First by Chanda Stafford

Seventeen-year-old Mira works on a farm in the ruins of Texas, along with all of the other descendants of the defeated rebels. Though she’s given her heart to Tanner, their lives are not their own.

When Socrates, a powerful First, chooses Mira as his Second, she is thrust into the bewildering world of the rich and influential. Will, a servant assigned to assist her, whispers of rebellion, love, and of a darker fate than she’s ever imagined.

With time running out, Mira must decide whether to run to the boy she left behind, the boy who wants her to live, or the man who wants her dead.


Author: Chanda Stafford (Website, Goodreads author page, Twitter)
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing


**The ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
(Actual) Rating: 3 of 5 stars


If you think there's more to The Hunger Games, you might want to move on to the next book and that is, First! Most of the time while reading the book, it reminds me of The Hunger Games. At the beginning of First, readers are introduced to Mira's cousin, Adrian. Later part of the story, it takes off to Mira and Socrate's POV that will eventually tackle on the issues and truths of being an Absolved.

Mira is an ordinary girl from Texan Chesaning farm where not many Firsts choose their Second. Candidates entitled to be Absolved are considered lucky and will have better opportunity in getting out of the country and much freedom than not being selected at all. Socrate has been to a few farms to choose his Second. He was losing hope at having a chance to pick the best Second he could have until he discovered Mira's attributes at a first and second impression. Without any hesitation Mira fascinated him, see something in her that no one has discovered yet.

Initially, I thought the concept of the whole story was a bit complicated because I was struggling to keep up with the flow of the story. But that's just probably me whenever I start reading a dystopian novel. It was pretty confusing at first that I thought it was that intelligible rather it was more of the terms used in the novel. The names.

To be honest, I truly had a pleasant time knowing the characters. Not that many significant events to tell because it lacks a bit of action, in my opinion. I would like to highlight the ending that captured my attention. It was such a huge decision for Mira. Convincing herself she's capable of handling such pain and sacrificing everything that has her living it all for the people of the country. She's brave and true to herself that I like her unique and different from everyone in the story. She's done it through action and hold on to what she had planned ahead of her.

An intriguing ending to the novel as it was such an unexpected twist I didn't see it coming! The cliffhanger made me a bit frantic in a kind of good way. I just had to speak out loud the words, "What was that?!". It was that kind of reaction. First did not instantly clicked with me but it definitely will not disappoint dystopian readers!