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Slave #1
Slave
A FEAR-CONDITIONED SLAVE WAKES TO HER WORLD UNDONE AS THE ENEMY CLEARS A PATH FOR HER FREEDOM
Workers silently shuffle to their assigned posts.Outcasts watch from the alley walls.On every corner, a Watcher stands stone-faced, rifle in hand. Nineteen-year-old Hannah exists in a gray, smog-covered world of labor and fear, where sunlight and stars are stories whispered in secret. She survives on the memories left by her parents, reliving the moment they were dragged from their family unit and shot.Everything changes the night the valley erupts in explosions and gunfire. Edan, a young soldier in disguise, pulls Hannah from her unit and rushes her down to the streets. Surrounded by dozens of terrified slaves, she's told to run.Run as hard and as fast as you can and don't stop!Hannah's world turns upside down. Now the enemy fights for her freedom, and she must struggle to shake loose from fear-conditioning and to forgive men who inflicted terror on her people.
Workers silently shuffle to their assigned posts.Outcasts watch from the alley walls.On every corner, a Watcher stands stone-faced, rifle in hand. Nineteen-year-old Hannah exists in a gray, smog-covered world of labor and fear, where sunlight and stars are stories whispered in secret. She survives on the memories left by her parents, reliving the moment they were dragged from their family unit and shot.Everything changes the night the valley erupts in explosions and gunfire. Edan, a young soldier in disguise, pulls Hannah from her unit and rushes her down to the streets. Surrounded by dozens of terrified slaves, she's told to run.Run as hard and as fast as you can and don't stop!Hannah's world turns upside down. Now the enemy fights for her freedom, and she must struggle to shake loose from fear-conditioning and to forgive men who inflicted terror on her people.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2016
414 people are currently reading
655 people want to read
About the author
Laura Frances
9 books82 followersThough she grew up in the "Queen City of the Ozarks", Laura always yearns for the craggy rocks and gull cries around lobster boats off the coast of Maine. Her earliest childhood memories are painted in Red Sox blue and red and the briny fragrance of the sea. Fast forward into adulthood, Laura spent four years with her family immersed in Japan's rich culture, absorbing an entirely new scope for her imagination.
In all the changes and experiences, stories have been the mainstay. Inspired by the sweeping grasslands of Rohan to the sparkling waters at Cair Paravel, Laura writes from a place of deep love for the power and impact of a well told tale.
In all the changes and experiences, stories have been the mainstay. Inspired by the sweeping grasslands of Rohan to the sparkling waters at Cair Paravel, Laura writes from a place of deep love for the power and impact of a well told tale.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 149 reviews
October 28, 2021
4.5 Stars!!
The real war is in each of us…in the deep places no one sees. Be brave.
There is no sun. There is no moon. There is only gray... a fog that hovers over the concrete factory that Hannah Baker lives in as a Worker/Slave.
The Outcasts watch and suffer from the sidelines and in the hallways. With Watchers on every corner with a gun on their hip, just waiting for the workers to do something wrong. This is life for a Worker. Beyond these buildings and mountains is a dream of a blue sky, but dreams dont come true for people in a place like this.
One day Hannah wakes up in a valley,
full of explosions and gunfire but eyes wide open to things she has never known. With freedom in her grasp, there's only one way she will survive and its by trusting those she has been conditioned to fear the most.
Who knew I was needing a little dystopian in my life. Its been a hot minute since I was engrossed in a plot of delicious rebellion.
I devoured it and boy was it satisfying. This kinda reminded me a little bit of the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. Especially the main character Hannah. She was a tad bit emotional and whiny, but considering the plot of the book, it fit. This book is EMOTIONAL. So much sadness but at the same time, had me looking forward to the victory that I know will come.
Laura Frances does dystopian justice. There is just something about them that really scream TRUTH. They are addictive and mind bending to the point where you're asking yourself questions about what the future will look like. And sadly enough- now is a good of a time as any to read this genre and at least see how lines can be blurred and the powers that be hold a lot more cards than one may think. Any book that can get me to thinking- about real life injustices and the future, Im down with. Cant wait to finish the rest to see where this ends up!
April 11, 2017
This book was all kinds of awesomeness!! It's been a while since a book captivated me so much but this one did, and it's weird because it's a very bleak world. Everything seems grey and dull and everyone is so cowed and afraid that there is no music, no laughter. Yet the author manages to make you want to be apart of this world!
Hannah has always been told to "Do not look Watchers in the eye. Don't give them a reason to notice you." otherwise bad things can happen. She has always done what she's been told, but has questioned everything in her mind. The day that a revolution, of sorts, takes place, Hannah is caught up in it and now finds herself part of the rebels. How can she try to take down the people that made her this way, when she is afraid?
I have to say, I loved Hannah. She felt "real". She isn't a typical heroine but shines non the less. She is forced to become a rebel, and while she loves the idea of freedom, her submissive behaviour has been so ingrained in her, that she finds it hard. She doesn't feel like she is able to do what the rebels want her to do, but knows she needs to find courage somewhere. There were parts where my heart broke for her and parts where I was rooting for her. She was just such an awesome character, and being in her head just made me love her more.
The romance was a slow burner but nice. It kind of snuck up on Hannah even though the reader can see where it's going. I was happy that Hannah found someone, sort of :) The plot kept a steady pace and was engaging. The world building was amazing though. It's such a bleak world, but the author wrote about it beautifully and really captured the atmosphere and desolation. It was easy to picture.
Anyway, this was such an engaging and entertaining read. Well written and developed, with characters that will capture your heart and a plot that will captivate you, this is a must read! Can Not Wait for the next one!!!
Stacey Glemboski did an amazing job of capturing the feel of the place and she nailed the performance of Hannah. She brought across her cowed spirit but also showed us her inner thoughts and the hope she has in her heart. I need to see what else she has narrated!!
I was voluntarily provided this free copy by the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
Hannah has always been told to "Do not look Watchers in the eye. Don't give them a reason to notice you." otherwise bad things can happen. She has always done what she's been told, but has questioned everything in her mind. The day that a revolution, of sorts, takes place, Hannah is caught up in it and now finds herself part of the rebels. How can she try to take down the people that made her this way, when she is afraid?
I have to say, I loved Hannah. She felt "real". She isn't a typical heroine but shines non the less. She is forced to become a rebel, and while she loves the idea of freedom, her submissive behaviour has been so ingrained in her, that she finds it hard. She doesn't feel like she is able to do what the rebels want her to do, but knows she needs to find courage somewhere. There were parts where my heart broke for her and parts where I was rooting for her. She was just such an awesome character, and being in her head just made me love her more.
The romance was a slow burner but nice. It kind of snuck up on Hannah even though the reader can see where it's going. I was happy that Hannah found someone, sort of :) The plot kept a steady pace and was engaging. The world building was amazing though. It's such a bleak world, but the author wrote about it beautifully and really captured the atmosphere and desolation. It was easy to picture.
Anyway, this was such an engaging and entertaining read. Well written and developed, with characters that will capture your heart and a plot that will captivate you, this is a must read! Can Not Wait for the next one!!!
Stacey Glemboski did an amazing job of capturing the feel of the place and she nailed the performance of Hannah. She brought across her cowed spirit but also showed us her inner thoughts and the hope she has in her heart. I need to see what else she has narrated!!
I was voluntarily provided this free copy by the author, narrator, or publisher. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts.
August 14, 2018
Hannah is a Worker. She lives in The Valley where the sun never breaks through the smog. She is a slave. Every Worker in The Valley is a slave. She has accepted her fate as just that. Then one night Watchers come into her sleeping unit to take her away. Watchers are the Iron Fist of The Valley. They have orders to kill for the slightest mishap, if you talk, you die, if you make eye contact, you could die. Turns out, there is a rebel group. They are trying to get all the Workers out of The Valley and out under the Council's rule.
This is an OK book. I enjoyed it, just wasn't my favorite. Hannah was MEH, she wasn't very likeable to ME. The last few chapters were pretty good, a lot going on, secrets come out and then BOOM, the book is over. I don't see myself continuing with the series.
This is an OK book. I enjoyed it, just wasn't my favorite. Hannah was MEH, she wasn't very likeable to ME. The last few chapters were pretty good, a lot going on, secrets come out and then BOOM, the book is over. I don't see myself continuing with the series.
July 1, 2018
I love dystopian settings. I just do. The thing about them is that there is always a ring of truth. That this terrible, unimaginable future is not so unimaginable after all. And there's just something about people overcoming these hardships that hits me in all the right feels. It gives me hope.
The story is told from the POV of Hannah, a Worker AKA Slave to the Council. These people are the backbone of manufacturing for the nation, but are kept under very close supervision by Watchers, basically enforcers meant to keep the Workers in line. Due to all the manufacturing facilities, they live in a perpetual smog, never seeing true daylight. And in a valley, surrounded by mountains teeming with dangerous wildlife, there's no escaping this life. Or so the Council would have them believe. Hannah wakes one night to explosions and in the blink of an eye, everything changes. She is whisked away in the night by rebels, Watchers who have revolted and now mean to free the Workers. She soon learns not everything is quite as it seems while the lines between the good guys and bad guys begins to blur.
Of the characters, Hannah was the most problematic for me (surprise, surprise) and was more than a little frustrating at times. There were even moments that I feared she would (and did) fall into the dreaded TSTL category. But I really tried to put myself in her shoes, tried to evaluate how I'd react and fare in the same situations, and I'll admit it was tough. Living the life she lived, being conditioned to fear and stay cowered at all times, well I imagine overcoming that would be quite difficult. But does it excuse all of her behavior? No. And should it encourage as much trust in her as it apparently does? Not at all. She experiences some growth throughout the story but, in the end, remains kind of maddeningly helpless.
Edan was wonderful. He's the guy who will always be in your corner. The perfect best friend or big brother figure. I'm just leaving it at that...
Cash is one of my favorite kinds of Heroes. The big, brutish, hulk with a heart of gold. It was apparent pretty early on that there was more to him than met the eye. It wasn't much of a leap to guess the his role, but that didn't really take away from the story at all.
I'm still not sure that I trust Solomon yet. He's seems too compassionate, too consoling, too something. Like he's really trying too hard to sell his genuiness. We'll see...
There are a few others that play minor roles in the book, but since I have no real strong feelings about them at this point I'm just leaving them alone.
All in all, this book kept me entertained in one way or another from beginning to conclusion. The author has a interesting writing style that I appreciate. It's subtle but it's there. And while the story may not have been a totally unique concept (how many times have groups of people been enslaved and controlled by fear?), and Hannah may have been a problematic MC, it was one that was told well. Those who enjoy YA dystopians will probably enjoy this too.
The story is told from the POV of Hannah, a Worker AKA Slave to the Council. These people are the backbone of manufacturing for the nation, but are kept under very close supervision by Watchers, basically enforcers meant to keep the Workers in line. Due to all the manufacturing facilities, they live in a perpetual smog, never seeing true daylight. And in a valley, surrounded by mountains teeming with dangerous wildlife, there's no escaping this life. Or so the Council would have them believe. Hannah wakes one night to explosions and in the blink of an eye, everything changes. She is whisked away in the night by rebels, Watchers who have revolted and now mean to free the Workers. She soon learns not everything is quite as it seems while the lines between the good guys and bad guys begins to blur.
Of the characters, Hannah was the most problematic for me (surprise, surprise) and was more than a little frustrating at times. There were even moments that I feared she would (and did) fall into the dreaded TSTL category. But I really tried to put myself in her shoes, tried to evaluate how I'd react and fare in the same situations, and I'll admit it was tough. Living the life she lived, being conditioned to fear and stay cowered at all times, well I imagine overcoming that would be quite difficult. But does it excuse all of her behavior? No. And should it encourage as much trust in her as it apparently does? Not at all. She experiences some growth throughout the story but, in the end, remains kind of maddeningly helpless.
Edan was wonderful. He's the guy who will always be in your corner. The perfect best friend or big brother figure. I'm just leaving it at that...
Cash is one of my favorite kinds of Heroes. The big, brutish, hulk with a heart of gold. It was apparent pretty early on that there was more to him than met the eye. It wasn't much of a leap to guess the his role, but that didn't really take away from the story at all.
I'm still not sure that I trust Solomon yet. He's seems too compassionate, too consoling, too something. Like he's really trying too hard to sell his genuiness. We'll see...
There are a few others that play minor roles in the book, but since I have no real strong feelings about them at this point I'm just leaving them alone.
All in all, this book kept me entertained in one way or another from beginning to conclusion. The author has a interesting writing style that I appreciate. It's subtle but it's there. And while the story may not have been a totally unique concept (how many times have groups of people been enslaved and controlled by fear?), and Hannah may have been a problematic MC, it was one that was told well. Those who enjoy YA dystopians will probably enjoy this too.
February 7, 2017
This was the book chosen for my book club this month. I'm really happy we picked this because wow, it was GOOD!
Slave is easily one of the best dystopians I've read in awhile(not falling into so many of the common "problems" of the genre). Writted for a NA audience, this is clean enough for a YA readers(though there is some light torture that might be too much for a young YA reader).
Hannah is our MC and with the story being told in first person POV, I didn't actually learn/retain her name until quite a way into the story. I was shocked when they said her name. I was like . . . wait, I didn't know her name, but I feel so connected to "I". I think that's a testament to Frances' ability to make her characters easy to relate to.
Hannah lives in a world that's lost all of its beauty in more ways than one. There is no sunlight, grey clouds from the factories cover the sky, and I swear there's no grass or trees, or nature anywhere in this miserable place. The people live in hovels with no luxuries or anything nice whatsoever. They are given just the bare essentials and live to work.
Those who can't work are cast out to live on the street.
The absolute despair of the place seeps in everywhere and Hannah is a reflection of her world. Sometimes being in a character's head is not enjoyable for the reader, but I loved being in Hannah's head. The book spends a lot of time there but it's sooo well-done.
Hannah is a product of her system. She's terrified of everything, she's completely cowed. Too often with dystopians the character is like "oh yeah, totally not affected by my crazy world and ready to rebel!"
Hannah felt REAL and I couldn't put her story down. I understood her fear, was freaking out with her when everything was normal but she and you KNOW the other shoe is going to drop any second!! She does the right thing, even when she's scared. She's not willing to take the chance that if she doesn't make a good choice that someone else will, because what if they don't?
The romance was slow, and I wouldn't call it sweet but rather it had a depth and realness to it that fit the story.
I already can't wait for the second book to be out. And I so want that Aspen girl to DIE!!! She annoyed the heck out of me.
My only "complaint" was that I didn't see the twist with one of the character's identities(connection to the South) coming and didn't feel like there was really any indicator(Hannah states that it made sense to her, but it didn't make sense to me.) leading up to the point that the other characters deferred to this character in anyway or that there would be a reason for it.
Great story though! And so nice to read something with a slightly older cast.
Slave is easily one of the best dystopians I've read in awhile(not falling into so many of the common "problems" of the genre). Writted for a NA audience, this is clean enough for a YA readers(though there is some light torture that might be too much for a young YA reader).
Hannah is our MC and with the story being told in first person POV, I didn't actually learn/retain her name until quite a way into the story. I was shocked when they said her name. I was like . . . wait, I didn't know her name, but I feel so connected to "I". I think that's a testament to Frances' ability to make her characters easy to relate to.
Hannah lives in a world that's lost all of its beauty in more ways than one. There is no sunlight, grey clouds from the factories cover the sky, and I swear there's no grass or trees, or nature anywhere in this miserable place. The people live in hovels with no luxuries or anything nice whatsoever. They are given just the bare essentials and live to work.
Those who can't work are cast out to live on the street.
The absolute despair of the place seeps in everywhere and Hannah is a reflection of her world. Sometimes being in a character's head is not enjoyable for the reader, but I loved being in Hannah's head. The book spends a lot of time there but it's sooo well-done.
Hannah is a product of her system. She's terrified of everything, she's completely cowed. Too often with dystopians the character is like "oh yeah, totally not affected by my crazy world and ready to rebel!"
Hannah felt REAL and I couldn't put her story down. I understood her fear, was freaking out with her when everything was normal but she and you KNOW the other shoe is going to drop any second!! She does the right thing, even when she's scared. She's not willing to take the chance that if she doesn't make a good choice that someone else will, because what if they don't?
The romance was slow, and I wouldn't call it sweet but rather it had a depth and realness to it that fit the story.
I already can't wait for the second book to be out. And I so want that Aspen girl to DIE!!! She annoyed the heck out of me.
My only "complaint" was that I didn't see the twist with one of the character's identities(connection to the South) coming and didn't feel like there was really any indicator(Hannah states that it made sense to her, but it didn't make sense to me.) leading up to the point that the other characters deferred to this character in anyway or that there would be a reason for it.
Great story though! And so nice to read something with a slightly older cast.
March 20, 2017
I can't believe this book was rated on Goodreads by 84 people and got an average of 4.5 stars. That's more than "The Hunger Games"! I think it was a rather shallow story. The main problem was the heroine: she is 19 years old, but a helpless crybaby. When she needs to run, she freezes, and when she needs to duck for cover, she starts running. For some reason the leaders of the resistance think very highly of her and send her on a dangerous mission, which she stumbles, and freezes, through. Also she is allowed to attend meetings where the leaders plot their strategies. Three of the most interesting young men are attracted to her, which must be because it makes them feel manly when she's crying all over them all the time. There's absolutely nothing special about Hannah to explain this otherwise. She is very passive and needs to be rescued by others all the time, and she faints! Katniss Everdeen and Hannah are one hundred percent each others opposites.
Then there were the small things that bothered me: 78 times people nodded instead of simply and more politely saying yes, half of the people Hannah meets have green eyes, and it seems only villains have bad breath.
I finished the book because it was a short read and I was curious to find out why this book got so many stars. Unfortunately I'm still in the dark about that.
Then there were the small things that bothered me: 78 times people nodded instead of simply and more politely saying yes, half of the people Hannah meets have green eyes, and it seems only villains have bad breath.
I finished the book because it was a short read and I was curious to find out why this book got so many stars. Unfortunately I'm still in the dark about that.
June 9, 2017
Simple but very clear, I liked the combination of the title and the cover. Plus, I hadn't read a dystopian story in a while! I admit I missed desperate situations and protagonists pushed to the extreme of their being. Well, Slave definitely gave me what I wanted!
Watchers are everywhere, with their guns and dark outfits. Life for Hannah is all about staying in line, doing your work, and dreaming of a blue sky she has never seen. I really enjoyed diving into this grey world and learning the harsh way people survive, disappear, and obey. Everything felt hopeless and I was hooked very fast by the dark description and loneliness oozing from the pages. Cut from everything else, surrounded by factories, people live and die without anyone noticing. Though short, the world-building was efficient enough to transport me!
I only wish there had been a little bit more of Hannah's life before the revolution came and the assumptions I had made were questioned and both Hannah and me were sent into a new world with its own set of rules.
When you have lived your life being told who were the bad guys and what you should not do, it's difficult not to be overwhelmed by the big changes created by people you believed you couldn't trust. Trust is at the heart of this book. Appearances, and the “who is really what they say they are??” I loved wondering, questioning actions, feeling lost with Hannah. It was as though the world had been turned upside down. But our main character had nothing to do with it, and it was refreshing! Hannah goes with the flow, at least for most of the story, and I admired that the author created a nicely-rounded cast to set the action and take everything into their hands, leaving poor Hannah to make decisions and witness what she never would have guessed. Life has more to offer, the revolution is not new, and everything is more complicated that we think! Usually in dystopians, the MC takes a bigger part in events, so I thank the author for the different angle she went with! Not to say Hannah just watches and stares, but she is simply a young and lost girl who finds friendship, hardships, love and pain when she thought the numbness of her old life was all she would ever get.
The different secondary characters all get enough background to feel real and for you to get attached. There's enough character development to understand and feel for Hannah, and the others.
The ending promises more difficult times, but far from the desolation of the first pages I felt that was the real beginning.
Slave is a refreshing and well-executed dystopian story, with a game of trust that is fantastically gripping, a main character you can't help but root for, and a lot of potential to be fantastic series!
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2018
Reread December 2018: This story is still as deeply moving as it was the first time.
Original review:
This story was exceptional.
The author did a fantastic job of really bringing Hannah's anxiety to life that I had to remind myself to breathe a few times. It was extremely engaging and though there were some foreshadows to a few upcoming plot twists, I found myself still surprised and saddened as Hannah as was. What a transformation she experiences as the book progresses!
I totally loved the Watchers, especially Cash. I felt I even grew as a reader in trusting them like Hannah! I'm very curious to see how things unfold because that ending was absolutely perfect. I LOVED it so much and bought out all the feels.
Looking forward to diving into book two!
Original review:
This story was exceptional.
The author did a fantastic job of really bringing Hannah's anxiety to life that I had to remind myself to breathe a few times. It was extremely engaging and though there were some foreshadows to a few upcoming plot twists, I found myself still surprised and saddened as Hannah as was. What a transformation she experiences as the book progresses!
I totally loved the Watchers, especially Cash. I felt I even grew as a reader in trusting them like Hannah! I'm very curious to see how things unfold because that ending was absolutely perfect. I LOVED it so much and bought out all the feels.
Looking forward to diving into book two!
June 6, 2017
I recommend everyone to read this book. I've been reading mediocre books for so long that I forgot what it was like to read a good book.....until this one showed up!
May 14, 2021
Pretty good dystopian. Clean and only content warnings are for violence. No faith content.
May 21, 2019
I heard rave reviews about this so I really really really wanted to love it. Maybe if I hadn't had such high expectations, I would have liked it more?
The first part of the story was hard for me to get into, mostly because the protagonist was the one character type I'm always annoyed by: the hysterical girl who is somehow specially chosen, who decides she can do *all the things* and then nearly destroys everything by her ineptitude. Okay, theoretically, I understand that her actions/reactions and her freaking out make sense in light of her upbringing, conditioning, PTSD, etc., but emotionally, I'm just like *facepalm* get out of the way and let someone else more capable do the job, why are you even alive. This bit is 90% a me-as-the-reader problem. Sorry. Still, people said Very Nice Things about the book, so I pushed on.
As things unfolded, the story itself started to capture me and I was fascinated by the plot itself. This kind of enabled me to ignore my reactions to Hannah a little and focus on the things that are happening around her, which isn't an ideal reading of the book, but also, I guess I became more sympathetic to her (and she became a little more likeable to me) as time went on. By the end, I was really quite rooting for her. Yay character growth?
I guess this review is mainly to say that this story is worth pushing on for, even if, like me, you just want to slap the viewpoint character around the head a few times in the beginning. She kind of grows on you.
I still don't like that weird chosen one vibe though, because it was never explained enough for my liking. As far as I can tell, she was mostly chosen by the (young) rebels who were watching her because she was a pretty young thing and were attracted to her. I mean, yes, she did prove herself to be kind and selfless and protective of others, but amongst all the others, many of whom also helped her, I'm sure there were other kind-and-selfless-and-protective-of-others characters (how else did so many people survive?) that probably weren't on the radar because they weren't young and pretty. But eh, it is what it is. lol.
The first part of the story was hard for me to get into, mostly because the protagonist was the one character type I'm always annoyed by: the hysterical girl who is somehow specially chosen, who decides she can do *all the things* and then nearly destroys everything by her ineptitude. Okay, theoretically, I understand that her actions/reactions and her freaking out make sense in light of her upbringing, conditioning, PTSD, etc., but emotionally, I'm just like *facepalm* get out of the way and let someone else more capable do the job, why are you even alive. This bit is 90% a me-as-the-reader problem. Sorry. Still, people said Very Nice Things about the book, so I pushed on.
As things unfolded, the story itself started to capture me and I was fascinated by the plot itself. This kind of enabled me to ignore my reactions to Hannah a little and focus on the things that are happening around her, which isn't an ideal reading of the book, but also, I guess I became more sympathetic to her (and she became a little more likeable to me) as time went on. By the end, I was really quite rooting for her. Yay character growth?
I guess this review is mainly to say that this story is worth pushing on for, even if, like me, you just want to slap the viewpoint character around the head a few times in the beginning. She kind of grows on you.
I still don't like that weird chosen one vibe though, because it was never explained enough for my liking. As far as I can tell, she was mostly chosen by the (young) rebels who were watching her because she was a pretty young thing and were attracted to her. I mean, yes, she did prove herself to be kind and selfless and protective of others, but amongst all the others, many of whom also helped her, I'm sure there were other kind-and-selfless-and-protective-of-others characters (how else did so many people survive?) that probably weren't on the radar because they weren't young and pretty. But eh, it is what it is. lol.
January 26, 2018
The story had such great potential; the description pulled you in, the first chapter gripped you tight, and the rest, well, it just gradually disappointed.
Smog; the one that prevents the sun and the moon from penetrating is broken through often by rain (and if physics have anything to say about it, strong wind). The slaves are called; workers, not slaves and given the barest education. Which brings us to the logical question of; how in the world did they end up being named slaves??! (hint: its lousy editing)
There's ample reason to explain about the surroundings and the products they produce, yet I only found fleeting references to it. It is more than 2/3 of the way in that I even realized that the buildings are set up in logical product sectors.
The MC is supposed to be this amazingly beautiful and courageous girl. She is technically a woman at the age of twenty - somehow remaining in that age even after a birthday, producing a collective sigh from older women worldwide - however, she acts like a tween. I fail to see WHY anyone places any value in her. She cries, constantly, when she's afraid, when she's happy, when she's in pain, when she's in love, and naturally when she's sad. The only redeeming part about the trails of tears is that the author has found every possible way to describe crying.
Read it if you must, but it is a sad attempt at cashing in on the dystopian, teenage love angst genra.
Smog; the one that prevents the sun and the moon from penetrating is broken through often by rain (and if physics have anything to say about it, strong wind). The slaves are called; workers, not slaves and given the barest education. Which brings us to the logical question of; how in the world did they end up being named slaves??! (hint: its lousy editing)
There's ample reason to explain about the surroundings and the products they produce, yet I only found fleeting references to it. It is more than 2/3 of the way in that I even realized that the buildings are set up in logical product sectors.
The MC is supposed to be this amazingly beautiful and courageous girl. She is technically a woman at the age of twenty - somehow remaining in that age even after a birthday, producing a collective sigh from older women worldwide - however, she acts like a tween. I fail to see WHY anyone places any value in her. She cries, constantly, when she's afraid, when she's happy, when she's in pain, when she's in love, and naturally when she's sad. The only redeeming part about the trails of tears is that the author has found every possible way to describe crying.
Read it if you must, but it is a sad attempt at cashing in on the dystopian, teenage love angst genra.
February 26, 2017
This book is freaking amazing.
If you follow me on Goodreads or have seen any of my reviews on Amazon you know it is few and far between for me to give a five star review. I give this book a five star review easily!!! As an avid reader one of the ways I rate books is by how much skimming I do. If I skim more than three or four times, the rating loses a star. In this case, I didn't skim a single time, I devoured every word, not wanting to miss a single syllable. Amazing, astonishing, I can't find the words to explain how good this book is. I can tell you that I laughed and cried, and read it in two sittings. I read chapter one the night prior and read the rest in the final sitting. This story is a masterpiece and that's saying something because normally a book in present tense can not hold my attention. Waiting to watch it hit number one!
If you follow me on Goodreads or have seen any of my reviews on Amazon you know it is few and far between for me to give a five star review. I give this book a five star review easily!!! As an avid reader one of the ways I rate books is by how much skimming I do. If I skim more than three or four times, the rating loses a star. In this case, I didn't skim a single time, I devoured every word, not wanting to miss a single syllable. Amazing, astonishing, I can't find the words to explain how good this book is. I can tell you that I laughed and cried, and read it in two sittings. I read chapter one the night prior and read the rest in the final sitting. This story is a masterpiece and that's saying something because normally a book in present tense can not hold my attention. Waiting to watch it hit number one!
February 4, 2018
I loved this book! I am starting the second one right this second! The details!!! If you need a book where you can live through every word this is the book. I could feel the pain, suffering, and struggle. Everything went together and I can’t wait to see what the second book holds. I am glad I found this book for a spontaneous read. Highly recommend!!
October 31, 2016
This. Book. Deserves. Five. Stars.
First of all, THAT COVER! I actually found this book on a Facebook group where the author was trying to get feedback on the cover, and I contacted her and asked if I could beta read it. I AM SO GLAD I DID!
The pacing, the characters, the story as a whole is just brilliant. I cried a few times, and, guys, I DON’T CRY IN BOOKS. Well, sometimes I do, but it’s very, VERY rare.
The story begins by introducing the reader to the story world by showing you the living conditions, the expectations of the Workers, and their fear of the Watchers. But we’re not stuck in the “norm” for long before Hannah wakes up in the middle of a revolution. Watchers are disguised as Workers and rescuing the people from slavery. This is where we’re introduced to more characters. Some with heart wrenching pasts, others that are completely swoonworthy.
The pacing keeps you turning the pages, wondering what’s going to happen and if the characters are going to make it out alright. Seriously, with one twist after another, SLAVE keeps you hooked until the last page. And the ending!!! Guys, I can usually guess what’s going to happen, but there were still some surprises that slid by me.
If you like dystopian fiction (and even if you don’t) pick up this book! It’s original. It’s clean. It’s GOOD.
First of all, THAT COVER! I actually found this book on a Facebook group where the author was trying to get feedback on the cover, and I contacted her and asked if I could beta read it. I AM SO GLAD I DID!
The pacing, the characters, the story as a whole is just brilliant. I cried a few times, and, guys, I DON’T CRY IN BOOKS. Well, sometimes I do, but it’s very, VERY rare.
The story begins by introducing the reader to the story world by showing you the living conditions, the expectations of the Workers, and their fear of the Watchers. But we’re not stuck in the “norm” for long before Hannah wakes up in the middle of a revolution. Watchers are disguised as Workers and rescuing the people from slavery. This is where we’re introduced to more characters. Some with heart wrenching pasts, others that are completely swoonworthy.
The pacing keeps you turning the pages, wondering what’s going to happen and if the characters are going to make it out alright. Seriously, with one twist after another, SLAVE keeps you hooked until the last page. And the ending!!! Guys, I can usually guess what’s going to happen, but there were still some surprises that slid by me.
If you like dystopian fiction (and even if you don’t) pick up this book! It’s original. It’s clean. It’s GOOD.
March 6, 2017
I really enjoyed this dystopian novel. The worldbuilding was straightforward and believable without any of the quirks that sometimes make me question dystopian societies. In recent years, dystopian has become very inventive which can reduce credibility, but here the focus was more character based.
Despite the fact that Hannah wasn't a particularly active character (she reacted to the situation around her and was often carried along with circumstances) the internal development and changes of thought and belief more than made up for this. The book does a great job of showing how fear and loneliness can change to hope and friendship - and this process is the strength of the book. The first person narrative really does it justice.
The mild romance was subtle and tasteful and did not overshadow the plot, which is often a complaint of mine in YA dystopian.
Great read all round.
Despite the fact that Hannah wasn't a particularly active character (she reacted to the situation around her and was often carried along with circumstances) the internal development and changes of thought and belief more than made up for this. The book does a great job of showing how fear and loneliness can change to hope and friendship - and this process is the strength of the book. The first person narrative really does it justice.
The mild romance was subtle and tasteful and did not overshadow the plot, which is often a complaint of mine in YA dystopian.
Great read all round.
December 23, 2016
Beautiful dystopian story
I love the dystopian genre and when I saw this book I was excited to read it. The cover is beautiful and goes well with the story.
From the beginning the story engages, with lots of action to keep the reader wanting more.
However, it is the characters and how they relate with each other that I really enjoyed.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
I love the dystopian genre and when I saw this book I was excited to read it. The cover is beautiful and goes well with the story.
From the beginning the story engages, with lots of action to keep the reader wanting more.
However, it is the characters and how they relate with each other that I really enjoyed.
I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
February 10, 2017
Slave from Laura Frances is a breath of fresh air! Best dystopian novel I have read this year!! Frances does a great job using the prospective of the main character to acquaint you to her surrounds and take the journey through the book with her. When she is disoriented, the reading is more disoriented, etc. Great book!!
May 11, 2017
I am completely confused by this book and by the other reviews. The first 3/4 of the book was VERY slow. I kept asking myself...why is this chick so important? And then the last 1/4 was a complete 180! I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop and it be a mind game or something.
I was not a big fan. Change Council to Capital and it's the hunger games with workers instead of districts.
I was not a big fan. Change Council to Capital and it's the hunger games with workers instead of districts.
February 7, 2018
So many feels!
This is a gripping dystopian novel, but what stands out is the attention to detail, descriptive settings and blooming romance.
This is a gripping dystopian novel, but what stands out is the attention to detail, descriptive settings and blooming romance.
April 25, 2017
Wow! I was given a free copy of this book, and didn't really know what to expect. I've read one other YA dystopian book, and I hated it. I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book, but the name and cover drew me in, so I figured it was worth a shot. The beginning was slow for me. I wanted to give it a fair chance though, so I kept going. After about four chapters, I started gaining interest in Hannah and the world she lives in. By the end, I was completely hooked and didn't want it to end.
The idea of being a worker and having guards constantly watching you is something that makes you realize you might be taking the life you live for granted. This book definitely brought things into perspective for me. Hannah has suffered so much loss in her short 19 years, and the fact that she is living in constant fear is something I could never imagine. You wake up, go to work in a factory, come home, and are all alone. Would that life even be worth living? No social life, no luxuries, not even a clean mirror to see yourself in?
The relationships that Hannah develops really make you feel like you're in her shoes. You feel her worry, you cry with her, and when she experiences something new, it's like you're experiencing it too.
All in all, this book was wonderful! Although I was provided a free copy of the book, this is my honest review.
The idea of being a worker and having guards constantly watching you is something that makes you realize you might be taking the life you live for granted. This book definitely brought things into perspective for me. Hannah has suffered so much loss in her short 19 years, and the fact that she is living in constant fear is something I could never imagine. You wake up, go to work in a factory, come home, and are all alone. Would that life even be worth living? No social life, no luxuries, not even a clean mirror to see yourself in?
The relationships that Hannah develops really make you feel like you're in her shoes. You feel her worry, you cry with her, and when she experiences something new, it's like you're experiencing it too.
All in all, this book was wonderful! Although I was provided a free copy of the book, this is my honest review.
December 27, 2017
It shows talent when the first book of a writer touches my heart and inspires me. Her book is a 5 ⭐️and my top 2 favorite.
March 8, 2017
good read
i really enjoyed this book, looking forward to more!!!!
Can't wait to see what happens to Hannah and the resistance.
i really enjoyed this book, looking forward to more!!!!
Can't wait to see what happens to Hannah and the resistance.
March 6, 2017
Excellent!
Great book written by an amazing debut author. I'm in love with the characters and the story keeps me wanting more! Thanks to the author for making it available on Kindle Unlimited.
Great book written by an amazing debut author. I'm in love with the characters and the story keeps me wanting more! Thanks to the author for making it available on Kindle Unlimited.
March 1, 2017
Slave - bk1
I loved this story. And that the people do not realize they are slaves adds an interesting element. I love that it addresses how a person can be so beat down that they know no other way and getting them to wake up and even just see the possibilities, let alone to act beyond their trauma it's a near impossibility.
Fear can rule, but not forever.
Editing had minimal errors, nothing that detracts from the story.
I loved this story. And that the people do not realize they are slaves adds an interesting element. I love that it addresses how a person can be so beat down that they know no other way and getting them to wake up and even just see the possibilities, let alone to act beyond their trauma it's a near impossibility.
Fear can rule, but not forever.
Editing had minimal errors, nothing that detracts from the story.
January 26, 2018
Conflicted feelings ....
I am not sure how I feel about this book. I like the writing style. It was easy to read and the dictions were not too flowery for my taste. Unfortunately, it took me a month to finish it when I could finish similar books like this in the same genre within less than 5 hours. The story captivated me but it characters were so blend. Especially the heroine. She just seems so weak minded to me, and it makes me frustrated in trying to find or see "what makes her special" !?
I am not sure how I feel about this book. I like the writing style. It was easy to read and the dictions were not too flowery for my taste. Unfortunately, it took me a month to finish it when I could finish similar books like this in the same genre within less than 5 hours. The story captivated me but it characters were so blend. Especially the heroine. She just seems so weak minded to me, and it makes me frustrated in trying to find or see "what makes her special" !?
January 10, 2018
I thought the premise was interesting, but felt as though the characterization was minimal. It felt a bit rushed, too, and while it was enjoyable on a superficial level, I’m not sure it’s a book that went into as much depth as it could have. I would have loved to have seen more about what the council’s motivations were, and how others who weren’t all part of the resistance fared. Not bad, but not necessarily one I think I’ll keep going back to.
November 13, 2016
I love to read and do so regularly. However, It's been awhile since I have read a book that stopped me in my tracks. But I just couldn't stop reading. I loved every word from cover to cover. When I came out of Hannah's story with tears on my face, the first thing I did was email the author and ask when the next book is coming out. It has every thing you want in a good book. Highly recommend!
March 17, 2017
Great book but
So the story line is great but the first three quarters of the book is just too slow. I almost quit reading it several times because I kept thinking come on get to it. The very end of the book is where the story caught a hold of me I'm sure there will be another book but if it moves this slow I don't think I would bother to read it.
So the story line is great but the first three quarters of the book is just too slow. I almost quit reading it several times because I kept thinking come on get to it. The very end of the book is where the story caught a hold of me I'm sure there will be another book but if it moves this slow I don't think I would bother to read it.
June 30, 2017
I have had this book on my 'currently reading' list for a while. I hadn't even opened it until last night. I really enjoyed this book. The storyline is fabulous. I loved the characters, the main character grew from a child into a young adult but was the same age from start to finish. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
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