The Verdant Cage

by Jess Lourey

The Wall was built to keep them safe. Or so they thought.

For as long as seventeen-year-old apothecary Rose Allgood can remember, the towering stone Wall surrounding Noah’s Valley has protected her people. No one leaves. No one fights. And no one questions why.

But their paradise has been hiding its thorns. When Rose’s mother becomes the Valley’s first murder victim and her twin brother is swiftly condemned, she alone is searching for the real killer. Determined to find the truth, she follows a trail of hidden messages, forbidden knowledge, and whispers of a past no one dares to remember.

The deeper she digs, the more certain Rose becomes that her mother’s death was no accident. That the Wall isn’t just keeping something out.

It’s keeping something in.

Fans of The Hunger Games, The Grace Year, and The Maze Runner will devour The Verdant Cage―a chilling dystopian thriller about what it takes to rebel when you discover your entire world is a lie.

Genres: Fantasy, Dystopia, Young Adult, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Romance

416 pages, Hardcover

First published April 7, 2026

About the author

My name is Jess Lourey, and I write about secrets.

The story of my first published novel is both devastating and transformative, something I speak about in my TEDx Talk (https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI). I've come a long way since then. I'm proud to call myself a bestselling, twice Edgar-nominated, and twice Goodreads Readers Choice Awards shortlisted author who has won the ITW Thriller, Minnesota Book, and Anthony Awards. I write crime fiction, young adult, nonfiction, children's books, and book club fiction.

I've reached over a million readers since 2020. I'm also a former writing and sociology professor who still loves to teach transformative creative writing workshops built around my Rewrite Your Life method.

I live in Minneapolis with a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). Pop on over to Lourey's Literati, my VIP Reader group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/38538...) and/or sign up for my molasses newsletter (https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter) for the latest news, giveaways, and insider information.

p.s. You can find the Unspeakable Things epilogue here: https://jessicalourey.com/survey-two.

Reviews

[Grapie Deltaco]

*This Advanced Copy was sent to me in exchange for an honest review*

1.5⭐️ (rounded up)

The opening paragraph is: “Red signifies life. Blossoms. Berries. Blood. That’s why everyone in the Valley will be wearing it today, almost four hundred bodies draped in crimson. They’ll gather in the village square like a bounty waiting to be plucked, red and ripe and silent.”

The first thing we know about anyone in this village is they are all wearing red today. It’s repeated more than once in the first paragraph…so tell me why on page TWO we get: “Thankfully, I don’t think Jonas notices. He’s wearing red. Of course. We all are.”

Sorry what color is everyone wearing??

This book’s only saving grace is how fast paced it is.

Weirdly repetitive, painfully predictable, and underwhelming from the jump.


CW: murder, death, grief, forced marriage, violence, human sacrifice

[Dwon]

if the sounds of a narrator taking deep breaths unrelated to the story bothers you, skip the audio version for this one

[Jenna D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS!! The way this book filled a hole I didn’t know I needed absolutely amazes me!! Now as I’m reading, I couldn’t place my finger on what it reminded me of. Then about halfway through it clicked, this book is giving City Of Ember vibes with the most amazing fantasy aspects. More to come as I let this all soak in 😍

[Ali | flippin_and_sippin_mn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Verdant Cage
Jess Lourey
Pub: 4/7/26

The Wall was built to keep them safe. Or so they thought.

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙙𝙞𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙧 𝙪𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙚? 🤯
I freakin loved it! I would have consumed the whole book in one sitting if I could have. Sleep and sustenance be damned I just wanted to keep reading this book. 😂

The Verdant Cage is one of those reads that hooks you and refuses to let go. I was so caught up in the story, the characters and this world that Lourey so fantastically crafted! The absolute gasp I let out when the twist of all twist hits… Well done Lourey. WELL DONE!

The writing is fantastic, the characters are so well developed, and the pacing perfectly keeps you craving the next page.

The ending had me screaming give me more now!

𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙤𝙪𝙩?
To be totally honest dystopia is a genre I do not read, and I devoured this one. Which confirms, I will read anything Lourey writes.

𝙒𝙝𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠?
Readers who love;
💚 Fantasy
💚 Dystopian Thrillers
💚 YA
💚 Hunger Games/Maze Runner
💚 Bingeworthy Reads

A huge thank you to Jess Lourey and Entangled Publishing for the advanced copy. I already cannot wait to get my hands on the gorgeous finished copy.

[anovelaccount (Kayla) · Rating 4 out of 5]

PHEW! This book is seriously a crazy ride and has SO much going on, start to finish. Like, almost too much. There is no dull moment in this story and it even starts with quite a bang.

This is a YA dystopian thriller and when I say I have been LOVING dystopian books lately, boy do I mean it! This one, in my opinion, is most similar to The Maze Runner and gave me a lot of those vibes, all while definitely doing its own unique thing.

Honestly, even with so much going on, the plot held its own and I was so thoroughly entertained. The world building is fantastic (loved the houses and how Jess lists them all at the end), I loved so many of the characters, and there are tonssss of plot twists—some predictable, some definitely not. I was shocked consistently throughout even when I thought I knew what was going on.

It’s also just the right amount of creepy, at least for me! The story has a persistent theme of foreboding throughout the entire thing—and then at the end will leave you absolutely salivating for book two. There’s so many threads to this book and I’m not sure where any of them are heading 😂 so I am truly so excited to read the next book!!

I will say, I’m a little hard to please with main characters (it’s a me thing, really), and Rose drove me crazy at times with her naïveté and making truly senseless choices. Likewise, Gryphon was a bit of a pushover for me and I just wanted more from him overall.

But those things aside, I really think most people will LOVE this book, especially if you’re a fan of the 2010s YA book/movie scene. But I mean, who wasn’t?

[Tammy - Books, Bones & Buffy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The nitty-gritty: Lovers of YA dystopian stories won't want to miss this series opener, a fast-paced, action-packed tale with plenty of surprises in store.

The Verdant Cage has been getting lots of great buzz, so I was eager to experience it for myself. And I really enjoyed it, especially the last quarter of the book. Yes, it’s YA and has some of the inherent issues and elements I don’t enjoy, but overall I was sucked into the story and honestly, I am chomping at the bit for the sequel. Readers will notice many familiar dystopian tropes, which is probably why it’s being compared to such books as The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner, but I think it stands pretty well on its own too.

The story takes place in a closed community called Noah’s Valley, a compound surrounded by high walls that is home to about four hundred citizens. Each family is assigned to a particular trade, and rules are strictly enforced for the safety of the people. One of those rules is a practice called Harvesting, where once a month, a random citizen is selected to go up the Wall—presumably to their death—for the good of the community.  Rose Allgood is an Apothecary, and she and her family tend to the sick. Marriages are arranged, and Rose is about to marry her childhood friend Gryphon, who is part of the Guardians, a group who patrols the nearby forests and keeps everyone safe. Rose is sad to leave her family and her trade, because once she’s married, she’ll be trained as a Guardian instead. But she knows that following the rules is the most important thing in Noah’s Valley, and she would never question them.

But as Rose is walking down the path to meet her betrothed, shouts ring out in the crowd. Rose’s mother lies dead in a pool of blood, and her twin brother Jonas stands over her with a knife. Jarek, the head of Noah Valley’s Council, immediately accuses Jonas of murder and demands he be Harvested, and in the blink of an eye, Rose realizes she’s just lost both her beloved mother and brother.

Convinced that Jonas would never commit murder, let alone kill their mother, Rose sets out to find the real killer and to figure out a way to save Jonas—who might be still alive. But there are secrets in Noah’s Valley, and Rose’s world is about to come crumbling down.

The Verdant Cage has many mysteries to solve: what really happens to people who are Harvested? Who killed Rose’s mother? What are the “beasts” in the forest that the Guardians claim to be battling? And what is the secret information Jonas was about to tell Rose before things fell apart? Rose is determined to answer all these questions, and of course to do that she must break some rules. Luckily she isn’t so rigid that she won’t, and I was very happy to see the way she slowly comes to realize that things are not as they seem in Noah’s Valley and begins to take action. Lourey sets a brisk pace and it doesn’t really let up, as the reader is led from one mystery and revelation about the compound to the next.

The settlement in Noah’s Valley has a strong cult feel, which made me very uncomfortable. Citizens must attend chapel and mandatory meetings, marriages are arranged, and those who break the rules are whipped in public (!). Food stores are closely monitored and each family is given rations each month. You just know that with a set-up like this, there is going to be a rebellion against authority, and I loved seeing the change in Rose as she comes to terms with the fact that people she’s trusted all her life have been hiding things from her.

There are a lot of characters in this book, and I did have trouble at times keeping everyone straight. Rose makes a bunch of new friends after she stumbles upon a secret, and for me, it was hard to tell them all apart, since their individual personalities are kind of glossed over. We do get to know Gryphon’s parents fairly well, and I hated both of them! (you’re supposed to) Jarek is cruel and his wife Misia is even worse. I hated the way she treated Rose, who has to move in with the Tzu family and share a room with Gryphon, even before they are married. I think I would have loved Jonas if we’d gotten to know him better, but alas, he doesn’t even make it to chapter three.

The “romance” was interesting, and I have to use quotes because there’s very little of it. Gryphon seems to hate Rose and is horrible to her, so the dynamic is “enemies to lovers,” but don’t expect the “lovers” part of that statement in this book. There’s a lot of push-pull, lack of communication, unspoken truths and more, and when the two do finally kiss, it literally comes out of nowhere. So if you’re looking for a satisfying romance, you won’t find it here, although I am holding out hope for the sequel.

As for a couple of things that didn’t work for me, the story is written in first person present tense, a style I really dislike. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a YA that isn’t written that way (I’m exaggerating, they must be out there somewhere!), which is one reason I usually avoid this age group. Lourey’s writing is also overly dramatic at times (weird exclamations like “Curse the clouds!” actually made me laugh), but she definitely has writing chops, so take my complaints with a grain of salt. She’s clearly a seasoned writer and her pacing is first rate.

There are a couple of great twists near the end, and both set things up for the next book. I absolutely loved the ending, and to say I need the sequel now is an understatement! According to the author’s website, there will be three books in the series. The Violet Maze comes out next year, and with the way things ended in The Verdant Cage, I’m expecting another thrilling and dangerous adventure.

Big thanks to Sparkpoint Studio and the publisher for providing a review copy.

[Kalin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omg that ending! Flew thru this.
Secluded, lies & arranged marriage
Twists you wont see coming!
🎧📖

[Bec · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story 2.75 stars
Narration 2 stars

On the surface this appears like it's fast paced and like a lot is happening, but when I sit back and think about it, hardly anything has actually really happened in the first 35%. The romance was so abrupt and forced. I had considered DNFing at 50%, but it does pick up more around 55%, it was ok enough to finish, but I don't care enough to continue the series. I think had I read this when I was 14-17 I probably would have loved this.

There are a lot of loud breathing and mouth sounds from the narrator that should have been edited out, and I mean a lot, and it is distracting, but other than that the narrator does a nice job.

[Laraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was SO unique. It gave me slight The Giver vibes with its use of euphemisms (Harvested = ☠️), but with a darker, thriller edge. I loved the concept of this walled, rule-bound society that feels safe on the surface until you realize what’s really happening within and what’s waiting Beyond. The story wastes no time pulling you in. It opens with a true OMG moment, and from there, the suspense never lets up. As Rose begins to question everything she’s been taught, the plot moves fast, unraveling secrets, lies, and a past no one is supposed to remember. The twists were TWISTING, and I genuinely couldn’t put this down. You can absolutely tell this was written by a thriller author because the atmosphere is eerie, the pacing is tight, and the foreshadowing keeps you on edge the entire time. And that ending?? A full-on cliffhanger. I will be first in line for book two because I need to know what happens next. I am so happy dystopian is back!!

[Michelle (easy.vesey.reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was one of my anticipated reads for this year and I ended up enjoying it! While I think the execution of the story didn’t fully live up to my expectations, there was still a lot I did enjoy. Some of the characters annoyed me and I didn’t really care for the romance part of the book but the mystery and the dystopian plot was done really well. And wow what a cliffhanger. I originally thought this was a standalone but now I can see that there is potential for the story to continue.

Thank you so much to Entangled: Mayhem for the advanced copy!

[⋆°.☾⋆Rae.ೃ࿔*:⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come ✨

[Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Noah’s Valley is a village of roughly four hundred people, surrounded by a wall. No one gets out, and no one gets in. It was created when the outside world began to fall, with the best and the brightest being selected to continue humanity. It is a thriving community with everyone working together and knowing their place. For 120 years, Noah’s Valley has been peaceful and has flourished. That is, until Henrietta Allgood became the first ever murder victim. Immediately after, her son Jonas is condemned as the killer, without a trial, and ordered over the wall, into the Beyond, a place no one returns from.

Seventeen-year-old Rose Allgood is a good girl. She’s been labeled as a tattle-tale, a goody two-shoes by her peers. Her mother has long instilled in her that rules are to be followed and you shouldn’t draw attention to yourself. For twelve years, that is exactly what Rose did. Now, Rose is prepared to clear her brother’s name and find her mother’s killer by breaking the rules she has always followed and held dear.

The Verdant Cage is the first book in a young adult dystopian thriller series from Jess Lourey. I am obsessed with this book and need the next book now. Which says a lot, since this book wasn’t on my radar initially. Now, I just can’t get enough.

The first sentence immediately intrigued me. More so because I thought it was an odd sentence. I wanted to know what was happening. The quick answer. ALOT! Jess has created an easily visualizable world where, on the surface, the four hundred or so people in Noah’s Valley are happy and thriving. But as Rose looks into her mother’s murder, cracks start to be revealed, and suspicions mount. Things are definitely not what they seem, and for too long, the citizens of Noah’s Valley have turned a blind eye.

Rose is an extremely likeable character. At no point in time did I dislike her or not understand her, which I found refreshing. Usually, in books, the main character will do something you, as the reader is screaming at them not to do, because you know it’s just going to lead to disaster. Not Rose. While I think she’s braver than me, she did everything just right. Or as close as she could with the information she had. Jess has surrounded Rose with a well-rounded cast of characters, both good and bad. Rose has a budding romance with Gryphon, whom through the story has his own discoveries. I loved the mystery. The whodunit, as well as the why, was surprising. A lot happens within the pages of The Verdant Cage. Jess put you on the same emotional rollercoaster that she puts Rose on. You will laugh. You will cry. And you will be shocked.

While there is a map of Noah's Valley at the front of the book, I wish it were more detailed. Like showing the actual locations of the town square, the houses, farm land, etc. I think that would have been really helpful in understanding where events took place within the story.

It should be noted that The Verdant Cage contains abuse (adult and child), death, and light horror elements.

~ Favorite Quotes ~

“What you inherit is not who you are. What you choose to carry–that’s what makes you.”

“We all need people. Life’s too heavy to bear alone.”

“Hope’s a dangerous thing.”

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

“Never fight only for yourself, not when others were waging the same battle.”

“Don’t borrow blame that’s not yours.”

“A good heart always breaks a bad law.”

**Received an ARC of the book from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed it. Also personally purchased a hardcover edition.**

[Marina Marcello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so much Entangled for the e-ARC of The Verdant Cage! When I heard dystopian, that was all I needed. I started this book one evening before bed, intending to read a chapter or two. 27% later and I had to tear myself away in order to get some sleep! This story was immediately engrossing, and the pace never let up, there was zero lag. The main character is discovering her rage over injustice, and I absolutely love that character trait. Her forced proximity, enemies to lovers arc is exactly what you want in unrequited yearning.

As the action picked up even more, it was hard to see where this story was headed. Nothing was predictable. While I wouldn’t say there were twists, there were definitely wrenches in the characters’ plans that buffeted them through the climax. So while I was rooting for certain outcomes that seemed plausible for the plot, this story did not end at all as expected. Book two, I cannot wait for you! In the end this was four stars for me, and I do recommend it to any dystopian lover out there!

[Shannon Miz · Rating 5 out of 5]

TW at start: "The Verdant Cage is an atmospheric dystopian thriller. As such, the story features scenes that might not be suitable for all readers, including violent and threatening situations, physical harm, death including death of family, and coercive power structures. Readers sensitive to these elements should take note before entering Noah’s Valley."

If you've been here for awhile, you know that the dystopian YA of the late aughts/early teens was my absolute jam. And I have been giddy excited to see it popping back up- only this time, updated, and more relevant than ever. That is certainly what we have here in The Verdant Cage. Now, the comps definitely drew me in (and I think  The Grace Year is a solid one) but I also felt some excellent Matched vibes, as well as some age-old The 100 grey morality/changing of the guard/"no good choices" drama that I adore. I don't want to say too much about the comps though, because I feel like that would spoil stuff, and trust me, you do not want to be spoiled, for this is an excellent adventure!

Anyway, I loved the characters, and the story was simply unputdownable. The whole thing was absolutely giving commentary on our current worldwide mess, and I loved how the author was able to mirror the very real problems we're facing into a smaller scale society that readers can easily wrap their minds around.

"We all wake up at different times and for different reasons. What matters is what we do after we hear the call.”

The twists and turns are fabulous, I could not wait to find out everything about this world and the society. I also really enjoyed watching main character Rose start to see that maybe just putting her head down and following the rules is not the best choice- and seeing the relationships she forms along the way grow, too.

Bottom Line: Loved it so much I pre-ordered it, and also, I need the sequel yesterday.

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

[Mella aka Maron]

DNF at 23% into the audiobook.

I REALLY wanted to like this. I love dystopians! But besides the huge thing that happened at the end of chapter one, NOTHING has happened so far. I just feel so nothing towards this book. :( I don't like the MC nor the MMC nor the society nor the INCREASINGLY VAGUE EVERYTHING. You'd think that if this girl was 17/18 she would know more about the history of her village.

Ah, but there's the kicker. I read the spoiler on a review online and I get it. Going to be honest, I am glad I didn't read to that because I would have been like, "that's it? That's your big twist?"

Anyway, I am SO glad I found that spoiler review so I could know I would hate this twist hahaha.

[Amber Ward (fablesandflights) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Young Adult Dystopian Thriller, anyone? The Verdant Cage sucked me in from the very beginning with the tone, characters, and ominous atmospheric vibes. The world building is immersive and the tension is palpable. At one point, I thought I had it all figured out, but I was so wrong! This was fun and really kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and the final reveals paid off so well! It’s thought provoking and tense. This is YA M. Night Shyamalan meets Maze Runner, so if dark intense high-stakes dystopian worlds are your jam, you will enjoy this!

Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Teen Publishing for the eARC! 🫶🏼

[Briana Moroney · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ I’ll be honest, I think I went into this with super high expectations which may have impacted the way it actually landed for me. The story started off strong, I think got a little slow in the middle, and then picked up in the end. The middle made it hard to keep reading which makes me sad because I wanted to love this one. A very interesting concept, and seems like it was left for a potential book 2! I’d be curious to see if the next book was better.

[Taylor Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only was this dystopian, it also had a mystery element, which I loved. It really gave the storyline that extra twist that will keep readers engaged.

I really enjoyed seeing Rose working with herbs and medicine to heal people. It gave such a unique insight into who she is and the story. Plants play a big role, and I know Rose is going to be an asset.

If you enjoyed "Maze Runner," then you'd probably enjoy "The Verdant Cage." It gave similar vibes but of course, with its own twists.

I'm looking forward to reading book two because I want to know what happens.

[Zara Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am crashing tf out right now over that ending 🤯

I haven't read any YA dystopian probably since The Hunger Games and wow. I forgot how much I adore this genre, but this has resparked my love of it,I totally devoured this!

One of favourite reads this year! I need book two now!!

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obsessed!

[Tori Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Entangled for sending me an arc copy of Verdant Cage!

WOW!! I could not put this book down. This was a dystopian thriller that gave The Giver and Maze Runner vibes. The way I was questioning everyone and everything in this story the entire time.

I loved watching Rose go from a stickler to rules to becoming brave and badass. I adore Gryphon and I do wish him and Rose had more interactions together. Their romance being on the back burner though makes total sense and I really didn’t miss that element as so much else was happening in the story.

The pacing was fantastic and I loved all the side characters. I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

[Jamey [Longhollow.Lore] · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride this was. In The Verdant Cage, we follow Rose as she begins to question everything she’s ever known about her community — their mysterious origins, their future, and the walls that both protect and confine them.
Raised in the Apothecary House, Rose has been trained her entire life in the healing power of herbs and medicines, and taught to follow the rules to the letter. Safety and order were supposed to be guaranteed. But as her eyes open, she begins to see the cracks: rules once meant to protect now seem twisted, even cruel. Why? And when did everything change?

I was on the edge of my seat as each discovery unfolded. Who can Rose trust? What secrets are buried behind those towering concrete walls? And if the gates were ever to open…what would be waiting on the other side?

THANK YOU ENTANGLED PUBLISHING FOR THE EARLY ARC READ - thank you for the opportunity to be one of the VERY first readers of this book!

[Heidi Dischler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seriously enjoyed this story, you guys. It’s been so long since I read a YA dystopian and The Verdant Cage brought back all those familiar feels that I used to get from high school reading novels like The Hunger Games, Divergent, and The Maze Runner (although I never really read that one, just watched the movie 😅).

We start off with a typical dystopian setup where you learn about Noah’s Valley, some of its rules, and that Rose Allgood is a healer (but won’t be for long since she has to marry a guy, her ex-childhood best friend by the way, who practices a different trade). Right before she and Gryphon, the childhood best friend, are wed, Rose’s mother is murdered and her twin brother framed. Since Noah’s Valley is walled-in (think The Maze Runner just without the maze), they take her twin brother, put him in a basket, and quite literally hoist him over the wall to never be seen again. Rose knows that the leadership around Noah’s Valley is lying, but she’s been too good, too much of a rule follower, to truly question anything. Now that her family has been broken and torn apart, she can finally see the Valley for what it is.

After this horrible moment in Rose’s life, she is forced to leave her house anyway even though she and Gryphon never wed, and live with the Guardians and Gryphon’s legit horrible parents. She knows she wants to do something heretical, but she isn’t sure how to do it just yet. So, throughout the whole story, you get to see Rose as she grows from a rule follower to a true rebel against the injustices against her community. There are a LOT of twists, turns, and reveals that keep the novel interesting throughout the whole thing.

With our main characters, you see tons of growth from Rose. Gryphon, though, felt like more of a mystery to me throughout the entire novel. Sometimes he’d make decisions that really made me question everything, and then he’d go around and do a complete 180. It fit with the way his character is built up, but man it gave me whiplash. You get a lot of secondary characters that you meet further on in the novel that added a lot of good additions to the story, but you honestly follow Rose, Gryphon, and Jarek (Gryphon’s father and our main antagonist) more than anyone else. All of the chapters are from Rose’s POV and in first person, so it was very easy to follow as well.

In the beginning of my review, I mentioned how it reminded me of my favorite dystopian series. The Maze Runner is probably the one that The Verdant Cage can be compared to the most. It honestly felt at times like The Verdant Cage was following a majority of the formula for The Maze Runner and decided to change a few things up. You can still consider them very different stories, but there were many things that were eerily similar between the two (at least from what I know from The Maze Runner movies and not the book since I didn’t actually read it). If I’m being honest, that’s probably one of my only qualms with this novel is the fact that it was so similar in some ways to something that has already been so firmly established in the dystopian world. BUT that’s also a reason why I really enjoyed it.

Overall, I really enjoyed exploring Noah’s Valley and seeing Rose grow as a character. I think the premise is super solid, the characters built up well with really great arcs, and a very good mix of twists and revelations throughout the novel to keep you entertained. Definitely a 4.5/5 for me rounded up to 5/5 for social platforms. And honestly, the only reason it lost that .5 of a star is because of the similarities I mentioned to The Maze Runner. To say I’m excited for the next book is an understatement!

[Emily | emilyisoverbooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Thanks to @booksparks for the #gifted copy of this book!

—

"I'm ashamed to say I thought we had it.
Freedom. Happiness."

She shakes her head, soft brown eyes overcast with a wisdom beyond her years. "You can't have either without choice, not really." Then she lightly punches my arm. "But I don't think you should feel ashamed. We all wake up at different times and for different reasons. What matters is what we do after we hear the call.”

—

My heart is so happy that dystopian is back! THE VERDANT CAGE is out on April 7th from @entangled_teen and you are going to want it on your list.

Noah’s Valley is a community cut off from the rest of the world, protected by a Wall that surrounds them. The only people who ever leave are the ones who are chosen to be Harvested, sent up and out in the Basket.

Everyone else stays and plays their part, given a job based on their household. Rose’s job is an Apothecary, but she’s about to join a house of Guardians when she marries her betrothed, Gryphon. Secrets start to come to light and Rose starts to ask some questions and that’s all I’m gonna say about that. ☺️

This was a great start to a series and it ended on the cliffhanger I thought it would - which will just make me run straight to book 2 when it comes out! While there is some predictability, the big plot twist got me good and offers a fresh take on the dystopian genre.

👍🏻𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱? Yes!
📚𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀? Also yes!

[Jennifer Fullmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noah’s Valley lives within a 2000 acre wall that protects them from the evils outside. The citizens must work together to keep the community running - each house given a specialty they practice to keep the town running. Since they are such a small group, who you marry is forced on you - chosen by the counsel to keep bloodlines separate - and one of the newly married must join the house of the other to keep jobs even.

Rose is of the Apothecary house - she is a born healer. She has been betrothed to Gryphon of the Guardian house, and she is being forced to join the Guardians. But when her mother is murdered on Rose’s wedding day and her twin brother is “harvested” (sacrificed) and sent up the wall, Rose starts to question everything around her. Gryphon’s father has been gaining power, there have been unexplained deaths, and some villagers have “self-harvested” to get away. Rose starts digging to find the truth about her mother’s death and hopes to save her brother as well.

This is the start of a series, and I will definitely get the next book. The ending is a cliffhanger for sure. There were a few things I didn’t care for - it was repetitive in spots (I read an ARC so this may be fixed in the final version), a few things we a bit too convenient, and Rose could be irritating.

This is YA, but not terribly so. It read more like Hunger Games rather than some other YA books I’ve read recently.

[Ash’s Book Stack · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐5 🌶️0

Thank you to Entangled and Jess Lourey for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This story opens in a village protected by a wall, where every role is predetermined. Marriages are assigned, professions are inherited or gained through marriage, and everything functions smoothly...as long as no one breaks the rules.

This book was perfection. Every chapter was layered with suspense, and I was completely hooked trying to piece together what was really happening. Even when certain answers were revealed, they only led to more questions, which kept the tension high from beginning to end. I absolutely loved Rose as a main character. The found family she becomes part of was one of my favorite aspects of the story. The worldbuilding was especially well done, you're given just enough information to stay grounded in the story without ever seeing the full picture, which adds to the intrigue. The romance is slow burn and filled with tension and yearning. There’s no spice, but it's just right for this book. And as a fan of the “he trains her” trope, I was fully invested during those scenes.

If you love dystopian stories with a mystery, layered worldbuilding, and a touch of romance, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I’ll definitely be continuing this series...I need answers!

[Melanie Ollila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhh! I need the next book now!

I am so excited that I got a signed copy of the special edition of Verdant Cage. I have become a Jess Lourey fan, starting with her rom-com series, then to her police procedural mysteries so I couldn’t wait to read this YA dystopian adventure. The talent Jess brings to bridge all these genres is jaw dropping!

The world building in Noah’s Valley is great. You could picture it, smell it, feel it as it came to life on page. The magic continues with character development as you immediately root for Rose Allgood and her soon to be betrothed, Gryphon.

There is a constant tension of what is it, what is the not what we seem going to be; the wonder of maybe, just maybe there is more beyond the wall. Will it be good? Will it be worse? Either way too much power becomes the corruption and downfall of the village within the walls.

And this is just the start! Looking forward to continuing the journey with Rose and Gryphon!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

An atmospheric read with complex characters in a perfect world…
Perfect for lovers of The Maze Runner x The Giver x Divergent.
This one will leave you curled up while you dive into this atmospheric world within the Wall. I was immediately drawn into this world, and I really enjoyed the mysteries that needed to be solved. I liked Rose and how selfless and unassuming her character is. There are several complex characters and I quickly came to like several including Jonas. *Sigh*, but I wasn’t sure about Gryphon. iykyk. I’m very eager to see what happens next.


A very special thanks to BookSparks + Entangled Teen for the gifted copy.

[KeepsTheTbrAway · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I say other than 'wow'?? It's not too often that a twist really catches me by surprise, but this book got me not once, but TWICE? I was pretty sure I knew where things were going, but truthfully, I was caught so off-guard! I really adored Rose's character arc from strict rule-follower to rebellion leader. I must admit, I'm still on the fence a little about Gryphon, he definitely has some work to do on his communication skills!! I get that time was of the essence, but come on man!! I'm not sure at this point if this is going to be a stand-alone or not, but I really hope to get to see more of this world and these characters!

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gah. Cannot believe i have to wait for book #2 and 3 after reading this book that released just 2 days ago. It will be a long wait. A community built behind a wall to protect the inhabitants from a world full of dangerous creatures. All members of the community each belong to a family with a specific skill: guardian, animal keeper, healer etc.The record keeper decides who must be “sent to heaven” to control the number of people within the walls. This story may sound like others but it is a crisp new world that the author has created and an interesting premise is buried until about 3/4 of the way into the book. Now i have to wait patiently for book #2.