7 by Casey L. Bond, Jo Michaels, Tia Silverthorne Bach, Kelly Risser, and N.L. Greene Review

Hey readers, Ethan here with an awesome post for you guys today on a novel that really hit me in the feels. This past summer at UtopYA, I was introduced to some incredible authors who forever changed my life, but I can tell you I never imagined the bond I would form with five special authors and their project that really changed the game. Up on the shopping block today? 7, the second collaboration between the award-winning authors of Fractured Glass: Casey L. Bond, Jo Michaels, Tia Silverthorne Bach, Kelly Risser, and N.L. Greene. Before we get to my thoughts, here's a but about the novel and our authors:

Seven marks upon a wall.
Tom may rise, but he may fall.
Through five lives, no one dares mention,
of the sin for which he seeks redemption.
Fates will meet, and you will see,
what will thus become of he.

          

Click each authors name to be taken to their Goodreads page for more information:

Casey L. Bond

Jo Michaels

Tia Silverthorne-Bach

Kelly Risser

N.L. Greene

*****

My Thoughts:

Okay, I haven't even started writing yet and this is already, by-far, one of the most difficult reviews I have had to write to-date. Why? Because 7 is... well it's... complicated. Let's start from the beginning.

Several of those contributing authors should ring a bell if you are familiar with One Guy's Guide to Good Reads. I had the amazing pleasure of meeting all five of these authors this past June at UtopYA and I've also previous read from and reviewed from a couple of these ladies here on the blog. All of these women are incredibly talented and amazing people individually, so I had no doubt that 7 would be a hit. Even with that in mind, I never could have imagined the impact this novel would have on me. This collaboration was everything I was looking for and more. 

So I'm just going to warn you now, this review is going to be... a little different, because this novel is riddled with spoilers.

7 is unlike any reading experience I have ever had. These five incredible authors have combined their talents in the best possible ways to construct a seven part novel that I couldn't set down. In fact, I actually read the entire thing in one sitting. It was that good. 7 follows the story of 'Thomas' throughout five lifetimes and the trials he faces in each. Transcending through time, Thomas' story goes from first century Rome all the way to twentieth century Brooklyn, New York. Through five extremely well written and emotional lives, we watch as Thomas faces heartbreaking trails while facing difficult decisions reflected against the backdrop of the seven deadly sins. In each incarnation of Thomas' life, we learn more about the trials for which he will eventually be judged. 

While I won't go into each of the five stories individually, I would like to give these authors the highest of praises on their historical writing abilities.Historical writing is not an easy task, by far, but each of these incredible authors made their stories flow with the ease of a seasoned pro. Each story was meticulously researched and I found them to be more than historically accurate, something you can't often say. With this being a work of historic fiction, the authors were able to fully craft the story to their full potentials. As a huge history buff myself, I found 7 to be a great testament to the talent of these five women and their writing styles. I am so excited at the potential stories that we could see from these authors as a result of 7. Could more historical novels be in their future? The settings for each story, the cultural surroundings, and the historical importance all tied in to craft a beautiful tale that I am so honored to have read. 

One of the more intriguing aspects of 7 was the author's ability to weave in some extremely deep undertones and themes that really made 7 stand out in the marketplace. This is by no means a 'surface-level' read. Each and every page will have you reflecting on your own life and your place in society. Every choice you've made will be questioned and you'll even begin to put yourself on trial at times. It takes a great read to lead to reflection such as this for a reader, but it's an experience that I will not soon forget. I can't say much more regarding the themes of 7 for spoiler reasons, but trust me, this one will change you from the inside out, from the very first sentence to the very last paragraph. 

As I mentioned before, each of the sections in the novel are essentially short stories with their own plot, characters, villains, themes, settings, etc. While each individual story was truly a treasure, it's the way the stories all tie in, in the finale, that really cements 7 as one of the most jaw-dropping reads I have read in a long time. 

I can't really say anything specific about the ending of the novel, even though I desperately want to! I will tell you that the final sections, where Thomas' trial and true identity is unveiled were truly phenomenal moments in my reading experience. At one point I had to set my Nook down and just give myself a moment to process what was happening. It was a little much to take in at one time, but it really gave the whole story a 'woah' element that I didn't see coming. At all. Definitely a twist worth waiting for.

With gripping plots, detailed settings, heart-wrenching emotions, and a finale you won't want to miss, this amazing collaboration will leave you begging for more from this extremely talented group! It should come as absolutely no surprise that I am granting 7 a near-perfect 5-star review. An incredible way to kick off your 2016 reading year, 7 is not to be missed! Don't miss this chance to add this incredible novel to your TBR today. Huge kudos to these ladies as they've truly created a story that readers will be discussing for years to come!

*****

Alright readers, that's all I have for you on the topic of 7, but wait.... there's more! I had the great honor of hosting a fantastic podcast interview with these amazing authors over on A Daily Cup of Jo, head on over and listen to us talk all about 7 and to hear some amazing insight to this unique writing process. Click here for more info?

And still there's more. On top of all this awesome, on January 7, 2015, the authors are hosting an incredible Facebook party that's set to last ALL DAY LONG. Don't miss out on your chance to hang out with the ladies and win some incredible prizes. I'll be there, too! Come party alongside a friend.

Huge shout out and many thanks to our authors for gifting me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review as well as asking me to host such a fun interview with them. It was such an incredible honor. Thanks so much for stopping by. Don't forget to grab your copy of 7 ASAP! Until next time, Happy Reading!

-Ethan