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FISA Agents #1
Shards Of Hope
Hope can be a prism of scars from which light shines.
Twenty years ago, an infamous scientist created Liquid Onyx, a world-changing chemical which led to the rise of superheroes and supervillains.
Jack Roth is not a superhero. He’s an assassin, a killer, a lethal weapon forged and controlled by the evil organisation Obsidian Inc.
Leo Snow isn’t a superhero either. He's a British secret agent who spends his life protecting the world and saving everyone he can.
When these two men’s lives collide on the streets of Danger City just as Obsidian Inc is gearing up for another cataclysmic scientific discovery, they’ll both need to reckon with their dark past, messy present and potentially hopeful future.
Twenty years ago, an infamous scientist created Liquid Onyx, a world-changing chemical which led to the rise of superheroes and supervillains.
Jack Roth is not a superhero. He’s an assassin, a killer, a lethal weapon forged and controlled by the evil organisation Obsidian Inc.
Leo Snow isn’t a superhero either. He's a British secret agent who spends his life protecting the world and saving everyone he can.
When these two men’s lives collide on the streets of Danger City just as Obsidian Inc is gearing up for another cataclysmic scientific discovery, they’ll both need to reckon with their dark past, messy present and potentially hopeful future.
316 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2023
17 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
February 2, 2024
Not my fav from this author but still a solid read. I do like this authors writing style so I look forward to the next one anyway!
August 8, 2023
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.25 stars
This story, the first in the FISA Agents series, is an alternate Liquid Onyx series universe. The author uses names and personalities from other series (such as Damon and Rexly), but they are in a different world with slightly different jobs and in slightly different arrangements. You don’t have to have read the Liquid Onyx books to read this one, and you won’t need to read FISA Agents books to understand the Liquid Onyx stories.
While this isn’t a bad book — the writing is solid, the book ends on a cliffhanger ready to pick up with a different character’s storyline — I just get tired of the same voice, the same vibe, the same personality feeling spread over every single character.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3.25 stars
This story, the first in the FISA Agents series, is an alternate Liquid Onyx series universe. The author uses names and personalities from other series (such as Damon and Rexly), but they are in a different world with slightly different jobs and in slightly different arrangements. You don’t have to have read the Liquid Onyx books to read this one, and you won’t need to read FISA Agents books to understand the Liquid Onyx stories.
While this isn’t a bad book — the writing is solid, the book ends on a cliffhanger ready to pick up with a different character’s storyline — I just get tired of the same voice, the same vibe, the same personality feeling spread over every single character.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
January 17, 2023
First in series (FISA Agents). Science fiction. Grumpy/sunshine. Slow burn. Dual POV. As a superhuman experiment, Jack has only known pain and death since he was a child, and once he loses his brother he is angry to be left behind to live his life as a killer. When Leo Snow stops Jack from abducting a fellow agent and instead kidnaps Jack, Leo offers Jack freedom and a chance at redemption. There are some very gritty parts to the story, Jack’s survival from horrific experimentation and Leo’s difficult family past and present, but somehow the two men find they connect from adversaries to eventual coworkers. Leo is irrepressibly friendly and Jack follows along with the banter and teasing even though socially he had always relied on his brother to find moments of levity, Leo does start to bring out some of Jack's underlying personality. Intrigue and action along with the futuristic world building kept me entertained and wanting to spend more time with Jack and Leo as their friendship grows. The romance is secondary to the overall story and has a HFN, as the series will continue and this book ends with a soft cliffhanger in anticipation of more problems arising from the evil Obsidian Inc. and the FISA agents trying to stop them. 4.5 rounded up
July 9, 2023
SHARDS OF HOPE
by BL JONES
Contains: sci-fi, műrdərer, abdûction, alphabeth agency, coworker, slow-burn 90%.
<>Tw: Bløød, a very horrific description of deãth, manipulation, alchoholic mom.
3.5 stars round at 4.
What a great world building. It kinda gave me a vibe of X-men with supervillains and superheroes. We feel all the depth of emotions these characters have despite their blank face. Love it. I like it when an author is able to make us fall in love with the bad bad men. Overall, I feel like the whole book is a setup with no real purpose. It introduces the world they live in, the characters, and their powers. We get a background to their lives. We're ready for some action, and then the book ends. If you like a book without sex, this is for you. A scene about 90% of the way through (which make sense since they still are unsure about his motive), that's all there is. {If I have analogy it's like giving us all the information about Hogwarts, characters, the reason why they hate Slytherin or Voldemort but without the last scene of the secret chambers.} Despite the lack of all that, there's still a wisp of curiosity, where does it all go? We'll keep our guard up. I'm suspicious of everyone at this time.
Enter a new world where supervillains/mercenaries are developed in a lab using physical and psychological tests and manipulation. There's no escape except death. During one of his missions, he is abducted by a young agent from a rival alphabet agency/superhero. Where he's evaluated, hired, and given a partner by the same fumbly agent who hates guns. And here they are, on a mission against the violent agency. Will they make it? We'll only know in the next few books. What a cliffhanger! So many doubts!
**This is my honest opinion.
by BL JONES
Contains: sci-fi, műrdərer, abdûction, alphabeth agency, coworker, slow-burn 90%.
<>Tw: Bløød, a very horrific description of deãth, manipulation, alchoholic mom.
3.5 stars round at 4.
What a great world building. It kinda gave me a vibe of X-men with supervillains and superheroes. We feel all the depth of emotions these characters have despite their blank face. Love it. I like it when an author is able to make us fall in love with the bad bad men. Overall, I feel like the whole book is a setup with no real purpose. It introduces the world they live in, the characters, and their powers. We get a background to their lives. We're ready for some action, and then the book ends. If you like a book without sex, this is for you. A scene about 90% of the way through (which make sense since they still are unsure about his motive), that's all there is. {If I have analogy it's like giving us all the information about Hogwarts, characters, the reason why they hate Slytherin or Voldemort but without the last scene of the secret chambers.} Despite the lack of all that, there's still a wisp of curiosity, where does it all go? We'll keep our guard up. I'm suspicious of everyone at this time.
Enter a new world where supervillains/mercenaries are developed in a lab using physical and psychological tests and manipulation. There's no escape except death. During one of his missions, he is abducted by a young agent from a rival alphabet agency/superhero. Where he's evaluated, hired, and given a partner by the same fumbly agent who hates guns. And here they are, on a mission against the violent agency. Will they make it? We'll only know in the next few books. What a cliffhanger! So many doubts!
**This is my honest opinion.
January 27, 2023
wow this was dark tunnel and intense story to get into and the characters did not dispointed even when they had so much baggage
January 2, 2023
I requested an ARC of this novel from the author, and boy am I glad I did.
This novel is set in a world where superheroes and villains exist, but seemingly only as flavour and background. Our two main characters are neither, although they are both agents in different agencies. Jack has been forced to be a part of the "evil" agency since childhood, while Leo has been a part of the "good" agency for maybe a couple of years, and is basically still a baby agent. To me, the book is about them finding each other while the agencies agency in the background behind them, and I like that about it.
The two MCs were well-fleshed out characters with clear personalities and motivations. Both of their introductory chapters sucked me in and made me want to keep reading. First, to find out just what was going on with Jack's whole situation, and when it switched to Leo's POV, to find out how this seemingly normal guy fit in within this whole world, and how he would become involved with Jack. Also I wanted to know what was up with his mother.
I thought that the meeting between the two was highly original, and also funny. It carried the plot forward very well, and the whole thing seemed natural - one thing organically following on from the other.
I very much enjoy the author's style of writing - I especially like the little asides to the reader, and the snarky observations. The locations were all easy to picture in my mind (something I sometimes struggle with) and the action scenes were equally as easy to visualise.
The spice level is reasonably low, and only arrives in the last twenty or so pages. I appreciate that no plot stuff was happening at the same time, as I am unable to not skip through these scenes when I'm reading in public.
I enjoyed this book immensely. The only thing I could find to maybe nitpick a little, is that I would have liked a little more info on the two organisations and maybe the whole superhero/villain situation. I know that there is another book in this universe that probably goes into this is a lot greater depth, and I will be reading it, but the author says that this book can be read as a standalone. And yes, it was very easy to read as a standalone - I just would have liked a little bit more.
It does end on a slight cliff-hanger, but not for the two MCs, so that's alright.
I highly recommend this author and this book.
SPOILERY TIGGER WARNING to follow:
Leo's mother is an alcoholic, and he has to manage her, although he has given up on managing her alcoholism. There are a couple of scenes in his first chapters where he ruminates on her acoholism and how it affects him/his life, and a few later on in the book where has to collect her from a kind of party, and the descriptions could be triggering for some people or for children of alcoolics.
This novel is set in a world where superheroes and villains exist, but seemingly only as flavour and background. Our two main characters are neither, although they are both agents in different agencies. Jack has been forced to be a part of the "evil" agency since childhood, while Leo has been a part of the "good" agency for maybe a couple of years, and is basically still a baby agent. To me, the book is about them finding each other while the agencies agency in the background behind them, and I like that about it.
The two MCs were well-fleshed out characters with clear personalities and motivations. Both of their introductory chapters sucked me in and made me want to keep reading. First, to find out just what was going on with Jack's whole situation, and when it switched to Leo's POV, to find out how this seemingly normal guy fit in within this whole world, and how he would become involved with Jack. Also I wanted to know what was up with his mother.
I thought that the meeting between the two was highly original, and also funny. It carried the plot forward very well, and the whole thing seemed natural - one thing organically following on from the other.
I very much enjoy the author's style of writing - I especially like the little asides to the reader, and the snarky observations. The locations were all easy to picture in my mind (something I sometimes struggle with) and the action scenes were equally as easy to visualise.
The spice level is reasonably low, and only arrives in the last twenty or so pages. I appreciate that no plot stuff was happening at the same time, as I am unable to not skip through these scenes when I'm reading in public.
I enjoyed this book immensely. The only thing I could find to maybe nitpick a little, is that I would have liked a little more info on the two organisations and maybe the whole superhero/villain situation. I know that there is another book in this universe that probably goes into this is a lot greater depth, and I will be reading it, but the author says that this book can be read as a standalone. And yes, it was very easy to read as a standalone - I just would have liked a little bit more.
It does end on a slight cliff-hanger, but not for the two MCs, so that's alright.
I highly recommend this author and this book.
SPOILERY TIGGER WARNING to follow:
Leo's mother is an alcoholic, and he has to manage her, although he has given up on managing her alcoholism. There are a couple of scenes in his first chapters where he ruminates on her acoholism and how it affects him/his life, and a few later on in the book where has to collect her from a kind of party, and the descriptions could be triggering for some people or for children of alcoolics.
January 23, 2023
Reviewed for Love Bytes – 4 hearts
As a liquid Onyx survivor, Jack has been caged all his life, only let out for specific purposes. His world within Obsidian Inc is ruled by a rod of iron. Any sign of weakness and the cause is removed, cruelly, efficiently and without remorse. Jack was conditioned in a world of cold, hard, dark brutality, there’s only one way to survive - comply. Leo’s heritage was in OI, but his allegiance is with the British Forces of Investigation and Security – FISA, who protects the world's civilians against organizations like OI. In many ways, Leo’s life is very different to Jack’s, in that, he chooses to be an Agent. However, he remains at the mercy of a different manipulation style, no less deadly than Jack’s. When the agent and the assassin encounter each other, something special happens.
Shards of Hope is a story that I simultaneously loved and wanted to scream at frustratedly.
The tale is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Jack and Leo, with extensive worldbuilding. And this is where personal preference could determine the adoration or frustration of this story. The narrative is packed with experiences of the ‘I remember when’ variety. Individually, they are more than entertaining. However, it is their timing that I found irritating. For example, Leo would go into a room and, in a high-tension situation, ask a question, then the story goes off on a tangent, and three pages later, the answer to the original question is delivered. The occasional digression is more than welcome, but this type of scenario happened every time, and after a while, it stopped entertaining and became an annoyance. Conversely, these extra additions filled out the world that Leo and Jack lived in, and without them, the novel would have been significantly shorter. They also added an edge of levity to a dark, bloodthirsty tale.
I can draw parallels between Jack’s trauma, Wolverines’, and the Winter Soldier. He is tortured and conditioned to the point of being a human machine, programmed, and then set loose. This content aspect of the opening chapters was challenging to read. Add to it Leo’s dry, sarcastic humor alongside a sad soul, and the result is a random lunatic of a ride that borders on genius.
There is no doubt in my mind that a heck of a lot of thought went into this story, and it is recommended reading for that alone. Fewer detours would have been appreciated, though I am unsure if this was the authors' way of providing all the backstory, and in the future, there will be more mission and less ‘this one time’ (I so want to add, at Bandcamp, here).
I’ve given it four hearts in the hope that you’ll read it and make of it what you will, because I have no idea.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
As a liquid Onyx survivor, Jack has been caged all his life, only let out for specific purposes. His world within Obsidian Inc is ruled by a rod of iron. Any sign of weakness and the cause is removed, cruelly, efficiently and without remorse. Jack was conditioned in a world of cold, hard, dark brutality, there’s only one way to survive - comply. Leo’s heritage was in OI, but his allegiance is with the British Forces of Investigation and Security – FISA, who protects the world's civilians against organizations like OI. In many ways, Leo’s life is very different to Jack’s, in that, he chooses to be an Agent. However, he remains at the mercy of a different manipulation style, no less deadly than Jack’s. When the agent and the assassin encounter each other, something special happens.
Shards of Hope is a story that I simultaneously loved and wanted to scream at frustratedly.
The tale is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Jack and Leo, with extensive worldbuilding. And this is where personal preference could determine the adoration or frustration of this story. The narrative is packed with experiences of the ‘I remember when’ variety. Individually, they are more than entertaining. However, it is their timing that I found irritating. For example, Leo would go into a room and, in a high-tension situation, ask a question, then the story goes off on a tangent, and three pages later, the answer to the original question is delivered. The occasional digression is more than welcome, but this type of scenario happened every time, and after a while, it stopped entertaining and became an annoyance. Conversely, these extra additions filled out the world that Leo and Jack lived in, and without them, the novel would have been significantly shorter. They also added an edge of levity to a dark, bloodthirsty tale.
I can draw parallels between Jack’s trauma, Wolverines’, and the Winter Soldier. He is tortured and conditioned to the point of being a human machine, programmed, and then set loose. This content aspect of the opening chapters was challenging to read. Add to it Leo’s dry, sarcastic humor alongside a sad soul, and the result is a random lunatic of a ride that borders on genius.
There is no doubt in my mind that a heck of a lot of thought went into this story, and it is recommended reading for that alone. Fewer detours would have been appreciated, though I am unsure if this was the authors' way of providing all the backstory, and in the future, there will be more mission and less ‘this one time’ (I so want to add, at Bandcamp, here).
I’ve given it four hearts in the hope that you’ll read it and make of it what you will, because I have no idea.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for
Love Bytes.
December 16, 2022
A book of two tropes
I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I have never read a BL Jones book before so went in openminded as this sounded just what I like. I was happily surprised that this is a British author and it was refreshing to read typically British phrases such as ‘leg it’ but ‘twatwaffle’ was my particular favourite!
I was instantly drawn into the book after the first paragraph, and my immediate reaction was this is gonna be good!
Dark, gritty and painful as we get to know Jack and his upbringing springled with British snark and ironic musings as we also discover Leo and the path to their meeting. I loved both characters, I thought their internal dialogue fitted perfectly to the character. Jack is dark and broody and full of PTSD, Leo is light and a bit fluffy but not without his own issue stemming from his relationship with his mother. I love stuff like this, and it was written so well that I blinked and I was already 50% through, fully invested in the story and how this was going to pan out.
Then the trope just changed! Instead of this dark and gritty angsty path, we find ourselves with a grump and sunshine situation, a killer with uncharacteristic attachment to his new clothes and an agent wanting to take care of him. Not that I don’t like grumpy/sunshine, when done well I love it, I just did not expect this from the book I started with.
The plot of the ‘cataclysmic scientific discovery’ seemed like a bit of an afterthought in this book, it didn’t really go into great details about it, but this will probably be more prevalent in the next books. Superhero and superkillers are also mentioned but this is not a spandex situation and Jacks powers are hardly mentioned at all, maybe this will also flesh out in the further books. I hope so.
The smexy times at the end seemed like the author though, whoops I have added any smut yet and then threw it in at the end, which was disappointing, this book could have ran its course with just a kiss at the end and that would have been *chefs kiss*, it would have actively made the reader want to get the next book to see how their relationship progressed further.
I did like the book, I gave it 4 stars because both sides to the book are written very well, I love the dark and gritty beginning and also the Tango and Cash banter in the next. I just wish the author had picked one style and kept it that way, both styles would have been great books.
I received an advanced copy of this book and this is my honest review.
I have never read a BL Jones book before so went in openminded as this sounded just what I like. I was happily surprised that this is a British author and it was refreshing to read typically British phrases such as ‘leg it’ but ‘twatwaffle’ was my particular favourite!
I was instantly drawn into the book after the first paragraph, and my immediate reaction was this is gonna be good!
Dark, gritty and painful as we get to know Jack and his upbringing springled with British snark and ironic musings as we also discover Leo and the path to their meeting. I loved both characters, I thought their internal dialogue fitted perfectly to the character. Jack is dark and broody and full of PTSD, Leo is light and a bit fluffy but not without his own issue stemming from his relationship with his mother. I love stuff like this, and it was written so well that I blinked and I was already 50% through, fully invested in the story and how this was going to pan out.
Then the trope just changed! Instead of this dark and gritty angsty path, we find ourselves with a grump and sunshine situation, a killer with uncharacteristic attachment to his new clothes and an agent wanting to take care of him. Not that I don’t like grumpy/sunshine, when done well I love it, I just did not expect this from the book I started with.
The plot of the ‘cataclysmic scientific discovery’ seemed like a bit of an afterthought in this book, it didn’t really go into great details about it, but this will probably be more prevalent in the next books. Superhero and superkillers are also mentioned but this is not a spandex situation and Jacks powers are hardly mentioned at all, maybe this will also flesh out in the further books. I hope so.
The smexy times at the end seemed like the author though, whoops I have added any smut yet and then threw it in at the end, which was disappointing, this book could have ran its course with just a kiss at the end and that would have been *chefs kiss*, it would have actively made the reader want to get the next book to see how their relationship progressed further.
I did like the book, I gave it 4 stars because both sides to the book are written very well, I love the dark and gritty beginning and also the Tango and Cash banter in the next. I just wish the author had picked one style and kept it that way, both styles would have been great books.
January 21, 2023
*I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review*
I love a good superhero novel, and Shards of Hope did not disappoint. When trained killer and super-human Jack Roth is ‘rescued’ from Obsidian Inc by FISA Agent Leo Snow, he is less than thrilled by the new situation that he finds himself in. Rather than kill him, FISA offers Jack a chance at redemption and to join them as an agent. He reluctantly agrees and finds himself partnered with Leo. From the beginning they both recognise the chemistry between them, however they must navigate Jack’s traumatic past with Obsidian Inc and also the new threat that is looming on the horizon.
Shards of Hope switches between the viewpoints of Leo and Jack throughout. I liked this, as well as giving you an insight into what they are both thinking and feeling, the contrasting personalities really came across as a result. Leo is naturally upbeat and light-hearted whereas, unsurprisingly, Jack broods a lot and his mood is darker due to his trauma. Despite being opposites, they work well together and develop a naturally occurring bond. I often found myself chuckling at the banter between them.
The world in which the characters inhabit was explained between the two of them, again with their contrasting views adding an interesting perspective. I did however feel like perhaps too much information was given at times and feeding it in a bit more gradually would have made the story flow a bit better.
Overall, this is a great addition to the superhero genre and one that I very much enjoyed reading.
Shards of Hope ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger and I eagerly away the second novel in the series.
I love a good superhero novel, and Shards of Hope did not disappoint. When trained killer and super-human Jack Roth is ‘rescued’ from Obsidian Inc by FISA Agent Leo Snow, he is less than thrilled by the new situation that he finds himself in. Rather than kill him, FISA offers Jack a chance at redemption and to join them as an agent. He reluctantly agrees and finds himself partnered with Leo. From the beginning they both recognise the chemistry between them, however they must navigate Jack’s traumatic past with Obsidian Inc and also the new threat that is looming on the horizon.
Shards of Hope switches between the viewpoints of Leo and Jack throughout. I liked this, as well as giving you an insight into what they are both thinking and feeling, the contrasting personalities really came across as a result. Leo is naturally upbeat and light-hearted whereas, unsurprisingly, Jack broods a lot and his mood is darker due to his trauma. Despite being opposites, they work well together and develop a naturally occurring bond. I often found myself chuckling at the banter between them.
The world in which the characters inhabit was explained between the two of them, again with their contrasting views adding an interesting perspective. I did however feel like perhaps too much information was given at times and feeding it in a bit more gradually would have made the story flow a bit better.
Overall, this is a great addition to the superhero genre and one that I very much enjoyed reading.
Shards of Hope ends on a bit of a cliff-hanger and I eagerly away the second novel in the series.
July 30, 2023
This was such a great read. The author did amazing at making a story with lots of horrible atrocities committed have lots of funny banter that did not take away from the emotions that come along with the horrible things Jack has experienced. This book had tears welling in my eyes one moment and laughing out loud the next.
Leo made me laugh and smile a lot. And his personality matched so well with Jack. Jack has a very sarcastic and dry humor. They compliment each other well. And from the beginning you could see the connection between Jack and Leo. This book is an incredibly slow burn. Their connection and bond are slow building, it was very realistic for in life.
On top of the emotional turmoil, angst and funny banter, we also had action and adventure. The side characters were awesome as well. The writing was well done. It does end on a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for the next one. I want to see more action and adventures. More of Leo and Jack’s relationship unfold.
This book focused more on building the foundation of a relationship and plot. And at times I did want it to move quicker, they only go out on a couple low key missions. I had trouble deciding between 4 or 5 stars honestly because of the slower pace. But at the end of the day, I just enjoyed these characters so much, and they made me laugh and want more. When a book can make me overlook the lack of spice and crave more, I think it deserves 5 stars, cause slow burns aren’t typically my thing. The book didn’t need to rush the sex and it would have cheapened their connection if it had been rushed. And once we got to their first kiss and first time, it was worth the wait. Their chemistry exploded. They were hot.
Leo made me laugh and smile a lot. And his personality matched so well with Jack. Jack has a very sarcastic and dry humor. They compliment each other well. And from the beginning you could see the connection between Jack and Leo. This book is an incredibly slow burn. Their connection and bond are slow building, it was very realistic for in life.
On top of the emotional turmoil, angst and funny banter, we also had action and adventure. The side characters were awesome as well. The writing was well done. It does end on a cliffhanger. I can’t wait for the next one. I want to see more action and adventures. More of Leo and Jack’s relationship unfold.
This book focused more on building the foundation of a relationship and plot. And at times I did want it to move quicker, they only go out on a couple low key missions. I had trouble deciding between 4 or 5 stars honestly because of the slower pace. But at the end of the day, I just enjoyed these characters so much, and they made me laugh and want more. When a book can make me overlook the lack of spice and crave more, I think it deserves 5 stars, cause slow burns aren’t typically my thing. The book didn’t need to rush the sex and it would have cheapened their connection if it had been rushed. And once we got to their first kiss and first time, it was worth the wait. Their chemistry exploded. They were hot.
May 17, 2023
*** 3.5 ***
IDK
The writing is good and the imagery is potent. Somehow it started off so dark and so gruesome that everything afterward seemed somehow muted. As if everything after the beginning flash was just an aftermath. Maybe I missed something and I will have to read the book again to truly appreciate it. I don't get why we had to sit through the prologue though. What did it really do? What does it truly matter? Now, nothing really seems to happen after the initial eruption. Leo is sent out on a mission we know nothing about, Jack is being questioned etc. we had no part of and questions that were raised at the beginning were not answered.
I liked the characters, the attempt of levity bei adding snark and I liked the worldbuilding as far as we got it but the actions were confusing.
IDK
The writing is good and the imagery is potent. Somehow it started off so dark and so gruesome that everything afterward seemed somehow muted. As if everything after the beginning flash was just an aftermath. Maybe I missed something and I will have to read the book again to truly appreciate it. I don't get why we had to sit through the prologue though. What did it really do? What does it truly matter? Now, nothing really seems to happen after the initial eruption. Leo is sent out on a mission we know nothing about, Jack is being questioned etc. we had no part of and questions that were raised at the beginning were not answered.
I liked the characters, the attempt of levity bei adding snark and I liked the worldbuilding as far as we got it but the actions were confusing.
January 17, 2023
Liquid Onyx is fascinating yet terrifying drug. It creates superheroes and supervillains and some things in between. Jack Roth was created with the use of Liquid Onyx. He is a ruthless, efficient assassin. Leo Snow is a British secret agent who tries to save everyone. When their paths cross on the streets of Danger City, both men find their lives radically affected.
Liquid Onyx and everything that goes with it is so intriguing. It’s use is not what it should be. Obsidian Inc (OI), who controls it is evil to its core using blackmail and torture to keep its agents under control. If they want something, they simply take it. OI is on the verge of another breakthrough that could be as dangerous as Liquid Onyx. Leo and now Jack must stop it. These two men are such opposites. Leo is sunny and optimistic while Jack is blunt and negative. There is an attraction between them though, that will make for excellent reading. This promises to be an incredible new series. It has amazing world building, excellent “heroes” and a unique angle of what some will do for power and greed. This first book ends with us wanting more. Pick it up now and be prepared to be intrigued, appalled and delighted.
Liquid Onyx and everything that goes with it is so intriguing. It’s use is not what it should be. Obsidian Inc (OI), who controls it is evil to its core using blackmail and torture to keep its agents under control. If they want something, they simply take it. OI is on the verge of another breakthrough that could be as dangerous as Liquid Onyx. Leo and now Jack must stop it. These two men are such opposites. Leo is sunny and optimistic while Jack is blunt and negative. There is an attraction between them though, that will make for excellent reading. This promises to be an incredible new series. It has amazing world building, excellent “heroes” and a unique angle of what some will do for power and greed. This first book ends with us wanting more. Pick it up now and be prepared to be intrigued, appalled and delighted.
February 13, 2023
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
NOTES: This book is set in an alternate universe to the Liquid Onyx series (so a few things seem familiar if you've read that series, but still very different).
This story ends on a cliffhanger.
Jack is a survivor of Liquid Onyx (a drug that gives people superpowers) and raised as an assassin for Obsidian Inc (the bad guys). His whole life has been about surviving the torture that his handlers can throw at him. But one mission is about to change his whole future. Leo is a FISA agent with an adorable corgi. Leo is Jack's opposite in many ways, but might be just what Jack needs to see there is more to life than his past.
Jack is not a nice guy. He's a product of his upbringing for sure, but there is a darkness to him and the way he reacts to things. Jack is a mix of truly dark character and somehow sympathetic at the same time. Leo's life certainly hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows, but he's certainly got a much more empathetic outlook on the world. The two have an interesting chemistry with each other (not romance, though certainly a sexual element). I'm interested to see how their story will progress in the series.
NOTES: This book is set in an alternate universe to the Liquid Onyx series (so a few things seem familiar if you've read that series, but still very different).
This story ends on a cliffhanger.
Jack is a survivor of Liquid Onyx (a drug that gives people superpowers) and raised as an assassin for Obsidian Inc (the bad guys). His whole life has been about surviving the torture that his handlers can throw at him. But one mission is about to change his whole future. Leo is a FISA agent with an adorable corgi. Leo is Jack's opposite in many ways, but might be just what Jack needs to see there is more to life than his past.
Jack is not a nice guy. He's a product of his upbringing for sure, but there is a darkness to him and the way he reacts to things. Jack is a mix of truly dark character and somehow sympathetic at the same time. Leo's life certainly hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows, but he's certainly got a much more empathetic outlook on the world. The two have an interesting chemistry with each other (not romance, though certainly a sexual element). I'm interested to see how their story will progress in the series.
January 20, 2023
I very much enjoyed Shards of Hope and am eagerly awaiting the next in the series. It reads more like a serial with a lot of plot points begun but little is actually resolved. That being said, the author is doing a great job developing the characters and their histories. The two mc's pasts are rooted in darkness. Honestly I had a hard time continuing after reading the prologue, but I am glad I did. I liked Jack and Leo and can't imagine how Jack begins to recover from everything he experienced. I also liked that they brought in a therapist for Jack. His history is such that a strong connected relationship can help, but would not be enough to fix everything on its own. Obviously, I connected better with Jack, but Leo is actually pretty awesome. I sense hidden depths and look forward to what the future book reveal. I also look forward to seeing the characters use their powers more. Very little of that was shown in this book and that was a little disappointing since the blurb led me to expect heroes and villains with powers. I rated 3.5 stars simply because it is hard to rate the book with none of the major plot points resolved. I definitely recommend and look forward to more.
January 21, 2023
Harrowing but hopeful
BL Jones has done a marvelous job of making this book a hopeful story even though most of the past events that the two main characters have been through are on the harrowing side. This series has a clever premise for an alternate earth where people have been made into “superheroes” twenty years ago but where it has become painfully obvious that all is not going well. The character of Jack is particularly well written as he is so very different from an average person because of his terrible youth and this writer uses his reactions to things in particular to great effect to emphasize that difference. Leo as his own problems but his efforts to have a deliberately happy attitude are a big part of what lightens up this book. There is more science than romance to this book until near the end but I’m not going to give anything away. You will have to read it for yourself!
BL Jones has done a marvelous job of making this book a hopeful story even though most of the past events that the two main characters have been through are on the harrowing side. This series has a clever premise for an alternate earth where people have been made into “superheroes” twenty years ago but where it has become painfully obvious that all is not going well. The character of Jack is particularly well written as he is so very different from an average person because of his terrible youth and this writer uses his reactions to things in particular to great effect to emphasize that difference. Leo as his own problems but his efforts to have a deliberately happy attitude are a big part of what lightens up this book. There is more science than romance to this book until near the end but I’m not going to give anything away. You will have to read it for yourself!
July 1, 2023
Ok so I'll start by saying this first book is definitely not a romance and surprisingly I'm very ok with that. Nothing happens between the 2 MCs until the very last chapter. However, the story! OMG the story is so incredibly good I didn't need a bunch of romance getting in the way.
Both MCs are affected in different ways by Obsidian, Inc. It's interesting to see how they deal differently with their pasts. Jack is all hard edges and nothing really inherently soft about him. But deep down there's something there that keeps him human. Leo is a golden retriever in human clothing. But, he has a hard interior if and when he needs it. These two really complement each other.
The way their relationship happens is realistic. We didn't need the steam to see them getting closer and closer.
This one ends on a cliffhanger. It has no HEA or HFN. But it does end with the start of something. I can't wait for the next book!
Both MCs are affected in different ways by Obsidian, Inc. It's interesting to see how they deal differently with their pasts. Jack is all hard edges and nothing really inherently soft about him. But deep down there's something there that keeps him human. Leo is a golden retriever in human clothing. But, he has a hard interior if and when he needs it. These two really complement each other.
The way their relationship happens is realistic. We didn't need the steam to see them getting closer and closer.
This one ends on a cliffhanger. It has no HEA or HFN. But it does end with the start of something. I can't wait for the next book!
July 7, 2023
The rage, violence, and hopelessness that began this story made me nervous. I worried that the entire book might be the same, and some of those things definitely stuck around. Fortunately, once Jack and Leo met and later became partners, hope, friendship, and bits of humor showed up. And blessing of blessings, Leo had an awesome dog! King the corgi was a brilliant addition to this often tragic tale. He gave Jack affection that wasn't impacted by Jack's dark and heartbreaking past. Even Leo, as open as he was toward Jack, still felt sympathy and a measure of fear around the other man.
Jack and Leo were great partners, and I loved their interactions, especially once they got more comfortable with each other. I look forward to seeing them grow even closer and hopefully save the day for another character I want to know better. Danger City is a scary place, and it needs heroes like I believe these men were destined to be. I can't wait for more of this story.
Jack and Leo were great partners, and I loved their interactions, especially once they got more comfortable with each other. I look forward to seeing them grow even closer and hopefully save the day for another character I want to know better. Danger City is a scary place, and it needs heroes like I believe these men were destined to be. I can't wait for more of this story.
July 10, 2023
Claws and Fangs Paired with a Deadly Visage of Beauty
‘I suppose it’s not a complete lie to call Leo a diamond. There is something decidedly precious about him, glimmering and coveted, but hard too. He seems to take whatever I throw at him in stride. My past, the monstrous things I’ve done he has to know about, my unfriendly, even outright-hostile attitude towards him.’
BL Jones has created a world where superheroes and supervillains cross paths, and intersect series’ in a brutal and beautiful way.
Shards of Hope is book one in the FISA Agents series, where Leo (FISA agent) and Jack (supervillain) find themselves working together, and forming an unexpected relationship that means so much more to both of them than the other realizes.
Complex plot, with funny and poignant dialogue, keeps this story moving and has readers enthralled.
I love BL Jones’ writing style and will keep reading every book this author shares with us!
‘I suppose it’s not a complete lie to call Leo a diamond. There is something decidedly precious about him, glimmering and coveted, but hard too. He seems to take whatever I throw at him in stride. My past, the monstrous things I’ve done he has to know about, my unfriendly, even outright-hostile attitude towards him.’
BL Jones has created a world where superheroes and supervillains cross paths, and intersect series’ in a brutal and beautiful way.
Shards of Hope is book one in the FISA Agents series, where Leo (FISA agent) and Jack (supervillain) find themselves working together, and forming an unexpected relationship that means so much more to both of them than the other realizes.
Complex plot, with funny and poignant dialogue, keeps this story moving and has readers enthralled.
I love BL Jones’ writing style and will keep reading every book this author shares with us!
January 13, 2023
I haven't read anything by this author before, so I went into this without preconceptions. The story worked quite well for me. I was immediately interested in the characters and enjoyed seeing them begin to get to know one another. Their emotional changes/growth (particularly Jack's) sometimes seemed to happen too fast—time had passed in the story but wasn't shown on the page, so I didn't feel it—and some of the transitions were a bit bumpy, but I'll be eager to see where this series goes.
As noted in the book, this is the first in a series and does not end with any sort of resolved romantic relationship. That said, it wasn't as up in the air as I sort of expected, given the warning.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
As noted in the book, this is the first in a series and does not end with any sort of resolved romantic relationship. That said, it wasn't as up in the air as I sort of expected, given the warning.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
January 21, 2023
Jack is an assassin that is controlled by Obsidian until he is rescued by Leo, an FISA agent and made an offer to join them rather than be eliminated. He accepts and is partnered with Leo. They know almost from the start that there is more to their partnership than their professional connection. But both of them have some heavy issues that they have to deal with. That in addition to their mission to stop the spread of liquid onyx that is being misused by Obsidian to control the people they are forcing to work for them. This story, though dark in some places, was intriguing and layered in a way that kept my attention. It is not over, it ends in this book. But it does a good job of setting things up for the coming books in the series.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 24, 2023
Jack and Leo are two opposites, and that’s not only because of their personality, but also because they work for opposites agencies. In fact, Jack is an assassin, working for the Obsidian Inc., and Leo is a special agent.
They should fight against each other, but something happens between them, and their relashionship turns to be completely different from what they, and everyone else, expected.
I loved the two men, they both have to deal with private difficult situations to which they respond in different ways, according to their personality. Jack has darker and protective side, and Leo is sunnier. I also loved the other characters of the story, Leo’s mum, who causes him a lot of worries, and different friends.
The story is well written, and I enjoyed reading it. Now I’m diving in in the second book of the series, and I’m looking forward to discovering what comes next.
They should fight against each other, but something happens between them, and their relashionship turns to be completely different from what they, and everyone else, expected.
I loved the two men, they both have to deal with private difficult situations to which they respond in different ways, according to their personality. Jack has darker and protective side, and Leo is sunnier. I also loved the other characters of the story, Leo’s mum, who causes him a lot of worries, and different friends.
The story is well written, and I enjoyed reading it. Now I’m diving in in the second book of the series, and I’m looking forward to discovering what comes next.
April 14, 2024
This is book 1 in the series and I'm hooked already. From the moment Jack was introduced I felt very interested in his character. The author does a great job of building up tension and describing action scenes. I enjoyed the world building and the different perspectives of the main characters. From the beginning the author sets a dark, edgy tone which I personally enjoyed but I know it might not be for everyone. I did feel like the book dragged on a little while explaining some things, some parts felt like they were drawn out more than necessary to get the point across, which could be a little distracting. However, it did do a good job of getting me interested in future installments as well as other books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2024
*I got this book for free, but this is my opinion.*
This book was so entertaining. I didn't want to put it down. I was hooked at the first sentence, and the humour dragged me along. I also lived the characters, and how they were so different from each other, and yet could work together.
Now, I wasn't a huge fan of the idea that a character may have been twelve (I reread this more than three times to make sure I wasn't confused). I just thought he presented as older, and it would have been so cool to know he survived for many years, but all that is taken away when I think of him being a kid. I have to say, the writing was a little confusing too, and that certainly didn't help my potential misunderstanding.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. The humour and the characters really had me invested.
This book was so entertaining. I didn't want to put it down. I was hooked at the first sentence, and the humour dragged me along. I also lived the characters, and how they were so different from each other, and yet could work together.
Now, I wasn't a huge fan of the idea that a character may have been twelve (I reread this more than three times to make sure I wasn't confused). I just thought he presented as older, and it would have been so cool to know he survived for many years, but all that is taken away when I think of him being a kid. I have to say, the writing was a little confusing too, and that certainly didn't help my potential misunderstanding.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. The humour and the characters really had me invested.
September 21, 2024
Jones does an amazing job evoking sympathy for a person who you really shouldn't like. Jack is a monster, forced into a life he didn't choose but now knows nothing else. Riddled with guilt and hate, he kills whoever he is told to without question.
But within the first chapter you are already rooting for him to escape his shackles and live a life he chose. Though even if he does, he is emotionally stunted and struggles to know how he is supposed to react.
Enter Leo, the sunshine to Jack's grumpy, and maybe Jack's road to salvation. Leo is not the typical agent, and soon breaks through Jack's defences.
This novel is fast paced, loads of emotional angst, and snarky banter. I was hooked from the first chapter, wanting to know what will become of Jack, and Leo. Looking forward to reading book 2.
But within the first chapter you are already rooting for him to escape his shackles and live a life he chose. Though even if he does, he is emotionally stunted and struggles to know how he is supposed to react.
Enter Leo, the sunshine to Jack's grumpy, and maybe Jack's road to salvation. Leo is not the typical agent, and soon breaks through Jack's defences.
This novel is fast paced, loads of emotional angst, and snarky banter. I was hooked from the first chapter, wanting to know what will become of Jack, and Leo. Looking forward to reading book 2.
January 15, 2023
Very interesting well thought out world building. This is the first book I have read by this author. I'm just a little confused by a change in direction - first there was a whole lot of explanation of the traumas both MCs suffered, particularly those of Jack. Once they started working together it almost felt like a separate book, where that whole first part felt suddenly a lot less important. Jack has apparently had a lot more experience in life during missions than only suffering torture in grey rooms.That said, I definitely liked the characters and the story and I really hope that Jack and Leo will become more involved with each other in the next book and that I will have a chance to read it.
January 31, 2025
Shards of Hope by BL Jones is a fantastic start to the FISA Agents series! The humor is sharp, the inner monologues are hilariously personal, and the action is intense. Jack and Leo are such compelling characters—both flawed, dangerous, and irresistibly drawn to each other. Their dynamic is electric, filled with banter, tension, and just the right amount of emotional depth.
The mix of espionage, superpowers, and secret organizations makes for a thrilling ride, but it’s the character-driven storytelling that really shines. If you love fast-paced action with a side of wit and romance, this one’s a must-read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The mix of espionage, superpowers, and secret organizations makes for a thrilling ride, but it’s the character-driven storytelling that really shines. If you love fast-paced action with a side of wit and romance, this one’s a must-read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 21, 2023
A great beginning to a series where the corporation Obsidian Inc. has been up to some seriously nefarious things with more planned for the future. Our main characters, Jack who is an assassin and Leo a British agent start on opposite sides but come to realize they might be the only hope of stopping Obsidian if they team up. That teamwork slowly leads to more personal feelings. I cannot wait to see how their relationship develops as the series moves along and exactly what schemes and plots these two must try to stop. Great mix of science fiction, action/adventure and a slow burn m/m romance.
June 2, 2023
Shards of Hope is a dark but interesting book. Please read the trigger warnings. We meet Jack a survivor of Liquid Onyx, raised to be an assassin by Obsidian Inc and Leo an agent for FISA. These two are very different but still have something in common, they are both living with what happened in the past. Jack is a very dark character and Leo is more sunshine but he uses that to hide a lot of his issues. This book has action, intrigue, and great characters. The book does on a cliffhanger. BL Jones is an amazing story teller and this book is no exception. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book.
January 31, 2024
Shards of Hope looks to be the start of a great Superhero series. I loved how it was written as it switches between the viewpoints of the main characters Leo and Jack throughout the book which gives you great insight into their personalities. I must admit I loved Leo's character as he had such attitude and his snarky comments made me laugh. Jack is alot more broody but that is understandable given his job and after all he had been through. They have a nice slow burn relationship which gives us the chance to really understand them. Great side characters as well. Looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 16, 2022
ARC reader honest review:
I was hooked with the prologue, but that ended up being my favorite part of the book, so I was a little let down after that.
Ultimately I thought this book was… fine. The plot ran rather hot and cold for me. It was really interesting and compelling and then it would lag and I’d get bored. I guess I just wanted more; more action, humor, depth, world-building, sexual tension, something! Just more. It felt more like a lengthy prequel book than anything else.
That being said, I enjoyed the general premise and I am interested in what the next book will bring.
I was hooked with the prologue, but that ended up being my favorite part of the book, so I was a little let down after that.
Ultimately I thought this book was… fine. The plot ran rather hot and cold for me. It was really interesting and compelling and then it would lag and I’d get bored. I guess I just wanted more; more action, humor, depth, world-building, sexual tension, something! Just more. It felt more like a lengthy prequel book than anything else.
That being said, I enjoyed the general premise and I am interested in what the next book will bring.
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