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Believe
They are the most brutal Empire we have known for generations.
I am a seventeen year old slave boy, who must endure a life of servitude and sacrifice to keep my family alive.
They took away my mother, my sister, my friends, everything I have cared for including my love.
I inadvertently struck out and my actions started a chain reaction which led to war and a full scale rebellion.
They have sent two armies to crush our resistance.
I have an army of 300 maltreated slave children.
They have an army of 5000 battle hardened men.
I have hijacked an armoured State train.
They have a limitless arsenal of the most sophisticated weapons on the face of the earth.
I have promised my army of slave children to get them to freedom or die trying.
They have vowed to kill every single slave child and have promised to handsomely reward the one who brings my head.
I have made a pledge to my younger sister and will cheat death as many times as it takes to fulfil it.
They are planning victory celebrations as a foregone conclusion, and have ordered ingeniously gruesome deaths for my soldiers and our families.
What they dont know iswe have a stolen nuclear warhead in our possession and we intend to deliver it to the Emperors doorstep.
I am a seventeen year old slave boy, who must endure a life of servitude and sacrifice to keep my family alive.
They took away my mother, my sister, my friends, everything I have cared for including my love.
I inadvertently struck out and my actions started a chain reaction which led to war and a full scale rebellion.
They have sent two armies to crush our resistance.
I have an army of 300 maltreated slave children.
They have an army of 5000 battle hardened men.
I have hijacked an armoured State train.
They have a limitless arsenal of the most sophisticated weapons on the face of the earth.
I have promised my army of slave children to get them to freedom or die trying.
They have vowed to kill every single slave child and have promised to handsomely reward the one who brings my head.
I have made a pledge to my younger sister and will cheat death as many times as it takes to fulfil it.
They are planning victory celebrations as a foregone conclusion, and have ordered ingeniously gruesome deaths for my soldiers and our families.
What they dont know iswe have a stolen nuclear warhead in our possession and we intend to deliver it to the Emperors doorstep.
- GenresDystopia
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2013
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 12, 2014
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author S. F. Malik.)
16-year-old Joseph lives in a society where those who believe in God have their first-born children taken away from them at the age of 17, to be used by the Senate Nobles as slaves, ‘wives’, or donations (spare body parts!).
Joseph and his childhood sweetheart Grace marry the day before they are taken by the Guard, and as first-born children their lives are no longer their own.
These kids aren’t just accepting their fate though, and they form a revolt.
Can Joseph and his fellow first-borns ever be free? And can he rescue his wife Grace before she’s made a Nobel’s wife?
I almost didn’t read this book because from the blurb it didn’t really sound like my sort of thing, but it actually turned out to be alright!
Joseph was a strong character who always fought for what he thought was right. He believed in God, and used that belief as support during troubling times, and he acted like a true believer, and even helped those who had wronged him.
The storyline in this was pretty good. It turned out to be a quite well thought out dystopian story, and I liked the world building. The writing was also surprisingly good.
I liked how the kids tried to fight back against the Senate who wanted to basically enslave them and kill them, and the whole thing had a bit of a hunger-games feel to it.
There was a little bit of romance, and it was sweet the way that Joseph and Grace fought their way back to each other.
The ending was okay, although not everything was tied up at the end. I don’t know whether the author is planning on writing another book and turning this into a series, but we didn’t quite get the happily ever after that I was expecting which was a little disappointing.
Overall; a well written, well thought out dystopian story,
6.75 out of 10.
16-year-old Joseph lives in a society where those who believe in God have their first-born children taken away from them at the age of 17, to be used by the Senate Nobles as slaves, ‘wives’, or donations (spare body parts!).
Joseph and his childhood sweetheart Grace marry the day before they are taken by the Guard, and as first-born children their lives are no longer their own.
These kids aren’t just accepting their fate though, and they form a revolt.
Can Joseph and his fellow first-borns ever be free? And can he rescue his wife Grace before she’s made a Nobel’s wife?
I almost didn’t read this book because from the blurb it didn’t really sound like my sort of thing, but it actually turned out to be alright!
Joseph was a strong character who always fought for what he thought was right. He believed in God, and used that belief as support during troubling times, and he acted like a true believer, and even helped those who had wronged him.
The storyline in this was pretty good. It turned out to be a quite well thought out dystopian story, and I liked the world building. The writing was also surprisingly good.
I liked how the kids tried to fight back against the Senate who wanted to basically enslave them and kill them, and the whole thing had a bit of a hunger-games feel to it.
There was a little bit of romance, and it was sweet the way that Joseph and Grace fought their way back to each other.
The ending was okay, although not everything was tied up at the end. I don’t know whether the author is planning on writing another book and turning this into a series, but we didn’t quite get the happily ever after that I was expecting which was a little disappointing.
Overall; a well written, well thought out dystopian story,
6.75 out of 10.
March 12, 2014
The Purist Empire has abolished religion and keeps the believers in slave camps. Every year, the Empire takes the seventeen-year-old first-borns of the believers to live a life of servitude to the Empire in one form or another. It is now Joseph’s turn to be taken by the Empire, but their cruelty and a slave sacrifice have given the slave children a reason to rebel. Commandeering an armored State train, Joseph and his followers look to cripple the Empire and free as many slaves as possible. Joseph also longs to rescue his wife, Grace, who was taken to another Empire facility. Joseph, who is uncomfortable with the mantle of leadership thrust upon him, must make the most out of this situation and strike blows to the heart of the Empire. He’s promised to free the slaves or die trying and the Empire is determined he die trying.
BELIEVE is a dystopian novel whose characters really draw you deep into the story. Joseph had no plans to be a hero, but he’s thrust into a situation where his choice to fight affects much more than his own life. Joseph’s humanity and selflessness in the face of overwhelming odds will tug on your heartstrings and it helps him be an effective leader. There was a bit of repetitiveness in some parts of the story, but I think it’s only a matter of a little polishing which will help BELIEVE truly shine. Readers will root for Joseph to succeed, especially in the face of all he’s endured. S.F. Malik is definitely an author to keep your eye on! BELIEVE will touch your heart in myriad ways you’d never expect.
BELIEVE is a dystopian novel whose characters really draw you deep into the story. Joseph had no plans to be a hero, but he’s thrust into a situation where his choice to fight affects much more than his own life. Joseph’s humanity and selflessness in the face of overwhelming odds will tug on your heartstrings and it helps him be an effective leader. There was a bit of repetitiveness in some parts of the story, but I think it’s only a matter of a little polishing which will help BELIEVE truly shine. Readers will root for Joseph to succeed, especially in the face of all he’s endured. S.F. Malik is definitely an author to keep your eye on! BELIEVE will touch your heart in myriad ways you’d never expect.
September 9, 2016
I can visualize the song When you Believe by Mariah Carey as I read part of the book. The fact that the character's name are in relation to the Bible is not lost to me, but I guess when faith is part of the theme, using the names might hint of the religion that is being suppressed...
The book is about a young man, Joseph setting a chain of events leading to war between the State and the Believers. Basically the Believers are people who believes in one God while the State believes in another God (if at all), the same story of repression and suppression leading to rebellion.
From the beginning Joseph's stake to survive is very high, and his life story does not improve even till the end. Malik employs more emotional motivator more in this book, while Joseph is bent of being alive, he is also banking on love.
I would recommend that people try this book, it does grow on you. Get some tissues though.
The book is about a young man, Joseph setting a chain of events leading to war between the State and the Believers. Basically the Believers are people who believes in one God while the State believes in another God (if at all), the same story of repression and suppression leading to rebellion.
From the beginning Joseph's stake to survive is very high, and his life story does not improve even till the end. Malik employs more emotional motivator more in this book, while Joseph is bent of being alive, he is also banking on love.
I would recommend that people try this book, it does grow on you. Get some tissues though.
June 5, 2014
A seventeen-year-old slave boy uses the brutal sacrifice of his ten-year-old sister’s life to fuel his determination to bring an end to the vile ways of the Empire. In defiance of the laws, the night before they were to be taken to serve “the Pure,” young Joseph and his beloved Grace hold a secret marriage ceremony, vowing to always to be true to each other, knowing that in the morning, as the firstborn of their families they will be forced to leave home forever, most likely never to see each other again and endure whatever heinous tortures the Empire has for them.
It is Joseph’s grit and steel in the face of warriors far superior to him that begins the rally to his side by a ragtag group of child slaves. Only a few hundred strong, they learn more than any child should ever have to, face death with more courage than the most seasoned warrior and fight to free every slave ever taken, all while attempting to take down the most powerful and brutal Empire ever. Young lives will be lost, they cannot all be saved, but they willingly fight beside Joseph to end their suffering. Yet, even with his newfound skills as a leader, each young death weighs heavy on his heart as they face forces that have been sent to crush them; it’s their faith in a higher power and their faith in Joseph that pushes them on. But is Joseph leading them to their death? If they fail, wouldn’t death be freedom from the lives they have endured?
Believe by S. F. Malik has me rocking back on my heels! S. F. Malik not only can write, but fills each page and each scene with powerful emotion and intensity. My heart raced as these kids fought bravely, in spite of their young years. Joseph was alive, he was real, he was scared, determined and used the love for his dead sister and missing wife to fuel his crusade. Mr. Malik has my complete attention as a skilled author and story teller. From page one, the tension skyrockets and the world he has created comes to life in all ways. Believe is destined to become an epic, dystopian fantasy, a story appropriate for all ages and sure be like a magnet for younger readers! I look forward to part two of this trilogy.
I received a review copy from S. F. Malick in exchange for my honest review. This is honestly one of my favorite books to date.
Publication Date: November 25, 2013
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN-10: 1491882913 Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-1491882917 Hardcover
Genre: YA Fantasy
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
It is Joseph’s grit and steel in the face of warriors far superior to him that begins the rally to his side by a ragtag group of child slaves. Only a few hundred strong, they learn more than any child should ever have to, face death with more courage than the most seasoned warrior and fight to free every slave ever taken, all while attempting to take down the most powerful and brutal Empire ever. Young lives will be lost, they cannot all be saved, but they willingly fight beside Joseph to end their suffering. Yet, even with his newfound skills as a leader, each young death weighs heavy on his heart as they face forces that have been sent to crush them; it’s their faith in a higher power and their faith in Joseph that pushes them on. But is Joseph leading them to their death? If they fail, wouldn’t death be freedom from the lives they have endured?
Believe by S. F. Malik has me rocking back on my heels! S. F. Malik not only can write, but fills each page and each scene with powerful emotion and intensity. My heart raced as these kids fought bravely, in spite of their young years. Joseph was alive, he was real, he was scared, determined and used the love for his dead sister and missing wife to fuel his crusade. Mr. Malik has my complete attention as a skilled author and story teller. From page one, the tension skyrockets and the world he has created comes to life in all ways. Believe is destined to become an epic, dystopian fantasy, a story appropriate for all ages and sure be like a magnet for younger readers! I look forward to part two of this trilogy.
I received a review copy from S. F. Malick in exchange for my honest review. This is honestly one of my favorite books to date.
Publication Date: November 25, 2013
Publisher: AuthorHouse
ISBN-10: 1491882913 Hardcover
ISBN-13: 978-1491882917 Hardcover
Genre: YA Fantasy
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
March 5, 2014
I must admit this isn’t a book I would normally read. Books about slave rebellions never interested me but then the author captured my attention with how I was asked to review this book and I couldn’t say no and I was also interested. It sounded way different from the others books I’ve read. I am so happy I read this book. It touched me deeply and I couldn’t get enough of it. I am proud to say that this is now one of my favorite books. From start to finish this book had my attention. It even consumed my thoughts long after I finished.
Joseph was a first born who along with the other firstborn were forced to be taken away. Before he was though he married his childhood sweetheart, Grace, in secret. Joseph was so sweet and selfless. He helped many kids, even ones that were in no doubt going to die. He showed so much kindness. Sarah was an interesting character and I liked her a lot. I wished that there was more of her in the story. There was a little of Grace’s point of view in the book but I have mixed feelings about her. I think it’s mostly due to the fact that I really didn’t get to know much about her character. She was definitely strong and selfless but I never made a connection with her. I was secretly hoping something would happen between Joseph and Sarah.
Overall, this book was amazing with hardly any mistakes or problems. I hope there is another book otherwise I will be extremely disappointed and a little angry. The ending was so open and I want to see Joseph in more action….and maybe Adam and his brother. They were all so good together. I highly recommend this book. I even got my friends interested in it to give it a try. S.F. Malik is an amazing writer.
Joseph was a first born who along with the other firstborn were forced to be taken away. Before he was though he married his childhood sweetheart, Grace, in secret. Joseph was so sweet and selfless. He helped many kids, even ones that were in no doubt going to die. He showed so much kindness. Sarah was an interesting character and I liked her a lot. I wished that there was more of her in the story. There was a little of Grace’s point of view in the book but I have mixed feelings about her. I think it’s mostly due to the fact that I really didn’t get to know much about her character. She was definitely strong and selfless but I never made a connection with her. I was secretly hoping something would happen between Joseph and Sarah.
Overall, this book was amazing with hardly any mistakes or problems. I hope there is another book otherwise I will be extremely disappointed and a little angry. The ending was so open and I want to see Joseph in more action….and maybe Adam and his brother. They were all so good together. I highly recommend this book. I even got my friends interested in it to give it a try. S.F. Malik is an amazing writer.
January 30, 2014
I really enjoyed this book the plot raced along at a breakneck pace, the characters were developed and exciting, and the conclusion was wrapped up well.
My favourite character of the book is definitely Joseph, and there are a few reasons for this. He is strong, yet has hints of vulnerability. I love his loyalty to his family and his love, Grace. His courage to bear so much responsibility and the way he reacts to everything that's thrown at him. I also love Grace, too. Grace's loyalty lies with both her own as well as Joseph's family, which I respect.
The romance between Joseph and Grace in this book ripped my heart to shreds, honestly. The insurmountable obstacles that are always forcing them apart left me almost screaming and wanting to hit something. Their unrelenting spirit to find each other despite the cruel punishments thrown at them tore my heart! I love the two of them together too much to accept anything else.
Malik, definitely knew where he was going with his conclusion. The plot was always exciting and fresh. Every scene was absorbing, every decision thrilling. It was action-packed from the start and suspenseful and emotional. It was everything I was hoping for and delivered on its promise.
I'd recommend Believe to everyone and anyone, as its breathtaking story has confirmed this book to be among my favourites, and I certainly look forward to a sequel if one is planned.
My favourite character of the book is definitely Joseph, and there are a few reasons for this. He is strong, yet has hints of vulnerability. I love his loyalty to his family and his love, Grace. His courage to bear so much responsibility and the way he reacts to everything that's thrown at him. I also love Grace, too. Grace's loyalty lies with both her own as well as Joseph's family, which I respect.
The romance between Joseph and Grace in this book ripped my heart to shreds, honestly. The insurmountable obstacles that are always forcing them apart left me almost screaming and wanting to hit something. Their unrelenting spirit to find each other despite the cruel punishments thrown at them tore my heart! I love the two of them together too much to accept anything else.
Malik, definitely knew where he was going with his conclusion. The plot was always exciting and fresh. Every scene was absorbing, every decision thrilling. It was action-packed from the start and suspenseful and emotional. It was everything I was hoping for and delivered on its promise.
I'd recommend Believe to everyone and anyone, as its breathtaking story has confirmed this book to be among my favourites, and I certainly look forward to a sequel if one is planned.
February 14, 2014
I completely adored this book because my favourite thing about Malik's writing is the characters he brings to life. They're like movie stars, they make you fall in love with them. Making you laugh, cry, and punch the air around you in frustration.
Joseph and Sophie and Annie; they all stole pieces of my heart because they're just all freaking fabulous. But, of course, my favourite character is the wise and ever courageous Grace. Throughout the book so many of his characters portray our best hopes and worst fears. Some are brave others are not. Some are selfish others are selfless.
Aside from the characters, another aspect that I loved about this book was the plot. It was so surprising, I found myself gasping and digging my nails into my palms. I was absorbed into this destructive and cruel world. I was rooting for these kids all through their journey. I was anticipating the shock factor or the crazy twist, or giant sacrifice and the book did not disappoint.
Believe is dramatic, surprising, twisting and turning in every way possible, causing readers to devour this book and hoping there will be a sequel.
Joseph and Sophie and Annie; they all stole pieces of my heart because they're just all freaking fabulous. But, of course, my favourite character is the wise and ever courageous Grace. Throughout the book so many of his characters portray our best hopes and worst fears. Some are brave others are not. Some are selfish others are selfless.
Aside from the characters, another aspect that I loved about this book was the plot. It was so surprising, I found myself gasping and digging my nails into my palms. I was absorbed into this destructive and cruel world. I was rooting for these kids all through their journey. I was anticipating the shock factor or the crazy twist, or giant sacrifice and the book did not disappoint.
Believe is dramatic, surprising, twisting and turning in every way possible, causing readers to devour this book and hoping there will be a sequel.
March 23, 2014
*I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review*
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading this book. It thoroughly surprised me. I read it in a little over a day, granted I was traveling so that gave me plenty of time to read. This book moves along as fast as the train the characters are on. You quickly get caught up into the action and wanting Joseph to succeed.
This book reminded me of The Hunger Games, so if you enjoyed those novels this one would be right up your alley. This book is darker, and deeper I feel though. The fact that those being persecuted are religious people is deep, as it has happen in real life. Malik does a great job developing his characters and having the reader feel for them. As a reader you become connected without even knowing it. You have to keep reading to see if Joseph can win and save his wife.
Read this book, you will not regret it. It's well written, fast paced and makes you think. It's a quick read as well.
To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading this book. It thoroughly surprised me. I read it in a little over a day, granted I was traveling so that gave me plenty of time to read. This book moves along as fast as the train the characters are on. You quickly get caught up into the action and wanting Joseph to succeed.
This book reminded me of The Hunger Games, so if you enjoyed those novels this one would be right up your alley. This book is darker, and deeper I feel though. The fact that those being persecuted are religious people is deep, as it has happen in real life. Malik does a great job developing his characters and having the reader feel for them. As a reader you become connected without even knowing it. You have to keep reading to see if Joseph can win and save his wife.
Read this book, you will not regret it. It's well written, fast paced and makes you think. It's a quick read as well.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews