Rite of Unity

by Caz Andra, Cassandra Aston

You have until twenty-eight to be chosen.
Marry or Die.

In the Covenant States, women are given a single secure a husband before time runs out.

Maryn Vale has built her life around compliance. The system is structured, orderly, and fair to those who contribute. As a rising civic officer, she believes in its rules, its rituals, and the promise that loyalty is rewarded. She believes she is safe.

When she is selected for Unity, the honor feels earned. Unity is a privilege. A sanctioned courtship designed to match the Covenant’s most valuable men with women deemed worthy of them. Watched, ranked, and refined through each phase, the process promises status, protection, and a future.

Chosen early by Elias, a man admired for both intellect and rank, Maryn is pulled into a glittering world of supervised dates, formal evaluations, and quiet competition. Eleven other women are vying for the same outcome. Only one will be chosen.

At first, nothing feels wrong. The rules are introduced gently. The attention feels flattering. The threat of failure is framed as personal, never systemic. And if Elias does not choose her, Maryn tells herself she still has time. Women who fail are returned to the pool. Until they are not.

As the courtship deepens and the pressure tightens, Maryn begins to understand what Unity truly requires. The process is not about love or compatibility, but endurance. Compliance. The willingness to disappear piece by piece in exchange for safety.

Forced to compete for a future she no longer believes in, Maryn must decide whether survival is worth the cost of becoming what the Covenant demands. Even if walking away means being erased entirely.

Rite of Unity is a dystopian novel about ritualized control, manufactured desire, and the quiet horror of a society that turns marriage into a proving ground. It is not a story about revolution, but about the courage it takes to refuse the life you were trained to want.

Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Romance

383 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 6, 2026

About the author

Caz Andra is the pen name of author Cassandra Aston. All books classified as Dystopian, Sci-Fi, and Thriller will be written under this pen name.

To learn more about Cassandra Aston, visit her main page at: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Reviews

[Chasing Silhouettes]

"Men will never understand fear the way a woman does. It lives with us, no matter what choice we make. I refuse to give in to mine." (Ch 41)

Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian Fiction | Marry or ☠️ | Deadly Trials | High-Stakes | Forbidden Romance | Morally Grey | Slow Burn

One Bachelor. Twelve Female Candidates. Eleven trials. One match...

One dark distraction. Riveting secrets and intrigue. A perplexing, but absorbing love triangle of sorts.

'     “I know you keep the truest parts of yourself locked away where even you can't find them.”
     My heart was loud in my ears. Too close. He was too close.
     I tore my hand from his grasp, backing up. "You're wrong."' (Ch 21)

If you like show The Bachelor (but think of it in a dystopian setting where the women don't get to choose to participate) or stories like The Grace Year, Handmaid's Tale, Hunger Games, then you might like this one! Another patriarchal society subjugating women through trials for marriage arrangements and to procure male heirs.

'A strand of blue silk dripped from his fingers. He searched my face again. Waiting. The room pressed closer, every eye on me. I exhaled a shaky breath' (Ch 5)

For the women, appearances were everything..  being coached for the public, being told how to act, and what to say and do. Women were powerless and merely vessels for furthering the lines, and if they couldn't... their fates were sealed.

'I stared at the corrosive water streaking over thin glass, searching for a crack, any way in. I envied the water its freedom and its indifference to walls.' (Ch 2)

There were moments that were a little confusing. It was as if little pieces of information / key details were missing that were needed in order to complete the puzzle. It also jumped around abruptly at times. I also wished some of the characters could have been developed a little more to strengthen a connection to them. In addition, there were some loose ends that never got addressed. That said, I did enjoy the book and story and am curious to see how it develops going forward... should there be a book 2.

eARC courtesy of Crowns & Chaos PR

[Camilla]

3.75

[Trisha]

ARC Review!

Dystopian is SO BACK, BABY! And I mean that it's back in terms of being top tier literature--not that we're living an a dystopian society. But you know, after reading this....maybe...

I devoured this in less than 24 hours. If you're looking for a standalone dystopian where everything is just miserable and awful (including the people), THIS is the one you need to pick up--especially if your favorite books in the genre are The Handmaid's Tale and Conform.

Because what could possibly go wrong in a world where the only thing the government care's about is a woman's ability to produce sons? To the point that the Elite have their courting televised as a fu**ed up version of the Bachelor. But in this world, if you don't make it to the end and get the last rose? Well. Let's just say you're REALLY going to want that rose.

Which is why if this was reality, I would simply toss myself over the wall. Ain't no way I'm surviving a SINGLE one of these trials.

And if you're a HEATHEN that enjoys a blond MMC, you're going to live your best life with Elias! He's got power, half of a brain, and I GUESS he's good looking. You know, for a blond. (I TOLD you that you would never make me love a blond, Cassandra!! This is the most praise about it you'll ever get from me!!)

Everyone and everything sucks. And strikes VERY close to reality in a lot of ways--if you don't read sections of this feeling angry and wanting to throw something across the room, you're not paying attention. It was great. And awful. I'm ready to start the revolution now.

I CANNOT stress enough how fantastic this book is (even if I DID give everyone a nickname associated with their particular brand of bit** by the end (affectionately)).

[Megan]

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)

This book left me riddled with confusion, anxiety, and a desperate need to know what happens and why.

I was immediately intrigued by the world and concepts Caz introduced and quickly became invested in uncovering the mysteries surrounding Maryn, Elias, and Calden. Part of that fascination came from how terrifyingly relatable this dystopian world felt, and part of it came from the near-constant whirlwind of new information being introduced without much explanation or clarification. The premise has tremendous potential, but I think the execution could use some refinement.

It should also be noted that this is firmly a dystopian novel. While there are romantic elements, readers looking for a romance-driven story may be disappointed. The relationships take a back seat to the constant danger, political unrest, and survival, leaving relatively little room for meaningful romantic development.

I frequently found myself flipping back to previous chapters because the shifts between past and present could be disorienting, dialogue occasionally lacked enough context to follow naturally, and the pacing often swung between rushed and stagnant. There were many moments where I genuinely thought I had missed an important detail: a name, a location, or a memory.

I usually enjoy stories that trust readers to piece things together. I like the occasional loveable but unreliable narrators, nonlinear storytelling, subtle foreshadowing, and mysteries that slowly unravel. Unfortunately, I think this novel crossed the line from intriguing to overwhelming. By about the 70% mark, I was no longer trying to solve the mystery; I was simply trying to push through, hope things would be made clear and focus on figuring out what was happening.

Questions continued to pile up. What became of the note Maryn received at the beginning? What purpose did Vera's prologue ultimately serve? What was the significance of Vera's interaction with Maryn's mother? What was the rebellion actually trying to accomplish? I don't expect every mystery to be solved by the final page, but because this is currently presented as a standalone novel, I was hoping for more payoff and resolution to the questions that had been building throughout the story. While the ending leaves room for future books should the story continue, I finished this novel with far more questions than answers.

Overall, I liked the cast, but I struggled to truly connect with them. Many of the side characters, including Maryn's friends, felt underdeveloped and ultimately forgettable.

Maryn initially seemed poised to become the classic reluctant dystopian heroine: an underdog aware of the unfairness of the world, destined for a defining moment where she fully understands the cost of her role, similar to Katniss realizing what winning the Games truly meant. Instead, I was left unsure whether she was intentionally an unreliable narrator who was playing a truly terrifying game or simply overwhelmed by circumstances beyond her understanding due to the what she hasn't been told. That uncertainty made it difficult to fully invest in her journey.

Calden was the character I struggled with the most. He seemed to appear without much foundation, and I found it difficult to understand why I was supposed to root for him. His repeated disregard for Maryn's boundaries, coupled with his apparent inability to recognize the vastly different expectations placed on women in their society, often made their interactions uncomfortable. While I could tell there was meant to be an emotional connection between them, very little on-page development showed why Maryn would ultimately choose him over Elias. Much of their relationship relied on whispered conversations, vague references, and conversations about events the reader hadn't yet been allowed to understand.

Ironically, I found Elias easier to connect with despite his morally complicated position. His desire to protect Maryn felt more believable, and his chapters helped strengthen their relationship. That said, I still found myself wondering what initially drew him to her. By the novel's conclusion, it remained unclear how much of his behavior reflected genuine affection versus a carefully maintained role. I appreciated eventually getting Calden's perspective, but introducing his POV so late in the story lessened its emotional impact.

Despite my criticisms, I genuinely believe this book has enormous potential. The themes feel incredibly timely, and the world Caz has created is both frighteningly plausible and compelling. The underlying ideas are strong, and I could absolutely see this world supporting additional books if the author chooses to revisit it.

For me, however, the novel tries to juggle too many familiar dystopian elements at once while withholding too much information for too long. Mystery is an essential part of this genre, but mystery works best when readers occasionally receive answers alongside new questions. Without that balance, the suspense gradually becomes frustration.
In some ways this seems to be a more adult version of The Selection series, as it is set in a much more patriarchal and oppressive world but continues to have a focus on the most advantageous marriage match between the heir to the realm to one of 12 women selected with intention. The difference is this book leaves a lot of the challenges (trials/rites), rules, risks, and eventual reward largely in the dark as well as the fair details revolving the political conflicts and oppression that has led to this whole thing even being necessary.

If you're looking for a unique dystopian novel with an ambitious premise, timely themes, and the potential to expand into a larger world, this is still worth picking up; just know that it's much heavier on mystery and world-building than romance, relationships or real character development, and it asks readers to embrace a great deal of uncertainty along the way with very little clarified by the end.

[fatedhearts_lorilee]

A dystopian story that combines elements of The Bachelor and Handmaid’s Tale? Absolutely yes. Okay, the description does say The Hunger Games, which I do get with the competitive trials of the Rite, but I think the comparison to The Bachelor sets that part up nicely. As someone who used to watch the franchise for manyyy seasons, I loved how this was set up. Knowing what difficult positions the contestants really do get put in, then combined with the dystopian, patriarchal world of The Covenant States… it was so interesting and unsettling. Given the state of the world, I felt like I could imagine a distant future where this really could happen.

There is a lot of mystery and information being withheld throughout the book. At times I would’ve liked a bit more worldbuilding to explain a few different elements of the world. But I did appreciate finding things out about the characters and their motivations as I read. I really would’ve loved a bit more info about Maryn and Vera in particular. We get a prologue from Vera, who then shows up throughout the book as Maryn’s stylist for the Rite. But I would love to know more about what happened to her, and the role she’s playing now! Similarly, while we know that Maryn is playing a role in the rebellion, it’s unclear how much she knows, and when and how she started to work with them. As this is a standalone, I feel like I just needed a few more answers! I felt like the ending was absolutely open though — so maybe we will end up getting another book? If so, I’d love to read it and see what happens next!

Then, we have ourselves a bit of a love triangle. It was honestly hard for me to decide which one of them I wanted her to choose! And it is not a traditional HEA, so keep that in mind. I would love to chat with others who have read this, because I am so torn!

I really enjoyed this, and I really hope we get another book with answers to some of my questions! It’s such an interesting world and I would love to get deeper into it.

Thank you to the author and Crowns and Chaos for the e-arc. All thoughts are my own and are given freely!

[Hallie]

I would like to thank the Author and Crowns and Chaos for this ARC, and would like to express that all opinions in this review are my own.

I really wanted to like this book. I was hooked by the premise of “what if the Hunger Games was a dating show?” I recommend to anyone reading this to not have hunger games on your mind at all because it will only disappoint further. The only trial that is deadly is the last. It is FAR less violent than I was expecting. It’s more of a mix of The Bachelor and The Testaments with trials of wit and character if anything.

I realize that keeping readers in the dark is a writing style choice, but I greatly dislike how this book handled that. I constantly felt like I was left out of the joke. Nothing really made sense and we were finding out information like we should have known all along when we were given zero context. I didn’t even know Maryn was working for the rebels until 30%? Also, with dystopians, I love hearing how the world crashed and their ideas at bettering it. We got none of that. There was zero world building. Just generic zombie apocalypse with one surviving community. Along with the context, there was really nothing between Maryn and Calden, so when suddenly feelings developed, it felt forced and unbelievable.

All that being said, it was an interesting story. However I probably would have DNF’d because I kept pushing forward for something exciting (hint: The whole hunger games comparison) but it just kind of leveled out once the trials started and moved into the center.

Overall it had great potential but fell flat. Would not recommend, and will not be continuing.

[Krista Carr]

Dystopian The Bachelor meets the Handmaids Tale with a dash of zombies and spies... woah

[TaraB.Reads]

Very rarely do I hand out 1 star reads but this one was not edited well and the ending pissed me off

This felt like book 2 because there was zero depth in plot or characters. You have zero knowledge about why the world is the way it is. I was incredibly confused when she started getting welts while it was raining but later you find out there is acid rain but no other explanation. This was the same about the entire Rite. You had no idea what was going on. Or the infected. That was mentioned a lot but never was it actually explained

I also thought this book completely lost the plot that was on the back. “Spy” was mentioned once before the “spy” was actually revealed so that wasn’t the focus of the book.

Also her being an unreliable narrator is fine but you need to give the reader more than what was given. Otherwise, readers are left confused.

Lastly, I don’t understand the purpose of Vera’s story about the beginning. It felt incredibly disconnected to the entire book.

I truly loved the concept but the execution was poor unfortunately. I think with a lot of editing, this would be a good book.

[Kassyreadsalot]

Title: Rite Of Unity:

Author: Caz Andra

Synopsis: You have until twenty-eight to be chosen.
Marry or Die.

In the Covenant States, women are given a single secure a husband before time runs out.

Maryn Vale has built her life around compliance. The system is structured, orderly, and fair to those who contribute. As a rising civic officer, she believes in its rules, its rituals, and the promise that loyalty is rewarded. She believes she is safe.

When she is selected for Unity, the honor feels earned. Unity is a privilege. A sanctioned courtship designed to match the Covenant’s most valuable men with women deemed worthy of them. Watched, ranked, and refined through each phase, the process promises status, protection, and a future.

Chosen early by Elias, a man admired for both intellect and rank, Maryn is pulled into a glittering world of supervised dates, formal evaluations, and quiet competition. Eleven other women are vying for the same outcome. Only one will be chosen.

At first, nothing feels wrong. The rules are introduced gently. The attention feels flattering. The threat of failure is framed as personal, never systemic. And if Elias does not choose her, Maryn tells herself she still has time. Women who fail are returned to the pool. Until they are not.

As the courtship deepens and the pressure tightens, Maryn begins to understand what Unity truly requires. The process is not about love or compatibility, but endurance. Compliance. The willingness to disappear piece by piece in exchange for safety.

Forced to compete for a future she no longer believes in, Maryn must decide whether survival is worth the cost of becoming what the Covenant demands. Even if walking away means being erased entirely.

Review: I don’t know what it is with Caz Andra’s writing but I was hooked from beginning to end! This book felt like The bachelor meets the hunger games! This world is interesting but I wish it was a little more fleshed out and certain things that were happening behind the scenes weren’t fully explained? I feel like there was some vital information that felt like the reader was supposed to already know and when some things are revealed there isn’t a full explanation. The romance or love triangle in this book had me leaning more towards Elias over the other male lead. The second male lead came off as weird! He was too pushy and showing up when he knows it could get her into trouble! When I got to the ending I was left confused and I have more questions now! I think in my humble opinion that if the author had fleshed this out more and would do a sequel to show us more I would bring my rating up but I believe this is a stand alone. This whole story was still really interesting and kept me questioning everything and everyone!

I would like to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!

[Becca]

Growing up in the nineties you were taught to fear 3 things: the Bermuda Triangle, Quick Sand and Acid Rain!

Glad finally someone has put that to good use and given us an acid rain dystopian.

There is a new wave of dystopian books coming out at the moment and despite the PR comparisons to the greats, they typically just don’t hit as hard. Well that’s not an issue for this book!

I loved the little homage moment to handmaids tale and hunger games as banned books. An acknowledgment of what came before rather than plot comparisons.
This truly felt like something new, while holding true to what makes dystopians so scary, how realistic they can be.

Set some time after 2105 (not sure we ever get told the exact year), we have a dramatic class system within a walled community. America is dismantled post war, we have declining male birth rates and over the wall people have radiation poisoning and seem sort of like zombies. We don’t hear a lot of outside the wall, which for a first book makes sense, the reader is as sheltered to truths as the citizens are in dystopians I would imagine it would come in later books. Inside the wall we have lowers, middle, upper-middle and elites.

Because men are so important and powerful even just having a son moves your social status up from middle to even elite. And of course since they are so special they get to have a full bachelor moment called rites, with ribbons instead of roses, and pick 12 potential wives to battle through deadly trials to prove they are the one! Oh and little detail, you have until 28 to be married or you die! Oh and the rite’s are all televised.

We are told the story from two pov’s which is really handy actually getting more information about the world. We have the fmc Maryn (from the middle) and mmc Elias the president son (obviously Elite).

It’s time for the Presidents son to get married and what does he do, but shock everyone including Maryn and pick her to be one of his matches.

What could go wrong?

Fast paced, enjoyable. Interesting side characters. Plot that keeps giving.

PS. It does have a different female character start the book as a Prologue which slightly confused me but then realised since the rest of the book is about the marriage process, the prologue serves to show how girls (or maybe just elite) girls are assessed at 18 to enter the marriage market, when they become ‘eligible’ and we do see the girl again. So I imagine we might see more or her in the future too. Like an important side character.


I am so grateful to netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley co-op for the arc in exchange for an honest review. I truely loved this book and can’t wait to see about book 2

[The Bibliophagist]

I received this as an ARC and this in no way shapes my opinion of the story. All thoughts are my own.

Cassandra is an auto-buy author for me. I love her writing style, and this dystopian story was no different. Not gunna lie, I finished the book and had an entire vent session with my husband about the truth behind her letter in her dedication.

“Men will never understand fear the way a woman does. It lives with us, no matter what choice we make. I refuse to give in to mine.”

Rite of Unity is the perfect blend of The Bachelor and Hunger Games with a little Handmaid's Tale and George Orwell's 1984 thrown in, where women are chosen by and Elite and have to compete in trials to try to win his hand in marriage. I really enjoyed the main characters but felt the side characters were a tad underdeveloped. I wanted to know more about them for sure. Near the middle and end, I did get more about a few of the side characters. There was just so much to this story I think it would have been difficult to give us backstory on the other characters. I truly loved seeing Maryn and how she navigated each situation, regardless of how things changed. Also, I have to honorably mention Vera because of the dress with pockets!

"I stepped forward, avoiding the mess, and pulled a tissue from the pocket of my dress. I'd never had a dress with pockets before, but now that I know about them, I could never go back."

I know there is something more to Vera and I need answers!

There were a few moments that I had to flip back a chapter and make sure I did not miss something. There is something that happens in the middle of the book that I had to reread because I was sure that I had missed key points about. But alas, I did not. That fact was *poof* dropped on us. Other than that, the only thing that did not sit well with me was how forgiving to Caldren Maryn was compared to Elias. I think this may be due to their positions, one being the President's son...yet they are both elite. I prefer Caldren and loved his POV, but I understand Elias as well.

Quick reminder that although there is a love triangle and some romantic elements, the romance remains a sublot. This story is at its heart, an all too believable dystopian.

This book hooked me and pulled me through the most unique story I have read in quite some time. Highly recommend if you are looking for a quick dystopian read. But that ending?!?!! There are so many questions, and I think CaZ needs to do more than just consider a sequel! We are begging for it!

“OUR WORTH IS NOT OUR WOMB WE WILL NOT BE DISCARDED”

[Sneha R]

It's been a while since a dystopian novel completely pulled me in, but Rite of Unity did exactly that. From the first few chapters, I found myself absorbed in a society that is both fascinating and deeply unsettling, making it incredibly difficult to put the book down.

The story takes place in a future where social status, power, and opportunity are tightly controlled by a rigid hierarchy. At the center of it all is a system that places immense value on certain people while reducing others to little more than tools for the state's agenda. While the premise may sound familiar to fans of dystopian fiction, the execution feels fresh and unique.

What I enjoyed most was the world building. Caz gradually reveals how this society functions, allowing readers to uncover its secrets alongside the characters. The setting feels believable enough to be disturbing, and many of the themes hit uncomfortably close to home. Rather than relying solely on action or shock value, the story succeeds because it makes you think about power, inequality, and the cost of maintaining control.

The characters were another highlight. The protagonist is easy to root for, balancing strength and vulnerability in a way that feels authentic. I also appreciated that many of the supporting characters are more complex than they initially appear. Relationships evolve naturally, alliances shift, and not everyone fits neatly into a hero/villain category.

The pacing is excellent throughout. There are enough twists, revelations, and moments of tension to keep the story moving, but the book never feels rushed. Every chapter added another layer to the larger picture, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what would happen next.

While there are clear nods to classic dystopian stories, Rite of Unity never feels like a copy of them. Instead, it takes familiar ideas and reshapes them into something that feels relevant for a modern audience. Fans of books like The Hunger Games, The Handmaid's Tale, and 1984 will likely find plenty to enjoy here.

Final Thoughts
Rite of Unity is a gripping, thought provoking dystopian novel with compelling characters, strong world building, and themes that linger long after the final page. It delivers suspense, emotion, and social commentary in equal measure, making it one of the most engaging dystopian reads I've come across in a long time.

Easily a 5 star read for me..

Thank you Cassandra for the ARC copy!!

[Cathy Geha]

Rite of Unity
by Caz Andra/Cassandra Aston

~ Dark, grim, and gritty look at what life in a post-apocalyptic United States my be like ~ Strong introduction to what I believe is going to be an interesting series ~

What I liked:
* Maryn Veil: Middle class, dutiful daughter, strong, focused, has secrets, conflicted, empathetic, bright – I have mixed feelings about her and want to know more
* Calden Charles: Elite class, son of wealthy TV producer, tech savvy, lethal, patient, attracted to Maryn, has secrets that come out toward the end
* Elias Hale: son of the President, in line for the throne, ready to marry, picked twelve women for The Rite competition, abusive father, weak-seeming mother, has potential to be better than his father
* The back story that sets the stage with a caste system of Elite, Middle, Lower, and those outside the walls (infected)
* The infertility issue and its impact on society – women who provide sons are safer, those who are barren/sterile can be useful but never Elite
* That Elias was kind to the twelve women that he chose and was gentle when he had to let one go
* The idea of rebels and wanting to know more about them, their goals, and plans
* The way the stark realities of the created world were described in a way that I was able to feel the inequality, injustice, and difficulty experienced by most of the people
* Thinking about what I would have done in Maryn’s place and wondering how things will turn out for her in the future
* The plot, pacing, setting and writing
* That the story made me think, feel, and care about the outcome
* Having found an interview with the author that mentioned there will be further books and this will be a series – no cliffhanger and stands alone but…wonder what happens next

What I didn’t like:
* Those in power that would kill innocent people, oppress them, and keep them down to secure their own luxurious wonderful lives
* The distinct societal lines drawn and how each group had rules to govern their lives
* That equality didn’t exist and the way value was established in the hierarchy
* The experimental compound and what it was doing
* There was a LOT to think about and not like but it had nothing to do with the story told

Did I like this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes

Thank you to the author for the ARC – This is my honest review.
4-5 Stars

[Lindsey Adams]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️

If you like dystopian, Hand’s Maid Tales, or Hunger Game vibes this book is for you! Caz Andra has given readers a book they will not see coming with Rite of Unity. After reading romantasy by this author, I went into this book not expecting anything like I got. This book grabbed my attention within the first few pages and had me in a hold until the very end. The ending that left me staring at the wall for a few minutes while my brain tried to wrap itself around everything that I just read.

Maryn Vale is the FMC who you start reading about thinking she is one thing and then boom! She is completely different from what you thought. And I am here for what she is trying to do throughout this book. In a world where women are more abundant than men, a courting/dating competition has been created. Think Hunger Games meets the Bachelor, but then take the messed up level to 11 and you have the Rite of Unity. 1 man, 12 women; each competing to be the man’s bride, with one goal. Bear a son as many times as possible.

Maryn finds herself chosen to compete for the hand of a powerful man in their society. Elias is the President’s son, elite ranking, and a prize for sure. Yet while this competition is a joy for the upper class to watch, the lower class is trying to ruin it from the inside out. As Maryn and Elias grow closer and closer throughout the competition, you quickly learn not everything is as it seems and people wear masks from day 1. I was completely hooked on finding out what happened, thus couldn’t put this book down until I knew.

I have always loved Cassandra’s writing and Caz shows me a side of her I never knew. I definitely will be reading more of this side of her writing talent. Not once did I find myself bored with the storyline or wondering when things were going to pick up. A few times I had to go back and re-read, convinced I had missed something. I do believe this book could have been easily made into two books, as there are still some questions, but while it seems Maryn’s story is over, it doesn't mean we won’t see more from this world in the future.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🔷Dystopian Romance
🖤Love Triangle
🔷Deadly Trials
🖤Not a Traditional HEA
🔷Arranged Matching
🖤Oppressive Patriarchal Society
🔷Morally Grey Characters

[Brenda Stokvis]

3,5 ⭐

As a woman in the Covenant States you have one duty, bare a son. With many more girls than boys being born, getting married becomes a competition. Literally. Every man picks 12 women who compete for the spot on his side. Maryn is a young woman from the Middle, which is code for 'your parents never had a boy'. She gets picked by the country's most eligible bachelor, Elias, the son of the president, to compete in his Rite of Unity. But rebels are trying to infiltrate the Rite.
What an interesting, disturbing and unsettling read. Just what I would expect from a dystopian novel! The way women are portrayed in this book reminded me a lot of The Handmaid's Tale and with the trials and how every inch of the Rite is televised it was reminiscend of The Hunger Games.
The book doesn't really reach that level of quality though. With the trials there were often jumps in timeline, where you are suddenly in the middle of one which was very disorienting as a reader. There were several moments that were left unanswered, like what did Vera know? What was that note Maryn received during the first trial? And for a book that is marketed as a standalone, it felt too unfinished to me. The ending leaves you gasping and wanting more answers, but apparently we're left hanging here. I was left a little unsatisfied by it.
There were so many trials, eleven, that they all started blurring together a bit. Some of them were quite disturbing, especially the ones with the radioactive bugs. I think the trials would have felt more real and horrible if there were fewer trials, the stakes were higher and if we would get more insight in other contestants experiences and not only Maryn's.
The characters each have their own motives for their actions and you are constantly left wondering who you can trust. What is fake and what is real? Enough so that I never really knew who to root for. To me that was really well done in this book, there is no clear hero and that added to the disturbing feeling of the book.
To sum it up, this is a good dystopian novel and I enjoyed reading it. I was left feeling unsatisfied by the ending and I hope there is more to come. Because you can't leave a girl hanging like that!

[Caitlin]

I'm feeling conflicted about this book. The premise seems really interesting but the execution was lacking for me.

In a world where women hold no power, 12 women are chosen to compete in the Rite to marry and produce a son before they turn 28.

Maryn has been preparing for her Rite but is shocked when she's chosen as the final candidate for Elias, the President's Elite son. She's thrust into a world she's not familiar with, forced to learn to navigate the Rite and figure out how to be the last woman standing.

This book has a lot of the elements for a dystopian story but I'm left wondering if the overall book suffered for it. And at the end of the book, I'm wondering what the purpose of all the struggle was.

The Rite has televised trials with each candidate supposedly having a dedicated costume and PR person assigned to them. Candidates are pulled from their "level" and sequestered away from family and friends. The trials are described as dangerous but I don't feel that's accurate and think the implication of what happens if you lose is more concerning, though we don't get a clear answer about that.

I'm left just feeling lost and overwhelmed. There was so many elements and people that by the end I was confused about who a character was and why they had any significance at that point.

And so many questions: Why is 28 the magic number and what actually happens to the women after they hit that age? At one point, we go from Maryn questioning who a character is to suddenly being very familiar with the character with no explanation of how we got there. Why are there cannibalistic people creatures? Who are they, where did they come from? What happened to the girls who didn't pass the different trials? What was the note that Maryn got at the beginning of the story? How did Maryn end up in her role and why did she make that final decision? What was the rebels goals?

Some of Maryns choices were truly baffling and I don't understand her motives. If she wanted to really try to make a difference, why would that be the path she chose?

I feel like I'm left with too many questions at the end of this book for it to be satisfying. Not enough was wrapped up by the end for me.

---

Thank you for the opportunity to read this book, I really appreciate it.

[Lacy]

👰‍♀️ ARC Review 💞

"I stepped forward, avoiding the mess, and pulled a tissue from the pocket of my dress. I'd never had a dress with pockets before, but now that I know about them, I could never go back." (👏 Amen, sister! 🤣)

❤️‍🔥 Think The Handmaid's Tale meets The Selection plus a side of Hunger Games stylist vibes. ❤️‍🔥

I absolutely loved this book. I devoured it! I think I read it in 2 days, practically cover to cover. It is under 400 pages so that helped, but it was the story that drew me in - that and the characters. Reading is political and this is no humdrum dystopia!

The patriarchal society with this super competitve atmosphere for the women was such a vivid place where you have "friends", but do you really? Because, they're competing for the same men you are and if you don't get married, you're going to have a terrible life - manual labor - or maybe even death. It's not good. It does not facilitate sisterhood. Only backstabbing. Friendship is rare - treasured.

The way Caz wound the story around, over, and under had me in knots. I was thrown for a loop so many times - in the best way.

I've been thinking about this book since I finished it and I can't get it out of my mind. The strength of the women, the bonds they were able to forge, and the love developing through this cruel situation had such a narrative tension with where the women came from, who was from the "it" circle and who was looked down upon.

Elias seemed to want to be a good guy, but his Dad has his ideas of who should stand by his son's side. He seemed to want to really find love and tried to make these beautifully curated dates, but he was also held back by the politics and the situation of having to conform to this Rite of Unity as well as the women.

I just - loved everything about this book. This has to end up as one of my favorite books of the year, easily. 😍

If you like The Hedge Witch books by Denise Critchley, Vox, or dating shows, you may like this book.

Triggers: Violence/Death, Sexual Assault, Mysogny, Domestic Violence - the author has a full list available

[Michelle Johnson]

“Men will never understand fear the way a woman does. It lives with us, no matter what choice we make, I refuse to give in to mine.”
•
I was provided this book in exchange for an honest review. The premise of a dystopian match maker/hunger games drew me in with a promise of morally grey characters, deadly trials and a forbidden romance. So, naturally you can imagine, I was salivating at the mouth wanting to get into it, so let’s go ahead and do so.
•
The story is set in the future, where the world has collapsed after a nuclear war where those that survived without radiation poisoning now live behind a great wall. Within this wall, men are the most valuable, as their births aren’t as frequent anymore. The slogan is “For the sons we carry forward.” Woman are the lower race, only valuable if they can bear a son. Everyone is separated into 3 sections. The lowers - mostly women cast aside for being barren. The Middle - families that have daughters, and the Elite - families that have sons. our FMC; Maryn is from the middle. She’s 21 and currently has until the age of 28 to be married or life as she knows it is over, literally. In order for women to get married, they must enter into a Rite. A televised show where the eligible bachelor picks 12 women and puts them through embarrassing and invasive trials where the audience votes and picks who will win. The goal always is to produce more sons.
•
Throughout the story we discover there are rebels who are trying to overthrow the Elite for their treatment and murder of women. Over all, I thought the story was great and really showcased how women were used only for entertainment. Never truly respected, or safe. I did find it hard to connect to both of the MMC’s however and found the FMC at times a little too innocent and naive. The ending did have a shock value to it but I did predict some other aspects. I think the story is definitely a wild ride for those that love a dystopian romance that gives a good slow burn. If it’s something that sounds up your alley, give it a go! Releases August 6th.

[Jnj_turning_pages]

ARC Review -
I was not prepared for how hard this book would hit me. I read it in a day. It's been a long time since a book has captured my attention so quickly and kept it! I lost sleep because of this book. Definitely a "just 1 more chapter" read.

A mix of the Bachelor, the Hunger Games, and 1984, Rite of Unity explores what would happen in a dystopian world where women outnumber men, marriage is arranged via trials, and birthing a son is the only way to survive.

The story follows Maryn, a girl from the Middle, and her marriage trials to the president's son, Elias. Elias doesn't want to be like his father, who is an abusive and oppressing control freak, and plans on changing policy once he is finally in power. Surrounded by secrets, experiments, and treason, what can be done when no one can be trusted?

What I loved:
-the trials, though not deadly, were definitely creative and invasive.
-Big Brother vibes. So much talk about sympathizers and being killed for even thinking/doing anything to help those deemed as lesser and in the Lower.
-Calden. Everything about him. All things Calden.
-Elias. Though he is the president's son, he wants to change and fix things. He is still young and doesn't have a lot of power. He is just now fully learning all the things that are going on and plans to stop them. Is he a bit slow to act? Yes, but he is also a realistic protagonist. He is going to change the system from the inside, he is just battling against everything he has been taught and controlled to do.

What I didn't love:
-there wasn't an explanation as to how it became a dystopian society. I am guessing (hoping) that will be in the next book.
-Maryn is an excellent character, but much like Elias, is a product of how she was raised. She is clever on the spot but doesn't seem to see the big picture and just does what she is told.
-having to wait for the next book!

An excellent read. An excellent book. 4.5⭐.

[Ashley]

An fast-paced dystopian novel that seamlessly mashes together some of the most recognizable tropes in survival and romance fiction. The premise reads like The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Bachelor with a heavy dose of The Hunger Games, all wrapped up in a lavish, highly structured societal hierarchy that gives off distinct Bridgerton vibes. It is a creative setup that immediately hooks you, dropping readers into a high-stakes arena where societal duty, survival, and forbidden romance constantly collide.

It is a compelling, well-imagined dystopian world, set in a bleak, post-apocalyptic reality that is heavily contrasted against the opulence and rigid rules of the selection process. This combination of grim societal oppression and high-society social maneuvering creates an addictive backdrop for the plot. Navigating the severe rules of this civilization keeps the stakes consistently high, ensuring that every choice the characters make carries life-altering consequences.

The story thrives on its energetic pacing and the tension built into the structure of its competition. Blending a survival element with a televised or highly scrutinized courtship mechanism allows for plenty of drama, strategic alliances, and sudden twists. It delivers exactly the kind of fun, immersive entertainment that fans of competitive dystopian romances look for, keeping you turning pages to see how the complex social hierarchies will ultimately fracture under pressure.

🍵 Final Verdict
A highly engaging and unique addition to the dystopian landscape, standing out for its creative combination of high-society drama and post-apocalyptic stakes. If you love stories about navigating strict social hierarchies, dangerous survival games, and complicated paths to romance, this fascinating world is well worth diving into.

[Becky]

4.5⭐️
" Men will never understand fear the way a woman does. It lives with us, no matter what the choice we make."
The Rite of Unity is like a mixture of the Hunger Games, Handmaid's Tale, and the Selection.
In the Convenant States, pollution and radiation have affected humans' genetic reproduction. For every 30 girls born, only one baby boy is born. Society structure is strict, and women's rights are pretty much gone. They have only one duty - to bear a son to ensure the survival of the human race.
To help guarantee a successful marriage, every man chooses 12 women to enter a Rite of Unity - a series of 11 trials designed to help pick the perfect wife.
Maryn, a civic officer from the middle, is shocked but honored when the president's son chooses her for his 12th pick.
The story is action-packed between the trials, the tension of a love triangle, and the stirring of a rebellion, the reader is never bored. As the story progresses, you begin to realize that not everything and everyone is what they seem. The plot twist at times are subtle and other times absolutely mind-blowing.
Maryn, especially for the society she is living in, is a strong FMC and someone you can't help but cheer for.
Enter Elias and Calderon- our MMCs. Elias is the golden boy, the president's son, who does everything to set up the perfect date for her. Cayden is the mysterious rebel who will do some questionable things to save her.
However, the reason that this is not a full five stars for me is that there was a chapter that I felt some of Maryn's actions were not making complete sense. Plus, I felt like, given that they were both Elites, she was way more forgiving to Caldren than Elias. I enjoyed getting Caldren's POV and would love to have more of his.
Overall, The Rite of Unity is a unique, action-packed dystopian story. I can't wait for book 2!
Thank you for choosing me to be an ARC reader.

[Juli Rae]

ARC for Rite of Unity was a 5/5 ⭐️ and 2/5🌶 for me. This book took me a whole weekend to process before I could collect my thoughts enough to write this review. It was SO good. It has so much and takes some of my favorite dystopian stories and blends them together into a modern spin. This spoiler-free review is going to be so hard to write because SO much remains secret in this story and the reveals are what make it so mind blowing.

If you loved Hunger Games, 1984, Bridgerton, and/or Handmaid's Tale, you will LOVE this book. I honestly even drew parallels to Attack on Titan with the center, middle, and lower walls. So many incredible dystopian nods in this story!

What if the Hunger Games was a dating show? With 1984's mass surveillance and oppression, Hunger Games' death games, Bridgerton balls and chaperones, and Handmaid's Tales' female oppression, I give you... Rite of Unity.

The world whose slogan is... "Under covenant. One purpose. For the sons we carry forward." And for whatever reason, when our modern world went to hell and this dystopian future was formed, male baby birth rates plummeted. Females are unwanted, and male births are viewed as a status symbol. In fact, your ranking as a society member is solely based on whether you birth a son. If your family cannot have a son, you are sent to the middle or lower classes. And vice versa, if you have a boy, you can potentially move up.

The answer, the Rite of Unity to ensure only the best females selected to marry into society and breed more sons. Women are ranked, tested, and selected for wives. Those who aren't, well we don't talk about what happens to them.

"OUR WORTH IS NOT OUR WOMB WE WILL NOT BE DISCARDED."

Naturally in a dystopian novel, there is a rebel force hell bent on destroying the oppressive system and has been working to assassinate the leader. This book scratched an itch for me in ways I can't describe. It was so well written and I couldn't put it down. I. Am. Obsessed. With. This. Book. I am dying for book 2 already and book 1 hasn't even released yet 😭 that cliffhanger DESTROYED ME.

[Ágnes Malta-Lakó]

Ugh this book got me so hooked I even took it to the playground.

The one-star deduction is mainly for the ending. It reads actually as a setup for a sequel. And I am mildly annoyed about it because as I kept on reading I was like "what do you mean there are two chapters left and we are still at the trials??" I read it in the acknowledgements that she's thinking about a sequel. Yeah, it reads like that. I mean, I would jump on the sequel.

The apocalyptic situation is interesting, it reminded me of the book Les hommes protégés by Robert Merle. But UNO reverse, I guess. The situation is dire and really uncomfortable to even think about. And I like to have these feelings while reading.

The main female character is a very unreliable storyteller, which I understand bothers some readers. I was just fine with it, I like the itching in my brain that there's something wrong with the picture I'm getting. I liked the fact that she had an anxious habit and it made her relatable in my opinion. I liked that she questioned things. And I do feel it was appropriately portrayed that our upbringing shapes us and we cannot just up and change.

The MMCs were also quite different. Elias, I started to pity. The other one I couldn't connect with. Where I could see the relationship between Maryn and Elias evolve even if it was not what our poor naive dude thought , I don't think that Calden got enough screen time to not just feel like he's a stalker. But I guess lack of affection makes for gullible people.

The trials were a lot and some of them went by super quickly. I was thoroughly disturbed. Sometimes disappointed.

There were some parts that were left unexplained.

All in all, the whole "constant surveillance" creeped me out because it felt real. And the need to perform for them was just... sad.

Thank you for the ARC copy!

[i_just_readalot]

Damn. After that ending I’m begging the author to please give me the sequel for this book. That cannot be the ending.

Set in a futuristic dystopian America where boys aren’t being born fast enough, society is centered around producing male heirs. A woman has 7 years to find a match or she’s useless. A man has 12 options to choose from. This to me was so chilling and hooked me into this story.

This book was a bit like The Selection set in a dystopian patriarchal hellscape. With secrets kept from the reader, the narrators are unreliable and make you feel like you’re not privy to know more than what the voyeurs watching these televised trials know. I think that was a good way to work through world building while keeping the book fast paced. That being said, it does make for a slightly confusing experience because there’s lots of things that weren’t explained.

There’s a love triangle but the romance is a subplot so don’t go into this hoping for a happy ending for any of them. That being said, I do have a favorite and I’m hoping that in the sequel (please I need it) the person I was rooting for comes through. The art on the last page was actually diabolical because of the epilogue.

I flew through this book but I have so many questions. I absolutely loved this story but I’m desperately hoping for a sequel so that everything clears up and we get to see more regarding the rebels and Maryn’s ending. I recommend this book for a quick dystopian read but I would say proceed with caution if you’re not ready for a book that doesn’t have a HEA and an ending that will make you crash out (totally not talking from personal experience).

Thank you Crowns and Chaos PR for the eARC of this book! All thoughts are my own!

[Karine]

I would like to thank the author for the advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Going into Rite of Unity, I expected a dark dystopian story with a graphic or violent edge. Instead, what made it so unsettling was how dangerously familiar its society felt: women are judged for simply existing, their worth is tied to fertility and marriage, and public spectacle is used to distract from cruelty and control. This premise gave me The Handmaid’s Tale meets The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor, with a touch of Bridgerton in the courtship rituals and social dynamics, and I was immediately intrigued by the mysteries surrounding Maryn, her family, the rebellion, and the identity of a mysterious man.

Maryn is caught between Elias, the sweet and idealistic man she is competing with other women for, and a forbidden attraction that leads her toward increasingly frustrating decisions. I struggled to understand the intensity of her connection with Calden, there was no build-up, only his stalker behavior. The writing occasionally felt intentionally disorienting because Maryn knows so little about what is happening around her, and then suddently she's part of the rebellion...? The ending answered a few of my questions, but the reveal did not fully come together for me. I was also surprised that, despite the book being marketed as a standalone, the ending and the author's acknowledgments tease a possible sequel, which made the lack of resolution feel even more frustrating.

I enjoyed the journey, the social commentary, and the ideas behind the world, but unfortunately I finished feeling more frustrated than satisfied.

[Krista Nicole]

A post apocalyptic dystopian novel where all the fears of a male dominated world come true and you follow an FMC just trying to survive it!

The FMC has spent her life as a middle - the working class that keeps their society afloat - and preparing to one day be a wife before she turns 28 and runs out of time. When a chance encounter leads to her being selected as the final candidate for the elite presidents son’s match, she’s whisked inside of the walls of the elites into a world she never expected to see. She’s now been taken from the only life she’s known and her family and thrust into a world that looks down on middles like her and she must compete with people who’ve spent their life in luxury for the hand of a man who is at the top of the terrible lives women live in their society. Can she survive these trials and keep her true feelings to herself?

I really liked the story of this book and it felt like a cross between the dating story of the selection with the handmaids tale in the best way. The FMC had to endure a wide range of trials that had me fearful for her keeping her true feelings to herself but you can also see the MMC falling for her and truly learning to care for her in his POV and that he would do anything to protect her. Of course there’s also Calden and Vera that are some of my favorite side characters and plenty of twists and reveals that kept me from putting this book down. Between those last few chapters and final reveals I can’t wait to see what happens next in this world! My rating 4.6/5!

Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner)]

Actual Rating: 4.5⭐

This book was pitched as Hunger Games meets a dating show, so I went in expecting some deadly trials with a romantic twist.
But honestly, the “games” part never really showed up. The only overlap was the rebellion storyline, where a group of people are fighting back against the government’s treatment of women.

The world building had potential — it’s intriguing, but we barely got any details. Just a passing mention of history here and there, which left me feeling like I’d been dropped into the middle of a series without a proper intro. I kept wanting more context to really understand the setting.

Character wise, some were likable, but others felt… purposeless ? Their motives and roles weren’t clear until the last 20% of the book, which is way too late to hook me.
The romance was even more confusing. There’s sort of a love triangle, but also not really ? I couldn’t figure out Maryn’s feelings toward the two guys orbiting her, and the dynamic just didn’t click.

Overall, the concept is unique and the dystopian setup could’ve been amazing, but the execution felt surface level.
If this is a standalone, the ambiguous ending doesn’t tie things up at all. If it’s meant to be a series, then it definitely needs a sequel to clear up the loose threads and give us answers.

I received a review copy through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the publisher!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: death, violence, sexual content, murder, parental physical abuse, sexual violence, attempted rape, sexual assault, alcohol, grief, torture, confinement

[Dalia M]

First and foremost, thank you Cassandra for giving ne the privilege to read this book before release!

Wow this book really surprised me and I honestly couldn't put it down. Rite of unity is a dystopian sci fi in our future where the men dominate our world and kill women who cannot provide a son by the age of 28. Births of males have been rapidly decreased due to radiation by acid rain that happened after the war. the Convenant States is what they call the USA in this future. It's kind of like The Handmaids Tale mixed with The Bachelor and a little bit of The Hunger Games but without the deadly trials. There are different classes, the Elite, the Middle, and Lower. Everything is televised during the games and everyone is being watched. There is no privacy.

Our FMC, Maryn is from the middle and once she becomes of age, her and many other woman have to be chosen by a man to be a part of the mans Rite and fight for their spot to be wed. Maryn gets the chance to be a part of the Rite for an Elite, Elias the presidents son, and find a way to make it through and survive.

With every turn of the page, things start to move along and had me hooked. The ending wasn't what I was expecting to happen and I am thrilled to know that there will be a second book to continue on the story where it got left off. I definitely need to see more of Calden and how everything gets played out with the mother.
It was definitely uncomfortable in some parts because its scary close to what is happening in the world today with women's rights. If you love a good dystopian, this is one you should definitely read.

[Shauna Kruse]

"Under Covenant. One Purpose. For the sons we carry forward."
It's the future and women are only valued if they can produce sons. They are put through marriage rites to earn just the chance of marriage, humiliated and treated like objects, discarded if they are infertile or rejected from the rites. Family status in the community depends on how many sons you have. It's a terrifying world that unfortunately reflects what could happen in this country at any time if the people in charge get their way. The rebels are trying to make changes, but are quickly killed for trying to make a difference. "Our worth is not our womb, we will not be discarded."
I am honestly not sure how I feel about this book. There were so many good things about it, but there is just something that fell flat for me, and I am not even sure what it is. The first 65% or so I was completely engaged, and then I just started losing interest. I think a big thing that bugged me was the love triangle. I am not a fan, and when I signed up to read it, I did not realize there would be one. I also don't like how one of the MMC's was being made out to be the bad guy when he wasn't. It's like the author was trying to make us dislike him and like the other MMC, but it wasn't working for me, especially since the main MMC was being deceived when he was just being honest. I also felt like there were characters who were mentioned like we were supposed to know who they were, but I had no idea. Plus some plot lines that just appeared like we were supposed to know about them already.
But I think a lot of that is just personal preference, so I think others might love this book.

[Abby]

3.5 Stars

A fan of Caz Andra's other works, the premise of the Hunger Games meets dating show caught my attention. This dystopian novel also makes a nod toward the Handmaid's tale with some of it's content. I was intrigued by the kind of society that would make marriage a do or die thing. In the Covenant States, you must marry by 28 or die ( DUN DUN).

There are classes among the states, just like the districts of Panem. Our FMC, Maryn is just a girl who happened to catch the eye of Elite society. When she is invited to partake in the Rite of the President's son she quickly is caught up in getting to the next round of trials. No Middle class girl ever makes it past Stage 4.

Maryn proves herself again and again and against all odds surpasses stage 4. While in the process of the rite, Maryn discovers the Farm and the Lab. She discovers atrocities that the Covenenant State's are hiding from it's people. All in an effort to make more sons. The only value women in this book have is in their ability to provide male offspring. Anyone found barren is cast out.

Like other reviewers have mentioned, the book was exciting but the plot lines were not well laid out. There was a lot of guess work and random information bombs that didn't connect as well as they should have.

I didn't care for Calden's character. He is made out to be this important part of a why choose but comes across more stalker like. I found the back story for Maryn's parent's and Calden lacking. Had more information been provided, I think it would really ramp up this books star power.

I read this in a few short days because despite the issues I had with the writing, the story was exciting. I enjoyed the tension and build up between Maryn and Elias. I eagerly await more of the story because it ended on a huge cliff hanger and I NEED to know what happens next. It wasn't nearly as gory as I thought it was going to be and for that I am thankful.