Kiera

Title: Kiera
Author: Kate Willis
Major Themes: Dystopian, Futuristic, Christian Fiction
Synopsis: When Kiera realizes she is about to be drafted into the army, she must decide whether she should do what she believes is right, or follow along with what she is expected to do.

I read Kiera well over a month now, and even now I’m not sure I have enough perspective yet to be able to do this book justice in a review. I loved this story. I wasn’t sure I would, after the first chapter or so—but then I got sucked into the story, identified with the characters, and couldn’t put the book down except for the few times in between reading where I had to (family is more important, of course…). Even then, I was still living in the story, remembering different scenes and wondering what would happen next. I don’t think I was very useful or helpful as a daughter/sister that night, unfortunately!

Kiera has been given an impossible decision: The government is desperate for soldiers, and is now drafting people in her age bracket. Unless she can find some way to avoid it, she’s destined for the army—whether she likes it or not. Her brother, Thorne, has troubles of his own. As a pastor of the church, he’s responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of the people. But more and more, they don’t want to hear about their sin and what God really wants from them. How can Kiera continue to encourage him? Will she have to go to war, even though her every instinct rebels against the idea? When an unexpected and unwanted solution appears in her path, how will she know which choice is God’s will for her life?

I was sucked in right away. The characters, the plot, the setting—all contrived to trap me within the (digital) pages of this book and keep me there. I loved the main character. She had the normal fears many young women have, but when the government called for a draft, her troubles increased. She definitely wasn’t perfect (which I appreciated), but she also made some good decisions.

This book had several deep lessons in it, but the one that stuck out the most to me was learning to be content and choosing to love even though it isn’t the easy option. Doing right often isn’t the easy path—and sometimes, as is discussed in this story, is downright dangerous. But there’s a blessing given to those who follow the Lord’s guidance anyway.

I don’t think I could really describe how well I liked this book. Although there were a few things that I had a hard time understanding (as in, the world-building may not have been quite as much up to par as some books I’ve read), overall I have to give this book five stars.

I requested a review copy of this book, and this is my honest opinion of it.

WARNING: There is a mention several times of babies “preserved for later” and being up for embryo adoption. A man is killed in Chapter 25.

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