is waaaaaay more between the you and Eden then just what the tattoos imply. Have you ever heard of 'secrets, secrets are no fun, unless you tell everyone?'

Apollon is just my favorite male character! i just hate how he disappears throughout the middle and even the end of the book. Once he was stabbed, i did not read about him much....

Matt! why oh why can you not work fast enough into Eden's heart! i can see the jealousy but no action!The attraction is just so obvious!

Poor Oscar, poor Neveah, and poor Miranda (and very, very intelligent Miranda).

This word Kate Wrath has created is so amazing! The only negative comment i have is that this amazing world with incredible description lacks understanding development. With saying that, i did not know where and what was going on from the start. Even though, this may sound contradicting, the world development throughout the novel was fantastic, the before just confused me. like what is being erased? How has these mafia-like cults existed? Who has invented these machines?

Eden has been erased, yet slowly she can remember things only in instances, like her feelings for Jonas or how she destroyed the police-like machines.

I am just so excited for the squeal! E was a fantastic read, with amazing characters and writing that just draws you in. Kate Wrath is an incredible writer who knows how to capture our minds. She glues us in right from the start with Eden in the box.

Kate Wrath has created this world with so many turns, twists, heartbreaks, awes, smiles, tears, and adventure. I cannot find no reason to not recommend such a captivating book that was written by an author who can write.

Character development, personalities, description, vividness, suspense, adventure, mystery, romance development, climax, war, love, all were hand woven by Kate Wrath herself to create E.

My E is for excited (for the sequel), what's yours?

Kate Wrath

[Elizabeth Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read my fair share of sci-fi, fantasy and dystopian novels, and as a whole they are not my favourite genres. I find many of them overly complex, character's names convoluted and the whole thing too much effort. This is certainly not the case with this novel.
It captured my imagination from the very first sentence and held it until the very last.
Eden, as the main character, is complex and well-rounded, and eminently believable, an the other characters are equally well-drawn.In the protagonist, Matt, Wrath creates is a heady mix of violence and attraction, and he is far from stereotypical.
The story is full of mystery and shadowed corners, and much is left for the reader to guess at. The novel is at once fast paced, and yet full of introspection. It is beautifully written, the author sculpting images from words with ease.
There is little revealed in this first book, leaving much to be developed in subsequent novels. And I, for one, can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

[Michelle Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! Kate Wrath has created a unique dystopian world in which any law breaker is 'erased', the memory of who they once were gone and they awake a blank slate. This is what happens to Eden.
She wakes up in an alleyway in the Outpost instinctively knowing she must hide from the slavers and the robot sentries if she is to survive. Starving, desperate and wounded, her struggle to stay sane and alive over the next little while is beautifully written and you cannot help but feel her fear, pain and desperation.
She finally finds a place to belong when she meets up with Jonas, Apollon, Miranda, Oscar and Neveah, a group of survivors who have banded together to form their own version of a family. They are all wonderful, well developed characters and I especially liked the wise cracking Apollon and the sweet, sweet Oscar. They added the much needed lightness to an otherwise very dark novel.
With her new family she can at least feel safe, if only for a bit since she soon finds out war is coming to the outpost. I like the fact that Wrath did not do a simple good vs evil storyline here. Both sides of this war could probably be defined better as bad or worse, the outcome depending on which one of the two villains that will gain control.
I have to say I could not put this book down and read it in one sitting. My only minor complaint would be the world building. I had so many unanswered questions about the world before. And about Eden and Jonas but I hope the author will answer all of them in the sequel. So many questions Ms Wrath so get to writing 'cause I need to know!! :)
I was given this book in exchange for my honest review. 5 out of 5 stars for E! Cannot wait for the next book.

[Val. · Rating 2 out of 5]

MEH.

I was pretty underwhelmed with this one, which was pretty disappointing. The reviews have all been 4-5 stars and people were raving how good this was. I don't think I read the same book as them. There was nothing in this book that grabbed me and sucked me in. I was hoping for a mind blowing read and I didn't get that. I enjoyed the last chapter the best and that is the one and only chapter that makes me kind of want to figure out what happens next. I might continue with the series, I'm not sure yet. I'm in no rush to do so though.

[Zee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

E was good.

I think the most refreshing thing about it was that I actually liked the main character (shocking I know), especially considering the YA characters I've dealt with in previous books. But Eden was smart and courageous and caring, she didn't just blindly follow others she thought things through and decided what to do on her own. She understood what it took to survive and even though it could get a little gruesome at times she did it.

First impressions:

When I first started I didn't know what to expect, I had no idea where Kate Wrath was going to take this story and even though there were some heartbreaking moments :'( I could see how they contributed. It was written really well and there were definitely some lines that left me laughing.

The setting:

There could have been a little more world-development. We know that this story is set some time into the future in a dystopian world that's falling apart. We know that there are sentries and a basic set of rules to follow or else you'll be erased. We don't know much else. I believe the author plans to clarify things in the sequal. And honestly the setting for me doesn't matter as much as the story and the characters themselves.

The characters:

They were distinct and actually formed connections with each other. They looked out for one another and the love between them couldn't be ignored. Something that somewhat bothered me was Eden's disinterest in finding out more about her previous life and who she was. There are some moments when she thinks about this but they are few, I understand why she didn't go deeper into it and this was explained, but it would've been more believable to me had she given it more thought. Of course of all the characters Oscar has a special place with me.

The romance:

Of course there's a romance, I need a little romance in my books. At first I actually could not completely tell who the love interest was, there was more than one possibility. Not to say that all these men are in love with Eden and she has to choose, no it's not like that. Eden forms connections and friendships, she becomes close to them and I found myself switching sides once or twice. I have to say that even though Matt is evil, I can't help but love him.


When it comes to reading I can get a little impatient and this can lead to skimming or just abandoning a book altogether. This didn't happen with E, I actually finished it within one day of starting it and can't wait to see how Wrath plans on finishing up the series.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy for an honest review.
wow oh wow. this book is amazing! this is a must read! eden isn't your typical main character in this dark dystopian world. nor are her friends. this is a world I just can not get enough of.

[Anka · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually read sci-fi. Or dystopian. I'm more of a happy reader, looking for rainbows and unicorns. What made me read (and love, and put the author on my top favorite authors list) "E" were the first paragraphs that the author, Kate Wrath, posted on her website. The power and the beauty of the dark, poetic language won me over, reminding me of some of my favorite poets. And once you start reading this book, trust me, you cannot stop.

The storyline is constructed around three main themes: hope and the loss of it, character destruction and rebuilding, and the battle between good and evil. Actually, I would rephrase the last one as "the battle between evil and less evil", because we are talking about a world where nothing is good or innocent, and one has to choose between worse and the worst.
The main plot revolves around the main character and what she has to do to survive. I think the main fights take place in her heart and mind, not in the outside world. On the outside, though, there are events and struggles that create an endless web of sub-plots. A simple accident (getting a piece of glass stuck in Eden's foot) creates a whole side-story that lasts through chapters. Characters rise and die, taking their stories with them. The beginning of one sub-plot sometimes resolves the other, but in general, there are two or three going on at the same time.

The novel is written in first person, present tense, from the main character's point of view. That gives you the chance to discover the world that she is dumped in together with her, as you start on the same level: neither you, nor the character knows what that world is like in the beginning.

Kate Wrath's characters are alive. You see them, feel them, bond with them and discover their world through their eyes. The main character is "reborn", nameless, in a hopeless world. She has no memories, no past, no future. Later on, she names herself Eden. Since the story is written from her point of view, the reader bonds with her deeply; you end up liking what she likes and hating what she hates. Eden is a complex character that learns, discovers, adapts and evolves very fast. Think of a new-born child forced to become a grown-up in a matter of days. What I like is that, even if her memories were erased, her sense of morality remained intact. She always tries to do the right thing, in this world where being correct lessens your chances of survival. This also leads to inner struggles, when she has to choose a side to fight on or choose among friends. The author pays the same attention to secondary characters: Apollon, Jonas, Miranda, Neveah, and my favorite, Oscar (which make up her new family); and Matt, the "god" of the Outpost, a very controversial character that you hate and love in the same time. All these characters have depths that I have rarely seen in a sci-fi writing.

As you would expect from a sci-fi/dystopian novel, the setting is crucial to the events that take place and to character development. What renders "E" different from other books in the same genre is the lack of direct description, the lack of dwelling on the subject. Everything happens in Outpost Three, but that is all you will know about it. You do not find out where it is situated, in what year, how big or small it is, and you do not need to, because it is not essential to the storyline. It is the dark atmosphere that the author creates that lets you in what the Outpost is all about. She does not describe the rags that people are wearing, but tells you that the leading groups have fewer holes in their clothing; she does not try to tell you what hunger feels like, but that "even the mold tastes good". Kate Wrath creates a world where being pretty is a curse, where you sell yourself for a crust of moldy bread, where the only way to "get rich" is to strip a corpse of its belongings, where menace comes in many shapes and from many sides, "the bottom of humanity's barrel".

Modern poetry are the words that define Kate Wrath's style. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love it. Fragmented sentences; rich, descriptive vocabulary; attention to details and, especially, to feelings; dialogue as a main source of characterization – these are just a few things that describe this author's style. She lets the train of thought go, makes you think what the character thinks, and the thoughts come into your head not through words, but through this poetic language that enables it. A language that speaks to your subconscious, demanding to let go and embrace your feelings, and be part of this grim universe.
I will give you only one example: "Tepid air. Tepid metal. The inability to move. Limbs pressing outward, ineffective. My ribcage curled in on itself. No room to breathe. The back of my skull smashed against the box. Neck and spine aching. Heavy limbs. Not enough space. Not enough air. Suffocating. Dying." Get the drift?

Obviously, I recommend this book to sci-fi and dystopian readers, poetry lovers, readers in search of a good thriller or a good book in general. But I warn you: this book is not for the weak hearted.

[Laquesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent an e-galley of this book by the author and to be honest, the book really didn't sound like something I normally would read but I was like "Hey, why not?". Long story short, I read the book and I loved the book. The writing style in this novel was really nice, it was beautifully descriptive and kind of poetic, actually. The world and the premise of this novel were...interesting, really grungy and scary, I would die if I lived in this world but it was intriguing to read about. The main thing that sold me on this novel was the characters who were just unbelievably amazing!

I have a major problem with writing styles; it is the thing that can make or break a book for me. Some writers choose to be overly-descriptive which bores me to death and some writers choose to be lax in descriptive approach which annoys me so much and makes me want to bang my head against a wall. For me, it's either there's too much description or too little description but I think that E was somewhere in the middle and I liked it because it didn't go down to the T describing the consistency of lint but it also didn't leave me confused. There was also a sort of poetry to the writing and everything flowed and was pretty. I just could not stop reading because the way in which it was written made you want to read more, if that makes sense.

The world that Kate Wrath built in this novel was original and I loved it. I felt as if it was perfectly described and the things that weren't fully explained were left that way to provide a sense of mystery and suspense and it worked because I am filled with anxiety, waiting for the next book. I thought that there was just enough world building, not too much so as to overpower the actual plot of the story but enough to keep the reader informed. The world was so action-packed and kickass and overall, just cool, there was never a dull moment while reading this, there was always some factor in the book that kept the reader's thought flowing along the lines of "What's next?" and I tend to get bored and distracted easily while reading so I was thankful that the premise was quite interesting.

I loved the characters in E! They were just so developed and actually had depth which is usually my problem with dystopian novels. The authors usually focus so much on the world and introducing it that they forget about the other important things like character development. These characters are basically my homies now, like yeah, we're friends. My favourite characters in the book were Eden (the badass), Matthew (the thug, kind of), Jonas (the smart one) and Oscar(the kid). Eden was the perfect female protagonist, she did not need a man to save her (though Matt kind of helped her out a few times but still...), she had a knife and she gambled and she was my girl! She's high up on my list of favourite female protagonists, now, yay! I do not know what it is about Matt that makes me like him because he's kind of a horrible person most of the time. But then, there's the other times when he is extremely sympathetic, nice and likable! He is just so...HOT! But, he's mine so...back off! Jonas is extremely bipolar sometimes, you never know with him but he's really wise and the kind of guy you would want to have as your friend if aliens ever invade earth; he'd be sure to come up with a plan. Finally, Oscar who is the cutest thing alive and I cannot really get into any major detail about the pain I feel right now without spoiling you but he is just amazing! The characters were the story, I was reading it for them, they were captivating, funny and really lovable.

My enjoyment of this book cannot fully be described with English words, there are some incoherent sounds and fangirl screams up in there but know that it was a good book, a great book, an amazing start to what looks to be an amazing dystopian series and you should read it. Read it now. Go to Amazon and just buy it, support the author because this is a self-published book, a great one that I think the entire YA community needs to know about. For all the reasons listed above, I gave this book five stars and I think you will to when you read it.

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a futuristic society, people guilty of crimes are captured by the robotic police and erased. All that is left in their heads are the laws of the world and a mark on their forehead before they are dumped into one of the outposts to fend for themselves. Eden finds herself dumped in outpost three, where she knows almost nothing, except her will to survive and the feeling that she is looking for something.
I really enjoyed this book. In a world full of dystopians, this was so incredibly original. I love this genre, and read almost every book I can get my hands on, and I was pretty dang shocked by the author’s ability to create something so new. This book was original and unexpected. That being said, this book was a very hard read. Not because I didn’t like it or enjoy the world that was built, but because it was really dark and dense. If you are looking for butterflies and rainbows, turn back now. This book predominantly dealt with survival at any cost, death, destruction, slavery, hunger, abuse, theft and murder. It was not at all an uplifting story, even when I got to the end, but I still hung on to every word. The author was able to create such a world using in depth descriptions and emotions, that I was there right along with Eden. I felt like everything that happened to her I could see, let alone feel. I am impressed with the writing and look forward to more from this author and the rest of the series.
Eden was a hot mess. Half the time she does things and she is not really sure why she did it. She was confused, yet motivated by a feeling she had no idea where it came from. I enjoyed her levelheadedness (in most situations) and her loyalty to her friends. There were so many times where she was willing to sacrifice her life to help them, at one point even rejoiced at the idea that she would not have to deal with this life anymore. And man, what a terrible life she has been living, at least since she was erased. I was so frustrated for the first half of the book when she kept saying that she had a mark on her forehead and it matched others marks, but would never reveal what it was. When it was finally revealed, everything made a lot more sense to me. I rooted for Eden, even when I did not necessarily agree with the choices she made. I was really happy though when Miranda and Eden became good friends, because everything was so touchy between them for so long. They are a good team.
Let’s talk about Jonas and Matt for a minute. Jonas and Eden have this connection that neither of them understand, yet he pushes her away every chance and has a thing with Miranda. I didn’t really like Jonas, even though in theory I know he is one of the “good guys”. I could not believe that Jonas was willing to hide Eden forever as if that was a possible option. Matt on the other hand, I am completely aware is a bad man, but I liked him. I really want Eden to be his “queen”, and stop resisting him. Together they could make the Outpost a livable place. I almost melted when Matt took in Oscar and tried to do right by him for Eden. Matt is tough, but I think Eden is his heart.
I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next, especially since there was not really an ending here and so many questions are left open.
I received this book from the author and Goodreads in exchange for my honest review.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

The robotic Sentries are our government. They are here to protect us; to enforce justice that the humans can’t. Last but not least they uphold the 10 Laws of the New World Covenant.

The 2nd law was designed for those who don’t share in the same political beliefs as the government.
The cities are in shambles. There is filth, trash, vermin & rot everywhere. PPL wander from outpost/outpost (1-4) & suffer from poverty & lack of basic needs. It is also the survival of the fittest 24/7.

The 4th law is Slavery. It is illegal but no one seems to be immune from it.
Peddlers & Recyclers trade/barter. Defiantly not in the customers best interest.

The 10th law forbids you from finding out your former identity.

The 3rd law bans religion or spiritual practice except within a private building.
Eden’s frequent hangout is Rustler (bar). Playing cards is becoming a habit.
Donegan, Pete Sumter (butcher shop), Lloyd (makes metal tools), Jacob Lane & Taylor Lane (peddlers, gamblers) are in the poker game. Arthur Adner is the barkeep. Eden (narrator) finally wins a substantial amount.

Blondie (Apollon) & Green-eyes (Jonas) escort me out. They are supposed to protect Eden but they seem to want a bigger piece of the pie.
Eden later meets Miranda, Oscar, & Neveah (f, herbalist).

The family group votes & wants her to stay.

Next day Apollon, Jonas, & Oscar take Eden to get her a knife.
At the next poker game it is Eden, Sumter, Lloyd, Taylor, Julian Moore, Jacob & Coyote Dan (knife dealer.

The 8th law forbids you from altering your body in anyway.
The next poker game it is Eden, Sumter, & Sarah. Things didn’t go as planned but Eden still wins.

Eden gets brave & goes to Rustler by herself. She finally meets Matt (Matthew).

Who is Matt?
Who is Grey?
How will the relationship between Matt & Eden turn out?
Who will survive who will perish?

This book brought back some memories. For 9 yrs. I worked with those type of PPL: the homeless, vagabonds, Gypsy’s, migrant workers, displaced & transients.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written dystopian book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make great dystopian movie, animated cartoon, or mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free book (Goodreads; PDF)
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Nicola Dorrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, where can I start on this book?

Firstly, I couldn't put it down. I had so much work to do the day I was reading this, but I honestly ended up getting nothing done, because I got completely sucked into the world Wrath has created in this book.

Right from the first page we find ourselves in this dark, dreary, and rather horrible version of the future. Without giving too much away in this version of the future all law is enforced by a kind of A.I robot called Sentries who bring down swift justice upon anyone breaking the law. The punishment is being Erased - having your entire identity wiped and dumped back into the world with no former knowledge. Interestingly, the Sentries do not seem to distinguish between levels of law breaking. Stealing a piece of bread is equal to killing a man in their eyes.

The main character, Eden, has suffered this punishment, and when we first meet her it's after having just been erased and waking with no memory of who she is.

That's all the plot I'm going to give you, as I don't want to give anything away. But suffice to say that you get caught up, with Eden, in trying to make sense of this world she finds herself in.

Eden herself is a very interesting character. She's a survivor. That much is clear pretty early on, but she just keeps developing through the story, which I loved.

The rest of the characters are equally fascinating. Jonas is the most prominent secondary character, but I have to admit that I fell in love with the cocky, smooth-talking Apollon. If I woke up in that world he's definitely the guy I'd want to make friends with ;)

The plot itself is not exactly fast paced, but it rolls along at a good speed. There are two main threads to this book, Eden's journey of discovering who she is, and the more immediate deteriorating conditions of the 'town' where they live. And they intertwine quite nicely.

If there were any faults in this book it is that the ending left everything hanging. I know there's a second book coming, but I hate having to wait. I wish a few more questions could have been answered in this book. There were also a few little moments where the prose became a little flowery for me, but that's completely a personal thing, and it didn't detract from the awesomeness of the book.

Basically though this is all my way of saying, go read this book, read it now!

[Levian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden woke up in a metal box, with no memories. she pushed herself forward, scavenging for food and collecting coins with the hope of changing her current situation. starved and threatened, she did all she could just to survive. one thing led to another, she ended up at a card game, fighting against the dangerous people. Apollon was there, a guy who secretly understood what she was going through. upon winning the game, he brought Eden back to their shelter, shared among a handful of people. together they formed an unlikely family, supporting each other through the harsh lifestyle.

I received a free e-book from the author in exchange for a review. when I started reading the book, I was skeptical for I was no huge fan of highly detailed descriptions that tend to go on and on, losing me along the way. but as I progressed further down the page, I soon found myself hypnotized by the exact details and fell head over toes over Eden. despite the highly imaginary backdrop, Eden made everything relatable. I felt her pain and fear, shedding tears while she bawled her eyes out. every time I was forced to part with the book, my mind remained in it, as if I was walking the same street she walked, visiting the same bar she frequented. her relationship with the men she met were such mysteries, Jonah and Apollon, even Matt was a very attractive character. although being labeled as the villain, like Eden, I couldn’t find myself to hate him. I couldn’t wait to lay my hands on the second book. this is most probably one of those series that i will find myself reading until the very end.

my review: here

[Tess · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not since I read Cassandra Clare have I felt so much in the minority of reviewers. I wanted to read the 4+ star book that everyone else read, but this one just didn't gel for me.

There was waaaay too much tease here and not enough reveal. Yes, I realize this is the first in a series. But by the end of the book we have learned that Eden has some mad skills, and we've gotten a really good feel for the local power struggle. That's about it. Everything else is a piece of a mystery.

I think this would have been a better book if told via 2 POVs. Eden's internal monologue gets super repetitive. As one might expect of someone who has had her memory erased and is struggling to remember. But it doesn't make for great fiction.

One more rather small plot point...There's a reason tons of people without antibiotics die from minor wounds. Treatment with an herb poultice soaked in water from a puddle is not going to stop infection and sepsis. Just saying.

[These Violent Delights (Robin) · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Note: I recieved a copy of this book from the author on a R2R basis*

Let's just take a minute to stare at this gorgeous cover! I just adore this cover.

Okay, now onto my review of this gorgeous book.

I loved this whole book! It was just fantastic in every way. The characters were well developed ane understandable. I loved Eden, she was everything I like in a main character. I love the genre dystopia, so this book was right up my alley. The world that Kate Wrath created in this book is a world that I'd love to live in. Also, the world created in this book was completely original and a new fresh take in the dystopia genre.

I really can't wait to read book two in this E series. I know that it'll be just as fantastic as this one was.

[Pol Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

E is moving, exciting, surprising and engaging. The characters journey through a physical world that is harsh and an emotional world that is always changing, sometimes frightening and bleak, sometimes funny and warm. They react realistically, humanly, to a beautifully rendered host of experiences as they ride the roller coaster of life in outpost 3.

I loved this book. I read it twice, even better the second time around. It is clever, well written and well paced.

If there were more stars than five, I would give them.

[Dodger · Rating 2 out of 5]

I started to feel that one page was a duplicate of all the preceding ones. A great deal of sadness and drama which never really reached the next stage, as if they were walking in the same place the whole story. I finally quit after giving the book a fair chance, so I'm not sure if I missed the best parts or made the right decision.

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...

Squirreling books on my e-reader, I was keen to see what was on my final page… alas, this book seemed to have been at the back for a reason.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review first appeared on my blog: What Happened to the Wallflower?

Cover-I adore the use of the robot hand that's holding the lily. It's the kind of concept that I wouldn't ever expect to see, but I think the effect of that part of the image is absolutely breathtaking.

The image behind it, though, of the alley blends with the hand a bit, so I have to question the placement of it. I also wish that the title was a little more visible, and the author name a little less. This would have made the center image-the robot hand with the lily-and the title work together to create one comprehensive cover for the book.

Still. That concept with the hand and the lily. I love just thinking about it.

★★★☆☆

Narrative-This book is told in the first person POV from the perspective of Eden, the self-named protagonist of the novel. To sum it up, I can say that Eden's voice is breathtaking and hauntingly beautiful, particularly within the first few chapters of the book (although it remains that way throughout the entire thing, as well).

I point out the first few chapters, in particular, since this is where it's basically just Eden. There's no dialogue (with the exception of a few lines), so the entire opening is what Eden is doing to survive, her thoughts, and her thought processes, and the entire time I read it I couldn't help but notice that Wrath gave Eden an incredible voice, able to describe any situation and feeling with incredible detail and accuracy.

This pattern remains constant, even after Eden meets the band of misfits that become her family; if anything, it becomes even stronger as her emotions become anchored in those people who take her in. It's poetic, in a way, without weighing the narrative down, and there were a number of times that I couldn't help but stop and be insanely jealous that Wrath's writing was so fantastic and beautiful.

★★★★★

Plot-Wrath's 'E' is everything I love in a futuristic world where nothing goes right. There's death everywhere, people literally fighting to survive on a daily basis, alliances that have to be forged and broken just to stay alive...the best part? Things only ever get worse. There literally is no "better."

Even after Eden is off the streets, things can only go well for so long. The initial fight for survival is over, but then the stakes rise when food becomes basically nonexistent; this is where troubles begin to rise not only within Outpost Three, but between Outpost Three and Outpost Two, who is ruled by an even worse anarchist than the one who controls Three. Begin trouble.

Despite all of this, I love the angle that Wrath took: Eden is only slightly involved in the actual planning and fighting, and more concerned with navigating alliances between people she cares about and doesn't want to lose. She's trying not to starve to death, and she's trying to make sure that her new family doesn't starve to death. Even though she has no clue who she was before being "erased" (the term used to refer to the process in which first-time offenders of the law are completely stripped of everything they had before that point: their memories), she focuses on the future. At one point we learn what might be her name (I'm still wondering if that really is her name or not, or if it'll come up later), and yet there is very little of Eden focusing on that, since there's other things that steal her attention.

This book is about survival in a world where every choice is the wrong one. Eden may want to save everybody, but she can't even save herself.

Simply: I loved it.

I will point out that there isn't a lot to be learned about where the Sentries came from (giant robot things that are more effective than police, in some ways), or how the process of being "erased" actually works, or even how that system was administrated in the first place. What I find incredible is that these were things I didn't think about until after I read the book, and they still aren't a problem for me. Wrath literally puts the reader in the middle of Outpost Three and makes us appreciate not the struggles of the "system," but of the people struggling to survive in the middle of it.

★★★★★

Characters-Shoot, I have no clue where to even begin with these guys.

I'm not even kidding I don't know where to begin. I guess from the beginning?

Eden is our kickass main character. She literally wakes up, and within five minutes saves herself from slavers. Then she manages to survive a few weeks on her own, pretending to be a sick old hag while trying to feed herself amidst being blackmailed by a real old hag who knows that she is, in fact, a young girl suitable to be sold to the slavers. She's smart, and she's resourceful, which made me like her practically the moment I began reading the book. Plus, those smarts inevitably lead her into the company of a pair of nice guys. Which leads me to:

Apollon and Jonas. These two are the big, burly, lovable glue that holds the family together and protects them at the same time. Note also that it's not really a "family," but a group of people just trying to survive; also not that it was Apollon's idea to take in all of them, and Jonas was overruled by him, though he really does care about everybody in the same way. As mentioned, they're the protectors, and they have a rather interesting past that connects them to Outpost Two, which makes it extremely hard for Eden to later "choose" sides. They're brotherly, smart, and willing to so whatever it takes to survive. They also don't mind throwing around a cute smart-ass quips now and again.

Miranda, Oscar, and Neveah. Miranda is a little spitfire. Something I loved about her was her ability to act tough when she needed to, particularly when one of her own was being threatened. At the same time, she's a girl with ghosts, just like the rest of them, and ultimately her skills are not within combat or bloody encounters, which is a detail that she seems to know about herself. Oscar is the cutest eight-year-old kid ever. He's the little ray of sunshine in everyone else's life, able to look at things with a kid-like naivete that only...well that only a kid could have. At the same time, fighting for survival on the streets has given him wisdom beyond his years, making it so that he can understand a lot more with just a look than people would give him credit for. Last within the family of misfits is Neveah, a woman of little words but who is skilled with herbs and medicines. While she's more in the background, she is a bit of the mother figure; even when she's not in the middle of the action, I couldn't help but think, "Don't worry, she's there."

Last is Matthew, or Matt as he's also known. Like this category, I have no clue where to start with him. Within the first few pages of the book, you know he's not the guy you want to mess with. Even further in, you still hear his name and realize that he runs the entire outpost. Then Eden meets him, because he takes an interest in her, and cue the downward spiral. Matt is like...well he's the anti-hero. You want to like him so freaking much, and then he goes and does something that proves to you that he's evil. Then you want to like him again, and then you hate him. Then the end of the book comes and you're like, "Matt, let me hold you, everything will be okay!"

Then you're staring at the screen of your e-reader blankly wondering what the heck just happened.

I'm not even kidding, Matt is probably one of my favorites just because of how challenging he is to figure out.

★★★★★

Okay, I really did love this book. If I'm being completely honest, I didn't think I'd love this book near as much as I actually love this book.

Obviously, this is a lot of love. The only reason this book doesn't get a perfect score is because I think the cover could have been put together a tad better. If I weren't playing by my own rules (the ones outlines on the reviews page), then I would totally give it a perfect score.

But, alas, I must play by my own rules or risk being called out as a hypocrite, which is something I'm trying not to do.

Still, this is an insanely good review from me. I typically don't like books this much.

Final Answer: 4.5 / 5

Special thanks to Kate Wrath, who provided me with a copy of E to read and review.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

E (E #1) BY KATE WRATH

DISCLAIMER: I was given a copy of this book by the author (via Goodreads/Shut Up and Read/Read It and Reap) in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

ADVISORY: This book contains violent situations and occasional language

SYNOPSIS / SPOILER ALERT:

Our heroine finds herself dumped at Outpost Three, with no knowledge of where she came from or who she was before. (She doesn’t even know her name, but over time she comes to call herself “Eden”.) All she knows is that the brand on her forehead marks her as Erased. She has no idea what crime she committed to receive this severe form of punishment. However, she knows enough of this world to realize that she will need to disguise herself in order to survive, lest she gets rounded up and sold into slavery (or worse).

She struggles along on her own, learning the ways of the streets, and discovers what to forage and recycle for money, food and other supplies. Unfortunately, an early kindness from a stranger turns into blackmail and the threat of betrayal, so she needs to pay the piper until she can save enough to buy her way off the streets. In time, she realizes that she has a useful talent, which later allows her to join up with a new group of people.

Her new-found “family” includes Apollon and Jonas – two strong men who command respect from the general riffraff at the outpost, as well as Neveah (an herb peddler) – all three of whom have also been marked as Erased. (Two other members of the group are not marked -- Miranda (a parts builder), and Oscar, the young boy they all look after.)

But there’s plenty more trouble to be found in Outpost Three. First there are the Sentries – the mechanical robots who enforce the “Ten Laws of the New World Covenant”. Unfortunately, their justice tends to be swift – unfeeling and callous. And then there is an underworld element run by Matthew (who has an iron-fisted hold on everything that happens in Outpost Three), as well as his enforcers.

To make things worse, the leader of Outpost Two (a man named Grey) has plans to expand his empire, and he has his sights on taking over Outpost Three. Grey is ruthless and evil, and will kill anyone who isn’t on his side. He is interfering with the supply chain, and the people at Outpost Three are slowly starving to death. And it appears that Matthew may be allowing some of this to happen, even as he prepares to go to war with Grey.

In the interim, fragments of memory begin to resurface for the Erased, including the overwhelming desire to escape in search for answers. But leaving is not easy, and the lack of food causes illness to sweep through the outpost. Uneasy alliances need to be made in order to survive.

But not everyone is on the same side, and the lesser of two evils may not even exist.

And what about Lily and Jason? What influence do they have in the grand scheme of things?


COMMENTS:

Overall, I was really impressed with the writing. The horrors of life at the outpost were detailed and descriptive, as well as the reactions and interactions of our cast of characters. Though I didn’t always agree with the decisions our characters made, you could understand their thought process.

The main female characters (Eden and Miranda) were well-developed, and Neveah also had a decent amount of back story, though I have a feeling there is more to her than meets the eye, and I hope that was addressed in the sequels.

The main male characters (Apollon, Jonas, Matthew, and Oscar) were also well-developed, though most of the focus was on Jonas and Matthew, as well as their interactions with Eden.

The thing I appreciated the most was that all of the main characters were flawed. The “bad” characters (i.e., Matthew) had moments of good, and the “good” characters (i.e., the “family”) exhibited bad character traits and poor decision making.

I look forward to reading Books Two and Three, as well as the prequel.

NITPICKY GRAMMAR-TYPE STUFF (meant in a helpful way):

This book was extremely well-written (and well-edited), so I ran into very few glaring errors in usage or spelling.

The use of “a wash”, when it probably should have been “awash” (even though the rest of the phrasing around it was not quite right). There were a few occurrences of this phrase that were incorrect, but a later one that was appropriate.

The use of the word “chafe”, when it should have been “chaff”. Something to do with Neveah separating the seeds from the chaff.

There was another one that stood out, but I didn’t highlight it, so it’s lost to me. (Someone else can find it!)

[Tricia Drammeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine a bleak, harsh, dystopian world where starvation is the norm and people will do anything for survival. Where giant, metal Sentries wield swift, brutal justice, and citizens are ruled by fear. This is the world Kate Wrath has created, a world in which Eden must learn to survive. Cold, alone, her mind wiped clean of all memory, Eden has been erased. She must either run or face slavery—or worse. Injured, starving, and betrayed by the person she thought she could trust, Eden finally forges a plan for escape, but ends up finding a family instead. But in this world where danger lurks around every corner, love can sometimes be your greatest liability.

Only a very talented author could create beauty from such desolation, and that’s what Kate Wrath has done. This story is beautifully written with expressive, descriptive prose. Make no mistake, though. The author doesn't sugarcoat the harsh realities of slave-trading, poverty, and war. Her characters manage to find moments of happiness and a sense of community, but all the while are planning ways to escape. Desperation is a huge theme in this book. What will one do to survive? What will one do to save the people they love? While some seem to turn off their humanity in order to survive, others like Eden occasionally break under the pressure. But Eden's inner strength triumphs again and again, and her sense of justice and love for her "family" drives her onward.

E is the first in a multibook series. Though the ending comes at a good stopping point, it's not entirely conclusive. You could stop at the first book, but why would you want to? E is stunning novel that I would recommend to everyone. I will certainly be reading the next book.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a unique story, taking place in dystopian world. A young woman is thrown into the Outpost after having her memories erased, with no clothes, no food, knowing no one. She has to survive on her own. Everyone in the Outpost is also struggling to survive and will take advantage of anyone else if they can. Then there are the large robot Sentries who keep order and if you are caught by them you are over. She does not even know her name, so she chooses one, Eden.

First, this is a very well written, well edited book. The writer writes in prose that allows you to see, feel and hear what the heroine does. It is written in first person present tense which puts you right in it with Eden. She finds her way slowly, because to survive she must. She finds friends who take her in and who become her family. They are always hungry and you can imagine the hopelessness in their world. Yet they find ways to survive.

There are two factions, one controlling the Outpost and one who is coming from another Outpost who wants to take over this one, and although the one in control now is a hard man, he is not as bad as the one who wants to take over. And he likes Eden. But Eden's two male protectors who are in her family may be on the wrong side of the fight.

I was given a digital copy to read for a review. I am so glad I was able to read this book and look forward to the next one in the series. This is an author to watch.

[H.L. Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an atypical book for me, so if you follow my reviews and expect a certain sort of read, be warned. However, I'm judging this book as what it is, not holding it up to my "normal reads." What it is is a harsh, realistic dystopian with a gritty feel and visceral emotions. A lot of it, especially the last quarter or so, is downright disturbing by my (admittedly lightweight) standards.
However, the writing is clean, the characters are believable, and overall, this is a good book.
My only minor nitpick: the book is written in first person present, but occasionally, I had no idea what the main character was thinking. Sometimes I felt like I was playing "catch up" to figure out what her plan was. Looking back, I think this might've been trying to register the fact that since her memories were missing, she herself was acting instinctively, without all the information needed to form full ideas, but it did lead to a little bit of confusion for me during the climax. Confusion that may very well be sorted out in future installments in the series.
I'd call this New Adult as far as its age level. There is scattered swearing, and as mentioned the overall tone is very dark (especially especially the end. Yes, the double especially IS intentional), so be warned if you are sensitive to violence or f-bombs.

[Emily Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I received this book as a part of the R2R program on Goodreads **

In the world of dystopian sci/fi novels, E stands out as a wonderful literary piece. This book focuses on Eden, a smart and determined girl who is stripped of her memory and thrown into this dystopian world. Forced to survive she does what she must to make a life for herself.

I feel in love with the main character Eden. She’s strong and badass and does what she must to make sure she doesn’t fall victim to a world where every move could get you killed. Wrath does a brilliant job creating a dark dystopian world that develops around the reader and makes them feel like Outpost is coming alive around them. Although the reader personally isn’t experiencing the trials and tribulations (at least I hope they wouldn’t be), its easy to get sucked in and attached to the problems they are having. You find yourself rooting for the characters and crossing your fingers that nothing happens to them. I loved the fact that although Eden was the main character, the other characters in the story didn’t feel like they got left behind.

I’m very happy that I got a chance to read this book and can’t wait to get to the next in the series!

[Dale Ibitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gritty look at a dystopian future. A story full of strife, grief, poverty, politics, and a glimmer of underlying hope. I guess the message here is no matter what happens to you, true love can't be erased.

The author portrays a world that is specific and detailed. She writes with a flair that has you believing the story and rooting/caring for the characters.

I loved every character in this book. From Kate to her newfound family, the bad guys, the good guys, the innocents...it's a page-turner that has you guessing how things will end, what paths the characters will take, and who will be caught in the cross-fire. The plot weaves and bobs through these people's lives with ease, and just when you think things can't get worse...it does.

So why is this only a 4 rating? I had so many questions that weren't fulfilled. What made the world this way? Why can't people travel off the roads? Where do the sentries come from? Who is controlling them? I think if I had more of a sense of the world and what created this environment, this book would have been perfect.

Definite must-read for dystopian lovers!

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Received this book in exchange for an honest review as part of Shut Up & Read's R&R program**

First things first! I need to read the next book nooooow! Haha, seriously though, what a fantastic story! Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely love dystopian stories, like forever kind of love. This book is no exception to that! There were some heart wrenching moments in this book that brought me to tears and really feel for Eden and the situations in which she finds herself in. I love the close knit friends/family she inadvertently finds and the different relationships she has with them. They are all very relatable and I could name some of my own friends that would fit in their roles perfectly. Especially when in a time of war and rebellion these are the types of people a person needs to survive. You need to be able to still love, care, nurture, hate and worry to feel alive and not so hollow in desperate times. Without spilling all the beans, the bottom line is: read this story! I definitely recommend it to anyone else who is a huge dystopian lover. I cannot wait to get my hands on book number 2.

[Michelle Mogil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book for an honest and fair review.

Let me begin by saying I am not a huge fan of the present tense form of writing. It is almost always badly done and leaves me feeling that the author thinks I'm an idiot and can't think beyond the immediate moment. That said, I discovered that, when the method is done well, and the story is compelling, it doesn't matter as much.

The main character is dropped into an outpost with no memory of who she is or where she came from. All she knows is life is harsh in this future dystopian society and she must use her wits and street smarts to survive. I developed a strong sense of compassion for this confused but determined heroine; her iron will and quick wit drew me in. I was pleasantly surprised by a strong supporting cast, comprising characters who had personality and motivation of their own.

The author wrote this story with such passion and beauty that I was sucked in immediately and actually resented it when my reading was interrupted. I'm compelled to purchase the next in the series and re-enter Kate Wrath's gritty dangerous world.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eden wakes up in an alleyway unsure of who she is or how she got there, but her first instinct is to hide.

In a world where metal sentries rule and if there is any rule breaking, you answer to them. There is no judge, no jury, you are taken to the box and erased.

Starving, alone, desperate she meets Jonas and Apollon who take her under their wing, including a young boy Oscar who she finally feels she has to survive for, to protect.

In a struggle to survive, with her new family, war is coming, whose side will they take? Is any side better than the other?

I really enjoyed this book, such a great storyline and great characters. I would love to know more about the world and how it came to be. Hopefully we will find out in book 2 which I can't wait to read!!

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic copy of this book for an honest review. I am a big fan of dystopian novels and this one did not disappoint. Eden is a strong, female character that just grips you from the beginning. I found myself rooting for her to survive and really feel like the author took me along on Eden's journey. This book was well paced and had great characterization, as well as setting. My only complaint is that I finished it too quickly and wanted to read more! I am looking forward to reading more about Eden and her friends in the next book. This was a great read and perfect for those who like dystopian novels or books with a strong female lead character.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going against the majority here but I found this book to be rambling and over-emotional to the point of becoming wearing. Our heroine Eden, who was in almost constant peril from starvation, mysterious gigantic robots and general bad guys, vacillated between being ridiculously tough and a bit of a weeping wimp.

Characters were quite well formed, the writing above average and the plot decent, but so many things were left unexplained, presumably to be revealed in the other books in this series. If the book was 2/3 of its current length (easily done by removing lots of waffle!) I would happily continue but won't as it stands.

[Dabber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has an intriguing story, but what I loved the most was the poetic beauty in the language. I can't resist sharing some of my favorite passages:
"lumpy fingers that twist like tree roots"
"As night pulls its dark hood over my eyes."
"gun rumbles like the purr of a gargantuan tiger"
"Hope is a drug that is hard to get off."
I hope you don't mind me quoting these, Ms Wrath, but simply saying that the writing is superb, isn't enough. Beautiful writing. Well done.