The Reverence Trilogy by Raena Rood

The quick cut: A girl who lives in a society with euthanasia works to make people's last week comfortable. The truth behind their society's rules is revealed when her latest person asks to spend the week with her.   

A real review: 

 We live in a time where society has many comforts and conveniences readily available to anyone with resources to afford them. If the worst were to come and society as we know it today were to end, what do you think would be one of the first luxuries to disappear? For this post-pandemic world, that luxury is the right to live when you're old or chronically ill. 

 When an illness known as the Job Virus appeared, it quickly ravaged the planet. What has been left since then is small pockets of society along with many dangerous folks who have chosen to embrace the new normal of anarchy. Kira is lucky to live in one of the last protected cities known as Vita Nova. It's not all luck though because this city survives at a high cost. Anyone who reaches the age of 60 or is chronically ill are required to accept mandatory euthanasia. For those who do not meet these criteria, the "Volunteer Program" offers citizens a week of luxury and adoration—before their execution. This is all done in the name of preserving resources for those who can help continue society forward. Kira's role is as a volunteer coordinator, making their last days comfortable and happy before their death. Her world comes crashing down when she meets a volunteer named Will and his only request is to spend his last week with her. 

 I read this trilogy based on a recommendation I saw on social media and the fact that it's available on Kindle Unlimited. The euthanasia part is very dark considering this is a young adult series, but it definitely plays a central role in the plot and does make you as a reader ask important questions. If society fell apart, what would you do to survive? Would you accept this as a part of the cost of living? Or would you consider it unacceptable and try to get the rules changed? These are all questions I found myself asking.  

 Kira only ever had her mother to depend on. While her father was around at moments, he never accepted her as his child.  At least, not in a real way- she was the dirty secret he kept from everyone else. Being the leader of Vita Nova comes with that cost, right?  It's interesting how Will appearing in Kira's life quickly unraveled everything that she knew about it. While neither of them could anticipate what would come in the future, their connection definitely came at a high cost. 

 Kira is fierce in the midst of seriously dark or damaging news. Throughout the trilogy, her entire life breaks into pieces and instead of letting it rip her apart, she chooses to move forward instead. She asks questions that others choose to ignore. She wants to live a life that does make others better off. I rooted for her every step of the way. 

 Will may have had secrets that he kept, but he has reasons for those and I can't say I would've had the same boldness that he did. His life comes in distinct parts which leaves him feeling like he doesn't quite belong anywhere. It's this commonality that Kira and Will share that creates the bond that they have. 

 There were slower moments throughout all 3 books, but it didn't keep me from finishing the books. There were characters and plot points that felt a bit randomly placed that eventually made sense in the end. They didn't always feel very planned though. 

 A dark and intriguing dystopian trilogy that will have you rooting for the main characters. 

My rating: 4 out of 5