Blank

Almara, Darnell and Zale are the main characters in this book. Every chapter it changes.
Almara was born without a birthmark, a Blank, so she cannot be matched with a partner in life. She’s not welcome in the world. Her mother tries for her to have a normal life, but when she finds out more, the authorities find Almara and put her in the cube.
Darnell lives with his mom outside of the city. She’s protecting him, because she knows what happens to the “Blanks”. One day, authorities find them and he escapes and his journey begins.
Zale lives with his partner Allen in a place where he and others who have birthmarks are welcomed. They didn’t want to be partnered with their birthmark-partners and have the birthmarks removed, to be with the ones they love. Their compound gets attacked and when the chance of revenge comes days later. He gets captured.

This book started out slow. Finally by 60% it got interesting and fast paced. The characters get together by the end, but the ending?? So disappointing. At 99% to put in a plot twist and that epilogue...that is why I’m taking off one star of my review.

I received this ebook from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with a copy for review.

In a dystopian post-war world, people are genetically matched with their 'soulmate' to ensure perfect genetics. Most people are born with a marking that will allow them to find their matching soulmate, but some people are not born with this - they are born blank. This novel follows three blank individuals: Almara, who was secured in a facility for blanks as a child; Darnell, who was hidden from the government by his mother since childhood; and Zale, who chose to have his mark removed and voluntarily go blank in order to be with the man he truly loves.

I really enjoyed this book! I was first drawn to it because the concept of a world where people are matched to their soulmate sounded really interesting. It was great to read a story that put a twist on this trope with the soulmate matching being entirely genetically determined and having no concept of love or attraction play any role in the soulmate pairings. I especially liked how the world building thus allowed for one of the main characters, Zale, to fight against the system and have his mark removed so that he could be with the man he loves, Allen, as the genetic system doesn't take LGBT+ individuals into account. 

As the novel follows three different individuals, whose storylines slowly interconnect, the perspective often switches and leaves you on constant cliff-hangers wondering what was happening with the other characters. This was a little jarring at first, but I began to really enjoy this aspect of it and getting to see so many different sides of the world they were living in through the different characters who all began the story in very different ways. The characters themselves were well-developed and interesting and I found myself getting completely invested in their individual storylines.

Overall, this was a great novel and hope that there will be a sequel to follow on from the events at the end because I really want to know what happens next!

An edgy and suspenseful book! Blank, written by Sabrina Raven, is definitely worth the read! The story centers on several different characters, Almara, Zale, and Darrell, are all experiencing the Marked Region from different places and circumstances. All of their stories collide towards the end, bringing the story to a climatic end with a hopeful, but unfortunate ending. Of all the stories, Almara's is most emphasized in the book. I had a hard time with some of the dialogue and sub story lines, like the operatives in Condor Pointe, but nothing ever took away from the major plot and focus of the story. There were a few too many betrayals for me. By far my favorite part of the book were the tanks! The descriptions and collision of story lines at that point blew me away! I could not put the book down. The ending leaves you wanting a lot more for Darrell and Almara. Almara needs some redemption for sure! Perhaps a sequel to this book?! I would recommend this to dystopian sci-fi lovers.

I loved plot of Blank! Wonderful characters, Darnell as naive as he was. Almara headstrong, and a will to live. Zell honestly not a fan....This is a world where Blanks are seen as defects, and are put to death, the society doesn't want them seen or to interact with them..Why? Well they love in a world where everyone is born with a birthmark, and which allows them to find their person, soulmate. To be without a birthmark makes you a problem....

I Seriously loved the turn of events at the end. And the suspense! This is a Very engaging love story. The power of love, from tragedy comes a triumphant and endearing story. I enjoyed every page of the story.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm not sure why it is described as a YA novel as there is a lot of violence, swearing and it is quite harrowing in parts in terms of deaths.

I thought it was really well written and I enjoyed the different voices and narration.

the ending was slightly disappointing but I guess it is a set up for the next book if this were to be a series.

I would recommend this book and found myself wanting to talk to others about it - which to me is a sign of a good book!

This book was a little difficult to read, and it took me a while to get into. But really freaking good. It kinda reminded me of Divergent.
I recommend it! Looking forward to reading more from this author

In a world of marked people, life is unfair to those who are unmarked known as blank. We get a vision of people who are happy with the fact they don’t have to choose who are going to live their life with. As soon as you're born you have someone for you genetically it’s your perfect partner. We get to know through the book the dark side of that perfect lifestyle. Like any society there are always those who are left out and, since they are a danger to the welfare of this idealism, treated as aberrations.
Good characters, each one with engaging stories of love, drama and suspense. The way their story constructs around this marked system is very interesting.
I liked the fact I couldn’t predict the story, there was always something to surprise you, good or bad. I also liked the way was written and with different narrations helps the reader get a better global perspective of their world.
The ending was a little disappointing, so I hope there will be a sequel. I would love to know what happens next. I enjoyed the book and I would recommend to anyone who likes dystopia sci-fi.

Blank by Sabrina R.G. Raven is a Teens and Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy book. I gave it five stars because it captured my attention from the first paragraph. People are matched genetically via birthmarks.

"Everyone in the world is born with a tattoo that matches their soul mates. We couple for life. I have no idea, even now, how it all works, how that soul mate is always close enough to be found, but I am blank. That is why my parents wept."

"My sister was born when I was three. She had her mark emblazoned on her calf, the same place as my mother. They named her Joy, as they were finally going to be able to get past my deformity. My name, Almara, meant one who is alone. I guess they were right."

This book alternated points of view with Almara, Darnell and Zale, who were all blanks. There were lots of satisfying twists and turns in the story. I will look for more of this author's writing.

I received a complimentary Kindle copy of Blank from Ouroborus Book Services and NetGalley. That did not change my opinion for this review.

Link to purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Blank-Sabrina-RG-Raven-ebook/dp/B07B8B557H

I am a huge fan of young adult novels. I feel that they sometimes tackle tough subjects in a less encumbered way.

Blank is one such novel. The topic is what some could call a drive towards genetic 'purity' with residents of Oasis being matched for compatibility by their birthmarks. Yet, some children are born blank and ultimately taken from society. Along with the need to be marked, the society also frowns upon anyone who deviates from their genetic match.

This novel follows the path of a few different blank children and people who intersect their lives. You also meet some who fell in love with someone who was not their genetic match and try to escape to a safe haven community.

I was completely engrossed in this novel with serious dystopian tendencies. The end is left where the story could be continued. I hope the author decides to do just that as the themes of diversity and love are crying out for more.