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When Ashen heads east to New York City to find Finn's brother, she finds herself confronted by an entirely new set of problems.

The city is a war zone overshadowed by the Behemoth, the largest Arcology in existence. Few are allowed entry, and those who go in never leave. At first, Ashen assumes the power structure is one she knows well: Directorate vs. Dregs, Wealthy vs. Poor.

She's seen this fight before, and she knows how to win it.

She soon discovers that the power in New York is held entirely by one young man. Known only as the Bishop, he's mysterious, unnervingly handsome, and smooth-voiced. His allure is undeniable, despite his tendency toward cruelty.

But as Ashen gets to know him, she begins to question how he managed to gain so much power at such a young age. Who is the Bishop, really? And where did he come from?

The even more mysterious question is....

What exactly goes on inside the Behemoth?

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 31, 2022

571 people are currently reading
970 people want to read

About the author

K.A. Riley

65 books552 followers
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.

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5 stars
1,110 (45%)
4 stars
851 (34%)
3 stars
416 (16%)
2 stars
61 (2%)
1 star
11 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
Profile Image for Robinbythecatsandbooks.
118 reviews8 followers
May 1, 2022
**Spoilers**

YALL I do not five star very often. But when I do. It is because I am BLOWN AWAY.

So without spoiling too much this is my favorite of the series soo far. What started in book 1 as an impress people to gain a position in the Arc to live out your life turned into a battle royal filled with betrayal and friends, many enemies and some amazing futuristic technology. Honestly fans of Hunger Games, Matrix, and Terminator will get a huge kick out of this entire series.

Sci-Fi and Dystopian fans will love this!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Annaka.
241 reviews3 followers
July 3, 2023
I found KA Riley on tik tok and gave her book The Cure a try. I liked it enough that I continued the series. This is book four and I am struggling. The main character feels repetitive in their thinking and becomes less and less likeable (to me at least). It feels like the series has been stretched out too far. Concept after concept is thrown in and often not well explored (such as humans having superpowers due to… tech advances?). The newest concept introduced in this book felt too predictable by the time we got to the reveal. (Slight spoilers ahead)….


…It felt so obvious that the character you knew not too trust turned out to be untrustworthy (despite the main character trusting them for many chapters). What they did also felt obvious with various hints throughout the series…so I’m not sure why the mc was so surprised and hurt that she had been betrayed.

Overall it was interesting enough that I wanted to finish and will read the last book but clunky, predictable, and frustrating enough that it felt a bit like bad fan fiction (which in Riley’s defense may just be that I’ve read some great fan fiction, most recently Fernwithy’s hunger games fic). Decent books but not great and a bit of a let down from the interesting base concept(s).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rosie.
417 reviews13 followers
March 24, 2023
I....am starting to feel like there are too many things going on. I think this feeling was coming since Ascend (which is why I haven't written a review for it yet) but I guess all the adventure spiral kind of numbed that feeling....but I just can't ignore it anymore.

There are too many villains, too many promised lands in this series that all the build up against the main antagonist (at least I think she is) ends up being dull and you just don't care anymore. This isn't even the last book and I'm already bored with the build up that's leading to the final battle.

I think this or the later half of the third book made me realize how clear it was that the plot was being drawn out just for the sake of releasing more books.
Also the endings of all the books are not the cliff hangers the author thinks they are, since two books ago it was predictable what the endings were going to be for the rest of the series. One really shouldn't overuse their cards.
Profile Image for Deb Byrne.
142 reviews3 followers
August 4, 2023
Each book in this series has gotten worse. I almost didn’t finish this one. I’m all for dystopia, but this was just too unrealistic. It is clunky in the writing of the characters.
1 review
July 14, 2022
Wow

I don’t normally write book reviews, but this one earned it. First and foremost, the Bishop is one of the best villains I’ve ever seen. Sure he’s a little overpowered but he’s written in a way that’s complex and theatrical, the memorable kind of villain. The plot was soooo good, I couldn’t put this book down for how often the plot switched and how it did a good job of keeping me on edge. Overall I’m excited for the next book as this one was top notch. Also Rys won back the title of my favorite characters- he has a fricken robot owl.
8 reviews
April 17, 2022
Too dark and horrifying

I liked the books before this one, but this one is so disturbing and uncomfortable throughout I didn't enjoy reading it. It's too static as well, without any character growth for ANY characters. It just lacks something.
Profile Image for Karina Bitman.
16 reviews1 follower
May 7, 2025
WOW! Loved book #4 in this series. Really enjoying the whole Cure universe.
Profile Image for Kari.
110 reviews2 followers
February 12, 2023
The Saga Continues

This book is the fourth instalment in The Cure series. The book was pretty good, although I would say not as great as the others. A whole other world is introduced.
Profile Image for Olivia.
47 reviews
July 17, 2024
Redundant?
I feel like the author keeps adding problems to the books only in order for the series to go longer.
Profile Image for Valerie Sellix.
57 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2022
Sometimes, I wonder how Ashen can be so stupid. Even when I can tell things are so orchestrated, she just brushes everything off. It’s honestly a little infuriating from a main character. Then I remember that, like many main characters in dystopian series, she is an unwilling head figure in a rebellion, and a teenager. I like that she is a flawed character but Ashen still feels a little two-dimensional after 4 novels. Still reading because I’m invested in the story now but I’m ready for this series to wrap up.

I feel like the author should read “The Gift of Fear” and inject a little of those instincts into Ashen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emily &#x1f41d;&#x1f4da;&#x1f496;.
36 reviews
December 12, 2022
This was the only book so far in the series that I didn’t fly through. It dragged for about the first 60%, it was only then it finally started picking up. The last portion when the Bishop reveals his true intentions with the replik, and replacing Ashen with herself seemed a bit far fetched. It was almost as if the author didn’t know where to go to wrap up the fourth book. It was alright and it wasn’t unbearable to read, it just lacked that special feeling that the others have. Here’s to hoping the fifth is a bit faster paced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Lindsey.
124 reviews
June 2, 2022
a freaking robot owl

Either I have a seriously messed up sense of self or all these other people are exaggerating. This book wasn’t all that gruesome and while the plot twist was out there it wasn’t unpredictable. Honestly, I’m just reading to finish out the series now. The best way to put it, book 4 is like the season of walking dead after they get to Woodbury.
10 reviews
November 6, 2023
This book was just bad. The "plot twist" at the end everyone saw coming, and it didn't make sense. Why would the Bishop send the Replik back and not Ashen, she was completely on his side already. And then there's the fire powers - where did those even come from? The Duchess didn't have them in the first half of the series. Also I had to read the beginning like five times to even understand what was going on, and then the plot with Finn's shimmer wall thing was completely overshadowed. All the character's emotions are surface level, and these books were just so average - It's like the author was just trying to hit as many YA dystopian tropes as possible, and in doing so the book lacks any emotion. Where's the sadness? The anger? The joy when they get it right?
And everyone else did literally everything for Ashen - Finn and Rys did all the work, making plans and everything. Whenever there's the smallest problem someone always has the perfect tech thing to solve it. In every book there HAS to be a part where Ashen gets all dressed up for something for that image on the cover, and it's just pointless to the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Karen Voitik.
3,219 reviews
February 18, 2023
>Book Review – Fallen

>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 4th in the Cure Chronicles and ends in a cliffhanger. Ash and Finn find the rebels in NYC and encounter the Bishop, the most powerful dictator yet. The reader knows the Bishop is not as kind as he seems, but the truth is not uncovered until later in the story. Finn and Ash are separated. Ash is unsure how much truth Finn knows. Ash has her robot owl, Atticus, and her BFF, Rhys helping her.

>This book is appropriate for a new adult (17+) audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. The romance is now a new adult, not too explicit, but a lot more suggestive. I love the seemingly impossible twist that Ash must face at the end.
Profile Image for Bella.
81 reviews
March 18, 2023
omg omg omg.

no words.

the only reason that this gets 4 stars and not 5 is cuz for the first 150ish pages literally nothing of importance happened. but i don’t recommend skipping this book if u wanna read the last book. a lot of new important characters are introduced as well as plot twists at the end

but also

3 of these stars is just for the last 20% of the book XD

one is for the rest :)

the bishop is a bish

finn is sus and oblivious af

anywho

bye

thank you

you’ve been great

no no rlly

best audience i’ve had in 1000 years

terrific

smell ya later 🤪😀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Rockin Robin.
50 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2022
Its own story

I don't normally read unfinished series. I end up forgetting about the next book or for the ones i enjoy; re-read the whole series before I start the next one. But this series will be the latter. Worth trip in a world that feels like a sister dimension of the hunger games.

Although there are several similarities to the hunger games in the beginning of the series it quickly proves to be its own story.
49 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2022
Good book to give to yours kids to also read

What I’ve loved so much about this book is that there’s so much action w/o it being hyper sexual!!!! That’s almost a rare find (almost as if people have no idea how to write a story anymore w/o making it sexual) I’m very pleased that I couldn’t put it down, & hate that I have to wait a month for the final installment! But I certainly have something to look forward to 🙂
5 reviews
May 19, 2022
Exciting and refreshing

I find a lot of dystopian sci-fi makes the heroine invincible and successful completely on their own, but through out this entire series the heroine remains both relatable and flawed. She's not perfect or incapable of failure, and she doesn't accomplish everything single handedly. She has allies and friends she depends on to cover for her when she messes up. It's very refreshing.
104 reviews3 followers
July 14, 2022
Page Turner

This next book in the series kept me wanting for more. I'm just an inquisitive person and am always trying to figure out what the bad guy is doing...but I was surprised this time which made it fun.
Great development of new characters and an amazing description of technological advances.
I am definitely reading the next one so I can learn more about what Ashen and Finn will go through!
Profile Image for Lauren.
239 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2025
Are these books getting any better? No. Will I stop reading them? No, i’m too invested in this now to stop. What is it with Ashen STILL trusting every god damn person she meets. Is she suffering from memory loss or just dumb? This series has been stretched out big time, instead of solving the original problem it just creates new problems every 5 minutes and turns it all into a sh*t show. Anyways, last book here I come!
Profile Image for Christine Cazeneuve.
1,464 reviews40 followers
April 3, 2022
Took Awhile to Get Going

This book didn't really take off until roughly a third of the way in. I enjoyed the continuing storyline but to be honest figured out the premise pretty easily. I enjoyed the old characters of Rhys, Finn, the Duchess, Atticus and, of course, Ashen. I also liked the Bishop who brought a new kind of villainous to the series.
Profile Image for Cathy.
242 reviews13 followers
June 20, 2022
Wow , talk about crazy ! I didn't think their lives could get anymore difficult, but I was wrong !

Going to New York to save Merit, Finns brother without any real plan, and they end up in a very strange and unbelievable situation. The bishop is outright strange and mysterious. This book was an extremely wild ride !
Profile Image for Sarah Beth.
Author 26 books22 followers
October 20, 2022
good drama

Ash grows a lot in this book. Having the male love interests sidelined helps her character to change without distractions.

There were too many scene changes. The time in the moth with Bishop needed another 4 chapters or so to flesh out. She trusted him far too easily for the twist to be as effective as it could be. Overall a good book
Profile Image for Annie Kosar.
361 reviews2 followers
December 10, 2022
Captivating & Intense!!!

Wow!!! I never expected ANY of the twists and turns in this one for sure!! There were sooo many BEAUTIFUL moments and AMAZING characters!!! The journey is getting SOOO INCREDIBLE!!! What an ending!!! I cannot WAIT to read the next one in this series!!!! LOVED IT!!!!
Profile Image for Kathy Locke.
380 reviews6 followers
October 19, 2023
parapet cliff hanger

Oh my goodness! This book started out a bit slower. I didn’t want to leave the original
Arc and go to New York. Yet once I actually came back to the book I have not put it down! That monster!!!!!! The deception! The mind altering! The feelings of happy pleasantness. Ugh!!!!!! Such a crazy twisted warped possibility!
Profile Image for Becky.
361 reviews
March 3, 2025
This book was my least favorite so far in those series. I don’t understand why she is so obsessed with Bishop? He is clearly bad news. The book is all about how ignorant our main character has become-even though she has been soooo smart in the past few books leading up to this one. I didn’t like it at all.
19 reviews
June 25, 2025
I really enjoyed the new dynamic with new characters. I felt that it was slightly random all of a sudden (although it had been previously mentioned) that the story was moving to a whole new place but towards the end it made more sense and I feel like the characters (especially the Bishop) added another layer to the story
Profile Image for Laura.
86 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2022
The fourth installment of Ashen Spencer's story and her fight. I couldn't put this book down. It has so many twisted and turns, making me believe that The Bishop can turn good. No he's so evil its twisted. I can't wait for book 5 so June needs to hurry up!
5 reviews
April 7, 2022
Loved it!

I read this book in one day and honestly my only complaint is that it was not nearly long enough. I have read most of K. A. Riley's books and loved them all. I can't wait for more
Profile Image for Kelly Elaine.
20 reviews4 followers
April 18, 2022
i love this series

I don’t normally leave reviews, but this series has kept my attention even through the breaks of waiting for the next book. I enjoyed them so much I bought them even though they’re available on kindle unlimited.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews

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