What do you think?
Rate this book
Lens #4
The Champion
USA 2098.
Riley Taylor has been reunited with her best friend, Alex, but he no longer remembers who he is. After many months pretending to be someone else, Riley is devastated to learn that Alex has been brainwashed, and his new mission is to kill her; it is only her fake identity that is saving her from his wrath.
The sadistic leader of the Champions, Damien, is finally dead, but his violent orders to his following Champions still remain, putting both Riley and Alex in constant peril.
Will Riley survive if Alex finds out the truth about her? And can he handle learning the truth about himself?
A harrowing tale of courage and survival in a dark, dystopian future world.
Riley Taylor has been reunited with her best friend, Alex, but he no longer remembers who he is. After many months pretending to be someone else, Riley is devastated to learn that Alex has been brainwashed, and his new mission is to kill her; it is only her fake identity that is saving her from his wrath.
The sadistic leader of the Champions, Damien, is finally dead, but his violent orders to his following Champions still remain, putting both Riley and Alex in constant peril.
Will Riley survive if Alex finds out the truth about her? And can he handle learning the truth about himself?
A harrowing tale of courage and survival in a dark, dystopian future world.
- GenresFiction
348 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2020
153 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Cantwell
56 books85 followersPlease visit my website to learn about new releases, and sign up for my newsletter to get FREE books!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 13, 2020
Oh shoot!
Well this book suffered from the curse of the second book. The author spent most of the book just as lost as the characters she was writing about. I first thought I was reading a totally different series, one that I would never had read. I have no idea what the next one will be like or if I'll waste my time to read it. Such a shame. Should have ended it with the third book. The first 3 were unbelievable, but sadly she lost her way.
Well this book suffered from the curse of the second book. The author spent most of the book just as lost as the characters she was writing about. I first thought I was reading a totally different series, one that I would never had read. I have no idea what the next one will be like or if I'll waste my time to read it. Such a shame. Should have ended it with the third book. The first 3 were unbelievable, but sadly she lost her way.
November 24, 2020
My least favorite book in the series. I did not like the main character's stint in the mental asylum. It just did not seem to fit the setting or the story, and it seemed to drag on.
July 24, 2022
Too much time in the psychiatric hospital
October 7, 2020
Wow
I don’t think some people gave this book enough credit. It doesn’t have as much action as the other books in the series. But what it does have is real, Raw, and heart breaking truth. Every book with a hero usually just handles it with a strong will. But we actually get a story with a heroine who just can barely handle the pressure. Anyone ANYONE who is in this kind of position would break at some point. And Riley serious has been through the ringer even if it’s not the end. The author has done an amazing job showing us the dark side of defeat and how someone who has a strong will can break but can also overcome it. I loved how it wasn’t just a day of her breaking down and getting back up. It took a long time and with real help from professionals. And that she STILL needs help, not just from her friends.
Sure, it was slow in some parts, but it was so well written and brutally honest that I can honestly say this is my favorite book out of the series. I love action and rebellions, don’t get me wrong. I usually hate the boring parts. But this book can’t get any more real when it comes to dystopian and post apocalyptic.
I can’t praise the author enough with making just an amazing book. It’s perfect. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.
I don’t think some people gave this book enough credit. It doesn’t have as much action as the other books in the series. But what it does have is real, Raw, and heart breaking truth. Every book with a hero usually just handles it with a strong will. But we actually get a story with a heroine who just can barely handle the pressure. Anyone ANYONE who is in this kind of position would break at some point. And Riley serious has been through the ringer even if it’s not the end. The author has done an amazing job showing us the dark side of defeat and how someone who has a strong will can break but can also overcome it. I loved how it wasn’t just a day of her breaking down and getting back up. It took a long time and with real help from professionals. And that she STILL needs help, not just from her friends.
Sure, it was slow in some parts, but it was so well written and brutally honest that I can honestly say this is my favorite book out of the series. I love action and rebellions, don’t get me wrong. I usually hate the boring parts. But this book can’t get any more real when it comes to dystopian and post apocalyptic.
I can’t praise the author enough with making just an amazing book. It’s perfect. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.
January 26, 2024
PG-13 there is a part in this book where one minute she was in upper Manhattan, living life, and then suddenly she had been in a mental hospital for a few months in the next chapter. Between all the deaths she had been a part of, the fact that her life was constantly in danger, and an insane identity change, the mental break down only makes sense. I actually really like the idea of it and it made it interesting and not so repetitive, I just didn’t like the delivery of it. that seems to be my constant issue with this series, the delivery of things or the way it’s written. But the series as a whole is good enough for me to read at least once.
The fact that Alex was brainwashed was also an interesting twist, but kind of sad too, because they’ve been trying to be together this entire series and everything just seems to be against them, and now even themselves are against their relationship.
The fact that Alex was brainwashed was also an interesting twist, but kind of sad too, because they’ve been trying to be together this entire series and everything just seems to be against them, and now even themselves are against their relationship.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 13, 2021
A good book, solid story continuance.
I felt this book was a little weaker plot-wise than the previous three but I have absolute respect for how the author treated Riley’s PTSD and mental health struggles. As someone unfortunately acquainted with having some of the illnesses, it was compassionately and wisely portrayed. Well done!
Here’s hoping Riley and Alex have more luck in the next book with romance, I felt their plotline was mostly absent and the brainwashing plot felt rushed.
I felt this book was a little weaker plot-wise than the previous three but I have absolute respect for how the author treated Riley’s PTSD and mental health struggles. As someone unfortunately acquainted with having some of the illnesses, it was compassionately and wisely portrayed. Well done!
Here’s hoping Riley and Alex have more luck in the next book with romance, I felt their plotline was mostly absent and the brainwashing plot felt rushed.
September 7, 2020
Damnit Hanna, Nooooooo!:(
Ughhhh well Damn, my heart is broken, the loss of it all !!!! These books just outdo themselves each time! I know the next is the last and I can’t imagine my life without Riley and Alex I almost don’t want to finish the series because then it will all be over! A definite recommend 🖤
Ughhhh well Damn, my heart is broken, the loss of it all !!!! These books just outdo themselves each time! I know the next is the last and I can’t imagine my life without Riley and Alex I almost don’t want to finish the series because then it will all be over! A definite recommend 🖤
March 28, 2023
Contrary to some readers, I actually thought the episode in the psychiatric clinic was fairly engaging – although it was both entered and left pretty abruptly. Still find the characters engaging (for some reason I particularly like Grant, although he seems a fairly minor side character), and curious to see how they're all going to end up after the next one.
November 15, 2022
I have never been to New York. I know it's big. Sometimes it seems like a quick drive to Brooklyn and others it's like a long train ride.
Hannah was my favorite! I need to know what happened when Alex went to see his mom!
Hannah was my favorite! I need to know what happened when Alex went to see his mom!
June 23, 2023
Surprises galore!
Man, things have happened to Ridley…Amanda…whoever she is. Her little jaunt to the funny farm is over and she is finally ready to kick ass and take names! But it’s never easy…
Man, things have happened to Ridley…Amanda…whoever she is. Her little jaunt to the funny farm is over and she is finally ready to kick ass and take names! But it’s never easy…
March 3, 2020
Love this series
Best series
I loved these characters and could barely wait for the next book to see what happens edge of my seat reading
Best series
I loved these characters and could barely wait for the next book to see what happens edge of my seat reading
August 12, 2020
Addicting!!!!!!
Best series I have read in a long time! I can never put it down once I start! The characters are well thought out and you instantly love them.
Best series I have read in a long time! I can never put it down once I start! The characters are well thought out and you instantly love them.
June 6, 2021
I listened to this and reviewed it on Audible.
November 5, 2022
Honestly, hated the first 2/3rds of this book. It is all about mental disabilities and taking medications. It was dumb. The ending was fine, but I truly almost didn’t finish the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2022
Great series
The pace leaves you breathless. Strong characters with lots of twists and turns . Have read the first 4 books this week and starting book 5 now..
The pace leaves you breathless. Strong characters with lots of twists and turns . Have read the first 4 books this week and starting book 5 now..
April 10, 2023
Love this series. Page turner! The characters are all relatable, the twists and turns of the story keep you pinned in place. So good!
February 12, 2023
The Champion (Lens Book 4)
This book went in a really weird direction for at least a quarter of it. Like, way weird. It's not bad. The ending was amazing. I'm headed for book 5 now. But. Weird.
This book went in a really weird direction for at least a quarter of it. Like, way weird. It's not bad. The ending was amazing. I'm headed for book 5 now. But. Weird.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews