A YA dystopian adventure like no other. - Lake Of Sins

An interesting story. The author needs to learn the difference between were and we're, and a few other minor grammatical issues but the story was interesting and had enough plot twists that it kept me entertained.

A very confusing story, even for SyFy. What is the House Servants - Vampire?. What is the Producers - Human? And most importantly, what is the "Almightys"?. I will not kill the surprise, but "Who" eats the meal that is so painstakingly prepared and left to ferment like a fine wine? I presume there is a part two, because the ending fell off a very unexpected cliff.

Will not purchase book two because I that book has two many unattached spins- the characters need definition and what century is the story taking place?
Fill the blanks, re-write the story and it be hands down, a blockbuster.

This was a really good book. I enjoyed it. Especially when Trinity meets Gaar and Mirra, and then later Jethro. Quite interesting and very different.
The characters are unique and I instantly liked them. It has a touch of a distopian world and I like all the creatures. Also the history of the Almightys, Producers , Guards, Trackers and Handlers. The truth about the purpose of producers. There's a lot of mystery and suspense when it comes to the truth behind all of that.
There's a bit of gory details, I've read worse, so it doesn't affect me.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys action and gore and a over all good well written book.

I really enjoyed this novel. I found the characters interesting and well portrayed. Yes, Mirra and old, grumpy Gaar are unappealing in their attitudes and appearances, but they both went out of their way to help and protect Trinity, even showing kindness and tenderness in their way. Even the fish man, scary as he was, helped her. I did figure out the big secret early on, but the story developed well toward Trinity's realization, and her horror was well displayed. I'm looking forward to the next entry in this series. I like series that keep going. When I get involved in a character, I want to stay with them a long time and not have the story end after a single volume. At the moment, I'm very interesting in seeing where this story goes from here. Have to say Gaar is more the character I'm interested in, rather than Trinity.

I’ve previously read Rise of the River-Man: Mutter’s Story and was instantly interesting in the world the author had created. The population has been drastically lowered after great death hits the planet and of those that have survived.. They aren’t really human anymore. There’s a hierarchy.. and for producers this isn’t a good thing.. They are the lowest of the low

This tale follows Trinity, she wants to know what happens to producers when they are taken from her camp and after an altercation with some other producers the time to leave is now..

We are whisked away on a fast paced journey where we are introduced to the others classes such as Almighties who sit at the top of the chain, Guards, Handlers and Trackers. It’s not massively complex to get your head around the social structure but there’s a lot to digest at times.

The tale unfolds when she meets some unlikely friends in the forest.. they both have information that the other is after so join together to suit their needs at the time.. your left never quite knowing if this will last or if someone might end up dead

It’s a good story but again there’s a lot going on..3 distinct tales in my opinion and the book moves from one agenda to another but all written well and with a clear plot. The main focus being on Trinity but I was more taken by the story involving the handlers and the trackers..I’ve yet to read the next book in the series but the author has left a lot of questions unanswered..not in a bad way either I must add.. it’s left me wanting more.. that’s never a bad thing in my book

Again this author seems to like to throw in some gruesomeness now and again for the shock factor and the fate of the producers in one such instance..i thought it was brilliant if I’m honest.

The author has made a cruel and intriguing world, if you like your fantasy but want that added gruesomeness then this is the tale for you

It’s unlike anything I’ve read before and I enjoyed it a lot. I’ll definitely read the next book in the series. I need to know what happens next

Throughout Lake of Sins, we accompany Trinity as she meets many different characters in a quest originated by her innate curiosity - something that is not appreciated in her post-apocalyptic world, where the inhabitants are no longer human following a Terrible Sickness and death of humankind, as well as many animals. The current races are divided by classes, each very different from each other and with its own purpose.

Trinity lives amongst the Producers, although her father is House Servant, so she is... different. All her life she has had to hide those differences since, if anyone found out, she would most likely be killed.

Overall, I liked the main character, though I thought she grunted, snorted and especially frowned too much. It got a bit repetitive. But I did appreciate that whenever she had a more childish attitude, she would realize it just after she had acted that way, or said those words.
I struggled quite a bit in the beginning, who and what she was struck me as confusing because it is said she part Producer, part House Servant, that Remy, a producer, is not her real father, but we are not told who that is until much later, and even then it's only a brief mention of his name.

As for the other characters, I felt too many of them were introduced too suddenly, and therefore had trouble remembering who was who for a long time, so I wish I had realized there was a Characters list at the end of the book. Even so, most of them had their own voice and it was interesting to witness their evolution, particularly Troy's. (view spoiler) It was all very believable.

I particularly relished the relationship between Mirra and Gaar. Their companionship seemed obvious, none the other's master, and although they are both very clearly wild beings, their relationship appeared so very balanced, each knowing how far they could go.

The main issues that confused me are the following:

- I wish other names had been chosen for The Great Death and Terrible Sickness, they seemed overly simplistic to me. I could not even figure out how the two things differed;, they seem to be referring to the same, and I wish this subject had been further explained.

- (view spoiler)

- I had a bit of trouble picturing some of the characters. For instance, the trackers, particularly the head, the body was well described. I imagine them as big wolf types, not sure if it's accurate. I would at least like to know if their heads resemble humans or animals the most. Also the producers: I had trouble picturing someone whose width is almost the same as their height. I wish the Characters section in the end had illustrations.

- I would also have liked the descriptions of what each class/race is entitled to be more specific, since the synopsis focuses on those differences a lot. I would have liked to know what ticked each of them, how their day to day was, etc. (view spoiler)

- (view spoiler)

- The pronoun she always seemed to refer to Trinity, even if she wasn't in the centre of the scene, which got pretty confusing. Often times I thought the description addressed Mirra, amongst other characters, and it was always Trinity instead.

- I don't get why and it bothered me a bit that the plural of Almighty is Almightys instead of Almighties.

- (view spoiler).

Conclusion:

I really enjoyed the world creating in this book. I found it enthralling that none of the characters were human. Mating instead of marrying, changing partners according to breeding rate, the whole scent thing and other animal instincts, making them seem so wild, and yet so close to humans, enough for the reader to relate. To me, it was such a breath of fresh air that I could not help but thoroughly enjoy it.

Another thing I absolutely loved is the absence of romance. Trinity was never looking for a mate, only for friendship, someone that would love her for who she is and not mind her differences, even embracing them. Lots of passages were witty, funny and emotional (view spoiler).

I usually cannot pinpoint what exactly would be needed for a book to be worth 5 stars, but in this case I can safely say that if each class had been more thoroughly explained and the issues I mentioned above addressed, I would most definitely had given it the max rating. It was a very interesting trip and I would love to read the following books in the series.
This is good fantasy. Read it.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Full review with spoilers available at https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1156676266

Trinity is sure to be a "harvest lister" this year in L.S. O'Dea's "Lake of Sins- Escape". Before she is put on the list and taken to places unknown she wants to search for those that have been taken before. Following an incident with some bullying peers, she escapes her camp and goes in search of where the harvest listers are taken. While on her search she encounters numerous creatures and beings that have only been whispered about.. Trinity is such a kind hearted soul that these creatures can do nothing but agree to help her. What she finds is unbelievably disturbing. I was very quickly drawn into this story and hooked to follow along. O'Dea has a very creative mind to come up with these creatures and what they are fighting against. Besides the very gruesome endings of the harvest listers there was not anything that turned me away from this story and that was just disturbing not due to poor writing. I rate this book 5 fangs and look forward to the next in the series.

***Reviewer for Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock***

Lake of Sins: Escape starts with a lot of information,characters and slow-paced, luckily we have a list in the back for quick references and related with the pace in a couple of chapters later, the story begins to develop and there's no turning back. Wow. The Author sure have imagination, the plot is original, she presents a dystopian/apocalyptic type of world that I have never read before. The humanoids and "animalistic" characters are portrayed so good, the main character, Trinity is really likeable, but I have a soft spot for Mirra.
The storyline is full of great dialogues, action, plagued with twists and turns, L.O.S. Escape is a fantastic read!!
Highly Recommended
*I received a Free copy in exchange for an Honest Review*

This story is about a teenage girl that has adventures after she runs off into the wild. I would have given this 4 stars except for two things. There was poor explanation of what happened to the world. How did all of these creatures come to be? How was this class system developed? In other words poor world building. Secondly there were too many characters to keep track of. But the story was interesting enough for me to read book two.

Update: I just finished book two, Secrets in Blood. Getting through book one is worth it to get to book two, a very good book. I also found out that there is a book 3 & 4 with more world building. Therefore I upgrade my evaluation of this book from a three to a four. I will leave a review of book two on that book's web page.

This is a very interesting read. It could easily end up in the teen genre even though I don't think it is. However, it is an interesting perspective and a story that you will quickly get caught up in. The characters are fascinating and quite different from anything else I ever read. Very very imaginative. I look forward to reading more of this author's books.
I do want to point out that I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am very honored to be able to give this review as it truly was a terrific read. You won't go wrong in reading it.

The author has created a world where you find yourself rooting for the monsters. when civilization is a thin facade and you can't escape would you accept death or fight. Simple question made for awesome reading. throw in strange creatures, torture, and a slave based culture and a girl named Trinity, then just hold tight

But it was a pretty good book. The characters developed nicely and the story flowed enough I never lost interest. I might have to read the next one to find out what happens to Trinity..I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this young adult dystopian novel, the first in the series! The world is divided into classes of people/creatures with the almighty being the topmost class and the rest all below these and serving different purposes in this horrible segregated and unequal society. There were almighties, avians, guards, trackers, handlers, house servants and producers and many different species of predators. Trinity the heroine of this book is part producer ie the lowest of the low as a class and those who produced all food for the rest of society and part house servant which made her different to everyone else as mating between classes was illegal but it had happened. Due to all the bullying she suffered she decided to leave the camp she lived in and visit the forest to see what the next camp was like as many where due to be moved there and during her travels she meets a tracker and a handler who took her under their wing but she also discovers many horrors which her class faced once moved on or retired as her mum was due to be!! trinity does her best to help other producers but makes a lot of mistakes on the way. It's quite a tense read but very interesting and the characters are either very lovable or very hateful! Have already started reading the 2nd book in this series!

Great story, previously thought "extinct" forest and a lake predator help a young mutant girl., Little One. In a society made up of House Servants, Producers, Guards, and Almighty's that the Harvest List and Retirement future is not what families are told.

But it was a pretty good book. The characters developed nicely and the story flowed enough I never lost interest. I might have to read the next one to find out what happens to Trinity..I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.