Sacrifice

The Emergents #2

by K.A. Riley

Captured by the group of rogue Emergents known as “Hypnagogics,” Kress and her Conspiracy search desperately for a way out of their confinement in a stadium-sized prison-lab called the Mill. There, they find themselves subjected to a bombardment of psychological manipulations, physical challenges, and cruel techno-genetic experiments.

Forced by the mysterious “Auditor” to endure a battery of mind-warping Virtual Reality missions and unsettled by a series of shocking discoveries, Kress and her friends will need to make agonizing choices and an equally painful sacrifice.

Genres: Dystopia, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Audiobook, Fiction, Fantasy

310 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2019

About the author

K. 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.

Reviews

[Rebecca Dee Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. Felt like a lot of build up and laying of groundwork but that's quite a typical book 2 of 3 trait, and one that is good if done successfully. This sets up the next book so well and I'm downloading as I write this, can't wait

[Brooke Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok. So the first few books were predictable. Kress and her conspiracy were running from the bad guy to stop the bad guy.
Fight, evade, win, and then new mission.
This book was completely different and had me hooked and very excited to see where things go.
Kress and the conspiracy at “lab rats” at the Mill. Their abilities are being tested and the Auditor wants answer.
For the conspiracy it is about bidding time until they escape.
As the book unfolds, we get answers, but not necessarily to the questions we had.
Very good. Looking forward to book 3, then onto the last 3 in the series.
Well done. Good read.

[Elizabeth✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
Just like the rest of the series, this book was wonderful. It kept me in suspense and entertained the entire time. The reason it didn’t get a full 5 stars is because it was hard to follow and understand some things in the book. Although, that could have been because of my surroundings and getting distracted easily🙃

ANYWAYS, fabulous book, fabulous series, and I can’t wait for the next book(s)!! (However, I am a little bitter that I have not seen a date yet on when the next book should be out...)

[Tammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much

This book left me more confused than anything. Too much drawn out repeats and is the conspiracy safe or still playing the game?

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been able to predict a couple things in this series, but at the beginning of this one, I had no clue how the Conspiracy was going to manage their way out of this one. In fact, I had no idea how any part of it was going to turn out. As the second book, there was a lot of laying out groundwork for the next book. This was a little more convoluted and complex with various theories of this or that mixed in with something about dreams and ravens. This one is more technical, and I felt lost at some points. Sometimes I’d reread a statement or explanation and it would feel like I was on the verge of understanding, but it was just out of reach. The book had a good, steady pace with a lot of action packed at the end. I have so many questions I have no idea how I’m going to wrap my brain around any type of understanding. There’s treachery, death, deceit, and the usual torment of the Emergents to figure out how and why they tick. Honestly, the bulk of the book seemed drawn out, and then suddenly the twist at the end felt rushed. Even as I was reading it, I wasn’t believing it because I thought for sure they were just going to turn around and say it was a dream or simulation. Because of that, some of the excitement of the rescue was diminished. I also feel like the series started out with one plot about a tyrant and is now become some theoretical story about dreams, and the digital divide which has me completely lost. I really liked the series at first and I’m hoping things become clear again in the final book of this set before continuing.

[Kaitie James · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really want to love these books. The first trilogy was great, the second was okay, this one I’m slogging through to make it to the end.

I feel like the author writes sooooo many descriptions for everything and repeats mental monologue so often that the entire series (9+ books) could easily have been condensed into 3-5 books. I find myself skipping large chunks of paragraphs just to get back to the story after the ridiculously long explanations for things, even if 10 chapters before that exact same explanation was already given.

This trilogy really started to push climate change and the idea that wealthy people are evil, plus other things that just get thrown in and whined about continually.
Not a fan of that and the political side got in the way of me enjoying reading them.

[Moon Ahuja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my franking God, THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!! It was well paced, descriptive, and probably the best book in the entire series.

First of all, it got more into the understanding of Emergents. I didn't really get the whole genetic and binary code thing, but this book helped me understand it.
Spoiler-
It also got us an inside look at the whole, "If you were stuck somewhere with nobody but ______" what would you do? Kress got stuck in that situation...Brohn. Their awkwardness about it was super cute and funny, and it contained a satisfying amount of fluff as well as humor and action.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to really push myself through this book. I’m only ready the next book in this set because I bought it and want to see Krug go down. But i do not like how the story is changing…. The book was slow on action and the way Kress goes into details on things has me speed reading to skip lines and find the next meaningful part to the story.. again really had to push myself through this one… Id probably give it more of a 2.8 rating

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

YUP, another amazing story with crazy twists and turns! I am still madly in love with the characters and their adventure. I expected it to start to feel drawn out, but it never got boring. There was always a new piece of information to the puzzle every so often. Render, Kress and her Conspiracy are on a mission to save the world and I believe they can do it! 10/10. Worth every second.

[Annie Kosar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other World Dystopian Action!!:-)

The characters become even more fascinating as if that’s even possible!!:-). The answers being sought…the quest….the connection….This is just SOOO POWERFUL & GRIPPING!! Sooo many twists….you CANNOT put this one down….and then you just want more!!:-)

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in this series was a serious let down, and this one was AMAZING! I loved the contrast between the factions of Wars people and then the Unkindness group. Also the contract between the characters of Kress’ Conspiracy and the hypnagogics. The twists and turns and excitement of this book were awesome, I’m excited to keep reading the series.

[Stephanie Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

reality is real, right?

The series continues with the Kress and the others stuck in torture, being sent into sim after sim on the brink of remembering what is actually real. I’m ready to head for the final in this trilogy and I feel like Kress is going to fly as they move into real life fight or flight when they reach DC.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i missed this series. but i’m not even more confused than before.

1) reality just doesn’t seem real anymore
2) how da fook did everyone but Kress escape to be able to save Kress?
3) who da fook is the auditor

i’m so confused 🫤

let’s go kick some krug ass

[Heather Walski · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ Honestly, this is probably the best one I’ve read so far. Some of it was still cliche for a dystopian and I felt the escape was a bit to easy. But it was much faster to read then the ones i’ve read so far.

[Mariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating is more a 3.5ish, but I'd rather round up than down to get an accurate goodreads review.

This was definitely a filler book. More to get more information than for much to happen. However, it did not feel slow.

There was excitement toward the end that made the information worth it!

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was kind of hard to follow but it was still good.

[SBRUS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angels just got a good

I’m just going home to the gym I’m just reading your reading and going home to the gym I’m just reading your reading

[Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed through a lot of this book.
If it weren't for the last chapters I'm not
sure if I'd finish the series..

Loved the ending, that's about it..

[Deenita Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed that the author went more in depth with the happenings of this book. There were more twists and turns which made it a quick and enjoyable read.

[Rosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am loving this series. The only complaint is the over describing of action scenes. I had to skim nearly ever "fight" scene. Otherwise another great book from Krugs world.

[Morwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big improvement from the last 3 books, I hope the next ones will keep it up.
There are still more typos and mistakes than should be acceptable for published material.

[Wendy Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

About a 4.5 star read. Stayed at a steady pace most of the book. Really picked up steam over the last couple chapters.

[Raelyn Vandercook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot of action, and was very well written as all the books in the series have been.

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesome book

This book has plot twists, cute love, and action. It is the perfect book if you like that stuff and if you liked the hunger games.

[Isabella Anguiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

this one was the craziest out of the series so far. there was a plot twist that legit made my jaw drop. this is one of the most entertaining series i’ve ever read

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

This book was a bit slower than the others but still an enjoyable read. I hope things end really well in the next book.

[Carl DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed the journey this group is on. It will be interesting to see where this path leads them. Onward

[Agnieszka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kress and her Conspiracy have been captured by Krug and a group of Hypnagogics, and are subjected to a range of tests. It seems that there is no way out of their prison. Will they be able to find a way to break free?

This was the best book in the whole series so far, and I really enjoyed it.
It was gripping and full of twists, and I was racing to find out how the story will pan out.
The only downfall is that it keeps getting more and more far-fetched, but I guess that's what you sign up for when you get into dystopian fiction.
I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Lala Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. Very intense. The series definitely seems to be heading in a direction I didn’t expect. But have just started the next book too.

[Coco Caem · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is exceptionally great.