Tag Archives: Dystopia

by | August 3, 2016 · 10:00 am

4.5 Stars for Who Knows the Dark (The Vigilante #2) by Tere Michaels {#AUDIOBOOK} #MM #Romance @TereMichaels

1.5

Title: Who Knows the Dark (The Vigilante #2)
Author Name & Publisher: Tere Michaels (Dreamspinner Press)
Publication Date & Length: October 2, 2015 – 230 pgs

Synopsis

A wanted man after the destruction of the Iron Butterfly Casino, Nox Boyet must flee the island of Manhattan—the only home he’s ever known. Together with Cade, Sam, and the rest of their ragtag group, Nox must find a place to hide from the District Police and the violent group of unknown drug dealers on his tail.

The solution—the Creel family farm in South Carolina.

But home isn’t quite sweet for Cade, the prodigal son. As Cade struggles with his own secrets, shadows of the past threaten not only Nox’s life, but his relationship with his son, Sam.

Nox knows there will never be peace unless he finds the answers to all his questions—and the answers lie back on the island. Cade and the others must choose their paths—find safety or follow the Vigilante into the darkness of the city? The city where Nox will come face-to-face with the past.

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Review

 FourandHalfStars

This review is for the audiobook, narrated by Jonathan Young.
Who Knows the Dark is an intriguing post-apocalyptic adventure. The narration is done perfectly. As with the first book, Jonathan Young really brings this story to life with his performance. I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a strong action/suspense story with some romance.
This book is a bit slower paced than the first. The focus is on mystery and suspense as the characters work to puzzle their way through the complications of their forced exile. The pacing fits the story perfectly. It’s highly engaging and really hard to put down.
My only complaint is I feel like the ending is a bit abrupt. In the first book the ending was perfect for me. There was a definite feeling of some kind of conclusion, even knowing there was more to come. I didn’t get that feeling with this ending, and that was mildly disappointing.
This series has a romantic sub-plot, and there are a few explicit sex scenes. But I wouldn’t recommend this to someone looking for a highly romantic or erotic story.
Overall, I loved this book! I’m emotionally connected to the characters, and the story has totally sucked me in. I can’t wait for the next one!
Amanda

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by | July 25, 2016 · 2:00 pm

Audiobook Review: 5 Star Review for Who Knows the Storm (The Vigilante #1) by Tere Michaels #MM #Dystopia

1.5

Title: Who Knows the Storm (The Vigilante #1)
Author Name & Publisher: Tere Michaels (Dreamspinner Press)
Publication Date & Length: October 17, 2014 – 240 pgs

Synopsis

In a dystopian near future, New York City has become the epicenter of decadence—gambling, the flesh trade, a playground for the wealthy. And underneath? Crime, fueled by “Dead Bolt,” a destructive designer drug. This New City is where Nox Boyet leads a double life. At night, he is the Vigilante, struggling to keep the streets safe for citizens abandoned by the corrupt government and police. During the day, he works in construction and does his best to raise his adopted teenaged son, Sam.

A mysterious letter addressed to Sam brings Nox in direct contact with “model” Cade Creel, a high-end prostitute working at the Iron Butterfly Casino. Suspicion gives way to an intense attraction as dark figures from Nox’s past and the mysterious peddlers of Dead Bolt begin to descend—and put all their lives in danger. When things spin out of control, Cade is the only person Nox can trust to help him save Sam.

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Review

FiveStars

This review is for the audiobook, narrated by Jonathan Young.
Who Knows the Storm is a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat ride! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a strong action/suspense story with some romance. The narration is perfectly done, and the choices of the different voices are great. Jonathan Young’s performance really brings the story to life.
A gay vigilante … about time! This book throws together so many genres I love. It is a dystopian adventure with suspense, mystery and a vigilante main character. The characters are wonderfully written. They have depth, history, and personality. The detailed way the world is developed makes it really come to life. The story itself is immediately engaging. The well-timed reveals of present and past mysteries kept me intrigued through the whole book, not quite knowing what was coming next. The many moving parts in the story make it thoroughly entertaining.
The romantic story is a secondary plot to the main story. The romance is steamy, and the few sex scenes are explicit and hot. But I wouldn’t recommend this to someone looking for a highly romantic or erotic novel.
I wouldn’t recommend this as a standalone. Some important things are left unanswered, but there is a definite sense of conclusion to this first part of the series. I’m very much looking forward to the next book!
Amanda

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by | February 8, 2016 · 10:00 am

5 Stars for Strength of the Rising Sun (The Borders War #5) by S.A. McAuley #M/M #Dystopia @AuthorSAMcAuley

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Title: Strength of the Rising Sun  (The Borders War #5)
Author Name & Publisher:  S.A. McAuley (Pride Publishing)
Publication Date & Length: January 26th 2016- 198 pages

Synopsis

Merq’s always known there’s only one way Armise and he can end.

The Opposition is losing—both the war and the fight for citizen support—and the Revolution’s victory appears certain. Despite that success, Merq knows his leaders won’t let two of their greatest assets simply walk away. But with Armise fighting for his life, getting out becomes Merq’s primary objective.

Almost two decades of selfishness can’t be alleviated with one right decision, and Merq is faced with the reality of how deeply he has wounded Armise in ways that cannot be seen from the outside. Merq’s world has been upended more times than he can count and he’s always survived, but life without Armise is no longer an option. He just has to prove that to Armise.

Merq believes there are few who are strong enough to challenge them when they stand together. But when the secret Armise has been protecting Merq from is revealed, the truth has consequences neither of them can prepare for.

Reader Advisory: This book contains graphic violence, mention of torture and genetic experimentation.

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Review

FiveStars

This book was such a awesome addition to this series!

So wow I really do not know how to start… It is just everything that happened in this book I still can not wrap my head around it and this book surprised me and wow I can not put into words how much I loved it!

There are things Merq will find out about himself and have to work through. There was action and angst plus more of Merq and Armise together which I have loved reading about them getting closer to each other with each book in this series.

Then there was the ending which ugh I just can’t… Don’t get me wrong it was not bad, it was really good but please don’t tell me this is the end because I really just want more of these two men and this amazing world this author created in this series.

Yes every book in this series has violence and they are gritty especially these two men and how alpha they both are. But they fit so well together and the violence in this world fit for what was going on with the war and everything else they were dealing with.

So I will leave this review with….This series was amazing and I loved it! I really hope there will be more and I can not recommend this series enough for those who love Dystopia books like I do and can deal with a world where there is a war these men are fighting which will have violence and dark parts but will also show you what people must do to survive in the world they are living in.

Kara

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by | February 7, 2016 · 10:00 am

5 Stars for Falling, One by One (The Borders War, #4) by S.A. McAuley #M/M #Dystopia @AuthorSAMcAuley

22449966

Title: Falling, One by One (The Borders War, #4)
Author Name & Publisher: S.A. McAuley (Pride Publishing)
Publication Date & Length: January 19th 2016- 161 pages

Synopsis

Whether Armise lived or died was never supposed to matter to Merq

As the fight for the kids of the jacquerie begins and the war between Opposition and Revolution heightens, Merq discovers that he may not have as much control over his actions as he thought he did. Further complicating their tangled relationship, Armise may be just as compromised.

Desperate to learn the truth, Merq and Armise put themselves directly in the path of a powerful enemy. They’ve spent fifteen years of their lives on the knife’s edge of trust and loyalty. What they learn about each other’s pasts—and what it means for their future—will bring them together or definitively tear them apart.

Merq’s life has always been at risk—one bullet away from death in sacrifice of his mission. As his focus begins to shift, Merq may be too late to understand what, and who, is most important in his life.

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Review

FiveStars

This book was another awesome addition to this series!

There was so much going on in this story just wow I have no words for how much I loved this book! We find out so much more about Merq and Armise in this and the other characters in this world.

Merq and Armise work together against a enemy while at the same time find out so much more about each other. You get action, violence and angst in this book along with the caring and feelings between these two gritty alpha characters. I love the way these two men are together and how protective they are of each other.

With every book in this series you find out so much more about this world which made me love it more and more. Then there was the children that had been genetically modified who Merq and Armise fight to protect. I felt so bad for them and of course you get the evil man behind everything that you just can’t help wishing someone would stop him.

With every book in this series you get so much pain and violence from this war but you also get these two men fighting to protect and stop what is happening.

So I will leave this review with…. I 100% loved this book and would definitely recommend this series!

Kara

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by | February 5, 2016 · 2:00 pm

4 Stars for Powerless (The Borders War, #3) by S.A. McAuley #M/M #Dystopia @AuthorSAMcAuley

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Title: Powerless (The Borders War, #3)
Author Name & Publisher: S.A. McAuley (Pride Publishing)
Publication Date & Length: January 12th 2016- 175 pages

Synopsis

He was built to be invincible.

Merq and Armise return to the States after their mission to assassinate the remaining Committee members only to find the leadership of the Revolution isn’t as stable as they had thought.

Outside forces come crashing down on a Revolution stronghold, leaving two of their soldiers gravely wounded. Merq’s history with his brothers in arms Simion and Neveed forces him into making decisions that will impact his future with the Revolution.

Merq has always identified as a soldier first. Always known who deserved his loyalty and who didn’t. But with the uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the Revolution, the mysterious disappearance of the jacquerie and increased activity with the PsychHAgs, Merq knows there are few people he can trust.

The only man Merq wants or needs at his side is Armise Darcan. But his reliance on his former enemy may be a miscalculation that will threaten everything Merq stands for.

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Review

fourstars

This book was another really good addition to this series!

We get more of this amazing world and characters this author has created in this book. But I have to be honest a say there were a few parts in this book that did drag a little bit for me and I can not say I was a huge fan of what Armise does in this book either.

You do get a lot of action with this book and more of these two men together but not as much as the previous books in this series. There was so much that Merq has to go through in this book and then finding out what Armise did I really felt so bad for his character.

But overlooking those few parts I have to say I did love the gritty aspect to this world and these characters. I actually ended up staying up all night reading the first three books in this series because I could not put them down and once I finished one I had to know what happened next lol.

So I will leave this review with… I really liked this book and would definitely recommend this series!

Kara

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by | February 4, 2016 · 6:00 pm

5 Stars for Dominant Predator (The Borders War, #2) by S.A. McAuley #M/M #Dystopia @AuthorSAMcAuley

26401642

Title: Dominant Predator (The Borders War, #2)
Author Name & Publisher: S.A. McAuley (Pride Publishing)
Publication Date & Length:  January 2016 -155 pages

Synopsis

A relationship is the least of Merq and Armise’s concerns…

With one bullet Merq Grayson set the wealthiest citizens of the world on a collision course with the poorest—with those fighting for their freedom. As the Borders War reignites, the Revolution faces heavy losses. They scramble to maintain their advantage, to strike at the Opposition and crumble their power structure before they are able to rally.

But Merq is in the midst of an internal battle that shakes him to the core. For the first time in his life Merq will have to reconcile the inherent tragedy of war and decide just how much vengeance can be justified by spilt blood. How much can he trust the men and women around him? The President, Neveed, his former soldiers, his parents…and Armise.

Merq and Armise find themselves off grid and on the hunt for Committee members. Merq is just as unsettled with Armise at his side as he was with Armise as an enemy, but they will have to learn how to fight together—or they may just die together.

Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of violence.

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Review

FiveStars

This book was a awesome addition to this series!
This can not be read as a stand alone. Every book in this series features Merq and Armise so you will be lost without reading the first book in this series before reading this one.

So we get more of this amazing world the author created and at the same time we get so much more of Merq and Armise together which I loved!

One bullet from Merq started something that both these men must fight together for. Unfortunately now Merq is unsure of who to trust and how much this war is really worth.

There was just so much that happens in this book that had me on the edge of my seat through this whole story. You get so much action in this and so much steam between these two men which I thought was so hot! Both of this characters are just so gritty and when they are together its a whole different story. You also learn so much more about the other characters in this book too. Which brings me to how much I loved the way this author has written these characters and this story! All together I think this world and these characters are amazing and so far I am loving this series!

So I will leave this review with….. I really loved this book and would definitely recommend this!

Kara

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by | February 3, 2016 · 6:00 pm

5 Stars for One Breath One Bullet (The Borders War #1) by S.A. McAuley #MM #Dystopia @AuthorSAMcAuley @PridePublishing

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Title: One Breath One Bullet (The Borders War, #1)
Author Name & Publisher: S.A. McAuley (Pride Publishing )
Publication Date & Length: January 4th 2016- 182 pages

Synopsis

Book 1 in The Borders War series

Face to face, and rifle to rifle. The time and location change, but never the circumstance. Merq Grayson and Armise Darcan are enemies—and neither will be considered successful until the other is dead.

It is the year 2558. A mere decade has passed since the signing of the treaty which ended the three hundred year long Borders War. In the midst of an uneasy peace, the world gathers for the first Olympic Games since the war began.

The rifle competition showcases the very soldiers who fought in the war, pitting former enemies against one another again. Continental States Peacemaker Merq Grayson will once again battle the Dark Ops officer from the People’s Republic of Singapore Armise Darcan, this time under the flag of their own uneasy truce. The relationship between Merq and Armise is one of violence, secrecy and a growing intimacy that could have them both branded as traitors.

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Review

FiveStars

OMG!! The world this author created in this story was amazing!!!

I will be the first two admit I love Dystopia books and the way this author wrote this one was just so good! The story in this book grabbed me from the start and I could not put it down until the end.

Merq and Armise have a very different relationship in this book. One of hate for each other but then there was lust and their attraction for each other. They fight a lot in this book and the way this author wrote this story you can feel the tension between these two men.

I do not want to give away to many spoilers so I will leave this review with… I loved what this author did with this story and these characters in this book. I also thought that this world that S.A. McAuley created was amazing and gritty! Merg and Armise both being highly trained killers each on a different side of this border war.

All together I 100% loved this book and would definitely recommend it!

Kara

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by | December 29, 2015 · 12:00 pm

4 Stars for Who Knows the Dark (The Vigilante #2) by Tere Michaels #MM #Romance @TereMichaels

1.5

Title: Who Knows the Dark (The Vigilante #2)
Author Name & Publisher: Tere Michaels (Dreamspinner Press)
Publication Date & Length: October 2, 2015 – 230 pgs

Synopsis

A wanted man after the destruction of the Iron Butterfly Casino, Nox Boyet must flee the island of Manhattan—the only home he’s ever known. Together with Cade, Sam, and the rest of their ragtag group, Nox must find a place to hide from the District Police and the violent group of unknown drug dealers on his tail.

The solution—the Creel family farm in South Carolina.

But home isn’t quite sweet for Cade, the prodigal son. As Cade struggles with his own secrets, shadows of the past threaten not only Nox’s life, but his relationship with his son, Sam.

Nox knows there will never be peace unless he finds the answers to all his questions—and the answers lie back on the island. Cade and the others must choose their paths—find safety or follow the Vigilante into the darkness of the city? The city where Nox will come face-to-face with the past.

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Review

FiveStars

This was an EXCELLENT extension of this series. The continued plot was just as good as the first book. The amount of suspense and thrill was just great. Exactly like the first book, I couldn’t put this one down.
There are so many twists and turns in this book, it was so exciting to read. I really loved the chemistry between the characters and not just Nox and Cade, but between Sam as well as he gets to experience life outside of living with his over protective father.
I can’t wait for the next part of this series since we are left with a cliffy.
Overall a really really great dystopian series.
Renee

FourStars

This book was a great add to this series..

You get to see a more Cade and Nox also more of other characters from the first book. You also get to read more about Sam and Mason which was so sweet seeing the two of them together.
This time they are running trying to get away from who is after them, after what happened in the first book in this series.
So this is when I say I like a slow burn but this one is almost too slow for me.. Now when I say almost it is just to the point were I really feel like I did not get anymore from Cade and Nox then what I got in the first book and I was just hoping for a little more I guess.
Otherwise this has a lot of action, angst and mixed in with a little bit of steam. I really love this world the author has created. You get your bad guys also with this book and the ending just I cant say what happened but I so cant wait to read the next book.

All together I really liked this book and thought it was a great add to this series!

I would recommend this book!

Kara

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by | December 28, 2015 · 4:00 pm

4.5 and 4 Stars for Who Knows the Storm (The Vigilante #1) by Tere Michaels #MM #Dystopia

1.5

Title: Who Knows the Storm (The Vigilante #1)
Author Name & Publisher: Tere Michaels (Dreamspinner Press)
Publication Date & Length: October 17, 2014 – 240 pgs

Synopsis

In a dystopian near future, New York City has become the epicenter of decadence—gambling, the flesh trade, a playground for the wealthy. And underneath? Crime, fueled by “Dead Bolt,” a destructive designer drug. This New City is where Nox Boyet leads a double life. At night, he is the Vigilante, struggling to keep the streets safe for citizens abandoned by the corrupt government and police. During the day, he works in construction and does his best to raise his adopted teenaged son, Sam.

A mysterious letter addressed to Sam brings Nox in direct contact with “model” Cade Creel, a high-end prostitute working at the Iron Butterfly Casino. Suspicion gives way to an intense attraction as dark figures from Nox’s past and the mysterious peddlers of Dead Bolt begin to descend—and put all their lives in danger. When things spin out of control, Cade is the only person Nox can trust to help him save Sam.

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Review

FourandHalfStars

At the beginning of the book, I was a little lost with all that was going on, but as the book got going and the world building continued, I really fell in love with the story line.
I really liked the way the flashbacks helped us figure out what was going on and where some of the feelings the characters were dealing with came from. They were very well tied and written into the story so as to help keep the suspense and intrigue flowing.
I do wish that we would’ve gotten more intimacy between Nox and Cade as it was such a sweet and special thing for both characters and really helped solidify their relationship to me.
The plotline was really really excellent too. I could’t put the book down until I got to the end.
Renee

FourStars

Okay I liked the world this author built after the storm and the way everything was ran.
But for some reason I had a harder time getting into this book. It was about half way through before I really started getting into this story.
You get Nox who has been taking care of Sam since he was a baby when his parents were killed. Sam gets a letter delivered by Cade which honestly not sure how I feel about Cade’s character yet. One of Cade’s customers asks him to deliver the letter to Sam.
Which really starts of this book with the mystery of whether Sam’s parents are really dead or not and why Nox was so drawn to Cade.
There is a lot of action while they are dealing with the criminal element of Dead Bolt. There was a scene or two of steam between Cade and Nox but otherwise they were not together much in this book.

Honestly this one was a little slow to me at first and but it slowly build up to a very good pace. The only problem for me with that was it really did not happen till towards the end of this book.

So all together I really liked this book it was just a slow start for me..

I would recommend this book!

Kara

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by | November 23, 2015 · 4:00 pm

5 and 4 Stars for The Renegade by Amy Dunne #Dystopia #FF @giftofthegaborg @boldstrokesbooks

1.5

Title: The Renegade
Author Name & Publisher: Amy Dunne (Bold Strokes Books)
Publication Date & Length: September 15, 2015 – 240 pgs

Synopsis

In this post-apocalyptic world, you have a choice: survive as a slave or fight for your freedom.

The Red Death pandemic wiped out most of the human population, and the world that remains is dangerous and unforgiving. Survivor Alex Clarke and her companions are rescued after a vicious attack and welcomed into the Rapture’s Haven Camp. Although given medical treatment, food, shelter, and protection, Alex senses something sinister lurking beneath the camp’s friendly exterior.

Camp medic Evelyn Bennett is instinctively drawn to Alex and warns her that the camp is a dangerous cult and the women are slaves. While planning to escape, their secret relationship is discovered. Escape is no longer possible. They must fight for their freedom—or die trying.

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Review

FiveStars

This book is about two woman trying to survive in a post apocalyptic world. With men who are evil and believe they are doing gods will.
I have to say the way the author portrayed this story was awesome! Because you know if something like this were to ever happen there would be those people that would act like this, that would be just plan evil.
Alex has lost everyone, her family and her partner who she loved so much. Now she is alone trying to survive by herself when she meets Murphy who quickly becomes her friend.
Evelyn is forced to marry the leader a cruel man in the community she lives in with her son. These two meet and the moment they do there is a instant connection.
They both must work together to survive this community. This book was filled with action, angst and sadness with what all the woman in this community must endure. I really liked this world the author created in this book and these characters.

All together I really loved this book!
I would recommend this book!

Kara

FourStars

A really enjoyable read. The setting of this book is brilliantly portrayed and so descriptive you are immediately drawn into the whole essence of the novel, the dangers, the excitement and the uncertainty, which, so quickly, and, so intensely, is unfolding and exploding all around.
The main character is as vulnerable as she is brave, as reckless as she is cautious, making her believable and a great hero. Other characters in the book are also presented in different lights and with different qualities giving then equally authentic personae’s.
An abundance of exciting encounters, a growing romance and the unpredictable nature of some of the characters helps maintains the readers interest throughout this dramatic novel.
Although a futuristic novel the author does keep the novel pragmatic and concentrates on emotions and realisms to beguile her readers.
The only thing I felt was slightly disappointing  was the ending, which seemed too abrupt and succinct compared to the majority of the book which was so well explained and recounted. It also seemed a little too sentimental. Despite this misgiving I would certainly recommend this book and I will personally be looking out for more novels by this excellent author
Chris

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