In the final Regina Shen novel, the strong female protagonist continues her journey while being a fugitive not to mention a pawn in various power struggles. Rival luminaries in the World Federation wish to control her for her unique genetic code that could possibly deter a fertility downfall across the world. Regina essentially has an eidetic memory when it comes to texts that predate the After Community Movement (ACM) year-dating system, with rising waters caused by climate change having initiated the change of temporal measurement. The rival agents seek Regina’s knowledge so they can find artifacts that predate the ACM year system, which the Department of Antiquities (DOA) then destroys.

Even so, Regina attempts her best not to allow the Federation to eliminate any more of the world’s history, while still seeking to rescue her kidnapped younger sister Colleen Shen. A significant portion of the novel’s action occurs in the Southwest Desert, whither Regina flees with a close ally, in search of a vault she can hopefully exchange for her sister’s emancipation from captivity. However, Regina is fated to endure tragedy that both devastates her but opens up new potential, although this can lead her down a precarious path close to her destiny, but farther from her sibling.

The story itself commences in the Alaska wilderness in the month of August in the Year 298 ACM, with Regina still being narrator for the majority of the novel, finding that she needs only food and water to survive, maybe a blanket due to the coldness of Alaska in contrast to the Richmond swamps where she was raised, although the action moves across North America. Overall, the conclusion to the Regina Shen tetralogy is an enjoyable one, with plenty of action and twists to keep readers on edge. As with its predecessors, a glossary is included after the main text, which clarifies terminology unique to the novel, not to mention its predecessors. As with most book series, furthermore, it’s definitely a good idea to start from the very beginning, with readers very much in for a treat in regards to this literary pantheon.

(by Der Jermeister at http://theautisticgamer.blogspot.com/2016/06/regina-shen-endurance.html)

Defiance is the third book in the Regina Shen series and once again the author pulls me into Regina’s world.

As I’ve stated in both my reviews of the first two books, what makes this series so good are the well-developed characters and the world-building. This continues in the third book as Regina continues to run from those wanting to hunt her down. This time she gets the support from renegade groups who see her as their hope for a better world. Regina is no longer navigating the swamps on the opposite side of the Wall that separates the outcasts, but she is in foreign dry land, hiding in bunkers, forests and among the truckers who cross desert-like areas to deliver their goods.

Regina is a pawn in the corrupt political arena that plays out for power in this dystopian setting. She’s 17 but has a photographic memory and has been trained with knowledge from illegal salvaged print books so that she is able to outwit some of those who are after her for her DNA to solve the fertility crisis. The Chief Inspector who hunts her down understands how Regina thinks because they come from the same background and she is the perfect villain. The author displays both her cruelty but also her vulnerability, making her a fleshed-out well-developed character.

Once again we are introduced to new characters and I must say that the author does a great job doing this. Each character pulls their weight in carrying the storyline forward and their distinct characterisation makes his novels such a pleasure to read. Ester, who becomes Regina’s companion on the run becomes lovesick and annoying. She’s a distraction to Regina and doesn’t always understand what makes Regina such a survivalist but she eventually redeems herself in my eyes by the end of the book.

Once again, through many twists and turns, Regina finds herself at a crossroad by the end of the novel, leaving the reader wondering how it will continue to play out. I look forward to digging into the last book Endurance Book 4 in the series to see how Regina keeps growing as a character and as a leader for change in her broken society. If you like well-written dystopian novels don’t miss this series. It will not disappoint!

(by Laura Fabiani at http://www.libraryofcleanreads.com/2016/07/regina-shen-defiance-book-3-by-lance.html)

So, I loved this book! I think this is quickly becoming one of my favorite series of the year. It’s so much fun, and it packs a punch.

This book takes place a few years after the last one ended. I loved that this book was unpredictable. I have become weary of dystopian books because of the almost formulaic setup of most of them. But this series has proven to be unlike the rest. And, I would like to add, that this book didn’t suffer from sophomore book syndrome. It was just as engaging and fast paced as the first one. I didn’t feel as if this one was filler in the least.

I loved the character development Regina underwent in this book. And I can see that she will continue to grow as a character throughout the series. I love the setup the author has given her for the future books, and hasn’t let her growth be set aside for plot and shock value! Kudos to you Mr. Erlick for giving us a well-rounded character that doesn’t fall flat! 🙂 I also liked the introduction of new characters, and look forward to seeing how they flesh out in the later books. I love when more characters are introduced in addition to the ones we already know and love and not just to replace them. It makes the world and series more full.

I can’t wait to get to the next one because the ending of this book was, just WOW! I highly recommend this series!

(by Kari at http://bookishlydevoted.blogspot.ca/2016/06/regina-shen-vigilance-by-lance-erlick.html)

This was a very good book.  It was exciting and full of adventure.  It has great themes like taking care of family.  Regina mentions early in the book she could not die.  She has to survive in order to protect her sister Collene.  This book was one that once I picked up I could not stop reading. The author has great writing skills.  His writing is on the same caliber as some of the top writers in this genre.  The reader could connect with the characters.

Over all this is a wonderful book that I highly recommend.  This book is one I personally could not put down.  This book really is a treasure that anyone who likes this genre (YA, science fiction, post-apocalyptic and so forth) should not miss.  This book is 4.5 out of 5.  I cannot wait to read the other books in this series.  This is such a wonderful book.

(By Catherine Carrington at http://bookreviewsandwallpapers.blogspot.com/)

So much happens as Regina tracks her way back across the country with the hopes of bartering for her sister. Realizations hit; reunions, as well as a much needed bed, appear. Regina has two agents/inspectors hot on her trail, and she does lose some friends along the way, as well sitting in a cell for a while. Sheesh! It almost feels like Regina cannot catch a break! A much needed break, at that! Demarco and Volpe are the ones after Regina, and they do catch up to her. But we all know Regina can get away, hopefully in one piece, if she can.

This was rather suspenseful; I was on the edge of my seat while I read this. Some questions still remained unanswered, but I am sure those will come in the next book. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to see Antarctica. Perhaps the Regina Shen book will be my way to travel there.

(by Haddie’s Haven at http://haddieshaven.blogspot.ca/2016/06/review-regina-shen-endurance-by-lance.html)

The further I get into this story the more I grow connected with the character and the storyline. Regina continues to amaze me with her strength. She is a true leader. I appreciate the relationship between Ester and Regina, even if it is really one-sided. I do agree with another reader on the fact that I found Ester at times to be more of a hinder than help. Yet I could see why Regina let Ester come along as in a way she was watching over her and protecting her like a sister as she couldn’t do that for her own sister, Colleen. Chief Inspector Demarco is quite the wild card. She had her own agenda that only she really knew about. I am glad I was not the one she was hunting after. Although I had all the faith in Regina. She has come out on top before and I am sure she will again. The addition of the new characters was nice. Then there is the reappearance of Regina’s mother. The event that has led her back into Regina’s life adds intrigue to the whole storyline. Plus the new terrain was refreshing as well. I can’t wait to read the next book.

(by Cheryl’s Book Nook at http://cherylsbooknook.blogspot.com/2016/07/defiance-giveaway.html)