Reverence

The Reverence Trilogy, Book 1

By: Raena Rood

Narrated by: Missy Brooks

Twelve years ago, a global pandemic known as the Job virus decimated the world’s population. One city withstood the virus by going into lockdown during the early days of the pandemic, erecting a massive barricade wall to insulate themselves from the sick and the dying. Now called Vita Nova—meaning New Life—the city is overcrowded, and its resources are quickly dwindling. The area outside the wall, known as the Unregulated Zone, is a vast wasteland filled with crumbling buildings, overgrown highways, and the Lawless: brutal bands of marauders intent on breeching the barricade and claiming the city’s resources for themselves.

To combat the problem of overcrowding, the leadership of Vita Nova has implemented two programs: The Compulsory Program, which requires that anyone over the age of 60—or anyone who requires medical treatment for a chronic illness—undergo a humane euthanization procedure. There is also the Volunteer Program, which offers residents the chance to be revered at a public ceremony and receive a Final Week of luxury, gifts, and praise...in exchange for giving up their lives for the good of all.

After losing her mother as a Compulsory, Kira Liebert became a volunteer advocate for Vita Nova. She works closely with the Volunteers, arranging their stay at Rolling Meadows, a lavish, country-club estate where Volunteers spend their last few days. She also fulfills any special requests they might have for their Final Week. But when young, handsome Will Foster enters her office, wishing to end his life as a Volunteer, he has just one request for his Final Week. He wants to spend it with Kira.

Unable to refuse the Volunteer’s last request, Kira gets swept into Will’s world and goes somewhere she never thought she’d go: beyond the barricade. With the end of Will’s Final Week approaching, Kira realizes that Vita Nova is not the utopian sanctuary she once thought it was. And some people—the truly brave ones—will sacrifice everything to prove it.

©2022 Raena Roo (P)2026 Raena Rood

well written first installment

I enjoyed the characters especially Kira. The mix of Christianity in a dystopian series was awkward I thought. it was also unexpected. I won't continue the series but I enjoyed this novel.

Good start!

This was a great listen/read! I enjoyed it! I’m looking forward to Kira learning more about her faith too!

I loved this book!

I loved everything about it. It always kept you on your toes and wanting more. I can't wait until the other two books have audio. I also enjoyed the reader. I do wish it had a bit more of God but other than that it was fantastic.

Loved this book

This is my favorite type of book!
I love distopian type books with a love story intertwined. They make your brain picture this totally different reality than what you live in and everyones interpretation is different!! it's awesome. This book had me at the edge of my seat near the end just wanting it to be over and hopefully have a happy ending but at the same time not wanting to miss a second and never end. SPOILERS PAST THIS POINT!!!!
Having her save Teddy was my favorite part in this book because this book almost had me crying eveytime I thought about him dying when he didn't even understand what it ment but was just trying to make his mom happy even though she was a self absorb crappy person who seemed to barely care about him. I'm so happy she saved him and I feel this aspect of the story roped me into loving the story more and I hope the next book still includes the cute little boy🙂

Good story, nice worldbuilding, very nice narration

Recommended by a friend, I'm glad to say this was a really good listen! the story is well paced, gives a snapshot of a dystopian future, uses the confined of a week to tell a grounded and engaging story, and above all else it uses all of these with the framework of biblical values. As a man, I was pleased with the strong (but realistically flawed) male characters, and I am sure the same can be said for their counterparts. as it was recommended to me, I now recommend it to you. It really is a good story and well worth the price.