Us Defiant Few: Us Dark Few Series, Book 3

Us Dark Few #3

by Alexis Patton, Raquel Beattie (Narrator)

My pen won't remember you—but my blade certainly will.

All Khalani Kanes has ever known is survival. She escaped the world's deadliest prison and is one of the few people alive to have ever walked beneath the sun. But now, death has her in his grasp, and her luck has finally run out.

The man she loves no longer remembers her, and he's intent on one killing her.

To live another day, Khalani will need more than sharpened knives and sheer willpower. She must get close to her brutal enemy and find a way to save him before he destroys them both. But as dark forces close in and impossible truths come to light, Khalani begins to question whether she can even trust her own mind.

Their path will lead them back to where everything Apollo. To face what's coming, she must create brutal alliances, undergo ruthless training, and hold onto a love forged through both blood and pain. But even if she reaches the underground city with her throat unscathed, Khalani will be left with one agonizing question.

After learning the truth... will she still want to survive?

Beneath the sun, only those ablaze will remain.

Genres: Dystopia, Dark Romance, Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dystopian Romance

Audible Audio

Expected publication September 1, 2026

About the author

Alexis Patton is an emerging talent in the literary world, poised to captivate readers with her debut novel, Us Dark Few. Born with an insatiable curiosity and a passion for literature, Alexis Patton brings a refreshing perspective to the literary landscape, pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling. Her writing embraces the human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, self-discovery, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Raised in DeLand, Florida, Alexis is a Florida girl by heart. From a young age, she developed an avid love for reading and was one of those kids who got in trouble for reading too much during class. With a voracious appetite for learning, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Stetson University and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the University of Florida. Through her life experiences and undeniable passion for literature, Alexis Patton honed her skills to craft stories that resonate long after the final page is turned.

Alexis Patton eagerly anticipates connecting with readers and building a community of like-minded individuals who appreciate the power of literature. Stay connected with Alexis Patton for updates on her upcoming projects and to join her on an exciting literary journey!

Instagram: @alexispattonauthor
Twitter: @alexxis_patton
TikTok: @alexis-patton.author

Reviews

[Renee Polks Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️ 5/5
🌶 2/5
💀 2/5
🩷 4/5

What a perfect ending to one of my favourite dystopian romance trilogies of all time!

The plot took a total 180 flip from where I even thought it was going. I thought at one point it was feeling predictable, but then Alexis went and dropped me on my head haha.

This was such a good way to tie in her little hints and foreshadow cookies from the 2nd and 3rd book.

I am always going to recommend this series.

°~♡~°

😩💔 The LOVE and the YEARNING that Takeshi and Khalani had was perfect, but so was the hate:

“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜? 𝙄𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙞𝙨𝙚?”
“𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙛𝙧𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙥. 𝙄’𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬.”
𝘚𝘰, 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘯, 𝘛𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘪 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙙… 𝙃𝙚’𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙨𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙮𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙮𝙚𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙫𝙤𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙢 𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙪𝙩 𝙤𝙛𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧. ~ Takeshi Steele

𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙞 𝙩𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙡𝙡. 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝘼 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚, 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙥 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙛 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙚. ~ Khalani Kanes

🥹🫣🤭 Special mention to Winnie for being so damn loveable and hilarious throughout this entire series. But especially in book 3:

“𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨.” ~ Winnie

“𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙞𝙚’𝙨 𝙨𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙧. 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙩." ~ Winnie

“𝙈𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙘. 𝘿𝙧𝙖𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙨 . 𝙁𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚.” ~ Winnie (I just know she was telling talking about ACOTAR and Fourth Wing 🥹)

°~♡~°

⚔️ Dystopian Setting
⚔️ Slow Burn Romance
⚔️ Whitty Banter
⚔️ Deadly & Very Morally Grey Prison Guard MMC
⚔️ Broken Yet Resilient Prisoner FMC
⚔️ Found Family
⚔️ Pining, Longing, & Spice
⚔️ Very High Stakes
⚔️ Major Plot Twists
⚔️ Happiest Ever After

📖 This series was everything, and I think this book gave me everything I needed and wanted.

*Quick flashback to book 1*
Khalani, Takeshi, and the others escaped Braderhelm - the dark underground prison in Apollo - where they immediately discover the atmosphere is safe.

*Quick flash back to book 2*
Khalani was tortured by Dr Strauss, made some allies, escaped the second city prison, but just as they were leaving, Takeshi shows us and tries to kill them and doesn't remember her 🥺😫🤮💔 (rip my damn soul through my throat).

*Update for present day*
They have Takeshi captive. He has no memories (I love a memory loss trope!). They have to go back to figure out what Prometheus is, and so they set off to find it.... WITH a psychotic amnesiac Takeshi in tow.

°~♡~°

💀 This book has violence, but it is written in a really entertaining way. For reference, I give it the same dark rating as The Hunger Games... violent but not overly graphic. I loved the way Takeshi is completely unhinged, psychotic and deadly.
*swoon*
My man leaves no fingers attached for those who dare touch what is HIS.

It did also have a lot of funny and happy moments loaded with sarcasm and banter, which grows throw book 3.

🩷 The romance... mmmm
Brock and Serene 👏👏 Ayooooo, I loved their side romance! Takeshi was always a man possessed by his woman... memory loss and all.

📝 This series is giving Divergent, The 100, Total Recall, Altered Carbon, and something NEW ✨️

👉 If you're new to Dystopian and want to start, this series is a great entry point.

♾️ In summary, this series is worth an infinite star rating. The plot, the characters, the banter, the violence, the romance, the found family, the world building, the cliffhanger... ALL OF IT 😘👌

[szreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ending to the series!

Us Defiant Few is an unforgettable journey through darkness, resilience, and what makes us human.

The synopsis at the beginning is such a great addition if you need a refresher for the plot and characters from the last 2 books.

The chapters when we’re in Takeshis head… amazing. He’s a 6’5 icon.

I also continued to love Winnie so much. She’s such a perfect character addition.

The poetry from Khalani throughout and quotes at the top of each chapter seamlessly blend art and storytelling.

What I loved most was how the book wrapped up so effortlessly and I enjoyed every minute that I was along for the journey.

If we want to go deeper… this book feels like a warning and examination of our current world. It’s just the type of dystopian book that young adult readers and adults need in current times that can be reflective but also enjoyable to read since it deals with AI subtly, control, and fighting for what’s right even in dark times.

Winnie is spitting facts when she says “that nuclear bombs weren't what ended civilization. It was the loss of empathy that marked humanity's collapse.”

My fav quotes ⬇️

“You were born of violence. But I chose it.”

“You’re in every breath I take, but it isn’t fucking enough.”

“In another story, you would’ve been my beginning.”

“You were the only person who ever made the darkness feel like home.”

“You turn my chaotic waters into calm seas.”

I really like too that I’m noticing a trend where authors make their books more accessible for all readers by providing warnings or non sexual options for the story. Alexis does a great job at doing this in a way that doesn’t take away from the story if readers choose not to read scenes with sexual content.

Notes:
- the ideal date question got me!! Ugh so cute but also a funny subtle reference

Thank you so much to Alexis and Bloom Books for an advanced copy of the book!! Being chosen for your street team has truly been a dream. I can’t believe I’m 1/150 who got this book early 🥹

Tropes
✅ Found family
✅ Touch her and die
✅ Amnesia
✅ Broken FMC/MMC

[Kaylee✨ (dailykayleereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

♾️⭐️
Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened!🥹

I just finished Us Defiant Few and I don’t even know how to put all my thoughts and feelings about this series into words. I loved everything about this book and this series and I am so incredibly sad to say goodbye to the characters and story. I cried as soon as I finished the last page because I didn’t want to say goodbye to these characters who touched my heart, but it was truly the perfect ending! It had romance, angst, jaw-dropping moments, and scenes that had me on the edge of my seat. Ultimately at the heart of this story is the persistence of hope and love and the best that humanity has to offer when we treat one another with kindness and love.

Khalani was an incredible FMC to follow. She is strong, brave, resilient, but where she really shines is in her empathy for others. Khalani always chose to do the right thing, even if it wasn’t the easiest choice. I loved getting to follow her journey of self-discovery and finding her found family.

And then we have TAKESHI! Takeshi is without a doubt a top book boyfriend. The way he yearns for and loves Khalani is beautiful. The way I kept highlighting everything that came out of this man’s mouth was CRAZY!!! I loved getting a few POV chapters from his perspective and getting to see what was really going on in his mind and his internal struggle. Takeshi is the definition of the trope touch her and die, and I ATE IT UP EVERY👏🏼SINGLE👏🏼TIME!👏🏼 How am I to ever move on from Takeshi?!😭

Alexis’ writing is nothing short of perfection and her words on page are beautiful and inspiring. The way she weaves together poetic storytelling, character development, and morals that resonate deeply with the reader seamlessly is something I am in awe of. Alexis nailed everything and it was such a satisfying conclusion and all I could have asked for and more. This is truly such a god tier series that I will reread over and over again!

The biggest thank you to Alexis and Bloom Books for allowing me the opportunity and privilege to be one of the first to read Us Defiant Few! It was such a dream come true to be part of the Street Team and share in the excitement and hype for the entire series!

[Emily ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow what an ending! This was a perfect conclusion to this trilogy so much so that I fully devoured the majority of this book in one night.

I love Khalani so much and I think the way she’s portrayed is done so well. Her relationships and values are everything to me. The found family is so damn good in this book. We can’t forget about Takeshi either. Ugh so good I love him so much.

In terms of the plot, wow so good. The plot twist was definitely plot twisting and in fact I found myself glue to my seat the entire time. 3 books for this series was exactly what it needed and I appreciated it not being drawn out for any longer

A big thank you to Alexis Patton and her team for the opportunity to read this arc!

[Bree Delgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god. Where do I start? I’m so sad this is the last book but this trilogy was perfect. It had so much tension, yearning and relatable quotes. You can tell the author poured her entire soul and heart into her words. I felt every gut wrenching inner thought and the love between the main characters will live rent free in my brain for the rest of my life. I fell in love not only with the main characters but the side characters as well. I don’t know how to put into words what this series did to me. How is it possible for this series to connect to my soul like it did? I can’t wait to read more by this author

[Courtney Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE PERFECT ENDING TO A PERFECT SERIES!

I can’t explain how much I love this series. Us Dark Few was my first dystopian book I’ve read and was what started my love for dystopian and the ending of the series was just perfection 😍😭 the beginning broke my heart and then the twist I didn’t see coming at all I was ready to throw my kindle.

Also I read the acknowledgements..highly recommend because that would’ve just been criminal

THANK YOU FOR THE ARC

[Stephanie Bleckley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always struggle writing reviews for the final book in a series - especially when that series has had such a profound impact on my journey as a reader. I never want to say too much and risk spoiling anything, but I also want to make sure the book and this entire series gets the praise it deserves.

I picked up Us Dark Few on a whim after seeing Alexis' TikTok videos shortly after I got back into reading, and I absolutely devoured it. I finished it in a single day, couldn't put it down, and rode that book hangover for days afterward.

Since then, I've been incredibly lucky to receive ARCs for both Us Deadly Few and now Us Defiant Few, and somehow Alexis has managed to exceed my expectations every single time.

There was so much to unpack in this finale, but it never felt rushed. Every revelation, every twist, every emotional moment was given the space it deserved. I found myself anxiously turning page after page, desperate to know what would happen next. I'm usually someone who reads multiple books at once, but I couldn't even pick up another book while reading this. I was completely consumed by Khalani's story.

Watching Khalani grow throughout this series has been one of my favorite character journeys. Seeing her discover her strength, find where she belongs, and build a family out of a ragtag group of people who chose one another was incredibly moving. Every character brought something special to this story, and saying goodbye to them was much harder than I expected.

This series reminded me why I fell in love with reading again. It's full of heart, unforgettable characters, impossible choices, and the kind of story that stays with you long after you've turned the final page.

Thank you, Alexis, for creating a world I never wanted to leave. I already know I'll be revisiting this series again and again.

[em]

over 9 months😭😭 just finished book 1, i already know i will be waiting for this one with bated breath🥲

[Hira Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. I couldn’t have dreamt up a better ending to this series if I tried. I think I cried and laughed through this entire book.

Khalani is easily one of my favorite FMCs. Her self doubt and her thoughts made her one of the most real and genuine characters ever. I like that her internal struggles weren’t brushed aside and instead we got to experience her inner turmoil as she fought to survive and fought to save Takeshi. Her sheer determination and strength were absolutely inspiring. And I think she’s someone a lot of women can relate to as well.

Takeshi, oh my Takeshi. I had so many emotions running through my head with him. First with his whole issue and his own internal struggles. I absolutely loved the few POVs we got so we could understand his struggles more. I liked the parallel between Khalani’s inner turmoil in Us Dark Few and Takeshi helping her through it, and Takeshi’s in this one with Khalani on the other side. I think Takeshi is the ultimate book boyfriend. His yearning is impeccable and he’s the literal definition of touch her and die, even if he doesn’t understand it himself. They had the best banter and tension too. But this boy had my jaw dropping multiple times.

But oh my god, Winnie was so sassy in this. I was cackling with every sentence that came out of her mouth. And I liked seeing more of Serene’s aggressive side. Her sisterhood with Khalani was beautiful. I think Us Defiant Few has one of the most beautiful found families I’ve ever read. They truly would do anything for each other and I love that this beautiful band of misfits found love in each other.

I like that the world building isn’t overly complicated and it’s very easy to understand. What I really liked though was the parallel to our own world. I think this is an important story that needed to be told in 2026, and while this is a work of fiction, it all starts somewhere.

But oh my god, I absolutely did not guess where this story was going. I went on an absolute wild ride, especially in the second half. I absolutely love the unpredictability though. I love being surprised.

I know people ask about spice level a lot, and while I read it, I like that it’s clearly noted and skippable, allowing more people to be able to read it.

Overall, this is an infinity star read. I think it wrapped up more beautifully than I could have ever imagined. I’m sad this story is over, but I’m glad I got to experience it. I cannot wait for the world to have this story in their hands.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Dystopian! I recieved the ARC this morning and could NOT put it down! If you’re looking for a fantastic dystopian series LOOK NO FURTHERRR. Us Defiant Few has to be my fav of the series, I can’t put into words how beautifully Alexis Patton has written this story. The slow burn, the suspense, THE TWISTS, I was unwell and then well again. 🤣 I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better ending to this trilogy. It’s bittersweet for sure to know that it’s come to an end but I cannot wait to read anything else Alexis has up her sleeve.
*Fav Characters: Winnie, Takeshi
*Fav Quotes:
~“You might not have been at the start. But I’m happy you’re at the finish.”
~“He’d paint again. She’d make sure of that.”
~“Something or someone so important to me. It feels like a piece of my soul was tethered to it. And now there’s just this this gaping hole in my chest. I’d rather rip it all out.”
~”Words have power, and if her actions couldn’t make a difference, she’d write a thousand-page story detailing the wonders of him.”
~“He’s still threatening to string everyone upside down by their entrails. And honestly, a part of me wants to see it happen.”
~“Love destroyed and saved me in the same breath.”
~“I’m just as selfish and want forever with you. Every day, I’ll work to be better than the day before. But above all, I’ll never stop loving you.”
~“You may not have all my firsts, Takeshi but I promise you will have all of my lasts.”
~“I told you I would find some flowers for you.”
*Fav Scenes: The Studio. The Garden. There’s too many to count but def the ending 🥹IYKYK.

[Jamiesreadingspace · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Us Defiant Few by @alexispattonauthor
Spoiler free review!

ARC reading this book was a dream come true! 🖤 thank you Alexis for including my on your street team, and letting me have this experience! 🥺

I truly can’t believe this series is over 😭😭 I was invested from the start, and needed to know what would happen to Khalani, Takeshi, and the rest of the crew. This story is truly unforgettable, full of resilience, secrets, and finding humanity. It gave me a lot of hope for our own world.

I really enjoyed this book from page one all the way to the last page. The slow burn, the suspense, the challenges.. ahh it was seriously all soo good! I’m not over it. It took me on a wild ride, which I would expect nothing less from Alexis. 🖤

Can’t wait for you all to read it in September!

[Avery Clason · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was genuinely one of the BEST endings to one of the BEST series I’ve ever read.

This book was everything I needed it to be for the finale and then some! I devoured it in a day and it’ll linger for years to come. Alexis Patton is one of the most thoughtful and descriptive writers I’ve ever encountered and her love for her characters shines through. It stems beyond Takeshi (a top book boyfriend) and Khalani and into the supporting characters like Derek, Serene, Brock, Elise, and Winnie.

I can’t help but think about how this book acts as a beacon during an incredibly hard time with a message about indomitable love, resilience, and rebellion. To me, this is not only one of the most perfect books I’ve ever read, but it is one of the most perfect dystopian books ever written.

Throughout the series and into its finale, Alexis combines poetic storytelling with traditional prose to create this gorgeous story with gorgeous characters. I always adore when authors play with the form of their novels and I’m so glad that Alexis continued with the poetry theme throughout the books. I will be singing this series’s praises until the day I die.

The most perfect series for those who adore The 100, Attack on Titan, and anything dystopian related.

Thank you Alexis for inviting me to be a part of your Street Team AND thank you for the ARC of this incredible novel. I can’t wait to devour what you write next ❤️‍🔥

[read.with.heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Bloom Books and Alexis Patton for an early copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was the perfect ending to the series, and I am so sad that it is over. This book had so much tension and yearning. There was so many heartbreaking but relatable quotes. The found family in this series is one of my favorites. I can't say much on what happens in this book because it is the last book in the series, but I will say that you will be able to read this book in one night because it is so bingeable. This is one of the many series that I've read where I gave all the books 5 stars. You can tell that Alexis Patton put her heart, time, and energy into this series, and it really shows. This series will forever be with me, and I can't wait to see what Alexis writes next.

[Enilorac ♡☆❀]

GIMME

[Huniyah]

Expected publication September 1

[Sheezy]

I cannot wait for book 3 now.... Wdym Takeshi doesn't remember her!???!??? Damnnn I'm so eager ughhh

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for this Advanced Readers Copy! This book comes out September 1st, 2026.

This is the third and final book in this trilogy and it wrapped everything up beautifully. The story picks up where book two ended, and your heart is being ripped apart from the very beginning.

The story pulls us in several directions and I didn’t know how the author could wrap up so many loose ends before the story ended, but she did, and she did it WELL.

The only reason this isn’t a 5 star read for me is because the writing felt a little off to me. I still enjoyed the book (and series), but something was off. Maybe it was the third person POV, but I’ve read other third person POV books and have been fine.

If you’re in a dystopian kick like I am currently, I can’t recommend this series enough! I can’t wait to see what Alexis writes next!

[katiebbooks💌 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you so so much to Alexis and sourcebooks for allowing me to read an early copy of my most anticipated read of the year.

Immediate finishing thoughts. THIS IS A MASTERPIECE OF A TRILOGY. IVE JUST FINISHED AND IM SOBBING. I LOVE THEM ALL SO MUCH.

Okay I can now honestly and confidently say this is my absolute all time favourite, GOD TIER, dystopian romance series. EVER!!! 6 STARS.
This book was everything I wanted and more. It was the perfect conclusion. The writing, the characters, the poetry, the unconditional love between them all. It was everything!!! If you haven’t read this series yet, please take a chance on it. I did in 2025 and read books one and two within two days because I was obsessed. Alexis you are magic and I will read anything you write.

[abbeyrosereadss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um so what do you mean this is it??? 😭😭
Thank you very much to Alexis and her team for the arc! I’m so sad this series is over but it will remain a god tier series to me! I’ll never stop recommending it! 🥹🫣🩷

[Elle | The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series = ♾️⭐️

Us Defiant Few is the final part of the Us Dark Few trilogy, following the now traditionally published Us Dark Few and Us Deadly Few.

It’s a true enemies to lovers, with forced proximity, touch her/him and d*e, and the best found family. It’s dark, gritty, dangerous, and the social commentary throughout the series is on point - it’s scary how relevant it is to our world today, yet it’s so at home in a futuristic dystopian setting.

Us Dark Few has been on my mind since I first read it early 2025, and as devastated as I am that it is over, I can’t imagine it ending in any other way.

[Kurai. · Rating 5 out of 5]

wish it didnt take years for books to release, deadass

[Cortney McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

eARC copy review. (Sorry its a long review). In summary read the series 😊

It has been a week and I finally feel like I've processed this story enough to finally write a review. I don't think I will stop thinking about this story and the ending to this trilogy any time soon. This is the absolute best dystopian series I've read in a long, long time. Anyone who asks for a dystopian recommendation will be getting this one. In all honesty, this is a 10 out of 5 stars. I don't know how else to say how great of a series this is.

Characters:
First, I cannot describe how much I love these characters. I immediately connected to each of them, including every side character, big or small. The small found family they have built will do anything to keep everyone safe and loved. They all have some sort of connection and involvement in the story. No one is just there for comedic relief; they all contribute skills in a very intentional way.

Khilani's self-doubts and very real imposter syndrome make her the most relatable character I've ever read. Even the times of feeling like giving up and giving into her dark thoughts are felt deeply. As women, we often feel like we need to put everyone's needs and feelings before our own, and you see this vividly in Khilani. She feels like she's the one destined to bear the weight of the struggles so that everyone else can have a brighter life. She has such real, relatable thoughts.

Takeshi is complicated, but if he cares about you, he will definitely show you in his actions rather than words. I love how his reactions go from 0-100 if anyone he loves is wronged in any way, especially Khilani. Sometimes I wonder if he even understands his own reactions. This book slowly and constantly crushed my heart with his obvious internal struggles. I am not sure anyone will ever be able to take his spot at the top of my book boyfriend list.

There are so many—and I mean so many—good, meaningful quotes in this final book. I swear even the words in the chapter titles made you feel something.

Pacing/plot/world building:
The plot just takes you for a ride and it never dulls, not only in this final book, but right from book one. The world-building is clear but doesn't overwhelm the story. In fact, no area in the book overwhelms the narrative; it is just so well-balanced and paced. Every twist and turn genuinely made sense and contributed to the overall tension. It is unreal that this is Alexis Patton's debut series. If her first work is this good, I cannot wait to see what other art she develops in the future.

This is a series that I don't think I'll ever tire of, and I will definitely be reading it repeatedly. Speaking of.... is it too soon to start a re-read again?

[WhatTayReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

US DEFIANT FEW by Alexis Patton

I feel like I'm usually pretty good at guessing what's going to happen in books but Alexis gets me every time! I had a feeling we were going to get a happy ending for Khalani and Takeshi (and the whole gang) but I wasn't sure exactly how they were going to get there.

Things I liked:
I liked the twists and turns, and without spoiling, lets just say there's a part that leaves you questioning a whole lot about whats actually going on. There is a reveal that happens that I wish was explained a little bit more but still a good reveal.

The overall tone of overcoming an oppressive government, finding your way in the world, and not letting the darkness consume you. This was a huge part of what drew me to Alexis' writing. There are real world elements that make it easy to connect to what the characters are going through.

Themes of morality, what is "right" and "wrong". The characters have to make hard decisions about what actions they are going to take.

The sci fi elements in this book really drew me in. My favorite parts of the book were when those aspects were explained more in depth.

Things I didn't like as much:
I'm not always a big fan when a large part of the book has to do with a journey/traveling somewhere but that's just my personal taste. There were still plot points throughout but I get lost sometimes when there is a lot of moving from one place to the next.

There were a few interactions that seemed a bit immature. It took me out of the story a bit but I was able to move past it and still really enjoyed the conclusion to the series.

Spice does not bother me at all but it felt a bit out of place for a YA series.

Overall, it was an interesting read! There are still some darker themes throughout the series, so make sure to read trigger warnings.

Thank you to Alexis Patton, Bloom Books, and Netgalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[theliterarywitchx · Rating 4 out of 5]

i have loved this whole franchise since it was indie, so seeing it now be traditionally published AND having an ARC to the finale of the trilogy is genuinely such a surreal feeling🥹Alexis, you are such an inspiration and i love your work so, so much. i will shout about this series forever, and i’m endlessly grateful to be part of your street team!🤍This book was such a gorgeous and satisfying conclusion. The REIGNITED!!! tension, enemies to lovers AGAIN, and the absolute blood, sweat and tears Alexis pours into the poetic writing of this book was everything i could’ve wanted and MORE. Takeshi and Khalani have such a raw, beautifully complicated romance, and it was so refreshing to see. Their relationship felt so real, and i was completely invested in them from start to finish. AND THE PLOT TWISTS??? i was GAGGED. genuinely baffled that i didn’t see some of them coming because the signs were there?! ALSO, a certain other couple...... I WAS SO READY FOR THEM. after the end of book two, i NEEDED their story and they did not disappoint😭The dystopian atmosphere that has carried across all three books was still so strong, but this time we finally got the answers we’d been waiting for, alongside the larger, more mainstream rebellion, which i LOVED. It made everything feel so much bigger while still bringing the trilogy to such a satisfying conclusion. If you haven’t started this series yet, TAKE THIS AS YOUR SIGN. And if you’re anticipating the release of this one, trust me, you will NOT be disappointed. Thank you so much Alexis for the ARC (& NG)🥹it has been such an honour to watch this series grow from its indie beginnings to where it is now, and i genuinely couldn’t be happier for you!

[Cin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Us Defiant Few.

Honestly, this series finished me. In the best way possible.

When I reached the final page, I broke down in tears. Not because it was sad, but because Alexis somehow managed to bring everything full circle. The ending reflected back to the very first book, and seeing how beautifully it all tied together was such an emotional experience.

What I also appreciated throughout this series was how relevant so many of its themes felt. Beneath the action, romance, and rebellion was a story about power, misinformation, empathy, and what happens when people stop seeing each other as human. It held up a mirror to some of the very real problems we face in our own world, and I thought that was incredibly well done.

But this series will always mean more to me than just a story.

I found Us Dark Few during one of the hardest periods of my life while going through a rough separation. To say I resonated with Kahlani would be an understatement. I felt her trauma, her pain, and her scars as if they were my own.

Watching her fight her way through the darkness and eventually find her light was nothing short of inspiring.

And then there's Takeshi.

In a world where it's easy to become cynical, he reminded me that good men still exist. The way he loved Kahlani, supported her, and never stopped believing in her was beautiful to witness.

I truly couldn't have asked for a better ending to this series.

So thank you, Alexis, for these characters, this world, and a story that found me exactly when I needed it.

I won't cry because it's over.

I'll smile because it happened. ❤️

[Bookish DreamsGallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alexis has done it again, the 3rd and last installment of her dystopian trilogy Us Dark Few is amazing, we are thrust back into a dangerous landscape, more enemies, new shocking discoveries, and heartbreaking moments while we follow along our FMC Khalani and her found family, I love that we get a few chapters that are from Takeshi’s (the MMC) point of view thought selfishly I wanted more than we really got, but all and all the book takes you on a journey of survival and self-discovery but always emphasizing the importance of hope and love through it all, I love how Alexis wrote the story as an allegory of current circumstances and the meaning behind it reminding us that at the end of the day no matter where you come from we are all humans, we can all use some kindness and through love, respect and understanding we can built a better future, it was a beautiful ending to the story presented in Us Dark Few (book 1) and follow up by Us Deadly Few (book 2), culminating on Us Defiant Few, since the first book I felt Kahalani's struggles, self-doubt and feelings as my own and fell in love with her journey and the family she gets to make as her own, all of them have an special place in my heart, am not stranger to grief though I have not lost a lot of people the ones I did loose left a big impact on my soul, and the feelings and the meaning behind Alexis words will stay with me for the rest of time, I even love your dedication Alexis, am glad you listen to your mom about Winnie, and the part you dedicate to your abuelo, left me in tears all over again, am glad your dream came through and you gave us this beautiful story and in doing so you were able to heal the part of you that need it, because some part of me has heal reading this story and am sure that be the same for so many out there waiting to discover it, thank you for reminded me that there are still good people out there and hope yet to be found, and please keep writing and using your voice against injustice, bringing hope, acceptance and love.

[Alexis Hobkirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this ARC, I had incredibly high expectations, and Alexis Patton somehow exceeded every single one of them.

Being reunited with Kahlani, Takeshi, and the entire found family felt like coming home. I managed to figure out one of the twists about halfway through, but the rest? I never saw them coming. Every reveal had me completely hooked. I read it in 1 sitting because I couldn’t put it down.

Alexis promised that all of the heartbreak, cliffhangers, and emotional pain from the previous books would be worth it and she was absolutely right. It was worth every single tear… and there were a lot!

The drama, the twists, the love, the all-consuming hatred, the heartbreak, the loss, and the found family were all absolute 🧑‍🍳 💋 (chef’s kiss).Every emotion hit exactly the way it was supposed to, and I couldn’t get enough.



By the time I hit the 80% mark, I was full-on sobbing. First, because Takeshi and Kahlani finally came together after everything they endured. Second, because this series has meant so much to me, and knowing it was coming to an end completely shattered me. And finally, because this was such a beautifully written ending to the series. I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a more perfect ending to a series that has become one of my all-time favorites.

I cannot recommend this book or this entire series enough. If you’ve been waiting to dive in, this is your sign. I am beyond excited for everyone to experience this story and fall in love with these characters the way I did. 🖤❤️

Thank you to Alexis Patton and Netgalley for this ARC!!!

[Meiske · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️ 2/5

First of all, a huge thank you to Alexis Patton for trusting me with an ARC of Us Defiant Few. It has been such a privilege to follow Khalani and Takeshi’s journey before release, and I couldn’t have asked for a better conclusion to this trilogy.

This was everything I wanted in a final book.

The plot twists kept catching me off guard, the yearning between Khalani and Takeshi had my heart in a constant ache, and the emotional moments absolutely delivered. There were scenes that made me smile, moments that broke my heart, and plenty of times where I had no idea what was coming next.

Alexis wrapped up the story beautifully. Every piece of the puzzle came together in a way that felt satisfying while still taking me by surprise. The ending was emotional, hopeful, and exactly what this incredible series deserved.

If you love dystopian romance with high stakes, unforgettable characters, emotional tension, and a romance worth rooting for, I can’t recommend the Us Dark Few trilogy enough.

The spice is fairly light, with one explicit scene, so I’d rate it 🌶️ 2/5. The real strength of this book lies in the story, the characters, and the emotional journey.

What an incredible finale. This series has been such a memorable ride, and I’ll definitely be thinking about Khalani and Takeshi for a long time. Highly recommended! ❤️

[Cheyenne Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great ending to the series. It was action packed the whole time, I was waiting for the characters to catch a break but things just kept moving along. I did enjoy the twists and turns, a couple of which I didn’t see coming.

I loved the added stakes that came along with Takeshi’s memory loss, and the journey they go on while dealing with the repercussions of the involvement of Dr. Strauss. We also get a lot more info regarding the events leading up to The Great Collapse which were some of my favourite parts.

We got even more of our rag tag apocalyptic found family in this one and I absolutely ate it up. I loved seeing the connections grow, and the love shared between the group, especially with Takeshi.

This one is definitely the spiciest of the whole series, which does make me wish the author just committed and wrote it as an adult sci-fi. I also do wish that the whole series was just a bit longer, but only because I could live in this world for a lot longer.

This series would be perfect for fans of Fallout and The Maze Runner. As an early 2000’s teen dystopian lover, I could read this type of dystopian series over and over again.

Also Takeshi is now one of my fav mmc’s, do with that what you will.

[TribesReadingObsession · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book and this book finished me!!!
I’ve been obsessed with this series since I read book 1 and 2 last year and have been dying to read this after that book 2 ending. I cannot get enough of Khalani and Takeshi those two have won me over and I will not stop recommending them and their story.

This takes off straight after book 2 and well if you know, well thats just it you know how much you need this and you need everything to happen and be right with the world by the end of this final book. Well that’s what we all hoped going into it but I’m not going to tell you anything other than I could NOT stop reading this! We get highs lows and one crazy emotional rollercoaster but wow just so worth it all.

This has high stakes, people fighting for human rights not to be lied and caged or you know thrown into prison, it has a serious case of enemies to lovers this is not a enemies to quick lovers situation this is hard core ENEMIES to ……. Lovers and such a slow burn but wow that heat is scorching!

I love this found family dynamic, I loved the drama and non stop action happening and well I completely recommend everything about this book, this series, this world I could reread it and never get enough of it. If you want to give dystopian a go this is the series!!!