Underground

Terrestrials #2

by Gretchen Powell Fox, Gretchen Powell

First, they took her memories.
Then, they took her brother.
Soon, she’ll bring them down.

A month has passed since Terra regained the memories that the Tribunal tried purging from her mind. Memories that contain the truth behind the divide between the ground-dwelling terrestrials and skydwellers in their floating citadels overhead.

Now, she, Mica, and Adam are working hard to try and get proof of the Tribunal’s treachery. Under their ever-increasingly oppressive watch, however, continuing her ruse of feigned amnesia isn’t easy. And neither is resisting her deepening relationship with Adam—who still harbors deep secrets about his heritage.

When Mica is forcibly recruited to a skyworld military academy, Terra knows it’s their way of tightening her leash. Desperate to get him back, Terra and Adam find themselves allying with the Underground—a covert resistance who have long been working to overthrow the Tribunal and right the many, many wrongs of the past.

Ancient secrets will be uncovered, hidden alliances exposed, and familial ties tested in this thrilling sequel to Terra and the conclusion of the Terrestrials duology—perfect for fans of the Hunger Games and the Divergent series.

Genres: Young Adult, Dystopia, Science Fiction

339 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2024

About the author

Gretchen Powell Fox spent her childhood in far-off places—figuratively and literally. She grew up with her nose buried in books and her feet on foreign soil. Both, she found, were essential in forming her deep fascination with stories.

Now, she crafts fantastical and futuristic worlds—along with the fiery heroines destined to change them for the better.

Her creative process involves copious amounts of Sour Patch Kids and sleeping fitfully. Her many interests include Taylor Swift, polka dots, reading fantasy novels, and playing the ukulele.

She lives in Northern Virginia with her husband and two wild, wonderful children.

Find her on Instagram at @gretchenwritesbooks.

Reviews

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Some cute closed door spice.

This was the perfect second book to Terra. All the questions I still had left unanswered after the first book were fully explained and tied into a nice little bow throughout the story. The plot and the politics gets a lot thicker. The research the author put into this story becomes definitely more apparent. The ROMANCE becomes so much more than just budding and we learn a lot more about not only our main characters, but also our side characters.

The plot twists were somewhat expected but absolutely NOT disappointing! I squealed at some of the action scenes and the horrible things the characters endured and lurched off my chair during some reveals.

This series overall is so easy to read, and so so entertaining. The dystopian setting and parallels made within our world today really helped drive home some of the plot. Thematically we are dealing with the way the government and people in power deal with issues involving the world and everyone who lives in the vicinity, essentially : “Absolute power corrupts absolutely” , and then the fight and rebellion to save the planet / humanity from that corruption.

I’ll definitely read more of Gretchen Powell Fox’s books if her writing in this duology is any indication for how she will continue.

[JPreads7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Unfortunately for time this one was not better that the 1st, but it also wasn’t worse! I do think the plot was more of the forefront in this book and a lot more did happen. I think overall the pacing was done well for the most part, but also I feel like the ending was a bit anticlimactic.

I really did love our sweet MMC Adam and Terra’s younger brother Mica as well. And I loved Terra’s spirit in this one as well as her tenacity. I we did also get some closed door romance In this one, and happy that they got an HEA!

She also wrote beautiful imagery once again and described the scenes so well. However, the plot just feel a little flat for me once again. I also got a little confused at one point with a bunch of bigger words being thrown around when they started to solve some things, but that could just be a me thing 😅

It was a good little duology with actual dystopian and sci-fi world building and vibes, it just personally wasn’t my normal cup of tea. But if you do like these types of books I do recommend!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A month has passed since the tribunal stripped Terra Rhodon of her memories. But the only thing that did was make her determined to find out about the divide. What is the truth? What are the the buried secrets of the sky cities?
She knows it could be detrimental to those of her settlement. But she is constantly being observed. She has to be careful, she is wading through some thick, dangerous waters.
As her journey of truth continues, her relationship with Adam grows. Yet, he has many secrets of his own. Can she afford to fall for him? Then in the midst of the turmoil, Mica is taken and forced into a military academy. There are so many twists and turns. But in the end, who really survives? Gretchen Powell Fox, is a new author in my repertoire. I'm sure I will be adding a lot more of her books.
I voluntarily accepted a copy of this book and this is a honest review.

[Valerie Stowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly just incredible. Naturally there were a few twists and turns i never saw comming. I did wish for more details on some things, like the conversion and how the earth had been healing since the conversion, status on the acid rain and general atmosphere. I know those were not important to the plot and the end and more like small details considering all that happened but it still would have been interesting to know. There romance between Adam and Terra was so sweet, the way he supported her and kept her safe, as well as met her with understanding and compassion after every world shattering revelation she learned about. This is one of those times when I wish there was a little bit more at the end, a "few years later" type epilogue just for my own curiosity on how life turned out.

[Gemma Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️
Much like with book one, I’ll start by saying I’m really not a sci-fi fan. However, I did thoroughly enjoy this book. It really builds on the character development from book one, introducing new friends and bad guys that you’ll either love or love to hate. The plot definitely moves a lot quicker in this one, making it a real page turner! Some of the plot twists are genuinely shocking, and the author layers the emotions brilliantly, especially as the premise is set upon life after climate change, something that is becoming all too real in our world. The ending is perfect, making it a really well finished duology.

[M19arta · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Terra continues and the second book picks up right where it left off.
As the relationship between her and Adam develops, new truths are uncovered and the stakes are so much higher this time.
This read was entertaining until the very end and I got quite emotional a few times. I couldn't help but root for the good guys.
The ending was satisfactory although I wished there was more.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great followup to Powell's first book, Terra. The story finishes cleanly with all of the loose ends tied up, and the characters end up with a complicated but happy ending. I enjoyed the way this book handled the science and tech of the world, and the clear paralells to modern considerations of how we come together, bridge divides, and retain our humanity.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a strong sequel in the Terrestrials series, it had that element that I was looking for from the previous book. The characters were everything that I was wanting in this world and enjoyed everything going on. I was engaged with the writing style and can't wait to read more from Gretchen Powell Fox.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting 12 years to read this book and it did not disappoint. I re-read Terra before starting this book to refresh my memory, and the way the story progresses and ties up loose ends makes for a great read. Can’t wait to see what Gretchen has for us next.

[daisy.stars · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good! I did kinda lose steam at the end bc I could tell that everything would be resolved kinda neatly, which it was, and I kinda finished it in a bad headspace with what was going on in the world, but I think this was a fun ya duology with good characters and an interesting plot.

[P.M.]

After looking at the reviews here, I guess I must have missed something. I didn't like any of the characters except Mica. I also wonder how Terra and Adam can lose any more blood and still be alive. It was pretty much a waste of an afternoon but at least I got to enjoy my sunny window.

[Heather Mynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded to 5 ⭐
Spice level 1 (Fade to Black)

[Gretchen Fox]

Release day, baby!!!! The sequel to Terra and the conclusion of the Terrestrials Duology is finally heeeeeere! Story time:

Back in 2012, back before bookstagram and booktok were even an idea in some young bookworm’s mind, a fledgling author published her first book—a YA dystopian science-fiction novel entitled TERRA. It was a tale of survival, of haves and have-nots, of growth, and of the threads that bind us to one another, and publishing that book was (is!) one of the greatest accomplishments of the young author’s life.

And though she had every intention to release the sequel right away (which is why she left said book on a hard cliffhanger that she still feels *kinda* guilty about ngl) life, uhhh, found a way.

Blessedly, 2024 would be the year she rekindled her love of reading and, as such, writing. She picked up her pen (errr, put her fingers on her keyboard), and set out to finish the story she’d started one husband, two kids, multiple jobs, and an entire full, rich lifetime ago.

And now she couldn’t be prouder to announce that long overdue sequel is finally out in the world. She hopes it was worth the wait! And she can’t wait to show you what she has in store next. 🩵

[Dayla]

I'm so confused! I didn't even know this one was out!!! Loved the first one :)