Aletheia

The Seventh River #1

by Megan I. Tennant

Nearly two decades after the fall, the transcendent city of Iris is the only place rumoured to have a cure to the disease that decimated the world. Beyond Iris, are the remnants of the old world, crawling with the Depraved. Infected with Lethe, they no longer remember the people or dreams they were once willing to fight for and are left instead with familiar voices that whisper dark and unfamiliar words within their minds. Instinct is all that keeps the diseased struggling to exist another day.

Deep underground, below Iris, exists a compound, prison to the Nameless who traded their freedom for the cure to Lethe. It is here that 736 fights to protect those she loves. Not against the Depraved that she's taught to fear, but against the society that saved her from that fate. She was willing to trade away her rights to regain the ability to form memories, but she won’t let the cult that cured her treat the lives of the Nameless like a resource to be used and discarded. At least, not without a fight.

How much is 736 willing to sacrifice for revenge against her captors? For those she cares about? For freedom? Everything has a cost, what would you be willing to pay?

For trigger warnings visit: https://www.megantennant.com/trigger-...

Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Young Adult, Fiction, Fantasy, Zombies

508 pages, Hardcover

First published September 7, 2017

About the author

Megan Tennant is an author, Youtuber, and all around creative. She has a bachelor's degree in biology, which she now uses to write realistic alternatives to the traditional zombie diseases and weave intricate sci-fi worlds. Whether it's books, videos, programming, or photography, she is always creating new and exciting things.

Reviews

[Ashley Nuckles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was more of a 3.75 stars for me, so I rounded up. I'll post my full review written here when I upload a review video to my channel!

[Lex 🖤✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We all ask for honesty, but none of us really wants it.” (Aletheia, p.8).

This book is AMAZING! If you love Dystopian novels with kick-ass heroines who are also multilayered, novels that make you question not only humanity but yourself as well, friendships that will bring you to tears and romances that are in ways forbidden but healthy and beautiful nonetheless; then Aletheia is the book for you. Not convinced yet? Let me walk you through the Pros and Cons of this wonderful book:

SLIGHT SPOILER WARNING (IF YOU DESPISE SPOILERS PLEASE HEAD TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS REVIEW)

PROS

1) Protagonist: 736
“Sometimes I feel like I’m three different people. There is the default one...then there’s the small girl; scared, untrusting and bitter...And then, there is the darkness...it’s the dark part that I constantly wish I could purge from my mind. (p.109-110).
736 (AKA Kitten Commander) is a Kick ass heroine with as many shades of gray as you can imagine. She will make you question every aspect of your life and of that is not relatable, IDK what the hell is.

2) Love Interest: Jason
“You are a beautiful kind of a mess.” (Jason, p. 230).
Do I have to say anything more? This man is adorable, flawed and will make you swoon and fall for him as hard as 736 did.

3) Friendships:
“You will get hurt...At least with love you have someone by your side as you fight through all the rest of the shit the universe throws at you.” (Arson, p. 270).
I loved, LOVED the friendships in this book. Every character is interesting, intriguing, fleshed out and strong in their own ways. At times when 736 was talking to them I felt them giving advice not only to her, but to me as well.

4) Feels:
This book is filled with feels, FEELS, FEELS. You will cry, laugh, swoon, throw stuff in anger, curse and then fall in love all over again.


CONS:
1) There are some very small typos here and there but the book is AMAZING you will hardly pay any attention to them. Honestly I am kind of a perfectionist so I thought this would bother me. It did not. The book is so good I just wanted to keep reading and reading.

2) This is not really a CON, but this book will definitely leave you wanting for more. Good news is: there is more! Red River, Book 2 in the trilogy is in process and trust me when I say, I will rush to get it as soon as it’s out.

SPOILER SECTION IS OVER:

In short, Aletheia has so many interesting characters, heart tearing friendships, a swoon worthy healthy romance and some seriously sick plot twists. And the FEELS! This book will leave you feeling so many emotions that you will be at risk of exploding (Don’t worry though, it’s totally worth it).

Now do yourself a favor and go read this awesome book. I mean it.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: I received this book in exchange for an honest review, however all thoughts and opinion are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! I must say I was a tad bit nervous going in because I haven’t been able to find any good dystopian stories lately, but this one delivered! I thought the world building was one of the strongest elements because it really is so hard these days to construct a dystopian society without it being compared to bigger classics like the Hunger Games, Divergent, or Legend. But the world was unique and I enjoyed learning more and more about it as I read on.

The plot was engaging and fast paced. I will say there were some predictable moments, but overall I enjoyed the twists and turns that continued up until the end.

The characterization of this book was also on point, everyone had a distinct personality and I could actually picture these being real people. I didn’t think the characters resonated that much with me until I got to the climax and realized how much I wanted them all to survive and make it out. ALSO THE MAIN CHARACTER OF THIS BOOK IS A BI GIRL AND THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY. It’s been one of my goals of 2017 to read more books with diverse women in them, so it was a pleasant surprise to see that the main character wasn’t another straight white girl like every other dystopian main character. Also there was a good amount of diversity of sexual orientations among the side characters which was also nice to see. Another point on diversity that I need to mention is that I loved how the main character didn’t overcome her fears easily. The author didn’t shove aside the character's limitations when it was convenient, but instead wove those into the story in a way that was really realistic. (Sorry if that doesn't make sense but I don't want to spoil anything lol)

Overall I would recommend this book if you are looking for a new dystopian! You will enjoy this if you like darker books with strong resilient characters and solid world building.

On a side note, this book does contain possible triggers for sexual assault and one brief scene with self harm.

[Iris]

I... I don't usually like dystopian, and I don't like reading about plagues, and also the fact that the city is named Iris is weirding me out, but also I've been following the author for ages and EVERY TIME she talks about it I just NEED to read it because it sort of sounds amazing! Even though I hate plagues and dystopians...

(Okay but actually I DO think I'll like this, despite not being a fan of the genre.)

[Blaire Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aletheia by Megan Tennant: SPOILER FREE REVIEW!
*I was sent an Arc ebook copy of this in exchange for a free and honest review*

Its been four days since I finished this incredible book and I'm still reeling. To say I'm in desperate need for book two in The Seventh River series, titled Red River, is an absolute understatement! This story is full of action, mystery, love and conspiracy and I truly adored every moment of this book!

Aletheia follows the story of 736, a young Nameless woman forced to do unthinkable things, made to live an unbearable life, and told what to do, think and say throughout it all. Yet despite that, she remains strong and stubbornly determined, proving that she is indeed a force to be reckoned with.
The plot is one of intrigue and originality, which we find out through the eyes of 736 as she navigates the new world nearly two decades after so many humans succumbed to the disease sweeping across the planet; the disease that left people without a single memory of their past life besides whispers and fleeting moments; Lethe. Now, those that are left live within the confines of Iris, safe and determined to begin again.
"And below Iris, exists a compound, prison to the Nameless who traded their freedom for the cure to Lethe. It is here that 736 fights to protect those she loves."
It is here that our story begins, as 736 races against the clock to free her people, evidently allowing her loved ones the chance to know how to live for themselves instead of for those above.
"How much is 736 willing to sacrifice for revenge against her captors? For those she cares about? For freedom? Everything has a cost, what would you be willing to pay?"

I have so much to say about the plotline of this book, but I feel like you should be left to find out for yourselves how incredible this novel was. What I will say, though, is that it was addictive, different and at times crazy (in a totally good way!) and every time I would reach the end of a chapter I'd tell myself "Just one more...then I'll sleep." Of course then every time I was forced to actually put the book down I spent all my time wanting to pick it back up. While I was at work, or packing because I was in the middle of moving houses, I found my mind would constantly drift back to 736 and her story, wondering what would happen next. I never knew what to expect in this story and I think thats what I loved most; constantly being shocked or surprised by what big event would take place next. I found myself laughing at points and crying in other moments. I genuinely felt connected to the story and thats the most important thing for me. I remember when I reached page 403 (I think it was) and I was actually hit with a wave of guilt because I was reading so fast and it was going to be over in about 100 pages. I realised then what an excellent book this was; the fact that I literally wanted to stop reading because I didn't want it to be over yet is a good sign.

The other part of this novel I absolutely have to address is the incredible cast of characters! I truly can't express how fantastic the characters were. 736 was of course our strong and dedicated female lead, but even the side characters were strong in their own ways. Not just strong, but loyal, loving, kind, caring, the list goes on. These guys are all in it together; they have made a family with each other, because they are all they have. Not only that though, but because they are family, they would do anything for each other, and that becomes evident when we see the lengths they go to to ensure the survival of the Nameless; their people. I love seeing the emotional rollercoaster these characters go on, not because I like seeing them sad but because its so real; so true; and I really appreciated that.

In addition to all that wonderfulness, Megan Tennant has an honest gift with words. I adored her writing style, and enjoyed the way she described things and set her scenes. I liked the way she wrote the dialogue, making it feel realistic. I also really liked her short and to the point style. By this I mean, she writes what's important. In a few novels I've read recently I've noticed authors go into detail, describing every little thing, and this is usually the point in which I start to get bored. Tennant, however, jumps straight into a scene, ensuring the reader is right there, then she will back track to explain whatever is necessary for the reader to know. That is something I do in my own writing, which perhaps is why I noticed and appreciated it immensely!

The ONLY negative thing I have to say about Aletheia, and in all honesty its not really a big deal at all, but its just that there was this one word that Tennant used over and over, probably nearly once every chapter, sometimes more, and it kinda became a little distracting after a while. I wont say what word because then you'll look out for it haha! Its truly not a huge issue and it didn't alter my enjoyment of the story at all! Besides that, I have absolutely no qualms about this novel!

All in all, I think its pretty safe to say I am addicted to this series already and am so excited for book two! The wait will be hard but I will survive...i hope! I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking a unique story of adventure, action, love, heartache, and of course conspiracy!! I gave Aletheia a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Please go pick it up as soon as possible, it's out now!!

[Camille Dent · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received a free PDF version of Aletheia for review. However, this does not affect the honesty of my review**

Check out my full video review here: https://youtu.be/99xTBQ9007Q

Aletheia is about a post-apocalyptic community, Iris, fighting for their survival against the diseased world outside. Their population is divided into seven divisions of specialized labor, though a new mysterious eighth has been announced at the beginning of the book. Our protagonist (736--each division member is given a number rather than a name) is in division seven, the fighters who actually go outside to scavenge supplies and kill diseased people whom they call the "depraved." The purpose of division six is only hinted, and it took me a long time to figure it out. The other divisions' purposes are not even implied. During one of her missions outside, 736 encounters uninfected people who make her begin to question the "facts" she is given in Iris.

Frankly, this book is about twice as long as it needs to be. The first 150-ish pages could have been cut almost entirely, and the story wouldn't have missed them. It moves at a consistently slow pace, even during action scenes. The narrative is padded with redundant description and questions from the protagonist. Pretty much every situation is set up specifically to showcase the protagonist as a strong character, but then she falls in love and becomes completely pitiful whenever she is in her lover's presence. Aletheia is the first book in The Seventh River series, and it does not hold much weight on its own. Tennant creates a world, knowing it will be destroyed by the end of the first book, and the result is an underdeveloped setting. I do think that Tennant has a lot of potential as a writer. I'm definitely interested to see where she goes after what I read from Aletheia story-wise and may continue the series, but unfortunately, the writing falls short.

[Beth Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aletheia follows a young woman only known by her number, 736. She lives with the other numbered and nameless people in an underground compound. In exchange for the cure to the awful disease which has ravaged the human population, she gets to live as a slave working to support the utopian city above ground.

The settings in Aletheia are beautifully described and intricately detailed. There's everything from breathtaking cities to crumbling sewers crawling with zombie-like people infected with the disease.

All of the characters are dynamic and complex, ranging from the pyromaniac Arson who fiercely loves the people around him to the soft spoken and delicate Rose whose internal strength is greater than steel. I found that I connected deeply with all of the characters and felt every ounce of emotional turmoil that 736 went through.

This isn't a simple story of an oppressive evil government. There are a few different factions at work in Aletheia, all of which do the best they can to protect their own people. Sometimes that means they work together, but a lot of times, it means they're at odds.

From action packed fight scenes with the zombie-like depraved to heart-wrenching moments when 736 can't find a way to save the ones she loves, Aletheia has everything to keep you reading until the very end. This isn't just an excellent debut, it's an excellent book, period. For anyone who enjoys dystopian or post-apocalyptic stories, Aletheia is a must read.

[A.J. Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a New Adult Dystopian novel book 1.

Book Cover: 4* - All righty, so a book with this kind of cover never really grabs my interest, especially right off the bat. If I saw this book in a store, facing me on a shelf, I would just keep passing it until one day I'm eventually curious enough to find out what it's about, BUT! But, but, but, I will HIGHLY admire the symbols on the cover. Both the iris flower and triangle is the symbol of the religion in the society that we are following in this book. Heck, the city above where the protagonist lives under is literally called Iris. The Prophet(A antagonist) seems obsessed with the flower and this symbol and I look forward to finding out why when the series continues. I know quite a lot of Dystopian novels, YA especially, go with a symbol that is important to the book and/or series as a whole, but I think this book made it work a heck of a lot better than many of the ones I've seen and read.

Summary/Tagline: 5* - Their is 2 parts of the summary, one in the back that is the protagonist talking to you, and I love it. It hooked me immediately when I saw the character has absolutely no memory of herself, who she is, nor what she was, and that she was forced to make a choice that could either doom her or put her on a leash. She may have chosen a leash, but she also seems determined to uncover what the heck happened and to finally break free. The second is within the dusk jacket, that goes more into what the book will be about. It has been over 2 decades since the virus befell mankind, and from all that chaos rose Iris, the only city, supposedly, with the cure to the virus. The protagonist was forced to forgo her rights for the cure, to be seen as but a resource to Iris, nothing more. Although she and many others have no name, no rights, no way to live as proper human beings, she is willing to fight to save the friends she has made, but what else is she willing to do for that freedom? This is just a really brief summary version of the second summary, but I was still hooked as I wanted to see what kind of society this was compared to some of the other Dystopian novels I've read, so far VERY different.

Characters: 5* - I'm sure some of you are wondering why I haven't included the protagonist's name yet, that's because that is what this section is for lol. I. LOVE. ALL THE CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK! With the exceptions of the antagonists, I'm sure I was never meant to like them lol. To be honest, I really don't have a character I hate/dislike on the protagonist's side. First off the character we follow in this book is named 736, yes, that is her name, and this society she lives in wants to make sure she is nothing but a number. She is a strong yet damaged individual. She may have scars about her body but she has claws and fangs of her own that she is not afraid to use AND a level head. She is not confused when s*** hits the fan, she will try and quickly think of an idea if it will help her out of a jam along with her friends. She even has an amazing cast of friends that are almost as damaged as she is. 1633 is just a really sweet guy who cares for 736 even though she accidentally caused him pain and anguish from an incident years ago. Regardless of what she did, he doesn't hate her at all but does feel upset when 736 puts him above all else, including herself. Also no they don't have a romance, this is more of a friendship relationship and 736 feeling highly responsible for what happened to him. Then we have Arson, oh my GOD! I love this guy lmao. He is funny, witty, a bit on the crazy side because he is obsessed with fire, ANYTHING, involving fire. In case you are wondering, Arson is a name he gave himself, his true name from the city of Iris above them has been purposely forgotten, and his number I forgot myself because I prefer the name Arson lmao. There is also 93 and his girlfriend Rose, 93 gave her that name. They are . . . the epitome of a ooey gooey romance lol. They love each other, and 93 would do anything to safeguard Rose's safety, and 736 knows this as she loved them both romantically but 93 and Rose didn't reciprocate the same feelings back. Then there is the love interest Jason. *Sigh* What can I say about my lovable, witty, corny, rebel lmao. He's just all sorts of caring and patient with also a really good head on his shoulders. There are more characters but I don't want this section to go on for too long, just know that I like/love many of them lol. Now . . . there are a bit of an antagonist thing going on but I'm worried one will be a spoiler so I will leave them out. The Prophet is one such antagonist, a man who apparently foresaw the coming of a virus that wiped the memories of all who came in contact with it, regressing them back as violent, rabid people that literally can't tell the different between friend and foe. He created the protected society of Iris, chosen people meant to repopulate the planet in a VERY specific image. He may love diversity, but physical imperfections is one flaw he will not stand and will have your body harvested to be used in a different manner. This is also the same man who created the Division section beneath Iris, people meant to serve Iris in again, VERY specific ways. Technology, cleaning, scavenging, sex working, you name it, there are 7 Divisions dedicated to specific work only. Then we have the new Captain that . . . I wouldn't say is in charge but she definitely makes sure the Division people do what they need to do . . . this woman is out for blood, that is all I can say.

World Building: 5* - Wow . . . Just wow. I can tell some real effort got put into this world. Although we still reside in the US, all traces of what it was is gone because of the Lethe virus, the same virus that infected millions into forgetting who and what they are but books from the previous society still remain so not all is forgotten, if you are able to adventure out into Depraved infected land. Depraved are those infected with the virus. They run around using the basic of instincts, eat, and sleep. Traces of what they are, are able to break through but unless given a cure, they will attack suddenly without warning. We also get a look at some of the Division sections and what many of them do, some more briefly than others, AND a look at Iris. Those in the Division section are not allowed in Iris, no matter what as they are not the Prophet's chosen people to repopulate the planet. This society hasn't been around for long, it has been over a decade or two but to 736, the day is just not clear to them as those in the Division section are meant for specific things, they have no name, they have no real life, they aren't even seen as people. Some Overseer soldiers that watch over them, making sure they don't break any rules and such can be nice, but there are those that won't hold back their disgust of you for being a Division person. Sadly because of Iris's control over the Division people, A LOT of information is of course withheld for control purposes, even from the citizens of Iris, and 736 learns that from Jason, her outside rebel friend from Haven. There is so much more to say but I think I'm going to stop here for now lol.

Story: 5* - Okay, so . . . I was on quite the roller coaster reading this book. I laughed, I smiled, I got angry, and I cried like a baby. Learning of 736 and learning about the world she lives in was riveting, I literally struggled putting this book down as I had adulting to do lol. The main character is strong but damaged and highly afraid to show her vulnerable side to . . . anyone really, even her best friends. She and many others like her have gone through and are still going through quite the traumatic life. Although she hates the city of Iris and the people that live in it, she is forced to admit that they saved her life from the virus and the crippling fall of old society. It was heartbreaking reading what she and many characters had to go through, but inspiring to see that they are using their s***** life to make something of themselves, to keep fighting, to keep hoping for a better tomorrow, and that to me was just . . . amazing. Now, this book is not without its graphical side as there is characters with a drug addiction issue, many characters that have been assaulted physically and sexually, 736 herself, and the ending, OMG that ending. I've never been destroyed by a book before, and I mean it. I cried so hard, so many good characters lost, and UGH! I'm just going to stop here because I feel like crying again lol.

Audiobook: 4* - That's right! One of my favorite indie books has an audiobook now and the narrator was pretty great. I thought she did amazing conveying the various emotions from a lot of the characters throughout the book. Although she sounded a bit stilted in the beginning, and there are only so many different voices the narrator can do per character, but come chapter 3 or 4, the narrator seriously reeled in those emotions. The way how I see it, if you can get me to successfully cry in some scenes, I'd say you did a pretty damn good job.

Over All: 5* - Over all I'm giving this book 5 stars. I would happily give this book more if I was allowed to lol. I went through quite the emotional roller coaster, and the writing is just beautiful in my opinion, the author really knows how to use her words. I also like/love every character we meet, from 736 to Seth(a minor but hugely kind character). I. AM. LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SECOND BOOK RED RIVER! Seriously, I want that book, in my hands, like, RIGHT NOW! I'm kind of in reading limbo at the moment lol, don't mean to gush but I love this book that much. If you want to give this book a try, the first 5 chapters are up on the author's website. Go check it out to see if it is right up your alley.

[Layla Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten how much pain a good book can cause.

There is nothing quite like the physical heartache you get when you care about the characters so much and so deeply that their pain becomes your own. When you are rooting so hard for two characters that your chest is heavy and empty when they are pulled apart. When you are so invested in the character that you are the character, and you not only want them to survive, but you need them to.

It has been so long since I’ve read something that made me feel this connection, and it’s the mark of spectacular writing. Aletheiamade me feel it.

The main character was such a well-rounded, fleshed-out person, and she couldn’t have felt more real. She had history that began way before the first page, relationships long past that bled into the story in an incredibly realistic way.

Besides the astounding characters, the plot was profound and remarkably strung together. There were twists at every turn, both predicted and surprising. The worldbuilding was rich, and it stood apart from the fad of YA dystopian novels in a wonderful way. The stakes were high, the consequences were real, and the conflicts were multi-layered with enemies at both sides of the table. I couldn’t put the book down.

The one and only issue with Aletheia was that it was poorly edited. The errors were at times distracting from the extraordinary quality of the story, and it hurt my heart to see such a wonderful novel hindered in such a way.
​
Regardless, the book was still one of the best I have read in a very long time. The prose was captivating, easily measuring up to the vast scale of the story it set out to tell. I am hanging off the edge of the seat as I anxiously await the sequel. 

[April Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

* I received this book for an honest review.

Video Review: https://youtu.be/eNhe_eVwVrs

It is safe to say this book had me all over the map with my emotions. There is just so much packed into this read and if there is one thing that creeps me out, it is diseased riddled humans.

Once I really got into the story I couldn’t put it down. I needed to know what happened even when I was grossed out beyond belief or devastated at what just happened.

The greatest thing about this read is that Tennant did not shy away from the different cruelties of a situation she centered this story around. The way all of her characters developed and dealt with life felt genuine. There is no way anyone in this story would not have physical and mental scars. And the way all the different kind of relationships (and relationship types) were written in such a natural way was refreshing. They felt like part of the characters and not a result of political correctness and inclusiveness.

Now there are only a few minor things that pulled me out of the story. At times I would be reading and a thought or comment by the character would feel weird and out of place. I started to realize that these mostly came into place later in the story when that stray point had a plot point tied into it.

Then there were times when some words started to feel a little overused. It wasn't intolerable, but it did throw me off a bit.

Now there is so much more I can say about the characters, the plot and the kittens but some things need to be discovered for yourself.

[Dave Wickenden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over Suzanne Collins. Megan’s debut dystopian novel is the first in a series that follows the plight of a future survivor known only as 736 from a worldwide virus. Cured of the disease, she and others are virtual slaves to the society that saved them from a horrible degeneration. 736 must use all her cunning and skills to fight for the freedom of her fellow captives in this high tension story.
With today’s advances and exploration in gene therapy and DNA manipulation, this novel speaks to a possible horrifying tomorrow. With Ms. Tennant’s background, the science behind the story rings with authenticity.
Aletheia is the first in the Seventh River series and if this first chapter is any indication of the rest of the series, plan for a lot of late night reading splurges. Extremely exciting and at times horrifying what people will do each other in the name of science, faith or power.
I was given an Advanced Reading Copy of Heat of the Empire in exchange for an honest review.

[Steven Partridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aletheia was... weird.

Not gonna lie, I was trying to stretch myself out of my usual reading comfort zone with this book. I knew about the author from YouTube, and she gives great advice for writers. Her BookTube videos are on-point, and she seems like a genuinely good person. Because of these reasons, I decided to read this book.

From the get-go, I have to say, I usually HATE books written in first person and in present tense. What's more, it's a dystopian novel. So... that's a thing.

The book meets a lot of your typical dystopian themes (a strong female hero, an oppressive regime that micromanages with an iron fist, a pseudo-zombie apocalypse, a terrifying illness, regular doses of drugs to control the populace, and more). However, the book also grabs you with a lot of its more surprising dynamics and twists.

I refuse to hand out spoilers, so I'll just touch on the fact that the characters are three-dimensional and diverse. Like, they are what got me invested in the story, and the dialogue pulled me along so much that I genuinely stopped caring it was written in first person/present. I also loved the play on the five man band dynamic and how the author built the main character a family in their misfit crew of companions. The character dynamics are genuinely lovely, and I think the dialogue is the strongest point of the book for me.

That being said, the action was also really well-paced, and I loved some of the more visceral descriptions employed. I felt like the pacing in the action scenes was just about spot-on every time.

I also found the authors use of many sci-fi and cyberpunk themes to be well-integrated, and I loved the descriptions of the world outside the compound. Those were really something special.

Besides the obvious things I mentioned that I didn't really care for, there were a few phrases repeated at times, and there were times when I felt like there were scenes that suffered from "white room syndrome."

However, on the whole, this was a good read, and it's probably my favorite dystopian novel I've ever read. It's certainly the only one I've finished, and I would definitely be willing to pick up book two when it comes out.

[Emily Luebke · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was nervous about giving this 2 stars ("it was ok") because this is an Indie book, but then I saw how many 5 star reviews it has so I know it'll be fine. A couple outliers like me won't tarnish it.

It took me AGES to get all the way through this book. Partly because I was reading on my phone, the ultimate worst way for me to read anything. The other reason though... You might see some reviewers saying it takes the book a few hundred pages to get going etc. For me this story didn't get going until nearly the end! The only reason I kept picking it back up at all was because I like Megan and I was determined to finish her book, dammit.

Overall I would call this book: inoffensive. A lot of claims are made that it defies dystopian tropes and "there are no character shields". I found both these claims to be untrue. There's nothing wrong with a trope here and there, I just wouldn't believe everyone claiming it's the most original thing they've read. I also knew exactly which characters were going to die and which were safe. If you read dystopians (which I do) Aletheia fits neatly into the crowd and doesn't do much to stand out.

Overall; if you go into this with expectations of a reasonably average dytopian with fewer harmful tropes than some YA, and a slightly more violent ending than usual, you can probably still find enjoyment. Just brace for a sloooooooow mover and low stakes until well into the tale.

Keep an eye on my channel for a more in depth review coming... eventually.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtrw...

[~Cyanide Latte~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let it be known that I don't write this review lightly and that the opinions expressed are my honest thoughts. I first stumbled across Megan Tennant's Twitter account some time ago and followed her mostly due to a mutual interest in writing. For some time I watched her tweet about the book she was working on and her progress with it, and gradually I began to get excited to see her efforts come to fruition. Seeing another person so passionate about writing tends to be infectiously inspiring. When I saw that the book was not only available for pre-order but signed copies could be pre-ordered directly from CloudKitten Publishing, I dropped money on that straightaway. Regardless of whether I would end up liking the book or not, I was excited for the prospect of being there for her debut as an author.

It is my delight to say that my feelings on this book definitely extend to the former, and again, I don't say that lightly. If you'll notice two of the shelves I tagged this book with, my very personal trauma triggers happen to be both zombies and dystopian themes. (Long, LONG stories both of them. I won't bore you with the telling.) I went into this book with the expectation I would struggle with the read and that I might DNF it entirely.
Neither happened I'm glad to say, and I wound up loving Aletheia far more than I think I could have anticipated! Sometime last year I was dead set on trying to find more self-published works to read in hopes that I would find a gem hidden among them. I've read maybe seven self-published books now, including this one, and let me just say... THIS is that diamond-in-the-rough self-published book I'd been waiting for.

Tennant's writing is emotionally striking and expressive, dark and descriptive as it is intense and somber. Her world is richly imagined and penned down accordingly, with very raw, human shades of gray morality and conflicting perspectives therein. Her characters are all unique, stark and so strongly independent as individuals that a reader needn't worry about ever confusing or mixing them up with each other. They'll stick with you and tug the heartstrings with this constant struggle of what and who in their broken world is right or wrong.

The plot, the very premise of the disease that is ravaging the world and crippling the minds and memories of those in it, is intriguing. Yes, I have seen others remark it is a trite cliché and formulaic for a dystopian, with a few tropes here and there. That shouldn't matter, because if you're intrigued by the summary you've read, then you should give it a shot. Any clichés or tropes involved didn't matter to me; if anything, if I'd bothered to pay attention to them, then I only say that they served to enrich the story. Tennant has poured her heart and soul into this and it shows in every chapter. As a writer, she's good, and I say that as one who is genuinely very critical of every book I read.

I've avoided spoilers in this review because really, much of the story has better impact when actually read. (Besides, I try to stay spoiler-free as much as possible in my reviews anyway, so I'm not about to break that habit.)
So to everyone either looking for a new dystopian read or looking into self-published stories to give a try, I do highly recommend Aletheia. It exceeded my expectations and more; I'm happy to say that I love it and I am looking forward to seeing Tennant continue with the series~.

[Janelle Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were so many good elements to this story it's hard to know where to start. I'll start with the plot itself. It's a cross between The Walking Dead, Hunger Games, and Red Rising, in all the right ways. There's zombies, uprisings, and YA elements that blend really well together. The author does a great job of not info dumping, but getting you acquainted with the world through the story, as opposed to just throwing a bunch of stuff at you.

The characters themselves were interesting and unique. 736 came across as multi-layered, and had clear motivations. Arson was one of my favorites, with his humor and snarky tone. Jason, although I had a hard time connecting with him at first, grew on me.

The tension and buildup was so good. The story was going somewhere, and although there were parts that dragged a bit for me, as a whole, the pacing was at times rip-roaring fast, yet with enough breaks to give you a breather.

My only complaints were 1) The love story was a little hard for me to believe, because it happened so fast (but that's fairly typical with YA type stories) and 2) The flavor of the book was YA, but the characters ages were hard to pin down. At some point, I think Jason was said to be 19 (maybe 18) but 736 seemed to be in her mid-twenties? The memory gaps played into this, I think, but I wish that had been a bit clearer.

The complaints are minor, though, compared to the rest of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful prose, the plot lines and the execution thereof, and where the story took me. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Michele Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely spellbound once this book got its hooks into me. It took a few chapter to get in, but once it started, there was non-stop page turning till the end.

In this story, a horrible disease has taken over the world. A prophet was given the means to create the cure and created a city, safe from the destruction and aftermath of the disease. But only those he deemed worthy could have a place in this city. Volunteers could get the cure, but the disease robs them of their memories of their former life and the cure robs them of their freedom. There are compounds that house the nameless, which our main character is one of many. They are controlled by arm bands that deliver chemicals into their systems if they are not where they are supposed to be, doing what they are supposed to be doing, when they are supposed to be doing it. There is no individuality allowed, no relationships, and there are different sections that the prisoners are forced to work in.

I do not wish to ruin the great turns and surprises in the story. Just know that there's a little bit of everything in this story as a few people try to free many. There's love, loss, pain, torture, and triumph. And the best part is, it's only the beginning with more to come.

I got this book as an ARC for giving an honest review. I have to say I was very happy with the story, the world building, and all the characters. Some are so bad you have to hate, while some are so great you instantly love them, and others are just a mix of good and bad trying to survive.

I cannot wait to hear what happens next for this group of survivors.

[A.P. Mobley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a long book, and I rarely pick up long books from authors I've never read before. However, I follow the author on YouTube and from her writing videos and what she said about 'Aletheia' on there, I eagerly waited the release of this book.

First off, I will say that I believe this book is on par with 'The Hunger Games' and 'The Giver'. Those are two of my favorite dystopia novels, and I think anyone who loves the genre will be obsessed with this.

The world building in this book is incredibly detailed and complex, and I have a feeling we've only seen the tip of the iceberg. If you like a lot of description you will love this about the book. There were a lot of characters to root for, and a lot of character development that the big ones received. They were all believable and had clear reasons for doing the things they did, and I was on the edge of my seat freaking out over who was going to survive. You really don't know in this one! It was brutal, a very emotional read.

I can't go into much more detail about the characters and things about the world and themes that I loved in this book without spoiling it, so I will end the review right here. If you are a fan of dystopia, you should pick up this book. The descriptions are vivid, the characters are engaging, and the plot was unpredictable.

[Ashley Muriello · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! Every second of it kept me on the edge of my seat and I could not put it down. The thing I enjoyed most of all, was that I actually liked the main character for once. I have been reading so many books with Mary Sue characters, that 736 was a huge relief. She was a likeable character who had equal strengths and weaknesses, She didn't have every man and woman fawing over her, and her personality was likeable and at the same time very realistic. I loved the romance in the story and I cannot wait for the next book!

[Alaina]

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[Nikki Yager · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read! Had a really difficult time putting it down, especially in the 2nd half

[Lindsay Bilgram]

Not giving this a star rating because I don't know what I'd give it...

[Harrison Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark, gripping, realistic dystopia for fans of Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth.

Aletheia by Megan Tennant is an impactful debut about love, loss, trauma, survival, sacrifice, and identity. Deep in a seven-storey underground compound, thousands of nameless people are slaves to the city of Iris above, and the Prophet who provided them with the cure to the memory-stealing zombie bug that tore society apart in exchange for their servitude. 736's job, as one of the nameless, is to scavenge for rare items in the ruins beyond Iris – but on one of her routine trips, she encounters a man who claims to be part of a large group of people living freely in the ruins, away from the tyranny of the Prophet. When the man offers 736 the opportunity to escape from the compound once and for all, she must decide whether to trust this new group and go through with their plans, even when it means risking the lives of the nameless she loves.

Megan Tennant has a knack for developing characters that the reader cannot help but admire and challenging them in ways that are often hard to watch. Readers will quickly grow attached to 736 and all of her friends, then turn the pages in horror as these characters are subjected to torture (both physical and emotional), death, grief, heartache and more, then finally wonder how on earth they will rebuild themselves.

There is no need to compare this novel to The Hunger Games or Divergent, as the similar themes and plot elements are obvious. However, Aletheia explores darker ideas than the popular YA dystopian books we are all used to; trauma, abuse and subservience are deeply ingrained themes in the story and many of the scenes can be very triggering for some (for specific trigger warnings, visit: www.aletheiabook.com). Tennant also presents us with one of the most realistic visions of a zombie apocalypse in fiction – beginning with the disease known as 'Lethe' that acts like an accelerated form of Alzheimer's – which just makes the book even more disturbing.

Aletheia is a promising start to a new series that rivals even the most popular dystopian franchises out there.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was sent this book in return for an honest review, I can honestly say it was truly an amazing read!

Aletheia is a sci-fi /dystopic story about a girl known as 736. In this world, the nameless work underground, serving the city and people that brought them the cure to a disease that destroys one's ability to make new memories. The disease takes away memories, the cure takes away their freedom.

Firstly, THE WORLD BUILDING. This is one of the few sci-fi novels I've managed to get into. The atmosphere is dark, certainly, but I feel we don't often get enough darkness in novels these days. The incredible descriptions of beautiful cities are as stunning as the gruesome disease-ridden sewers. I felt instantly transported into this world, beautifully done!!

The characters are incredible too. Some you love to hate, and others you want to root for from the moment they're introduced. Our protagonist, 736, has a fair bit of both.

This book really manages to suck you in. I was hooked after the first few chapters, and couldn't put it down! An excellent start to a sure to be phenomenal series. If you're interested at all in dystopic novels, this one is right up there with the Divergent Series and The Hunger Games. Loved every minute of it!

[T.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in a dystopian world where a deadly virus has decimated much of the human race, Aletheia takes readers on a grim but thoroughly gripping ride from the first page to the last. The story is told from the perspective of protagonist 736, a girl with a number instead of a name, which is all-too befitting of the role she has been given in society. Tasked with recovering various useful items from the ruins around the city of Iris where only the most privileged live, 736 faces the infected Depraved on a daily basis. But it's not only outside the walls of the underground compound where she lives that she must fight for survival. Danger lies within as well, and when changes come that only increase that danger even further, 736 must navigate new challenges in order to protect herself and those she cares about.

The world-building here is definitely one of the story's key strengths. There are enough familiar elements to clearly establish the story as a dystopia, but the author spends a lot of time really letting us dive into and explore the world and how it became the way it is now, along with all the societal and cultural implications that go along with that. While it does take some additional page time to explore these things, I never felt like the narrative dragged or was bogged down with too many unnecessary details. I liked learning about the different factions in the world who are all fighting for various levels of power and influence, not to mention just trying to survive, and I liked seeing how they all came at these issues from a different angle.

The characters who are caught up in these struggles each have their own distinct, realistically-portrayed motivations for getting involved, which makes the secondary characters just as interesting to read about and spend time with as the protagonist. 736 herself is very well-written, with a unique voice that made her stand out for me compared to so many other first-person perspectives we often get in these kinds of stories. I loved her fierce determination and refusal to give up, and her nuanced relationships with other characters in the story just made me love her even more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the sequel. Megan Tennant knows what she's doing and is an author to keep your eye on as she brings us more stories in the future.

[Holly Gardiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to read this book as a beta reader, and while I found it difficult to get into it initially I found myself completely absorbed by it very quickly. I finished over a month ago and I'm still thinking about it, what's going to happen, and how Much I got attached to these characters. Has a very similar feel to divergent and the hunger games, I would highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of dystopian YA Fiction! Can't wait for it to be published so I can read it again

[E.J. Dawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am not a fan of the swathe of YA Dystopian books that have trended through the last few years but decided to give this a read and enjoyed it immensely. It catches the sense of true desperation and fear, and the stakes are set high enough to leave the reader weeping. There were a few instances that were hard to follow, and I got lost, a few typos, but the author makes up for this with the gritty setting, excellent character development, and twisted plot. Overall a *very* dark YA that has a far more realistic feeling to it.

[Holly King · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a beta version of this book, so things might have changed when it comes to the published version.
I loved it. Characters I could root for and a story line that took me up and down on a roller-coaster. If you are squeamish or are particularly sensitive, this might not be the story for you, but you can deal then its definitely 100% something you should invest your time into reading.

[Joey Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd heard about this book all over and I was intrigued by the blurb so picked it up. It starts right in the middle of the action and I was pulled it. It was an amazing story, beautifully told, with a balance between the fearful and the hope of a future. 736 was an amazing lead and I loved being inside her head as she learned all she did, grew as a character and became what she was. I was blown away by just how good the book is, and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good dystopian. Especially given the healthy love story that litters through the pages! Overall would give it more than 5 stars if I could!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well...apparently I’ve become a lover of dystopian fiction. I read this at bedtime and I couldn’t wait to go to bed so I could find out what happens next...and now I still can’t wait to see what happens next. I can’t wait to see what Megan Tennant has in store for book 2.