Where Liberty Lies

Book Two in the Liberty Trilogy

Fiction - Dystopia
472 Pages
Reviewed on 05/04/2023
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    Book Review

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Where Liberty Lies by Nathaniel M Wrey is a work in the dystopian, thriller, and adventure subgenres suitable for the general adult reading audience. It is a standalone adventure but also forms the second book in the Liberty Trilogy after Liberty Bound. In this thrilling novel filled with essential questions, fast-paced plot hooks, and exciting concepts, we are reunited with Finbarl and Aminatra. Fleeing from the ruined Athenia and desperate to find new harmony and freedom, the pair happen upon another civilization that seems to have been reborn from the wreckage of the planet. But is this new way of living as idyllic as it first appears?

Nathaniel M Wrey has done a fantastic job of making this sequel novel both contextually rich and relevant to the first tale and detailed and gripping enough to stand on its own as an entirely different tale. I got plenty of backstory on Finbarl and the tragedy of his past, which endeared me to him as he set out on a new quest and still managed to find a lot of trouble on the way. There’s something poignant about the search for freedom and harmony in this futuristic world. That sense of emotional realism keeps the tale grounded, along with intelligent references to society's long past, old philosophies, and clever twists. Overall, Where Liberty Lies is a stellar novel that will please fans of thought-provoking dystopian fiction everywhere.

Stephanie Chapman

Where Liberty Lies: Book Two in the Liberty Trilogy by Nathaniel M. Wrey opens with Finbral, Aminatra, and Karlmon fleeing Athenia. In the middle of the night, Karlmon woke Finbral and pointed to a female Ferral outside. Ferrals were uncivilized humans who were deadly adversaries. Despite Finbral scaring off the threat, Aminatra noticed that some of their food was missing. The following night Aminatra caught the Ferral. Karlmon and Aminatra insisted on releasing her after Finbral gave her some food. The group traveled all the next day and found a place to camp. While gathering wood, they encountered the Ferral again. They named her Maddy, and she joined the group as a family member. They managed a ride on a boat and their hopes of finding a new home soared. Unfortunately, their lives were about to be upset by a kidnapping.

Nathaniel M. Wrey’s description of the family’s travels was exceptional. The struggle through the elements and the constant danger they encountered built suspense. Maddy’s wild manners and ability to cause deadly wounds made her dangerous. However, the empathy Aminatra showed when she coaxed Maddy to join them reveals how much the girl wanted acceptance. I liked the vivid perspective change between Finbral and Aminatra. Karlmon’s youthful innocence added to the family dynamic, as did how quickly he trusted Maddy. The story was unpredictable, and I could not stop reading until the end. I can see this series becoming a favorite for me. I recommend Where Liberty Lies to readers who enjoy emotional journeys involving a family facing adversity.

Rabia Tanveer

Where Liberty Lies is the second book in the Liberty Trilogy by Nathaniel M Wrey. The story of Finbarl continues as he leaves his beloved Athenia behind after the fiasco of Liberty Bound, when the rose-tinted glasses are off, and the natural face of freedom in Athenia is revealed. Finbar, Aminatra, Karlmon, and Bokanda left it all behind for a fresh start. Luckily, they found a place full of life and thought they had hit the jackpot. They thought they had the best chance to see Madelaton, so they pushed forward with their hopes alive. However, things change dramatically when they encounter more people, wild animals, and dangers they never anticipated. One thing leads to another; before they know it, they are all fighting for survival and facing challenges. At the end of it all, the question remains, will they reunite, or is this the end?

What a fantastic journey it was. Aminatra and Finbarl had their work cut for them. While the rest of the crew struggled hard, these two struggled the most. They had to keep their act together, considering they were somewhat leaders. The story itself is fantastic. The themes of action and adventure blend wonderfully, while Nathaniel M Wrey adds layers of intensity to ramp up the excitement. I loved all the scenes involving Karlmon, especially when Aminatra and Finbarl were involved. Where Liberty Lies might be classified as a dystopian novel; it has some themes of fantasy and drama. The character development is fantastic, and the pace is incredible. I liked how Maddy seems a little insignificant initially, but she turns out to be a special part of the story. The narrative flowed so naturally that I had difficulty putting it down. I would highly suggest this series!