Sunday, April 23, 2023

United Forces by Terry Overton Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: The Underground Book Readers: United Forces

Author: Terry Overton

Genre: Middle grade, pre-teen, teen dystopian

Release date: March 1, 2023

In the second book of The Underground Book Readers, Leena, Kahn, Casey, Jairus, Asher, and Conroy face unpredicted challenges. The World Force tightens its grip on the remaining teens and children of the Blue Ridge Mountains area. Increased patrols and drones are seen nearly every day as they visit their underground cavern to read forbidden books and study the Bible. The Underground Book Readers attempt to find out the identity and purpose of a new threatening group seen on a nearby mountain while they continue to work on an escape tunnel. But they soon discover there is more under Leena’s house than a cellar. The underground group design a spy mission to the other mountain. Questions remain about possible escapees who left to find a free territory in what used to be called the United States in the world before.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review

This is a good continuation of a dystopian series for young readers set somewhere around 2031. While it is book two, there is enough back story that it can be read on its own. Overton explores a number of important issues in this novel. One is the important information contained in books that have been banned by invading forces. The young people learn from reading Thomas Paine that, if something is wrong and it is ignored, it gives a false sense of being right. Soon people assume it is okay. Wise words for adults as well as kids.

Each of these young people has expertise in a particular area and it is interesting to see them share responsibilities as they value the various abilities. Leena is an expert gardener, for example and Conroy has good experience in fishing and spying. They are also quick to take in those who are needy.

This group of young people is challenged to do what adults failed to accomplish. They need to outsmart the oppressive World Force with its advanced technology and superior power. We are left wondering what is in their future so I will be looking for the next in the series.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

You can read my review of the first book in this series, The Secret Society.

About the Author

Terry Overton obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology and her Ed. D. in special education. She taught in public schools and was a school psychologist and a professor before retiring in 2016. She began her second “career” after retirement writing Christian fiction books and devotionals. She hopes to share the Christian worldview through her writing and touch the lives of her readers. Her novels, middle grade readers, and picture books seek to entertain readers through the travel experiences and characters included in her books. Her books have earned Bookfest Awards, Firebird Award Winner, American Writing Award Gold, International Finalist Book Award, Reader Views Awards, Reader’s Favorite Awards and the Mom’s Choice Award. She currently resides in Laguna Vista, Texas, near the Texas-Mexico border. She enjoys Biblical history and general Bible studies, writing, and enjoying family and friends. She has seven grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

More from Terry

The series was motivated by discussions with local community and school librarians who expressed frustration with their inability to order and display classic books, and newer conservative or Christian based books, in their own libraries. The series reflects what is currently seen in many news stories where parents are outraged by the books their own children are being shown in schools. This Christian dystopian book series, written for middle grade readers and up, is an attempt to remind children of the blessings of books and of the Bible. In addition, several historic documents and time periods are discussed. It is my hope that introducing these topics in this way will pique curiosity of young readers who may not have had the opportunity to study these documents and events.