Secrets of PEACE by T.A. Hernandez (Secrets of PEACE; 1)

The Synopsis:

Nearly 30 years ago, the PEACE Project rose from the ruins of a global war to take power over a new America. Providing stability in exchange for absolute authority, the Project controls every aspect of citizens’ lives through each of its five units:
Protect
Enforce
Advance
Control
Eliminate
Raised in the Project since infancy, eighteen-year-old Zira has been trained as an assassin under the stern guidance of unit E-2’s Chairman Ryku. After she makes a careless mistake on an assignment, the chairman partners her with Jared, the best operative in her unit. Their partnership transforms into friendship as they work together and learn to rely on each other. But when misinformation causes a solo mission to backfire, Zira’s deepest loyalties and strongest relationships are tested in a place where even a hint of doubt can be perceived as treason.
The life she knows is falling apart, and nothing will ever look the same again.

I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. All comments and opinions are entirely my own.

Review:

Thrilling from the beginning, Secrets of PEACE is a book perfect for fans of assassination plots and secret agencies.

The action starts off from the very first chapter and really doesn’t slow down as we follow Zira and Jared from mission to mission. Both characters are well developed and unique in their personalities. I really like Zira’s spunky attitude and could actually find a lot in common with her and everyone’s need to remind her “how tiny she is”. Jared is a likable character as well and though he and Zira are a cute couple, I did feel like their romance was a little rushed.

The story most definitely leans towards the violent side of things, after all, they are assassins, but it’s not overly gory. Morals aren’t taught to the members of PEACE, so the concept of killing because she’s ordered to is second nature to her; only when her mission goes amis does she ponder whether what she is doing is morally just or not.

There was no language nor was there any sexual content (other than a few minorly detailed kisses). So overall, I was really pleased with this clean, action-packed novel and look forward to book 2! I give it 4 out of 5 stars!