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B Cubed #1
Born
Born: Natural born humans are precious few and dwell in darkness.
Bred: Genetically engineered slaves who are the protectors of the Born.
Borg: The cybernetically enhanced enclave that split from the Born humans.
These three factions are all that remains of the human race after the world stopped turning. Scavenging in the darkness for what little is left, the war between them rages on though few know why. It begins with a child’s prophesy and can only end when they unite.
Or die.
B Cubed Book One: Born
Coming October 4, 2011
From the moment he spies her silhouette cast by the bonfire, Cormack understands what it is to yearn for something he will never possess. Breds are made to provide for the natural born humans, dig their homes deep beneath the surface of the earth and to protect them from the ever-present cyborg threat. A Bred who reaches beyond his station will be recycled immediately, yet Cormack cannot get her visage out of his mind. Until he unearths a box, buried long before the earth stopped spinning.
Task Mistress Allora has no wish to brutalize the Bred worker she finds hoarding treasure, but as a servant of the colony that raised her from infancy, she is duty bound to report anything unusual to the Overlord, even if it costs the blue-eyed man his life. Yet something about the way Cormack watches her forces Allora to reevaluate her understanding of right and wrong. For this genetically engineered soldier is her only protection against the cyborgs who seek what they have discovered, a journal written by the prophetess Cassandra and a way to end the warring between the factions forever.
Bred: Genetically engineered slaves who are the protectors of the Born.
Borg: The cybernetically enhanced enclave that split from the Born humans.
These three factions are all that remains of the human race after the world stopped turning. Scavenging in the darkness for what little is left, the war between them rages on though few know why. It begins with a child’s prophesy and can only end when they unite.
Or die.
B Cubed Book One: Born
Coming October 4, 2011
From the moment he spies her silhouette cast by the bonfire, Cormack understands what it is to yearn for something he will never possess. Breds are made to provide for the natural born humans, dig their homes deep beneath the surface of the earth and to protect them from the ever-present cyborg threat. A Bred who reaches beyond his station will be recycled immediately, yet Cormack cannot get her visage out of his mind. Until he unearths a box, buried long before the earth stopped spinning.
Task Mistress Allora has no wish to brutalize the Bred worker she finds hoarding treasure, but as a servant of the colony that raised her from infancy, she is duty bound to report anything unusual to the Overlord, even if it costs the blue-eyed man his life. Yet something about the way Cormack watches her forces Allora to reevaluate her understanding of right and wrong. For this genetically engineered soldier is her only protection against the cyborgs who seek what they have discovered, a journal written by the prophetess Cassandra and a way to end the warring between the factions forever.
106 pages, ebook
First published November 7, 2013
13 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
Jenna McCormick
31 books49 followers A little fantasy goes a long way....
Born on Sanibel Island somewhere between the fifth and seventh bottle of Rosa Regale, Jenna McCormick writes big girl romance with a touch of out of this world fantasy. Her hobbies include scouring the Internet for the perfect pair of boots and stirring up trouble, much to the dismay of her alter ego.
Contact Jenna at authorjennamac@gmail.com
Also look for her mysteries and contemporary romance published under Jennifer L. Hart or visit her at www.jenniferlhart.com
Born on Sanibel Island somewhere between the fifth and seventh bottle of Rosa Regale, Jenna McCormick writes big girl romance with a touch of out of this world fantasy. Her hobbies include scouring the Internet for the perfect pair of boots and stirring up trouble, much to the dismay of her alter ego.
Contact Jenna at authorjennamac@gmail.com
Also look for her mysteries and contemporary romance published under Jennifer L. Hart or visit her at www.jenniferlhart.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 8, 2016
3.75 stars
June 15, 2018
This is a post apocalyptic view of the world that is divided into what I can only describe as three camps. Those who are Born who appear to rule, those who are Bred who are little more than disposable slaves and Cyborgs who are terrifying. I thought there were some really interesting ideas in play here with the past connected to the future by the prophecies of Cassandra. This story mainly focuses on Allora who is seemingly a privileged Born female and the connection she makes with Cormack one of the Bred . If I'm blunt this was muddied by just far too much sex when I was actually desperate for more information . Still it's actually a very interesting idea which unfortunately lost some appeal due to the brevity and the attempt at erotica. It does however have an ending that is tantalising so as I type I'm undecided whether or not to continue the journey.
November 15, 2011
3.5 - This was recommended to me and I liked it enough that I've picked up book 2
July 15, 2018
I listened this with RU. It wasn't a bad plot idea but I thought the story was sacrificed in favor of longer and more frequent sex scenes.
November 24, 2021
I listened to this one on audio. The narrator was amazing and good choice for the book. I enjoyed the world building and storyline. Continuing on in the series!
January 20, 2016
I decided to participate in a TBR Challenge this year after lurking around them for a number of years. My actual owned TBR honestly isn’t that bad as far as numbers go, because I used to be too broke to hoard, and once I could I had mainly switched to digital, so it made sense to make my TBR as virtual as my books. Where I have gotten myself in a small bit of overload is that I then discovered ereaderIQ and I uploaded my whole wishlist to it and have been picking these books up either free or when they are under a dollar, often without considering if I even want them any more.
This month’s theme is “We Love Short Shorts”, which I actually kind of don’t. I usually only pick them up as part of an established series I am reading and I read them immediately, so there wasn’t a lot on my TBR that fit except for serials I picked up because they were free and by favored authors (but then I never read them because I looked at how much they cost over the whole span of the serial and I gave up). So this is as close as I could come. It is 106 pages, it has been on my TBR for a number of years, and I actually bought it 02/12/2015 when it hit the low price of free. I think as much as anything I haven’t read it because I was toying with not starting the series until I had picked up the whole trilogy, but I still don’t have the third one. The rest of it is that it just fell off my radar. No time like the present though.
So I think this went on my TBR when I was having a major love affair cyborgs. Plus it is post-apocalyptic dystopian, which we all know I can’t pass up. I wish I could remember how I came across this book, but I have only recently been tracking in any sort of way why I added something to my list, and frankly I am still pretty horrible about it.
Anyway, about this particular book. It began with a prophesy before the world as we know it. Poor Cassandra, always born knowing the future but cursed that none should believe her. Or at least most. Unfortunately it is the ones who did that spawned the wars and horrors. There is very much a chicken and egg situation here. Did the things come about because that was what was always going to happen? Or did they come about because they knew and believed the prophesy and sought to twist it to their own ends? Having read the book, I still don’t really know because we just don’t have enough information.
This book is just super short, and really I think that is a shame, because the bones were there for something rather epic. But short as it is, as much as I liked it, it still left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. I just wanted more. Now, there are more stories in the series, but it appears they don’t focus on these two characters to further the overall plot.
As for the two main characters, Cormack and Allora are two very interesting characters with histories and futures shrouded in mystery. There are also some slightly uncomfortable power dynamics from start to finish. It is often unsettling, I mean he is a slave and she is an overseer with the power of life and death over him. You get just the barest of sketches of who they are as people, but it is just enough to make them just real enough to actually care.
The BAM! Plot twists and the story is basically over. Seriously, the book is so much shorter than I wish it were, but I’ll definitely be pulling the next book out of my stack. I can’t wait to find out what else Cassandra has up her sleeve.
https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.word...
This month’s theme is “We Love Short Shorts”, which I actually kind of don’t. I usually only pick them up as part of an established series I am reading and I read them immediately, so there wasn’t a lot on my TBR that fit except for serials I picked up because they were free and by favored authors (but then I never read them because I looked at how much they cost over the whole span of the serial and I gave up). So this is as close as I could come. It is 106 pages, it has been on my TBR for a number of years, and I actually bought it 02/12/2015 when it hit the low price of free. I think as much as anything I haven’t read it because I was toying with not starting the series until I had picked up the whole trilogy, but I still don’t have the third one. The rest of it is that it just fell off my radar. No time like the present though.
So I think this went on my TBR when I was having a major love affair cyborgs. Plus it is post-apocalyptic dystopian, which we all know I can’t pass up. I wish I could remember how I came across this book, but I have only recently been tracking in any sort of way why I added something to my list, and frankly I am still pretty horrible about it.
Anyway, about this particular book. It began with a prophesy before the world as we know it. Poor Cassandra, always born knowing the future but cursed that none should believe her. Or at least most. Unfortunately it is the ones who did that spawned the wars and horrors. There is very much a chicken and egg situation here. Did the things come about because that was what was always going to happen? Or did they come about because they knew and believed the prophesy and sought to twist it to their own ends? Having read the book, I still don’t really know because we just don’t have enough information.
This book is just super short, and really I think that is a shame, because the bones were there for something rather epic. But short as it is, as much as I liked it, it still left me feeling somewhat unsatisfied. I just wanted more. Now, there are more stories in the series, but it appears they don’t focus on these two characters to further the overall plot.
As for the two main characters, Cormack and Allora are two very interesting characters with histories and futures shrouded in mystery. There are also some slightly uncomfortable power dynamics from start to finish. It is often unsettling, I mean he is a slave and she is an overseer with the power of life and death over him. You get just the barest of sketches of who they are as people, but it is just enough to make them just real enough to actually care.
The BAM! Plot twists and the story is basically over. Seriously, the book is so much shorter than I wish it were, but I’ll definitely be pulling the next book out of my stack. I can’t wait to find out what else Cassandra has up her sleeve.
https://burnsthroughherbookshelf.word...
March 12, 2012
Really interesting premise. Could have been longer; I found that the events after the cyborgs appeared were quite rushed.
September 9, 2017
This was more like a 2.5*. I just didn't feel connected to the characters. I'm not sure if it was the tone of the writing or the pace of the story but it felt like I was hearing of a story second hand. I'm not interested in reading anymore of the series.
December 11, 2021
Three different races born, breed, borg
Degradation & Abuse.
Sex slaves and slave labour.
A World built on lies ….. interesting enough to continue the series. Narration is good strong male voice.
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Degradation & Abuse.
Sex slaves and slave labour.
A World built on lies ….. interesting enough to continue the series. Narration is good strong male voice.
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review ⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 20, 2018
Brred
In the future life is divided by factions. She is raised by Born but is a new creation that with her bred will found a new society.
In the future life is divided by factions. She is raised by Born but is a new creation that with her bred will found a new society.
August 17, 2022
I found this book was missing around 100 pages at the beginning to allow for the main characters' relationship to slowly build. As it is it's just not plausible.
December 6, 2019
Fantastic premise. I really enjoyed it. Loved the main characters. Loved the interaction between male and female lead and that dynamic between them. Definitely my thing. Enjoyed the world
January 5, 2014
In this futuristic world there are 3 kinds of humans: Born, Bred, Borg
Born is what you want to be (So they thought) they are the ones in charge, Bred are the slaves that serve the Born, Borg are the ones feared by the Born and Bred created to serve the Born and fight the Borg.
Cormack understands that as Bred he is a slave. He was made to serve the Born then he will be recycled (killed). The Borns have made there home beneath the surface of the earth this is to help protect them from the the cyborgs. A Born & a Bred are forbidden to be together. A Bred who reaches beyond his station will be recycled immediately. Cormack cannot stop thinking about Allora (a Born) his task mistress. Now Cormack has found a treasure, an old lunch box that was buried deep within the earth. His task mistress (Allora) was kind enough to let him open the box. Inside is a book and Cormack's death, for any Bred found in possession of a book is to be recycled immediately.
Allora does not wish to torture the Bred workers. She is more kind & fair, but she herself is a servant of there colony. She is to report this finding to the overlord at once, even though it will cost Cormack his life (she does not agree with this punishment). Allora also can't deny the attraction she has to this beautiful Bred man with the piercing blue-eyes. Something about Cormack has Allora seeking another way to view right and wrong.
Allora will need Cormack more than she realizes as the cyborg's come for her. The book which Cormack unearthed is the journal of Cassandra. Cassandra was a prophet from a world of long ago who predicted this future. Cassandra has a way to end the warring & enslaving between all the human and Allora & Cormack are the keys to unlock a new future.
The cyborgs are not what they have been told. The Born have lied to everyone, brainwashing them into believing the cyborgs are the enemy. Together Allora and Cormack will learn the truth and they will have to trust in each other to live among the borg in their new home while learning more about the Born, Bred, Borgs and themselves everyday.
At just over 100 pages this was a fast read. The story is very interesting and has great potential for the next books in this series. This story shows how even when we trust in a system for which we were raised with certain beliefs or truths nothing is absolute. To see the full picture and understand ourselves and the world in which we live and even our place within the world. we need an open mind and multiple POV's.
Born is what you want to be (So they thought) they are the ones in charge, Bred are the slaves that serve the Born, Borg are the ones feared by the Born and Bred created to serve the Born and fight the Borg.
Cormack understands that as Bred he is a slave. He was made to serve the Born then he will be recycled (killed). The Borns have made there home beneath the surface of the earth this is to help protect them from the the cyborgs. A Born & a Bred are forbidden to be together. A Bred who reaches beyond his station will be recycled immediately. Cormack cannot stop thinking about Allora (a Born) his task mistress. Now Cormack has found a treasure, an old lunch box that was buried deep within the earth. His task mistress (Allora) was kind enough to let him open the box. Inside is a book and Cormack's death, for any Bred found in possession of a book is to be recycled immediately.
Allora does not wish to torture the Bred workers. She is more kind & fair, but she herself is a servant of there colony. She is to report this finding to the overlord at once, even though it will cost Cormack his life (she does not agree with this punishment). Allora also can't deny the attraction she has to this beautiful Bred man with the piercing blue-eyes. Something about Cormack has Allora seeking another way to view right and wrong.
Allora will need Cormack more than she realizes as the cyborg's come for her. The book which Cormack unearthed is the journal of Cassandra. Cassandra was a prophet from a world of long ago who predicted this future. Cassandra has a way to end the warring & enslaving between all the human and Allora & Cormack are the keys to unlock a new future.
The cyborgs are not what they have been told. The Born have lied to everyone, brainwashing them into believing the cyborgs are the enemy. Together Allora and Cormack will learn the truth and they will have to trust in each other to live among the borg in their new home while learning more about the Born, Bred, Borgs and themselves everyday.
At just over 100 pages this was a fast read. The story is very interesting and has great potential for the next books in this series. This story shows how even when we trust in a system for which we were raised with certain beliefs or truths nothing is absolute. To see the full picture and understand ourselves and the world in which we live and even our place within the world. we need an open mind and multiple POV's.
September 11, 2011
Jenna McCormick is one of those authors that if you read now, in ten years you'll be bragging to your friends that you read her before they all did. And trust me, they all will.
B Cubed is a story about the earth after an apocolypse. Humanity isn't very human anymore and the world above is almost completely unliveable. Those still living are divided as Born, Bred and Borg. The Born are those natural born humans who hold themselves above others, Bred are engineered humans who serve the Born and the Borg, or Cyborg, are humans with programs. Part robot (kinda) but so much more.
The story is an interesting mix of science fiction world building and erotic romance. Task Mistress Allora is the heroine who is trying to understand her place in this world without understanding that she is a huge catalyst in changing it. Bred slave Cormack discovers a book that starts Allora's journey through understanding her world and herself and also opening her heart to love.
The sex is pretty hot and I like how Allora has the upper hand in so much but realizes Cormack's strength in his ability to give and bring pleasure. He shakes her world sexually at first and then in every other way later.
The writing is tight and McCormick is proving why she's going to be the next big thing soon. She hits most of the right notes throughout the story and my greatest complaint was that it ended too soon.
This is a good read for anyone who likes something different with heat and thought combined.
B Cubed is a story about the earth after an apocolypse. Humanity isn't very human anymore and the world above is almost completely unliveable. Those still living are divided as Born, Bred and Borg. The Born are those natural born humans who hold themselves above others, Bred are engineered humans who serve the Born and the Borg, or Cyborg, are humans with programs. Part robot (kinda) but so much more.
The story is an interesting mix of science fiction world building and erotic romance. Task Mistress Allora is the heroine who is trying to understand her place in this world without understanding that she is a huge catalyst in changing it. Bred slave Cormack discovers a book that starts Allora's journey through understanding her world and herself and also opening her heart to love.
The sex is pretty hot and I like how Allora has the upper hand in so much but realizes Cormack's strength in his ability to give and bring pleasure. He shakes her world sexually at first and then in every other way later.
The writing is tight and McCormick is proving why she's going to be the next big thing soon. She hits most of the right notes throughout the story and my greatest complaint was that it ended too soon.
This is a good read for anyone who likes something different with heat and thought combined.
November 1, 2014
This dystopian/post-apocalyptic world is an interesting one. Due to weather extremes, people live underground and rely on thermal suits when they aren't. A segment of the population are privileged (Born). Born men have all the power; Born women serve the men. The Bred are slaves. The Borg are enhanced and they are feared by the Born and Bred. Not all is at is seems.
Plot is sacrificed because of the length (at just over 100 pages) and sexy times. This would have been better (I think) if longer. I wasn't crazy about this in the beginning. One character whipped the other when the other found a forbidden book. The whippee than prostituted themselves out so the other wouldn't turn them in. Then, of course, neither Allora and Cormack are what they seem.
Cliches abound. Virginity- "Let him be the one to capture her maidenhead." Penis size- "...but imagining that monster inside her body...he'd rend her in two." Insta-love- "Only One." This story takes place in about a day.
Plot is sacrificed because of the length (at just over 100 pages) and sexy times. This would have been better (I think) if longer. I wasn't crazy about this in the beginning. One character whipped the other when the other found a forbidden book. The whippee than prostituted themselves out so the other wouldn't turn them in. Then, of course, neither Allora and Cormack are what they seem.
Cliches abound. Virginity- "Let him be the one to capture her maidenhead." Penis size- "...but imagining that monster inside her body...he'd rend her in two." Insta-love- "Only One." This story takes place in about a day.
September 13, 2011
Stellar worldbuilding and a hot romance. Who could ask for more?
The world was destroyed, but in a way I don't remember reading before, and with a twisty outcome that I didn't see coming. The characters are tragic and interesting. The worldbuilding is detailed enough to satisfy this SF fan, and yet accessible enough that non-tech fans should enjoy it too. The sex is hot and yes, somewhat graphic, but it doesn't overwhelm the plot and is vital to the characters and their relationship.
It gets more complicated as the story progresses and just when I thought I knew what would happen next, something else happened. I like that.
I liked that the Heroine, Allora, was kick-ass but not in a smartass tough-chick way. I liked her.
Overall, I loved the story and am hopeful that there'll be more set in this unique view of the future.
The world was destroyed, but in a way I don't remember reading before, and with a twisty outcome that I didn't see coming. The characters are tragic and interesting. The worldbuilding is detailed enough to satisfy this SF fan, and yet accessible enough that non-tech fans should enjoy it too. The sex is hot and yes, somewhat graphic, but it doesn't overwhelm the plot and is vital to the characters and their relationship.
It gets more complicated as the story progresses and just when I thought I knew what would happen next, something else happened. I like that.
I liked that the Heroine, Allora, was kick-ass but not in a smartass tough-chick way. I liked her.
Overall, I loved the story and am hopeful that there'll be more set in this unique view of the future.
July 26, 2016
I give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the story. I was intrigued by the concept of the three separate human classes. The 'privileged' Born. The Bred, who are engineered to serve the Born. And the Borg, who are humans enhanced by technology. Each group fears the others so class biases are rampant and dangerous, though the reasons for the fear are forgotten. In this first book of the B-Cubed Trilogy, Allora (a Born) connects with Cormack (a Bred) in a way that goes beyond master and servant after they discover a prophetic journal. A journal the Borg are seeking, just as they are seeking Allora, who is a key player in the journal. As I said, I did like the story. It was a pretty quick read. I'm not immediately digging into the next book, but will keep it on my list for when I am looking for another short novel.
November 13, 2014
Okay, first off, Borg? You couldn't have come up with something else? That was so distracting. (I'm a Star Trek fan, that was difficult to get past.)
Anyways. Now that I've ranted. Why couldn't you have given us so much more? I really liked this book and it had the potential to be so much more bigger than it was. I hope seeing that its only the first book of a series that the author expands on the main characters (Allora and Cormack) and especially the world that they're in.
I am so impressed with the new fresh point of view this author has in her plot (please give us more!) But I felt that a lot of it was downplayed when she could have blown holy amazeballs through the wall with it. I really hope we get more. (More sexy romance and build up too next time please.)
Anyways. Now that I've ranted. Why couldn't you have given us so much more? I really liked this book and it had the potential to be so much more bigger than it was. I hope seeing that its only the first book of a series that the author expands on the main characters (Allora and Cormack) and especially the world that they're in.
I am so impressed with the new fresh point of view this author has in her plot (please give us more!) But I felt that a lot of it was downplayed when she could have blown holy amazeballs through the wall with it. I really hope we get more. (More sexy romance and build up too next time please.)
February 1, 2012
B Cubed Book One is a sexy, fast-paced science fiction romance, full of colorful, original characters and set in a fascinating universe. The writing is strong and the chemistry searing, but the best part, I think, is Jenna McCormick's skillful world-building. I'm very much looking forward to the follow-up books to learn more about this universe she's created.
April 18, 2012
Wow! Awesome-sauce all around on this awesome book of a post-apocalyptic romance that has great characters, lots of action, and good, solid writing. I enjoyed this immensely, staying up waaay past my bedtime to finish it.
Great world-building - I fell right into McCormick's world of the Born, the Bred, and the Cyborgs seamlessly - and can't wait to read more.
Great world-building - I fell right into McCormick's world of the Born, the Bred, and the Cyborgs seamlessly - and can't wait to read more.
July 30, 2013
It was okay. Needed more story in my view. Their coming together isn't really believable that quickly. A slave under constant threat of death or recycling in this case would not make a sexual overture to the overseer. And about the time you think more story with background content is coming, it ends.
September 13, 2016
The author set up an interesting enough world and the couple did end up together. It just felt like it was the beginning of their relationship because most of the story was about them escaping, so it ended not long after they successfully got away. Reading the summary of the next 2 books, it looks like they're no longer the main characters.
October 23, 2011
I'm not exactly a fan of post-apocalyptic stories, but one is wonderful. The world-building is done seamlessly without interfering with the story, the writing is smoothe, the hero and heroine are both likeable, and the sex is hot. I read it in one sitting.
February 13, 2012
It was an ok read. The scenario was interesting and I would have liked to have seen more made of it. However it seemed more of a vehicle for a pretty run of the mill erotic romance.
August 21, 2012
Always been a fan of 'dark future' stories and this one delivers. Interesting twist at the end. Very hot and steamy!
July 27, 2013
Picked this one up on a whim and so glad I did. It was a quick read despite being deep, dark, and dystopian. I really liked it and thought that the characterization was quite well done.
June 13, 2014
Holy good book! I'm not one for sci-fi but this is right up my alley! Can not wait to read the next one in the series.
August 4, 2016
4.5* rating out of 5*
December 15, 2014
Always been a fan of 'dark future' stories and this one delivers. Interesting twist at the end. Very hot and steamy!
August 7, 2019
I can't wait to find out what happens to Allora and Cormack and their desire to unite the world. This book is exciting even without the sex and definitely engaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews