Reckoning

Silver Blackthorn #1

by Kerry Wilkinson

One girl. One chance. One destiny.
In the village of Martindale, hundreds of miles north of the new English capital of Windsor, sixteen-year-old Silver Blackthorne takes the Reckoning. This coming-of- age test not only decides her place in society – Elite, Member, Inter or Trog – but also determines that Silver is to become an Offering for King Victor.
But these are uncertain times and no one really knows what happens to the teenagers who disappear into Windsor Castle. Is being an Offering the privilege everyone assumes it to be, or do the walls of the castle have something to hide? Trapped in a maze of ancient corridors, Silver finds herself in a warped world of suspicion where it is difficult to know who to trust and who to fear. The one thing Silver does know is that she must find a way out . . . The heart-stopping first book in a new trilogy by UK author Kerry Wilkinson, Reckoning is the story of one girl's determination to escape the whims of a cruel king, and what she must do to survive against all odds.

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Adventure

368 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2014

About the author

Recent and upcoming UK releases:
24 October 2023: The Night Of The Sleepover
15 December 2023: After The Sleepover
2024: The Girl On The Side Of The Road
2024: The Missing Body

Kerry Wilkinson has sold more than two million books - and had No.1 crime bestsellers in the UK, Australia, Canada, South Africa and Singapore. He has also written two top-20 thrillers in the United States. His book, Ten Birthdays, won the RNA award for Young Adult Novel of the Year in 2018 and Close To You won the International Thriller Award for best ebook in 2020.

As well as his Jessica Daniel series, Kerry has written a trilogy featuring private investigator Andrew Hunter, the Whitecliff series, the Silver Blackthorn trilogy - a fantasy-adventure serial for young adults - plus numerous standalone novels. He has been published around the world in more than a dozen languages.

Originally from the county of Somerset, Kerry spent way too long living in the north of England, picking up words like 'barm' and 'ginnel'.

When he's short of ideas, he rides his bike, hikes up something, or bakes cakes. When he's not, he writes it all down.

Find out more at: http://kerrywilkinson.com or http://facebook.com/KerryWilkinsonBooks

Find out more at: his website or Facebook

Reviews

[Grace (LovingDemBooks) Z.]

Buy this book on AMAZON
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I received a free hardcover of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I just finished reading this title. Full review to come.

My rating system: (I do use half stars.)
5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect.
4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.)
3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less.
2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it.
1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Make sure to check out my post on 24th June 2014 for an interview with Kerry and a UK giveaway of Reckoning that will run for two weeks**

When I got my copy of Reckoning for review I had no idea what to expect. The synopsis of Reckoning sounded amazing, but this is the first book of Kerry's that I have read so I was somewhat hesitant to start reading. The Reckoning is a test that all 16 year olds on the 1st July have to take, which determines which section they belong to, Trogs, Intermediates, Elites, or Members. Silver takes the test and is a member, but her name is then selected to be an Offering, someone who is sent to Windsor castle to stay. What happens to these offerings no-one knows except that they never to see family of friends again.

The minute I began reading Reckoning, I was hooked plain and simple. I love that it is set in the UK, but not the UK that we know of, and I fell so hard and fast into this world that I found it hard to come up for air. Silver is such an easy to like character, I had no problems instantly feeling sorry for her and how she lives. I love her attitude towards life in her village with her family and friends, and her belief in what is right and wrong. Her ability to take apart technological items from the past and use bits and pieces to her advantage. She is selfless and caring towards her friend and his younger brother, and even ensures that her own gifts are shared with others.
When she finds out she is an Offering I was shocked. I knew it was coming I just didn't expect it so soon. I had tears in my eyes when she was leaving home, that was only the end of chapter 7, knowing she would never see her family, her Mum or her brother Colt, or friends Opie and Imp again, knowing this would be the last time she sees them in her life, that she would die having this one last glimpse at them, broke my heart.

Silver is an understated heroine that I instantly liked and rooted for. Seeing how she struggles to live at home, and then how worse it gets at the castle, but still continue to believe that she can somehow make her way out, to go and see her family again is a true sign of determination and heroism. Some of the things she does were so risky I held my breath, scared that she would get caught and punished for it.

Imrin was someone who took a lot for me to trust, I could never tell why he did what he does and why Silver is so quick to ally herself with him. Near the end of the book I was completely blind sided by what he does, just as I began to let my walls down he does something that I didn't think I could forgive him for. Reading how the boys are getting on while the girls aren't also showed how nasty the girls can be. While the boys seems to be getting on and taking advantage of their different roles in the castle, the girls only seem to want to stab each other in the back just for their own personal gain, and while part of me could see this as a way of keeping yourself alive, it also made it so much harder to find allies within your group, people who you can trust and know have your back.

Just when I thought I had got the pattern of what to expect from everyone being at the castle, I was thrown completely off guard when I really got to see the King for who he truly is. A vicious, evil, tyrannical, old man. What he does to Wray completely shocked me, the brutality of the situation was not something I expected, but afterwards my guard was always up whenever they had to eat with him or even be in the same area as him.

I had no idea what to expect from Kerry going into Reckoning, and I was surprised to find myself devouring the pages, needing to know what would happen next, wondering who would be safe or who would be the next victim of the Kings madness. The constant change in events only left me guessing even more, just as I thought everything was going ok something was thrown into the mix that made me re-evaluate what I thought was really happening, and had me trying to figure out what could happen next. There were things I did not expect to happen, and things I expected would happen but not in the way it transpired. Reckoning was an unputdownable read, and I really wish I had the next book in my hands so I can see how this story plays out.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding story that’s deliciously addictive and compelling!

I was literally blown away by this extraordinary debut that fuses together an eclectic mix of sci-fi, Young Adult and Dystopia. With subtle similarities of Divergent and also the Hunger Games, I was swept away by the sheer vastness of the plot packed with forthcoming premise. Well-written and addictive, I just could not get enough of this fantastic story that promises so much to come for the next instalment of the series. The compelling fantasy world is remarkably original and breathtakingly inspired, with new concepts and captivating characters that are fascinating. The archaic, historical ‘feel’ to the story was also a wonderful unexpected surprise.

I loved the entire concept of “The Reckoning” {basically when children of a certain age they are placed into four groups within society that determines their future work and place in life.} Elite. Member. Inter or Trog. This was reminiscent of Divergent, but an action-packed adventure like no other!

The authenticity of this novel was due to the English setting, with many familiarities that caused a wave of nostalgia to wash over me as I plunged into Kerry Wilkinson’s chosen backdrop. The Reckoning slots into the realms of possibility and so bridges the divide between reality and fantasy, in such a convincing way as to connect to its readers. Containing a cast of unforgettable, likeable characters this multi-layered, profoundly haunting tale is one that keeps you glued to the pages for hours on end.
Silver Blackthorn is an impulsive, brave heroine whom I instantly loved as she grew and developed throughout the book into a strong female protagonist. As the truth is revealed to her in all its shocking brilliance, I was sucked into the story eager to find out more…

Fans of Young Adult books with a strong female lead, substance and depth and extensive, well-conceived world building will be astonished this impressive book! This hugely ambitious work stands-out as something supremely singular and spectacular, within an enormously popular and incredibly competitive genre. I am desperate to find out what happens, as after reading into the early hours of the morning I feel drained and so upset that I have finished reading!

How can you not love the gorgeous covers?


*I would like to thank Kerry Wilkinson for providing me with a copy of ‘The Reckoning’ {the first instalment within the Silver Blackthorn series} to read and review. *

Publication Date: May 22nd 2014 from Pan Macmillan

[Yzabel Ginsberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

(I got an ARC through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)

2-2.5 stars. In itself, it was a decent enough read, only I couldn't help but be reminded of many other dystopian YA stories... and after a while, those start to blend together. Among other things, it felt quite reminiscent of The Hunger Games and similar stories, except that the people involved weren't actively trying to kill each other, but were doing so in underhanded ways, notably being cowards and telling on others.

I was drawn towards this story because of its setting (post-war UK, or rather England/Wales—Scotland, well, nobody talks about Scotland, there must be something fishy with Scotland) and the promised mix of technology and mediaeval buildings/structures. However, such a mix is usually kind of hard to achieve, and I'm not sure it always worked here. The idea of a King totally fits the United Kingdom (much more than it would a US setting, for sure), and I think oppression resting on the ashes of a lasting civil war might be believable for a time. I can see people being so wary that they just want to close their eyes and ignore their current predicament, because at least they don't have to fight anymore.

On the other hand, I'm not sure that "oil ran out" could be used as the sole justification behind wars on the world level; I keep wondering what else should've been involved to make the situation as desperate. Also, the class society in the novel didn't really convince me: it remained too vague. What do Elites do, except being "the upper class", with the Members and Inter being, let's say, "upper-middle" and "lower-middle", and the Trogs being the "working class"? It seemed to me that no matter their status, those people kind of did the same jobs: an Elite guy and a Trog girl both end up working in the kitchens, for instance, and this system seemed to clash with how the Offerings were assigned to their jobs depending on skills (Silver ends up in a technology-related environment, because she was picked a tech-savvy during her Reckoning, but whether she was a Member or a Trog didn't seem to matter at this point). So in the end, I didn't really understand the point. I suppose it would've made more sense if I had seen society as a whole depicted here, with non-Offerings going about their work. Whenever I saw some, those were people who hadn't gone through the Reckoning (like Silver's mother, or the Head Kingsmen, who were already there before Reckonings first took place). They were outside the new class system, so to speak, and it didn't help me understand the latter.

Another problem was that I found a lot of things predictable. It might be just me, it might be due to similar stories I've read before, I don't know. It was obvious from the beginning that the King was completely mad, to the point of killing Offerings on a whim, which sure explained why nobody ever heard of them again, hah. The "let's try to escape" part was obvious as well, just like the romance part, and what actually happened to the families of those who didn't keep a low profile.

Silver Blackthorn: let's not dwell on that name; I still can't stand it. I had mixed feelings about her. In some ways, she came off as a coward, but at the same time, this attitude was also clever: don't get noticed, so that you live longer, and if you live longer, you have a chance of actually doing something. She limited her interactions with, and therefore her understanding of, other characters, who mostly remained bland and stereotypical. On the other hand, she also kept other people in mind: her family, Opie's, as well as the other Offerings. She's not planning a selfish escape just for herself and The Boy (OK, she does at first, and then she considers the bigger picture). I think what bothered me was that I would've expected her to do more tech-related stuff. Well, she does, but... in such a way that it's only seen afterwards.

And here's where I must touch upon something that really hindered the novel in my opinion: the first person point of view. There's a moment when a big twist unfurls, and the reader is led to believe something, while something else altogether is brewing. However, I think that the first person narrative is problematic in such cases, because once the twist is revealed, the reader immediately thinks: "Hey, the character knew about it, so how come s/he withheld the information, both from me and from him/herself?" This is what happened here. Before that point, the narrative was all right. After it, I couldn't get back into it anymore. For those who've already read the book: I'm talking, of course, about how we're led to believe Imrin has betrayed Silver, but in fact this was all part of an act, and the other boys and girls were plotting in the background so that everybody could escape. Which Silver knew, yet deliberately "withheld" from herself, and therefore from me, reader. Tough there are a couple of hints here and there, they're not enough. In any case, what followed was a recap of who did what, and then only Silver's role was made more apparent... but by then, I felt cheated.

I would add to this a mild case of convenient chains of events, such as this or that character forgetting to lock a door on a regular basis. It didn't sit so well with me when it came to a place where paranoia was a rule.

Bonus point, though, for the romance, in that:

1) It doesn't dwell too much on a potential love triangle. This might come back in the next book, but for now, I'm going to ignore such a possibility, because I can and I want to.

2) The characters are attracted to each other while they do and think of other things. They mostly meet to find a way out, not merely to kiss and grope in the dark. The attraction comes later—and it doesn't take too much space, contrary to what I've seen happen in too many other stories.

I somewhat enjoyed this novel; I'd probably have enjoyed it more if it didn't feel and taste like many others in the same genre.

[Jimbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having gobbled up every word of The Reckoning in a few hours, one thing strikes me more than any other; Kerry Wilkinson has found his niche.

It really is obvious as you work your way through Wilkinson's latest novel that this sort of young adult, fantasy world is were his heart really lies. The quality of writing here is much greater than that on offer elsewhere in his back catalogue, which comes as a bit of a surprise when you consider the target audience of the piece.

I am not the target audience of the book, but having read each and every one of the authors previous works, and being offered an advanced preview copy of book one in the Silver Blackthorn trilogy, my interest was piqued.

The Reckoning was, quite simply put, the highlight of this authors career so far. Having not read a great deal of this genre in the past, and thus a limited basis of comparison, all I can tell you is that I was hooked from early on and I stayed as such. No book written by this author, and certainly no character, have had such an effect as The Reckoning and it's chief protagonist Silver Blackthorn. Kerry Wilkinson has created something special here, and you don't need to be a young adult to relish it in all it's glory. It also reaffirms my belief that this is one author whose strength lies in writing female leads.

The focus of the book is in the all too familiar world of the post-future-war Britain; something seen in countless end of the world films of late. What Wilkinson does very cleverly, however, is to mix the old with the new. The old castle at Windsor with the new technology. The old ways of living with the the new essentials of modern life. It's an interesting juxtaposition, and one which lends an air or originality to proceedings.

Silver is our hero, and she offers an interesting mix of strength weaknesses. Her mental strength outweighs the physical weakness she endures as her time serving the King goes on. Her character is well rounded, brimming with personality, charm and charisma. She is somebody you find yourself routing for. Her new friend Imrin is a worthy sidekick, with a believable back story himself. The will-they won't-they narrative is something I expect to see carried through to the remainder of the trilogy. The possible reason that they won't succumb to temptation, however, is the one part of the book I found weakness in. The character of Opie. This is a less developed character, who appears mainly through dreams and flashbacks. I am again expecting to find out more about his inclusion as the trilogy develops.

I enjoyed the portrayal of the other main players in the book, especially that of the King. You could picture the evil git, getting off on others misery as he devours his wine and turkey legs. Very convincing stuff.

I was slightly surprised in the setting of this book, if for no other reason than Wilkinson's had tackled a relatively similar environment in his most recent addition to the DS Daniel series, Behind Closed Doors. I enjoyed both of these books, but would highlight this one as being far superior.

Fans of the young adult, fantasy genre will no doubt love and appreciate what this book delivers. Fans of Wilkinson's other work will find this a better written, whilst different type of story, but one with plenty of merit. Me? I just can't wait for. Book 2 in this splendid new series.

[Amy E · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a pretty big fan of the genre, you're never quite sure what you're going to get with a book that has a description such as this. Will it be the same as so many other futurisitic tales of dystopia, or will it offer something new? Crucially, will it be good?

Thankfully, Reckoning grabbed me from the beginning and by the end, I was panicking as the pages ran out, wanting to know what would happen to poor Silver and her friends. The end is satisfying in as much as it concludes the tale but my goodness does it leave you wanting more. From what I understand, the next book is out next year, which seems a long time off.

I won't go too deeply into the plot, largely as other reviewers have already done that, plus it's in the description anyway.

What works for me - really works - is the feel of Silver's world. It draws you in and has the sense of being something that could actually happen, not a random idea thrown together in order to fit the plot. It's like The Hunger Games in that sense because you're never left thinking 'well that wouldn't happen' - which was the feeling I had a lot with Divergent. With the world fully formed, it allows the reader to enjoy the story - which I certainly did.

What it also does, perhaps in the vein of something like Harry Potter, is create a small group of people for the reader to get behind. It's Silver's tale but it's more than that, too. Especially by the end, you want to know how the rest of her 'gang' are going to get on. I finished this in the very early hours of the morning, unable to put it down and really can't wait for the next book.

[Crystal ✬ Lost in Storyland · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the concept is not entirely new with so many dystopian novels out there, the English setting was promising. However, the story and Silver's character fell flat for me. Things seem to unravel too conveniently for Silver. She knows exactly what will happen and what to do (at least, in the first part of the novel), and her thoughts weren't interesting. Furthermore, she doesn't bother to explain certain things, leaving it to the reader to figure them out. For example, her relationship with Opie, which seems to be more than friends. I ended up skimming much of the first 10% of the novel in search of something that would pique my interest, but nothing really did. When Silver's place as an Offering was announced about 14% into the novel and she announced out of the blue that she figured it would happen, I decided it was time to stop reading.

DNF 14%

--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.

[Sarah Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!! I'm already counting down the days until the next book. This is a must read for any dystopian lovers.

Expect big things from this series!!!!!!

[Liz Barnsley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Publication Date: May 22nd 2014 from Pan Macmillan.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the review copy.

In the village of Martindale, hundreds of miles north of the new English capital of Windsor, sixteen-year-old Silver Blackthorn takes the Reckoning. This coming-of-age test not only decides her place in society – Elite, Member, Inter or Trog – but also determines that Silver is to become an Offering for King Victor.
But these are uncertain times and no one really knows what happens to the teenagers who disappear into Windsor Castle. Is being an Offering the privilege everyone assumes it to be, or do the walls of the castle have something to hide?
Trapped in a maze of ancient corridors, Silver finds herself in a warped world of suspicion where it is difficult to know who to trust and who to fear. The one thing Silver does know is that she must find a way out . .

So, more dystopian YA and I just can’t get enough of it especially when it is as well written and addictive as this one turned out to be – with a flowing imaginative tale of a world moved on.

We’ll get the immediate and obvious comparisons to Divergent out of the way first – yes, in this novel, when children reach a certain age, they take the “Reckoning” which puts them into one of 4 groups in society and decides their place, what type of work they will undertake, amongst other things. And that is where the similarity ends – this is very much its own tale of adventure and what an adventure it was!

Silver Blackthorn is one of only a few chosen to become an “Offering” to the King. Considered to be a high privilege, and bringing great benefits to the families of the chosen, still if you are an offering your life as you knew it is over. No-one knows the true nature of what it means as those chosen are not seen again. When Silver arrives at Windsor, and comes face to face with her King, she begins to realise that all is not well and she is going to have a fight on her hands simply to survive..

Things I loved about this one: The setting. It is in the UK and therefore all the more real to me – and also the premise for why the world is as it is now – authentic and not at all beyond the realms of possiblity. Then there is Silver herself – she’s a tomboy, a bit impulsive, fairly brave most of the time but definitely not the first choice you would necessarily make as a saviour of others. Technology is her thing – she is savvy, has taught herself everything possible, and is actually a bit of a geek. I loved her – she was a perfect “foil” for the world she inhabits and as she discovers the truth behind the propoganda, you are dragged along happily in her wake as she attempts to unravel the impossible.

There are quite a few nods to the things that “work” in this genre – the dual possible love interests (although this is very low key for the moment Silver has far to much to worry about to be thinking about boys!) the dictatorship of a seemingly benign “government” and a few characters who are not what they first appear. Its all done extremely well however and the supporting cast of characters all offset our heroine beautifully and keep you right on the journey with them.

Overall this is a great example of its kind – I DO however have a complaint. I finished this one, came out of the book daze, looked around me and realised I’d have to wait to find out what happens next. WAIT? Well we all know how good I am at THAT. Sigh. Mr Wilkinson may not be able to see me but I tell you now…I’m glaring.

Top notch. Recommended!

Happy Reading Folks!

[Keehle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good God what a waste of time this book was.

I absolutely hated Silver- she did NOTHING for me. I wanted to jump into the book and yell "WHAT ARE YOU DOING" on many occasions.

The plot was just too obvious. Okay, clearly this chick is going to be chosen for the Reckoning, clearly the King is going to have a totally cruel and twisted side regardless of his honorable reputation, and clearly Silver is going to try and find a way to escape.

Now here's the part where I shut the book and threw it across the room.

So Silver and this guy- who she's obviously crushing on but doesn't acknowledge it- finally have the oppurtunity to escape. Fantastic. So they got on the train, find somewhere to hide, and boom. The dude Silver works with is hiding on the train. So, instead of saying "Oh hey, you're escaping, too? Great! Shut up and ask questions later," this chick decides to drag her and the guy she's crusing on BACK into the castle and offers the lame excuse "I thought it was too risky." Really bitch. You've got be kidding me. You're risking not only your life, but the guy who came with you, and running off the train because you saw someone else hiding already and said it was too risky?

What. The. Fuck.

I didn't even finish the book. Quite honestly, if Silver can't find her brain and escape the King who raped one of the girls and kills for fun, then I'll use my brain and stop wasting my time and post it on ebay for someone else to "enjoy."

Good riddance Silver.

[nidah05 (SleepDreamWrite) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving this a 4.5 rating.

A pretty good and interesting start to a series I heard nothing about. And glad I did because while I like starting a new series, I like not knowing not too much about it.

Read this because the summary for book 2 and the cover sounded good. Cover for this also interesting.

Anyway, while reading this, it reminded me a bit of Divergent, Hunger Games and Grave Mercy. Other than that, I liked how the story played out and kept me wondering what Silver and co will do about their predicament, who to trust, tension etc. And that ending.

Yes there is romance, but you can tell the focus is the story. And for that, makes me like the book more. Pace and writing style also good. Hope the next book is just as good.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Pan MacMillan for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review

Once I again I find myself with a new dystopian read and once more I find myself typing what will make this one different from the hundreds that have gone before it, will the Reckoning give me something new, something that will give the whole genre a good kick up the backside?

Honestly yes it does! First of all before I even go near the storyline lets look at the cover, bad-ass looking woman, awesome hair and possibly not advisable to mess with. Covers do mean everything to me, a crap cover will totally put me off a story but this one is very effective.

The female lead of this story is Silver Blackthorn, a 16 year from.......nope this is not set in America, it is one of the rare dystopians where the UK has fallen foul of something bad in its past, this pleases me (not to see this island of my birth up s**t creek) as whenever anything bad happens it is always America, I love the States but I love something closer to home.

Silver, so named for her striking streak in her hair, is about to come of age, a time in her life where a test, the Reckoning, will sort her in to either one of the following classes - Elite, Member, Inter or the horribly named Trog which as you may guess is not a good place to be.

Silver is chosen to be a Member but there is also another "draw", one that could select her as an offering to the King who rules from Windsor Castle, this is thought to be a honoured position but when Silver is chosen as offering what she finds in not a life of comfort and privileged but a life of fear and suspicion, male and female offerings treated terrifyingly bad.

As an offering she will never see her family or friends again but she when she is behind those walls and sees first hand what is going on that she needs to get out at any cost. The question is will she?

This is a good read and I love the mix of the old and new technology, at the start of the book you find Silver wading through a mountain of tech from the "old" days but once she gets to the castle there is something truly medieval about it. It is truly a well imagined world in which Silver lives in.

This is the first book in a trilogy of which I am pleased to say I am taking part in the blog tour for the second book Renegade on May the 4th and I will be giving away a copy so please come back and join me then!

[Miriam Smith (A Mother’s Musings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 17 year old son lost interest in this half way through, though I believe it was more him than the book!

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some pretty serious wars have left England a bit of a mess; it's divided into quarters, each kept at bare subsistence levels. At 16, all young people participate in a Reaping - oops, I mean Reckoning, in which they are given their citizen status (Elite, Moderate, Interim(?), and Trogs), and assigned to some area of productivity. All this is the brain child of the King, who brought an end to devastating war and is pretty well idolized.

Every year, 30 young people from the Reckoning are sent to the King's palace, to work/serve/well-no-one-is-really-sure-what. Silver Everdeen- oops, Blackthorne, is chosen to be sent to the palace.

Once there, she finds that the King is a sick sadist, and all is not wonderful. No big surprise, but it's a lot less wonderful than previously supposed. The King selects from the female tributes -oops, Offerings - to fill his bed. He chooses from male and female offerings to battle to the death for his amusement. They are encouraged -under the guise of survival- to betray, to shun friendships and human connection. There is no communication with the outside world.

It wasn't bad, but it wasn't brilliant. It may have been more original than I've implied here, but comparisons in a post Hunger Games world are difficult not to draw, especially since it's narrated first person, with a female protagonist in a dystopic world, in which children are compelled to battle and betray.

[Xanthe Waite · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It is current, exciting, page-turning, sinister and shocking.
We start with Silver Blackthorn, so named for her silver streak of hair. She is turning 16 years old and is about to take her ‘reckoning’ which will decide her future role in society. By a strange twist of fate, Silver ends up becoming an ‘offering’, one of a small number of boys and girls who are taken to the King’s castle at Windsor. No one really knows what happens to the offerings and most are not seen or heard of again.
The offerings are allocated jobs within the castle but it seems that no-one is to be trusted and no-one dares to get too close to anyone else. Offerings disappear regularly and Silver is curious to know what is happening to them.
There are regular banquets presided over by King Victor and the Minister Prime. The King is an unpredictable man who relishes engaging his offerings in ‘games’ after dinner, that often end in bloodshed. This is the creepy, violent part of the story. I found that I began to dread banquet night as much as the offerings. The pace and excitement was maintained throughout the whole book and I came to admire Silver, as a strong new heroine.
I am so glad I have discovered this new series; the agony is going to be in the wait for the 2nd part. Can I have it immediately please?

[Myndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this book. At first, I thought it was going to be like a mix of The Hunger Games and The Selection. It was quite unique from both of them, even though there were some things I thought were similar in the beginning.

In this dystopia, there is a King and he has united the people after war (hence my comparison to The Hunger Games.) As it turns out, he's not all he seems to be and what everyone believed to be true isn't very factual. Then, there are "offerings" that are sent to the Kingdom for the King to do with as he pleases. It was this aspect that had me comparing it to The Selection series, but I ended up learning that boys were sent as well, and it was not a game at all.

Silver is a strong character and I like how she is not able to just accept things as they are. She wants to find out the why and the how of things way before she ever goes through the Reckoning and that makes her someone to look up to. Too many young people are satisfied that something works or doesn't, or believe what is said without ever questioning anything. We need to bring our young people up questioning things, learning the hows and the whys of the world they live in.

I did not realize this was the beginning of the series when I started the book, and I am so very glad to know there is more. I hope my library has copies of books 2 and 3!

[JazzyReadz💜 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! I absolutely loved this book. From start to finish I could not put it down. Talk about an addicting book. The only reason I didn’t give it all five stars is because it didn’t feel completely original or unique. It was very similar to and read like most other YA dystopians. However I’m a hoe for dystopian books so I loved it even with all the same tropes running throughout it as other books of this genre. But wow I did not expect to love it this much regardless. It was a fun ride with little twists on a classic dystopian story. I will definitely keep reading this series to see what else happens.
I will say that Silver Blackthorn endlessly pissed me off with some of her choices in this book. However it’s fun for me to read about a character who I sometimes love and sometimes want to slap the shit out of.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book is very cliché and derivative of other books in the genre. However, I found the story and characters very enjoyable, and the writing quite captivating. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the ending. There is a plot twist that does not seem possible given the time the characters had to accomplish it. I still look forward to continuing on with the series!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome the Silver Blackthorn Trilogy

The Reckoning by Kerry Wilkinson is the first in the Silver Blackthorn Trilogy and what an explosive opening we have. This is fantasy at its best, introducing our Trilogy heroine Silver Blackthorn a 16 year old girl that decides that is she wants to live she will have to fight the King and all his men. The Reckoning to me is a mixture of The Game of Thrones with a splash of the Hunger Games thrown in but with that silky panache of a back story so the reader knows how we end up in this fantasy world.

There has been a long war in which England and Wales have been divided in to four realms and Scotland is no longer mentioned in polite company and they are under the leadership of King Victor who has moved the capital and the instruments of government to Windsor Castle. Each realm does not really know what the other is doing and set against each other in competition. Food is rationed and free thinking is not encouraged. Think watches and thinkpads control everything and supply the requirements of information needed by the masses. Since the war up north where Silver is from the great lake has now gone and is full of redundant electrical equipment which she has enjoyed as a child opening up and playing with.

All 16 year olds who become or turn 16 by 1st July have to take a test known as the Reckoning which will determine your station in life and what you will be doing for the rest of your life. Out of all those taking the Reckoning 15 boys and 15 girls will be chosen as Offerings and be sent to Windsor Castle to serve the King as he sees fit. This is a great honour for the families and the realms they are from. Once sent the Offerings they are never heard from again and nobody knows what happens to them.

Silver Blackthorn is one of the Offerings for the King and little does she know what is going to happen to her. She is left shocked at the end of the journey when they are locked in to their dormitory until sent for by the King for a banquet. At this banquet one of their number is killed by the King just for kicks and one of the girls is sent to the King for his personal use.

They are all allocated jobs Silver gets her position in the technology lab from which she is able to manipulate the technology. She discovers a secret passage behind the girl’s dormitory and a boy offering, Imrin, also finds one and they make an alliance and start planning how they can escape. They know that the Offerings are set against each other in a battle for survival in the Castle but to escape they all need to work together to escape. It is against this background that Silver Blackthorn needs to lead the other Offerings if they are going to survive and they need to do something they are not used to talking and trusting each other.

The Reckoning is a brilliant beginning for The Silver Blackthorn trilogy a northern girl taking the bull by the horns and taking on all comers. We have a new heroine who is intelligent fast and fearsome who just wants to be with her family and friends. The state and the Minister Prime and King Victor will do anything within their powers to do this.

The Reckoning grabs you by the short and curlies and you do not want to put this pulsating book down and when you get to the end you want the second in the trilogy already. As you are left with a hunger you want Renegade the next book in the trilogy and reading The Reckoning you want that tomorrow, can I wait till it is published?

[~Tina~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going into a story like this, it's bound to be compared to other books in this genre like, The Hunger Games and Divergent and I'd be lying if it didn't sometimes feel like those stories, and yet, Wilkinson still manages to make the Reckoning entirely his own.

I'm not really sure what I can say here plot-wise without giving something away. I think readers will want to learn all about this twisted, brutal and even disturbing world that Wilkinson has created. The storyline itself is fairly simple. It's a sci-fi survival story, but the way its portrayed is more emotional and desperate then the action suspense you would usually find in this genre. Not to say that we didn't get some action, just not the kind I personally expected. I'm not usually the kind of reader who likes torturous-type reads and apart of me actually wanted to just stop reading, but before I knew it I became consumed and my heart ached for these Offerings, and I simple needed to know how everything plays out. For most readers the content is really nothing, but I'm a squeamish gal and while it wasn't overly graphic the writing still has a way of playing with my imagination, which can sometimes be worse.

Like the characters in the book, it was hard to form any real attachments for most of them simply because of their situation, but the ones I did find a connection with, really pulled me throughout the entire story.
Silver is a fierce character, smart, brave and caring. I liked her voice, her determination and her compassion. I wasn't sure what to think of Imrin at first, but it didn't take long to trust him. I liked how protective he was with Silver, even if no one really sees it except her. Imrin and Silver have an instant connection and despite the looming dangers of their friendship, it was the only warmth they and the readers have in such an ugly reality. There was never any real romance in this, which I was thankful for since something like love really has no room in this kind of story, but what we did get was really very touching.
There were a few other characters that I enjoyed as well, but Hart really made an impact in the short time we see him and I hope we'll get to see more of him in the next book.

All in all, I really ended up enjoying this book. Wilkinson is a great storyteller, his words are very vivid almost haunting and there were strong moments that really made me hate and love this book in the same breath. Reckoning can be quite unforgiving, but it's also quite powerful. The sci-fi or technical elements were cleverly delivered and played an intricate part to that gasping conclusion. I'm nervous and excited for the next instalment, but I simple can't wait to see where Wilkinson takes these characters next. A gripping read!

[Anna (Enchanted by YA) · Rating 5 out of 5]

***I received the paperback free as a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review***

Dystopian novels are so easy to get wrong that even if the synopsis looks promising, I always start the book feeling anxious because you go into a book wanting to like it. Starting Reckoning was just the same.

The plot was incredibly unique, and even though it reminded me slightly of The Hunger Games near the start (an obvious comparison if you just look at the dystopia side of it) with people being “offered” after the reckoning and removed from their families. Just like The Hunger Games it’s seen as a huge privilege to be an Offering for the King. Even when they only hear rumours about what really happens to them. Even when they know they’ll never see their loved ones again; there isn’t nearly as much weight to the moment as there would be in our society.

I can’t say much more about what happens to the Offerings because it will give too much of the plot away, but seeing as the synopsis mentions how Silver is trying to escape you can make your own presumptions. I will however say that the storyline is rather simple; it’s the case of survival against not just a corrupt government but corrupt people. The result is a world built on lies where no one lives long enough to tell the truth.

The Offerings are the exceptions. Their situation is treacherous, and one false move could be their last. It wasn’t hard to form emotional connections to them, and I think their situation makes it easier. You want them to battle through, and witnessing their emotional turmoil was draining as a reader. However it didn’t get boring. There was a lot of characters building (as there should be) but the haunting way it was written made sure you were just as engaged as when something big was happening (I really wanted to say something else there, but I’ve got to remember no spoilers!)

Silver Blackthorn was easy to connect and relate to because while she doesn’t see herself as extraordinary, her bravery crossed with caring nature is a force to be reckoned with; and boy do they try! She manages to find security with Imrin, another Offering who I’ll admit took me a while to warm up to. Circumstances made me suspicious, but I think that’s almost why it worked between them: they were both desperate. It was a slow romance and wasn’t filled with a fiery passion that had no place in the book.

I’m incredibly excited for the sequel because even after the rocky start I really enjoyed the book. I think it was the cliff-hanger ending that won me over, where just about everything went up in smoke.

Posted on: http://enchantedbyya.blogspot.co.uk/

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

eARC via NetGalley.

2.5 Stars.

Even though Dystopia novles have become quite popular these days, I have to say this genre isn't something I would normally read. However, since I've watched few Dystopia novels turn movies, and I liked the movies (I didn't read the books) I thought I would give it a go.

At age 16, each teens will have to take a test that will determine their place in the society. There are four levels: Elite, Member, Inter, and Trog. Then among these teens, they will also choose those who will become the "Offering".

What people doesn't know is the prestige title of "Offering" literally means scarifying. People who were chosen to go into the Windsor Castle are basically entrainment for the King. The King are moody and cruel, and the Offerings are treated like cattles. In order to survive is to not be notice, and keeps your head down. However, the feast that is hold by the end of each week, ensure very little to none of the Offerings would survive.

I don't think the book explain what are the four levels stands for, just that Elite are the superior, where Trog stands the lowest. Silver is a Member, also a Offering. How the 'test" determined isn't clear, neither is how they picked the Offerings.

I didn't think the cover of the book really fits the story, it gives an impression that Silver would be doing a lot of hands on battle, which isn't the case. I do see the similar theme in Hunger Games, and Divergent. I thought the ending was the best part of the story, there were surprises and clever strategies involved. This book does keep you on edge, however can be a bit drag from time to time. At first the secondary characters were more like a background in the book, however they do become more involve towards the end of the book.

I found this book mostly predicable, not very original, and does shares similar theme, structure and concept with other Dystopia novels. I don't think this book is for me, but fan of Dystopia novels with a strong female heroine might enjoy this book.

Happy reading!

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received this book from NetGalley/St.Martin's Griffin in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

*Genre* Young Adult, Dystopian
*Rating* 3.5

*My Thoughts*

Silver Blackthorn lives in the northern village of Martindale with her mother and younger brother Colt in what was once England. She is a bit of a free spirit, who doesn't necessary lock herself into societies expectations for her, and that is perfectly fine with me. She loves to hang out with her best friend Colt, and pushes the limits of what she can, and shouldn't do including her love of tinkering with old discarded electronics which ultimately comes in handy.

Silver faces what's called the Reckoning where every Sixteen-year old is separated into four categories via a Divergent like test. The categories are Elite, Member, Intermediates, and Trog. The higher the position you are chosen for, the better off your family will be once you are assigned to your new duties.

**PLEASE READ THE REST OF MY REVIEW @ GIZMOS REVIEWS!**
http://www.gizmosreviews.blogspot.com...

Renegade (Silver Blackthorn, #2) releases January 6, 2015 by St. Martin's Griffin.

*Recvd via Netgalley 05/05/2014* Expected publication: July 1st 2014 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published May 22nd 2014)

[Stacy]

I was engrossed in RECKONING from the first chapter. As in most Dystopian books the world of Silver Blackthorn is broken into 4 different classes of society. Then on top of that there is an Offering. A select few are chosen from each class to be an offering for King Victor. No one knows what being an offering entails and no one ever sees an offering again after they are whisked away but it is treated as a privilege and celebrated.

Silver is a easy to understand girl who just turned sixteen and takes the Reckoning to find out where in the world she will fit in. We get to witness her feelings about leaving all that she has known and loved and then watch it all come to a head as she is picked to be an offering. From the time she steps off the train nothing is as she thought it would be and nothing will ever be the same.

The RECKONING is full of danger, mistrust, survival and unlikely friendships. The whole story flowed and flexed in just the right places. The world was well written and developed and the characters made it all the more exciting. I kinda wish I would have waited to read RECKONING because all I want to do after finishing is read more.

* This book was provided free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Tati · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d like to thank NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book started really well by introducing us to the Reckoning, a coming of age test that determines to which caste the youth will belong to. The concept was familiar, as several dystopian books work with it, but I felt it was nicely done.

However, when Silver gets to the capital, as an Offering, the book slowed down, and I felt the dystopian aspect faded into the background, and the plot took a turn toward Silver settling into her new routine. Silver was a good character, albeit a little inconsistent. She would be rash in one page and, then, in the next, she would choose to fade into the background. I also missed a bit of background information on the other characters, but as Silver didn’t interact a lot with them, there was no way for me to get that information.

When the plot finally takes shape again, after the middle of the book, things got interesting again, because there was action. The ending was the best part of the book, and made me curious to learn what will happen next.

Rating: 3 out of 5

[Jen! · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this book up on a whim as the premise was interesting. (Despite the ugly cover. She looks thirty not sixteen!)

I only made it fifty pages in, but it was enough to know I wasn't going to enjoy it. I disliked the way it was written, really stiff and formal. It reminded me of divergent, another book I didn't finish.

From the fifty pages, the plot and the writing style had a strong resemblance to The hunger games and Divergent mashed together. (So, if you like those books the maybe you'll like this.)

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Cocktails

I was a little worried when I got to the end of the story that I was wrong about some of the characters. The author had me at the edge of my seat. Good thing I have book 2 already on my Kindle because I don't think I would have been able to wait to see what happens next.

[Ricky · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I went into this one seeing that it was a British-themed YA dystopian, and reading it, I was able to see that I wasn't wrong. (Funny thing - I actually picked up the second book in the series by accident at first, and then I had to take it back and wait for this first one to come in after ordering it.) Basically, it's exactly what I expected - a YA dystopian that mashes up elements of all the biggest hits of the genre (Hunger Games, Divergent, The Testing, Legend, etc.) in a post-apocalyptic UK setting. So this book, story-wise, doesn't really tread any new ground, but it's at least an interesting storyline with compelling heroes, even if they have to deal with a villain who just comes across as a one-dimensional royal psychopath.

At the very least, I'll have no problem picking up the remaining books in the trilogy and reading them in pretty quick succession - and hey, maybe they'll improve on this book too!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have reread in a really long time and I'm so glad that I chose to to did this is a book that has always stuck with me. I loved it then and I loved it now I'm so excited I finally got my hands on the next books in the series and I can continue on finally.

[Alyssa.567 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I honestly thought this book was going to be bad but I LOVED it after a while