CANDLE IN THE WIND
by Kim Baccellia
GENRE: Young Adult Dystopian
Blurb:
What if you discovered everything you’ve been taught is a lie? For most of her life, seventeen-year-old Espie Hernandez’s world revolved around the Branch of Thomas, a cult-like haven in what’s left of a war-ravaged America. Their ruler, Reverent Father, keeps them safe from the Others, those outside the compound who wish to harm them. Espie questions what she’s been taught and finds herself banished from the compound. She's thrust into the harsh world beyond their walls with the mission to prove the Others actually have a plot against them. When tensions escalate, Espie must figure out who to trust before everything she loves is torn apart.
Purchase Candle in the Wind on Amazon
Excerpt:
Up close, the deserted building looked less threatening. More than a few tiles were missing from the roof. Scattered dry sagebrush littered the path. The low muttering of voices grew louder the closer I got to the door. I snuck another quick glance over my shoulder, scanning the area. Nothing seemed out of place but that didn’t still the unease that refused to leave. A lone owl soared overhead, and its hoot nearly stopped me in my tracks, the sound reminding me of Reverent Father’s alarms. I glanced back at the building and took a deep breath. I can do this. The rotted wooden door squeaked as I pushed through it to walk inside. Mostly women, dressed in dark clothing, hung to the edges of the room, whispering. Their telltale turquoise stone necklaces betraying their former status in the community. Hoods obscured their features. This act alone, of women gathering together was forbidden. I cast my gaze down, fearing to make contact with any of them. Yellowish haze filled the cramped space along with the burnt scent of smoke from a fire that ravaged the building a few years back. A lone table and a few broken chairs added to the sense of desolation. No, I couldn’t stay here especially if the Elite Guard got wind of this, which I knew would happen. I searched the room for Xochi, the urge to grab her and leave growing stronger by the moment. Sure, enough my sister hung over to the side. “Xochi.” I whispered, glancing furtively around. “I changed my mind.”
My Review:
Candle in the Wind is a captivating story that follows the journey of seventeen-year-old Esperanza, or Espie Hernandez, in a war-torn America where women's lives are tightly controlled by a strict patriarchal system. Espie lives in a cult-like community under the rule of the Reverent Father, where her own father was banished long ago.
Determined to uncover the truth, Espie sets out on a perilous quest after learning that her best friend has been shot and is in hiding or missing, and her sister has also disappeared. As Espie delves deeper, the truth begins to reveal its unsettling nature, leading to her own unexpected banishment.
Readers are left wondering: Will Espie find the answers she seeks on the outside? Will she be reunited with her loved ones? What challenges and discoveries await her in the world beyond her restrictive community? The narrative keeps you in suspense, eager to reach the final pages and witness Espie's journey to the truth.
Just like Espie, I was equally eager to uncover the truth. I was deeply captivated by the captivating world created in Candle in the Wind, and I sincerely hope to explore more of this enchanting realm in future installments. The world-building in this book is truly exceptional, and it's a story that will linger with me long after the final page.
I highly recommend Candle in the Wind to all fans of dystopian fiction! Embark on an adventure of a lifetime by grabbing a copy of this must-read novel. You won't be disappointed!
About the Author:
Award-winning author Kim Baccellia is the author of five fantasy/paranormal young adult novels, Crossed Out, Crossed Fire, No More Goddesses, Goddesses Can Wait, and Earrings of Ixtumea.
Kim has had many jobs. She was a bilingual teacher; homeschooled her son; served on her local RWA charter board; a Cybil’s panelist; and even read the slush pile for an agency.
In her free time, Kim loves long walks, yoga, watching psychological horror movies, and reading lots of books that she loves to review for YA Books Central.
A member of Women’s Fiction Writer’s organization, Kim is currently putting the finishing touches on a historical set in 1943 Italy. She also is working on a historical with a Utah suffragette loosely based on her own ancestor Lucy Clark. Kim lives in Southern California with her husband, son, and cockatiel Damon.
Connect with Kim Baccellia
Giveaway:
$10 Amazon/BN
2 comments:
Thank you so much for reviewing CANDLE IN THE WIND.
Thanks so much for your review and hosting me!
Post a Comment