What do you think?
Rate this book
Released
Life after the Changing. A time when secrets abound and no Gifted is safe. When villains rise from the dead and traitors are discovered.
After escaping the clutches of Josephine, Fenris Trygg discovers his encounter with her has stripped away all his Gifts. Powerless to protect those he loves, and with dark secrets of his past haunting him, Fenris questions if he deserves happiness.
Sara Gardien is just coming to grips with her own powerful Gift and must convince Fenris they can still make a life together. Yet Sara's holding her own secrets close-even from the one person she loves the most.
Loyal friend Marcel Aguilar has always served others with his healing Gift, but a twist of fate is about to challenge everything he believes. Will Marcel stand by Fenris in his darkest hour, or will he succumb to the shadow that lurks in us all?
Secrets will be uncovered. New heroes will emerge. Betrayals abound as the Gifted wage war against each other. No one will be left untouched. For if there is one thing true about this world ...
We all have the darkness that wants to take over, but it's up to us to overcome it.
After escaping the clutches of Josephine, Fenris Trygg discovers his encounter with her has stripped away all his Gifts. Powerless to protect those he loves, and with dark secrets of his past haunting him, Fenris questions if he deserves happiness.
Sara Gardien is just coming to grips with her own powerful Gift and must convince Fenris they can still make a life together. Yet Sara's holding her own secrets close-even from the one person she loves the most.
Loyal friend Marcel Aguilar has always served others with his healing Gift, but a twist of fate is about to challenge everything he believes. Will Marcel stand by Fenris in his darkest hour, or will he succumb to the shadow that lurks in us all?
Secrets will be uncovered. New heroes will emerge. Betrayals abound as the Gifted wage war against each other. No one will be left untouched. For if there is one thing true about this world ...
We all have the darkness that wants to take over, but it's up to us to overcome it.
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2024
1 person is currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Amber Kirkpatrick
7 books56 followersAmber dabbled with words for years and dreamed of writing a story that had been in her head since her teens. In 2021 she finally sat down to get it out of her system. It was intended to be something fun for her kids to read someday, but evolved into her coming-of-age kingdom fantasy, Until the Rising. After that, there was no stopping her. Now characters and stories flood Amber’s mind, and she tries to capture them as best as she can.
Rather than be put in a box, Amber enjoys exploring different genres and writing styles. Her short stories and poetry can be found in various anthologies. More books are simmering on the stove, waiting to be served one day.
Amber lives in the Texas Hill Country. You can connect with her at www.amberkirkpatrick.com and on IG at @amber.kirkpatrick.writer
Rather than be put in a box, Amber enjoys exploring different genres and writing styles. Her short stories and poetry can be found in various anthologies. More books are simmering on the stove, waiting to be served one day.
Amber lives in the Texas Hill Country. You can connect with her at www.amberkirkpatrick.com and on IG at @amber.kirkpatrick.writer
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 20, 2025
Story: 4.5⭐
Execution: 3.5⭐
Great story! Better written than the first book, but still has some abruptness in the narrative, which I can totally forgive because of the great story. There is also an accusatory attitude the MMC has toward his best friend that never really gets talked about and resolved. Other things do, but not one particular thing. Also, the title gets a brief nod, but no actual use, and it should have in that fight scene.🤷♀️
CW: Sexual desire leading to closed door intimate scenes. The couple is married.
I might come back with a more thorough review, but for now they're my thoghts.💜
Execution: 3.5⭐
Great story! Better written than the first book, but still has some abruptness in the narrative, which I can totally forgive because of the great story. There is also an accusatory attitude the MMC has toward his best friend that never really gets talked about and resolved. Other things do, but not one particular thing. Also, the title gets a brief nod, but no actual use, and it should have in that fight scene.🤷♀️
CW: Sexual desire leading to closed door intimate scenes. The couple is married.
I might come back with a more thorough review, but for now they're my thoghts.💜
March 27, 2024
My endorsement:
"Sweetly sizzling, romantic, and intense, Released builds to the crescendo you want from a sequel. With the superhero vibes of X-Men and high-stakes you expect from an action movie, this book has everything needed to take you on a wild adventure. And don’t forget that perfectly satisfying ending."
-E. A. HENDRYX, author of Suspended in the Stars
"Sweetly sizzling, romantic, and intense, Released builds to the crescendo you want from a sequel. With the superhero vibes of X-Men and high-stakes you expect from an action movie, this book has everything needed to take you on a wild adventure. And don’t forget that perfectly satisfying ending."
-E. A. HENDRYX, author of Suspended in the Stars
April 29, 2024
I loved this book! Taking off after the events of Unleashed, we follow the coffee-loving, snarky Fen and Sara who loves/puts up with his grumping about and did I mention the bromance? So, so good. The story left me satisfied and swooning and definitely snickering, and the ending I just could not read fast enough, it was intense! Go read Unleashed first and then enjoy this!
March 25, 2024
An epic conclusion to Unleashed! Kirkpatrick has outdone herself with the action and twists in Released. This book will keep you turning pages and you won't want to stop!
May 1, 2024
The bromance, the romance, the action, the superpowers! This was not only an intense read but also full of the emotion I love in books. Fen’s growth was a beautiful thing to watch, and his friendship with Marcel had me giggling through the whole thing. My favorite Kirkpatrick book yet!
April 21, 2024
ARC = honest review
Romance-y + sometimes action-y + friendship-y book *
A mini romance ramble:
The romance is considered steamy and the book is not YA--both things I'm inexperienced in reading.
There were a few places that made me uncomfy (in Unleashed too, but a little more in Released), like more descriptive kissing and what I think is considered closed door romance. (I also get awkward quickly so I might be using the wrong terms).
Fen and Sara also really love each other physically and I'm sure that is realistic and to an extent very natural and right but it currently makes me uncomfortable in real life as well as in story. XD
I did have a heads-up before reading, which was coolio. Depending on your romance preference, you might enjoy that bit more than I did. *thumbs up*
More rambles:
There were very sweet moments in Fen and Sara's relationship, in their relationship with their adopted daughter, and in Fen's friendship with Marcel that I enjoyed.
I appreciated the Lord of the Rings references and the banter between characters. The action was pretty vibey too.
Also! I don't know what it is, but the style of Amber's writing is so nice! I feel like I'm reading her stories far faster than I do other books because of how they are written, which is epic. Love the writing style and the humor!
Romance-y + sometimes action-y + friendship-y book *
A mini romance ramble:
The romance is considered steamy and the book is not YA--both things I'm inexperienced in reading.
There were a few places that made me uncomfy (in Unleashed too, but a little more in Released), like more descriptive kissing and what I think is considered closed door romance. (I also get awkward quickly so I might be using the wrong terms).
Fen and Sara also really love each other physically and I'm sure that is realistic and to an extent very natural and right but it currently makes me uncomfortable in real life as well as in story. XD
I did have a heads-up before reading, which was coolio. Depending on your romance preference, you might enjoy that bit more than I did. *thumbs up*
More rambles:
There were very sweet moments in Fen and Sara's relationship, in their relationship with their adopted daughter, and in Fen's friendship with Marcel that I enjoyed.
I appreciated the Lord of the Rings references and the banter between characters. The action was pretty vibey too.
Also! I don't know what it is, but the style of Amber's writing is so nice! I feel like I'm reading her stories far faster than I do other books because of how they are written, which is epic. Love the writing style and the humor!
December 18, 2024
I read this book before it was published, and before it was on Goodreads, and then never came back to add it to my read list! Now that the year is coming to an end, I want to make sure it's included in my 2024 reading, and that it gets the five-star review it so obviously deserves.
This was everything I wanted in a sequel to Unleashed. I am so deeply invested in these characters, and in this second book I experienced all their emotions, from joy and amusement to grief and desolation. It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster, but so well-written and so believable. Fen and Marcel's friendship especially tugged at my heartstrings, as did the deaths of some other characters. I also absolutely loved the ending and found it to be a fitting conclusion to the duology. As in the first book, the story includes Catholic references, all of which were carefully researched and actually match church teaching. There are many authors out there writing Catholic characters who could learn something from this book. I also appreciated the way marriage was presented as the appropriate context for a couple to have sex.
If you haven't yet met Fen, do yourself a favor and pick up Unleashed, and then enjoy binge-reading both books.
This was everything I wanted in a sequel to Unleashed. I am so deeply invested in these characters, and in this second book I experienced all their emotions, from joy and amusement to grief and desolation. It was definitely an emotional rollercoaster, but so well-written and so believable. Fen and Marcel's friendship especially tugged at my heartstrings, as did the deaths of some other characters. I also absolutely loved the ending and found it to be a fitting conclusion to the duology. As in the first book, the story includes Catholic references, all of which were carefully researched and actually match church teaching. There are many authors out there writing Catholic characters who could learn something from this book. I also appreciated the way marriage was presented as the appropriate context for a couple to have sex.
If you haven't yet met Fen, do yourself a favor and pick up Unleashed, and then enjoy binge-reading both books.
March 31, 2024
The conclusion to this duology is a treat.
You get more of the found family comradery between the gifted characters.
Side characters step up and become more dear to you.
You get tension, betrayals, battles and escapes.
You get to see Fen and Sara's relationship deepen and grow. I love that. I really loved them as a couple and to get to see them navigate their next steps and the harrowing circumstances around them was just what I needed.
Y'all, we need more romances that continue after the characters are together.
From its stunning cover it's absolutely wonderful conclusion this book is everything you hope for after reading book 1.
I loved how Fen worked through some of the things he had been hanging on to. The message was woven into the story in a way that left you satisfied by the end.
I know that this is the last book, but I'm hopeful the author will give us a spinoff or something, because I truly would love to see more of the lives of the gifted.
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are honest and completely my own.
You get more of the found family comradery between the gifted characters.
Side characters step up and become more dear to you.
You get tension, betrayals, battles and escapes.
You get to see Fen and Sara's relationship deepen and grow. I love that. I really loved them as a couple and to get to see them navigate their next steps and the harrowing circumstances around them was just what I needed.
Y'all, we need more romances that continue after the characters are together.
From its stunning cover it's absolutely wonderful conclusion this book is everything you hope for after reading book 1.
I loved how Fen worked through some of the things he had been hanging on to. The message was woven into the story in a way that left you satisfied by the end.
I know that this is the last book, but I'm hopeful the author will give us a spinoff or something, because I truly would love to see more of the lives of the gifted.
I recieved a complementary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are honest and completely my own.
May 17, 2025
Oh, Fen 💜 You sweet grumpy man.
I could not read this fast enough. I just had to know what was going to happen to Fen and Sara. When I tell you I couldn’t put it down, I am not kidding. I finished both of these in the same night. I may be a bit tired today, but I’ll survive.
The idea of some people suddenly getting powers one day is super interesting to me. I feel like Kirkpatrick did a great job capturing how much the world would change, and what it would be like, if something like that did happen.
The romance between Sara and Fen was perfection. It played out naturally and didn’t feel rushed or forced to me. They suffered so much and deserved every bit of happiness they got. At times it did seem like the pain just kept piling on, but the book never lost its overall hopeful feeling.
If you love the found family trope, lots of action, good vs evil, and romance, then this book is for you. Even if you don’t normally read urban/modern fantasy, I still think you should give this book a try!
Religion: Catholic
Romance: heavier kissing with non-descriptive fade to black between a married couple
Violence: heavy (not overly descriptive)
Age I recommend: 16+
I could not read this fast enough. I just had to know what was going to happen to Fen and Sara. When I tell you I couldn’t put it down, I am not kidding. I finished both of these in the same night. I may be a bit tired today, but I’ll survive.
The idea of some people suddenly getting powers one day is super interesting to me. I feel like Kirkpatrick did a great job capturing how much the world would change, and what it would be like, if something like that did happen.
The romance between Sara and Fen was perfection. It played out naturally and didn’t feel rushed or forced to me. They suffered so much and deserved every bit of happiness they got. At times it did seem like the pain just kept piling on, but the book never lost its overall hopeful feeling.
If you love the found family trope, lots of action, good vs evil, and romance, then this book is for you. Even if you don’t normally read urban/modern fantasy, I still think you should give this book a try!
Religion: Catholic
Romance: heavier kissing with non-descriptive fade to black between a married couple
Violence: heavy (not overly descriptive)
Age I recommend: 16+
April 8, 2024
If you remember, I loved book 1: Unleased of this series; even calling Amber kirkpatrick a crazy wizard of an author, this book is the proof…… how can you fall in love with characters this hard. Fen is just swoon…. His love is so strong and protection is his love language. Each step or misstep is just proof of how hard he falls in love. Red has now been Unleashed and so has her heart, and you root for a happy ending so much for this cast of misfit. The tension in this book is just so high, when you are in the middle of the battle it is just so thick and you want to close your eyes and wait for someone to tell you that it is ok again only to realize you are reading a book….. I cried a couple of time, I yelled at the author a couple of times and I fell in love with all these amazing characters….. Just so much love for this book and this series.
This book is the perfect mix of Xmen, the Flash, The office and Community ( Fen is so much Jeff that Joel Mcale is my fan cast for fen)
And as the Crazy wizard herself says…..”it’s awesome, more to come” hahahhahaha
This book is the perfect mix of Xmen, the Flash, The office and Community ( Fen is so much Jeff that Joel Mcale is my fan cast for fen)
And as the Crazy wizard herself says…..”it’s awesome, more to come” hahahhahaha
March 25, 2024
Sometimes a sequel feels like an entirely different adventure, but this one... this one takes a story that was already epic and multiplies it! Released is filled with even richer themes, deeper emotions, and explosive action. The character growth in Released was one of my favorite things about it. It was a book I couldn't put down, and I found the ending (I generally hate saying goodbye to a book series!) to be satisfying in every respect. Well done indeed, Amber Kirkpatrick!
Content: NA/Adult (PG13). Some violence, brief mention of suicide. Fade-to-black marital intimacy. No language.
Content: NA/Adult (PG13). Some violence, brief mention of suicide. Fade-to-black marital intimacy. No language.
April 26, 2024
This book is a perfect follow up to its predecessor, Unleashed! Full of action, drama, and emotion, it kept me so invested in the characters and their stories. The main couple is so funny, endearing, and adorable. But as much as I enjoy the romance aspect of it, my favorite thing about this book is the brotherly bond between Fen and Marcel. Their relationship is deeply rooted in years of friendship and loyalty.
If you’re a fan of super-powered characters, found family, and sizzling romance, you’ll want to try this one! (But make sure you read Unleashed first!)
If you’re a fan of super-powered characters, found family, and sizzling romance, you’ll want to try this one! (But make sure you read Unleashed first!)
April 8, 2024
There aren’t enough words for me to express how good this book is!!!
Fen, Marcel, And Sara are such good Characters it’s insane how well written they are!!
Even though there are parts that are heart wrenching, the book overall is sooooo goood!
This is definitely a duology that I will be recommending for years to come!!
Fen, Marcel, And Sara are such good Characters it’s insane how well written they are!!
Even though there are parts that are heart wrenching, the book overall is sooooo goood!
This is definitely a duology that I will be recommending for years to come!!
April 23, 2024
Released is a sequel that more than delivers! Kirkpatrick skillfully draws us deeper into the lives of Fenris, Sarah, Marcel and crew, expanding the world and adding depth to characters we already adore. With growing stakes and twists that keep you on the edge of your seat, this book will have you brewing an extra cup of coffee in solidarity and reading late into the night.
May 24, 2024
A swoony and thrilling ride from start to finish.
Fen remained as swoony as ever and should be included in the company of such heroes as Mr. Darcy. This one upped the ante of the conflict among the two factions on the Gifted and brought surprises, betrayal, redemption, and justice along with plenty of swoon, friendship, love, and heroics all while keeping it PG-13. Loved it!!!
Fen remained as swoony as ever and should be included in the company of such heroes as Mr. Darcy. This one upped the ante of the conflict among the two factions on the Gifted and brought surprises, betrayal, redemption, and justice along with plenty of swoon, friendship, love, and heroics all while keeping it PG-13. Loved it!!!
January 24, 2026
Oh my goodness! This duology is going on my yearly reread pile, it was so good! Between this duology and The Wayward by Tabitha Caplinger, 2026 is staring out strong with some amazing stories❤️❤️❤️ I highly recommend fans of X-Men, science fiction love stories, and intense fight scenes to read this! Amazing 🤩
May 21, 2024
This is a STUNNING conclusion to this story of danger, high stakes, swoony romance, with a dash of sarcasm and coffee. Maybe one of the rare instances where I might like the sequel better than the original!
April 28, 2024
Oh my goodness, this was a roller coaster of emotions!! So good, love the author's writing.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews