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Blood Runners #1
Absolution
Absolution: A system of law in which young men and women, “Runners,” are paid bounties, or blood money, to become suspects in crimes committed by the wealthy. They way they are proven innocent? Evade, escape, and survive their hunters.
At nineteen, Marisol never thought she would be a tracker of humans.
In this post-apocalyptic world where justice is determined by a system of Absolution, Marisol steps up to do her duty. She hates everything that Absolution stands for, but there's nothing she can do about it. Nothing, that is, until one of her Runners turns out to be the key to uncovering a vast conspiracy that threatens to topple the dictator of New Chicago and change their lives forever.
At nineteen, Marisol never thought she would be a tracker of humans.
In this post-apocalyptic world where justice is determined by a system of Absolution, Marisol steps up to do her duty. She hates everything that Absolution stands for, but there's nothing she can do about it. Nothing, that is, until one of her Runners turns out to be the key to uncovering a vast conspiracy that threatens to topple the dictator of New Chicago and change their lives forever.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
145 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 16, 2019
“Embrace the darkness. Level up as you let that feeling become one with you.”
A combination of SciFi/post apocalyptic with Cyberpunk, in the line with The Hunger Games, a cruel and unfair method of justice, Absolution.
Absolution was the method by which crimes and wrongs committed by the offspring of the powerful were resolved by Runners, boys and girls trained to be chased by “The Apes”, The Hunters, a supposedly law abide force imposed by a dictator in a post apocalyptic New Chicago. The augment upgrades are a nefarious way to obtain, stalking and bringing down Runners and other social outcasts. The survival life is tenacious and hard, the discovery of atrocities committed by the government, the lies, the make believe oppressed society takes our protagonist and a runner to escape the boundaries of the wall to a desired freedom, which leads them to high voltage adventures. Fast paced and full of action, edge of the seat scenes, and intrepid ventures. A series definitely to follow!
A combination of SciFi/post apocalyptic with Cyberpunk, in the line with The Hunger Games, a cruel and unfair method of justice, Absolution.
Absolution was the method by which crimes and wrongs committed by the offspring of the powerful were resolved by Runners, boys and girls trained to be chased by “The Apes”, The Hunters, a supposedly law abide force imposed by a dictator in a post apocalyptic New Chicago. The augment upgrades are a nefarious way to obtain, stalking and bringing down Runners and other social outcasts. The survival life is tenacious and hard, the discovery of atrocities committed by the government, the lies, the make believe oppressed society takes our protagonist and a runner to escape the boundaries of the wall to a desired freedom, which leads them to high voltage adventures. Fast paced and full of action, edge of the seat scenes, and intrepid ventures. A series definitely to follow!
October 29, 2019
Post-Apocalyptic/Dystopian LitRPG
4.25 out of 5 stars
Absolution was a book that I didn’t know much about going in. I know Sloan is a fantastic author so I went into it with pretty high hopes even though I wasn’t sure what I was getting into.
It read like a post-apocalyptic/dystopian LitRPG. Now, the way that I read this, it wasn’t really a LitRPG – but it has the same levels and level up features that they usually do. In my head it was sort of a dystopian future where everyone is basically a number now.
The storytelling and character building in this opening book of a series was good. There wasn’t a ton of it early on – it was sprinkled within and I really like that. I felt like I knew enough about the main characters that I could guess what was coming next but not enough to always guess correctly – making the story a surprise throughout.
Overall, the story was enjoyable and since it’s a series I’m be curious to read more of. It wasn’t perfect and had its flaws but the good definitely out paced the bad. I can see some of the books that it’s said to read like (especially Ready Player One).
Throw in the narration by Gary Bennett and it takes it to another level. I thought that he did a great job on it and really helped take a story I wanted to read and turn it into a story I enjoyed listening to. He was able to give the characters some feeling without turning it into a full production.
4.25 out of 5 stars
Absolution was a book that I didn’t know much about going in. I know Sloan is a fantastic author so I went into it with pretty high hopes even though I wasn’t sure what I was getting into.
It read like a post-apocalyptic/dystopian LitRPG. Now, the way that I read this, it wasn’t really a LitRPG – but it has the same levels and level up features that they usually do. In my head it was sort of a dystopian future where everyone is basically a number now.
The storytelling and character building in this opening book of a series was good. There wasn’t a ton of it early on – it was sprinkled within and I really like that. I felt like I knew enough about the main characters that I could guess what was coming next but not enough to always guess correctly – making the story a surprise throughout.
Overall, the story was enjoyable and since it’s a series I’m be curious to read more of. It wasn’t perfect and had its flaws but the good definitely out paced the bad. I can see some of the books that it’s said to read like (especially Ready Player One).
Throw in the narration by Gary Bennett and it takes it to another level. I thought that he did a great job on it and really helped take a story I wanted to read and turn it into a story I enjoyed listening to. He was able to give the characters some feeling without turning it into a full production.
October 13, 2017
I tend to not like books that have a lot of "action down time". I skip pages, put it down for days, you know too much information given. That is not the case with this book! I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself reading stuff I would normally scan over as unimportant. Way to go George Mahaffey and JS. I actually found myself in a war with myself ... and just kept reading through the whole thing.
This book is well thought out, with full characters, and never slowed down. You kept my attention even when I had a major catastrophic loss. I'm not saying that the only reason I read the whole thing through was because I needed something to make me not cry. I'm saying that I wasn't crying when I was reading the whole thing. That is exceptional writing, and I thank you.
I'm looking forward to reading book #2, just for the pleasure of it.
This book is well thought out, with full characters, and never slowed down. You kept my attention even when I had a major catastrophic loss. I'm not saying that the only reason I read the whole thing through was because I needed something to make me not cry. I'm saying that I wasn't crying when I was reading the whole thing. That is exceptional writing, and I thank you.
I'm looking forward to reading book #2, just for the pleasure of it.
July 18, 2017
Gread read that entices the reader to book 2.
I chose this book because I like to read of humanities need to persevere even when the days are darkest. The story takes place in Old Chicago and if you're familiar with it then some of places noted might make it even more spooky. The characters are written well and the author leaves you at the end of this book one wanting. Knowing that what ever faces the two next will show more of their desire to stay alive and the fighters that we hope to become if faced in similar situations. Give this book a chance to drag you in to Mahaffey's End of the World saga because much of what we learn in this first book will be important to the sequels.
I chose this book because I like to read of humanities need to persevere even when the days are darkest. The story takes place in Old Chicago and if you're familiar with it then some of places noted might make it even more spooky. The characters are written well and the author leaves you at the end of this book one wanting. Knowing that what ever faces the two next will show more of their desire to stay alive and the fighters that we hope to become if faced in similar situations. Give this book a chance to drag you in to Mahaffey's End of the World saga because much of what we learn in this first book will be important to the sequels.
October 28, 2017
Absolution (Blood Runners # 1) - a review by Rosemary Kenny
This amazing book by the remarkable authors George S Mahaffey Jr and Justin Sloan, is a splendid tribute for fans of The Hunger Games:Mockingjay books and films and I can highly recommend it to fans of rites-of-passage tales, fantasy-thrillers and apocalyptic sci-fi novels - it's definitely one for your bookshelves!
This amazing book by the remarkable authors George S Mahaffey Jr and Justin Sloan, is a splendid tribute for fans of The Hunger Games:Mockingjay books and films and I can highly recommend it to fans of rites-of-passage tales, fantasy-thrillers and apocalyptic sci-fi novels - it's definitely one for your bookshelves!
April 28, 2019
So bad
Plot was all over the place.
"Game" aspects made no sense. Random exp gains while fighting with no discernable effects to the characters. Blood upgrade system was gross and made no sense. Seemingly random abilities added for injecting someone else's blood into yourself.
By the end of the book I was forcing myself to keep reading to get to the end faster.
Plot was all over the place.
"Game" aspects made no sense. Random exp gains while fighting with no discernable effects to the characters. Blood upgrade system was gross and made no sense. Seemingly random abilities added for injecting someone else's blood into yourself.
By the end of the book I was forcing myself to keep reading to get to the end faster.
April 23, 2019
Reasonable Offering
Based on a time after the syndicate wars creatures have been left behind because of the aftermath. Humans terribly changed or something else either way Chigaco is now a fortified city state and a unusual system of leveling up and justice is present. This strange system will be the death or salvation of two people who are dependant on this strange system, an I interesting idea but failed to get my undivided attention although the overall premise and characters were sound enough. This may be early days and makes a decent read so will try book 2
Based on a time after the syndicate wars creatures have been left behind because of the aftermath. Humans terribly changed or something else either way Chigaco is now a fortified city state and a unusual system of leveling up and justice is present. This strange system will be the death or salvation of two people who are dependant on this strange system, an I interesting idea but failed to get my undivided attention although the overall premise and characters were sound enough. This may be early days and makes a decent read so will try book 2
June 28, 2017
This was an interesting story, it seems it takes place in the distant future w/in the Syndicate Wars timeline. Post-Apoc is not really my area of interest but the characters seemed interesting enough.
August 16, 2017
In this post apocalyptic novel, what passes for justice is a cruel farce where innocents die in the place of the guilty. This well written, violent book moves along quickly with an interesting plot. The end, while not a cliffhanger, leaves a lot for the sequel(s).
Contains graphic violence
Contains graphic violence
August 16, 2017
In this post apocalyptic novel, what passes for Justice is a cruel farce where innocents die in the place of the guilty. This well written, violent book moves along quickly with an interesting plot. The end, while not a cliffhanger, leaves a lot for the sequel(s).
Contains graphic violence
Contains graphic violence
October 19, 2017
Different, but Good
The story draws the reader into a mad world where civilization has fallen. The world restored is dark and unforgiving. This book is action packed and worth a look.
The story draws the reader into a mad world where civilization has fallen. The world restored is dark and unforgiving. This book is action packed and worth a look.
April 19, 2019
Excellent start to a new action dystopian series
Fast paced, good character and consistent world development. A frightening look at a possible civilization ending. Good teamwork between these two accomplished authors. Recommended. I am certainly going to give the sequel(s) a read.
Fast paced, good character and consistent world development. A frightening look at a possible civilization ending. Good teamwork between these two accomplished authors. Recommended. I am certainly going to give the sequel(s) a read.
October 22, 2017
I didn’t know what to expect, I read mostly nonfiction. I really liked the book and have started the second book. I like how it’s written, great detail.
May 28, 2018
Great book
It kept you on the edge of you seat the entire book. I couldn't put it down. The only thing I do like is that it ends in a cliffhanger.
It kept you on the edge of you seat the entire book. I couldn't put it down. The only thing I do like is that it ends in a cliffhanger.
November 24, 2018
my husband liked this book
April 17, 2019
Fantastic story with two superb writers. Can’t get luckier than that. Totally intriguing
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews