Long live the...MONARCHY by Laura Pritchard

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

 

Today, we're putting front and center book one in a NEW Young Adult trilogy that you don't want to miss.  How can I say that so confidently?  Well, for starters, I've read it and let's just say that's it's REALLY GOOD.  For middles, I'm gonna say that the comparisons I'm about to make initially will have you salivating for more.  For finishing, I'll share my experience and let you decide from there.  Sound fair?  Good.  Now, let's get to today's ebook of choice...

 

 

 

Monarchy

The Monarchy Trilogy, Book 1

by

Laura Pritchard

 

About the book...

In the times after the reformation, the leaders of the new world have created the perfect society. There is no exaggerated wealth or famishing poverty. There is no starvation or crime or disease. The citizens of the sectors are secure and well nourished, forever protected by the life the Monarchy have so gracefully afforded.

 

No one mentions the things that are lacking. Constance thinks about it often.

 

At the age of sixteen, Constance is snatched from her family in a twisted ceremony called 'Removal.' Forced to reside in the Citadel, the fortress of the Monarchy, she faces a brutal induction to evolve into a soldier of the Brigade; sworn peace keepers of the sectors. While she grapples with the feeling of revolution that rage in her mind, Constance is trained by Calloway, the guard with an elusive past who shadows her every move.

 

Remaining peaceful, however, is the last thing on the minds of the inhabitants of sector six. Uprisings and rebellions are common place with her own kinsfolk being injured and killed as a consequence. When the time comes, Constance must decide which side she will choose in a battle that will determine her future. It is a choice that she should never have to face; weighing her own life against the lives of those that she loves.

 

 

 

AMAZON  US  |  UK

 

 

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So, obviously I read the book, or rather ebook, or this post would be a moot point from the start...but seriously, I am OH SO GLAD THAT I DID and I think you will be too.  As promised, I shall begin with the comparisons...

 

At face value, we've definitely got a combination of The Hunger Games and Divergent going on here...and no, those were my exact thoughts as I was reading prior to having seen any other reviews that may or may not draw the same comparison.  Why mention these big names?  Because there are so many similar elements...name likeness, society structuring, job assignments, uttered-every-so-often-catch-phrases, etc...but like any good writer, or book for that matter, it matures into its own story where yes, things were borrowed, but not stolen, making it something worth clamoring for.  Oh and boy will you be clamoring for it!  Now, on to that reading adventure insight I mentioned...

Right from the start, Constance's story pulls you in as we get to know her, her family, and what life is like in the every day within her sector.  We learn that the Monarchy is there to provide for the people, taking away decisions, struggles, and choices.  No longer is there a high or low class...all are equal.  But are they REALLY?  I mean, there are always going to be those that feel they can lord over you or others, taking what they want, and leaving the rest like dust in the wind...it just seems that now they are the ones solely in control.  Well, just as there are those that will always seek power, there are those who seek to overthrow it, and their numbers are starting to grow.  It matters not that a few were captured and publicly executed...that just gives their fight more of a cause.  But what happens when those you love become one of the enemy and allegiances switch sides?  It's not so black and white anymore and in a revolution, there's no room for those in gray.

I seriously LOVED this story!  It takes the world we live in, turns it on its ear, and reveals just what too much power can look like even if it was started with good intent.  It's not so far removed from a possible future to be unbelievable and yet you can't help but hope it would never come to pass.  I mean, no division of classes sounds fabulous but not at the cost of relinquishing our power of choice to those that feel better suited to wield it.  I really felt Constance's character was authentic.  Her reactions to things felt true, heavily laden with guilt when things went amiss, yet brightened by each small success.  The time spent in induction was heartbreaking.  The horrors they went through, themselves and for each other, beyond reason or sanity.  Frankly, I was surprised that any retention of their same selves was even possible let alone accomplished.  I was SO worried when the little dictator (Lex) pulled that last little stunt and Constance took a downward spiral...it didn't seem possible for her to recover and yet the fact that she even tried showed her inner strength.  Does she remain her same self?  Perhaps...but there will always be a part of her that locked itself away that day. 

As we begin to wind down as I am getting a tad long winded (Sorry!), I have to mention, the negatives...of which I really only had two.  First up, the potential romance (one sided as it may be) scene between Constance and Theo.  Yeah...not buying it, and the abruptness with which it unfolds didn't really flow with the rest of the writing.  Second, I had a tiny issue with something at the end.  Call it a personal preference but to me, Constance's lack of understanding in regards to what was unfolding even though she wasn't a part of the plan, felt a smidge off for her character.  She's a bright girl and catches on pretty easily to most that she's confronted with, some might say even MORE than most, but this one thing just skipped all thought, all comprehension.  Perhaps she was just thrown by the whole situation, who am I to judge...I'm truly not, just noting.

 In the end, it was well worth the read and then some.  True, it may have had a grammatical or formatting glitch here or there, and perhaps I didn't agree with EVERY minute detail (all noted already), but all in all, I WAS HOOKED!  Really, really, REALLY can't believe we have to wait until next year for the sequel....especially with that ending.  OMG!  I need to know what happens to...and what about...and how is Calloway going to...and what about Theo...and we can't forget Daisy...but...but...

Recommended for Young Adult Dystopian fans, teen age and above due to some violent content.

 

 

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About the author...

Laura Pritchard was born and raised in a small town in the South Wales Valleys in the United Kingdom. She is a teacher by day and an author by night! She currently teaches music to children who have been expelled from mainstream school.

"I have written for as long as I can remember! I have distinct memories of filling notebooks with stories from a very young age. The passion for writing came from a love of reading!"

"I came up with the initial story for my novel, Monarchy, about 2 years ago and have put all of my time and effort into perfecting it since then. Being a mum to 2 young children and a secondary school Music teacher alongside means I have become a professional life juggler and I try to fit as much writing time as I can! I am currently penning the follow up to my first novel, Anarchy, to be released in 2018."

SITE

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Special thanks to author Laure Pritchard for the ebook for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the trilogy, or the author, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now wherever ebooks are sold!  Be on the lookout for book two, Anarchy, set to release 2018, and the concluding title in 2019!  (Really...that long of a wait?!  Eek!)

Until next time...

...may you always be graced with their approval...

...I mean, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!