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, Mystery, Dystopia, Young Adult, Thriller, Fiction

416 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication 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

[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 😍

[Rae Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

review to come ✨

[Alejandra Martin ~ Lexi Likes to Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of dystopian stories and world-building that explores strict societal structures are going to be drawn into this book immediately. The story drops readers into a society divided by rigid rules, all of which stem from the founders who carefully designed the world the characters now navigate. Everyone lives inside a massive wall, not because they’re trapped, but because they genuinely believe it exists for their protection. As the chapters unfold, the author gradually reveals the deeper purpose behind this society and the beliefs that have shaped it for over a century.

I really loved watching the evolution of the main character throughout the book — seeing her shift from someone who follows every rule without question to someone who begins to challenge the system while still keeping the good of her community at heart. It was fascinating to see how easily an entire society accepted these rules for a hundred years, and even more interesting to understand the reasoning behind that acceptance. By the end, I was buzzing with thoughts and absolutely ready for more. I’m genuinely excited for this book to hit shelves next year and can’t wait to hear what other readers think once they dive into this world. This author is definitely one I’ll be following.

[Meghan JaMonkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️ The Verdant Cage is a wild ride of twists and turns in this dystopian story. If you were a fan of Divergent and Maze Runner, you would like this story. The community structure is interesting and lends itself to fantastic world-building to understand how quickly things escalated. Get ready for heartbreak and adrenaline. The FMC, Rose, experiences rapid character growth after losing her mother and brother to a terrible plot for power. It's hard to believe this whole story takes place in only a week. This one was an emotional roller coaster.
Thank you to Entangled Publishing for the ARC.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. wow. wow.

the pacing and twists of this story kept me HOOKED. I couldn’t put down my kindle, and when i did it was because i was shocked.

the ever growing amount of information we get throughout the story, really every chapter. keeps you in you toes. it paints this picture of what is inside the valley..and the monsters that inhabit the cage.

a all new dystopian novel you never knew you needed, definitely keep this one on your radar.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review coming soon

[Erin Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 / 5 ✨review to follow✨

I love a good dystopian novel and this book delivered!

[Summer McLain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come

[Catrina]

Ordered from B&N
April 2026