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The Union Audio CD – CD, Dec 1 2022
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From author and body-positive activist Leah Vernon comes a daring dystopian novel that explores the power of friendship in a future society built on violence and division.
A thousand years in the future, a Black elite class reigns. The lower classes toil in the fields or scrape by in blighted cities, serving their rulers in a cruel, divided world.
Among the Elites is eighteen-year-old Avi Jore, born to a powerful father and destined to rule. But as she comes of age, Avi cannot help but notice the injustices in her world—the treatment of enslaved workers, the oppression of the lower classes. Her disillusionment grows when she meets Saige Wilde, a mixed-race enslaved girl whose only goal is escaping beyond the borders of their brutal nation.
When Saige saves Avi from an assassination attempt, their paths become intertwined in ways they never imagined. As Saige plots her path to freedom, Avi tries to enact change from the inside. But it’s a complicated endeavor, fraught with danger and malice.
Together, their efforts could spark a revolution—and underscore the staggering power of friendship.
Publisher Note: This title was previously self-published as Impure. This edition of The Union includes substantial editorial revisions.
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherBrilliance Audio
- Publication dateDec 1 2022
- Dimensions16.51 x 2.87 x 13.97 cm
- ISBN-101713667754
- ISBN-13978-1713667759
Product description
Review
“Narrators Alaska Jackson, Sisi Aisha Johnson, and Kirby Heyborne deliver solid performances. …the story is uplifted by the emotionally affective narration, which brings out the nuances in Vernon’s engaging characters.”—Library Journal
“…skillfully narrated by the team of Alaska Jackson, Sisi Johnson, and Kirby Heyborne. Carefully crafted science fiction with an underlying social message.”—Midwest Book Review
“A thought-provoking dystopian novel…Readers will find it easy to invest in Vernon’s complex political tale.” —Publishers Weekly
“Fans of Justina Ireland and N. K. Jemisin will appreciate the innovative world building from a Black perspective and the well-developed characters used to present serious topics such as racism and privilege.” —Booklist
About the Author
Leah Vernon is an author, body-positive activist, and the first international plus-size Hijabi model. During her double master’s program, she started a blog about being a fat Black Muslim in Detroit experiencing everything from eating disorders to anti-Blackness. She’s been featured in ads from Target to Dove and even made it to the New York Times and HuffPost. She currently resides in New York City. Connect with her on Instagram (@lvernon2000) and on her website: www.LeahVernon.com.
Product details
- Publisher : Brilliance Audio; Unabridged edition (Dec 1 2022)
- Language : English
- ISBN-10 : 1713667754
- ISBN-13 : 978-1713667759
- Item weight : 234 g
- Dimensions : 16.51 x 2.87 x 13.97 cm
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Leah Vernon is a plus-size Hijabi model, social media influencer, public speaker, and freelance writer. She’s been featured by Buzzfeed, Yahoo, CBS, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Seventeen, and The New York Times, and worked with brands like Adidas and Lululemon. She grew up in Detroit, but currently resides in New York City. Connect with her on Instagram (@Lvernon2000) and on her website (Leahvernon.com).
Customer reviews
Top reviews from other countries

I couldn't understand if she was aiming for forgiveness or revenge. Are we supposed to be rooting for the black elites who commit atrocities against the whites? Or hoping the whites & "impures" rise up against their oppressors?
I guess what I've taken away from it is that power corrupts, no matter who is in charge.. male or female, black or white.
At times I felt parts were jumping a bit. Not in any serious way but it did sometimes cause me to go back and make sure I hadn't missed anything.
I kinda ended up assuming all the workers were white and the elites were black but im not sure it was always very clear. I wasn't sure what colour the soldiers were and I ended up thinking more about colour of skin than I ever have.
It reminds me very much of The Hunger Games. The clothes, the attitudes, the drugs, more so when Saige went into the Cube, a survival of the fittest where Elites were watching and judging.
I dont think Saige and Avi were characters that are easy to like. They are complete polar opposites. One being miserable, angry, selfish and the other naive & giggly. With both I wished they'd just give it a rest.
It wasn't really very "scientific" 1000 yrs into the future and you'd think they'd have more than hoverbikes and laser guns. I think that may have been a little lazy on the authors part.
This was offered on an amazon first reads by the way. Rather that it being labelled under Sci fi it may better belong in teen fiction?

Secondly, and more annoyingly it's so crammed with "storylines" that it's impossible to keep up.
It's almost as if the author had an idea for a series of books and someone said "Nah, just cram it all into one volume. It'll be fine" She's a domestic worker, then she's arrested, then she escaped, and then she's arrested again, then she's in prison, then she's a farmworker, then she's arrested again, then she's in a fighting ring, then she's training to be a watchman, then she's in a 'to the death' competency test. All of this in the first two-thirds of a 329-page book? No depth, no winding path, just one event after another, after another with no explanation as to how we got there. It reads, like "What I did on my Summer Holiday - We went to the zoo and then we saw the elephant and then we went swimming one day and my friend fell down....." Ugh! I give up! Nul pwa!


There is sloppy editing in places that often hinder the reading experience.
The ending leaves room for sequels.