I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

A band of survivors must traverse a broken America while trying to stop a Rogue AI, a relentless killer, and a mysterious threat just below the surface in author Jake B. Cage’s “Shadows Beneath the Ruins,” the fourth book in the Enclave Mystery Series.

The Synopsis

Rogue AI that has taken control of the world, a brutal murder that remains unsolved, and a band of misfits who walk the land, seeking answers that might one day bring them peace.

The tragedy at Edendale continues to cast a deathly shadow, and young hacker, Echo, remains haunted by the attack on his best friend and co-worker, Black Condor.

Meanwhile, ex-Marine Raider, Goldie, is determined to find Elsa. Rex, the group’s de facto leader, suspects the missing woman knows much more about the creators of CASCADE than she lets on.

When scavengers attack, the bonds these friends have formed are put to the test like never before. Buried secrets from the old world claw their way to the surface: hidden enclaves, vengeful alliances, and a killer who strikes from the shadows.

Can Echo, Goldie, and Clara make it to St. Louis before the Angels of the New Dawn hunt them down?

Will Rex and the others locate Agent Red before he pulls the trigger on the end of the world?

And will the Sin Eater ever be brought to justice for his horrific crimes?

Survival was never just about the ruins above ground. The real horrors lurk beneath.

THE REVIEW

This was a powerful and compelling dystopian thriller. Well, I am a newcomer to this series, and I found the world-building so engaging that I wanted to go back and start from the beginning. The powerful imagery and the shifting perspectives that each chapter brings allow the readers to fully engage with the cast of characters that have made this story and the overall series really shine.

The foundation that the story is built on is, of course, the amazing character development at work. While I’m assuming previous books have delved even deeper into the backstory of these characters and the events that led to what is referred to as “the fall “, the author does a wonderful job of calling back to those events from previous books while focusing on the emergence of new secrets and hidden truths that have lain just below the surface. Between the shocking murder that has played echo from before the events of the first book, the shocking opening chapter that drives the group to their limits, and the powerful technology that seems to be behind some of the major world events, this level of tension and atmospheric storytelling really brings the reader fully into the narrative.

THE VERDICT

Memorable, thrilling, and wildly entertaining, Author Jake B. Cage’s “Shadows Beneath the Surface” is a must-read dystopian thriller. The blending of advanced technology with survival and dystopian themes makes this feel like a more grounded, tech-based adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand. Between shocking killers on the loose, an AI system looming over everyone’s head, and something even darker working just beneath the surface, this is a compelling entry in this series and a story you won’t want to put down. If you haven’t yet, please be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10