Review of Lion’s Creed
Posted: 16 Nov 2023, 22:55
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Lion's Creed" by Roxanne Ward.]
Roxanne Ward’s Lion’s Creed is a dystopian story that follows the life of William “Will” Alexander. Over a decade has passed since the meteorite storm assaulted Earth. The corrupt leader of the United States created a three-tier ranking system: Corporates, Uppers, and Dailys. Corporates are the Elite, Uppers are middle class citizens, and Dailys are impoverished workers who are forced to work to keep the Corporates and Uppers living comfortably. Will’s father marries Tianna after finding her injured in the woods. Tianna was not only Will’s stepmother but also his mentor, who taught him to read and write, which was against the laws that denied Dailys an education. Will was eleven years old when Tianna went missing. Several weeks later, Ben wakes Will to run away from their home. They join Tianna and meet with a group led by Taylor. They are going to Colorado Springs, where Dailys have better living conditions.
News reaches Taylor’s group that General Kenner’s soldiers and the Colorado Springs guards are surrounding them. Tianna was to be turned over to General Kenner, or he would kill everyone. If they complied, then everyone else could enter the settlement. Tianna leads Will into a tent and gives him a coat with a hidden pocket. Inside the pocket was the Sanguine Blade. She tells Will, “The blade’s the key.”
I could immerse myself in every page of this exceptional story. The poor treatment of the Dailys kept them from rebelling against the government. Neighwahs were like the police, responsible for maintaining order, while the Drangers were mercenaries. They were quick to use force to keep Dailys in line. Obviously, this doesn’t prevent people from dreaming of freedom.
I found Will’s loyalty to his friends to be admirable. Will’s anger motivated many of his actions. His lack of remorse for killing people made his family and friends fear him. Despite the darker nature he exhibits, he offers respect for individuals on their personal merits. I could envision how he would be a good friend to have. His character development is beyond exceptional.
There were some issues with editing, but they did not distract from my enjoyment of the story. Therefore, I am awarding a score of 4 out of 5 stars. The ending leaves a large opening for a sequel. It leaves several unanswered questions and unresolved story lines, creating a sense of anticipation for what might come next. I am excited to see how the story continues to unfold.
Lion's Creed explores themes of courage, loyalty, and the pursuit of freedom in the face of oppression. I recommend this book for adults who enjoy science-fiction stories with a protagonist who struggles with ethical boundaries. The graphic violence portrayed in the book may make it inappropriate for younger readers, and the inclusion of profanity and fade-to-black explicit scenes may offend some readers.
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Lion's Creed
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Roxanne Ward’s Lion’s Creed is a dystopian story that follows the life of William “Will” Alexander. Over a decade has passed since the meteorite storm assaulted Earth. The corrupt leader of the United States created a three-tier ranking system: Corporates, Uppers, and Dailys. Corporates are the Elite, Uppers are middle class citizens, and Dailys are impoverished workers who are forced to work to keep the Corporates and Uppers living comfortably. Will’s father marries Tianna after finding her injured in the woods. Tianna was not only Will’s stepmother but also his mentor, who taught him to read and write, which was against the laws that denied Dailys an education. Will was eleven years old when Tianna went missing. Several weeks later, Ben wakes Will to run away from their home. They join Tianna and meet with a group led by Taylor. They are going to Colorado Springs, where Dailys have better living conditions.
News reaches Taylor’s group that General Kenner’s soldiers and the Colorado Springs guards are surrounding them. Tianna was to be turned over to General Kenner, or he would kill everyone. If they complied, then everyone else could enter the settlement. Tianna leads Will into a tent and gives him a coat with a hidden pocket. Inside the pocket was the Sanguine Blade. She tells Will, “The blade’s the key.”
I could immerse myself in every page of this exceptional story. The poor treatment of the Dailys kept them from rebelling against the government. Neighwahs were like the police, responsible for maintaining order, while the Drangers were mercenaries. They were quick to use force to keep Dailys in line. Obviously, this doesn’t prevent people from dreaming of freedom.
I found Will’s loyalty to his friends to be admirable. Will’s anger motivated many of his actions. His lack of remorse for killing people made his family and friends fear him. Despite the darker nature he exhibits, he offers respect for individuals on their personal merits. I could envision how he would be a good friend to have. His character development is beyond exceptional.
There were some issues with editing, but they did not distract from my enjoyment of the story. Therefore, I am awarding a score of 4 out of 5 stars. The ending leaves a large opening for a sequel. It leaves several unanswered questions and unresolved story lines, creating a sense of anticipation for what might come next. I am excited to see how the story continues to unfold.
Lion's Creed explores themes of courage, loyalty, and the pursuit of freedom in the face of oppression. I recommend this book for adults who enjoy science-fiction stories with a protagonist who struggles with ethical boundaries. The graphic violence portrayed in the book may make it inappropriate for younger readers, and the inclusion of profanity and fade-to-black explicit scenes may offend some readers.
******
Lion's Creed
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon