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Nuclear
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Desolation is all that remains. World War III ravaged the world with nuclear warfare. Just as quickly as soldiers were deployed, they would die of radiation poisoning. To help fuel the war, the United States government began illegal experimentation to create super soldiers that could withstand the harsh conditions.
MAGGIE
After months of torture, my opportunity for escape comes. I thought the worst part would be enduring the Appalachian wilderness and the creatures that inhabit it, but the last thing I thought I'd find at the end of the world was a stalker... but here we are. Now, all I have to do is survive.
RYKER
The end of the world is a terrible time to fall in love, but here I am falling into the abyss, never knowing that I was capable of feeling the emotion in the first place. I'm obsessed with the way she makes me feel. I'll continue to watch her until the time is right, and then I'll make her mine, even if she doesn't want to be.
The Altered Wasteland Series is full of dark themes and dark romance, so please review trigger warnings. Reader discretion is advised.
Desolation is all that remains. World War III ravaged the world with nuclear warfare. Just as quickly as soldiers were deployed, they would die of radiation poisoning. To help fuel the war, the United States government began illegal experimentation to create super soldiers that could withstand the harsh conditions.
MAGGIE
After months of torture, my opportunity for escape comes. I thought the worst part would be enduring the Appalachian wilderness and the creatures that inhabit it, but the last thing I thought I'd find at the end of the world was a stalker... but here we are. Now, all I have to do is survive.
RYKER
The end of the world is a terrible time to fall in love, but here I am falling into the abyss, never knowing that I was capable of feeling the emotion in the first place. I'm obsessed with the way she makes me feel. I'll continue to watch her until the time is right, and then I'll make her mine, even if she doesn't want to be.
The Altered Wasteland Series is full of dark themes and dark romance, so please review trigger warnings. Reader discretion is advised.
429 pages, Paperback
Published November 9, 2024
18 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 26, 2025
I really liked this book, the monsters were scary and disgusting (the mutated cockroaches had me up all night), I like Maggie as an FMC. She's resourceful, she's good with a weapon, she's good at surviving.
Ryker is a good balance of bad ass and silly goose which is what I prefer, when the MMC jokes and doesn't take things absolutely seriously.
The only part I wish was a little more gripping was the encounter they had before he started stalking her in the wasteland, but that's really about it.
I loved it and Blackheart, you're super talented and I can't wait for the Second!! 🖤
Ryker is a good balance of bad ass and silly goose which is what I prefer, when the MMC jokes and doesn't take things absolutely seriously.
The only part I wish was a little more gripping was the encounter they had before he started stalking her in the wasteland, but that's really about it.
I loved it and Blackheart, you're super talented and I can't wait for the Second!! 🖤
May 18, 2025
Fast-paced, action-packed dark romance debut! Gave dystopian vibes with spice!
Finished in 8 hours. Literally.
Can't wait to follow the FMC and MMC in book two. Warning-dark romance readers, you'll be hooked!
Finished in 8 hours. Literally.
Can't wait to follow the FMC and MMC in book two. Warning-dark romance readers, you'll be hooked!
February 28, 2025
I met this lovely author on TikTok and she said she wrote an apocalyptic - fallout story that had spicy scenes. I was at first skeptical because I had never read anything like it so I looked into it. Immediately purchased a signed copy after reading into it.
It has the perfect amount of spice and action. To be honest it took me a bit to get into it but as said before I had never read anything like it. But after the first few chapters I was glued the only reason it took me so long to read is because #momlife 😂. It has twists I wasn’t expecting as well as an ending that had me immediately going what the f**k 😂 cannot wait until book two!!!
It has the perfect amount of spice and action. To be honest it took me a bit to get into it but as said before I had never read anything like it. But after the first few chapters I was glued the only reason it took me so long to read is because #momlife 😂. It has twists I wasn’t expecting as well as an ending that had me immediately going what the f**k 😂 cannot wait until book two!!!
April 28, 2025
Holy cow, what a ride! This is a phenomenal read!
First off can we say Ryker is to hot to trot and totally a stalker I wish I had! haha.
Welcome to the end of the world folks. Yup, it's happened and leave it to the USA to continue the pissing match for no reason. The world is destroyed yet our military is still abducting people, doing experiments and creating superhumans against their will. Dr. Hyde is the USA's version of Dr Mengele. He turns our two main characters into super humans through his experiments.
Que our first, Maggie. She is awesome! Strong, resilient, broken, humble. She struggles with many of the issues we do every day. The world ended the very same day she decided to end her own life from battling depression. Now determined to fight to live, she struggles through Dr. Hyde's experiments never allowing him the satisfaction to savor the pain he inflicts. She finally escapes and thinking she is safe finds a safe haven in an abandoned cabin. (she also makes a very special friend along the way but I won't spoil that for you.)
Now we have Ryker. Same story, experimental superhuman. He wandered in to the military office thinking he would be spared if he just volunteered. How wrong he was. Also experimented on and turned super human, he becomes so good at what he does they enlist him into a special Op's unit. Trying to save what little humanity he has left, he attempts to spare as many as he can from being kidnapped. He also ends up escaping. While wondering the woods he stumbles onto Maggie battling a radioactive super-beast. (There's lots of those) and falls in love instantly, now he has purpose and that purpose is her. Ryker is totally hot, possessive, and head over heals in love with Maggie from the moment he lays eyes on her.
I can not wait for the next book. This one ends on a cliff hanger. (Totally NOT fair Ms. Blackheart! haha) If you like dark romance, borderline horror, a fantasy land mixed in and a prime and sexy stalker then stop right here!
First off can we say Ryker is to hot to trot and totally a stalker I wish I had! haha.
Welcome to the end of the world folks. Yup, it's happened and leave it to the USA to continue the pissing match for no reason. The world is destroyed yet our military is still abducting people, doing experiments and creating superhumans against their will. Dr. Hyde is the USA's version of Dr Mengele. He turns our two main characters into super humans through his experiments.
Que our first, Maggie. She is awesome! Strong, resilient, broken, humble. She struggles with many of the issues we do every day. The world ended the very same day she decided to end her own life from battling depression. Now determined to fight to live, she struggles through Dr. Hyde's experiments never allowing him the satisfaction to savor the pain he inflicts. She finally escapes and thinking she is safe finds a safe haven in an abandoned cabin. (she also makes a very special friend along the way but I won't spoil that for you.)
Now we have Ryker. Same story, experimental superhuman. He wandered in to the military office thinking he would be spared if he just volunteered. How wrong he was. Also experimented on and turned super human, he becomes so good at what he does they enlist him into a special Op's unit. Trying to save what little humanity he has left, he attempts to spare as many as he can from being kidnapped. He also ends up escaping. While wondering the woods he stumbles onto Maggie battling a radioactive super-beast. (There's lots of those) and falls in love instantly, now he has purpose and that purpose is her. Ryker is totally hot, possessive, and head over heals in love with Maggie from the moment he lays eyes on her.
I can not wait for the next book. This one ends on a cliff hanger. (Totally NOT fair Ms. Blackheart! haha) If you like dark romance, borderline horror, a fantasy land mixed in and a prime and sexy stalker then stop right here!
November 9, 2024
Overall: 5⭐️/5; Spice 3🌶️/5
Nuclear was the dark romance that I didn’t know I was missing from the genre. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, where humans are hunted by the military to be experimented on and turned into super soldiers to fight in an endless war…
The first thing to love about this novel is the pacing - there is enough action and interest in every chapter, pushing the momentum of the plot forward without feeling like we were missing out on character or story development. It reads like an episode of Fallout or The Boys - unapologetic in the vivid depictions of violence and horror, but with every scene crafted with purpose and with practically zero fluff or filler.
The second is the main characters themselves - Maggie and Ryker. Maggie is the ultimate survivor - practical, smart, and desperately searching for a purpose after losing everything at the start of the nuclear war. Her internal dialogue is sharp and funny, and I often found her speaking my exact reactions to scenes as soon as I felt them. Ryker, the former veterinarian turned super soldier, has been warped by the military’s experiments, but still retains an inherent goodness that drives him to save as many people as he can while on recruitment missions with his unit. When he sees Maggie, she becomes his whole world, his whole hope for the future…. And he ACTUALLY demonstrates his respect for her skills and judgment over and over (even while doing dirty dirty things to her body). It was SO REFRESHING to watch them grow and work as a team to fight for their freedom and stay safe in the hellish world they have been left in.
This novel is the first in a new series, and the ending left me STARVING for more!! Do yourself a favor and add this book to your TBR IMMEDIATELY!
Special thanks to the author for an advanced copy of this book to review!
Nuclear was the dark romance that I didn’t know I was missing from the genre. Set in a post-apocalyptic future, where humans are hunted by the military to be experimented on and turned into super soldiers to fight in an endless war…
The first thing to love about this novel is the pacing - there is enough action and interest in every chapter, pushing the momentum of the plot forward without feeling like we were missing out on character or story development. It reads like an episode of Fallout or The Boys - unapologetic in the vivid depictions of violence and horror, but with every scene crafted with purpose and with practically zero fluff or filler.
The second is the main characters themselves - Maggie and Ryker. Maggie is the ultimate survivor - practical, smart, and desperately searching for a purpose after losing everything at the start of the nuclear war. Her internal dialogue is sharp and funny, and I often found her speaking my exact reactions to scenes as soon as I felt them. Ryker, the former veterinarian turned super soldier, has been warped by the military’s experiments, but still retains an inherent goodness that drives him to save as many people as he can while on recruitment missions with his unit. When he sees Maggie, she becomes his whole world, his whole hope for the future…. And he ACTUALLY demonstrates his respect for her skills and judgment over and over (even while doing dirty dirty things to her body). It was SO REFRESHING to watch them grow and work as a team to fight for their freedom and stay safe in the hellish world they have been left in.
This novel is the first in a new series, and the ending left me STARVING for more!! Do yourself a favor and add this book to your TBR IMMEDIATELY!
Special thanks to the author for an advanced copy of this book to review!
June 18, 2025
First, I have to brag on M.C. Blackheart as a person. I met her at a horror convention and was immediately drawn in by her amazing personality! One of the nicest most genuine authors I have met. Second, Nuclear is literally one of my favorite reads! It has everything I love…sci-fi, dystopian/post apocalyptic, monsters/horror, dark romance, & SPICE!!!! Also, I want to add that in my opinion it does feel like a sort of fantasy world with all the mutated creatures. The whole concept of this book is so unique! The ending of this book will leave you screaming for book 2 with a big twist that literally had my jaw on the ground. The set up between 2 different perspectives eventually coming together was nicely done as well. Oh and the spice?... chef’s kiss! A book for me also needs to be fast paced and this delivers perfectly. Love the packaging I received and the art/book cover! The whole experience gets a 5 STAR from me and I will definitely be reading more from this author!!!
February 26, 2025
M.C. Blackhearts Nuclear will make you explode.
This Post Apocalyptic Stalker Romance leaves nothing off the table. It's a wild ride from start to finish. I absolutely enjoyed this book and can't wait for book 2 from this author.
We meet Maggie our tough but severely broken FMC at then of her rope and at the end of the world. All but given up on herself until there's nothing left to take; the government finds her and drags her to a facility for experimentation. Ryker, our MMC, offering himself up to the government, not realizing what's in store for him at the end of the world. Both of these characters fighting their own demons and themselves. Their pain and suffering mirroring each other until he sees her and becomes absolutely obsessed. The ending of this book though, well, you'll just have to read it to find out what I'm talking about.
This Post Apocalyptic Stalker Romance leaves nothing off the table. It's a wild ride from start to finish. I absolutely enjoyed this book and can't wait for book 2 from this author.
We meet Maggie our tough but severely broken FMC at then of her rope and at the end of the world. All but given up on herself until there's nothing left to take; the government finds her and drags her to a facility for experimentation. Ryker, our MMC, offering himself up to the government, not realizing what's in store for him at the end of the world. Both of these characters fighting their own demons and themselves. Their pain and suffering mirroring each other until he sees her and becomes absolutely obsessed. The ending of this book though, well, you'll just have to read it to find out what I'm talking about.
Read
November 13, 2024Maggie and Ryker are on quite the Rollercoaster ride that is the end of the world. I probably should have recorded myself reading this book because I know my facial expressions were all over the place. The crazy mutant animals had me squealing and screaming. Can't go wrong with stalker romance and spice 😏! And the twist and cliffhanger 🤯. This is the author's debut novel and also my first time reading anything in the post-apocalyptic genre, but this seems like a great first book to read and I can't wait to see what's next!
March 13, 2025
When an indie author comes into our lives on TikTok....we always try to support! When she started talking about her book, my friends and I said "say no more!" We bought her signed, sprayed edges copy. After finally being able to read this...I have so many feelings.
I love the main characters and my heart breaks for what they both went through. They are both strong and independent. The plot was very well done, the spice was great, and the development for each character was amazing.
I am beyond ready for book two and I'm looking forward to anything else she comes out with!!
I love the main characters and my heart breaks for what they both went through. They are both strong and independent. The plot was very well done, the spice was great, and the development for each character was amazing.
I am beyond ready for book two and I'm looking forward to anything else she comes out with!!
March 27, 2025
WHEW! This book is a captivating tale of dark romance within a nuclear wasteland. The world building is compelling yet concise, with fantastic imagery that will engage ALL your senses. You’ll fall in love with Maggie as she faces her own fallout; the ghosts of her past and the demons she battles in the present. You’ll be enthralled by the attention lavished upon her by Ryker, the genetically engineered soldier desperate to love and protect her at all costs. And you will most DEFINITELY want to pet her dog! Highly recommend!
November 11, 2025
Absolutely loved this read it made me so happy to read something that felt like it could actually happen the story was so well written and the characters were well written the cover and internal artwork are just fantastic i would highly recommend this read and I cannot wait for the rest of this series
January 20, 2025
Oh. My. Gosh!!!!!! I loved it. So so so so much. I can't wait to see what happens with the next book. This had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It had so much action and even a little romance which was a pleasant surprise. Check her out, she's going to be really going somewhere!!!!
November 4, 2025
All I can say is where is book 2? I NEED IT
When I found out about this book I was told it was a fallout meets haunting Adeline type of book. She was 100% correct but also add a little sci-fi to it. I finished the book in 2 days because I couldn’t stop reading. I highly recommend!
When I found out about this book I was told it was a fallout meets haunting Adeline type of book. She was 100% correct but also add a little sci-fi to it. I finished the book in 2 days because I couldn’t stop reading. I highly recommend!
March 2, 2025
This was my first apocalypse book, let alone apocalypse romance. And let me tell you! Miss Blackheart did not disappoint! From radiation, to human experiments, this book has it ALL!
November 9, 2025
Very different from my normal reads, but thoroughly enjoyed nonetheless!
If you enjoy Dark romances, fallout, action, gore and SMUT this is the read for you!
Support an indie author, and get it on kindle unlimited!!
If you enjoy Dark romances, fallout, action, gore and SMUT this is the read for you!
Support an indie author, and get it on kindle unlimited!!
February 25, 2026
This is a great dystopian sci-fi dark romance. The MMC is amazing and I love him with my whole heart. FMC is strong and I can’t wait to see what happens in book two!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews