Golden Resistance: Book One of the Signalborn Series

by A.O. Garnette

Survival doesn't always mean redemption...

Perfect for fans of Red Rising, Mistborn, and Crescent City.
Golden Resistance is a high-stakes dystopian sci-fi thriller with genetic engineering, a touch of romance, and a heroine raised by the regime her family betrayed.

Arelia was a democracy—until it wasn’t.
146 years ago, a contamination in the water supply altered humanity in Arelia forever. Those who survived the genetic shift became something else entirely—Behtari, marked by golden-flecked eyes and inhuman abilities. Now, they rule the New Republic.
Luna, born into this superior race, works for the government with brutal efficiency. Her duty to the New Republic is simple: be obedient. And she’s good at it. But when a night spent celebrating her birthday turns into a tragedy, her entire world is flipped on its head. Luna finds herself face-to-face with the resistance her family bled for—and a human woman who challenges everything she thought she knew.
As Luna's reality fractures, she begins to question everything—from the gamma-wave genetic shift that created the Behtari to the regime built in the aftermath. What would it mean to be free? And what is she willing to risk for a chance at something more?
In a world engineered for obedience, even thinking differently is dangerous. But the real threat may be the human who makes Luna want to.
Will she uphold the regime that forged her or help bury it forever?

Inside Golden Resistance, readers will find:
• A morally conflicted heroine with real-life flaws
• A slow-burning forbidden romance
• A genetically altered ruling class vs. enslaved humans
• Political intrigue, found family, and rising revolution
• Plot twists and tension,
• Will leave you wanting more...
In Arelia, obedience is survival—And trust, fatal.

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 21, 2026

About the author

A.O. Garnette is the author of Golden Resistance - Book One of the Signalborn series.
Nestled in Upstate New York, she juggles a full-time job while crafting stories late into the evening with way too many snacks. Her current favorite is the Buldak carbanora ramen.
She is currently working on Book Two of the Signalborn series, and cannot wait to share what happens next.

Reviews

[Ellie Stokley]

My cousin is publishing a book!!!! Ahhh - starting soon 🤭 review to come 🥳

[MellissaMae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut novel was absolutely phenomenal. It was packed full of action and so fast paced that it felt like I was on the crazy train with the characters and reminded me a lot of Divergent. There was a twist or some new information dropped around every single corner, and then we got hit with a cliffhanger at the end too. If you need a new dystopian novel to add to your TBR, then you need to get this one on your lineup asap!

[Mrs Holm Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book weaves an incredible narrative that draws you into a world filled with magic, deception, and resilience. The protagonist, Luna, faces profound loss—her parents and older brother are mysteriously taken away due to their ties with the resistance against the oppressive regime of the New Republic and the Behtari.
The plot unfolds brilliantly, revealing that Luna's family harbored secrets to protect her, secrets that ultimately led to their tragic demise. This backstory sets the stage for a gripping exploration of power dynamics, as humans are relegated to mere pawns in a larger game. The Behtari’s tyranny transforms them into slaves, stripped of agency and dignity, creating a palpable tension that drives the story forward.

The author masterfully combines elements of fantasy with a poignant commentary on power and resistance, making it not just a story of magic, but a reflection on the human spirit’s fight against oppression.
Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a rich plot filled with emotional depth and a strong, courageous protagonist. It leaves you questioning the balance of power and the cost of standing up for what is right. And the ending gosh I didn’t imagine that happening. What an amazing read.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book hooked me early with a premise that feels fresh and inventive. A girl needs a half star because I’d bump this one up. The plot is immediately intriguing, and the author does a fantastic job layering in tension and mystery. Just when you think you’ve found your footing, another twist lands—there are several throughout the story—each one keeping the momentum high and making it impossible to stop turning the pages.

The world and overarching storyline are clearly built with a series in mind, and the author sets up multiple compelling threads to explore in future installments. By the time I reached the cliffhanger ending, I was fully invested and already craving the next book.

My only wish is that the physical relationship between the FMC and her love interest had a bit more development. If you crave spice, this book might not be for you. While the connection is an interesting one, the progression felt rushed, and a little more buildup would have made their dynamic more impactful.

Overall, this is a unique, twist-filled start to what promises to be an exciting series. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment!

[Armando Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A.O. Garnette’s Golden Resistance completely drew me in from the first page. The story was captivating and layered with emotional depth, and I found myself invested in every twist and turn. While there are a few slower parts throughout the book, those moments are used thoughtfully, they add meaning through character and plot development rather than dragging the pace.One of my favorite aspects was the portrayal of racial and class tensions. Garnette explores these themes with realism and nuance, making the world feel alive and the stakes intensely personal. It’s a story that feels timely and immersive, with characters that linger in your mind long after finishing the last page.Overall, Golden Resistance earns a solid four stars from me. It’s beautifully written, full of heart, and sets the stage perfectly for what’s to come. I’m already eager for the next installment!

[Melissa D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden Resistance weaves an inventive story of class war struggles, female power and a touch of romance; ACOTAR meets Divergent meets The Hunger Games. No spoilers, but I found myself cursing the author on more than one occasion. Unexpected twists, turns and losses lead you through a world where Luna, the female protagonist, finds out the truth about her family and must fight against the new world order that has enslaved humans and seeks to create the perfect being. Word of warning: don’t get too attached to any character, nobody is safe in Garnettes storytelling. It finishes fairly quickly, but leaves you on a cliffhanger of significant proportions. If you’re looking for an easy-to-read book filled plot twists and the occasional “WTF” moments, I highly recommend as this will have you reading late into the night.

[Cassie · Rating 3 out of 5]

*ARC Reader*

Overall I really enjoyed this story. It had my attention the whole time and the characters are great. I think Lunas journey will be one worth following and am interested to see where it goes. That being said it is a little rough around the edges. The lovers angle came on too fast. I didn't feel like all the trauma leading up to that point had been adequately addressed let alone dealt with prior to everyone making out. It had a great twist and I think it will be worth it in the long run. Looking forward to the next one.

[Paytin Craddock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Golden Resistance! The characters were fantastic, and I enjoyed watching their development throughout the story. A.O. Garnette did such a good job making me feel connected to the characters. While the romantic storyline might have caught me off guard, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. The plot was packed with twists that genuinely left me stunned and kept me fully engaged until the very end. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book. This book earns a 5/5 from me for leaving my jaw on the floor and my mind buzzing long after I turned the last page.

[Ashlee Fiarris · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review

I enjoyed this book overall, it is multiple POVs and it will draw you in. It has a Divergent vibe which I love!! We have a world where there are the Behtari and humans. There is such a good amount of world building with the character development in this story woth just enough of the backstory that you want to instantly know how everything happened to create this world they now live in. The way it ended makes me want book 2 now.

[Shabella Gutierrez-McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was unlike anything I have read. I did like the multiple POVs in the same timeline. I really liked the whole premise behind the story. I did not see any of the twists that were in the book. That to me is hard, because I feel like I can usually spot a twist coming. The twists are amazing and that ending, seriously!!

[Riley Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was out of my normal genre but I did enjoy it. There were a few points where I put the book down and debated continuing, but I'm glad I did. This book definitely keeps you on your toes and has quite a few twists that you wouldn't expect. The ending is intense with a major cliffhanger. Can't wait for the next installment!

[Faith Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. I cried during it but it was amazing. It is worth. I will reread it and will buy the book when it comes out. Luna and Darin are by far my favorites so far. I can't wait for the next book!!!

[Candie Taylor Maddox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read…I started before the weekend and hated that I got busy and couldn’t finish it until Monday. The plot is a grabber . The plot builds and never lulls and leaves you wanting more. There is no spice, so it’s a great read for older teens (there is a mild GG kissing scene).

[Robin Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read!!! The flow was smooth!! Not bogged down with too many descriptors but enough to picture it in your head. There were a few twists I didn’t see coming which made it even more exciting. Can’t wait to read the next one!!

[CozyInChapters (Aaron) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Golden Resistance delivers an immersive story that draws you into a world shaped by magic, secrecy, and rebellion.

Luna is a compelling FMC, and her journey through loss, resilience, and awakening is emotionally charged from the start. The tension surrounding her parents and older brother, and the secrets surrounding their involvement in the resistance, creates a strong narrative foundation that keeps the stakes high throughout.

The novel shines in its exploration of power dynamics and oppression. The Behtari regime is chilling in its cruelty, and the way ordinary people are reduced to pawns within a larger political machine creates a tense, and important, undercurrent. The author skillfully blends fantasy elements with a thoughtful commentary on resistance, sacrifice, and the cost of survival, giving the story depth beyond its plot twists.

Where the book falls just short of perfection is in its pacing, particularly when it comes to key relationships. Some emotional bonds and character connections felt slightly rushed, especially given their importance to the story’s impact. With an extra 100 pages, the novel could have slowed down enough to fully develop these relationships and let certain moments breathe a bit more.

That said, Golden Resistance is still a powerful and engaging read. It’s emotionally charged, thematically strong, and ends on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. I’m ready for book 2!

[Hannah Heinz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Golden Resistance will take you on an incredible journey into a new world of powers, love and deceit. I absolutely enjoyed the plot of this book, and the plot twists are INSANE. While I loved the overall story of this book, I do wish there was more yearning/anticipation between the physical relationship of the characters. This is definitely a step up from YA, but if you are looking for a ton of spice, it may not be your cup of tea! I am already anxiously awaiting to see what happens next because the cliff hanger at the end is no joke!