The First Principle by Marissa Shrock

In the not-too-distant future, the United Regions of America has formed. Governors hold territories instead of states, and while Washington, DC, is gone, the government has more control than ever before. For fifteen-year-old Vivica Wilkins, the daughter of a governor, this is life as usual. High school seems pretty much the same--until one day, that controlling power steps right through the door during study hall.

When Vivica speaks out to defend her pregnant friend against the harsh treatment of Population Management Officer Marina Ward, she has no idea she's sowing the seeds of a revolution in her own life. But it isn't long before she discovers her own illegal pregnancy. Now she has to decide whether to get the mandatory abortion--or follow her heart, try to keep the baby, and possibly ruin her mother's chances at becoming president.

A rebel group called the Emancipation Warriors, who are fighting to restore freedoms once held unalienable, offer her asylum. Can Vivica trust these rebels to help her or will they bring everything crashing down around her? Accepting their help may come with consequences she isn't ready to face.

Marissa Shrock's debut novel crafts a chilling story of what may be to come if we allow the economic and moral crises currently facing our country to change the foundations on which we built our independence--and of the difference one person can make when they choose to trust God's lead.

My review:

  This is another juvenile book that I thought sounded worth reading. It is rather suspenseful, though it isn't marketed as a suspense novel, but as a futuristic novel. It is set in the future in a government controlled society where Christianity is almost illegal, and owning a Bible not approved of and changed by the government is illegal.

  I enjoyed the book. The author had a great plot and wrote a great story around it.  I liked  the characters, and even though it is a juvenile fiction book, I really got into the story and didn't want to put it down. The story is entertaining, yet also poses a great warning of where our country could end up if we keep pushing God aside, getting more government control, and keep aborting babies. There are good moral lessons in the book, as Vivica and others risk their lives to do the right thing and obey God rather than man.

  I would definitely recommend this book to teenagers, and will be passing it on to my nieces and nephews.

About the author:

Marissa Shrock is a writer and language arts teacher who enjoys working with her fun seventh grade students. She is a graduate of Taylor University and has completed the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild Apprentice, Journeyman, and Craftsman courses. She is a member of ACFW.

Marissa has written articles for teens and adults in Evangel and Encounter. The First Principle is her debut novel.

In her spare time Marissa loves spending time with family and friends, shopping for cute clothes, traveling, baking, and playing golf.

Check out her website.

The First Principle is available from Kregel Publishing.

Thanks to Kregel for the review copy.