This is the edge of your seat, keep you guessing final book of the trilogy. The dystopian content of the book and the amazing world building holds true for this third book. It’s suspenseful and page turning. With tears and twists and turns will Lucy choose her heart or so what her duty requires. The ending will knock you off your feet.

** Review is on https://smadasbooksmack.blogspot.com/**
Hands down, all 3 covers for this series are so incredibly gorgeous! I am a cover snob, I am totally aware of that, and I will pick up a book without knowing anything about the plot if the cover grabs me. That being said, the True Born series have three of my favorite covers- and I picked up the first book because it was so pretty and I read the rest because I could not stop! And it is nice that the covers have so much meaning to the actual plot of the book (which does not always happen!)

Dystopian stories are one of my favorite genres to read but I had to stop for awhile because they all seemed to be exactly the same and I was bored. But when I found the True Born Trilogy I knew that this was the series for me. Book 1, True Born, started off with a bang, full of secrets and truths as well as the most amazing world building that I had experienced in a really long time and it was love at first chapter. Book 2, True North, was an action filled adventure with some hard-core angst and I enjoyed every minute. Well, True Storm pretty much imploded everything I knew and I could not put it down. LE created such a dark, interesting, complicated and compelling world and this is hands down one of my favorite series.

I read True Storm for so many reasons, but if I am honest I needed to have more of the dynamic between Lucy and Jared. I heart the two of them together (even though they have never been together despite my protests!). I can practically feel the sparks between Lucy and Jared, every touch and meeting of eyes is filled with tension. The longing and angst really hit me in the feels and I just wanted to yell at them to get over their ideas of what is "suppose to be" and just be together! Both have beliefs and loyalties that interfere with their real feelings and it physically made me hurt for them. Mad props to L.E. for getting me so wrapped up in her characters and this world.

The ending of the book was perfect- if there was another book coming. I feel like it was a little rushed and I wanted more, but to be fair, I would most likely feel like any ending was rushed since I don't know if I am ready to say goodbye to Lucy, Jared and this complex world. I really enjoyed this series and I will most certainly read anything else LE wants to create.

​I am voluntarily reviewing an advance, complimentary copy of this book.

This one did not take long at all to race through since it is explosive to the edge the finish of this. Lucy is still larger than life with carrying you through this one. This might be a teen book but it could go toe to toe with many adult when it comes to capturing your attention and wrangling your emotions. The characters in this will give it its mix needed to carry of the finale. Lucy will torture you with her on edge actions. After the many twists and turns you will come out of this one with reading satisfaction.

What a conclusion to this trilogy! Everything was answered and addressed, and so not in the manner that I thought it would.

I enjoyed this book and the story the trilogy created. This book certainly was full of action and emotion. I loved seeing how everything came together even though I was distraught by certain scenes bc that is not what I wanted to occur! Even then, while upset over the action I was ensnared by the beauty of the emotion and skill that LES created. Along with being captivated by the language and visual nature of the story, I was flummoxed by so many of the secrets that were shared throughout the story..I did not see ANY of them coming..I don’t share spoilers, but there is at least 5 things that come to mind even days after finishing this book that I did not anticipate...which is fantastic!

You do need to read the first two books to appreciate and understand all of the events and people that are in this book. I did not put this book down once I started reading because I had to know how everything went. I am going to miss this world and I hope to see the author maybe to a follow-up story or novella letting us know how things go after that final scene and decision! Also to answer my question...how does that new finding/relationship work out from the DNA results and final actions of the book?!?!?!?

My favorite book in the True Born series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled for the opportunity to read and review True Storm by L.E. Sterling!
The background and past events of the story are summed up concisely and brought me back up to speed as the book opened with Lucy’s point of view. The trauma continues and Lucy discovers secrets about Margot that shock her to the core. The danger and intrigue intensify as the whirlwind of events knock down societal standings and tear apart the lives of Lucy and Margot. This book ends a series full of twists and events that shouldn’t be spoiled, my favorite of the True Born series-5 stars!

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Veronica – ☆☆☆☆
True Storm is the final instalment in the True Born trilogy. It has been a year since I read book two, True North, so I was grateful the author gave us a little bit of a reminder as to what has happened so far.

Lucy's life takes many twists and turns in True Storm and there are some events that didn't surprise me, some that did, and one that I found a little uncomfortable even though it made sense to the story. Along with the action and political drama, Lucy now has more than one man interested in her, but Jared is still the focus of her romantic interest and there is plenty of ‘will they, won't they’ going on.

This is a story that felt like it started at a walking pace and slowly got faster and faster until the end was at a flat out run. The further I got into the story, the more engrossed I became, and I couldn't read it fast enough. Before I knew it, the time had hit midnight and it was well past my bedtime. But I couldn't put the book down and kept reading until I was finished.

The finale to this series answers our questions as it comes to a thrilling ending. True Storm is definitely my favourite book in the series. Partly due to the action and partly because I finally found out what was going on, which I found satisfying. The only thing True Storm lacked was an epilogue. Part of me hopes that means the author will write more books in this universe. I can only hope.


Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
5 page-turning Stars.

I was apprehensive to read True Storm. True Born was one of my favorites, however True North was a slight letdown. Perhaps it was my mood at the time. In fear True Storm wouldn't live up to my expectations, as well as having reader's block, I dragged my feet on reading this novel.

I read 20% of the book in one sitting, and the following 80% in a binge, even while being distracted.

The fast pace had me feverishly clicking to turn the pages to find out what was going to happen next. Angst. So much angst, which is something I adore. Angst connects me with the narrator, has the story resonating with me, and Sterling delivered.

Nonstop action, political maneuvering, and the angst of being in an untenable position. Lucy delivers answers to the secrets plaguing her, the gut-punch sensation of betrayal, the loyalty of family, and the uncertainty of love, all combined with dystopian world-building, slight mythology, and paranormal elements.

Some things never change: Margot is acting squirrelly, Storm is his usual alpha self, and Jared is doing the hot and cold routine of a boy who doesn't believe himself to be good enough for his princess.

I'd love to say there is a love triangle... quadrangle? But the reader is fully connected to Lucy's thought process, so outside of forced situations, we know where her heart lies. Me, the angst lover, wasn't too worried about the quadrangle, but it sure did have me clicking the pages to find out. Loved that bit.

The ending sets up a shift that hopefully occurs in the series, and I cannot wait to see what Sterling comes up with next. Highly recommend the series as a whole. I imagine being able to read all three books back-to-back would heighten the experience.

My only con of the series thus far, for conjoined twins, and with Lucy's ability to sense Margot, I never felt a real connection between the girls. From the start of book one onward, no matter what inner monologue there was from Lucy, I never felt as if Margot was as invested in Lucy as Lucy was in Margot. There's a disconnect from page one that never gets repaired, when conjoined twins should offer a stronger bond than normal familial ties. I didn't 'feel' as if the twins were as connected as regular siblings or that of Lucy with those around her, no matter what she may have been 'thinking' at the time.

Young Adult age-range: 14+ due to adult situations and violence.

True Storm’ is the third and final book in the ‘True Born’ dystopian trilogy. ‘True Born’ does an excellent job introducing readers to the characters, their societal hierarchy and history, and the overarching plot of the series. Excellent storytelling, non-stop action, gripping conclusion which is full of plot twists and surprises for Lucy and for readers.
The True Born series is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 True Born
Book #2 True North
Book #3 True Storm

So this was one of the best conclusions to a trilogy that I've read in a while. It was jam-packed full of suspense, action, twists, and turns. It was hard to put down, making it easy to read quickly, but it wasn't one you could just jump in and out of. There was so much going on and so many pieces of the puzzle being filled in, that you needed to be able to sit and read for more than a few minutes at a time. I say all of that not in a bad way, but in a good way, because this was a 5 star read for me.

There were depths of betrayal that had been alluded to, and brought up as possibilities, but when they surfaced, they were major. Of course there are always deaths in books like this, and there have to be some of the main characters/favorite characters that are lost. The loss of two of them for sure had tears in my eyes. Then there was the way that they figured out a possible end to the Plague. While I had some thoughts that there must be something like what they came up with, I would never have guessed what would happen that helped them to discover the reasons and ways of a possible cure.

As I finished reading, all the action that I mentioned before made me think that this would make such a great movie. I could totally see the scenes on a big screen as they played in my head while I read the story. If you haven't begun this series, you need to pick it up soon. If you are just waiting on this book to finish up the series, I promise you won't be disappointed.

True Storm is the third and final installment in author L.E. Sterling's True Born Trilogy. As a summary of how we got here, a plague descended upon the world killing off a good portion of the population. Those that are left are divided into three groups, the Lasters, the Splicers and the True Born. Lasters are those who are beyond saving and on the last of their life, Splicers are those rich enough to keep up with procedures to prolong their life, and the True Born are a bit of genetic mutation that are immune to the plague and carry properties of certain animals that have adapted to survive this world.

The story once again returns to the city of Dominion where things are not as clear as one might believe. After returning with her twin sister Margot, Lucy Fox has once again been put in the forefront by her guardian Nolan Storm. She must attend parties, and gather information from the Upper Circle which may help Storm who is trying to gain more power over Dominion. He also must deal with a major uprising with the Lasters, and a powerful segment of the population that isn't done playing all their cards just yet.

Margot and Lucy are stuck in the middle of almost everything that happens in this book, and this series. You know that Margot and Lucy were born conjoined twins and we've discovered that after they were separated, their separation scars resemble a lock and key. This is one of those cases where I actually would have preferred that the author alternative narratives between the sisters. I don't think we get a clear view of what is happening to Margot, and why she seems so forlorn and not as perky as she once was.

If you've read the first two books, you know that there are some really important questions you need to ask yourselves. What makes the twins so special? Why does everyone, and I mean everyone, want to get their hands on the twins? Why do people think that Margot and Lucy may be the saviors of the world who can cure the plague? And, the most important question, who is the person that is behind what the twins have experienced since the failed revelation party and everything since?

::sigh:: Do I have to speak of the love triangle? So, Lucy is enamored with True Born Jared Price who, when they are together, they can't keep their hands off each other. Lucy's relationship with Jared was the most frustrating part of this entire trilogy. Their banter back and forth sometimes drove me crazy to the point of pulling my hair out. There were
plenty of issues that plagued this relationship. Both are easily the most self-absorbed couple. Neither will give an inch in order to actually admit that they have feelings for the other. Alastair returns with some interesting news and a curious revelation. He is also a factor in the Lucy sweepstakes which didn't make much sense considering nobody really knows all that much about Ali.

Then, of course, there is Nolan Storm who admits that his interest in Lucy is purely political capital. Is there romance there? Nope. After all the twists, after all the questions that are answered about Margot and Lucy, after a righteous battle in the streets of Dominion, the author really twists the ending in a curious manner that I actually loved. I don't believe the book needed to go any further than where it ended. I am happy with the overall choices that Lucy makes in the end. Throughout the entire series she's had to battle for everything. Nothing comes easily for her and I completely admire her development that leads to a courageous choice.

True Storm is the third and final book in the True Born trilogy; a trilogy so good that I binge read it all within a week. I’m a little later posting this review compared to the others as I was waiting patiently for my stop on the BLOG TOUR! I received this book in exchange for an honest review; the thoughts and opinions in this review are entirely my own.
This entire series has been a complete thriller and so unique and original, and I love how far Lucy has come in terms of character and confidence. Once the quieter of the twins, she now is at the forefront of the rebellion; the campaign to bring down the Upper Circle, and if possible provide the cure to the plague that has wiped out so much of the Dominion population in recent years.
As with the previous two instalments in this series, the pace is fantastic and really captures the attention and imagination of the reader. And being the finale of the series, this one is packed with more adventure and action than ever.
Compared to True Born and True North this book did not have so much character development, I think in the previous two books Sterling had outlined exactly who she wanted her characters to be. I’d be okay with this but given Lucy and Jared were supposed to be the romantic focus of the story I was a bit disappointed to see that their behaviour toward one another was still hot and cold. I never really found myself rooting for them as a couple which is a shame as it’s the only thing that really bothered me about this series.
Despite not really buying into Jared and Lucy’s relationship this did not stop me from absolutely loving this book. I love how original the whole idea is, and as before, Sterling still generates these vibrant and detailed scenes in her incredible writing.
This is definitely a series I would recommend to you if you enjoy YA/ Sci-Fi/ Fantasy; it’s one with a unique idea, an intriguing storyline and characters that are so strong and unique you can’t help but get drawn into the excitement and thrill of their rebellion, I’m not sure it’s so exciting for them, but it’s certainly exciting to read with some shocking plot twists.
I’m awarding this book 4.5*/5 for a brilliant conclusion to the True Born trilogy, I’ll definitely be checking out more of L.E. Sterling’s work. This Dystopia/ Fantasy/ YA is just so intoxicating it’s difficult to put down, and it’s the exact reason that I binge read this trilogy. Thank you to Entangled TEEN for the ARC of this book and for introducing me to this wonderful series, and thank you to L.E. Sterling for the amazing book.

What a way to end a trilogy! The True Born series has been one of my favourites since the first book was released in 2016. It's so unique and unlike anything else that I've read before. I'm sad to see it end...but boy did it go out on a high! I really enjoyed it from start to finish and it absolutely did not let me down.

The story takes place in an apocalyptic world where most of the earth’s population has been killed off by a plague. Those left have fractured into three groups: the Lasters, the Splicers and the True Born. The Lasters are the poorest of the poor and have no hope, they will eventually die of the plague. They are often homeless and starving, ignored by the Upper Circle of society. The Upper Circle are the richest members of the world who can afford protection details and expensive mansions. To survive, they cut and weave new DNA into their bodies. True Borns are immune to the plague because they have evolved and feature many of the abilities and characteristics of other creatures.

I always complain that it's difficult to write a review for later books in a series and it's not different here. I don't want to give too much away or spoil something. When I started the book I was a little put off by the pacing of the first few chapters. They felt too slow and unlike the rest of the series. However, once I was a few chapters deep things really got going and I hated putting it down. There were so many questions and mysteries to solve. I just had to know what would happen! All of the major plot lines are eventually sorted out by the end, but some of them felt rushed. I wish the author would have spent a little more time on them because it's such a disservice to the entire series which was perfectly paced out. I felt like the way things had been organized and slowly revealed really put the reader in Lucy's place. She was just as much in the dark as we were and that really drew me into the whole story. So, the ending could have been extended, but it still was entertaining all the same.

From beginning to end I have to say my favourite character was Lucy Fox. Throughout the entire series she's had to battle for everything. Nothing comes easy for her and I completely admire her development. She starts the series as a person who is used to hanging out in the background, letting others make decisions for her. However, once her family is torn apart, she really steps up and watching her grow was very rewarding. And for someone who usually doesn't like insta-love romances, I have to make an exception here. Lucy's relationship with Jared was frustrating but highly fun to read. Their banter back and forth drove me crazy but in a good way. There was never a dull moment when they had scenes together!

I also just love the cover! The purplish background really pops and the antler make sense once you've read the story. Actually, the covers for the entire series are quite unique and totally different from what I've seen on other YA books. They look fantastic together! I cannot recommend this series enough! It was wonderfully written, inventive and always entertaining. If you are a fan of science fiction than this is totally a series that you need to check out!

True Storm is the third and last book in the True Born Trilogy which has introduced the world of Dominion City. A plague has descended upon the residents killing off a good portion of the population. Those that are left are divided into three groups, the Lasters, the Splicers and the True Born. Lasters are those who are beyond saving and on the last of their life, Splicers are those rich enough to keep up with procedures to prolong their life and the True Born are a bit of genetic mutation that are immune to the plague and carry properties of certain animals that have adapted to survive this world. The story now continues with identical twin sisters Lucy and Margot back together again but the world around them is still in upheaval.

The True Born trilogy was one that over the course of the entire series I’ve run a bit hot and cold on my feelings. The ideas behind the plot are quite intriguing but it seems that after each installment I am left with a feeling of a bit of confusion and wanting so much more fleshed out with the story. This being the final book I was hoping for an awesome conclusion, or let’s face it at this point I’d settle for an acceptable conclusion but somehow this one seems to feel like it’s still the middle of a series and things left unsaid to me. I found myself still wishing certain things were fleshed out better than they ever were and wanting to know more while sifting through slower moments that really didn’t feel as relevant.

I’ve also never quite been a fan of the romance within this series and came to think of Jared as Jerky Jared with his brooding ways but I was hoping to at last feel the love between Lucy and Jared. Instead though Lucy seemed to run just as hot and cold and by the end I felt like either could move on as soon as the physical attraction dies out between the pair. Again it leads to feeling that if there was to be a love story it should have been given much more depth that the attraction and moodiness I felt I was experiencing.

So basically when finished with this series as a whole my feelings have never really been swayed. I’ve always thought there were some rather great ideas to the world but things needed more attention to really stand out and make me love them. I’ve hung around 2.5-3 stars for the first two books and my feelings really haven’t changed leaving me with a so-so feeling when finished reading.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

True Storm (True Born Trilogy #3)

L.E. Sterling

Review:♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ❣


True Storm is the explosive final chapter in the True Born series. You will not be disappointed. It's gritty and holds the dystopian theme right to the end.

Lucinda Fox is back in Dominion city. She has always been the sensible twin. Her duty is to marry well and carry on the family legacy. Her father is a powerful man and the family name is well known to the upper circle. Lucy had to decide between her heart and her head. Jared has always been her protected, the mysterious Ali has been her closest friend and Nolan her father figure. Lucy has some tough choices to make but if only it was that simple.

Evolve or die is scribbled on all the walls but the meaning could be the work of madmen. The answer is in the blood but what is the question? Lucy has Margot back. She is making appearances at parties and living up to her name. Nolan is preparing to lead the True Born. The plague is wiping out civilisation as we know it, but everything isn't as it seems. The truth comes out in the final instalment and everyone is fair game.

True storm lives up to its name there are so many twists and turns. Tears, love and secrets. It's all coming to light. 4.5 stars out of 5. This series has been a whirlwind right from the start. It's good, it's bad and it's all kinds of unfair. Highly recommended.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

400 pages. Amazon UK

Amazon US

Expected publication: May 1st 2018 by Entangled: Teen

Awesome read. Well written with a great plot and characters. I was engrossed from start to finish. Twins Lucy and Margot are safe and together in Dominion City, coping with the aftermath of Margot’s time held captive in Russia and reeling from all of the betrayal. Margot’s experiences have clearly changed her, but Lucy is happy to have her twin back and is hopeful that their close bond will heal over time.
The twins have recently learned that almost everyone in their lives has kept secrets from them. They’re even keeping secrets from each other now. Finally, all of these secrets will be revealed and questions will be answered. True Storm is full of plot twists and surprises that I didn't see coming. I wish there was another book to tell what kind of life Lucy has after evertything she has been fighting for. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.

4.5 stars - Excellent storytelling, non-stop action, gripping conclusion.

‘True Storm’ is the third and final book in the ‘True Born’ dystopian trilogy. Book 1, ‘True Born’ does an excellent job introducing readers to the characters, their societal hierarchy and history, and the overarching plot of the series. Book 2, ‘True North’ provides both the main character and the readers with more information but also more unanswered questions.

At the beginning of ‘True Storm,’ twins Lucy and Margot are safe and together in Dominion City, coping with the aftermath of Margot’s time held captive in Russia and reeling from betrayal after betrayal. Though Margot’s experiences have clearly changed her, Lucy is happy to have her twin back and remains hopeful that their close connection will heal over time.

The twins have recently learned that nearly everyone in their lives has kept secrets from them; they’re even keeping secrets from each other now. Finally, within the pages of ‘Truth Storm,’ all of these secrets will be revealed and questions will be answered.

This gripping conclusion is full of plot twists and surprises for Lucy and for readers. Though it seems Lucy has gained the attention of at least three suitors, the label ‘love-triangle’ doesn’t quite fit. She’s clearly head-over-heels for only one of them and her feelings never waver from him. One of my favorite aspects of this series is how strong and determined Lucy is, and how established her feelings for Margot and Jared are.

‘True Storm’ releases on May 1st. I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

I was super excited to read the third book in the True Born series, and with a few exceptions, I had a great time reading the continuing story of Lucinda Fox and her twin Margot in a dystopian society (Dominion) where the twin girls were the 'princesses' of their time. True Borns versus Splicers versus Watchers versus Lasters - with so many groups and stakeholders, it gets a bit tough to remember who's who and which group desires what. I really like Lucy's character with her internal struggles, desires, and love for her sister, however the story was missing a few transition descriptions that sometimes left me wondering what happened. I'm not sure if this is the last book in the series, since I have so many questions, but it's okay if it is -- I'll read anything by L.E. Sterling.

This trilogy has been entertaining. This last book was a great ending, but it didn’t wow me. It was just ok. I would of liked to see something bigger and bolder. I did enjoy the characters and the writing style.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This series has been a unique, constantly-evolving story full of interesting characters that surprise and despise within a world darkly crafted from Dominion City to the enemies beyond its borders. Overall I've had a lot of fun going on this journey with Lucy and her companions as her world is torn apart and she's forced to piece back together what she once believed with the hard truths glaring before her. I do feel that this book moved a bit slower than the others at times but it was fun to read nonetheless and although it's always a bit sad when a series ends I'm also glad to finally have read the conclusion to this epic tale.
So much happens and once you settle back into the rhythm of this twisted rhyme it all pours out at a thrilling rush of twists and maddening possibilities. If you've enjoyed the True Born series thus far then you'll enjoy its epic finale.
-pooled ink Reviews

It's the end of the trilogy and has me so sad!

First things first, I was hoping for more romance, maybe it was just the mood I was in. The fact that it was mere lust for Jared and Lucy was, I suppose, realistic, but did nothing really to quell my own yearnings for something sweeter as the books continued. I kind of wanted more from Lucy and from many other characters and it was a bit disappointing.

I was left feeling as though things were not wrapped up entirely. Maybe I'm the only one. maybe I was hoping for more? I felt like, throughout the entire book i felt this way about numerous things.

I loved the writing is great and fast paced and have zero issues with that. The world created has been a thrill ride for me. Maybe it was just of end of the book syndrome where I didn't want it to end that I wasn't completely satisfied. Others may have a different opinion.

"True Storm" is the conclusion to the trilogy I have been loving since the first book. In this unique world, a plague has infected humanity, resulting in a old-style Western atmosphere. At the age of 18, everyone is classified according to their plague status- Laster (will die from the plague), Splicer (they can have genetic therapies to live a little longer- if they have the money), or True Born (mutations which make them immune to the plague but manifest in animal-like characteristics such as fur or tails).

Lucinda (Lucy or Lu) and Margot are something else entirely, and we've waited through the first two books. They were conjoined twins, separated at birth- and their separation scars resemble a lock and key. Lucy is able to sense Margot's feelings, and this comes in handy when Margot disappears. Lucy goes to the True Borns for help to find and rescue Margot. Now, in the aftermath, Lucy feels fractured- Margot is blocking her out. Margot seems traumatized by her experiences (which makes sense- she was kidnapped and her eggs were harvested and turned into some sort of plague "cure"). Things are more complicated than they appear, as we find out later. Add to the mix that people are saying that together, somehow, Margot and Lucy are supposed to be the key to the permanent plague cure, and we have some plot intensity.

Luckily, we get answers about what exactly Margot and Lucy are, and how they tie into the prophecy/plague cure. If you enjoyed the back-and-forth between Lucy and her instalove Jared, you are in luck because it continues in this book. I loved their romance and the idea of the two of them together (plus they had so many steamy kisses!) but I wished they would quit it with the "but we can't/shouldn't be together"- it seemed like they were pushing/pulling a lot. The love triangle with Ali is back, and it takes some turns that really surprised me! I won't say more to avoid spoilers.

I enjoyed the book overall, but I felt that the ending was too abrupt, and I would have liked to see things play out a little further. It almost felt like there would be another follow-up, but I doubt it as this is the third book in a trilogy. We are left with the impressions of what will follow, but it's not as clear/determined as I would have hoped (an epilogue or something for full closure would have been nice in my opinion). The writing is great- fast-paced and enthralling. I think fans of the first books will enjoy this finale overall (although I will mention as a warning that there is a main character death that shocked me- and it's very sad!).

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.