True Storm

True Born Trilogy #3

by L.E. Sterling

Lucy’s twin sister, Margot, may be safely back with her—but all is not well in Plague-ravaged Dominion City. The Watchers have come out of hiding, spreading chaos and death throughout the city, and suddenly Lucy finds herself under pressure to choose her future: does it lie with her handsome new friend, Alastair; her guardian, the enigmatic True Born leader Nolan Storm; or the man who makes her heart trip, her savage True Born bodyguard Jared Price?

But while Lucy ponders her path, fate has other plans. Betrayal is a cruel lesson, and the Fox sisters can hardly believe who is behind the plot against them. To survive this deadly game of politics, Lucy is forced to agree to a marriage of convenience. But is the DNA of her will stronger than the forces opposing her? Can she turn the tide against the oncoming storm??

As they say in Dominion, can rogue genes ever have a happy ending?

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Survival, Suspense

400 pages, Hardcover

Published May 1, 2018

About the author

Originally hailing from Parry Sound, Ontario, L.E. Sterling spent most of her summers roaming across Canada in a van, inspiring her writing career. True Born, first in the True Born trilogy, was recognized with the 2017 Athena Award® in Young Adult Literature (paranormal) from the Young Adult chapter of the RWA. She lives in Quebec, Canada.

www.le-sterling.com

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

True Storm is the third and last book in the True Born Trilogy which has introduced the world of Dominion City. A plague has descended upon the residents killing off a good portion of the population. Those that are left are divided into three groups, the Lasters, the Splicers and the True Born. Lasters are those who are beyond saving and on the last of their life, Splicers are those rich enough to keep up with procedures to prolong their life and the True Born are a bit of genetic mutation that are immune to the plague and carry properties of certain animals that have adapted to survive this world. The story now continues with identical twin sisters Lucy and Margot back together again but the world around them is still in upheaval.

The True Born trilogy was one that over the course of the entire series I’ve run a bit hot and cold on my feelings. The ideas behind the plot are quite intriguing but it seems that after each installment I am left with a feeling of a bit of confusion and wanting so much more fleshed out with the story. This being the final book I was hoping for an awesome conclusion, or let’s face it at this point I’d settle for an acceptable conclusion but somehow this one seems to feel like it’s still the middle of a series and things left unsaid to me. I found myself still wishing certain things were fleshed out better than they ever were and wanting to know more while sifting through slower moments that really didn’t feel as relevant.

I’ve also never quite been a fan of the romance within this series and came to think of Jared as Jerky Jared with his brooding ways but I was hoping to at last feel the love between Lucy and Jared. Instead though Lucy seemed to run just as hot and cold and by the end I felt like either could move on as soon as the physical attraction dies out between the pair. Again it leads to feeling that if there was to be a love story it should have been given much more depth that the attraction and moodiness I felt I was experiencing.

So basically when finished with this series as a whole my feelings have never really been swayed. I’ve always thought there were some rather great ideas to the world but things needed more attention to really stand out and make me love them. I’ve hung around 2.5-3 stars for the first two books and my feelings really haven’t changed leaving me with a so-so feeling when finished reading.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/

[Bex (Beckie Bookworm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️STARS
ARC BOOK REVIEW
Release Date-1/5/18

"True Storm" is a fantastic conclusion to what has been so far a great Imaginative new YA series.
Though book two is still hands down my favourite this definitely comes in a very close second.
With, as usual, fabulously creative world-building skills and an amazingly diverse cast.
This directly from the start places the reader smack bang into the middle of the story and with so many ups and downs and twists and turns I really had no clue what was going to occur next.
And if I'm bloody honest here, I had the pants shocked off of me on numerous occasions.

This is non-stop action with some major shockers thrown into the assortment just for shit and giggles and also to help muddy the waters further.
I really wasn't prepared for some of the happenings in "True Storm" and did find myself crying like a baby as the story gradually unfolded to its ultimate conclusion.

"True Storm" itself, finally gives us answers to certain questions and loose ends left over from previous instalments.
A sense of closure is finally offered, rounding things up nicely for the reader.
One slight criticism from me know, that ending!!
I would have maybe liked things expanded on slightly.
Clarified a trifle more, the eventual fallout with Storm and Jared I would have really liked to see play out to its foregone conclusion.
I just think It would have added an extra dimension and depth to the proceedings if things had been spun that way.
And also can I just say, after all that denial from Lu and Jared about there relationship things just seemed to me to be slightly anti-climatic in nature.

It was all wrapped up a bit too quickly and pat for my particular liking.
Another slight gripe was I didn't feel certain characters in this book got the page time they deserved when it came to there fates.
I know obscure much!!!
but I really can't say much more without giving too much information away and spoiling this excellent tale for others.
But what I will say is this.
one of my favourite characters here got a pretty raw deal in my opinion.
And I was not impressed with how quickly he was brushed over and moved on with, just saying.

On a final note, this instalment is slightly friskier than the others.
Though it is still completely suitable for a younger audience it's only kissing and some mild petting but just thought I'd mention it.
So that's it from me, this was a great YA read that I really did enjoy.
Thank You to the Author for providing me with an ARC of "True Storm (True Born Trilogy #3)" of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.




Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com

[Danielle's · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Storm is the explosive final chapter in the True Born series. You will not be disappointed. It's gritty and holds the dystopian theme right to the end.

Lucinda Fox is back in Dominion city. She has always been the sensible twin. Her duty is to marry well and carry on the family legacy. Her father is a powerful man and the family name is well known to the upper circle. Lucy had to decide between her heart and her head. Jared has always been her protected, the mysterious Ali has been her closest friend and Nolan her father figure. Lucy has some tough choices to make but if only it was that simple.

Evolve or die is scribbled on all the walls but the meaning could be the work of madmen. The answer is in the blood but what is the question? Lucy has Margot back. She is making appearances at parties and living up to her name. Nolan is preparing to lead the True Born. The plague is wiping out civilisation as we know it, but everything isn't as it seems. The truth comes out in the final instalment and everyone is fair game.

True storm lives up to its name there are so many twists and turns. Tears, love and secrets. It's all coming to light. 4.5 stars out of 5. This series has been a whirlwind right from the start. It's good, it's bad and it's all kinds of unfair. Highly recommended.

*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sandra "Jeanz" · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I heard this one was due for release I knew I just had to read it. I'd just read the third book in a trilogy and loved it so I whilst I really wanted to read this book, I also didn't want it to end either.

The back ground of this cover is a gorgeous blue-ish purple colour, I love it. The cove has the bones/antlers on the font once again which makes it eye-catching as well as fitting in with the other book covers in this series. I think the covers for the whole series are amazing and would look great together on a book shelf! The by-line on this cover is as cryptic as the ones on the rest of the series, though I'm sure all will become clearer once I have read the book. I think this cover, in fact the covers of the whole series are very unusual and will be eye-catching on a book store shelf so certainly do their job very well.

Genres I have seen listed for this book include Teens, YA, Sci-Fi, Dystopia which I totally agree with but I personally would add apocalyptic as there is the pandemic which is still thriving in Dominion City in this last book of the trilogy. I believe the book could also be labelled as having genetic elements, as well as having some romance. So I do think that this book will appeal to a wide audience and not just a teen readers either!

I did initially find this book more difficult to get into, I'm not sure whether it was to do with my "I don't want it to end" thoughts or that things were just moving a little too slowly for me to begin with. Once I did settle and get into the book I didn't want to put it down!

Once again there is the class divide as well as the type of people divide of Lasters who live day to day waiting for the plague to strike them down. The Splicers who use what eve money they have and can get a hold of to pay for expensive treatments to prolong their lives The True Born are still quite mysterious, feared and ostracised by most. When Lucy's parents ran off to Russia with Margot the only people that wanted to help were the True Born's. So it's only natural that Lucy offers to help gaining intelligence and information from the remaining males in the upper circle for them. Lucy ends up being the True Born's link to the Upper Circle Splicers and Lasters. Nolan Storm wants to form a new ruling council, one that will represent all the people of Dominion City. Could Nolan Storm want Lucy to be one of the new council members. It's a possibility as he takes her to the meetings to discuss the possibility of a new council.

In this book the girls have been reunited, but things are just not quite the same anymore. It seems that Margot isn't revealing all of what happened whilst she was held captive in Russia other than she was married to the mysterious Russian that their parents chose for her. Though Margot is upset and through their bond Lucy also feels this and asks he sister about it, Margot refuses to reveal all that happened. As the book goes on it becomes apparent that Margot being the more confident and outgoing twin had secrets she kept from Lucy when they were happily oblivious and attending the exclusive Greyguard school together along with the rest of the elite and upper circle students.

It’s quite amusing when Lucy receives a letter from Alistair and Jared is obviously jealous that someone else is getting Lucy's attention when he loves her so much but keeps holding back saying he isn't right for her.

There's still plenty of the romantic elements in this book, Lucy seems to be gather prospective boyfriend/potential husbands! There's Jared her personal merc guard since she has been under the protection of new Guardian Nolan Storm. Nolan Storm is another potential husband and then of course there's the rather mysterious Alistair who generously gives Lucy a family heirloom necklace without revealing it's full power and meaning.

Lucy continues to work with Doctor Raines in the lab that Nolan Storm has provided her with. Doctor Raines continues to examine Lucy and Margot's blood observing its unique properties. I think I am okay to reveal without giving any major spoilers, that at one point the twins unique blood is compared to the unique properties of the tree that is still being "worshiped" and has been made into a sacred place by the lasters.

The characters I have loved all the way through the series are Lucinda Fox, who continues to try to make the best of a bad situation and ends up facing a possible choice of three potential boyfriends/husbands in this book. I adored the relationship between Lucy and Jared Price he merc guard and boy crush throughout the series so far. Though Lucy finds it difficult to handle the fact Jared keeps holding them apart, not quite committing to the possibility of a romantic relationship.

I admit to not always being very keen on Lucy's twin sister Margot Fox but I did grow to like her much more in this final book of the series. Margot always seemed to be the twin that belonged and thrived best in the Upper Circle. In this final book the birthmarks of the sisters and the whole Lock and Key element to the story are revealed. We also learn who the main person is behind why the girls genetic are so different to others around them. I'm not going to say who but when it was revealed to me in the book I was like, yes I believe that character would be so conniving and capable of all that the girls have gone through.

I enjoyed strongly disliking the crazy Father Wes and his followers with their Evolve Or Die message that appears all over Dominion City.

I was never totally sure of what I felt about Alistair, there was just something about him I personally just didn't quite trust. Did my opinion of Alistair change with this book? Sort of as he did come to help and do what he could do to protect Lucy and I guess at one point in the book you could say he saved her life. However, he did have a rather underhand way of doing this so maybe my first impression of him was right.

My immediate thoughts upon finishing this book were Amazing! This one had me a little teary eyed by the end. Excellent ending to a brilliantly written series! I highly recommend reading this series.

A few characters die in this book, which is a shame for some of them and good riddance to others, but it's all believable and part of the story. The ending is all action packed and keeps you on the edge of your seat to the end. I was sad the series had to end, but as the saying goes "All good things come to an end" There was plenty of nail biting action and drama up to the very end of the book. I'd have to say I was definitely happy with how the series ended. Thank-you to L.E. Sterling for a fantastic read. I'll be keeping a look out for other titles by this author.

[Dani (Dani Reviews Things & Love in a time of Feminism) · Rating 4 out of 5]

OH MY NOLAN, THAT WAS INTENSE.

Woo...let me calm down for a sec...

I loved the first book in the trilogy, but the sequel suffered from second book syndrome. That being said, I couldn't leave this series unfinished, with its shapeshifters and darkly beautiful covers.

I'll admit I couldn't quite remember how the second book finished. I remembered the explosions and the escape from the facility, but did they get home? How? This final book opens up with Lucy at a party being felt up by a drunk guy while she tries to get information out of him. I was pretty disoriented for a while. Luckily, Sterling does throw in some recaps here and there over the first few chapters, but I did spend some time grappling with the various characters and what had happened during and since True North.

There were so many questions though! So many mysteries to unravel, so many people pulling strings here and there. Not only were there physical dangers, but so much political subterfuge happens in this book. On top of that, I loved the inclusion of science (genetics!) alongside the inexplicable (shapeshifting and magic). I spent most of the book confused but it all slowly came together, with mind-blowing reveals. The first half of the book did drag on a bit with a heavy focus on the political machinations, but I can appreciate how it was also a necessary time to lay the groundwork. But then, halfway through the book, everything blew up, and it did not quit.

Lucy and Margot were definitely not the same girls introduced in the first book. They both had a lot of growing up to do. Margot, for one, showed a bit more darkness, not surprising given what happened in True North. But wow, she had a secret I'm still struggling to grasp. Lucy, on the other hand, had to learn to stop doing what was expected of her, and to stand on her own. She, especially, gets dealt a terrible hand in this final book, but she's one tough cookie, y'all.

Still possibly my favourite thing about this series is the tension between Lucy and Jared. This is some slowburn torture, but the good kind (mostly). Their relationship had a few tropes layered in: rich girl and guy from the streets, bodyguard and client, forbidden love, life bonding. There was a lot of "I need you but I shouldn't have you" from both parties, further complicated by other meddling men. But guys, these two were Meant To Be.

I'm still reeling. This is a series that, on the whole, took me by surprise with its intricacies and science fused with magic, all set in a dystopian world. I still have so many questions about what happened to certain people, what will happen next, and what's going on in the rest of the world, but Sterling has answered all the important ones, and now all the other little details can be filled in by my mental fan fiction. I can't wait to see what Sterling writes next!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Dystopian
*Rating* 3.5

*Thoughts*

True Storm is the third and final installment in author L.E. Sterling's True Born Trilogy. As a summary of how we got here, a plague descended upon the world killing off a good portion of the population. Those that are left are divided into three groups, the Lasters, the Splicers and the True Born. Lasters are those who are beyond saving and on the last of their life, Splicers are those rich enough to keep up with procedures to prolong their life, and the True Born are a bit of genetic mutation that are immune to the plague and carry properties of certain animals that have adapted to survive this world.

*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Reviews*

http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"True Storm" is the conclusion to the trilogy I have been loving since the first book. In this unique world, a plague has infected humanity, resulting in a old-style Western atmosphere. At the age of 18, everyone is classified according to their plague status- Laster (will die from the plague), Splicer (they can have genetic therapies to live a little longer- if they have the money), or True Born (mutations which make them immune to the plague but manifest in animal-like characteristics such as fur or tails).

Lucinda (Lucy or Lu) and Margot are something else entirely, and we've waited through the first two books. They were conjoined twins, separated at birth- and their separation scars resemble a lock and key. Lucy is able to sense Margot's feelings, and this comes in handy when Margot disappears. Lucy goes to the True Borns for help to find and rescue Margot. Now, in the aftermath, Lucy feels fractured- Margot is blocking her out. Margot seems traumatized by her experiences (which makes sense- she was kidnapped and her eggs were harvested and turned into some sort of plague "cure"). Things are more complicated than they appear, as we find out later. Add to the mix that people are saying that together, somehow, Margot and Lucy are supposed to be the key to the permanent plague cure, and we have some plot intensity.

Luckily, we get answers about what exactly Margot and Lucy are, and how they tie into the prophecy/plague cure. If you enjoyed the back-and-forth between Lucy and her instalove Jared, you are in luck because it continues in this book. I loved their romance and the idea of the two of them together (plus they had so many steamy kisses!) but I wished they would quit it with the "but we can't/shouldn't be together"- it seemed like they were pushing/pulling a lot. The love triangle with Ali is back, and it takes some turns that really surprised me! I won't say more to avoid spoilers.

I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt that the ending was too abrupt, and I would have liked to see things play out a little further. It almost felt like there would be another follow-up, but I doubt it as this is the third book in a trilogy. We are left with the impressions of what will follow, but it's not as clear/determined as I would have hoped (an epilogue or something for full closure would have been nice in my opinion). The writing is great- fast-paced and enthralling. I think fans of the first books will enjoy this finale overall (although I will mention as a warning that there is a main character death that shocked me- and it's very sad!).

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 5 out of 5]

** Review is on https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/**
Hands down, all 3 covers for this series are so incredibly gorgeous! I am a cover snob, I am totally aware of that, and I will pick up a book without knowing anything about the plot if the cover grabs me. That being said, the True Born series have three of my favorite covers- and I picked up the first book because it was so pretty and I read the rest because I could not stop! And it is nice that the covers have so much meaning to the actual plot of the book (which does not always happen!)

Dystopian stories are one of my favorite genres to read but I had to stop for awhile because they all seemed to be exactly the same and I was bored. But when I found the True Born Trilogy I knew that this was the series for me. Book 1, True Born, started off with a bang, full of secrets and truths as well as the most amazing world building that I had experienced in a really long time and it was love at first chapter. Book 2, True North, was an action filled adventure with some hard-core angst and I enjoyed every minute. Well, True Storm pretty much imploded everything I knew and I could not put it down. LE created such a dark, interesting, complicated and compelling world and this is hands down one of my favorite series.

I read True Storm for so many reasons, but if I am honest I needed to have more of the dynamic between Lucy and Jared. I heart the two of them together (even though they have never been together despite my protests!). I can practically feel the sparks between Lucy and Jared, every touch and meeting of eyes is filled with tension. The longing and angst really hit me in the feels and I just wanted to yell at them to get over their ideas of what is "suppose to be" and just be together! Both have beliefs and loyalties that interfere with their real feelings and it physically made me hurt for them. Mad props to L.E. for getting me so wrapped up in her characters and this world.

The ending of the book was perfect- if there was another book coming. I feel like it was a little rushed and I wanted more, but to be fair, I would most likely feel like any ending was rushed since I don't know if I am ready to say goodbye to Lucy, Jared and this complex world. I really enjoyed this series and I will most certainly read anything else LE wants to create.

​I am voluntarily reviewing an advance, complimentary copy of this book.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Note: This review may contain potential spoilers for readers who have yet to read True Born and True North*

When fellow readers ask me for a unique sci-fi series that won't disappoint, I always recommend L. E. Sterling's True Born trilogy. If you've read my reviews on True Born and True Storm (you can find both here, and here) then you know I've yet to be disappointed by L. E. Sterling's magical way with spinning an intense sci-fi tale.

"I reel back, struck again by the change in my sister, who I used to know better than myself. The smiling, carefree Margot, the Margot who used to be boy crazy, who’d skip school with her friends and laugh in the face of danger, is gone."

In True Born, the first in the trilogy, readers are introduced to twin sisters, Margot and Lucy, but for the most part the story revolves around Lucy Fox. In a world where the plague has devastated the population, and where being categorized as a splicer, laster, or true born can mean the difference between living a prolonged life, living a devastatingly painful short one or being a pariah, Lucy finds her sister missing. In a desperate plea to find her, Lucy seeks the leader of the True Borns, and upon her adventure, she finds herself stumbling upon conspiracy after conspiracy.

In True North, Lucy has found the leader of the True Borns - Nolan North. With him, she finds the confidence and aid to finally discover what happened to her sister and rescue her. However, when Nolan's own agenda gets in the way, Lucy finds that the only means of finally getting her sister back is doing so on her own. In an attempt to rescue Margot, Lucy sets off to Russia with Jared, with whom she shares a magnetic attraction. There, she will face the dire circumstances surrounding Margot's rescue and the true secrets of their bloodline.

In True Storm, the epic finale in the True Born Trilogy, Lucy finally has Margot back, but things are falling further and further into despair in Dominion City. Not only is the plague increasing at a devastating pace, but the Watchers have risen from their hiding and are now causing havoc in the city. Furthermore, at the peak of devastation, Lucy makes a horrifying discovery in regards to the mastermind behind the plot against both her and Margot. In this high stakes finale, Lucy must make the decision to sacrifice it all in the hopes of saving all of Dominion City.

This trilogy, as a whole, was unbelievably PHENOMENAL! As I mentioned in my True Born review, I'm typically wary of diving into sci-fi titles because they usually don't work well for me. I'm always wary that there's just too much excess information in sci-fi titles, and science that just doesn't make sense other than to further progress the story. With L. E. Sterling's trilogy, however, I had absolutely no problems of that sort. In fact, it was one big happy read from start to finish for every installment. With True Storm, I was extremely eager to see where Lucy and Margot would find themselves. Lucy, now having Margot back, felt completely worthwhile after following along with her rescue mission. Regrettably, after the events in book one and two, Margot will never be quite the same as she once was, and witnessing Lucy's struggle with that was incredibly heartbreaking. Furthermore, as the series came to a close, I found myself desperately hoping that Lucy would get her happy ending, most importantly with one of my favorite characters - Jared. Overall, and without further spoiling what happens in this final installment, True Storm was absolutely amazing. It was the perfect ending to a perfect sci-fi trilogy. L. E. Sterling did not disappoint and I certainly hope to see more similar titles from her in the near future. I highly recommend the entire trilogy to younger readers with a craving for a fierce heroine in a devastating, science fiction setting.

"To be True Born means you can’t catch the Plague, though you’re a pariah in so many other ways. They say True Born DNA has all but jumped back in time."

[Erica Chilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads

Young Adult age-range: 14+ due to adult situations and violence.

5 page-turning Stars.

I was apprehensive to read True Storm. True Born was one of my favorites, however True North was a slight letdown. Perhaps it was my mood at the time. In fear True Storm wouldn't live up to my expectations, as well as having reader's block, I dragged my feet on reading this novel.

I read 20% of the book in one sitting, and the following 80% in a binge, even while being distracted.

The fast pace had me feverishly clicking to turn the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Angst. So much angst, which is something I adore. Angst connects me with the narrator, has the story resonating with me, and Sterling delivered.

Nonstop action, political maneuvering, and the angst of being in an untenable position. Lucy delivers answers to the secrets plaguing her, the gut-punch sensation of betrayal, the loyalty of family, and the uncertainty of love, all combined with dystopian world-building, slight mythology, and paranormal elements.

Some things never change: Margot is acting squirelly, Storm is his usual alpha self, and Jared is doing the hot & cold routine of a boy who doesn't believe himself to be good enough for his princess.

I'd love to say there is a love triangle... quadrangle? But the reader is fully connected to Lucy's thought process, so outside of forced situations, we know where her heart lies. Me, the angst lover, wasn't too worried about the quadrangle, but it sure did have me clicking the pages to find out. Loved that bit.

The ending sets up a shift that hopefully occurs in the series, and I cannot wait to see what Sterling comes up with next. Highly recommend the series as a whole. I imagine being able to read all three books back-to-back would heighten the experience.

My only con of the series thus far, for conjoined twins, and with Lucy's ability to sense Margot, I never felt a real connection between the girls. From the start of book one onward, no matter what inner monologue there was from Lucy, I never felt as if Margot was as invested in Lucy as Lucy was in Margot. There's a disconnect from page one that never gets repaired, when conjoined twins should offer a stronger bond than normal familial ties. I didn't 'feel' as if the twins were as connected as regular siblings or that of Lucy with those around her, no matter what she may have been 'thinking' at the time.

[Novel Grounds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't have the words. This novel was fantastic. I want more. I want an entire other novel for after this one and I know that I don't get one and that makes me sad. This novel hurt my heart but it was such a journey from start to finish.



L.E. Sterling does so much in this novel. She delivers a final in the trilogy that leaves you full of hope for what comes next.

If you have read this far, go grab this book. You need to know how it all ends.

Add to Goodreads
Buy On Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IglebX
Synopsis:
It’s not you…it’s your DNA.

Abandoned by her family in Plague-ridden Dominion City, eighteen-year-old Lucy Fox has no choice but to rely upon the kindness of the True Borns, a renegade group of genetically enhanced humans, to save her twin sister, Margot.

But Nolan Storm, their mysterious leader, has his own agenda. When Storm backtracks on his promise to rescue Margot, Lucy takes her fate into her own hands and sets off for Russia with her True Born bodyguard and maybe-something-more, the lethal yet beautiful Jared Price. In Russia, there’s been whispered rumors of Plague Cure.

While Lucy fights her magnetic attraction to Jared, anxious that his loyalty to Storm will hurt her chances of finding her sister, they quickly discover that not all is as it appears…and discovering the secrets contained in the Fox sisters’ blood before they wind up dead is just the beginning.

As they say in Dominion, sometimes it’s not you…it’s your DNA.

[Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - Excellent storytelling, non-stop action, gripping conclusion.

‘True Storm’ is the third and final book in the ‘True Born’ dystopian trilogy. Book 1, ‘True Born’ does an excellent job introducing readers to the characters, their societal hierarchy and history, and the overarching plot of the series. Book 2, ‘True North’ provides both the main character and the readers with more information but also more unanswered questions.

At the beginning of ‘True Storm,’ twins Lucy and Margot are safe and together in Dominion City, coping with the aftermath of Margot’s time held captive in Russia and reeling from betrayal after betrayal. Though Margot’s experiences have clearly changed her, Lucy is happy to have her twin back and remains hopeful that their close connection will heal over time.

The twins have recently learned that nearly everyone in their lives has kept secrets from them; they’re even keeping secrets from each other now. Finally, within the pages of ‘Truth Storm,’ all of these secrets will be revealed and questions will be answered.

This gripping conclusion is full of plot twists and surprises for Lucy and for readers. Though it seems Lucy has gained the attention of at least three suitors, the label ‘love-triangle’ doesn’t quite fit. She’s clearly head-over-heels for only one of them and her feelings never waver from him. One of my favorite aspects of this series is how strong and determined Lucy is, and how established her feelings for Margot and Jared are.

‘True Storm’ releases on May 1st. Look for this series at your local library!

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. Read more reviews! http://dreamerjbookreviews.blogspot.com

[Veronica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

True Storm is the final instalment in the True Born trilogy. It has been a year since I read book 2, True North so I was grateful the author gave us a little bit of a reminder as to what has happened so far.

Lucy's life takes many twists and turns in True Storm and there are some events that didn't surprise me, some that did and one that I found a little uncomfortable even though it made sense to the story. Along with the action and political drama Lucy now has more than one man interested in her but Jared is still the focus of her romantic interest and there is plenty of will they, won't they going on.

This is a story that felt like it started and walking pace and slowly got faster and faster until the end was at a flat out run. The further I got into the story the more engrossed I became and I couldn't read it fast enough. Before I knew it, the time had hit midnight and it well past my bedtime. But I couldn't put the book down and kept reading until I was finished.

The finale to this series answers our questions as it comes to a thrilling ending. True Storm is definitely my favourite book into he series. Partly due to the action and partly because I finally found out what was going on which I found satisfying. The only thing True Storm lacked was an epilogue. Part of me hopes that means the author will write more books in this universe. I can only hope.

[Maggie Macklin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laster. Splicer. True Born.

Lucinda Fox is back for this final installment of the True Born Trilogy and it all ends here. With Margot rescued from the far reaches of Russia and back, lock and key, things should all be resolved neatly. Wrong.

While she was away I spent a lot of time worrying over this. The bond I have relied upon my whole life to tell me what Margot was thinking and feeling had stretched, thin and silent, until it was all but obliterated. It was the loneliest feeling in the world.

Ali has his own movies and so does Nolan Storm. Margot seems just a shell of her former self, their bond oddly silent.

“I’m a Fox,” Margot says in tones so black I’d as soon call them shadows.

Now the key has met lock and Lucy is far from safe.

I was pleasantly surprised at how this series concluded. After a very slow start the last quarter of the book really pulled it all together and even managed to surprise me. I won’t go into more details lest I spoil it so pick it up! I was late to the party and it’s out now!

[Jessica Traver cashen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read. Well written with a great plot and characters. I was engrossed from start to finish. Twins Lucy and Margot are safe and together in Dominion City, coping with the aftermath of Margot’s time held captive in Russia and reeling from all of the betrayal. Margot’s experiences have clearly changed her, but Lucy is happy to have her twin back and is hopeful that their close bond will heal over time.
The twins have recently learned that almost everyone in their lives has kept secrets from them. They’re even keeping secrets from each other now. Finally, all of these secrets will be revealed and questions will be answered. True Storm is full of plot twists and surprises that I didn't see coming. I wish there was another book to tell what kind of life Lucy has after evertything she has been fighting for. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one did not take long at all to race through since it is explosive to the edge the finish of this. Lucy is still larger than life with carrying you through this one. This might be a teen book but it could go toe to toe with many adult when it comes to capturing your attention and wrangling your emotions. The characters in this will give it its mix needed to carry of the finale. Lucy will torture you with her on edge actions. After the many twists and turns you will come out of this one with reading satisfaction.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

. . . I just expected more from this ending.

[Holly Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, it’s so incredibly hard to write a review of the final book in a trilogy without all kinds of spoilers, so this is by necessity going to be short and sweet. If you’ve read my first two reviews ( True Born , True North ) or seen me shouting about this book on Twitter, you know just how much I LOVE this series. So reading this final book is definitely bittersweet for me -- it’s much like how I felt reading the final book in Sara Wolf’s Lovely Vicious series (also from Entangled Teen). I have been firmly and completely 100% in Jared’s camp from literally the first moment I met him at the beginning of book 1, and I would like the record to reflect that I have never wavered in my love! :) Also, Lucy is a character with loads of personality and grit and determination, yet one who feels duty-bound to do what is expected of her. She is no shrinking violet, and she has guts and toughness while also accepting help from others when she needs it (I mean, if you were being threatened and had at your disposal a panther-man True Born in Jared, would you stop him from coming to your aid? I think not!). In other words, she’s a *realistic* character -- not a Mary Sue, but also not the stereotype on the opposite end of the spectrum, either.

I re-read books 1 and 2 before launching myself into True Storm, and I’m glad I did, as I love being able to binge read an entire series. It’s so immersive and really gets you in the head space to finally close out the adventure. I really, truly didn’t want it to end, and I would go on reading about these characters (especially Jared <3) and this world for years if I could. However, all good things must come to an end, and I believe that Ms. Sterling brought the series to a close in the best possible way. I will carry these characters -- and not just Jared and Lucy, but Margot, Storm, Alistair, Mohawk, and the rest -- and their stories with me forever. I think that’s the sign of an excellent author, don’t you?! And I really can’t wait to see what this amazing author dreams up next. I remain ever so thankful to the Wattpad readers who were fans of hers long before I ever was, who raved about her incredible story and who, I assume, brought her to the attention of Entangled Teen. It’s one of those things you don’t know you’re missing in your life until you finally have it, you know? I can’t imagine not having this series in my life, and it will live in pride of place on my Entangled Teen shelf (really, I have a whole shelf!). I’ve now read True Born three times, and True North twice, and I look forward to re-reading True Storm again very soon.

Thanks so much to Entangled Teen for the early e-copy of True Storm, and for letting me take part in this blog tour. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! If you are in any way a fan of YA dystopian novels, I urge you to pick up this incomparable series. I’m sad to see it end, but look forward to more great stories from Ms. Sterling.

Rating: 5 incredible stars!

**Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest rating and review and is completely voluntary on my part.

[Mercedes Roth · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Recommend: Yes, I would recommend this trilogy
Review:

I have been anticipating and dreading the conclusion of this series since the beginning. I have loved the Fox sisters and the True Borns since the beginning. I have loved diving into this trilogy, having my heart ripped out multiple times, the twists, and the romance. I don't think this trilogy gets enough talk, but you better believe I will encourage everyone to read it.
Now, let's get down to business.

THE CHARACTERS: Since this is the third and final book in the trilogy, I am assuming that you know all the players and don't need a break down of each one. So, I'm going to do this quick and easy.
Lucy Fox- I have truly enjoyed Lucy from the beginning. I loved how strong she was, how she was dependable and how she truly just wanted to help everyone, but more than that, her twin sister Margot. That being said, she fell flat for me in this book. I'm not exactly sure why, but I didn't truly connect with her in this book. I never developed the connection I had with her in the past and that took away from my love of this book. To me, she didn't grow the way I wanted her to and everything she felt in this book felt like it was just a way to progress the plot.
Jared Price- I'm assuming you all know who he is and who he is to Lucy, so you know that since book one he has been the love interest. Since book one my emotions for this character have been mixed. He is very good at his job, but his emotions are all over the place for Lucy and I don't trust him. He is better in this book and I did like him more, but I still don't love him.

There is also Nolan Storm, Margot Fox, the True Borns, and a cast of other characters. While all of them are mentioned and are a part of the story, none of them grow or evolve enough to mention. I like them all to some extent, but since none of them truly did anything of mention or were more than devises to help the story progress, I won't bother talking about them in depth.

THE PLOT:
The entire plot of this series has been focused on blood. The True Borns are to be feared for their abilities and the power their blood has to keep them from catching the Plague, but the Fox sisters are special because they don't fit into any of the blood casts. The trilogy has focused on the mystery of their blood and this conclusion finally answers why...sorta. I mean, I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say I am still confused as to HOW the Fox sisters blood was the way it was. Yes, it made sense and I did not exactly see it coming, but it also felt like it the author needed a solution so she just grabbed one.
Anyway, this conclusion wrapped up the trilogy in a nice way...too nice to me. I like how much action happened in this book and the unexpected parts, but the actual ending wrapped up too nicely for me. I expected something more and a lot more epic, but I did enjoy the book and the characters.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
This trilogy truly surprised me with my love for it and how quickly I was able to dive in. I will miss Dominion and the Fox sisters and the True Borns, but the ending did take away from my overall happiness. While this trilogy as a whole is about a 4, this final book fell short and if I didn't enjoy the series as a whole, I would have likely rated it a 3 or 2.5. I feel as if this book was too long to get so little accomplished, especially since the ending was left open and it seemed as if the author just wanted the series to be over without any real conclusion.

[Bernadett · Rating 4 out of 5]

first of all can we talk about the extremely beautiful font? it struck me immediately that the font is incredibly fancy and a lot more cozy to read than in the first two books. A++ for that. I’ve been a bit ticked off by this book a bit. maybe so because it is thorny with cliché ya tropes. for example: page 20 (We sway. our bodies just touching. I can feel the pull between us, a current as sure as electricity. And just as able to shock me.) there’s the good old bickering of alpha dudes we well know from hunger games, matched, red queen and so on and on… someone living in a country highly influenced by Russia I did appreciate the setting, the idea was good but the research and execution is a bit poorly done (read Dostoevsky the idiot for Russian royalty examples) there was no description of traditions, clothing they wear, or any sort of crutch for the demographic approach. the book heavily focuses on the lab and plague and mutations and the politics which were a little bit painstakingly badly done. for good politic play read red rising series by pierce brown. Jared is a bit more tame in this one and he does say sorry a few times after being forceful prick. Margot is a really unforgiving bitch after we spend a WHOLE BOOK LOOKING FOR HER, I don’t like the way she talks to her sister more so because twins supposed to be mellow with one another and completely and utterly bonded in a deep sense with the other. their dialogue seems to me like a normal sibling quarrel. Jared and Lucy’s romance edging on starts to make me impatient as i read along (I write my reviews best while reading tehe~) I have some Anastasia vibes from it and I have mixed feelings about whether I should like it or not. Margot makes Lucy look like a complete idiot just for the record and I’m not sure if its purposeful or not. I liked the revelation but I would have liked more inept description to the scientific “why?” to it all. at chapter 20 the twin situation redeems itself and that’s about the kind of turning point I’ve started bawling my eyes out. I like how Lucy grows up hardens and matures thorough the books. the end was good and a bit too cinematic to my taste but it wrapped up nicely. 4.5/5 stars and 10/10 buying a hardcopy of the series for myself.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEW ORIGINALLY POSTED AT MY BLOG: https://bookishpuffcorn.wordpress.com...

SPOILER WARNING TO THOSE WHO HAVEN’T READ TRUE BORN AND TRUE NORTH YET.

True Storm by L.E. Sterling is the conclusion to the True Born Trilogy. It follows the ending from True North wherein Margot was rescued by Lucy and Jared.

I can say that this is a really great book. It’s catchy and even more hooking than the second book. L.E. Sterling did a great job writing it. It was easier to read, and the content is great as well. More of Dominion is shown. Everything is wonderfully described and it’s more action-packed! Although, it doesn’t lack of all the scientific things about the twins’ blood and DNA.

I enjoyed the chapters that focuses on the test results Doc Raines yielded from Lucy and Margot’s blood. It’s fascinating and made me interested in DNA and nanotech. It also made me dream of my own lab too!

While I enjoyed all the fight scenes, I was disappointed with some of the characters. It seemed like there wasn’t any development and I’m so full of Jared and Lucy! They’re frustrating. They push and pull each other and it’s grown to be quite irritating to me. Also, some of the characters just disappeared while others just popped out but I guess it’s what made the book fun to read.

What’s great is it seems like there’s so much happening but it didn’t make the story confusing at all. Everything clicked like pieces of a puzzle. And the plot twists, excellent! It was so great, I always end up with my “WTF” face. Like, what the hell happened?!

I was glad with how the story turned out. However, I was looking for something else in the ending. Though it’s also a bit satisfying, still I had fun reading this book and I gladly recommend this to fans of science fiction and dystopian reads. Overall, I rate True Storm by L.E. Sterling, 3 out of 5 stars!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

TRUE STORM is the final book in the True Born Series. With Margot back home with Lucy, Nolan Storm believes they should go back and finish school because it's important to graduate. As their guardian, they have to do as he says. It's hard to return to mundane life of school when both of them are so different now after what they've been through. The Watchers are still out there somewhere, so they'll have to watch their back.

Lucy also faces three men who seek her hand. Alastair, Storm, and Jared. Jared is so hot and cold, but Lucy can't help the way she feels for him. She only wishes that he'd make up his mind about her. With the truth of Margot and Lucy revealed and all that's happened, Margot isn't herself. She pushes Lucy away and won't tell her what's happened. Even with three guys wanting her attention, Lucy still feels alone without the conversations with her sister.

TRUE STORM answers any lingering questions I've had. It ties everything together and we finally learn what their parents have been up to. I was a little upset about Alastair's character because I liked him so much in the last one. The romance still isn't there as much, but the action, betrayal, and secrets are. I absolutely love the secret language between Margot and Lucy. It was great to see them back together again even though both, especially Margot, are mentally scarred.


Final Verdict: This series has been full of so many secrets and information on genetics that I liked to see it all come together in this last book. I would recommend this to fans of drama, politics, post-apocalyptic times, and mutations in genetics (like X-Men).

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 5 out of 5]

So this was one of the best conclusions to a trilogy that I've read in a while. It was jam-packed full of suspense, action, twists, and turns. It was hard to put down, making it easy to read quickly, but it wasn't one you could just jump in and out of. There was so much going on and so many pieces of the puzzle being filled in, that you needed to be able to sit and read for more than a few minutes at a time. I say all of that not in a bad way, but in a good way, because this was a 5 star read for me.

There were depths of betrayal that had been alluded to, and brought up as possibilities, but when they surfaced, they were major. Of course there are always deaths in books like this, and there have to be some of the main characters/favorite characters that are lost. The loss of two of them for sure had tears in my eyes. Then there was the way that they figured out a possible end to the Plague. While I had some thoughts that there must be something like what they came up with, I would never have guessed what would happen that helped them to discover the reasons and ways of a possible cure.

As I finished reading, all the action that I mentioned before made me think that this would make such a great movie. I could totally see the scenes on a big screen as they played in my head while I read the story. If you haven't begun this series, you need to pick it up soon. If you are just waiting on this book to finish up the series, I promise you won't be disappointed.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a conclusion to this trilogy! Everything was answered and addressed, and so not in the manner that I thought it would.

I enjoyed this book and the story the trilogy created. This book certainly was full of action and emotion. I loved seeing how everything came together even though I was distraught by certain scenes bc that is not what I wanted to occur! Even then, while upset over the action I was ensnared by the beauty of the emotion and skill that LES created. Along with being captivated by the language and visual nature of the story, I was flummoxed by so many of the secrets that were shared throughout the story..I did not see ANY of them coming..I don’t share spoilers, but there is at least 5 things that come to mind even days after finishing this book that I did not anticipate...which is fantastic!

You do need to read the first two books to appreciate and understand all of the events and people that are in this book. I did not put this book down once I started reading because I had to know how everything went. I am going to miss this world and I hope to see the author maybe to a follow-up story or novella letting us know how things go after that final scene and decision! Also to answer my question...how does that new finding/relationship work out from the DNA results and final actions of the book?!?!?!?

[Alyce Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I've been putting off sharing my thoughts on True Storm for so long that I can't even remember why I disliked it as much as I did, but let's just say that three stars is a very generous rating and I'm surprised I even decided to give it that many.
This was the only book in the True Born trilogy that I struggled to get through. The first two were absolute delights and I flew through both of them, but from the awkward beginning - we're thrown in to a completely different scenario to the one that the second book finished on, and we rely on recaps from Sterling to get us up to speed with what we've missed - to the highly anti-climactic ending, I just expected more.
It feels as though this series went from having something special to having no spark at all, and I certainly wasn't expecting that because the world L.E. Sterling has built is so unique and interesting and this ending had so much potential. The events didn't run smoothly from one to the other, and the ending was so abrupt that I felt as though a few chapters were missing at the ending - I'm not sure whether this book was rushed or whether Sterling just wasn't sure how to get where she wanted to go, but at times it almost causes whiplash due to the rapid changes in direction.

[roxi Net · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was super excited to read the third book in the True Born series, and with a few exceptions, I had a great time reading the continuing story of Lucinda Fox and her twin Margot in a dystopian society (Dominion) where the twin girls were the 'princesses' of their time. True Borns versus Splicers versus Watchers versus Lasters - with so many groups and stakeholders, it gets a bit tough to remember who's who and which group desires what. I really like Lucy's character with her internal struggles, desires, and love for her sister, however the story was missing a few transition descriptions that sometimes left me wondering what happened. I'm not sure if this is the last book in the series, since I have so many questions, but it's okay if it is -- I'll read anything by L.E. Sterling.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final chapter to the true born series finished with an amazing ending. The final novel followed heartbreak, loss, betrayal and new meaning for the characters.

Reunited with the families merc when all hell breaks loose. Betrayal and heartache, unthinkable choices and decisions.

When Margot and Lucinda find that no one is worth trusting other than themselves and the true borns, secrets are unfolding when captured once again.

As Lucy suffers the loss of her sister and her friend Ali, Jared Price and the other true borns and doctor Raines support her and help avenge Margot’s death in an all out civil war.

Join Lucy and the true borns in one last fight to help save civilisation once and for all.

[Lynndell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book in the True Born series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled for the opportunity to read and review True Storm by L.E. Sterling!
The background and past events of the story are summed up concisely and brought me back up to speed as the book opened with Lucy’s point of view. The trauma continues and Lucy discovers secrets about Margot that shock her to the core. The danger and intrigue intensify as the whirlwind of events knock down societal standings and tear apart the lives of Lucy and Margot. This book ends a series full of twists and events that shouldn’t be spoiled, my favorite of the True Born series-5 stars!

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last of three-Spoiler!

Well this was my least favorite of the three books. Maybe because I wanted her to have the chance to confront her horrible father! And they never mention her mother at all. But what I find in some endings was true in this one- it was time to end it so they had a colossal fight and voila, it’s over.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read

Okay, quick and easy diversion but I am a little disappointed that I waited so long for this book. The ending seemed completely rushed and thrown together, and not a building climactic type of ending.