Wow!!! I fell in love with this story. The characters have such strong personalities and each has their own story to tell. I enjoyed that all three were the main focal point. The beginning of the books gives you a glimpse of how the world is and how each character plays a part in it. I love sci-fi and YA and these two authors knocked it out of the park. I was hooked after only a few pages and honestly had a hard time putting it down. This book has romance but so much more. It’s a journey that will engage and intrigue you. The world that Krista and Becca have created is indescribable and so original. I look forward to seeing the next journey they offer to their readers I am sure it will be epic.

I received a copy from NetGalley for an honest review.

The Raging Ones follows the story of 3 teens in a world where they find themselves with an unbreakable link; connected through another's senses, thoughts, actions, and emotions. This is the Ritchie sisters’ first YA novel to be released August 14, 2018.

In this world the authors created, death is the norm. I think the idea alone of knowing when you die is fascinating. It makes you question what you would do with your time if you knew exactly when you would die. How would you spend your last day? Would you make a bucket list? Would you fight to figure out a way to escape your death day, or would you just accept it for what it is?

The story is set in a futuristic time, on a freezing planet covered in snow and shrouded in a lilac fog that blocks the view of the sky, sun, moon, and stars. The people are categorized into three groups in this world: those who would die between infancy and 12 years of age are known as “Babes;” those who would die between age 13 and 29 are known as “Fast-Trackers;” and those who would live to the age of 30 and beyond are known as “Influentials.” Babes have only enough time to live however they please. Fast-Trackers live to work laborious jobs. Influentials live long enough to study, learn, progress, have an impact and help improve the world.

Franny, Mykal, and Court are Fast-Trackers. When they dodge their death day, they become inexplicably linked to one another through touch, taste, and emotion. They become each other’s support and confidants in their effort to hide their shared bond from the world and to keep anyone from learning that they’ve escaped their death day. I loved watching the relationship between Franny, Mykal, and Court ebb and flow and change throughout the story. Each character’s point of view was engaging. I was very interested in the dynamic between the three of them and if and how their friendship bond would develop throughout the story in their joint mission to flee the planet.

It was a well-paced plot that kept me captivated from beginning to end. The realistic characters were very relatable and certainly drew me in; I connected with them and their struggles, and the frozen world provided a very unusual and interesting setting.

For those who love romance, there is romance in the book but it is secondary; not the main focus of the story. As a fan of romance novels, I found that this didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story at all. I was way more invested and interested to see what happens next in Mykal, Franny, and Court’s journey.

I really enjoyed this book because the characters are fascinating and endearing at the same time, and the unexpected ending completely stunned me. It was nothing at all like I expected and I am very excited and cannot wait to read the next installment!!

DNF

I’ve started and stopped this book more times than I can count. The setting, the premise, and writing were all solid. Yet, there was something I just couldn’t connect with. Maybe because I really didn’t know if there was romance so I kept questioning every little action. Or maybe the 3 pov’s were just overwhelming. I love the Ritchie sisters and their previous work. Had high hopes for this book, maybe I’ll return to it in the future.

Thank you for the ARC

*ARC provided by published as an exchange for honest review.*

ABOUT THE BOOK: THE RAGING ONES takes place in a world in which everyone knows the day they're going to die. There are 3 POV's, and each of the three main characters are connected by their emotions & three senses (touch, taste, smell).

The beginning was a little slow as I was learning about the world and the characters, but then it picked up steam and I was hooked. It was unique, engaging, and perhaps most important for me, full of heart. The connection Franny, Court, and Mykal shared wasn't easy, but the friendship that blossomed was unshakeable.

I will eagerly be awaiting the return of what I'm sure will be one of my favorite trios.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book. This book was an unpredictable and interesting young adult novel. I never knew what was going to happen next and the story took quite a few unexpected turns. The three main characters were interesting and I liked that we got to see from all of their perspectives. This is a book that throws you into the main story right away and you have to keep up and piece together what the world is like but I enjoy a story like that. The concept of a death day and how that impacts people and society was a concept that I was not sure about but it was well integrated into the story and is just a part of the story. I don't want to say too much more about this story because the best part about it was not knowing where the story was going and just being in for the ride. There is a little bit of everything in this book so I am not exactly sure who the target audience is but if you are looking for something a little different in the YA genre, I would definitely recommend this. I can't wait for the second book to see what happens.

DNF @39%

I don't know why I'm not clicking to this book. It could just be a case of "it's me, not you" or it's because I'm sick and can't keep my eyes opened long enough to read more than a few sentences. 😞 Either way, I'm not really interested in continuing this story. I'm not a fan of the 3 POVs and I'm a little annoyed there's no romance yet even though the authors labeled this a sci-fi/fantasy romance. I loved their Addicted series so maybe I just had high expectations of this YA novel.

The Raging Ones is the beginning of a new queer, YA sci-fi romance series. Set in a world where everyone is born knowing the day they will die, we follow three characters who form a deep psychic bond when they live past their death days. Born to be short-lived Fast-Trackers, they must pose as wealthy and long-lived Influentials to be accepted into a space program. The thing is, this kind of felt like two different books. And either one of them would have been amazing for different reasons, but the combination was quite unsatisfying. Note: There will be some spoilers in this review.

The book is literally split into two different sections. The first part is basically a "training to be an Influential" section where we get to know the characters and watch them form a close bond. Oh and almost every scene ratchets up the sexual tension between all three of them. (hence the queer designation). So based on the first half of the book where there is some interesting world-building and distinct characters with interesting backgrounds, but mostly there is lots of sexual tension, I assumed that this was going to be a romance novel with some sci-fi elements.

But then part two happened. And suddenly the characters are in a sort of training school where we get teen school drama, more world-building, and an emphasis on the sci-fi elements. And that sexual tension? Suddenly becomes a much less frequent part of the story. Oh, and by the end of the book two of the characters have kissed, but that's pretty much it.

So we basically have 1) a very well written romance with mild sci-fi elements that builds tons of tension but never delivers on it - combined with 2) a pretty interesting YA sci-fi story with an interesting world and twist at the end, but one that never explains WHY these characters want to join the space program. I think this book was trying too hard to be both things and should have picked one to focus on. Or at least had more happen between the characters romantically because the way things went was just frustrating. I would definitely continue with the series, but I was kind of irritated with this one. I agreed to review an early copy of this via NetGalley.

I don't read a lot of sci-fi and I have never read a YA one. That said... I am a huge fan of these two awesome authors, so there was no way I wasn't going to read this one !!

This book is about Franny, Court and Mykal, who share an amazing bond. (think sense8...which I loved btw) What's so different about their world, is that everyone knows the day they are gong to die. It's also cold as shit !! The moment you are born, you also know when you will die. There is no way around it...You end up in one of three categories, depending how long you will live ..Influentials, the Fast Trackers, and the Babes.

These three however have managed to dodge their death, which is the reason they share this special bond together. What Court and Mykal share is a bit more though....but Franny is still just as important.

I really enjoyed this first book in the series and the world-building was pretty great. That said....there are a lot of things still left in the open. The first book is always the hardest because of all the info dump, but I have faith that more will be revealed/explained in the next book.

For those of you who want/need to know. This is not a love triangle. These three share an amazing bond, but it's only the guys that are romantically involved ;)

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

My reviews are posted on DirtyBooksObsession

This has to be one of my favourite reads this year! You really get involved with the characters. Set in a future where everyone knows their death date. No matter what you will die on that day, doesn't matter what you try to do to prevent this it's going to happen...But not for three people...they manage to skip their death dates but they have no idea how or why? They become linked through a 'bond', they can feel what each of them in feeling. They can't tell anyone about their death date so they plan to leave on the space ship, but first they have to pass the tests!
I can't wait for the next book!

**This review will be posted online on Aug. 15 as part of the Book Tour for The Raging Ones through Wednesday Books**

Thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is one book that you absolutely need to read this year. I’m so glad that the publishers gave me this in advance because you need to know how great this book is. Right off the bat, the premise of the book is intriguing. This world is one in which on the day you’re born, you know the day that you will die. Because of this, you will only ever know one way of living: carefree, working, or leisure. No one has ever not died on their deathday, until now. Franny, Mykal, and Court are the only three that seem to have been able to dodge it. They don’t know why, no one else knows, but because of it, they are inextricably linked to one another. They feel and know each other's emotions and physical senses. They are three, but one. In order to ensure that no one else finds out, they enter a competition that will send them to space. But in order to go, they must beat all others with the hope that their secret isn’t exposed and that they all make the team.

The most interesting thing about this book is the extremely well-written problem/miracle that these characters have: their link. When reading the blurb, I wasn’t sure how it was going to be written, but the Ritchie’s completely nailed it. There was no hesitation, no wondering, no thinking at any time while reading that it didn’t make sense. This link between the trio is one that at first felt like an intrusive being, but ended up being a common knowledge to all three that they weren’t alone in the world since they were technically supposed to be dead. Franny, Court, and Mykal have such an interesting relationship because of it and ugh! I can’t stress how flawlessly the Ritchie’s have not only blended in the personalities of each character, but the transitions into the link and into each characters perspective was super well done.

I really liked how the world and the background of the culture were explained to us. We learn early on that there are distinctions, not between classes, but between deathdays. Babes are those who are labeled to die before 12, Fast Trackers are labeled to die between 12 and 29, and Influentials who are labeled to die aged 30 or later. Babes live a carefree life. They’re able to be children with no worry. Fast Trackers have no childhood. They work as early as they’re allowed up until the day they die. Influentials are given more choice. They’re the ones with wealth, the ones who get to plan, and the ones that live what we would consider a ‘normal’ life. The world that the trio lives on is one of a planetary line that is too far from the sun, hence the ice and purple smog that covers the planet. The cities as you learn are really far and few. I loved being able to dive into this world that was so creative and vicious and uncaring about its inhabitants that was one like I’ve read about before.

Franny, Mykal, and Court are written in a way that makes you want to care. They stay with you long after you finish reading the book. You get hooked in their story and want the best for them. Since I finished this book, I have not been able to stop thinking about it. I need to know what is going to happen next to these characters that I have completely fallen in love with. This has quickly turned into one of my most anticipated releases of the year. I can’t wait for you to meet these characters and enter this world that the Ritchie’s have created.

This book is a gem. Death days, soul mates, space? It was such a unique concept that kept my attention. I was confused for a bit on how everything worked, what time period we were in and a few spoilery things. but I went along for the ride and figured some things out on the way. Yet, it's the characters that 100% carry this story. It's been a while since I've felt this connected to characters. I couldn't pick a favorite. The relationships, the inner conflict each of them had, the connection, I loved it all.The way the love triangle trope is turned on it's head while adding such meaningful relationships made me the happiest. I'm so glad this is a series because that ending did me dirty.

This is my first sci-fi read for awhile and it was a doozy. The plot, characters, and setting were interesting and new but the book felt disconjointed. I felt the first part while they were on the planet was one book and then when they reached space it became another book.
I enjoyed the three characters together and the quips they had. The relationship was well thought out and well done. It felt like a love triangle but it wasn't. I don't think there really was any romance? A touch? I am not sure.
I really wanted to enjoy this book and I am sure if I was a bigger fan of sci fi at the moment I might, but I found myself confused and just not interested about 60% of the way through. Hopefully the second will bring answers and put the story all together.

I'm definitely the black sheep of the current ARC reviews because all I can say is : what the actual hell did I just read.

"<i>We're a mess.</i>"
"<b>We're together.</b>"

I have a feeling THE RAGING ONES might be one of those stories that makes more sense in the final wrap-up. Because right now it's a mix of <i>Sense8</i>, <i>Armageddon</i>, THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END, and DARE MIGHTY THINGS. Which sounds hella interesting, and totally up my alley because I love all of those things, but I don't even know where to start.

<i>When we're born, we all know the day we'll die. It's been this way for over a thousand years.</i>

We have a snow-covered planet and a people who are ranked by Babes (those who die young), Fast Trackers (who live fast and die before twenty nine), and Influentials (who live very long, influential, lives; get it?). Their death-dates determine.. well, everything, so when three people find themselves surviving their deaths and then also linked to each other, feeling emotions, physical pain, and more, they don't know how to explain it. Only that each of them survived, each of them found each other, and that they are their only hope for survival. And survival means entering into a competition/extended examination to secure a spot in the mission to the stars; because if anyone were to find out the truth.. well, they'd probably be <b>really</b> dead.

"<i>Be careful of how you die, my little Franny. You can set your terms but not the day.</i>"

The connection forged between these three is made more complicated (and interesting!) by the fact that what looks like a love triangle, and smells like a love triangle, <b>isn't</b> a love triangle. The best part of this story is their dynamic, I would say. Each character is very different from each other, some more damaged than others, and getting used to each other is both strange, unsettling, and brings them more joy and love than they've ever known. I will read on for Mykal and Court's sweetness alone.. and also because that ending has me just.. like..

<i>Kindness exists in Mykal where coldness festers in Court.</i>

This was my first read by the Ritchie duo and yes, I know, it was a weird place to start. I know this is lightyears away from their norm and unlikely to resemble anything I read in my backlist catch-up. And it's also (obviously) far from a fave. I appreciate what went into creating this story I just think it's.. a lot. It's a little messy, there's a lot going on, and after all that build-up we get an ending that doesn't even remotely resemble where I thought things were headed. So, yeah, I'm confused. I was definitely bored. The elements I thought were compelling weren't always reason enough to pick this back up. But I'm curious. So, we'll see.

This was a refreshing new read. It was nice to finally come across a new book with a new story to tell. So often we find that unheard of books copy the greats. Its faltering, but I want to read something new.

You dive right into a world where people know their death day and they aren't afraid of it. The story takes a turn when Franny lives through her death day and is thrown into a new word of uncertainty. When will she die? There is no way to tell.

The only complaint I have is that the story felt like it was actually two stories in one. You have the first part of the story where the characters live passed their death day and it something taboo and they have to hide. Then there is the part of the story where they are trying out for a mission to space.

Either way, it was a good original read and I was enthralled the whole story.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

I have to review this, but I don't know what to say. I really enjoyed it and am a total fangirl of Krista and Becca Ritchie.This is their first YA and Sci-Fi/Fantasy so I didn't know what to expect. I also didn't read the synopsis first.

Now, if you already like the Ritchies' writing, I think you'll like this. It has a good found-family story which they are very good at writing. It also feels different in tone from other YA books just like their New adult books feel different than other NA.

There are three alternating POVs. Normally, I don't like anything beyond two-one of the reasons I rarely read high-fantasy-but this did work for me. They are three distinct people with easy to identify voices. Franny, the only girl-was my favorite, but I do like all of them.

I don't want to talk too much about the plot because I want to avoid any and all spoilers. The world is interesting and easy to picture-the writing is very cinematic. And the whole knowing the day you are going to die raised questions. It actually really made me think about the moral and ethical ramifications of having that kind of knowledge.

There is a slight romance, but it's probably like plot D. I did like it and am rooting for those two, but I am more invested in the friendship between the 3 main characters. It is an evolving and real friendship. I particularly like reading how they interact as a group and each "pairing". These kinds of relationships are fun to read.

The book has a good amount of mystery/secrecy to keep you engaged and guessing. I was often confused, but in a good way. And the ending left me wanting more. Even though this felt like three books in one-again, in a good way-I have no idea how the Ritchies will wrap this story up in one more books. But you know I'll be there to find out.

The Quick Cut: Three people are bonded together after they fail to die on their predetermined death day and start to feel connected to one another. Trying to avoid detection, they all join together to compete for a spot on the StarDust mission.

A Real Review:
Thank you to St Martin's Press for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this future, everyone's date of death is predetermined and the societal class you're in is determined by how long you're going to live. Those with long lives are called influencers while those with shorter life spans are called Fast Trackers. Influencers get to live with wealth, education, and all their dreams realized while Fast Trackers get looked down upon as seeking nothing more than a high before they die.

This is the reality that our three heroes are living with are all three of them were born and designated Fast Trackers. It all starts wtih Franny on her death day and things going horribly awry for her when she gets attacked by a group of guys - knocking her unconscious. However, when she wakes up... its the day after her death day. Being totally confused and not understanding how this is possible, she runs into our other two heroes: Court and Mykal. They all share the common bond of having lived through their death day and not understood why they managed to survive through it.

Wanting to continue to escape death and detection from the rest of society, they come up with the money to register for the mysterious StarDust mission. Once they register, are all deemed worthy, and get in - it turns out that they have to compete for one of five spots on the Saga 5 mission in an attempt to do what no one expected. From one thousand people, they have to learn, fight, run, and quiz their way through to make it.

I loved the beginning of this one and once the group gets to StarDust, the story continues to drive and keep you interested, but there was definitely a slow point between Franny meeting up with Court and Mykal and getting into the competition. It made it hard to keep focused, but at least it was a short section of the book. This is really my only complaint about the book. What I really enjoyed about this one is that they did NOT go the route of the far too typical love triangle here. Court and Mykal are the very much couple in this story and Franny doesn't come anywhere near getting in the way of that.

With a combination of science fiction and romance, this story about three people who avoid death and attempt to make it to space tell a unqiue tale about working together along with learning the truth to their existence.

I was not sure if this book would be a good fit for my reading tastes - BUT WAS IT EVER!!!

A girl wants to cash her check. She is desperate - "I'm dying tomorrow".

Meanwhile, inside the posh Catherina Hotel, a man (Court) places a $5000 bet on a hemorrhage. He is soon followed by Mykal. Seeing as Mykal is not dressed appropriately (or acting so) Court tells the other gamblers, "We're brothers". After Court loses the bet (actually, technically, he should have won) he leaves mentioning his last name - Icecastle. All prisoners/criminals share the same surname of Icecastle.


The two of them need the $10,000 they should have won to enroll in StarDust - a worldwide program for aerospace research - $5000 to enroll, each. Both have lived beyond their deathdates and are emotionally linked. This is rare. They realize that another one like them is out there and find her - Fanny. It takes a lot of convincing to make her realize that she needs to be with Court & Mykal - and even more convincing to plan to enroll in the aerospace program.
Once she finds out how dire it is not to let anyone know she dodged her deathdate, Fanny is eventually convinced. Since she is a Fast Track person (FT) she has less "class" and a shorter time to live her life. Well, at least BEFORE.

Now Court (who is an "influential") teaches Fanny how to read, write and about manners in society. She will need this for StarDust enrollment. Meanwhile, Mykal sells his virginity for $17,000 to obtain 3 enrollment fees. After 2 months of training, Fanny - and the still training Mykal - it is time to go for enrollment. WOW! A lot of people are there! Court's father, Tauris, who changed jobs when Court went to prison is a main director. Also, Court's brother is trying to enroll - neither of which Court has seen in many years (he wants to keep it that way)

After well over a month of very strange testing (physical & mental), roommates, emotional ties that come with living past your deathdate, stories of the past and other interesting happenings, the candidates for 5 spots has gone from 1.024 to the final 30. Still, Court, Franny and Mykal are together. Before the final 5 are announced, Franny suffers nosebleeds - and since Court was a doctor - he assures her she is OK. They test her for her new deathdate 3 times - each time it goes back to the original date that has obviously already past. Huh?

The three of them interview with Tauris (Court's dad) - and soon the big day arrives for THE MISSION ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FINAL 5.....

So as not to give out the spoilers, let me first thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this super read!!! This book spans the young to the not so young adult audience. It holds your interest throughout! The characters are developed well and are quite likeable - not ALL of them! A fresh look at futuristic humanity!

I highly recommend!!!

In a society where you are born knowing the date that you will die, Franny Bluecastle lives past that date. What happens now? Are there others like her? A very unique story that will keep your attention to the last page. I've never read anything with a premise like this and really enjoyed it! Thank you to NetGalley for providing me this book for review.

Krista and Becca Ritchie create a unique new world in The Raging Ones. This young adult story tells the story of three characters that are bonded together having escaped death. The characters had depth and drove the story forward. This book sets up for a potentially great series. I can't wait to read more!

This will be a great asset to the YA community. I feel like it did not disappoint and am excited for the world to be able to read it. Thank you for letting me review