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The Fringe #2
Exposure
When Harper discovered the truth about Bid Day, she inadvertently painted a target on her back. Now Constance, the infamous espionage unit, wants her and her friends kept quiet at all costs. She and Eli are being sent out into the Fringe, where they’ll face damaging radiation, violent gangs of survivors, and be forced to fulfill Recon’s sinister duty.
After her first deployment goes bad, Harper is racked with guilt and paralyzed by fear. Out there, it’s kill or be killed, but the real danger is inside the compound. Eli is determined to protect Harper, but that means tearing down the walls he’s worked so hard to build.
The only way to avoid a brutal death on the Fringe and escape Constance’s control is to flee to a neighboring compound. Eli wants to risk it all for Harper, but to choose her, he’ll also have to give up his only connection to his past.
After her first deployment goes bad, Harper is racked with guilt and paralyzed by fear. Out there, it’s kill or be killed, but the real danger is inside the compound. Eli is determined to protect Harper, but that means tearing down the walls he’s worked so hard to build.
The only way to avoid a brutal death on the Fringe and escape Constance’s control is to flee to a neighboring compound. Eli wants to risk it all for Harper, but to choose her, he’ll also have to give up his only connection to his past.
Kindle Edition
First published March 6, 2015
332 people are currently reading
327 people want to read
About the author
Tarah Benner
39 books349 followersTarah Benner is the author of more than 25 books, including Witches of Mountain Shadow, Mountain Shadow Mysteries, The Fringe, the Elderon Chronicles, the Lawless Saga, and more.
She lives and writes in sunny Colorado with her two dogs, a cat, a toddler, and her beloved partner in crime. When she’s not writing, she enjoys breakfast, hiking, yoga, and martial arts.
She lives and writes in sunny Colorado with her two dogs, a cat, a toddler, and her beloved partner in crime. When she’s not writing, she enjoys breakfast, hiking, yoga, and martial arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
July 11, 2020
3 Stars
This one was just okay. It was still entertaining about half the book, but then other times it seriously dragged and I couldn't wait to finish. This definitely seemed like a filler book and literally nothing big happened at all. I'm also really over their non-relationship at this point. All they do is kiss, most of the time Harper instigates it, then Eli will regret it and she will act all hurt but forgives him right away because he just wants to "protect" her and we literally get no development in this relationship at all. He keeps using the excuse that she is his cadet, but that is literally the smallest of their problems at this point, especially because at any point they could be killed. And looking at reviews, the next book is the exact same way, which is probably why I will stop here. I just don't have the patience for the back and forth right now.
Also, Eli and Harper also seem a little too alike in this. Their POVs might as well be the same, and they both seem super weak. I get that it is a little more realistic, but you would think the heroine and hero would at least be a bit smarter or stronger, or even learn something, but they never do. They literally just keep getting taken or kidnapped or threatened or Harper just keeps crying, and it's so repetitive. Then there was one part after Harper was in a fight and was injured and taken to be killed, she tried to call Eli multiple times to help her, but Eli was in a club about to take drugs and get it on with a girl (he only got as far to letting her grind on him), to forget about Harper, so he purposely ignored her even though she NEVER calls him, and I'm sure he would have went through with the drugs and the girl if he didn't end up finding out Harper was taken too. So you would think that if Eli had some brain cells he would know something is wrong, especially because they pretty much have kill orders on them, and would have at least answered her calls. Points for Eli went way down in my book for that. And Harper never even finds out why he was ignoring her, and I doubt she will, which makes this relationship even worse, and Eli the worst.
Overall, despite all that, it's actually a decent series, and I really like the covers, and I'm sure the series will end on a good note, but this book took all my patience and the relationship and the plot in this book just didn't intrigue me enough to continue on, so I'm stopping here. I may or may not try this author again in the future though.
This one was just okay. It was still entertaining about half the book, but then other times it seriously dragged and I couldn't wait to finish. This definitely seemed like a filler book and literally nothing big happened at all. I'm also really over their non-relationship at this point. All they do is kiss, most of the time Harper instigates it, then Eli will regret it and she will act all hurt but forgives him right away because he just wants to "protect" her and we literally get no development in this relationship at all. He keeps using the excuse that she is his cadet, but that is literally the smallest of their problems at this point, especially because at any point they could be killed. And looking at reviews, the next book is the exact same way, which is probably why I will stop here. I just don't have the patience for the back and forth right now.
Also, Eli and Harper also seem a little too alike in this. Their POVs might as well be the same, and they both seem super weak. I get that it is a little more realistic, but you would think the heroine and hero would at least be a bit smarter or stronger, or even learn something, but they never do. They literally just keep getting taken or kidnapped or threatened or Harper just keeps crying, and it's so repetitive. Then there was one part after Harper was in a fight and was injured and taken to be killed, she tried to call Eli multiple times to help her, but Eli was in a club about to take drugs and get it on with a girl (he only got as far to letting her grind on him), to forget about Harper, so he purposely ignored her even though she NEVER calls him, and I'm sure he would have went through with the drugs and the girl if he didn't end up finding out Harper was taken too. So you would think that if Eli had some brain cells he would know something is wrong, especially because they pretty much have kill orders on them, and would have at least answered her calls. Points for Eli went way down in my book for that. And Harper never even finds out why he was ignoring her, and I doubt she will, which makes this relationship even worse, and Eli the worst.
Overall, despite all that, it's actually a decent series, and I really like the covers, and I'm sure the series will end on a good note, but this book took all my patience and the relationship and the plot in this book just didn't intrigue me enough to continue on, so I'm stopping here. I may or may not try this author again in the future though.
March 13, 2015
Good but frustrating
It's hard to review these book. I love to story but hate that they just stop. You have to wait a year for the next installment. Books need a beginning a middle and an ending. I read recon loved it but having to wait so long I lost the emotional connection with the characters and story line. I like reading a whole novel at one time, wow, the good ole days when you could just read a whole book. I won't read installments again. I like books like I said that have a beginning a middle and an end. I gave it 5 star's because it is good. Personally I hate when authors think putting half books out is a good thing. It's not like a tv series when they leave you hanging for a week, were talking waiting a year to finish a book. No thanks...
It's hard to review these book. I love to story but hate that they just stop. You have to wait a year for the next installment. Books need a beginning a middle and an ending. I read recon loved it but having to wait so long I lost the emotional connection with the characters and story line. I like reading a whole novel at one time, wow, the good ole days when you could just read a whole book. I won't read installments again. I like books like I said that have a beginning a middle and an end. I gave it 5 star's because it is good. Personally I hate when authors think putting half books out is a good thing. It's not like a tv series when they leave you hanging for a week, were talking waiting a year to finish a book. No thanks...
March 12, 2018
I at least commend this series for having normal names. Take notes, YA authors.
Entertaining enough. Will continue, if nothing else, because I purchased them. At least they were on sale lol
Entertaining enough. Will continue, if nothing else, because I purchased them. At least they were on sale lol
January 1, 2016
Meh. There's a growing mystery surrounding the compounds, but honestly it took me FOREVER to finish this because none of it really grabbed me. There's lots of elements I should like, but it just sort of falls flat. None of the characters are all that compelling. The world isn't as scary as it should be. I just don't FEEL it. And the timeline seems very off. Eli talks about mugging people when he still lived in the Fringe as a gang member and all the guy had was some credit cards in his wallet. Seriously? This was supposedly years after the nuclear war and people in the Fringe are scraping by without an infrastructure or electricity and yet people are still carrying credit cards? In the first book, he talks about how he was brought into the compound at about 15ish and Harper was brought in as a baby, and apparently he remembers her when they were in the orphanage together at some point. Yet Harper is maybe 18ish and he's 25ish when the story starts. Then in this book, he mentions that Harper was brought into the Compound after him. Huh? It was as if the author either forgot her timeline, or she didn't like the idea of a 30 something dating an 18 year old.
And the timeline of the nuclear war/s is funny. There's maybe 3-4 generations of people in the Compound as I can figure, so maybe 50 years since it was officially bad outside, yet Eli seems to remember the world how it was before the war/s? How would he know? His parents could have told him things but he'd have no personal memories until afterwards.
Just really frustrating when added to the fact that the characters are just all frustratingly unclear.
And the timeline of the nuclear war/s is funny. There's maybe 3-4 generations of people in the Compound as I can figure, so maybe 50 years since it was officially bad outside, yet Eli seems to remember the world how it was before the war/s? How would he know? His parents could have told him things but he'd have no personal memories until afterwards.
Just really frustrating when added to the fact that the characters are just all frustratingly unclear.
March 6, 2017
3.5 stars I'm loving this series.
March 13, 2015
I Thoroughly enjoyed this perfect sequel to "Recon". I would rate this as my best realistic Dystopian series yet. The story builds up smoothly soon after where "Recon" ends. This book swept me into a whole other universe, I could identify with both the main character's feelings of pain, fear, sadness, desperation and happiness. The chemistry between Eli and Harper is tender, the suspense palpable and the plot absorbing. The story and the story telling ability were so attractive that I had a hard time putting the book down.
If you enjoyed authors like Marie Lu, Veronica Roth, then Tarah Benner should be added to your favorite list. Thanks for a super written story.
If you enjoyed authors like Marie Lu, Veronica Roth, then Tarah Benner should be added to your favorite list. Thanks for a super written story.
May 18, 2016
3.5 stars
Finally Harper gets sent outside the compound. I was really looking forward to this event and honestly I was a bit let down by it. It just didn't feel as exciting or as creepy as I imagined it would be and it didn't feel traumatizing enough to support Harper's reaction. There was such a feeling of get in and get out, or rather get out and get back in as was actually the case. I feel like after living my entire life inside a glassed in facility I might want to just hunker down somewhere with a good view and take it all in before rushing right back.
Overall this was still enjoyable and I'm interested in seeing how everything progresses.
Finally Harper gets sent outside the compound. I was really looking forward to this event and honestly I was a bit let down by it. It just didn't feel as exciting or as creepy as I imagined it would be and it didn't feel traumatizing enough to support Harper's reaction. There was such a feeling of get in and get out, or rather get out and get back in as was actually the case. I feel like after living my entire life inside a glassed in facility I might want to just hunker down somewhere with a good view and take it all in before rushing right back.
Overall this was still enjoyable and I'm interested in seeing how everything progresses.
January 14, 2024
I’m struggling with all the detours and plot holes in this book. Recon hooked me jn, but this one felt like a lot of filler. The middle of this book was a slog. The names bug me, too. There are scenes where it’s all Harper and Parker and Sawyer and I’m struggling to remember which is a first name and which is a last name and who’s who. Not a good sign when they’re your main characters. And the main baddie constantly being called Jayden is super annoying. Why is everyone using her first name? Also, what power does she actually have? She straight up murders a member of the ruling council in the first book with zero repercussions, but suddenly can’t find a way to kill a low level cadet? She’s a lower level council member but also the head of the secret police with unlimited power? Make it make sense.
Who runs this place? The only authority figures we ever see are some undersecretary, Remy, who just goes along with Jayden, and a piece of shit rookie cop who abuses his authority any time he shows up. There’s organized crime (drugs, illegal gambling, and what seems to be a 24/7 rave nightclub) all headed up by Shane that’s allowed to run rampant, but people get arrested for seemingly nothing?
Also, dude, she isn’t your cadet anymore. Eli is removed from any authority over Harper early in the book, but he still self-flagellates over their very low key, barely there relationship.
Who runs this place? The only authority figures we ever see are some undersecretary, Remy, who just goes along with Jayden, and a piece of shit rookie cop who abuses his authority any time he shows up. There’s organized crime (drugs, illegal gambling, and what seems to be a 24/7 rave nightclub) all headed up by Shane that’s allowed to run rampant, but people get arrested for seemingly nothing?
Also, dude, she isn’t your cadet anymore. Eli is removed from any authority over Harper early in the book, but he still self-flagellates over their very low key, barely there relationship.
February 24, 2021
Make sure you understand ahead of time that purchasing this series will alienate you from your friends, your family, heck your life because after 1 page you will have entered the world of Tarah Benner's The Fringe and you will not want to leave. This series is incredibly immersive and enjoyable. It has it all from science fiction to Dystopian world scapes to love, mystery and suspense. I honestly cannot put these down sometimes because I get so engrossed in the stories. I highly recommend putting this author at the top of your list.
August 5, 2019
Junior high romance fight club dystopian fiction
I loved the premise, but people worrying about the boyfriend or girlfriend's hurt feelings while going around killing people is a bit too self absorbed for me. I gave up halfway through the second book. Having thousands of people clueless and incurious about what's actually outside the four walls of their compound and everyone divided by caste defies human nature as well.
I loved the premise, but people worrying about the boyfriend or girlfriend's hurt feelings while going around killing people is a bit too self absorbed for me. I gave up halfway through the second book. Having thousands of people clueless and incurious about what's actually outside the four walls of their compound and everyone divided by caste defies human nature as well.
August 14, 2023
Great continuation: a further view into the fringe and what's left of civilization.
Forced out early on her first patrol into the fringe, Harper is forced into facing the harsh reality of what is left of mankind in the surrounding areas.
Eli's feelings and sense of responsibility makes him protective of Harper but his distraction could cost him everything.
They have to learn to work together so as to survive the risks, not just outside the compound.
Forced out early on her first patrol into the fringe, Harper is forced into facing the harsh reality of what is left of mankind in the surrounding areas.
Eli's feelings and sense of responsibility makes him protective of Harper but his distraction could cost him everything.
They have to learn to work together so as to survive the risks, not just outside the compound.
January 23, 2020
I love this series, so I am reading/listening to it again. The narrators are good, a male for Eli and a female for Harper. And of course the other characters are covered by these two narrators.
Eli is used to going out on the fringe but Harper is not. The meet an interesting person out on the Fringe.
I am going to listen to Outbreak now.
Eli is used to going out on the fringe but Harper is not. The meet an interesting person out on the Fringe.
I am going to listen to Outbreak now.
March 10, 2021
Better at end
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first and almost quit. I felt it really dragged out until about three quarters of the way. I also was getting a bit frustrated with the back and forth, on again off again relationships between Harper and Eli. Will move on to the next.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first and almost quit. I felt it really dragged out until about three quarters of the way. I also was getting a bit frustrated with the back and forth, on again off again relationships between Harper and Eli. Will move on to the next.
February 18, 2018
I love this series! I'm gonna start the next book when I buy it. I just love how Eli and Harper work together. They love each other they just don't know that the other has feelings for them. Great book series I'm dying to read the next one.
March 4, 2018
Loving this series!!
Loving this series!! So full of twist and turns. A page turner. Harper is so strong willed. All the characters are great!! Full of action
Loving this series!! So full of twist and turns. A page turner. Harper is so strong willed. All the characters are great!! Full of action
July 29, 2018
A good read -- this series sort of reminds me of hunger games.
January 31, 2019
2 Down
It's good but the description of what it going on just goes on and one.I just what to get to the point
It's good but the description of what it going on just goes on and one.I just what to get to the point
October 4, 2020
Eli and Harper continue in their dangerous role in Recon, unearthing new secrets that should stay hidden.
May 25, 2021
Fast paced, fully entertaining book. Gaper and Eli are engaging characters to read about. Can’t wait to see where the next book leads.
March 29, 2022
Again, dropping my rating to a 2.5 after listening to the audiobook because...well, there's only so many times I can read about a "messy ponytail" or "piercing eyes."
January 18, 2023
Full of suspense
September 30, 2023
moving to book 3
April 6, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
April 29, 2024
4.5
this series is so good and so underrated. the romance is everything!!! eli and harper have my heart
this series is so good and so underrated. the romance is everything!!! eli and harper have my heart
June 10, 2016
I could look up and write down every good word in the dictionary in every language and it would not be enough to describe the amazingness that is this series!!! By far hands down my FAVORITE series I have ever read. I started it for the first time in October 2015. It is now June 2016 and I have read through the entire first four books a total of 3 times already and am on pins and needles waiting for book 5 to release in two weeks!!!!
There is a lot of profanity in this book and I don't like profanity at all and usually deduct AT LEAST one star for it and for as much as is in this series it would usually be 2 stars but the story and the characters are SOOOOOOOO good that they add like another 8 stars so...clearly, even with the profanity there are still not enough stars to give this series.
I'm not going to write any spoilers or anything. For a summary I'm sure there are plenty of reviews below that tell more about what it is about but I just wanted to add my stars to the pot and say that ELI and HARPER are the best written characters I've ever read and Tarah Benner has done such a great job getting into her characters' heads and making you fall in love with their energy, their determination, their fight, even their ugliness. The plot has so much going on but you never feel overwhelmed by it. I like that the main characters don't always agree and don't always like each other. I think one of my favorite things about Harper and Eli is that- when they don't agree, they both have passionate reasons behind their sides of the argument and both are equally wrong and right. That is such a real world concept that is rarely clear in stories. I think because the author has an option on the issues they write about and it's hard for them to legitimately write unbiased for an opposing side. Benner accomplished this. She didn't compromise on making an easy gray area for the characters and she also didn't lean towards one or the other. She really got down to the nit and grit of disagreements with them the way people do in real life. Her side characters also come in on the story telling. She gets into several different POV and the same thing each time. You can really feel for how each of the characters are similar and different from each other. I did feel like it was getting a little busy with all the POV but at the same time I appreciated getting into those characters' minds and getting more pieces of the story.
I doubt I've read this series for the last time. It REALLY needs to be made into a movie! I've told her several times on her website and I continue to hold to that. This would make an EXCELLENT movie! It's full of action, political scheming, twists and turns, romance. It has everything you could want in a book or movie. Super love and super recommend!
There is a lot of profanity in this book and I don't like profanity at all and usually deduct AT LEAST one star for it and for as much as is in this series it would usually be 2 stars but the story and the characters are SOOOOOOOO good that they add like another 8 stars so...clearly, even with the profanity there are still not enough stars to give this series.
I'm not going to write any spoilers or anything. For a summary I'm sure there are plenty of reviews below that tell more about what it is about but I just wanted to add my stars to the pot and say that ELI and HARPER are the best written characters I've ever read and Tarah Benner has done such a great job getting into her characters' heads and making you fall in love with their energy, their determination, their fight, even their ugliness. The plot has so much going on but you never feel overwhelmed by it. I like that the main characters don't always agree and don't always like each other. I think one of my favorite things about Harper and Eli is that- when they don't agree, they both have passionate reasons behind their sides of the argument and both are equally wrong and right. That is such a real world concept that is rarely clear in stories. I think because the author has an option on the issues they write about and it's hard for them to legitimately write unbiased for an opposing side. Benner accomplished this. She didn't compromise on making an easy gray area for the characters and she also didn't lean towards one or the other. She really got down to the nit and grit of disagreements with them the way people do in real life. Her side characters also come in on the story telling. She gets into several different POV and the same thing each time. You can really feel for how each of the characters are similar and different from each other. I did feel like it was getting a little busy with all the POV but at the same time I appreciated getting into those characters' minds and getting more pieces of the story.
I doubt I've read this series for the last time. It REALLY needs to be made into a movie! I've told her several times on her website and I continue to hold to that. This would make an EXCELLENT movie! It's full of action, political scheming, twists and turns, romance. It has everything you could want in a book or movie. Super love and super recommend!
September 23, 2016
Just as good as book 1.
Tara continues her plot development by throwing Eli a family twist and throws in a sudden twist at the end with compound 119. She just keeps drawing the reader in deeper.
Tara continues her plot development by throwing Eli a family twist and throws in a sudden twist at the end with compound 119. She just keeps drawing the reader in deeper.
February 10, 2017
Enjoying this series
This book wasn't as quick of a read as the first one. I love the story and the way everything was heading but sometimes I had a hard time reading about how Harper and Eli kept giving each other butterflies and how they kept wondering if the other was thinking about them. I suppose that's kind of how it should go in a story when they can't fully express their feelings. It didn't stop me from enjoying the story just slowed me down a little. Can't wait to see where the next book takes the characters.
This book wasn't as quick of a read as the first one. I love the story and the way everything was heading but sometimes I had a hard time reading about how Harper and Eli kept giving each other butterflies and how they kept wondering if the other was thinking about them. I suppose that's kind of how it should go in a story when they can't fully express their feelings. It didn't stop me from enjoying the story just slowed me down a little. Can't wait to see where the next book takes the characters.
November 5, 2015
While I find the story line interesting, the second book just drags.
I have to wonder, that if Jayden is such a threat to Riley .. why doesn't Eli take her out! It's not written that there is a body of people in charge (although there is a 'council', but they aren't in the story as characters). So it's just ONE person causing all this internal turmoil? It's not like Eli couldn't rally up a take over.
The story did get good when Eli finds his brother and the ending is interesting .. what happened to dome 119 where Eli and Celdon have escaped to .. so
I'll probably read the third book just to wrap this up, but I can't really recommend the series, unless you're really good a scanning the text.
I have to wonder, that if Jayden is such a threat to Riley .. why doesn't Eli take her out! It's not written that there is a body of people in charge (although there is a 'council', but they aren't in the story as characters). So it's just ONE person causing all this internal turmoil? It's not like Eli couldn't rally up a take over.
The story did get good when Eli finds his brother and the ending is interesting .. what happened to dome 119 where Eli and Celdon have escaped to .. so
I'll probably read the third book just to wrap this up, but I can't really recommend the series, unless you're really good a scanning the text.
March 30, 2015
The Fringe book 2 starts up where book one left off. Eli and Harper try to find some way to get out of the compound and start a new life in a nearby compound. A big part of the story seems to revolve around should Eli kiss Harper and vice versa. I found myself thinking just kiss each other, how hard can it be. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading the story and it ended on a cliffhanger so I might buy the next book in the series. The book was well edited and well written. I read it in one setting and since it held my interest I gave it 5 stars.
April 4, 2015
Excellent dystopian read!
The story of Eli and Harper continues and we find the truly sadistic intentions and actions of the leader Hayden who is out to eliminate them both.
When Eli and Harper are out on the Fringe they find some surprises, one that turns their world upside down.
Very well written and edited. I am totally hooked on the characters and so disappointed I have to wait for the third installment. This kind of involvement is what I seek and rarely find. I can see this as a movie. I can actually see it.
I will be reading more from Tarah Benner.
The story of Eli and Harper continues and we find the truly sadistic intentions and actions of the leader Hayden who is out to eliminate them both.
When Eli and Harper are out on the Fringe they find some surprises, one that turns their world upside down.
Very well written and edited. I am totally hooked on the characters and so disappointed I have to wait for the third installment. This kind of involvement is what I seek and rarely find. I can see this as a movie. I can actually see it.
I will be reading more from Tarah Benner.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews