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Young Blood Trilogy #3
Crescent Moon
The protected escapees of the blood-farm experiments are free, secure, and set for life. Kind of. Because there's something new to fear in this short thriller, the twisting finale of the Young Blood Trilogy.
Billy Cantor and fellow survivors of the Sunset Consortium are under witness protection in luxurious seaside condos at Rockaway Beach. Sign the contract, keep quiet, and stay safe. All copacetic until an anonymous whistleblower from Crescent Farm threatens to violate the NDA, risking their newfound paradise - and their lives. To ferret out the reckless informant, Billy must wind through a deepening conspiracy. This time it could be inescapable.
'CRESCENT MOON' is part of the Young Blood Trilogy, a provocative and darkly satiric commentary on youthful dreams and cold-blooded reality.
Read or listen in a single sitting.
Billy Cantor and fellow survivors of the Sunset Consortium are under witness protection in luxurious seaside condos at Rockaway Beach. Sign the contract, keep quiet, and stay safe. All copacetic until an anonymous whistleblower from Crescent Farm threatens to violate the NDA, risking their newfound paradise - and their lives. To ferret out the reckless informant, Billy must wind through a deepening conspiracy. This time it could be inescapable.
'CRESCENT MOON' is part of the Young Blood Trilogy, a provocative and darkly satiric commentary on youthful dreams and cold-blooded reality.
Read or listen in a single sitting.
92 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 29, 2021
92 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 13, 2022
Great end to this short trilogy! There were some wonderful twists that I didn't see coming and really enjoyed that. This is the first Amazon Originals Short Stories series that I've read and would read another. I liked it being basically a full-length story (novella, I guess) and I would definitely read another by Barrer.
Recommended.
Recommended.
April 8, 2022
To get the full effect of what Barrer is trying to describe throughout his trilogy, I think you should read the books fairly close together, in terms of time. They seem to be written as chapters that let the story flow quite nicely.
This trilogy was the first time I’ve used the highlight function on my kindle, and for good reason. Barrer brings up some great conversations about truth, perspective, religion, government, power, and human nature. It’s a thinker, this trilogy. Now, what Barrer discusses may not be the most unique or new ideas, but the format in which he wrote then was very easily digestible and somewhat relatable. Probably the point of it all…
I enjoyed the quick read immensely. I seriously didn’t want to stop reading, even if the story wasn’t the most fleshed out. I finished the final novella in an evening, so taking 3 days to get through the trilogy sounds like a perfect weekend to me!
Enjoy the philosophical discussions. Enjoy the cynicism. Enjoy the horrors that we know human nature can be sometimes. And most of all enjoy the story.
This trilogy was the first time I’ve used the highlight function on my kindle, and for good reason. Barrer brings up some great conversations about truth, perspective, religion, government, power, and human nature. It’s a thinker, this trilogy. Now, what Barrer discusses may not be the most unique or new ideas, but the format in which he wrote then was very easily digestible and somewhat relatable. Probably the point of it all…
I enjoyed the quick read immensely. I seriously didn’t want to stop reading, even if the story wasn’t the most fleshed out. I finished the final novella in an evening, so taking 3 days to get through the trilogy sounds like a perfect weekend to me!
Enjoy the philosophical discussions. Enjoy the cynicism. Enjoy the horrors that we know human nature can be sometimes. And most of all enjoy the story.
January 16, 2022
Meh. Kinda puttered out at the end. First book was the best the rest just meh.
May 5, 2021
Facing Our future
Many times science fiction authors have been able to present complex social outcomes of science while the actual science is rejected hated or ignored. The Syndic by Pohl and Kornbluth comes to mind. The Young Blood trilogy will take ranks there. Set in a climate changed America, not too far in the future, the plot explores the consequences of extreme entitled income polarity, massive student debt and ethically destructive science on the choices for the just adults. Sound boring? Definitely not. Good writing, interesting characters and an engaging plot will keep your attention and leave some gestating ideas in your mind.
Many times science fiction authors have been able to present complex social outcomes of science while the actual science is rejected hated or ignored. The Syndic by Pohl and Kornbluth comes to mind. The Young Blood trilogy will take ranks there. Set in a climate changed America, not too far in the future, the plot explores the consequences of extreme entitled income polarity, massive student debt and ethically destructive science on the choices for the just adults. Sound boring? Definitely not. Good writing, interesting characters and an engaging plot will keep your attention and leave some gestating ideas in your mind.
July 6, 2021
Brilliant & Thoughtful
This review is about the whole series. It was in three parts (series). From the reviews I read on the first volume, some thought it was a little too post-millenial. Like me, some thought it was too short. I don't think they realized it eas part 1 in a series.
The second volume, for me just left me feeling a little unsatisfied. So I decided to wait for the final book and figure it all out.
After getting such a "meh" feeling about the second volume - I'm happy to say it all pulled together in a shocking and thought provoking finale - and a "moral" lesson. Although I'm sure the author will just shrug and say, "Eh, I thought I was just writing a story."
As a boomer my observation of post-millenial (or Gen-Z) is that they don't seem to care passionately about much of anything. Sure it's fun to play sim games, but who cares if you win or die? Yeah, you got a job...but it's just a job. I don't feel any urge to build loyalty or to even talk about it. It's just a job. And, post-millenials seem to change our entire English language, not just with new buzz words, but by editing old ones, 'suspicious' by shortening them 'sus', not to mention the lack of caring about grammar, syntax, and spelling, ugh! I'm sure there is more about them that appeared in the book but I can't think of anyone specific thing. Just the whole giving up on life so to speak and taking a 10 year contract to do nothing but enjoy life in isolation in order to earn money to pay off outrageous student loans and other debt accrued by their inability to get a job. In all fairness, in the story, society is becoming kinda screwed up and good jobs aren't there for the newly graduated but inexperienced job-seekers.
So back to the story...the reason why I spent some time describing my take on post-millenials is because, really, the author portrayed them that way, as well. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not - but he did it so well, I found myself at times, not much caring for the "voice" of the book. But in the end, it all made perfect sense. There is a reason why they don't get passionate and care much...there really isn't much in the future for them. But one character in the first volume manages to convince them not to take it lying down. And they rebel (like a good boomer did back in their youth, ha ha). The rebellion has some unexpected and seriously bad results. I think that is why I had a hard time with the second volume, the remaining characters had rather fallen back to ambitious-less attitudes again. But in the third volume, there is even more foul play, and the main characters are reminded of why it's important not to take it lying down. And a new but even more twisted rebellion takes place, and once again, some tragic results even while winning. In the end, a little bid of a surprise by a character who has been the "perfect" post-millenial - he urges the readers to keep rebelling.
I know, most of that was probably deeper than it needed to be - this book was an unusual twist on a "dystopian future" and it was fresh, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking but definitely a good read - especially when read all together.
This review is about the whole series. It was in three parts (series). From the reviews I read on the first volume, some thought it was a little too post-millenial. Like me, some thought it was too short. I don't think they realized it eas part 1 in a series.
The second volume, for me just left me feeling a little unsatisfied. So I decided to wait for the final book and figure it all out.
After getting such a "meh" feeling about the second volume - I'm happy to say it all pulled together in a shocking and thought provoking finale - and a "moral" lesson. Although I'm sure the author will just shrug and say, "Eh, I thought I was just writing a story."
As a boomer my observation of post-millenial (or Gen-Z) is that they don't seem to care passionately about much of anything. Sure it's fun to play sim games, but who cares if you win or die? Yeah, you got a job...but it's just a job. I don't feel any urge to build loyalty or to even talk about it. It's just a job. And, post-millenials seem to change our entire English language, not just with new buzz words, but by editing old ones, 'suspicious' by shortening them 'sus', not to mention the lack of caring about grammar, syntax, and spelling, ugh! I'm sure there is more about them that appeared in the book but I can't think of anyone specific thing. Just the whole giving up on life so to speak and taking a 10 year contract to do nothing but enjoy life in isolation in order to earn money to pay off outrageous student loans and other debt accrued by their inability to get a job. In all fairness, in the story, society is becoming kinda screwed up and good jobs aren't there for the newly graduated but inexperienced job-seekers.
So back to the story...the reason why I spent some time describing my take on post-millenials is because, really, the author portrayed them that way, as well. I'm not sure if it was intentional or not - but he did it so well, I found myself at times, not much caring for the "voice" of the book. But in the end, it all made perfect sense. There is a reason why they don't get passionate and care much...there really isn't much in the future for them. But one character in the first volume manages to convince them not to take it lying down. And they rebel (like a good boomer did back in their youth, ha ha). The rebellion has some unexpected and seriously bad results. I think that is why I had a hard time with the second volume, the remaining characters had rather fallen back to ambitious-less attitudes again. But in the third volume, there is even more foul play, and the main characters are reminded of why it's important not to take it lying down. And a new but even more twisted rebellion takes place, and once again, some tragic results even while winning. In the end, a little bid of a surprise by a character who has been the "perfect" post-millenial - he urges the readers to keep rebelling.
I know, most of that was probably deeper than it needed to be - this book was an unusual twist on a "dystopian future" and it was fresh, sometimes funny, sometimes heartbreaking but definitely a good read - especially when read all together.
August 19, 2021
For me this series just didn't recover. The prose style is fine. The events pushing our characters forward are still shocking and there is some clear development by the author on display. It's not a hard read or boring. I'm not mad about people who like it or saying no one should read it... but I didn't really enjoy it. It's more than the grim ending which essentially let's the bad guys win and says that regardless of what these Millenials pay it is never enough. It's the introduction of a tour de force new character (Delilah) who isn't given a narrative slice so you have no way to relate or garner sympathy--forcing her to remain a stock crazy lady. It's the required stupidity of heretofore educated, pragmatic, or inventive individuals who will talk about rising sea levels while sitting in their beach front condos where they are supposed to live for decades. It's the recycled missteps and reduction of past progress. It's the cheap way Barrer lies to the audience by changing the rules of the narrated sections and tacking on a morale lesson in the epilogue that isn't technically supported by the material. It's his story he can do what he wants. but after such an engaging first entry I'm left disappointed after I finished the trilogy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2021
This series went by way too fast for me!!! I would have loved for it to be full length book!!! This is the finale book in this series and the end— well it’s shocking. This book is a great example of two points: fool me once??? And never trust anyone maybe not even yourself.
The survivors from the camps in the other two books are offered an agreement by the government to keep the huge secret of what happened to them from the world. They will be rewarded with millions of dollars and real estate. However they must remain locked in a wonderful bubble world until they are 35 and if any one of them leaks this secret- the deal is off for them all. What happens if the true story is leaked???? Refer to the two points above.
Want more!!!!!
The survivors from the camps in the other two books are offered an agreement by the government to keep the huge secret of what happened to them from the world. They will be rewarded with millions of dollars and real estate. However they must remain locked in a wonderful bubble world until they are 35 and if any one of them leaks this secret- the deal is off for them all. What happens if the true story is leaked???? Refer to the two points above.
Want more!!!!!
May 28, 2021
I wasn't sure how to rate this series. It's a pretty quick read(s). The story draws you in and I went through the books fairly quickly as I wanted to see how it would end. This series is thought provoking and rather dark. The unsettling thing is, I can totally see this happening. This reminds me of the old movie Soylent Green. I would definitely recommend it, if only because it's outside the box. I'm changing my rating as I write this and moving it to 4 stars. There's just something about this series that I don't think I'll soon forget.
April 15, 2025
Crescent Moon was a powerful and satisfying end to the trilogy 🌕✨. The plot had me totally intrigued from the start, and I loved how the story dug even deeper into not just the characters’ struggles, but also the darker corners of human nature and the society we’ve built around us. It’s thought-provoking without slowing down the pace, and the way everything wrapped up felt both intense and meaningful. If you’ve been following the series, this finale delivers on all fronts—emotion, tension, and plenty to reflect on after the last page. 📖🔪
May 18, 2021
Solid conclusion
As with my review of book two, no plot points at all other than to say the fit is hitting the shan for the victims of the Sunset Consortium human farms. A reckoning is on the way.
I really enjoyed this series overall and may check out what else Andrew Barrer has available. I just don't understand why three 90+ page novels couldn't have just been a single book or audio file.
As with my review of book two, no plot points at all other than to say the fit is hitting the shan for the victims of the Sunset Consortium human farms. A reckoning is on the way.
I really enjoyed this series overall and may check out what else Andrew Barrer has available. I just don't understand why three 90+ page novels couldn't have just been a single book or audio file.
June 8, 2021
Wow. The best of the 3 books
Wow- absolutely amazing. The best page Turner of the 3 book. Really intense and such a twist. A great short read.
The most truthful line from the book.
“Revolution lasts only as long as it remains a pursuit of the truth. The moment we fool ourselves into believing we have arrived—that we have discovered the one and only Truth—then we have just sculpted it into yet another system.”
Wow- absolutely amazing. The best page Turner of the 3 book. Really intense and such a twist. A great short read.
The most truthful line from the book.
“Revolution lasts only as long as it remains a pursuit of the truth. The moment we fool ourselves into believing we have arrived—that we have discovered the one and only Truth—then we have just sculpted it into yet another system.”
May 28, 2021
A good end to the story
I liked this a lot. I was surprised by it and moved by it and it kept me in suspense. Really great story that didn’t feel out of place or something that felt like a story version of the uncanny valley—it’s a future that is familiar, not filled with weird technology or odd names, or not realistic human reactions that pull you out of the story.
I liked this a lot. I was surprised by it and moved by it and it kept me in suspense. Really great story that didn’t feel out of place or something that felt like a story version of the uncanny valley—it’s a future that is familiar, not filled with weird technology or odd names, or not realistic human reactions that pull you out of the story.
June 7, 2021
This was the final book in the Young Blood trilogy. It was another roller coaster ride and true to the first book. Heartbreaking and heartwarming. This would be an excellent show or film. A perfect millenial story that any age can understand, appreciate and learn from. One hell of a series and one hell of a book. The audiobook was excellent, narration cast was superb.
July 24, 2023
Sometimes, I read a book and realize that by the end, I have no idea where this story started or ended. This book was kind of like that. Got the general gist but it just didn't entertain me. Blood farms. Experiments. Secrets being shared. A giant cover up. It has some spy-thriller elements but ultimately just wasn't for me.
November 13, 2024
Dystopian trilogy
Read all three installments of this science fiction series and was impressed with the characters and themes flowing effortlessly together throughout the novellas. Makes me question the intents of the many plasma collection centers and their operations taking advantage of the poor and needy by giving them pennies on the dollar for their priceless bodily fluids.
Read all three installments of this science fiction series and was impressed with the characters and themes flowing effortlessly together throughout the novellas. Makes me question the intents of the many plasma collection centers and their operations taking advantage of the poor and needy by giving them pennies on the dollar for their priceless bodily fluids.
May 21, 2021
As these 3 books kept going they kept losing my interest. Which is a shame. I really liked the first book and it had lots of potential. Book is pretty standard YA. Lemme know what you thought? Did I miss something??
May 23, 2021
Terceiro e último livro da série, teve um final para mim surpreendente, mas não de todo inesperado, considerando o que se passa na narrativa deste o primeiro livro. Se você gosta de distopias, e de teorias da conspiração, esta é uma série imperdível.
June 15, 2021
So this got crazy . . . 😳
I honestly didn't think it could get worse than book 2. I was wrong though. I mean this was a decent little short story trilogy. And I really enjoyed it.
4.5 stars
I honestly didn't think it could get worse than book 2. I was wrong though. I mean this was a decent little short story trilogy. And I really enjoyed it.
4.5 stars
September 12, 2021
Page turner
This trilogy is a quick read that involves the reader in the story. I found it difficult to put down awaiting the next move. Is it possibly our human future? One hopes for a better future. Stay strong, Young Blood.
This trilogy is a quick read that involves the reader in the story. I found it difficult to put down awaiting the next move. Is it possibly our human future? One hopes for a better future. Stay strong, Young Blood.
September 19, 2021
I loved this series.
Everything about this series was amazing. From the different character perspectives. The dystopian future set in a utopia for millinals and the conspiracy theories. Young Blood Forever!
Everything about this series was amazing. From the different character perspectives. The dystopian future set in a utopia for millinals and the conspiracy theories. Young Blood Forever!
December 19, 2023
That was a great conclusion. All three parts were intense, and if you really wanted, you can stop after any one. Each one had a different feel, but they all fit into one story well. This one was also somewhat gruesome, but it was a very interesting story.
June 3, 2021
Unexpected Theology
The sorry state of religious practice is shown to be predestined. We are told to not touch the controls but to be content with watching the blinking lights.
The sorry state of religious practice is shown to be predestined. We are told to not touch the controls but to be content with watching the blinking lights.
Read
June 8, 2021Good trilogy. Worth reading it listening to with Prime. Fast paced and sucked me in but it’s a little dark
June 13, 2021
A solid 4-star book. It was a decent and fun read. I don't think this series really needed a 3rd book that takes things where they go, but it was relatively solid until the ending for me.
July 14, 2021
Disappointed
While I didn't expect a Pulitzer worthy work, I"m disappointed in this one. Weak story telling, weaker plot, senseless endings all around.
While I didn't expect a Pulitzer worthy work, I"m disappointed in this one. Weak story telling, weaker plot, senseless endings all around.
July 17, 2021
I really did enjoy this series. Unique and always twists and turns!
August 20, 2021
Stunning finale to the young blood trilogy, we see the fates of many of the characters we have journeyed with some deeply sad and others hopeful.
September 6, 2021
Outstanding trilogy
November 16, 2021
Soooooo good! I did not see THAT coming and yet it was a perfect finale. Fantastic short Audible series. Bravo!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews