Extinction of All Children

Extinction of All Children #1

by L.J. Epps

A young adult, fantasy novel about a teenager who is the last eighteen-year-old in her territory. There will never be another child; every baby born after her has been taken away. Everyone wonders why she survived.


Emma Whisperer was born in 2080, in the small futuristic world of Craigluy. President Esther, in charge for the last twenty-two years, has divided their world into three territories, separated by classes—the rich, the working class, and the poor—because she believes the poor should not mingle with the others. And, the poor are no longer allowed to have children, since they do not have the means to take care of them.


Any babies born, accidentally or willfully, are killed. Emma is the last eighteen-year-old in her territory; every baby born after her has died. Somehow, she survived this fate.


During the president’s Monday night speech, she announces a party will be held to honor the last child in the territory, Emma Whisperer. Emma must read a speech, expressing how happy she is to be the last eighteen-year-old.


Emma doesn’t like the rules; she doesn’t believe in them. So, she feels she must rebel against them. Her family doesn’t agree with her rebellion, since they are hiding a big secret. If this secret gets out, it will be disastrous, and deadly, for her family.


During Emma’s journey, she meets—and becomes friends with—Eric. He is one of the guards for the president. She also befriends Samuel, another guard for the president, who is summoned to watch over her. As Emma meets new people, she doesn’t know who she can trust. Yet, she finds herself falling for a guy, something which has never happened before.


After doing what she feels is right, Emma finds herself in imminent danger. In the end, she must make one gut-wrenching decision, a decision that may be disastrous for them all.


“Fans of dystopian fantasy will devour this book. L. J. Epps writes a story that, while dealing with heavy subject matter, is still a light, enjoyable read. This dystopian fantasy novel ignites the imagination, and is a must read for fans of The Hunger Games and the Divergent Trilogy.”
—Kristina Gemmell,
Beta Reader

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy

ebook

First published June 1, 2016

About the author

L.J. Epps is a lover of all things related to books: fiction and nonfiction novels, as well as biographies and autobiographies. She has also been known to sit and read comic books from cover to cover, several times over.

Over the last few years, L.J. has written several manuscripts; her mission is to publish all of them. She enjoys writing fiction in several genres, including contemporary romance and women’s fiction, as well as young adult dystopian, science fiction and fantasy. She loves to write because it immerses her into another world that is not her own.

Reviews

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really stuck between two and three stars.... The story does have some redeeming qualities. I was hooked enough to read until the conclusion. There was a slight cliff hanger - an escape but without any real resolution.

Overall this story was very much like Hunger Games but without the details and characters which made that book so relatable. I felt this book was pushing the questions of poverty, race, and overall inequalities. Perhaps a sequel would give some explanations.

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if you were the last child born who was allowed to live? Emma’s world was divided into three territories, those who were poor, the middle class and the wealthy. Run by a crazed “president for life,” Emma knows it is wrong to murder babies born to the poor, and somehow, some way, she is determined to change that. She hadn’t planned on the special propaganda event planned to honor her, the last baby born eighteen years or the tsunami of trouble that would come her way. Will she be prepared for the backlash of her actions?

EXTINCTION OF ALL CHILDREN by L.J. Epps sets the scene for what looks to become a fascinating series sure to engage young adult readers who can appreciate the youthful zeal of a headstrong teen rushing headlong into a hornet’s nest of deceit and turmoil. The characters are taking shape, and the plot is certainly an eyebrow raiser! A strong start that could take off in any direction and has me looking forward to book two!

I received a complimentary copy from L.J. Epps!

Series: Extinction of All Children - Book 1
Publisher: L.J. Epps; 1 edition (June 3, 2016)
Publication Date: June 3, 2016
Genre: YA Dystopian
Print Length: 250 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Karleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received from Netgalley

I quite enjoyed this book, it caught my attention from the very first page and kept me entertained through the entire book.

Although I don't believe people should be told they can not have children and that they should be killed upon birth, I did understand the reasons behind why the people in Territory L was not allowed to have children.

[Juli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Craigluy is a world divided according to class. Lower, middle and upper classes are separated and live totally different lives. In Territory L, Emma Whisperer is the last child to turn 18. The last baby to grow up. Lower class citizens have been deemed irresponsible and are no longer allowed to have children. Anyone who comes up pregnant is arrested, forced to bear the child and watch as the baby is taken away to be killed. It is a brutal world to live in. Those in Territory M and Territory U have other options, but President Esther controls all aspects of society no matter which class. Emma Whisperer....the last child....wants to change everything. She wants everyone to live together again...for people to be free.

The Extinction of all Children series is a trilogy. Book one introduces Emma and centers around Territory L. The storyline moves from L to the middle class area and on to the upperclass walled-in territory in the final book. I enjoyed how the characters developed throughout this series. Emma knows in the first book that she wants to see President Esther's policies destroyed...to remove the segregation from the people of Craigluy. Over the 3 books, Emma and the followers/supporters she gathers go from dreaming of freedom to actually fighting to try and make it happen. President Esther is a worthy, tricky adversary. She is wiley and wise. I found myself not able to totally hate her. Down at her very core, there is some good....at one point she actually had the best interests of the people at heart. But it got twisted inside her mind. Absolute power really does corrupt.

All in all this series is a very enjoyable read. I found the premise a bit unrealistic, but the story for me was enjoyable enough to override my sense of realism. The charcters are nicely developed over the 3 parts of the story. There is a lot of action, and the story moves along at a nice pace. There is plenty of suspense and some nice twists in the tale.

Enjoyable read! Nothing inappropriate for older teenagers, but be aware that there is discussion of abuse, death, imprisonment, murder, infanticide, torture, violence and other topics that may require a trigger warning for some students/adults reading this series.

**I voluntarily read review copies of the three books in this series by L. J. Epps via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* NetGalley
*Genre* Young Adult, Dystopian
*Rating* 3.5

*Thoughts*

Extinction of Children is the first installment in author L.J. Epps series by the same name. 18-year old Emma Whisperer was born in 2080, in the small futuristic world of Craigluy which is apparently a territory between Arizona and California. President Esther, in charge for the last twenty-two years, has divided their world into three territories, separated by classes-the rich (Territory U), the working class (Territory M), and the poor (Territory L)-because she believes the poor should not mingle with the others.

*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*

https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book from Netgalley for review.

I did not finish this book. I stopped at the 50% mark.

The story sounded so interesting, but the execution was poor. The story could have been much more appealing after going through a few more drafts.

Characters

Emma Whisperer is dull and honestly, kinda dumb. I never felt like I knew who she was at all. For someone wanting to find out what's going on with the secrecy, she wasn't very good at being discrete herself.

When she's spying on her brother, she's loud. She lets herself be seen. She doesn't deny it. It's really hard to believe she'd avoid consequences when she makes no effort to be sneaky and actually seems to make even more noise once she thinks she's almost caught.

I also couldn't stand the special snowflake vibe this book had. "Emma you're different." "Chosen one." It's just ridiculous, she has done absolutely nothing.

Theodore Whisperer isn't any better. He's being trained to be a guard, but he doesn't act like it. He seems very incompetent. He can't tell when his sister is following him.

I continue following; but the air is thick today, and I start to cough. I see him turn around, and I run behind a nearby tree. Those trips to see my sister have taught me how to run fast. He doesn't catch me -I hope.

Just because she hid doesn't mean she wasn't seen. He was already turning around and I doubt he couldn't have easily checked behind a tree.

The other characters felt like they were only there to shove the special snowflake part down my throat.

Writing
So many parts were redundant. I know sometimes emphasize is purposeful, but the amount of repetition was irritating and felt like a student who had to fill a certain word count or like watching Mojo Jojo in the Powerpuff Girls.

I wear my long gray knit dress today - the one that falls to my knees- along with my black flats. Since it was a bit nippy outside, I put on my short black jacket with it. I've been wearing my gray dress that lands above the knees the last few weeks , and so far I have not found a job.

I understand the need for clarification sometimes, but this book took it to a whole new level. It was too distracting seeing it every few pages, when it didn't even add to the story.

I take my ID card out of my pocket and stare at it for a moment. It is flat, hard, and made of cheap plastic. The front of the card has my name, date of birth, and eye color on it. The back of the card has my picture on it so, if needed, I can prove who I am.

The name "ID card" makes all of this obvious and unnecessary.

Plot

The amount of plot holes in this story is ridiculous. I could write an essay on everything that didn't make sense, but I'll only touch on some.

-The President is killing all the infants which will lead to the extinction of the entire poor population, which is a pretty big chunk, and instead of rebelling, the masses have given up and stopped protesting.
-Emma's family is poor, but they can afford to feed and clothe the 2 parents, 3 kids, 1 grandchild and pay for water and electricity for two houses.
-The President had plenty of opportunities to stop Emma when making her speech, but instead waited for her to finish dissing her and her policies.

This is from Emma's first day as a prisoner in President Esther's mansion.

"One thing I know is they don't bug the jail cells or the prison. It's an invasion of privacy to listen in on a prisoner's private conversation. President Esther doesn't allow it. "

"The only cameras you'll find are in the hallway leading to her quarters - for safety reasons, of course- as well as the tunnel leading down to the prisons."
"Are there cameras outside?" I ask, wondering if she, or someone, watched my family and me get out of the black car.
"Yes at the front door and the back, but that is only to see who is coming and going from the house." He glances down, then back up. "We better go now, so you can get washed up."
Maybe he realizes he has said too much.

I'm trying to think of something good to say about this book, but really I can't think of anything. There's just too much going on with the writing and what feels like nothing in the story. I still find the idea intriguing, but I just can't be bothered to finish the book when I know the ending won't make sense.

[Bryony Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had such an interesting plot. I thought Emma was a great character, very resilient and determined to help her family as well as everyone else in the territories. I also appreciate how she stands up for herself despite the world she lives in. Eric and Theodore also came across as very strong characters as well, not refusing to defend what they know is and isn't morally right.

I do feel though, that some sections of the book did ramble on a little bit. When Emma is training, I thought those scenes were longer than they needed to be.

Apart from that one downfall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the sequel!

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Alyson Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book: Extinction of All Children
Author: LP Epps
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with this book.

So, it’s been awhile since I have written a review for a self-published author. I know that self-published books are hit and miss, but just give them a try. You never know if you are going to find your new favourite book. I will admit that I only got this one because the cover looked pretty. I really did not know anything about it nor really what it was about. Once I started reading, I discovered that this was a dystopia novel. It’s fine; it’s actually been awhile since I’ve read a good dystopian book.

What really kept me hooked on this one was the plot. It’s not really anything new in dystopia, but it was really interesting. Our characters live in a world that is divided on class and has a president who rules over everything. In Emma’s area, there can be no children and having a child can mean death. To me, this was hard to look away from. I know there are a lot of novels out there like this, but I have been away from this genre for awhile. I really thought that this was a good book to ease my way back into the dystopian genre.

Now, the actual writing was just okay. There were some parts that I thought kind of rambled on and were a little bit unnecessary. Now, I will admit that I am guilty of this in my own writing; it’s just something that we need to work on. I just thought that there were places that we got told what was going around, only to have it shown a few lines later. This was perhaps the most noticeable during Emma’s training sessions. It really doesn’t take away from the plot, but it just made me cringe a little bit inside. I do have the rest of the series, so I think it will be interesting to see if this is improved on.

The characters were decent enough. They weren’t as complex as other young adult characters, but they weren’t bad. Emma was an okay led. There was this bit about the chosen one going on; I’m not sure what that was about. She also isn’t the most resourceful of characters and does seem to rely on others to get her out of her messes. I guess this is fine, but it’s just not what I’ve come to expect from this genre. I don’t know…

Overall, not a terrible book. There is room for improvement. I am interested in reading the rest of the series, so this is why I’m giving it a four star.

[WillowRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I originally read the blurb about this book, I thought the premise was interesting, intriguing. I was curious how someone, or a society, could get to a point where they would not allow more children. As I read the book and progressed through it seeing it through the eyes of Emma (the main character), it was clear that the dystopian world that she lived in was rife with problems and contradictions while being run by one person in charge who had a narcissistic and nasty streak. It is the dichotomy of beliefs between Emma and the President that fuels the decisions that Emma faces. While I thought the beginning was just slightly slow, it didn't stay that way for long, and by the time I was a few chapters in, I was hooked. The author did a wonderful job of writing a believable story that shows the passion of a young woman's heart and faith, while finding her voice to speak out against injustice. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a story with a credible, charming female as the main character who faces many challenges as she tries to correct the wrongs.

In closing, I wish to say that I received this book as an ARC edition in exchange for an honest review.  I wish to thank the author for the opportunity to read her entertaining book, and I look forward to reading the next one in the series!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just read Extinction of all Children by L. J. Epps and it did not disappoint! The author did a great job of developing the characters and keeping me engaged in the story. I find dystopia novels can take a while to get into, but not this one! Definitely recommend. I did receive a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers.

[Jennifer Bourque (ButterflyReader77) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I received a copy of "Extinction of All Children" from Veracious Readers in exchange for an honest review, and I truly enjoyed this book. It's similar to "The Hunger Games" as the characters of the story are divided into three territories. The territories in this story are called L, M, and U, with Territory L being equivalent to District 12 of "The Hunger Games", so this can give you an idea to the flow of the story.

The main protagonist of the book is Emma Whisperer and she is the last child from Territory L to celebrate her eighteenth birthday. She was born in the year 2080 and she was the last baby allowed to live. Territory L is governed by President Esther and she banned the birth of all children after the year 2080. President Esther runs all three territories and it's her way or no way. If you fail to follow Esther's rules, you pay dearly, and you could become imprisoned. Especially those who fail to follow the rule of birthing children. If you become pregnant, you carry out the duration of your pregnancy in prison, and once you give birth, your child is taken away to face death.

During the celebration of Emma's eighteenth birthday, she goes against President Esther's governed rules and she suddenly finds herself imprisoned in the palace. Emma then starts to befriend the guards and she slowly starts to build a revolution against President Esther, but is it too late to make a change. As readers we see the inner workings of the President's palace and how things came to be the way they are presently. Emma's family also have secrets that could cost the family a great deal and put everything in jeopardy.

"Extinction of All Children" is a young adult dystopian with a tale of romance intertwined throughout the storyline. The book kept me intrigued until the very last page, and I could not put it down. The conclusion of the story had a nice twist and it appears to flow nicely into it's sequel "Journey to Territory M", which I cannot wait to read. For those readers who enjoy this genre, Extinction of All Children" is a must read.

[Fatima Mehjabin · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** I was sent the ebook in exchange for an honest review via VoraciousReadersOnly ***

Well, that was a pleasant surprise! When I first went into the book, I didn't know what to expect. I have never read any book with this concept before- a world where children from poor families are killed because the parents are seen to be unable to take care of their children. It isn't as simple as it sounds.

I felt that the motive of the President (the one who ordered the killing) is not as black and white as it seems. Even though she did horrible things, she had her reasons and that made me understand where she was coming from. However, that still meant I did not support her in what she was doing. The author did very well in making me hate her! I loved Emma. She was not one of those characters that gave up her own morals to do certain tasks asked of her by the President. (You will get it when you read the book) She questioned the world around her and wanted to do something about the dire situation the world was in. She is seen as the chosen one because she is the last 18 year old to be alive but she did not care for that. Instead, she fought back against the society.

There was a bit of a romance going on but that didn't really bother me. It felt more like a friendship to me to be honest. I think it was really sweet.

I also loved the family aspect. The relationship between Emma and her family felt so real. I loved seeing the effects of the world on their relationship. Emma had difficulty trusting her family members because of that. Despite that, she still loved them and made a lot of sacrifices for them.

I have to say that the writing didn't really impress me and I felt that there could have been more world development. Well, that's just my opinion. Additionally, there were some things I saw coming but I did not quite expect the ending. I am eager to read the sequels and see what happens next!

[Misty's Book Space · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

When I say that this was for fans of The Hunger Games and the Divergent Trilogy I immediately got the entire trilogy. This is pretty similar to The Hunger Games but not so much so that you feel like you're reading the exact same book. In this world which is our world just set in the future. It's also divided into 3 territories based on how much money you have. You have Territory U which is for the Upper Class, Territory M which is for Middle Class and Territory L which is Lower Class. Emma our main character in is Territory L. She was the last baby born who was allowed to live and now that she is 18 the president is throwing a party to celebrate and things go from there.

Not a whole lot happens in this book but I was immediately drawn into the story. The only thing that really bugged me while I was reading was how Emma kept referring to her parents as Mother and Father and how her entire family kept secrets from her and treated her like she was a child. You don't really know who you can trust in this book. I'm still not sure if I trust certain people even though they haven't really given me a reason not to. Overall I really enjoyed this book and think it is a great set up for the trilogy and I can't wait to continue on with the next book very soon.

[Jolie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, another review where I have to post a trigger warning. In this world, the babies born to the people in Territory L are killed. It is not mentioned in what manner they were killed. The author left enough unsaid for my imagination to go overboard. So, it is safe to say that if you are triggered by infanticide, then do not read the book or the review.

When I saw this series turn up in NetGalley’s Read Now email, I was immediately intrigued. A world where society was divided up by classes? A world where the lower class was not allowed to have children? A heroine who was upset at the restrictions that were in place. Who was willing to do whatever it takes to make sure those sanctions were lifted? Yeah, you could say that my interest was caught.

Emma Whisperer was the last child born in Territory L. All babies born after her were killed. Why she was spared that fate, she didn’t know. She knew that President Esther was wrong in not letting the people in Territory L keep their children. So, the night of the party celebrating her 18th birthday, Emma took a stand. That stand ended up landing her in jail. But, it is in prison where she makes her most dangerous decisions and discoveries. Is standing for what she believes in the right thing? What will be the consequences for her actions? What did she discover?

Like I mentioned above, the plotline caught my interest. How could it not have been? I was a massive fan of the Mockingjay and Divergent series. I figured that the Extinction of All Children would be the same. In a way it was. But it was also different. Emma wanted to change things, and she didn’t let anyone stop her. She made her case in the Extinction of All Children at the beginning of the book. She kept making it every time she got a chance.

I did like Emma. She stood up for what she thought was right. She did try me nuts, though. Even though she was 18, she acted like she was so much younger at points in the book. Her eyes rolled so much in this book; it wasn’t funny.

Let’s talk about President Esther. She made my skin crawl. I couldn’t understand how one bitter woman could decide that a class of people didn’t deserve to have their children. I got why she felt that way. Growing up poor will leave scars. But to punish people for what her mother went through. That screamed deeper issues. How deep, though, wasn’t revealed until the end of the book.

The Extinction of All Children fit in well with the dystopia genre. The author did a fantastic job of building up a world where a country was divided into classes and walls.

This book also fits in well in the Young Adult genre. If the characters had been older, the book wouldn’t have worked. It needed young people. It required that energy that Emma had and projected.

The end of the Extinction of All Children left me with more questions than answers.. I wondered why certain people had grudges. I wondered who the head of Territory M was. It was well written, but nothing was ended. The storylines were not completed. Which is fine because that is a lead in to book 2

[Ian Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably a YA dystopian, but it reads well enough for the older. The basic premise is there has been marked social engineering, and society, at least in this limited area, has been split into three zones occupied according to class: upper (U) prospers, middle (M) is tolerated, and lower (L). The zones are separated by "impenetrable" barriers. (A challenge here!) The objective is to get rid of the lower class, and while large scale genocide is out, it can be done by refusing permission for them to breed. Children born to the lower class are removed from their parents, presumably to be killed. Emma Whisperer is the youngest person in L; she was born just before this law was imposed. In L, any misdemeanor earns 30 days jail; recidivism indefinite jail. In M it appears that an additional means of enforcing order is the possibility of relegation to L. As you might gather, the form of governance is dictatorship, and there are plenty of guards, etc, to enforce it. In L, being a guard seems to be the only way to avoid near absolute poverty. There is no mention of te general economy, and it appears L does not produce anything. Then author probably put that condition there to explain why there is no reproduction, but are the upper classes really going out to the farm to drive tractrs all day or do manual work?
I think the author wrote Emma from the heart. She is a bit self-centred, very introspective, but rebellious. (There has to be a story.) The other characters tend to be a bit grey, or in one or two cases, a bit stereotyped to do the job, e.g. President Esther. The better-written male characters are resonable, but in my opinion, clearly written by a woman. (This is stated more as an example of the difficulty of writing the other gender and is no reson not to read this book; I suspect the author could retaliate quite nicely criticizing my female characters.) This is apparently the start of a series, and the plot is a little stretched. World building is very good, aand quite dystopian. The limited action is rather well written, and the limited supply is to the author's credit. When it turns up, it is far more effective than in many other novels. To summarise, I thought it quite well done, it is easy to read, but the plot stretching, Emma's total lack of planning at times, the complete lack of any economic structure or consequences from this social experiment, and the limited number of stereotyped characters prevent five stars.

[The Geeky Bibliophile · Rating 2 out of 5]

The year is 2080, and the residents of Craigluy have long been separated by walls into three class-based territories: L for the lower-class, M for the middle-class, and U for the upper-class. Because the citizens of Territory L are poor, President Esther has decreed they are no longer allowed to have children. Pregnant women are jailed until they give birth, then their babies are killed. 18-year-old Emma Whisperer, the last child allowed to live in L, is determined to tear down the walls, and bring an end to Esther’s despotic rule. She must… if she hopes to find her missing niece before she is killed.

When I found out about this trilogy, I was immediately intrigued because dystopia is a favorite genre of mine. The class separations, as well as it being illegal for those living in Territory L to have children—worse still, that any babies born were to be killed—made this sound like a book I would love. Sadly, that was not the case.

The story is told in the present tense from main character Emma’s point of view. While I don’t have a problem with first person narratives or the use of present tense in a story, the combination of the two in this book didn’t work for me. The constant telling of extraneous details felt particularly cumbersome, as well. Repetition of actions or thoughts filled much of the latter portions of the book, and I was often bored as a result.

This story had a great concept that I was eager to read. Ultimately, it proved unable to meet its potential. I was left disappointed… but I still wanted to see what will happen next.

[Christine Kempton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from Voracious Readers for an honest review. What a great concept! Emma is that last person in her part of the country to turn 18. There are no children in her territory any more. When a child is born it is taken away and killed. At least that's what everyone is told. Mothers are placed in jail to be punished for having children. To celebrate Emma as the last child to turn 18 the President has a big dinner party for her. Emma is expected to give a speech - to which she decides to state her own opinions, which differ greatly from the President. This lands Emma in prison for thirty days. During her stay in the prison Emma is exposed to a great number of new experiences - one of which is developing feelings for a man that she has never had before. Emma is then offered an opportunity by the President that she has a hard time turning down. This is such a great concept for a story. I'm looking very forward to reading the next book. The end left a few questions to be answered in the next one and I can't wait to read where the story goes from here.

[Kate Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book but didn't realise it was part of a series. I like to have a few books in the series so I can go straight onto the next book if I was as gripped as I was with this book.
I wouldn't normally read this genre but it sounded similar to the hunger games and I really enjoyed those films.
The book gripped me from the first chapter and it got better and better and I couldn't put this down. There were a few mistakes and a few lines that didn't make sense when read as a word was missing but it didn't affect the book at all.
This book made me really invest in the main character. I agreed with her at all stages in the book and I was so invested in her to succeed. I like a book where I am 'in' the book and actually feel like I am part of it.
In my opinion this book is aimed at late teenagers - early teens.
I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Guy Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I wouldn’t call it a knock off, there are similarities to “Hunger Games.” This is a young adult novel featuring a strong female protagonist. She fights a corrupt government that has fractured the land into economic territories. There are also two potential love interests, both apparently competing for our heroine.
This is lighter than hunger games, and even though there are casual mentions of the atrocities committed by the President, somehow she doesn’t come across as menacing as in Hunger Games. It was non-the-less an enjoyable story, and there is some mysterious connection between the President and the family of the main character.
There are at least two more books in the series, and they will be worth the time to read if the are as good as this one.

[Gabriela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! My only regret is that it has a sequel, as I’m getting tired of all the good books requiring me to wait to find out what happens.  Yes, there’s a bit of Hunger Games in here with the territories and dictator leader.  However, it’s different enough to make it a solid good book in its own right.  I found myself liking Emma and legitimately liking most of the people she came into contact with, including a potential love triangle?  I wish her parents were more forthcoming with her, but I suppose that just adds to the mystery of it all.  I kinda had a guess about what happens to all the babies, but won’t mention it here.  Enough twists and turns to thoroughly enjoy, and I guess I’ll end up getting the sequel because I do truly want to know what happens!  This is probably my favorite book I’ve received thus far.  (And I haven’t written that about any of the others, you can check!) Received a free copy from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.

[KatJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic to read. Its a YA dystopian read but with a different twist compared to Hunger Games and Divergent. It focuses more on the children that shouldn't be born and are forbidden according to the authors written world. It grasps the reader from the start and is paced enough to keep you interested throughout the book. Overal I can't fault the book at all. The storyline is a bit different, the character building is good and the narrating easy to read.

There are several novels after and I can see this progressing well although I haven't read the rest. Im looking forward to reading the rest and am looking to buy them.

I received this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only for the pleasure of reading and giving an honest review.

[Christan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this complementary copy of the book through Voracious Readers Only.

This book definitely gave me vibes of The Hunger Games mixed with Divergent. Those were both some of my favorite series; so naturally I loved this book as well!!! This book painted a picture of a bleak and sad world in desperate need of an uprising and revolution. A entire sect of people are set to be wiped out because the evil President is forcing the “Extinction of all Children”. Is Emma the one for the job of sparking the fuse? Will she blow the top of the bombshell that was dropped on her at the end of the novel? I am definitely itching to dive into book 2 to see where their journey takes them in the M class territory.

[Intriga WH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dystopian story about a futuristic world where the people are split by classes. The classes are; the rich, working class and the poor. The three territories have different rules to live by, the poor has the harshest rule they live in fear of. When babies are born to the families in the poor area, they are instantly killed. All the children are killed except Emma and it’s a mystery why she is still alive. The president of the territories has decided to throw Emma a party, to honor her being the last teenager in her area and to make a speech about it. A story about resilience, a strong-minded teenager and secrets that can alter her future. A remarkably written story, plot and characters.

[Ashleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good dystopian novel and this definitely was a good read, I read it start to finish in a day! Definitely had some divergent/hunger games societal vibes which I enjoyed. Good story with interesting characters and plot lines. Definitely would recommend to someone wanting a dystopian young adult novel. Looking forward to reading the sequel!
*I received a copy of this in exchange for a review*

[Sarahe32 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my normal type of book to read but I thought I would give it a go... I am so happy I did!
It started slow and then I could not put I down and half way though I ordered the next 2 books and I can’t wait to read them! It’s a hunger games cross divergent.

The main characters have something about them which is refreshing to read and the story I brilliant... I would love if this was made into a movie

[Mary Eldridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of dystopian fantasy will devour this book. I have really enjoyed escaping into a different type of fantasy book. The characters in the book come alive - and seeing how Emma deals with her decision in deciding to do the right option or save her family is a page tuner. If you have enjoyed the Divergent books this is the books for you. I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[Cair-Paravel De Loulay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it! In a world with no more children, except by consent, a young girl decides that she has had enough. When she speaks up and out, her world comes crashing down. But nothing stops her and she will make a difference.

It is similar to The Hunger Games and Divergent, but I like it much better.

I received a free copy from Voracious Readers Only in return for an honest review.

[BookNCaffenineMom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this one down! A blend of Divergent mixed with the Hunger Games, this book is a page turner. L. J. Epps does an excellent job describing the characters in such a way that you become emotionally invested in them. As a mother, this book was very touchy for me since it mentions the killing of newborns. I also enjoyed the fact that many of the characters were poc.

[Mia D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read this kind of books, but I really enjoyed it ! It's similar to Hunger Games with a bit of Divergent vibes. The first book of the sequel is a bit slow-paced, but you get a better understanding of how their world works, and I think it is a good story. It definitely made me want to read the rest of the trilogy.
I received a free copy from the author via Voracious Readers Only.

[JulieAnn Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only. A unique premise that kept me eagerly turning the pages. I enjoyed Emma’s journey while she engaged in training and dealt with life changing questions of morality. The story was fast paced and I’m excited to see what happens in the sequel!