The Returning by Rachelle Dekker

About the Book
They say the Awakening is coming.
That she’s the key.
But can she find her identity in the light
Before she perishes in the dark?
Twenty years have passed since Carrington and Remko Brant’s baby, Elise, was kidnapped and they were forced to leave her captive in the Authority City. Though they fled with the Seers far from Authority reach, they’ve never given up hope of rescuing their daughter from the man who betrayed them. Now Authority President, he’s ushered the city into a new era of “peace”—one where the Scientist Roth Reynard’s Genesis Serum has eradicated all memory of emotion or rebellion.

But the mysterious Aaron and his Seers are once again on the move, threatening the illusion the Authority has worked so hard to build. As the Seers send seven chosen warriors to rescue Elise and bring restoration to the Authority City, the lines are drawn for a final battle between light and darkness. The key to ultimate victory may rest within the strangely powerful girl who has felt forgotten but was never abandoned—a truth she’ll need to wage war against the powerful forces of evil.

My Thoughts
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books of this series and I was intrigued to see how this one would play out since it was taking place 20 years after the events at the end of The Calling. 
As the book opens we get to see Carrington and Remko, each still processing the loss of their daughter who was taken from them, though in different ways. I loved seeing how connected they still were even after twenty years, still just in love as ever.
Then we get to meet Elise and see the woman she became. Told all of her life that she was different and that her parents abandoned her because of it, she struggles with knowing who she is and what her purpose is. All that changes though when she meets Aaron and the Seers, who point her to the Father and help her discover who she is and Whose she is, unlocking the light that has always been inside her.
I really liked the characters that made up the chosen seven, they each had unique personalities and gifts and it was cool to see how they worked together to spread the light. In direct contrast the darkness in those standing against the Seers was a palpable evil that made your skin crawl. It was beautiful though to watch as the light overcame and defeated the darkness.
I won't give anymore away but I highly recommend this series to Dystopian lovers. Just make sure to read them in order otherwise you'll be a bit lost!

Meet the Author
The oldest daughter of New York Times bestselling author Ted Dekker, Rachelle Dekker was inspired early on to discover truth through the avenue of storytelling. She writes full time from her home in Nashville, where she lives with her husband, Daniel, and their diva cat Blair.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.