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Hemlock
Friends Are Few.
Enemies Are Closing.
On the run, seeking sanctuary from the Castra Project, Brie hopes to cross paths with former allies. But instead of finding a friend, an enemy finds her first.
Weak, injured and desperate, she’s forced into an underworld where nothing is as it seems, and no one can be trusted. Each step entrenches her deeper into the nation that has taken everything from her.
Brie must now walk a perilous tightrope – where one wrong choice could mark the end in a desperate battle for survival.
Hemlock is the second book in the thrilling Castra Project series by Lisa Johnston.
Content warning: violence, abuse and sexual assault.
Enemies Are Closing.
On the run, seeking sanctuary from the Castra Project, Brie hopes to cross paths with former allies. But instead of finding a friend, an enemy finds her first.
Weak, injured and desperate, she’s forced into an underworld where nothing is as it seems, and no one can be trusted. Each step entrenches her deeper into the nation that has taken everything from her.
Brie must now walk a perilous tightrope – where one wrong choice could mark the end in a desperate battle for survival.
Hemlock is the second book in the thrilling Castra Project series by Lisa Johnston.
Content warning: violence, abuse and sexual assault.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2023
70 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 4, 2024
Dystopians are one of my favorite genres and Lisa Johnston writes them brilliantly!
I was so invested in Brie’s journey that I couldn’t stop thinking about her when I had to put this book down when real life inserted itself.
In Hemlock, Brie has escaped from the Castra project hoping to find her friend, Heidi. Instead, she runs straight into her biggest enemy.
This book was action packed and full of twists and turns, and I couldn’t get enough. I don’t want to spoil anything, so suffice it to say that if you’re looking for the perfect dystopian tale, pick up this series! Yes, it’s extremely brutal at times, as it’s meant to be in this genre.
This is my third book of Lisa Johnston’s and I will be reading everything she releases. She’s definitely a favorite author with these scary future worlds she’s created.
Hemlock releases May 1st and Bloodroot, book 3, can’t get here fast enough for me! I have to find out what happens next!
*Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an eGalley of Hemlock*
I was so invested in Brie’s journey that I couldn’t stop thinking about her when I had to put this book down when real life inserted itself.
In Hemlock, Brie has escaped from the Castra project hoping to find her friend, Heidi. Instead, she runs straight into her biggest enemy.
This book was action packed and full of twists and turns, and I couldn’t get enough. I don’t want to spoil anything, so suffice it to say that if you’re looking for the perfect dystopian tale, pick up this series! Yes, it’s extremely brutal at times, as it’s meant to be in this genre.
This is my third book of Lisa Johnston’s and I will be reading everything she releases. She’s definitely a favorite author with these scary future worlds she’s created.
Hemlock releases May 1st and Bloodroot, book 3, can’t get here fast enough for me! I have to find out what happens next!
*Thank you so much to the author for providing me with an eGalley of Hemlock*
September 5, 2023
THE CASTRA PROJECT TRILOGY by Lisa Johnston
NIGHTSHADE Book 1
PUB DATE: 02.25.2023 Now Available
HEMLOCK Book 2
PUB DATE: 04.30.2023 Now Available
BLOODROOT Book 3
PUB DATE: Coming Soon!
Nightshade is the first book in the Castra Project series by Lisa Johnston that is set in a world where human trade between countries exist for survival. Brie is sent away from her family to a country called Castra - once she arrives, something is just wrong and a nightmare begins as she becomes one of the research subjects.
In the second book Hemlock, the story continues with Brie’s escape from Castra - only to be captured - but loyalties have shifted and Brie will have to once again rely on her instincts to know who to trust when the lines have blurred and new characters have emerged.
This second installment is so thrilling as we follow Brie on the run with twists I never saw coming. This thrilling dystopian is about a new world that is more menacing. with surprising new players, and with Brie’s role deeper and more involved. This was quite the read, and Book Three cannot come fast enough.
NIGHTSHADE Book 1
PUB DATE: 02.25.2023 Now Available
HEMLOCK Book 2
PUB DATE: 04.30.2023 Now Available
BLOODROOT Book 3
PUB DATE: Coming Soon!
Nightshade is the first book in the Castra Project series by Lisa Johnston that is set in a world where human trade between countries exist for survival. Brie is sent away from her family to a country called Castra - once she arrives, something is just wrong and a nightmare begins as she becomes one of the research subjects.
In the second book Hemlock, the story continues with Brie’s escape from Castra - only to be captured - but loyalties have shifted and Brie will have to once again rely on her instincts to know who to trust when the lines have blurred and new characters have emerged.
This second installment is so thrilling as we follow Brie on the run with twists I never saw coming. This thrilling dystopian is about a new world that is more menacing. with surprising new players, and with Brie’s role deeper and more involved. This was quite the read, and Book Three cannot come fast enough.
June 11, 2023
Hemlock by Lisa Johnston
I give this book 4.5 stars
On the run, seeking sanctuary from the Castra Project, Brie hopes to cross paths with former allies. But instead of finding a friend, an enemy finds her first. Brie must now walk a perilous tightrope – where one wrong choice could mark the end in a desperate battle for survival.
Book 2 of a series but can be read as a standalone due to the author including info from book 1 into the storyline.
Hemlock picks up right where Nightshade ended,and bang were straight back into the action along with protagonist Brie fearful for her life in this race against time dark nightmare.The world building is so vivid I feel like I’m there with Brie and her fight for survival as she battles to escape those who try to control her and tries to work out who she can genuinely trust to help her onwards in her journey for freedom.The author has cleverly created a series that you can get totally invested in and be rooting for the main character so badly you can’t stop turning the pages.Despite being dystopian there are moments of hope and as before the book ends on a cliffhanger making me desperate for book 3 Bloodroot.
I give this book 4.5 stars
On the run, seeking sanctuary from the Castra Project, Brie hopes to cross paths with former allies. But instead of finding a friend, an enemy finds her first. Brie must now walk a perilous tightrope – where one wrong choice could mark the end in a desperate battle for survival.
Book 2 of a series but can be read as a standalone due to the author including info from book 1 into the storyline.
Hemlock picks up right where Nightshade ended,and bang were straight back into the action along with protagonist Brie fearful for her life in this race against time dark nightmare.The world building is so vivid I feel like I’m there with Brie and her fight for survival as she battles to escape those who try to control her and tries to work out who she can genuinely trust to help her onwards in her journey for freedom.The author has cleverly created a series that you can get totally invested in and be rooting for the main character so badly you can’t stop turning the pages.Despite being dystopian there are moments of hope and as before the book ends on a cliffhanger making me desperate for book 3 Bloodroot.
March 18, 2025
Amazing
I can't get enough of this series. I read this second book in less than a day it was just that good! I'm going to be so sad when this phenomenal series ends. This author nails this genre on its head!
I can't get enough of this series. I read this second book in less than a day it was just that good! I'm going to be so sad when this phenomenal series ends. This author nails this genre on its head!
November 30, 2025
The second book in the series lives up to the first. After escaping the Castra Project, Brie runs straight into her worst enemy. Brie continues to struggle for her freedom and for the freedom of her friends. Sometimes that means relying on people she doesn’t trust or on strangers.
The pacing of the book was perfect for me. I love the author’s ability to build characters that I feel like I know. The writing is technically well-done, and the use of twists is logical and makes sense within the context of the story. The end leaves you wanting to pick up the third book immediately.
I could not put this book down. I started and finished it on the same day. The series draws you in and gets you emotionally invested from the first book.
The pacing of the book was perfect for me. I love the author’s ability to build characters that I feel like I know. The writing is technically well-done, and the use of twists is logical and makes sense within the context of the story. The end leaves you wanting to pick up the third book immediately.
I could not put this book down. I started and finished it on the same day. The series draws you in and gets you emotionally invested from the first book.
May 19, 2024
God dammit, Lisa Johnston! Now I gotta buy the third book in your ridiculously addictive series so I can find out what happens next! And it’s a long weekend so I’ll have to chew my nails until Tuesday when Amazon will deliver the next instalment.
Anyway, Hemlock picks up right after Brie’s escape from The Project and depicts her perilous journey through the forest to the city of Lumbert - just north of where she’d been held captive. As Castra has discovered who Brie actually is, there is a half-million dollar bounty on her head so anyone she encounters could be an enemy.
There are so many twists and turns, ups and downs that I can’t divulge much more than that about the plot without giving everything away. It is a non-stop rollercoaster ride from page one right up to page 248. I blew through it in a morning because I couldn’t put it down! What I can say is the cruel, sadistic Lieutenant plays a huge role in this part and he’s a hell of a lot more interesting than you’d ever thought he could be. And, like its predecessor, it ends on a hell of a cliffhanger.
I am flabbergasted why this series is not more well-known. Why is everyone sleeping on this??? It is a truly fantastic work of fiction by a truly talented writer and it deserves all the stars. Probably one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time - a huge compliment considering that I hate everything - and I will recommend this to anyone with ears who is willing to listen.
Lisa Johnston, should the next thing you write be a shopping list on a paper towel, I will read it. Phenomenal job! Keep it up!
Anyway, Hemlock picks up right after Brie’s escape from The Project and depicts her perilous journey through the forest to the city of Lumbert - just north of where she’d been held captive. As Castra has discovered who Brie actually is, there is a half-million dollar bounty on her head so anyone she encounters could be an enemy.
There are so many twists and turns, ups and downs that I can’t divulge much more than that about the plot without giving everything away. It is a non-stop rollercoaster ride from page one right up to page 248. I blew through it in a morning because I couldn’t put it down! What I can say is the cruel, sadistic Lieutenant plays a huge role in this part and he’s a hell of a lot more interesting than you’d ever thought he could be. And, like its predecessor, it ends on a hell of a cliffhanger.
I am flabbergasted why this series is not more well-known. Why is everyone sleeping on this??? It is a truly fantastic work of fiction by a truly talented writer and it deserves all the stars. Probably one of the best books I’ve read in a very long time - a huge compliment considering that I hate everything - and I will recommend this to anyone with ears who is willing to listen.
Lisa Johnston, should the next thing you write be a shopping list on a paper towel, I will read it. Phenomenal job! Keep it up!
June 1, 2023
book 2
This author blew me away with Wakeless. Now here I am finishing book 2 in her dystopian series. It’s my favorite genre to read and I feel like she did it justice. Nothing exceptional to set this book apart from the rest but nothing boring to make me quit either. I’m looking forward to the next one
This author blew me away with Wakeless. Now here I am finishing book 2 in her dystopian series. It’s my favorite genre to read and I feel like she did it justice. Nothing exceptional to set this book apart from the rest but nothing boring to make me quit either. I’m looking forward to the next one
April 13, 2023
A dark, twisted tale of survival that has our hero questioning how far she can trust anyone and everyone she comes into contact with.
I love a well-written dark horse character, and Johnston pulls it off SO WELL in this book. Her depiction of Stockholm Syndrom is masterful as Brie is forced to follow the one person she trusts least...until she begins trusting him against her better judgment. I was right there with her the whole time, too, wanting to trust him but doubting if I should. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book already!
I love a well-written dark horse character, and Johnston pulls it off SO WELL in this book. Her depiction of Stockholm Syndrom is masterful as Brie is forced to follow the one person she trusts least...until she begins trusting him against her better judgment. I was right there with her the whole time, too, wanting to trust him but doubting if I should. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book already!
December 28, 2024
Ah!!! The suspense!!! There are so many more surprises around the corner in Hemlock, Book Two of The Castra Project. Just when you’re starting to think that you’ve gotten a handle on the characters we’ve already been introduced to in Nightshade - Book One of this crazy world - Lisa Johnston manages to surprise the reader even more. Brie and Jake’s worlds collide in the most unfathomable ways. There’s so much tension and so many unanswered questions at the end of Hemlock. I want more, and thankfully Book Three - Bloodroot - has been announced.
July 12, 2023
𝘛𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘺, 𝘶𝘯𝘱𝘶𝘵𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤!
I loved the first book in this series but this book blew my mind completely, just wow!
I started reading and couldn’t stop, it kept me at the edge of my seat and now I need book three please. All the stars!
Thank you Lisa Johnston Author for this gifted copy.
𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 released May 1, 2023.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
I loved the first book in this series but this book blew my mind completely, just wow!
I started reading and couldn’t stop, it kept me at the edge of my seat and now I need book three please. All the stars!
Thank you Lisa Johnston Author for this gifted copy.
𝗛𝗲𝗺𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 released May 1, 2023.
https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...
February 22, 2025
'Everything I Wanted' by Billie Eilish
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews