Setting/Writing Style: This wasn’t an apocalyptic dystopian novel, but rather a fictional rendering of what could soon be coming to our own world. (Rick is one of my favorite side characters – I mean, a naturopath ex-atheist who now loves the Lord and serves Him? Yes!) And Amanda was absolutely amazing (such a sweetheart), and then there was Wes and Matilda, Brent, and Rick.

We’ll see how I feel about him in the next book in the series. Yep, that’s where I’m leaving that for now. I’m going to say one thing – I loved the dude. And of course, her arc was amazing to see. And she didn’t come off as this crazy agnostic who just hated Christians and lived a terrible life – she was written quite realistically and fairly. But he was also so stalwart and firm in what he believed, and his gentle, yet insistent, love for his sister was so sweet! (Sibling relationships need to be in books more.) And speaking of Merri … though she was an agnostic, I could still relate to her quest to find answers to her questions.

He didn’t always know what to do, and he struggled with forgiveness and kindness just like anyone would. I loved that he was just a normal guy, and he made wrong decisions and said the wrong things. And I have thoughts about Drew, but I shall refrain.) But anyway … let’s start with Tony. (Which is a good thing.)Ĭharacters: What a great cast of characters, and there was hardly any romance! (Merri and Drew’s relationship didn’t really register on my radar because Drew didn’t have a POV.

It got to the level of tearing my heart out and making me want to scream at certain characters. Wow, what an explosive start to the series! Given this is a dystopian book, you’re bound to have all kinds of action and suspenseful situations, but this book went beyond just mere suspense.

Fled for Refuge by Kristina Hall