Book: Viridian by Unknown Author
Reviewed by Michele (spicysithreads)
Rating: 4/5
Ummmm.....the ending??!!!! WHAT?????!!!!
“You must lose everything before you can save anything."
After the rollercoaster ride that was Avidian, I dove into Viridian with zero clue what I was walking into—and honestly, I’m so glad I got to be on the ARC team again. This sequel doesn’t waste a second; it picks up right where book one left off and throws you straight back into the chaos, tension, and emotional fallout of the failed attempt to take down Marco.
One of the things I loved most was how this book finally starts answering some of the big questions left hanging from Avidian. The political and environmental themes—especially the events that led to the collapse of the U.S.—come into sharper focus here, and it all feels eerily relevant to what’s going on in the world today. There are so many scenes that had me hooked, meshing fast-paced action with rich world-building.
But here’s where I’m torn. The overall story is strong, but some parts felt rushed or underdeveloped. Cade’s return, for example, is massive, yet Kat processes it almost too quickly. His survival, his ties to Solace and the Syndicate, and the emotional weight of his reappearance could’ve used more depth. Same with the revelations about Irina—characters accept them almost instantly, and I really wanted more emotional fallout, especially from Malachi.
I also wished for more detail in the team’s prep and training. Those sections could’ve added so much tension. And the traitor reveal? It had potential, but without enough buildup, it didn’t hit as hard as it could have.
The ending is where my biggest conflict lies. The final chapters are packed with chaos, twists, and high-stakes decisions. Kat makes one choice that literally saves the world—but then the story skips ahead in time, glossing over what could’ve been an entire third book. Those missing years feel like such a lost opportunity. I wanted to see Kat’s journey through them, not just the aftermath.
Even with those frustrations, I genuinely enjoyed this duology. It’s fresh, unique, and full of timely themes that stick with you. Viridian delivers a wild ride with plenty of twists and a bold conclusion, even if I was left wanting more depth in certain places. This series is definitely one I’ll be thinking about for a while.