The Registration (Large Print Edition)

by Madison Lawson

Overview

A 2023 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Silver Medal Winner

A 2023 IPPY Award Bronze Medal Winner

A 2023 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award Finalist

“A journey with twists and heart.” —Marni MacRae, international bestselling author

“It was everything I hoped it would be and more.” —Kristy Gardner, author of The Stars in Their Eyes

You can’t outrun the Registration.

Imagine it’s legal to commit one murder in your lifetime—if you Register the victim and accomplish the kill within fourteen days. So when Lynell Mize stands in line to Register the man who abused her as a child, she’s shocked to hear a stranger Register her to be killed. Why would anyone who doesn't know her squander his one legal murder on her? Desperate to survive the next two weeks, she must find out who wants to kill her—and why.

Easier said than done as Lynell soon discovers that multiple strangers have used their Registration on her. Along the way, she reunites with her estranged husband who is determined to dig up a past Lynell prefers to keep buried. With only days left to live, Lynell fights to uncover the truth and survive a destiny not of her choosing.

For readers who enjoy The Chemist by Stephanie Meyer, All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover, Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris, and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780744307047
Publisher:	CamCat Publishing
Publication date:	09/27/2022
Series:	The Registration , #1
Edition description:	Large Print
Pages:	544
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Author Madison Lawson writes speculative fiction novels full of suspense, social commentary, and complex relationships. She has published a dozen short stories, many of which won awards such as the Koresh Award and the Gordone Award. She received her B.A. in English from Texas A&M University and is currently earning her M.A. in English at North Carolina State University. Born and raised in a small Texas town, Madison began escaping through reading and writing as soon as she could. To stay updated, follow Madison on social media and head to madisonlawson.com.

Editorial Reviews

08/01/2022

In the not too distant dystopian future of Lawson’s earnest debut, each citizen—for an affordable fee—is given the one-time-only right to murder a person of their choice, with no legal repercussions. They have two weeks to complete the kill. If they fail, the chosen victim is safe until someone else chooses to Register them. Lynell Mize, 24, of Dallas, Tex., is waiting in line to Register to kill her abusive stepfather when she hears her own name being Registered by a man who identifies himself as Zachary Price. She has no idea who he is or why he would want her dead. She hastily heads for her apartment to grab a bag, planning to leave the city and lie low for the next two weeks. After a few close calls, she realizes that Zachary isn’t the only one who has Registered to kill her. Her attempts at escape only bring her closer to the secret truth about her family’s past. Lynell’s ability to talk herself out of danger is a bit too facile, and the coincidence-filled plot builds to a perplexing conclusion. This tale of a targeted innocent person on the run isn’t up to Hitchcock standards. Agent: Julie Gwynn, Seymour Agency. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

08/01/2022

DEBUT Fights over abortion, euthanasia, and the death penalty led to a civil war, which left the country in tatters, until the Registration funneled the anger. Citizens are allowed to register one person in their lifetime and get 14 days to kill them with no repercussions. Most people use their Registration to end the suffering of a loved one or enact justice when the law fails them. While standing in line to register the stepfather who abused her, Lynell Mize overhears her own name being registered. What reason would this stranger have for registering her, and why does it seem like everyone in her life knows more about what's going on than she does, including her ex-husband? As she gets closer to the answer, Lynell learns that the Registration she has put so much faith in may not be the perfect solution she thought it was. In fact, nothing is as simple as she has believed. VERDICT Lawson delivers a compelling dystopian near-future tale with plenty of meaty subject matter and slightly inconsistent pacing. For readers who enjoy their sci-fi with a side of moral quandary.—Portia Kapraun

Library Journal