Review by BookSeed -- Temptation Trials Part I by B. Truly
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Review by BookSeed -- Temptation Trials Part I by B. Truly
[Following is a volunteer review of "Temptation Trials Part I" by B. Truly.]
3 out of 4 stars
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Temptation Trials Part I is a romantic fiction of an adult nature with sexual content. Readers below the age of 18 are not recommended to read this book.
The scene is set in the not so distant future and it is post World War III. What is left of the human race is under the control of one ruler who is running a dictatorship over the new nations which were birthed as a consequence of the geographical changes as well as the new regime. We are told the story from the perspective of 2 young ladies, best friends, who find love just at the time when they are supposed to be wed off as per the new dictatorship law. Not yet ready to lose their new found beaus they take a risk. They sign up to be contestants in a reality television show with the hope to save their relationships. Once in the show they start to suspect there is more than meets the eye as they start to understand why people almost always come out different than when they entered...as the world watches and revels in their perils can they and their men overcome the temptation trials?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I finished it within 3 days of getting it not only because it is an easy read but because the story is captivating and I was so caught up in the momentum of the character's tumultuous lives I couldn't put it down until the end. The book is professionally edited by Smashword Edition, copyright 2017. There is a synopsis as well as a dedication from the author which I think is a nice touch.
This story has themes such as love, sex, religion, dictatorship, political opposition, family, rebellion, friendship and marriage. However the author does not explore them equally. She openly discusses love, sex, marriage and commitment throughout the story. The characters are constantly pondering over these and their actions and motives are pretty much centred around them. She then covertly added rebellion and religion as a background to illustrate the co-existence of love with these 2. The concept of sex out of marriage is featured and left unaddressed...the concept of sin is also brought up but she doesn't really go into it but it's presence can't be ignored...what is the purpose of doing this? These 2 concepts are controversial, especially in religious communities so it is quite clear the author has influence from her own religious beliefs otherwise why else incorporate them into the story? If a reader is having any internal religious battles pertaining to sex and immorality then they will be acutely aware of them while reading this book. I find it interesting that she chose to do this though, write erotica but bring up the sinfulness of it all, which could in all honesty cause some people reading the book to feel guilty and convicted and abandon reading it all together. Again I ask, what is the purpose of it?
I liked a number of things about this book, firstly the chapters are actually 2 stories in one as they alternate between the 2 main characters, Stefani and Cali, giving us their perspectives to the same situations. The girls are quite different and their qualities contrast against each other without antagonising but they balance each other out. This shows good writing skill as it proves to us why they have been friends since childhood and it makes the story believable. Stefani and Cali are like black and white, both endearing in their own way however the writer was able to build individual connections between the audience and the 2 girls however not neglecting to make us also like them as a pair. The second thing I liked is the length of the story is just right...not too abrupt or feeling rushed but also not drawn out and circumventing. I also appreciated how the author did not neglect to give depth to the other supporting characters, she paid attention to their backgrounds, qualities, physical appearances as well as their personalities. This is important in a story because without actual well rounded people to populate a story, fiction can easily read like non-fiction. It is the thought, emotions and opinions of all characters, direct or indirect which add humanity and add an intimacy which makes a story great to read and easily adaptable.
There are a few things about the book which I feel could be improved on. The lack of a cover page gives an impression that the book is incomplete, that it is still to be edited and a final version published. Is this the case? But how can this be, it is already published with an ISBN number? I suggest a cover page be inserted. Another issue is the speech texts can be on one line, interjected by non-speech text but it is best to line break between the characters speeches, it looks neater in my opinion.
I rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. It is well written and captivating. The book is interesting but it will not be engraved in my memory forever. Christians might become uncomfortable being confronted with some of the ideas discussed in the book but maybe the author will answer some of my questions in a follow up book, part II perhaps? It might all just be part of the plot! Do read the book, it's worth it and if you are into reality television then this book is right down your alley!
******
Temptation Trials Part I
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3 out of 4 stars
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Temptation Trials Part I is a romantic fiction of an adult nature with sexual content. Readers below the age of 18 are not recommended to read this book.
The scene is set in the not so distant future and it is post World War III. What is left of the human race is under the control of one ruler who is running a dictatorship over the new nations which were birthed as a consequence of the geographical changes as well as the new regime. We are told the story from the perspective of 2 young ladies, best friends, who find love just at the time when they are supposed to be wed off as per the new dictatorship law. Not yet ready to lose their new found beaus they take a risk. They sign up to be contestants in a reality television show with the hope to save their relationships. Once in the show they start to suspect there is more than meets the eye as they start to understand why people almost always come out different than when they entered...as the world watches and revels in their perils can they and their men overcome the temptation trials?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I finished it within 3 days of getting it not only because it is an easy read but because the story is captivating and I was so caught up in the momentum of the character's tumultuous lives I couldn't put it down until the end. The book is professionally edited by Smashword Edition, copyright 2017. There is a synopsis as well as a dedication from the author which I think is a nice touch.
This story has themes such as love, sex, religion, dictatorship, political opposition, family, rebellion, friendship and marriage. However the author does not explore them equally. She openly discusses love, sex, marriage and commitment throughout the story. The characters are constantly pondering over these and their actions and motives are pretty much centred around them. She then covertly added rebellion and religion as a background to illustrate the co-existence of love with these 2. The concept of sex out of marriage is featured and left unaddressed...the concept of sin is also brought up but she doesn't really go into it but it's presence can't be ignored...what is the purpose of doing this? These 2 concepts are controversial, especially in religious communities so it is quite clear the author has influence from her own religious beliefs otherwise why else incorporate them into the story? If a reader is having any internal religious battles pertaining to sex and immorality then they will be acutely aware of them while reading this book. I find it interesting that she chose to do this though, write erotica but bring up the sinfulness of it all, which could in all honesty cause some people reading the book to feel guilty and convicted and abandon reading it all together. Again I ask, what is the purpose of it?
I liked a number of things about this book, firstly the chapters are actually 2 stories in one as they alternate between the 2 main characters, Stefani and Cali, giving us their perspectives to the same situations. The girls are quite different and their qualities contrast against each other without antagonising but they balance each other out. This shows good writing skill as it proves to us why they have been friends since childhood and it makes the story believable. Stefani and Cali are like black and white, both endearing in their own way however the writer was able to build individual connections between the audience and the 2 girls however not neglecting to make us also like them as a pair. The second thing I liked is the length of the story is just right...not too abrupt or feeling rushed but also not drawn out and circumventing. I also appreciated how the author did not neglect to give depth to the other supporting characters, she paid attention to their backgrounds, qualities, physical appearances as well as their personalities. This is important in a story because without actual well rounded people to populate a story, fiction can easily read like non-fiction. It is the thought, emotions and opinions of all characters, direct or indirect which add humanity and add an intimacy which makes a story great to read and easily adaptable.
There are a few things about the book which I feel could be improved on. The lack of a cover page gives an impression that the book is incomplete, that it is still to be edited and a final version published. Is this the case? But how can this be, it is already published with an ISBN number? I suggest a cover page be inserted. Another issue is the speech texts can be on one line, interjected by non-speech text but it is best to line break between the characters speeches, it looks neater in my opinion.
I rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. It is well written and captivating. The book is interesting but it will not be engraved in my memory forever. Christians might become uncomfortable being confronted with some of the ideas discussed in the book but maybe the author will answer some of my questions in a follow up book, part II perhaps? It might all just be part of the plot! Do read the book, it's worth it and if you are into reality television then this book is right down your alley!
******
Temptation Trials Part I
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: Lemoncella Cocktail by Rene Natan
