To Unleash a Darker Fate

Divided Fates #2

by Brooke Fast

Don’t miss the high-stakes sequel to the instant New York Times bestselling dystopian romance, To Cage a Wild Bird!

After escaping the brutal world of Endlock, Raven Thorne flees to the Wastes and finds herself drawn into the cold embrace of the Collective, a rebel group. This electrifying dystopian romance about a divided heart, found family, and a fight for survival will leave you on the edge of your seat.

After doing the impossible and escaping Endlock Prison, Raven and her fellow survivors embark on a treacherous journey across the Wastes, aching with the absence of those they have left behind. To get the people she loves to the safety of the North Settlement, Raven must contend with dwindling resources and poisonous snakes.

They are pursued across the desert by a hunting caravan sent from Dividium to kill them. As the hunters close in, Raven is shocked to find a familiar face among them, allowing them to make a desperate escape.

When all seems lost, the Collective offers Raven and her friends refuge in exchange for joining their fight against Dividum’s tyranny.

The highly secretive Collective constantly tests Raven’s loyalty, forcing her to question everything. Who does she owe her loyalty to, her friends or the Collective? The ex-prison guard or the fledging revolutionary?

Fans of To Cage a Wild Bird will be stunned by every shocking twist and turn in this gripping sequel.

Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Dystopian Romance, Adult

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 9, 2027

About the author

Brooke Fast is a lover of dystopian, fantasy, and all things romance. When she’s not writing new worlds, you can find her curled up on the couch with her husband and their pups in their self-built tiny house in the mountains of Maine. She’ll either be consuming copious amounts of coffee and thumbing through the latest romantasy release or sharing book reviews and writing snippets under her alter-ego, @librarybrookes. To Cage a Wild Bird is her first novel.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Genevieve (GenLikesToRead)]

I need this book like yesterday

[Tanvi Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i am not entirely certain where to begin with this review. there is so much to unpack, but i will attempt to do it while keeping this spoiler-free! although, please read at your own risk! in case i have inadvertently insinuated something and you are able to put two and two together.

TUADF was the equivalent of walking through a haunted house. you are fully aware that something is bound to jump out and scare you, and yet you are caught off guard anyways. multiple times. again, and again, and again.

this was a solid second installment. the pacing and writing were phenomenal. TUADF is undeniably chaotic, and looking back at everything that happened, i am genuinely impressed by brooke. so much of it should have overwhelmed or stressed me out, yet somehow, i had an absolute blast reading it (although i am feeling stressed about book 3 now).



the romance —

there are so many rumors circulating about a love triangle in this book between the “ex-prison guard” and “fledging revolutionary.” however, i would not classify this romance as a love triangle. raven’s family is her highest priority, and her decisions have consistently reflected that in TCAWB. with that being said, she never wavers from this core value of family above all else even in TUADF. raven is extremely self-aware of which relationships suit her current needs and those core beliefs, and which relationships are better left in the past. hence, i would say the romance is cut and dry and her decisions are very straightforward. chapter 30 was my favorite by far, for those who are circling back after reading!!!



the other storylines —

after breaking free of endlock, the group (raven, jed, kit, yara, gray, & opal) begin their journey across the wastes to the north settlement. the journey from endlock to the north settlement was surprisingly short, but their arrival at the north settlement is when the story truly started for me.

the inner workings and rules of the north settlement really intrigued me, but also left me with a stomach ache. at some point i started questioning whether anyone had genuine and pure values on either side. i had major, major trust issues with just about everyone. just had a hard time identifying who wanted peace and prosperity versus revenge and being known as the top dog. however, i believe brooke intend to make readers feel that way…

where i am more conflicted is the character assassination for one character, in particular. however, i even feel conflicted to call it a character assassination in some ways because 1) i still have love for the character even after their awful decisions, and 2) did those decisions come completely out-of-left-field or was it the product and aftermath of endlock and all the unresolved trauma sustained without proper resources/help? i am still unsure, but i know those decisions were rooted in desperation and to prevent themselves from ever experiencing trauma and loss again. so yeah, i could lean either way, but the fact that i can justify either has to mean something right?

moreover, this character is manipulated by other characters, when already being in a vulnerable state, which played an important role in pushing them over the edge. so, sue me and disagree, but i want them to have a redemption and happy ending still.

book 3 will ultimately determine my overall series rating. however, i am having a phenomenal (also slightly stressful) time so far. i am hoping that all my babies stay safe in the next book.

thank you to brooke and her team at avon for this e-arc!!!

[Lex.ᐟ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 ⭐️ | Thank you NetGalley for the ARC🫶🏻

Raven I fucking hate you oh my god.
Firstly I was very excited for this book. Don’t get me wrong I enjoyed it a lot, but I think the first one is still my favorite. Beware because I’ve been in an awful mood these past couple of days so that might have affected ,y tolerance to the characters and the story lol.

I neeeeeeeed the third book nowwwww of my. Love a good cliffhanger ending. I just think I would have enjoyed this more if we had gotten completely rid of the love triangle because I personally can’t stand that. Now if you’re into that and you love one of the male characters more than the other, and hopefully the one you love more is the one she is with this book, then this is just for you.

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish this and I’m simultaneously so happy I know what happened next and also devastated that this book is over. This broke my heart into a million pieces and I loved every second of it. My heart rate was also alarmingly high with pretty much every single page and so much happened. This was a fantastic second book and the perfect continuation of one of my favorite stories ever (even though I have so many big feelings about what happened). I don’t think I can explain how special these characters are to me and how emotional I am right now. I’ll actually fr be staring at a wall until book three is released.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely loved how fast paced this was in the beginning, and how no time was wasted by diving straight into the thick of things and picking up directly where we leave off at the end of book one, but for some reason, I just couldn’t seem to become as invested in this one as I was in the first one.

A lot of the plot twists, and a lot of the reveals were things I predicted pretty early on, which removed the excitement and wow factor for me when the things I could tell were about to happen, happened.

I do absolutely love the found family and the unity between our core characters ( Kit, Momo, Jed, Gray, Yara ) and their dynamic continued to be my favorite in this book. Jed coming into his own, and getting more insight to Gray and his personality and the secrets him and Raven kept from each other brought the emotional aspect and I was here for it. I will say Vale seemed like a completely different character to me, like a whole personality flip in comparison to his previous self, but I do understand stress and other factors played into this. ( I’m still team Gray lol )

Curious to see what happens next in book three after how things ended on that cliffhanger!

[Nelly]

Ahhh, I'm so exicted for this! I'm counting down the daysssss!!!

[Danielle Strona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyage, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This series has me in such a chokehold!! I need the next book after that ending because Oh MY GOD?!?!

The book starts out right where the first one ended, so we are thrown right back into the action! I could not put this book down. It was so action-packed and will have you on the edge of your seat the entire time! I read this book in about 2 days because it was THAT addictive. I especially loved when the group goes on their mission at the end of the book. I couldn’t help but feel nervous the entire time! Worried for their safety and if they were going to make it out alive. There are so many twist and turns throughout the book you will be wondering what is happening next. Every time I thought I knew what was going to happen, the complete opposite happened. There is heartbreak, new relationships forming, secrets between leaders, and so much more!

I love Raven, and as always, she was so selfless in this book. She would do anything to protect the new family she has made, especially when it comes to her brother. I really loved seeing her brother take care of her more in this book. Raven basically gave up her entire life to help him, took a slashing for him when they were younger, and you can tell how much Jed cares about her and doesn’t want Raven to feel like she has to carry that burden anymore. Their relationship is one of my favorite parts in the book. I loved seeing them open up to each other. While there were times that Raven could be a little overbearing, I understood why she was. She never wanted Jed to be in any kind of danger.

I won’t give too much away, but I LOVED the flashback scenes with Grey and Raven! I really enjoyed getting to learn more about the characters and their pasts. There is so much emotion and heartbreak in this book, and there was one moment where I was literally crying because I felt so bad for them. Grey and Raven finally have a heart-to-heart where he finally learns more about the secret Raven’s been keeping from him.

Overall, this book had everything I wanted! Action, twists and turns, romance, and new relationships. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one!

[Desiree · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This book focuses mostly on Raven and her being a strong family member to Jed, Momo, Kit & Yara while also dealing with the trauma of being in Endlock.

I also wouldn’t fully classify this book as a love triangle, Raven still is trying with Vale and doesn’t shift away from him for the other MMC. In all honestly the romance takes more of a back burner! I do think some people will relate to Raven and Vale’s relationship and understand what Raven was going through and how she coped.

This book was very fast paced and we start off right where book one ends essentially so keep that in mind if you need a refresher! Brooke Fast does an amazing job of making you question EVERYONE too. I legitimately didn’t know who to trust and some of the plot twists I was actually shocked.

This book was a lot of character growth, I loved that Raven was starting to let Jed be his own person and that he wanted to take care of her just as much as she did for him. I loved all of the interactions with Momo, everyone parents him while still treating him like a sibling. I do wish we got Yara and Kit a smidge more but the scenes with them were very much girl gang which I love!

This book is full of found family, action, growth, tension, yearning, and lots of twists!
I cannot wait for the next book.

Thank you so much Brooke & Avon for the arc and letting me be on your street team 🥹🫶

[C.G. Frances]

Ordered B&N
February 2027

[Cally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so much fun I didn’t want to put it down.

We continue on from the ending of book 1, watching the group trying to survive. They end up at Base Zero, where the Collective are based. From there we see the group fit into the Collective routine and training, whilst working with them (and a very familiar commander!) to find a way to break into and disrupt Endlock.

The dystopian vibes were so good and I loved that there were so many plot reveals and secrets. It meant I was so immersed in the story trying to get ahead and figure it all out. The mystery behind Vales fathers death, alongside the daily training and exercises, Aggies secrets, Ravens feelings towards both Vale and Gray made for an action packed plot that didn’t stop for a second. It felt like you couldn’t trust or believe anyone as you didn’t know what would be revealed next.

I did NOT see that coming with Raven and Vale! The tension and heat between Raven and Gray also was *chefs kiss*. I’m really intrigued to see how this develops in the next book and if there will be anymore surprises.

And that ending! I can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review

[Gigi Trencher · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

A great sequel! Lots of action and twists and turns I never would have suspected! Looking forward to the next one!

[The Bern Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a shell of the person I once was.

RTC

[Dan Cassino · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Not a genre I normally read, but I’ve found authors I love by reading outside my comfort zone before.
Very much an R-rated take on the Hunger Games with a prison escape gimmick. It’s well paced, though the series of “here’s what *really* happened” reveals towards the end gets tiring. Our heroine is torn between two lovers in a sci-fi dystopia, and they’re both really good in bed, and you hear all about it. And I’m sure that’s important to some readers. I didn’t find them particularly hot, but I’m not the target audience. I don’t think those scenes gave us much character development: I’d be more interested in them if sex was used as a way to tell us about these people and their relationships. Rather, both of the beaus seem to be into very similar things. So, perfectly serviceable: I found it a little derivative, but people like formulas for a reason. I won’t be seeking out the next one, or going back to the previous, but it was fine.

[Kristina Nichole]

BOOK 2 is now on NETGALLEY.....
HARPER/AVON pahlease send me this.....

To Cage a Wild Bird

[Book Meets World - Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

To Unleash a Darker Fate had the exact same hold on me as To Cage a Wild Bird, which was one of my favorite books of 2026. I flew through the first book in a matter of hours, and this one was no different. I stayed up late to finish it and woke up early to squeeze in more reading before work. Needless to say, I was completely hooked.

Things I Enjoyed

- One of my biggest concerns with a sequel is whether it can live up to the first book, but this one absolutely did. The story stood on its own, felt necessary to the overall plot, and never once felt like filler just to extend the series.

- Lord help me, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I loved Val in the first book, and now I think I love Gray even more. The tension and yearning between Gray and Raven were perfection. I'm not usually a second-chance romance or friends-to-lovers girl, but this was done so well that I found myself rooting for both Val and Gray during the first half of the book.

- I also loved how the book explored the difference between genuine love and trauma bonding. In high-stakes fantasy and dystopian stories, characters often mistake the bonds formed through shared trauma for love. It was refreshing to see a character step back and question whether her feelings were genuine or a response to everything she'd been through.

- Just like the first book, the found family was another standout. It gave me Hunger Games vibes, with everyone doing whatever they could to keep each other alive. You become so invested in these characters that every loss genuinely hurts, and that emotional weight carried over beautifully from the first book.

- And the twists! I did predict one major reveal, mostly because I have a hard time believing that the good guys are always good and the bad guys are always bad. However, I absolutely did not see the betrayal involving Raven coming. The final 20% had me biting my nails as everything started coming to a head, and I was desperate to see whether my predictions were right.

Things That Could Be Improved

Honestly? No notes. My only complaint is that this book does not come with a time machine so I can skip ahead and read the third book immediately.

Of course, there's a cliffhanger, and I will absolutely be reading the next installment the second I can get my hands on it.

ARC Disclaimer: Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an advance reader copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Haley C · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay this is my first time posting a negative review and I hate this but I also need to know if anyone else felt the same?? SPOILERS!!!!!!!

Let me start by saying I LOVED book one. And I think I liked it because it was so YA-coded and there was only like one real smutty scene and I just skipped it. Because it’s not always my jam. Unless slow burn earned. But I also didnt mind the insta lust?

But the FMC is SO sexually charged this book + paired with the extremely immature (?) writing style.... Like constantly talking about how she needs to be near to vale and feel him lol it’s soooooooooo ickkkkk. But that feels like it’s all that happened… lots happened, but nothing happened and all she wants is to be on him.

And then I skipped from chapter 18 ish to 25 ish and they fuckin and then find out he lied and did shady shit like dark vibes DECIET

And then I skip to 40 something and next thing I know she’s fuckin graylin?? ‘Graylin’s a better man than vale has ever been’ and ‘gray it’s ALWAYS BEEN YOU FROM THE START’ and then turns out AGGIE killed vale’s dad and framed the guy vale thought killed him. And she helped vale kill HIM and bring varona in. And then they were planning on going to the prison mission and vale told his mom.

Because he realized Aggie is actually the bad person. But the FMC is like NO GRAY IS THERE. So she goes after him. And then Aggie lied to vale and he didn’t know her actual plan no one did

And they were gonna free the prisoners and kill vale’s mom.

But then vale’s mom captures Jed and gray and Aggie and the FMC too but at the last second she causes a distraction and goes with vale’s mom thru a tunnel and shuts the door so no one can follow and they will get rescued

And then she wakes up in a cell in a cave with a cot and a toilet and vale’s mom is watching her thru the bars lol

And vale was like betraying her but also saying he was protecting her and it was very posessive creepy vibes… like very much Fear (1996) and I don’t know what to think but this is not at all how I expected anything to go lol

Halp?

DISCLAIMER: I could never write a book and I still think it's amazing that she's doing the damn thing.
And some people may like it!!! I was just really thrown off and overwhelmed after loving book 1

[Nikki McMinn · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

I LOVED this one. Honestly, I think it’s even better than the first book, which is saying something because I really enjoyed that one, too.

The plot was interesting, the character dynamics were SO good, and I really enjoyed seeing how relationships evolved throughout the story. Without getting anywhere near spoiler territory, a lot changes in this book, and I appreciated that the author wasn’t afraid to shake things up. It kept the story feeling fresh, and I was genuinely invested in seeing where everything would go.

Pacing-wise, I thought it was pretty good overall. The majority of the book moves along quickly, although there are definitely a few stretches where things slow down a bit. I don’t personally mind this, though. In fact, I think those slower moments are often where we get some of the best character development. That said, I could see readers who prefer a consistently fast-paced story getting a little restless in places.

One thing worth mentioning is that we spend the vast majority of this book in one location (aside from the opening and final chapters). It gave me a little bit of a Hunger Games / District 13 vibe, which I actually really enjoyed. There’s also quite a bit of political intrigue and rebellion-focused plot development, so even with the more contained setting, there’s plenty happening.

And the romance… well, let’s just say things get interesting. 😂 There’s plenty of spice, but I particularly enjoyed how the romantic elements reflected the emotional complexities of the story. I’ll leave it at that because I am NOT about to accidentally spoil anything, but I am very excited to see where things go from here.

As for the ending? Satisfying, but also a HUGE cliffhanger. It felt like a natural place for this particular part of the story to wrap up, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less impatient for book three. I NEED to know what happens next.

Overall, an excellent sequel that managed to take a book I already loved and make me love this series even more. If you enjoyed the first installment, I absolutely recommend continuing. I’m officially impatiently waiting for book three!

[Victoria Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten stars out of five. Wow. Brooke Fast did it again with this fantastic second installment. I am truly shocked and a little shaken up as I write this because I did not see ANY of the events coming. I am typically great at putting the pieces together....but the reveals, betrayals, and plot twists will completely knock you off your feet. My heart was pounding (and honestly, it still is). I had total tunnel vision while reading, you couldn't have torn me away from my kindle if you tried.

The author creates a flawless balance between action heavy plot and deep, meaningful character growth. As vulnerabilities are exposed and facades shatter, you realize nothing is what it seems. At one point, I was suspicious of absolutely everyone, which just demonstrates how incredible Brooke Fast's storytelling is. She seamlessly evokes emotional depth, spins real, genuine suspicion, and delivers heart pounding action + revelations that will have your jaw on the floor.

No spoilers, but the romance and spice in this book made me completely MELT. I highlighted so many quotes from the MMC because I am simply in love with him. He brings so much emotional maturity and introspection to the book (don't we all love that?).

All in all, this is an impeccably written masterpiece of a book 2. I have no idea how I'll survive the wait for book three, or where this ride is going next, but I am so incredibly excited to find out. This story will stay with me for a very long time.

Thank you so much to Brooke Fast. I am deeply thankful for your brilliant mind and your ability to craft such an intricate political world with uniquely distinct characters. Thank you also to Avon/Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC, I am so grateful.

[Caroline Carreras · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

Received this as an advanced reader e-proof from NetGalley.

Okay I’ve been waiting for this book to come out since TCAWB. Second dystopian books are hard ok? The first book was golden, no notes, so energizing, thrilling, all of the above. So I was worried the second wouldn’t compare… But all that to say… she did it again in the sequel and she did it WELL. The lies, the betrayal, the action, the devastation, the steam… ugh I need more like I need air. My stomach was in knots many times, that’s when you know it’s good. I love these characters and how much they banded together in this book after the hell they’ve been through.

Was surprised in a good way with the relationships of all the characters and how they evolved. You think you know someone in this book? Think again. The flashback scenes were so cool and obviously confirm some suspicions for sure, but then again I think it really comes down to truly what Raven stands for, and that’s protecting her family at all costs. Anyone that crosses her friends and family she’s gonna cut out, and don’t think that anyone is exempt from that. The love she has for others is so strong and believable.

The conflict was sometimes confusing. Who is on who’s side? Did we get it all wrong? Without spoilers I just still don’t know what the main characters are trying to achieve at the end there because there are so many plans and lies. It’s a tough cliffhanger, as to be expected. I don’t know what’s in store for Dividium which is exciting. Can’t wait for #3!!! It can’t come soon enough!!

Thank you Brooke, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager for sending! Made my life💕

[alicia ⏾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5☆ there is so much to say, but so much I can’t say… this book made me feel every single emotion imaginable, which is not an easy thing to do. I laughed, I wanted to cry, I got irrationally angry at characters that don’t even exist, and I literally looked up the closest psych ward I could admit myself into.

the direction this story took made me question every single thing i thought I knew about these characters. I was confused, I was sad and angry, but the heaviest feeling was the betrayal I felt from soooo many of the characters. I AM IN PAIN FOR SO MANY DIFFERENT REASONS! i don’t know who to trust anymore!!! I thought I knew these characters, but Brooke literally said “no you don’t lol”

even though I’m hurt and mad and want to bash my head against a rock, I adored this book. it was so addictive, I didn’t want to put it down and it was something I really needed. personally I really enjoyed feeling of the knot in my stomach get tighter and tighter because I love when books make me feel intense emotions like this. Is this masochism???

I think the most stressful part was the end. The last 10% or so was a literal rollercoaster. I was stressed out, I was ready to throw hands, and I was ready to CRY. I desperately need the next book. I have (extremely hopeful) ideas as to what will happen. GIVE IT TO ME PLEASE I AM BEGGING WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE

a big massive thank you to Brooke Fast and her team for giving me access to an early copy of this book. I will be screaming until book 3 comes out.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I finished To Cage a Wild Bird, my first thought was, “I can’t wait to see what book two will be like” – and it certainly didn’t disappoint.
To Unleash a Darker Fate picks up right where we left off, and we get to continue following our much-loved cast of characters as they embark on a new journey.
I loved reading this sequel just as much as the first book, and I truly think this series will always hold such a special place in my heart. The writing is phenomenal, and the way Brooke has continued to develop the storyline feels incredibly well thought out and intentional. Everything flows so naturally, and you can really appreciate the care that has gone into building this world.
I don’t typically read a lot of dystopian fiction, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the dystopian elements in both books. Brooke has done such a fantastic job of creating a cast of strong, lovable and complex characters. I honestly didn't think I could love these characters any more than I already did but I found myself even more invested in their journeys, and the story kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end.
And that ending... I genuinely don't have the words! It left me completely speechless and desperate for more. All I know is that I need the next book immediately!
I can't wait to see where this story goes next. These characters and this world will stay with me forever.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon Books and Harper Voyager for the gifted ARC!

Wow. That one word really sums up how I feel about this second installment. I thought it was absolutely phenomenal, I was so absorbed and addicted to what was happening. I think this is a really great sequel and lead up to the next book.

Raven and everyone are just going through it, this gets so emotionally charged (even more so than the first book) and it just felt so intense. This picks up right where we leave off in To Cage A Wild Bird, and it just doesn't stop. I felt like it was so fast paced, there were no lulls at all, and everything felt so relevant and I honestly wanted this to be longer. I need more. The plot and the romance were just everything and not in ways that I at all expected.

I was not ready for this one to end the way that it did, my heart is in absolute tatters. And I will happily beg Brooke for more with the next book. If you enjoyed To Cage A Wild Bird, you need to keep this on your radar for when it releases February 9th. Yes, we are still about five months out, but I totally recommend the preorder/pick up on release day!

*This ARC was given by Avon Books and Harper Voyager through NetGalley, all opinions are my own.*

[Christine Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon Books, HarperCollins Publishers, and Brooke Fast for the ARC!! I loved loved To Cage A Wild Bird so much! It's one of my 5-star reads this year, so receiving the arc was really extra special. I am incredibly grateful!!

To Unleash A Darker Fate is definitely a 5-star read anyone wouldn't want to miss! The story pacing was great; I believed all the scenes were significant and that ending! Just WOW!?!? The story just keeps getting better and better! I was blown away by how the 2nd book panned out. There were so many betrayals that I didn't even expect from the characters, sacrifices for the greater good, and don't get me started with the romance in this one!?!?!?!?!? I am now so thorne (torn pun intended lol) if I'm still team Vale or team Gray now?!?! Raven deserves the world with everything she sacrificed and went through. I know all the characters in the story are damaged, had their fair share of traumas and suffering, huhu, but they all deserve to be happy at some point!! I'm so intrigued by how the next book will bring everything into place.

Now, how am I gonna get through the next couple days knowing how book 2 ended? I just hope all will be well in the next book, please?!?!? Book hangover is real on this one! 💆🏻‍♀️

[Katy Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second of a trilogy.
THANK YOU, NetGalley for the ARC!

I am OBSESSED! I went through EVERY emotion reading this book! Did I love book 1? YES! Did I love this more?! YES! Bury it with me! Burn it into my ashes if I'm cremated! WOW!

The character's were so developed! They were facing depression, insecurity, inadequacy, and everything in between. The relationship developments were phenomenal! I loved how driven people were by their feelings, gut, and wanting to do the right thing. They felt so real. I felt so much with them!

The plot may seem a little predictable, but let me tell you.. it's a fucking ride! If you think you know what's going on, well, you might not. It could be Need to Know. Ha! I had so many predictions through this story, and only a fraction of them were true! I got so caught up that I forgot to think ahead. I was swept away!

I cannot get enough of this series! It feels similar to the Silver Elite series, but a different shade. If you liked it, you'll LOVE this! I cannot wait for book 3 and will be begging for a chance to read it!

PLEASE Brooke!! You can write amazing, and I'm glad in your acknowledgments, you said you were worried for nothing. Please never stop writing and giving us characters we'd break into prison again for.

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have conflicted feelings about this book. I’m as intrigued as I am weary.

On one hand, I did enjoy it. The progression, seeing the group still together, the ebb and flow of the plot, and the change of relationships. The core of the book and what I liked about book one is mostly there. It still gives the classic dystopian, found family- us against the world vibes.

On the other hand, I felt a little weirded out by sudden character changes and the change of dynamic between people. I really loved the first book, but even then I did feel like some things were underdeveloped, like they needed a little more. But with a second book coming, I was okay with it. I feel like this second book took everything that needed more developing, squashed it abruptly, and just kept going. The changes did not feel organic at all. Also, things were very sexual but it did not add to the book. That could have been given less time and plot and character development given more time.

The story, the characters, the plot twists, the emotions and connecting to what these characters are going through is all great. I am still very interested in reading the next book, but I also feel like the plot is a little underdeveloped and needs some fleshing out.

[marissa pekurny · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my freaking lorddddd. i cannot believe how much i loved this book and how quickly i devoured it. 10/10 holy moly bc what the helllllll. the book picks up right where book one left off and boy oh boy was it a wild ride. the twists were insane and my girl raven is put through the ringer honestly. the betrayals, the heartbreak the sheer insanity that was her journey. good lord poor girl could not catch a break!!! if one more person lied to this poor girl i was gonna throw my dang kindle at the wall. big fan of gray this book and i was here for everything that involved him. loved all the side characters of course and my girl yara being a baddie as usual. vale’s storyline was a huge surprise for me but i also had a feeling what was playing out was gonna happen. seriously you need to add this to your tbr and read book one stat bc im obsessed with this series. THAT ENDING WAS DIABOLICAL BROOKE!!!! now i must patiently wait to find out what happens next and this one isn’t even released yet!!!! thank you so so much to the author and publisher for the early copy, i loved this book so much!!

[Andrea Galvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brooke Fast knew how to keep an audience captivated and on the edge of their seats in a second book. Raven believes she's safe now. Yes, they still stand on the brink of war but her people are safe. They can finally move forward. What comes next is a roller coaster of danger, lies, and desperation. Each member of their group is wading through trauma, how do they move forward?

Brooke had me turning pages so quick. Raven is reeling from her escape, grateful for her brother's safety, yet still fearful of what comes next. So many lies hide beneath a mountain of false promises and tricky webs of deceit. This story speaks directly to the good vs evil narrative while also showing readers not all good is truly good. Even the good ones get their hands dirty for the sense of rightness.

The dystopian genre is coming back full force and this is an excellent example of how it needs to be done. Politics, rebellion, love, and lies all compile like a bomb waiting to explode. The ending left my jaw on the floor. I am beyond excited for this book to grace shelves everywhere. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy and to Brooke Fast for crafting this twisted art.

[Madison Mclain]

Sequel to one of my most anticipated reads SIGN ME UP! a desert that actively wants Raven dead, a found family worth crossing it for, and a heroine who genuinely cannot tell which side of the war she belongs on.

What grabs me most is the Wastes as a character in its own right. Dwindling resources, poisonous snakes, and a hunting caravan from Dividium closing in behind them means the survival plot has a clock on it from page one. That's the kind of pressure that makes every quiet campfire scene feel earned.

The detail that actually sold me is the familiar face among the hunters. It turns a chase into something personal, and it sets up the real engine of the story: Raven's loyalty gets pulled in two directions at once. Her friends or the Collective. The ex-prison guard or the fledgling revolutionary. A rebel group that offers refuge but keeps testing her is a much more interesting bargain than a rebel group that simply welcomes her, and I like that the book seems willing to make the Collective uncomfortable rather than noble.

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM ON THE FLOOR. UNWELL. BUT ALIVE MAYBE? (I’ll also come back when it’s released for a review that might have more spoilers in it)

This was everything the second book in a series should be. It was such a brain twister that I need a mental break just wrap my head around what I just read in less than a day in a half. I could not put my kindle down once I got sucked in.

The writing was immersive and you almost felt like you were there. Everything about this book goes deeper than the surface level you think it’s at.

The banter was witty, the characters were unreliable and relatable all at the same time, I didn’t know who to trust except Raven and she still makes questionable choices. The world building from book one sets this up beautifully and I wasn’t confused at any point. Growing up loving dystopian, and finding my way back to it, this series for sure has been a five star read for me. My heart rate was elevated the entire time and I needed to keep reading.

[Chelsea (thatbookishteach) · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT A RIDE. I was lucky enough to get this extra early with being part of Brooke’s content team. I tried to go slow and savor it over the past week but then all of the twists, reveals and BETRAYALS (yes, multiple) started happening and I blew through the final 50% today. This was truly an excellent continuation. We get to finally see what The Collective is all about, and see all of our favorite escapees take on a new challenge. This definitely did not go the way I expected it to go, and my jaw literally dropped on numerous occasions. I felt all of the emotions through this one… sadness, anger, betrayal, a tiny bit of joy lol, and more. The found family just gets stronger in this book and truly makes the betrayals hit harder. We were told to avoid all spoilers so I can’t say much but just know things will not be as you expect! I need book 3 like yesterday 😭