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The Dissenter Saga #1
Dissent
I’m a shadow in his empire. I’m a pawn in their war. But my heart might be the weapon that ends it all.
Seventeen-year-old Mara de la Puente has always been a ghost in her father’s brutal regime—the illegitimate daughter of Telvia’s feared dictator. All she wants is freedom, and Chase, her potential future match, may be the key to escaping it all. But when she’s accused of treason and faces execution, her world shatters.
In a desperate attempt to save herself and her brother, Mara forms an unlikely alliance with the Dissenters, a rebel faction determined to destroy her family’s reign. To earn their trust, Mara must betray everything she’s ever known and place her life in the hands of two very different men.
Matias, her assigned bodyguard, is a steadfast protector whose quiet strength and surprising tenderness slowly chips away at her defenses. But it’s Wes—with his haunted past and brooding gaze—who ignites a fire in her she can't ignore and sparks a connection as electrifying as it is forbidden.
Trapped in the crossfire of rebellion, desire, and deadly secrets, Mara must navigate a treacherous path where loyalty is a dangerous game and love is the deadliest weapon. With both her heart and life at stake, can she find the strength to save her brother and choose the love that might set her free?
Perfect for fans of Shatter Me, Divergent, and The Hunger Games, Dissent delivers heart-stopping romance, breathtaking twists, and an unforgettable heroine in a world on the brink of collapse. If you love slow-burn romance, brooding heroes, forbidden love, and impossible choices, this is your next obsession.
The Dissenter Saga is recommended for older, mature teens and adults. It is a military-style romance set in a brutal dystopian future. This book depicts issues of war, death, intense action sequences that include gun violence, emotional and physical abuse, blood, burning, executions, some graphic language, mental health issues (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), grief, loss of family and friends, incarceration, and sexual intimacy depicted on the page in later books. If these issues could be considered triggering to you, please take note.
Recommended Reading Order
Revile*
Dissent
Resist
Rise
*Note: Revile is a prequel that can be enjoyed at any time
Seventeen-year-old Mara de la Puente has always been a ghost in her father’s brutal regime—the illegitimate daughter of Telvia’s feared dictator. All she wants is freedom, and Chase, her potential future match, may be the key to escaping it all. But when she’s accused of treason and faces execution, her world shatters.
In a desperate attempt to save herself and her brother, Mara forms an unlikely alliance with the Dissenters, a rebel faction determined to destroy her family’s reign. To earn their trust, Mara must betray everything she’s ever known and place her life in the hands of two very different men.
Matias, her assigned bodyguard, is a steadfast protector whose quiet strength and surprising tenderness slowly chips away at her defenses. But it’s Wes—with his haunted past and brooding gaze—who ignites a fire in her she can't ignore and sparks a connection as electrifying as it is forbidden.
Trapped in the crossfire of rebellion, desire, and deadly secrets, Mara must navigate a treacherous path where loyalty is a dangerous game and love is the deadliest weapon. With both her heart and life at stake, can she find the strength to save her brother and choose the love that might set her free?
Perfect for fans of Shatter Me, Divergent, and The Hunger Games, Dissent delivers heart-stopping romance, breathtaking twists, and an unforgettable heroine in a world on the brink of collapse. If you love slow-burn romance, brooding heroes, forbidden love, and impossible choices, this is your next obsession.
The Dissenter Saga is recommended for older, mature teens and adults. It is a military-style romance set in a brutal dystopian future. This book depicts issues of war, death, intense action sequences that include gun violence, emotional and physical abuse, blood, burning, executions, some graphic language, mental health issues (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD), grief, loss of family and friends, incarceration, and sexual intimacy depicted on the page in later books. If these issues could be considered triggering to you, please take note.
Recommended Reading Order
Revile*
Dissent
Resist
Rise
*Note: Revile is a prequel that can be enjoyed at any time
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2024
13 people are currently reading
1771 people want to read
About the author
Josephine Lamont
5 books39 followersJosephine Lamont (JLamont) is the author of The Dissenter Saga, a dystopian romance series filled with suspense, heart pounding romantic moments, and surprising plot twists. In addition to writing, she is a reader, animal lover, and camping enthusiast.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 15, 2024
I was fortunate enough to teceive an ARC of Dissent in exchange for an honest review, and boy do I have one for you!
This action packed, love triangle, post apocalyptic, rebel (or more accurrately dissent- romance will have you yelling at your book (if youre anything like me!). Our FMC is the first daughter of the Telvian president, but things arent as they seem. Mara wants freedom, and her long-time friend and hopefully future match - Chase- might be the one to help her get it. But then the worst happens, and Mara finds her world upside down and her life- possibly in danger. When she meets two new handsome strangers during the fall out of all of this, one who hates her and one who seems right away to be taken with her, its up to her to figure out how to navigate the new changes not only to her life but her feelings and what she knows of herself.
this book has:
romance
politics
post-apocalytpic vibes
love triangle....triangleS
betrayal
death and violence
abuse/torture
highly reccomend !!!! got me right off the bat and had me turning pages quickly. in fact i think i finished it in 4 days. cant wait for the next one!
This action packed, love triangle, post apocalyptic, rebel (or more accurrately dissent- romance will have you yelling at your book (if youre anything like me!). Our FMC is the first daughter of the Telvian president, but things arent as they seem. Mara wants freedom, and her long-time friend and hopefully future match - Chase- might be the one to help her get it. But then the worst happens, and Mara finds her world upside down and her life- possibly in danger. When she meets two new handsome strangers during the fall out of all of this, one who hates her and one who seems right away to be taken with her, its up to her to figure out how to navigate the new changes not only to her life but her feelings and what she knows of herself.
this book has:
romance
politics
post-apocalytpic vibes
love triangle....triangleS
betrayal
death and violence
abuse/torture
highly reccomend !!!! got me right off the bat and had me turning pages quickly. in fact i think i finished it in 4 days. cant wait for the next one!
July 15, 2024
I had the privilege of reading Dissent as and arc, and I am so grateful for that because it is honestly such a great book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Mara was such a great and well written fmc, and not gonna lie I may relate to her a little to much. I love the character growth Mara experiences, and how she realizes her faults and her strengths. I also loved the romance! The love triangle between Mara, Matias, and Chelsea was so fun to untangle, and I especially loved discovering the moody and broody Wes, and I am definitely rooting for him as the story continues! I encourage you all to read Dissent if you love:
✨️strong fmc's✨️
✨️character growth✨️
✨️betrayal✨️
✨️love triangles✨️
✨️tension!✨️
✨️misunderstood bad boys✨️
✨️drama✨️
✨️found family ✨️
✨️relatable characters✨️
As I said before, I absolutely adored Dissent, and cannot wait for the next book in the Saga, Resist, to come out so I can find out what happens next!
Dissent comes out August 15th, go mark your calendars!!
✨️strong fmc's✨️
✨️character growth✨️
✨️betrayal✨️
✨️love triangles✨️
✨️tension!✨️
✨️misunderstood bad boys✨️
✨️drama✨️
✨️found family ✨️
✨️relatable characters✨️
As I said before, I absolutely adored Dissent, and cannot wait for the next book in the Saga, Resist, to come out so I can find out what happens next!
Dissent comes out August 15th, go mark your calendars!!
July 20, 2025
As a lover of all things dystopian, I wanted to like this so badly because we get so few new books in this genre, but alas...it all went sour.
First of all, the MC is such a whiny, selfish creature; it was too annoying. Second of all, there were 3 guys who were in love with her, and it would've been a love square if one of them hadn't died at the beginning.
I will admit Mara had some character development toward the end, but by then I already hated her so much there was nothing that could fix that...
The plot moved at a snail's pace, so it's no wonder it took me 9 days to trudge through this.
First of all, the MC is such a whiny, selfish creature; it was too annoying. Second of all, there were 3 guys who were in love with her, and it would've been a love square if one of them hadn't died at the beginning.
I will admit Mara had some character development toward the end, but by then I already hated her so much there was nothing that could fix that...
The plot moved at a snail's pace, so it's no wonder it took me 9 days to trudge through this.
Read
March 6, 2025❤️🔥🐦🔥💥The Dissenter Saga—A COMPLETED SERIES💥🐦🔥❤️🔥
I can’t believe this journey has come full circle. From Dissent to Rise, this world, these characters, and their rebellious, heart-wrenching, swoon-worthy stories are now out in the world. 💛
A huge thank you to my incredible ARC Team—you’ve championed these books, shared them far and wide, and made this release unforgettable. I couldn’t have done this without you!
Want to know more about the series? Check out the Press Release on my website to read more about The Dissenter Saga 👉 https://www.jlamontbooks.com/post/the...
I can’t believe this journey has come full circle. From Dissent to Rise, this world, these characters, and their rebellious, heart-wrenching, swoon-worthy stories are now out in the world. 💛
A huge thank you to my incredible ARC Team—you’ve championed these books, shared them far and wide, and made this release unforgettable. I couldn’t have done this without you!
Want to know more about the series? Check out the Press Release on my website to read more about The Dissenter Saga 👉 https://www.jlamontbooks.com/post/the...
Read
January 9, 2025I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Theres almost a little of everything going on. It was quite the page turner just wondering what was going to happen next. Giving you the sweet butterfly feels of new, young love. The quickening heartbeats of all the action. Your feelings go right along with the main character as she feels her great lows to wonderful highs. I am in great anticipation for the next installment of this series.
August 16, 2024
This was fantastic! It reminded me of what would go on in the resistance efforts behind the scenes in The Hunger Games.
You feel for Mara from the beginning, immediately understanding that despite her family's position, she isn't necessarily allowed those luxuries. As the story progresses, it's clear that she and the rest of her country have been heavily lied to, and she's faced with choosing to believe her father, that he may have had good reasons to lie, or believing the head of the Resistance and possibly learning something about the mother she'd never met.
There's also the lovely twist of choosing between Matias, the bodyguard, or Wes, the identical twin of the boy she loved. I won't say her choice, but if I were in Mara's position, I'd choose Wes.
A huge thank you to Josephine Lamont for letting me ARC read!
You feel for Mara from the beginning, immediately understanding that despite her family's position, she isn't necessarily allowed those luxuries. As the story progresses, it's clear that she and the rest of her country have been heavily lied to, and she's faced with choosing to believe her father, that he may have had good reasons to lie, or believing the head of the Resistance and possibly learning something about the mother she'd never met.
There's also the lovely twist of choosing between Matias, the bodyguard, or Wes, the identical twin of the boy she loved. I won't say her choice, but if I were in Mara's position, I'd choose Wes.
A huge thank you to Josephine Lamont for letting me ARC read!
March 2, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! Dissent brings a fascinating dystopian world, flawed characters with loads of conflict, and a love triangle that is almost more of a tangled web filled with swoony tension. I binge-read it in a matter of days and have already devoured book two as well. Highly highly recommend to the upper YA crowd!
April 5, 2024
I had the pleasure of beta reading this book, as well as another in this series, and I gotta say.
This series is going to be amazing.
Its dystopian vibe is so interesting to read given the state of the world currently.
It’s like, seeing our future almost.
Which is incredibly sad, but absolutely amazing to read lol.
If that makes any sense?
I loved this book.
I’m not going to give any spoilers in this review but it’s a very good book.
The romance is sweet, but not to much going into the smut category (don’t get me wrong, I love smut, but a good sweet romance is always welcome.)
The character development is EVERYTHING.
The world building is beautiful.
All in all this is an amazing book and I highly recommend it if you like dystopian style stories.
This series is going to be amazing.
Its dystopian vibe is so interesting to read given the state of the world currently.
It’s like, seeing our future almost.
Which is incredibly sad, but absolutely amazing to read lol.
If that makes any sense?
I loved this book.
I’m not going to give any spoilers in this review but it’s a very good book.
The romance is sweet, but not to much going into the smut category (don’t get me wrong, I love smut, but a good sweet romance is always welcome.)
The character development is EVERYTHING.
The world building is beautiful.
All in all this is an amazing book and I highly recommend it if you like dystopian style stories.
July 12, 2024
I couldn’t read this book as often as I’d have liked to, because once you start reading Dissent, you won’t want to put it down. This dystopian novel, with its action, family loyalty, and romantic love triangle going on, it’s a good read for just about anyone. Very glad I became an ARC reader to read this early and can’t wait for the next in the saga, Resist!
July 11, 2024
ARC REVIEW
Dissent
Rating: 🌟⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Clean Read with mild language
Mara has grown up fairly pampered in the midst of a government that has replaced part of what was formerly the United States. Her father, the president, and her stepmother hold little but disappointment towards her and she’s never felt loved by them. Her brother, Jacob, is her closest friend but even he can’t protect her from the horrors her stepmother unleashes upon her over the 17 years of her childhood. And then there’s Chase. He genuinely seems to care for her, but Mara must be careful or his request of a match with her will be denied and she’ll be left with nothing to help her escape her stepmother and childhood home. After an incident one evening, the unspeakable happens and before long Mara is far from Telvia, surrounded by the rebellion. But maybe they’re not the enemy she’s always been told of them? Maybe the true villain has been her father from the begging? Searching for answers and unsure who to trust and how to get a grip on her fear, Mara must learn what it means to Dissent, even if it means losing everything she’s ever known. But what could she gain?
I LOVED this book. A lot of Hunger Games feels, especially with the harsh punishment for anyone who speaks against the President. We also have a love triangle, which I have a love-hate relationship. But it was all so enjoyable. Mara begins as a self-focused (survival minded really), naive girl who is emotionally immature. Yes, she’s annoying initially and pretty clueless, but her character makes sense with her upbringing and the lies she’s been fed. I really enjoyed watching her character growth. Mathias is a sweet heart. Edith is the best kind of weirdo. Chelsea is, well she’s Chelsea. And Wes is the perfect, broody male that I love. Can’t wait for book 2! So glad to have gotten to read this!
Dissent
Rating: 🌟⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Clean Read with mild language
Mara has grown up fairly pampered in the midst of a government that has replaced part of what was formerly the United States. Her father, the president, and her stepmother hold little but disappointment towards her and she’s never felt loved by them. Her brother, Jacob, is her closest friend but even he can’t protect her from the horrors her stepmother unleashes upon her over the 17 years of her childhood. And then there’s Chase. He genuinely seems to care for her, but Mara must be careful or his request of a match with her will be denied and she’ll be left with nothing to help her escape her stepmother and childhood home. After an incident one evening, the unspeakable happens and before long Mara is far from Telvia, surrounded by the rebellion. But maybe they’re not the enemy she’s always been told of them? Maybe the true villain has been her father from the begging? Searching for answers and unsure who to trust and how to get a grip on her fear, Mara must learn what it means to Dissent, even if it means losing everything she’s ever known. But what could she gain?
I LOVED this book. A lot of Hunger Games feels, especially with the harsh punishment for anyone who speaks against the President. We also have a love triangle, which I have a love-hate relationship. But it was all so enjoyable. Mara begins as a self-focused (survival minded really), naive girl who is emotionally immature. Yes, she’s annoying initially and pretty clueless, but her character makes sense with her upbringing and the lies she’s been fed. I really enjoyed watching her character growth. Mathias is a sweet heart. Edith is the best kind of weirdo. Chelsea is, well she’s Chelsea. And Wes is the perfect, broody male that I love. Can’t wait for book 2! So glad to have gotten to read this!
August 16, 2024
I had the privilege to ARC read this book and it was great!
I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait for book 2.
Mara is the daughter of the president of Telvia, a country run by what we soon learn is a tyrant who craves power. She lives in a dystopian world where water is scarce food and plants basically don’t exist and they don’t know what chocolate is!!!! Mara is a disappointment to her family, especially her step mother (who is a complete *****). The only person who really loves and cares for her is her brother Jacob and the feeling is very mutual. Then enters Chase, a boy who loves her and wants to request to be given permission to become her match so they could openly court. Now cue twists turns and no spoilers! Mara is now surrounded by the rebellion and slowly begins to learn that not all that she knew is actually true. Maybe the rebellion isn’t really the enemy? Maybe her father really is evil? She begins to search for answers, make friends, and some sweet romance is introduced.
Mara starts as a selfish girl only looking out for herself and always trying to keep herself safe and under the radar (totally understandable ) but soon she learns what it means to be part of a team/family.
What you’ll find in this book:
found family
Love triangle (maybe a square?)
Dystopian society
Abuse/violence
Politics
Misunderstood bad boy
Relatable characters
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
I really recommend this for lovers of hunger games and the giver. Totally check it out!
I really enjoyed the book and can’t wait for book 2.
Mara is the daughter of the president of Telvia, a country run by what we soon learn is a tyrant who craves power. She lives in a dystopian world where water is scarce food and plants basically don’t exist and they don’t know what chocolate is!!!! Mara is a disappointment to her family, especially her step mother (who is a complete *****). The only person who really loves and cares for her is her brother Jacob and the feeling is very mutual. Then enters Chase, a boy who loves her and wants to request to be given permission to become her match so they could openly court. Now cue twists turns and no spoilers! Mara is now surrounded by the rebellion and slowly begins to learn that not all that she knew is actually true. Maybe the rebellion isn’t really the enemy? Maybe her father really is evil? She begins to search for answers, make friends, and some sweet romance is introduced.
Mara starts as a selfish girl only looking out for herself and always trying to keep herself safe and under the radar (totally understandable ) but soon she learns what it means to be part of a team/family.
What you’ll find in this book:
found family
Love triangle (maybe a square?)
Dystopian society
Abuse/violence
Politics
Misunderstood bad boy
Relatable characters
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
I really recommend this for lovers of hunger games and the giver. Totally check it out!
August 20, 2024
Y’ALL! This book got me out of a SEVERE reading slump.
Mara, the daughter of the Telvian president, is unexpectedly pulled not only into the resistance against her father’s leadership but between two of the resistance men in charge of protecting and training her.
Let me tell you…I really appreciated the way Dissent took inspiration from other series I love like The Hunger Games but still remained a unique story in a unique world. I loved the world building, and I am so pumped for the second book which I think is going to be diving deeper into the political intrigue in this dystopian world. YES PLEASE!
And y’all…the love triangle. I am obsessed! I am a Team Wes girly through and through, and I can’t wait to see who is end game. (It’s Wes right!?)
Also I enjoyed that I didn’t love Mara at times. I feel like she is very intentionally written the way she is, and I expect to see a lot of change and growth in her character as the series progresses. Her struggles are what makes her journey something I want to keep reading.
I am so looking forward to continuing this series. Thank you to the author Josephine Lamont for an ARC of Dissent in exchange for an honest review.
Mara, the daughter of the Telvian president, is unexpectedly pulled not only into the resistance against her father’s leadership but between two of the resistance men in charge of protecting and training her.
Let me tell you…I really appreciated the way Dissent took inspiration from other series I love like The Hunger Games but still remained a unique story in a unique world. I loved the world building, and I am so pumped for the second book which I think is going to be diving deeper into the political intrigue in this dystopian world. YES PLEASE!
And y’all…the love triangle. I am obsessed! I am a Team Wes girly through and through, and I can’t wait to see who is end game. (It’s Wes right!?)
Also I enjoyed that I didn’t love Mara at times. I feel like she is very intentionally written the way she is, and I expect to see a lot of change and growth in her character as the series progresses. Her struggles are what makes her journey something I want to keep reading.
I am so looking forward to continuing this series. Thank you to the author Josephine Lamont for an ARC of Dissent in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2024
ARC Review!
I LOVED this book from start to finish! I couldn’t put it down! I read it so fast that I even had time to go back and re-read some of my favorite parts. Honestly, this book will be one of my favorites for the year and become my new favorite dystopian book.
I am a huge sucker for dystopian-themed books and the way this one was written was wonderful! I especially loved how the world was built, so easy to envision Telvia and the area where the Dissenters were set up.
Mara was by far my favorite character, followed by Wes. Each of these characters were well done and the growth they experienced over the plot and course of the book was so great. I love how Mara was written and how you could feel her struggles and triumphs. Wes is a favorite character of mine too because of what he is going through, even being a jerk, you get glimpses of why he is that way. I loved the depth and complexity of the interactions between all the characters.
Let’s be real here, I’m a full #teamWes girl for Mara.
Now, let’s talk about this book in general. It was a delicious rollercoaster of twists and turns. I loved the story building and the plot was wonderful. The plot explosions I experienced were so amazing, too. I am so looking forward to the next book in the series. I know I was an ARC reader, but I would LOVE to have this as a hard copy.
I LOVED this book from start to finish! I couldn’t put it down! I read it so fast that I even had time to go back and re-read some of my favorite parts. Honestly, this book will be one of my favorites for the year and become my new favorite dystopian book.
I am a huge sucker for dystopian-themed books and the way this one was written was wonderful! I especially loved how the world was built, so easy to envision Telvia and the area where the Dissenters were set up.
Mara was by far my favorite character, followed by Wes. Each of these characters were well done and the growth they experienced over the plot and course of the book was so great. I love how Mara was written and how you could feel her struggles and triumphs. Wes is a favorite character of mine too because of what he is going through, even being a jerk, you get glimpses of why he is that way. I loved the depth and complexity of the interactions between all the characters.
Let’s be real here, I’m a full #teamWes girl for Mara.
Now, let’s talk about this book in general. It was a delicious rollercoaster of twists and turns. I loved the story building and the plot was wonderful. The plot explosions I experienced were so amazing, too. I am so looking forward to the next book in the series. I know I was an ARC reader, but I would LOVE to have this as a hard copy.
November 3, 2024
If you’re a fan of the Hunger Games, then this new series by Josephine Lamont is a must read. I’ll admit, I had a hard time liking the main character (Mara) initially, but as the story unfolds you get to know and understand her. She's a very complex, "real" character and as a reader you get to watch as she grows, matures, and endures. I love how the author brings the world to life through the scenes and incredible cast of characters. The characters, for me, are the best part. They are so unique and add so much to the story that it's easy to forget the world around you and get lost in their lives and the story they bring to life. The pace definitely picks up midway through the book and leaves you with a heck of a cliffhanger that nearly had me throwing the book against the wall. The love triangle between Wes and Matias is amazing and I am 100% Team Matias. Also- Edith is amazing and my favorite character of all time. She alone is worth reading this book over and over again.
August 24, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Josephine Lamont’s Dissent is a riveting exploration of courage, resilience, and the power of standing up for what’s right. From the very first page, I was captivated by the intricately woven narrative and the deeply complex characters. Lamont masterfully portrays the struggles and triumphs of those who dare to challenge the status quo, making this book not just a story, but a powerful commentary on society and the importance of dissent. The pacing is perfect, keeping you on the edge of your seat, while the prose is both elegant and accessible. Dissent is a must-read for anyone who values freedom, justice, and the enduring human spirit. An absolute masterpiece! I can’t wait for Resist!
Josephine Lamont’s Dissent is a riveting exploration of courage, resilience, and the power of standing up for what’s right. From the very first page, I was captivated by the intricately woven narrative and the deeply complex characters. Lamont masterfully portrays the struggles and triumphs of those who dare to challenge the status quo, making this book not just a story, but a powerful commentary on society and the importance of dissent. The pacing is perfect, keeping you on the edge of your seat, while the prose is both elegant and accessible. Dissent is a must-read for anyone who values freedom, justice, and the enduring human spirit. An absolute masterpiece! I can’t wait for Resist!
July 15, 2024
I turned the page. At some point, I was transported to another world. One of which I needed to set down on occasion to catch my breath. I crave a book that can hook me from the start, ripping and tearing its way through my imagination. Dissent isn't just cute twists and turns with a predictable end.This is gorgeously heartbreaking and tragic, with just enough love and sweet romance to soothe the jagged gouges left behind. Dissent left me ready to binge read everything she'll ever write. I'm hooked.
January 3, 2025
Absolutely loved the kickoff to this trilogy! It definitely has elements of other amazing dystopian series such as Hunger Games and The Selection but with a twist. First off, Mara has a horrific family life with the exception of her brother and the found family trope takes some time to materialize. You also see the beginning of a love triangle yet you get the slow burn element that keeps you wanting more. Can’t wait to see where this story goes in book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2024
Just finished reading this and holy smokes guys… it’s good! There’s a good balance between action, romance, and suspense. The characters are a little slow at first, but I felt like I was really able to see their personalities after the first quarter of the book. Definitely a must read YA book for those looking for a good adventure! #dissent #thedissentersaga #josephinelamont #teamwes
July 11, 2024
Once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down! There is always something pulling you into the next chapter as you follow Mara through her journey. Wes has my heart ❤️
I’m so excited for the next installment!!
I’m so excited for the next installment!!
August 14, 2024
3.5 Stars
I really liked this book. I’m not going to lie, Mara was kinda pissing me off in the beginning (hence the 3.5 instead of 4 stars), but she had a pretty good redemption arc, and I liked her much better in the second half of the book. Mara is so snarky and sarcastic and so me-coded; I absolutely loved her character!
Matias and Wes were so amazing in their own ways. The rivals to lovers route is always more appealing to me, but I actually really liked Matias. He got a little too overprotective, but he’s still sweet. And Wes… well he’s great💚
This book was fast paced and exciting; my jaw dropped several times throughout this story! I’m so so excited to read book 2, and I’m *literally* praying I get to read an ARC of it!
Thank you to Josephine Lamont for the ARC, and congratulations on your debut! It was fantastic!!
I really liked this book. I’m not going to lie, Mara was kinda pissing me off in the beginning (hence the 3.5 instead of 4 stars), but she had a pretty good redemption arc, and I liked her much better in the second half of the book. Mara is so snarky and sarcastic and so me-coded; I absolutely loved her character!
Matias and Wes were so amazing in their own ways. The rivals to lovers route is always more appealing to me, but I actually really liked Matias. He got a little too overprotective, but he’s still sweet. And Wes… well he’s great💚
This book was fast paced and exciting; my jaw dropped several times throughout this story! I’m so so excited to read book 2, and I’m *literally* praying I get to read an ARC of it!
Thank you to Josephine Lamont for the ARC, and congratulations on your debut! It was fantastic!!
July 21, 2024
A Dystopian story with a Love Triangle, a tyranical government to take down (bonus if it's your dad!), and Found Family? SIGN ME UP!
Thank you Josephine Lamont for the ARC! I was honored to read your story and to give an honest review.
I loved Mara's story, and it made me angry, sad, laugh, and I am definitely #TeamWes. Choosing bewteen the Golden Retriever Love interest or the Mysterious Brooding one, I'll always take the later.
can't wait for book 2, and I am very excited to see what happens to these kids now that they have been relocated... (the only reason why I couldnt give it a full 5 star was because the FMC was a bit childish even though she was 17-18 years old, and people called her "Child" all the time, and it was a bit off for me.)
Tropes Include:
Forbidden Love, Slow Burn, Secret Identities, Found Family, Love Triangle, Coming Of Age, Dystopian Setting
Rating: 4,5/5
Spice: 1/5 (steaming kisses)
Thank you Josephine Lamont for the ARC! I was honored to read your story and to give an honest review.
I loved Mara's story, and it made me angry, sad, laugh, and I am definitely #TeamWes. Choosing bewteen the Golden Retriever Love interest or the Mysterious Brooding one, I'll always take the later.
can't wait for book 2, and I am very excited to see what happens to these kids now that they have been relocated... (the only reason why I couldnt give it a full 5 star was because the FMC was a bit childish even though she was 17-18 years old, and people called her "Child" all the time, and it was a bit off for me.)
Tropes Include:
Forbidden Love, Slow Burn, Secret Identities, Found Family, Love Triangle, Coming Of Age, Dystopian Setting
Rating: 4,5/5
Spice: 1/5 (steaming kisses)
January 29, 2025
Wow wow wow! I was hooked immediately, yet again. This story had everything you could want. Slow burn romance, dystopian themes, love triangles, strong villains, found family, broody bad boys and strong female characters. The drama kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. I read the last 50% in one night because I couldn’t put it down! The first half was world building and getting to know the characters. The last half was gripping stuff! I’ve finished this book after midnight so it’s going to be a big coffee day 😅 I enjoyed seeing Mara grow through this story. She went from a brat to a woman and she was no longer selfish but she was surviving to help and save others. She definitely has a rough time through most of this story with her step mother and her father being absolute pigs so it was wonderful to see her find a family she could choose and she found people to love and they loved her right back.
I haven’t found a book for a while that kept me so hooked, struggling to put down. I had to get it finished and now can’t wait to dive into the next Novella and then the next book in the series also. Josephine knows how to keep you completely glued to the spot with the twists and turns and suspense. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the dystopian vibes but in a young adult, slow burn romance vibe. 5 ⭐️ brilliance yet again! 👏👏👏
I haven’t found a book for a while that kept me so hooked, struggling to put down. I had to get it finished and now can’t wait to dive into the next Novella and then the next book in the series also. Josephine knows how to keep you completely glued to the spot with the twists and turns and suspense. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the dystopian vibes but in a young adult, slow burn romance vibe. 5 ⭐️ brilliance yet again! 👏👏👏
July 6, 2024
Dissent is about a dystopian world where everyone lives within a giant wall called Telvia because everything beyond is destroyed and is a barren land (...or is it?) so resources are few and your life is controlled and monitored to the T. Mara our main character is the daughter of the President but her life is not as perfect as someone of her status might be afforded, suffocated and punished by her father and stepmother suffering mental and physical abuse Mara is barely hanging on but she has her brother and Chase, the boy that makes her pain disappear on her side at least until the latter is burned for being a traitor and her parents want her dead because they need to make an example of any affiliation detected with the rebels. Her plan to run away succeeds added with some complications such as the fact that she's found herself with the rebel group and everything she ever knew was a complete and utter lie... whew what more could go wrong...? As Mara navigates her new reality and tries to come to terms with the truth that was right in front of her she also finds her heart stuck between two very *hot* men who will have you giggling and kicking your feet and a love triangle which will leave you frustrated and wanting. But Mara also learns what it means to have friends and real family, people that care for you as well and those that you can trust while also becoming more mature and putting others and the cause of burning Telvia to the ground for the good of the many, for peace, for freedom. Her fight has just begun and she's not going to go down easy and she will protect her friends and family no matter the cost.
Some of my favourite quotes:
"I, on the other hand, will risk it (the President inspecting his record) if it means I get a chance at getting to know you better."
"How did you sleep last night?" "It helps when dreams are filled with the visions of a pretty girl."
"Don't worry about me. As long as you're okay."
"I want to believe that the curves of life brought you here. That you were meant to be here... with me."
"May I kiss you?" (We love an asking for consent moment)
"I will always come back for you."
"I want to be the man that listens to you, Mara. The man that holds space for you, that gives you the opportunity to discover who you really are without fear. I want to be the man that keeps you safe. I want to be the man that holds you, that laughs with you. I want to be the man that gets angry when you don't listen to me and show up in the middle of the damn forest but can't help but be proud of you for it."
"I was scared, Mara. When I found out they took you, and you were gone, I was fucking scared. and I hate you for it. That's why I came after you. Because I'd rather risk dying myself than sit in the infirmary freaking the fuck out about you."
"And he would protect me, like he always had, until his last breath."
Some of my favourite quotes:
"I, on the other hand, will risk it (the President inspecting his record) if it means I get a chance at getting to know you better."
"How did you sleep last night?" "It helps when dreams are filled with the visions of a pretty girl."
"Don't worry about me. As long as you're okay."
"I want to believe that the curves of life brought you here. That you were meant to be here... with me."
"May I kiss you?" (We love an asking for consent moment)
"I will always come back for you."
"I want to be the man that listens to you, Mara. The man that holds space for you, that gives you the opportunity to discover who you really are without fear. I want to be the man that keeps you safe. I want to be the man that holds you, that laughs with you. I want to be the man that gets angry when you don't listen to me and show up in the middle of the damn forest but can't help but be proud of you for it."
"I was scared, Mara. When I found out they took you, and you were gone, I was fucking scared. and I hate you for it. That's why I came after you. Because I'd rather risk dying myself than sit in the infirmary freaking the fuck out about you."
"And he would protect me, like he always had, until his last breath."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2025
17-year-old Mara has always lived between two worlds as the illegitimate daughter of the president of Telvia. Raised in the presidential palace, she is part of the noble class, but she’s also trapped there, abused by her stepmother and all but ignored by her tyrant father. Her only bright spots are her brother and Chase, the boy she hopes will become her future match and finally give her the freedom and happiness she’s dreamed of. But when Mara and Chase are accused of treason, Mara knows she must escape or face death. Kidnapped by the rebels, Mara soon learns the world outside Telvia is not what she’s been told. And though her heart is broken from what she’s lost, it’s also torn between two boys who are showing her she’s worthy of love.
I really loved the fresh twist on this dystopian story. I was immediately sucked into Mara’s story and couldn’t put it down. Mara could be a little spoiled and selfish, but her character felt so real and authentic. Matias – Mara – Wes, this love triangle had me switching sides every time the new boy showed up and I’m still on the fence. (Maybe leaning Team Wes at this moment.) When Mara said she was just a pawn in a game everyone’s playing but her and she wants out, but she’s stuck playing still … loved those lines. It was such a great way to explain her frustration.
I was not prepared for the ritual of Cleansing in the arena. Did not see that coming. I thought Jacob, Mara's brother was such an interesting character. He was quick to help Mara, but I'm not sure he was truly helpful. I don't really trust him and hope I get more of his story in book 2.
I love a good dystopian read and this was a great one. Cannot wait to see what happens in book 2!
I really loved the fresh twist on this dystopian story. I was immediately sucked into Mara’s story and couldn’t put it down. Mara could be a little spoiled and selfish, but her character felt so real and authentic. Matias – Mara – Wes, this love triangle had me switching sides every time the new boy showed up and I’m still on the fence. (Maybe leaning Team Wes at this moment.) When Mara said she was just a pawn in a game everyone’s playing but her and she wants out, but she’s stuck playing still … loved those lines. It was such a great way to explain her frustration.
I was not prepared for the ritual of Cleansing in the arena. Did not see that coming. I thought Jacob, Mara's brother was such an interesting character. He was quick to help Mara, but I'm not sure he was truly helpful. I don't really trust him and hope I get more of his story in book 2.
I love a good dystopian read and this was a great one. Cannot wait to see what happens in book 2!
August 21, 2024
I just finished this lovely yesterday, and OMG, I couldn't out it down!!! It's a debut novel that just released less than a week ago, and it was so good! It was like if Divergent and Hunger Games and Shatter Me had a baby.
It's a dystopian YA with some strong romantasy vibes. The premise is basically that the USA has collapsed after a catastrophic drought caused civil war, and now a totalitarian government has taken over.
Mara is the the daughter of the dictator/king, and gets captured by a rebel group seeking to kill her dad.
There are 2 MMCs and they are both just so swoony! 😍 But I'm totally #TeamWes!
Some tropes you'll find in this one are: enemies-to-lovers, misunderstood bad boy, sweet romance, slow burn, female MC, love triangle, lots of plot twists that had my jaw-dropping, touch her and die alpha male, found family, and coming of age.
I totally recommend to anyone who loves a good dystopian or a good slow burn romance featuring enemies-to-lovers because that's done really well in my opinion.
It's a dystopian YA with some strong romantasy vibes. The premise is basically that the USA has collapsed after a catastrophic drought caused civil war, and now a totalitarian government has taken over.
Mara is the the daughter of the dictator/king, and gets captured by a rebel group seeking to kill her dad.
There are 2 MMCs and they are both just so swoony! 😍 But I'm totally #TeamWes!
Some tropes you'll find in this one are: enemies-to-lovers, misunderstood bad boy, sweet romance, slow burn, female MC, love triangle, lots of plot twists that had my jaw-dropping, touch her and die alpha male, found family, and coming of age.
I totally recommend to anyone who loves a good dystopian or a good slow burn romance featuring enemies-to-lovers because that's done really well in my opinion.
July 3, 2024
This is a new YA dystopian series that'll capture you from the beginning. Mara begins to realize that her life and all she knows is nothing but a lie and as her eyes are opened, her heart is broken, and she is thrown into a life she never knew she was meant for. Secrets, genuine sweet romance mixed with a love triangle that'll have you cheering for everyone involved and keep you on your toes. By the end you’ll be dying to read more!
July 17, 2024
I just finished reading this book and I couldn't put the book down. I loved how the book flows and the detail of the characters. I felt like I could really picture everyone and everything going on. Now I can't wait to see what 2nd book holds. I am totally team Wes all the way! Huge props to the author and her writing style. From humor to heartbreak, I think she did a fantastic Job!
August 15, 2024
I love this book!!! The characters are not only well written, but they seem like real people with real feelings and problems. The world that Josephine Lamont has created seems like it could actually happen in the not so distant future. And the action sequences are superb! I could not put this book down and I am not-so-patiently waiting for the next one!
August 21, 2024
This is not my usual genre of book, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Mara is a little annoying at first but she shows growth by the end. The book keeps you engaged the whole time making it hard to put down. I would recommend this to anyone who likes the hunger games or divergent movies.
June 30, 2025
I'm absolutely blown away by the book overview!
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