History isn’t always written to glorify the victors. Sometimes, it’s written to conceal the truth.
In this novel’s depiction of alternate history military fiction, Sparta still exists today as a technologically advanced, secret civilization dedicated to protecting humankind.
When smallpox is genetically engineered into a bioweapon, Alessa—a warrior in the Spartan military—is sent to collect evidence regarding its origin. After being violently attacked, she awakens with no memory to a world infected with the very virus she had been sent to prevent.
Fueled by rage, Damon, a mysterious Spartan warrior from her past, helps Alessa seek revenge against those responsible for her attack, during which pieces of her memory slowly resurface from the cobwebbed corners of her fragmented mind. As the virus’s death toll rises in this espionage & spy thriller, it’s a race against the clock for her to remember the truth behind the pandemic’s creation.
Glitched is a deliciously dark, spicy thriller, abundant with revenge and romance suspense. If you’d like to read one of the best action and adventure books with a unique twist on mythology and gods, look no further.
Eisley Rose is the author of Glitched, Shattered, & Forged. She is also a registered nurse, a stay-at-home mom, and an entrepreneur who lives in the greater Kansas City area. She loves reading, writing, painting, attending concerts, playing tennis, watching movies, and playing board games with her family. Her love for science formed the backbone of this story, but she also adores anything creative and openly embraces the unique. “If you choose to be one thing in this world, choose to be unequivocally, unapologetically, you.” — Eisley Rose
This book is perfect for fans of Dan Brown’s book series Robert Langdon. It reminded me most of all of Inferno! If you enjoy books with conspiracy theories, tons of action, a deadly virus pandemic and a skilled badass female-lead that can kick anyone’s ass you definitely should pick this one up! 🔥
We follow Alessa, who after being brutally tortured and beaten wakes up in a hospital without any recollection of who she is and what happened to her. I love the memory loss trope since it’s full of mystery and we get to discover alongside the main character what is happening! We are thrown right into the thick of things as Alessa finds herself having to escape the hospital since abnormalities regarding her healing abilities have drawn too much attention. Who is she? Why can she heal so fast? All these questions kept me glued to the pages and needing to find out what would happen next!
Alessa tries at first some semblance of a normalcy as she starts fresh somewhere far with a new job and making friends, however the past keeps catching up to her and soon she will have no choice but to face the memories that keep haunting her. There are a lot of flashback scenes to her past before she lost her memories which sometimes slowdown the pacing a bit. I loved that there was spicy romance as well, it’s definitely an adult book as it has some triggering dark moments too! Overall an action packed conspiracy thriller that will keep you hooked!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy for review
No doubt about it, Glitched was a GOOD book. The concept is super unique and I had such a good time reading this book and I’m forever grateful for the author for sending me an eARC.
Alessa had such an attitude and I loved her for it. Damon’s protectiveness for Alessa broke my heart and it’s obvious they truly love each other. Again, the concept was such a neat one and it was executed in such a good way.
However, there were a few things I noticed that bothered me or just didn’t fit right.
The first being the narration: third person pov. That’s not the problem. The problem is that although it’s Alessa’s POV, or Damon’s POV, they’re knowing things before they’re supposed to know them, or knowing things are going on that they shouldn’t.
Example: character a is pretending to be asleep but she also knows character b is grabbing a black t shirt and blue jeans, he’s tearing a price tag off and grabbing a pair of black combat boots. If she’s pretending to be asleep, how does she know this.
Alessa’s knowing her eyes turn green WAAAAY before she meets Damon and he explains everything to her about who she is and what she does. Alessa knew Damon’s name WAAAAY before she figured it out, back when Damon was insistent on her not knowing anything about him. That might’ve just been a typo but still. There’s definitely more but these stuck out.
And then some things just seemed OOC for some scenes. Damon helps Alessa rescue Camden and literally the next scene he’s saying that they shouldn’t help him and to basically let him die.
Like ???
Some things are stated like we already know what they mean or what happened but were never explained to us in the first place. We’re supposed to just know.
And the way Damon explained the whole Sparta thing to Alessa, it was like he was talking to a kid. Yes she doesn’t have her memory but she’s 24 years old. Definitely not a kid. Some of the dialogue seemed juvenile and was repetitive and out of left field. Damon would be explaining something super serious and then “oh I almost forgot (xyz)” and it’s decidedly not serious. And he would repeat info even though we just read about it two paragraphs before.
Also… the way something would be described as seductively (see: girl stretching and finding some clothes) or sexual (see: guy moaning in pain as he’s DYING) just made me go ???? And the way things get all hot and spicy AS HES DYING??!!! Like they’re literally full on *this* close from having sex as the guy is in a fevered sleep, literally TWO DAYS away from dying.
Yall I can’t make this stuff up. It wasn’t the sex that bothered me (although it was written kinda 😬😬😬) it was the fact that he was in a fevered sleep during it.
Idk yall. I’m definitely gonna read the next one if I’m given the chance (esp considering that cliffhanger), but I just couldn’t not say what I had an issue with and I hope I don’t get attacked for this.
Wow. It is hard to put into words the emotions and questions that go through your head as you read this book. It begins with a young girl who is tortured and has her memory wiped. She tries to start her life over while also fearing for it. Something is different about her, but she doesn’t have any explanations. The memories begin to slowly come to her during her dreams but it’s a jumble and out of order. Who is she? Where is she from? Does anyone know she’s missing? Alessa new life and old life begin to merge as the whole world seems to be falling apart. A disease is taking over, she has abilities she can’t explain and someone from her old life comes to find her, but how will that affect her? Glitched is not a book you can put into one category. It isn’t one genre. It is a multitude. There’s action, suspense, love, spice, and even some mystery. It’s hard to put down as you want to learn about her past and will you want answers to questions about her present snd future too. You just want more. What’s going to happen to her and the new life she’s living? What happened in her old life that landed her in a place being tortured? Then it all builds up to an ending that’s not really an ending because now you’re desperately waiting for the next book. Be prepared to go through a rollercoaster ride as you read it, but it is worth every minute!
I don't know how to describe this book in words. We follow Alessa, our main girl who, after brutally attacked, woke up in hospital with no memory of who she is ? What happened to her ? And where did she come from ?, In a world where a dangerous virus escalates. I love trop of memory loss because it makes the characters more interesting and builds up a great suspense.
Glitched is a captivatingly dark and thrilling narrative filled with tense revenge and elements of romance, action, suspense, and mystery. The writing was beautiful and vivid. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for action-packed and full of adventures book, don't look anywhere else. Just read it.
I went into this book knowing vaguely the premise, but that was really it. I personally struggled a bit in the beginning finding my footing and understanding just what was happening. The action start page one and doesn’t really let up the entire time. You go in a journey with the FMC and just as she doesn’t realize what’s happening neither do you. It’s a well written storyline that hooks you in and takes you on an action packed adventure until the very last page. Ending on a cliff hanger that absolutely ripped my heart out. 5 out of 5 spice and action packed, if you enjoy thriller, sci fi, with a bit of fantasy thrown in this story will not let you down. I really enjoyed it once I got into the world and understood just what was happening and will definitely be not so patiently waiting for the next installment!
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Needless to say I am beyond ready for the second in the series. Alessa finds herself in a difficult situation, she needs to be who she was but can’t remember either. Come on this epic journey of Spartans in the modern society.
I received this book as an ARC for my honest review.
I absolutely loved this book while also absolutely hating it. Since finishing, I am in an even bigger book slump than before. Trying to find anything with a semblance of okayish writing to live up to post reading this book. 😭 so thanks for that. When’s book 2 going to be out now?????
Eisley Rose's 'Glitched' plunges readers into an alternate history where Sparta thrives as a secret, technologically advanced civilization. This military fiction novel, blending elements of espionage, mythology, and a dash of romance, offers a compelling premise that stands out for its originality. Rated at 3.5 out of 5 stars, the book captivates with its unique twist on historical narratives and modern-day challenges.
The narrative follows Alessa, a Spartan warrior embroiled in a mission against a genetically engineered bioweapon, and Damon, a figure from her past driven by vengeance. The dual perspective provided through a third-person point of view aims to enrich the storytelling by offering insights into both characters. However, this narrative choice, while ambitious, occasionally detracts from the depth and immersion of the story. The shifting focus between Alessa and Damon, rather than drawing the reader closer, sometimes feels disjointed, leaving a craving for a more unified narrative approach.
Despite these stylistic hurdles, 'Glitched' shines in its conceptual creativity and character development. The darker themes interwoven with the plot are handled with care, though readers are advised to heed content warnings provided by the author. These elements add a layer of complexity to the story, ensuring it resonates with an audience appreciative of nuanced narratives.
The pacing of 'Glitched' varies, with certain segments of the story feeling prolonged. Yet, the overall plot and the world-building retain their allure, propelled by the intriguing backdrop of a Spartan civilization hidden within the modern world. The blend of espionage, action, and mythological references crafts a rich tapestry that keeps the pages turning.
Alessa and Damon, alongside a cast of well-crafted side characters, are the heartbeat of the novel. Their journeys, marked by struggles, memory fragments, and a quest for revenge, are engaging. The character arcs are thoughtfully developed, offering readers a mix of strength, vulnerability, and growth that is both believable and compelling.
'Glitched' ends on a cliffhanger, stoking curiosity and anticipation for the next installment. This narrative choice, while potentially frustrating, speaks to the story's ability to engage and invest its audience in the fates of its characters.
In summary, 'Glitched' by Eisley Rose is a noteworthy addition to the realm of alternate history and military fiction. Its innovative premise, coupled with a diverse ensemble of characters, sets the stage for a series that promises even more intrigue and adventure. While the narrative technique may not resonate with all, the story's core—rich in action, mythology, and speculative twists—offers enough to keep readers eager for more.
I'd like to express my gratitude to Eisley Rose for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of 'Glitched.' This review reflects my honest opinions and insights into the book.
Definitely an enjoyable reading experience. This book literally starts with action, and it doesn't let up. We begin the book with our FMC Alyssa having flashbacks of being tortured and beaten within an inch of her life for what exactly? She doesn't remember. The only thing she remembers is her first name but nothing about who she is or why she ended in such a sad state of affairs.
Alyssa was a fierce FMC even before she learned she was a trained Spartan. During her recovery things were coming back to memory but not fast enough; but her survival instincts were like second nature and kicked in immediately. It wasn't until her past collided with her present in the form of Damon who is also a Spartan and her love. Damon wanted to push Alyssa to remember everything before ordeal because he knew that him telling her would cause more hurt than harm.
As much as I enjoyed reading Alyssa's journey, some parts seemed to drag when she was interacting with Damon. The constant pining, push, pull dynamic and snarky banter seemed as if it was never-ending. Alyssa would lash out because Damon would withhold information, and Damon would get frustrated because Alyssa wasn't figuring things out fast enough for him. It started to get exhausting.
The premise of the story was very intriguing because through flashbacks we learn that Alyssa was on a mission to take down the CEO of Erebos Industries a vile company who was in the business of bioterrorism and genocide. Alyssa was on the verge of exposing their secrets before she was caught and relegated to her fate. With the world currently fighting an unknown strain of Smallpox, Alyssa maybe too late to expose and stop the maniacal CEO especially when those closest to her are also in the fight for their lives as well.
Should she go after the bad guys? Save her loved ones? Save all of humanity? Time is of the essence and Alyssa is trying to figure out things as she goes; but after suffering heart wrenching devastation Alyssa is a woman on a mission and not just any woman; a Spartan woman fueled with Rage and a heart for Vengeance.
What an incredible start to an enticing action-adventure-thriller series conceived by the brilliant mind of Eisley Rose! In the first of what’s expected to be a four-book series, it’s Bourne meets Bond meets Deadpool when 26-year-old Alessa, is tortured & battered & left for dead, her memory completely wiped save for her name. As time progresses, she slowly begins to get her life back together while also slowly getting pieces of her past life back. She later learns she is a Spartan, a group of superwarriors descended from the historical Spartans that now work to save the world. She & the other Spartans were tasked to stop the evil head of Erebos Industries from committing bioterrorism & genocide in an effort to “save” the human race, but she was caught & tortured by his evil minions after they found she had incriminating information. Can Alessa get her memory back in time to stop the world from ending, while also tracking down the men responsible for her near-death experience?
Having watched Amy Hutchins/Amelia Hugh livestream the audiobook recordings on TikTok last year, I was hooked into the story within the first few lines, although as a visual reader I was better able to comprehend everything that was going on. Eisley Rose does a great job of revealing Alessa’s backstory bit by bit while also letting us revel in the new life Alessa’s formed for herself. Much of Alessa’s character arc is about rediscovering who she is & reconciling that with who she was prior to the memory loss. Without giving away anything, the result of that journey has certainly left readers like myself wanting to see more of what will come of Alessa & what else she can do. Wish this book was available on Kindle Unlimited (same with book 2, which is out now), which is one of the reasons I gave this 4 stars instead of 5, but I was more than happy to support an indie author who knows how to world build & create characters we can easily root for. Looking forward to seeing what happens next!
This is another book I came across while scrolling on booktok. I thought the premise of blending an ancient world society with our modern world and its problems sounded interesting. So I pre-ordered it on Kindle and I’m so very glad I did!
In the heart-pounding world of espionage and biological terrorism, Alessa, an undercover operative in the Spartan military, finds herself thrust into a perilous game of survival. Captured, tortured, injected with a serum to erase her memory, and left to die she miraculously survives, only to awaken with no recollection of her past or the danger that awaits her.
As she evades her pursuers, Alessa crosses paths with Damon, a mysterious figure who holds the key to her forgotten identity. Together, they embark on a treacherous journey to uncover the truth and stop a deadly bio-weapon from destroying mankind.
But as fragments of her memory resurface, Alessa must confront not only the ruthless forces hunting her but also the demons of her own past. With adrenaline-fueled fight sequences and twists at every turn, “Glitched” is a gripping tale of revenge, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable odds.
This was a great book! It reminds me of a mix between the Borne Identity and John Wick, but with a mythology & history aspect. Alessa is on the run after being captured, tortured and nearly killed. As she moves through the story she starts to recover her memories, but it’s painful and dangerous. The technology used by Sparta is so futuristic it adds another layer to an already kickass book. The fights scenes are so well written I can practically see it happening in front of me.
Our love interest Damon, enters at a perfect point in the story, although him not being able to answer all Alessa questions is frustrating, but understandable. The pacing throughout is very fast, but not in a bad way, more like there’s a countdown timer. It’s low on spice, but not lacking at all. The ending left me wanting sooooo much more!
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I can't wait for book 2 to come out. no, seriously, I've reached out to the author to ask how soon it is soon.
just the right mix of technology, s3xual tension, battle scenes, witty banter, and snarky side characters.
That being said, it is an interesting premise, and there are certainly loose ends to tie up in the next book. im not a huge 🌶 person, I would personally give it 🌶🌶🌶 but I would guess the dark romance crowd would say this one is super mild, so decide for yourself on that part.
Good story, interesting twists, good flow, and tempo. I loved the back and forth, reliving the story with her. there was 1 plot point I saw coming (sorry, no im not going to drop any hints for you) but im an authors wife who spends a ton of time discussing plot points and foreshadowing in every damn TV show, movie and book... I would say not everyone is going to catch it till the end, which is perfect.
Do I wish this review were more polished for you? yep. but im an author's wife, not an author myself ;)
Glitched is a unique concept for a story, nothing like I’ve read before. For the most part it was a face paced book, however some of the “dream / flashbacks” were slow to read and I found myself skimming the long ones. I was an ARC reader for this and honestly was impressed by the modernistic plot on an ancient civilization. I look forward to reading the next book.
The characters are well written. Aleesa is such a bad ass, I even liked her when she had amnesia. She knows how to get things done and take care of herself. Damon is sexy and caring and also a total badass.
The scenario,
**spoilers**
Bioengineered disease released and an ultra secret ancient civ who polices the world of bad guys trying to prevent them stop it…. plus a corp trying to genetically select the future population. I want more about all of this! After living through a pandemic, this topic is fun to read and also nerve wracking because now the idea is in my head (lol).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book immediately pulls you into the action and does not let go until the last page. This fantasy thriller has enhanced humans, t0rtur3, m^rd3r, amnesia, friendships, family and lost love.
This author blew me away with the world building, descriptions, nonstop action, and dialogue in this book. This is the first time I have read this author, and it will not be the last. She has created characters I want to spend more time with. I loved Alessa (FMC). She goes through so much and is still sweet, tough, b@d@$$ who loses her memory. Damon, MMC, is the man who appears with knowledge of who she was before and vows to help her get revenge on those who hurt her. When these two get together, the tension is off the chart.
This book does end on a wild cliffhanger and now I find myself counting down the days or months until the next installment gets released.
This book is a refreshing take on Spartan history combined with ultramodern scifi humans with embedded tech. The plot follows Alessa after a brutal attack leaves her without any memories. As she gradually regains them, she seeks revenge for the attack and sets out to complete her mission. The characters are interesting, and their flaws make them seem more real and human. The world used is modern day America, with added Spartan civilisations. The descriptions of the Spartan legacy, mostly through flashbacks, was a interesting premise. It reminded me of the way Tracy Deon combines arthurian legend into modern day in Legendborn. The book does contain a lot of violence as the MCs get in a lot of fights and scrapes as they travel the country.
Smallpox is about to be released amongst the public and the one woman with the information to prevent this has just woken up in a hospital with no memories beyond her first name.
I really enjoyed that Alessa is a strong FMC without being egotistical and still having a normal amount of fear for the situations she is thrown into. Tension sets in as we wonder if they will be able to beat the clock and stop Eric Lansing in time. Will she remember who Damon is? Will she remember her training? The urgency is conveyed in the writing and had me reading as quickly as possible to find out what happens next.
Some of the pacing was a bit off for me. Some things felt rushed as others dragged but overall I liked the story and will be starting book 2 as my next read!
This was a great book about some physically enhanced Spartans who work to making the world a better place for all.
Alessa is a Spartan warrior, who after being tortured loses all memory of who and what she is. What follows is a quick paced, thrilling book as she works to figure out who she is, and memories begin to emerge. Along with trying to figure out why she was tortured, she also wants to take down the people who tortured her to begin with.
This is definitely an action packed, easy and fast paced read with lots of thrills, adventure, love and even some spice.
Great entertaining book!
I received an advance reader copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sci-fi, Suspense Thriller with lots of Romance/Spicy thrown in. Set in a pandemic world where smallpox has a reemergence.
While I did enjoy the aspects of the book of where the main character has to find herself after a traumatic event, the book jumps around a lot between flashbacks and between third person perspectives, that it can get disjointing when listening to it. Especially when it comes to fight scenes and trying to learn more about the characters. Listened through live recordings done by the narrator, Amelia Hugh, with permission from the author and publishers on TikTok Live.
This is what I left as my review : History isn't just about the winners—it's about uncovering the truth. In this gripping alternate history military fiction, Sparta endures as a clandestine bastion of technology, guarding humanity. When a smallpox bioweapon threatens, Alessa, a Spartan warrior, embarks on a quest for justice, her memory erased by violence. Damon, a shadow from her past, joins her in a race against time and virus. Glitched is a thrilling blend of revenge, romance, and espionage—a must-read for fans of action, adventure, and mythological twists.
This book definitely had a lot of fast paced action so if that's your jam, definitely give this a read. I really liked the concept of the Spartans and the way their technology worked, though the science lover in me did wonder at times how it worked and I'd love more exploration into that. I didn't love the medical aspects of the story as they didn't always make sense to me and so that took me out of the story a little but if you don't have a lot of medical knowledge, that probably won't be an issue for everyone.
As an avid fantasy/romantasy reader this book was outside my norm. But man oh man am I glad I gave it a shot. This thriller (with a healthy side of spice) jumps right into the action of the story and immediately has you on the edge of your seat. Eisley does a great job with character development and you instantly find yourself rooting for Alessa (FMC). Reading this book was crazy because it's something you could truly imagine happening in real life. Added bonus this book comes with an inspiration playlist!
Eisley Rose did a fantastic job on Book one of the glitched series. The story line was so flawless……every time I was like wait what’s going on her flash backs hit and I’m like oh yes…..it was such a good read! Perfect cliffhanger and amazing characters! The total Omgosh moment at the end when she “glitched” and the book title tied in. I was like Genius! Perfectly placed! I literally smiled the whole books till I cried. your mind is freaking fierce and fantastic and all the things!!! I’m literally running to get the next book in the series! Five stars all day!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This book is fantastic, it pulled me in with the 1st sentence. The concept of Spartans in present time & their influence for the good of mankind was amazing. Eisley's debut is a Hit out of the park with lots of intense action, graphic violence (so be warned,) advanced technology, good vs evil & romance combined. I could not put this book down till I finished it. Sooo looking forward to the next book in this series
Really fun story that was easy to read and was based on a really cool premise. Mix between Bond and Bourne with spartan stuff thrown in there. Almost gave it 3 stars because the sexual tension got annoying at a certain point. The author did a good job of making sure you knew what was going on, but kept the main character oblivious to it; but I still found it annoying. Great, fun read; but my tastes almost bumped it down further.
I love how this book drops you into the situation, and I love a good amnesia trope! This honestly reads like a procedural show, almost. It's very action-packed and the plot pulls you along with ease!
I also love the sci-fi/fantasy element! The Spartan concept is rather unique to me but it was explained in a way that wasn't convoluted.
There were a few minor issues I got a bit hung up on; mostly minor continuity errors, but truly I loved this book and I cannot wait for the next one!
What a fun book! This book has everything. It takes you on a journey of action, romance and some exciting sci-fi thrown in. The audiobook is narrated by a great voice actor Amelia Hugh who brings the characters to life in a thrilling way. I had to immediately get the next book in the series, ‘Shattered’. I can’t wait to dig in and find out what is next in store for Alessa. She’s an amazing character. Enjoy!
Omg! If you have not read this yet, you must. I am not typically someone who reads like a dystopian or even sci-fi. But man… let me tell you… once I got into it… it started hooking me! I was literally itching to pick up the book.
The concept of the book is so fascinating. Alessa… she’s a badass. I highly recommend reading it! If you want a badass FMC, who is struggling to get her memory back. I cannot recommend it enough. And honestly the author is quite literally amazing!
It's action packed. I loved the mix of technology and fantasy and action. Really right for the times. It kept me guessing. The beginning gave Jason Bourne vibes and had me hooked. I loved that the fantasy part wasn't too difficult to understand and keep up with. I thought it was a pretty easy read considering the genre. Can't wait for part 2!
I loved the concept: Spartans protecting humans. The efficient writing helped keep up the urgency. It really felt like I could see this action movie playing out in my mind. It does get pretty spicy, like x-rated, just be aware. But the characters were instantly likeable. The ending just made me more impatient for the next book.