A Simply Enchanted Life

Luminary by Krista McGee

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I was so excited to read this book. I really enjoyed book one and so did my daughter!

I actually submitted a short story for a chance to win an autographed book and my submission won so it was even more exciting to read.

I gave this book a solid 4 stars, I really wanted to give it 5 star rating but I couldn’t help but feel as this one was a little too similar to The Hunger Games in certain parts.

Similarities to The Hunger Games:

Mutated Animals-Muttations
The State-The Capitol
love triangle-love triangle
Berk is the Peeta of this series with his accidents and love for Thalli.
The King of Athena is the President Snow of this series.

Don’t get me wrong, the series is great so far and I noticed much less redundancy than with book one but I just felt it was very similar to the HG series.
Thalli has escaped from the State with a small group of friends. While they think they have outsmarted the scientist it is really Thalli and her friends that have been duped.

The scientists want to lure the remaining scientists that left the State back so that they can cure oxygen problem that threatens to kill them all.

My autographed copy of Luminary!

When Thalli arrives in New Hope she makes new friends but she also discovers that there are scary things in the world such as war and theft. A neighboring pocket of survivors is ruled by an evil king who wishes to dominate the world (well, what is left of it)

Coming July 2014!

From there the story spirals into mind control and twisted secrets that Thalli must either expose or escape. Things began to look pretty grim from that point on and to be honest I don’t know who to trust as I look forward to the next installment.

I did enjoy the story and I look forward to the last book, Revolutionary. Despite a few instances where I felt that the story derived too much from The Hunger Games the story is still well worth the read.
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When Krista McGee isn't living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. She is also the author of "Anomaly", "First Date", "Starring Me", and "Right Where I Belong".

Connect with Krista http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com

Anomaly by Krista McGee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Anomaly is one of the best YA books I’ve read since The Hunger Games! It is in the same genre (dystopian) but it is also very obviously a Christian book as well.

After I finished reading I gave it to my daughter to read and she pretty much devoured it in a day!

We are both eagerly awaiting book two in the series! There isn’t much that I didn’t like about this book—really, the only thing that bugged me was that one of the character’s soap smell was mentioned a few too many times. Other than that this was a fantastic (and quick) read!

This story is your typical post-apocalyptic dystopian tale but it is unique in that it is also Christian fiction. Honestly, I think it is the first time I have ever seen a Christian-Dystopian book so the author has definitely hit a niche!
Thalli is an Anomaly—she has the ability to feel emotion in a world where scientist have learned to remove this trait. As a matter of fact—all remaining life is genetically engineered to be void of emotions.

“Anomaly” iPad Mini Giveaway from Krista McGee

Generations of humans are taught one skill from birth and their goal is to benefit the surviving community through their chosen skill. Aside from the “scientists” they are not allowed to question why—that is the trait of an anomaly!

The story really begins when Thalli is removed from her “pod” for showing emotion over an ancient piece of music. It is then that she meets John—a father of one of the ten original scientists that preserved and genetically modified the human race.

John is hidden away from the pods and from the public. He is kept in seclusion because of his dangerous belief in the great Designer—the creator of all life and emotion.

Thalli also reconnects with a childhood friend who is now a scientist and the two of them start to develop feelings for one another which is considered primitive and is strictly forbidden.

I really enjoyed this story so much that I don’t want to spoil it anymore or spill too much. This is very much a Christian tale so if you’re offended by saving grace then this is NOT the book for you!

If you enjoyed The Hunger Games and you’re looking for something in that genre and you like sci-fi/Christian tales then this one needs to go on your “to be read” pile!
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Amazon|CBD|Barnes&Noble

When Krista McGee isn't living in fictional worlds of her own creation, she lives in Tampa and spends her days as a wife, mom, teacher, and coffee snob. She is also the author of "Anomaly", "First Date", "Starring Me", and "Right Where I Belong".

Connect with Krista http://www.kristamcgeebooks.com
I received this book free from the publisher through a fantastic program called Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The thoughts and opinions I have expressed are my own. To view other reviews and learn more about the blog tour for Anomaly please visit the Litfuse group by clicking here