Resist by Casey L. Bond (4.5 stars)

About Resist
(from Goodreads)

Abby Kelley returns home from the Greater city of Olympus to find that things in Orchard Village are bad, very bad. The Olympian Guard has taken over village affairs. The Lessers are being worked to the bone in the coldest winter Orchard has seen. Villagers are being dragged away for the slightest indication of what they call “resistance.” She needs to keep her head down and her mouth shut. But, it’s so hard to do when everything within you screams rebellion.

Kyan is coming on strong, trying to convince her to take a chance on him. Shocking news of Crew’s activities in Olympus sweeps through the Villages. When Abby is taken away by the Olympian guard, Kyan sends word to Vesuvius for help. But, no one could have predicted their idea of help or what they might expect in return.

Who will be left to pick up the pieces of Abby’s heart?

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Review

Resist picks up right where Reap left off, but with enough details to kickstart my memory about past events. Abby returns home, but she's forever changed from her time in Olympus.  Then, she realizes her home is in even more danger. Can she do what's necessary to save those she cares about?

Abby is such a compelling character. Even in her moments of strength, we see her soft side. She's confused, thanks to a lot of information being thrown at her, but determined to do the right thing. Even her heart is conflicted. She loves, in some capacity, three guys--Crew, Kyan, and Gray--and each of them has a hand in her fate. I love that she's honest about her feelings, although sometimes this means hurting someone she cares about.

Before starting book two, I was leaning toward Team Kyan, but I was greatly torn. In Resist, I was solidly Team Gray, but I cared for Crew and Kyan and each broke my heart in some capacity. Abby goes through so much in this novel, and I can't wait to see how she comes through it in book three. So far, she has grown with each new challenge. Plus, a key character comes back into Abby's life, but whether it's a good or bad thing remains to be seen.

There were two major events in this novel that brought tears to my eyes. You know you are invested in a story when that happens. If this review seems vague, it's because I don't want to give anything away--I don't want to spoil the exhilarating ride for anyone.

From page one, I was invested in this story and the characters. Book three can't get here soon enough. 

Note: While there were a few editing errors, it wasn't enough to pull me away from the excellent story.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Please check out my review of Reap, book one in this series, here. 

About the Author
(from Goodreads)

Casey resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband (high-school sweetheart and love of her life) and two beautiful daughters. She loves God, her awesome family, her crazy friends, writing and reading! Her favorite color is teal! Casey is a wanna-be Italian and loves all Italian food. She loves the fall, but a piece of her heart is always at the ocean. She loves the beauty and majesty of the hills and mountains of her home state of West Virginia. Marshall University is her alma mater, and if you cut her, she will bleed Kelly Green!!! Go Herd!!! She graduated Magna Cum Laude from MU in 2003 with a B.A. in Criminal Justice, Legal Studies. Casey attended Hurricane High School and lives only six miles from her home town. Her family has one cat and one hermit crab. She loves flowers, but has a notoriously brown thumb. She attends Church regularly and enjoys her friends and family there as well.

Please follow her on FB, Twitter @authorcaseybond, on Goodreads and on Pinterest! She has made a board dedicated to the awesomeness of Winter Shadows!