Forged Purity: The City of Eyes Book One

by Louise Rachel Malhi

If you like The Hunger Games crossed with The Maze Runner, with the romantic elements of Twilight, this is for you. . .

When he is the only person who can’t be seen…

In a dark reality run by Media UK, everyone’s life is put on display for entertainment. Nobody escapes being filmed, and nobody questions the system. Until seventeen-year-old Adele Jones gets forced into their covert experiment...her memories manipulated and twisted as part of a grand test.

She must escape the experiment, before she is pushed to the brink of insanity. But to do this, hidden away from the city’s watchful eyes, she needs help. And there is only one option…

…Jason Highbridge – the one person who can’t be filmed. A guy with dark secrets more powerful than Media UK itself.

But will Jason’s unhinged nature get the better of her before she can escape?

Young Adult, futuristic thriller based on science fiction, containing mild dystopian themes

Mild language, mild graphic scenes, suitable for age 14 plus

Additional information

This story includes adventure, mystery, forbidden love, with plenty of twists and turns. It questions the morality of the money-grabbing media, and touches on the themes of the heavy reliance on technology, a big brother style world, genetic experimentation and drug development.


*******************
"Great dystopian thriller from a debut novelist"

"This book is primarily aimed at the teenage market but ultimately transgress to the wider reading audience such as myself. The story is set in the not too distant future and the author touches on how much control the media has over it's citizens and more importantly the government (Sounds familiar?)
It is a fast pace story featuring two protaganists and a six month timeline, jumping forwards and backwards. You are left wondering what is happening until the end for the big reveal. The ending of the story leads the way towards the next book, and i for one will look forward to it."

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 29, 2019

About the author

Hey! I am currently a YA fiction writer based in England, UK, and I released my debut novel Forged Purity in 2019. I love teenage drama and everything that comes with it, especially when you throw in crazy tyrants and governments, future dystopian worlds and romance!

When I am not writing or reading, I am working hard at my day job in the pharmaceutical industry, or bingeing on Netflix/Prime, or eating out at fancy restaurants!

The City of Eyes book 2 is currently in production!

Reviews

[Stephii-Dawne Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really did struggle to get into this book, but I think that's down to the futuristic features within the book, and my personal preferences. The story itself is really well written, and you're never left wondering why something has happened, because it's well explained. There was a lot of enigmas, which you think you've solved, and then you read on, to find out you're complete wrong! Thank you to Louise for allowing me to read this, I may not have enjoyed it as much as others have or will, but you should still be proud of this book.

[Katheyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louise Mahli mixes elements of science-fiction, mystery, romance and teenager-angst into a dystopian tale about a world where everyone is under scrutiny by the dark version of virtual reality run by Media UK, which openly displays everybody’s life for mere entertainment, the project is a great success and nobody question the system and its ethical ramifications.

Adele Jones just turned seventeen when she is strongly persuaded (read that as forced right away) into a secret experiment, with her own memories are wiped away and new ones implanted she is almost driven to madness before she realizes the need to escape, a task almost impossible in a world under constant surveillance. His only chance consists in recruiting the help of Jason Highbridge, the only person outside the surveillance system.

The story, that evokes memories of Orwell and Huxley, makes a good job of criticizing some aspect of modern society and extrapolate the future possible repercussion of a system that focus on total surveillance.

Louise Mahli’s book is well-written, easy to read, and entertaining, depicting a fully fleshed and coherent future society that feels not only possible but also frightening real at some moments. As the primarily target audience are young teenagers and YA, the book mixes some YA romance and mild identity crisis tropes with the overall dystopian message. The plot is full of twists, mysteries and unpredictable turns that captivate the reader’s attention to the very last page and even if the primary intended reader pool are young adults it makes for a very interesting lecture for dystopian fans of all ages.

[Alice Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It feels like a trend where we favour more dystopian themed novels. Like the horrors of 1984, where everyone doesn't feel safe in the grim future. Although it seemed like a perfect time for 'The City of Eyes' series to arrive based on the current urban climate.

It sees the future where corporations run the country, which in this case, Media UK. They monitor everyone and even use gadgets and drugs to watch them. They act as their 'big brother.'

In Forged Purity, Adele is the main focus of the story. She was interrogated at the start, which denotes the book's dystopian and cyberpunk modern futuristic themes. It then subverts into a suspense thriller, where she struggles to trust anyone. She even realises the threats that come to her own friends.

There are a lot of suspicious characters in this story, who may either be good or bad. There's also her love interest being Jason, who deals with an identity crisis and eventfully becomes the one she can trust. It focuses more on the drama, yet it retains the eerieness of the big corporation looming, which adds to the suspense. That is where the novel hits the spot for some readers like me.

It is complex and can be puzzling with all of its elements, but it then leads to the big reveal, which then sets the course for the things to come. The ending seemed to be set up for the future novels in the series, but it did manage to provoke my thoughts and realised how well the prior sections have been written.

Really nicely themed and I do applaud for its suspense and mystery, so I recommend giving this book a read.

[Katia Amaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! The premise is scary and yet believable. It is set in a future UK where "Media UK", a business that profits from filming and streaming average citizens all the time, controls society. Adele, our heroine, is constantly hounded by the media (for reasons that are revealed). Adele is attacked one night while out at a nightclub (I won't say how or why to avoid spoilers), and is rescued by the mysterious Jason. Her quest to learn Jason's true identity will put Adele and her friends in danger, and eventually lead her to learn who the real villain is behind Media UK.

The book is full of intrigue and plot twists, and yet told from the point of view of a believable teenage heroine who is concerned about her appearance, her friendships, and romance. I honestly couldn't guess the outcome until the last chapter! I would have enjoyed more world building, to learn how Media UK became so prevalent, but overall, this was an exciting book and I would recommend it to fans of dystopias or thrillers.

[Amber Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing futuristic dystopian thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat! Full of action, adventure, mystery, suspense and forbidden love, once you start this you will not be putting it down! Fast paced with it’s great characters this is a highly entertaining story that you should read.

Adele Jones is an amazing character that has to fight a group called Media UK on her freedom and her life. To keep them from trapping her and everyone else.

After tragedy and a life without the one she loves. She went into a deep depression going from a group of friends to just one eccentric friend that she lives with.

This thrilling romantic mystery book will leave you begging for more with its intense and exciting moments of intrique, and mystery. If you plan on reading this book let me warn you now, you might as well clear your entire schedule for you won't be able to put it down. The author not only does an extraordinary job of drawing the readers in, she also transports you to a whole new world. A very well written, and thrilling read. Outstanding job Louise. You have left me breathless.

This is one amazing author. She definitely has a flair for the futuristic fantasy novels. She is definitely an author to watch out for.

4 stars

[Jennifer Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reminds me of a modern day 1984! I’m from the US so I loved that it was set in the UK. Adele has quiet the adventures in this one! What I thought was happening was not at all what was happening-it was an even better plot twist. I can’t wait to see what waits for Adele and Jason in the next book!

Thank you to Voracious Readers Only for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Suzanne Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a problem filling the beginning of this book, however kept with it and was glad that I did. There are a lot of twist and turns to keep the reader on their toes. The ending left me wondering if there was a second book in the works or if we will never know if the evil Maxwell will be dealt with. Time will tell.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it quite slow to start but once it got going, Forged Purity was a fast paced, exciting read.
Once you thought you think you have it all figured out, on the next page you will find out you were totally wrong!
Give Forged Purity a read and enjoy all the handful of mysterious and suspicious characters as well as the twists and turns that make up this story. You won't be disappointed.

[Monika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big sucker for dystopian fiction and Forged Purity has everything that I expect in one! Mystery, romance, suspense, action and a brilliant futuristic depiction its got all. You definitely have got to pick this one. You wont be disappointed and you’ll be left wanting more. Adele is a wonderfully rounded character. Kudos Louise!
Thank you Voracious readers, author and publisher for the ARC. This review is my own and is not influenced in any way

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts out very well written and pulls you into the dystopian society run by UK Media. But as the novel progresses I felt the plot dragged. There were a lot of additional characters added that did nothing to further the plot. These extra characters I struggled to differentiate and had to reread passages just to sort out who was who.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via voracious readers only.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastically written! A great fun and exciting story . It will keep u on the edge of your seat the whole book!! I received my copy from voracious readers for my review

[Bohdana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The science fiction vibe reminds me of Doctor Who and Humans. I just felt like the Doctor would pop in any minute on his Tardis and be like "What seems to be the problem here?"
Also a quote from the book that I liked: "Love was such a powerful thing; even the most wicked and callous were capable of feeling it." - from chapter 33
I was really interested by the idea but it's not really for me, it's hard to make science fiction work for me after you see the limitations of science, just the industry, and researchers in general. Overall it was an entertaining read. For those are really love this genre, you will love it. The book was fast paced, it had interesting plottwists, it touches certain important issues.
There were some errors, I think, where the wording was off in a way that it felt that someone searched up synonyms. Honestly I know how it feels to write way more formally than I speak so I can understand why the tone varied.
I'm surprised that there wasn't more in the book on how people reacted to the threat of always being watched, of potentially airing your dirty laundry for the world to see. I would have thought there would be more anxiety that comes with that in the way that results in an attempt at perfectionism. It's just something that I've noticed with Instagram and the lengths people go to to keep their idealized narrative alive.
I wish the author talked on more the debate on determinism versus free will but that probably would have led to just info dumping and really long conversations so maybe better not. But personally I'm a determinist, in the way, that in the future, we make a choice, and that shows that there is one future and that life goes on. Whatever it is that we are, we are defined by what is around us since birth. We don't live in isolated world that don't interact or we would just never do anything (an object at rest stays at rest). But that doesn't have to be a bad thing if we can recognize our limitations and use that to take control of that which is within our power.

***I received a complementary copy from VoraciousReaders ****

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Wow such an original and fresh storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Highly recommended. I am now eager to read more off this author's work in the future.

[Veronica Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not really sure what to say about  this book  as the author has completely blown me away. This thrilling romantic mystery book will leave you begging for more with its intense and exciting moments of intrique, and mystery. If you plan on reading this book let me warn you now,  you might as well clear your entire schedule for you won't be able to put it down. The author not only does an extraordinary job of drawing the readers in, she also transports you to a whole new world. 

As for my critique although I did notice a few grammatical errors they were not noticeable.  So much so that its very easy to miss altogether, not to mention the book is so well written that any mistakes you see will be quickly forgotten as you are pulled once more into the story. A very well written, and thrilling read. Outstanding job Louise. You have left me breathless. Great job, and don't forget us little people when you make it big one day. ;) A book fit for the bestsellers list. 

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise intrigued me and I wasn't disappointed by this plots-within-plots novel. Media telling everyone how to think - shades of the here and now, not just futuristic. The characters quickly embroil you in their affairs and there are lots of unanswered questions that keep pulling you into the story. Everyone needs a Rose in their life. I truly enjoyed reading this and do recommend this to others that like the near dystopian future structure. It kept me guessing all the way to the end, which is hard to do. I look forward to more by this author.

[Debbie Eyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic futuristic dystopian thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat! Full of action, adventure, mystery, suspense and forbidden love, once you start this you will not be putting it down! Fast paced with it’s great characters this is a highly entertaining story that you should read and I cannot wait to read more!

[Killion Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I will start by saying that this was a fun book to read. It was truly enticed by the world Malhi created. It had all of the parts I loved from the Divergent series (the exciting drugs and all they can manipulate), the exciting technological changes of society from the film Blade Runner, and at times it reminded me of the novel Germline (tons mental unstably from our main character amidst an even crazier world). The world was exciting and thrilling in a way that brings my fear of "smart technology" to an entirely new level (you would never find me near a club in this world). The only took issue with the bonds between the characters. It did not feel deep or organic... which is aggravating because it makes it hard for reader to truly understand the actual importance of certain bonds because they felt so forced. However, it did make it somewhat exciting because you didn't actually trust any of the characters. The plot was very predictable but that makes for a quick easy read. Overall, I look forward to reading more from this author because her creativity is truly eminent in this first work.





SPOILER (somewhat)




I was honestly really bothered by the blurred line between Adele and Mr. Blakely. One minute it read like a mentor, the next like a father, the next like a creepy jealous ex.... it was very unsettling and made Mr. Blakely come across creepy and immature. Their relationship is the only thing that left a bad taste in my mouth.

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a free copy of this book via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.

What I liked:
- Even though the premise of the book is similar to George Orwell's 1984, it gives the idea an original spin. The media basically being in control of the world is an interesting concept and not too far fetched.
- Halfway through the story I thought I knew how it'd end. Boy, was I wrong. There was absolutely no way I would've seen THIS coming.

What I didn't like:
- The first half of the book was a little tough to get through.
- I personally didn't find the main character very likeable.
- This is really just personal taste and not too much of an issue since this is a sci-fi book, but many of the technologies were too unrealistic for me.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only*

Typically not the type of book I would read, but still very well written and interesting.

While I liked that this book was unpredictable and it gave a sense of excitement, it was a little too futuristic for my usual reading.

However, as the story progressed, I found myself wanting to know where the characters will end up.

I look forward to reading the next book when released.

[Amanda Sloan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars: I thought the story line and plot were really interesting! And the concept feels too real. I did have a hard time connecting with the main character, Adele, as I felt she made rash decisions and didn't really think about the consequences of any of her actions - she was quite selfish and flighty. But overall a good read and I will read the next in the series when it's out :)

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not that interesting to me. I decided to try it even though it's not the type of book I usually read. I felt the plot was confusing and hard to understand. The characters were trying to solve a mystery, but the information about that mystery was given very cryptically. I can see why others would like this, so don't let my review deter you.

[Amanda Hallam-Taillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this through Voracious Readers Only.

I found the plot interesting. A great concept! I did however, find that the ‘set-up’ dragged a little. Overall, a solid read and a good choice if you enjoy conspiracies to solve.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book at all I'm afraid. It didn't grip me at all. I found it confusing and disjointed. At no point did I find myself bonding with any character in the story.

[Samantha Gadsby · Rating 5 out of 5]

those book was lent to me and i fell in love with it such amazing writing

[Amanda Jeffery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book for free via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest review:

I love the rich world that Louise Rachel Malhi created. It was easy to care about the characters. I'm looking forward to whatever Malhi puts out next!

[Joey Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up because of the blurb and the cover and was intrigued by the whole story. I found it started a little confusingly, but once I got into it, I couldn't put it down. I adored Adele, even if there were times I was shaking my head at her choices. The idea of the media controlling so much of the world and what Adele does to circumvent that, it was intriguing and a well written story. I also adored Jason, his innocence and his view on life and what's happening to him. Overall, a delightful read and one I very much enjoyed.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this day and age, I think we can all agree that the media and technology are so prevalent in our lives, but what if the media could actually control our lives? In a futuristic London, a corrupt media company called Media UK are digitalizing anything and anyone. You might think being a celebrity and well known is exciting and a glamorous life, but for Adele Jones, it is anything but.

This is an exciting dystopic sci-fi thriller, very fast paced and an enjoyable read representing a possible futuristic society, with our current obsession with technology and the media itself. It seems that Adele just can’t catch a break with this media. She became the subject of the media’s attention when she is linked to an investigation involving her ex-boyfriend and an inexplicable vanishing of criminals.

But while trying to live a normal life, she meets Jason Highbridge, the one person who cannot be filmed. Budding romance (not too heavy, clean and does not overtake the plot) and a desire to get to know him lead to the discovery of dark secrets Jason is hiding. When her friends start to get involved and hurt, it’s up to Adele to uncover Jason’s true identity and to unravel exactly what the media is up to.

A well-written novel filled with action, suspense, intrigue and plot twists you wouldn’t expect. Prepare for a thrilling and exciting read when reading this, but be warned, there are some mild graphic scenes (graphic in the forms of violence and gore, but nothing out of this world), and the occasional mild swear words.

With that all being said, I can say without hesitation that I was completely hooked on the story. Personally, I was a little confused at the very beginning, but after a few chapters pass, things start to make more sense.

After reading this book, I wanted to write and post this review to share my honest experiences toward the story. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes dystopia sci-fi thrillers, or are looking for a gripping story set in a futuristic society.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic dystopia! It got me hooked from page one, and I could not put this book down. The story is fast-paced, the characters are beautiful and the world amazingly built.

I'll definitely read the next one!

*ARC generously provided by author in exhange for an honest review

[Veronica Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not really sure what to say about this book as the author has completely blown me away. This thrilling romantic mystery book will leave you begging for more with its intense and exciting moments of intrique, and mystery. If you plan on reading this book let me warn you now, you might as well clear your entire schedule for you won't be able to put it down. The author not only does an extraordinary job of drawing the readers in, she also transports you to a whole new world.

As for my critique although I did notice a few grammatical errors they were not noticeable. So much so that its very easy to miss altogether, not to mention the book is so well written that any mistakes you see will be quickly forgotten as you are pulled once more into the story. A very well written, and thrilling read. Outstanding job Louise. You have left me breathless. Great job, and don't forget us little people when you make it big one day. ;) A book fit for the bestsellers list.

[NanaShauna Joesten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a fantastic dystopia Thriller. This is a real page turner. A fast paced action packed read that had me on the edge of my seat. The Author doez a fantastic job at world building, and the Characters are fantastic as well the way the Author brings them out. Its like I could see it in my mind like a movie. I definitely recommend.
Shauna Joesten