Three by Kristen Simmons

February 24th, 2014 Kimberly Review 76 Comments

24th Feb
Three by Kristen Simmons
Three
by Kristen Simmons
Series: Article 5 #3
Genres: Dystopian
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

Kristen Simmons' fast-paced, gripping YA dystopian series continues in Three. Ember Miller and Chase Jennings are ready to stop running. After weeks spent in hiding as two of the Bureau of Reformation’s most wanted criminals, they have finally arrived at the safe house, where they hope to live a safe and quiet existence.And all that’s left is smoking ruins. Devastated by the demolition of their last hope, Ember and Chase follow the only thing left to them—tracks leading away from the wreckage. The only sign that there may have been survivors. With their high profile, they know they can’t stay out in the open for long. They take shelter in the wilderness and amidst the ruins of abandoned cities as they follow the tracks down the coast, eventually finding refugees from the destroyed safe house. Among them is someone from Chase’s past—someone he never thought he’d see again.Banding together, they search for a place to hide, aiming for a settlement a few of them have heard about…a settlement that is rumored to house the nebulous organization known as Three. The very group that has provided Ember with a tiny ray of hope ever since she was first forced on the run.Three is responsible for the huge network of underground safe houses and resistance groups across the country. And they may offer Ember her only chance at telling the world her story.At fighting back.

Kristen Simmons Article 5 trilogy has been one I have thoroughly enjoyed and Three the conclusion was one of my most anticipated books this year. In a sea of trilogy endings that have been lackluster Simmons delivered. She left me satisfied and spent. Mini review: An exciting, moving and gripping ending to a well developed and engaging tale.

Three begins shortly after Breaking Point ends. Ember and Chase have journeyed to the Safe House only to discover it gone. They are tired, emotionally devastated, and some of their members are injured. Exhausted, they move forward looking for survivors. Simmons does an excellent job of recapping the previous tale, and I quickly slipped into the world as they stumble upon the notorious “Three” settlement. The Bureau of Reformation has stepped up their game, and the group Three may give Ember a chance to tell her story. The tale that unfolds brings tender moments of joy, and incredible feelings of loss as we continue the journey with our hero and heroine.

When at times the world of Article 5 looked bleak, it was Simmons’ characters that gave us hope. Ember and Chase are such incredibly strong characters and their relationship has been a thrill to watch unfold. Let me take a moment to thank Simmons for her decision not to include a love triangle. Instead, she fleshed out our characters and made their romance one to remember. Ember has lost, been betrayed and suffered throughout this trilogy but with each step she has taken we have witnessed her evolve and become stronger. Chase struggles with actions he took in Breaking Point, but he opens up and shares with Ember. In Three, we see a progression in their romance, and I loved every moment of it. Of course, their life doesn’t allow much time for cuddling and promises yet these two managed to etch out moments. These moments were beautiful and tender giving me butterflies. The secondary characters were present and I love the unique voices Simmons gives them. Sean and Rebecca were my favorites, but even Tucker, and Will had their moments. We meet someone from Chase’s past, and I found them to be interesting. There were times when I was unsure of them adding a little suspense to the plot.

Three gave us a brilliant conclusion to the Article 5 series. Simmons wrapped up threads, developed characters and kept us thoroughly engaged. She provides us with a panoramic view of the landscape as she moved us towards the climatic final scenes. The pacing slowed in the middle of the novel slightly, but it gave us a moment to breath, reassess and prepare for the nail biting, heart-in-your-throat third part of the book. We learned more about the group “Three” from their history to current operations. It was well done, and Simmons even gave us food for thought regarding their tactics. While there were some actions I would have loved to see explained, and I could have easily accepted another 50 pages, the ending was well done. I closed the book sad to see my time with these characters ending, but deeply satisfied with the journey.

Fans of the Article 5 series will delight in the emotional, intense and well developed ending Three delivered. I am anxious to see what Simmons delivers next and will recommend the Article 5 trilogy to those looking for a character rich dystopian or post-apocalyptic fiction.

Four cups of coffee out of five
One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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76 Responses to “Three by Kristen Simmons”

  1. Pamela D

    This sounds like a really exciting dystopian trilogy. I’m going to have to check this one out when I get through some other dystopians. 🙂

  2. Jess

    I didn’t read the whole review because I have this series on my list, but haven’t started it and wasn’t sure if there would be an spoilers. But- I loved seeing that you enjoyed this one and that it was a good conclusion to the series. Yeah! That is promising and makes me want to get started on the first one now. 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I try to keep them spoiler free, but yes this was an excellent ending to the series 🙂

  3. Candace

    That’s good to hear that this one has a satisfying conclusion. I haven’t started the series yet, but I think I might have the first book. It helps to know that it does have a good conclusion.

  4. Lauren

    I’m glad this was a satisfying conclusion for you! I clearly need to catch up on this series, I keep reading wonderful reviews for this book, and it’s so wonderful to know the ending is worth it. Great review!

  5. Cyn

    Glad you enjoyed the finale! I read Article 5 a while back, and it was so-so for me, except for the ending of the book, which was pretty good. I’ve gotten a little behind on the series, but I hope to read the rest of the trilogy at some point! Lovely review Kim (:

  6. Amir

    I’m not familiar with this series but I love anything dystopian and post apocalyptic so I will def check this out! I’m also glad that this book was worthy final installment. I know how it feels when a series end up fizzling!

  7. Faye

    >.< Would you judge me if I tell you I tried the first book and put it aside after a chapter or two? Haha. I really didn't like how it started but now I'm regretting it! I really need a good trilogy to read as it's been so long since I've read a really awesome finale. I'll give this a try soon since it ended so satisfactorily for you, even though it felt 50 pages short 😛

  10. Jackie

    Okay, I somehow never heard of this series at all, and I am a dystopia fiend. Happy day for me! These sound awesome!

  11. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh nice! I love it when a trilogy ends on a strong note. I’ve been wanting to get this series for a while now and I think you just bumped it up the list. I always worry about the ending book and so glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I loved Ember and Chase, I hope you get a chance to read this.

  12. Tanja

    I love this series and I’ve read this one only few days ago. I totally agree that it’s a great conclusion to the series, but at the same time it’s actually the weakest book in series for me. I missed that something, you know when you actually cannot put the finger on it, but something is missing. I’m so glad you enjoyed this one. Great review, Kim 🙂

    • kimbacaffeinate

      The second book was the strongest for me, but I loved the characters, and the answers. Thanks Tanja I am glad you liked this trilogy too.

  13. Heidi

    I grabbed an ARC of this to motivate me to finally read this series. I am planning on spotlighting this for Apocalypse this summer. I am so happy it delivered. Glad I am reading it!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      hehe..I have done that myself. This sounds great for Apocalypse week 🙂

  14. Christy

    Well, hell. I feel like an ass. I had the ARC of the first book, but lost it. I never got a replacement, so then I just never got around to reading it. I like hearing the trilogy ended well, because I do still plan on reading it.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I loved Ember and Chase, and I think overall book two was the strongest..but yeah I loved this trilogy.

  16. Jenea

    I’m glad that you enjoyed this one too. Chase and Ember were so amazing together. Great review!

  19. Braine Talk Supe

    Ever blog that I visited that have reviewed this is pleased with the ending and a lot of peeps seem to love this series. I won’t be surprised if this gets developed for a movie (in case that’s not yet in the works).

  20. Kim { Book Swoon }

    I haven’t read this series yet, Kimba. But with so many dystopian series ending lackluster, it’s good to know this one delivered for you. Thanks for sharing, now I have another series that sounds good 😉

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I love dystopian novels and this one was well developed and I adored the characters.

  21. Jenni

    Yay so happy that you enjoyed this one just as I did. I totally agree about the pacing slowing down in the middle but I had more issue with the rushed ending. I felt like everything moved so slowly then there was a crazy chapter and it was done. I wanted the culmination of everything to be just as fleshed out as the rest of the story.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Yep, which is why I said I wanted 50 more pages..lol As far as ending go I think it was wrapped up nicely just over too soon.

  23. Christa

    I read the first book in this series and really enjoyed it. For some reason I just haven’t got around to book 2 yet despite having a copy. Looks like I need to get reading if the third one is already out!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I loved book two and you get to avoid the dreaded wait for book three!

  24. Victoria (aka Zemfirka)

    Glad you enjoyed it Kim, and that it was a good ending to the series. So many dystopians are disappointing at the end that I’m almost skeptical to pick a new series up these days. Haven’t read these books though!

  25. Jenny

    Yaaaaay! I’m so excited for this one Kim! I’ve loved Ember and Chase from the beginning, and I’m with you in thanking Ms. Simmons for no love triangle. Their relationship is just so strong and I’m so glad we see it progress even further in this last book. Cannot. Wait:)

  26. Felicia the Geeky Blogger

    This is on my “library list”. I think by what you said that I won’t be too disappointed in the end and there is no triangle. I am going to hold off for awhile but I am glad to know overall it didn’t suffer from what some other ones did!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Enjoy Felicia we saw development and growth throughout making this an enjoyable one.

  27. Silvia

    I haven’t read this series, but I’ve always been intrigued by it. Great review, Kimberly and it’s fab to hear you’re so satisfied with the conclusion!

  28. Nick

    I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed this series ending, Kim. I loved this book so much and the characters have always been my favorite aspect of it. Ember and Chase are just so wonderful and their romance! <3 I'm with you in thanking Kristen for not including a stupid love triangle and just developing this romance as it is.
    Fabulous review!

  29. Mary

    I’ve only read the first in this series which I liked but didn’t love (and, therefore, didn’t continue). However, I might have to check out the rest of it!

  30. Jessica

    Would you believe that I have all three of the books from this series, sitting on a shelf, never read?

    *hangs head in disgust*

    I KNOW. It’s ridiculous. I also know (believe) that I will love them. Here’s hoping your excellent review will be enough motivation to get to it already 😉

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Someday we will sit and chat and I can tell you about the completely series I have sitting on my shelf -unread.

  31. Wendy Darling

    I don’t know why I haven’t gotten around to reading this series yet–it sounds so intriguing! Now I won’t have to wait for the sequels, though, so maybe it’s a good thing I waited. 😉 Four stars is excellent for a series ender, I’m glad you were satisfied with the conclusion.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      All around a solid series with strong characters. Thanks Wendy!

  33. Jeann

    Sounds fantastic, this is a dystopian that has fallen by the wayside, but I like how there’s no love triangle and the main romance is developed for once. It sounds like the focus here is on character development and the world building is something I’d like to experience for myself. Lovely review as always Kimba!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      thanks Jeann, the characters were wonderful. Simmons did a good job with the world.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      hehe- I have a few books/series that I need to get moving on too!

  35. Laura Plus Books

    Okay, you have sold me! Everyone seems to love this series and I’ve always wanted to start it. I have this thing with endings though so I had to make sure that the ending would be amazing before I throw my heart into a new series haha. Will check Article 5 out soon, awesome review!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      Well I am glad for the sale! Enjoy Laura..I think you will like Ember and Chase

  36. Melliane

    Oh it’s already book 3? I saw this series a lot but I confess I never started it. I should, it’s usually the books I love as they’re interesting and it always makes me curious about the world. I’l glad it was a good end. It’s sometimes the mst difficult thing for me.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I closed this one quite satisfied. I hope you decide to try it Melliane 🙂

  37. kindlemom1

    I just scanned your review because I haven’t started this trilogy yet but I am so glad it had an ending you enjoyed and were happy with!

    Another great trilogy I need to read. Will I ever catch up?

  38. Joy

    It’s so unfortunate that most series’ are ending so badly, so I’m very glad you enjoyed the ending to this one. I’ve heard mixed reviews on these novels, but it’s wonderful to know that there’s no….love triangle!