What do you think?
Rate this book
Resistance
The rise of a totalitarian regime thrusts two courageous women into the heart of an underground resistance movement.
In a chillingly plausible scenario, the United States falls under the iron grip of a brutal new government. Investigative reporter Erin Tavano and her gutsy teenage daughter, Izzy, suddenly find themselves entangled in a dangerous struggle against authoritarian rule. Joining forces with an underground network of resistance cells, they embark on an extraordinary journey that highlights the remarkable heroism of ordinary people in the face of oppression.
Resistance tells a gripping story of the fight against tyranny and follows these freedom fighters as they navigate the shadows of a society where human rights have been stripped away. More than just a tale of survival, it is a powerful exploration of courage, resilience, and the nobility of the human spirit.
In a chillingly plausible scenario, the United States falls under the iron grip of a brutal new government. Investigative reporter Erin Tavano and her gutsy teenage daughter, Izzy, suddenly find themselves entangled in a dangerous struggle against authoritarian rule. Joining forces with an underground network of resistance cells, they embark on an extraordinary journey that highlights the remarkable heroism of ordinary people in the face of oppression.
Resistance tells a gripping story of the fight against tyranny and follows these freedom fighters as they navigate the shadows of a society where human rights have been stripped away. More than just a tale of survival, it is a powerful exploration of courage, resilience, and the nobility of the human spirit.
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2024
11 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Devin O'Branagan
20 books105 followersBestselling author Devin O’Branagan writes novels about uncommon heroes. Her genres include young adult urban fantasy, science fiction, paranormal thrillers, paranormal romance, romantic comedy, and erotic romance. She’s been published by Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Books, German publisher Heyne Verlag, Turkish publisher Dogan Egmont, and indie publisher Cornucopia Creations. Her books are available in print, eBook, and audio book formats.
Visit her website at www.DevinWrites.com
Visit her website at www.DevinWrites.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 6, 2024
Holy f*cking sh*t. Devin has blown me away. What a heart wrenching ride through the story of America's ongoing quest for liberty. Read it. You will be forever changed.
March 27, 2025
Resistance, by Devin O’Branagan, is a 2024 YA dystopian novel that takes place in a contemporary alternate United States* and eerily conjures the Nazism of the second world war.
Set in Boulder, CO and the politically juxtaposed adjacent Weld County, it is a compelling story of a mother and daughter who are drawn into working for a secret newspaper inspired by the White Rose group in WWII Nazi Germany. O’Branagan does a fantastic job of taking advantage of the cultural richness of this setting, with inviting descriptions of the architecture, scenery, design, music, and food you might find in the region. Embedded in the diverse and cozy town of Boulder and centered on the famous Pearl Street Mall, she’s gathered a found family of charmingly quirky characters that pull you in and make you root for them from the very beginning. The warmth and connectedness of these people and their community home on Pearl Street works to ground the story and dull the horrors of the new totalitarian government that is encroaching westward. One of my favorite scenes in the book is an interactive Casablanca showing hosted at one of the Pearl Street eateries. It is an absolute delight, so well researched and detailed. And strikingly relevant. As in this scene, the entire novel is infused with love and fun, reminding us that no matter how dark the day may be, we must continue to live and enjoy WHAT we’re fighting for; that the act of standing up to tyranny can be joyful, even as the tyranny itself breaks your heart.
I highly recommend this timely novel to teen readers and up. It is well written, but accessible, engaging, and of the moment. It’s unique in that it isn’t set in an imagined future like many other dystopian books. Because of this, I believe it could be as or more effective than classic dystopian stories in helping young readers of today understand what the rise of authoritarianism could look like here in the U.S. That is something we all need to understand. I give Resistance 5 stars.
*O’Branagan captures much of what is happening right now in the U.S. as well as what could happen should certain powers go unchecked. In her Author’s Note, excerpted below, she addresses these parallels and how they impacted her writing of this book. At the bottom are some of her suggestions for further reading: several wikipedia links, as well as an article about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose from The National WWII Museum.
Author’s Note from Resistance, by Devin O’Branagan
“Of the many books I’ve written over the course of my long career, none have been so challenging for me as this one. When events in my fictional universe started to come true, I felt it would appear as if I was jumping on the headline bandwagon, so I ended up discarding multiple drafts. Eventually, after years of false starts, I simply returned to my original outline and wrote it as the Muses had inspired me to do.
As of the time of publication not all the events in my story have come to pass, but the way things are unfolding they still might. We stand at a crossroads.
I hope Resistance speaks to people whose hearts and minds are open, and that it successfully conveys the message that each of us has the capacity to be heroic. None of us need to be superheroes. Izzy demonstrated that courage is not the absence of fear, but a decision to act. Joplin understood that one must do what’s right even if it’s not easy. Conor did what his heart asked him to do, despite the cost. And Erin used her talent to help change the world.
Each of us can make a difference, if we try.
Please don’t let evil triumph.
Glory to all the heroes.”
Further learning:
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Rose
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_i...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_L...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casabla...
Thanks to the author for granting me an interview. 🙏🏻
Set in Boulder, CO and the politically juxtaposed adjacent Weld County, it is a compelling story of a mother and daughter who are drawn into working for a secret newspaper inspired by the White Rose group in WWII Nazi Germany. O’Branagan does a fantastic job of taking advantage of the cultural richness of this setting, with inviting descriptions of the architecture, scenery, design, music, and food you might find in the region. Embedded in the diverse and cozy town of Boulder and centered on the famous Pearl Street Mall, she’s gathered a found family of charmingly quirky characters that pull you in and make you root for them from the very beginning. The warmth and connectedness of these people and their community home on Pearl Street works to ground the story and dull the horrors of the new totalitarian government that is encroaching westward. One of my favorite scenes in the book is an interactive Casablanca showing hosted at one of the Pearl Street eateries. It is an absolute delight, so well researched and detailed. And strikingly relevant. As in this scene, the entire novel is infused with love and fun, reminding us that no matter how dark the day may be, we must continue to live and enjoy WHAT we’re fighting for; that the act of standing up to tyranny can be joyful, even as the tyranny itself breaks your heart.
I highly recommend this timely novel to teen readers and up. It is well written, but accessible, engaging, and of the moment. It’s unique in that it isn’t set in an imagined future like many other dystopian books. Because of this, I believe it could be as or more effective than classic dystopian stories in helping young readers of today understand what the rise of authoritarianism could look like here in the U.S. That is something we all need to understand. I give Resistance 5 stars.
*O’Branagan captures much of what is happening right now in the U.S. as well as what could happen should certain powers go unchecked. In her Author’s Note, excerpted below, she addresses these parallels and how they impacted her writing of this book. At the bottom are some of her suggestions for further reading: several wikipedia links, as well as an article about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose from The National WWII Museum.
Author’s Note from Resistance, by Devin O’Branagan
“Of the many books I’ve written over the course of my long career, none have been so challenging for me as this one. When events in my fictional universe started to come true, I felt it would appear as if I was jumping on the headline bandwagon, so I ended up discarding multiple drafts. Eventually, after years of false starts, I simply returned to my original outline and wrote it as the Muses had inspired me to do.
As of the time of publication not all the events in my story have come to pass, but the way things are unfolding they still might. We stand at a crossroads.
I hope Resistance speaks to people whose hearts and minds are open, and that it successfully conveys the message that each of us has the capacity to be heroic. None of us need to be superheroes. Izzy demonstrated that courage is not the absence of fear, but a decision to act. Joplin understood that one must do what’s right even if it’s not easy. Conor did what his heart asked him to do, despite the cost. And Erin used her talent to help change the world.
Each of us can make a difference, if we try.
Please don’t let evil triumph.
Glory to all the heroes.”
Further learning:
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Rose
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_i...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_L...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casabla...
Thanks to the author for granting me an interview. 🙏🏻
December 5, 2024
Fantastic and timely book! After a fascist government takes control of America, a resistance full of gritty, determined and committed individuals come together to save what's left of our country's liberties. Devin O'Branagan is a wonderful storyteller who intertwines suspense, humor, and drama together in a wonderfully well-written book. A great tale of survival and the undeniable resilience of the human spirit.
August 2, 2024
Read it in two days!
After the fascist government takes over America, freedom fighters arise. Resistance is a very timely novel. I enjoyed the gutsy characters. I highly recommend!
After the fascist government takes over America, freedom fighters arise. Resistance is a very timely novel. I enjoyed the gutsy characters. I highly recommend!
January 22, 2025
Timely YA a must read
Resistance, by Devin O’Branagan, is a 2024 YA dystopian novel that takes place in a contemporary alternate United States* and eerily conjures the Nazism of the second world war.
Set in Boulder, CO and the politically juxtaposed adjacent Weld County, it is a compelling story of a mother and daughter who are drawn into working for a secret newspaper inspired by the White Rose group in WWII Nazi Germany. O’Branagan does a fantastic job of taking advantage of the cultural richness of this setting, with inviting descriptions of the architecture, scenery, design, music, and food you might find in the region. Embedded in the diverse and cozy town of Boulder and centered on the famous Pearl Street Mall, she’s gathered a found family of charmingly quirky characters that pull you in and make you root for them from the very beginning. The warmth and connectedness of these people and their community home on Pearl Street works to ground the story and dull the horrors of the new totalitarian government that is encroaching westward. One of my favorite scenes in the book is an interactive Casablanca showing hosted at one of the Pearl Street eateries. It is an absolute delight, so well researched and detailed. And strikingly relevant. As in this scene, the entire novel is infused with love and fun, reminding us that no matter how dark the day may be, we must continue to live and enjoy WHAT we’re fighting for; that the act of standing up to tyranny can be joyful, even as the tyranny itself breaks your heart.
I highly recommend this timely novel to teen readers and up. It is well written, but accessible, engaging, and of the moment. It’s unique in that it isn’t set in an imagined future like many other dystopian books. Because of this, I believe it could be as or more effective than classic dystopian stories in helping young readers of today understand what the rise of authoritarianism could look like here in the U.S. That is something we all need to understand. I give Resistance 5 stars.
*O’Branagan captures much of what is happening right now in the U.S. as well as what could happen should certain powers go unchecked. In her Author’s Note, excerpted below, she addresses these parallels and how they impacted her writing of this book. At the bottom are some of her suggestions for further reading: several wikipedia links, as well as an article about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose from The National WWII Museum.
Author’s Note from Resistance, by Devin O’Branagan
“Of the many books I’ve written over the course of my long career, none have been so challenging for me as this one. When events in my fictional universe started to come true, I felt it would appear as if I was jumping on the headline bandwagon, so I ended up discarding multiple drafts. Eventually, after years of false starts, I simply returned to my original outline and wrote it as the Muses had inspired me to do.
As of the time of publication not all the events in my story have come to pass, but the way things are unfolding they still might. We stand at a crossroads.
I hope Resistance speaks to people whose hearts and minds are open, and that it successfully conveys the message that each of us has the capacity to be heroic. None of us need to be superheroes. Izzy demonstrated that courage is not the absence of fear, but a decision to act. Joplin understood that one must do what’s right even if it’s not easy. Conor did what his heart asked him to do, despite the cost. And Erin used her talent to help change the world.
Each of us can make a difference, if we try.
Please don’t let evil triumph.
Glory to all the heroes.”
Resistance, by Devin O’Branagan, is a 2024 YA dystopian novel that takes place in a contemporary alternate United States* and eerily conjures the Nazism of the second world war.
Set in Boulder, CO and the politically juxtaposed adjacent Weld County, it is a compelling story of a mother and daughter who are drawn into working for a secret newspaper inspired by the White Rose group in WWII Nazi Germany. O’Branagan does a fantastic job of taking advantage of the cultural richness of this setting, with inviting descriptions of the architecture, scenery, design, music, and food you might find in the region. Embedded in the diverse and cozy town of Boulder and centered on the famous Pearl Street Mall, she’s gathered a found family of charmingly quirky characters that pull you in and make you root for them from the very beginning. The warmth and connectedness of these people and their community home on Pearl Street works to ground the story and dull the horrors of the new totalitarian government that is encroaching westward. One of my favorite scenes in the book is an interactive Casablanca showing hosted at one of the Pearl Street eateries. It is an absolute delight, so well researched and detailed. And strikingly relevant. As in this scene, the entire novel is infused with love and fun, reminding us that no matter how dark the day may be, we must continue to live and enjoy WHAT we’re fighting for; that the act of standing up to tyranny can be joyful, even as the tyranny itself breaks your heart.
I highly recommend this timely novel to teen readers and up. It is well written, but accessible, engaging, and of the moment. It’s unique in that it isn’t set in an imagined future like many other dystopian books. Because of this, I believe it could be as or more effective than classic dystopian stories in helping young readers of today understand what the rise of authoritarianism could look like here in the U.S. That is something we all need to understand. I give Resistance 5 stars.
*O’Branagan captures much of what is happening right now in the U.S. as well as what could happen should certain powers go unchecked. In her Author’s Note, excerpted below, she addresses these parallels and how they impacted her writing of this book. At the bottom are some of her suggestions for further reading: several wikipedia links, as well as an article about Sophie Scholl and the White Rose from The National WWII Museum.
Author’s Note from Resistance, by Devin O’Branagan
“Of the many books I’ve written over the course of my long career, none have been so challenging for me as this one. When events in my fictional universe started to come true, I felt it would appear as if I was jumping on the headline bandwagon, so I ended up discarding multiple drafts. Eventually, after years of false starts, I simply returned to my original outline and wrote it as the Muses had inspired me to do.
As of the time of publication not all the events in my story have come to pass, but the way things are unfolding they still might. We stand at a crossroads.
I hope Resistance speaks to people whose hearts and minds are open, and that it successfully conveys the message that each of us has the capacity to be heroic. None of us need to be superheroes. Izzy demonstrated that courage is not the absence of fear, but a decision to act. Joplin understood that one must do what’s right even if it’s not easy. Conor did what his heart asked him to do, despite the cost. And Erin used her talent to help change the world.
Each of us can make a difference, if we try.
Please don’t let evil triumph.
Glory to all the heroes.”
December 31, 2025
Resistance is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that resonates deeply with the world we live in today. The story's unfathomable events parallel the frightening realities of modern society, making it both haunting and inspiring.
especially admired the young heroine, who finds the inner strength to stand up to authority and fight for what's right-defending the less fortunate and the targeted minorities, even when it puts her at great risk.
Her courage feels both authentic and empowering.
Equally compelling is her mother's journey, as she faces the painful choice between conforming to the cult-like ideologies embraced by some of her elitist family members or standing firm in her own moral convictions-all while coping with the grief of losing her brother and the end of her marriage.
These emotional layers make the story feel strikingly real and deeply human. Resistance is not just a novel-it's a reflection of the courage, compassion, and conviction we all need in these challenging times.
Highly recommended!
especially admired the young heroine, who finds the inner strength to stand up to authority and fight for what's right-defending the less fortunate and the targeted minorities, even when it puts her at great risk.
Her courage feels both authentic and empowering.
Equally compelling is her mother's journey, as she faces the painful choice between conforming to the cult-like ideologies embraced by some of her elitist family members or standing firm in her own moral convictions-all while coping with the grief of losing her brother and the end of her marriage.
These emotional layers make the story feel strikingly real and deeply human. Resistance is not just a novel-it's a reflection of the courage, compassion, and conviction we all need in these challenging times.
Highly recommended!
May 23, 2025
One of the best dystopian books I've ever read!
I could. not put Resistance down and didn't want it to end. It's such a well written (and obviously, well thought out), easy to read, thought-provoking story that gave me all the feels! It's timely (eerily so in 2025) and so believable. I found it easy to relate to and care about the main characters too. At times, I found myself literally sitting on the edge of my seat, breathless from the anticipation, suspense, or dread, and others I wanted to cheer out loud. A few times I had to dry my tears in order to keep reading. Like I said.... it gave me ALL the feels!
Overall, I'd say it's one of the best dystopian books I've ever read and it deserves and has won a spot in my personal list of top favorite fiction novels too. This was my first time reading a book by this author and it certainly won't be the last. Resistance won me over and made a Devin O'Branagan fan out of me for life.
I could. not put Resistance down and didn't want it to end. It's such a well written (and obviously, well thought out), easy to read, thought-provoking story that gave me all the feels! It's timely (eerily so in 2025) and so believable. I found it easy to relate to and care about the main characters too. At times, I found myself literally sitting on the edge of my seat, breathless from the anticipation, suspense, or dread, and others I wanted to cheer out loud. A few times I had to dry my tears in order to keep reading. Like I said.... it gave me ALL the feels!
Overall, I'd say it's one of the best dystopian books I've ever read and it deserves and has won a spot in my personal list of top favorite fiction novels too. This was my first time reading a book by this author and it certainly won't be the last. Resistance won me over and made a Devin O'Branagan fan out of me for life.
July 25, 2024
Resistance is the best dystopian book I have ever read, and I've read a lot of them.
O'Branagan's protagonists will make you root for them all the way through to the end.
Her storytelling is so very realistic that I felt as if I was living in that possibly parallel world.
If you enjoy dystopian books and strong female leads, you will love this book.
I highly recommend it.
O'Branagan's protagonists will make you root for them all the way through to the end.
Her storytelling is so very realistic that I felt as if I was living in that possibly parallel world.
If you enjoy dystopian books and strong female leads, you will love this book.
I highly recommend it.
April 2, 2025
O'Branagan excels at character development and this one does not fail. Resistance tells the tale of a brutal and dictatorial government and the people who put their lives on the line to resist it. A tale of courage and survival, it eerilly reflects the events in today's world. It provides hope that those who stand up for freedom will prevail.
March 25, 2025
A powerful dystopian novel that held my attention to the end. Believable characters who struggle to make their way through all going on around them. Well worth the read!
March 8, 2026
Well paced, well-written, well-developed characters. Deeply disturbing plot that hits too close to home.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews