Retribution

The Outliers #3

by Kate L. Mary

With the Outliers united and the Fortis eliminated, Indra thought she was nearing the end of her journey. Instead, Asa went into the city only to be captured and the Sovereign decided to unleash the full power of their technology.

Now, bleeding and separated from her husband, facing a traitor and an uncertain future, Indra finds herself wondering if she united the Outlier tribes simply so the Sovereign could destroy them more effectively.

With vile characters, brutal conditions, and vicious creatures, the final chapter in the Outliers Saga will take readers on an unforgettable journey. Follow Asa and Indra as they fight to start a life together while facing impossible choices that will test their limits and show them what sacrifice, forgiveness, and love really mean.

Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Post Apocalyptic, Fiction, Apocalyptic, Science Fiction

367 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 9, 2018

About the author

I'm a mom of four, Air Force wife, and author of adult and young adult dystopian, post-apocalyptic, and science fiction. I love intense world building and character driven stories that feature strong female leads - as well as a side of romance - and any end of the world scenario. Zombies, aliens, a distant future where people have no clue how the world ended in the first place, you name it, I will create a story there!

Having lived in a lot of different places after more than a decade as an Air Force wife, I love setting my books in cities I've actually lived in to give them authenticity. I've resided in: Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, California, and Oklahoma but am currently back in my home state of Ohio where I live with my husband, four kids, two dogs, and three cats.

When I'm not writing, you can find me by my pool (in the summer), getting lost in some binge-worthy show or at a play with my husband, patronizing one of the great restaurants in my small town of Troy, Ohio with my family, or traveling. I want to see everything and make a point of visiting a new place every year!

Some of my favorite books are The Hunger Games, Pride and Prejudice, The Host, and The Stand. My favorite movies are Aliens, Jaws, Signs, Say Anything, Everything Everywhere All At Once, and The Greatest Showman.

Awards:

Outliers
Winner in the 2018 Kindle Books Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree
Finalist in the 2018 Wishing Shelf Book Awards For Adult Fiction
Top 10 Finalist in the Author Academy Awards for Sci-Fi/Fantasy Fiction
Cover Finalist in the 2019 RONE Awards from InD'tale Magazine

When We Were Human
2015 Children's Moonbeam Awards Silver Medal winner for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction
2016 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Science Fiction

Tribe of Daughters
Winner in the 2020 RONE Awards for Time Travel/Science Fiction
Bronze Medal Winner in the 2019 Readers' Favorite Book Awards for Science Fiction
Honorable Mention in the 2018 SPR Book Awards

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Reviews

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic conclusion to what has been an epic series

Retribution is the final instalment of the Outliers Saga. You need to have read both Book #1 and #2 in order to fully understand and enjoy this book. Having read both Outliers and Uprising, I knew to expect a well written and engaging story. What both surprised and very much pleased me was to discover that this was written (first person) from Asa's POV as well as Indra's. It not only led to a much deeper understanding of this quite and self-contained man but allowed us to experience the events of two different locations.

This picks up immediately where Book #2 finished, with Asa trapped inside the city and Indra suffering from a life threatening injury. Will the alliance between the Outlier tribes hold together in the face of adversity, will Asa survive his time in the Sovereign city, will the Untouchables ever be free? Will Indra bring justice, peace, equality and unity for all? You will have to read this to find out!

Just when I thought there was nothing new the author could add to this world, she both amazed me some more, and proved me wrong. By letting us into Asa's head we got to experience and learn more about the Fortis as a race and how it was to be a Fortis in the city. There were also times when I thought I could predict the plot, or felt as though the author was treading a very cliched path. However just as I was sure I knew where we were heading, the plot would do a flip and take off in a totally different direction.

I loved this story, it was my favourite of the series and I couldn't read it quickly enough! There are some very profound and deep messages held within the pages of this book, I found my heart moved on more than one occasion by it. Asa and Indra have both really grown as characters, whilst still retaining the essence of who they truly are.

There is a fair amount of violence in the book, though it isn't gratuitous nor gory. A lot of the worst types of abuse are implied rather than experienced, so this would still be suitable for an older teen. The author totally convinced me that Asa and Indra shared a very deep and profound love, yet managed to do so without including and sex scenes.

I really do recommend reading this book if you like dystopian future/ non-magical fantasy type books. It is a wonderful trilogy of a struggle and heartache that eventually leads to a most wonderful outcome.

Things that never should have happened, or that should have destroyed me, had instead worked together to make me stronger.

[Stefanie Kral · Rating 5 out of 5]

✯✯5 Retribution Filled Stars!!!✯✯

I have been dying for this book to come!!! I’m very, very upset that this is the last book in the series. Bc, for me I was imagining it lasting forever lol. But, one thing happened that I’ve been legit BEGGING for...... Asa’s POV!!! Yes, Kate gave it to me and that’s the only reason I’m forgiving her for this being the end of the series.

We pick up where we’re left off. Asa and Nyko go into the tunnel headed in Sovereign city. They can tell instantly something is off and man were they right. The Sovereign will do whatever they have too to get rid of the Outliers once and for all.

Indra is dealing with her own issues outside the wall. When the guys don’t comeback and Sovereign take action Emori swears Asa betrayed them and attacks Indra. Luckily Indra survives and she must take action bc Emori must pay for her actions.

Indra will not give up on on her husband, her Windhi tribe as well as the other Outliers and Fortis that have joined their fight. When the Sovereign send Indra a trade she can’t refuse even though she knows it’s a set up she takes it. The Sovereign don’t know all the Outlier tribes have united and have a plan.

Indra will get her husband back and they’ll fight once and for all to take out the Sovereign. When they think the Sovereign technology will save them the Outliers get an unlikely ally. The Untouchables. Together they’re an unstoppable army the Sovereign didn’t see coming.

I devoured this book! I never know what’s in Kate’s head. Never try to predict what’s coming next bc I’m always wrong.

Indra’s always been brave and strong. She’s been lucky first she had Bodhi to love and believe in her and then Asa. They’ve given her the strength to not backdown and let her voice be heard. As she also has her sister, closest friends and then the other Outlier heads who trust and believe in her.

I’ve loved Asa from the beginning and I wanted his POV. I needed to know why as a Fortis man he was the way he was. Kate gave it to us and man did my heartbreak for this beautiful man. But, he wouldn’t be who he was without going thru what he did.

Even Emori I wanted to hate. But, we knew what she’d been thru working for the Sovereign and how she conceived her daughter. My heart broke for her as well.

I’m still wanting to see this series come to my TV. I wanna play Indra! I’ve been a follower of Kate’s since her first published book and I love every story more then the last. As sad as I am to see this series end I’m looking really forward to what’s next!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picking up right where book two, Uprising left off, Retribution brings us right back into the world of Indra and her people as they try to bring down the Sovereign. I ranted and raved about how much I loved Outliers and Uprising, and I’m happy to report that Retribution did everything I hoped it would and this is one of my favorite series read to date.

Kate L. Mary has consistently delivered realistic characters that have felt real and authentic across all three novels. Indra is one strong woman. She has endured so much since the beginning, and in Retribution she isn’t off the hook. She is a female lead in a dystopian that is worthy of being called an ultimate badass, unafraid to make the hard decisions but still relying on her conscious and never losing her sense of right and wrong.

I don’t want to spoil, but the plot of Retribution is just as intense, if not more intense than the first two novels. Everything is on the line and it’s clear the Sovereign are well prepared the handle any attacks. It had me holding my breath, hoping for positive outcomes. I was up all night finishing this book, because I had to know the ending.

I highly recommend checking this one out, but you need to read Outliers and Uprising first. Each book takes place right after the events of the previous, and I can tell you, you won’t regret reading this series!

*I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour. All opinions are my own.*

[Vettech · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retribution is the last book in this amazing saga. The Outliers have formed an alliance and are ready to do battle against The Sovereign and Fortis to earn their freedom. With the additional help of those poor souls trapped in "The Tower" who have been under the tyrannical thumb of the evil that lives in Sovereign city, hope blooms forth that good will win over evil in the end. We finally learn the truth behind the parentage of our heroine Indra (which made my jaw drop). AND the very end of the book made me smile! This was a very intriguing series to read and my first experience in reading this wonderful author Kate L. Mary. Her characters are well done and likable and I found myself admiring the main female character Indra. The world in which the reader is immersed while we ride along on this exciting journey was unlike any I've ever imagined.

[United Indie Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retribution is the third and final book in The Outliers Series, go back and read the first two or you will be lost!
We pick up right where we left off in book 2. I really didn't know what more to expect because we have already been through so much with Indra and her people. However, putting us in Asa's head and getting to really understand his people was amazing! My emotions were all over the place and I didn't know what would happen next because it was all surprising and at times caught me off guard.
I love how much Indra and Asa have grown throughout the series and how they have accepted each other and their backgrounds.
Recommend this series to any YA (older teens) dystopian fan!

REVIEW BY RAYCHEL

[Mellissa Monteforte Jimenez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ending was perfect

As an avid reader, I sometimes forget certain information and need to go back to a prior book to be able to follow thru the next book. Yet each time with the Outliers series that issue never occurred. I remember all main characters, plot and most importantly where the story left off. I was anxious for Retribution to be released, put aside the book I was reading and went back to Indra Asa and the rest of the characters surrounding them. The flow of the storyline was on point from the first page until the end and once finished my curiosity was complete. My only sadness is knowing this world created by Mrs Mary is over. I would love to see stories of other characters POV with their own stories told, but regardless I was not disappointed. This is series that is a must read. Thank you for creating and sharing this story with us.

[Gkaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an epic conclusion to this fantastic series. Kate is an amazing writer that manages to engross her readers with such detail and heart that you can't help but feel the characters pain.

I loved how we were able to see things from Asa's perspective. The struggles of the Fortis made you more sympathetic to his cause. The book is completely action packed and picks up where the second book left off. Asa is stuck in the city and Indra is gravely injured. There were plenty of twists and turns in the series that kept you hooked.

I loved this book and recommend the series to anyone looking for a new Dystopian adventure!

*Received an ARC for an honest review

[Ani · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic conclusion to an epic series. I have loved and hated the highs and lows of Indra’s battle for freedom. in this final instalment we get Asa’s view on the battle and I really loved the extra depth it gives the story. This last book provides insight into other characters in the book and everything rounds together smoothly whilst keeping the angst high and healthy.

The actions of one can create a ripple that can free the many. That is what Indra becomes. The beginning of something greater than herself. Masterfully written and brilliantly planned out.

If you are a lover of epic dystopian fiction, one click this series now!

[Debbie Poole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outliers saga

If l could go higher then a five l would,love this series. It's a beautiful story and a sad story in how people can be evil, Kate mary did it again .never miss any of her books ,she is brilliant .

[ashley wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review

I loved this series. All the characters from the main participants to the creatures. A great read from book 1 to finish

[Paula Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection

Once again this talented author has provided a trilogy with new and exciting characters which could be from the past or the future. I always eagerly wait for her next book!

[Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy or sad

Well, the story is over. I will miss Indra, Asa, and the rest. It was nice that all the loose ends were tied up. I can easily put this series to rest.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Uprising book #2 of The Outliers Saga; the different tribes of the Outliers came together to unite with the Fortis to rise up against the people of Sovereign City. The people of the city have treated the Outliers as slaves making them work in their homes and controlling them for generations.

The Outliers and the Fortis may have won the battle but their journey is not over yet. To gain their freedom they have to face their enemies once again. Asa has entered the city to help release their people but ends up getting himself captured in the process.

Indra and the Outliers are waiting for Asa to do what he was sent into the city to do before they can make their move when she is attacked and is left cut and bleeding. But Indra is one tough lady who doesn't let her injury stop her knowing the battle must go on.

Indra knows by now that Asa must have been captured so she will stop at nothing to save the one she loves and her people as well. She knows she must take her people into battle again to save her husband and to obtain their freedom from the Sovereign. Their journey must continue if they are to gain their freedom and make the people who hurt them pay.

I have loved watching Indra grow stronger not only emotionally but physically through each book of The Outliers Saga. She has grown from a shy girl into a strong warrior. The Outliers Saga is one of the best series I think I have ever read. It has been a long hard journey for Indra and Asa fighting for what they believe in and standing up for their selves and what is right and to being treated as one.

The Outliers Saga is a riveting story of how different groups of people come together to fight as one to make a better world in a post-apocalyptic society for all involved. The characters are all so engaging as they lead us on their separate journeys.

The Outliers Saga reminds me of shows like The 100, Tera Nova, Outsiders and even a little bit of The Walking Dead of how groups of people come together to fight for a safe place to live, to stop the evil that goes on in the world, to live together as one and to hopefully tear down any walls that stand between them and freedom or the outside world.

I highly recommend Retribution and the entire Outliers Saga to all fans of dystopia, post-apocalyptic worlds or of TV shows like the ones I mentioned above.

[Tina G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite post-apocalyptic/dystopian series of the year!

Retribution (The Outliers Saga, Book 3) by Kate L. Mary and narrated by Grace Sylvan is a phenomenal final book! Highly recommend if you are looking for a new post-apocalyptic/dystopian novel, are new to Kate’s books, or looking for an incredible darker yet empowering series.

The final book in The Outliers Saga begins where previous events left off. Asa is caught trying to open the gates, Indra is recovering from an assassination attempt. Lesander, Emori, Saffron, Nyko, Ontari, Roan, Zuri, and everyone else (plus some) are back. We learn of Indra’s parents, learn more about the untouchables, and get closure. That’s all I’m saying due to spoilers, but you won’t be disappointed.

The book is told through Asa and Indra’s point of views. This being the final book in the series leaves me feeling bittersweet- I can’t help but want more. You could listen to this on it’s own, but I wouldn’t recommend it as you will miss key elements from the first two books.

The narrator, Grace Sylvan, did a wonderful job yet again. If you are new to this series, I liken her accent for the series to a style reminiscent of Cloud Atlas.

Favorite lines from the book: “Everyone has a heart, but not everyone understands it’s an asset.” “Weakness, my friend, is never an asset.”

Overall, I highly recommend. I put The Outliers Saga as my favorite post-apocalyptic/dystopian series of the year. If you haven’t tried Kate’s books, it’s time to do so.

Parental guidance/trigger warnings: This series contains darker themes, such as abuse (physical, mental, sexual), rape (remembering of past traumas/indication rape occurred), death, violence, and like elements.

*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!

[RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entering the city in the hope of finding a way to open the gates, Asa and Niko wind up captured. A Fortis/Outlier army waits outside the gates for Asa to succeed. The Sovereign retaliate in a big way using their electricity technology. From this point, the main plotline is Indra and clan looking for a way to rescue Asa and destroy the technology to put an end to the Sovereign once and for all. Earlier, Indra and Asa had married; as much as a show of solidarity between the two races, as a declaration of their love. There is an attempt on Indra’s life which is a two-edged sword in several respects. Indra must show strength as a leader, yet she cannot make herself take one of her own peoples’ life. Prior to these developments, Indra and Asa had learned of the “Untouchables”; the sick and maimed who maintain the mirrors that provide electricity for the Sovereign. With this knowledge, Indra possesses a potential weapon against the Sovereign. So much stands in the way of Indra and her people succeeding; the Sovereign, the technology, even the city walls. Do they have a snowballs’ chance of pulling this off? I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Scarlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book via a promo code and this is my voluntary review. Indra of the Windhi People is now staring down the walls of Sovereign City where her new Husband, Asa of the Forties is being held prisoner. Horrified to realise that the Sovereigns technology is going to make the rebellion that much harder. Now some of her Winta men have been rescued from the Forties Village and Emori has grown confident in her hatred, Indra has to deal with a threat from within her own Tribe. The Trillyte Tribe have betrayed them, deciding to pull out of the final part of their battle but with the ElectroBubble surrounding the City, it appears they may not have a fight after all. Realizing that the Sovereign may only be bidding their time before unleashing something worse, Indra turns to the Untouchables (descendants of Sovereign or Forties born with birth defects or imperfections, Forties peoples are almost Spartan in their upbringings) to destroy the mirrors kept in the Tower. When the Sovereign launch a counter attack happens on their home valley Indra wonders once again if she's united the Outliers just to lead them to their slaughter. This story is told in dual POV between Asa and Indra so you get a good overview of the struggle.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fans of The 100 and The Handmaiden's Tale should enjoy this as it encompasses themes from both. It's at times a heavy read, the abuse the Outliers suffer at the hands of the Sovereign is uncomfortable, horrifying, and absolutely believable. Those who enjoy romance as a theme in their books will like this too (it's descriptive without being eyebrow raisingly graphic but not so vague that leaves you going "wait, did they do it? what just happened?"). Strong female characters, great supportive male characters, and a feel-good, overarching theme.
My only criticism of the book is really a nitpicky thing. The author fully admits to being heavily influenced by the TV show The 100 and gives credits to Netflix in her acknowledgements. However, at no point does she thank the author of the book series The 100 which (for some reason) really bothered me. I also wish we'd been given just a bit more info on what happened with this "cataclysm" event the characters reference but never provide details on.

[Shayay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful finale! This one has some of the triggers from the first book, but there’s much more hope in this book. Book 1 was too depressing, but I’m glad I stuck with the series; it’s been an interesting adventure! I liked that we get POV from both Indra and Asa in this book; love their connection. Both are such strong, good-hearted individuals! Asa is trapped in the Sovereign city; the evil Sovereigns put up some electrical force field, so he’s in a very dangerous situation. Indra was attacked at the end of the last book, so she’s trying to deal with that, dealing with how to save Asa, tribe issues, and taking down the Sovereign. Lots of danger and intrigue! Cool series!

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 3 of the trilogy by Kate L. Mary, Retribution is the conclusion to The Outliers Saga. Very good. This last book has two narrators, Asa and Indra... sometimes the novel is a bit repetitive because they are both individually realizing some of the same information....and then processing it afterward. (Like the technological warfare from The Sovereign).

Although I enjoyed reading Retribution, I did feel there was much more telling of the story than showing and the repetition does get annoying after awhile. In contrast, the word building and character development is still very strong which is why I gave Retribution four stars ****.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

In the minority again. I disliked this final book. It seemed to take forever to finish and had to will myself to pick it back up. The first half was so depressing and then finally the outliers seem to be moving forward and I thought " finally, I will get interested". But no, it stilled dragged with a bunch of useless information. This book should have been edited down at least 100 pages or more.

[Keilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story-needs a proofreader

This was a good conclusion to a series of good books. I was distracted, though, by the mistakes. I wish there were a way for readers to notify authors when they find these errors, because they'd be so easy to fix. I can't help but feel that it detracts from the story. I still gave it 5 stars, because I enjoyed the story so much. It's full of strong, well-developed female characters.

[Starr Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? This book was a fantastic ending to a great series. Adding Asa as a POV worked great for me. I loved getting into his head. He is exactly the kind of guy I love reading.

Overall, the story was fantastic and there were a few unexpected twists in it that I enjoyed. I think Kate L. Mary has a unique and amazing writing style that everyone should give a shot! I read this book so fast!

[Suki Rickey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 3

Book 3 was an interesting read and had errors throughout. The plot and characters were okay overall, but lacked development. The plot was predictable and seemed rushed. The characters were so self absorbed that it took away from the rest of the story. I don't mind some love, but when it's 90% of the book and put in to be filler information, it gets on the nerves reading the same thing over again in each sentence.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retribution (The Outliers Saga, #3) was a great read by Kate L. Mary. The Outliers are united and the Fortis are eliminated. Indra thought this was the end of her journey but Asa went into the city and was captured. At the same time the Sovereign unleash the full power of their technology. During all of this, Indra is facing a traitor and an uncertain future. This was a great conclusion to the Outliers Saga. I can’t wait to read more by Kate L. Mary.

[Barb Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conclusion to a great series

I thoroughly enjoyed this series. Characters you can care about. Problems to solve. The only flaw I found was when planning the attack on the city, they kept forgetting there was a back gate till finally they used it to get in when the tunnel was collapsed.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Freedom

Freedom isn't free, never has been never will be. This book represents that statement very well. The ending was violent but then again anything less would have been boring.

[christina l adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and entertaining

I breezed through this series and wanted more..
The ending was good and satisfying but I do want more of their story
I would definitely recommend this story to anyone

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect end to a great trilogy. As an audiobook it was well narrated by Grace Sylvan whose accent added to the dystopian nature of the story.
I don't recommend reading this on its own as the retribution is put in context by what has gone before. I do however recommend reading all three.

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the end of the series.It was excellent. So much chaos, blood and heroism.Grace Sylvan was a terrific narrator.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Patricia Finnegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this whole series. So glad the outliers got their lives and world back. Just shows that there will always be that entitled few who think they are better than all others.