ETA: re-read and re-reviewed for the new expanded edition 
 I have combined my brief review from my first read of the book with my thoughts after reading the extended version for this full review. 
 With the new, extended version of Branded coming out, I was excited to see how Abi and Missy developed the story in the time since the original version was published. I loved the storyline the first time around - it had great world-building, likeable characters, and good action and plot sequences. 
 The first book of a dystopian series, Branded does a great job of building the world the Commander created and enforces, while telling a story of a girl and those around her surviving in a place with little resources and no hope of escape. The Commander reformed the judicial system 50 years before, by removing all forms of trial or appeals. An accusation of immorality is enough to get a person sentenced to the Hole, and once one is in the Hole, there is no way to prove one's innocence, no way out, no hope. 
 Sent to the Hole and branded a Sinner based on an accusation with no evidence, Lexi must learn how to navigate in a new place where she is immediately judged by the blue band around her neck. She is assigned a guard, given a job, and must quickly learn to navigate the harsh reality of living amongst the chaos and lawlessness of the Hole. 
 Cole is the guard assigned to Lexi on arrival at the Hole. Lexi is his first female assignment, and he knows all eyes are on them as there is something about Lexi that has made her a larger target, both among other prisoners and the guards. 
 This read-through, I took extra time comparing the original version to the new one. The new material is spread through much of the book, in the form of better, more fleshed out descriptions and expanded dialogue. Areas that seemed shallow are now fully explained. What that also means is there aren't many completely new scenes in the new edition, mostly re-written or re-edited existing scenes. A few of the flashback scenes have been rewritten to change the emotions evoked from Lexi's past, and the final showdown is expanded to make it into the epic battle it should be. 
 The challenge that came from re-reading both the old and new versions at the same time is that I also noticed small details and nuances that I hadn't noticed the first time around (and yes, they were word for word in both versions). I didn't notice anything that bothered me when I read Branded a year ago, so I don't know if it was the extra attention I was paying to those details this time through or if it was simply an evolution of myself as a reader. 
 Branded is a great adult dystopian book, taking all the best features of a general or YA dystopian book and adding in more of a focus on the relationship between Lexi and Cole. That's not to say the relationship is the central plot point, but it does certainly add to the danger and tension that living in the Hole brings. There is so much detail and action, and because of where things leave off in Branded, I cannot wait to find out what happens next! 
 Thanks to Abi and Missy for providing a review copy of Branded in exchange for an honest review. This review is also posted at Reviews by Tammy and Kim. 
 ***** 
 Original review from October 2013: 
 This one has been on my TBR list for a while and I finally pulled it to the top. 
 Sent to the Hole and branded a Sinner, Lexi must learn how to navigate in a new place where she is immediately judge for the color of her brand. Residents of the Hole are branded according to which of the 7 Deadly Sins they have committed. In Lexi's case she is innocent of crime of lust she has been sentenced for. 
 The first book of a dystopian series does a great job of building the world the Commander created and enforces, while telling a story of a girl and those around her surviving in a place with little resources and no hope of escape. The deplorable conditions of the Hole, as well as the ruthless enforcement of rules by the guards make for a gritty tale with some pretty graphic violence or threats of violence. 
 I enjoyed the development of Lexi's character, as well as those of Cole and Sutton and others woven through the story.