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Reviewed by Alexandria Ducksworth

Harland strikes again in this thrilling sequel.

The first battle between the Residuals, Humens, and angels has passed. Now it’s up to Ferren and Miriael to gather forces before the next Humen wave attempts to take over again.

After dealing with the heartless Humen soldiers, Ferren and Miriael finally meet a fellow tribe, but the elders are suspicious and resistant. But Ferren doesn’t plan to give up on finding a group, especially with the numbers of Humens on the rise. Meanwhile, Miriael reflects on her position on Earth until she meets the angel Asmodai. He promises Miriael a chance to return to Heaven. At what cost though? Miriael faces a difficult decision to remain on the physical plane with Ferren or return to her rightful place in the skies. Whatever she decides will unleash a seismic wave of events on both planes.

The Ferren sequel captures that same level of excitement I expected after that first book. There is some enormous character development within the main protagonists. Ferren, merely 15, must grow up exponentially as a resilient leader. Fighting Humens is one thing; creating alliances is another. It’s something his former tribe leader would’ve done if only he still lived.

Ferren also has a bit of girl trouble. A girl from a new tribe has set her intentions on him while he’s maintaining his growing feelings for Miriael. And Miriael’s conflicting Heaven decisions rise. Her aspirations and identity have changed ever since she fell from Heaven and met Ferren. Harland has managed to change these characters after the first book while still giving plenty of new reasons for readers to root for them.Harland instills genuine fear in the reader with these Humens. They were creepy and heartless before. Reading them again brings back that disturbing energy. You do not want to be in a world with these guys.

It’s refreshing to meet a new Residual tribe in the sequel. It’s a way into the deeper parts of Harland’s rich lore and worldbuilding. Tribes beside Ferren’s have different traditions and abilities. It makes you wonder what happened in the past that made the tribes separate from each other.

Ferren and the Doomsday Mission checks all the boxes for a successful sequel. It carries you through various emotional levels and is filled with a number of exciting events—giving us what we loved about book one but making it feel fresh. Richard Harland has outdone himself again. May the last book in the Ferren trilogy hit its target as hard as these two have.

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Reviewed by Sheri Hoyte for Reader Views (03/2024)

5*- Ferren’s epic journey unites hope and friendship, against cosmic conflict.

“Ferren and the Doomsday Mission” by Richard Harland is an exciting coming-of-age fantasy for teens and young adults, though being a not-so-young adult, I have to say it’s a memorable reading journey to be enjoyed by all ages. As the second volume in The Ferren Trilogy, this book soars with a stronger adversary, riskier challenges, and escalating stakes.

Ferren is a 15-year-old Residual (human) from the tribe of The People. Miriael is an angel who fell to Earth. They are, perhaps, the only hope for the future of humanity. Working together, they travel to the different tribes of Earth to recruit members for the newly formed Residual Alliance, in an effort to defeat their common enemy, the Humen. This is no small task, as most of the tribes think the Humen are their allies. That, and the Humen have a new leader, Dr. Saniette, who brings an entirely different kind of terror to the front lines of this war.

Ferren has seen the horrific truth of what happens to those selected to serve the Humen military and knows they must be stopped at any cost. Along the way, Miriael is presented with a tempting choice and her decision could unravel the Residual Alliance and change the course of the war. It also tests her relationship with Ferren. Can their friendship withstand the trials of adversity? Will this unlikely duo save humanity and end the Celestial war?

“Ferren and the Doomsday Mission” is an action-packed fantasy adventure that models many relevant themes aside from the larger conflict between the supernatural realm and humanity. Ferren and Miriael’s relationship is a great example. It evolves from tolerance at first to a deep friendship, strengthened by mutual respect and working together to overcome obstacles despite their differences. True companionship rises above societal, racial (and celestial) boundaries and this relationship effectively showcases this.

They also exemplify leadership and influence in their efforts to recruit the tribes. Most of the tribes have common traits of fear and self-doubt, and Ferren and Miriael instill confidence and determination in the people. As the individuals in the tribes rise to the challenge, we see firsthand how working together creates a path to a better future. It’s a universal quest for hope and redemption and is inspirational and uplifting to watch the people come into their power.

Character development is always a key factor for me, in evaluating a story. In our travels with Ferren and Miriael, we meet a diverse cast of characters, many falling into the category of “those you won’t soon forget.” There are no cookie-cutter humans or celestials to be found and they each stand out for their qualities (and weaknesses). I enjoyed meeting all the characters in this ravaged world, but I have to say I have a soft spot for the Morphs, poor things. Ferren and Miriael are protagonists you want to root for because they are less-than-perfect – as it should be. Very few of us can relate to perfection, *wink*! But perhaps the most outrageous character in this book is Dr. Saniette. I have NEVER before met a character of his make-up, nor am I likely to again. Seriously out of this world creative!

The writing is ideal, spot-on for the genre, especially the special languages and sound effects interspersed throughout. The short chapters provide a sense of urgency that will keep readers engaged in the action. Did I mention creativity? I did, but it bears repeating. Seriously out of this world creative! Harland knows how to entertain!

“Ferren and the Doomsday Mission” shines as the second book in The Ferren Trilogy by Richard Harland and sets the stage for a dynamic conclusion.

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As heaven wages war on the Humen, an angel and a tribesman persist in their unconventional alliance—to unite all people and fight for humanity’s survival.

The second installment of The Ferren Trilogy is set in a post-apocalyptic world where humanity’s fate hangs in the balance. Ferren, a 15-year-old “Residual,” or human being, from the “People” tribe, and Miriael, an angel barred from returning to heaven, may be the only hope for the future of humanity. Together, they travel to find the remaining fractured tribes, including the Sea-folk and Nesters, in an effort to recruit members for their newly formed Residual Alliance to fight against their common enemy, the Humen—mechanical war machines led by the sinister Doctor Saniette, an 80-foot-tall machine in human form. This fight is made especially challenging because the tribes believe the Humen are their allies, forcing Ferren to face the painstaking task of educating each tribe about the Humen’s true nature. Along the way, Miriael receives a tempting offer from a fellow angel—a chance to reclaim her place in heaven. The decision she makes will not only determine her fate, but also the fate of Ferren, the ongoing war, and the world. Harland paints a vivid and immersive backdrop, delving into a futuristic landscape fraught with political intrigue and moral ambiguity. The thought-provoking exploration of power dynamics and the consequences of humanity’s hubris adds depth to the story. The novel brims with creative details, like a “thunderous, clanking mechanical monster” and swarms of spiraling, malevolent seagulls, but the writing, however, occasionally lacks polish. Still, the storytelling is solid, offering readers an engaging continuation of The Ferren Trilogy.

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