Welcome to the book tour for the exciting sequel of The Colony series, The Insurgent by Teri Polen! Teri is no stranger to my blog as she’s previously appeared in one of my author spotlights, so it makes me happy to be part of her new book’s tour. š„³
Alas, with the long weekend and the fluctuating British weather that I’ve yet to fully adjust to (š ), I’ve hit a bit of a slump with my reading, so I’ll need a few more days to finish the first book, Subject A36, and then finally this sequel. But I’ve been having a great time with my reading so far as Teri’s quite the storyteller! Do check out the excerpts (yes, plural) below, and my review when it finally goes up. š„°

If a megalomaniac threatened your family, would you give up your freedom for them? Would you give up your soul?
Asher Solomon is faced with that choice. And makes the ultimate sacrifice.
Exactly as Director Silas Reeves expected him to.
Unable to live as the Colonyās premier assassin, Ash retreats to a corner of his mind, ceding control of his body to the alter-ego he was engineered to beāSubject A36. As heās unleashed to battle the Insurgents, the only family he ever knew, the tide of war shifts in Silasās favor.
Combined with his expansion into new territories, the director is poised to take over the world.
But the Insurgents donāt give up easily. Not on their cause, and not on their people. With the help of a few double agents deep in the Colony, they stand a fighting chance at ending Silasās reign.
In order to shut down the program, they face almost insurmountable odds. And their most dangerous foeātheir former champion turned killing machine, A36.
Add to Goodreads
GENRE: Young Adult Dystopian
PUBLICATION DATE: 19 May 2022
PURCHASE LINKS: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Black Rose Writing
Excerpt #1: Asher
My legs collapsed, and I fell to my knees. The throbbing in my head hammered against my skull. Like my brain was trying to force its way out somehow. It was agonizing, and my stomach twisted with nausea. My lungs heaved, still short of oxygen. I crawled over to what was left of the mattress and rolled onto it.
Iām here.
Clutching my head, I searched the room for the source of the voice. I still couldnāt see. Someone could have easily slipped in while I destroyed the room.
Give me control.
So close. It was so close. But where?
End your pain.
In my head. The voice echoed in my head.
It was him. A36.
Through the crushing agony I gritted my teeth and struggled to force the word through my lips.
āNo.ā
But I felt him clawing his way out, inch by inch from the deep abyss inside me where Iād kept him imprisoned for my own sanity and the safety of others.
You have nothing left.
I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head. But he spoke the truth. All that held me together were the scars of everything Iād lost. Everyone Iād ever loved.
And scars could be easily ripped open.
Excerpt #2: Brynn
Luci gawked at me as if I were delusional before she turned and sprinted toward Mason and Naira. I laid down a spray of bullets in front of A36, and he diverted his attention toward me. From the corner of my eye, I saw my three team members move in the direction of the fence. They were easy targets. He could probably pick them off blindfolded based on sound alone.
A36 cast a glance in their direction, and I put a bullet on the ground in front of him to remind him I was still here. Keeping his gun trained on me, he stepped out from behind the shelter of the Jeep door and flashed me a wide smile. A smile I knew well. One that lit up my world and made even the worst of days a little brighter. Only it wasnāt quite Asherās smile. This one was laced with malice and challenge. It taunted me, dared me to take the shot. A36 slid through the moonlight quietly like the predator he was, all hard angles and taut muscles. Gone were the sandy blond waves heād always tied back for missions, his hair now closely cropped.
My hands trembled as I kept him in my sights.Ā What was I doing?Ā A lethal killer closed the distance between us every second, and I stood here waiting for what?Ā A tearful reunion? Ā No matter the certainty I felt deep down that he wouldnāt harm me, was I really willing to take that chance?Ā I could be dead in the next thirty seconds. He was only fifteen feet away now, gun still raised, while I remained cloaked in the buildingās shadow.Ā āYouāre not even making this a challenge.Ā Whereās the fun in that?ā He grinned as if this gave him great pleasure.Ā There wasnāt even a hint of recognition in his eyes or any sign A36 knew my identity.Ā I was a stranger to him.Ā
Excerpt #3: Declan
After passing more of the shallow vessels impersonating humans, I finally reached my office, swung open the door and halted. Hairs rose on the back of my neck.
I was afraid to move a muscle.
To even breathe.
Casually leaning against my desk, ankles crossed, was a dangerous predator. He watched me intently. Muscles rippled in his forearms as he flipped a silver dagger in one hand.
It was Asher. But it wasnāt.
Sure, Ash had killed before, but it was to save hostages or in self-defense. Heād never outright murder anyone with no justification. But I sensed the creature in front of me was on a wholly different level. To him, killing was the same as eating or sleeping. It was routine, a part of life, something he did every day. And didnāt think twice about.
A36 stood before me.
About the Author

Teri Polen reads and watches horror, sci-fi, and fantasy. The Walking Dead, Harry Potter, and anything Marvel-related are likely to cause fangirl delirium. She lives in Bowling Green, KY with her husband, sons, and black cat. Her first novel, Sarah, was a horror finalist in the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Subject A36 was voted one of the 50 Best Indie Books of 2020 at ReadFree.ly. Visit her online at www.teripolen.com
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Book Tour Organized By R&R Book Tours

Got a book you’d like me to review or an author you’d like me to feature? Drop me a line! š You can also subscribe to my newsletter for free short stories, special offers, and writing opportunities.