Author: Kristin Keppler
Genre: Speculative Fiction
Tropes: Dystopian / Apocalypse, Slow Burn, Enemies to Lovers
Series: The Badlands #1
Pages: 252
Published: June 15th, 2021
Format: ebook (kindle)
Started: 04-09-2025
Finished: 04-14-2025
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character
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readability
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writing style
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plot
synopsis
Danielle Clark is done with the Resistance. After years of leading a relentless charge against the National Armed Forces, she has nothing left to give. Her brother Lucas in tow, Dani leaves the frontlines for the solitude of the wastelands, content to start a new life as a scavenger. Dani thought she’d finally found peace until the general’s daughter, Katelyn Turner, shows up on her doorstep and brings the fight right back to her.
Now Dani has to decide what to do about Kate, ranking member of the NAF, a once-sworn enemy…and a woman she can’t keep out of her head. The growing spark of attraction forces Dani into an impossible choice between her newfound life and Kate’s fate. She must act quickly or risk losing everything.
rant
- Good book ‐ far from perfect execution wise but the story and characters were very captivating
- I had to restart this book multiple times because the writing style is not the best but I’m glad I ended up sticking through it and giving this a shot – I personally prefer something a bit more detailed but the dialogue was great
- Along w/ the writing style the pacing in this was just a bit off ‐ I think it’s because everything happens within such a short period of time it’s kind of hard to drop all the lore, create a bunch of world building, and develop multiple characters + the plot in a twoish week time frame w/o parts of it feeling rushed
- I did really enjoy most of the characters in this ‐ Dani is extremely loveable and so is Kate ‐ their similarities are what connect them and give them a bit of chemistry (both want to help ppl and are struggling w/ morals and how to approach the war) ‐ however the romance felt forced like there was some chemistry but not enough to justify the things they did for each other after only knowing one another for like a week and even then they didn’t have that much non hostile conversation (and that kiss was so anti climatic definitely should’ve been pushed to the next book)
- The side characters were great and just as loveable as the mains ‐ Lucas, Darby and Rhiannon have my heart ‐ the way that Dani interacts w/ them is more sweet and touching than her interactions w/ Kate lol (as it should be tho bc she’s known them way longer) ‐ I lowkey would’ve shipped her w/ Rhiannon if she wasn’t straight ‐ I don’t know if I ship Darby & Lucas I really like their friendship tho it fits them perfectly
- The ending was predictable and cliche af but I didn’t mind considering the writing style I figured it would be
- I need to know how this ends so I will continue reading this ‐ I’m very curious to see if Kate’s mom makes it to the end . . . Simon better not
- Would read again if the ending doesn’t disappoint me
noted & quoted
- Dani and Kate’s convo at the lake
- Dani and Kate listening to music together
- Dani surprising Kate at the NAF camp
- Dani reconnecting w/ William and Jess
- Lucas quoting his comics
