I had a hard time getting into True Born by L.E. Sterling. There is a lot of info-dump at the beginning as the author sets up the world, but once I got past I’d say the first third of the book I was hooked. True Born takes place in a dystopian society where a mysterious plague killed nearly everyone. Now there are only two classes: the very rich and the very poor. There is really no inbetween. In addition to these, there are new races that are based on your genes: the Lasters (who are doomed to die), the Splicers (who do exactly what the name suggests, splicing their DNA with other DNA in an effort to survive this plague), and the True Born (who are born immune to the plague).

Lucy and her twin sister Margot don’t seem to fit into any of the new races and no one will tell them why or what they are. When her sister goes missing, Lucy is left to find her and uncover the mystery surrounding them. Lucy is the good sister, the one who never steps a toe out of line. Margot is the one who sneaks off to parties, the courageous one in Lucy’s eyes. So Lucy is at a loss as to what to do. She finds herself having to rely on the True Borns to find her sister. Lucy is an easy character to like, but she has her own prejudices. I like how the author filters these through her eyes, letting the readers see the world as she sees it. She’s very naive in my opinion.

Jared is a True Born who Lucy winds up trusting and y’all he is one of the main reasons I kept reading 😉 He’s snarky with beautiful eyes that remind me of the old mood rings I wore as I child, shifting with his moods. He both intrigued and terrified me. And oh Lord did he have my heart pounding with Lucy when he kissed her *fans self* Yet he’s aloof and leaves Lucy very confused….me too come to think of it.

While True Born is based in a science fiction genre, it gave me more of a fantasy vibe what with the shifting eye color, the horns (don’t ask, just read) and so on. I enjoyed the book, I liked Lucy and Jared’s relationship, and I need to know what will happen next after that cliffhanger. If you enjoy fast-paced dystopian fiction with a hint of romance and a lot of action, I highly recommend it.

So what really impressed me about True Born was how inventive the plot was. Reading this was like seeing a casino machine swirl and the fruit symbols come together in different combinations. (I know that there are only so many combinations, but the way these elements came together was what astonished me). Sterling doesn’t ease us in slowly. We are thrown in head first and I appreciated that we didn’t need our hand held.

I still have some reservations. For some reason, I couldn’t really connect with the main character, Lucy. I wanted to, because she has to go through this journey of dismantling the privilege she was born into. And don’t get me wrong, Lucy’s character development was fascinating. So I could definitely look over the fact that she and I wouldn’t have been friends. (I do not have to be friends with everyone!! And this doesn’t mean I dislike the book).

Thank you to Netgalley for a galley of this book for review. All opinions are my own.
Book one and wow was it a rollercoaster! This dystopian read gave me so much hope for young adult fiction. now this book takes place in a city that is destroyed and is in ruins due to a plague that has been thrown onto mankind. In this story there seems to be a separation by wealthy, those who are wealthy
(splicers) have access to a formula which gives them life, helps them destroy that plague. while the poor and not so wealthy have to wait on death, and find a way to survive. but among them is a special type of breed known as the " True Bloods" who are immune to this plague. what will happen next? go pick up the book and find out....i guarantee you'll love this duology.

I haven't read a fantasy that gripped me like this since A Court of Thorns and Roses from Sara J. Maas or Roar by Cora Carmack. I couldn't pull myself out of this read, it was thrilling from the start to the very last word.



Margot and Lucy were everything. I could honestly reread this entire series from Margot POV and not be bored of it at all. L.E. Sterling delivered a cast of characters that you fall for form the first time you meet them.

Lucy and Margot are both so strong and so completely different. I not only loved their storylines, but the supporting cast was IT! I need books for each of them.

Also I need more. I am writing this review after having finished the trilogy and I am still reeling. You are going to want to read all three of these books. Give yourself time to binge, because you also will want to do that.

The world that you read is not like you know it, but yet to much so it is. A post plague read that brings true magic into the world. I swear if these unique and gripping covers don't grab you, read the excerpt on Amazon, you won't be able to say no.

This was one of those books that I really wanted to love because it sounded different and great. In the end I wasn’t really sure if I like it or not.
I liked the idea of the book and thought it would have been really great but just needed a bit more polishing up .
I thought it was missing some world building because there is not much , we sorta just get thrown in and that’s it. Not much background or other explaining and it just felt a bit dull.
Another turn off for me was the insta lust , really she saw him and pretty much lost other brain from that moment on , I should call it insta stupid instead of insta lust , because that is really what happened .
And overall she was not the smartest person and always found the most iodic things to do and get herself and others in danger.
And Jared Price, umm yeah I think he was supposed to be one of those “bad boy” alpha male but really just came over as an A&&hole and not in a good way. I rolled my eyes way to many times and other times I was just angry at him. He stalkerish and controlling and that relationship was not healthy at all in my eyes.

I will continue on to see if it gets better and I really hope it does, because I think the story has a lot of potential.
Overall, I rate this book 2 ½ ★

Lu and Margot are twins, literally joined at the toe upon their birth. They share many emotions and feeling and are currently awaiting their 18th birthday and Reveal party, where their "classification' will be revealed and their future decided. But their blood holds secrets that others would like to wrap their hands around. I enjoyed the First book in the True Born series. There were things about the main characters that drove me a little crazy - but I guess teenagers can identify with their fickle behavior. This is a good read for teens, with a little mild romance and more in-depth explanations in the next story...I hope.

Fantastic read! Well written with a great plot and characters. It took me a few chapters to get into this book, but once I did I couldn't put it down. I feel it is a cross between X-Men, Divergent and the 100. Lucy and Margot Fox are twins and they have a unique bond. They are daughters of the Chief Diplomat of Nor-Am. Being born to the Upper Circle sets Lucy and Margot apart from the rest of her dying world. The world has fallen victim to the plague. The breakdown of society wasn't fast, but it was messy, leaving three types of people in the world: Lasters, the ones who don't survive the plague. Splicers, humans whose bodies can be spliced with alternate genes to help them fight off the plague and survive. And the True Born, those who are immune to the plague, but they come with animal attributes (fins, claws, fur...). People don't learn if they are Lasters, Splicers, or True Born until their reveal on their 18th birthday. Lucy and Margot's 18th birthday is coming and they don't understand why they keep having to go through Protocols to determine their path in life. Lucy meets True Born Jared and do they have chemistry. Lucy and Margot's new security detail, is the True Born leader Nolan Storm. I love this series already! I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.

True Born (True Born Trilogy #1)
L.E. Sterling
Review: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥❣
True Born. A dystopian world where money is everything. The plague has hit the human race hard. Survival comes at a price. The rich can buy it and the gifted are outcast.

The Fox family are in the heart of the upper circle. The elite families stick together. They are basically upper class stuck up snobby toffees. They teach their children to believe their views and do not associate with lesser species.

Lucy and Margot Fox are congenital twins. They were separated shortly after birth. Twins have a special bond but these two have something more. It's like they are still joined. At 18 children become adults. They have a reveal party to expose their fate. The plague onset is mapped out in people's DNA.

Trueborn is Lucy's story. She is privileged and part of the upper circle. Her father is a powerful man and Lucy is expected to act the part. She's the responsible twin. She tries to keep her sister in line and plays the part of the sensible one. Her life is about to be turned upside down. She has never questioned her privileged life but her eyes are about to be opened.

A new security team is set on to protect the twins. The words True Born are about to mean something.

This book has some horror scenes which some readers may not like (The event is written at the bottom of this review). Monsters are mutated from humans. Some are good, some are bad. This book is a new way to think of shifters. Trueborn is about survival. The world is changing. The poor are starting an uprising. This is Lucy's awakening.

This story has the potential for romance.

Trueborn isn't the type of book you can read while falling asleep. The language is a little heavy and takes a bit of concentration.

4.5 stars out of 5. A good start to a trilogy. This book is wrapped in mystery and will leave you with questions. Luckily book 3 is out in May 2018.

*I received an ARC as part of the launch of book 3. My review is honest and fair.

***Mild spoiler alert Lucy's twin, Margot has her eggs stolen. ***


304 pages Amazon UK: £4.48
Amazon US: $6.33
Published May 3rd 2016 by Entangled: Teen

If you are looking for a fantastic read that keeps you on the edge of your seat with a huge dose of world building this is the book for you. I stayed up all night reading this and then started the second. I am utterly enthralled.

True Born is the first installment in author L.E. Sterling's True Born Trilogy. The protagonist of the series is soon to be 18-year old Lucinda (Lucy) Fox. Lucy was born identical and conjoined with her sister Margot Fox. Lucy and Margot are part of what the author is calling the Upper Circle. Margot is wild but charming while Lucy is reserved but bold. The story takes place in a fictional city called Dominion where the plague has twisted humanity forever.

There are three separate groups of people living in this world. Splicers, Lasters, and True Born. Splicers are those who are able to have DNA treatments to lengthen their lives; Lasters are those who have been infected with the plague, and whose days are numbered; True Borns are those who are not affected by the plague thanks to some evolutionary advantage. The main idea that is thrown around in this story is that humanity must Evolve or Die. It's written all over Dominion.

In this world, you are supposed to know before your 18th birthday when you have your reveal party if you are one of the three. In Lucy & Margot's case, however, things are not that clear. Not that clear at all. In fact, I dare say, without spoilers, that are very much in the dark about what they are, and what makes them so different from the rest of Dominion. The sisters have a very solid connection, even though Margot is clearly the more free in her ways and attitude.

When something happens to one sister, the other can feel it. I would have liked to have alternating chapters with Margot's POV since things happen to her that we don't undercover. Margot also seems to understand that things are happening, while Lucy walks around angling for someone to sit her down and explain things to her. The arrival of security expert & True Born Nolan Storm shakes things up a bit. Storm and his entourage help Lucy and Margot navigate the mess that has become their life as the world is slowly burning around them.

Nolan Storm is an intriguing character. I'm curious to see how he's going to help the girls, or whether helping the girls is actually helping himself to bigger things. When Margot goes missing, Lucy fears the worst. She also meets the mysterious Jared Price, a True Born mercenary who has panther DNA and has a tendency to want to protect Lucy even though they are clearly oil and water. Jared's relationship with Lucy is bitter sweet, antagonistic, and twisted. But, I don't see one surviving without the other.

If that weren't enough, there are a group of religious zealots who are aware of Lucy and Margot and would do anything to get their hands on either of them. If you are looking for the worst parents of the year, just take a look at Lucy and Margot's parents who are super awful. The girls are nothing but pawns to be played in order to keep the power they already have. Since I've read the first two installments, and have the third in que to read soon, I shall say that this story leaves a whole lot of unanswered questions. While there isn't necessarily a cliffhanger ending to this story, it pretty much guarantees that you must read the next two to find out what makes Lucy and Margot so special, and why everyone from Tom, Dick, and Harry have plans for them.

4.5 stars

This introduction to the True Born trilogy sets up the major players, a background of how the plague caused a dystopian society, explains the three castes of people and their rights and expectations, all while narrated by a smart sounding 17-year old girl. The writing is great, the plot is full of twists and turns, and our narrator and her twin sister are easy to root for. I’m happy to report that Sterling’s writing had me reaching for my dictionary a few times, and this book is blissfully love-triangle free.

Diving into ‘True North’ now, in anticipation for the release of ‘True Storm’ on May 1st. Look for this series at your local library!

I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.

Enjoyable read with a strong female character. The writing was fluid and quite pretty. My main complaint was not really understanding certain details of the world building (are all True Borns shifters? Can others shift?). I‘d also hoped Sterling would explain what the twins were at the end to offer the reader some closure. Although not a cliffhanger, there are many unanswered questions at the end.

This was was first book in the series. It was a great sci-fi. So fast paced, full of action and adventure. I really enjoyed it.

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

True Born is a story told from Lucinda Fox's point of view; she was a conjoined twin at birth but separated from her sister Margot. They still maintain a special connection with one another, beyond the "twin" mind-reading. It isn't something they advertise; the world around them has changed, with citizens being sorted into Splicers, Lasters, and True Borns, your title basically letting everyone know how much time you have left before the plague catches up with you.

I really loved the fact that the twins had this connection, it meant that the sometimes limiting 1-person POV is kind of stretched to 2-POV; even when Margot wasn't in the scene, the audience were able to get snippets of what was going on in her life.

This book is a mixed-genre of YA Romance/ Fantasy/ Dystopia - the world they live is is not so different from ours but a long-dormant plague has recently shaken the world, turning everything on its head, even for the sons and daughters of high-profile members of society. The true born are shunned in society - perhaps due to some kind of jealousy that they are unable to get the plague? They have evolved, but in ways some consider devolution; growing fins, or claws, or being able to partially shift/change into their "animal".

The romance aspect was very much at the forefront for certain parts of the story, but when the more action-based plot lines came about, this was more often put on the back burner. I'm not one for heavy romance but I do like it entwined in stories when it's done well. And I really liked the romance that blossoms here.

The romantic storyline also read to some good character development from the protagonist, and really allowed her to come out of her shell. There were certain events in the story which also impacted on the twins' lives, and although not discussed explicitly, there was certainly an air of change due to such events - and rightly so. I think this was well handled by the author who was able to convey the seriousness of the situation without explicitly outlining it.

The plot was also a really good pace; initially the intrigue surrounding the games played the the upper circle of society kept the readers interested, and later on when the action happens, the scenes are written well and balanced with the more intricate detail of the story.

Overall I'm awarding this story 4*/5. It was a really great read with a good balance of storyline and character development. I would've liked to see more secondary character development but since this is a first in a trilogy I'm certain this is something we will see in later instalments. I'd recommend this to fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses and other YA/ Fantasy/ Romance books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 STARS
So True Born is book one of a trilogy that takes place in Dominion.
A city devastated by ruin caused by a plague on mankind.
There seems to be three tiers of people Splicers, Lasters and True Born.
The rich and entitled seem to be the splicers as only the rich can afford to splice there DNA to survive and the poor take up the majority of the Lasters who are really just waiting for the virus to take effect and finish them off.
Thrown into this mix are the True Born, In my opinion, the most fascinating of the three castes.
These True Borns are immune to the virus due to there throwback animal DNA this is evolution at its finest.
So True born is a clean YA book set in a dystopian future.
It features twins Lucy and Margot Fox the daughters of a wealthy high-placed splicer couple and is told from Lucy's POV.
As this pair approach their eighteenth birthday there orderly efficient life is about to change as they know it.
Into this background is dropped Jared who as well as being a True Born himself is also quite taken with Lucy and really just wants to keep her safe while also opening her eyes to the atrocities being committed in the city.
Jared is part of Storm Logans team who along with other True Borns have been hired to provide protection to the twins while their parents are out of town.
So that is the basic gist of this book and while I did enjoy it, I do have some minor issues as well.
So first it did take me quite a while to become invested in this story.
I'm not actually sure why that was.
Maybe because this was quite slow moving and took a while to actually get going.
Or maybe it was the information overload initially and trying to get this world straight in my head.
That being said the world building here was fantastic and very thorough indeed.
And when I did finally merge with True Born I've got to say I was so glad I'd persevered here as it was well worth the wait.
I also really liked both girls they'd lived a very sheltered life which had definitely impacted there outlook on things and I adored Jared and the other True Borns.
Jared had such a protective vibe towards Lucy even when he was trying to distance himself he couldn't help but adhere to her side like glue.
I also enjoyed the diversity of the different characters here all being very unique in themselves.
The parents, well they were just a waste of breath, what rotten child-rearing skills.
True Born for me really sent the message that even in this dystopian landscape the rich and powerful holds all the cards while the little man is left to suffer in vain.
Nothing had changed with the powers that be just the surrounding settings.
I found True Born to be an enjoyable start to a YA trilogy with a powerful message to also impart.
So I was provided with an ARC of "True Born (True Born Trilogy, #1)" By Netgalley of which I have reviewed voluntary.
All opinions expressed are entirely my own. own.

This story had it all with its twist and turns. It’s was very intriguing. The writing was okay but got better with every chapter. It’s was unique story and I cannot wait to see what’s to come!

This is a great first start to what sounds like a very intriguing trilogy. This story has some dystopian vibes with the plague but it also takes an interesting spin with science in terms of DNA and class systems. There is a romance which takes a paranormal turn and discusses some stereotypes of privilege and differences in socio economics. The twin dynamic was something I struggled with at first, but by the end of the book I was intrigued with how they will use it to solve the riddle. The most interesting character to me is Storm. I want to learn more about him and the differences in true born. I have a lot of questions that hopefully are answered in the next book, but overall a good start to a new trilogy!

Thanks NetGalley & Entangled Teen for the chance to read and share my opinions on this book.

Such a great read and exciting new series!

In the dystopian future of America, the city of Dominion is ruled by a rich high society that can afford to Splice their genes to help them survive the Plague that is decimating their world. However, the Fox family of the high society is hiding a secret in the blood of twin sisters Lucy and Margot which can change the world forever. To survive and discover this secret, Lucy finds herself being lead by a True Born (Nolan Storm), and guarded by Jared Price.

The characters in this series are wonderfully written, and have a way of drawing the reader in by its (at times) poetic phrasing -- and beautiful, deadly people. I can't wait for the third installment of this series, and to read other books by L.E. Sterling.

The first time I started reading True Born, I put it down and it took a while to get back to it. I’m not sure why because when I picked it up again. I was hooked. The story is this crazy mix of mystery, paranormal and dystopian. I was fascinated by the Fox sisters and their story.

I loved Lucy and Margot. We are in Lucy’s point of view but because of her connection to Margot, we experience her emotions as well. I also like how close and bonded Lucy and Margot are. They might not always agree or dress the same but they both consider the other their number one priority. Even though it seems like Lucy takes the more protective role. You can see that they both equally protect each other.

The chemistry between Jared and Lucy is off the charts. Although I think they are constantly pushing the other away. They live in two completely different worlds and are both deeply duty bound. I loved all their interactions though, always keeping the other on their toes.

The world is very interesting. Plague has ravaged everything. Leaving different level of classes. The Lasters who can not be healed. Often leaving behind orphans that become homeless, that bond together to form kid gangs. The Splicers and their ability to alter their DNA to keep the plague at bay. Of course the shunned and despised class are the True Borns. Which seems in a way ridiculous. These are the people who the plague can’t touch but are also not quite human as their DNA dances with that of animals.

There is so much mystery surrounding Lucy and Margot that it’s frustrating and fascinating at the same time. I liked seeing the pieces fall together.

I didn’t I could despise parents that you hardly see. Every interaction, however small, the Fox adults has with their daughters set my blood boiling.

I really enjoyed this book. I can’t wait to see how the world works itself out.

Hi again! Hope everyone is having a good week so far! In honour of the latest instalment of the True Born trilogy, True North, I'm here to review the first book itself! I've just finished reading True Born by L.E. Sterling, and even though I liked it overall, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I would. It actually took me a while to finish it compared to most books I read, so maybe it had to do with that. However, I think my view of the characters and the way the exposition was handled had a lot to do with me liking the novel as well.

For instance, other than a handful of characters, I don't think that anyone made a great impression on me throughout the novel. And that even includes our protagonist, Lucy. At times, I barely tolerated her, but there were a few moments where she caught my attention. Other than that, I also had a problem with her speech patterns because it was all over the place. Sometimes, Lucy would go from using prim and proper speech to talking regularly or in slang. And this isn't just to different people, but in her thoughts as well. If she had stuck to one lane or the other, it would have been okay with me. But the mix in her dialogue and narrative was a bit jarring to read.

As for the exposition, while I know it's needed for readers to gain context of the story's world, at times it could be a bit too much, dumping information when readers could have been eased in. It felt odd at times, too, even random at one point. It's probably why I was so slow reading this book in the beginning, because by the end of the novel, it was more fast-paced and easier to read.

The thing I liked about this book though was its world building. While the exposition surrounding Lucy and her sister Margot's history wasn't the greatest, the mythology surrounding the city of Dominion with a mix of science and magic was really cool. I liked seeing how that all fit together. That and learning about the Fox sisters' puzzling DNA mystery was what made this book easier to read. It kept me going, wanting to know what would happen to them as well as what was happening to them. Overall, the book's world building slightly redeemed the story, in my eyes.

Well, that's all I have to say about True Born by L.E. Sterling. While I've got to admit that it wasn't my favourites, it did hold an interesting appeal in terms of the world created between those pages. Hopefully this just sets the stage for book two! ;)