The Raging Ones by Krista and Becca Ritchie ~ A Review

by MK French

On a planet plagued by relentless cold and poor food supplies, everyone knows the day they're going to die. Babes die before they turn six, Fast Trackers before thirty, and Influentials grow to old age and are given the opportunities to learn and affect change. Three teens have survived past their death days: Franny Bluecastle, Court Icecastle, and Mykal Kickfall. They are also inexplicably connected, in that they feel each others' emotions and physical reactions to events. No one else they know of has ever survived past their death day, and they fear what would happen if others knew that they did. The trio plans to escape their planet by winning spots on the coveted space mission, but that will involve pretending to be Influential and outperforming the others competing for the same five spots.
Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

August 2018; Wednesday Books
978-1250128713
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); YA, fantasy

There is incredible worldbuilding here, which unfolds little by little as the story progresses. We shift between the viewpoints of our three protagonists, so the information about the world comes in fits and starts, particularly the information that Court knows. He's secretive as a result of what he endured before the book even opens, and fears the Influential world as much as he knows how to be part of it. The three were from completely different backgrounds, which is explored in Part 1. Part 2 outlines the StarDust program and training, and my heart goes out to Mykal. He's the least prepared for academia in that part of the world; Franny didn't have formal instruction either, but she is street smart and able to pick up on things quickly. We learn more about all three of them, especially Court.

The only bad thing I can think of saying about this book is that it ends on a cliffhanger! It was so abrupt that my mouth literally dropped open and I kept tapping the screen on my Kindle to advance the pages looking for more. I hope that a sequel is released soon so that I can find out what happens to our trio and the allies they picked up along the way.

Buy The Raging Ones at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and golden retriever.

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