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School of the Seven Bells #1
Thievery
IMAGINE a world of orphaned children living in STRICT SECTORS, working as laborers, never having a real name - only a numeric code. Never knowing there was life beyond the forty foot wall. Never knowing there were secret SOCIETIES. Societies that hide in the shadows of darkness to abduct the children who were tagged as adept in their job.
Headmaster Trig runs the most successful underground school in former North America. He wants nothing more than a government that stops victimizing children, and their parents who can't afford the ridiculously expensive child tax. Alaric, Trig's right hand man, is the astute instructor with one weakness...Rumor. She was in the borough and someone caught her stealing. Alaric helped her escape, and for the first time ever, he brought an outsider into the school. Several months later, someone in the borough is looking for Rumor and is going to extremes to find her. Rumor's past comes crashing all around her, and it's about to expose the school if they don't turn her in.
Devyn Dawson delivers a fast paced epic tale of bravery and ambition. It's perfect for anyone who is ready for something different....something that makes you root for the criminal, gasp in disbelief, and deep memorable characters.
YOUNG ADULT DYSTOPIAN 14+
Headmaster Trig runs the most successful underground school in former North America. He wants nothing more than a government that stops victimizing children, and their parents who can't afford the ridiculously expensive child tax. Alaric, Trig's right hand man, is the astute instructor with one weakness...Rumor. She was in the borough and someone caught her stealing. Alaric helped her escape, and for the first time ever, he brought an outsider into the school. Several months later, someone in the borough is looking for Rumor and is going to extremes to find her. Rumor's past comes crashing all around her, and it's about to expose the school if they don't turn her in.
Devyn Dawson delivers a fast paced epic tale of bravery and ambition. It's perfect for anyone who is ready for something different....something that makes you root for the criminal, gasp in disbelief, and deep memorable characters.
YOUNG ADULT DYSTOPIAN 14+
232 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2016
1 person is currently reading
407 people want to read
About the author
Devyn Dawson
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 17, 2017
Title: Thievery
Author: Devyn Dawson
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopia
Format: Ebook
Pages: 232
Rating: 4
Heat: 1
Thoughts: This was a really good story, not sure why it didn't grab me. I think it may have been the switching of POV's, at times during the chapter I would forget who was "talking" and get confused. I was actually surprised that we never got any of the story from Rumor's POV and it would've been nice to get to know her more since she seemed to be the whole reason why everything was happening. I think that may be why the story didn't grab me. I loved the characters, the concept of the story, and enjoyed learning about the world. FYI, it is a cliffhanger but not one that will make you scream (at least it didn't make me scream). I do look forward to reading the next book, the action and adventure was truly fun!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
Author: Devyn Dawson
Genre: Sci-Fi/Dystopia
Format: Ebook
Pages: 232
Rating: 4
Heat: 1
Thoughts: This was a really good story, not sure why it didn't grab me. I think it may have been the switching of POV's, at times during the chapter I would forget who was "talking" and get confused. I was actually surprised that we never got any of the story from Rumor's POV and it would've been nice to get to know her more since she seemed to be the whole reason why everything was happening. I think that may be why the story didn't grab me. I loved the characters, the concept of the story, and enjoyed learning about the world. FYI, it is a cliffhanger but not one that will make you scream (at least it didn't make me scream). I do look forward to reading the next book, the action and adventure was truly fun!
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
February 24, 2016
I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say that I rarely read YA but Devyn is my exception. I have read many of her books and they do not ever disappoint me. This one didn’t either. I love Devyn’'s style of writing, a style that pulls you in from the first chapter and keeps your attention until the last. I don’t ever give out spoilers because I don’t like reading them. All I will say is this book was awesome and I can’t wait until the second book comes out!! A must read!!
I have to say that I rarely read YA but Devyn is my exception. I have read many of her books and they do not ever disappoint me. This one didn’t either. I love Devyn’'s style of writing, a style that pulls you in from the first chapter and keeps your attention until the last. I don’t ever give out spoilers because I don’t like reading them. All I will say is this book was awesome and I can’t wait until the second book comes out!! A must read!!
July 29, 2016
When I read the blurb for this book, I thought I was in for an exciting read. Sadly, the book fell far short of my expectations.
The story takes place after all the governments of the world have failed and people are left to fend for themselves. That would have been nice to know at the beginning rather than the end. As I read it, I wondered what had happened that had put these kids in the situation they're in.
Trig does run a school for thieves. These kids go into the Borough, crossing over or under a dividing wall. They steal money, pick pockets, or rob houses to get wealth. If they get caught, they will be hanged.
Trig, is somewhere between 18-22 years old, I would say. He and his buddy, Alaric, train these kids who come from different sectors, usually common laborers, erase their memories and teach them to steal. They don't kill anybody. All they do is steal.
Alaric and Trig are almost the same in character. They speak the same way and since they were the only two who were mentioned at the beginning of the chapters, I forgot who was doing the talking. The dialogue was overlong and sometimes uninteresting.
Different characters were randomly thrown into the mix. They hadn't been seen previously in the story and although they were needed at the time, it would have been nice to know they existed before they decided to rescue Rumor, especially Vlad. *No spoilers*
For this being a pack of kids, they sure do have some sophisticated devices. They pay a chemist to come up with concoctions that erase memories, render people unconscious for a certain amount of time, and a few other things that I've forgotten about. They have specialized clothing and gas masks that make them impervious to their own weapons, which is good, I guess.
There are some editing problems. The grammar in some sentences was not good and considering how many books this author has published, one would think she would know the difference between "Aw" and "Awe". Sorry. That's one of my pet peeves.
Since this is a series, there is a cliffhanger. That is to be expected.
I don't mean to be a downer when it comes to this book. I'm sure many people will enjoy it. I just didn't.
The story takes place after all the governments of the world have failed and people are left to fend for themselves. That would have been nice to know at the beginning rather than the end. As I read it, I wondered what had happened that had put these kids in the situation they're in.
Trig does run a school for thieves. These kids go into the Borough, crossing over or under a dividing wall. They steal money, pick pockets, or rob houses to get wealth. If they get caught, they will be hanged.
Trig, is somewhere between 18-22 years old, I would say. He and his buddy, Alaric, train these kids who come from different sectors, usually common laborers, erase their memories and teach them to steal. They don't kill anybody. All they do is steal.
Alaric and Trig are almost the same in character. They speak the same way and since they were the only two who were mentioned at the beginning of the chapters, I forgot who was doing the talking. The dialogue was overlong and sometimes uninteresting.
Different characters were randomly thrown into the mix. They hadn't been seen previously in the story and although they were needed at the time, it would have been nice to know they existed before they decided to rescue Rumor, especially Vlad. *No spoilers*
For this being a pack of kids, they sure do have some sophisticated devices. They pay a chemist to come up with concoctions that erase memories, render people unconscious for a certain amount of time, and a few other things that I've forgotten about. They have specialized clothing and gas masks that make them impervious to their own weapons, which is good, I guess.
There are some editing problems. The grammar in some sentences was not good and considering how many books this author has published, one would think she would know the difference between "Aw" and "Awe". Sorry. That's one of my pet peeves.
Since this is a series, there is a cliffhanger. That is to be expected.
I don't mean to be a downer when it comes to this book. I'm sure many people will enjoy it. I just didn't.
April 24, 2016
An interesting concept though disappointed that we'll have this stretched over a series that might end up dragging on a little longer than necessary just because the author and/or publisher can. I'm also a bit put-off by the cover that looks more adult than YA and definitely does not capture the characters and situation-- I'm thinking a cover more like the steampunkish Etiquette & Espionage combined with an Enclave feel.
But the characters doing the best with the situation they're dealt is a nice combination of freshness and sameness that will definitely engage readers. The concept of an underground world and training them in some dark arts is everyone's secret fantasy, so Dawson taps in to that. Knowing that there are secrets and things on the other side of the wall that can be deadly and dangerous make it the best kind of read.
Book was received through a giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
But the characters doing the best with the situation they're dealt is a nice combination of freshness and sameness that will definitely engage readers. The concept of an underground world and training them in some dark arts is everyone's secret fantasy, so Dawson taps in to that. Knowing that there are secrets and things on the other side of the wall that can be deadly and dangerous make it the best kind of read.
Book was received through a giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2016
Imagine living in a world with secret underground schools, hangings for stealing and human hunting games. This is the world for Trig, Alaric, Rumor and Rion among lots of others. Fortunately this is the first book so we can learn about the school and our favorite characters. The details are clear and creative as are the names for fake identities. This book is great for young adults enjoying books like Divergent and Hunger Games. I found the story fascinating and I have a great appreciation for the author as a creative writer unafraid to bring us this new world. Luckily, I got to beta read the book and witness the changes. A final copy was given so I could read and review the complete story. Look for Trickery, book 2, due soon.
June 4, 2016
A great start to a new series!
I read Devyn Dawson’s Light Tamer series, and just like the books in that series, this book didn’t disappoint. Although the storyline is not paranormal, Devyn Dawson’s writing style didn’t change, and that is what I love about her books. She has a way to pull you in and make you feel like you know the characters on a personal level. This story is full of action, making it a great book for guys and girls. And the ending leaves you craving for more. I look forward to reading book 2!
I read Devyn Dawson’s Light Tamer series, and just like the books in that series, this book didn’t disappoint. Although the storyline is not paranormal, Devyn Dawson’s writing style didn’t change, and that is what I love about her books. She has a way to pull you in and make you feel like you know the characters on a personal level. This story is full of action, making it a great book for guys and girls. And the ending leaves you craving for more. I look forward to reading book 2!
May 31, 2016
I loved the story but I just couldn't relate to the characters.
Children forced to work as slaves being stolen and taken to an underground school to learn to be thieves. To basically live off the radar of the government but while living as free as they can. I did like how they gave them the choice of leaving when they felt there wasn't anymore they could do for them.
However this story lacked explanation. Why was the world the way it was? How did someone who had had their memories wiped start over in the village?
Even though some of it didn't make sense to me I was drawn into it and with a cliffhanger like that I will definitely be reading the next book.
I received an ebook from Book Review Buzz in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
Children forced to work as slaves being stolen and taken to an underground school to learn to be thieves. To basically live off the radar of the government but while living as free as they can. I did like how they gave them the choice of leaving when they felt there wasn't anymore they could do for them.
However this story lacked explanation. Why was the world the way it was? How did someone who had had their memories wiped start over in the village?
Even though some of it didn't make sense to me I was drawn into it and with a cliffhanger like that I will definitely be reading the next book.
I received an ebook from Book Review Buzz in exchange for a honest review. Thank you.
September 15, 2016
This is an interesting story. The world is definitely different. The one main thing is to have a child you must pay a large tax. If you can't pay the baby is taken, given a number and then trained for a certain job. The child is given no name only a number. But if the child is lucky they may be taken away by a secret school that teaches theives. The child will then be given their first real name.
Their is some romance, but the story is kept clean. I like the plot I just hope it doesn't get old as this is part of a series.
Received book from author for an honest review.
Their is some romance, but the story is kept clean. I like the plot I just hope it doesn't get old as this is part of a series.
Received book from author for an honest review.
March 20, 2016
Oh my god
The book is amazing it has everything your books never stop being amazing . I love how they both get there girls . But I did hate how the book ended it would have been nice to have another trig chapter.
The book is amazing it has everything your books never stop being amazing . I love how they both get there girls . But I did hate how the book ended it would have been nice to have another trig chapter.
May 31, 2016
Review coming soon!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews