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Salvation
A dystopian page-turner that will shock you to the core …
When the Preachers take control, families like Olivia’s are no longer tolerated. Taken from her mother and raised at a School of Salvation, Olivia must convert to a life of faithful obedience. But somehow her doubts remain.
Why is there so much cruelty around her? Why do the Preachers seem to have all the wealth? And what will she believe after The Cleansing, a sinister ritual that promises to lay all her doubts to rest?
Olivia’s misgivings bring her nothing but abuse, and she yearns desperately to conform. But a shocking suicide and a surprise intervention by an attractive Assistant Preacher expose the truth that she is in terrible danger; she must escape the School of Salvation and brave the outside world, before she loses everything ...
The first in an astonishing new trilogy, Salvation is a thought experiment in the extremes of evangelism, a terrifying glimpse into a world that values belief and compliance above free will.
When the Preachers take control, families like Olivia’s are no longer tolerated. Taken from her mother and raised at a School of Salvation, Olivia must convert to a life of faithful obedience. But somehow her doubts remain.
Why is there so much cruelty around her? Why do the Preachers seem to have all the wealth? And what will she believe after The Cleansing, a sinister ritual that promises to lay all her doubts to rest?
Olivia’s misgivings bring her nothing but abuse, and she yearns desperately to conform. But a shocking suicide and a surprise intervention by an attractive Assistant Preacher expose the truth that she is in terrible danger; she must escape the School of Salvation and brave the outside world, before she loses everything ...
The first in an astonishing new trilogy, Salvation is a thought experiment in the extremes of evangelism, a terrifying glimpse into a world that values belief and compliance above free will.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2016
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 8, 2017
In a not too far fetched dystopian future, religion has taken over free will. Threatened by what they saw as a sinful world, the top Christian religious leaders came together to intervene. What most people didn't understand at the time was that it was more than intervention to save their souls, it was a coup. Those leaders wanted everyone to conform, to be easily pliable, with no more free thinking. They would do this by any means necessary.
At the age of five, Olivia was 'rescued' from her mother. Considered an abomination, born to an unmarried atheist woman, she was tattooed with the letters SAP: Saved Atheist Progeny, and relocated to the School of Salvation to begin the saving process. Twelve years later at the age of seventeen, Olivia still has yet to conform. While others show blind obedience, she has doubts and voices them often. When an assistant preacher intervenes and exposes the truth behind everyone's salvation, Olivia knows she must escape the school or lose herself.
This is another book that I truly have mixed feelings on. It's not a bad book, but I can't say it's a really great book either. There are both good points and not so good. As always, let's start with the good. The set up and world building are done quite well. The beginning starts with a flashback to a five year old Olivia being taken from her mother. From there it moves to her present situation. The world is done in a highly believable way. The herd mentality, whether through true belief or fear is portrayed convincingly. The lengths that those in charge were willing to go to have control and conformity were frightening. I found Olivia's characterization in the beginning to be interesting and enjoyable. Her first person account of her own 'healing experience' made me snicker.
As the book moved on though, I became less enchanted. It's hard to put my finger on what exactly it was that caused this. Perhaps several little things that began to add up. From the moment of their escape, it felt like things were just too easy. Each hurdle in their way seemed like it was set up just to move the story along and then was easily overcome. Everything began to become all too predictable, including the parts that were to be gotcha factors. Olivia's character as a protagonist waned exceedingly once she left. Lastly, the romance between the two main characters felt forced vs organic. I know, I know, all YA books have the young love (and kudos for no Insta-love), but the chemistry felt lacking.
I realize that it could be argued that I'm not the target audience as I have children that are. Nonetheless, I tend to gravitate towards YA dystopians. Overall, once again, this isn't a bad book, maybe it was just a bit too simplistic on the whole. That doesn't mean the author is not talented, I just feel in my humble non important opinion, that there were missed opportunities to expand and make this a really riveting book.
At the age of five, Olivia was 'rescued' from her mother. Considered an abomination, born to an unmarried atheist woman, she was tattooed with the letters SAP: Saved Atheist Progeny, and relocated to the School of Salvation to begin the saving process. Twelve years later at the age of seventeen, Olivia still has yet to conform. While others show blind obedience, she has doubts and voices them often. When an assistant preacher intervenes and exposes the truth behind everyone's salvation, Olivia knows she must escape the school or lose herself.
This is another book that I truly have mixed feelings on. It's not a bad book, but I can't say it's a really great book either. There are both good points and not so good. As always, let's start with the good. The set up and world building are done quite well. The beginning starts with a flashback to a five year old Olivia being taken from her mother. From there it moves to her present situation. The world is done in a highly believable way. The herd mentality, whether through true belief or fear is portrayed convincingly. The lengths that those in charge were willing to go to have control and conformity were frightening. I found Olivia's characterization in the beginning to be interesting and enjoyable. Her first person account of her own 'healing experience' made me snicker.
As the book moved on though, I became less enchanted. It's hard to put my finger on what exactly it was that caused this. Perhaps several little things that began to add up. From the moment of their escape, it felt like things were just too easy. Each hurdle in their way seemed like it was set up just to move the story along and then was easily overcome. Everything began to become all too predictable, including the parts that were to be gotcha factors. Olivia's character as a protagonist waned exceedingly once she left. Lastly, the romance between the two main characters felt forced vs organic. I know, I know, all YA books have the young love (and kudos for no Insta-love), but the chemistry felt lacking.
I realize that it could be argued that I'm not the target audience as I have children that are. Nonetheless, I tend to gravitate towards YA dystopians. Overall, once again, this isn't a bad book, maybe it was just a bit too simplistic on the whole. That doesn't mean the author is not talented, I just feel in my humble non important opinion, that there were missed opportunities to expand and make this a really riveting book.
December 26, 2016
If you want a book to make you think, Emma C Williams's second novel does just this. A modern dystopian in the purest sense, this young adult novel is a thought provoking critique of religion in the current climate.
Protagonist, Olivia forms a strong female voice, standing up against indoctrination and fighting against the establishment. She meets many interesting characters along the way including Gil, Ruth, Daniel and of course, romantic interest David.
Together, this band of reformists break down literal and metaphorical barriers in order to uncover the truth.
Settings such as the iconic Royal Holloway College and 10 Downing Street ensure that this novel does not slip into the realms of fantasy, because, the most important message of Salvation, is that we can, and should, maintain free will and free thought in the face of social and religious control.
A compelling read. Download it now.
Protagonist, Olivia forms a strong female voice, standing up against indoctrination and fighting against the establishment. She meets many interesting characters along the way including Gil, Ruth, Daniel and of course, romantic interest David.
Together, this band of reformists break down literal and metaphorical barriers in order to uncover the truth.
Settings such as the iconic Royal Holloway College and 10 Downing Street ensure that this novel does not slip into the realms of fantasy, because, the most important message of Salvation, is that we can, and should, maintain free will and free thought in the face of social and religious control.
A compelling read. Download it now.
January 31, 2017
Not my usual choice of book being a YA/Crossover. Lovely flowing writing made it easy to read and I got really caught up with the story and needed to finish it quickly. Wish I hadn't because now I need to know what happens to the main characters.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews