Reckoning by Kerry Wilkinson

The Silver Blackthorn Trilogy

In the village of Martindale, hundreds of miles north of the new English capital of Windsor, sixteen-year-old Silver Blackthorn takes the Reckoning. This coming-of-age test not only decides her place in society - Elite, Member, Inter or Trog - but also determines that Silver is to become an Offering for King Victor.

But these are uncertain times and no one really knows what happens to the teenagers who disappear into Windsor Castle. Is being an Offering the privilege everyone assumes it to be, or do the walls of the castle have something to hide?

Trapped in a maze of ancient corridors, Silver finds herself in a warped world of suspicion where it is difficult to know who to trust and who to fear. The one thing Silver does know is that she must find a way out . . .

I found that this book feels like The Hunger Games on so many levels, including the powerful, supposedly popular, dictator claiming to prevent the word from destroying itself, the offering as a reminder/gift of thanks to said dictator, the female heroine with two potential love interests and not knowing how she feels about each of them.  I've also heard it has similarities to other books, such as Divergent, but I haven't read that so cannot comment.

However, despite any similarities this book might have, it most definitely stands by itself as a highly addictive, well-written, book.  Readers will find themselves willing the next book in the trilogy to come out before they've even turned the last page.

Silver Blackthorn is the focus of Reckoning, but the supporting cast are fabulous and make the whole thing work.  I liked the concept, the fact it is based in the UK and the twists and turns that make you gasp because you simply didn't see them coming.

Reckoning is addictive; it had me willing my train journey not to end so soon so I could read just a few more pages.  Most certainly a strong contender to The Hunger Games - I have a feeling this trilogy will be just as popular and talked about.