All posts by Kelly S

Enemies to Lovers, Review, Romantic Suspense, slow burn, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR25 #Review – Lost (Project Xol #2) by Audrey Kaye/Amabel Daniels

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Foiled from gathering the data Rosa had sent her to retrieve, Cassidy worries what to do next. The scientific files are lost in the sewers of NYC, but new directions arrive. Now, Cassidy is asked to collect intel that’s in Texas, locked in the archives of the man Rosa was once married to. Wounded by the lies from the only person who’d ever been her family, Cassidy carries on. Despite her confusion of her past and those she can trust, Luke has more than proven he’s reliable. There’s no doubt in Luke’s mind that he’s sticking with Cassidy for the answers to Project Xol. Besides his need to protect her, he struggles to ignore why he’s so determined to remain with her when trouble is nipping at their heels. Danger follows them once again, both from Rosa’s home to Luke’s past in prison. Getting to Texas is one matter, but obtaining the files they need is another, especially when their enemies won’t hesitate to kill. Lost is the second book of the Project Xol series, which continues in Find.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am completely invested in this series! I read Lost in record time. I cannot put this down!

Reader Note: The first book and this book end in serious cliffhangers. I am expecting this throughout the series. However, the entire series is out so you can binge read! 😊

Cassidy and Luke cannot catch a break. Trouble, that belongs to neither one of them, is seriously stalking them. And on top of it all, the chemistry between these two is super intense. Such a SLOOOOOOOW burn. I feel so bad for them because just when you think they are going to get a teeny tiny little break and maybe be able to release some of the tension, then BAM! One more crazy twist and they are on the run again!

I really got intrigued because we started to learn a bit more about Luke and his past. Cassidy has quite the twist thrown at her about her past as well. As more secrets are uncovered, we start to see how Luke’s and Cassidy’s past, unbeknownst to them, are actually intertwined. Now, the how and why need to be uncovered…. if they can get the files they are after.

I literally had to pull myself away from the book to write this review. I need to run now so that I can start ‘Find’ and figure out how they are getting out of their current mess. I’m loving Project Xol!

Amabel Daniels

Amabel Daniels lives in Northwest Ohio with her patient husband, three adventurous daughters, and a collection of too many cats and dogs. Although she holds a Master’s degree in Ecology, her true love is finding a good book. When she isn’t spending time outdoors, she’s busy brewing up her next novel, usually as she lets her mind run off with the addictive words of “what if…”

Enemies to Lovers, Mafia, Military, Review, Standalone, Suspense, Thriller

#Review #Mafia #Military- American Novela by Marcus Amaro

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When Filipino-American U.S. Marine Angelo Marquez receives orders to work in Spain from an old friend, the assumption of a laid-back workcation in Europe disappears when his eyes catch the attention of fiery fashion editor Elena Sanchez Vicario. Quickly, the line between military discipline and succumbing to the urgings of his heart becomes blurred when remnants of Angelo’s past are discovered, and his mid-summer romance quickly turns into a fight for survival in the streets of Seville.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I picked this book up on a whim while looking for something different to read. The cover grabbed attention, the blurb piqued my curiosity, and the writing kept my attention right to the very last page.

What is the essence of war? After reading this book, to me, it can mean so many different things.

Angelo is a Marine that has been in some crazy scary situations in warzones. The writing for these situations, even though I am not well versed in this lingo or situations, felt very real causing my heart to race and the hairs on my arms to rise as if I were right in the middle of the action. Angelo’s character is so easy to like that you will feel like “one of the guys”, even though you are only the reader.

Elena, what do I say about her. I have to say that I wanted to hate her. Especially at the beginning with their first encounter. I honestly wanted to strangle her and sort of got irritated because I thought I had the plot all figured out. She was this ice princess that Angelo was going to thaw out. Well, my friends, I had it all wrong!!! Give Elena a chance because she will change your mind!

Now, we have a budding romance forming, while demons from the past come forward, all while working with multiple agencies. It sort of ends up having a Jason Bourne vibe without the amnesia (and I love me some Jason Bourne!). Seriously, this book has a lot of a lot! The story hits on so many points with suspense, thriller, action, romance, hidden identities, kidnapping, military….I mean the list goes on and on and on. I highly recommend this book!

This is the first book I have read by this author and I look forward to reading many more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

 

Marcus Amaro’s life is a dynamic story of resilience and adaptability. After a 21-year career in the US military, he discovered a hidden creative spirit and took on various roles that showcased his adventurous fire. From becoming a hibachi chef to a U.S. Marine to racing sports cars, designing clothes, and writing. Amaro has explored different paths with childlike curiosity and unending enthusiasm. Now living in San Diego, he enjoys taking on challenges and learning new things, even if he has no idea where they might lead. For him, the joy is in the journey, and he embraces each experience, hoping to surpass his own expectations as the ultimate reward. 

 



Enemies to Lovers, Mystery, Part of a Series, Review, Romantic Suspense, Suspense, Thriller, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR25 #Review – Seek (Project Xol #1) by Amabel Daniels/Audrey Kaye

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Cassidy is determined to find her mother at any cost…

It’s been months since Cassidy Shaw has heard from her mother, Rosa, a world-renown scientist. When she does, it’s in the form of an urgent edict to retrieve a key. Arriving at Rosa’s apartment in Cincinnati, Cassidy encounters strangers. One man who seems determined to silence her. The other, could he be her savior?

Luke Dixon enters the fray, believing his neighbor is being attacked. Never one to ignore someone in distress, he’s then shocked to realize he’s the one needing rescue. Bound together through violence, Cassidy and Luke must come to trust each other as they embark on a search, armed only with the key and Rosa’s cryptic directions. It’s a journey with unexpected answers and decades-old research. A search with more questions…and a lethal enemy who returns when least expected.

Seek is the first book in the thrilling Project Xol series. If you like gripping novels about seeking justice, entangled lead characters, and twisting outcomes, then you’ll love this romantic suspense series from top-selling author Audrey Kaye!

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

Notting Hill to Mission Impossible overnight! Holy OMG!

Reader Beware: This story ends with a major cliffhanger. I recommend being ready to dive right into the next book.

I could NOT put this book down! There was never a dull moment from the very beginning right to the very end. I started it, turned the page, it was over, I was purchasing the next in the series. Seriously, it was that good!

Cassidy is adopted. She and her mother are not super close. As both women are very independent, when Cassidy receives a letter in the mail from her mother stating, “I need your help,” it scares her deep. This letter puts so many things into motion. She is almost strangled to death and Luke saves her! Oh, and Luke. What can I say about Luke. I am still trying to figure out what he did in his past life, but he is as chivalrous as they come. However, he is definitely atoning for something. These two have a chemistry that is super intense.

These two end up needing one another more than each of them care to like at the beginning but cannot stay away from each other. The constant facing of fears can be exhausting for these two but the spiking of their heartrates and anxiety is also met with the mellowing crash of realizing survival is possible.

Seek is action packed with a lot of suspense and danger. But things are just starting to heat up!

 

Profile avatar for Audrey Kaye

Born and raised in Northwest Ohio, Audrey Kaye writes romantic suspense featuring strong, stubborn women and the men who can’t help but fall in love with them. Audrey lives with her husband, three daughters, and many pets, and has previously published under the name of Amabel Daniels. Her first novel, Better Than the Best, was written in 2015, and it’s been a wild ride of imagining the improbable ever since!

 



Apocalyptic, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Vampire, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR25 #Review – Reign of Blood (The Vampires of Vegas Book 1) by Alexia Purdy

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“Never tease anything that wants to eat you. My name is April Tate and my blood is the new gold. Vampires and hybrids have overrun my world, once vibrant with life, but now a graveyard of death shrouded in shadows. I fight to survive; I fight for my mother and brother. The journey is full of turns that I am quite unprepared for. And I’m just hoping to make it to the next Vegas sunrise…”In a post-apocalyptic world, a viral epidemic has wiped out most of the earth’s population, leaving behind few humans but untold numbers of mutated vampires. April is a seventeen-year-old girl who lives in the remains of Las Vegas one year after the outbreak. She has become a ferocious vampire killer and after her family is abducted, she goes searching for them. What she finds is a new breed of vampire, unlike any she has seen before. Unsure of whom she can trust, she discovers that her view of the world is not as black and white as she once thought, and she’s willing to bend the rules to rescue her family. But in trying to save them, she may only succeed in bringing her fragile world crashing down around her.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

Ok, so, I am a sucker for post-apocalyptic, dystopian, end of the world, zombies, vampires, etc. Now this series, it mixes post-apocalyptic and vamps….I just had to read it!

When the world around you has become a graveyard and everything has been taken away from you, what do you have to live for? April is trying to live. She is a 17-year-old who has to grow up really fast and lives for her mother and brother. When they are abducted, she just has to find them.

It has been a year since a virus outbreak that didn’t cause zombies but there was an outbreak of feral vampires. I have to be honest and eyerolled a bit here because I was hoping for something a bit more original instead of a virus. However, I continued. While April is out searching for her family and during one of her rage killings of feral vampires, she is introduced to a hybrid vampire. Ultimately, an entire hive of hybrid vampires. Turns out that that she has something that this hive needs, but she also needs this hive to help her find her family. A little tit for tat. Nothing wrong with that, right? While this part of the story is unfolding, we end up getting some cliché’ vampire vibes (forever mating, being able to walk in sunlight, etc.) and I had to hide another slight eyeroll. I had a bit of problem that a year has gone by and April and her family never ran into the hybrids in Las Vegas while foraging.

While some of these things bothered me during the story, the writing was done very well. Even though some of it wasn’t as original as I had hoped, there is a lot of great writing and story telling that keeps you turning the pages. The characters are well developed and April is extremely easy to identify with. Her internal struggle is very real. If placed in a similar position, I don’t know if many people could mentally handle the situation. There is quite the plot twist that is keeping me hanging on and I do need to continue to find out what happens. I am also invested in her love interest *wags eyebrows*!

Alexia Purdy profile image

Alexia is a USA Today Bestselling author who currently lives in Las Vegas and loves spending every free moment writing or hanging out with her four rambunctious kids. Writing is the ultimate getaway for her since she’s always lost in her head. She is best known for her award-winning Reign of Blood series, and A Dark Faerie Tale Series.

Sign up for email updates and exclusive giveaways: http://smarturl.it/AlexiaPurdyNews

Follow links: https://linktr.ee/alexiapurdy

Apocalyptic, Novella, Paranormal, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi, Suspense, Vampire, Writers on the River Attending Author

#WOTR25 #Review – Resonant (The Vampires of Vegas Prequel) by Alexis Purdy

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Surviving is worse than death…

As the first days of the end of humanity tumble across the city of Las Vegas in the form of an overwhelming viral infection, turning almost everyone into vampire-like creatures, April Tate will find out what it really means to survive. What does it take to make it out alive in a place where everything is but a withered echo of its former self, and death does not come willingly?

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I love Prequels! Especially after you get invested with the main character and just NEED to see what the heck they went through at the beginning. However, in this instance, I started with the prequel. Sometimes, this is a big no no because you are just not committed to the story yet. Well, Alexia Purdy is a new to me author and I am now invested in this story. I need to know what craziness April and her family are about to get into. APOCALYPTIC VAMPIRES! I read this in less than an hour and was so bummed that the story was over. But the best part is, I get to dive right into Reign of Blood like, RIGHT NOW! See ya on the flip side!

Alexia Purdy profile image

Alexia is a USA Today Bestselling author who currently lives in Las Vegas and loves spending every free moment writing or hanging out with her four rambunctious kids. Writing is the ultimate getaway for her since she’s always lost in her head. She is best known for her award-winning Reign of Blood series, and A Dark Faerie Tale Series.

Sign up for email updates and exclusive giveaways: http://smarturl.it/AlexiaPurdyNews

Follow links: https://linktr.ee/alexiapurdy

Fantasy, Part of a Series, Review, Sci Fi

#Review #GhostShip – Hull and Fire (The Wards of Minera Book 1) by James W. Cutter

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Levy Tren-Ulitese—Lor of the Land and gentleman of high society—is awoken in the early hours of the morning for an emergency: his father’s ship, missing for nine years now, has reappeared near the mouth of its home harbour entirely bereft of its crew. The expedition to the New World, a place they call ‘Minera’, apparently ended in tragedy. But how did the ship sail itself home? What happened to the crew? And what is the strange, dark artifact found aboard her?

Pushed by internal divisions and outside political forces, Levy and his sister are forced to refit the ship and flee the only city they’ve ever called home. Declared fugitives by their father’s old allies, they assemble a strange crew of the desperate and depraved; a turncoat imperial marine, a man that can manipulate the spirit-lines of the world, a war-hero famed for his supernatural accuracy with the musket, and a mute stow-away with mysterious powers. Together, they will follow in the wake of Levy’s father.

Together they will find a new home on the shores of Minera!

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I enjoy finding stories that are truly different. When I read the blurb, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into, but I am happy to say that I was completely engrossed by the story from start to finish. As a matter of fact, I finished the book and didn’t realize I finished the book, and that was the point I realized I needed to read more. (Boy that was a mouthful, lol)

There is a LOT going on in Hull and Fire with many complex characters and with pretty elaborate world building going on. One of my only real issues with the story itself is that there are many POVs that this story is told from. It was a little tough trying to keep everyone straight at first. But once I got into a groove, I couldn’t put the book down.

There are mysterious forces at work. A lot of lies and a lot of omissions happening at the same time. When everyone starts to turn on Levy and his kind, he takes things into his own hands. Instead of trying to change the people’s minds and face what can certainly be an awful outcome for his family, he defies the odds and moves on to a new world. It’s a compelling story that had me absolutely captivated. I look forward to finding out what happens next!

Pssst, the ghost ship is only going to be the beginning. It has to be. It was an incredible twist at the end to tie in one of the current characters with Levy’s father, the captain of the ghost ship! Kudos to the author!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

James W. Cutter profile image

James W. Cutter began writing at a young age, with a craft that was forged in the snows of Northern Ontario, quenched in the swells of the Pacific, and tempered by the misty rainforests of British Columbia.

James interrupts his writing habit with a day job. He writes from an undisclosed, cougar-free location on Vancouver Island, Canada.

Coming of Age, Fantasy, LGBTQ, Mythology, Novella, Review

#Review #GoddessofDeath – Morana by Piper Laksari-Minenco

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My name is Morana. The humans call me Death.

Forget all you thought you knew about myth and folklore. This is an unheard story; the story of death.

A new spin on mythology, told through the perspective of one of the most hated goddesses of them all.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I am a lover of all things mythology so when I seen Morana, I knew that I had to read it. Morana is definitely an interesting and unique spin on the gods and goddesses that we have all come to know. Some we love and some we love to hate. This is a coming-of-age story about Morana, who ultimately becomes the Goddess of Death. Morana is struggling with the gift that the sprits are going to bestow upon her as she fears that she will be hated by everyone.

There is a LOT going on with Morana and the additional characters. The family dynamic is very tense but she makes every effort not to clash with them. She has a schoolmate, Athena, who is the “cool kid” that everyone loves but she constantly locks horns with on the daily. And then there is her girlfriend, Devana. She is so sweet and understanding.

The overall story is really good but there is so much potential for this to be really great! This is a short story and as you got closer to the end, it felt like there were longer breaks in between events. With the jump in between events, I felt like I lost a bit of a connection with the other characters and even Morana while she may have processed what she went through. Overall, the story is very intriguing and is definitely a page turner. I do wish it was a bit longer so that we could discover a bit more about Morana…there is so much more, I just know it!

This is a new author for me, and I didn’t realize she was a young author, but I am extremely impressed! I look forward to reading other works by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Piper Laksari-Minenco profile image

I’m a young writer who is super passionate about my craft, and who loves to weave a little exploration of mental health themes into my work. When I’m not penning my newest work, you can find me cuddling up under my fabulous periodic table blanket with a book in my hands, surrounded by my anatomy posters and whatnot. Passionate about the power of storytelling, I truly cherish the feeling of bringing hope or light to someone through a good book. I hope you’ll tag along and give my work a try!

Comedy, Review, Sci Fi, Time Travel

#Review – The Outlaw Gillis Kerg … Physics, Lust and Greed Series by Mike Murphey

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In the mid-21st Century, a top-secret consortium of corporations and governments have made time travel possible, only to realize that intruding on the past has been a terrible mistake. At the program’s outset, a thousand scientists, engineers and support staff were confined to a subterranean complex where a corporate contributor specializing in artificial intelligence equipped their apartments with Happy Home Companion software.

Time traveler Marta Hamilton has little tolerance for other people intruding into her life, much less a software “Dear Abby,” so Marta bullies her Happy Home Companion into silence. Finally convinced of the grave dangers of time travel, government overseers suspend operations, and only the Happy Home Companion remains.

Marta and fellow traveler Marshall Grissom hope they can finally leave the past behind, but when a federal judge is murdered, they understand their vulnerability to horrible manipulations by future counterparts. Marta and Marshall return to the Arizona desert where they confront a Happy Home Companion cult of vengeance, the outlaw Gillis Kerg, and an evangelical zealot waging a war on science.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

Unique Multiverse Murder Inc Fringe Tale

This is book 4 in the series. I have not read the first 3 and feel that it can be read as a standalone. However, I am rather intrigued to see how everyone got to this point so I will be going back to the beginning.

Ok, so most of us have seen Back to the Future and know the ramifications of messing with the past and/or future. Well, in this story, the government is part of this secret mess. Eventually, a decision is made to shut this crazy thing down. However, something is happening in the parallel universes and everyone’s worst nightmare is coming true. OH! And the universes are named after old TV shows (i.e. Gunsmoke, Jeopardy, etc.) which is AMAZING!

We encounter quite a crazy cast of characters throughout the book. This includes people with political positions (one with a slogan of “Make American Stupid Again”), time travelers, assassins, scientists, and regular ole people. There is even a horde of quickly learning, while extremely gullible and naïve, AI’s.

The baddies are determined to take over the program and destroy anyone who stands in their way to ultimately own the future by manipulating the past. As if power wasn’t cruel enough, it becomes villainous and ultimately the future travelers come back to manipulate the past for power. It’s insanity with internal mutiny from other universes! Bringing the team back together is only half the fun. And when they finally do collide, things get really exciting! The characters are witty and fun but when the AI’s get involved, things get even better!

The author did an incredible job of bringing a very surreal science fiction story to life but also adding in a lot of laughs and sarcastic eyerolls. It seriously had me turning pages like a mad woman. I highly recommend that you pick this up and meet the Lady Godiva, the Prophet Shehoo, Leviticus Deuteronomy Humphollar, and the many other characters within these pages.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Visit Mike Murphey Store on Amazon

A native of eastern New Mexico, Mike Murphey spent nearly thirty years as an award-winning newspaper journalist in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. Following his retirement from news journalism, he and his wife Nancy entered in a seventeen-year partnership with the late Dave Henderson, all-star centerfielder for the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox and Seattle Mariners.

Our company, Dave Henderson Baseball, produced the Oakland A’s and Seattle Mariners Fantasy Camps for twenty years. The Murpheys have also partnered with the Roy Hobbs adult baseball organization in Fort Myers, Florida. Mike’s love of fiction, cats, baseball and sailing affords him to split his time between Spokane, Washington, and Phoenix, Arizona, where he enjoys life as a writer and old-man baseball player.

To receive a free Short Story – OLD MAN BASEBALL here …. https://www.mikemurpheybooks.com/freebies

or visit my website ….https://www.mikemurpheybooks.com/

Dragons, Fantasy, Paranormal, Review

#Review – A Christmas Tail (The Northwoods Guardians) By Claudia Blood

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A mysterious thief is stealing all things gold in Notely, MN, and Laura and her team are on the case! But as they dig deeper, she discovers a playful dragon, a mischievous pixie, and a hidden sanctuary. With her trusty sidekick Span missing, Laura must race against time to solve the mystery, rescue her dog, and save Christmas. Join the adventure in this heartwarming, humorous, and enchanting holiday tale.

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I was looking for a quick, cute and funny Christmas story and ran across this golden gem! Laura and her team are presented with a case to find the thief of all things gold. Everything that is gold is missing…oh, and PIES! And some memories, too! It was rather humorous following her team to figure out who the culprit was. There is a bit of everything in such a quick read; it was funny, witty, heartwarming and super cute! However, there is a LOT going on in this story. I found myself getting a bit confused at times because the story is told from several points of view, and I have not read any part of this series. I am not sure if the author meant for this to be a standalone or not. However, I am intrigued by these characters that I plan to check out The Northwoods Guardians and give it another go.

Claudia Blood profile image

Award-winning author Claudia Blood writes in a range of genres, including cozy fantasy, dystopian fantasy, and science fantasy. She loves to write twisty tales of underdogs defying authority, defeating demons, and discovering their destined family amidst the chaos. Her background as a research scientist serves her well in creating mystical realms and futuristic worlds. Claudia lives in Wisconsin with her husband, kids, and pets.

Apocalyptic, Dystopian, Review

#Review – Ballistic: Icarus Series, Book 2 by Aria Michaels

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It’s been three days since Solar Storm Icarus silenced the world…three days since the GRS virus wiped out most of humanity and started changing the few who remained. Liv and the others made it through the initial wave, but they’ve lost a lot along the way and the journey to Salvation is far from over. A rogue military organization has taken hold of the area and they possess a weapon that could change everything.

When Liv finds out her brother and the other refugees are being held captive at Camp Seco, she will risk everything to get him back. As the group embarks upon a dangerous rescue mission, a rival band of survivors threatens their safety and a new storm gathers overhead. The virus has spread and the infected are being drawn together. What’s worse, the beast that lurks inside of Liv is growing stronger and more difficult to control. But Liv has a promise to keep–and her little brother is running out of time.

Will Liv be able to harness her strength to save her brother and the hundreds of other innocents beyond the walls of Camp Seco, or will she let the monster out and put them all at risk?

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Review by Twinsie Kelly

I can’t say enough good things about this series and especially this book. There are so many horrible things going on but this ragtag band of misfits has made it so far and they are going to beat the system. At this point, there is on such thing as good and evil, no right and wrong. There is only death and survival. You do what you have to do to stay alive. Liv feels like everyone thinks she is something special because she has these “special powers” but she feels she is not part of the solution. She is part of the problem. Her group ends up working with a rival band of survivors and uncover a HOT MESS of stuff going on at the camp that her little brother, Beans, is at. Also, a surprise character pops back up from book 1. I couldn’t believe it, and their entrance was absolutely perfect! I am completely bummed that I waited so long to read this series because once I started turning the pages, I just couldn’t stop. Now, I don’t believe there is another past this book.

Reader beware: This is an amazing book and totally worth the read but there should be at the very least another book after this to complete it. At the time that I am writing this, there is not. I hope this changes because it truly is something special!

Aria Michaels profile image

Aria Michaels is the author of The Icarus Series, a bestselling young adult dystopian saga as well as a contributor to ATZ’s Chronology of the Apocalypse. Aria is an avid reader, die-hard zombie fan, and enthusiastic lover of bonfires and red wine. When she is not glued to her computer pouring out the voices in her head, this busy single mom can be found playing in the dirt with her boys, painting, or binge-watching The Walking Dead. Aria is currently hard at work on the next installment of the Icarus Series and reveling in her role as instigator of literary mayhem and stealth assassin of fictional characters.

“You are never more than one chapter away from a different future.” –Aria Michaels