What do you think?
Rate this book
The Administration #9
Corpora Delicti
Wealth Is the Only Reality
On the surface, stability has returned to Europe. According to all the official metrics released to news feeds, the Administration and the corporations are stronger and more united than ever. Only in the most secret of government surveillance departments and corporate security divisions would anyone suggest otherwise.
On the surface, Senior Para-investigator Toreth’s year is ending badly. His boss hates him, his junior is looking for a way out, and his new case seems like a dud. Even the upcoming holidays bring more unwelcome news. But the new year starts him down a trail that will lead him from an unpromising beginning, via an unappetizing corpse, right into the financial heart of the Administration and the highest-stakes investigation of his career.
On the surface, corporate director Keir Warrick’s life is on the up. His virtual reality corporation SimTech has weathered the storm of the revolt, and new opportunities are appearing. Away from work, though, more clouds are gathering. What should be good family news brings concerns for the future. With so many secrets to keep, where can he turn to finally guarantee the safety of his family and corporation? And what will the consequences of his choices be for his relationship with Toreth?
This is the ninth book in the Administration series, and follows the intertwined private and professional lives of somewhat justifiably paranoid senior para-investigator Val Toreth and overly inquisitive corporate director Keir Warrick.
On the surface, stability has returned to Europe. According to all the official metrics released to news feeds, the Administration and the corporations are stronger and more united than ever. Only in the most secret of government surveillance departments and corporate security divisions would anyone suggest otherwise.
On the surface, Senior Para-investigator Toreth’s year is ending badly. His boss hates him, his junior is looking for a way out, and his new case seems like a dud. Even the upcoming holidays bring more unwelcome news. But the new year starts him down a trail that will lead him from an unpromising beginning, via an unappetizing corpse, right into the financial heart of the Administration and the highest-stakes investigation of his career.
On the surface, corporate director Keir Warrick’s life is on the up. His virtual reality corporation SimTech has weathered the storm of the revolt, and new opportunities are appearing. Away from work, though, more clouds are gathering. What should be good family news brings concerns for the future. With so many secrets to keep, where can he turn to finally guarantee the safety of his family and corporation? And what will the consequences of his choices be for his relationship with Toreth?
This is the ninth book in the Administration series, and follows the intertwined private and professional lives of somewhat justifiably paranoid senior para-investigator Val Toreth and overly inquisitive corporate director Keir Warrick.
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2017
11 people are currently reading
403 people want to read
About the author
Manna Francis
46 books636 followersI'm the author of The Administration Series, a near-future SF dystopia published by Casperian Books. You can find the series in paperback, e-book, or (partly) on line at the Mannazone website.
I've been writing original slash since 2002 — or homoerotic fiction, m/m romance, yaoi, as you prefer. Original slash is my personal term of choice because I feel it best represents my writing in terms of style and what readers can expect to find there. Individual stories may or may nor be sexually explicit.
I've been writing original slash since 2002 — or homoerotic fiction, m/m romance, yaoi, as you prefer. Original slash is my personal term of choice because I feel it best represents my writing in terms of style and what readers can expect to find there. Individual stories may or may nor be sexually explicit.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 2, 2021
fulfilling my 2021 goal to read one book each month by an author i love that i haven’t gotten around to reading yet
to the four people who will bother reading this review:
you guys, i think i'm ready for warrick to leave toreth.
i have loved seeing their relationship grow across this series, but while toreth's made some progress in the "being more considerate" department, and even allowed himself to become "partially domesticated," he's never gonna stop hurting warrick, and not (just) in the way warrick likes.
i know that a lot of his whole deal is performative, or springing from his insecurities, and when we get his POV, the inner-toreth is not as bad as the toreth he projects, and i know that he frequently says provocative/cruel shit just to get a rise out of warrick, or to get his way—that job of his sure has made him good at manipulation—but dammit, i don't like that poor beleaguered warrick keeps quietly suffering every time toreth goes and acts like a douche. it's no secret that toreth's never been very good at fidelity, and for him casual stranger sex is just a thing to do after a bad day, but after all this time, AND now that they're living together, AND after toreth realized how unhappy he was without warrick, i guess i just hoped they could be happily coupled for a minute without toreth pulling his self-destructive commitment-averse bullshit.
toreth does thoughtfully buy two extravagant prezzies for warrick in this book, both of the 'elaborate sexual aids' variety, and he does make one significant bedroom concession, but he's also pretty selfish and hurtful (not [just] in that way) and why he had to drag sarah into his emotional backsliding—grrrrr.
and that's me, caring too much about imaginary people's feelings.
i do like that they're getting a little older now, and toreth's wildcatting has become a bit more subdued, and he's sorta starting to reflect on how carnac pegged him (not like that) w/r/t what he really has to offer warrick besides his body. and oh poor carnac, still pining for warrick.
anyway, i'm hoping there's a book ten just so warrick can have a sexxy good time with new-dom marley thomas to remind toreth that there are other lids for his pot, lids that don't have such...unsavory aspects to their jobs.
and about those jobs—in this book, t&w are both very busy with work, and even though they are officially living together, they're barely together on the page. not just sexually (although this volume does not feature very many sexxytimes between them), but between late-night interrogations and out-of-town conventions and family gatherings, they are frequently apart and while toreth manages a few extracurricular partnerings, much of his hometime is spent passing through the kitchen to eat warrick's cooking or grabbing a beer.
for me, the sexxyparts of this series were never the main attraction, so this pivot away from bedroom fun to look in sharper focus at the innerworkings of the larger story around t&w in the past few books; the sabs and revolutions and crimes, o my, has been unexpectedly fascinating.
manna francis has fine-tuned this world like a boss, layering agencies within agencies, constructing bureaucracies and wrangling politics and criminal justice and corporate espionage into something so tight and detailed that it feels like a real-true place and it's a marvel to behold. this is the ninth book in the series, and i'm hoping so hard that it's not the last, even though it has been four years since this one came out and there's no news on the horizon about a forthcoming book. this one feels like it's setting up too many storylines to just abandon us now, with new characters and new dangers and, although he managed to sweet-talk his way out of a veiled threat, toreth has attracted the wrong kind of scrutiny, and that target on his back ain't likely to go away anytime soon. the book closes with a very fragile conciliation:
hear, hear, turnbull!
WE WANT BOOK TEN!!
come to my blog!
to the four people who will bother reading this review:
you guys, i think i'm ready for warrick to leave toreth.
i have loved seeing their relationship grow across this series, but while toreth's made some progress in the "being more considerate" department, and even allowed himself to become "partially domesticated," he's never gonna stop hurting warrick, and not (just) in the way warrick likes.
i know that a lot of his whole deal is performative, or springing from his insecurities, and when we get his POV, the inner-toreth is not as bad as the toreth he projects, and i know that he frequently says provocative/cruel shit just to get a rise out of warrick, or to get his way—that job of his sure has made him good at manipulation—but dammit, i don't like that poor beleaguered warrick keeps quietly suffering every time toreth goes and acts like a douche. it's no secret that toreth's never been very good at fidelity, and for him casual stranger sex is just a thing to do after a bad day, but after all this time, AND now that they're living together, AND after toreth realized how unhappy he was without warrick, i guess i just hoped they could be happily coupled for a minute without toreth pulling his self-destructive commitment-averse bullshit.
toreth does thoughtfully buy two extravagant prezzies for warrick in this book, both of the 'elaborate sexual aids' variety, and he does make one significant bedroom concession, but he's also pretty selfish and hurtful (not [just] in that way) and why he had to drag sarah into his emotional backsliding—grrrrr.
and that's me, caring too much about imaginary people's feelings.
i do like that they're getting a little older now, and toreth's wildcatting has become a bit more subdued, and he's sorta starting to reflect on how carnac pegged him (not like that) w/r/t what he really has to offer warrick besides his body. and oh poor carnac, still pining for warrick.
anyway, i'm hoping there's a book ten just so warrick can have a sexxy good time with new-dom marley thomas to remind toreth that there are other lids for his pot, lids that don't have such...unsavory aspects to their jobs.
and about those jobs—in this book, t&w are both very busy with work, and even though they are officially living together, they're barely together on the page. not just sexually (although this volume does not feature very many sexxytimes between them), but between late-night interrogations and out-of-town conventions and family gatherings, they are frequently apart and while toreth manages a few extracurricular partnerings, much of his hometime is spent passing through the kitchen to eat warrick's cooking or grabbing a beer.
for me, the sexxyparts of this series were never the main attraction, so this pivot away from bedroom fun to look in sharper focus at the innerworkings of the larger story around t&w in the past few books; the sabs and revolutions and crimes, o my, has been unexpectedly fascinating.
manna francis has fine-tuned this world like a boss, layering agencies within agencies, constructing bureaucracies and wrangling politics and criminal justice and corporate espionage into something so tight and detailed that it feels like a real-true place and it's a marvel to behold. this is the ninth book in the series, and i'm hoping so hard that it's not the last, even though it has been four years since this one came out and there's no news on the horizon about a forthcoming book. this one feels like it's setting up too many storylines to just abandon us now, with new characters and new dangers and, although he managed to sweet-talk his way out of a veiled threat, toreth has attracted the wrong kind of scrutiny, and that target on his back ain't likely to go away anytime soon. the book closes with a very fragile conciliation:
"So we're agreed where the weight of evidence lies? Toreth will be left alone?"
Turnbull waited until du Pre nodded. "Good, I'm glad we can see eye to eye on this, Cam. Obviously, if his threat level rises in the future..." She shrugged, offering the concession. "But I think it's more than likely the Administration will want his services again. One might even go so far as to say need."
She lifted her glass and, reluctantly, du Pre clinked her cup against it.
"What are we drinking to?" du Pre asked.
"The future." Turnbull sipped the mellow malt. "Long may there continue to be one."
hear, hear, turnbull!
WE WANT BOOK TEN!!
come to my blog!
December 26, 2017
So there will be a book 10 then! Because this book is in every way an 'in between' type of book, a languorous setup for another climactic book like First Against The Wall.
It's a classic Manna Francis, peppered with proven elements from all the previous books. It's also a departure from book 8, in the way that it's less ambitious, and therefore perhaps an easier read; mellow and gently-flowing, entertaining and amusing with lots of Toreth and Warrick time, and in that writing style that always makes me sigh happily. I was hooked from start to finish, which hasn't happened to me in a while (damn these book slumps!). At the same time, if you'd ask me what the book's highlights are, I'd find it difficult to come up with an answer...
This is a book without peaks or valleys.
The case covers the entire book--though smaller plots intersperse it--and meanders on pleasantly. I found it neither particularly interesting nor uninteresting. More intriguing is the state the Administration finds itself in after the destructive revolt, and the effect it has on the various sections making up the Administration; some have crumbled while others smell the opportunity the power vacuum offers. Easily one of the most exciting parts of the book comes at the very end of it, when not only Toreth's
Toreth better starts growing an extra pair of eyes in the back of his head.;)
On a side note: I've said this before, but one of the things I love about Manna's writing is that she feeds me her world-building in tiny, completely natural tidbits as opposed to the occasional info dumping you see so often. With every new book in this series comes more knowledge, I'm totally getting my dork on.
So I mentioned that this book feels like a 'calm before the storm'. And I have to believe that, because the alternative would be to allow doubt to creep in, thoughts like "hmm, I wonder if Manna's heart was entirely in it?". I'm not going to beat around the bush: as a stand-alone novel book 9 falls somewhat short in comparison to its predecessors. It's simply not 'novel' enough to hold its own. Manna touches upon many (already familiar) things, none of which are explored in-depth, let alone lead to dramatic revelations or fascinating new insights. I'm just going to dump some of the ongoing, smaller plot-lines and my short ramblings into a spoiler...:
Anyway, it's all very comforting, these trips down memory lane of earlier issues these characters experienced throughout the books. On the other hand (my evil twin lisps into my ear), they could also be considered half-arsed attempts at adding some spice, rehashed scenes that are weak echoes of the original intense scenes. For example; the reminder of what Toreth's job entails and Warrick's knee-jerk reaction to it fails to have the impact here that it did in Helen. And this applies to most of the above mentioned bits. They're not developed well enough to entirely avoid a 'been there, done that' reception.
Like I said though, every new book in this series feels like a gift. And as an introduction to a new, heart-stoppingly intense climax like a second First Against The Wall, book 9 is actually quite brilliant. If this series shows me anything, it's that Manna has the confidence and ability to slowly build up to something and to include interludes, where life seems deceptively normal for the characters, before she blows my mind yet again. She doesn't do the kind of formula writing where every book needs to be a certain cocktail of dramatic plot twists and revelations. Delayed gratification: I won't pretend that I'm very good at it, but past results have shown that the rewards will be worth it.
Oh, and in the end, there is nothing that even comes close to The Administration in this genre, and well beyond it. I'm rooting for a book 10, and in the meantime I suppose I could reread the entire series a few more times.:)
It's a classic Manna Francis, peppered with proven elements from all the previous books. It's also a departure from book 8, in the way that it's less ambitious, and therefore perhaps an easier read; mellow and gently-flowing, entertaining and amusing with lots of Toreth and Warrick time, and in that writing style that always makes me sigh happily. I was hooked from start to finish, which hasn't happened to me in a while (damn these book slumps!). At the same time, if you'd ask me what the book's highlights are, I'd find it difficult to come up with an answer...
This is a book without peaks or valleys.
The case covers the entire book--though smaller plots intersperse it--and meanders on pleasantly. I found it neither particularly interesting nor uninteresting. More intriguing is the state the Administration finds itself in after the destructive revolt, and the effect it has on the various sections making up the Administration; some have crumbled while others smell the opportunity the power vacuum offers. Easily one of the most exciting parts of the book comes at the very end of it, when not only Toreth's
Toreth better starts growing an extra pair of eyes in the back of his head.;)
On a side note: I've said this before, but one of the things I love about Manna's writing is that she feeds me her world-building in tiny, completely natural tidbits as opposed to the occasional info dumping you see so often. With every new book in this series comes more knowledge, I'm totally getting my dork on.
So I mentioned that this book feels like a 'calm before the storm'. And I have to believe that, because the alternative would be to allow doubt to creep in, thoughts like "hmm, I wonder if Manna's heart was entirely in it?". I'm not going to beat around the bush: as a stand-alone novel book 9 falls somewhat short in comparison to its predecessors. It's simply not 'novel' enough to hold its own. Manna touches upon many (already familiar) things, none of which are explored in-depth, let alone lead to dramatic revelations or fascinating new insights. I'm just going to dump some of the ongoing, smaller plot-lines and my short ramblings into a spoiler...:
Anyway, it's all very comforting, these trips down memory lane of earlier issues these characters experienced throughout the books. On the other hand (my evil twin lisps into my ear), they could also be considered half-arsed attempts at adding some spice, rehashed scenes that are weak echoes of the original intense scenes. For example; the reminder of what Toreth's job entails and Warrick's knee-jerk reaction to it fails to have the impact here that it did in Helen. And this applies to most of the above mentioned bits. They're not developed well enough to entirely avoid a 'been there, done that' reception.
Like I said though, every new book in this series feels like a gift. And as an introduction to a new, heart-stoppingly intense climax like a second First Against The Wall, book 9 is actually quite brilliant. If this series shows me anything, it's that Manna has the confidence and ability to slowly build up to something and to include interludes, where life seems deceptively normal for the characters, before she blows my mind yet again. She doesn't do the kind of formula writing where every book needs to be a certain cocktail of dramatic plot twists and revelations. Delayed gratification: I won't pretend that I'm very good at it, but past results have shown that the rewards will be worth it.
Oh, and in the end, there is nothing that even comes close to The Administration in this genre, and well beyond it. I'm rooting for a book 10, and in the meantime I suppose I could reread the entire series a few more times.:)
March 19, 2017
Oh FFS. This book left me with a dire need for ONE THING--BOOK 10. There is so much territory left to cover. The future of The Administration, the possibilities for Sara's new love-interest, the dynamic between Toreth and Sara, between Toreth and Warrick, and the pseudo-and-unacknowledged-love-triangle between the three. Is Toreth being groomed for Tillotson's job? Would that be a good or a bad thing?
And WTF are Camille DuPre and Carnac-the-weasel up to? Can't be anything good. Glad that Turnbull the ice-queen seems to have an iron fist at controlling the somewhat unhinged sociopaths in the Socioanalysis Dept. (How could they be anything else, when The Administration starts their training when they are 6 years old?)
And there is something about Marley Thomas that has warning bells going off in my over-imaginative brain. She is so Warrick's type, and that makes me nervous. How can he be expected to be faithful to Toreth, when Toreth's idea of being faithful means not bringing his extra-curricular f*cks back to the flat he shares w/Warrick? Toreth is the emotional equivalent of a shark--cold-blooded, with a need to keep moving to survive his own stunted emotional development. And yet, there is something about him that absolutely breaks my heart, and makes me think of the chicken and the egg. Was he born with his extreme emotional flaws, or did the way his parents treated him cause them to develop? I believe he truly loves Warrick, but has no idea how to process and/or show those feelings in a positive way. He's terrified to give anyone that much power over him, even as he wants to hold that kind of power over the most important people in his life.
When, oh when, will there be a book 10? I've said it before and I'll say it again. I read *a lot*--a lot of m/m, BDSM, sci-fi, future-dystopia-type books, and there is nothing that even comes close to The Administration as far as complexity of world building. And the way that Manna Francis gives insight into the very psyche of her somewhat f*cked up characters will keep me coming back to The Administration until the final installment of the series is released. Dayum.......when will there be a book 10??????????
And WTF are Camille DuPre and Carnac-the-weasel up to? Can't be anything good. Glad that Turnbull the ice-queen seems to have an iron fist at controlling the somewhat unhinged sociopaths in the Socioanalysis Dept. (How could they be anything else, when The Administration starts their training when they are 6 years old?)
And there is something about Marley Thomas that has warning bells going off in my over-imaginative brain. She is so Warrick's type, and that makes me nervous. How can he be expected to be faithful to Toreth, when Toreth's idea of being faithful means not bringing his extra-curricular f*cks back to the flat he shares w/Warrick? Toreth is the emotional equivalent of a shark--cold-blooded, with a need to keep moving to survive his own stunted emotional development. And yet, there is something about him that absolutely breaks my heart, and makes me think of the chicken and the egg. Was he born with his extreme emotional flaws, or did the way his parents treated him cause them to develop? I believe he truly loves Warrick, but has no idea how to process and/or show those feelings in a positive way. He's terrified to give anyone that much power over him, even as he wants to hold that kind of power over the most important people in his life.
When, oh when, will there be a book 10? I've said it before and I'll say it again. I read *a lot*--a lot of m/m, BDSM, sci-fi, future-dystopia-type books, and there is nothing that even comes close to The Administration as far as complexity of world building. And the way that Manna Francis gives insight into the very psyche of her somewhat f*cked up characters will keep me coming back to The Administration until the final installment of the series is released. Dayum.......when will there be a book 10??????????
April 5, 2017
Of course I loved it, it's Toreth and Warrick! It has all the excellent ingredients you want in a T&W book: danger, intrigue, tech, food, family and naturally some good kink. This is a full length novel which has 2 major storylines and a few minor ones as well.
Manna Francis is consistent, even after a 7 year break (as far as I know) she has the same crisp writing and subtle world building of The Administration. While there is very small and incremental character growth, the T&W canon remains firmly intact. The bureaucracy porn in this book is superb. The tech porn is pretty good too, and it’s worth noting that Manna Francis is a damn fine futurist . This book also features food, both natural and ersatz, to great effect.
By the way, I hope I’m not the only one who feels that their understanding of The Administration, corporates, resistors and sabs is a work in progress. Every time I read or reread one of these books, I pick up new wrinkles and tidbits. I’m not sure if it’s a slow reveal or if the author just has fun making up names for government departments, positions or procedures. Seriously, does “parliament of the regions” really mean anything?
For those keeping score, this is about 60% Toreth, 20% Warrick and 20% Toreth & Warrick together (and trace amounts of Carnac). Not as much sex as you get with the short stories, but quality wins over quantity in this particular aspect. Also, there is no conclusive end to the series, so it could theoretically go on, not that it needs to or should. I personally would relish watching Toreth and Warrick as they move into middle age and beyond. I’ve always thought that the strength of this series is the portrayal of everyday issues - family, work, relationships in the context of futuristic dystopian society. What’s more everyday than dealing with changes that come from living past 40? No doubt wonder pharma will help keep Toreth young, strong and sexy, but aging isn’t inevitable in The Administration. Wouldn’t it be fun watching T&W navigate estate planning, reading glasses, receding gum lines, not to mention ?
Manna Francis is consistent, even after a 7 year break (as far as I know) she has the same crisp writing and subtle world building of The Administration. While there is very small and incremental character growth, the T&W canon remains firmly intact. The bureaucracy porn in this book is superb. The tech porn is pretty good too, and it’s worth noting that Manna Francis is a damn fine futurist . This book also features food, both natural and ersatz, to great effect.
By the way, I hope I’m not the only one who feels that their understanding of The Administration, corporates, resistors and sabs is a work in progress. Every time I read or reread one of these books, I pick up new wrinkles and tidbits. I’m not sure if it’s a slow reveal or if the author just has fun making up names for government departments, positions or procedures. Seriously, does “parliament of the regions” really mean anything?
For those keeping score, this is about 60% Toreth, 20% Warrick and 20% Toreth & Warrick together (and trace amounts of Carnac). Not as much sex as you get with the short stories, but quality wins over quantity in this particular aspect. Also, there is no conclusive end to the series, so it could theoretically go on, not that it needs to or should. I personally would relish watching Toreth and Warrick as they move into middle age and beyond. I’ve always thought that the strength of this series is the portrayal of everyday issues - family, work, relationships in the context of futuristic dystopian society. What’s more everyday than dealing with changes that come from living past 40? No doubt wonder pharma will help keep Toreth young, strong and sexy, but aging isn’t inevitable in The Administration. Wouldn’t it be fun watching T&W navigate estate planning, reading glasses, receding gum lines, not to mention ?
February 8, 2018
I think this is the first book of the series i give a 3 star rate.
Honestly i have mixed feelings about the book as a whole. Like in Blood & Circuses this book is more focused on Toreth's cases and Warrick's family matter than in the relationship, tho there are more scenes of them together than in the former which was good but not satisfactory at all because there's no development in their relationship, it's pretty clear they have communication problems and the walking on eggshells Warrick does bc of Toreth's innability to process emotions is taking its toll on him. We will probably see consequences in the next book, if there's one.
The mistery was interesting, i really liked to see more of how the bureaucrats work along with other sides of the Administration to control citizens and Corporations. The worldbuilding of The Administration is one of my favorite things of the series and i don't get tired of discovering all the disturbing, intricate shades. This book felt like an introduction to a deeper, more fucked up side of The Administration world thus ends with many open questions, does that mean we will see a book 10? I hope so.
Honestly i have mixed feelings about the book as a whole. Like in Blood & Circuses this book is more focused on Toreth's cases and Warrick's family matter than in the relationship, tho there are more scenes of them together than in the former which was good but not satisfactory at all because there's no development in their relationship, it's pretty clear they have communication problems and the walking on eggshells Warrick does bc of Toreth's innability to process emotions is taking its toll on him. We will probably see consequences in the next book, if there's one.
The mistery was interesting, i really liked to see more of how the bureaucrats work along with other sides of the Administration to control citizens and Corporations. The worldbuilding of The Administration is one of my favorite things of the series and i don't get tired of discovering all the disturbing, intricate shades. This book felt like an introduction to a deeper, more fucked up side of The Administration world thus ends with many open questions, does that mean we will see a book 10? I hope so.
Currently reading
December 24, 2017I'm very excited to see a new Administration book!
However, after reading the first chapter (free at Casperian http://www.casperianbooks.com/catalog...) I think I need to reread the previous couple books, as I don't recall very clearly how the revolt and subsequent political reorganization played out.
However, after reading the first chapter (free at Casperian http://www.casperianbooks.com/catalog...) I think I need to reread the previous couple books, as I don't recall very clearly how the revolt and subsequent political reorganization played out.
July 10, 2021
book 10 WHEN????
March 17, 2017
The sheer depth and breadth of the world Francis has created for this series continues to fascinate and amaze me. The pure cold-bloodedness of the Administration is wonderfully counteracted by the believability of the bureaucracy and the ridiculousness of the red-tape the characters are faced with in their work life. The level of detail in both Warrick's and Toreth's jobs boggles my mind. I won't say the world building is flawless, because a more astute reader than I would probably find things to pick at, but for me it's pretty solid.
Thanks to the intricacies of the world, a lot of the political/bureaucratic jargon involved in Toreth's case whizzed by me, which is only fair as a lot of such things whiz past me in the real world too. But the case was, as usual, intriguing and complex, starting with some pieces of illegal equipment in a shipment of silk and ending with, as usual, an Administration wide conspiracy of sufficient threat to make Toreth scramble to cover his arse, which is always fun.
Toreth, thankfully, hasn't been fully domesticated by cohabitation, and, as is part and parcel of his psyche, hasn't changed much at all. He can freely admit now that he'll never leave Warrick, but it hasn't, and won't, stop him from being who he's always been. At times, I wanted to slap him. Or wanted Warrick to slap him (for once), rather.
Warrick, too, makes no big changes here, but the fact that we get to see him this time (I'm still disappointed at the lack of Warrick in Blood & Circuses) is all I really needed. This book also went a long way to reminding me of Warrick's complexity. His fascination with the sim, with making a world he, a confirmed 'control freak', can 100% control, is so much more than that. His childhood in a fake family, the knowledge that his parents weren't who they said they were, that their children were tools to be used in their work or as a cover story, influences his driving need to make a perfect, fake world he can escape into at will. His entire childhood was summed up in a single sentence. When asked if he was close to his now-deceased mother, he thinks, "She was like a mother to us."
My only disappointment with the story was while we got oodles of Toreth doing Toreth-things, and a pleasing amount of Warrick doing Warrick-things, there was by far, not enough of Warrick and Toreth doing Warrick-and-Toreth-things.
**Edited to add -- I had vague ideas that this would the be the last book in the Administration series (why, I don't know), but the ending does give me cautious hope for at least book 10.
Thanks to the intricacies of the world, a lot of the political/bureaucratic jargon involved in Toreth's case whizzed by me, which is only fair as a lot of such things whiz past me in the real world too. But the case was, as usual, intriguing and complex, starting with some pieces of illegal equipment in a shipment of silk and ending with, as usual, an Administration wide conspiracy of sufficient threat to make Toreth scramble to cover his arse, which is always fun.
Toreth, thankfully, hasn't been fully domesticated by cohabitation, and, as is part and parcel of his psyche, hasn't changed much at all. He can freely admit now that he'll never leave Warrick, but it hasn't, and won't, stop him from being who he's always been. At times, I wanted to slap him. Or wanted Warrick to slap him (for once), rather.
Warrick, too, makes no big changes here, but the fact that we get to see him this time (I'm still disappointed at the lack of Warrick in Blood & Circuses) is all I really needed. This book also went a long way to reminding me of Warrick's complexity. His fascination with the sim, with making a world he, a confirmed 'control freak', can 100% control, is so much more than that. His childhood in a fake family, the knowledge that his parents weren't who they said they were, that their children were tools to be used in their work or as a cover story, influences his driving need to make a perfect, fake world he can escape into at will. His entire childhood was summed up in a single sentence. When asked if he was close to his now-deceased mother, he thinks, "She was like a mother to us."
My only disappointment with the story was while we got oodles of Toreth doing Toreth-things, and a pleasing amount of Warrick doing Warrick-things, there was by far, not enough of Warrick and Toreth doing Warrick-and-Toreth-things.
**Edited to add -- I had vague ideas that this would the be the last book in the Administration series (why, I don't know), but the ending does give me cautious hope for at least book 10.
August 29, 2022
one of the most complicated series I've ever come across but still great. only wish warrick had been a main character and not secondary.
ok so I'm shit at finance and even more shit at pretending to be interested in finance so this book had me dozing off every five minutes not to mention i didn't even know what the problem was till the end.
i know i was impressed by Sarah's handling of situations before but God she's on my shitlist forever now.
ok so I'm shit at finance and even more shit at pretending to be interested in finance so this book had me dozing off every five minutes not to mention i didn't even know what the problem was till the end.
i know i was impressed by Sarah's handling of situations before but God she's on my shitlist forever now.
June 8, 2018
3.5 'I love these two characters with an almost unhealthy fascination but they were both amazing and annoying in this one. Weirdly Warrick was uncharacteristically off at times in this book but after a couple of thousand pages and all the shit Toreth has put him through Im pretty sure he has a fuck load of credit owing to him. I felt like they didn't connect enough or maybe just not enough for me. Both doing there own thing. And what Toreth did, in the bed he had made for Warrick. Their special fucking bed with Sara who is a fucking whore. SO close to fucking unforgiveable. Warrick should fuck someone else in their bed and see how Toreth acts, oh we all know. Tor would kill the other guy wouldn't he cos he's a hypocritical fucking prick. You know what maybe Tor should be with Sara. But that wouldn't work would it cos he would be bored as shit with her vanilla arse and she wouldn't last for 5 minutes. He would destroy her by fucking around with everything and anyone and she would be a little whiny bitch. Hope she gets shit on big time. Warrick should bitch slap her skank arse. I don't even know why I'm not done with Tor cos I should be ad so should Warrick but then I read something else or get another insight and my anger ebbs a little. Part of me hopes Warrick scares the shit out of Tor so he finally wakes up and realises Warrick deserves more AND that he can actually give it too him if he stopped being such a coward. I really hope the next book gives us more of the beautiful Warrick and Toreth moments because right now I kinda wish I had stayed at 'Make it a Surprise' stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
November 13, 2013CAN'T.FUCKING.WAIT.
March 18, 2017
So glad that there is a new book to the series, and I am really really hoping for a book 10!! Hopefully by then the publisher's aversion to digital publishing will have subsided. - I personally think their anti digital stance harms more than Contribute to both the publisher and author succeeding in getting the book out to more readers.
Anyways, the book was good. I was glad to see Toreth and Warrick again. I love seeing their relationship evolve, but the storyline itself was it the middle range of interesting for the series. It reads very much like ' in the continued life of them, after the fall'. For that it's also fairly light on the kink? Oh, its there but not too prevalent.
Hence, my hope for more and wishful thinking this is an eye of the storm moment for what the two will face in the future.
No, I don't think I can take another Carnac meddles the **** with them type story but I would love to see a the world has gone *** up again, but 'we gonna get through this, my not so stable ,not calling a significant other, lover.' - kind of arc.
Many many thanks to the author giving us this book to enjoy & shamelessly begging for more. Always.
Anyways, the book was good. I was glad to see Toreth and Warrick again. I love seeing their relationship evolve, but the storyline itself was it the middle range of interesting for the series. It reads very much like ' in the continued life of them, after the fall'. For that it's also fairly light on the kink? Oh, its there but not too prevalent.
Hence, my hope for more and wishful thinking this is an eye of the storm moment for what the two will face in the future.
No, I don't think I can take another Carnac meddles the **** with them type story but I would love to see a the world has gone *** up again, but 'we gonna get through this, my not so stable ,not calling a significant other, lover.' - kind of arc.
Many many thanks to the author giving us this book to enjoy & shamelessly begging for more. Always.
February 3, 2018
3.5 stars
Toreth and Warrick were THE BEST. 5 stars.
Unfortunately there was not A LOT of them here.
Richad's case didn't get my total attention. I. WAS. BORED.TO. DEATH. WITH. IT. Literally.
It is already a while since my last The Administration book. I loved the series to pieces, but I forgot MANY details. I wish, I could read this book directly after my last sequel, maybe in this case I could have accepted many unnecessary details. If you HAVE a chance to re-read the series, do it. Before this one.
The ending leaves a lot of things open. It is not THE END of the series. IMO. The author could go ahead with it ANY TIME. I think it is actually a good thing, isn't it?
Toreth and Warrick were THE BEST. 5 stars.
Unfortunately there was not A LOT of them here.
Richad's case didn't get my total attention. I. WAS. BORED.TO. DEATH. WITH. IT. Literally.
It is already a while since my last The Administration book. I loved the series to pieces, but I forgot MANY details. I wish, I could read this book directly after my last sequel, maybe in this case I could have accepted many unnecessary details. If you HAVE a chance to re-read the series, do it. Before this one.
The ending leaves a lot of things open. It is not THE END of the series. IMO. The author could go ahead with it ANY TIME. I think it is actually a good thing, isn't it?
March 11, 2019
at this point im starting to think manna francis should quit while shes (somewhat) ahead. some parts of this series have been very enjoyable but with nine books out its starting to get boring. toreth will never go through any real character development and warrick will always settle for far less than he deserves. i wish i could at least say i enjoy the investigations, like i thoroughly did in mind fuck, but i dont. theyre nowhere near exciting enough and lacking in exciting twists.
personally, i hope there wont be any more books in this series and if there is i probably wont bother reading them.
2 stars for this one.
personally, i hope there wont be any more books in this series and if there is i probably wont bother reading them.
2 stars for this one.
February 10, 2019
Another great TA book.
Corpora Delicti is mostly another I&I procedural story, with Toreth on the heels of another case. However, Manna Francis does a good job with the pacing, interspersing stories of Warrick alone and the couple together to break up the overarching case into more chewable segments. There is very subtle progression in the relationship between Toreth and Warrick, and it was nice to see that things are developing from issues that have started in the earlier books.
Overall, I can't wait for the next entry!
Corpora Delicti is mostly another I&I procedural story, with Toreth on the heels of another case. However, Manna Francis does a good job with the pacing, interspersing stories of Warrick alone and the couple together to break up the overarching case into more chewable segments. There is very subtle progression in the relationship between Toreth and Warrick, and it was nice to see that things are developing from issues that have started in the earlier books.
Overall, I can't wait for the next entry!
May 9, 2018
I am sorry it is not possible for me to say bad thing about an Administration book when it has so much Toreth in it. Just impossible.
December 2, 2017
I love the series and this book like any other by Manna Francis is some high quality writing. Still, I find it a bit hard to find the right rating.
From a technical standpoint I've got to say that I found the mystery a bit too convoluted and drawn out. Actually, not even a week after finishing the book I can't recall it in its entirety. Of course this is suffering on a very high level because Manna Francis is after all a master story teller and world builder.
What bugs me most has probably more to do with my perception than with the quality of the book, so I'll put that in spoiler tags.
At the end of the day I can't give the book less than four stars, considering how sometimes some other in hindsight rather mediocre books get that rating, but it's far from being one my favourites in the series.
As a side note: It really pissed me off that the publisher made us wait for the e-book edition for nearly nine months. I really hope they abandon that policy. It sucks.
From a technical standpoint I've got to say that I found the mystery a bit too convoluted and drawn out. Actually, not even a week after finishing the book I can't recall it in its entirety. Of course this is suffering on a very high level because Manna Francis is after all a master story teller and world builder.
What bugs me most has probably more to do with my perception than with the quality of the book, so I'll put that in spoiler tags.
At the end of the day I can't give the book less than four stars, considering how sometimes some other in hindsight rather mediocre books get that rating, but it's far from being one my favourites in the series.
As a side note: It really pissed me off that the publisher made us wait for the e-book edition for nearly nine months. I really hope they abandon that policy. It sucks.
February 20, 2018
2.5 stars
The mystery took off after the first half and the romance was minimal. 2 stars for the first half, because I was often tempted to put it down, and 3 for the suspense in the second half. The romance was seriously lacking however, even the sex scenes were few and not quite detailed. Plus Warrick was incredibly obsessed with Kate and the Sim, which pissed me off.
The mystery took off after the first half and the romance was minimal. 2 stars for the first half, because I was often tempted to put it down, and 3 for the suspense in the second half. The romance was seriously lacking however, even the sex scenes were few and not quite detailed. Plus Warrick was incredibly obsessed with Kate and the Sim, which pissed me off.
Want to read
February 4, 2014Administration is one of my favorite series ever. I can't even express how much I want to read #9.
August 16, 2018
I'm really happy there was more of Toreth and Warrick in this book than in the previous one - however, to me, they still weren't present enough. At least not together. The technical side of this incredibly detailed world is interesting, but I think a proper balance is needed, at least 50/50. Instead, romance takes about 20%, and even then, it just doesn't go anywhere.
On the one hand, I enjoyed seeing Toreth being protective and angry, Warrick being his stubborn self, rational even during irrational moments. However, nothing new happened, no growth - perhaps even recession in some way, because what Toreth nearly did with Sara? It is in no way acceptable. Sara disgusts me at this point - I never label women with bad names for wanting to sleep around or for wanting an unavailable partner, but actually cheating and betraying two close people at once? In the flat of a person she calls her friend? And Toreth - I wouldn't be so horrified by what he did if he showed at least some remorse and fear. But no, he not only doesn't show it - he actually regrets that nothing happened! Despite the fact that he broke his promise to Warrick! In most cases, I don't have issues with cheating - but only if it is resolved properly. Here, Toreth didn't even sweat for what he did and Warrick didn't even bother to check what happened.
I loved seeing Carnac and his interaction with Warrick. I loved sex and arguments between Toreth and Warrick and the very occasional effort Toreth sometimes demonstrated. However, it just feels like nothing happened. Considering how rarely these books come out, I expected something more relevant, something that would push the story forward. I saw people saying they feel like this book is a bridge, a transition to the next one - maybe. But even if this is the case, I feel like it could have been done in a better way, to leave no doubts that something major is going to happen in Book 10. As it is, I can't be sure, and while I enjoyed parts of this book (it's always a pleasure to go back to this world), I still feel like we are stuck back where we were two books ago.
On the one hand, I enjoyed seeing Toreth being protective and angry, Warrick being his stubborn self, rational even during irrational moments. However, nothing new happened, no growth - perhaps even recession in some way, because what Toreth nearly did with Sara? It is in no way acceptable. Sara disgusts me at this point - I never label women with bad names for wanting to sleep around or for wanting an unavailable partner, but actually cheating and betraying two close people at once? In the flat of a person she calls her friend? And Toreth - I wouldn't be so horrified by what he did if he showed at least some remorse and fear. But no, he not only doesn't show it - he actually regrets that nothing happened! Despite the fact that he broke his promise to Warrick! In most cases, I don't have issues with cheating - but only if it is resolved properly. Here, Toreth didn't even sweat for what he did and Warrick didn't even bother to check what happened.
I loved seeing Carnac and his interaction with Warrick. I loved sex and arguments between Toreth and Warrick and the very occasional effort Toreth sometimes demonstrated. However, it just feels like nothing happened. Considering how rarely these books come out, I expected something more relevant, something that would push the story forward. I saw people saying they feel like this book is a bridge, a transition to the next one - maybe. But even if this is the case, I feel like it could have been done in a better way, to leave no doubts that something major is going to happen in Book 10. As it is, I can't be sure, and while I enjoyed parts of this book (it's always a pleasure to go back to this world), I still feel like we are stuck back where we were two books ago.
December 29, 2022
Not bad-story was easier to get into than Innocent Blood but not quite as interesting.
Except for Warrick's shenanigans with Cit Surveillance, I found myself mostly in anticipation of his and Toreth's bet-it did not disappoint!
--------
For the last couple of months I have been exclusively reading this series, and have completely immersed myself in Toreth and Warrick's world. The Administration is undoubtedly a very unique series with exceptional writing until the very end.
The mystery part is so well crafted and incredibly detailed, something you don't see often (or rather never) in predominantly "romance" books. Although Francis's best work is with her characters; Toreth and Warrick are so complex and intriguing, that I feel there is still so much to learn about them and their relationship even after 9 books-haven't even scratched the surface (whole book with Toreth's background, please!)
Don't get me wrong, they are very difficult books to get into. I mean, reading 9 almost complete books from a sociopath's POV can be exhausting and a lot of times I found Toreth hideous and disgusting. But for some reason (called "Francis's magical writing") also alluring, highly addictive and dangerously charming. I might have hated myself a little for it, but I did, and that's what makes this series so damn good. My hat's off to you, Mrs Francis.
Now, where is book 10?
Except for Warrick's shenanigans with Cit Surveillance, I found myself mostly in anticipation of his and Toreth's bet-it did not disappoint!
--------
For the last couple of months I have been exclusively reading this series, and have completely immersed myself in Toreth and Warrick's world. The Administration is undoubtedly a very unique series with exceptional writing until the very end.
The mystery part is so well crafted and incredibly detailed, something you don't see often (or rather never) in predominantly "romance" books. Although Francis's best work is with her characters; Toreth and Warrick are so complex and intriguing, that I feel there is still so much to learn about them and their relationship even after 9 books-haven't even scratched the surface (whole book with Toreth's background, please!)
Don't get me wrong, they are very difficult books to get into. I mean, reading 9 almost complete books from a sociopath's POV can be exhausting and a lot of times I found Toreth hideous and disgusting. But for some reason (called "Francis's magical writing") also alluring, highly addictive and dangerously charming. I might have hated myself a little for it, but I did, and that's what makes this series so damn good. My hat's off to you, Mrs Francis.
Now, where is book 10?
January 15, 2018
Thank God I didn’t buy the paperback like I did with book 8. I don’t like Toreth at all and I really don’t know why I keep reading this series. I’m probably hoping Warrick will leave him for good because he’s finally done with him fucking everything that walks. Toreth sicks my fucking stomach. The fact that he was willing to fuck someone in their bed & was disappointed it didn’t happen, knowing how that would make Warrick feel is something I don’t think I can get past so I really don’t know if I’ll read the next instalment.
Want to read
May 25, 2016God is FREAKING GOOD all the time.
I wouldn't dare complain after seeing the released date. I'm just fucking thankful there's ninth.
I wouldn't dare complain after seeing the released date. I'm just fucking thankful there's ninth.
Read
December 3, 2017Guess I'll have to wait for the delayed ebook release.
October 28, 2024
I read all of the Administration series in 2 weeks. What a whirlwind.
Excellent storytelling, world-building, well written, 3 dimensional characters, lots of mystery and "romance" (if you can call it that...)
However, this last book was a let down in so many ways. Don't get me wrong, I know the amount of dedication Francis has given to this beautiful series, but it is so sad to see it end in such a way. I almost regret reading it because I would have loved to stop at First Against the Wall and deluded myself into thinking that that was Warrick's and Toreth's happily ever after.
That being said, the plot was well done as usual, lots of new characters and interesting dynamics in play but no one gets closure. I am assuming this book was never written to be the end, or to be the bow that neatly ties the series off. In that case, it left me wanting more and I was somewhat unsatisfied.
On to the real deal:
Excellent storytelling, world-building, well written, 3 dimensional characters, lots of mystery and "romance" (if you can call it that...)
However, this last book was a let down in so many ways. Don't get me wrong, I know the amount of dedication Francis has given to this beautiful series, but it is so sad to see it end in such a way. I almost regret reading it because I would have loved to stop at First Against the Wall and deluded myself into thinking that that was Warrick's and Toreth's happily ever after.
That being said, the plot was well done as usual, lots of new characters and interesting dynamics in play but no one gets closure. I am assuming this book was never written to be the end, or to be the bow that neatly ties the series off. In that case, it left me wanting more and I was somewhat unsatisfied.
On to the real deal:
April 29, 2023
Not the best of the series but very good
I hate Dillian with all my heart. Warrick is a careless and reckless moron! I'd like Toreth to unravel the whole truth about Turnbull ans her allieds.
I hate Dillian with all my heart. Warrick is a careless and reckless moron! I'd like Toreth to unravel the whole truth about Turnbull ans her allieds.
March 7, 2018
Toreth investigates two seemingly unconnected murders while Warrick finds that he can't go on without knowing whether his mother is dead or living outside the Administration's borders. The first 70% of this book frankly bored me. I felt no urgency or interest in Toreth's case, which is particularly bogged down in office politics. And I felt nothing but frustration that Warrick was going through the same old plot line of digging too deep to figure out what was going on with a family member. He even goes so far as to contact Carnac. Carnac! A man Warrick (quite rightly) said he would never, ever see again, after Carnac . His whole plot this book felt like devalued his earlier lessons and realizations. Sara, meanwhile, goes through basically the same plot of feeling conflicted and unsure about her relationship with Toreth that we've already gone over several times; that felt stale too. It doesn't help that Toreth and Warrick spend much of the pagetime apart.
The book interested me more near the very end, when we finally get more clues about what connects the deaths and the weird stock market fluctuations. i liked the reminder that the socioanalysts are out there, and of Grimm (who I was intrigued by in the last book). And there's one great scene between Toreth and Warrick at the very end that reminded me why I liked them so much.
All told--worth reading but I bet this could've been half as long and been even better.
The book interested me more near the very end, when we finally get more clues about what connects the deaths and the weird stock market fluctuations. i liked the reminder that the socioanalysts are out there, and of Grimm (who I was intrigued by in the last book). And there's one great scene between Toreth and Warrick at the very end that reminded me why I liked them so much.
All told--worth reading but I bet this could've been half as long and been even better.
May 22, 2017
I love these books so much! Even though this one felt a lot like an 'in between book' it was still good as usual. There's a new twist to the dystopian Administration in every book and I think this series may be one of the best dystopian settings I've ever read. I also like how the relationship between Warrick and Toreth develops in teeny tiny baby steps. Toreth is, for me, the best example of someone with a special personality (imo you could call it antisocial personality disorder, he surely fits all the criteria). In other books the 'bad boys' kind of turn good for the sake of love and I absolutely hate that because it's just not how it works! And in the Administration series you can see Toreth try, even though he makes the same 'mistakes' again and again, because he has a very different moral code to everyone else. Every time he steps on someone's (well mostly Warrick's) toes again I feel so torn in two because it's horrible and at the same time kind of adorable, you know what I mean? Anyway, it's portrait SO good!
And I feel like the way Toreth is dealing with Warrick not letting the whole thing with Kate go feels a lot like character development. He can say all he wants that he's just protecting himself, at this point I do believe that he's doing this for Warrick. And I'm so intrigued where their relationship will go. I NEED the next book, like, NOW!
And I feel like the way Toreth is dealing with Warrick not letting the whole thing with Kate go feels a lot like character development. He can say all he wants that he's just protecting himself, at this point I do believe that he's doing this for Warrick. And I'm so intrigued where their relationship will go. I NEED the next book, like, NOW!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2017
Maybe it did not keep me on the edge of my seat as most of the previous books in the Administration series, but it still is a very engaging book, mostly thanks to the great characterizations and some new insights in the functioning of the Administration as a political system (or as a complex, multilevel, manipulative intrigues system). Yay for the representative of the people of Europe! A bas, corporates! Or maybe not...
I appreciated time spent with Warrick's family, especially Tarin; pity Andy Morehen and Sarah did not get more screen time, though I liked very much the very cautious, wary approach Sarah takes to relationships nowadays. I thought first: "Poor Andy, she doesn't appreciate him like she should, he's so much better than all her previous partners!" and then I remembered who Andy is and where he works - with great enjoyment. Yeah. Manna Francis has a gift to make us forget those are really not good people; they don't even know what "Good" really is. And in this book more than ever, especially as we get to see some of those people who give orders, those who control everything from behind the scenes - and what happens on the scene is not so balanced between bureaucracy and corporations as we thought.
I remain in hope that the tenth book will give us further insight in this fascinating question of which we only got some glimpses...
I appreciated time spent with Warrick's family, especially Tarin; pity Andy Morehen and Sarah did not get more screen time, though I liked very much the very cautious, wary approach Sarah takes to relationships nowadays. I thought first: "Poor Andy, she doesn't appreciate him like she should, he's so much better than all her previous partners!" and then I remembered who Andy is and where he works - with great enjoyment. Yeah. Manna Francis has a gift to make us forget those are really not good people; they don't even know what "Good" really is. And in this book more than ever, especially as we get to see some of those people who give orders, those who control everything from behind the scenes - and what happens on the scene is not so balanced between bureaucracy and corporations as we thought.
I remain in hope that the tenth book will give us further insight in this fascinating question of which we only got some glimpses...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews