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Paradigm #3
The Storm Girl's Secret: An absolutely gripping YA dystopian novel packed with mystery and suspense
The existence of 15-year-old Alice Davenport is Paradigm Industries’ biggest secret.
Decades ago, after fierce storms ravaged the earth, Alice was one of the first to help establish Paradigm Industries’ new world order: in which no one can leave the Barricades, and every trace of the past was destroyed. The whole Community believes she died an Industry hero.
But Alice refused to live under Paradigm’s cruel laws.
Alice was punished.
And Alice is alive.
Sentenced to permanent cryonic sleep in the Catacombs, Alice has been frozen for years… until now. With the Industry wanting her dead, Alice is on the run – helped by Carter Warren, Industry loyalist turned secret rebel. But as they make their escape, they uncover a shocking secret.
Paradigm Industries have devastating plans for the future, which threaten to tear the world apart. Those living outside the Barricades will be permanently destroyed. With Alice and Carter the only hope for humanity, can they find the strength to finally defeat the Industry?
The Storm Girl’s Secret is the thrilling conclusion to the Paradigm trilogy. Discover Alice’s heart-pounding story today.
Decades ago, after fierce storms ravaged the earth, Alice was one of the first to help establish Paradigm Industries’ new world order: in which no one can leave the Barricades, and every trace of the past was destroyed. The whole Community believes she died an Industry hero.
But Alice refused to live under Paradigm’s cruel laws.
Alice was punished.
And Alice is alive.
Sentenced to permanent cryonic sleep in the Catacombs, Alice has been frozen for years… until now. With the Industry wanting her dead, Alice is on the run – helped by Carter Warren, Industry loyalist turned secret rebel. But as they make their escape, they uncover a shocking secret.
Paradigm Industries have devastating plans for the future, which threaten to tear the world apart. Those living outside the Barricades will be permanently destroyed. With Alice and Carter the only hope for humanity, can they find the strength to finally defeat the Industry?
The Storm Girl’s Secret is the thrilling conclusion to the Paradigm trilogy. Discover Alice’s heart-pounding story today.
- GenresFantasy
308 pages, Paperback
First published December 17, 2018
About the author
Ceri A. Lowe
5 books49 followersWhen Ceri isn’t writing, she’s a self-employed project management consultant specialising in financial services. She lives in Bristol, England and has various obsessions including all things Spanish, renovating houses, travelling and her dog, Pablo.
In the last few years she’s won the Global Short Stories annual prize, the Flash 500 Award, the Story Star Publishing Prize, the Exeter Short Story Prize and the Writers’ Forum Short Story competition. She’s also been placed and published in the Word Hut Short Story Competition & Henshaw Prize. In 2013, she was also long-listed in the Bristol Prize and Lightship Publishing Awards.
She has just completed The Paradigm Trilogy, the first book of which is titled The Rising Storm, a dystopian YA series set in a post apocalyptic world. Book two, The Girl in the Storm is now available for preorder on Amazon.
In the last few years she’s won the Global Short Stories annual prize, the Flash 500 Award, the Story Star Publishing Prize, the Exeter Short Story Prize and the Writers’ Forum Short Story competition. She’s also been placed and published in the Word Hut Short Story Competition & Henshaw Prize. In 2013, she was also long-listed in the Bristol Prize and Lightship Publishing Awards.
She has just completed The Paradigm Trilogy, the first book of which is titled The Rising Storm, a dystopian YA series set in a post apocalyptic world. Book two, The Girl in the Storm is now available for preorder on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 13, 2018
The Storm Girl's Secret, the third and final novel in the Paradigm trilogy, is a nail-bitingly tense and explosive conclusion to what has become a thrilling and exciting dystopian world. I recommend reading the books in chronological order otherwise you may be rather perplexed at the storyline as it is heavily dependent on previous happenings.
This is an excellent and engaging dystopian world, and I was very happy to return to it. Lowe's worldbuilding is pretty darn incredible, her characters three-dimensional and easy to care about, and her storylines truly gripping. There are far more layers to this book than the previous two and many more shocking surprises, secrets and peril aplenty. The plot is both intriguing and suspenseful, I had a difficult time putting it down. In the end, I resolved to abandon my chores and finish it! I absolutely love Alice, she is truly fearless, I had much admiration for her.
Well, what an intense and majestic read, but I am truly sad that this is the concluding book. I guess the old adage - all good things come to an end - applies here. An unforgettable series. Recommended for fans of 'The Hunger Games', The Divergent series and Bella Forrest.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This is an excellent and engaging dystopian world, and I was very happy to return to it. Lowe's worldbuilding is pretty darn incredible, her characters three-dimensional and easy to care about, and her storylines truly gripping. There are far more layers to this book than the previous two and many more shocking surprises, secrets and peril aplenty. The plot is both intriguing and suspenseful, I had a difficult time putting it down. In the end, I resolved to abandon my chores and finish it! I absolutely love Alice, she is truly fearless, I had much admiration for her.
Well, what an intense and majestic read, but I am truly sad that this is the concluding book. I guess the old adage - all good things come to an end - applies here. An unforgettable series. Recommended for fans of 'The Hunger Games', The Divergent series and Bella Forrest.
Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
December 17, 2018
As a young teen Alice lived through cataclysmic storms that wrecked the civilised world leaving the few survivors clutching at anything. Paradigm Industries gave her a home and a chance to be an elite scout who would help form a new society. Alice loved and lost but never stopped clinging on to the fierce nature that made her a woman of tenacity and substance. This book sees Alice awakening to a world that is eighty years away from everyone she knows or does it ? Betrayed previously for her humanity the brutal regime Alice left behind has even more atrocities still to perform !
Ok I'm going to say do not read this as a standalone because you really need to understand the progression of all the characters involved here. Teenagers in charge and thousands willing to be cryogenically suspended might seem preposterous but this author tackles that and more with aplomb. You will be invested in the outcome although even then the author decided to surprise and twist the knife. It's impossible not to admire Alice and indeed even have faith in characters that support her. The only reason I haven't given a five is simply that when terrible things happen I didn't feel enough emotional tugging. Still it was a worthy conclusion to an excellent series that I fully enjoyed.
This voluntary take is of an advance copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair.
Ok I'm going to say do not read this as a standalone because you really need to understand the progression of all the characters involved here. Teenagers in charge and thousands willing to be cryogenically suspended might seem preposterous but this author tackles that and more with aplomb. You will be invested in the outcome although even then the author decided to surprise and twist the knife. It's impossible not to admire Alice and indeed even have faith in characters that support her. The only reason I haven't given a five is simply that when terrible things happen I didn't feel enough emotional tugging. Still it was a worthy conclusion to an excellent series that I fully enjoyed.
This voluntary take is of an advance copy and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair.
January 1, 2019
Ceri Lowe has come up with a rocking action-filled finish to the series set in a dystopian world. The last in the Paradigm Trilogy, this book needs to be read in order.
This book started where the previous one left off with Alice being awakened by Carter after 80 years and finding that her adopted daughter Elizabet was in charge and the world being quite different from what she had envisioned. Alice's journey to make her world alright and put a stop to tyranny was filled with adrenaline, there was simply no time to breathe. The book left me gasping. Characters outside the barricades in the Township and the Village had their own unrest.
Ceri Lowe is a master in writing a dynamic story with the world in disarray. I could just immerse myself back into Carter's world with ease, the twist plentiful led me down a merry trail. There was danger and death at every turn with secrets shocking me with suspense. The entire book gave me the feeling of seeing a vivid three dimensional dystopian thriller well directed under the talented hands of author Ceri Lowe
This book started where the previous one left off with Alice being awakened by Carter after 80 years and finding that her adopted daughter Elizabet was in charge and the world being quite different from what she had envisioned. Alice's journey to make her world alright and put a stop to tyranny was filled with adrenaline, there was simply no time to breathe. The book left me gasping. Characters outside the barricades in the Township and the Village had their own unrest.
Ceri Lowe is a master in writing a dynamic story with the world in disarray. I could just immerse myself back into Carter's world with ease, the twist plentiful led me down a merry trail. There was danger and death at every turn with secrets shocking me with suspense. The entire book gave me the feeling of seeing a vivid three dimensional dystopian thriller well directed under the talented hands of author Ceri Lowe
February 2, 2019
MY REVIEW
As this is the 3rd book in the trilogy, ideally it would make sense to read the other two in order first. I hadn’t read those, but I didn’t really have any problem following the story in all its complexities.
The Storm Girl’s Secret is a thrilling, dystopian tale that’s thought provoking in a very well constructed world. The characters a very well defined, complicated and so full of emotion and just like real life, you will love some and definitely hate others.
Ceri A. Lowe has written a tense, heart thumping tale and you do wonder if Alice will ever be part of the world she hoped for. A great, involved, YA series.
I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review
As this is the 3rd book in the trilogy, ideally it would make sense to read the other two in order first. I hadn’t read those, but I didn’t really have any problem following the story in all its complexities.
The Storm Girl’s Secret is a thrilling, dystopian tale that’s thought provoking in a very well constructed world. The characters a very well defined, complicated and so full of emotion and just like real life, you will love some and definitely hate others.
Ceri A. Lowe has written a tense, heart thumping tale and you do wonder if Alice will ever be part of the world she hoped for. A great, involved, YA series.
I would like to thank the Author/the Publishers/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for a fair and honest review
December 16, 2018
The Storm Girl’s Secret is the final installment in the Paradigm Trilogy by Ceri A Lowe and I recommend that you read the first two books in the series. There is a lot of character/plot building that has happened so it’s vital that you’re up to speed with everything that has gone before.
At the end of book two (The Girl in the Storm) there was the jaw dropping reveal that Alice Davenport was alive and well having been frozen for the last eighty years. The story line I alluded to in my last review is now happening – Carter and Alice are in the same timeline! And what a story; this epic conclusion to the trilogy was definitely worth the wait.
The action is non-stop as the teenagers battle to overthrow Alice’s tyrannical step daughter Elizabet who is intent on destroying everything and everyone outside the barricades. There are shocks and revelations along the way and I was left reeling by the shocking events.
So if you’re looking for the perfect YA dystopian series look no further – The Paradigm Trilogy is exactly what you need!
At the end of book two (The Girl in the Storm) there was the jaw dropping reveal that Alice Davenport was alive and well having been frozen for the last eighty years. The story line I alluded to in my last review is now happening – Carter and Alice are in the same timeline! And what a story; this epic conclusion to the trilogy was definitely worth the wait.
The action is non-stop as the teenagers battle to overthrow Alice’s tyrannical step daughter Elizabet who is intent on destroying everything and everyone outside the barricades. There are shocks and revelations along the way and I was left reeling by the shocking events.
So if you’re looking for the perfect YA dystopian series look no further – The Paradigm Trilogy is exactly what you need!
May 19, 2019
Wow!!! Wow!!!! Wow!!! I loved it. I was hooked after the first sentence.
December 17, 2018
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via netgalley and for letting me take part in this tour. I loved the first two books in this series and I was so eager to get into this one after the way the 2nd book ended.
We return just where we finished at the end of the 2nd book and we are right in the middle of the action. You get this feeling that things are about to kick off and everything its about to change.
Carter and Alice are still our main characters and I really enjoyed following them both. I liked seeing their different perspectives. I also liked seeing the perspectives of the Township and the Village. It was very interesting to see how the different communities adapted and survived after the storms.
Elizabet really is an interesting character. Her skewed view on the world and the people around her really fascinated me. Ceri really brought her to life for me.
The majority of the world building was done in the first book but it was great to see more of the outside of the barricades in this book. To see what happened to places after the Storms and to see what after more than 80 years had still survived.
I am actually a little sad that this series is over. I really immersed myself in this world and I will miss it and its characters. I am, however, really looking forward to seeing what Ceri brings us next.
We return just where we finished at the end of the 2nd book and we are right in the middle of the action. You get this feeling that things are about to kick off and everything its about to change.
Carter and Alice are still our main characters and I really enjoyed following them both. I liked seeing their different perspectives. I also liked seeing the perspectives of the Township and the Village. It was very interesting to see how the different communities adapted and survived after the storms.
Elizabet really is an interesting character. Her skewed view on the world and the people around her really fascinated me. Ceri really brought her to life for me.
The majority of the world building was done in the first book but it was great to see more of the outside of the barricades in this book. To see what happened to places after the Storms and to see what after more than 80 years had still survived.
I am actually a little sad that this series is over. I really immersed myself in this world and I will miss it and its characters. I am, however, really looking forward to seeing what Ceri brings us next.
December 17, 2018
After the ending of book two I couldn’t wait to pick this book up let’s just say there was a big surprise waiting for the reader! During this series the momentum has been building and building right to the events in The Storm Girl’s Secret. Well what a ride this book took me on in fact the whole series has been fantastic. This book well and truly had me on the edge of my seat multiple times wondering how it would all end!
I’m going to try my best to avoid spoilers especially if you haven’t started this series. To be honest though I would recommend starting at the beginning just so that you can really get all of the back story and character background. Plus I wouldn’t want you to miss out!
The characters are developed really well and I was rooting for them all the way through! With characters that felt real with flaws but also had such strong and resilient personalities. After all three books it felt as if I was saying goodbye to friends.
The dystopian world that Ceri A. Lowe created completely pulled me in with twists and turns that all came together to become such a powerful story! After each chapter ended I just had to keep reading with tension, drama and revelations around every corner. I didn’t want to miss a moment of it!
The Storm Girl’s Secret is packed full of action, danger and tension! Such a fabulous story but I think I need to relax now!
I’m going to try my best to avoid spoilers especially if you haven’t started this series. To be honest though I would recommend starting at the beginning just so that you can really get all of the back story and character background. Plus I wouldn’t want you to miss out!
The characters are developed really well and I was rooting for them all the way through! With characters that felt real with flaws but also had such strong and resilient personalities. After all three books it felt as if I was saying goodbye to friends.
The dystopian world that Ceri A. Lowe created completely pulled me in with twists and turns that all came together to become such a powerful story! After each chapter ended I just had to keep reading with tension, drama and revelations around every corner. I didn’t want to miss a moment of it!
The Storm Girl’s Secret is packed full of action, danger and tension! Such a fabulous story but I think I need to relax now!
January 24, 2025
This is the final book in the excellent young adult fiction series The Paradigm Triology (read my reviews of book one and two!)
Alice has been hidden underground, frozen in time for 80 years. Her discovery gives hope to the 'rebels' who want to creat a better world.
The new Controller General is none other than her adopted daughter Izzy, now known as Elizabet but there is no love lost between them and now Izzy wants to use Alice to make even more drastic social changes.
Carter Warren is determined to free Alice and save humanity from itself but can he unite the different factions that leave peacefully outside the Community even if it means certain death...
I really enjoyed this third and final installment of the series. It was slower paced than the other books and had more dialogue but this was an important change to allow the author to make serious points about the state of our species and how we have the opportunity to do so much good but risk doing unspeakable evil too.
Many of the narrative strands were concluded and I won't give away details! The ending does give some scope for further sequels or a new series, but in the meantime we are left imagining what will happen to Alice and the other characters in the future.
Alice has been hidden underground, frozen in time for 80 years. Her discovery gives hope to the 'rebels' who want to creat a better world.
The new Controller General is none other than her adopted daughter Izzy, now known as Elizabet but there is no love lost between them and now Izzy wants to use Alice to make even more drastic social changes.
Carter Warren is determined to free Alice and save humanity from itself but can he unite the different factions that leave peacefully outside the Community even if it means certain death...
I really enjoyed this third and final installment of the series. It was slower paced than the other books and had more dialogue but this was an important change to allow the author to make serious points about the state of our species and how we have the opportunity to do so much good but risk doing unspeakable evil too.
Many of the narrative strands were concluded and I won't give away details! The ending does give some scope for further sequels or a new series, but in the meantime we are left imagining what will happen to Alice and the other characters in the future.
December 11, 2018
The final battle has arrived and with the discovery of Alice being alive at the cliffhanger of the second book, this finale was sure to be a showstopper.
Ms. Lowe did NOT disappoint! The story continues from the moment Carter awakens Alice and it hits the ground running as we learn that the stepdaughter Alice raised over 80 years ago is now the tyrannical Controller General who seeks to rebuild the community into her own twisted version of reality. Packed with a punch, we see these teenagers forego their stereotypical beliefs of "the enemy communities" and rally to overthrow the Industry and it's divergent ways. Each individual must learn to let go of their distrusts in order to succeed and reestablishment a world Alice originally envisioned - one where ALL are equal and not divided, one where the people rejoice in diversity and appreciate uniqueness.
Lots of character development, loads of non-stop action and a tear-jerking ending. 5 stars for me and for a dystopian genre, that's really hard to accomplish in my books. Bravo Ms. Lowe!
Ms. Lowe did NOT disappoint! The story continues from the moment Carter awakens Alice and it hits the ground running as we learn that the stepdaughter Alice raised over 80 years ago is now the tyrannical Controller General who seeks to rebuild the community into her own twisted version of reality. Packed with a punch, we see these teenagers forego their stereotypical beliefs of "the enemy communities" and rally to overthrow the Industry and it's divergent ways. Each individual must learn to let go of their distrusts in order to succeed and reestablishment a world Alice originally envisioned - one where ALL are equal and not divided, one where the people rejoice in diversity and appreciate uniqueness.
Lots of character development, loads of non-stop action and a tear-jerking ending. 5 stars for me and for a dystopian genre, that's really hard to accomplish in my books. Bravo Ms. Lowe!
October 15, 2023
3.75 ⭐️
I found that the ending was rather underwhelming, personally I would’ve preferred more action and suspense. A few of the subplots were ended very abruptly and I found that to be almost disappointing when reading, there were also some chapters that I felt were kind of pointless.
Aside from this I really enjoyed the read and found it very easy to read for a long period for one sitting. The plot twists were great especially the one at the end! I really wish it didn’t happen at the end though.
The ending concludes the trilogy but also leaves room for the possibility of another book.
All in all, pretty good :]
I found that the ending was rather underwhelming, personally I would’ve preferred more action and suspense. A few of the subplots were ended very abruptly and I found that to be almost disappointing when reading, there were also some chapters that I felt were kind of pointless.
Aside from this I really enjoyed the read and found it very easy to read for a long period for one sitting. The plot twists were great especially the one at the end! I really wish it didn’t happen at the end though.
The ending concludes the trilogy but also leaves room for the possibility of another book.
All in all, pretty good :]
February 17, 2023
DYSTOPIAN CHALLENGE, CONFLICT, & NEW COMMENCEMENT!!:-)
If you ADORE Dystopian series then you will not want to miss this one!!!:-). The adventure that ensures amidst all of the adventure and danger that abounds is formidable for sure!!! The world is intriguing and the characters are deep…. LOVED IT!!:-)
If you ADORE Dystopian series then you will not want to miss this one!!!:-). The adventure that ensures amidst all of the adventure and danger that abounds is formidable for sure!!! The world is intriguing and the characters are deep…. LOVED IT!!:-)
June 5, 2022
This series is amazing! I defienlty felt sad it was over... However never say never. I am hoping Alice and Carter will be back one day!
December 31, 2018
This is a series which must be read in order.
I am so sad that this series has come to an end. Alice and her friends have endured quite a journey, and they all suffered immensely in the pursuit of restoring their world to its rightful path.
I feel that there is more to come, and I would love the author to bring the characters back at some point in their lives. I don’t want to believe that this is it for Alice, Carter, Samuel and everyone else.
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
I am so sad that this series has come to an end. Alice and her friends have endured quite a journey, and they all suffered immensely in the pursuit of restoring their world to its rightful path.
I feel that there is more to come, and I would love the author to bring the characters back at some point in their lives. I don’t want to believe that this is it for Alice, Carter, Samuel and everyone else.
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
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