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The Fringe #5
Annihilation
Eli and Harper have fled the compound — running from people who once fought by their side. Owen has been captured, Sawyer is infected, and Celdon is facing a crisis of conscience.
When Eli gets wind of an attack that puts Owen’s life in jeopardy, everything changes. Eli is determined to rescue his brother, but Harper will have to make a choice: follow Eli along on a suicide mission, or push forward without him to find a cure.
In the heart-pounding final chapter of The Fringe, relationships will be tested, friends will perish, and the war-torn desert will burn.
When Eli gets wind of an attack that puts Owen’s life in jeopardy, everything changes. Eli is determined to rescue his brother, but Harper will have to make a choice: follow Eli along on a suicide mission, or push forward without him to find a cure.
In the heart-pounding final chapter of The Fringe, relationships will be tested, friends will perish, and the war-torn desert will burn.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 18, 2016
About the author
Tarah Benner
40 books362 followersTarah Benner is the author of more than 25 books, including Witches of Mountain Shadow, Mountain Shadow Mysteries, The Fringe, the Elderon Chronicles, the Lawless Saga, and more.
She lives and writes in sunny Colorado with her two dogs, a cat, a toddler, and her beloved partner in crime. When she’s not writing, she enjoys breakfast, hiking, yoga, and martial arts.
She lives and writes in sunny Colorado with her two dogs, a cat, a toddler, and her beloved partner in crime. When she’s not writing, she enjoys breakfast, hiking, yoga, and martial arts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
March 25, 2021
The chasm between Eli and Harper seems to be widening. All she wants to do is find a cure to the virus to save Sawyer and he is focused on springing his brother from Constance's clutches. No one seems to be giving any thought to Celdon but I have a feeling he will have a major role in the story's finale.
***SPOILERS/OPINION FROM THIS POINT FORWARD***
I advise not scrolling down unless you've already read this book.
Okay, here goes. Having Harper and Eli split up in their quests is essentially pointless and only adds length to the story. There is no antidote to the virus for Harper to find and Owen is killed in front of Eli. They both fail. Harper did meet and bring back Celdon's mother so there is that, however, Celdon had already located her. They could have reunited in a much less convoluted manner.
Both Eli and Harper are so badly injured that it's hard to fathom them surviving, much less managing to pull themselves together to keep on keeping on. Finding a way through the war zone and finagling a way inside the compound is pretty much beyond the realm of possibility (yes, I know it's fiction and the whole story is speculative but my credulousness can only be stretched so far)
After the final big battle Eli retrieves his jeans from a Recon site with his mother's necklace and his childhood photo in the pockets. So how/when does he get the photo back after the following exchange?
...I watch Jayden reach into her breast pocket and withdraw a tiny piece of wrinkled paper.
When she unfolds it, I can just make out the image of a much-younger Eli smiling shyly for the camera.
When Jayden speaks next, her whisper is barely discernible. "Oh the things we'll do for family."
Eli growls and jerks forward, nearly throwing his controller off balance. "This is bullshit! You had no right to go through my stuff."
It would not be unreasonable to assume that Jayden also pilfered the necklace. How did these objects magically return to Eli's possession?
***SPOILERS/OPINION FROM THIS POINT FORWARD***
I advise not scrolling down unless you've already read this book.
Okay, here goes. Having Harper and Eli split up in their quests is essentially pointless and only adds length to the story. There is no antidote to the virus for Harper to find and Owen is killed in front of Eli. They both fail. Harper did meet and bring back Celdon's mother so there is that, however, Celdon had already located her. They could have reunited in a much less convoluted manner.
Both Eli and Harper are so badly injured that it's hard to fathom them surviving, much less managing to pull themselves together to keep on keeping on. Finding a way through the war zone and finagling a way inside the compound is pretty much beyond the realm of possibility (yes, I know it's fiction and the whole story is speculative but my credulousness can only be stretched so far)
After the final big battle Eli retrieves his jeans from a Recon site with his mother's necklace and his childhood photo in the pockets. So how/when does he get the photo back after the following exchange?
...I watch Jayden reach into her breast pocket and withdraw a tiny piece of wrinkled paper.
When she unfolds it, I can just make out the image of a much-younger Eli smiling shyly for the camera.
When Jayden speaks next, her whisper is barely discernible. "Oh the things we'll do for family."
Eli growls and jerks forward, nearly throwing his controller off balance. "This is bullshit! You had no right to go through my stuff."
It would not be unreasonable to assume that Jayden also pilfered the necklace. How did these objects magically return to Eli's possession?
April 11, 2026
She is a very good storyteller. I had started this months ago, but abandoned it for a little bit because I so caught up in the story and the way that I had grown to enjoy the characters that I was worried that something was going to happen to the main character that I had grown so attached to after reading the other four books. I finally decided to go back and start over and finish the book. I am very glad that I did. I think that the author is very realistic in the fact that several of the characters that I had grown to know and care about died. I probably would have felt worse had the other four books still been fresh on my mind. I also think that the ending of the book was very realistic and other then a more fantasy type ending the best way it could have ended. There was a lot of action and much death but then the title of the book is Annihilation.
February 24, 2021
Make sure you understand ahead of time that purchasing this series will alienate you from your friends, your family, heck your life because after 1 page you will have entered the world of Tarah Benner's The Fringe and you will not want to leave. This series is incredibly immersive and enjoyable. It has it all from science fiction to Dystopian world scapes to love, mystery and suspense. I honestly cannot put these down sometimes because I get so engrossed in the stories. I highly recommend putting this author at the top of your list.
August 14, 2023
Great finale with gut wrenching action throughout.
What a great series and satisfying ending.
Unfortunately tears do fall but just like the characters, you don't have time to mourn until it is all over.
New alliances are built and I liked how various characters had key roles in the final sequence of events. Plenty of action, a lot of blood spilled but all what you expect when fighting for survival and your family.
What a great series and satisfying ending.
Unfortunately tears do fall but just like the characters, you don't have time to mourn until it is all over.
New alliances are built and I liked how various characters had key roles in the final sequence of events. Plenty of action, a lot of blood spilled but all what you expect when fighting for survival and your family.
August 23, 2017
Awesome series!
I definitely recommend this series! The Fringe had me hooked from book 1. The characters are written so detailed and you get to feel as though you know each one personally. This isn't one of those series where you can predict what's going to happen, but keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Definitely a recommended read!
I definitely recommend this series! The Fringe had me hooked from book 1. The characters are written so detailed and you get to feel as though you know each one personally. This isn't one of those series where you can predict what's going to happen, but keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time. Definitely a recommended read!
June 14, 2021
Superb writing
I am not generally a fan of this genre, however Ms. Benner has written an unforgettable tale of survival following a nuclear war. The characters are well developed, the plot is attention-grabbing, and the editing is near flawless. It’s best if you read the whole series in order.
I am not generally a fan of this genre, however Ms. Benner has written an unforgettable tale of survival following a nuclear war. The characters are well developed, the plot is attention-grabbing, and the editing is near flawless. It’s best if you read the whole series in order.
January 27, 2022
An amazing intense series. All the events seemed so real and heart pounding. The scariest part for me was how likely something like this could happen in the real world. The corruption, prejudice and social hierarchy are so like 2022 in the real world. I couldn't put the book down until it was finished.
January 16, 2023
Great dystopian, post apocalyptic story. Very well thought out and written story line. Characters were relatable and easy to follow each of their stories. Although several lovable characters did not survive the story, their deaths were heroic and truly missed. Found myself crying towards the end over small characters who sacrificed themselves to save others. Well done Tarah.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 22, 2023
Finally. The end to a long story that could have been written in 2 or three books. Overall, the Fringe story had character development, plot twists, somewhat cliche dystopia that was confusing (like who cares about operating system updates and patches if the world was destroyed by nuclear war??).
Overall 4 stars.
Overall 4 stars.
October 17, 2024
Believable dystopia
This series is a chllingly believable dystopia scenario, taking events from today and projecting them forward. A little bit of Silo thrown together with Divergent plus a little bit something else gives you a satisfying read. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
This series is a chllingly believable dystopia scenario, taking events from today and projecting them forward. A little bit of Silo thrown together with Divergent plus a little bit something else gives you a satisfying read. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
March 5, 2025
Awesome series
This series was great! The characters are very well developed and human. I hate when characters always seem like Superman. The descriptions of the scenery where also well.done. I loved the story line and the continuity of the books. I highly recommend this series for sure.
This series was great! The characters are very well developed and human. I hate when characters always seem like Superman. The descriptions of the scenery where also well.done. I loved the story line and the continuity of the books. I highly recommend this series for sure.
November 27, 2016
I am kinda disappointed really. It is probably the best in the series, nut it had dragged on for a while. The story itself is really good and the cover design is enjoyable, but I doubt it I will be re-reading this series.
January 17, 2017
Great ending
Great final book in the series. Many final books seem in a rush to tie up loose ends, but this seemed to flow well. Closed well but still left room for a follow-on book or series.
Great final book in the series. Many final books seem in a rush to tie up loose ends, but this seemed to flow well. Closed well but still left room for a follow-on book or series.
October 25, 2020
Love, love, love this series
I absolutely love this series. This last book was a great ending to the series. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good post apocalyptic story. I will be reading this again in the future.
I absolutely love this series. This last book was a great ending to the series. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good post apocalyptic story. I will be reading this again in the future.
November 5, 2020
The final book in the series, what can I say?
The ride was a powerful engrossing one, the ending kept the tension going. I had a slump after finishing this series as that was how involved I was with the story and characters. Amazing series of books.
The ride was a powerful engrossing one, the ending kept the tension going. I had a slump after finishing this series as that was how involved I was with the story and characters. Amazing series of books.
March 12, 2021
Satisfying
A satisfying conclusion to a very good series. I still feel book four was the best but this book tied up all the lingering issues. I liked that it wasn't all happily ever after and sacrifices had to be made. Time invested in the five books was not wasted.
A satisfying conclusion to a very good series. I still feel book four was the best but this book tied up all the lingering issues. I liked that it wasn't all happily ever after and sacrifices had to be made. Time invested in the five books was not wasted.
June 18, 2024
Good book.
I like the book, but I'll Admit, I skipped over all the love stories.
I think it would have been better if so much time wasn't spent all the love stories, or at least get them over with and not drag it out so much.
I like the book, but I'll Admit, I skipped over all the love stories.
I think it would have been better if so much time wasn't spent all the love stories, or at least get them over with and not drag it out so much.
May 27, 2025
Honestly this was a great wrap up to the series. There was a lot going on (the book started with two POVs and quickly evolved into multiple) so I did check out a few times. Overall a worth it read and worth it series.
December 6, 2025
Top Notch Dystopian Series!
Excellent, believable story with many likeable characters you care about throughout the entire series. It kept me turning pages through the final book.
Thanks Tarah Benner for a great read!
Excellent, believable story with many likeable characters you care about throughout the entire series. It kept me turning pages through the final book.
Thanks Tarah Benner for a great read!
January 29, 2026
This was a great series to start the year off with. You never know when you pick up a book that it could mean so much to you. I will never forget this series! packed with action and a fade to black romance that will leave you wanting more.
January 10, 2018
Excellent series
Great series with wonderful characters you wanted to learn about. My only complaint was the strong language used. I didn't feel it had to be included.
Great series with wonderful characters you wanted to learn about. My only complaint was the strong language used. I didn't feel it had to be included.
February 2, 2018
.
I enjoyed this series so very much,! I read all 5 books in inbaboutv2 weeks! I really liked the development of the cgaractrrs. I will miss them.
I enjoyed this series so very much,! I read all 5 books in inbaboutv2 weeks! I really liked the development of the cgaractrrs. I will miss them.
March 12, 2018
Great series
Great series. So full of action. Wonderful characters. Great story line. Easy to follow. Looking forward to reading more from this author
Great series. So full of action. Wonderful characters. Great story line. Easy to follow. Looking forward to reading more from this author
May 28, 2018
I actually expected better... Took the easy way out on the most dufficult moments. But I do like the series
January 2, 2019
This series was a quick but interesting read. The series flowed well and the ending was nice with. I loose ends that make you wonder! Overall it's was a good read!
February 24, 2021
The end?
It is all out war. Corruption on the inside. Antagonism on the outside. Disease all around. Can anyone really win?
It is all out war. Corruption on the inside. Antagonism on the outside. Disease all around. Can anyone really win?
June 9, 2021
Fabulous series
I loved every page and every turn of the story line. I hated to see the series come to an end !
I loved every page and every turn of the story line. I hated to see the series come to an end !
August 21, 2023
good follow up
A very involved story that consumes you through highs and lows, the remaining characters pull through but at a cost.
A very involved story that consumes you through highs and lows, the remaining characters pull through but at a cost.
May 15, 2025
Pretty much ends how you predict it will. Still sweet and satisfying- but predictable for the most part. Just enough tears, just enough drama, greatly satisfying ending and epilogue.
August 21, 2025
Great ending. I'd love to hear more. What happens after this? Still could be lots of action. What happened before? How about a prequel to tell us how we got here?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews