Zero Hour

The Child Thief #6

by Bella Forrest

The final book. The final mission. The final hour. 

Time's up.

Everything Robin has fought for hangs in the balance, and she no longer knows who to trust. But when hiding is no longer an option for Little John, Nathan must put his decades-old plan into motion... whether they are prepared or not.

Pre-order the heart-racing conclusion of The Child Thief series now.

*Beware of spoilers in the reviews below that are without spoiler alerts*

Genres: Dystopia, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Adventure

388 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2019

About the author

UPDATE MARCH 11, 2024:

BELLA IS BACK!

*** New, updated online store at https://BellaForrest.com

*** New books coming soon

*** Possible Film/TV series coming soon

*** Stay up to date by joining our e-mail list at https://BellaForrest.com/join

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Bella Forrest is a lover of fantasy, romance, action, and mystery infused stories with twists you don’t see coming. She has sold over fifteen million books since her first novel was published in 2012.

Check out her website for a full list of her books: https://BellaForrest.com

Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BellaForrest...

Here's a list of some of Bella's books:

DARKLIGHT

Darklight (Book 1)
Darkthirst (Book 2)
Darkworld (Book 3)
Darkblood (Book 4)
Darktide (Book 5)
Darkbirth (Book 6)
Darkfall (Book 7)
Darkwilds (Book 8)
Darkhunt (Book 9)

A LOVE THAT ENDURES (Trilogy)
A Love that Endures 1
A Love that Endures 2
A Love that Endures 3

HARLEY MERLIN AND THE SECRET COVEN

Harley Merlin and the Secret Coven (Book 1)
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins (Book 2)
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals (Book 3)
Harley Merlin and the First Ritual (Book 4)
Harley Merlin and the Broken Spell (Book 5)
Harley Merlin and the Cult of Eris (Book 6)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (Book 7)
Harley Merlin and the Challenge of Chaos (Book 8)
Harley Merlin and the Mortal Pact (Book 9)
Finch Merlin and the Fount of Youth (Book 10)
Finch Merlin and the Lost Map (Book 11)
Finch Merlin and the Djinn's Curse (Book 12)
Finch Merlin and the Locked Gateway (Book 13)
Finch Merlin and the Forgotten Kingdom (Book 14)
Finch Merlin and the Everlasting Vow (Book 15)
Finch Merlin and the Blood Tie (Book 16)
Finch Merlin and the Legend of the Luminary
Persie Merlin and Leviathan's Gift (Book 18)
Persie Merlin and the Door to Nowhere (Book 19)
Persie Merlin and the Witch Hunters (Book 20)
Persie Merlin and the Dying Song (Book 21)

THE CHILD THIEF

The Child Thief (Book 1)
Deep Shadows (Book 2)
Thin Lines (Book 3)
Little Lies (Book 4)
Ghost Towns (Book 5)
Zero Hour (Book 6)

HOTBLOODS

Hotbloods (Book 1)
Hotbloods (Book 2): Coldbloods
Hotbloods (Book 3): Renegades
Hotbloods (Book 4): Venturers
Hotbloods (Book 5): Traitors
Hotbloods (Book 6): Allies
Hotbloods (Book 7): Invaders
Hotbloods (Book 8): Stargazers

THE GENDER GAME

The Gender Game (Book 1)
The Gender Secret (Book 2)
The Gender Lie (Book 3)
The Gender War (Book 4)
The Gender Fall (Book 5)
The Gender Plan (Book 6)
The Gender End (Book 7)

THE GIRL WHO DARED TO THINK

The Girl Who Dared to Think (Book 1)
The Girl Who Dared to Stand (Book 2)
The Girl Who Dared to Descend (Book 3)
The Girl Who Dared to Rise (Book 4)
The Girl Who Dared to Lead (Book 5)
The Girl Who Dared to Endure (Book 6
The Girl Who Dared to Fight (Book 7)

A SHADE OF VAMPIRE

Season 1: Derek & Sofia’s story

Books 1 to 7

Season 2: Rose & Caleb’s story

Books 8 to 16

Season 3: The Shade continues with a new hero...

Books 17 to 24

Season 4: A Clan of Novaks

Books 25 to 32

Season 5: A Dawn of Guardians

Books 33 to 41

Season 6: A Gift of Three

Books 42 to 50

Season 7: A Call of Vampires

Books 51 to 59

Season 8: A Voyage of Founders

Books 60 to 68

Season 9: A Birth of Fire

Books 69 to 77

Season 10: An Origin of Vampires
An Origin of Vampires (Book 78)
A Game of Death (Book 79)
A Veil of Dark (Book 80)
A Bringer of Night (Book 81)
A Circle of Nine (Book 82)
A Bender of Spirit (Book 83)
A Memory of Time (Book 84)
A Shard of Soul (Book 85)
A Break of Seals (Book 86)

Season 11: A Shade of Mystery
A Shade of Mystery (Book 87)
An Isle of Mirrors (Book 88)
A Sanctuary of Foes (Book 89)
A Ruler of Clones (Book 90)
A Gate of Light (Book 91)
A Dawn of Worlds (Book 92) ➜ Coming soon!

Reviews

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like always, Bella dose not disappoint with this series. The Child Theif series is like non other I've ever read. If you like adventure, epic battles, and just plain out deadly situations?? Bella is your girl. Being a mother this series hit me hard and fast, and I agree with our heros, I would do ANYTHING to get my children back if they were takin from me.
It's also a bit of a political trapeze as well, not only with government but in the planning system that's developed. You kinda have to like that to enjoy Bellas writing as well, and I do whole heartedly.
But also...like always, a message to my dear Bella Forrest....Really? You and thoughs cliff hangers just KILL ME!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who is this Bella Forrest?? And why can't I stop reading her books? It is unlike me to read one author so steadily. I just finished the third series she's written, and each time I can't put them down. Do I think they're great? I don't, but I must think well of them on some level that I keep reading. This last series is thus far my favorite. It was closest to the fears one could have about what a corrupt govt here could do. I like that her books generally have a strong, intelligent, human woman as the protagonist. One might think I was biased that this series's lead was named Robin, but that wasn't it. It just really hit home, with it's focus on a world where the rich are aligned with the govt and have no respect for the rights of those without money.

I am genuinely curious about the author. How is it that she turns out books so rapidly? My imagination is that she is actually a screenwriter who is used to writing quickly, and is doing this on the side.

[Dania Mcclanahan · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is a good story, but omg i think 3/4's of the book is in the main characters head... sometimes i wanted to scream "spit it out!" and when she did finally spit it out, it was only a tiny bit of what was going on in her head.....

[Megan Amaral · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been a year, but I have finally finished up another series by Bella. Overall - not my favorite, but it was still good. I am not sure if it was the length, the story, or the subject matter, but I lost interest within the first couple of books, and because I am stubborn and cannot leave something unfinished, I had to finish. It was a little painful to get through, but I do admire Bella and how she ties everything up with a pretty bow. Other than that, I felt like the series was way too long, but at the same time I felt like nothing really happened, and the solution was very quick. I felt like the "oh shit" moments, such as finding out who the spy was, were very anti-climatic. It was hard trying to stay interested especially since there was a lot of moving to new locations in this drama. I do have to admit though the the romance between Jace and Robin saved this series as it was very simple yet passionate. You could always count of Jace to side with Robin with whatever she decided or when it mattered, he would somehow always show up to help her out with a mission - like a knock off Viggo Croft from Bella's other series, The Gender Game. Jace reminded me of Viggo a lot, yet...maybe it was because we got Viggo's POV also, so he seemed a lot more relatable and badass. I felt like there was something missing from Jace that made him personable, but be was still great and perfect cookie cutter boyfriend for Robin. Will I reread this series again? Probably not. Almost makes me want to reread the other book I talked about before.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series, fantastic plot and characters! What's next and I don't mean romance novels.....I want dark, dangerous, dystopian with all the characters falling in love and making babies. Oh, and can you hurry Bella?

[Sophiebeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic ending

I loved every second of this final book. I was hooked until the end. Lots of twists and turns. Slightly disappointed with the explosion descriptions.

[Denise Esh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great wrap up to this series. I especially loved the epilogue a few years into the future. There were definitely some tears and lots of OMG moments as everything in the series resolved. I was mostly happy with the ending although there were some things that occurred that I wish had not. However, the characters I learned to love and cheer for were all there in the end and that is a definite plus for me.

The bonus chapters at the end of the book seemed a little confusing, however, I look forward to seeing if Bella's reach into contemporary romance is something I will enjoy as much as I have all her other books.

[Isabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad to say that I love the ending to this series!!!! This last book had me on the edge of my seat most of the time and there was no way I was going to be able to make it last very long - I had to find out EVERYTHING NOW!!!

Some things I could kind of predict (like Henry, I was like he's either gonna die or be a traitor - I won't say which one happens though 😉). But it was all still a thrill!

Some people might say the ending was overly idealistic but I don't care, I'm here for it, I unashamedly love how it ended.
I definitely think I'll be revisiting this series!!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wrapped everything up so perfectly and completely! But it also was filled with excitement and suspense until the very end. This is definitely one of my favorite series from Bella Forest. The characters are all just so complex and brave. It's amazing to submerge yourself into their world and feel how near and dear they all are. It makes you braver, too, for a little while. I'm going to miss the characters and definitely going to reread this again!!!

[Chris Knight-waechter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The end of an amazing series!

A good series is sometimes hard to handle... it’s often hard to set down at night, it’s hard to wait for the next release and it’s hard to stomach when you reach the end! The Child Thief hits all this and more, I’ll miss the characters, well done Bella Forrest!

[nat _lovestoread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rollercoaster of emotions!!! 🤪😰😫😣

OMG can't believe it's over!!!... The final battle of our LJ / Team Hood crew VS the regime is so much hard than expected!!!... Decisions had to be made, hard ones, their lives are at the line... Will they truly defeat the goverment???... Read the final installment of Robin, Jace and their friends, you won't regret it!!! 🤗❤️😍

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Zero Hour” the conclusion to the intoxicating and thrilling “Child Thief” series opens as the Edgewood survivors find a haven in the agricultural community of Brightbirch. With one of the dead, Jace’s best friend Kory; their leader Nathan devastated by all the fatalities at Edgewood; and a mole still on the loose, Robin fears that their rebellion might be ending. But when Little John rebels vote to continue their mission to bring down Jackson Bruchard the puppet leader for the real rulers, a cabal of ultra rich, and to rescue their undercover spy who’s about to be executed, a decades-old plan is implemented that will have Robin and Jace flying into danger in a mini airship.

Fast-paced and action-packed, intensity and suspense escalate not only as Team Hood search for clues to the identity of a mole, but with the rescue of a spy, and a government trap. Emotional tension builds as Robin confronts a lonely and ostracized Henry; uncovers clues to the sinister government official who adopted her daughter Hope; and with Jace’s proposal on the day of another critical mission. With twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, this well-written and captivating plot flows quickly and smoothly to an exciting and explosive ending.

Bella Forrest has a talent for creating realistic, complex and compelling characters like Robin (Elyse) who’s spirited, resourceful and strong-willed; her boyfriend, the steely, tough and selfless Jace; Little John’s gregarious, charming and wary leader Nathan who struggles with despondency and insecurity after the attack on Edgewood; the curt, deceptive and loner Robert; as well as the lonely, ostracized Henry whose main objective is to find his daughter.

With betrayal, and danger dogging their footsteps Robin and Jace’s adventure in “Zero Hour” continues to be captivating as they face one hurtle after another in their mission with the Little John rebels to rid their world of corruption and injustice.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know that Bella Forrest was capable of actually writing a series with genuine cliffhanger endings. If I read another one of her series, I’ll still make sure that I have the full series before reading them, though. Most of this series could have been condensed. Robin spends so much time asking questions in her head, or wanting to say things that never actually comes out of her mouth. The scary part about this particular series is just how close to reality it could be—the unfair distribution of wealth, the almost tyrannical government we’re starting to see, how we’re damaging ties to our allies, busting up unions, paying slave wages and barely surviving, the poor state of our education, the obscene amount of money spent on military hardware...why not take it that extra step further and cut off all welfare to the poor, eliminate social security and Medicare to the elderly and disabled, and sell children whose families cannot afford to raise them to the wealthy?

[Beana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I binge read this as soon as it showed up on my Kindle and just finished. It didn't disappoint! I love how the last book rounded everything out and for once I wasn't disappointed in an Epilogue. I will admit, Robin still kind of annoys me with her overthinking and analyzing. That got a little old after the 3rd book for me, but the story was too good to not see it through until the end. And it definitely was worth it!

I do have ONE question that I'm really curious to know the answer to. One character is missing and for the life of me I can't remember his name. He was the original pilot for Team Hood. I recall that he was a bit chubby and laid back. I don't actually remember the last time he was mentioned but it seems strange that he just dropped off out of the story. I'm assuming he just wasn't relevant enough and the author forgot about him.

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough and was able to beta read the grand finale of The Child Thief series.

I loved the books straight from the first, and the last one was even better. Not a lot of writers can write a plot like this without rushing things too fast, but Bella sure can. It was an up and down, laughs and cries and I enjoyed every word and every adventure I read with a lot of characters I immediately loved (I will miss Team Hood), and some even hate (won't miss this ppl though, haha).

A huge thank you to Bella for yet another story I loved and will always remember and surely reread :)

If you loved this series, try All her others too. You won't be disappointed!

Cheers!

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childthief 6

What a great 6 books series. It was such a beautiful story throughout. Its about a government take over. They take babies from the poor so the rich can buy them. Then as company corruptions comes in and takes over They government. They start new things that hurts the poor even more. Then you have the group who intends to give the children back to their original families and to help the poor. And they do succeed in their endevers. Suggest to read how the people ends up going against the government and how many of people got their life back. However some died in the process

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bella Forrest has quickly become one of my favorite authors! After reading the Gender Game and the Girl Who Dared series which I LOVED I didn’t think she could have another amazing book series left to share. I was wrong.
This book is filled with so many beautiful characters, love, loss, action, comedy, and twists and turns. I found myself flying through the pages and practically binge read the entire series. Even though the story has come to an end, the ending was perfection and couldn’t ask for anything better. I highly recommend the whole book series!

[LadySoto · Rating 4 out of 5]

The longer you read the more you want to know the ending

An interesting read about a future United States where a corrupt gov. And businesses have taken over and take children from the poorest of
society and adopt them out to the rich. Factories are unregulated and poor employees are severely mistreated. A group of headstrong, brave individuals, determined to find their families, band together to try to stop the monsters ruling the nation.

[Chelsy Lyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning of series is better

I started off really enjoying this series but then it became more difficult for me to read in the latter books. I liked the ending but am also glad to be moving on to other books. I just found myself scanning a lot because I felt like a lot was repetitive. Like can Robin really predict that many things? Robin thinks “this” , next paragraph, Robin’s thoughts confirmed. Idk, the main reason I finished the series was to see who the mole was!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent ending

I felt like I hung on and made it through this kind of muddled series. A medal? Maybe. This was the final installment in this series. A couple of twists and turns and we have a neat bow on this. Mind you, these books seem like they are written for YA audience by a YA. No editor in sight, either.
Not the best of this author’s books by far.
If you have made it to this review, you might as well finish this puppy.

[Allyson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm...

At the start I was wondering how this could possibly be the last book there was so much left to fix. Then, over 100 pages in and I was frustrated because it was moving so slow. There were let's of meetings with no info and Robyn walking back and forth from base to tent. When things finally started moving it felt... Lazy? Boom two swift his and you've toppled the whole government. Wrap up and done. What a cop out.

[Rose Pfeffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has been an amazing ride! This is the 3rd series that I have read from Bella Forrest and she has not disappointed me. I started with The Gender Game series, then The Girl Who Dared to Think and now The Child Thief. All of these books will keep you on the edge of your seat and up all night. They are all full of high energy, adventure, suspense, mystery, she covers it all. I personally couldn't put any of them down! I would not only recommend them, I will definitely read them again!

[Taylor Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

So sad that this was the end book. The whole thing got rushed and finished. I was disappointed at the wrap up. It was so good until then. It was like the author was over it / didn’t want to make another book. I still love this series but am sad to say I was more than a little disappointed at the sloppy wrap up.

[Dani Siebenaler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Series

I really enjoyed this entire series and it is almost frightening how many parts this work of fiction seems to be mirroring our actual reality. Enough that I shared many excerpts with friends and if it weren’t for the characters names, you’d have thought I was quoting the news.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Satisfying Ending

I like where Robin, Jace, and Team
Hood ended. The relationships between the characters evolving was far more entertaining to read than the fight against the government. I found Nathan’s secrecy and lack of planning about some things annoying and over thinking and over planning of other things equally annoying.

[Tasha Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! Bella never disappoints! There is so much action packed in this book that it leaves you craving for more!!! I love the romance & emotions you are left feeling when you get to the end! I dread the day that Bella ends this series!

[Ela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smooth reading

I have enjoyed it. It's hard to think about just this book to rate, whole series runs smoothly and is a pleasant read. Characters are written well, story is interesting. No fireworks but also not boring.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing Series Finale

I'm really sad that this is the final book in this series. Bella Forrest did an amazing job. The ending for Robin, Jace, and everyone else couldn't have been better. I enjoyed following along with Robin as she finally sees a light at the end of the tunnel.

[Ashley Lusenhop · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a overall great series I loved every minute of it so many so many ups and downs to keep you on your toes at all times! Although I do feel like the ending was a little rushed I feel like there could have been more to the ending but I still loved the series! I'm so sad it has came to and end!

[dawn roper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

What a great story. From book 1 till this last book the story took off at full speed and didn't stop till the last line. So worth the read. Belle Forrest is a natural born story teller, a talent not many posses.