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Rebellion Ground
Hunted. Marked. Exposed.
Branded as traitors, Carys, Jacob, and Amy are now the Party’s most wanted. Beyond the safety of the walls, the Outside is ruined cities, hidden dangers, and nowhere left to run.
But they are not alone. Across the camps, Outsiders are beginning to resist and rebel.
The system is cracking.
The three fugitives carry a secret the Party has buried since the days before the plague — one that could destroy the totalitarian regime and spark a revolution across Newland.
At least, if they can survive long enough to tell it.
Captured and taken to the Centre Compound, they are thrust back into the heart of the system they escaped. Now they are watched, controlled, and manipulated in a city where truth is dangerous.
To live, they must conform. To fight, they must risk everything. Asked to deny all they believe in, will they submit to the regime, or will they find the strength to rebel? The choice will define them.
Because in Newland, defiance is treason.
Rebellion Ground is the gripping second book in the Newland Trilogy, set in a chilling post-apocalyptic England, perfect for fans of fast-paced YA dystopian fiction, survival thrillers, and high-stakes rebellion like Divergent and The Maze Runner.
Branded as traitors, Carys, Jacob, and Amy are now the Party’s most wanted. Beyond the safety of the walls, the Outside is ruined cities, hidden dangers, and nowhere left to run.
But they are not alone. Across the camps, Outsiders are beginning to resist and rebel.
The system is cracking.
The three fugitives carry a secret the Party has buried since the days before the plague — one that could destroy the totalitarian regime and spark a revolution across Newland.
At least, if they can survive long enough to tell it.
Captured and taken to the Centre Compound, they are thrust back into the heart of the system they escaped. Now they are watched, controlled, and manipulated in a city where truth is dangerous.
To live, they must conform. To fight, they must risk everything. Asked to deny all they believe in, will they submit to the regime, or will they find the strength to rebel? The choice will define them.
Because in Newland, defiance is treason.
Rebellion Ground is the gripping second book in the Newland Trilogy, set in a chilling post-apocalyptic England, perfect for fans of fast-paced YA dystopian fiction, survival thrillers, and high-stakes rebellion like Divergent and The Maze Runner.
- GenresYoung AdultDystopia
309 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2024
About the author
E.M. Carter
5 books9 followersE.M. Carter (Liz) is an award-winning author, poet and editor who loves writing in all genres as she can’t get enough of words. She is the author of the dystopian Newland Trilogy: Repression Ground, Rebellion Ground and Redemption Ground.
Liz was the poet in residence for Wellington in Shropshire for 2022/23. For other writers, she offers a freelance service proofreading, formatting and designing book covers and interiors for paperbacks and e-books, edits videos, designs and maintains websites, offers commercial copywriting and produces designs for social media.
Liz likes to spend her days clad in vintage turquoise dresses trying not to eat chocolate, and is proud to be a grammar pedant.
She has also written three non-fiction books for the Christian/spirituality market as Liz Carter: “Catching Contentment”, “Treasure in Dark Places” and “Valuable”.
Liz was the poet in residence for Wellington in Shropshire for 2022/23. For other writers, she offers a freelance service proofreading, formatting and designing book covers and interiors for paperbacks and e-books, edits videos, designs and maintains websites, offers commercial copywriting and produces designs for social media.
Liz likes to spend her days clad in vintage turquoise dresses trying not to eat chocolate, and is proud to be a grammar pedant.
She has also written three non-fiction books for the Christian/spirituality market as Liz Carter: “Catching Contentment”, “Treasure in Dark Places” and “Valuable”.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 30, 2024
Having read and enjoyed Repression Ground, I was thoroughly invested in the story of Carys, Jacob, and Amy as they discovered the horrifying truths about Newland and the regime under which they were imprisoned. I sat on the edge of my seat, rejoicing as they made their escape, yet wondering what would happen next. In Rebellion Ground, I had a mixture of answers coupled with more questions which I hope will be answered in the final book.
This story gives more insight into the history of the world in which Carter’s characters grew up. I enjoyed the references to life as it was before the formation of Newland and the New Day Party. Carter told of a world familiar to her readers yet alien to her protagonists.
The book takes some unexpected twists as the threesome enjoy freedom and new revelations, only to have everything ripped away from them again by a choice of conscience. WE meet a new cast of characters, all of whom are portrayed vividly so we are equally drawn into their stories. WE wonder whether those who believe wholeheartedly in the party’s lies will ever see the light and join the growing rebellion.
I didn’t want the book to end because danger still lurks around every corner. Yet there are glimpses of faith and a hope beyond what they currently see. Lives hang in the balance, and the authorities are increasing their stranglehold of control.
It isn’t difficult to imagine the future about which Carter writes becoming a reality. Although this is fiction, it makes you pause to consider social issues, how we treat those who are physically weak or disabled, and the various ways in which we can make a stand against evil. Some fight boldly from the outside, while others fight subversively from within.
This is a fabulous series, and I can’t wait for the conclusion to this story in Redemption Ground.
This story gives more insight into the history of the world in which Carter’s characters grew up. I enjoyed the references to life as it was before the formation of Newland and the New Day Party. Carter told of a world familiar to her readers yet alien to her protagonists.
The book takes some unexpected twists as the threesome enjoy freedom and new revelations, only to have everything ripped away from them again by a choice of conscience. WE meet a new cast of characters, all of whom are portrayed vividly so we are equally drawn into their stories. WE wonder whether those who believe wholeheartedly in the party’s lies will ever see the light and join the growing rebellion.
I didn’t want the book to end because danger still lurks around every corner. Yet there are glimpses of faith and a hope beyond what they currently see. Lives hang in the balance, and the authorities are increasing their stranglehold of control.
It isn’t difficult to imagine the future about which Carter writes becoming a reality. Although this is fiction, it makes you pause to consider social issues, how we treat those who are physically weak or disabled, and the various ways in which we can make a stand against evil. Some fight boldly from the outside, while others fight subversively from within.
This is a fabulous series, and I can’t wait for the conclusion to this story in Redemption Ground.
June 4, 2024
In this second book of the Newland Trilogy, having escaped from the Midlands Compound, we find Carys, Amy and Jacob on the ‘Outside’ with NForce in hot pursuit. They encounter various resistance groups but who can they trust and how will they complete their mission to tell the truth about their nation’s lies? Their quest is one of danger and betrayal which leads them to once again end up trapped in The Compound, will they conform and give up all they believe in or will they rebel and continue their fight for the truth? This is an absolutely gripping page turner and I just can’t wait for book three!
June 5, 2024
REVIEW OF REBELLION GROUND – Liz Carter
‘Rebellion Ground’ continues the escape of Amy, Jacob and Cary from the repressive Nforce dystopian government in Ashton. They are symbolic in representing ideals such as race, gender, age, ICT skills, freedom, truth, bravery, community, pragmatism, discovery and knowledge. Using their combined skills and strengths, they work as a team to bring freedom and exposure. I was spurred on by this. It’s best to first read ‘Repression Ground’, which is Book One of the Newland Trilogy.
Through riveting plot twists, the 3 teenagers taste freedom, discover their identities and horrible facts about ‘Compound Think’ and how biblical truths are twisted for evil purposes when they become ‘Outsiders’. These spur their plans to save innocent victims in Ashton. Their personal goals fuel their resolve to bring freedom and exposure!! It takes a lot of violence, bravery, perseverance, risks and sacrifices which create tension, suspense and thrill. Through some tensed dramatic events, the team splits. I eagerly await for their reunion.
The author explores major themes of self-sufficiency, complacency, Illumen, bereavement, knowledge, survival, community life, betrayal etc, which tell me that ‘Newland’ is a symbolic reality posing a threat to its humanity and its future generations. Ideas such as, ‘Knowledge is power’ and ‘The truth shall set you free’ come to mind. There’s lot of captivating language: ‘as dawn paints the sky with gold; rivers of tears waiting to burst their banks; I bite on a scream’ etc make reading the book a delight.
Statements like, ‘The wind of turbulence is growing and whipping us to action; ‘we’re going to fight and we’re not going to stop till we’re done, ‘serve as a cliffhanger for Book 3! This is an interesting read with jaw dripping twists in the plot and it’s worth its 5 stars.
‘Rebellion Ground’ continues the escape of Amy, Jacob and Cary from the repressive Nforce dystopian government in Ashton. They are symbolic in representing ideals such as race, gender, age, ICT skills, freedom, truth, bravery, community, pragmatism, discovery and knowledge. Using their combined skills and strengths, they work as a team to bring freedom and exposure. I was spurred on by this. It’s best to first read ‘Repression Ground’, which is Book One of the Newland Trilogy.
Through riveting plot twists, the 3 teenagers taste freedom, discover their identities and horrible facts about ‘Compound Think’ and how biblical truths are twisted for evil purposes when they become ‘Outsiders’. These spur their plans to save innocent victims in Ashton. Their personal goals fuel their resolve to bring freedom and exposure!! It takes a lot of violence, bravery, perseverance, risks and sacrifices which create tension, suspense and thrill. Through some tensed dramatic events, the team splits. I eagerly await for their reunion.
The author explores major themes of self-sufficiency, complacency, Illumen, bereavement, knowledge, survival, community life, betrayal etc, which tell me that ‘Newland’ is a symbolic reality posing a threat to its humanity and its future generations. Ideas such as, ‘Knowledge is power’ and ‘The truth shall set you free’ come to mind. There’s lot of captivating language: ‘as dawn paints the sky with gold; rivers of tears waiting to burst their banks; I bite on a scream’ etc make reading the book a delight.
Statements like, ‘The wind of turbulence is growing and whipping us to action; ‘we’re going to fight and we’re not going to stop till we’re done, ‘serve as a cliffhanger for Book 3! This is an interesting read with jaw dripping twists in the plot and it’s worth its 5 stars.
June 5, 2024
This is book 2 in E.M. Carter’s YA Dystopian trilogy, and in this strong, tense, driving narrative, the author sends our three teenage heroes away from the authoritarian city and out into the areas devastated by the New Day regime, inhabited only by groups of rebels and dissidents who have learned to survive in harsh conditions.
When the trio save the life of an apparent stranger, they are lured back to the hellish Compound at the centre of Newland, where they meet the repulsive and chilling head of the regime. They are divided, then coerced into serving the regime in the glaring eye of Newland media. But not all of them: you will need to read the book to find out who escapes, and who has to face the dual challenges of physical survival and the cruellest betrayal of friends.
In this second book I found the comparisons with The Hunger Games were very strong, so it is safe to say that fans of that hugely successful trilogy will love this!
Highly recommended: a powerful story opening up to us one possible chilling future we may never believe will happen... but which we humans are perfectly capable of straying into without even recognising what we are doing
When the trio save the life of an apparent stranger, they are lured back to the hellish Compound at the centre of Newland, where they meet the repulsive and chilling head of the regime. They are divided, then coerced into serving the regime in the glaring eye of Newland media. But not all of them: you will need to read the book to find out who escapes, and who has to face the dual challenges of physical survival and the cruellest betrayal of friends.
In this second book I found the comparisons with The Hunger Games were very strong, so it is safe to say that fans of that hugely successful trilogy will love this!
Highly recommended: a powerful story opening up to us one possible chilling future we may never believe will happen... but which we humans are perfectly capable of straying into without even recognising what we are doing
June 21, 2024
The second book in the Newland trilogy, ‘Rebellion Ground’ picks up exactly where ‘Repression Ground’ left off – and the pace doesn’t slow for a moment.
The three protagonists – Carys, Jacob and Amy – have escaped from the Midland Compound, but they still have many dangers to face: from starvation in the barren wastelands outside the Compound, from brutal retribution by the NForce, and even from hostile Outsiders. But they also discover unexpected allies and help when least expected.
And escape alone is not enough. They realise that they must expose the entire corrupt Newland regime. Doing that will put them in even greater danger – the greatest of which is the temptation to compromise.
As with the first book, this isn’t all pace and action. It’s also about difficult choices. It’s about discerning plausible lies and recognising dangerous truths. It’s about courage, love and loyalty and its message is a vital one for all times, but perhaps especially for our times. A powerful, absorbing story that left me more than ready for the concluding volume!
The three protagonists – Carys, Jacob and Amy – have escaped from the Midland Compound, but they still have many dangers to face: from starvation in the barren wastelands outside the Compound, from brutal retribution by the NForce, and even from hostile Outsiders. But they also discover unexpected allies and help when least expected.
And escape alone is not enough. They realise that they must expose the entire corrupt Newland regime. Doing that will put them in even greater danger – the greatest of which is the temptation to compromise.
As with the first book, this isn’t all pace and action. It’s also about difficult choices. It’s about discerning plausible lies and recognising dangerous truths. It’s about courage, love and loyalty and its message is a vital one for all times, but perhaps especially for our times. A powerful, absorbing story that left me more than ready for the concluding volume!
June 7, 2024
Rebellion ground is a dramatic, gripping book, which was hard to put down. It’s similar in style to the Hunger games, but more realistic, as you read it you can imagine it happening. It’s so cleverly woven with today’s news stories and how the Newland Party have twisted those stories to make “the Before” look bad. We start to uncover more of how they have rewritten history to suit their parliament and to create the people they desire. We see Carys, Amy and Jacob fighting for justice, truth and freedom, whilst also struggling to know who they can trust. There are a lot of unexpected twists and turns that keep you guessing as to what is going to happen next. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian thrillers. It’s a masterpiece of writing and imagination, I can’t wait for the next book.
July 10, 2024
I loved this book and was totally absorbed in it from start to finish.
It is the second book in The Newland Trilogy and builds beautifully on the first book Repression Ground, leaving you longing for more. With reference to historical and recent world events, fact and fiction are skillfully woven together to create a totally credible, chilling vision of a dystopian near future. You fall further in love with the characters as their individual stories unfold further and alongside the overall story.
The third book, Redemption Ground is published in December 2024. I cannot wait to read it.
If you enjoy Young Adult fiction and a good read then this is the book for you and you don't need to be a young adult to read it 😄
It is the second book in The Newland Trilogy and builds beautifully on the first book Repression Ground, leaving you longing for more. With reference to historical and recent world events, fact and fiction are skillfully woven together to create a totally credible, chilling vision of a dystopian near future. You fall further in love with the characters as their individual stories unfold further and alongside the overall story.
The third book, Redemption Ground is published in December 2024. I cannot wait to read it.
If you enjoy Young Adult fiction and a good read then this is the book for you and you don't need to be a young adult to read it 😄
June 24, 2024
Thrilling and keeps you turning pages
I was thrilled to be able to read book 2, and loved how the author picked up the story again. Carys, Jacob and Amy are on the Outside, and life is harder than ever!
The story twists and turns in satisfying tension, adding a few characters, and revisiting others.
I love how the old books are brought in and starting to have an influence. Now it's just a tense wait till book 3 is available!
I was thrilled to be able to read book 2, and loved how the author picked up the story again. Carys, Jacob and Amy are on the Outside, and life is harder than ever!
The story twists and turns in satisfying tension, adding a few characters, and revisiting others.
I love how the old books are brought in and starting to have an influence. Now it's just a tense wait till book 3 is available!
August 26, 2024
This is the second book of the trilogy and it really builds well on the first one.
The main characters have escaped the compound and encounter new experiences and new characters outside. These are added in gradually and you never feel overwhelmed with too many idea. The story continues to build until they land themselves in trouble with the authorities again.
I can't wait for the conclusion when rebellion turns to redemption.
The main characters have escaped the compound and encounter new experiences and new characters outside. These are added in gradually and you never feel overwhelmed with too many idea. The story continues to build until they land themselves in trouble with the authorities again.
I can't wait for the conclusion when rebellion turns to redemption.
June 4, 2024
This is an excellent second book in the trilogy. Many second books are weaker, merely setting up the plot and characters for an action-packed finale, but this is absolutely not the case here! Such a page turner, wonderfully written, engaging and gripping! You really feel that you are journeying with the characters through some unexpected twists and turns!! I am eagerly awaiting book three!
June 17, 2024
My daughter and I are so invested in these characters from the first book in the trilogy and the fate of people in Newland and 'outside'. This one gets a lot tougher to read to an eleven year old to be honest- eg characters telling their harrowing tales needed explaining to her. But we're rooting for the teenagers who won't settle but continue to look for a way to make a difference!
June 8, 2025
Good not great, but I’m not normally a YA fan. I finished the first one and felt like it was good enough to read onto the next book, and this one was okay as well. Not as action packed as the first one but maybe a little better. Now that I’m this far in I’ll read the third book. This series is definitely influenced by Divergent and Hunger Games but not as good.
January 10, 2026
I'm really really loving this series. Learning more about the outside and more about the before has been super cool, and the story just keeps getting better. There was one point toward the end where it felt a little bit rushed, but these books also cover a lot of ground. I'm so so excited to read the last one!
September 13, 2025
Couldn’t wait to get to book 3 ….
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews