Return

I Am Just Junco #5

by J.A. Huss

Three years ago Junco Coot was an insane sniper. Three weeks ago she was a prisoner being tortured in a morph tank. Three days ago she was nothing but billions of molecules floating in a sea of darkness.

Today, Junco Coot is the key to saving or ending the world.

Three years ago Raubtier Aves was the captain of the Avian Military. Three weeks ago he was trying to forget Junco ever existed. Three days ago he was given a gift of eternal salvation.

Today, he will give that gift back.

The Angels are here, the end is coming, the Demons have been released and Lucan has a past that ties it all together. Seven thousand years of waiting for revenge is over and there’s just one more question that needs to be answered?

Who will be there at the end?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Ebooks, Paranormal Romance, Angels, Romance, Audiobook

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 27, 2013

About the author

J.A. Huss never wanted to be a writer and she still dreams of that elusive career as an astronaut. She originally went to school to become an equine veterinarian but soon figured out they keep horrible hours and decided to go to grad school instead. That Ph.D wasn’t all it was cracked up to be (and she really sucked at the whole scientist thing), so she dropped out and got a M.S. in forensic toxicology just to get the whole thing over with as soon as possible.

After graduation she got a job with the state of Colorado as their one and only hog farm inspector and spent her days wandering the Eastern Plains shooting the shit with farmers. After a few years of that, she got bored. And since she was a homeschool mom and actually does love science, she decided to write science textbooks and make online classes for other homeschool moms. She wrote more than two hundred of those workbooks and was the number one publisher at the online homeschool store many times, but eventually she covered every science topic she could think of and ran out of shit to say.

So in 2012 she decided to write fiction instead. That year she released her first three books and started a career that would make her a New York Times bestseller and land her on the USA Today Bestseller’s List eighteen times in the next three years. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world, the audio version of her semi-autobiographical book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie award in 2016 and 2017 respectively, her audiobook Mr. Perfect was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017, and her book, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Johnathan McClain is her first (and only) writing partner and even though they are worlds apart in just about every way imaginable, it works.

She lives on a ranch in Central Colorado with her family.

Reviews

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Return is an excellent end to the I Am Just Junco series. There is a lot going on, and Junco still doesn't know if she can trust anyone. However, the action is even more present here - and the secrets everybody is keeping just make everything more urgent.
I hope Huss will one day write more in this universe, it's really well done, and I enjoyed every part of the story.

[June Luu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at Sunshine Reviews

You know what, I'm not gonna even bother starting this review with "Wow" or "J.A. Huss has surprised me, again". Why? Because she has done that already. She has put me in positions where I am left crying, hating everyone, and so frustrated that I just want to throw everything at the wall. Now with RETURN, she has summed up every single emotion that I'd ever felt and put them into this one book.

Junco is badass as always, except now she's badder than all the asses that are bad. In this book, not only do we get to see the world through Junco's eyes, but through Tier, Lucan, Ashur and Annun as well. For me, it is amazing to see the world from different POV because they each have different eyes. You get to understand the different scenarios and it will surprise you at the end.

Not having enough problems already, there's a baby-Junco killing people right now. And while Junco is stuck in the Pillar, everything is going downhill. There were so many twists and turns in this book that sometimes I just have to stop and piece everything together before continuing on. I love reading Lucan's and Ashur's POV. They are so different. Lucan will love Junco for millions of years while Ashur will kill her if he is ordered. The contrast between these two are major, but I love it.

Another thing that I love so much is the poem. When I read the poem, I just had to stop to save it on my phone. It hit me straight away and I just fell in love with it.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

And obviously, who cannot love Junco? She's a snowbird, and she's the perfect friend you'd ever want. She might be a bitch, yes, but who isn't? Junco is independent, she doesn't care about the rules. And rules are made to be broken. But she doesn't break them, she dodges them. Many thinks she's a machine, a monster, a demon. But she's none of those. Junco might be capable of turning into those things, but all she is, really, is just a normal girl who just wants everything to end.

"Relax, Cora," I say with my eyes closed, already drifting off. "I'm pretty sure the end of the fucking world is gonna wait for me to show up. Just let me sleep."

Now THAT's my Junco. I just love her to pieces.

In the book, there were some mistakes here and there. I'm not a professional at editing, but I did noticed that there were quite a few spelling mistakes. But even though that was kind of a small let-down that confused me sometimes, I'm going to step over that because the story is so amazing that I don't even care about the little mistakes.

The ending was just...ARGH!! I was about 90-something % and I was ready to throw the kindle against the wall. Tears were streaming down my face and I was sitting lying in bed, mouth agape, shocked and frozen like a statue. WHY THE FRENCH WOULD YOU DO THAT? WHY THE FRENCH WOULD YOU BREAK ME LIKE THIS IN THE LAST BOOK?!?!?!

NOO?!?! THAT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN!!

And then, of course, I calmed the french down and continued reading. And then....started crying again. Why? Because this series has ended, because there's going to be no more Junco, no more bitchyness and shit.

I will tell you again and again that you have to read this series. If you love badass heroines and bloody action and sci-fi, then this series is for you. You will love it and you will want to kiss J.A. Huss after the whole series.

Luckily though, there's going to be an upcoming science fiction book coming up. I don't know if it's a Junco spin-off or not, but hopefully, we'll be able to see Junco again in The Twine--coming 2014. YAY!! I can't wait!!!

P.S. Julie, I'm giving you many virtual kisses!!!

[B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Final Book In The Series Answers Most Outstanding Questions

This sixth and final book in the series begins with Isten inside the pillar with the dissipated Junco, and Tessen in the Stage tunnels, where her team has discovered that Junco really did have Tier's baby while Inanna morphed her. Amelia as an actual being, not just a location, is also introduced by Lucan.

The build up to this final book leaves the reader, as well as the characters in the books, with many questions. While the first four books are in Junco's POV and the fifth in Tier's, this book switches off between several characters' POV's. Although this is a shift, it felt necessary and was not a distraction. There were so many open questions going into the book that Junco couldn't effectively explain them all herself. Annun provides some general information, Asher provides more perspective, and the mysterious Lucan opens up.

Not everything is explained satisfactorily. For example, both Sera and HOUSE quietly disappear for a time without much explanation. Also, the introduction of Amelia as a person feels like an afterthought and does not add up. There is no explanation for Amelia's absence in the earlier books.

This book, as well as the last few in the series, suffered from lack of editing. There were a number of typos, which slows the reading. Also, at one point Junco is in the virtual with Isten, Braun, and Mish. But when she is out, Lucan names Isten, Braun, and Arel as being in there, with no explanation, so it feels like a mistake.

This is a complex story, but it is rewarding to get to the end. There is a satisfactory HEA, but felt anticlimactic and flat. It would have been pleasant to see Junco and Tier visiting with their old mates, at the very least.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This whole series was not what I expected, but in a good way.

[a_tiffyfit · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not that I forgot to come and write this review; it’s that I’ve been incredibly busy and, truth to be told, I have no idea how to write this review. Like all of my reviews, I shall fly by the seat of my pants. To sum up: this has to be one of the best sci fi fantasy series I’ve ever read. It is brilliantly told, intricately woven, and man oh man am I glad I read it back to back. Junco is an amazing character who you both love and hate. Tier you want to love but you’re unsure of what the hell is going on, and each character is like that: leaves you on a precipice.
To begin, let’s try a quote that basically sums up everything, in my opinion:
"Lucan has placed us like actors on the stage. He's got us coming and going in so many different directions, it's impossible to figure out what's true and what's not."

Oh, dear.

This final book, RETURN, is told from multiple points of view: You hear from Junco, Tier, Lucan, Ashur, and Annun. It is brilliantly told and lets you know that each character doesn’t have the full story, doesn’t know exactly what is happening or what to expect, and that Lucan has kept everything very, very close to the vest, even from his most loved and trusted family members. And that even LUCAN, the orchestrator, the puppeteer so to speak, doesn’t know how it will end because it all hinges on Junco’s reaction. Can you imagine? Existence in its entirety hinges on the unstable JUNCO’s reaction. Holy. Effing. Hell.

If you think I had a white-knuckled grip on my kindle and was snarling at anyone interrupting my reading time, you’d be right on the money. As each person is taking his/her place on the giant chess board (damn near literally speaking, here, t00), the tension from each character at the unknown pretty much reaches through the pages and strangles you.

JA Huss is a very modern author whose contemporary romances are burning up the TBRs. I’m sure by now you’ve heard of her Social Media series that she released in the course of 12 weeks, one book/novella (120 pages average) every 2 weeks. Many were enticed by the sex, which, don’t get me wrong, was hot. But they were hooked on the story. So hooked that they didn’t even notice that one book in the sexually charged series didn’t even HAVE any sex! Huss knows how to write and does her job well.

If there is one thing you take away from my reviews of her books, please let it be this: Keep reading. I don’t care if you don’t like the main character in the first book of the series. I don’t care if you don’t think the plot is good enough to hold your attention throughout the series. You don’t know shit. Huss builds her worlds and weaves her plots so intricately that she doesn’t give it away in the first book. Hell, she’ll keeping you guessing until the last book. And that’s when you hear the damn near audible SNAPS and CLICKS as everything solidifies into place. There are hints dropped left and right that are so subtle, you don’t see them til you reread. I don’t care if you’re reading her erotica romances or this NA scifi series; I guarantee you’ll make that face of utter consternation as you try to figure it out and see what you missed. And that’s why I’ll keep reading her books.

[Brandee (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy sh!t! I think I begin most of my Junco reviews with this sentiment- but this being the 'end' of this series, they carry even more weight. Return is the culmination of Junco's journey, where all is illuminated. It was quite the ride! I adore these characters, with their flaws and all. As this series as progressed, it's become more than just Junco's story - maybe it always was. I was rather terrified about how it all would end. Ms. Huss promised me 'the light'...but would our definitions of what that 'light' looked like correlate?

Return is told from multiple POVs - Junco, Tier, Lucan, Ashur, and Annun. This was a brilliant composition, really, as it reinforced the fact that not a single person, save Lucan, really knew what was going on. And even he didn't know how it would end because everything hinged on whether or not Junco would follow her last order. As the Angels arrived, the Seven Siblings rose, and everyone took their places on the gameboard -- the suspense had me tightly gripping my kindle. Junco, and her cohorts had all been through so much. Could they keep the faith?

An element I truly appreciated Ms. Huss granting was the backstory for Lucan. Getting to witness how it all began - seeing Aesin, Lucan's father, in all his sadistic glory, meeting Crage and Ea - was so enlightening. They are all High Order beings and they are all so narcissistic. Their endgame was most important and any collateral damage was of little concern to them.

One quite in particular really summed up this book, and the series really, for me...
"Lucan has placed us like actors on the stage. He's got us coming and going in so many different directions, it's impossible to figure out what's true and what's not." Loc 2896
I'm not going to go into detail on the action in the story - it's the Angel Apocalypse, after all. I will tell you I was still guessing at the end. I'm sure Lucan would be disappointed in my lack of faith in him. He actually was always truthful and his cunning knew no bounds.

In Return, we see many players and they all have a role on the end-of-the-world stage -- some little parts, some large. No one knew how it all would end, least of all me. Ms. Huss had me giggling, crying, gasping, as it all unfolded -- as secrets were slowly and carefully revealed. And in the end, I was, as Junco was, left feeling more than satisfied. I am happy.

I've said before that I love the mythology Ms. Huss incorporates into Junco's story. She does a tremendous job of weaving it all together. And the world-building is over the course of this series has been phenomenal. Ms. Huss makes mention, in her 'end of book shit', the fact that this story isn't new, and that's true. It's a story told throughout history, in many different countries, cultures, and religions. I thoroughly enjoyed her different perspective on this old story.

If you haven't read this series yet, I highly, highly recommend it. It was a read outside of my comfort zone but I've been ecstatic over finding Junco and Ms. Huss.

[Di Covey/TwistedBookReviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS!!!!

"Three years ago Junco Coot was an insane sniper. Three weeks ago she was a prisoner being tortured in a morph tank. Three days ago she was nothing but billions of molecules floating in a sea of darkness."
"Today, Junco Coot is the key to saving or ending the world"

OH MY GOD! I have tears running down my face. I will not spoil the ending, but it wasn't how I pictured it. WOW!
I feel like I read something really special and I want the world to know. This story, these characters will hold a special place my mind and heart!

I will leave this because it sums up Junco, one CHARACTER you will never predict. And never forget.

"There's no such thing as a happily ever after, Cora."
"There's just an eternity of fuck you's"

[ClosetReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five I am Team Junco stars.

"Every moment counts. You can’t trade in a single one."

*stands and slow claps*
I can't believe this wild ride is over. I have loved every gut wrenching minute of it.

Junco has lived her whole life training for these events. One thing this author is great at is keeping the reader guessing. Throughout the entire series I was second guessing myself, not knowing who to trust.
I loved the multiple point of view! It was great to get into other characters heads.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes sci-fi, YA, end of the world, strong heroine type books!

[Craig Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Credit where credit’s due, the Junco series is ambitious and occasionally innovative in combing paranormal fantasy with elements of military sci-fi, horror, mystery, romance and plenty of religious undertones. It clearly strives to reach further than being just another YA, angst-driven, twilight clone. Every so often it almost succeeds, but is ultimately dragged down by a whiney protagonist and a cast of characters who are deliberately, and consistently, uninformed - which is a poor excuse for masking an author’s own indecisiveness. We are left with a cast of characters whose allegiances flip flop with dizzying frequency to the point it is more irritating than intriguing. Despite the mess of plot lines, the mystery is all too transparent and the conclusion all the more predictable and unsatisfying for it.

[Kimberly Souder · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the pro side: it was nice to have chapters by other characters and overall I felt the ending was satisfying. However, there were so many individual motives and plots going on that we didn't really learn everything I wanted to know at the end. Some of the explanations really cleared up problems with earlier books, but some just added extra factors that I think would have changed things earlier in the series. I was pretty satisfied, but there were some issues. Overall, I would recommend the series if you read the concept and think it sounds super cool, but it's not for everyone. It was engaging, fun, and an interested concept, but it wasn't super well written and definitely had overly dramatic and parts that were frustrating as a reader.

[ChristinaB.reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the way the previous two books ended (especially Range) I desperately needed to know what would happen next. In true JA Huss fashion, you go through a rollercoaster of information and a journey you’ll never forget to get those answers at the end. And what a journey this last book was.
Each new chapter had my mind racing because something new would happen that I needed to figure out. I loved that this book was told from multiple POVs, I enjoyed getting inside each of their heads at different moments of the story.
And that ending?! I was so happy after reading that last little chapter that I didn’t want this series to end.

[Michell Hall casper · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!! I am exhausted both mentally and emotionally. I have spent the last couple weeks reading this series and it was quite the ride. What a great way to end the series. It was told in multiple POV's and it was filled with lots of twists and turns. You a lot of history in this book and all the pieces fall into place. I'm so glad I finally read this series. It was so good. And even if you don't like Sci-Fi you'll still really enjoy this story. There is so much more to it. Hoping we will see more of these characters pop up in other places. ; )

[Sharon Betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous series! I've enjoyed every single book in Junco's story. This last book in the Junco world gives more insight to how and why the Avian genetics were corrupted, and the path that leads to the final showdown.

[Breyonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

So basically, we can’t let God jump the devil when he gets here because God left us, but Lucifer stayed with us. God only got mad because Lucifer made us think by eating the apple.

[Jeannine · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I did it. I finished my very first sci-fi series. Ever. This series about killed me, but in a good way. Here are my rambling thoughts, in no particular order.

Straight up, Sci-fi is not in my wheelhouse. I'm a huge romance fan, with a heaping side of dirty smut. But when one of your top fav authors writes a series that's outside of your reading box, you just gotta climb out and dip your toe in, right? I've heard nothing but great things about it so after I hemmed and hawed, I pulled the trigger. I can say with 110% certainly, I have absolutely no regrets and I'm glad I read it. Now with this make me want to read other sci-fi books? Um baby steps. It took me 22 years to read this genre so I think I'm all set for awhile. Polite pass and all that. I will for sure read Gideon's book tho when it comes out, he's one of my favorite characters.

Now, for the story. Good god this series is complex. The whole time I was reading it, I just kept thinking. ...how does she come up with all of this? I mean, I can barely get my pants on in the morning. I need like a bubble map or a flow chart to keep everything straight. Yes, there was a lot and I do mean a lot that went on. But in this book, all the puzzle pieces fit together for a phenomenal story. How does she do that?! This book was my favorite in the series. I liked all the different POV's from the cast of characters. The whole series just flew on by and I was thoroughly entertained, even when there were a couple of parts that confused me, but that's just me. Hi, I'm a nubie . *waves*

To sum it up. I liked it, hard. I would recommend it to others, Sci-fi or dirty book lovers. I think my husband would like this series, it's right up his alley. So yeah, I checked this off my bucket reading list. Whoo-hoo!

Oh, this summed up Junco to me. "She’s tough. She’s powerful. She’s a force." I think this needs to be my new girl motto. Gooooooooo Team Junco!!!

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this series there was no thought the story wasn't going anywhere. I loved the guessing of who side everyone was on and the back story of Lucan. I wish this series didn't end. I would love more Junco and Tier, I didn't want it too end. Another amazing series from JA

Merged review:

Best Series

I really loved this series there was no thought the story wasn't going anywhere. I loved the guessing of who side everyone was on and the back story of Lucan. I wish this series didn't end. I would love more Junco and Tier, I didn't want it too end. Another amazing series from JA

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just brilliant.

This series has captivated me from the beginning. There have been times when I have been on the edge of my seat, other times I have been in tears, others times my heart felt like it would explode, sometimes I have been a little lost. However, now I am just in love with Junco, Tier, Lucan, Ashur, HOUSE, and the others.

I am not really into reading Sci-fi (love watching it though), but because J A Huss wrote this story, I decided to give it a go - I am so glad that I did.

Just a brilliant, thought-provoking, emotion, beautiful, at times philosophical story. Had me thinking about all sorts of things.

[Susie Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spectacular world to get lost in! I was hooked from the very first book in JA Huss series Junco. It was very very hard to know this book was ending the closer I came to the last chapter. I had binged for a week ready books 1-4.5 and I gladly paid for book 5 and dove in head first. I know it's a fantastic book if I laugh out loud while reading... its gets moved to Spectacular when a book makes me cry and I cried several times. Buy this series. I'm waiting for the rest of the spin off books with these characters. A book called the Twine was supposed to come out Fall 2014 but in 2019 I still have not found it. This author is by far my favorite. Also read book 321 its phenomenal

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel confused, betrayed, broken-hearted, jaded, exhausted...much like Junco, I imagine. Ms. Huss is able to juggle all the complicated worlds, characters, and back-stories in a manner that teases, reveals and then obscures again, until the end plays itself out...not neatly, because that would go against type for this series, but in a manner that is more than satisfying. No spoilers here, you need to read it for yourself, but forget about sleeping until you finish.

[Itsatushy Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild heart wrenching ride

I love Junco and all her psychotic rage. She is the best female antihero messed up chick ever. I just want a give her a hug and cry with her.

This book is a wild, gory unholy ride of adventure, loss, pain, suffering , sacrifice and insanity. In a world in our own far future, there is a girl. She is tangled in the past can she save our future and her sanity?

I'd have her as my 9 any day.

This series is an amazing read!

[Vicki Blood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I am much of a science fiction book reader. I am glad i read this series to the end as it answered a lot of questions and tied everything together. Too many lies in the book for me to follow what was happening, but if guess that was to simulate how Junco was feeling. Glad for the HEA and I must admit I didn't see it ever happening.

[Debra Rowland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this series, wasn't sure I'd like science fiction but have read other books by J A Huss and know she never disappoints. Loved it from the start couldn't put it down, loved the storyline and the characters and was pleasantly surprised by the ending. Would highly recommend it

[Donna Peebles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like reading Sci Fi and this was right up my street...i loved Juncos story...i loved all the twists and turns in this story it kept me on my toes and the pages turning...its a must read for sci fi readers...a thrilling unexpected Journey.

[Isis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come soon. . .

[Heidi Tieman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come....I need to let this one settle a bit. I feel a major book hangover coming on.

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are no words. #!?$@!!?&$@&!?!!!!!! (awesomesauce)

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this series, and am looking forward to more by this author.

[Rhode PVD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely marvelous. I never could have seen this coming. Looking forward to rereading someday as well.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow--what a ride! What a week-- Junco world--so emotional-- so in love with this series-- more review to come--must process. In my top favourite reads EVER!

[Cathy Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't something I would usually read.
I just LOVED IT. This poor girl I was so pulling for her the entire time.
JUST WOW!
What a twist of events.