Triumph is anything but triumphant. Fighting against the claws of depression forever digging into her mind, she struggles through life hanging on by a thread. Then one day, she finally discovers the real reason that her mother abandoned her when she was only a baby and has the opportunity to meet her for the first time.
But disaster strikes again after Triumph arrives at her mother’s home. She doesn’t have long to get to know the woman that gave birth to her before she is taken away by her mother’s enemies. From what little she is able to learn before her abduction, she thinks her mother may be a terrible person. Then she meets Dedrick.
Dedrick is a beguiling captor. The atrocities that take place under his rule are harrowing, but somehow, they always seem to slip her mind whenever he is near. Triumph knows she must find a way to escape someday, but the longer she is with him the less important it seems to be. Will she find her way back to freedom or stay with him forever.
I'm not the target audience for this book - this is a YA book, and I haven't been Y for a long time. I believe a teenager would like this very much. Like many books of this genre, you have an unhappy, somewhat rebellious teen girl living with her dad and who knows nothing about her mother. She discovers that the real reason she doesn't fit in is that she is special - very special. I don't want to give away much, but I was genuinely surprised by the revelation about her mother that gets the whole plot going.
Triumph is a dark, emotionally intense continuation of the Victory/Triumph Duology that draws you deep into the mind of a broken, complex protagonist. Kaycee Rose explores heavy themes with care, creating a story that is unsettling, gripping, and difficult to put down. Triumph’s inner struggle feels raw and realistic, and the twists surrounding her past add layers of tension and intrigue. The dynamic between Triumph and Dedrick is chilling, complicated, and strangely compelling, keeping the story moving at a steady, suspenseful pace. This is a thought-provoking read that will resonate with readers who enjoy darker, psychological storytelling.