Blaze Of Anger

The Anger Series #1

by Melanie Bokstad Horev

A Dystopian Thriller about the Bionic Boy of the Union.

In the divided world of Eden 4023, anger is illegal, hidden, and suppressed. Doctor Tanger, the new hunter of angry people, is struggling to cope with the loss of a boy who changed his life. With the help of an orphan girl, Dancer, Tanger embarks on a journey of self-discovery that uncovers secrets about his past, the world he lives in, and the unexpected places where anger blazes. As Tanger is torn between loyalty and love, he encounters the Resistance and begins to question the controlling powers of Rita Hart and the Silvers. Will the people of Eden be able to unite and coexist in peace, or will they be forever divided by artificial intelligence humanoids?

Genres: Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2023

About the author

Beware!
I read AND write everything dystopian and post-apocalyptic.

If you are still here.
I am a molecular biologist with a Ph.D. who likes to write down the stories that form in my head. The stories are mainly in the realm of dystopia and science fiction. On a personal level, I love all things space, coffee, travel, and sports.
My family is everything to me.

I'll be thrilled if you would subscribe to my bi-monthly newsletter:
https://www.melaniebokstadhorev.com/s...

Link to pre-order my newest book:
https://www.amazon.com/Female-Breeder...

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 FREAKING STARS

I really liked the beginning little blurb of events prior to jumping into the story. It made me get hooked and WANT more information.

I enjoyed that it was not fully world-building right off the bat. You get to know the main character, Dr. Tanger, and his past which leads up to the current issues he’s dealing with. That PLOT TWIST… did not see coming. These characters are everything and I loved this story so much, gave me maze runner two and the last divergent world vibes. Just AHH🤩🙌🏻

Just the epilogue made me want more information and hints for book two!

Thank you to Melanie for the ARC and all opinions/thoughts above are my own!

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as a review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Blaze of Danger as a gorgeously haunting, poignant and provocative dystopian adventure set within the futuristic world called Eden. And for Doctor Tanger finds himself caught in a web of dark secrets that will alter the fates of both The Federation and the Union forever. Born in the lush, clean domed Federation, Tanger is determined is use his skills as a doctor to help ease the abused lives of those unfortunate to have to call the scorching, water lacked deserts that comprise the Union home. He never could imagine he would be tasked with murdering those Tanger has given so much to care for; and Rita Hart- the dictator drunk on absolute control has underestimated both Tanger, individuals of the Union and even her own soldiers could be her undoing and are willing to fight for something better.

And we're just getting started.

Highly recommended.

[Tonya Cheton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really see that after everyone comes together, take down Rita Hart and the Union. Doctor Tanger will reunite with the orphans and see that they get help. Doctor Tanger sees good in people doesn’t want to turn his back on them. My favorite character is Dancer her story isn’t any different than what I could tell. This character is real to me. I gave this book 5 stars because this Dr. Fought for this children and himself to get a better treatment and life.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy this! Really great ideas, I loved the overall plot, a typical dystopian situation! Good & against evil. There are quite high levels of angst & a few twists turns to the story, which help to hold your interest! So not just the same old, same old, which is good! I will look forward to more from this writer!

[Shaun Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good read with unexpected twists and turns. The union and the federation one group has everything they want the other has nothing . It reminds me of Orwell's 1984, with elements of Huxley's Brave New World. With an even more unexpected twist right at the end. I can't wait to see what happens next. This author certainly knows how to keep a reader interested.

[Nicolin Odel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done!

Well done, Melanie!

This story takes place on the planet Eden, which humanity has colonized. I don't know if the entire planet is a wasteland desert, as there is mention of The Underlands that have natural water sources. They extract water from the atmosphere with massive dehumidifiers, though there must be rain if there is water in the atmosphere, no? Did they just land in a really bad place on the planet and not explore when they arrived here? Are humans only in this one spot on the planet?

At any rate, humanity is biologically stripped of their emotion of Anger. It should be an advanced civilization to stop conflict by removing anger. However, every character in the book seems to display this emotion. We find out there is a reason for this later in the book.

Overall, I enjoyed this story and the glimpse of the world it takes place in. The overall events of the story are actually very little. From what I could tell, it takes place in two days, from when Doctor Tanger leaves the dome to hunt angry people to the end of the book. Also, Doctor Tanger never sleeps once. But, there are many flashbacks to Tanger's past throughout the book. All the main characters really are constantly thinking about their past, and not much happens in the present. Would have like more action.

It was still a fascinating story with lots of intrigue and interesting concepts. Clones, robotic AI, crushings, and vaporizers were awesome, and I found myself more interested in the world than certain characters.

I had some other small nitpicks; The author had a tendency to repeat things. The same events were constantly rehashed through each character's point of view. I also began to make notes of a few spelling mistakes in my Kindle as I went. The prose could be a bit more show than tell. Instead of "Tanger felt," "Billy felt," "Dancer felt," It could have kept my attention better if their emotion were shown.

Great ending in the epilogue with the Silvers!

#shiptangerhunter

Thanks for the interesting story!

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaze Of Anger is the first book in Melanie Bokstad Horev The Anger Series. I was drawn into the depths of Blaze Of Anger with the summary. Once I picked it up I was hooked even more as I couldn’t lay it down until I had read the last page.

Blaze Of Anger kept me hooked with all of its twists and turns with plenty of surprises as well. I enjoyed getting to know this world and all of its characters. We get to see the world of Blaze Of Anger through more than one character's eyes. I do like getting the story from more than one character as I feel like I get more of the story that way.

I love the story plot of Blaze Of Anger and the world that was created for it. I loved the science fiction elements and the Bionic Boy. The world in Blaze Of Anger is a divided one, The Federation and the Union. Every time I read Federation I thought about Star Trek. But the world of Blaze of Anger is nothing like Star Trek in general.

I remember this one lady Rita Hart, who wants to be in control and have all the power. I didn’t like the way she ran things. But never fear there was this other character DR. Tanger. After meeting her Tanger became weary of her and didn’t trust her at all.

The Federation and the Union are at odds with each other. They can’t get along. Can Tanger save the people? Will The Federation and the Union overcome their differences and live together as one?

I can’t wait to dive into the next book in The Anger Series Dance of Anger to read more of this wonderfully amazing world. Grab a copy of Blaze of Anger today for a new adventure!

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Another great novel by Horev. In this we follow Dr. Tanger, Dancer, Rita Hart and Billy Blaze.

Hart is the villain of the first book, wanting to eradicate every human that has Anger, an emotion that (if I understood it correctly) allows people to smell the air around them and gain knowledge from the people around them. It also causes people to have outbursts when, naturally, they become angry.

Billy Blaze is one such person and is determined to help the Union (people that live outside of the Federation) take down Rita and her regime and her 'paradise'.

Dancer is a 10 year old spunky orphan girl who has had to grow up fast and learn how to survive.

Tanger is a doctor who specialises in healing but has been forced into hunting people with Anger for Rita.

Tanger, Billy and Rita are all connected in a way none of them could hope to realise, and I have a feeling Dancer is also connected to them in some way.

[Terry M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good, well written dystopian. A cruel leader, slavery, inhumane conditions, fear, murder and unexpected twists. An emotional ride, making you feel the forbidden emotion, Anger and also disgust at the treatment of humans, who are looked upon as unworthy of life, other than to help the rich live a life of luxury. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like end of the world books. You will like this book. I can't wait until the next book comes out. Good book to read. First time to read this author.

[SpeedX · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was truly a unique story, although I found similarities with the Female Breeder book. What is with these characters and their need for control and absolute obedience? In Blaze of Anger, we have Rita Hart who let her anger led her to make some appalling choices, I say crush her (you'll get the reference if you read the book, teehee).

A devision occurred between the loyalists and revolutionist. The outcome, the loyalist to a world of lushness and vitality and the revolutionist to a world of toxic realities and death under the oppression of Rita.

To combat these injustices, Dr. Tanger, Billy and others endeavored to bring about change that the ones before them didn't achieve.

“The time will come to choke these animals on the ashes of the dream they burned. But, for now collect the kindling to stoke the fire.”

Throughout their battle there were alot of revelations for the readers and characters. It is a slow moving plot and alot of information. Be prepared to sympathise with their plight and emotional damage incurred by the main, who I consider the main lead, Dr. Tanger.

Note: This is also a multiple POV story, while not a fan of more than two POV's. This worked well for the complexity of their journey. There is a cliffhanger as well, so I'm looking forward to the next book.

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

[TaniaRina · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘The many needed to be exploited for the few to thrive.’
While this is a tale of fiction, it seems to me that it is more a reflection of reality. The author holds up a mirror to our current world to remind us of all the ugliness that we have yet to eradicate: anger, bigotry, branding, brutality, child labor, cruelty, drug addiction, hatred, segregation, slavery, terrorism.

"Anger is a necessary stage in the attainment of maturity, but it is a dangerous thing if it is allowed to remain uncontrolled or is habitually suppressed."
- Sigmund Freud


The world of “Eden” is toxic, and not merely in a physical sense. It is run by a manic, ‘unhinged dictator’. She employs slogans and propaganda in order to brainwash, with punishment for non-compliance (sound familiar IRL?). A section of the population is dehumanized so that the elite can then suppress emotions related to wrong-doing as well as justify exploiting orphans and working the ill, sore-ridden, & practically feral masses to exhaustion. It’s a world in which ‘defects are not wanted’ and ‘a mind control that took ordinary men & women and made demons’.

One of the characters asks an age-old question:
‘Who would want to bring life into a place that was suffocated and controlled by tyrants?’
While it’s certainly a valid point, I’d state that this is the wrong question to ask. Why not ask ourselves, “What can I do to fix this world, where do I start, and with whom do I ally in order to do that?” Miriam of the Tanakh did just that – when she was a child – and she saved her people who were enslaved in Egypt by changing the paradigm of the aforementioned question.

May we all look around us to really see what’s going on and put together a game plan to rid our world of the toxic waste we’ve dumped on it.
#SeeSomethingDoSomething
#CorrectTheNarrative
#BeTheSolution
#GetAngry!


Repairing the world is a process, so look for ‘Dance of Anger’ (15 Sep) and ‘Bolt of Anger’ (20 Dec) for more ideas.
Also, the prequel just released 'The Bionic Boy of the Union'!

[Bethany Cousins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blaze of Anger by Melanie Bokstad Horev is a gripping journey into a futuristic dystopian world where anger is a forbidden emotion. It is brilliantly crafted by the author's knack for weaving intricate sci-fi landscapes. Set in the divided realm of Eden 4023, this dystopian thriller follows the enigmatic Doctor Tanger, who grapples with the torment of losing a pivotal figure in his life. The clandestine suppression of anger looms large over Eden, enforced by the relentless pursuit of Doctor Tanger, the newly appointed hunter of those who dare to defy the emotionless norm.

Tanger's transformative journey begins when he forms an unlikely alliance with an orphaned girl named Dancer. Together, they embark on a path of self-discovery, unraveling the hidden truths about Tanger's own past, the intricacies of their world, and the astonishing places where suppressed anger can ignite. As loyalty tugs at Tanger's heartstrings amidst the chaos, his encounters with the Resistance compel him to question the oppressive reign of Rita Hart and the enigmatic Silvers.

The central theme of unity versus division, underscored by the looming presence of artificial intelligence humanoids, adds an extra layer of intrigue to this narrative. Melanie Bokstad Horev masterfully crafts a tale that not only explores the depths of human emotion but also delves into the complex dynamics of societal control and rebellion. Blaze of Anger will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end. This is not the first book I have read of Melanie's, and I look forward to reading many more!

[Jess Covington · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

Blaze of Anger follows several different characters in a dystopian society where anger has been outlawed. These characters must work together to preserve the lives of those in the Union, fighting against the leadership of the Federation.

Overall, I think this novel has an interesting concept that would have benefited from tighter editing. The two star rating comes from an overwhelming amount of typos. Missing quotation marks, misspellings, out of place commas…it’s hard to find a page without these errors. This was hard to get past. Aside from grammatical errors, there were also many places where the story skipped over details and landed solidly in a telling space where the old adage “show, don’t tell” would have been welcomed. I did care about the characters and I wanted to get to know them more.

Most of the voices were sufficiently unique with the exception of Dancer. Her internal monologue was often at odds with her age and did not serve the story well. I often found myself coming out of the story and feeling frustrated at the way she seemed to be aware of adult concepts while being written to explain that she didn’t actually know.

The ending also left a lot to be desired. Rita’s story didn’t feel conclusive, and the skipping of years removed the process of unification around which the entire story was built.

Again, solid concept that needed better editing.

[Pharmacdon · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Blaze of Anger” is an interesting SciFi boo k with many twists and turns. The book has complex plots and characters. Each of the characters’ back stories unfolds throughout the book. Eden is the planet that people from Earth migrated to. Still, to go to the new world, each individual had emotions that had to be modified to remove the feeling of anger. Anger had caused problems on Earth, so it was thought. But as time evolved, the people of Eden split into two distinct groups. The people living in the dome lived a life appropriate to life in Eden; the dome met all their wants and needs. The other group was living in hell, as they lived outside the dome, with barely enough to survive their grueling work to help produce water for the people in the dome. They lived substandard lives, shortened by the atmosphere and heat and the minor medical care they received. A doctor in the dome had sympathy for the less fortunate outside the dome and risked punishment for his involvement in helping these people. As he did this, he discovered the secrets of the people’s lives and how they were intertwined. As the book ends, everything seems to fall into place. But since a sequel is coming, we know that Eden can’t last forever.
“Blaze of Anger” is an interesting read because of what I mentioned, and I highly recommend it to any sci-fi reader.
This was a LibraryThing Early Reviewer book

[Alejandro Gamen · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Blaze of Anger," the captivating first installment of Melanie Bokstad Horev's The Anger Series, immerses readers in a thrilling dystopian world that will leave them yearning for more. From the outset, I was drawn into the depths of the story by an intriguing summary, and once I started reading, I couldn't put it down until the final page.

The novel weaves an intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists and surprises that kept me hooked throughout. Exploring the perspectives of multiple characters added depth and richness to the narrative, allowing me to fully appreciate the intricacies of the divided world of The Federation and the Union.

Horev masterfully creates a unique science fiction setting, complete with fascinating elements like the Bionic Boy, and the tension between the two factions reminded me of the allure of classics like Star Trek.

The characters are well-developed, and their interconnectedness adds an extra layer of intrigue. Dr. Tanger, in particular, stands out as a complex protagonist, torn between his healing instincts and a deadly mission. Rita Hart's thirst for power makes her a compelling villain.

"Blaze of Anger" delivers a gorgeously haunting and provocative adventure that will resonate with readers long after the final page.

[JJ Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blaze of Anger by Melanie Bokstad Horev is a mesmerizing venture into a dystopian realm, a hidden gem that navigates the human psyche and the intricacies of a controlled society. Set in the enigmatic world of Eden 4023, the story unravels a society where anger is a forbidden emotion, concealed beneath the surface.

Dr. Tanger, an unconventional protagonist, embarks on a journey of personal revelation after a life-altering encounter. The narrative's momentum is relentless, plunging readers into a whirlwind of intrigue and unexpected revelations. Through Tanger's eyes, the world-building unfurls brilliantly, revealing a meticulously crafted dystopian backdrop.

Horev's prose is a work of art, avoiding clichés and formulaic patterns. Seamlessly, the tale interweaves loyalty, love, and the quest for truth against the backdrop of a controlling regime. Blaze of Anger is an exquisite symphony of emotions, cunningly avoiding predictable paths. Horev's storytelling prowess shines, ensuring that readers remain enthralled until the very last page.

[Nərmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books this year. It was filled with so many plot-twists and surprises that kept me reading.
The beginning was slow but towards the middle the intriguing world of Eden glued me to the book. The characters were also complicated and interesting folk, I loved Dr. Tanger and Dancer a lot. I feel like Billy Blaze could benefit more from screen time (or page time?) since he didn't feel much of a main character, not like Tanger or Rita did. I loved the villain a lot too, she was sadistic but in an understandable way. The worldbuilding was pretty well done, the writing style easy to read through.
Even though I enjoyed plot-twists, I kind of expected more end battle between Billy and Eminence. But it is okay, I liked the ending, and especially the epilogue, where they hinted at the Book 2.
Overall, I enjoyed the book a lot and recommend it to the readers of dystopian fiction.
Thanks for the author for providing me a free digital copy!

[Sentinelle23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

💛🦾💠 🪐 TO DISCOVER ABSOLUTELY!

Eden, year 4023:

Behind the walls of glass, the Union was a barren, dusty and polluted land, scorched by the twin suns that shone in the sky.

Doctor Tanger was lost in thought while observing the arid landscape that stretched before his eyes...

---------------------------------

From the first pages, the reader is drawn into a mesmerizing dystopian world with an arid atmosphere, ruled by the dangerous Eminence Rita Hart.

The main character of Doctor Tanger is moving. He is committed to doing his job well, while being constantly monitored.

I liked the plot of the novel and especially the character of Tanger, although the realistic atmosphere of this dystopia is quite chilling...

Congratulations again to the author!
Highly recommend for fans of the genre.
💛 🦾💠🪐

[Kris Cobb · Rating 5 out of 5]

(I received this copy for the ARC group, so I got to read it early. Eat your hearts out.)

In this first volume of the series, we follow Dr. Tanger as he walks a very tight line between serving those in need, which is his calling as a doctor, and finding those who have been named as enemies of the state and turning them in. What will he do when an individual falls in both categories?

We also see how Rita Hart, the ruler of the Federation Zone, affects the lives of Billy Blaze and Dancer, two who struggle to survive in the Union Zone,

This book is well-paced. Some parts may be more difficult to read than others, but the title does say it is Dystopian. Stay for the Epilogue and buckle up for the remaining books in the series!

[Cinder Ackerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a different take on a dystopian society that I don’t think I’ve seen before. It’s a twisted society where humans have been changed and told they aren’t allowed to experience the emotion anger because it is known to cause chaos.

I will be honest, I did not finish this book, but there was only a few reasons. One is that the story was a little hard to follow. I felt like I didn’t fully understand the plot and what things mean. I understand they do not feel anger, but I can’t understand what else humans are supposedly missing. It was also a different style of writing, it felt very direct and didn’t flow enough for me. However, I highly recommend readers still take a chance and try it!

[c_g.77 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book and I wish I would have been able to complete. I did not enjoy this but that is just an issue of preference. I highly believe there is an audience for this that would rate it thru the roof.

I was intrigued by the blurb. What didn’t work for me was the writing style. I was lost almost immediately. It doesn’t flow. It’s very choppy with tons of facts and it’s almost like reading a textbook. I didn’t know or feel anything for the characters.

However, I know that this is a style that people truly enjoy. I would still recommend this book because I believe the concept is great. I know there’s a truly wonderful story in there. It just wasn’t for me.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strongly dystopian society in a post apocalyptic stetting. Harsh delineation between the haves and have nots. This is a world ameliorated by the genetic eradication of anger, or was it? and what else did they remove? The first half of this book is a puzzle where nothing quite adds up and I had several theories about what was happening. The Big Reveal - and the crazy non-stop action - starts in the second half. That part was a much faster read for me and everything started unraveling and happening at once. I did think some of the resolution was a bit too easy and convenient BUT that epilogue! Everything that appeared to have been overlooked is simmering and about to explode in book 2!

[Kurtis Mcdowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book was hard for me to read for the first few chapters after about twenty percent in I started to get involved in the story and enjoy the book. Blaze of Anger is well written, and the characters well developed. Laying out a poignant and provocative adventure. I could relate to the main character Dr. Tanger who finds himself caught between the Federation and the Union and drives the pressures he is feeling. The plot line is uncommon and keeps the readers attention and the material fresh and interesting. I will look forward to more from this writer!

[Dan Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite read this year so far!!! I read plenty, as I'm retired, averaging around two-three books a week. This book HAS IT ALL. Tension, lovable characters, hated villains. I was sucked into this world, leaving me gasping for more content.
A Fantastic Read!

[Laurie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good twisty plot, and this novel comes complete with plenty of twists and also surprises. All is not as it seems but other than that I’m reluctant to say more and spoil someone’s reading pleasure.
An excellent start to a new series.

[Robert Foland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blaze of Anger is an amazing story. Incredible world building. Fascinating characters. A storyline both original and intriguing. Melanie Bokstad Horev hits a home run with this book! Gripping from beginning to end.

I received an advance copy from the author and leave my voluntary review.

[Tyler Helston · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ups and downs of this book were mostly downs, but still, there was hope! And those sneaky Silvers. And oh my, this Rita Hart, I just wanted to punch her. Jeez. I will be reading 'Dance of Anger', mainly because Dancer was my favorite character.

[Tiffany Ewald · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and enjoyable read!! The author shows us great originality and creativity through her unique concepts and world building. You get to experience strong emotions along with the main characters and how they handle their current reality! I look forward to more!

[Hopper Smalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this book! Great read, with great characters, story, and plot twists!
I received an ARC in exchange for a review. Thank you, Netgalley and the author, for a copy!