The lack of interest lies on me here. I’m not a big fan of YA fantasy and I know this, but still I found myself intrigued by a publicist’s email about a band of rebel teens in space. How could I say no to that?

I hate to say it, but this one just didn’t work for me. It took me a good portion of the month to work my way through it; whenever I set it down I never found myself in any rush to pick it up again. My biggest issue was that nothing was explained. There’s a planetary system that’s not ours, but includes things like cars and telephones. There was a Great Freeze (or whatever they called it) centuries ago and now all the last names are variations of ‘castle.’ Icecastle, Lowcastle, Soarcastle, Elcastle. ..there’s no reason behind this. Also, the three main characters are somehow all linked to one another, they can feel what the others are feeling, taste what the others are tasting. Again, never explained, which makes things even more confusing by a reveal at the end of the book. I will admit that the notion of everyone knowing their deathday was really intriguing, sadly the rest of the book fell flat.

3.5 Stars

**** Thank you to Wednesday Books for providing me with a copy via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and for letting me participate in this blog tour! ****

**** Trigger Warnings: Death, Violence, Mentions of Self Harm (Not By The Main Characters), Prostitution (Done By A Main Character), & Drug Use ****

I was very excited when I was approached to join the blog tour and review a copy of "The Raging Ones" and while it wasn't a perfect read for me I still found it to be an enjoyable read full of plenty of twists and turns!

PLOT

I really liked the idea behind the story here but overall I felt it didn't have much for direction and could use some work. It felt like the story was a little all over the place at times and I didn't quite get why the characters were doing things or why certain things were happening. However, despite that I thought it was reasonably paced and there was certainly no shortage of action or twists to keep me interested. I didn't think the story was necessarily predictable but I did feel a lot of things that furthered the plot were a bit too convenient at times. For example the characters are in desperate need of A LOT of money and one character goes off and in the span of a page and has all the money they need and then some. Too convenient, in my opinion, not to mention there are a few other instances similar to this one.

I really enjoyed the world building that was provided as well, while it was a little light during the first half of the book we learn a lot more towards the end that has me desperate for the second book! This is a sci-fi, dystopian sort of mash up and one of the driving forces behind the plot is the fact that everyone knows the day they will die and the three main characters manage to dodge theirs. I thought this was such a neat concept and I feel we will learn more about it in the sequel but it was definitely fun to read about. There's also a bit about how their current planet is frozen over, they don't have much technology anymore, and there are other planets in their system also inhabited by other people. I don't want to spoil anything but the bit we learn about the other planets at the end is so freaking good though! Overall it was interesting, but it could use a lot more development.

As for the writing I didn't really think much about it, it definitely could use a bit of work but it wasn't bad by any means. It was just that it took me a while to push through this book which was odd since the characters and story did interest me, but something about the writing put me off. I think it was a lot of talk and not a lot of show, like not a ton of description if that makes sense.

It was also a bit hard to differentiate between the three POVs at times even though they're listed at the start of each chapter. It would take me a page or two to adjust each time. Another thing that made it hard to tell was the fact that all three characters have an emotional link of some kind and therefore feel each other's emotions etc, so it got hard to tell who was doing/feeling what at times.

The beginning prologue chapter was so freaking good, I do wish the story had followed that a little bit more closely but maybe in the sequels? And that ENDING! I freaking loved it! It is a cliffhanger but honestly it has be so intrigued that I want to check out the sequel just to understand what happened!

characters

One of the things I loved the most about "The Raging Ones" was the characters, I thought they were complex and had plenty of personality. Each main character had their own unique personality and I loved that, while I found it hard at the beginning of each POV switch to tell the difference once they started speaking for themselves I could instantly tell. I also really liked how they had their flaws, came to recognize them, and proactively work to change them throughout the course of the story.

What I truly enjoyed about our three main characters though was how they all worked together, their friendship was so well done and I loved how willing they all were to sacrifice things for each other.

I honestly just enjoyed them all equally and didn't favor one over the others. There were also a few side characters I really liked as well but they don't show up until after the half way point. We don't learn too much about them but I have a feeling we will learn a lot more in the second book and I can't wait!

We also have some diversity including two LGTBQ+ characters.

romance

I was pleasantly surprised by the romance incorporated into this story because initially I saw all kinds of trope red flags! However, there really wasn't a trope in sight! There isn't a love triangle between the three MCs and there isn't any insta love, which were two things I was expecting to happen and was happy when they did not. I also liked that the romance never overshadowed the plot and it never felt like the sole focus of the story.

While the romance might seem a little obvious I'm still not going to name the characters since it can be a spoiler but it is M/M and I honestly thought they were so sweet and adorable! It took them forever to take the plunge though and I was so happy when they finally did, I couldn't handle the suspense anymore! There's also another potential romance that could develop in the second book too, and it's also a romance I would happily ship!

in conclusion

What I Loved:

General concept
Reasonably fast pacing
Plenty of action and twists
Interesting world building
Great prologue and ending
Fantastic characters with lots of personality
Diverse characters and romance
Adorable, ship-worthy romance
Romance never overshadows the plot

What I Didn't Love:

Plot didn't have a lot of direction
Things were too convenient at times
World building was good but could have used a lot more development
Writing needs some work, it felt a little too repetitive

RECOMMEND?

I definitely recommend checking this one out and seeing for yourselves! It's an interesting YA novel and definitely worth looking at for any sci-fi fans out there, although I will say bare with it when you start!

First of all, the quote on the cover is inaccurate. It says, "ONE predetermined day to DIE. THREE who choose to DEFY." Franny, Court, and Mykal didn't choose to defy anything. They expected to die like everyone else on their predetermined day, but for reasons unknown to them, they did not. It wasn't like they'd found some way around their deathday. Second, and this one is completely personal, I'm not a huge fan of the cover. I don't feel like it represents the story at all. I've read the book and I'm still not sure why the R looks like a sunbeam.

Initially, The Raging Ones made me think of They Both Die at the End. However, people knowing when they die was the only similarity. In They Both Die at the End, people get a phone call on the day they're going to die. The people in The Raging Ones are tested at birth and placed into one of three categories based on how long they'll live.

There were a few inconsistencies throughout the story, things that were out of place or contradicted other facts, and a few threads slipped through the cracks. However, I was really impressed with the world Krista and Becca had created. It was easy to overlook the small holes in favor of the overall story. It's unlike anything else I've ever read, but I still felt like I endured the harsh and unforgiving environment of their world. I felt connected to the Fast Trackers, and hated that people's worth was dependent upon their lifespan. If you were going to die soon, you were less likely to make valuable contributions to society, so you were afforded less in life.

The world isn't a pretty or comfortable one. The people are hardened and cruel, and they don't think twice about taking advantage of those less fortunate or unable to defend themselves. There is a lot of fighting and slang, so if you don't like stories steeped in humanities darkness, this might not be for you. Franny, Court, and Mykal will do whatever it takes to survive. They will do even more to protect each other, and I was sick to my stomach at some of the things they gave up to ensure their safety. Their bond -- their friendship -- felt tangible. It was a living, breathing thing that really drove the rest of the story.

I loved all three POVs. I honestly cannot choose a favorite, and it was easy to discern who's perspective I was reading from. I only confused Court and Mykal's POVs once, and that's probably because I wasn't paying close enough attention. It took me reading just a few sentences to realize I had missed something, so it didn't detract from the story. I think the authors did a wonderful job making each of the characters stand out, even the secondary ones, and I enjoyed learning about their pasts while being with them in the present.

A lot of time passes, but the story doesn't drag. We skip ahead by weeks sometimes to get though thicker parts of their lives. Like, when Court is trying to educate Franny to be an Influential. We don't get detailed descriptions of all of her lessons with him, but we get enough to see the impact they are having. During this time the authors were able to solidify their bond and set up the second half of the book. I do wish some of the second half had been elaborated on, like their training exercises, because the brief explanations we receive made the ending look a little too easy. I'm still not entirely convinced they would have been able to do what they did with the inadequate amount of training they had.

Finally, you cannot end a book that way! Argh! It was a gnarly, ugly cliffhanger that has me jonesing for the next book which hasn't been written yet. How is that fair? Other than that, I am mostly satisfied with the rest of the book. It's a little rough to read a the start, but I quickly found myself absorbed in the story. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, and then there was nothing left to turn. Oh, and I am all about the relationship between Mykal and Court. It's layered and complicated, but it's also sweet and intense. I cannot wait to read more!

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on August 26, 2018.

3.5 stars and a very different read for me

I admit upfront that I’m not the biggest sci-fi reader. I have read and loved it in the past, but it’s definitely been a while, and it’s not a genre I would usually pick up. But I love Krista & Becca Ritchie’s writing, and I was too curious not to read it, and I’m really glad that I gave this one a try.

Set on a far-away, ice-covered planet, approximately 500 years in the future, this is the story of three teens who share a mysterious and potentially deadly connection. In a world where people’s deathdays are measured at birth, determining their lifespan and therefore their path in life and their role in their community, three strangers live beyond their pre-determined date, dodging their deaths and linking them together completely and permanently.

Franny the tough-as-nails survivor, Court the intelligent, ex-privileged whiz kid who escaped the torment of prison, and Mykal, the rugged man of the land with a huge heart, are brought together by their connection. Able to feel each other, their lives are now unequivocally entwined, and knowing the danger that they are in having dodged their deathdays, they know the only hope for their survival is to leave the planet - together. Their hope lies in space agency Stardust, and the upcoming mission to space that will ensure their safety. But they not only have to get into the program, they then have to fight for their place against over a thousand other hopefuls, testing all of their limits as they fight for the futures they were never supposed to have. And hopefully along the way they’ll figure out the biggest question of all…. why?

It’s an intriguing idea, and the concept of deathdays is wonderfully explored, showing us how it impacts every aspect of life, and the implications of outliving your deathday and the practical and emotional consequences that it has on the characters is fantastically written.

But even being set in a completely different world, this is very much a character story, and I loved these characters! Each so complex and different in their own unique ways, and in the way that they come together and interact with each other. The Ritchie sisters write the best character dynamics, and they’ve done another wonderful job with this one. Not only in the unique and multifaceted interplay between Franny, Court and Mykal, but also with all of the side characters that contribute to the story.

People want underdogs to win because they fight harder for less, but they deserve more.


This book is labelled a fantasy/sci-fi/romance, but I wouldn’t consider it romance. Yes, there is a hint of a love story, but it’s very much in the background of all that is going on and we don’t see much of it beyond a few kisses. It’s important to the story, but it’s not on the page enough to consider this book a romance. And despite the way the blurb may make it sound, there is no love triangle - the relationships are complex and wonderfully developed, but there is absolutely no sign of a love triangle at all. Phew!

“You keep saying that you make my life dismal and bleak. But my world never felt as bright, as worthwhile and full, until I met you.”


It’s all very interesting, but I did feel that the book dragged a bit. There’s a lot that happens and we get a lot of detail that could probably have been skipped, and I found myself zoning out every now and again, but it builds up to an exciting ending with big reveals, danger, suspense and excitement, and that ending is nasty! Answering some questions, but leaving us with a whole lot more. While reading, I honestly wasn’t sure whether I would go on to the next book, but I am intrigued enough to want to know what’s going to happen next, so I’ll be looking forward to the next release.

I listened to this as an audiobook and the narration is sensational! Emily Lawrence, Graham Halstead and Tristan Morris bring these characters to life, adding so much depth, emotion and life to the story, and I’m sure it’s their storytelling that got me through some of the slower parts of the book.

I enjoyed this one. I didn’t love it as much as I was hoping, but I’m putting that down to my love of obsession with romance, and this book was way outside of my usual reading genre. But it was well written, intriguing and imaginative, and I’m really glad I read it.

3.5 stars

I think this has a lot of potential as a series with the worldbuilding done so far, but this particular story did not grab my attention. Big pros are the male/female friendships and the m/m relationship. In other hands, this would have been a standard love triangle and not much new.

In a world where everyone knows the day they will die, society is dominated by the Influentials, those who will live the longest. But when three teens dodge their death days they must hide their secret and flee to save the new life they have been granted.

The Story-
While the story starts off running, I found it hard to really get into the book. Told from alternating points of view, we are given a story about 3 kids that don't die when they're supposed to. In a reaction to evading their death day, the characters found themselves emotionally linked, and so the story continues as they learn to trust each other and deal with what they are going to do to survive. Because now that they don't know their death day, they are seemingly vulnerable to everything. And if anyone found out their secret they believe that they will be condemned or researched upon to find out how others can dodge their death days.

After the initial introduction of the world and the characters I felt like the story lagged in the middle as they worked on their goal to get off planet. For me, it felt like just a bunch of character development. The biggest saving grace for me was the twists at the end. There is some stuff happen that I really didn't see happening, but really liked.

Trigger Warnings: attempted murder, violence

The World Building-
The world building in this was quite unique, and just the tiniest bit confusing. In a seemingly futuristic world we find that technology advancement has come to a halt as the world spent it's time working on keeping people fed after some great natural freezing disaster. The world is familiar, yet different.

What I really liked was the social classes. Having Babes, Fasttrackers, and Influentials was unique and tied in really well with the story. I liked how it spread from there into having Wonders and the differences in their last names. However, I only caught the reasoning for Icecastle and 'fall, the rest fell under the radar to having any special significance besides, everyone's being 'castle.

The Characters-
Mykal is a total little cinnamon roll. I just adore this giant teddy bear of a guy so much. Franny was a tough little cookie, but she was sort of annoying and I felt that I didn't really get to know much about Court till the end, and therefore didn't really connect with the guy. But really, Mykal is the type of friend you want by your side.

I was really happy to know that having the 2 male characters and the 1 female character didn't lead to a love triangle, and honestly revolved mostly on the friendship bond that they were creating through their emotional link. It was a unique take since they could each feel each other and were ultimately concerned for each other in every way possible, down to whether or not what they ate would make someone else gag from the taste.

[Review link to come]

Knowing the day that you’ll die would be stressful (at least for me), but so is the idea that you managed to cheat death. Enter Franny Bluecastle. She's a young teenager whose final wish is to spend a night living lavishly before she moves on. Franny is a Fast Tracker—a person that is destined to die young. Except, she doesn’t die. Outliving her deathday, she’s found by Court Icecastle and Mykal Kickfall, two young men who also mysteriously missed their own deathdays. Soon, the three have suddenly developed a bond that connects them to Franny.

Before someone realises they’re supposed to be dead, their ultimate goal is to make it onto the Saga-5 mission. To join the mission, they’ll first have to pass as Influentials, have enough cash to get into the program, and pass the exam. After this, they'll be part of a team and mission that will free them from the planet.

This story was a wild ride from start to finish. The beginning of this story has a killer hook that will pull readers in immediately, even if you don’t really love YA science fiction (like me). I walked into this story without any expectations or knowledge about it, and was completely blown away. It’s very character driven, and told in the first person point of views of Franny, Mykal, and Court. The relationships between these character are very intense and vivid, and the portrayal of their bond was so well written. It’s one of those stories that you see the growth of the characters as you progress, some more than others.

I think my favourite character of these three was Mykal. Of the three, he seems to be the most dynamic, and his backstory was really striking. It’s guttural and raw, and just so heartfelt. Franny and Court have their own share of amazing moments, but there is an unforgettable quality to Mykal. This story also features romance, but is not necessarily the focal point of this story, a quality that I adored. Instead, they built the romantic tension in appropriate moments, and before you ask if this is a love triangle, it’s definitely not. It’s a gay romance pairing, and an incredibly written one.

You'll surprisingly find the world building doesn’t get lost as you read on. You get to know the harsh and cold world that our trio are living in, and the circumstances that each character has made. Tattoos are seen as symbolic, especially in the types that were used by Fast Trackers or by the Influentials.

There’s also the bit of religion/lore that Krista and Becca Ritchie entwine in this story. They’re little crumbs, but I want to delve more into these little things and get to know the world even better. You’ll also get to know quite a cast of characters. For once, I felt that each character had their own personality and didn’t blend into the background as some secondary characters do. Everyone gets their own moment to shine and we get to delve into their own little pasts as well, without sidetracking the story. I found myself drawn to Kinden and Zimmer, who I hope will play even larger roles in the next story.

Some pros and cons about this book are the pacing. At times it feels as though we’re going very quickly, while other moments the place slows significantly. It does work in such a way that it feels like you’re following the momentum of the characters going fast and then slowing down. This didn’t necessarily work for me, but it might work for other readers. Also, the ending of this book is most definitely a cliff-hanger, so prepare yourself for a lot of screeching when this is all over. This is normally a con for me, because it tends to feel like lazy writing. However, it works in this case (as much as I’m loathe to admit it).

I desperately want the next book to find out what happens! After all, it was an emotional whirlwind to get where the first book ended. I’m excited to see where our characters will end up in the next book. I’m going to give The Raging Ones a 9/10, losing a point to pacing. Otherwise, it's a phenomenal story that I hope everyone will put on their TBR list.

I loved the world building and the story in this - but the characters weren't as fleshed out as I would have liked. I found myself struggling to differentiate between voices, which is a strange problem to have considering that there are two separate authors here..

I loved the idea of the characters, and the way that Court, Mykal and Franny were described - but when they were actually speaking, they could've just been one single character for all the distinguishability there was.

Despite that, the story itself was entertaining - and the ending definitely leaves things open for a sequel!

The Raging Ones is a sci-fi adventure where 3 teens happen to beat out their death days. In doing so they become emotionally linked to one another, and if anyone knew they didn’t die when foretold, they will be killed. In order to escape their world, and the danger they are in, they work together to be chosen for a space program.

This world building is very creative and I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. Told from multiple POVs, the reader learns more and more as the characters go through their narratives. It really kept me engaged as I honestly had to keep reading in order to learn anything I could about what the heck was going on. I have never read any of Becca or Krista’s romance novels, but I can see that influence in this story. Even though romance isn’t the main plot focus, I was enthralled with it.

The characters were all very different from one another. Franny is a Fast Tracker, meant to die before they are 29. She has had a vey hard life, and does drugs as most Fast Trackers to lighten the pain of her impending death. She is prepared to die, but has a vision of going out in style. She has no idea that surviving was ever an option. I loved her resilience.

Court Icecastle, (yeah…I know I laughed out loud too), is also a Fast Tracker but he never spiraled into depths of society. He was raised by wealthy Influentials, and even though he is not classified as such, he passes as one. Influentials live past 100 years so they have a lifetime to achieve greatness. Court has the most growth in the novel. He has built walls to survive, and will do anything to make it off this planet.

Then there is Mikal, who was a Babe, those who die before 12 years old. He has survived the longest and comes from another country. He is physically strong, loyal, and has a huge heart. He will protect his friends at any cost, and he has so much love in him. They do all have one thing in common…they are all alive past their death day and they all can feel each other. Pain, feelings, and all. Plus, there is nothing that can lessen the bond they share.

As a reader you get to experience each and every characters emotions and feelings no matter which POV you are reading as they all are connected. Their relationships were very complicated yet turned into something so beautiful. It’s really an unique reading experience.

The beginning is a little slow, a little confusing, but that is because you have to learn about each character and the world they are living in. Once the stakes are raised, you won’t be able to put down the book. You will NEED to know what will happen…and then there is a cliffhanger that really really shocked me. Like NEVER saw that coming. Book 2 will be a must read for me.

I enjoyed reading this book so much! It did take me a while to understand this world, the terms were used but not explicitly explained at first. Once I had working knowledge of them, though, I really enjoyed this story, because it was so creative, and I loved these characters!

These guys were in a lot of intense circumstances. What with the whole not dying on their death days, they were out of place in society. So there were a lot of tense situations because of that. Which, of course, was so great to read!

One thing really bugged me. That the fast trackers can't be in the arts, because they have to go to school. That's bull. School can give you technical skills, but it doesn't give the heart, you have to find it yourself. And living as they do, they'd have a lot of life experiences packed into what time they have, which they could pour into their art. This world is totally depriving themselves of some incredible artists, musicians, writers, and more.

Well, another thing. There were the two characters who built a computer, and then had it taken away and outlawed things that didn't work towards agriculture, given the crisis their planet has been dealing with. But that's just so short sighted! A computer could spread knowledge to that one person who could help solve the crisis (like here, education could teach the child who will one day cure cancer kind of idea). It can also help with communication, and with so much more. It could've had the side benefits of hopefully helping with the agriculture, and then had some full on benefits, but no, they had to be short sighted, stubborn, or not very intelligent!

That ending, yeah, it just kept coming and coming! After all that they'd been through to get to that point, sure, it was difficult. But it gave them the skills to do what they needed to do. And then there was that revelation, and it ended! Such an evil cliffhanger!

This book was so fantastic, I enjoyed it so much, and I can't wait for the sequel!

I went into this novel completely open minded because I knew it was a new genre for Krista and Becca. The science fiction genre is one I typically enjoy, but I didn't want to get my hopes up! But let me tell you, I'm so glad I picked this novel up. It is so different from every other book I've read and I was so happy to finally read a YA sci-fi novel that didn't follow along with every other YA cliche. The Raging Ones was an incredible read from start to finish and I was constantly engaged with each of the characters.

All three main characters in the novel were so incredibly complex and I loved how the reader was able to learn something new about them in each chapter. They all had twisted backstories that added to their intrigue and emotional pull. The writing was fantastic and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The pacing was on point and I really enjoyed that the authors didn't go overboard with fancy science jargon.

All in all, The Raging Ones was a fantastic read from start to finish. It was filled with action and tons of emotions that I didn't even know I could feel! I would highly recommend this novel and I can't wait for the second book. Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for sending this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Rating 4/5

What I liked: I genuinely enjoyed this story from start to finish. The Ritchie sisters created this harsh, unique world in which only the wealthy, “influential”, and long living individuals really get to enjoy the finer things in life. The premise is something I have never read before in the YA genre. It really makes me think how people would live their lives if they knew the day that they were going to die.

Each of our main characters was unique and, despite having to feel each other’s emotions it didn’t feel as though they were bleeding together into one being, quite the contrary in fact. Franny, Court, and Mykal all fought to make sure that they were not swallowed by the emotions they felt that were not their own. While reading I found that I learned enough about each of our main characters to truly feel invested in them. I find that, in a lot of YA, especially YA novels with multiple perspective, that backstories and overall motivations for characters are often lost, but the Ritchie sisters did an exceptional job of making sure that each character was unique and that they viewed and experienced the world that they lived in differently from their two counterparts.

Another thing I enjoyed was that, while romance did play a role in the story, it was more focused on the love between these three individuals who were, for the most part friends. It’s rare that we see the love of friends play a large role in YA novels, but I felt that this was one of the major, integral parts of the story. Despite wanting to succeed, Court (cold, harsh, sort of selfish Court) wanted to do so with Franny and Mykal with him because they were connected and, even if he didn’t want to admit it he cared for both of them more than himself.

What I didn’t like: For the most part this story was really well paced and the writing was beautiful and the characters were very human, however, there was something that, I don’t want to say I didn’t like it, but it confused me at times. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the overall story, but there were a few parts throughout every characters chapters where it was unclear whether a certain scene had ended or not. For example, at one point Mykal and Franny would be sparring, and then in the next paragraph a week had gone by. In the overall story, it didn’t happen often, however, it happened enough that it sort of threw me out of my reading groove.

This is definitely not a deal breaker for me and I’m hoping it was just the e-galley and that it will be sorted in the finished copy, but I thought it should be noted.

Overall, I give this YA debut a 4.5/5 stars! Definitely check this story out if you’re a fan of the Illuminae files by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, Kaz Brekker from Six of Crows, and twisty, angsty YA sci-fi.

Exciting doesn't even start to describe the adventure in these pages.

Franny has it all worked out—her death day. Every one knows when their death will occur. It's as natural as the stars in the sky, and calculated into life with much awareness and care. There are three types of classes of deaths—those who have very short lives, medium lives and the few who are graced with a long life. Franny belongs to the second of these, has lived her life to the fullest and embraces her upcoming peace. Except, she doesn't die. And that throws everything in life into an expected chaos and adventure.

This is one of those books which grabs and doesn't let go. There are three main characters and three points of view—Franny, Court and Mykal. While Court and Mykal have known each other for several years, Franny is new to the mix and is the one who allows the reader to seep into the adventure with her. Each character has their kinks but each one is a gem in their own right. The bond they share is inspiring, makes them all easy to cheer for, and sets the stage for an exciting series.

The reader follows the trio as they try to reach their goal to become one of the few members of the planet who will be allowed to venture off into space on a mission. The planet is similar enough to modern day Earth to make it easy to settle into the scenes. While the first part of the book allows the circumstances surrounding the trio and their daily lives to sink in, the second part concentrates on the competition as the each try to become part of the ending crew. In this second half, more characters are introduced, which not only add new angles but also offer hints at the adventures to come.

The author has a wonderful balance of present and past, allowing the characters to reveal their pasts slowly and exactly then when it's needed. This approach adds to the layers, especially when new surprising twists trickle in later in the book. There is also a nod at LGBT themes, however, this is only subtle and its unsure where this will lead later on. Only the ending surprised with a twist which definitely wasn't easy to see coming and adds an entirely new dimension to what the next books will hold.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. So, I'm leaving my honest thoughts.

I adore KBR and their previous books and since I'm whole heartedly on board their nerd train, I was pumped to hear they were doing a YA fantasy series because I love that genre.

The Raging Ones is a fantastic start for the writing duo into a new genre and I think fans of their previous books will be pleased. It is very much YA although there are some adult themes of sex and drugs. There is nothing explicit (just kissing) and some of the characters are bi-sexual (or perhaps gay but I'm not 100% sure on that).

The book is told in the 3 POVS of the main characters, Franny, Court and Mykal. I'd say maybe Franny has the strongest voice, followed by Court and then Mykal but all three are unique and wonderful. All in their late teens, they have a huge secret they must protect from the authorities and everyone around them otherwise they'd all be in danger. I won't go into the world building as I could never do justice the way the authors did but essentially, the story is set on a planet in another galaxy (a very cold and unforgiving environment) and Franny, Court and Mykal end up competing to win a chance to become part of a space mission which is very much needed to get them away from the rest of society and the danger they face.

THere's a lot of angst here, a LOT of emotion (you'll see why when you begin reading!) and beautiful friendships. Even characters you think you hate will end up playing a role in the story. Since this is book one of a series, not everything is wrapped up at the end. I'm intrigued to see where things are going and I fully expect to love the second book.

My only negative was that it did kind of move slowly with a lot of character and world building. This is pretty typical for the genre and is much needed but it just takes a little longer to get into the story. I was please regardless and can't wait for book two!

This was a really uneven reading experience for me. I loved the prologue and I was immediately hooked, but then for most of the rest of the book I was just bored and uninterested, with only small moments holding me interest and keeping me going. Then, I was soo into the end of the story and I can’t wait to know what happens next. The Raging Ones is truly a ride, with unexpected twists, great character relationships, and a world like you’ve never seen.


Things I Liked
I think my favorite thing about this story was the dynamic between Franny, Court, and Mykal. I loved the deep care and connection they have. It’s so pure, open, and honest and I was so here for it.

The prologue from Court’s POV immediately hooked me and I was so excited for his characters because he sounded like a morally grey and unreliable narrator.

I thought that the book’s ending and cliffhanger were both so strong and pulled me right back in after my interest was going up and down through the story.

Things I Didn’t Like
I wasn’t the biggest fan of the writing in the story. It was very repetitive and had a lot of telling not showing and the whole made up language thing was a bit distracting at times.

I thought the worldbuilding was lacking. There wasn’t much to it besides everything being covered in ice. The different regions weren’t clear and I still don’t understand the last names situation.

I felt like the story was unbalanced during parts. Like in the training, and just in general, I feel like we really didn’t get to see as much of Mykal as the other two.

Even though I didn’t love this story, it still kept me reading. Some stories that don’t interest you leave you doing everything you can to not pick it up, but I still wanted to know what was happening with these characters so I commend the book for that. I really loved the dynamic between the trio and the adorable romance between Court and Mykal. I’m genuinely excited to see where the story is headed and what’s going to happen next.

Wow!!! This book! I was so different than I thought it would be. I didn’t know if I would love it as much as I did.

The Raging Ones is so different that the other books by the writing duo of Krista and Becca Ritchie. But is was no less amazing. This YA Sci- Fi was so unique and nothing like I’ve read.

My only complaint? I have to wait for the next one!!!!! Which, really isn’t a complaint but I whine.. I need this book pronto!

Thank you Krista and Becca for continuing to amaze me with your talent!

WOW WOW WOW !!

This is, I think, my first Sci-Fi read for me and I am absolutely in love !! All I can think about is when the next book will be released.

The story told in 3 POVs centres a lot on love and friendship. The emotions and feelings were so raw it bonded me so close to the main characters but also tore me apart.

At first I was confused at the start of the story but as the authors slowly revealed the pasts of the characters, everything begin to piece together. This slow process of getting to know the main characters was the reason for my building anticipation that flew me through the very end.

However, the authors decided to drop the bomb on me at the ending, leaving me in a huge suspense and a deep longing to read the sequel. I NEED BOOK 2 NOW !!

If you like Sci-Fi that touches on different universes, space, deathdays and a hint of dystopia, this is the books for you.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

On the surface The Raging Ones is a story about knowing the date of one’s death and the effects that has on a society. Yet, in truth, this novel is more like a classical science fiction space opera. While I was not expecting this, it was much appreciated. It is hard to talk to much about the plot without giving too much away, so I will stop.

This novel is well written. I had a hard time putting it down and when I read I was swept away. The world was well defined with it being build up throughout the story, when appropriate. The characters were all real and unique. Although, their connection to each other was difficult to read at times I thought the writers did an excellent job describing and not over relating.

The plot was grasping right up to the end of the novel. I both hated and loved how it ended. I did not truly come to terms with it until I knew that it would not be a stand alone novel. It truly felt like a new take on classic science fiction that was just short of being one of the great novels. I look forward to reading more of Krista and Becca Ritchie.

This book peaked my interests in a couple of ways: it is set in a freezing world and everyone knows exactly when they will die. Each of the four main characters dodges their deathdays and begin to fight for a spot in a mission to space. Aside for the unique part: I'm not telling. (dun dun dun!!!!)

This was such a wild ride! The Raging Ones is twin duo Becca and Kristie Ritchie's first venture into YA (they specialize in perfect NA novels) and it shows that those two were born to be writers. While I loved all of their previous works, this one just showed me how much they've grown in the last few years.


The Raging Ones is the first book in a new YA science fiction duology that is set in the year 3525 where (in the veins of Gattica and In Time) technology has allowed for people to know the exact day the are going to die. No compromises, no fighting it, you are given your time on earth and when it's over, it's over.
Until Franny survives her death day.
And finds out she's not the only one who has done that.
Boom. Intrigue.

What I loved most about this book (and which has been a trend with books by the Ritchie twins) were the characters. The authors just know how to create flawed, relatable characters with intricate, complex personalities.
The story focuses on three main characters (and we get the POVs of all three of them) and it magically does not turn into a YA love triangle and I was so happy about that - but didn't expect anything less from the Ritchie sisters. We get Mykal and Court, who already have an incredibly strong bond and some lingering tension before Franny is added to the mix. Instead of turning this into two boys fighting over a girl, the reader gets to see genuine friendship, we see them bonding over the fact that they all should have been long dead by now - but are in no way ready to stop fighting.
And don't even get me started on when they entered a competition - one of my favorite tropes ever in books - together and were competing to get employed by one of the most prestigious companies enlisted in doing space missions. Without spoiling too much, these characters develop so well in such a short time which was just amazing to be part of.

The world-building struck a nice balance of not overloading the reader with science jargon while at the same time intriguing me to find out more about the caste system and its origins. I love that there are still a lot of secrets that make me want to pick up the sequel immediately. Sometimes sci-fi reads rely too heavily on lenghty descriptions without saying much at all which thankfully wasn't the case in this book.

There are a million things I loved about this book and I'm forgetting like half of them at the moment (the side characters were so well-developed! The training sequences reminded me of Hunger Games in the best way! I want to hug the entire trio but Court most of all!) but that cliffhanger just made me stare at the page for a good minute in astonishment which is always a good sign!
I haven't been a fan of YA Sci-Fi for long, but this novel is one that made it to the top of my list of that genre. Bonus points for that explosive cover! If you're in the mood for a unique story idea, an amazing execution of science fiction and a cast of characters to fall in love with, this book is for you!