Free (nook/Kindle) The First Principle [Xtian YA Sci-Fi Political Dystopia Rebellion]

[ATDrake]

The First Principle by Marissa Shrock, whose bio-blurb says that she is a graduate of the Jerry B. Jenkins (of ½ of "Left Behind" series fame, for which I will provide the obligatory Slacktivist commentary link) Christian Writers Guild courses (which you may take as a recommendation, or a warning, depending on your reading tastes), is her debut novel, a YA sci-fi future dystopian political rebellion cautionary tale, set in a world where the Bible is banned and underage abortion is mandatory*, starring a plucky teen who obligatorily runs afoul of both strictures and thereby encounters the underground resistance movement, free courtesy of Christian publisher Kregel.

I've always wondered in these imagined future Christian persecution dystopias when they ban the Bible, is it the entire Bible, or just the New Testament? Because if they're banning the Old Testament as well, then that has certain world-building implications for the Jewish population as well.

I'm probably overthinking the matter, as for all I know, the hypothetical Jewish population no longer exists in these things since they do seem to be built around the default assumption that religiosity is a binary setting to either Christian-of-a-particular-sect† or total-unbeliever-with-the-potential-to-become-Christian-of-a-particular-sect-if-they're-good-enough, at least for the blurbs of all the free ones I've ever posted, and quite probably the author forgot that anything but those two options exist at all.

Currently free, probably just for one day @ B&N (also UK) & Amazon (available to Canadians & in the UK).

Description
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.

* This kind of sounds like it's almost the antimatter version of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale (Wikipedia), although I suspect it would have to take a series of significant upgrades in writing and storytelling quality to even get near that level.

† One of these days, I want to see one of these things set in a future dystopia where once they've restored Christianity to whatever they feel is its rightful place, the obligatory schisms among the faithful begin and there's a futuristic Reformation and Counter-Reformation movement with so many, many internecine squabbles between splintering sects and rival orders for fun and profit (or prophets; whatever).

If you're going to go for a full allegorical revival and stuff, then let the Cathars and Templars‡ and Anabaptists live again (with all the things that happened to them, as well)!

‡ Not gonna lie, I just want to see some characters accused of worshipping goat-headed Baphomet, who incidentally has an awesome statue slated to be set up next to a publicly-hosted Ten Commandments monument if that one stays on courthouse grounds.

[bgalbrecht]

Originally Posted by ATDrake

† One of these days, I want to see one of these things set in a future dystopia where once they've restored Christianity to whatever they feel is its rightful place, the obligatory schisms among the faithful begin and there's a futuristic Reformation and Counter-Reformation movement with so many, many internecine squabbles between splintering sects and rival orders for fun and profit (or prophets; whatever).

Obviously, if things go so far as all Christianity is banned, the only Christianity that survives will be the one true religion, and there won't be any divisions.