Promised

Birthmarked Trilogy Series, Book 3

By: Caragh M. O'Brien

Narrated by: Carla Mercer-Meyer

After defying the ruthless Enclave, surviving the wasteland, and upending the rigid matriarchy of Sylum, Gaia Stone now faces her biggest challenge ever.

She must lead the people of Sylum back to the Enclave and persuade the Protectorat to grant them refuge from the wasteland. In Gaia's absence, the Enclave has grown more cruel, more desperate to experiment on mothers from outside the wall, and now the stakes of cooperating or rebelling have never been higher. Is Gaia ready, as a leader, to sacrifice what-or whom-she loves most?

©2011, 2012 Caragh O'Brien (P)2013 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A satisfying finish to a strong series that deftly mixed romance and, of all things, genetics." ( Booklist)

A good 3rd and final book.

Any additional comments?

This final book of the series was pretty good and not quite what I expected. I thought it could have been a bit better. It felt a little rushed. But I did enjoy it all the same and I think this book was worth buying.

Meh

I was hopeful with the first book, interesting twist with second thought it dragged at times, but the third book was disappointing.. and a little weird (not in a good way)

Great book, HORRIBLE READER!

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator was HORRIBLE! I don't think I could say it enough. The reader read everything completely wrong even when it said differently in the book. She would read a confrontation calmly when the book stated ".....blah blah blah, they argued." The book says that she becomes a strong woman and the narrator makes her sound like a weak little girl who has no clue what she is doing and is terrified like a 4 year old. When she is being interrogated, the narrator makes it sound like she is pleading by saying I'm sorry like a little girl when the book has her being strong and confident. This chick should never narrate a book again in her life.

Any additional comments?

Great book, HORRIBLE READER!!!

great

beautiful. lovely. exciting. emotional. what a wonderful series! I've listened four times already and they are all fabulous.

I enjoyed the series, but this one was least favorite

I think that because I have teenage girls, that when she acts like a teenager and whiny and makes dumb decisions as a leader, I found it annoying. Kind of far fetched that she would be a ruler in my opinion.

new world fantasy

Would you consider the audio edition of Promised to be better than the print version?

I only listen to books lately

What did you like best about this story?

Female leader

What about Carla Mercer-Meyer’s performance did you like?

changed tone of voice for characters

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Great book for teen or adult females

Half-hearted ending

What disappointed you about Promised?

I really enjoyed the first two books, but found the premise of the third, as well as the ending lukewarm. It's a dystopia, so I knew it couldn't necessarily end happily. Someone is likely to die, etc., but I felt that this is one of those resolutions that wasn't entirely believable. Also, I loved Gaia as a character, but she seemed increasingly whiny in the second and now this third book -- she didn't seem to really grow as a woman, even though I think we are supposed to believe she does what with her leadership role, etc. Instead I felt that she was still making stupid impulsive mistakes that could have costed her her life, or now her community's life. That's not evidence of character growth. Also, although suspension of disbelief can allow for me to believe some of the science fiction elements, there did seem to be some biological impossibilities to the ending (I can't say what, it would be a spoiler). Having personal known someone who went through a similar medical procedure, I know that the book's description of it was not informed, and seemed to lack research.

Has Promised turned you off from other books in this genre?

No. This is my favorite genre still.

What does Carla Mercer-Meyer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She was a great performer and made the book worthwhile to listen to.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Some disappointment, since I didn't feel it was properly resolved.

Any additional comments?

I am not unsatisfied enough to want a refund, but not exactly enthusiastic about reading any more of this author's books. It was entertaining, and I'm sure others would enjoy it as well.

The last book lost it's momentum

What disappointed you about Promised?

The story line fell flat. I loved the first two books but this last one I struggled to get through half of it before quitting listening to it completely.

What was most disappointing about Caragh M. O'Brien’s story?

It got really boring. The first two books I couldn't wait to hear what was coming next.. this book just dragged on and on and got so boring.

Any additional comments?

Im really disappointed that this book wasn't as good as the first two. It was slow and boring. Gia got really entitled and towards the end they made her character so 'special' for no reason. Like yeah you're a mid wife and you deliver babies... ok? lots of other women in this book supposedly do that too... why are you so special?

Dissapointed....

When I read Birthmarked I was excited....I thought it was a really good plot and thought it could be a match for the hunger games, but this last installment was horrible. The capture...escape...capture....escape was so boring I just wanted to be over already. Horrible ending to the trilogy. SOOOO disappointed!!!