This is book 3 in this trilogy, which is part of a much longer series, and we've just scratched the surface. This was a lot darker and more intense when compared to the first two books. I'm new to J.A. Huss's work, so her end-of-book shit gave me an understanding that this is how dark her books usually are, and Book 1 and 2 in this series were an exception with the fluff they had, and things will only get darker the deeper we get into this series. The world created in this series is truly something else. It really pulls you in and keeps you hooked and invested in finding out more while also rooting for these characters.

This book follows Clover Bradley and Riggs. Clover is having the worst day of her life—she was fired from her job and kicked out of her cottage in Bishop. With nowhere else to go, she decides to return to her home in Disciple while she figures out the next step. What she doesn't expect is to find that the house isn't empty and then be taken hostage in her own childhood home.

Riggs has been assigned a task that he absolutely cannot fail. After being punished for his treason by spending six years in the tunnels, Riggs has no choice but to ensure this job goes without a hitch, or it could very well be the end for him. So when Clover walks into the house he's squatting at while he completes his task is a huge issue for him, especially given her relation to Collin Creed.

Clover has limited time to figure out a way to save herself before Riggs is done with whatever he has set out to do. She does try whatever she can—fight, run, scream, and comply. Even with all the gruesome threats aimed her way by Riggs, she still can't seem to keep herself in check and lashes out at him. However, Riggs eventually feels some sort of attachment towards Clover after spending all that time with her and in her home, where he can see her life documented, and decides to find a way to save her after all. But at the same time he wants to be sure that it doesn't blow up in his face and jeopardize his assignment, so he decides to keep her close to him.

As they come up with this plan, it becomes vital for them to trust each other so they can both survive because if anyone finds out the truth, they'd both be dead or worse. This was a pivotal moment given how things had started for them, and it was a great ask to trust the person who kidnapped you and held you captive. This turn of events was definitely interesting, and they started working together rather than against each other, and though it was chaotic, it also felt like it was a smooth transition between them, all things considered.

This book digs deeper (quite literally) into the underground military base, which is basically an underground city and one of many, and we see firsthand just how well these operations have been running for decades. It does answer some questions that were raised in book 2, but there's still so much to uncover as we slowly move to the center of this web.

I liked how Clover and Riggs's new, fragile relationship/partnership was put to the test, which was kind of intense, and I was nervous to see how the two would come out of it. Whether they'd stand united or crumble under all the scrutiny and mind games, especially given what was at stake,.

Collin Creed. Just who are you? The more we start diving deeper, the more I feel like we have no idea just who he is yet, and I love it. We find out of things that link back to Book 1 and the things that were hinted in it. I really don't want to give away too much.

I'm honestly so crushed that Ike is dead because I felt like we'd be getting a redemption arc for his character in some future book, and I was starting to truly like him given his role in this book.