Showing posts with label Katherine Barger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Katherine Barger. Show all posts
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About the Book
Author: Katherine Barger
Genre: Young Adult Christian Dystopian
Series: Exiled Trilogy, Book 3
Release Date: October 3, 2022
Publisher: Anaiah Press
The exiles escaped from Burgus—the most notorious prison in America—and fled to the safety of Fortune’s Fall. But Nyssa Ardelone stayed behind with the hopes that she can convince the president that the exiles mean him no harm—despite his prophetic dreams that have convinced him otherwise. With a fake dream implanted into his dream recorder, Nyssa’s confident she can make him believe that his survival is conditional on the exiles’ safe return to Maren. But the task proves harder than she anticipated when she discovers the dream has sound in it, something that’s never happened in any previous prophetic dream. Suspicious, the president becomes more unpredictable than ever before, and if Nyssa can’t figure out why the dream has sound, reuniting with her family and friends in Maren might prove impossible.
With the help of an unexpected friend, Nyssa uncovers the truth behind the sound as well as long-buried secrets about the president’s past, a past that the president will do anything to keep hidden, including the total annihilation of the exiles. To protect the exiles and ensure their safe return to Maren, Nyssa will confront the president one final time, and its outcome will either give her everything she ever wanted, or destroy everyone she loves.
With the help of an unexpected friend, Nyssa uncovers the truth behind the sound as well as long-buried secrets about the president’s past, a past that the president will do anything to keep hidden, including the total annihilation of the exiles. To protect the exiles and ensure their safe return to Maren, Nyssa will confront the president one final time, and its outcome will either give her everything she ever wanted, or destroy everyone she loves.
My Thoughts
I have been awaiting for this book for what seems like forever. Katherine Barger definitely captured from her very first book as we journeyed with Nyssa and every time she left me in a cliffhanger and wanting more. It was sad to turn the last page and realize this was the end to this wonderful trilogy. You will definitely want to read this series from the very beginning so don't pick this book thinking you will figure it out. You won't. The story truly unfolds in each book.
One of the main things I enjoyed in this series is the Biblical parallels that Katherine instills within the storyline. This one is inspired by the return of the Jews to Jerusalem which we see in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. While this story is not going to parallel specific moments you can tell this is where the inspiration comes from.
I am not going to divulge too much on this story as I don't want to give anything away, especially if you haven't read the previous books but I will say that there is some twists I didn't see coming. There is some romance but it is very light. The only thing I was hoping to see a little bit more resolution on was Nyssa's faith. She still continues to waver and doubt throughout this story. While I think it was very realistic way to do this and will in no doubt be encouraging and relatable to new Christians being that this is the last book I was hoping for more development in this area. This is in no way a negative to the author, like I said I think she did a splendid job at making relatable.
Overall I really enjoyed this story and I am going to miss being in this fictional world with these characters. I for one can't wait to see what else this author comes up with! is a perfect read for young adults and even middle schoolers that like the dystopian genre.
My Rating: 4 Stars/ Really Liked it
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
Katherine Barger writes stories about characters of faith in a world where faith is challenged. When she’s not wrangling kids alongside her forever-forbearing husband, she’s writing, eating Mexican food, or snuggling with her family’s two rescue pets: a dog named Queen Elsa and a cat named Princess Jasmine.
Katherine loves hearing from readers! You can contact her at katherinebarger.com, or on Facebook or Instagram.
Katherine loves hearing from readers! You can contact her at katherinebarger.com, or on Facebook or Instagram.
About the Book
Author: Katherine Barger
Series: Exiled Trilogy, Book 2
Genre: Christian Dystopian Fiction
Nothing could have prepared Nyssa Ardelone for the treachery that lurks inside Fortune’s Fall. What began as a joyful reunion with her family soon plunges into chaos, with Nyssa at the center of misplaced accusations that could be catastrophic for everyone. Confused and still grief-stricken over the friends she’s lost, Nyssa begins to question whether her journey to Fortune’s Fall was worth the cost.
When she learns that President Omri has arrested the exiles and plans to send them to the most notorious prison in America, Nyssa's convinced Omri's punishing them for her sins, and she sinks into even deeper despair. But there might be a way to save them, and Nyssa jumps at the chance to remedy what she feels is her fault.
The task is dangerous, though, and if she fails, she’ll lose everything. If she succeeds, the people of Fortune’s Fall will embrace her at last, and the path will open for their ultimate return to Maren—the home Omri stole from them fifteen years ago. With the help of family and a few unlikely allies, Nyssa sets out to make things right. But the stakes are higher than before, and her newfound faith has grown shaky. When the mission doesn’t go as planned, Nyssa faces a choice unlike any she’s ever had: press on despite her doubts, or give up and leave the exiles—and everyone she loves—to their fate.
My Thoughts
If you haven't read Katherine's first book on this series then you need to. This is definitely one of those series you must read in order. This second book did not disappoint. She had me captivated the entire time and I wanted more!! The problem with this is that giving you a review without spilling the beans is hard! So let's see what I can tell you.
In this book the story continues where it left off in the first book and we see Nyssa with her parents in Fortune's Fall but the reunion doesn't last long as things kind of go out of track and not everyone is happy to see the dream interpreter and the fact that she is regarded so highly. When she discovers that President Omri has taken all the exiles to prison she feels compelled to rescue them and in the process gets caught. Through this she experiences her new faith being shaken and she can't help but question if she made the right choice. I have to say I was so excited about one of the parts and to see a particular character but that is all I will say about that. However once again the author left me in a cliffhanger wondering what is going to happen and wanting more from the story.
If you enjoy storylines like Hunger Games then this is the story for you. These are also perfect for tweens as they are very clean reads and very little romance. They are not very long books but they are intriguing and take you on a great adventure. One that you do not want to pass up! So go grab both books and thank me later 😉.
My Rating: 5 Stars/LOVED it!! I need more!
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About the Author
ABOUT THE BOOK
Author: Katharine Barger
Series: The Exiled Trilogy, Book 1
Genre: YA Christian Science Fiction
Publisher: Anaiah Press
Release Date: November 3, 2020
Pages: 280
While her classmates prepare for elite careers across America, Nyssa Ardelone trains for her secret job as the president’s dream interpreter. But when her mentor lies to the president about the prophecy in his latest dream, Nyssa must figure out why before the lie unravels. What she learns could destroy her own future.
Fearful of a rumored rebellion, the president has launched a gas attack on Nyssa’s hometown, and her mentor lied about the dream to protect the survivors from more harm. When Nyssa learns her parents were injured in the attack, she flees with a stranger sent to steal the antidote—a stranger who claims to know her.
Together, they race to deliver the cure as well as an interpretation of another prophetic dream only Nyssa can provide. But a devastating loss dulls her caution, and she learns too late that not everyone is trustworthy. To survive the president’s deadly pursuit, Nyssa must break every rule she’s ever followed, learning along the way that faith is the only thing that can save her.
Fearful of a rumored rebellion, the president has launched a gas attack on Nyssa’s hometown, and her mentor lied about the dream to protect the survivors from more harm. When Nyssa learns her parents were injured in the attack, she flees with a stranger sent to steal the antidote—a stranger who claims to know her.
Together, they race to deliver the cure as well as an interpretation of another prophetic dream only Nyssa can provide. But a devastating loss dulls her caution, and she learns too late that not everyone is trustworthy. To survive the president’s deadly pursuit, Nyssa must break every rule she’s ever followed, learning along the way that faith is the only thing that can save her.
MY THOUGHTS
I typically don't grab Dystopian/Science Fiction stories unless it grabs me and this one definitely did as soon as I read the blurb. It intrigued me and I wanted to know what was going to happen and what the author would do with the story and it did not disappoint. I am so glad I was able to read it. It gave me vibes of Hunger Games and Divergent which are series that I really enjoyed! This story is fast paced and filled with twists and turns that you can't put it down. I know I didn't want to and read it quite quickly!
In this story we are immediately immersed into a new kind of America. An America in which churches and belief of God are a thing of history. An America in which people have no true freedom but live under the dictatorship of President Omri. We meet Nyssa who is an orphan with no recollection of her past and no choice on who she becomes in the future. She has been secretly training to be a dream interpreter for President Omri. Her world is completely turned upside down when she learns that her family is still alive and that there is another part of the country ,which she thought was destroyed in the past, that the exiles are trying to return to so they can be free.
The characters are engaging and believable. There are some that you will more than likely completely despise by the end of the story, I know I did but I will not divulge who they are, I don't want to spoil it for you. The male characters of the story are so great that I wanted them all for Nyssa however Cass was probably my favorite. Although there are no romantic involvements in this story I am strongly hoping something develops later on between Nyssa and Cass. (I can't help it I am a sucker for a little romance no matter the genre!)
I loved how the author brings forth the gospel in this book by using different characters and starts to open Nyssa's eyes on what having faith in God really means and learning to choose that over and over without hesitation.
Although this would be considered a Young Adult read, I recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian type stories. I really enjoyed it and I am now awaiting book 2 rather impatiently!
My Thoughts ~ 5 Stars/ Really Liked it and can't wait for the next book!
Favorite Musings/Quotes:
"But belief in God is about faith. Being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we don't see."
"Maybe we can't see Him yet, but He sent someone to tell us about Him and show us the way to Him."
"That image of a lamb that binds together those of us who still believe. It's a symbol that we're not alone... It reminds us that Christ came as a lamb, that He died as a sacrifice for us so that we could come into the presence of God and then rose again as proof He is God."
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Available through Kindle Unlimited
(I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katherine loves hearing from readers! You can contact her at katherinebarger.com, or on Facebook or Instagram.
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