The Union

The Union

By: Leah Vernon

Narrated by: Alaska Jackson, Sisi Aisha Johnson, Kirby Heyborne

From author and body-positive activist Leah Vernon comes a daring dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship in a future society built on violence and division.

A thousand years in the future, a Black elite class reigns. The lower classes toil in the fields or scrape by in blighted cities, serving their rulers in a cruel, divided world.

Among the Elites is eighteen-year-old Avi Jore, born to a powerful father and destined to rule. But as she comes of age, Avi cannot help but notice the injustices in her world—the treatment of enslaved workers, the oppression of the lower classes. Her disillusionment grows when she meets Saige Wilde, a mixed-race enslaved girl whose only goal is escaping beyond the borders of their brutal nation.

When Saige saves Avi from an assassination attempt, their paths become intertwined in ways they never imagined. As Saige plots her path to freedom, Avi tries to enact change from the inside. But it’s a complicated endeavor, fraught with danger and malice.

Together, their efforts could spark a revolution—and underscore the staggering power of friendship.

Publisher Note: This title was previously self-published as Impure. This edition of The Union includes substantial editorial revisions.

©2022 Leah Vernon (P)2022 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Previously self-published as Impure by author in 2016

Critic reviews

“Narrators Alaska Jackson, Sisi Aisha Johnson, and Kirby Heyborne deliver solid performances. …the story is uplifted by the emotionally affective narration, which brings out the nuances in Vernon’s engaging characters.”—Library Journal

“…skillfully narrated by the team of Alaska Jackson, Sisi Johnson, and Kirby Heyborne. Carefully crafted science fiction with an underlying social message.”—Midwest Book Review

“Fans of Justina Ireland and N. K. Jemisin will appreciate the innovative world building from a Black perspective and the well-developed characters used to present serious topics such as racism and privilege.”—Booklist

Amazing!!

While I absolutely loved the characters and the dynamic between them, it was the style of writing that impressed me the most. It allowed my imagination to create the world as I read along. I can't wait for the sequel.

Looking forward to the sequel

It took me a little bit to get into the story but once I did, I was hooked. The Union is every MAGA followers' worst nightmare. To be honest, the reversal of power made me feel uncomfortable. It's sad to know black Americans still go through discrimination to this day, and that's not science fiction.

Great listening!

Just the right amount of science fiction fantasy that I live for the story was great I loved the characters! and how they reflect the colors of my world as dystopian as the writer made me see it! Hopefully there will be a part two!

It took me forever to finish this book

This book was hard form me to follow. I had to re listen to several parts to keep up.

great storyline

Found the story very good but did not know there was a second book. I need have to finish the next book since I'm invested now to see how it all ends. Hopefully it is finished completely after the second. I dont think i could stand another cliffhanger. I don't love the voice actors. one of the actresses seems like she has no emotion at all.

It Had Potential

This book had potential, but the two main protagonists were very unlikable. Saige is a sociopath and Avi is a simpering mess. Unfortunately, the book needed another edit to fix some of the gaping holes in the plot. Also, it seems that the two narrators did not collaborate on the voices of the characters, so it was just a mess, trying to keep up with who was doing the talking.