Book review by Corey
Condemn
Condemn picks up three years after the Flense has devastated civilization, with Finnian Bolles and the other survivors leaving the safety of Bunker Eight and heading into a world that is far more dangerous than they remember. Their goal is to find the mysterious Bunker Twelve and hopefully learn more about the plague and whether there is any chance of a cure.
The book keeps the survival tension high, but it also makes the world feel bigger and more unpredictable than the first one. Finn’s search for his brother adds a personal reason to keep moving, while the Wraiths and the other threats outside the bunkers make it clear that survival is only getting harder.
The Goods
- Strong post-apocalyptic atmosphere
- Good continuation of the first book
- The wider world feels more dangerous
- Finn has a stronger personal motivation
- Keeps the mystery around the Flense interesting
The Bads
- Some characters could use more depth
- The story can get very bleak
- A few survival situations feel familiar
- The group gets split up a lot
- Works best if you remember Contain
My Recommendation
This is a strong follow-up for readers who liked Contain and wanted to see more of the world outside the bunkers. Condemn feels more dangerous and more personal, especially with Finn’s search for his brother and the growing mystery around Bunker Twelve. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic fiction with infected creatures, hidden facilities, survival pressure, and a larger mystery slowly opening up, this is a very solid second book in the series.