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Prized: The Second Book in the Birthmarked Series Audiobook
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(4.06) - 36 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Striking out into the wasteland with nothing but her baby sister, a handful of supplies, and a rumor to guide her, sixteen-year-old midwife Gaia Stone survives only to be captured by the people of Sylum, a dystopian society where women rule the men who drastically outnumber them, and a kiss is a crime. In order to see her sister again, Gaia must submit to their strict social code, but how can she deny her sense of justice, her curiosity, and everything in her heart that makes her whole?
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"Prized picks up a few days after Birthmarked ended. Gaia and her sister, Maya (ugh) are wandering through the wasteland, looking for the Dead Forest, and are a few seconds away from dying when a ranger on a horse finds them and takes them to Sylum. Sylum is ruled by the "Matrarc" and a group of women with her. Ignoring the stupid names of the city and its ruler, this is a fun book. Gaia finds herself in a rigid matriarchy. There are 9 men for every 1 woman in Sylum, so there are strict rules about men touching women and no kissing allowed until after an engagement is announced. Punishment goes straight to the man, and is called "attempted rape." Oh, and there's a big old infertility problem too. Each man's sperm is tested around 14 to see if he's fertile. If not, he's in the pool of men who aren't allowed to marry. Gaia has to live in this world, though Maya is taken away from her (attempted murder, because Maya couldn't have lived in the wasteland). People who stay in Sylum for more than 2ish days have acclimation sickness for a while, and then die if they leave.Naturally all this rubs Gaia the wrong way. Somehow, not one or two but THREE men are head-over-heels for her. She likes all of them and they all make her tingly. No way that ends well. Gaia also discovers that when her grandmother left, she went to Sylum and was the matrarc until her death, 10 years ago. Gaia gets her grandmother's coded notes and sets about translating them (apparently nobody in her family can write NOT in code) to see what in the heck is going on in Sylum - why there's such a huge population discrepancy, why half the men are infertile, and why people who leave die. She also continues to be exceptionally stubborn and strong-willed. Gaia will do whatever she can or must to make a point and live up to her moral code, even if that means endangering her friends or family. The guilt kicks her ass, but it's neat that she does that.I liked Prized more than Birthmarked. There were less frantic escape plots, less convenient help being offered from random sources. Gaia did more thinking, more considering, and picked herself up to fix things on her own. That's a win."
— Kati (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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Reminiscent of James's Children of Men and Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale, this series practically begs to be a book club selection.
— VOYA
Prized Listener Reviews
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" Better than the first book I think but still very frustrating to read. "
— Sophia, 2/13/2014 -
" A worthy sequel. Even better than the first one. "
— Franzie, 2/7/2014 -
" Liked this one a little better than the first one, although the series as a whole was somewhat depressing. "
— Maree, 1/29/2014 -
" Now I have to go back and read the first one. "
— Meg, 1/26/2014 -
" Terrific second in the series and more compelling to read than the first book. I truly enjoy a book where I don't see what's coming next. Great read. "
— Ruth, 1/8/2014 -
" Can't wait for the next one of these to come out "
— Bruce, 12/27/2013 -
" I love this trilogy so much so far. The 3rd book needs to hurry up and come out! "
— Sara, 12/8/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book so much more than Birthmarked. "
— Erin, 11/22/2013 -
" I'll write a longer review later, but it's hilarious to me that the people who disliked this book are pro-lifers. Why judge a book on its own merits when you can just put on your dogma glasses and let that form an opinion for you? Ridiculous. This was a good read. "
— Valerie, 11/19/2013 -
" It's refreshing to read a book about a matriarchal society.. Interesting and insightful. "
— Brie, 11/12/2013 -
" Terrific sequel. I can't wait for book 3 coming out in October 2012. "
— Denise, 7/25/2013 -
" This book was amazing! Like the first one, slow in the beginning. The relationship between Gaia and Leon is utterly beautiful. I can't wait until the next book comes out. "
— Alyssa, 7/6/2013 -
" good and frustrating book....good ending but im glad there is a third book ! "
— Johanna, 6/24/2013 -
" I love this book. It just keeps moving and keeps to enthralled. Can't wait for the next one. "
— Shelly, 6/17/2013 -
" A sequel to Birthmarked. I liked it, and the ideas, but thought it was too long. I do like this author, though, and would read more by her. "
— Tara, 5/19/2013 -
" Disappointed in this installment. I really hope that the last book is better. The whole way through, not just the last 70ish pages. And I hope Gaia from book 1 shows back up. I wasn't a fan of the new Gaia. "
— Jaime, 4/23/2013 -
" The only reason I read the sequel was because I didn't have anything else to read, so I said, what the heck maybe it improves. It did. While there were many things that i didnt like about the first, i really liked the sequel. "
— Krystien, 3/21/2013
About Caragh M. O’Brien
Caragh M. O’Brien is the author of the Birthmarked series, which includes the dystopian novels Birthmarked, Prized, and Promised, as well as the tie-in stories “Tortured” and “Ruled.” A former high school English teacher, she is also the author of several romance novels, including North Star Rising and Master Touch.
About Carla Mercer-Meyer
Carla Mercer-Meyer, a Southern California native, has a strong musical theater background, as she has been performing her entire life. Her credits include a guest appearance on The Morris Taylor Show, and her performances include Into the Woods and You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, as well as many other theatrical productions. An AudioFile Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator, Mercer-Meyer resides in Southern California with her husband and four children. She is an avid audiobook listener and a book fanatic.