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New Haven: Retribution
New Retribution is a gripping science-fiction thriller packed with explosive action, moral ambiguity, and emotional weight—perfect for fans of dystopian futures, post-apocalyptic worlds, and high-stakes character-driven drama.
A tyrant rises. A city fractures. And James is running out of time.
New Haven is no longer the city James and Sybil escaped. It has evolved into something far more dangerous—an authoritarian machine built on surveillance, fear, and absolute control.
When James and Sybil first fled its walls, they believed they were leaving for good. But when a new militia emerges with a single mission—to retake the city and dismantle Valentine’s brutal regime—they’re pulled back into a war they never truly left. What awaits them is a near-future drones sweeping the skies, resistance networks buried deep underground, and a government engineered to crush rebellion before it can breathe.
As James is forced into the heart of the conflict, the lines between ally and enemy begin to blur. Secret corridors, underground contacts, and a betrayal within his own ranks push him further than he ever intended to go. With danger closing in, James must face not only the enemy tightening its grip on New Haven—but the war raging inside himself.
Some missions demand sacrifice.
Some choices can never be undone.
A tyrant rises. A city fractures. And James is running out of time.
New Haven is no longer the city James and Sybil escaped. It has evolved into something far more dangerous—an authoritarian machine built on surveillance, fear, and absolute control.
When James and Sybil first fled its walls, they believed they were leaving for good. But when a new militia emerges with a single mission—to retake the city and dismantle Valentine’s brutal regime—they’re pulled back into a war they never truly left. What awaits them is a near-future drones sweeping the skies, resistance networks buried deep underground, and a government engineered to crush rebellion before it can breathe.
As James is forced into the heart of the conflict, the lines between ally and enemy begin to blur. Secret corridors, underground contacts, and a betrayal within his own ranks push him further than he ever intended to go. With danger closing in, James must face not only the enemy tightening its grip on New Haven—but the war raging inside himself.
Some missions demand sacrifice.
Some choices can never be undone.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2026
3 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Adam Kirstein
3 books12 followersAdam Kirstein is the author of New Haven, a #5 Best seller and #1 New release in Teen & YA SCI-FI Mystery on Amazon. Adam is currently living in Alabama with his wife Alena and their two cats where he works as a Medical Doctor. He enjoys writing dystopian fiction and science fiction novels for entertainment and has a passion for literary expression. He also enjoys inventing, learning new things and pretending he is a professional athlete outside.
You can find him on instagram- @dradamk93
You can find him on instagram- @dradamk93
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 25, 2026
It's been a while since I read a dystopian fiction, so The New Haven: Retribution turned out to be my first book in that genre this year. Although this is a sequel that highly relies on the world, characters, and consequences set by the first book, with a brief summary of previous events, Dr. Adam Kirstein made it very convenient and seamless for me to understand the plot and premise of this book.
The story revolves around James and Sybil after their escape from an authoritarian city named New Haven, and bringing down that regime becomes the sole purpose of their lives. I felt it was more like a sci-fi war fiction, with many intense events involving loss, difficult choices, betrayal, and emotional as well as ethical dilemmas faced by the characters. The story is fast-paced for sure, but the characterization could have been a bit better, with more depth and some breathing space for the characters. I liked James, Sybil, and Mario (especially Mario—his character development was nailed), but other characters like Ellie, Jade, and Roy felt more like fillers, even though they played a very crucial part in the story.
What I loved the most was the unexpected twist at the end and how tense the atmosphere feels during the climax. I expected the worst, I expected James to turn evil, but the choice he made was indeed heroic and delivered a deserving closure for his character after everything he suffered and endured. Dr. Adam Kirstein handled this moral conflict particularly well.
Overall, it was a good read with a sad but satisfying end.
The story revolves around James and Sybil after their escape from an authoritarian city named New Haven, and bringing down that regime becomes the sole purpose of their lives. I felt it was more like a sci-fi war fiction, with many intense events involving loss, difficult choices, betrayal, and emotional as well as ethical dilemmas faced by the characters. The story is fast-paced for sure, but the characterization could have been a bit better, with more depth and some breathing space for the characters. I liked James, Sybil, and Mario (especially Mario—his character development was nailed), but other characters like Ellie, Jade, and Roy felt more like fillers, even though they played a very crucial part in the story.
What I loved the most was the unexpected twist at the end and how tense the atmosphere feels during the climax. I expected the worst, I expected James to turn evil, but the choice he made was indeed heroic and delivered a deserving closure for his character after everything he suffered and endured. Dr. Adam Kirstein handled this moral conflict particularly well.
Overall, it was a good read with a sad but satisfying end.
February 6, 2026
New Haven: Retribution is the second book in the New Haven series—an intriguing take of a dystopian world! What can I say, I'm all for body autonomy issues in general and city-states run on fear and surveiilance in particular.
First of all, I want to thank Kirstein for providing me with a NH#1 synopsis. Even if it’s not hard to get into the story, since the worldbuilding is on point, it’s a nice gesture and not something that happens often. I mean, if the author has a good grasp on their setting and overall story arc, I can follow along regardless—as it’s the case here!—but I always appreciate thoughtfulness.
With that out of the way, let’s delve into NH:R. It’s a short book, which tells me beforehand how Kirstein goes for concise and relevant. That’s a good look, and it’s confirmed by the writing itself; I couldn’t find any part that should have been cut or shortened, no fillers or padding. Bravo!
Of course there’s also the other side of the coin to consider, as sometimes the balance between telling and showing feels a little off, but this is something that can be fixed with ease. Same goes with the characterization. It’s straighforward, and while this is something I like as a broad concept, I would maybe have gone a bit more in depth with both James and Sybil. The rest of the cast can withstand a basic characterization, but not the main characters.
Rhythm and pacing? I only have good things to say about them. The dialogue-heavy approach helps a lot in this case, making for a fast-paced read, and the story flows well as a result. Also, my personal preference leans that way, too. Kirstein’s grammar is good, the sentences construction is simple but well-done. I am not a fan of adverbs overuse, however—what works for King works for me, too—and I’d mind repetitions (i.e. Jeremy shakes his head/James nods his head, the opening of two different paragraphs in a row).
The worldbuilding, as I said, is excellent. Since the MC move in a dystopian world, it requires a solid structure to be believable, and Kirstein pulls that off with ease.
4 stars on GR.
First of all, I want to thank Kirstein for providing me with a NH#1 synopsis. Even if it’s not hard to get into the story, since the worldbuilding is on point, it’s a nice gesture and not something that happens often. I mean, if the author has a good grasp on their setting and overall story arc, I can follow along regardless—as it’s the case here!—but I always appreciate thoughtfulness.
With that out of the way, let’s delve into NH:R. It’s a short book, which tells me beforehand how Kirstein goes for concise and relevant. That’s a good look, and it’s confirmed by the writing itself; I couldn’t find any part that should have been cut or shortened, no fillers or padding. Bravo!
Of course there’s also the other side of the coin to consider, as sometimes the balance between telling and showing feels a little off, but this is something that can be fixed with ease. Same goes with the characterization. It’s straighforward, and while this is something I like as a broad concept, I would maybe have gone a bit more in depth with both James and Sybil. The rest of the cast can withstand a basic characterization, but not the main characters.
Rhythm and pacing? I only have good things to say about them. The dialogue-heavy approach helps a lot in this case, making for a fast-paced read, and the story flows well as a result. Also, my personal preference leans that way, too. Kirstein’s grammar is good, the sentences construction is simple but well-done. I am not a fan of adverbs overuse, however—what works for King works for me, too—and I’d mind repetitions (i.e. Jeremy shakes his head/James nods his head, the opening of two different paragraphs in a row).
The worldbuilding, as I said, is excellent. Since the MC move in a dystopian world, it requires a solid structure to be believable, and Kirstein pulls that off with ease.
4 stars on GR.
January 14, 2026
New Retribution is a powerful and immersive science-fiction thriller that delivers nonstop tension while never losing sight of its emotional core. From the moment James and Sybil are pulled back into the brutal, surveillance-soaked city of New Haven, the story moves at a relentless pace, filled with danger, difficult choices, and haunting moral questions. The dystopian setting feels chillingly real, with drones in the sky, underground resistance networks, and a government designed to crush dissent before it even begins.
What truly sets this book apart is its focus on character. James is not just fighting a tyrannical regime; he’s also battling his own fears, regrets, and sense of responsibility. The blurred lines between allies and enemies, and the ever-present threat of betrayal, add depth and unpredictability that keep the reader completely invested.
This is a gripping, emotionally charged read for fans of post-apocalyptic and near-future science fiction. It blends explosive action with thoughtful storytelling in a way that makes every decision feel meaningful, and every loss hits hard. If you enjoy dystopian worlds with strong characters and high stakes, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
What truly sets this book apart is its focus on character. James is not just fighting a tyrannical regime; he’s also battling his own fears, regrets, and sense of responsibility. The blurred lines between allies and enemies, and the ever-present threat of betrayal, add depth and unpredictability that keep the reader completely invested.
This is a gripping, emotionally charged read for fans of post-apocalyptic and near-future science fiction. It blends explosive action with thoughtful storytelling in a way that makes every decision feel meaningful, and every loss hits hard. If you enjoy dystopian worlds with strong characters and high stakes, this book is absolutely worth picking up.
January 28, 2026
The end…the unexpected ending, definitely not what I expected. For a dystopian read, this one was good. Full of action, lots of emotion and some heavy decisions to make.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews