Author: Wendy Higgins
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Publication Date: February 14, 2017
Pages: 282
Format: Kindle Book
Being on the run in the desert means food and sanctuary are hard to come by, but Amber Tate and her crew are not about to give up. Not after having so many of the things they love brutally ripped from them by an unknown enemy who sent their world into the apocalypse.
Survival takes precedence, but once safe shelter is found, their guards fall and the emotions they’ve been holding in are finally released. Anger, insecurities...lust. In their tight quarters, Amber, Rylen, Tater, and Remy can't escape it. The past must be faced, and passions run even stronger in the darkest of times.
In the midst of unrest, their worlds are rocked again when they discover the truth about the war that’s ruined their lives. They thought finding out the enemy's identity would give them the edge; instead it’s revealed terrifying dangers they never thought possible.
Review: So we see everyone heading to Dugway Proving Ground in Utah after hearing a coded broadcast about survivors there. This trip however is not without many dangers. They run into other survivors who prove to be dangerous (one whose not, and ends up joining them later on) and also have to avoid the DRI. The DRI sighting is especially heartbreaking for everyone as they see another Convoy of buses taking people to the "safe zones." They all knew the actual fate those people were going to suffer soon enough but they couldn't do a thing to stop it with just their small group. What makes the trek to Dugway even worse is that Remy got sick. She had to be carried most of the way when they lost the cars.
Dugway proved to be interesting. Over 100 survivors, all military from various branches found their way there and have made a little hideout of survivors. I was surprised there was so many of them. I thought it was going to be a small group, maybe like 10 or 20 people most. They pretty much turned it into a hidden underground society. Everyone had a job based on their knowledge and talents. And everyone took new outsiders VERY seriously. Like thorough questioning and body checking seriously. But in times of war where you don't know who could be the enemy you have to take precautions.
We finally get some real confirmation who the enemy is. The Baelese. The people we keep reading small bits about in the prologue. It wasn't completely clear what they were up to in the beginning of Unknown, but its very clear in the beginning of Unrest. Our favorite characters learn about the Baelese during a base wide meeting. It shakes them to the core. They thought they were fighting a group of unknown humans. They never thought it would be a group of aliens. This changes the game for everyone. We learn a lot more about where the Baelese come from, how long they've been on earth, and why they came here, but I won't spoil that. It's a lot to take in. We also learn that they decided to do something awful to all the human women they managed to come into contact with, including Amber and Remy.
So onto our favorite characters. I'll start out with Tater and Remy. Tater had some real issues in this book. All this stuff happening between his parents dying, the things he's had to do to protect everyone, his feelings for Remy, the news about the Baelese. Its given his serious PTSD. He really struggles the whole book. He's happy some moments, then he depressed and wanting to be alone. They he's angry and taking it out on everyone. He also struggles a lot regarding Remy. He really does like her and still keeps trying to help her and protect her, but he also doesn't want it to be a fling and doesn't want to use or hurt her when she's still hurting as well. He's so hot and cold with her. Half the time being nice, and half the time being mean. At the end of the book he chooses to find and protect her over his own safety. Remy actually becomes a bit reserved in this book compared to how she was in the last. She's upset with how Tater is hot and cold with her and feels like its her fault. She did however really enjoy her job at Dugway. She felt like she was really able to help the community.
Amber and Rylen. Oh boy. Rylen is still being stubborn as you know what! Good grief I wanted to smack him across the face a few times. How can someone be this stubborn and not take the freaking hints?!?!?!?!?!?!?! And then at times it seemed like he was trying to piss Amber off, but then others he was bestie buddy again. Poor Amber. She tried so hard to get it through Rylen's head how she felt about him but he wasn't getting it. It took 3/4 of the book for Amber to say it straight up to his face, and then she had to say it again because she was drunk the first time and he wouldn't believe her. Poor girl. She kept the courage however and it finally freaking paid off! Amber and Rylen finally got together. It was clear Rylen wanted Amber too but he didn't want to make the move. But FINALLY!!! Good grief. They clearly are extremely happy together and wanted each other very badly. I'm so happy it finally happened for them!
So this definitely needs to be mentioned. Michael King. He was from Nellis AFB and found his way to Dugway. He was working under the DRI... And he he is responsible for some big stuff that went down. I also won't spoil this, but you'll want to know what he did.
I'm very curious to see how the third book plays out. The group is split now. Amber, Rylen, and the military guys should be all together, but Tater, Remy and Linette (I still have mixed feelings about her) were split from them.
5 Stars!