Welcome to Fiction Friday. Today, I am reviewing “Flight”, the final instalment in The Collective Underground Series by our very own Kristen Young.
Book Blurb:
On the cusp of graduation, Cadence is finally feeling in control. She’s about to become one of the prestigious Elites working in the Hall of Love. Plus, she can take her place as a full member of the underground Sirens who meet secretly in Love City. She’ll finally be able to use her memory skills for good, instead of reporting people as a Watcher.
But a dangerous trap is set, throwing Cadence into unwelcome and unfamiliar territory. Someone in the Collective remembers things that could very well get her killed. The Muse is by her side, after all, but will she be protected when someone powerful wants her dead?
Cadence just wants to be normal, free from politics or squad intimidation. Will she be able to achieve her Elite dreams, or will sinister forces leave her running for her life?
Review
Having read the first two instalments in this thrilling dystopian series I happily accepted Iola’s offer to read an early readers copy provided by Enclave Escape. Young provides us with a visual feast of a story world as we step out of the Love Collection bubble into an unfamiliar new world when Cadence, the series leading lady, is forced to flee.
The barrenness of this outside world reminded me of the shanty towns of Third World countries as its inhabitants live an impoverished life as a result of the iron fist dominance of The Love Collective. Young with her strong narrative takes us into this world where we get to use all our senses to experience it first hand as readers. This heightens the tension of the story as we wonder whether Cadence will be able to safely navigate these new people and stay free of the Love Collective daily patrols.
Cadence drives the story forward and having already grabbed our hearts in the first two books, continues to keep us on the edge of our seats as she seeks to survive. Once again, Young brings a strong spiritual element to the story as Cadence openly prays, challenges and questions the Muse.
We meet some new interesting characters which adds to the story who also serve to provide some background as to the history of these people living outside The Collective.
I particularly appreciated how Young’s characters portray their relationship with God. It’s very natural and we need more of this in Christian fiction. The propaganda that the Love Collective use to dominate is really not too far-fetched from what we see in today’s world in both the secular and the church and the struggle to walk the available life that God has for us is well presented by Cadence and her little team of exiles.
This has been a thoroughly engrossing series and I hope all ACW readers will check it out. I would strongly advise you to start with Book 1, “Apprentice”, to gain a full understanding of the series arc.
Looking forward to reread the series in their final form. Excellent writing and story and I have recommended them to many people.
Good on you, Christine, for recommending Kristen’s series. I’m intrigued to see what she writes next. Kristen brings a depth to the Christian faith in her characters which is a rare thing I find.
Hi Ian, Thanks for sharing your insightful review. I have book 1 on my shelf, unread, because I figured it was a series best read as a binge. I just need to find the time to indulge in the binge reading, lol. Congratulations to Kristen on her new release. 😊
Narelle, it’s a good series to binge read. I read them 1 year apart and it took a few chapters to catch up each time. They’re quite short books (280 pages).
Hopefully, Enclave might release a 3-pack sometime in the future.