The Avid Book Collector: Book Review & Blog Tour ~ Enslavement by Melinda Friesen {{Giveaway}}

Enslavement

(One Bright Future, #1)

by Melinda Friesen
Publication date: October 31, 2014
Publisher: Rebelight Publishing Inc.

"One world. One currency. One bright future."

That's the promise made by OneEarth Bank after a global economic collapse--but only for those who accept the insertion of a commerce chip.

When Rielle's parents refuse to comply, government officials tear her family apart. As punishment for her parent's crimes, Rielle is forced into a Community Service Contract--a legalized form of slavery--and sold to a wealthy, abusive banker.

The Banker's secrets hold the key to Rielle's freedom, but will she risk prison or even death to escape and search for her family?

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"One world. One currency. One bright future."

Sounds just peachy, uh? Simplicity at its best. I mean who wouldn't want a simpler world? No need to carry around cash, checks or credit cards. Nope, just a small chip inserted into your body and you are good to go. Want that new iPod or big screen TV? No problem. Just pick out your item and walk out the door. That little chip inside your body takes care of all the little details. Oh yeah, that little chip? It also tracks your every single movement. Big Brother at its best.

But say you don't want that chip? Say you don't want to conform to the "One world. One currency. One bright future." frame of thinking? Well, you get marked as a 'Resistor'. Life for you as a Resistor is not an easy life. You can't get a job, so you don't have any money. And you are not trusted. And the most horrible thing of all, you are in constant fear that Bank Security officers will come in and take you away. Take your children. Take your belongings. And this is where this story begins.

Reille James' world is not an easy one. Her parents resist conforming to the One World system. So while her friends have everything they desire, Reille does not. She just doesn't get why her parents don't want an easier life. She just wants them to get the commerce chip inserted. If they would just do that one little thing, they would start living a normal life again. One day though, everything changes. Bank Security Officers swarm their house looking for evidence that the family is part of the Resistors Group. Because of the parents rebellion against the system, Rielle, along with her sister and brother are taken from their home and separated. Her brother Silas is taken to a reform camp and her sister is taken into the equivalent of Child Protective Services. Rielle is forced into being a "Contract" which is basically enslavement for crimes Bank Security has condemned her for. "The Banker" buys her at a bargain price because of her lack of skills. The only thing she is really good at is playing the piano, but that is not a skill set that is desired. Her job now is housekeeping for "The Banker", who is a mean, violent man. If not for Rielle's fellow "Contracts", life would be a lot worse. As it is, she has a roof over her head and small tasteless meals provided as long as she stays on the good side of "The Banker". But "The Banker " is up to something and this something is huge and Rielle holds the key that could unravel everything. As secrets are exposed, allies are made and life hangs on the balance, this story gets wickedly good and will keep you enthralled until the very end.

The premise of this book really piqued my interest and I knew that I just had to read this book. If you have any knowledge of the book of Revelations, then you know what the future holds for this planet. Maybe not our immediate future, but the future no doubt. In my opinion, Enslavement incorporates this theory in such a brilliant way, but not so much that it seems preachy. So if you are anti-religion, don't worry, this book will not offend you nor try to sway you one way or the other. What this unique and enjoyable read will do though is capture your imagination to explore this all too possible situation with secrets, lies, deception and the desire for freedom and life without rigid government controls. I loved all the characters, especially the ones you are suppose to hate. Each one is uniquely different and makes this an outstanding story. The writing is solid and the plot believable. Enslavement is a must read and is appropriate for just about any age group. I can not wait to see where the author takes this outstanding story and the second installment simply can't get here quick enough for me.....I want it now!

5 stars for this must read story from a talented new author!

Melinda Friesen was born in Portland, Oregon. She attended school in Texas and met a vastly interesting Canadian man, who she allowed to drag her to his home in the wilds of Manitoba, Canada. Living in an igloo wasn't easy. Wait. She didn't actually live in an igloo, but that would make this story much more interesting.

Among her accomplishments are surviving -40 degree weather, gestating four human being inside her body, and staying happily married to that Canadian man for over 20 years despite the weather conditions he's exposed her to. And she writes too!

Melinda Friesen writes short stories and novels for teens. Enslavement, a YA sci-fi/dystopian read, is her first published novel and the first book in the One Bright Future series. Her work has appeared in Freefall Magazine, the Metro News and the upcoming Forging Freedom II anthology. She was shortlisted in the Writers' Village International novel contest, spring 2014. Her short stories have placed in several contests including earning grand prize in the 2013 Central Canada Lit Fest short story contest.