This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Essien Asian for Readers' Favorite
In the aftermath of the brutal civil war that divided America along coastal territories, the East Coast struggles with severe overpopulation and limited resources. The President of the East Coast, Martin Reign, enacts a controversial population control measure: eliminating the sick and dying. Reign establishes a special unit called the Forcemen to carry out his plan, encouraging membership by offering medical care for their families. Although Brandon Munoz typically avoids such political issues, everything changes when his father appears on the list for the next round of executions. Determined to save him, Brandon joins forces with his childhood friend, Aria Reyes, to enlist in the Forcemen. Nothing prepares them for the backlash when they realize there is more to Reign's government than meets the eye in Brandon Castillo's Modus.
Brandon Castillo's Modus presents a world shaped by overpopulation, blending it with traditional themes of authoritarianism and scarce resources that have become hallmarks of dystopian literature. The protagonist, Brandon, introduces himself and discusses the effects of new laws on the people in the streets, displaying significant character development. Tense dialogues capture the anxiety of citizens and draw readers into a realm of uncertainty where the government's actions leave everyone feeling vulnerable. The narrative starts off leisurely but gains momentum as readers understand the gravity of the predicaments stemming from Brandon's decisions. The author complements the thought-provoking subplots on Reign's ultimate agenda with a beautiful romantic subplot revolving around Brandon and Aria as they explore the potential shift from childhood friendship to something more profound. Castillo's debut novel deserves recommendation; the exceptional first-person narrative and distinctive storytelling craft a chillingly realistic tale that will engage fans of drama and suspense.
