Reverence

n nTwelve years ago, a global pandemic known as the Job virus decimated the world's population. One city withstood the virus by going into lockdown during the early days of the pandemic and erecting a massive barricade wall to insulate themselves from the sick and the dying. Now called Vita Nova-meaning New Life-the city is overcrowded and its resources are quickly dwindling. The area outside the wall, known as the Unregulated Zone, is a vast wasteland filled with crumbling buildings, overgrown highways, and the Lawless: brutal bands of marauders intent on breeching the barricade and claiming the city's resources for themselves.n n nn nTo combat the problem of overcrowding, the leadership of Vita Nova has implemented two programs: The Compulsory Program, which requires that anyone over the age of sixty-or anyone who requires medical treatment for a chronic illness-undergo a humane euthanization procedure. There is also the Volunteer Program, which offers residents the chance to be revered at a public ceremony and receive a Final Week of luxury, gifts, and praise...in exchange for giving up their lives for the good of all.n n nn nAfter losing her mother as a Compulsory, Kira Liebert became a volunteer advocate for Vita Nova. She works closely with the Volunteers, arranging their stay at Rolling Meadows, a lavish, country-club estate where Volunteers spend their last few days. She also fulfills any special requests they might have for their Final Week.n n nn nBut when young, handsome Will Foster enters her office, wishing to end his life as a Volunteer, he has just one request for his Final Week.n n nn nHe wants to spend it with Kira.n n nn nUnable to refuse the Volunteer's last request, Kira gets swept into Will's world, leaving everything she knows behind and going somewhere she never thought she'd go: beyond the barricade. With the end of Will's Final Week rapidly approaching, Kira realizes that Vita Nova is not the utopian sanctuary she once thought it was.n n nn nAnd some people-the truly brave ones-will sacrifice everything to prove it.n n nn nREVERENCE is the first book in Raena Rood's thrilling new faith-based dystopian series.n