The Prairies Book Review talks about the whole Ferren Trilogy

“Visceral, poetic, and unforgettable…

Harland’s The Ferren Trilogy plunges readers into a dystopian future of celestial warfare and human perseverance, telling a story of defiance, hope, and transformation. The series begins with “Ferren and the Angel,” which thrusts readers into the fractured, war-torn Earth of the year 3000. Above the desolation, celestial battles rage, while below, Ferren, a young boy marked by quiet rebellion, grapples with his tribe’s fear-driven traditions. Miriael, a fallen angel, is caught between her ethereal grace and the harsh realities of Earth. The trilogy continues with “Ferren and the Doomsday Mission,” intensifying the stakes as Ferren and Miriael navigate a dark, post-apocalyptic world. Struggling to unite the fractured Residual tribes against the Humen army, they face relentless threats in a harrowing battle for survival. The final installment, “Ferren and the Invaders of Heaven,” delivers a bold conclusion, pitting celestial and earthly forces in a climactic showdown.

Harland’s world-building is excellent. His vivid descriptions create an immersive setting that feels as vast as it is intimate. The remnants of humanity, represented by various tribes such as the Sea-folk, are fleshed out in rich detail, from their rituals and fears to their struggles for survival. Harland’s portrayal of the celestial Fourth Portal and the eerie Humen construction zones adds layers of mystery and awe to the setting. The landscapes, from desolate plains to the mesmerizing yet treacherous sea, are rendered hauntingly, amplifying the story’s tension and sense of wonder.

Ferren’s evolution from a reluctant survivor to a determined leader, tasked with uniting a splintered world, is portrayed with authenticity and depth. Miriael’s celestial identity continues to be a poignant thread in the narrative as she wrestles with her ties to both Heaven and Earth. Her vulnerability makes her celestial nature painfully human, while her complex relationship with Asmodai adds layers of conflict to her internal struggle. Her uneasy alliance with Ferren, built on shifting power dynamics and mutual discovery, keeps the tension high throughout the trilogy. Harland’s writing strikes a perfect balance between the vastness of the celestial war and the intimate, emotional stakes of the characters. The battles, both cosmic and terrestrial, are intense, chaotic, and emotionally charged. Yet, it is the emotional resonance of these conflicts, alongside Ferren and Miriael’s personal journeys, that makes the trilogy so compelling.

At its heart, the series is a powerful meditation on identity, loyalty, and redemption. It explores the cost of freedom, the sacrifices necessary to confront oppression, and the personal battles faced in the pursuit of a greater cause.

This is a haunting, immersive journey through a world where the lines between celestial and earthly forces blur, and the cost of redemption is steep. Lovers of dystopian fantasy, angelic mythology, and high-stakes rebellious quests should add this series to their reading list.”