Award-Winning Ontario Author Completes Dystopian Trilogy With Release of “Uncounted”
How far would you go to uncover the truth that could save your future?
The highly anticipated conclusion to The World Collective trilogy by Ontario author Susan Cullen arrives today, January 15, 2025. Uncounted is be released simultaneously in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats, through Chicken House Press, completing the thought-provoking young adult dystopian series that earned Cullen recognition as a Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer finalist and Word Award winner.
In a world where truth has been buried under layers of lies, perhaps the most powerful discovery is that hope's song never truly fades — it just needs a willing heart to hear it.
In this gripping finale, protagonist Rygita discovers that everything she believed about life outside the World Collective was a lie. Beyond the controlled cities lies a hidden community of the Uncounted, offering a glimpse of freedom she never knew existed. As the unchecked force known as Thanatos threatens their world and the United People close in, Ry must confront her past and work with an unlikely ally to unlock crucial memories before time runs out.
"The book will challenge how you think about society, the individual, and the role of technology and what our future might involve,” says Amber Kuipers, author of When Grey Came to Stay. “It's a perfect series for teens, young adults, or adults who love the dystopian genre but don't necessarily want all the violence or gore. Cullen created very believable characters with their own unique traits and flaws and profoundly human emotions, problems, and experiences."
The World Collective trilogy distinguishes itself in the dystopian genre through its thoughtful exploration of social dynamics and moral complexity. The series examines a world governed by the Code, a moral technology that dictates everything from career paths to lifespans, all in the name of the greater good.
The final installment of the trilogy weaves together themes of hope, truth, and resistance, offering a powerful message for today's readers as they navigate their own complex relationship with technology and society.
Susan Cullen resides in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, where she balances writing with raising two teenagers alongside her husband. When not crafting new stories, she can be found supporting fellow NaNoWriMo writers, critiquing Marvel movies, walking her dog, and enjoying board games with her family.
Uncounted will be available through major online retailers and local bookstores starting January 15, 2025. An in-person book launch celebration will be held in February 2025. Event details will be announced soon.
For media inquiries or to request a review copy, please contact Alanna Rusnak at Chicken House Press.
ISBN hardcover edition: 978-1-990336-88-1 | ISBN trade paperback edition: 978-1-990336-87-4
About the Author: Susan Cullen is an award-winning Canadian author whose work has been recognized by the Rakuten Kobo Emerging Writer Prize and The Word Awards. The World Collective trilogy marks her debut into young adult fiction, combining her passion for storytelling with thoughtful exploration of technology's impact on society.
