What do you think?
Rate this book
Rebellion
Kira has always known that one day she would face the same fate as all citizens of Vita mandatory death at the age of sixty. But after falling in love with Will Foster, one of the city's revered Volunteers, and risking everything by fleeing the city, she starts to believe that she may have a chance at a different life.
With Will and Teddy by her side, she heads into the Unregulated Zone, hoping to find other survivors.
A place safe from the oppressive government of Vita Nova.
A place where everyone is free.
Along the way, they encounter Ghost, a mysterious man shrouded in secrets of his own. He is the leader of Haven, a secluded community in the Pennsylvania woods. But Haven holds many secrets, including ghosts from both Kira and Will's pasts.
Kira's newfound hope for a different life is shattered when a brutal attack leads to a deadly confrontation. With her heart torn between protecting her friends and securing her own future, Kira must discover what real sacrifice is.
Or become just another victim of Vita Nova's cruel justice.
With Will and Teddy by her side, she heads into the Unregulated Zone, hoping to find other survivors.
A place safe from the oppressive government of Vita Nova.
A place where everyone is free.
Along the way, they encounter Ghost, a mysterious man shrouded in secrets of his own. He is the leader of Haven, a secluded community in the Pennsylvania woods. But Haven holds many secrets, including ghosts from both Kira and Will's pasts.
Kira's newfound hope for a different life is shattered when a brutal attack leads to a deadly confrontation. With her heart torn between protecting her friends and securing her own future, Kira must discover what real sacrifice is.
Or become just another victim of Vita Nova's cruel justice.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2024
326 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Raena Rood
10 books104 followersRaena lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children. When she’s not writing, she enjoys exploring historic battlefields (her kids always drag her up the tallest lookout towers), family movie nights that feature cheesy 80's and 90's action films, and daydreaming of expanding her backyard farm (goats are still under discussion). Her goal is to write stories that challenge, encourage, and remind readers that even in the darkness, when all hope seems lost, God is always in control.
Find out more at:
https://www.raenarood.com
Find out more at:
https://www.raenarood.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 10, 2024
I feel like a broken record when it comes to Raena Rood’s books because each one leaves me gushing! I can’t praise her work enough, and 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 is no exception.
𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 is the second book in the Reverence trilogy and is not a standalone. Make sure to read 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 first, as 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 picks up seamlessly where the previous book left off. This time, we gain more accurate insights into what lies beyond the walls of Vita Nova – the walled city supposedly protecting its residents from the horrors outside. However, Vita Nova is really only safeguarding those in power, and our young protagonist, Kira, is starting to realize this.
I adore Kira! She’s an incredible character – vulnerable yet strong, brave but scared, and confident yet uncertain. Her character’s variations are understandable and relatable, especially given the crazy, scary situation she’s in. Anyone in Kira’s shoes would be an emotional mess at times!
There is a new character in this book known as Ghost. There’s an amazing and heart-wrenching scene between Kira and Ghost that had me in tears! 😭
This story celebrates love, found family, friendships, security, and community, all while navigating a world filled with fear, confusion, violence, and lies. The mix of conflicting emotions and frightening situations makes this book a compelling and exciting read!
I highly recommend this book, as well as any of Raena Rood’s previous works. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one!
𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 is the second book in the Reverence trilogy and is not a standalone. Make sure to read 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 first, as 𝘙𝘦𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘯 picks up seamlessly where the previous book left off. This time, we gain more accurate insights into what lies beyond the walls of Vita Nova – the walled city supposedly protecting its residents from the horrors outside. However, Vita Nova is really only safeguarding those in power, and our young protagonist, Kira, is starting to realize this.
I adore Kira! She’s an incredible character – vulnerable yet strong, brave but scared, and confident yet uncertain. Her character’s variations are understandable and relatable, especially given the crazy, scary situation she’s in. Anyone in Kira’s shoes would be an emotional mess at times!
There is a new character in this book known as Ghost. There’s an amazing and heart-wrenching scene between Kira and Ghost that had me in tears! 😭
This story celebrates love, found family, friendships, security, and community, all while navigating a world filled with fear, confusion, violence, and lies. The mix of conflicting emotions and frightening situations makes this book a compelling and exciting read!
I highly recommend this book, as well as any of Raena Rood’s previous works. I absolutely cannot wait for the next one!
November 20, 2024
Kira and Will’s love makes this book impossible to put down. So beautifully written, so pure, and yet the story is filled with suspense. Kira’s character development is unmatched. I cannot wait for the next book.
September 25, 2024
RAENA, if you are reading this, please keep writing!!!! The two books in this series have become my favorite books! You have a gift and I want to thank you for sharing it through the books you write.
Rebellion is a masterpiece. I won't spoil it. Just read it!
Rebellion is a masterpiece. I won't spoil it. Just read it!
November 11, 2025
amazing book!
This book was so good! It left me on a cliffhanger!!! Off to read book 3! Let see where the last book goes!
This book was so good! It left me on a cliffhanger!!! Off to read book 3! Let see where the last book goes!
June 18, 2025
I read book one two years ago when it was recommended to me in a book challenge and found myself really liking this story!
Rebellion is book 2 in this trilogy and continues from where we left off at book 1. Kira has escaped to the unregulated zone with Will and Teddy, and their search for other survivors continues.
Rebellion is book 2 in this trilogy and continues from where we left off at book 1. Kira has escaped to the unregulated zone with Will and Teddy, and their search for other survivors continues.
August 30, 2025
Great suspense and characters. Clean and inspiring. Highly recommended, I've read the series and want more !!
December 3, 2024
I love this series! I am VERY anxiously awaiting the final installment!
August 23, 2025
The first book in this trilogy, Reverence, stuck with me long after I read it. Thus, I snagged Rebellion from Kindle Unlimited, if much later than the release date (the release kept being promised, but pushed back). As with many books like this, I found things to like. But the book overall turned out to be a mixed bag.
I loved reuniting with Kiera and seeing how she was coping after Vita Nova. More importantly, I enjoyed seeing her grow as a character. There are places within Rebellion where she faces legitimately deep questions and has to decide not only what she's going to do, but who she's going to be, in the moment. She faces some terrifying situations with incredible courage, but not the courage you might expect from a typical (stereotypical)? "strong heroine." Kira reads more as the "everywoman" here. She's timid. She doesn't always know what she's doing, or she does naive, sometimes just plain stupid things. But she puts others first. She sees the bigger picture and she fights for "better" for those she loves.
Kira is me, and I'd venture to say, she's a lot of people, women especially. None of us are invincible. In this context, none of us are super-Christians. We're just trying to make it. Sometimes we remember to lean on God, sometimes not. Raena captures that and in so doing, gives readers a compelling, if not always deep, human story.
I also appreciated that this time around, Kira and Will don't lean on or into each other quite so much. Here, they don't read as the couple who got serious after only a week (they're justified in that, but I've never been a fan of the trope, so that's on me). Here, they read as, "Okay, now we're somewhat safe. Now we've got to deal with life." And sometimes life is messy. Life will break your heart. Life demands more than human flesh can handle. Again, Raena got that.
Okay, so what's with the three-star rating? What did Raena not "get?" Well, before I answer, understand that Rebellion, like the rest of the trilogy, is a plot-driven book. If that's your style, you'll like Rebellion better than I did. I typically like deeper, character-driven books better, and I own that. That does not (really) factor into the rating.
What does is the *way* "plot-driven" is handled. Specifically, Kira, Will, Brack, Grace, and others spend so much time running, hiding, and "getting out," they don't have the time or inclination for anything else. That's fine; I'm recognizing it's somewhat Raena's style, her brand. The problem here is, I kept hearing and seeing echoes of the Subversive trilogy. Plus, Raena kept dropping plot clues, like who Ghost really was to Kira or what was ultimately going to happen to Teddy, and then...she never really picked them up. It started to feel like she was telling the same story over and over.
Additionally, some of these characters are just plain flat or annoying. Some of this is to be expected. For instance, I was a little annoyed at how flat Render was, but then again, he's a villain. I don't want or need to sympathize with a guy like him. Then again, Christian fiction, especially of the dystopian variety, crawls with Renders. Sometimes I feel like authors think Christians can't fight real evil, that we need cardboard persecutors or we can't cope. I don't agree with that direction in fiction, or what it says about real life.
Beyond Render, characters like Brack drove me nuts. I get he's an ally, I get that he's a big, tough guy. Again, that's fine. What's not fine is, he spends most of the book being disrespectful and rude to literally everyone, even and especially his wife. (I'm sorry not sorry: once I found out what a "tumblebug" was, I went, "Dude, seriously? There might be a cute explanation, but...what is your deal?") Ghost gave me a lot of the same vibes, especially considering he wouldn't tell Kira the truth for chapters on end. And when he did interact with her or the others, he was all, "This is my food, these are my rules, you will do what I say, shut up." Okay, I get it, we're in a dystopian setting, courtesy is secondary. At the same time, yeah, I admit it--I'd have pushed back. I mean, the guy was literally ready to take candy from a kid. (What can I say, I've got a "thing" about people who push kids around).
Couple that with some dystopian cliches such as the filthy, foul-minded guys in a bunker, the one "Haven" for miles where everyone is fairly cliche in their personalities, and again, the constant pressure of "getting out" and figuring out who is "useful" to the group, and I lost my taste for the rebellion, as it were. The last book looks far more interesting, so I'll try it, in hopes it's better paced and written overall. But this one... I can't recommend skipping it because you'll miss some important information, but you'd be safe skimming it.
I loved reuniting with Kiera and seeing how she was coping after Vita Nova. More importantly, I enjoyed seeing her grow as a character. There are places within Rebellion where she faces legitimately deep questions and has to decide not only what she's going to do, but who she's going to be, in the moment. She faces some terrifying situations with incredible courage, but not the courage you might expect from a typical (stereotypical)? "strong heroine." Kira reads more as the "everywoman" here. She's timid. She doesn't always know what she's doing, or she does naive, sometimes just plain stupid things. But she puts others first. She sees the bigger picture and she fights for "better" for those she loves.
Kira is me, and I'd venture to say, she's a lot of people, women especially. None of us are invincible. In this context, none of us are super-Christians. We're just trying to make it. Sometimes we remember to lean on God, sometimes not. Raena captures that and in so doing, gives readers a compelling, if not always deep, human story.
I also appreciated that this time around, Kira and Will don't lean on or into each other quite so much. Here, they don't read as the couple who got serious after only a week (they're justified in that, but I've never been a fan of the trope, so that's on me). Here, they read as, "Okay, now we're somewhat safe. Now we've got to deal with life." And sometimes life is messy. Life will break your heart. Life demands more than human flesh can handle. Again, Raena got that.
Okay, so what's with the three-star rating? What did Raena not "get?" Well, before I answer, understand that Rebellion, like the rest of the trilogy, is a plot-driven book. If that's your style, you'll like Rebellion better than I did. I typically like deeper, character-driven books better, and I own that. That does not (really) factor into the rating.
What does is the *way* "plot-driven" is handled. Specifically, Kira, Will, Brack, Grace, and others spend so much time running, hiding, and "getting out," they don't have the time or inclination for anything else. That's fine; I'm recognizing it's somewhat Raena's style, her brand. The problem here is, I kept hearing and seeing echoes of the Subversive trilogy. Plus, Raena kept dropping plot clues, like who Ghost really was to Kira or what was ultimately going to happen to Teddy, and then...she never really picked them up. It started to feel like she was telling the same story over and over.
Additionally, some of these characters are just plain flat or annoying. Some of this is to be expected. For instance, I was a little annoyed at how flat Render was, but then again, he's a villain. I don't want or need to sympathize with a guy like him. Then again, Christian fiction, especially of the dystopian variety, crawls with Renders. Sometimes I feel like authors think Christians can't fight real evil, that we need cardboard persecutors or we can't cope. I don't agree with that direction in fiction, or what it says about real life.
Beyond Render, characters like Brack drove me nuts. I get he's an ally, I get that he's a big, tough guy. Again, that's fine. What's not fine is, he spends most of the book being disrespectful and rude to literally everyone, even and especially his wife. (I'm sorry not sorry: once I found out what a "tumblebug" was, I went, "Dude, seriously? There might be a cute explanation, but...what is your deal?") Ghost gave me a lot of the same vibes, especially considering he wouldn't tell Kira the truth for chapters on end. And when he did interact with her or the others, he was all, "This is my food, these are my rules, you will do what I say, shut up." Okay, I get it, we're in a dystopian setting, courtesy is secondary. At the same time, yeah, I admit it--I'd have pushed back. I mean, the guy was literally ready to take candy from a kid. (What can I say, I've got a "thing" about people who push kids around).
Couple that with some dystopian cliches such as the filthy, foul-minded guys in a bunker, the one "Haven" for miles where everyone is fairly cliche in their personalities, and again, the constant pressure of "getting out" and figuring out who is "useful" to the group, and I lost my taste for the rebellion, as it were. The last book looks far more interesting, so I'll try it, in hopes it's better paced and written overall. But this one... I can't recommend skipping it because you'll miss some important information, but you'd be safe skimming it.
December 1, 2025
Holy cow this book is insane. Absolutely 5/5 which is unusual because the previous book I rated 3.5/5 and it was good don’t get me wrong, I mean obviously it drew me in enough to continue the series but this one I quite literally read in less than a day. I couldn’t put it down at any point. I was always at the edge of my seat to know what was next. My heart stopped when I thought Will died and it stopped again finding out Teddy was taken and then Aunt Reeva was dead and when Render snook up on Kira. Also the civilization and the history between Ghost and Kira’s mom Madison. The way the storylines intertwine and bring to light this very complex history that was beyond Kira is so insane. Oh my I love this book, this may be my new favorite book. It’s so intriguing and if it weren’t 10:30 at night and I didn’t have work tomorrow at 7am I would absolutely read the next book right now. It’s so good and I need to know what happens. I love the themes of found family even if it’s just casually in the background, it’s so good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2025
Good
Good book. I liked Ghost, he was a nice addition to the series.
"If Aunt Reeva’s God had designed flowers to survive—flowers that bloomed and died in months—surely He had designed Kira to survive as well."
Good book. I liked Ghost, he was a nice addition to the series.
"If Aunt Reeva’s God had designed flowers to survive—flowers that bloomed and died in months—surely He had designed Kira to survive as well."
June 28, 2025
This feels like the Quiet Place pt2. So cute but not romantic enough. I need more romance!! It was so good though. Can’t wait for the 3rd!!
August 26, 2025
I had so many emotions while reading this. It was sooooo good. I don't know what it is about Raena Rood's writing style, but I just devour it. I'm so glad I waited to read this until the third book was released, so I can start it immediately. Great, great book. I LOVE Will so much. He's just so sweet.
October 20, 2024
I liked this book in the series even better.
It is well written, clean etc.
However, I would have loved for there to
have been way more Christian content,
scriptures, application of Scripture,
preaching, prayers, etc. etc.
It was continuing in what I would label,
Christian lite .
She did include a few Christian hymns
and some talking about God, prayer, salvation....
But I really really would have preferred a ton more.
Still it does eerily and in a scary way,
point to the world culture forming
right before our eyes.
A culture that almost 'worships' death!!!
We have abortion... of course,
and more and more
'assisted suicide:
almost for the drop of a hat!
(like if you are a wee bit depressed...
you may be a great candidate to kill yourself!
The idea that you are almost a hero for doing so
for the good of all ...
is also coming close to the edge of society!
I will finish the trilogy.
She is a very very good author!!!!
But I personally may not read much more
after I finish this trilogy.....
because, I prefer Christian fiction
'heavy'
not so much
lite!
Still she is such a good author,
I may try again and see
if she can be a wee bit 'preachy'
in her next novels?
It is well written, clean etc.
However, I would have loved for there to
have been way more Christian content,
scriptures, application of Scripture,
preaching, prayers, etc. etc.
It was continuing in what I would label,
Christian lite .
She did include a few Christian hymns
and some talking about God, prayer, salvation....
But I really really would have preferred a ton more.
Still it does eerily and in a scary way,
point to the world culture forming
right before our eyes.
A culture that almost 'worships' death!!!
We have abortion... of course,
and more and more
'assisted suicide:
almost for the drop of a hat!
(like if you are a wee bit depressed...
you may be a great candidate to kill yourself!
The idea that you are almost a hero for doing so
for the good of all ...
is also coming close to the edge of society!
I will finish the trilogy.
She is a very very good author!!!!
But I personally may not read much more
after I finish this trilogy.....
because, I prefer Christian fiction
'heavy'
not so much
lite!
Still she is such a good author,
I may try again and see
if she can be a wee bit 'preachy'
in her next novels?
December 20, 2025
I have read the first book in the series, of course when the author reached for former people that read her former books I jumped at the opportunity, this was a story that stayed with me since I last read the first book, Kira is such a strong woman, she is learning about faith and even growing in her feeling for will... we learn many things about the past, and I even dislike her father even more, but I will leave that for you to find out and for me to know.
I love how this book brings faith to an impossible scenery, how would we react in such a world... would we surrender to the city where people surrender their life’s for the city or would we try to find a way out?
The only thing not so positive is that the book really ends in a cliff hanger, and I wont explain why or how it goes on, you'll need to see for yourself..
I got the privilege to listen to the audiobook, and the person reading, Brittany Goodwin did a great job, and I can only praise her and say, sign me in in the next one ^___^ she was an amazing Kira and brought this book to life in a very good manner.
I got a free audible code from the author and this is my honest opinion.
I love how this book brings faith to an impossible scenery, how would we react in such a world... would we surrender to the city where people surrender their life’s for the city or would we try to find a way out?
The only thing not so positive is that the book really ends in a cliff hanger, and I wont explain why or how it goes on, you'll need to see for yourself..
I got the privilege to listen to the audiobook, and the person reading, Brittany Goodwin did a great job, and I can only praise her and say, sign me in in the next one ^___^ she was an amazing Kira and brought this book to life in a very good manner.
I got a free audible code from the author and this is my honest opinion.
August 13, 2025
3.25⭐️
This book had so much good, but there have been things that have bothered me in the series. Such as really major things will happen between characters and then the next time they see each other it is like nothing happened, or there will be one conversation short and not really resolving and then it’s done never mentioned again. Also there is a pretty major typo, at least I hope it is a typo. Without spoiling anything someone says “you better find …” and they respond “We WONT” ummm… what??? That has to be wrong right. Typos happen so I didn’t deduct for that but had to mention it. It was in kindle so idk if every copy has that but mine def did and it really threw me off for a second. I am excited still for the next book 😄
This book had so much good, but there have been things that have bothered me in the series. Such as really major things will happen between characters and then the next time they see each other it is like nothing happened, or there will be one conversation short and not really resolving and then it’s done never mentioned again. Also there is a pretty major typo, at least I hope it is a typo. Without spoiling anything someone says “you better find …” and they respond “We WONT” ummm… what??? That has to be wrong right. Typos happen so I didn’t deduct for that but had to mention it. It was in kindle so idk if every copy has that but mine def did and it really threw me off for a second. I am excited still for the next book 😄
August 19, 2025
This is the second book after Reverence, I thoroughly enjoyed it and was upset when I finished it, realizing the third one still wasn't out for a few weeks. (It's out now as I write this review and I can't wait to read it.) I love Kira and Will's sweet relationship, nothing too pushy, it's peaceful, and full of cute little moments. Each chapter left me wanting to read the next, the author definitely knows how to end a chapter, with you saying wait, now what's happening? and wanting to continue to find out. I love the descriptions, and I can honestly see myself where the characters are, and what they wear, and I would love to see this as a movie. Thank you for the wonderful read Raena Rood.
July 27, 2025
Rebellion is the second book in the Reverence Trilogy. Book 2 shifts the setting to the unregulated zone. Kira, Will, Teddy, and others search for a safe place outside the city. Kira and Will's relationship develops slightly, and Kira encounters someone from her past. The story is fast-paced, with lots of action, as there is no safe haven, and the mayor hasn't forgotten about them. It's an enjoyable read, and I enjoyed reading it. There is another cliffhanger, but book 3 will be released soon. 4 stars!
October 10, 2025
The 2nd book was as good as the third and if I could change my rating to 3.5 I would. Kira finally escapes Vita Novas mandatory death penalty and saves Teddy, A six year old who was set to die because his selfish mother told him he would be a super hero and he was too young to understand he would never wake up. But her father wants the boy back and eventually has his patrol army track them down and returns Teddy to Vita Novas to be put to death.
March 31, 2025
I absolutely love this book! What a beautiful way to reflect on the year’s blessings. We do something similar—each family member writes a ‘highlight’ of the week, and we read them all on Thanksgiving! It’s amazing how the little things add up. 😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2025
The first book was interesting, but felt that the second book focused too much on religion and lost its way at some point and I found myself skimming just to get to the plot. While I finished the book, I will not finish the series.
October 7, 2024
Lots of suspense! Loved it! Hoping it’s not long until the next book comes out! I need to know what will happen next!
October 23, 2025
I LOVED this book! I couldnt put it down!!!
October 18, 2025
3⭐️ We get introduced to a new character, Ghost, and I love his connection to Kira. This book is important because you get a lot more background about the Unregulated Zone and what life is like living outside of Vita Nova which I feel like is going to be important going into the final book. I’m really excited to see how it all ends!
October 22, 2025
This one took me longer to finish reading because I was swamped with life stuff, so my delay took away a little bit of the enjoyment of the quick pace and the new characters. I might need to reread to appreciate everything in one shot instead of bits and pieces (heck, I'll say it right now... me planning on rereading a book is a huge sign that it was good!). I still absorbed enough to love where Raena took the story, though!! It made me so happy, especially as a lover of writing gritty stories, to see that Raena was not hesitant to bring some gritty hardships and sadness into the mix, creating a good catalyst for Kira's choices.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews