This next post comes from an author whose goal is to publish everything she’s written. Hmmm… sounds familiar. đ
And this particular offering looks interesting. What if only the rich could have and keep kids?
Plus, there’s an excerpt and giveaway, so make sure you read through to the end so you don’t miss anything. đ
Extinction of All Children
(Extinction of All Children #1)
L.J. Epps
Publication date: June 4th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Summary:
A young adult, fantasy novel about a teenager who is the last eighteen-year-old in her territory. There will never be another child; every baby born after her has been taken away. Everyone wonders why she survived.
Emma Whisperer was born in 2080, in the small futuristic world of Craigluy. President Esther, in charge for the last twenty-two years, has divided their world into three territories, separated by classesâthe rich, the working class, and the poorâbecause she believes the poor should not mingle with the others. And, the poor are no longer allowed to have children, since they do not have the means to take care of them.
Any babies born, accidentally or willfully, are killed. Emma is the last eighteen-year-old in her territory; every baby born after her has died. Somehow, she survived this fate.
During the presidentâs Monday night speech, she announces a party will be held to honor the last child in the territory, Emma Whisperer. Emma must read a speech, expressing how happy she is to be the last eighteen-year-old.
Emma doesnât like the rules; she doesnât believe in them. So, she feels she must rebel against them. Her family doesnât agree with her rebellion, since they are hiding a big secret.
If this secret gets out, it will be disastrous, and deadly, for her family.
During Emmaâs journey, she meetsâand becomes friends withâEric. He is one of the guards for the president. She also befriends Samuel, another guard for the president, who is summoned to watch over her. As Emma meets new people, she doesnât know who she can trust. Yet, she finds herself falling for a guy, something which has never happened before.
After doing what she feels is right, Emma finds herself in imminent danger.
In the end, she must make one gut-wrenching decision, a decision that may be disastrous for them all.
âFans of dystopian fantasy will devour this book. L. J. Epps writes a story that, while dealing with heavy subject matter, is still a light, enjoyable read. This dystopian fantasy novel ignites the imagination, and is a must read for fans of The Hunger Games and the Divergent Trilogy.â â Kristina Gemmell, Beta Reader
Purchase Links:
Goodreads / Amazon
The complete series:
Excerpt from Extinction of all Children:
I take in a deep breath before walking into my familyâs house. Our brick home is around a thousand square feet. My father says since it is on the smaller side, it takes a lot less money to heat and cool. The back of the house is like a forest, and the front of the house is on a dirt road with lots of gravel. As soon as I reach the front door, I notice the stench of beans lingering in the air, making the room smell as if a skunk has run through it.
âYouâre late,â my brother, Theodore, says. âYou know dinner is at six.â
He shoves my arm. He has on dark clothing that mirrors my own.
âWhatever,â I say, rolling my eyes. Another stupid rule. âItâs almost eight.â I glance at the brown clock on the wall. âShouldnât you be done?â
âWe had to stop what we were doing and watch the box,â he says, then he gulps down a bottle of water.
His Adamâs apple moves in and out, while the bottle crinkles in his hand.
âYes, the announcements came early.â My father rises from the dining room table. âIâm sure you heard them.â
He walks to the living room where I am.
âI did.â I lower my eyes.
âWhere were you?â Mother asks. âWe were worried.â
âI know, and Iâm sorry, but Iâm fine. I watched the announcements from the supply store.â
I know they worry about me, but I also know they wonât ask how I ended up at the supply store, or ask why my jeans are dirty. There is a more pressing question they want to ask.
âDid you see her?â my mother asks.
âYes,â I reply.
Now that is what they really care about.
âHow was she?â
âI guess as good as she can be.â I shrug.
âWhat does that mean?â my mother asks with a frown. âYouâre not giving me any details.â
I sigh. It was the same questions every time I go to the wooded area. Another sigh follows because my heart saddens, seeing how old my mother looks. She is only in her fifties, but I can see the gray strands in her dark hair instantly becoming grayer every time we discuss this. Even when I bring back food, my mother is too tense to eat. Day by day she is growing thinner.
âEmma, answer your mother,â my father says, looking at me with slanted eyes.
âIf you want to know how she is, why donât you go and see her yourself?â I snap back. Iâm tired of the theatrics. But it was a stupid question. I know why they canât go. They arenât strong enough or fast enough.
âYou know your mother moves too slowly. She would never make it there,â my father says, echoing the very words in my head.
About the Author:
L.J. Epps is a lover of all things related to books: fiction and nonfiction novels, as well as biographies and autobiographies. She has also been known to sit and read comic books from cover to cover, several times over.
She enjoys writing fiction in several genres, including contemporary romance and women’s fiction, as well as young adult dystopian, science fiction and fantasy. She loves to write because it immerses her into another world that is not her own.
Over the last few years, L.J. has written several manuscripts; her mission is to publish all of them.