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Two Lives Three Choices
When two new students arrive at Krysta’s school, she quickly discovers she
Choose her friends
Seeing one of the new students sitting alone, Krysta must decide whether she’s willing to risk a friendship she already has for someone she hardly knows. That choice causes Krysta to have visions, revealing that the new arrivals are more than they seem.
Choose her side
The new students, Alec and Dion, are more than rivals. They are bitter enemies involved in the war that Krysta is suddenly thrust in the middle of. Unable to run, she must now choose where her loyalties lie.
Choose whether she’s willing to die for those she loves
Because when a friend is in danger, Krysta knows she can save them. But saving her friend’s life could cost Krysta her own.
Those three choices will define the life Krysta leads…and the one that she leaves behind.
Choose her friends
Seeing one of the new students sitting alone, Krysta must decide whether she’s willing to risk a friendship she already has for someone she hardly knows. That choice causes Krysta to have visions, revealing that the new arrivals are more than they seem.
Choose her side
The new students, Alec and Dion, are more than rivals. They are bitter enemies involved in the war that Krysta is suddenly thrust in the middle of. Unable to run, she must now choose where her loyalties lie.
Choose whether she’s willing to die for those she loves
Because when a friend is in danger, Krysta knows she can save them. But saving her friend’s life could cost Krysta her own.
Those three choices will define the life Krysta leads…and the one that she leaves behind.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2016
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
K.L. + Pierce
5 books57 followersWriting since the age of six, Kirsten Pierce has always enjoyed coming up with characters and plots that stirred the imagination. Around middle school she began dabbling in poetry, and had some of her work published in her middle school’s literary magazine. During that time she also developed passions for Technology and Biology. While pursuing these as a Computer Science major, Biology minor, at George Fox University, she spends her spare time writing novels. Kirsten has already collaborated with her father on two books. Two Lives Three Choices is her first solo effort.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 1, 2018
This is a review of the newer edition of this book. I read the original edition a while ago and gave it 3 stars. As you can see, it now as 4 stars. Why the change?
This re-written version has cleaner writing, better dialogue, and some great new details. I am incredibly impressed by how Pierce managed to greatly improve this story while keeping the plot and characters intact.
I love the sci-fi and Christian elements of this story. These aspects are woven into everything: the characters, the world-building, the plot. Pierce went out of her way to create a story that had many beautiful ideas behind it (faith, love, self-confidence) while also focusing on fascinating world-building (advanced technology, new planets).
That being said, my favorite part of the book is still Dion: The main character's older brother. At first glance, he’s the typical bad guy in Christian novels: The one who is lead astray by Satan and turns his back on the truth. But, the further you go into the book, the more interesting his character gets. He has legitimate reasons for choosing to turn his back on God and the amount of love he has for his Christian sister is so cool to read. It’s rare for a Christian novel to have an antagonist who isn’t just pure evil. I’m impressed. I would read the second book in this series simply to see what happens to him.
The other characters in this book were also well-developed. Krysta's fears and struggles were better fleshed out in this edition and I really felt for her struggle to find confidence in herself and her skills. I also thought her love and compassion for her brother really shone through even when his actions hurt her, making her a fascinating character.
Alzer was also particularly well-developed. Pierce gave us more information on his backstory and his fears. Watching him struggle to keep fighting even though he was tired and losing hope was inspiring and made me fall in love with his character. I'm excited to see what happens with him in book 2.
While largely corrected, there were still some issues with pacing and dialogue. Most of the dialogue was smoothed over in this new edition, but some of it still felt a bit stiff (though these stretches of dialogue were not super common). The first part of the book is a bit slow, and the characters can at first glance seem a bit flat because much of their backstory and development takes place in the last half. However, because that backstory does happen at some point, it wasn't a huge problem. And, while slow, it was never boring or tiresome to read. Getting to see pieces of Krysta's regular high school life and her growing relationship with Dion and Alec is intriguing.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters and the great messages of sibling love, faith, and overcoming fear. Pierce is an author who writes with heart and purpose and I cannot wait to read more of her work!
This re-written version has cleaner writing, better dialogue, and some great new details. I am incredibly impressed by how Pierce managed to greatly improve this story while keeping the plot and characters intact.
I love the sci-fi and Christian elements of this story. These aspects are woven into everything: the characters, the world-building, the plot. Pierce went out of her way to create a story that had many beautiful ideas behind it (faith, love, self-confidence) while also focusing on fascinating world-building (advanced technology, new planets).
That being said, my favorite part of the book is still Dion: The main character's older brother. At first glance, he’s the typical bad guy in Christian novels: The one who is lead astray by Satan and turns his back on the truth. But, the further you go into the book, the more interesting his character gets. He has legitimate reasons for choosing to turn his back on God and the amount of love he has for his Christian sister is so cool to read. It’s rare for a Christian novel to have an antagonist who isn’t just pure evil. I’m impressed. I would read the second book in this series simply to see what happens to him.
The other characters in this book were also well-developed. Krysta's fears and struggles were better fleshed out in this edition and I really felt for her struggle to find confidence in herself and her skills. I also thought her love and compassion for her brother really shone through even when his actions hurt her, making her a fascinating character.
Alzer was also particularly well-developed. Pierce gave us more information on his backstory and his fears. Watching him struggle to keep fighting even though he was tired and losing hope was inspiring and made me fall in love with his character. I'm excited to see what happens with him in book 2.
While largely corrected, there were still some issues with pacing and dialogue. Most of the dialogue was smoothed over in this new edition, but some of it still felt a bit stiff (though these stretches of dialogue were not super common). The first part of the book is a bit slow, and the characters can at first glance seem a bit flat because much of their backstory and development takes place in the last half. However, because that backstory does happen at some point, it wasn't a huge problem. And, while slow, it was never boring or tiresome to read. Getting to see pieces of Krysta's regular high school life and her growing relationship with Dion and Alec is intriguing.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book! I loved the characters and the great messages of sibling love, faith, and overcoming fear. Pierce is an author who writes with heart and purpose and I cannot wait to read more of her work!
February 3, 2018
The only negative thing I have to say about this book is that it gets off to a somewhat slow start. The first chapters take a little too long to establish the book’s central conflict and unique identity. But--and I cannot stress this strongly enough--the excitement ratchets up very quickly after that. The story develops into a fascinating contemporary sci-fi adventure with Christian allegorical elements woven in. These faith-based themes are handled in an engaging, non-preachy fashion that won’t put readers off, and they lead to some powerful moments in the book’s denouement. The characters are well-developed and intriguing, both the heroes and the villains. I was particularly impressed with how Pierce handled the character of Dion, especially with regard to the Christian themes--wish I could say more about that, but this is the kind of book you don’t want spoiled for you in advance. There are multiple startling and clever plot twists. In summary, Two Lives, Three Choices is a skillful work of YA sci-fi, as well as a fun and gripping story. I hope K.L. Pierce writes a sequel soon. She’s a talented indie author whom you should definitely keep on your radar.
September 24, 2017
Two Lives Three Choices is a very enjoyable sci-fi read, with some great Christian allegorical elements mixed in. This book had been on my TBR list for a while, but when I heard that Pierce was re-releasing a sort of “new-and-improved” version on September 15th, I thought it was high time I read it.
And over all, I was not disappointed! I have to admit, I didn’t care for the beginning all that much... it seemed to be a pretty standard high-school setting, complete with a, “should I sit with the new kid?” dilemma. But it picked up quickly, and became so much more than that. (I even found myself not minding the use of first person, which usually bothers me—so that says something!)
Krysta, the main character, is super down-to-earth, and made me laugh more than once because of that fact. MC or not, no one is going to pull the wool over her eyes! She knows what weird is, and isn’t going to sit by and meekly accept her lot as the main character without saying so.
As for other characters, I’d like to talk about Dion and Alzer. When thinking about Dion, all I can say is the words of Reepicheep to Eustace at the end of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie: ”What a magnificent puzzle you are!” He’s a wonderfully dynamic, full-of-contradictions kind of character that keeps you guessing as to what his heart is really like. Then there’s Alzer. He falls more into the classic “good guy” category, but is far from coming across as Mr.-does-everything-right. He has morals, and tries to stick to them, even in the face of Dion’s constant greyness. (Alzer also has regrets, which adds another distinct layer to his character, which I appreciate.)
Another thing I loved (which might really be my favorite part) was the technology. The worldbuilding in this area was outstanding. I honestly found myself envious of Pierce’s imagination here. xD (I guess that’s why I write fantasy, not sci-fi). Just the sheer number of uses she thought up for a watch, of all things. 101%!!
But now we come to the stuff that I didn’t enjoy quite so much. Possibly the thing that bothered me the most was the dialogue. It was very... ordinary. And while that is also a pro, since that makes the characters relatable, it’s ultimately a con as well, since in fiction, that makes it a little flat. It’s really a two-edged sword that way. Also, while I mentioned above that Krysta has a very sharp Weird Events sensor, she, as well as the rest of the characters seemed to be surprised, and then “get over” stuff really quick. But that could just be me, since I’d be the character running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. (Pardon my hillbilly). ;P
In the end, however, I was able to look beyond these small missteps and enjoy a lovely read. It was very clean—something I always appreciate—and successfully drove home the message that it is never too late for someone to change. Never too late to run back into Immanuel’s arms.
And over all, I was not disappointed! I have to admit, I didn’t care for the beginning all that much... it seemed to be a pretty standard high-school setting, complete with a, “should I sit with the new kid?” dilemma. But it picked up quickly, and became so much more than that. (I even found myself not minding the use of first person, which usually bothers me—so that says something!)
Krysta, the main character, is super down-to-earth, and made me laugh more than once because of that fact. MC or not, no one is going to pull the wool over her eyes! She knows what weird is, and isn’t going to sit by and meekly accept her lot as the main character without saying so.
As for other characters, I’d like to talk about Dion and Alzer. When thinking about Dion, all I can say is the words of Reepicheep to Eustace at the end of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader movie: ”What a magnificent puzzle you are!” He’s a wonderfully dynamic, full-of-contradictions kind of character that keeps you guessing as to what his heart is really like. Then there’s Alzer. He falls more into the classic “good guy” category, but is far from coming across as Mr.-does-everything-right. He has morals, and tries to stick to them, even in the face of Dion’s constant greyness. (Alzer also has regrets, which adds another distinct layer to his character, which I appreciate.)
Another thing I loved (which might really be my favorite part) was the technology. The worldbuilding in this area was outstanding. I honestly found myself envious of Pierce’s imagination here. xD (I guess that’s why I write fantasy, not sci-fi). Just the sheer number of uses she thought up for a watch, of all things. 101%!!
But now we come to the stuff that I didn’t enjoy quite so much. Possibly the thing that bothered me the most was the dialogue. It was very... ordinary. And while that is also a pro, since that makes the characters relatable, it’s ultimately a con as well, since in fiction, that makes it a little flat. It’s really a two-edged sword that way. Also, while I mentioned above that Krysta has a very sharp Weird Events sensor, she, as well as the rest of the characters seemed to be surprised, and then “get over” stuff really quick. But that could just be me, since I’d be the character running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. (Pardon my hillbilly). ;P
In the end, however, I was able to look beyond these small missteps and enjoy a lovely read. It was very clean—something I always appreciate—and successfully drove home the message that it is never too late for someone to change. Never too late to run back into Immanuel’s arms.
June 15, 2019
Just as amazing the third time around! I love this new updated edition!
As a frequent reader of YA books, I’ve been realizing that a lot of them seem to lack substantial meaning. Their goal is to entertain—perhaps even to pose weighty, philosophy questions—but not to influence or inspire or to help their readers become better people on account of reading it.
K.L. Pierce has opted not to follow this trend. She has crafted a YA sci-fi book, virtually drenched with meaning. Two Lives Three Choices explores weighty themes of courage, loyalty, faith, and self-sacrifice in a palpable manner—but without ever sacrificing entertainment value. This novel kept thoroughly entertained from the beginning. It was sometimes even difficult to put down, which is a very rare occurrence for me.
I also loved the way Pierce seamlessly wraps a Christian allegory into her novel. The war between King Immanuel and Etans on the planet of Arret reflects the gospel perfectly—and it makes for a refreshing, engaging premise. In this way, Two Lives Three Choices reminds me of the work of C.S. Lewis.
Now, as a reader who always pays the most attention to characters, I’d now like to comment on the main four characters and the impressions that each left on me.
Dion: Perhaps the best-developed villain I’ve ever encountered in YA fiction! The sections where he narrated the book were probably the best in my opinion. My heart broke for Dion as I discovered all the destructive lies that he’s hopelessly ensnared in. His top two loyalties in life seem to be Etans and his sister—loyalties, which conflict and tear him practically in two. I don’t think he’s really decided yet who he feels more loyal to. I can only imagine that his development will only improve in future installments as Dion further explores where his loyalties lie and what kind of man he aspires to be.
Miah: OH MY GOODNESS!! I FREAKING ADORE THIS CHARACTER! SHES SO AWEOMSE. At first glance, Miah might seem just like your generic popular girl, but there is so much more going on beneath the surface. Miah is genuinely kind and loyal, but also complex and quite faulted. She had some fabulous sass and plenty of hilarious lines. I love her backstory that got added into this updated version of the book. And I love the fact she that—despite being the popular girl—chose nerdy Krysta as her best friend. I was also deeply amused by her love for comic books in this edition; it seemed just so fitting and so surprising for her character at the same time. I really, really hope to see Miah again in future installments!
Krysta: Every time I read Two Lives Three Choices, the protagonist of the book actually grows on me rather slowly. She doesn’t hook me immediately quite like Miah and Dion do—but, by the end, Krysta wins me over every time. She serves as an effective moral compass character, which is immensely challenging to pull off in any protagonist. Krysta almost always does what is right and benevolent. Through Krysta, Pierce teaches us what traits she most values and reminds us what kind of kind, brave, and loyal person that we just can become if we put our faith in King Immanuel and strive to follow Him. In this regard, Krysta reminds of Captain America and Wonder Woman; they are all dynamic and compelling figures that are defined by unwavering loyalty unto their values. Having said this, Krysta is certainly not lacking in complexity. Having wrestled with cowardice during her youth and having made some very cowardly decisions, she is still often tempted to fall once more into cowardice.
Alzer: I feel like it took three readings for Alzer to really “click” for me. I still don’t feel like I know him as well as the other characters—but this time around, I found the mystery rather compelling. He is difficult to figure out, but I feel like this is largely intentional on Pierce’s part. Perhaps my favorite thing about Alzer, though, is how much he clearly cares about his best friend. Being otherwise rather stoic, it really is touching to behold! I look forward to seeing more of Alzer in future books and getting to know him better.
Alzer’s friendship with Krysta, however, is by no means the only impressionable relationship in this book. I love how Pierce explores what happens when childhood friends and family members end up on opposite sides of a war. While the brother-sister relationship is touching for obvious reasons, I was also really intrigued by the prior-friends-turned-into-rivals relationship between Dion and Alzer. Their dynamics are fascinating because—while they share fond childhood memories and would love for the other to switch sides—they’ve ceased to really care that much. Krysta is the only person potentially holding them together and giving them hope that they might end up on the same side so they can be friends once more. There are hints of mutual fondness between the men—but it is never as pointed as the Krysta/Dion relationship, which I made me appreciate it even more!
The only critique I could really give Two Lives Three Choices would be that I feel like the writing has room for improvement. However, Pierce is a young author just starting in her career. I have little doubt that her writing will improve as she keeps authoring more books—especially if I consider how much her writing has already enhanced between the two editions of this novel. Pierce has refined her craft and become a much more engaging author than ever before. She has learned to show, rather than tell. The novel has improved tremendously in terms of flow, character development, world-building, and pacing.
All things considered, I would not hesitate to recommend Two Lives Three Choices to any Christian who wants to read a thoroughly entertaining novel with well-written characters, strong themes, and a thoughtful exploration of what faith looks like. Excellent job, K.L. + Pierce! I’m lucky to have stumbled upon this emerging indie-author!
As a frequent reader of YA books, I’ve been realizing that a lot of them seem to lack substantial meaning. Their goal is to entertain—perhaps even to pose weighty, philosophy questions—but not to influence or inspire or to help their readers become better people on account of reading it.
K.L. Pierce has opted not to follow this trend. She has crafted a YA sci-fi book, virtually drenched with meaning. Two Lives Three Choices explores weighty themes of courage, loyalty, faith, and self-sacrifice in a palpable manner—but without ever sacrificing entertainment value. This novel kept thoroughly entertained from the beginning. It was sometimes even difficult to put down, which is a very rare occurrence for me.
I also loved the way Pierce seamlessly wraps a Christian allegory into her novel. The war between King Immanuel and Etans on the planet of Arret reflects the gospel perfectly—and it makes for a refreshing, engaging premise. In this way, Two Lives Three Choices reminds me of the work of C.S. Lewis.
Now, as a reader who always pays the most attention to characters, I’d now like to comment on the main four characters and the impressions that each left on me.
Dion: Perhaps the best-developed villain I’ve ever encountered in YA fiction! The sections where he narrated the book were probably the best in my opinion. My heart broke for Dion as I discovered all the destructive lies that he’s hopelessly ensnared in. His top two loyalties in life seem to be Etans and his sister—loyalties, which conflict and tear him practically in two. I don’t think he’s really decided yet who he feels more loyal to. I can only imagine that his development will only improve in future installments as Dion further explores where his loyalties lie and what kind of man he aspires to be.
Miah: OH MY GOODNESS!! I FREAKING ADORE THIS CHARACTER! SHES SO AWEOMSE. At first glance, Miah might seem just like your generic popular girl, but there is so much more going on beneath the surface. Miah is genuinely kind and loyal, but also complex and quite faulted. She had some fabulous sass and plenty of hilarious lines. I love her backstory that got added into this updated version of the book. And I love the fact she that—despite being the popular girl—chose nerdy Krysta as her best friend. I was also deeply amused by her love for comic books in this edition; it seemed just so fitting and so surprising for her character at the same time. I really, really hope to see Miah again in future installments!
Krysta: Every time I read Two Lives Three Choices, the protagonist of the book actually grows on me rather slowly. She doesn’t hook me immediately quite like Miah and Dion do—but, by the end, Krysta wins me over every time. She serves as an effective moral compass character, which is immensely challenging to pull off in any protagonist. Krysta almost always does what is right and benevolent. Through Krysta, Pierce teaches us what traits she most values and reminds us what kind of kind, brave, and loyal person that we just can become if we put our faith in King Immanuel and strive to follow Him. In this regard, Krysta reminds of Captain America and Wonder Woman; they are all dynamic and compelling figures that are defined by unwavering loyalty unto their values. Having said this, Krysta is certainly not lacking in complexity. Having wrestled with cowardice during her youth and having made some very cowardly decisions, she is still often tempted to fall once more into cowardice.
Alzer: I feel like it took three readings for Alzer to really “click” for me. I still don’t feel like I know him as well as the other characters—but this time around, I found the mystery rather compelling. He is difficult to figure out, but I feel like this is largely intentional on Pierce’s part. Perhaps my favorite thing about Alzer, though, is how much he clearly cares about his best friend. Being otherwise rather stoic, it really is touching to behold! I look forward to seeing more of Alzer in future books and getting to know him better.
Alzer’s friendship with Krysta, however, is by no means the only impressionable relationship in this book. I love how Pierce explores what happens when childhood friends and family members end up on opposite sides of a war. While the brother-sister relationship is touching for obvious reasons, I was also really intrigued by the prior-friends-turned-into-rivals relationship between Dion and Alzer. Their dynamics are fascinating because—while they share fond childhood memories and would love for the other to switch sides—they’ve ceased to really care that much. Krysta is the only person potentially holding them together and giving them hope that they might end up on the same side so they can be friends once more. There are hints of mutual fondness between the men—but it is never as pointed as the Krysta/Dion relationship, which I made me appreciate it even more!
The only critique I could really give Two Lives Three Choices would be that I feel like the writing has room for improvement. However, Pierce is a young author just starting in her career. I have little doubt that her writing will improve as she keeps authoring more books—especially if I consider how much her writing has already enhanced between the two editions of this novel. Pierce has refined her craft and become a much more engaging author than ever before. She has learned to show, rather than tell. The novel has improved tremendously in terms of flow, character development, world-building, and pacing.
All things considered, I would not hesitate to recommend Two Lives Three Choices to any Christian who wants to read a thoroughly entertaining novel with well-written characters, strong themes, and a thoughtful exploration of what faith looks like. Excellent job, K.L. + Pierce! I’m lucky to have stumbled upon this emerging indie-author!
October 25, 2017
3.75 stars!
Pierce has taken this story to a whole new level with her revisions!! A lot of the issues I had with the original version were fixed and the overall story took a big leap in quality.
At it's center, this story is one with pure themes about family, friendship, and beliefs. I have no issue with stories that have morally gray and complex messages, but I find them to be a bit overused nowadays and so was extremely refreshed to read a book with such rich and healthy messages.
I enjoyed the characters a lot more in this version as well! The first time around I found Krysta to be rather hard to connect with. It's not like I didn't like her or anything, but I found some of her reactions to certain happenings to be rather stiff and unrealistic. This time around she's much more relatable! She's constantly getting angry and frustrated about a lot of things that she's made to go through, and so is portrayed in a much more realistic light.
Alec was pretty cool too, he was such a good friend to Krysta! I really liked seeing his soldier side get fleshed out more and loved seeing some of the parallels between him and Dion.
And Dion!!!! (I had to save the best for last) he was such a morally complex character!! At one moment you'll want to root for him and the next you'll want to slap him. He's more or less the "Villain" off this story, but he was such a well developed one! While he's willing to bend a lot of strong moral codes for his own doings, once in awhile we're given glimpses of his former self that show us he isn't completely lost to darkness (Think Loki type of villain) He still cares deeply for a few people and would be willing to go to any lengths to make sure they're safe. We need more villains like Dion!
This book isn't a perfect one, it still did have it's issues. For instance, I found some of the dialog to be a bit too casual sometimes? Granted, a lot of this is probably due to the contemporary setting the majority of the book is set in, but I still felt like the dialog lacked, I don't have a specific name or definition for it, but it lacked that extra something.
I also felt as if certain things that happened to Krysta (Those who have read it will know what I mean) confused me a little bit.
And Alec, while an interesting character, felt a little bit underdeveloped in that we didn't really get any of his backstory. Once again, this might be more of an "It's me not the book" as this book was meant to focus more on Krysta and Dion than Alec, yet I still would've liked at least some vague hints or references to his past.
However this is a debut book, and despite it's few flaws, it serves as a solid gateway to what I believe will be an incredible series. We need more Christian art like this, if more Christian authors thought with the creativity that Pierce does, I would read a lot more Christian fiction.
Pierce has taken this story to a whole new level with her revisions!! A lot of the issues I had with the original version were fixed and the overall story took a big leap in quality.
At it's center, this story is one with pure themes about family, friendship, and beliefs. I have no issue with stories that have morally gray and complex messages, but I find them to be a bit overused nowadays and so was extremely refreshed to read a book with such rich and healthy messages.
I enjoyed the characters a lot more in this version as well! The first time around I found Krysta to be rather hard to connect with. It's not like I didn't like her or anything, but I found some of her reactions to certain happenings to be rather stiff and unrealistic. This time around she's much more relatable! She's constantly getting angry and frustrated about a lot of things that she's made to go through, and so is portrayed in a much more realistic light.
Alec was pretty cool too, he was such a good friend to Krysta! I really liked seeing his soldier side get fleshed out more and loved seeing some of the parallels between him and Dion.
And Dion!!!! (I had to save the best for last) he was such a morally complex character!! At one moment you'll want to root for him and the next you'll want to slap him. He's more or less the "Villain" off this story, but he was such a well developed one! While he's willing to bend a lot of strong moral codes for his own doings, once in awhile we're given glimpses of his former self that show us he isn't completely lost to darkness (Think Loki type of villain) He still cares deeply for a few people and would be willing to go to any lengths to make sure they're safe. We need more villains like Dion!
This book isn't a perfect one, it still did have it's issues. For instance, I found some of the dialog to be a bit too casual sometimes? Granted, a lot of this is probably due to the contemporary setting the majority of the book is set in, but I still felt like the dialog lacked, I don't have a specific name or definition for it, but it lacked that extra something.
I also felt as if certain things that happened to Krysta (Those who have read it will know what I mean) confused me a little bit.
And Alec, while an interesting character, felt a little bit underdeveloped in that we didn't really get any of his backstory. Once again, this might be more of an "It's me not the book" as this book was meant to focus more on Krysta and Dion than Alec, yet I still would've liked at least some vague hints or references to his past.
However this is a debut book, and despite it's few flaws, it serves as a solid gateway to what I believe will be an incredible series. We need more Christian art like this, if more Christian authors thought with the creativity that Pierce does, I would read a lot more Christian fiction.
October 28, 2017
I really love the plot of this story. It’s very symbolic of the Christian faith, with Etans (Satan) and King Immanuel (God). The story of Etans’s fall and King Immanuel’s death and resurrection is based off of the Bible. I thought that was worked into the story very well.
Following the life of Krysta and the rediscovering of her memories was a fun, creative journey and her brother, Dion, is an interesting and complex character. He loves his sister and tries to persuade her to join his side—Etans’s side—out of wanting the best for his family, Krysta included. Alzer, Krysta’s best friend, went to Earth when Dion did, with a similar mission: to get Krysta to side with him and King Immanuel in an attempt to destroy Etans; sister-brother relationship issues complicate things, however, and what follows will be a mystery to you unless you pick up the book and read it. (And there’s my transition away from spoilers. You’re welcome.)
I loved the plot and what K. L. Pierce is doing with the story, but the style of writing didn’t quite sit right with me. As much as both Dion’s and Krysta’s characters are interesting and have lots of potential for further development, there were times in the story when the narrative switches POVs—from Krysta’s, to Alzer’s, to Dion’s, and back to Krysta’s. Whoever can write a well-crafted story with easy-to-follow characters and narratives while still using this technique has impressive skill; let’s admit, switching POVs several times is challenging. I was really starting to like Krysta’s perspective and character, but then it changed suddenly to Alzer, whose background is still unclear to me (perhaps his past will be explained later on in the series!). Getting Dion’s perspective was interesting, and well done, but besides that, it was a bit confusing. And that’s just my two cents. Perhaps other readers enjoyed the POV change.
Overall, this was a fun, symbolic sci-fi story, and a very refreshing read. I'm looking forward to more of K. L. Pierce's books!
Following the life of Krysta and the rediscovering of her memories was a fun, creative journey and her brother, Dion, is an interesting and complex character. He loves his sister and tries to persuade her to join his side—Etans’s side—out of wanting the best for his family, Krysta included. Alzer, Krysta’s best friend, went to Earth when Dion did, with a similar mission: to get Krysta to side with him and King Immanuel in an attempt to destroy Etans; sister-brother relationship issues complicate things, however, and what follows will be a mystery to you unless you pick up the book and read it. (And there’s my transition away from spoilers. You’re welcome.)
I loved the plot and what K. L. Pierce is doing with the story, but the style of writing didn’t quite sit right with me. As much as both Dion’s and Krysta’s characters are interesting and have lots of potential for further development, there were times in the story when the narrative switches POVs—from Krysta’s, to Alzer’s, to Dion’s, and back to Krysta’s. Whoever can write a well-crafted story with easy-to-follow characters and narratives while still using this technique has impressive skill; let’s admit, switching POVs several times is challenging. I was really starting to like Krysta’s perspective and character, but then it changed suddenly to Alzer, whose background is still unclear to me (perhaps his past will be explained later on in the series!). Getting Dion’s perspective was interesting, and well done, but besides that, it was a bit confusing. And that’s just my two cents. Perhaps other readers enjoyed the POV change.
Overall, this was a fun, symbolic sci-fi story, and a very refreshing read. I'm looking forward to more of K. L. Pierce's books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2018
I’m very emotional right now because of that ending.
This was a really great book! I have no complaints. The characters were all unique, the plot was great with some turns that were unexpected, but not so unexpected they seemed random. The world was really cool, and I love how the watches could be used to store things, like an inventory in a video game. I’ve never read anything where that was used, and it was such a cool idea.
I also loved how well Christian themes and theology were woven in. They were blatantly obvious to me as a Christian, but I don’t think a non-Christian would find them preachy. (I certainly didn’t, I loved it.)
Basically, it was an amazing book, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
This was a really great book! I have no complaints. The characters were all unique, the plot was great with some turns that were unexpected, but not so unexpected they seemed random. The world was really cool, and I love how the watches could be used to store things, like an inventory in a video game. I’ve never read anything where that was used, and it was such a cool idea.
I also loved how well Christian themes and theology were woven in. They were blatantly obvious to me as a Christian, but I don’t think a non-Christian would find them preachy. (I certainly didn’t, I loved it.)
Basically, it was an amazing book, and I can’t wait to read the next one!
August 16, 2018
3.5 stars rounded to 4. Since YA sci-fi stories aren't necessarily my thing, I was pretty surprised when this book held my attention. It was a fascinating story, one I haven't come across before. I liked the modern day feel mashed together with a futuristic feel. It leaves the reader slightly disoriented, but not in a bad way.
Krysta's character came across as a little bland at first, but that's par for the course when it comes to YA fiction in general. She definitely got more interesting as the story progressed. Dion was my favorite... but I tend to like antagonists the best. What can I say? I'm a sucker for bad boys.
I think Pierce, as she hones her craft, will continue to grow as a writer. Her creativity soars, and I'm curious to see what else she has up her sleeve.
Krysta's character came across as a little bland at first, but that's par for the course when it comes to YA fiction in general. She definitely got more interesting as the story progressed. Dion was my favorite... but I tend to like antagonists the best. What can I say? I'm a sucker for bad boys.
I think Pierce, as she hones her craft, will continue to grow as a writer. Her creativity soars, and I'm curious to see what else she has up her sleeve.
November 6, 2021
This book stole my sleep for two days, so beware! Joking aside, I really enjoyed Two Lives, Three Choices. The allegory was a well done and seamless part of the story and the questions the story raises are interesting and explored on multiple sides. As a Christian, I loved the little details I could pick up on, though this book could still be enjoyed without recognizing them. The world building was interesting and the technology was really imaginative (I want some of their gadgets). Once the action gets going it does not let you go until the end.
I really came to love the characters as well. I love sibling relationships in stories and this one did not disappoint. Miah is just so fun and more complex than she at first appears. The main character Krysta served as an effective moral compass in the best of ways — just because she knew what was right didn’t mean she didn’t struggle! I also loved the moral grayness of the main antagonist — he has his reasons and is far from a cardboard cut out — and the constant question of whether he will be won over. Overall a very enjoyable read.
I really came to love the characters as well. I love sibling relationships in stories and this one did not disappoint. Miah is just so fun and more complex than she at first appears. The main character Krysta served as an effective moral compass in the best of ways — just because she knew what was right didn’t mean she didn’t struggle! I also loved the moral grayness of the main antagonist — he has his reasons and is far from a cardboard cut out — and the constant question of whether he will be won over. Overall a very enjoyable read.
December 18, 2017
A captivating, well-written story! Full review soon!
December 8, 2017
This was a fun, sci-fi read with some underlying themes and a great cast of characters. I loved getting a glimpse a the world and peeling back the layers, finding the little easter eggs spread through the story.
There seems to be a great set up for future stories, with an interesting conflict to follow and some great questions for the reader to answer.
I did have a few problems that are probably something that most readers will not have a problem with. Most are prose problems and there are a few plot holes and things that were confusing to me, but they didn't do much to mar the overall story and I still enjoyed the experience.
I would recommend this book to fans of space fantasy. If you are not a Christian, you might still be able to enjoy it, as it's not too blatant, but as a Christian, you will find it especially enjoyable. There is not a lot of Christian Sci-Fi out there.
There seems to be a great set up for future stories, with an interesting conflict to follow and some great questions for the reader to answer.
I did have a few problems that are probably something that most readers will not have a problem with. Most are prose problems and there are a few plot holes and things that were confusing to me, but they didn't do much to mar the overall story and I still enjoyed the experience.
I would recommend this book to fans of space fantasy. If you are not a Christian, you might still be able to enjoy it, as it's not too blatant, but as a Christian, you will find it especially enjoyable. There is not a lot of Christian Sci-Fi out there.
September 15, 2017
Pierce has done an amazing job with her rewrites, bringing the story from 2D to 3D. I am thoroughly attached to the characters and moved by their struggles!
I appreciated how the beginning hinted at where the story was going and made me look at characters, conversations, and events differently. In fact, the entire story was a bit like a crescendo. It starts off quiet, ordinary, and nonchalant although there is clearly more going on. The second half picks up in pace, emotional weight, and action.
The themes in this book are its shining gem: courage, self-sacrifice, loyalty, perseverance, and hope. Pierce doesn't try to hide the analogies she's drawing between her fictional world and the Bible. Especially toward the second half, she begins posing some of the most difficult questions of the Christian faith. Some receive answers and some don't, but I appreciated the characters' conversations and how it made me think about my own life, the experiences I have gone through, and the people I know who have asked similar questions.
The book truly builds on itself, and although you see early hints about the story's main themes and main struggles, by the time you reach the last quarter of the book you can't help but be invested in Krysta's journey and you feel her frustration and fatigue. Although the ending of the book does not resolve everything, it's obvious we've turned an important corner in Krysta's life and in the story's plot. I can't wait for the sequel!
I appreciated how the beginning hinted at where the story was going and made me look at characters, conversations, and events differently. In fact, the entire story was a bit like a crescendo. It starts off quiet, ordinary, and nonchalant although there is clearly more going on. The second half picks up in pace, emotional weight, and action.
The themes in this book are its shining gem: courage, self-sacrifice, loyalty, perseverance, and hope. Pierce doesn't try to hide the analogies she's drawing between her fictional world and the Bible. Especially toward the second half, she begins posing some of the most difficult questions of the Christian faith. Some receive answers and some don't, but I appreciated the characters' conversations and how it made me think about my own life, the experiences I have gone through, and the people I know who have asked similar questions.
The book truly builds on itself, and although you see early hints about the story's main themes and main struggles, by the time you reach the last quarter of the book you can't help but be invested in Krysta's journey and you feel her frustration and fatigue. Although the ending of the book does not resolve everything, it's obvious we've turned an important corner in Krysta's life and in the story's plot. I can't wait for the sequel!
August 27, 2021
I've been meaning to read this for a while, and now that I have, here are my thoughts:
The Good:
Krysta and Dion were well-drawn characters.
Kirsten made me like Dion, even though I didn't agree with his actions or beliefs. He was still a sympathetic character and I can't wait for more of him.
Krysta was adorable. I love her sweet, but fiesty attitude, her search for truth, her stubbornness and her love for her friends and family.
World-building: This was excellent. I really liked seeing the different tech aspects of the world and the different "superpowers " were a nice touch.
The Cons:
Dialogue: the dialogue was a little diluted. It felt like it could have been better developed.
Alec: I liked the guy. I really did, but he seemed underdeveloped. I hope we get to see him rounded out in future books.
Description: I felt like the description was lacking. I would've liked more meaty paragraphs explaining things a little more, but this might just be me.
Overall: An excellent book with a few minor things that I am more than willing to overlook. I appreciate the message (s) of the book. I wish there had been more like this when I was younger and looking for a good read.
The Good:
Krysta and Dion were well-drawn characters.
Kirsten made me like Dion, even though I didn't agree with his actions or beliefs. He was still a sympathetic character and I can't wait for more of him.
Krysta was adorable. I love her sweet, but fiesty attitude, her search for truth, her stubbornness and her love for her friends and family.
World-building: This was excellent. I really liked seeing the different tech aspects of the world and the different "superpowers " were a nice touch.
The Cons:
Dialogue: the dialogue was a little diluted. It felt like it could have been better developed.
Alec: I liked the guy. I really did, but he seemed underdeveloped. I hope we get to see him rounded out in future books.
Description: I felt like the description was lacking. I would've liked more meaty paragraphs explaining things a little more, but this might just be me.
Overall: An excellent book with a few minor things that I am more than willing to overlook. I appreciate the message (s) of the book. I wish there had been more like this when I was younger and looking for a good read.
November 18, 2020
Despite a slow beginning, this story develops into an exciting blend of Christian allegory and science fiction elements. While some of the symbolic representations were immediately obvious, as the story progressed, Pierce when deeper into some of the more difficult questions surrounding Christianity and faith. Through the conflict between Krysta, Alec, and Dion, she depicted the fight of faith and the deception used by the enemy of faith to blind people to the truth of the King’s promises in his word. I particularly liked the thought-provoking moments toward the end of the book, and I’m eager to see what lies ahead as these characters continue their journeys. I feel invested in their futures, and I’m ready to cheer them on in the sequel!
The main issue I had with the story was how it started with a very innocent high school drama that felt safe for middle grade to high school readers, yet later in the book had several darker scenes—phasers were not set to stun if you know what I mean. I was surprised by how willing the characters were to use lethal force against each other despite their close personal connections to each other, and while it increased the suspense of the scenes, it came as a bit of a surprise to me. The content was still clean and appropriate for a teen/young adult audience, but may be a bit dark for a middle grade/younger teen audience. The writing also felt slightly awkward in a few places, with minor typos popping up occasionally. I may have only noticed the weaker points in the writing because I have read one of the author’s more recent stories in the Phoenix Fiction Anthology, Strange Waters. Through the Lens, featured in that collection, has demonstrated Pierce’s growth as an author, with crisp dialogue and flowing prose. I know that the sequel to this series is one that I look forward to reading when it releases!
The main issue I had with the story was how it started with a very innocent high school drama that felt safe for middle grade to high school readers, yet later in the book had several darker scenes—phasers were not set to stun if you know what I mean. I was surprised by how willing the characters were to use lethal force against each other despite their close personal connections to each other, and while it increased the suspense of the scenes, it came as a bit of a surprise to me. The content was still clean and appropriate for a teen/young adult audience, but may be a bit dark for a middle grade/younger teen audience. The writing also felt slightly awkward in a few places, with minor typos popping up occasionally. I may have only noticed the weaker points in the writing because I have read one of the author’s more recent stories in the Phoenix Fiction Anthology, Strange Waters. Through the Lens, featured in that collection, has demonstrated Pierce’s growth as an author, with crisp dialogue and flowing prose. I know that the sequel to this series is one that I look forward to reading when it releases!
March 9, 2018
I haven't read a lot of science fiction, but I heard about K. L. + Pierce's book on Twitter and decided to check it out. I'm glad I did. Her mixture of realism and creative technology were helpful to a reader inexperienced with this genre.
My favorite thing about this story has to be the character relationships. I love stories about siblings and am glad Pierce went in that direction instead of favoring the only child MC of so many modern stories. I also love the dynamic she build between the two twins and thought she used their relationship as a driving force to explore the key themes and questions in this story.
I was a little confused at the beginning, trying to figure out how the sci fi and real world dynamics fit together. The use of Krysta as a narrator figuring out what was happening helped me make more sense of the story, and I felt like I found my feet by the end enough that I'll be in a good place for the sequel. The tech aspects were cool, particularly the watches that double as carry-alls. As someone who likes to be prepared, I wish I had such a useful watch!
This story does well exploring various sides of questions that many people, Christians and otherwise, struggle with. I appreciated that in most cases no one answer was given, allowing us as the readers to come to our own conclusions.
The only thing I really wish was explored more was the backstory. For some of the characters, I felt like I could have understood them more if I'd known a bit more of their past experiences. I also wished more was explained about the war. This wasn't a terrible lack of information, and may be explored more in the next book.
I enjoyed "Two Lives Three Choices" and look forward to exploring more of Krysta's world. I recommend this to readers of sci fi who enjoy diverse character relationships (read: relationships not necessarily romantic in nature) and Christian themes.
My favorite thing about this story has to be the character relationships. I love stories about siblings and am glad Pierce went in that direction instead of favoring the only child MC of so many modern stories. I also love the dynamic she build between the two twins and thought she used their relationship as a driving force to explore the key themes and questions in this story.
I was a little confused at the beginning, trying to figure out how the sci fi and real world dynamics fit together. The use of Krysta as a narrator figuring out what was happening helped me make more sense of the story, and I felt like I found my feet by the end enough that I'll be in a good place for the sequel. The tech aspects were cool, particularly the watches that double as carry-alls. As someone who likes to be prepared, I wish I had such a useful watch!
This story does well exploring various sides of questions that many people, Christians and otherwise, struggle with. I appreciated that in most cases no one answer was given, allowing us as the readers to come to our own conclusions.
The only thing I really wish was explored more was the backstory. For some of the characters, I felt like I could have understood them more if I'd known a bit more of their past experiences. I also wished more was explained about the war. This wasn't a terrible lack of information, and may be explored more in the next book.
I enjoyed "Two Lives Three Choices" and look forward to exploring more of Krysta's world. I recommend this to readers of sci fi who enjoy diverse character relationships (read: relationships not necessarily romantic in nature) and Christian themes.
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