What do you think?
Rate this book
The Emergents #3
Synthesis
Encouraged by happy reunions, shocked by terrifying discoveries, and with the lives of millions and the fate of the nation hanging in the balance, Kress and her Conspiracy—along with their new legions of allies, the Survivalists and the Unkindness—prepare for their final, all-or-nothing war against Krug and the assembled might of his Patriot Army.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 19, 2020
540 people are currently reading
897 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Riley
65 books546 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 1, 2021
Great story with a few holes
I’ve loved this whole series and would highly recommend reading it. There are a few spots where the plot gets a bit jumbled up. For example when Render is originally injured in San Francisco Caldwell and Manthy are the ones who save him but by this book is become Manthy and Olivia. When Caldwell is reintroduced to the story line it’s like he and Kees have barely spoken instead of the conversation they had back in San Francisco. Also Terk, Kress states the last time they saw him was when his arm got cut if when the earlier story line had them all believing they killed him during their escape from the processor .
These things aren’t completely detrimental to the storyline but they are holes that would make the overall series that much more enjoyable had they been patched up.
I’ve loved this whole series and would highly recommend reading it. There are a few spots where the plot gets a bit jumbled up. For example when Render is originally injured in San Francisco Caldwell and Manthy are the ones who save him but by this book is become Manthy and Olivia. When Caldwell is reintroduced to the story line it’s like he and Kees have barely spoken instead of the conversation they had back in San Francisco. Also Terk, Kress states the last time they saw him was when his arm got cut if when the earlier story line had them all believing they killed him during their escape from the processor .
These things aren’t completely detrimental to the storyline but they are holes that would make the overall series that much more enjoyable had they been patched up.
October 9, 2024
This is the book I have been waiting for this entire series!!
Finally it’s the all for nothing battle against the evil dictator president KRUG!!!
Now my reviews of the characters
Rain
She has come such a long way from being the frenemy to such a powerful strong female character! I really love her. To this point in the series we didn’t really know much about her emergent abilities. But it is actually really cool how she sees things. It’s not just Rain being scary or having this inclined brain like say Kress sometimes have renders agility and such. (I don’t know how to explain it just read the book.) Overall I am ready to see Rain get a boyfriend. Honestly I was kind of feeling her and Cardyn last book. But then after happened in this book…let me not get ahead of my self.
TERK!!!
Agh! He is back!!!! I really didn’t see that coming! I am so glad to see him again! It has been so long and it felt very full circle. To go off on a little tangent. I was thinking well maybe Karmine is alive and they will be bring him back too! But doing some further thinking I don’t think the author would do that to Kella she is happy now after everything.
kella
I am glad she is ok. She is such a calm, happy character ☺️. I am so glad she is back to normal. Kella and Granden!? Okay didn’t see that coming but I am here for it!
Granden
He is a really protective, fatherly character which is why I feel like he is so much older than the conspiracy even though he isn’t. I think it was smart for him to step back and not try to lead the government being Krug’s son and all. And he has BROTHERS! What I feel like I have been kept from that is crazy! I want to know more about them!
Amarthine/Manth/Manthy
She was a strange character. She was shy had smelly feet. Had strong beliefs and didn’t back down. She loved her conspiracy more than they realized.
I was really sad to see her go. (might have even cried a little) Her ability was by far the most fascinating and she is just gone. I thought someone was going to die in the last book and I definitely didn’t expect it to be Manthy in this one. I really was hoping for a Cardyn Manthy thing and we never saw it play out and know she is gone. Or is she? The way Render was talking at the endwhich was kind of weird which was straight creepy! It sounded like he knew how to “bring her back” from the dead? Or into this reality? Or into dreams?
Cardyn
The red headed teddy bear 🧸. I think he took the loss of Manthy the hardest. He is such an amazing character. His ability is definitely the one I would want out of all of them. Probably my fav character.
Brohn
Big ol’ Brohn. The bulletproof. He might be bulletproof on the outside but he definitely took the lost of Manthy hard. I am glad he still has his sister. And maybe now that the aren’t trying to end Krug him and Kress can have a real relationship.
Nova
That name! It fits wisp so well!! I like it. She is an insane kid. I am ready to see what the future holds for her.
Favorite scenes
Krug’s death was a little anticlimactic I mean he just fell off the railing. But I am glad he is gone. He caused the country enough pain and fear. His reign of terror is over!
The auditor is Kress’ mom🫶🏻
Kind of don’t quite understand how that works? Also don’t understand all that synthesis stuff. I mean that part is odd. That’s why four stars.
Okay I am still hung up on this from book two but WHY DID KRESS SEE THAT DEAD GIRL IN THE WINDOW OF THE ARMY BASE!!! I need to know!! Maybe we will cover it in the next three because it kind of seems like that is what it will be about.
Also let’s see if we have any answers to the questions from the previous book.
What are the deenays?
they are like scientists
How do people become emergents?
Why are some hypnagogics and some are emergents?
Who is the auditor?
a machine thing Kress’ dad built. Which is Kress’ mom
Is Krug in charge?
yes, he pretty much was
Why all of the sudden does render have like a full personality?
Where was Brohn when Amani was him?
What was their painful sacrifice?
What does Manthy know?
Why isn’t she telling us anything?!
Are Cardyn and Manthy ever going to get together?
sadly, no
What is the digital divide?
Is Kress a modified because she has implants?
What is the point of the implants?
What is her emergent power?
Toodles!!!
;sorry for typos)
Finally it’s the all for nothing battle against the evil dictator president KRUG!!!
Now my reviews of the characters
Rain
She has come such a long way from being the frenemy to such a powerful strong female character! I really love her. To this point in the series we didn’t really know much about her emergent abilities. But it is actually really cool how she sees things. It’s not just Rain being scary or having this inclined brain like say Kress sometimes have renders agility and such. (I don’t know how to explain it just read the book.) Overall I am ready to see Rain get a boyfriend. Honestly I was kind of feeling her and Cardyn last book. But then after happened in this book…let me not get ahead of my self.
TERK!!!
Agh! He is back!!!! I really didn’t see that coming! I am so glad to see him again! It has been so long and it felt very full circle. To go off on a little tangent. I was thinking well maybe Karmine is alive and they will be bring him back too! But doing some further thinking I don’t think the author would do that to Kella she is happy now after everything.
kella
I am glad she is ok. She is such a calm, happy character ☺️. I am so glad she is back to normal. Kella and Granden!? Okay didn’t see that coming but I am here for it!
Granden
He is a really protective, fatherly character which is why I feel like he is so much older than the conspiracy even though he isn’t. I think it was smart for him to step back and not try to lead the government being Krug’s son and all. And he has BROTHERS! What I feel like I have been kept from that is crazy! I want to know more about them!
Amarthine/Manth/Manthy
She was a strange character. She was shy had smelly feet. Had strong beliefs and didn’t back down. She loved her conspiracy more than they realized.
I was really sad to see her go. (might have even cried a little) Her ability was by far the most fascinating and she is just gone. I thought someone was going to die in the last book and I definitely didn’t expect it to be Manthy in this one. I really was hoping for a Cardyn Manthy thing and we never saw it play out and know she is gone. Or is she? The way Render was talking at the end
Cardyn
The red headed teddy bear 🧸. I think he took the loss of Manthy the hardest. He is such an amazing character. His ability is definitely the one I would want out of all of them. Probably my fav character.
Brohn
Big ol’ Brohn. The bulletproof. He might be bulletproof on the outside but he definitely took the lost of Manthy hard. I am glad he still has his sister. And maybe now that the aren’t trying to end Krug him and Kress can have a real relationship.
Nova
That name! It fits wisp so well!! I like it. She is an insane kid. I am ready to see what the future holds for her.
Favorite scenes
Krug’s death was a little anticlimactic I mean he just fell off the railing. But I am glad he is gone. He caused the country enough pain and fear. His reign of terror is over!
The auditor is Kress’ mom🫶🏻
Kind of don’t quite understand how that works? Also don’t understand all that synthesis stuff. I mean that part is odd. That’s why four stars.
Okay I am still hung up on this from book two but WHY DID KRESS SEE THAT DEAD GIRL IN THE WINDOW OF THE ARMY BASE!!! I need to know!! Maybe we will cover it in the next three because it kind of seems like that is what it will be about.
Also let’s see if we have any answers to the questions from the previous book.
What are the deenays?
they are like scientists
How do people become emergents?
Why are some hypnagogics and some are emergents?
Who is the auditor?
a machine thing Kress’ dad built. Which is Kress’ mom
Is Krug in charge?
yes, he pretty much was
Why all of the sudden does render have like a full personality?
Where was Brohn when Amani was him?
What was their painful sacrifice?
What does Manthy know?
Why isn’t she telling us anything?!
Are Cardyn and Manthy ever going to get together?
sadly, no
What is the digital divide?
Is Kress a modified because she has implants?
What is the point of the implants?
What is her emergent power?
Toodles!!!
;sorry for typos)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2024
I keep expecting this series to end with “and then I woke up” which is ironic considering Kress ends up saying the same thing. In this book we learn more about how the Order was created and Krug’s rise to power as the team makes their way to DC, camping out in none other than Silver Spring. MY home. That was kind of surreal considering the series. I had a few thoughts while reading. This is getting a little too… complex? For me. I had a feeling from the beginning that Kress’ father would pop back up again. But her mother? Something about crossing the Digital Divide to preserve her. And then she’s the Auditor? Alright. Then Kress’ tattoos, Render and the Auditor make up “synthesis” which opens portals into Deja vu/ dreams. I have a headache. It feels like the author tried to take ten different concepts or theories and mush them together. I went from reading a dystopia series to a sci-fi. I’m glad to see Terk is alive and well, but there are inconsistencies with his story. If memory serves me correct, the Conspiracy had to shoot and kill him, but now he’s saying he was supposed to be a “new generation of modifieds” but got scrapped. I feel like there is an abundance of details for unnecessary things, like the color of lockers, while other details are completely left out. Krug’s death felt kinda anticlimactic since a bird pushed him off a roof and then you get socked in the stomach realizing Mathy was shot and killed. I know it’s war, I assumed some beloved character would be killed, but that one hurt. I honestly think I’m continuing this series in the hopes that Manthy is brought back, and I’ll slug through the confusion of multiple realities and dreams.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2023
Beautifully written…
KA Riley knows how to write a multi-faceted plot!! I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, but I gotta say that I feel a little bit like every character in this book! Kress, who is reluctant to lead but always finds that is the just where she fits, is kind and quiet but funny and badass. Brohn, the rock that everyone kind of uses as their foundation in this crazy world these books are set in. Manthy, the girl in the shadows with a remarkable ability that can’t be who she is without her Conspiracy (what they call their group). Rain, the brilliant strategist, will legitimately lay you out if she has to - physically or mentally. And Cardyn, the best of all besties who uses humor while in stressful situations, and often in the most inappropriate ways!
If you haven’t read the first trilogy, what the heck are you waiting for?!? Start at the beginning!! You can come back and agree with my above paragraph after you have read the first 5 books! (It’s 3 sets of trilogies…Riley explains in the beginning of every book!)
JOIN THE REVOLUTION!
KA Riley knows how to write a multi-faceted plot!! I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone, but I gotta say that I feel a little bit like every character in this book! Kress, who is reluctant to lead but always finds that is the just where she fits, is kind and quiet but funny and badass. Brohn, the rock that everyone kind of uses as their foundation in this crazy world these books are set in. Manthy, the girl in the shadows with a remarkable ability that can’t be who she is without her Conspiracy (what they call their group). Rain, the brilliant strategist, will legitimately lay you out if she has to - physically or mentally. And Cardyn, the best of all besties who uses humor while in stressful situations, and often in the most inappropriate ways!
If you haven’t read the first trilogy, what the heck are you waiting for?!? Start at the beginning!! You can come back and agree with my above paragraph after you have read the first 5 books! (It’s 3 sets of trilogies…Riley explains in the beginning of every book!)
JOIN THE REVOLUTION!
October 15, 2020
Emergents book 3.
Kress and her friends are finally free, and along with the Survivalists and the Unkindness are preparing for the final battle against Krug.
This was an action-packed and fast-paced conclusion to the second trilogy in the Conspiracy ennealogy, and I enjoyed it.
However, as I said in my previous reviews, I think the story is becoming a bit too unbelievable and verging on fantasy.
The writing continues being very descriptive, and I found it getting in the way of being able to fully enjoy the story.
I think I am far outside the age bracket that this series is aimed at, which might be the reason I can't give it more than 3 stars. However, I definitely recommend it to any dystopian fiction fans.
I think I will wait for the last book of the follow-up trilogy to be released before I start the final three books, but either way, I'm looking forward to it.
Kress and her friends are finally free, and along with the Survivalists and the Unkindness are preparing for the final battle against Krug.
This was an action-packed and fast-paced conclusion to the second trilogy in the Conspiracy ennealogy, and I enjoyed it.
However, as I said in my previous reviews, I think the story is becoming a bit too unbelievable and verging on fantasy.
The writing continues being very descriptive, and I found it getting in the way of being able to fully enjoy the story.
I think I am far outside the age bracket that this series is aimed at, which might be the reason I can't give it more than 3 stars. However, I definitely recommend it to any dystopian fiction fans.
I think I will wait for the last book of the follow-up trilogy to be released before I start the final three books, but either way, I'm looking forward to it.
May 14, 2023
It took me sooo long to get through this! I was crawling THROUGH this book… i even picked up an old book and finished it before i picked this one back up. I honestly give this a 2.8 but rounding to a 3.2 for my love for parts of the storyline and quite possibly for my loyalty in Kress and the conspiracy.
But in regards to the 2.8, this story has taken a major plot twists that I was not expecting and really don’t like …. and on top of that the writing is not great the author really likes to push page length with these past 5 books.
WAY to much detail is given that it resulted me to skim through the majority of this book I wouldn’t even recommend so 3 stars may be too much but my heart for the conspiracy will live on but i will be staying away from the final trilogy
But in regards to the 2.8, this story has taken a major plot twists that I was not expecting and really don’t like …. and on top of that the writing is not great the author really likes to push page length with these past 5 books.
WAY to much detail is given that it resulted me to skim through the majority of this book I wouldn’t even recommend so 3 stars may be too much but my heart for the conspiracy will live on but i will be staying away from the final trilogy
January 2, 2021
Wow, wow, wow!! For anyone looking at this review and you haven’t read the first trilogy, go do that first. Then make you way to this one. And now I’m so ready for the next set! Kress and her Conspiracy are an awesome group to follow. There are some parts in this third book that I wish were done a little differently, or explained differently, but I’m certainly not an author so I bet it was hard to wrap up that part of the story anyways. Always on the edge of my seat, I zipped through this book quickly. 5/5, for sure. I love Render!
January 8, 2021
I absolutely LOVED this series. I'm buying the next three right now. K.A. Riley did such an amazing job writing these books. Nothing was under explained or over explained (well maybe only once or twice) but it was not too the point of hating it and putting it down. The story itself, such a great plot. The characters are all love-able and you really start to care for them. Also, I am SOOOO mad at Riley for KILLING OFF MANTHY! WTH! =(
March 30, 2022
Omg No No No
I'm sitting here still reeling and have tears running down my face. Oh my Ms Riley you have a way with words, not just words but the ability to suck someone right into your world building. You make us cheer, laugh, become angry , but also make us have more questions by the end of each book.
I'm still can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. Manthyyyyyyyy. You are one badass gal. Please bring her back
I'm sitting here still reeling and have tears running down my face. Oh my Ms Riley you have a way with words, not just words but the ability to suck someone right into your world building. You make us cheer, laugh, become angry , but also make us have more questions by the end of each book.
I'm still can't believe it. I don't want to believe it. Manthyyyyyyyy. You are one badass gal. Please bring her back
March 13, 2024
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t give it a 5 star because I felt like some parts of the book didn’t really “make sense” - almost like some of the things that happened seemed to be either out of character or out of the normal w/o a good explanation. Like how no one knew that Granden was rogue. After the events in LA that would be obvious right? Entertaining, just seemed to have some weird gaps like that.
March 3, 2020
Losing interest in the series
There is so much going on in this book, and some of it is not even making sense anymore. There are some things that I don't know anymore if I have to think about as a hallucination or a writer's error, because I found some things that didn't add up, and there are so many coincidences and even if it seems that everything is difficult for them, at the same time everything aligns for them. I just got to a point where I don't even enjoy what's going on, it's all so deus ex machina.
There is so much going on in this book, and some of it is not even making sense anymore. There are some things that I don't know anymore if I have to think about as a hallucination or a writer's error, because I found some things that didn't add up, and there are so many coincidences and even if it seems that everything is difficult for them, at the same time everything aligns for them. I just got to a point where I don't even enjoy what's going on, it's all so deus ex machina.
November 24, 2022
SOOO MUCH ACTION!!!
This one grabs you from the first word and does not let go!!! The action is heart pounding and the emotions deep and powerful….You get closer to the characters and to the truth than ever before!! I can’t WAIT to read more! You won’t want to miss this one though!!:-)
This one grabs you from the first word and does not let go!!! The action is heart pounding and the emotions deep and powerful….You get closer to the characters and to the truth than ever before!! I can’t WAIT to read more! You won’t want to miss this one though!!:-)
May 3, 2023
great read
This was one of the better books in the series. A lot of truth in this story!
I find the beginning chapters all catch up, and if you are reading them in concession, you can skip it.
Also if you don’t want to continue on in the next trilogy there enough closure to end here. Good read
This was one of the better books in the series. A lot of truth in this story!
I find the beginning chapters all catch up, and if you are reading them in concession, you can skip it.
Also if you don’t want to continue on in the next trilogy there enough closure to end here. Good read
June 13, 2024
This series just keeps getting better.
When i started reading this book I thought the lore was too complicated to understand it. But the last couple chapters give a lot of answers… although they also leave you with a lot of questions. But I guess that’s the best part of this series. It gives and it takes.
When i started reading this book I thought the lore was too complicated to understand it. But the last couple chapters give a lot of answers… although they also leave you with a lot of questions. But I guess that’s the best part of this series. It gives and it takes.
April 28, 2020
intriguing
Some of this blew my mind completely but most of it sucked me in to the point I just had to continuing reading. Even broke my heart in the end and now I’m wishing the next three books were released! Read the first 6 in about 2 weeks. It kept me coming back for more.
Some of this blew my mind completely but most of it sucked me in to the point I just had to continuing reading. Even broke my heart in the end and now I’m wishing the next three books were released! Read the first 6 in about 2 weeks. It kept me coming back for more.
August 31, 2020
Wow
Well... ouch to that ending, but wow.. this series just keeps on going. So many unanswered questions im hoping this next series will give us more answers about Kress and render and manthy. Im still hooked.
Well... ouch to that ending, but wow.. this series just keeps on going. So many unanswered questions im hoping this next series will give us more answers about Kress and render and manthy. Im still hooked.
September 25, 2020
Dang
The ending was so 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Dear Manthy didn't Marvie.
Hope the next series has answers and less questions the books are 👍 and a few others. Would recommend to anyone.
Hope Kress and her conspiracy get answers. Happy Terk returned but sad for sweet Manthy.
The ending was so 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
Dear Manthy didn't Marvie.
Hope the next series has answers and less questions the books are 👍 and a few others. Would recommend to anyone.
Hope Kress and her conspiracy get answers. Happy Terk returned but sad for sweet Manthy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2021
Another great ending to the second trilogy set in this larger series. It gets quite into a bit of an existential crisis feeling at times, in all the theories and ideas raised, but it all adds into the deeper and overarching plot. Can't wait to read the next trilogy in this saga
September 21, 2020
You have
You don't want me or read a link in a way of saying. Edit tutu and it will make the
You don't want me or read a link in a way of saying. Edit tutu and it will make the
Read
October 20, 2020Normally in any dystopian society books it doesn’t take much to impress me but the series is blowing me out of the water.
April 27, 2021
Great series
This is a great series... an interesting take on dystopia— I highly recommend all nine books. You won’t be disappointed.
This is a great series... an interesting take on dystopia— I highly recommend all nine books. You won’t be disappointed.
July 17, 2021
Amazing story
I really love these books. The end was great to this set of the series. Can’t wait to read the next part of their journey.
I really love these books. The end was great to this set of the series. Can’t wait to read the next part of their journey.
February 5, 2022
This was brilliant. Hard heartbreaking at times. I’m looking forward to the final trilogy in the epic ennealogy.
May 3, 2022
I just wanted to keep reading it! Time to start the next book, next trilogy!
April 23, 2023
The humor between Chres and render is pretty funny. I’m not sure if I spelled her name correctly. Also, there is surprises in this book.
July 12, 2023
Once again, it was… okay. The other two books in this trilogy were pretty good so this one kind of let me down. It’s just very cliche and slow at parts and it kills me.
January 16, 2024
i gasped, i sobbed, i laughed, i was nervous, i was stressed- this book put me through every emotion possible
April 21, 2024
3.5
this was good! wish there was more detail on some things but other than that i was satisfied
this was good! wish there was more detail on some things but other than that i was satisfied
May 30, 2024
Loved the ending of this series. Exited to see this world expand as they travel to Europe
January 1, 2025
Totally Wrapped Up
This whole book was amazing! But boy dod the end leave me sobbing…The Consspiracy has begun to be more powerful. Can’t wait till the next book!
This whole book was amazing! But boy dod the end leave me sobbing…The Consspiracy has begun to be more powerful. Can’t wait till the next book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews