(The third book in the Birthmarked series)
Gaia Stone is now the leader of the people of Sylum and she has made the important decision to lead her people to the Promised land. Sylum is dying because girl's are rarely born into this society. Gaia Stone believes traveling back to the Enclave and appealing to the rational sensibilities of the Protectorat, also known as Leon's father, will grant them refuge outside the wall. Gaia believes that here her people will thrive and grow. Except the Protectorat is not rational or sensible and Gaia has led her people to a place where they will have to fight for their right to live and have fresh drinking water.
Leon and Gaia are in love and have been through a lot as a couple. They have made plans to wed but first they must wait until the people of Sylum are accepted and are safe. When they reach the wall of the Enclave, Gaia is immediately arrested. There is a lot at stake and Gaia has much to lose and thus begins the battle of wills between Gaia, who will do anything for her people, and the Protectorat, who want the children of the Enclave free of hemophilia.
Promised is the third book in the Birthmarked series and it does not disappoint. It is full of unexpected twists and turns and just when you think you have the story figured out, O'Brien mixes it up. This series is amazing and it is equally as riveting at The Hunger Games.
O'Brien takes modern day issues like water rights, environmentalism, birth defects, pollution and places them in a science fiction context that is sure to get you thinking. The books take place in Minnesota near the dried up Lake Superior, called the un-lake in the book. Gaia is a strong, young, female protagonist. She heralds women's rights, she's a strong leader, she's a feisty teenager and she's in love with her enemy's son, Leon. All combine to create a thrilling, page turning, creative work of science fiction. I love it and you will too!
I can't wait to read what Caragh O'Brien writes next!