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The Sowing

(The Torch Keeper #2)

Steven dos Santos (Goodreads Author)

4.19 · Rating details · 425 ratings · 65 reviews

This time, there are no choices.

Lucian “Lucky” Spark leads a double life. By day, he trains to become one of the Establishment elite. At night, he sabotages his oppressors from within, seeking to avenge the murder of his love, Digory Tycho, and rescue his imprisoned brother.

But when he embarks on a risky plot to assassinate members of the Establishment hierarchy, Lucky is ...more

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Paperback, 432 pages

Published March 8th 2014 by Flux (first published March 1st 2014)

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YA fantasy/sf novels with major LGBTQ Characters

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· 425 ratings · 65 reviews

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Aug 01, 2013 Mel rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-stars, read-in-2014, owned, read-in-2021

2020 reread:

This series holds quite a lot of nostalgia for me. I have fond memories of my times obsessing over this series, and eagerly anticipating this book. It holds up, but I truly had NO memories of this book going into it. I was frequently surprised by events, and was speeding through the pages to know what is going on.
There is quite a lot of similarities to the Hunger Games and The Maze Runner in this series, but I haven't minded it so far, as I enjoyed both of those series immensely.
I r ...more

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Apr 28, 2014 vee☆ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I LOVE THIS BOOK WAY TOO MUCH OHMY GOODNESS. serious review hopefully soon<3
***review added, check it out below *^*
____________________________________

hello, i love this book, and therefore i will follow the same format I reviewed on my last review on my old account. i love it so much pls read it.
____________________________________

Basically me after reading the predecessor to The Sowing, The Culling. If you haven't already read this book, please, please, please go read it. It makes most sense ...more

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Mar 12, 2014 Liviania rated it really liked it

Last year, I enjoyed THE CULLING, a brutal dystopian about Lucian "Lucky" Spark surviving the worst job application process ever in the wake of a bitter betrayal. When THE SOWING opens, he is quietly rebelling against the government using his power as an insider. But when things go inevitably awry, he's right back where he used to be - except this time, he has to rely on others to save him. People who have no reason to want him alive.

THE SOWING cemented my love of The Torch Keeper series. I thou ...more

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Jul 02, 2013 ★MC's Corner★ rated it it was amazing

oooh!!! I LOVE THE COVER!!!

description

PS: Please tell me Digory is not dead... ...more

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Apr 09, 2015 Gina Fugate rated it it was amazing

2nd time reading this and already on page 224! So awesome!!

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Jul 04, 2013 Micah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: march-2014-reads, micah-s-faves, great-gay-fiction, 5-star-reads

Posted at THE OFFICIAL TORCHKEEPER FORUMS
http://chaosreads.com/topic/7792-the-...

Five Star book reviews are not something I give out often because 5 star books really need to WOW the hell out of me and have me going through all sorts of emotions as I read the book. The Culling managed to do that....I was worried about the Sequel.

Sequels have a hard task....If a series starts of mediocre but is decent, the sequel can more or less make the series better...However, if a series starts off with nea ...more

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Mar 12, 2014 Katherine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: awesome, ya-dystopia, post-apocalyptic, teenage-not-heterosexual-for-once-l

This is the second installment of The Torch Keeper trilogy, the first being The Culling. I have read practically every YA dystopian novel that has hit the shelves in the past few years--the quality varies, but this series is up there on the top of my list. Post-apocalyptic dystopias are the trend of the moment, and a lot of them are very similar to one another. You can tell when an author is just jumping on the proverbial bandwagon hoping to make a buck. They add some generic oppressive governme This is the second installment of The Torch Keeper trilogy, the first being The Culling. I have read practically every YA dystopian novel that has hit the shelves in the past few years--the quality varies, but this series is up there on the top of my list. Post-apocalyptic dystopias are the trend of the moment, and a lot of them are very similar to one another. You can tell when an author is just jumping on the proverbial bandwagon hoping to make a buck. They add some generic oppressive government to some generic teen angst, stir in some rebellion and some wacky science and there you have it. It isn't that this series doesn't have all that--oh boy, does it have all of those things, and in abundance. It's that paint-by-numbers feel that's missing. I don't think the author is any less excited about his books than his biggest fan would be--he cares about his world and his characters, which in turn establishes what can only be described as a visceral connection between the story and the reader. You feel the terror when characters are forced to witness the grisly deaths of those they love (and they are grisly--if you aren't willing to witness at least one person per chapter losing their eyeballs or several limbs I would avoid this series altogether).

Although this book is full of action, the internal lives of the characters are not forgotten. Main character Lucky grows a lot in this second installment--basically, becoming a complete action-movie badass. But an action-movie badass who still experiences heart-pounding panic and confusion and guilt--someone who has changed a lot, but is nonetheless identifiable as the same person you met in The Culling. My favorite character is probably Cassius Thorne, the villainous Prefect. Many YA dystopias fall short on the villain front, often opting just to prop up some generic caricature to represent the whole of the Sinister Powers that Be. Cassius is a central character in his own right, with questionable motives and agendas of his own. His voice is fantastic, with the stylized condescension and mannerisms of some of the better Bond villains. And yet, unlike most Bond villains, he actually seems to be fairly adept at villainy--he's smart, manipulative, and dangerous. He's actually quite charming in his sadistic glee, and during the Trials manages to set himself apart as being in a class all his own--even in a world where overkill is already the order of the day. The fact that there's a history between Lucky and Cassius only complicates things further, in a way which I can't wait to see resolved.

The secondary characters are brilliant as well, and I'm glad that those that show up in The Sowing are worthy successors to all the great ones we lost in The Culling. The writing is clean and taut, and there are some pretty great one-liners too ("one less chicken in the coup" "go clean up your friend"). The only moderate qualm I have is [POTENTIAL SPOILER] with Digory--he doesn't seem that interesting to me, at least not interesting enough to remain Lucky's main man (although there are some uh...complications to this story so I'm holding out on not shipping it until the end of the series)[END SPOILER]. The end of this book made my head spin, but in a good way. Everything is scaling up, becoming more and more epic. Ridiculous, truth be told, but ridiculous in the same over-the-top adrenaline rushy way that a really satisfying action-adventure superhero serial is. I bought The Sowing the day it came out, and I can't wait for the finale. If you're looking for over-the-top escapism and in the market for a post-apocalyptic tale that's flashy, outrageous, and bloody but surprisingly heartfelt as well--give this series a try.
...more

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Apr 12, 2014 Stacie Ramey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: my-faves

I wasn’t sure how Steven was going to be able to write a sequel to The Culling and have it live up to the heart stopping action of the first one. The Sowing definitely accomplishes that goal. And more! The Sowing picks up where we left off, with the hero of the story, Lucky Spark now working as one of the Establishment’s prized officers by day while sabotaging the Establishment bases of operation at night. He is a one man army trying to free the innocent and dispense justice, until he meets a gr ...more

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May 12, 2015 Ava rated it it was amazing

Lemme learn y'all about my dude Cassius.

I spent the first book hating his guts. I mean, why the hell not? He was disrespectful, possessive, sociopathic, remorseless, and practically every other characteristic normally reserved for antagonists who have a romantic history with the protagonists. It wasn't that difficult to hate his guts, hate the way he conned Lucian, hate the way he stole the one person Lucian would do anything for. As I read through “The Culling,” I had fun imagining their strug Lemme learn y'all about my dude Cassius.

I spent the first book hating his guts. I mean, why the hell not? He was disrespectful, possessive, sociopathic, remorseless, and practically every other characteristic normally reserved for antagonists who have a romantic history with the protagonists. It wasn't that difficult to hate his guts, hate the way he conned Lucian, hate the way he stole the one person Lucian would do anything for. As I read through “The Culling,” I had fun imagining their struggle against one another as some kind of age old queer epic of past loves creating future tragedies. Of course, in the actual narrative, it's a post-apocalyptic dystopia, but that still didn't make it any less of an epic (albeit unfinished, as we have yet to see how it concludes). As expected, the first book presents a detailed map of the kind of hero most audiences can only hope for- queer, flawed, brown, and badass. With the development of the hero, we were given the development of the hero's love interest. Admitted, I'm not too hot on Digory, but he serves his purpose well. He's flawed, he poses both a problem and a solution for the hero, and he actually pushes the story. Personally, in moments like this, I prefer the heroes to forgo romance for the sake of their mission. I give Lucian the cred for at least trying to put a damper on his feelings, but he fell in love anyway, and that's OK. His love for Digory made him stronger, even if Digory himself faded out of the narrative in the first half of the second book.

But you see, this post isn't about the narrative, or Digory, or even, really, about Lucian Spark. This review is about Cassius motherfucking Thorn, the most hateful piece of shit this side of lgbt dystopian fiction, and God, is he loathsome. I mean, he killed an old lady, had his ex-boyfriend arrested for daring to interact with another guy, stole a little kid away from his older brother, and then swooped in at the last moment of the first book to declare he had forgiven our protagonist's transgressions and was ready to take him back. He's batshit, he has auburn hair (which is, to me, one of the fanciest ways of saying lowkey ginger), and he's brilliant. Hence, Ginger Satan.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Mar 08, 2014 Ashley Nemer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: blog-reviewed

Holy Freaking Cow Batman! This book was so effin great!! I am not even sure where to start because yeah, I loved it that much!! So part of this review will just be my thoughts as a reader because I just feel like I need to say some things, and other parts will be directed towards the actual book. So take a deep breath and here we GO!

The Sowing picks up after the imp training comes to an end and Lucky is about to move onto the next round of life. Of course, the insurrection is trying to take over Holy Freaking Cow Batman! This book was so effin great!! I am not even sure where to start because yeah, I loved it that much!! So part of this review will just be my thoughts as a reader because I just feel like I need to say some things, and other parts will be directed towards the actual book. So take a deep breath and here we GO!

The Sowing picks up after the imp training comes to an end and Lucky is about to move onto the next round of life. Of course, the insurrection is trying to take over and push the Establishment out of office and who do they get to help execute this plan? The Torch Keeper himself.

I felt like the plot was top notch. I was really worried that I wouldn't love this book as much as I loved The Culling because my expectations were so high after such a bang for the start. At about 25% of the book I realized I needed to put that thought out of my mind because this book had me swept up into it.

Once again Steven did a phenomenal job with not only the quality of writing but the characters and their depth along with the plot.

While this book is written in first person present tense (which is actually my favorite as a reader) his excellent description and character development actually allows you to connect with ALL of the characters, not just Lucky.

Now onto a side note about just how I feel when I am reading LGBT books ... this is not normally a genre that I like to read. I find it very difficult to connect to the characters because most often the 'men' I am reading do not come across very manly. That isn't saying that they can't be emotional or affectionate, because I think very manly men still have the soft and tender side. But I just typically feel like the m/m characters are written very ... non-manly. It is a real put off for me because (and maybe it is because I am a woman and I like men who are rough and very Alpha) I need a male character with strength, inside and outside. I need to hear the command in his voice, feel the convictions in his thoughts and actions. And most importantly need to be able to actually see a man saying and doing these actions.

This series, in my opinion, The Torch Keeper, is the only series where each of the m/m characters come across like a man would in my own visions. This book makes me want to read more LGBT books, and more young adult books.

(potential spoiler) There was a love scene in this book and even though there was no description (because it was a young adult book) it was one of the most intense love scenes I have read. I was so moved by the two characters that my heart felt like it was swelling.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Steven's writing and this series. I have already told him that I cannot wait another year for book 3 ... I might have to go to Florida and stalk him until he gives me the ending! haha.

Overall this book is a 5 star read because not only does it keep you on the edge of your seat, it gives you the feeling of actually being apart of this horrible world that I pray our existence never goes to. ...more

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Jan 29, 2014 Anunciata Trixie rated it it was amazing

This....this is utterly beautiful. Beautiful. It's like a moving maze of some sorts, you never know what to expect. Everything feels so real. The blood, the gore, the challenges. Absolutely fascinating and true. Steven dos Santos is really good at making you believe and react according to what you're reading. Just like it had been with The Culling, I paused several times while reading The Sowing, just to process everything into my brain or to hold down the feels. I love and adore The Sowing, des ...more

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Jul 18, 2013 Gary rated it it was amazing

LAST BOOK OF 2014.

It's an honour to have read this book as my last for the year!

I shall not go into the synopsis since it's a sequel, and if you haven't read "The Culling", I don't know what is wrong with you.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

Okay, so...

THIS BOOK WAS SUCH A THRILL.

I couldn't put it down every night before bed, but I had to remind myself that I've got work the next morning and so I forced myself to go to bed, heart pumping full of adrenaline from reading the last few lines before I closed i ...more

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Dec 12, 2013 Jodi rated it it was amazing

For me, it’s rare to like a sequel as much or more than the original novel, but in the case of The Sowing, it’s true. The Sowing picks up with Lucian “Lucky” Spark in Imposer training, while also taking covert actions against The Establishment. Author Steven dos Santos does a fabulous job of leading the reader back into Lucky’s world, re-acquainting us with the surviving characters from The Culling, and introducing us to a whole new cast of characters (some of whom will also die in brutal and ma ...more

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Jun 08, 2014 Danni Wiggins rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: HOLY SHIT ANYONE WHO READ THE FIRST BOOK

Any issues I had with The Culling were fixed in the brilliant sequel The Sowing. Whatever expectations you have for this book, for this series, whatever little predictions you have going on in your little head, you're wrong. You're just wrong. Of all the plots I played out as I was reading this book, only one tiny point was correct. This is good though, I kept having to guess and pay attention to detail as I devoured the book. This book really pushed the series forward and while I want to flail ...more

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Sep 03, 2014 Angela Padron rated it it was amazing

Steven dos Santos has done it again with the second installment of The Torch Keeper Series. If you thought "The Culling" was an incredible read, wait til you get your hands on "The Sowing." The story line continues with our hero Lucian “Lucky” Spark in training and working against The Establishment. Steven dos Santos has such a gift for descriptive writing that you feel you are right there in the story. He manages to introduce a new cast of characters while maintaining distinct voices and the sa ...more

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May 06, 2013 Medeia Sharif rated it it was amazing

Lucky is a rebel, attempting to ruin the Establishment from within and collaborating with others who disagree with the cruel tyranny and sick games the Establishment sets up against the recruits. For too long people’s lives have been destroyed in the sickest, most gruesome ways.

The post-apocalyptic setting presents amazing world building and the many twists and turns are unexpected. Lucian discovers that people aren’t who they appear to be and that the mysteries of the past are surfacing. The su ...more

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Apr 16, 2014 Stacy Davids rated it it was amazing

Mind-blowing, action-packed, and cinematic!
Tension fills every scene in this beautifully written post-apocalyptic, dystopian novel. The story is dark and emotional. The plot twists and turns as the main character, Lucian Spark aka Lucky, fights against The Establishment. Lucky is chronically in danger, and he finds it impossible to know who he can trust. While fighting to free the oppressed, he holds onto the glimmer of hope that he will re-unite with those he loves. The writing is so vivid that ...more

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Jul 14, 2015 Lee Rey rated it it was amazing

A great sequel! It's as good, if not, better than the 1st. You learn more about the world and what occurred to make it this way.

(view spoiler) ...more

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Nov 23, 2015 Corey Henio rated it it was amazing

There is so much for me to say about THE SOWING. It's like all of my favorite science fiction, dystopian, and post apocalyptic books were put all into this book. The stakes are raising higher and I am very prepared for the next book!!! ...more

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Sep 15, 2013 Marissa Valentine marked it as to-read

Shelves: 2014-must-read

I would sell my soul to receive an early copy of this book. Well maybe someone else's soul. ...more

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Jan 29, 2014 Rex rated it it was amazing

Can't wait for the next!! ...more

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Mar 25, 2014 Stephanie rated it liked it

Shelves: ya-mg

I'm pretty sure I had a nightmare just like this book once. And I mean that in the BEST way. ...more

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Apr 06, 2014 Kimberly Tan rated it it was amazing

I'm dead. Frankly, I liked this book more than its predecessor because I'm biased to action. Still dead. ...more

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Jun 21, 2014 Patrick Miller rated it it was amazing

This book was absolutely fantastic. Parish is the most dystopian society I've read about so far. I can't wait for the next book. ...more

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Jun 29, 2014 Patrick rated it it was amazing

Shelves: gblt-characters

A great follow up to The Culling. answered so many questions but raised so many more. I can wait to read the third installment of this series.

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Oct 10, 2014 Shannon rated it it was amazing

This book was so, so much better than I expected. The world building was really exciting and intruiging and the new characters were interesting. Can't wait for the next book! ...more

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Dec 29, 2014 Billy Dominguez rated it it was amazing

Just as action packed, emotionally flared, and riveting as the first.

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Mar 01, 2018 Nicole| Booklover.zzz | Zamudio-Román rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbtqipa-reads, indie-books, young-adult

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 09, 2018 endeavoursofvic rated it it was amazing

The Sowing: 4.5 Stars

This Book was amazing. Review to come.

I wanted to give this 5 Stars at first but after finishing it I started reading the Raising (3rd and final book)and HOLY SHIT. The first 30 Pages of that book killed me already and in comparison I just felt like I had to go a little lower here^^ The second book was still REALLY damn good.

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Dec 21, 2019 Tyler Begnoche rated it it was amazing

Again, I whizzed through this book because it was so effin fun to read. This book was so action packed that I had trouble putting down to get to sleep, haha. Lucian really comes into his own as the protagonist, and the supporting cast had a lot more depth to them making me really invested in their stories too!

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About Steven dos Santos

Steven dos Santos

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Steven dos Santos is author of THE TORCH KEEPER novels, a Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic series. Book One, THE CULLING, was released by FLUX Books in March of 2013, and named an American Library Association 2014 Rainbow List Top Ten Selection. Book Two, THE SOWING, was released on March 8, 2014. Steven is currently finalizing Book 3 of The Torch Keeper series, THE RAISING. His new novel, DAGGER, a Y ...more

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“Freedom and dignity are not scraps to be doled out by cruel masters. They belong to every man, woman, and child. They are our right. And we won't stop, until they belong to us!” — 4 likes

“Does he know I can never feel anything for anyone ever again?” — 0 likes

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