Dual Review: Becoming Calder, and Finding Eden by Mia Sheridan

Synopsis for Becoming Calder:
There is a place in modern day America with no electricity, no plumbing, and no modern conveniences. In this place, there is no room for dreams, no space for self-expression, and no tolerance for ambition.

In this place, there is a boy with the body of a god and the heart of a warrior. He is strong and faithful and serves his family honorably. But he dares to dream of more.

In this place, there is a girl with the face of an angel and a heart full of courage. To her family, she is the vision of obedient perfection. But she dares to want that which she has been told can never be hers. 

Becoming Calder is the story of good versus evil, fear versus bravery, and the truth that the light of love has always found its way into even the darkest of places . . . From the beginning of time, to the end of the world.

Synopsis for Finding Eden:
Finding Eden is the continuation, and conclusion, to Becoming Calder.

When the world as you know it has ended, when all that you love has been washed away, where do you find strength? 

When the new world you've stepped into is as isolating as the last, when your heart is broken, and your future is unclear, where do you find hope? 

Finding Eden is a story of strength, discovery, forgiveness, and undying love. It is about believing in your destiny and following the path that leads to peace.


My Thoughts:
This is a review of both Becoming Calder and Finding Eden. I felt like I could write a better review if I combined the books. 

Earlier this year, the book club I belong to read Archer's Voice. It was the first Mia Sheridan book I had read. I loved it. I was hooked on Mia's writing style. I think I finished it in about three hours. When I heard she was coming out with a new duology this year, I knew it was going to be good. I thought that there was no way she would be able to write another book that I liked as much as Archer's Voice. Well I was wrong. I liked Becoming Calder and Finding Eden more than Archer's Voice. It ties with Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover for my favorite book of the year. The books also put Mia with Colleen as my favorite author of all time.

Cults have always been a subject that I am interested in. I think it's fascinating to see how some people have crazy thoughts that gain them power. It's always interesting to see other people being charmed enough that they too believe those thoughts. Mia Sheridan doesn't just give you an insight to what that is like. She makes you feel like you are there living this lifestyle with Calder, Eden, and Xander. Every horrible thing that happens to them, I felt like I was right beside them experiencing it. At one point during Becoming Calder, the emotional aspect got to be too much for me and I had to set the book down for a few. That's how intricate and beautiful the writing is. I have an ARC so I can't share quotes from the book, but I really wish I could.

I am so happy that Mia decided to release Becoming Calder and Finding Eden simultaneously. That wait for Finding Eden would have killed me. I love how things were wrapped up in Finding Eden. You really get to see Eden grow as a character. She becomes a strong independent woman. There were several twists and turns in the series, especially in Finding Eden, that left me speechless. There's a scene towards the end of Finding Eden that left me gasping. The whole time I was reading it I thought WTF, that can't be true! Thanks to Mia Sheridan, I will never look at peaches, morning glories, and butterscotch candies the same way again. I think I definitely need a bed of healing. 

If there is one duology I wish I could put on everyone's Kindles and make them read, it would definitely be this one. You truly come out of the experience a better person with a new outlook on life. I can't recommend Becoming Calder and Finding Eden enough. 

I give Becoming Calder, and Finding Eden both: 5/5.

Want to know more about the author?
Website: http://www.miasheridan.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miasheridanauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSheridanAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6994378.Mia_Sheridan

I received ARCs of both books from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.