I have read all of Jackie D’s books and have love them all. Each one is filled with adventure and suspense and is always a page turnover. This book is about a society where there is great suffering and injustice and is mainly set in the year 2088.

Sixty-five years earlier (2023) there is so much political unrest in the United States. The Trapp administration decide to create a program to cryogenically freeze four carefully selected individuals who will be brought back to help defend democracy and establish order. This program is called Phoenix. One facet of the Phoenix plan is to have a collection of people whose prime responsibility is to orientate and assist the four individuals, who have been frozen for 65 years, to their roles in 2088.

Kaelyn Trapp, the daughter of the President, is the first main character. Because of her education and training she has been selected to be one of the individual frozen. Arrow Steele, who from birth, was trained to assist the resistance in fighting the political extremes currently in place. The two characters, along with many sub characters, take on the mission to try to save democracy.

The plot is strong and fast-paced. At times I felt some of the political unrest in this book was very similar to what we are facing today in the world. The characters were very well developed and believable. I found myself cheering on the “good-guys” in the fight for democracy.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for adventure. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I hope there is a sequel.

I received this ARC from Bold Strokes Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book.

It's set seventy years into the future. After the world had been ravaged by climate change and the citizens had to live in environmental bubbles in order to survive. Also, all social structures have collapsed unless you are white and male.

The story itself flows well and its written at a good pace. It's a little disturbing that only four people were put into cryogenic sleep so that they could steer the world back onto the right track. You only connect with phoenix one, the other three are spoken about, I found myself routing for the resistance.

I you like end of the world stories then I think you'll enjoy this.


*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4101338911

https://www.amazon.co.uk/review/R13T22A60CVUYR/ref=pe_1572281_66412651_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

A relatively light science fiction novel set 70+ years in the future - a dystopian future where America has been divided into two - the isolationist, authoritarian, patriarchal police state that drugs its citizens to retain their power and and the outlying communities that have broken away but are hampered by limited resources and forced to trade the majority of their food in order to maintain some level of autonomy.

The book starts in the present where a beleaguered President sees the writing on the wall with the rise of a fear mongering opposition who are poised to take over the government. He creates the Phoenix Project where four specially selected people (specialists in military, technology, psychology and history) will be cryogenically frozen and able to be activated when it is time to retake the government and reinstate democracy and American ideals.

It's an interesting premise but the book itself just didn't work for me. I had more questions than answers with the world building, assumptions and overarching plot that kept pulling me out of the story. I didn't connect with either of the MCs and the romance seemed too stilted and forced.

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This was an excellent read; I was pulled into the storyline instantly. It was a refreshing change, but I felt like it was too fast. Right, when Phoenix One woke up, they were ready to take back the government. It didn't seem that Phoenix One did anything so exceptional to take the government. It seemed like the Resistance could have done what they did years before. I felt like there wasn't something so special about Phoenix one that came off the page to showcase her strength for the resistance. It was a very refreshing storyline I just wanted more background of what the resistance was doing before Phoenix one woke up.

I felt that this book left out a lot of backstory that would've been helpful in moving the plot along. It was an okay read but the ending felt rushed and like they were trying to wrap up the storyline quickly.

The Rise of the Resistance by Jackie D is, overall, a solid dystopian fiction that finds itself caught somewhere between being a thought-provoking and didactic political thriller, and a fairly typical lesbian romance with a generic futuristic backdrop. As a fan of the former who is somewhat tired of the latter, this was a difficult book for which to write a review.

Kaelyn Trapp, otherwise known as Phoenix One, is cryogenically frozen — one of a chosen four— sleeping away seventy years until the time is right to stage a coup and overthrow a morally bankrupt government. Arrow, Kaelyn’s guardian, a true believer in what this (potentially ignorant) Australian reader can only best describe as ‘the American Dream’, an idealistic woman of integrity, has worked her whole life to prepare for the war to come. What isn’t to love about this plot?

Exploring a future in which men like Donald Trump have not only been allowed to rule, but have been elevated to the cult-like status representative of many of history’s authoritarian dictatorships, this novel has plenty to offer. The ‘President’ and his heir, MacLeod, make for fascinating reading. Jackie D explores how racist, homophobic, xenophobic leaders manage to seize, manipulate, and maintain power.

“First, he paid off a major media organisation. Its sole purpose was to discredit the others until people who were loyal to him only tuned in to that outlet…Next, he started to discredit our FBI…It didn’t matter how many of his statements were proven as lies, or how horrible his remarks about women and minorities…”

And I have no doubt that this novel has been inspired by a deep-rooted societal concern about Trump:

“Nora sat on the couch. She ran her hands down her form-fitting red dress. She was perfect. Hell, if she hadn’t been his own daughter, he probably would’ve tried to sleep with her by now.”

Nora, MacLeod’s daughter, is the character I found the most fascinating in this story. She’s deplorable in many ways, but also far more intelligent than her father, and the only member of the cast to do something that I found genuinely surprising. Nora is a political mastermind working within a patriarchal, sexist framework in which the inequalities of today have been exacerbated and even legalised. If Nora appears in the next book, I’ll be reading it.

Kaelyn and Arrow are likeable, but also unremarkable. Kaelyn is said to be the absolute best person to restore democracy and freedom, but some aspects of her personality and supposed expertise struck me incongruent with this claim. She is good at giving speeches filled with a lot of platitudes and patriotism, but many of the finer aspects of leadership are left to the reader to assume. There were also some instances where her lack of knowledge (probably more for the reader’s benefit so that Arrow or her mother could then deliver an explanation) didn’t make sense to me. That said, I suspect she is meant to personify the traits of American culture that are most admirable, an ideological foundation of fairness and compassion. Which is just kinda nice, really.

Arrow is almost nauseatingly ‘good’, the proverbial knight-in-shining-armour, where even her faults are positive. I didn’t mind either of the two leading ladies, but I also didn’t feel particularly connected to the pair because they were presented as practically perfect. When someone in the novel pointed out the fact that these two were in their positions of power and influence because they’d been born to the ‘right’ families, I cheered a little, because it frustrated me that two people, both born to presidents were apparently the only ones who could save America (and this is very much a book steeped in all things American). Arrow is a warrior who has a few action scenes that many readers will enjoy. I was pleased to see that Arrow didn’t resort to fatal gunshots as her first method of defence (or attack).

The romance between Kaelyn and Arrow is, I imagine, what many readers will come to see. Given that the romance frustrated me because it kept detracting from the dystopian elements I was enjoying so much as well as what I perceived as deep repetition of the “we shouldn’t go there because we have a duty to others” trope, lots of people will love it. But this is what I meant earlier when I said this book was, I thought, caught between wanting to be a standard romance ‘lesfic’, with the meet-desire-angst-denial-more angst-give in-deny again-HEA plot line many know and love, and a speculative fiction with a heck of a lot of meat on its bones.

Readers like me will want less focus on the internal dialogue attached to the relationship and more exploration of the dystopian setting and its deep-rooted psychological conflicts. Romance-lovers will possibly want to see the reverse. You can see why this review got so long, right? I mean, I love parts of this book, but I also wanted to skip sections.

I have my fingers crossed that subsequent novels in the series will explore characters ‘on the ground’ so to speak, looking at History From Below. I think this will really draw out those complex social and political concepts that are there, but not quite developed. I’d be really interested to hear from anyone else who has read this one. What did you think?!

The Rise of the Resistance is a speculative dystopian story set in the later 21st Century. Runaway climate change has fuelled a populist uprising in the US where migrants, refugees and minorities of all sorts were violently suppressed. The remaining, rather homogeneous, populace is now kept docile and compliant. This part all seems an extreme, but very feasible, projection from the US of today.
Kaelyn is one of four potential political and social leaders cryogenically frozen decades prior by the last true democratic administration in the hope they could be revived and lead a struggle of renewal. Arrow has trained all her life to guard Kaelyn when she awakes.
I like much about this book. There are some great ideas underpinning this story and it is, of course, very topical. Both the lead characters are likeable and suitably conflicted. Some things I am less keen on. Firstly, everything just happens too fast. Something seems missing in the build-up to the main events. The romance is strong, but even though it mostly works in the story it again feels a bit rushed.
It seems to me that where a science-fiction story gets combined with a romance, the story development often gets rushed – and made to fit a “standard” romance novel length – rather than playing out naturally to a longer book more typical of speculative fiction.
Overall, this is a very solid four-star book and I enjoyed reading it. It just needed more time.

‘The Rise of the Resistance’ is a dystopian vision of a future where climate change could not be stopped in time. It’s an excellent story of people who have been waiting so long to fight back against tyranny. The parallels to the situation in the USA now are stark and profound
It’s a story that acts as a warning.
Arrow has trained her whole life to protect Phoenix One, the woman who is destined to lead the Resistance when they need her most. Kaelyn Trapp has been cryogenically frozen as part of the Phoenix Project and willingly takes on the mantle of leader. They are powerfully drawn to each other but can they resist? Will giving in jeopardise the important work they have to do?
I was really impressed by Jackie D’s story and felt it had a truth and reality to it. She brought to life an America where things had gone badly wrong, but she gave me hope that all was not lost. The world she has imagined was compelling and the characters were so well developed. Arrow and Kaelyn felt right together but whether they could ever take that step had me wishing and hoping. Arrow was loyal and strong and determined. Kaelyn was brilliant and the person one would want to lead in a fight for good. The bad guys were truly despicable. And the fact that I could imagine such a scenario was scary. I just hope this book gets the coverage it deserves. I highly recommend it.

I was given this ARC for review.

Well done.

The characters were interesting, flawed, loveable and more and the plot was different and a little bit dark. There was an element of tell rather than show but overall I liked a lot about this book and sped through it.

This was such a good book, a nice little warning of what the world will become. Before I give it all of the good accolades, I do have to say that I don't think it will be so easy to take over another government. The resistance just walked in and everyone just gave up and left and gave them their lands. It seemed like way too easy.

Now for the good things, I thought that this book was insta love, but when in a dystopian universe you really have to move faster. The story was about Kaelyn who was cryogenically frozen to come back to the world when the world was ready for a new government. This is necessary because a fringe group called The Hand of God takes over the US government after the republican party falls, this is eerily similar to our current government, But I really liked this book. I thought the author did a great job of pointing out what will happened to this earth if we all don't start listening to each other and instead continue to be divisive and have that clan mentality.

Both of the main characters were amazing and I had no problems falling in love with either of them. I thought that Kaeyln did an incredible job of waking up in a world she did not know and taking that in stride. I do think like I said above that there would have been a lot more resistance from the Hand of God, but overall the story was good, the love story was god, and most of all it was believable. I don't think that there has been a lesfic book I have enjoyed ore than this one in several months. I hope this turns into a series because I would love to read more.

This book was given to me as an ARC by Bold Strokes Books and Net-galley in exchange for an honest review.

I have so many feels about this book. I know it's supposed to be a dystopian drama, but it reads so much more like a prophecy. This book is well written and has many well developed characters. There isn't much to say without giving away too many details. I think the ending left open the possibility of a sequel and I'm really hoping that happens. There could even be prequel with this storyline. I'd read both, for pleasure and as a prophecy to prepare... I received an ARC from Net Galley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Every book I read by Jackie D. is better than the last! I loved this book so much. Seriously, I love the end of the world books. Add in some fascinating philosophical ponderings, strong and unique character, and a beautiful little romance, and you have the perfect recipe for a perfect book.

When the world as we know it is coming to the end, four "Phoenixes" are cryogenically frozen until the resistance is strong enough to overthrow the government and bring democracy back to the US. Kaeyln, daughter to the last true President of the United States, is Phoenix One. She brings her expert knowledge of democracy and the foundations of the US to the fight. Arrow is her guardian, she's been preparing all her life to protect the Phoneix and bring her to her destiny. But their attraction and compatibility couldn't have been predicted in a million years. Even on the brink of war, true love doesn't wait for anyone.

I really loved the way Jackie D. created an apocalyptic world that was believable but also brought their own spin on how it would all go down. It was such a cool idea.

I just love how strong the women in this book were, on both sides of the war. Strong, independent, fierce and brilliant. I really enjoyed the discussions Arrow and Kaelyn were able to have, they were able to meet each other's level of thinking. It really brought their connection all that more more intense and palpable for the reader. Their chemistry was off the charts as well.

This was such a wonderfully crafted story, it was so much more than just a romance or just an adventure, it was a fascinating depiction of nothing is black and white, this book really explored the complexities of humanity.

I can't help wondering if their is going to be a second book, or a longer series! I hope so. I can't help feeling that there is more to Nora's story as well. I will definitely be buying the paperback of this book!

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

Post-apocalyptic themes have been done over plenty but rarely are this good with characters that you care so deeply for. It’s the moment when Kaelyn hears Arrows voice for the first time as she awakens from cryogenic sleep to embark on her mission, that initial spark of chemistry and safety, that you know they will become an unstoppable team. Fortunately, the author eases us into their timeline with balanced speculation and definitions of advanced technology that enhanced the wonder of the future without suffusing the reader in techno-babble or advanced theories that could have bogged down the story. Their adventures had me on the edge of my seat and were blended perfectly with the sizzling chemistry that was never too far from their desperate predicament. Both Kaelyn and Arrow are superbly honorable and unwaveringly caring. You can’t help but become as smitten with them as they are with each other, and ultimately, the future they desperately fight for will have you glued to the pages until you know for sure that they will survive.

3.5 Stars. I like Jackie D as an author. Her last book Pursuit was a ton of fun to read. I thought this was a good solid story but I didn’t love it. It’s an action-packed dystopian with a little romance book.

This book takes place 70 years in the future and the earth has been brutalized by climate change. People live in environmental bubbles just to survive. If you are anything other than a white cis male, you have no power or are banished from the good living areas. A resistance has been waiting and building for years, for the time to take the country back. The key to leading the resistance is to unfreeze four people cryogenically frozen for just this purpose. Can the Resistance take back what was once the United States?

This new world is basically everything scary actually coming true. Jackie D did a good job of adding new convincing tech while world building. The characters were interesting and it was easy to get pretty hooked into the book. The pace of the read was a good pace. You do have to suspend some disbelief. That only four people were basically picked to be frozen and save the world. I was actually hoping they would wake up with some kind of powers, but they are just normal intelligent people.

I did like this read but I had two slight issues. One was the excitement factor. While this had good action and danger, I never felt on the edge of my seat. I had worry for the characters, but I never felt like “oh no! What is going to happen?” Because I never got overly excited about the outcome, some of the action felt flatter than it should have.

The other main issue for me was the romance. I get it. This is not an easy book to write a romance in. I actually don’t even mind insta love in these kinds of books. This book was not insta love, I’m just making the point that I get it’s not easy in these books. My problem is I just felt they really need more time together or something. The relationship felt very on the surface. I liked them together, I just needed something deeper. The way this book ended, I could see a book 2. If that happens, I could see the relationship becoming a lot stronger. There was so much going on in the book, I think it was just really a time issue.

If you are a dystopian fan you might want to check this out. It has some bumps but it was a good read. If Jackie D writes a sequel, I would definitely be interested in reading it.

Jackie D is a great author and the book is written well. Some people may have a issue with ideas in this book such as freezing a child and hopefully one day they maybe unfrozen. The wonderful thing about books, is reading things that are different from normal everyday life. This book will take you to a future time I hope no one ever has to live. What would you do to help fight the government if the America you knew was gone?

Around 2020, the president of the United States, Daniel Trapp, is aware that his position is threatened. Climate change catastrophes have left the world’s people struggling to survive and while America was a refuge, there was a movement of protestors with charismatic leadership beginning to emerge. Frank MacLeod’s support increases with each bigoted opinion he expounds. As a last hope for humanity, Trapp creates the Phoenix Project where four of the brightest minds with vast and diverse skill sets are cryogenically frozen to be woken when whoever is in charge of what’s left of the former democratic government deems the time is right. Kaelyn, the president’s 34 year old daughter is Phoenix One.

In 2088 the resistance decides it’s time to awaken the four Phoenixes. Arrow Steele has been trained from birth to be one of Kaelyn’s guardians. She and the other guardians will protect the four as they mount an attack to overthrow the reign of the MacLeods. Arrow feels she’s known Kaelyn her whole life and once she’s awake it’s not long before she finds herself falling for her. Kaelyn has 65 years of history to learn and her despair at the devastation she finds the world in is alleviated by Arrow’s belief in her and the hope she sees around her.

I’m really conflicted about this novel. On the one hand I enjoyed the pace, the quest and the action. I liked the developing feelings between Arrow and Kaelyn. I liked parts of the world building and parts of the story. What I struggled most with was the concept.

"Each had a skill set that could help to bring unity and peace the country if the unthinkable happened. If America fell, and it seemed that there was no question they were headed that direction, eventually, these four people would be the last hope, a glimmer of what America once stood for and what it could be again. They would work together to restore the country to what it was supposed to be, when whoever was in charge deemed the time was right. The idea was brilliant…"

Would parents and leaders really think that freezing their child and three other people to possibly (because who knows whether they would survive) be reanimated in the future by a hopeful (because that might not work out either) resistance is a better idea than fighting a malignant leader in the here and now. Surely not? I couldn’t get my head around the thinking that this was a good idea.
Other than this, I enjoyed the read. 3.5 stars.

Book received from Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

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

Ok this book starts out Sixty-five years ago when four carefully chosen individuals i n the Phoenix Program were cryogenically frozen until it time to bring them back.

In the year 2088 where democracy has been cast out by a hostile take over now it's time to bring the Phoenix Program to fruition.

This is when we meet Arrow Steele she train her whole life to bring the Phoenix Program to life when Kaelyn Trapp wakes up from her frozen state. They aren't prepared for the attraction that both of them can't deny.

Kaelyn is called Pheonix One and her destiny is to negotiate the new world and bring America back semblance of peace.

As Arrow and Kaelyn figure out a way to do this they would need help from the other three members of Phoenix Program as they fight the government and the enemy known as President Adon MacLeod. Will they able to bring the vision the Founding Fathers wanted you have to read and see.

This was a amazing read it made me question if this would happen in real life and would people step up to see a better world because quite frankly this world could be better if we all was on the same page.