#9-10: Birthmarked and Prized

While shopping at the high school book fair last fall, I kept returning to Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien...and purchased it.  Then, the novel sat and patiently waiting on me to finish reading other books.  After promo-ing it to my husband, he began reading it...then my daughter.  Why, oh, why did I wait so long to begin this trilogy?!  So good!

The first two Birthmarked and Prized...the third novel will be released later this year...tell the story of Gaia (a very strong heroine, a midwife), Leon, and others who live in a futurist world where Gaia takes continual stands for and against family, friends, and political situations of the time.

A message about bullying, the novel takes the reader into Gaia's struggles, as she learns that her facial disfigurement not only highlights her obvious difference physically  but also defines her mentally and emotionally.  In a world where the great are greater and the poor are poorer, Gaia's destiny seems to one of redeemer, leader as she leaves her world of advancing babies from Western Sector Three for the sake of the Enclave and travels through the Wasteland and Sylum (land of the dead).

Romance?  Yes.  In book two this intensifies, encouraging the reader to help her choose the man/boy right for her.  I chose the right one!  No spoilers here...you will have to read and take this journey with Gaia in Promised scheduled to be released October 2.

I enjoy series...especially ones in which I have waited and can read more than one novel at a time.  Love the immersion to these created worlds.

Enjoy!