What secrets are hiding behind the perfectly manicured façade of Ascencio, Inc.? Working for the most advanced mental health institute in the United Districts of the New World is a privilege not granted to many. When the company sends Alethia off with her exasperating supervisor, Odeza, on a strangely romantic tour of other district facilities, things seem too good to be real. Especially when she learns of the new “miracle drug” Ascencio is testing. Meanwhile, Mora has checked herself in as a resident at Ascencio, Inc. When she is offered a spot in a clinical trial for a drug to cure her depression, she has nothing to lose. The two women’s stories collide as Alethia tries to unravel the truth behind Ascencio’s methods.
This book had promise, and I hope book 2 delivers. Book one of the Dissipation series followed the lives of Odeza, Alethia, and briefly Mora and her boyfriend Jaxson, as they navigate Ascencio, Inc. and the book itself seemed to be a large setup for book 2. The description didn't seem to align with what the actual story was about, and it felt a lot of the content was a budding romance. I will read book 2 to see if more develops of the story as it is an interesting concept and perhaps now that we have some of the overall plot's introduction out of the way, there can be more to the interactions with characters and uncovering the major antagonist and their goals.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Alethia has earned her spot at Ascencio Inc. going through all the tests they throw at her only to shower then how fast her mind and feet can be.
When she meets her Supervisor Odeza, he tests her in many ways to see how far her loyalty will go for the company, but with one thing out of place in what seems a perfect vicinity, she wants answers and tries her best to get them in a safe manner.
But her heart will also be taken by one man she didn't know she would fall for in so little of time.
Questions are asked and secrets are kept but how far will Alethia go with her heart for the ones she wants to help and the one she loves?...
This was a fast paced book that I couldn't put down. While the characters and dialogue were rather cheesy, it kept you intrigued and I always loved a good biomed dystopian read. I would have loved it to focus more on that plot rather than what seemed like a teenage romance, hoping there might be a sequel that dives deeper. Otherwise a very exciting story that pulls you in and has a lot of potential to grow.
This was my first dystopian thriller and I absolutely loved it. I was hooked within the first couple of chapters and did NOT want to put it down. The slow-burn romance between the two main characters was exactly what I was hoping for from the moment they went on that business trip. I’m now so invested in everything happening inside Ascencio and can’t wait to pick up book two.