L. S. O'Dea

Lake of Sins: Escape; Book 1 of this fantasy series introduces a world which is new and brave in a genuinely uncomfortable way. Trinity is the engaging heroine, a cross-breed who shouldn't exist, in a world where humans have been genetically altered to serve different purposes and where those in charge - the Almightys (sic) - believe they are have no genetic compatibility with the other, lower, classes. Trinity is the key to proving the lie, and she is helped along by a fantastic (in both senses) cast of characters.
Like a parable, this is a well-written, fascinating polemic against racism/specism and any type of negative discrimination. Violent, frightening and hard to read, with some truly horrific 'truths', this is nonetheless a story of hope, of triumph over adversity, and of friendship and love. LS O'Dea captures our emotions, ensuring our sympathy is never far from her protagonists and their stress-filled lives.
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Lake of Sins: Hangman's Army; Book 3 of the Lake of Sins stories is the most compelling yet. I read a lot, and a wide variety of subjects, authors and genres; this is one of those tales which stays with you - you struggle to put it down and when you do, you are eager to get back to it and in the meantime you are thinking about it.
Hugh was imprisoned after the events in book 2 and here, Trinity, Jackson and others help him escape from prison just before his execution. Life has changed, not always for the better and not everywhere. Hugh is wanted as the face of revolution, an attempt to overthrow the Almighty and their ways, but he has witnessed enough death and wants no part of it. Circumstances allow Trinity to extract a promise of his co-operation, and the two of them are thrown together on a perilous journey. They are attracted to one another, but for different reasons, neither wants to push their relationship into the realm of romance.
Plenty of death, danger and distress. Not for the faint-hearted. Some dislike the romantic aspects of this tale, but I feel it only increases the reader's empathy for the characters, especially as it is Trinity's existence which has brought these events to pass, and love is at the root of many of the relationships which make this society question the status quo.
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This was another thrilling story in this series. The angst this author creates for the reader is amazing. The triangle of Trinity, Hugh and Jethro is so agonising and we don't know who to root for at times, and this on top of the fight for freedom and the courage of some of the characters we have grown to love. Whispers from the Past answers many of our questions and raises more. We get to see Trinity finally begin to mature and understand why Hugh is always telling her what to do; and we learn the secret of Gaar and Mirra's bond. Book 6 is eagerly awaited.

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