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The Exiled Trilogy #1
Fortune's Fall
While her classmates prepare for elite careers across America, Nyssa Ardelone trains for her secret job as the president’s dream interpreter. But when her mentor lies to the president about the prophecy in his latest dream, Nyssa must figure out why before the lie unravels. What she learns could destroy her own future. Fearful of a rumored rebellion, the president has launched a gas attack on Nyssa’s hometown, and her mentor lied about the dream to protect the survivors from more harm. When Nyssa learns her parents were injured in the attack, she flees with a stranger sent to steal the antidote—a stranger who claims to know her. Together, they race to deliver the cure as well as an interpretation of another prophetic dream only Nyssa can provide. But a devastating loss dulls her caution, and she learns too late that not everyone is trustworthy. To survive the president’s deadly pursuit, Nyssa must break every rule she’s ever followed, learning along the way that faith is the only thing that can save her.
278 pages, Paperback
Published November 2, 2020
About the author
Katherine Barger
4 books35 followersKatherine Barger is an award-winning author of clean young adult science fiction and fantasy. When she’s not busy wrangling kids, she’s writing, editing, eating Mexican food, or snuggling with one of her family’s three rescue pets: Elsa, Jasmine, or Nala. Katherine and her forever-forbearing husband live in Texas with their three children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 3, 2021
To start off, I'm not a huge dystopian reader. I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this book, but by the time I finished, if all dystopian books are like this, I'm a fan. And now I really, really, really need the next book!
First off, let's talk about the characters. It was written in 1st person, and Nyssa alone had a POV. I don't usually read books like that, but it worked really well for this one. Because she was the only one with a POV, all of the other characters were in danger of death. I won't give any spoilers, but there were several deaths throughout. No side character was safe, which completely upped the suspense. But the relationships between the characters were great. This is marketed as a YA book, and there was hardly any romance, which was great. The tiny bits of romance were completely appropriate and just sweet. And the side characters. So good. Let me just say one name: Duncan. Yep, I love you, bud, even though you acted like a jerk sometimes. You're still epic.
Because this was a dystopian book, I found it very interesting to see how the author dealt with the differences the future brought. Seeing all of the different technologies and a fictional world seventy years from now was really interesting. However, I wasn't overcome with a bunch of extra descriptions or confusing technological stuff. The whole government situation was a little eerie - it was basically like Communism on steroids, and no one had any freedoms. Definitely can make you think about how the world could be in seventy years!
The plot moved along very well in this book - I just wanted to keep reading! There were many twists and turns, and you never knew what was coming next. I rooted for all of the characters, and there were some stunning betrayals and revelations that blindsided me a little bit. The writing was also well-done, presenting the story in a clear, concise way, but also relaxed enough that it matched Nyssa's personality and age.
Finally, the themes/morals. The first half or so of the book didn't mention the Lord, but by the end of the book, there were a lot more Christian elements. Also - though I didn't know this during my reading - this book is based on Daniel or Nehemiah (or both.) Hence, the series title, so there's also symbolic meanings throughout. I'm looking forward to seeing how the next book develops Nyssa's relationship with the Lord.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was one of those books that I kept thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, and like I mentioned, it was such a page-turner. Those of you who are looking for a good, clean YA book, look no further! But I don't think this book should be limited only to YA - I'm a little older than that genre caters to, and I enjoyed it greatly. I can't wait for the next book!
Thanks so much to the author for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
First off, let's talk about the characters. It was written in 1st person, and Nyssa alone had a POV. I don't usually read books like that, but it worked really well for this one. Because she was the only one with a POV, all of the other characters were in danger of death. I won't give any spoilers, but there were several deaths throughout. No side character was safe, which completely upped the suspense. But the relationships between the characters were great. This is marketed as a YA book, and there was hardly any romance, which was great. The tiny bits of romance were completely appropriate and just sweet. And the side characters. So good. Let me just say one name: Duncan. Yep, I love you, bud, even though you acted like a jerk sometimes. You're still epic.
Because this was a dystopian book, I found it very interesting to see how the author dealt with the differences the future brought. Seeing all of the different technologies and a fictional world seventy years from now was really interesting. However, I wasn't overcome with a bunch of extra descriptions or confusing technological stuff. The whole government situation was a little eerie - it was basically like Communism on steroids, and no one had any freedoms. Definitely can make you think about how the world could be in seventy years!
The plot moved along very well in this book - I just wanted to keep reading! There were many twists and turns, and you never knew what was coming next. I rooted for all of the characters, and there were some stunning betrayals and revelations that blindsided me a little bit. The writing was also well-done, presenting the story in a clear, concise way, but also relaxed enough that it matched Nyssa's personality and age.
Finally, the themes/morals. The first half or so of the book didn't mention the Lord, but by the end of the book, there were a lot more Christian elements. Also - though I didn't know this during my reading - this book is based on Daniel or Nehemiah (or both.) Hence, the series title, so there's also symbolic meanings throughout. I'm looking forward to seeing how the next book develops Nyssa's relationship with the Lord.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was one of those books that I kept thinking about it when I wasn't reading it, and like I mentioned, it was such a page-turner. Those of you who are looking for a good, clean YA book, look no further! But I don't think this book should be limited only to YA - I'm a little older than that genre caters to, and I enjoyed it greatly. I can't wait for the next book!
Thanks so much to the author for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review!
August 3, 2021
Author: Katherine Barger
Published: Nov. 2, 2020 / Anaiah Press
Award: 2021 Illumination Book Awards Bronze Medalist (YA Fiction)
Synopsis: 2090—Nyssa Ardelone, who has spent the past seven years training to become a Dream Interpreter, is ready to graduate and begin her service to the president. When her mentor deliberately misinterprets a dream, Nyssa uncovers political conspiracy— and secrets about her past.
Premise
This novel is the first in the Exile Trilogy, which is “inspired by the lives of Daniel and Nehemiah, the Babylonian exile of the Jews, and their ultimate return to Jerusalem.”
Two aspects of the premise intrigued me:
The existence of a Bible-inspired series for a teen audience, since I think books of this genre are often for a younger audience
The fact that the series is futuristic (and arguably dystopic— depending on whether or not something based on real events can be considered dystopic), rather than historic. This was definitely an interesting twist!
Biblical Parallels
It took me a little while to realize that “inspired” is not the same thing as a retelling. From what I could see, there wasn’t a lot of overt correspondence between the book of Daniel and Fortune Falls. While I definitely picked up on some parallels between the two, I was surprised by how unfamiliar the story felt. This wasn’t an instance where I could say, “Oh, because I’m familiar with the Bible story, I know that (blank) happens next.”
I was expecting more of a retelling, which caused me to have some mixed feelings while I was reading.
Now that I’m finished with the book and reflecting on it, however, I appreciate that the parallels are hidden. For me, this certainly invites discussion— for book clubs or even youth groups (As an aside, I really would like for youth groups to provide more instruction via fiction. The Lord speaks to me so much through story and Jesus taught in parables about the Kingdom of Heaven).
In previous posts, I’ve discussed the importance of books that provoke wonder about the Bible. Obviously, there are a lot of differences between the biblical account and the novel, due to the very different settings. However, having finished the novel, I am interested in rereading the book of Daniel— to better understand the parallels I noticed, and to see if there were other themes/ commonalities I missed. Even reflecting now, I can think of at least one element that I think pretty closely paralleled the biblical account, which I missed while reading.
I honestly think the book merits reflection; the challenge is slowing down to stop and think about it while reading. I devoured this delicious book in a day, which is why I’m doing post-reading reflections.
Names
I’m going to try and keep this unspoiler-y, but I thought it would be interesting to research names from the story, as I’m confident that they are significant. I googled these and hope name meanings can fall under “common knowledge” without reference. I can tell other readers are also googling these, based on related searches 🙂
Nyssa
Interestingly, Nyssa can mean either “beginning” (Greek) or “end” (Latin). I think the biblical name may have to do with “testing” or a goal; Also a possible reference to Gregory of Nyssa
Omri
Meaning “sheaf of grain”; also, the name of a biblical commander
Pallas
As I suspected, means wisdom
Cass
Means “treasurer” or “clever”
Etheline
Noble
Greer
Watchful / guardian
Gideon
Biblical judge; “one who cuts down”
Thaddeus, Zeb, Asaph
A courageous heart
Gift of Jehovah
Collector
These are all Bible characters— Thaddeus aka Jude
Someone else who I will not name here
Dark warrior
Overall Impression
As mentioned, I zipped through the book. Fewer than 12 hours passed from the time I received the digital copy in my inbox to the time I emailed Katie to let her know how much I enjoyed it.
Yes, indeedy. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But the question I found myself asking was “Is it ‘Christian’ enough?”, which sounds like a weird, self-righteous question. BUT, I was asking it because the Lord has recently impressed on me the importance of promoting books that are rich in truth and edifying for believers, not just “clean.” My point is so much “overt Christianity” as it is TRUTH. So, perhaps a better would be, “Is it truth-full enough?”
And my answer is, “Yes!” While the book was different than I had expected because it wasn’t a retelling, it actually conveys multiple layers of meaning.
There’s the surface-level narrative that deals with faith, and there is also the layer of meaning that parallels the book of Daniel.
This is a thought-provoking book! For Christians who are familiar with the account of Daniel, it is an invitation to reread Scripture with fresh eyes. (But without having the plot of the novel spoiled, since the parallels are fairly hidden.) For those who haven’t read Daniel, the surface-level meaning is still great. And, I think that this could inspire interest in Daniel.
I really like that the book is accessible to Christians and non-Christians, alike. Although non-Christians are not my target audience, I think books that are accessible to non-Christians, as well, can be evangelistic 🙂
Published: Nov. 2, 2020 / Anaiah Press
Award: 2021 Illumination Book Awards Bronze Medalist (YA Fiction)
Synopsis: 2090—Nyssa Ardelone, who has spent the past seven years training to become a Dream Interpreter, is ready to graduate and begin her service to the president. When her mentor deliberately misinterprets a dream, Nyssa uncovers political conspiracy— and secrets about her past.
Premise
This novel is the first in the Exile Trilogy, which is “inspired by the lives of Daniel and Nehemiah, the Babylonian exile of the Jews, and their ultimate return to Jerusalem.”
Two aspects of the premise intrigued me:
The existence of a Bible-inspired series for a teen audience, since I think books of this genre are often for a younger audience
The fact that the series is futuristic (and arguably dystopic— depending on whether or not something based on real events can be considered dystopic), rather than historic. This was definitely an interesting twist!
Biblical Parallels
It took me a little while to realize that “inspired” is not the same thing as a retelling. From what I could see, there wasn’t a lot of overt correspondence between the book of Daniel and Fortune Falls. While I definitely picked up on some parallels between the two, I was surprised by how unfamiliar the story felt. This wasn’t an instance where I could say, “Oh, because I’m familiar with the Bible story, I know that (blank) happens next.”
I was expecting more of a retelling, which caused me to have some mixed feelings while I was reading.
Now that I’m finished with the book and reflecting on it, however, I appreciate that the parallels are hidden. For me, this certainly invites discussion— for book clubs or even youth groups (As an aside, I really would like for youth groups to provide more instruction via fiction. The Lord speaks to me so much through story and Jesus taught in parables about the Kingdom of Heaven).
In previous posts, I’ve discussed the importance of books that provoke wonder about the Bible. Obviously, there are a lot of differences between the biblical account and the novel, due to the very different settings. However, having finished the novel, I am interested in rereading the book of Daniel— to better understand the parallels I noticed, and to see if there were other themes/ commonalities I missed. Even reflecting now, I can think of at least one element that I think pretty closely paralleled the biblical account, which I missed while reading.
I honestly think the book merits reflection; the challenge is slowing down to stop and think about it while reading. I devoured this delicious book in a day, which is why I’m doing post-reading reflections.
Names
I’m going to try and keep this unspoiler-y, but I thought it would be interesting to research names from the story, as I’m confident that they are significant. I googled these and hope name meanings can fall under “common knowledge” without reference. I can tell other readers are also googling these, based on related searches 🙂
Nyssa
Interestingly, Nyssa can mean either “beginning” (Greek) or “end” (Latin). I think the biblical name may have to do with “testing” or a goal; Also a possible reference to Gregory of Nyssa
Omri
Meaning “sheaf of grain”; also, the name of a biblical commander
Pallas
As I suspected, means wisdom
Cass
Means “treasurer” or “clever”
Etheline
Noble
Greer
Watchful / guardian
Gideon
Biblical judge; “one who cuts down”
Thaddeus, Zeb, Asaph
A courageous heart
Gift of Jehovah
Collector
These are all Bible characters— Thaddeus aka Jude
Someone else who I will not name here
Dark warrior
Overall Impression
As mentioned, I zipped through the book. Fewer than 12 hours passed from the time I received the digital copy in my inbox to the time I emailed Katie to let her know how much I enjoyed it.
Yes, indeedy. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But the question I found myself asking was “Is it ‘Christian’ enough?”, which sounds like a weird, self-righteous question. BUT, I was asking it because the Lord has recently impressed on me the importance of promoting books that are rich in truth and edifying for believers, not just “clean.” My point is so much “overt Christianity” as it is TRUTH. So, perhaps a better would be, “Is it truth-full enough?”
And my answer is, “Yes!” While the book was different than I had expected because it wasn’t a retelling, it actually conveys multiple layers of meaning.
There’s the surface-level narrative that deals with faith, and there is also the layer of meaning that parallels the book of Daniel.
This is a thought-provoking book! For Christians who are familiar with the account of Daniel, it is an invitation to reread Scripture with fresh eyes. (But without having the plot of the novel spoiled, since the parallels are fairly hidden.) For those who haven’t read Daniel, the surface-level meaning is still great. And, I think that this could inspire interest in Daniel.
I really like that the book is accessible to Christians and non-Christians, alike. Although non-Christians are not my target audience, I think books that are accessible to non-Christians, as well, can be evangelistic 🙂
November 8, 2020
Received a copy for review.
This was an absolute joy to read! I was so pleased and surprised by how invested I became with this book. I am going with a 4.5 star rating because I was able to figure out the traitor pretty early on, but outside of that I was hooked!
The writing is superb! I loved the talk of faith. I enjoyed how easy it was for me to fall into the story and characters. I felt so "at home" with this book. Katherine did a fantastic job at writing this.
Nyssa is a dream interpreter and she's slated to become the president's personal interpreter. She is the type of girl that wants to live her own life, but everything is planned out for her. She's thrusted into a world she didn't know existed concerning America, President Omri and her homeland.
Nyssa is a strong character. She deals with so much lost. She's an honest girl that leans almost naïve, but it works for her character. She learns the truth about her people and the world she lives in. She steps out on faith to save her people. I loved her determination.
Duncan was my little pudding pie along with Greer. There are NO words to express how much I loved them both equally. Cass is also just as amazing. The male characters in this book were all so epic and well written.
President Omri needs to die...no really, he does. He is an evil man! I can't stand him. I hope he gets overthrown and all that he works for fails. He pisses me off with his thinking.
The other characters were all so intriguing. I was invested in each and every one of them from Palla and Gideon to Leah and Sam. All the characters were well written and essential to the plot of the story in some way.
I would definitely recommend this to those who love a good YA dystopian novel. This was definitely an awesome read.
This was an absolute joy to read! I was so pleased and surprised by how invested I became with this book. I am going with a 4.5 star rating because I was able to figure out the traitor pretty early on, but outside of that I was hooked!
The writing is superb! I loved the talk of faith. I enjoyed how easy it was for me to fall into the story and characters. I felt so "at home" with this book. Katherine did a fantastic job at writing this.
Nyssa is a dream interpreter and she's slated to become the president's personal interpreter. She is the type of girl that wants to live her own life, but everything is planned out for her. She's thrusted into a world she didn't know existed concerning America, President Omri and her homeland.
Nyssa is a strong character. She deals with so much lost. She's an honest girl that leans almost naïve, but it works for her character. She learns the truth about her people and the world she lives in. She steps out on faith to save her people. I loved her determination.
Duncan was my little pudding pie along with Greer. There are NO words to express how much I loved them both equally. Cass is also just as amazing. The male characters in this book were all so epic and well written.
President Omri needs to die...no really, he does. He is an evil man! I can't stand him. I hope he gets overthrown and all that he works for fails. He pisses me off with his thinking.
The other characters were all so intriguing. I was invested in each and every one of them from Palla and Gideon to Leah and Sam. All the characters were well written and essential to the plot of the story in some way.
I would definitely recommend this to those who love a good YA dystopian novel. This was definitely an awesome read.
August 4, 2021
A beautifully orchestrated combination of dystopian with a faith-based foundation that you don’t discover until you are well into the story. Well-written, gripping, suspenseful, and action-packed. I will definitely be continuing on with the story! Bravo, Katherine Barger!
December 8, 2020
I typically don't grab Dystopian/Science Fiction stories unless it grabs me and this one definitely did as soon as I read the blurb. It intrigued me and I wanted to know what was going to happen and what the author would do with the story and it did not disappoint. I am so glad I was able to read it. It gave me vibes of Hunger Games and Divergent which are series that I really enjoyed! This story is fast paced and filled with twists and turns that you can't put it down. I know I didn't want to and read it quite quickly!
In this story we are immediately immersed into a new kind of America. An America in which churches and belief of God are a thing of history. An America in which people have no true freedom but live under the dictatorship of President Omri. We meet Nyssa who is an orphan with no recollection of her past and no choice on who she becomes in the future. She has been secretly training to be a dream interpreter for President Omri. Her world is completely turned upside down when she learns that her family is still alive and that there is another part of the country ,which she thought was destroyed in the past, that the exiles are trying to return to so they can be free.
The characters are engaging and believable. There are some that you will more than likely completely despise by the end of the story, I know I did but I will not divulge who they are, I don't want to spoil it for you. The male characters of the story are so great that I wanted them all for Nyssa however Cass was probably my favorite. Although there are no romantic involvements in this story I am strongly hoping something develops later on between Nyssa and Cass. (I can't help it I am a sucker for a little romance no matter the genre!)
I loved how the author brings forth the gospel in this book by using different characters and starts to open Nyssa's eyes on what having faith in God really means and learning to choose that over and over without hesitation.
Although this would be considered a Young Adult read, I recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian type stories. I really enjoyed it and I am now awaiting book 2 rather impatiently!
(I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
In this story we are immediately immersed into a new kind of America. An America in which churches and belief of God are a thing of history. An America in which people have no true freedom but live under the dictatorship of President Omri. We meet Nyssa who is an orphan with no recollection of her past and no choice on who she becomes in the future. She has been secretly training to be a dream interpreter for President Omri. Her world is completely turned upside down when she learns that her family is still alive and that there is another part of the country ,which she thought was destroyed in the past, that the exiles are trying to return to so they can be free.
The characters are engaging and believable. There are some that you will more than likely completely despise by the end of the story, I know I did but I will not divulge who they are, I don't want to spoil it for you. The male characters of the story are so great that I wanted them all for Nyssa however Cass was probably my favorite. Although there are no romantic involvements in this story I am strongly hoping something develops later on between Nyssa and Cass. (I can't help it I am a sucker for a little romance no matter the genre!)
I loved how the author brings forth the gospel in this book by using different characters and starts to open Nyssa's eyes on what having faith in God really means and learning to choose that over and over without hesitation.
Although this would be considered a Young Adult read, I recommend it to anyone who likes dystopian type stories. I really enjoyed it and I am now awaiting book 2 rather impatiently!
(I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
October 10, 2021
~I'd like to thank the awesome author for sending me a free copy in exchange for my honest review!~
Ok, um... This book was amazing!! I mean, I loved everything about it. It was like a blend of Krista Mcgee's Anomaly and Evan Angler's Swipe , possibly my two favorite Christian dystopian series ever! *fangirl scream!*
I loved this book from the very start and was drawn in from the first page. All of the characters were so fun to get to know, and the story world was magnificently created.
One of my absolute favorite things in this book, was the fact that basically every time when you thought you had everything figured out, there's another plot twist or change that comes along that makes you question everything you know about the book world. And, it wasn't over done (or under done, if that's a thing lol), it was just perfect!!
All in all, I just want to say that I had very high expectations for this book, and even they were exceeded. I absolutely loved this masterpiece, and I can not wait to read the sequel!!
Absolutely recommended!
~Full Review To Come~
Ok, um... This book was amazing!! I mean, I loved everything about it. It was like a blend of Krista Mcgee's Anomaly and Evan Angler's Swipe , possibly my two favorite Christian dystopian series ever! *fangirl scream!*
I loved this book from the very start and was drawn in from the first page. All of the characters were so fun to get to know, and the story world was magnificently created.
One of my absolute favorite things in this book, was the fact that basically every time when you thought you had everything figured out, there's another plot twist or change that comes along that makes you question everything you know about the book world. And, it wasn't over done (or under done, if that's a thing lol), it was just perfect!!
All in all, I just want to say that I had very high expectations for this book, and even they were exceeded. I absolutely loved this masterpiece, and I can not wait to read the sequel!!
Absolutely recommended!
~Full Review To Come~
November 2, 2020
Fortune's Fall had my interest from the first paragraph and held it until the end of the reading. The plot was well written and unpredictable, which in my opinion makes for a great read. The author Katherine Barger included various types of conflict to keep the movement of the the book flowing and interesting. I personally have read many books for young adults both in the classroom as primarily a language arts teacher of over thirty years and for reading pleasure. Fortune's Fall is one of my now favorites in the science fication genre. Ms. Barger managed to combine excellent use of descriptive language and the ability to personally identify with the characters in a beautifully written piece of work. I also appreciative the spiritual aspect added to the novel in a manner that is not overbearing but perks the reader's interest to know more. This book would be a wonderful read for individuals and books clubs.
February 7, 2022
4.5 stars, rounded up to 5
This is everything I think a dystopian should be. Riveting, thought provoking, and immersing.
Nyssa's future was planned and set. She was going to use her gifts to serve the leader of her country and help them prosper. Until everything she knew became flipped upside down and she chose to run for her life.
The plot was very smooth and moved right along. The characters were vivid and each was individual. Nyssa's character voice was very strong and true to character. There were some spiritual elements, but not strongly so, and for this I liked that. Reminded me somewhat of Nadine Brandes' Out of Time series. The worldbuilding and setting were so well done. Just amazing and immersing.
Overall, a really enjoyable and intriguing start to this dystopian series!
*I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review, but I was not required to write a positive one. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
This is everything I think a dystopian should be. Riveting, thought provoking, and immersing.
Nyssa's future was planned and set. She was going to use her gifts to serve the leader of her country and help them prosper. Until everything she knew became flipped upside down and she chose to run for her life.
The plot was very smooth and moved right along. The characters were vivid and each was individual. Nyssa's character voice was very strong and true to character. There were some spiritual elements, but not strongly so, and for this I liked that. Reminded me somewhat of Nadine Brandes' Out of Time series. The worldbuilding and setting were so well done. Just amazing and immersing.
Overall, a really enjoyable and intriguing start to this dystopian series!
*I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for a review, but I was not required to write a positive one. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*
December 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! I was so excited when the author wrote me and asked me to do a review.
.
Fortune's Fall is a retelling of the story of Daniel. It also reminded me of the under ground railroad with all of the safe houses.
.
It was full of adventure, danger, plot twists, suspense, and narrow escapes. I really enjoyed following these characters on their journey to Fortune's Fall. Getting to know each one was really fun! This book made me both laugh and cry and constantly had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously waiting what would happen next.
.
I also really liked Katherine's writing style. I was very impressed with this book and will definitely be reading more by her.
.
**I received a free copy from the author in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts expressed are strictly my own**
.
Fortune's Fall is a retelling of the story of Daniel. It also reminded me of the under ground railroad with all of the safe houses.
.
It was full of adventure, danger, plot twists, suspense, and narrow escapes. I really enjoyed following these characters on their journey to Fortune's Fall. Getting to know each one was really fun! This book made me both laugh and cry and constantly had me on the edge of my seat, anxiously waiting what would happen next.
.
I also really liked Katherine's writing style. I was very impressed with this book and will definitely be reading more by her.
.
**I received a free copy from the author in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts expressed are strictly my own**
April 30, 2021
This book was a pleasant surprise...it’s not
really one of my preferred genres, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d like it...but I’m here to tell you—I was hooked! From the first chapter to the last—I read the entire book in a day!
Futuristic story loosely based on the story of Daniel... Nyssa knows no other world besides the one she’s in, she’s always believed herself an orphan. Then she discovers that she has family alive in a far off land, and that much of what she believes is not even true. So she begins the long journey to save her family.
Captivating, action packed, and some surprising events. Parts of it I did have figured out ahead, but then other things were revealed that completely surprised me.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
really one of my preferred genres, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d like it...but I’m here to tell you—I was hooked! From the first chapter to the last—I read the entire book in a day!
Futuristic story loosely based on the story of Daniel... Nyssa knows no other world besides the one she’s in, she’s always believed herself an orphan. Then she discovers that she has family alive in a far off land, and that much of what she believes is not even true. So she begins the long journey to save her family.
Captivating, action packed, and some surprising events. Parts of it I did have figured out ahead, but then other things were revealed that completely surprised me.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
April 24, 2022
***I received a PDF copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I was not asked to leave a positive review***
This is one of few Christian dystopian stories I've read. (stops in mid-review to check my reading lists) Scratch that statement. I'd consider Last Day/Rapture stories to be "Christian Dystopian". So I've read my fair share of them. At least 5 of them anyway... and this one joins the ranks as one of my favorites for a number of reasons.
Pros:
1)The characters. This category will also show up in the cons section but I'll touch on the positives here. There were a relatively large cast- some we only saw briefly. Greer was my absolute favorite! He came off as an all in one kinda friend. A foodie, a goofball, and also the type to get things done and be serious. I think he and Nyssa made a cute couple. Speaking of Nyssa, I liked her flaws. The way she unknowingly put her friends in danger and then the guilt she felt after she realized her errors. She came off very believable. Most of all I liked that she wasn't a believer at first and only started warming up to the idea towards the end of the book. It's just not realistic for every character to be a believer. Ethelind...we'll talk later. Duncan and Cass were alright. But Greer is my favorite and that's all I really have to say on the matter.
2) Christian themes. Faith, trust, I wanna say even the Gospel was shared at one point. I really liked the symbol of the lamb! The dream interpretations were neat and reminded me of Joseph from the Bible.
3) The plot. Things may have started at a relatively easy pace, not a boring pace, but it didn't take long for the story to really pick up. There was a good deal of suspense, close calls, and general on-the-run excitement. I like the few surprises along the way. And that ending...
4)The tech. Not gonna lie, the technology was pretty impressive. It definitely had a futuristic feel to it. Not like way off in the future with flying cars and frequent family trips to Jupiter or anything but 20-30 years in the future.
Cons:
1) Characters. So, Ethelind...what, may I ask, is your problem? You go from just being a nasty person in general to being an all out jerk. Since I have such a fond loathing for her it probably means she was a well-written character. And while I'm on the topic, Aside from this, because there were so many characters I sometimes had a hard time of keeping track of everyone.
2) The transition right at the end. When we go from "we're going to make it!"/"we're gonna die!" action to a much slower, easier pace threw me off. My mind was still reeling from all the action and that surprise twist.
Overall, I need more of this series. More importantly, I need answers. . I very much enjoyed this and I'd recommend this to enthusiasts of Christian dystopian fiction. And can I just say- that cover is amazing!!
This is one of few Christian dystopian stories I've read. (stops in mid-review to check my reading lists) Scratch that statement. I'd consider Last Day/Rapture stories to be "Christian Dystopian". So I've read my fair share of them. At least 5 of them anyway... and this one joins the ranks as one of my favorites for a number of reasons.
Pros:
1)The characters. This category will also show up in the cons section but I'll touch on the positives here. There were a relatively large cast- some we only saw briefly. Greer was my absolute favorite! He came off as an all in one kinda friend. A foodie, a goofball, and also the type to get things done and be serious. I think he and Nyssa made a cute couple. Speaking of Nyssa, I liked her flaws. The way she unknowingly put her friends in danger and then the guilt she felt after she realized her errors. She came off very believable. Most of all I liked that she wasn't a believer at first and only started warming up to the idea towards the end of the book. It's just not realistic for every character to be a believer. Ethelind...we'll talk later. Duncan and Cass were alright. But Greer is my favorite and that's all I really have to say on the matter.
2) Christian themes. Faith, trust, I wanna say even the Gospel was shared at one point. I really liked the symbol of the lamb! The dream interpretations were neat and reminded me of Joseph from the Bible.
3) The plot. Things may have started at a relatively easy pace, not a boring pace, but it didn't take long for the story to really pick up. There was a good deal of suspense, close calls, and general on-the-run excitement. I like the few surprises along the way. And that ending...
4)The tech. Not gonna lie, the technology was pretty impressive. It definitely had a futuristic feel to it. Not like way off in the future with flying cars and frequent family trips to Jupiter or anything but 20-30 years in the future.
Cons:
1) Characters. So, Ethelind...what, may I ask, is your problem? You go from just being a nasty person in general to being an all out jerk. Since I have such a fond loathing for her it probably means she was a well-written character. And while I'm on the topic, Aside from this, because there were so many characters I sometimes had a hard time of keeping track of everyone.
2) The transition right at the end. When we go from "we're going to make it!"/"we're gonna die!" action to a much slower, easier pace threw me off. My mind was still reeling from all the action and that surprise twist.
Overall, I need more of this series. More importantly, I need answers. . I very much enjoyed this and I'd recommend this to enthusiasts of Christian dystopian fiction. And can I just say- that cover is amazing!!
November 8, 2020
Received a copy for review.
This was an absolute joy to read! I was so pleased and surprised by how invested I became with this book. I am going with a 4.5 star rating because I was able to figure out the traitor pretty early on, but outside of that I was hooked!
The writing is superb! I loved the talk of faith. I enjoyed how easy it was for me to fall into the story and characters. I felt so "at home" with this book. Katherine did a fantastic job at writing this.
Nyssa is a dream interpreter and she's slated to become the president's personal interpreter. She is the type of girl that wants to live her own life, but everything is planned out for her. She's thrusted into a world she didn't know existed concerning America, President Omri and her homeland.
Nyssa is a strong character. She deals with so much lost. She's an honest girl that leans almost naïve, but it works for her character. She learns the truth about her people and the world she lives in. She steps out on faith to save her people. I loved her determination.
Duncan was my little pudding pie along with Greer. There are NO words to express how much I loved them both equally. Cass is also just as amazing. The male characters in this book were all so epic and well written.
President Omri needs to die...no really, he does. He is an evil man! I can't stand him. I hope he gets overthrown and all that he works for fails. He pisses me off with his thinking.
The other characters were all so intriguing. I was invested in each and every one of them from Palla and Gideon to Leah and Sam. All the characters were well written and essential to the plot of the story in some way.
I would definitely recommend this to those who love a good YA dystopian novel. This was definitely an awesome read.
This was an absolute joy to read! I was so pleased and surprised by how invested I became with this book. I am going with a 4.5 star rating because I was able to figure out the traitor pretty early on, but outside of that I was hooked!
The writing is superb! I loved the talk of faith. I enjoyed how easy it was for me to fall into the story and characters. I felt so "at home" with this book. Katherine did a fantastic job at writing this.
Nyssa is a dream interpreter and she's slated to become the president's personal interpreter. She is the type of girl that wants to live her own life, but everything is planned out for her. She's thrusted into a world she didn't know existed concerning America, President Omri and her homeland.
Nyssa is a strong character. She deals with so much lost. She's an honest girl that leans almost naïve, but it works for her character. She learns the truth about her people and the world she lives in. She steps out on faith to save her people. I loved her determination.
Duncan was my little pudding pie along with Greer. There are NO words to express how much I loved them both equally. Cass is also just as amazing. The male characters in this book were all so epic and well written.
President Omri needs to die...no really, he does. He is an evil man! I can't stand him. I hope he gets overthrown and all that he works for fails. He pisses me off with his thinking.
The other characters were all so intriguing. I was invested in each and every one of them from Palla and Gideon to Leah and Sam. All the characters were well written and essential to the plot of the story in some way.
I would definitely recommend this to those who love a good YA dystopian novel. This was definitely an awesome read.
November 11, 2020
Fortune’s Fall is a gripping, high-paced adventure set in a future America where freedom is a thing of the past. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can’t wait for more books from the author, Katherine Barger. The characters are engaging and believable, especially the heroine, Nyssa. The trials, challenges, and perseverance of the main characters are paced wonderfully and keep the reader engaged throughout, and the story has the perfect balance of fresh creativity and unique tone/message mixed masterfully with a familiarity that will make readers feel right at home in the world being created. I highly recommend this novel, especially for young women.
September 3, 2021
Perfection
I really enjoyed this story. It’s one of those stories that sucks you in and every time someone interrupts your reading session you growl at them lol
I live the way faith is effortlessly woven into the plot, it’s gripping and told fluidly. The action kept me turning the pages and even when things didn’t not work out how I imagined them, I was unable to stop reading. Definitely looking forward to the next part of this series!
Highly recommended for lovers of Christian Fiction.
I really enjoyed this story. It’s one of those stories that sucks you in and every time someone interrupts your reading session you growl at them lol
I live the way faith is effortlessly woven into the plot, it’s gripping and told fluidly. The action kept me turning the pages and even when things didn’t not work out how I imagined them, I was unable to stop reading. Definitely looking forward to the next part of this series!
Highly recommended for lovers of Christian Fiction.
December 31, 2020
This book was AMAZING!!! If I could give it more than 5 stars I would!!! There were no problems I had with this book at all, but why do all the good characters have to die??!!!! I LOVED this book and would recommend it to anyone!
November 6, 2020
This was such a fun read! It was thrilling, engaging, and kept my attention at every twist and turn. Such a great read for young adults and beyond. I can’t wait for the next book to come out.
November 1, 2020
I have read a lot of dystopians over the years, and I can honestly state that Fortune's Fall is the best one I've read since The Hunger Games. I love that the Christian genre is starting to see more books like this one to appeal to young adult readers, and readers that enjoy young adult books. The next time someone tries telling me that they don't read Christian fiction because all there is is historical romances or Amish romances, I'm going to tell them to go ahead and pick this one up.
The characters were well developed, and had me emotionally invested in their entire journey, especially Nyssa and Cass. I also enjoyed the fact that this one isn't heavy on the romance, and instead most of the attention to detail is given to plot development and the characters' journey. The plot is well mapped out and weaves together in ways that the reader doesn't see coming. And as a bonus, it's all heavily tied to Christian beliefs and the need for Jesus; which I couldn't have enjoyed more.
I can't possibly say enough good things about this amazing novel by Katherine Barger, and I could barely bring myself to put it down once I started it. I will most definitely be recommending this one to everyone I know (I've already told my husband that he needs to read it immediately), and I will most definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Definitely check this one out if you're a fan of dystopians or Christian young adult fiction.
Thanks so much to the author for allowing me to advance read and review this.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters were well developed, and had me emotionally invested in their entire journey, especially Nyssa and Cass. I also enjoyed the fact that this one isn't heavy on the romance, and instead most of the attention to detail is given to plot development and the characters' journey. The plot is well mapped out and weaves together in ways that the reader doesn't see coming. And as a bonus, it's all heavily tied to Christian beliefs and the need for Jesus; which I couldn't have enjoyed more.
I can't possibly say enough good things about this amazing novel by Katherine Barger, and I could barely bring myself to put it down once I started it. I will most definitely be recommending this one to everyone I know (I've already told my husband that he needs to read it immediately), and I will most definitely be reading more from this author in the future.
Final Rating: 5/5.
Definitely check this one out if you're a fan of dystopians or Christian young adult fiction.
Thanks so much to the author for allowing me to advance read and review this.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 27, 2021
Katherine Barger projects 70 years into the future with Fortune’s Fall. Part of me wants to say - This could never happen in America. And yet, it could. An America where citizens are restricted from traveling outside of their region. An America where it is not okay to talk about God, where citizens don’t even know about God and His working in our lives. Katherine Barger has written a timely novel which teens and their parents should read. I hope that this book will wake people up to the importance of sharing their faith with those around them, especially their children. And the importance of speaking up for our freedoms before we lose them. I pray the plot is not prophetic.
Fortune’s Fall is a dystopian novel. There is mystery and intrigue as well as characters who turn out differently than you expect. I found this to be an enjoyable story even though the topic is a bit difficult. The ending of the book left me hoping that there will be a sequel to the story. While all of the loose ends of the story are wrapped up, I can see a lot of potential for continuing the story with what happens next.
Fortune’s Fall would make a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for middle school and up.
I received a complimentary copy from Anaiah Press through Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest review.
Fortune’s Fall is a dystopian novel. There is mystery and intrigue as well as characters who turn out differently than you expect. I found this to be an enjoyable story even though the topic is a bit difficult. The ending of the book left me hoping that there will be a sequel to the story. While all of the loose ends of the story are wrapped up, I can see a lot of potential for continuing the story with what happens next.
Fortune’s Fall would make a great addition to a K-12 Christian school library. It is appropriate for middle school and up.
I received a complimentary copy from Anaiah Press through Interviews & Reviews. This is my honest review.
March 28, 2021
I found this gem of a story from a Facebook post and I'm so glad! I don't believe the cover does the story justice so do NOT be fooled, this is Christian YA dystopia at its finest. Nyssa has the gift of interpreting dreams, man I wish she was a real person, and that alone got my attention. The only thing I didn't like is there were only one or two dream interpretations in the plot, but still didn't take away from the story at all!
I truly wanted to like Ethelind, but she turned into a nightmare for the story. I also have one question regarding her character, why does she hate Greer?
One character seemingly gets killed in the story that has Nyssa in shock. I wasn't bothered by their death but I felt bad for Nyssa. There is no romance in the story at all (even with the Omri guy and his wife), but another character enters the story that "blushes" with Nyssa and vice versa. I truly hope there is a slight romance in Book 2 for them.
Truly enjoyed this debut novel, it just satisfied me so well as a reader looking for an adventure. God is a very strong presence in the story without any preaching, brilliantly written and SO looking forward to Book 2 later this year.
I truly wanted to like Ethelind, but she turned into a nightmare for the story. I also have one question regarding her character, why does she hate Greer?
One character seemingly gets killed in the story that has Nyssa in shock. I wasn't bothered by their death but I felt bad for Nyssa. There is no romance in the story at all (even with the Omri guy and his wife), but another character enters the story that "blushes" with Nyssa and vice versa. I truly hope there is a slight romance in Book 2 for them.
Truly enjoyed this debut novel, it just satisfied me so well as a reader looking for an adventure. God is a very strong presence in the story without any preaching, brilliantly written and SO looking forward to Book 2 later this year.
November 3, 2020
I absolutely loved Fortune's Fall, a Christian dystopian novel based around Nyssa, a young dream interpreter to the president. The story is fast-paced, and I immediately couldn't put it down (I finished it in just two sittings). I enjoyed the unexpected plot twists and easily fell in love with the well-developed characters. Nyssa's exciting journey into discovering an unknown part of her world, and even of herself, is one I didn't want to end. And the thread of Christian faith spun throughout the book is beautiful. As I finished the last chapter, I immediately wanted more.
I would highly recommend this book not only to young adults, but also to adults that love this type of novel. I honestly haven't read a Christian novel I enjoyed this much in a very long time. I will definitely have this series sitting on my shelf for others in my life to enjoy as much as I did. I can't wait until the next book!
I would highly recommend this book not only to young adults, but also to adults that love this type of novel. I honestly haven't read a Christian novel I enjoyed this much in a very long time. I will definitely have this series sitting on my shelf for others in my life to enjoy as much as I did. I can't wait until the next book!
November 3, 2020
Hunger Games meets The Giver. Nyssa is tasked with a role unlike any other student. I was swept away figuring out who Nyssa could or could not trust. The author had me saying "just one more chapter!" A great novel to add to my collection. Now, I eagerly await the second novel in the series. I would be pleased to have this book on the shelf for my students in my high school classroom or in the church library. This fictional story shares the journey of faith for one young lady that many can relate to regardless of age.
November 7, 2020
I loved reading this book and couldn't put it down! Fortune's Fall is the perfect blend of strong characters, action, conflict, and suspense, with faith, love, and friendship all woven throughout the story. Nyssa, the main character, is a young woman who discovers on her journey what it means to have faith in God and learning how to choose faith over and over again each day. I can't wait for Book 2 and reading more of Katherine Barger's writings. From young teen to adult, women of all ages will enjoy this book and it would make a great gift!
November 25, 2020
What a delightful read! I was captivated from the first page, and after I went to sleep, I even dreamed myself into the plot. The next day, I had to separate what I had dreamed from the actual book. (Isn't that awesome though!?) The characters are remarkable, though it's difficult to tell the good guys from the bad guys until you get thoroughly invested in them. (as it should be!) Then the twists in the plot just make your stomach drop. Superb novel. Think Hunger Games Meets Indiana Jones.
I'm hoping the next installment is coming soon. The story is far from over!
I'm hoping the next installment is coming soon. The story is far from over!
July 18, 2021
I read this book earlier in the year. My cousin gave it to me for Christmas because she knows I love to read and we have very similar book taste. But it took me a while to get into the book. The first few chapters took a while but once I go farther in I literally stayed up all night reading! I give it a ten stars if I could. One thing I would want to not have happened is most of my favorite characters did die. But I LOVE THIS BOOK. I think that this book was the best single book I’ve ever read. And honestly still is
October 23, 2020
This book reads like a movie. It makes you want to keep reading and not put it down. The characters are well developed. It is easy to picture the settings and characters because there is a lot of descriptions. The dialogue is easy to follow and rich. There is action galore and it moves from one exciting event to another. Katherine has a way to weave faith topics into the story line in a way that is natural.
October 24, 2020
This book was very interesting and out a new spin on dystopian novels that I really liked. There were a bunch of twists and interesting ideas that I was jot expecting. I wonder if this is going to be a series because I felt as though the end was a bit inconclusive, bur maybe I just didn't understand it. Over all, I definitely recommend this book. I thought it was great!!!
October 29, 2020
This book is a fast-paced adventure that will keep you guessing until the very end. The characters are intriguing & well-developed while the imagery is vibrant & engaging. I found myself excitedly reading page after page, as every chapter revealed exciting twists & turns! If there is another book to come, I would certainly be the first to read it!!
November 27, 2020
Surprise Author, great work
This was a book I stumbled on, literally. I was intrigued from the very beginning. There wasn’t a time where I had to adjust and decide if I would keep reading. The author held me to the end and now..... I keep looking for anything else by her. Can’t wait to see what will be coming. Good read.
This was a book I stumbled on, literally. I was intrigued from the very beginning. There wasn’t a time where I had to adjust and decide if I would keep reading. The author held me to the end and now..... I keep looking for anything else by her. Can’t wait to see what will be coming. Good read.
October 24, 2020
This is a fantastic read. The characters are relatable and their story keeps you engaged to the last page. I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book! Probably best for middle school and up. My 12 year old daughter loved it!
October 27, 2020
This was an enjoyable, fast-paced read. There were several plot twists I did not see coming that added a lot of depth to the storyline. The characters are well developed and relatable. I’m not normally a fan of the dystopian genre, but I’ll definitely be reading the next two books in the series.
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