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The Torch Keeper #3
The Raising
Three Pasts. Two Fates. One Choice.
Once a humble orphan existing in the shadows of the brutal Establishment, Lucian “Lucky” Spark has evolved from lone vigilante to “The Torch Keeper," a fiery symbol of the valiant resistance. Lucky now leads the heroic fight to restore justice and liberty to the downtrodden survivors of a world devastated by geological catastrophe and tyranny.
But as the Torch Brigade prepares to launch a final, desperate gambit against the ruthless forces controlled by his former companion, the mysterious Cassius Thorn, Lucky struggles with the secret of his own true identity. Is he the spark of hope destined to unite a nation and finally end this destructive crusade? Or is he truly the dark catalyst of the past, intent on reducing the remnants of humanity to smoldering embers?
With the fates of his brainwashed brother, Cole, and genetically transformed love, Digory Tycho, caught in the crossfire of epic war, Lucky's final choice may have apocalyptic consequences for an entire world.
Once a humble orphan existing in the shadows of the brutal Establishment, Lucian “Lucky” Spark has evolved from lone vigilante to “The Torch Keeper," a fiery symbol of the valiant resistance. Lucky now leads the heroic fight to restore justice and liberty to the downtrodden survivors of a world devastated by geological catastrophe and tyranny.
But as the Torch Brigade prepares to launch a final, desperate gambit against the ruthless forces controlled by his former companion, the mysterious Cassius Thorn, Lucky struggles with the secret of his own true identity. Is he the spark of hope destined to unite a nation and finally end this destructive crusade? Or is he truly the dark catalyst of the past, intent on reducing the remnants of humanity to smoldering embers?
With the fates of his brainwashed brother, Cole, and genetically transformed love, Digory Tycho, caught in the crossfire of epic war, Lucky's final choice may have apocalyptic consequences for an entire world.
316 pages, Paperback
Published January 20, 2016
About the author
Steven dos Santos
6 books276 followersSteven dos Santos is author of THE TORCH KEEPER novels, a Young Adult Post-Apocalyptic series. Book One, THE CULLING, was released by FLUX Books in March of 2013, and named an American Library Association 2014 Rainbow List Top Ten Selection. Book Two, THE SOWING, was released on March 8, 2014. Steven is currently finalizing Book 3 of The Torch Keeper series, THE RAISING. His new novel, DAGGER, a Young Adult Paranormal Espionage Adventure, was released by Evernight Teen in September 2015! Steven is a Team Member of We Need Diverse Books and is represented by literary agent, Lynnette Novak of The Seymour Agency. Steven graduated from Florida International University with a B.S. Degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications Television Broadcasting program and also has an MFA in Writing from Spalding University. He is an adjunct English Professor and a passionate advocate of LGBTQ+ rights.
To learn more about Steven, visit his website: www.stevendossantos.com.
You can also connect with him on Facebook (www.facebook.com/stevendossantosauthor); Twitter (www.twitter.com/stevendossantos, www.twitter.com/thetorchkeeper); and Tumblr (http://stevendossantos.tumblr.com/).
You can also add Steven's books to your Goodreads reading list here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
To learn more about Steven, visit his website: www.stevendossantos.com.
You can also connect with him on Facebook (www.facebook.com/stevendossantosauthor); Twitter (www.twitter.com/stevendossantos, www.twitter.com/thetorchkeeper); and Tumblr (http://stevendossantos.tumblr.com/).
You can also add Steven's books to your Goodreads reading list here:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 25, 2016
Many have perished fighting in the resistance, and the reader will eagerly flip pages wondering if Lucian Spark is next in this dark, dangerous setting. Surrounded by futuristic machines, vehicles, and people—clones and the genetically enhanced—there’s nonstop action as we follow the main character during his intense battle as well as matters of the heart. I’m not a big dystopian fiction reader, but the series has gripped me wholeheartedly. This is a satisfying book 3 that won’t disappoint fans of the series and the genre.
January 23, 2021
It is incredibly hard for me to talk about this book for many reasons.
Mostly, my journey with this series is over and I have mixed emotions. I enjoyed the book overall and this took a lot of series of twists and turns I was NOT expecting, but I find the entire ending very bittersweet. I don't know if I would have preferred the alternate ending or not, so it's hard for me to say. But ultimately, I felt the two possible endings both suited the book well.
The second reason is, this series remains very personal to me. I am a character in this book. Steven Dos Santos has made my irrelevant dreams come true, and has put me into a damn book. When I started reaching out to him on Twitter in 2013 I never expected that this would happen. I had NO idea I was in this book until I actually picked it up, which let me tell you shook me to my core.
Which brings me to my third reason. I feel like a piece of crap for taking FIVE years to read this. I am terrible at finishing series, which is why it is my only priority in 2021, but this is a series I should have prioritized. I was obsessed when I read it, and wonder if I would have felt SUPER PUMPED about this book when it came out if I read it then. I still extremely enjoyed being back in this series, but I am no longer than 19/20 year old girl who fangirled over everything and I think she would have been much more enthusiastic about her love of this series.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. The characters are great, the plot was intriguing and took so many wild turns. I struggled with a few things like one of the character's actions VS their age, and the romance the main character has, but they weren't big enough to impede my overall enjoyment.
Mostly, my journey with this series is over and I have mixed emotions. I enjoyed the book overall and this took a lot of series of twists and turns I was NOT expecting, but I find the entire ending very bittersweet. I don't know if I would have preferred the alternate ending or not, so it's hard for me to say. But ultimately, I felt the two possible endings both suited the book well.
The second reason is, this series remains very personal to me. I am a character in this book. Steven Dos Santos has made my irrelevant dreams come true, and has put me into a damn book. When I started reaching out to him on Twitter in 2013 I never expected that this would happen. I had NO idea I was in this book until I actually picked it up, which let me tell you shook me to my core.
Which brings me to my third reason. I feel like a piece of crap for taking FIVE years to read this. I am terrible at finishing series, which is why it is my only priority in 2021, but this is a series I should have prioritized. I was obsessed when I read it, and wonder if I would have felt SUPER PUMPED about this book when it came out if I read it then. I still extremely enjoyed being back in this series, but I am no longer than 19/20 year old girl who fangirled over everything and I think she would have been much more enthusiastic about her love of this series.
Overall, I really enjoyed it. The characters are great, the plot was intriguing and took so many wild turns. I struggled with a few things like one of the character's actions VS their age, and the romance the main character has, but they weren't big enough to impede my overall enjoyment.
Read
May 22, 2016That was a wild ride from start to finish.
January 24, 2016
The only thing that could make me shatter is knowing that my favorite character's story has comes to an end, in this ground breaking finale of The Torch Keeper. With the action running through my blood, the suspense clawing through my head, and the tears falling from my eyes, Lucian Spark has had my chess rise, fall, sink, turn, ache, crush, and stop since the very first page he had spoken. I don't think I can Cull, Sow, or Raise anyone like him. Lucian, or Lucky's Torch will always be burning in that special place in my heart. Most astonishing work by Steven Dos Santos!!!
January 22, 2016
The Raising is a masterful ending to a thrilling trilogy! We follow the hero of the book, Lucky Spark to the end of his story, but on the way find out about his true beginning and reveal secrets long buried. The pacing was brilliant, the characters were incredble. I can't wait to read more from this author!
January 21, 2016
One of the greatest books that I have ever read! It was long and addictive, I could not put it down and had to read it all in one sitting. I experienced an array of emotions until the very end. I couldn't have asked for a better ending!!!!
December 25, 2019
UGH I ended up loving this series so much!! Just like the second one, the action was non-stop and very engaging.
Very sad it's over :(((
Very sad it's over :(((
January 27, 2016
I don't want to go into too many details, because I don't want to risk spoiling anything. I'll just say this. The first two books of this series were packed with action and emotion, and the final installment delivered everything I hoped for and more.
I couldn't put this one down. The pace was fast, the characters were engaging, and there was so much at stake that I feared for all of these characters that I've grown to love. And did I mention the storyline? I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the plot threads weave together to create this great story, and by the end, I was satisfied with the way it all came together. It's also a sign of skill when an author creates a character that's done horrific things, and at the end of the day, even though you can't excuse the terrible things they've done, you still feel sympathy for them.
I have a major book hangover right now. Do they make medicine for book hangovers? Well, it's more of a series hangover, really. I'll definitely be rereading this series in the future.
I couldn't put this one down. The pace was fast, the characters were engaging, and there was so much at stake that I feared for all of these characters that I've grown to love. And did I mention the storyline? I thoroughly enjoyed watching all the plot threads weave together to create this great story, and by the end, I was satisfied with the way it all came together. It's also a sign of skill when an author creates a character that's done horrific things, and at the end of the day, even though you can't excuse the terrible things they've done, you still feel sympathy for them.
I have a major book hangover right now. Do they make medicine for book hangovers? Well, it's more of a series hangover, really. I'll definitely be rereading this series in the future.
October 14, 2016
Well that was unexpected. Huh. I enjoyed this final installment of the Torch Keeper trilogy. The main complaint I have for the whole series and especially in this last one is that the plot reads like an action movie so is a bit hard to follow at times. There were some things I loved about the plot and some things I just couldn't get behind. We finally get Cassius' backstory and motivation in this book, I had a hard time believing Lucian was the person Cassius believed him to be. But all in all I really enjoyed this trilogy. Oh! One last thing, you don't get points for having a trans character when all you do is put in a paragraph about how one of our secondary characters used to be a girl....nope. 3.5 stars but I rounded up because I think we need more ya distopian stories set in a gay-is-normal kind of settings.
February 8, 2016
I thought I shall write a review for this amazing book, the last book in The Torch Keeper trilogy. This book was amazing,
and, at the end, my soul crushed into a million pieces (I guess in a good way). I think I cried at least twice while reading the end of this book and I also don't think there has been a book that has had so any twist in it, especially right at the end! I loved every part of the story and I will remember this trilogy, and Lucian Spark, for years to come. Definitely a book I would never hesitate to recommend.
and, at the end, my soul crushed into a million pieces (I guess in a good way). I think I cried at least twice while reading the end of this book and I also don't think there has been a book that has had so any twist in it, especially right at the end! I loved every part of the story and I will remember this trilogy, and Lucian Spark, for years to come. Definitely a book I would never hesitate to recommend.
February 14, 2016
The twists and turns that this book took only cemented how I feel about this series. In that I love it. I did have a bit of trouble remembering all that happened in the frist two books which made the reading a little harder. But in the end I'm glad the lose ends came to a conclusion. Lots off action that will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you want to keep reading. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes telling adventure and action with a bit of m/m romance.
February 11, 2016
I've been waiting for this ever since I read The Culling and The Sowing and it was definitely worth the wait. I was hooked right up to the end and there were some great twists that I didn't see coming.
January 26, 2016
Omg... I loved it! If you don't read this series you miss something out!
February 26, 2022
3.5
This book was a bit of a rollercoaster for me, and by rollercoaster I mean the first 3 quarters of it were a slog to get through, then the final section threw loop de loops and corners and excitement my way.
One of the things I liked most about the previous two books is how much attention and care was given to the secondary characters. I cared about them all, I was upset when they had to choose between their incentives, and I was happy whenever they succeeded. Unfortunately in here I just didn't get that - not because they were written badly, but because a large portion of this book takes place only surrounding one or two characters. I think that was to the detriment of my reading experience. It felt like a bit of a slog getting through the middle of the book.
That being said, I do think it picked up a lot towards the end. It was interesting, the stakes were real (this series isn't afraid to kill characters, and while of course we want everyone to survive, I do commend any and all books in this sort of genre that actually kill off the good guys!) and the ending had me bawling my eyes out.
This book was a bit of a rollercoaster for me, and by rollercoaster I mean the first 3 quarters of it were a slog to get through, then the final section threw loop de loops and corners and excitement my way.
One of the things I liked most about the previous two books is how much attention and care was given to the secondary characters. I cared about them all, I was upset when they had to choose between their incentives, and I was happy whenever they succeeded. Unfortunately in here I just didn't get that - not because they were written badly, but because a large portion of this book takes place only surrounding one or two characters. I think that was to the detriment of my reading experience. It felt like a bit of a slog getting through the middle of the book.
That being said, I do think it picked up a lot towards the end. It was interesting, the stakes were real (this series isn't afraid to kill characters, and while of course we want everyone to survive, I do commend any and all books in this sort of genre that actually kill off the good guys!) and the ending had me bawling my eyes out.
August 3, 2025
(Un)Lucky Spark must be one of the most abused characters ever in books. How he survives everything is a major miracle. But survive he does until he doesn't. I did enjoy the final book in the series but a few things didn't make sense. Cole seems much older than 6 years old. His vocabulary and his actions seemed very discordant. However I did like his work leading to Lucky's resurrection. I also noticed one character mentioned near the end as talking in the room when he had been executed previously. What I really disliked was the author killing Corin. I always hate it when an author kills children.
December 19, 2016
Some good twisty turns, but not as good as as the first two. Plus there were typos and grammatical errors that sort of drove me crazy.
October 4, 2018
well that was gruesome
December 24, 2018
Coming later (probably)
June 22, 2020
An interesting conclusion to a fascinating series.
July 12, 2021
Sometimes the death and loss in this series are more than the heart can take, but the ending is satisfying enough.
December 13, 2016
Just like the second book, it started out good and exciting, then something switched around halfway, and it became more about the plot and less about the characters.
I really liked the part where they accidentally activated a Trial, and had to work their way out of that, but that was over way too soon.
Just like in the second book, it started out with good action that just sucked me into the story, but as time went on, the edge of your seat action was replaced with the oddness of the world/setting. A lot of it was hard to wrap my mind around.
Lucian was hard to relate to. I loved him at the start of the book, but then stopped caring later on.
I also got a little tired of people being ripped apart or their heads exploding. It stopped having any sort of impact at all.
And the ending? Why did Lucian just run away from everything? Wasn't he curious? Maybe that was part of his problem...he lacked curiosity. He didn't question things as much as he should have. Maybe he likes having all the answers instead of all the questions.
Toward the last half/quarter of the book, there were so many typos and wrong words. Also some formatting errors. Did no one proofread this? Or did they give up halfway through?
I really liked the part where they accidentally activated a Trial, and had to work their way out of that, but that was over way too soon.
Just like in the second book, it started out with good action that just sucked me into the story, but as time went on, the edge of your seat action was replaced with the oddness of the world/setting. A lot of it was hard to wrap my mind around.
Lucian was hard to relate to. I loved him at the start of the book, but then stopped caring later on.
I also got a little tired of people being ripped apart or their heads exploding. It stopped having any sort of impact at all.
And the ending? Why did Lucian just run away from everything? Wasn't he curious? Maybe that was part of his problem...he lacked curiosity. He didn't question things as much as he should have. Maybe he likes having all the answers instead of all the questions.
Toward the last half/quarter of the book, there were so many typos and wrong words. Also some formatting errors. Did no one proofread this? Or did they give up halfway through?
July 9, 2019
This was action and fast paced and if something stole your attention, you could easily miss something. I found myself surprised that I was satisfied with how this trilogy ended to be honest. Most of the time, I'm disappointed with how a series wraps up or feeling lack-luster with the conclusion it comes to. That wasn't the case here and I'm more than pleased because I really enjoyed this series.
June 22, 2016
I'm crying my eyes out.
I loved this series, even before I actually started to read it. The first book was BRILLIANT and the second book had such a strong and twisting story. The third book however killed my vibe. I didn't love it as much as I loved the first two books.
Starting off by saying that Lucien didn't really feel like the hero of the book. He was OK I guess, but shouldn't the protagonist be kickass?? He was in the first two books, for sure. I was slightly disappointed in the romance. The relationship with Diggory wasn't really what I was hoping for. I hoped they would ride off into the sunset, doing romantic stuff, so (*spoiler) 1/4 Diggory 3/4 Flesher is a NO-GO for me tbh.
The writing was once again great, so much respect for Steven dos Santos, and how he manages to tell his story, and it absolutely didn't have to do anything, let me repeat ANYTHING with the storytelling. This book was just a bit of a disppointment!
I loved this series, even before I actually started to read it. The first book was BRILLIANT and the second book had such a strong and twisting story. The third book however killed my vibe. I didn't love it as much as I loved the first two books.
Starting off by saying that Lucien didn't really feel like the hero of the book. He was OK I guess, but shouldn't the protagonist be kickass?? He was in the first two books, for sure. I was slightly disappointed in the romance. The relationship with Diggory wasn't really what I was hoping for. I hoped they would ride off into the sunset, doing romantic stuff, so (*spoiler) 1/4 Diggory 3/4 Flesher is a NO-GO for me tbh.
The writing was once again great, so much respect for Steven dos Santos, and how he manages to tell his story, and it absolutely didn't have to do anything, let me repeat ANYTHING with the storytelling. This book was just a bit of a disppointment!
January 21, 2016
*possible spoilers*
This isn't what I expected. I fell in love with this series mainly because of Lucien & Digory's love for each other, nothing else mattered to me but that. I had such high expectations for the final installment.......now I'm left disappointed and unsatisfied :(. 99% fake Digory & 1% real Digory gets a big NO from me. I felt disconnected during the whole ending scene between him and Lucien. His character felt unfamiliar to me. I also expected Lucien to be more badass.....he wasn't! Even Cole was more badass than him. I'm very picky when it comes to the books I read so I'm pretty sure others will have different opinions. There's nothing else to say is there?
This isn't what I expected. I fell in love with this series mainly because of Lucien & Digory's love for each other, nothing else mattered to me but that. I had such high expectations for the final installment.......now I'm left disappointed and unsatisfied :(. 99% fake Digory & 1% real Digory gets a big NO from me. I felt disconnected during the whole ending scene between him and Lucien. His character felt unfamiliar to me. I also expected Lucien to be more badass.....he wasn't! Even Cole was more badass than him. I'm very picky when it comes to the books I read so I'm pretty sure others will have different opinions. There's nothing else to say is there?
Read
April 18, 2016The final chapter of lucky....
I absolutely loved the first two books off this series, and I enjoyed this one's too. But it just felt like too much kept happening too lucky.
This was the first book I could put down in this series and that's why I gave it for stars. The writing was good and the story was solid. I just couldn't keep reading constantly about bad things happening to the main character.
I would recommend this book took anyone who likes the end of the world type books because it is a fresh new outlook on it.
I absolutely loved the first two books off this series, and I enjoyed this one's too. But it just felt like too much kept happening too lucky.
This was the first book I could put down in this series and that's why I gave it for stars. The writing was good and the story was solid. I just couldn't keep reading constantly about bad things happening to the main character.
I would recommend this book took anyone who likes the end of the world type books because it is a fresh new outlook on it.
April 18, 2016
I absolutely loved the first two books off this series, and I enjoyed this one's too. But it just felt like too much kept happening too lucky.
This was the first book I could put down in this series and that's why I gave it for stars. The writing was good and the story was solid. I just couldn't keep reading constantly about bad things happening to the main character.
I would recommend this book took anyone who likes the end of the world type books because it is a fresh new outlook on it.
This was the first book I could put down in this series and that's why I gave it for stars. The writing was good and the story was solid. I just couldn't keep reading constantly about bad things happening to the main character.
I would recommend this book took anyone who likes the end of the world type books because it is a fresh new outlook on it.
July 18, 2017
Yeah I cry reading this. Why? Because it was too beautifully well written in the end. Everything about it was perfect and some of the scenes got me like I've been shot through the chest, it was just that painful!
May 30, 2016
This entire series had me way up past my bedtime finishing each book because of it's cliffhangers
Did Not Finish
September 1, 2018DNF - nothing against it or the series or the author, but I lost interest after book 1. Slogged through book 2, can't slog through this one as well.
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