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The Divide Universe #1
Into the Divide
Sections of a series of planets sealed off by an energy barrier, called the Divide, filled with danger, where technology does not work.
Tarn is part of the Death Squad, a criminal given a second chance by agreeing to risk his life over and over again in the Nullands. His latest mission is the kind he usually babysit an inexperienced lab tech while they hunt down the dangerous creature that escaped a research lab.
Calvin is the lab tech given the unenviable task of hunting down the creature that escaped his lab, after it killed his friend and five others. An assignment he mostly landed for refusing to sleep with his boss, he knows damn good and well he's being sent to die. What he doesn't expect is Tarn, or how far he's willing to go to survive.
Tarn is part of the Death Squad, a criminal given a second chance by agreeing to risk his life over and over again in the Nullands. His latest mission is the kind he usually babysit an inexperienced lab tech while they hunt down the dangerous creature that escaped a research lab.
Calvin is the lab tech given the unenviable task of hunting down the creature that escaped his lab, after it killed his friend and five others. An assignment he mostly landed for refusing to sleep with his boss, he knows damn good and well he's being sent to die. What he doesn't expect is Tarn, or how far he's willing to go to survive.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 3, 2014
51 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Bard
16 books17 followersSandra Bard started writing when she was quite young because there was always a story inside her head, but never thought of writing for an audience until recently. She only decided to try her hand at writing for the sake of being published after a series of events left her with some free time and in between jobs.
She grew up travelling the world from Africa to Asia and, though she now lectures full time at a university, dreams of having a job that wouldn't tie her down to one place. She enjoys reading books, watching anime and, occasionally, visiting a fan-fiction site. She also dabbles in tai chi and yoga in the hope they would keep her flexible and help lose weight. She lives with her pets (fish, cats, and dogs) and has been a volunteer for an organization that takes care of stray dogs (there are many, where she lives) for over ten years. She would love to hear from her readers and can be found at her Tumblr (http://sandrabard.tumblr.com) or e-mailed at sandrabard123@gmail.com.
She grew up travelling the world from Africa to Asia and, though she now lectures full time at a university, dreams of having a job that wouldn't tie her down to one place. She enjoys reading books, watching anime and, occasionally, visiting a fan-fiction site. She also dabbles in tai chi and yoga in the hope they would keep her flexible and help lose weight. She lives with her pets (fish, cats, and dogs) and has been a volunteer for an organization that takes care of stray dogs (there are many, where she lives) for over ten years. She would love to hear from her readers and can be found at her Tumblr (http://sandrabard.tumblr.com) or e-mailed at sandrabard123@gmail.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 3, 2015
B+
I love this book. I read it a while back and meant to write up the review and then it kept getting pushed and so I read it again to refresh my memory. And loved it just as much.
An impossible mission sets them on a perilous journey full of strange and dangerous creatures and some deadly human predators. The men who return have changed for the better and are very much in love.
The characters are so distinct and such fun. I want to know more about Izaak. There is an interesting story with some of the side characters. I adore the main characters of Tarn and Calvin. Such a perfectly odd match. Tarn is so tiny in stature yet so immense in presence and fighting skill. Calvin who at first is so meek and green, proves himself to be clever, loyal, kind and resourceful.
As their journey progresses they get to know each other and discover some things about themselves that even they weren't aware of. Tarn has a gentleness and compassion that was buried deep. Calvin has courage and strength that he'd never accessed before.
I loved the flexibility of their dynamic as well as the refusal to conform to expectations. Tarn is a foot shorter, but the more dominant and the protective fighter. Calvin is younger and vulnerable, but intelligent and educated. And in the romantic side of their relationship they are both the eager lover with no need to make demands or fill roles. Love!
There is so much I loved about this story. I'm going to stop now before I spoil it. I'll just add that you should go buy this now so you can enjoy it for yourself. Let me know what you think.
Reviewed by Nina
To see more of this review and others like it please visit us at Gay List Book Reviews at www.gaylistbookreviews.wordpress.com
I love this book. I read it a while back and meant to write up the review and then it kept getting pushed and so I read it again to refresh my memory. And loved it just as much.
An impossible mission sets them on a perilous journey full of strange and dangerous creatures and some deadly human predators. The men who return have changed for the better and are very much in love.
The characters are so distinct and such fun. I want to know more about Izaak. There is an interesting story with some of the side characters. I adore the main characters of Tarn and Calvin. Such a perfectly odd match. Tarn is so tiny in stature yet so immense in presence and fighting skill. Calvin who at first is so meek and green, proves himself to be clever, loyal, kind and resourceful.
As their journey progresses they get to know each other and discover some things about themselves that even they weren't aware of. Tarn has a gentleness and compassion that was buried deep. Calvin has courage and strength that he'd never accessed before.
I loved the flexibility of their dynamic as well as the refusal to conform to expectations. Tarn is a foot shorter, but the more dominant and the protective fighter. Calvin is younger and vulnerable, but intelligent and educated. And in the romantic side of their relationship they are both the eager lover with no need to make demands or fill roles. Love!
There is so much I loved about this story. I'm going to stop now before I spoil it. I'll just add that you should go buy this now so you can enjoy it for yourself. Let me know what you think.
Reviewed by Nina
To see more of this review and others like it please visit us at Gay List Book Reviews at www.gaylistbookreviews.wordpress.com
November 6, 2015
This was an interesting world and I enjoyed the characters that Sandra created. The ending felt a little abrupt but it is the first book in a series so hopefully I will feel better as I read on. Overall, very enjoyable.
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October 16, 2025A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Into the Divide is the first in the Divide series and introduces us to the Nullands, which are brutal, environmental pockets of technology-resistant land that produce a wild array of unique wildlife and scientific curiosities. Despite a few bobbles, this first entry offers readers some fantastic world building and some properly fun monsters.
Tarn and Calvin are both compelling characters, each with their own complex backgrounds and the “opposites thrown together” trope really works here.
In general, I thought Into the Divide was an excellent start to a new series. The Nullands are the true star of the show here and this world offers an endlessly unique and fun sandbox for the author to play in. I’m definitely looking forward to future volumes in this series!
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Into the Divide is the first in the Divide series and introduces us to the Nullands, which are brutal, environmental pockets of technology-resistant land that produce a wild array of unique wildlife and scientific curiosities. Despite a few bobbles, this first entry offers readers some fantastic world building and some properly fun monsters.
Tarn and Calvin are both compelling characters, each with their own complex backgrounds and the “opposites thrown together” trope really works here.
In general, I thought Into the Divide was an excellent start to a new series. The Nullands are the true star of the show here and this world offers an endlessly unique and fun sandbox for the author to play in. I’m definitely looking forward to future volumes in this series!
Read Sue’s review in its entirety here.
January 4, 2019
3.75 Stars
October 25, 2015
Reviewed at The Blogger Girls.
When a dangerous creature escapes the research lab it was housed in, Tarn’s given the task of finding the thing when it disappears into the Nullands. Unfortunately, to do that, he has to bring Calvin, one of the lab techs. The last thing Tarn wants is to babysit Calvin while trying to hunt the creature. But their journey brings about unexpected things, the least of which is the connection they’ve developed.
Wow, I did not expect that when I started this book! I was thinking it’d be a fun little adventure trying to find a creature, maybe some loving between Calvin and Tarn but this book was way more than that. In fact, this book has A LOT of suspense and action, which had me hanging on the edge of my seat for most of it. Add to that, I loved that Tarn instantly hated Calvin because of who he thought Calvin was. Not to mention, Calvin has his own issues so when either of them try to make a move, it’s awkward because the other isn’t quickly receptive of the other’s advances, which made it seem like it was unwanted when it was far from that. As characters, they’re polar opposites. Tarn is more severe and badass while Calvin is timid and inquisitive.
I really enjoyed this one but my biggest issue was the ending. It felt rushed and very sudden. After the steady pace of the rest of the story, I was expecting something a little different for the ending. Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved the ending, it was definitely shocking, but it just felt too sudden and slightly awkward. I also would have liked to see more of Tarn and Calvin as a couple because I just want more of them!
All in all, this was a very intriguing story. I loved the whole Nullands idea and the various deadly creatures that Tarn & Calvin had to fight. I would have liked it to be longer so that the ending could have been more developed, but as it is, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series because I’m very interested to see what happens next!
When a dangerous creature escapes the research lab it was housed in, Tarn’s given the task of finding the thing when it disappears into the Nullands. Unfortunately, to do that, he has to bring Calvin, one of the lab techs. The last thing Tarn wants is to babysit Calvin while trying to hunt the creature. But their journey brings about unexpected things, the least of which is the connection they’ve developed.
Wow, I did not expect that when I started this book! I was thinking it’d be a fun little adventure trying to find a creature, maybe some loving between Calvin and Tarn but this book was way more than that. In fact, this book has A LOT of suspense and action, which had me hanging on the edge of my seat for most of it. Add to that, I loved that Tarn instantly hated Calvin because of who he thought Calvin was. Not to mention, Calvin has his own issues so when either of them try to make a move, it’s awkward because the other isn’t quickly receptive of the other’s advances, which made it seem like it was unwanted when it was far from that. As characters, they’re polar opposites. Tarn is more severe and badass while Calvin is timid and inquisitive.
I really enjoyed this one but my biggest issue was the ending. It felt rushed and very sudden. After the steady pace of the rest of the story, I was expecting something a little different for the ending. Now, don’t get me wrong, I loved the ending, it was definitely shocking, but it just felt too sudden and slightly awkward. I also would have liked to see more of Tarn and Calvin as a couple because I just want more of them!
All in all, this was a very intriguing story. I loved the whole Nullands idea and the various deadly creatures that Tarn & Calvin had to fight. I would have liked it to be longer so that the ending could have been more developed, but as it is, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series because I’m very interested to see what happens next!
October 16, 2020
3 stars
Tarn does not have AI enhancement, so he can function in the Nullands. He is a criminal and is given a chance at some kind of life in order to risk his life guiding groups and people through the Nullands, where no technology works. One day, his boss asks Tarn to take a scientist into the Nullands to track a dangerous being that escaped the lab.
Calvin doesn't really like his job or his coworkers. When he turns his boss down, he is sent on a death mission to get rid of the escaped species. Calvin has never been in the Nullands and doesn't know what to expect, and he really doesn't know what to expect from the infamous Tarn. All they have to rely on is each other.
This was enjoyable. There wasn't a huge info dump at the beginning of the story; it was gradually revealed throughout. The story was short, and it kind of felt that it didn't really have an ending. It might have been a HFN, but they never seemed to actually finish their mission by getting back to the base. What I really couldn't stand, though, was the editing. There were missing words and misspelled words and awkward sentence structure.
Tarn does not have AI enhancement, so he can function in the Nullands. He is a criminal and is given a chance at some kind of life in order to risk his life guiding groups and people through the Nullands, where no technology works. One day, his boss asks Tarn to take a scientist into the Nullands to track a dangerous being that escaped the lab.
Calvin doesn't really like his job or his coworkers. When he turns his boss down, he is sent on a death mission to get rid of the escaped species. Calvin has never been in the Nullands and doesn't know what to expect, and he really doesn't know what to expect from the infamous Tarn. All they have to rely on is each other.
This was enjoyable. There wasn't a huge info dump at the beginning of the story; it was gradually revealed throughout. The story was short, and it kind of felt that it didn't really have an ending. It might have been a HFN, but they never seemed to actually finish their mission by getting back to the base. What I really couldn't stand, though, was the editing. There were missing words and misspelled words and awkward sentence structure.
May 28, 2015
I really liked this sci-fi story. The premise was interesting and I liked both MC's. Calvin was little aggravating on times and he had way too canny talent to do just the wrong thing on just the wrong time and then Tarn would have to be the hero and rescue him. Def. some TSTL vibes but it was well written so I just rolled my eyes and enjoyed the story.
The world building is less solid. After reading this first book I still have no idea what the "divide" is. Are they all over different planets, or only this one? Who has made them and what is their purpose?
There seem to be an answer to all of these questions but I can't make a coherent whole from the answers. So I'm feeling highly doubtful of coherence and consistency of the world building but I'm still eager to read the next one as the plot and romance worked very well.
And there were tentacles! Although I'm highly huffed that there was no on-page tentacle sex. *pouts*
The world building is less solid. After reading this first book I still have no idea what the "divide" is. Are they all over different planets, or only this one? Who has made them and what is their purpose?
There seem to be an answer to all of these questions but I can't make a coherent whole from the answers. So I'm feeling highly doubtful of coherence and consistency of the world building but I'm still eager to read the next one as the plot and romance worked very well.
And there were tentacles! Although I'm highly huffed that there was no on-page tentacle sex. *pouts*
July 27, 2015
Light space opera that I had hoped for more from. Couldn't care about the characters much because of the way it was written -- I never felt any level of "reality" in them. The love scene was functional (never something a love scene should be). I think the writer has interesting ideas, but I felt she needed to work more on being inside her characters and her world.
December 15, 2015
This was fun but definitely needed a heavier hand with the editing. I actually lost track of how many times they changed the spelling of the name of one of the secondary characters.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews