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The Emergents #1
Survival
In the year 2043, with the nation destroyed by war, seventeen-year-old Kress and her Conspiracy of friends embark on a dangerous cross-country mission to locate and recruit other Emergents, the name given to teenagers who have begun to exhibit strange evolutionary abilities. Not all Emergents are ready to accept who and what they are, however, and some have even started using their abilities for selfish or evil ends.
Now Kress has to figure out who is friend and who is foe as she risks everything to expose the government’s lies and take down the tyrannical President Krug once and for all.
Picking up where the Resistance Trilogy leaves off, the Emergents Trilogy follows Kress and her Conspiracy on a daring quest to restore democracy and truth to the country.
Now Kress has to figure out who is friend and who is foe as she risks everything to expose the government’s lies and take down the tyrannical President Krug once and for all.
Picking up where the Resistance Trilogy leaves off, the Emergents Trilogy follows Kress and her Conspiracy on a daring quest to restore democracy and truth to the country.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2019
896 people are currently reading
1629 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Riley
65 books552 followersK. A. Riley is a writer of speculative and science fiction, dedicated to creating worlds just different enough from our own to be entertaining, intriguing and a little frightening all at once. For Riley, writing isn't a job. It's a laboratory where readers can wander into a land of ideas; it's a playground where they can scamper around, giggling, gasping, and freaking out to their hearts' content.
Riley is the top-secret pen-name of a NYT and USA Today best-selling author.
Riley is the top-secret pen-name of a NYT and USA Today best-selling author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 30, 2021
Got caught up with other books and took me longer than I thought to read more of this series. But I am so glad I did eventually. This book picks up right at the end of the first trilogy and there is so much that happens in this book, with little lulls inbetween to get to know our existing group more, and meet new people, some good, some not so much. I can't wait to continue with this series and see where we go after that ending
April 9, 2022
Kress and her Conspiracy are headed East to find other Emergents.
Although it wasn’t part of the story, I appreciated the authors recap at the beginning of the book but allowed me to refresh the story that transpired in the first Trilogy.
The group of young Emergents once again are against insurmountable odds to take down the tyrant President Krug, while simultaneously trying to avoid being caught and killed.
It is a little predictable in the sense that we our group encounters new roadblock and enemies and then needs to over come.
Even with this predictability, Riley is is still keeping me me engaged and is doing a wonderful job with character development and the introductions of new characters.
I read through this quickly and am excited to get to the next book “Sacrifice”
Although it wasn’t part of the story, I appreciated the authors recap at the beginning of the book but allowed me to refresh the story that transpired in the first Trilogy.
The group of young Emergents once again are against insurmountable odds to take down the tyrant President Krug, while simultaneously trying to avoid being caught and killed.
It is a little predictable in the sense that we our group encounters new roadblock and enemies and then needs to over come.
Even with this predictability, Riley is is still keeping me me engaged and is doing a wonderful job with character development and the introductions of new characters.
I read through this quickly and am excited to get to the next book “Sacrifice”
November 12, 2019
Oh my my
Interesting and intriguing. The journey continues for them. UPS and downs battle t endlessly. Wow I enjoy the characters and how this story is unfolding.
Interesting and intriguing. The journey continues for them. UPS and downs battle t endlessly. Wow I enjoy the characters and how this story is unfolding.
March 1, 2024
I really enjoyed the Resistance Trilogy (the first 3 books in this interconnecting saga), but this one fell a bit flat for me. The beginning was very slow and it made it difficult for me to want to return to it after setting it down. Once the pace picked up, I started to enjoy it more, and I always love getting to know the new environments that each city has turned into in every book. The world building for the city in this one was especially unique and visually effective. I became frustrated with some tonal issues starting from the very beginning of the book. Characters’ reaction/emotions/dialogue don’t seem to match the dire situation they are in, and it made it difficult for me to ever feel that they were truly in danger. I love how they don’t let their past traumas get them down, but the mood was confusing for me. I didn’t understand why they were giggling constantly. They live in an apocalyptic wasteland, have lost nearly everything again and again, are targeted by a corrupt and dangerous government, and have all been through hell and back, and yet they giggle halfway through the book. Some of the lighter, joyful moments worked very well. I just think the tone would have benefited from spreading these moments out more, placing them in between moments of danger and intensity, for brief moments of levity. The dialogue started to grate on my nerves as well, most of it quite juvenile and not realistic to how teenagers, much less teenagers in this situation would be speaking. One example of this is the constant Manthy/Cardyn bickering. I do love their dynamic, and several moments of theirs made me laugh, but they needed some moments where they acted mature. I really loved the scene where the conspiracy got mixed up with some dangerous people when they entered the city, and how they dealt with that. The notes of humor, mixed with having each others backs, and also enough air of seriousness so that the reader understands how dangerous the situation is, was really effective for me. I was laughing so hard when Rain corrected his grammar! I am also confused on some of the plot points. For example, in the processor in the Resistance trilogy, Emergents were being killed for displaying abilities. In this book, Amani tells the conspiracy that kids in his processor were being killed for NOT being Emergents. Also, I don’t know if I like all of the conspiracy being Emergents. It kind of defeats the purpose of them being in the processor, and in the processor, only three of them were flagged as Emergents, and were scheduled to be killed. If the government is seeking Emergents, why would they kill them? Emergents seem very valuable to the government as the books develop, and I don’t understand why the author changed their mind so abruptly on this topic, in the midst of the series. I considered DNFing several times, but am glad I stuck it out, for that firecracker ending. I will be reading the next one but am unsure if I will continue with all 15 books in the saga.
February 11, 2021
For Riley, I still cannot say if it was a hit or not. The reason I am saying this is because I was disappointed. I did not like the amount of unnecessary langue. There was so much more than there needed to be. If you ask me I would've not put any. The book is perfectly fine without them.
That being said if it was not for all of the cussings then I would have begun by telling you how much I loved this book out of all of the books. This one was unlike any of the other ones because you get to see each character mature in ways you never thought possible. I love how you can tell they mature just by the simplest things. Just one sentence can show you how much each character, but in this book, there is one paragraph that I think says it all.
"But this isn’t a story about superheroes. There’s nothing super or heroic about watching helplessly as your friends and family are slaughtered, about your tiny town getting burned to the ground, about living under the crushing weight of a colossal lie, or about being scared all the time, wondering if each day will be your last."
While I told you that Wisp is my favorite character, I think I was wrong about saying that. I think that truly Cardyn came and stole that title away. He has a way of calming my heart in tough times. A lot of the time I would die laughing at the things he would say. It was unlike anything I could think of. For instance:
“Probably what every evil warlord wants: the chance to flex his muscle, consolidate power, secure his territory, send a message to his enemies, and make himself feel big by making someone else feel small.” Cardyn nods. “Or maybe he just needs a hug.” “I volunteer you.” “I think I’m all hugged out.”
For that reason, I think that Cardyn is my new favorite character.
For my full review be sure to check out my blog!
That being said if it was not for all of the cussings then I would have begun by telling you how much I loved this book out of all of the books. This one was unlike any of the other ones because you get to see each character mature in ways you never thought possible. I love how you can tell they mature just by the simplest things. Just one sentence can show you how much each character, but in this book, there is one paragraph that I think says it all.
"But this isn’t a story about superheroes. There’s nothing super or heroic about watching helplessly as your friends and family are slaughtered, about your tiny town getting burned to the ground, about living under the crushing weight of a colossal lie, or about being scared all the time, wondering if each day will be your last."
While I told you that Wisp is my favorite character, I think I was wrong about saying that. I think that truly Cardyn came and stole that title away. He has a way of calming my heart in tough times. A lot of the time I would die laughing at the things he would say. It was unlike anything I could think of. For instance:
“Probably what every evil warlord wants: the chance to flex his muscle, consolidate power, secure his territory, send a message to his enemies, and make himself feel big by making someone else feel small.” Cardyn nods. “Or maybe he just needs a hug.” “I volunteer you.” “I think I’m all hugged out.”
For that reason, I think that Cardyn is my new favorite character.
For my full review be sure to check out my blog!
October 8, 2019
I could have read this book a lot faster than I did, but work got in the way🙄😂.
However, this book was just like the other ones, action filled, intense, and questioning what’s going to happen next. I am usually a big sucker for romance in books, this one has romance but it doesn’t overtake the story. It’s just subtle enough that it makes me happy and goes along well with the story.
I usually don’t like reading books unless they are completely finished so I’m not stuck with these dang cliff hangers! But I know it will be worth it! This series has been fun to read and I am just itching to read these last book(s)!!! 😍
However, this book was just like the other ones, action filled, intense, and questioning what’s going to happen next. I am usually a big sucker for romance in books, this one has romance but it doesn’t overtake the story. It’s just subtle enough that it makes me happy and goes along well with the story.
I usually don’t like reading books unless they are completely finished so I’m not stuck with these dang cliff hangers! But I know it will be worth it! This series has been fun to read and I am just itching to read these last book(s)!!! 😍
February 25, 2024
This next trilogy is the series introduces us to new characters with amazing abilities of their own as well as new enemies and allies. Krug is the epitome of evil. He takes pleasure in his cruelty and ignorance in the name of… what? Power. Wealth. Immortality. If I had to briefly psychoanalyze him, it would be due to the lack of his own abilities. In short: jealousy.
“[Krug] does everything he can to keep people poor, knowing the violence will soon follow … then justify any tyranny in the name of combatting the violence … which [Krug] brought about.”
At first, I was a little annoyed that this huge build up to a climatic moment ended up being so easy. The Conspiracy sneaks into Krug Tower almost effortlessly, rescued some teens, and got back to The Crib without any complications. And miraculously, the other missing Emergents managed to escape as well, without any help. Then the plot twist hit!
Riley beautifully conjures up some very strong emotions. Disbelief. Hatred. Anguish. Anxiety. The thing with dystopian stories is that you know the world they’re living in is bad. But to be able to articulate and present a character, or characters, that you instantly recoil from is powerful. I don’t think I can truly put into words the exasperation I feel towards the Krug and the traitors – the Hypnagogics who “come from dreams.” The level of gleeful cruelty that is taking place will leave you feeling desperate and uneasy. Yet at the same time, you can’t help but be hopeful that they will face retribution. The worst part? I think those emotions are so strong because there are people in government that would love for this kind of future.
“[Krug] does everything he can to keep people poor, knowing the violence will soon follow … then justify any tyranny in the name of combatting the violence … which [Krug] brought about.”
At first, I was a little annoyed that this huge build up to a climatic moment ended up being so easy. The Conspiracy sneaks into Krug Tower almost effortlessly, rescued some teens, and got back to The Crib without any complications. And miraculously, the other missing Emergents managed to escape as well, without any help. Then the plot twist hit!
Riley beautifully conjures up some very strong emotions. Disbelief. Hatred. Anguish. Anxiety. The thing with dystopian stories is that you know the world they’re living in is bad. But to be able to articulate and present a character, or characters, that you instantly recoil from is powerful. I don’t think I can truly put into words the exasperation I feel towards the Krug and the traitors – the Hypnagogics who “come from dreams.” The level of gleeful cruelty that is taking place will leave you feeling desperate and uneasy. Yet at the same time, you can’t help but be hopeful that they will face retribution. The worst part? I think those emotions are so strong because there are people in government that would love for this kind of future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2020
Emergents trilogy book 1.
Kress and her friends are on their way to find and save the other Emergents that are scattered and held captive across the country and beyond.
This trilogy could be read as a stand-alone series, but I recommend you read the Resistance trilogy first.
It was an enjoyable and entertaining read, with a good dose of action but also with a good dose of implausibility. The story seems to be getting more and more farfetched as it goes along, but I guess it is aimed at teenagers rather than adults, so I shouldn't be complaining.
The writing ( this applies to the previous books as well ) seems overly descriptive at times which I found unnecessary and which made me skim read here and there.
However, I enjoyed it, and as it ended on a massive cliffhanger, I can't wait to start the next book.
Kress and her friends are on their way to find and save the other Emergents that are scattered and held captive across the country and beyond.
This trilogy could be read as a stand-alone series, but I recommend you read the Resistance trilogy first.
It was an enjoyable and entertaining read, with a good dose of action but also with a good dose of implausibility. The story seems to be getting more and more farfetched as it goes along, but I guess it is aimed at teenagers rather than adults, so I shouldn't be complaining.
The writing ( this applies to the previous books as well ) seems overly descriptive at times which I found unnecessary and which made me skim read here and there.
However, I enjoyed it, and as it ended on a massive cliffhanger, I can't wait to start the next book.
November 28, 2020
Holy moly. Just finished book 1 and I am shook.
Kress and her Conspiracy are continuing their long term plan to expose Krug. This book bring us on an adventure like we’ve seen before (in the Resistance Trilogy) but with new insight and new characters. It’s hard to know who to trust! KA Riley’s writing keeps me reading more and more, while pairing an easy picture of what is happening. There are never any doubts as to where the characters are, who is talking to who, what’s going on around them. The details are laid out in such a fantastic way that also doesn’t take away from the full plot. I had one tiny complaint about the last 5% of this book that I feel may get cleared up as I continue on to book 2.
Kress and her Conspiracy are continuing their long term plan to expose Krug. This book bring us on an adventure like we’ve seen before (in the Resistance Trilogy) but with new insight and new characters. It’s hard to know who to trust! KA Riley’s writing keeps me reading more and more, while pairing an easy picture of what is happening. There are never any doubts as to where the characters are, who is talking to who, what’s going on around them. The details are laid out in such a fantastic way that also doesn’t take away from the full plot. I had one tiny complaint about the last 5% of this book that I feel may get cleared up as I continue on to book 2.
December 5, 2023
DNF maybe 3% into the book if that and I never ever DNF books. I've stuck with the series for as long as I could, hoping the later books would edge into better territory, but Kress's mentioning that her reading speed is impressive (she literally says that, that her reading speed is considered impressive, "by the way"... what is THAT) just totally took me out of the series. She was an alright character before but that sentence just totally killed it for me and made it sound like a badly written Wattpad fic.
I really encourage Riley to get an editor, or, if they have one already, a much better editor. With a lot of work, this could be something, but right now, it's a slog to get through and eyebrow-raising at best.
I really encourage Riley to get an editor, or, if they have one already, a much better editor. With a lot of work, this could be something, but right now, it's a slog to get through and eyebrow-raising at best.
June 19, 2021
I enjoyed the first three books & wanted
to continue reading this series to see
where the story goes and what happened to
Krug.
I Didn't like Sheridyn and I didn't
enjoy this book as much as the others..
I hope the next one isn't as disappointing,
some authors drag a series out
over 5 or more books and at times
it's worth it.
I did enjoy learning more about Kress's
background but I thought they
should have been in contact with their
allies in San Francisco for support,
advise and to strategize..
They're only 17, regardless of what
they've been through, they're still
teenagers..
Onto the next book & hopefully it will
get better!
to continue reading this series to see
where the story goes and what happened to
Krug.
I Didn't like Sheridyn and I didn't
enjoy this book as much as the others..
I hope the next one isn't as disappointing,
some authors drag a series out
over 5 or more books and at times
it's worth it.
I did enjoy learning more about Kress's
background but I thought they
should have been in contact with their
allies in San Francisco for support,
advise and to strategize..
They're only 17, regardless of what
they've been through, they're still
teenagers..
Onto the next book & hopefully it will
get better!
October 20, 2020
Good storyline, but sometimes very unrealistic and a tad tedious
I'm enjoying the overall storyline, but some of the situations , fights and outcomes are just a little too unrealistic even for a sci-fi, dystopian book! The injuries they get during fights, not eating for4 days and then just fighting and going out on recon missions, stuff like that. Some of the book is drawn out, and other areas rushed through. I think the writer could've thought it through better. But overall, its a good series.
I'm enjoying the overall storyline, but some of the situations , fights and outcomes are just a little too unrealistic even for a sci-fi, dystopian book! The injuries they get during fights, not eating for4 days and then just fighting and going out on recon missions, stuff like that. Some of the book is drawn out, and other areas rushed through. I think the writer could've thought it through better. But overall, its a good series.
April 25, 2023
There are a few spelling and grammatical errors as well as contradictions. The ending had me LIVID but i guess it’s the reason i’m going to read the next book. Some things don’t add up and I find the constant story retelling of the past few books to be annoying e.g When kress constantly mentions the things they survived in the past books. Like we know if we’ve gotten this far in the series we know no need to mention these things. I feel the writing was rushed but the story is there. And the only reason i’m going to keep reading but i feel this series has the potential to be so much better!
September 24, 2021
This was Hard to get through
I have thoroughly enjoyed the 3 books before this. I did not dislike this one, but it took me longer to get through because I was not itching to get back to it. It didn't hold my attention as well. However, the ending was a bit of a twist. I had someone else pegged as a possible antagonist. I will, of course, read the next in the series. Hopefully, they will hold my desire a bit more.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the 3 books before this. I did not dislike this one, but it took me longer to get through because I was not itching to get back to it. It didn't hold my attention as well. However, the ending was a bit of a twist. I had someone else pegged as a possible antagonist. I will, of course, read the next in the series. Hopefully, they will hold my desire a bit more.
October 16, 2019
"I recieved an Advanced Review Copy of this book."
I believe I would have liked this book more if I read a the books that came before it. But I do love that it is dystopian with a little romance. But over all I felt confused and was very hard for me to get into. I am looking into other books by this author to read. Maybe later I will give it a reread.
I believe I would have liked this book more if I read a the books that came before it. But I do love that it is dystopian with a little romance. But over all I felt confused and was very hard for me to get into. I am looking into other books by this author to read. Maybe later I will give it a reread.
May 14, 2020
I read the first 3 parts and really enjoyed them, because it’s hard to come across a good trilogy these days.
But as much as I wanted to like this book as well, it just didn’t live up to the previous ones. The story starts to get really dragged out and the interactions with new people are so prolonged and boring. I catches myself wandering of multiple times.
But as much as I wanted to like this book as well, it just didn’t live up to the previous ones. The story starts to get really dragged out and the interactions with new people are so prolonged and boring. I catches myself wandering of multiple times.
June 28, 2025
👍👍 👏👏
Book 1 of the next trilogy doesn't disappoint! Riley continues the adventures of our brave six as they move east. I would use phrases like, "nail biting intrigue", " edge of seat suspense", and a "cliff hanging ending" that will definitely force me, happily, to read book 2! See you there......!!!
Book 1 of the next trilogy doesn't disappoint! Riley continues the adventures of our brave six as they move east. I would use phrases like, "nail biting intrigue", " edge of seat suspense", and a "cliff hanging ending" that will definitely force me, happily, to read book 2! See you there......!!!
August 25, 2019
In done!
I enjoyed the concept of this series and I didn't expect any type of closure in this on going saga but this cliff hanger was the last straw. Way too much emphasis on dystopian quotes. It's not like these kids were educated on an entire library in there burned out school.
I enjoyed the concept of this series and I didn't expect any type of closure in this on going saga but this cliff hanger was the last straw. Way too much emphasis on dystopian quotes. It's not like these kids were educated on an entire library in there burned out school.
October 13, 2019
Yaye for this book
I love a good dystopian story. This book follows on from The Resistance Trilogy. Kress and her Conspiracy travel across the country to search for other Emergents.
This book was a tad slow however I still really loved it and look forward to reading book two :)
I love a good dystopian story. This book follows on from The Resistance Trilogy. Kress and her Conspiracy travel across the country to search for other Emergents.
This book was a tad slow however I still really loved it and look forward to reading book two :)
October 1, 2021
Enjoyable
Good continuation of story. Needs some serious editing work though. Quotations missing from dialog in many places. Gender mixed up in one spot. A few places seemed to be missing a paragraph or something from the jumps in scene.
Good continuation of story. Needs some serious editing work though. Quotations missing from dialog in many places. Gender mixed up in one spot. A few places seemed to be missing a paragraph or something from the jumps in scene.
March 14, 2022
After a slow start, the book picked up to the adventure filled pace we've come to enjoy in the original trilogy. While I enjoyed the surprise towards the end, I did not enjoy the end, and I hope this gets turned around very quickly in the next book.
November 21, 2022
Powerful Dystopian Action At Its’ BEST!!:-)
Soooo much action in this one….lots of twists & turns you don’t see coming!! Wanting more than EVER for the Conspiracy to succeed!! Sooo much more to come!!
Soooo much action in this one….lots of twists & turns you don’t see coming!! Wanting more than EVER for the Conspiracy to succeed!! Sooo much more to come!!
Read
May 15, 2023Fascinating story line
This book kept me very interested. Suprised, and connected. Can't wait to read the next one. These kids are sure having a rough time. Can't wait to see what happens next.
This book kept me very interested. Suprised, and connected. Can't wait to read the next one. These kids are sure having a rough time. Can't wait to see what happens next.
July 12, 2023
I want to like this series because it’s a cool idea - the first book in the whole story shows a lot of promise. I’m worried that the lack of an editor will keep getting worse. There is so so much teenage angst and the totally unrealistic timeline is getting to me.
January 2, 2020
Love it
I loved this series but I see had an idea who was going to betray them... Hooked and very sad I have to wait for the rest of the books
I loved this series but I see had an idea who was going to betray them... Hooked and very sad I have to wait for the rest of the books
June 20, 2020
Incredible
I liked it very much it was a very good book but I preferred the original trilogy than this book
I liked it very much it was a very good book but I preferred the original trilogy than this book
September 21, 2020
The government
The government of India Today group to offer online learning to young people in the government of India Today group to offer
The government of India Today group to offer online learning to young people in the government of India Today group to offer
September 5, 2021
Ok, I finally feel as if I got the right amount of details of important events and a surprise(ish) ending. Let the next book begin.
January 28, 2022
Really gripping. Somewhat violent. But these kids….. yikes, their lives suck a lot of the time. But I’m loving the ennealogy.
April 28, 2022
Not worth reading the rest of the series, not my cup of tea...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews