Captive by Aimee Carter

Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion (bk. 2)

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi/Thriller

Subjects: social classes, government, identity, Washington DC

Setting: Washington D.C. and Elsewhere (Michigan)

POV/Tense: 1^st person POV, past tense: Kitty Doe

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 298 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary/ product description: “For the past two months, Kitty Doe's life has been a lie. Forced to impersonate the Prime Minister's niece, her frustration grows as her trust in her fake fiancé cracks, her real boyfriend is forbidden and the Blackcoats keep her in the dark more than ever.

But in the midst of discovering that her role in the Hart family may not be as coincidental as she thought, she's accused of treason and is forced to face her greatest fear: Elsewhere. A prison where no one can escape.

As one shocking revelation leads to the next, Kitty learns the hard way that she can trust no one, not even the people she thought were on her side. With her back against the wall, Kitty wants to believe she'll do whatever it takes to support the rebellion she believes in—but is she prepared to pay the ultimate price?”

My Review:  As the sequel to Pawn, and 2^nd book in the Blackcoat Rebellion series, Captive continues Kitty’s story. Kitty went through a surgical procedure to become Lila Hart without her consent. She has become the face of the Blackcoat rebellion. Kitty is a pretty interesting character. She has a learning disability: Dyslexia. She can’t read, but she’s still smart. I haven’t read any other book series with a main character that has a learning disability. I think most authors are avid reader, so they wouldn’t usually write a character that doesn’t read a lot. Lots of people have this learning disability, but most are able to get over it by the time they’re a teen. Kitty still can’t really read of write. This is why she only is placed as a III after her test. She’s also very stubborn and determined to do what she thinks is right. When she was Masked as Lila, she had to learn how to act like Lila and eat and do what Lila would do. Lila didn’t eat red meat, so Kitty could no longer eat red meat.

There’re some interesting guys in these books. Her boyfriend Benjy is cute and goofy and also smart. He helped Kitty with writing and reading assignments in the group home they grew up in. Benjy is in the Hart’s manor now too and Knox’s assistant.  Knox is a bit broody and always planning things and keeping secrets. You never know whether you can trust him.

Lila breaks a rule and is sent to Elsewhere and finds out how people are living there and that she can help the rebellion further it’s plans. Some of the people there were born there and it’s all they know. There are prisoners there too. Mercer runs Elsewhere and Lila is invited to live in his Manor for her own protection. There are Guards that will kill you for stupid things and breaking the rules can lead to fighting for your life. It’s a horrible place. Stuff is going down and the rebellion must take its chance to take over and Kitty must help.

Fast paced and thrilling, Captive is a great sequel. Maybe not as amazing as the first book, but still really good. I highly recommend this to fans of The Selection series by Kiera Cass, The Jewel by Amy Ewing and fans of the TV show Scandal. It you love political intrigue and thrilling stories with lite sci-fi, then read this series.

Cover Art Review: I like the colors and the maze. The title is interesting and the girl’s eye showing through. I love the cover under the dust jacket too.

Pawn by Aimee Carter

Series: The Blackcoat Rebellion (bk. 1)

Genera: Dystopian Sci-fi/Thriller

Subjects: social classes, government, identity, Washington DC

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 343 pgs

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Summary/ product description: “YOU CAN BE A VII. IF YOU GIVE UP EVERYTHING.

For Kitty Doe, it seems like an easy choice. She can either spend her life as a III in misery, looked down upon by the higher ranks and forced to leave the people she loves, or she can become a VII and join the most powerful family in the country.

If she says yes, Kitty will be Masked—surgically transformed into Lila Hart, the Prime Minister's niece, who died under mysterious circumstances. As a member of the Hart family, she will be famous. She will be adored. And for the first time, she will matter.

There's only one catch. She must also stop the rebellion that Lila secretly fostered, the same one that got her killed …and one Kitty believes in. Faced with threats, conspiracies and a life that's not her own, she must decide which path to choose—and learn how to become more than a pawn in a twisted game she's only beginning to understand.”

My Review: I read this book in one day. If my eye never got tired, I may have read it in one sitting. This book is full of twist and tons of family and political drama. It’s like The Selection by Kiera Cass in a bunch a ways, but with less romance and more action. There are unique characters and a great plot. It read as a movie, almost. The world building is completely unique, but it’s definitely well done. This book is fast and you won’t be able to stop reading. Get ready for a real page-turner.

Kitty is dyslexic. I haven’t read any books with a main character who has a learning disability. I think most authors are avid reader, so they wouldn’t usually write a character who doesn’t read a lot. Lots of people have this learning disability, but most are able to get over it by the time they’re a teen. Kitty still can’t really read of write. This is why she only is placed as a III after her test. Benjy, who was in the group home with her, and also her boyfriend, has helped her with writing and reading assignments. He’s really smart and thinks that Kitty is smart too, even if she can’t read. Kitty is clever and good at memorizing. When she becomes Masked, she quickly learns how to act like Lila.

The most unique think about this book is probably the Masking. Kitty unwillingly undergoes a plastic surgery procedure that make her look like the Prime Minister’s niece, Lila Hart. The change her face, hair, make her taller and more curvy in places. Her eyes stay the same since her and Lila have eyes that are the same shade of blue. Kitty looks in a mirrior and doesn’t see herself anymore. This story is about identity. Discovering who you are and where you belong in society. There’s a caste system based off of one test. They receive a tattoo of their rank afterward. The major question is, “Are you more than the tattoo on the back of your neck?” You should have the freedom to decide your own destiny and make you own choices. Society should choose your life for you. Life should be what you make it. The book had so really great discussion questions in the back of it in case anyone wants to use this as a book club book.

There may have been not much romance, but there was a lot more action than I expected. There was a lot of deceit between characters. Everyone has a secret. Not everyone is who you think they are, or on the side that they should be. This Hart family is one crazy messed up family. I really liked the character Knox. He wasn’t part of a love triangle, but he was Lila’s fiancée. Kitty doesn’t swoon for him because she loves Benjy and wants him back. Knox is pretty helpful and has some strong beliefs, but he helps Kitty along the way, and teaches her how to be Lila. Lila was apparently involved in The Blackcoat Rebellion, and that’s supposedly why the prime minister’s mother Augusta wanted to get rid of her. There are some major twists near the end and a really epic ending. I wonder what will happen in the second book. I highly recommend this to fans of The Selection series by Kiera Cass and fans of the TV show Scandal. It you love political intrigue and thrilling stories with lite sci-fi, then check this out.

Cover Art Review: Cool cover. I recognize the labyrinth symbol from art history. It was in a cathedral, on the floor and meant to symbolize a journey. The eye is behind it and you see the III in the pupil. I like the title and the way it’s debased.