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Aurora
Three hundred years ago humanity almost eradicated itself…almost, but not quite. As is the persistence of human kind, we hung on; we survived, but the world as we knew it was changed forever. The exact details of what happened have been lost in time. All we know is that this is our world now and we have no choice but to live in it.
Oz and his sister True have been travelling for as long as they can remember. Ma feels that staying on the move is safe, that it prevents them getting lazy and complacent. It’s a better way to avoid bandits and raiders, a more effective way to stay alive. But the thing, the person that protects them is Oz – a lethal fighter who will go to any lengths to defend his family.
Oz makes money from cage fights while dreaming of a better life for them all – a home where they can be truly safe. True dreams of freedom, love and hope and just when she thinks she’s found it their world is turned upside down and they are forced to embark on a journey that rips them apart. For when True is taken by an unknown enemy Oz must enlist the help of a man from the shadows to save her.
A Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian Romance, filled with action, adventure and fantasy.
Oz and his sister True have been travelling for as long as they can remember. Ma feels that staying on the move is safe, that it prevents them getting lazy and complacent. It’s a better way to avoid bandits and raiders, a more effective way to stay alive. But the thing, the person that protects them is Oz – a lethal fighter who will go to any lengths to defend his family.
Oz makes money from cage fights while dreaming of a better life for them all – a home where they can be truly safe. True dreams of freedom, love and hope and just when she thinks she’s found it their world is turned upside down and they are forced to embark on a journey that rips them apart. For when True is taken by an unknown enemy Oz must enlist the help of a man from the shadows to save her.
A Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian Romance, filled with action, adventure and fantasy.
285 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 27, 2015
1 person is currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
Amos Cassidy
24 books101 followersAmos Cassidy - a team of two. Amos is a 32 year old Diva and Cassidy a 40 year old mum of three.
Aside from a passion for writing and a love of reading they also share an addiction to coffee, love anything Joss Whedon and are constantly playing tug of war over Jensen Ackles.
Aside from a passion for writing and a love of reading they also share an addiction to coffee, love anything Joss Whedon and are constantly playing tug of war over Jensen Ackles.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
June 23, 2016
I received a free digital copy from the author/publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest feedback.
True and Oz are twins living in a post-apocalyptic world. When things start to sprial out of control, the siblings get separated, learn something about themselves and start on a desperate journey to find one another again.
Man, this book is very different than I thought it would. While the world seemed a little bit Mad Max-like, there were other parts of it that seemed a little bit more civilised so I found it hard to get a good glimpse of what civilisation was like. There wasn't many visuals for any of the towns they went into, apparently we were just suppose to know what they were like and possibly what they once were before the big war that wiped out normal people.
I didn't know if I was just imagining the weird relationship between True and Oz until almost 20% into the book and I was like, oh jeez. Honestly, if I'd known that was going to be one of the main plot line in the book, I wouldn't have picked it up. I don't like reading about incest, it's so gross. I know that they try and make it 'okay' in the end but come on, when they were having all those initial feelings they believed they were siblings. And even after they knew, they still refer to one another as 'brother and sister'. I rally didn't like the relationship, it seemed force as was True's relationship with Grimm. I felt like there needed to be more time added to it, they weren't together very long before things became intense and then True didn't seem to know what to feel.
Everything with Aurora reminded me of season two of The 100. Siphoning blood from 'wild people' to try and make the 'civilised people' better. Ehh...that sounds familiar. I don't think anything in Aurora was explained particularly well either. It was more of a well this is what happened and how we fixed it, and don't ask questions cause that's just how it is. I didn't quite buy it how they were able to survive underneath that mountain for so long, and just know to use blood to survive and like why were they able to make True and Oz and not make babies for themselves? It didn't make much sense.
I would have liked for more to happen between Grimm and True (despite their relationship becoming intense quickly) and Oz and Quinn, it was a lot of thinking and feelings and not much action. I felt like i was being teased and then I didn't get anything for it in the end.
The ending was extremely rushed and for what, the bad guy got away in the end. And there doesn't particularly seem like there will be another book, though I wouldn't be reading it anyway.
True and Oz are twins living in a post-apocalyptic world. When things start to sprial out of control, the siblings get separated, learn something about themselves and start on a desperate journey to find one another again.
Man, this book is very different than I thought it would. While the world seemed a little bit Mad Max-like, there were other parts of it that seemed a little bit more civilised so I found it hard to get a good glimpse of what civilisation was like. There wasn't many visuals for any of the towns they went into, apparently we were just suppose to know what they were like and possibly what they once were before the big war that wiped out normal people.
I didn't know if I was just imagining the weird relationship between True and Oz until almost 20% into the book and I was like, oh jeez. Honestly, if I'd known that was going to be one of the main plot line in the book, I wouldn't have picked it up. I don't like reading about incest, it's so gross. I know that they try and make it 'okay' in the end but come on, when they were having all those initial feelings they believed they were siblings. And even after they knew, they still refer to one another as 'brother and sister'. I rally didn't like the relationship, it seemed force as was True's relationship with Grimm. I felt like there needed to be more time added to it, they weren't together very long before things became intense and then True didn't seem to know what to feel.
Everything with Aurora reminded me of season two of The 100. Siphoning blood from 'wild people' to try and make the 'civilised people' better. Ehh...that sounds familiar. I don't think anything in Aurora was explained particularly well either. It was more of a well this is what happened and how we fixed it, and don't ask questions cause that's just how it is. I didn't quite buy it how they were able to survive underneath that mountain for so long, and just know to use blood to survive and like why were they able to make True and Oz and not make babies for themselves? It didn't make much sense.
I would have liked for more to happen between Grimm and True (despite their relationship becoming intense quickly) and Oz and Quinn, it was a lot of thinking and feelings and not much action. I felt like i was being teased and then I didn't get anything for it in the end.
The ending was extremely rushed and for what, the bad guy got away in the end. And there doesn't particularly seem like there will be another book, though I wouldn't be reading it anyway.
May 29, 2015
This book is not terrible…until it has you believing the brother is in love (romantically-F-up) in love with his sister…
But wait before you decide not to read this book, I will warn ahead of time (spoiler-mini plot reveal) their not related!! They just happen to be mutated things who are meant to be for each other…made for each other… For some odd reason the authors had them built with a sibling relationship (about half the book) and I guess finding out their not related supposed to be the big Bang!M Maybe some type of warning in the blurb "things are not what they really seem between the two of them..bla..." then just maybe I would have looked past it.
Their relationship threw me all off so it threw the book off for me. It started well, the action, the world building was working. But then the heavy erotic thinking of brother OZ was a bit too much then the finally deed did it in for me. Lost interest. Seems the book has some good reviews – maybe it just wasn’t for me… SO I gave it a two star because it may have so redeeming qualities for other readers.
But wait before you decide not to read this book, I will warn ahead of time (spoiler-mini plot reveal) their not related!! They just happen to be mutated things who are meant to be for each other…made for each other… For some odd reason the authors had them built with a sibling relationship (about half the book) and I guess finding out their not related supposed to be the big Bang!M Maybe some type of warning in the blurb "things are not what they really seem between the two of them..bla..." then just maybe I would have looked past it.
Their relationship threw me all off so it threw the book off for me. It started well, the action, the world building was working. But then the heavy erotic thinking of brother OZ was a bit too much then the finally deed did it in for me. Lost interest. Seems the book has some good reviews – maybe it just wasn’t for me… SO I gave it a two star because it may have so redeeming qualities for other readers.
could-not-finish
April 22, 2021
ARC provided by NetGalley for an Honest Review
I tried, I really did. I've had this ARC sitting on my kindle for far too long and honestly I was rather looking forward to it. Literally anything dystopian featuring an apocalypse is my kind of jam but this one really threw me. First it was the very uncomfortable sexual tension and closeness of the supposed brother sister duo. I say suppose (and I'm guessing here) becasue had I continued on I imagine I would learn the two are actually not related thus making their feelings OK. But no, it's not ok. The two beleive to be related and not only that, they are not even in a situation where I could almost understand of justify why they would develop these types of feelings such as being alone with only one another. This was no Flowers in the Attic type situation. The brother even often goes to whore houses to work off his feelings for his sister. If that wasn't bad enough, at around 30% when the hero is under his 'darkness' which I really just took as him sort of hulking out, he rapes his sister. And that was it for me folks. I tried reading a bit more but I really just can't justify this and no matter what changes after the fact, I'm too thrown off and disturbed by this that I can't go on.
I tried, I really did. I've had this ARC sitting on my kindle for far too long and honestly I was rather looking forward to it. Literally anything dystopian featuring an apocalypse is my kind of jam but this one really threw me. First it was the very uncomfortable sexual tension and closeness of the supposed brother sister duo. I say suppose (and I'm guessing here) becasue had I continued on I imagine I would learn the two are actually not related thus making their feelings OK. But no, it's not ok. The two beleive to be related and not only that, they are not even in a situation where I could almost understand of justify why they would develop these types of feelings such as being alone with only one another. This was no Flowers in the Attic type situation. The brother even often goes to whore houses to work off his feelings for his sister. If that wasn't bad enough, at around 30% when the hero is under his 'darkness' which I really just took as him sort of hulking out, he rapes his sister. And that was it for me folks. I tried reading a bit more but I really just can't justify this and no matter what changes after the fact, I'm too thrown off and disturbed by this that I can't go on.
March 18, 2015
Actual rating was 4.5 Stars
I may have mentioned once or twice that Dystopian novels and I have a love/hate relationship. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like them. I wouldn’t keep picking them up if I didn’t. It’s more the fact that it takes me a while to get wrapped up in the unique worlds the authors have so painstakingly created. Once I’m there, I’m good. The only reason I’m bringing this up… again… is because I didn’t have that problem with Aurora. I’d love to tell you why, but I can’t. If I had to guess though I’d say it’s because of the rapid, intense intro and my instant love of both True and Oz.
There wasn’t much ‘down time’ in Aurora. The world that Amos Cassidy created in Aurora was beyond harsh… and then it got worse. I guess I should apologize for being vague, but there were some major twists and turns in Aurora and I don’t want to give anything away. The main thing that you need to know is that NOTHING is as it seems. There’s more than one reality at play in Aurora, the one that True and Oz grew up in and the one that was hidden from them. Once those two worlds collide things begin to get really interesting.
The POV in Aurora switched between True and Oz and a few other characters, which kept things interesting. It also gave readers a little bit more perspective than the characters had. There were times that this wasn’t the easiest book to read, but as the cliche goes, ‘there’s a moral to the story’ and with any luck, those who read it will get it.
I may have mentioned once or twice that Dystopian novels and I have a love/hate relationship. That doesn’t mean that I don’t like them. I wouldn’t keep picking them up if I didn’t. It’s more the fact that it takes me a while to get wrapped up in the unique worlds the authors have so painstakingly created. Once I’m there, I’m good. The only reason I’m bringing this up… again… is because I didn’t have that problem with Aurora. I’d love to tell you why, but I can’t. If I had to guess though I’d say it’s because of the rapid, intense intro and my instant love of both True and Oz.
There wasn’t much ‘down time’ in Aurora. The world that Amos Cassidy created in Aurora was beyond harsh… and then it got worse. I guess I should apologize for being vague, but there were some major twists and turns in Aurora and I don’t want to give anything away. The main thing that you need to know is that NOTHING is as it seems. There’s more than one reality at play in Aurora, the one that True and Oz grew up in and the one that was hidden from them. Once those two worlds collide things begin to get really interesting.
The POV in Aurora switched between True and Oz and a few other characters, which kept things interesting. It also gave readers a little bit more perspective than the characters had. There were times that this wasn’t the easiest book to read, but as the cliche goes, ‘there’s a moral to the story’ and with any luck, those who read it will get it.
Read
April 16, 2015Good fantasy dystopia
I am so glad to find this book. I love the characters and am waiting (hope not too long) for another book in this series. I hope it is a series. I want to see what happens to True and Grimm and everyone.
I am not really a fantasy or paranormal fan but this one captured me. The characters are drawn real enough to care about them
I deducted one star because of continued editing mistakes. Simple ones that another read through would pick up. Please please get this edited. Really, the missing words or wrong words, "of" instead of "off" for example, giving a name spelled one way in one sentence and spelled another way in the next. Unnecessary mistakes.
Fix it, guys, you have a really good story here.
I am so glad to find this book. I love the characters and am waiting (hope not too long) for another book in this series. I hope it is a series. I want to see what happens to True and Grimm and everyone.
I am not really a fantasy or paranormal fan but this one captured me. The characters are drawn real enough to care about them
I deducted one star because of continued editing mistakes. Simple ones that another read through would pick up. Please please get this edited. Really, the missing words or wrong words, "of" instead of "off" for example, giving a name spelled one way in one sentence and spelled another way in the next. Unnecessary mistakes.
Fix it, guys, you have a really good story here.
April 13, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the authors in exchange for an honest review.To be honest this book was already on my TBR list and when the opportunity arose to do a R4R i was thrilled.I loved this book.The world building and well developed characters kept me engaged in this story.The story centers around a strong female and her family trying to survive in a hostile and dangerous world.I would highly recommend this book to an dystopian and sci-fi fan.I look forward to reading more by these authors.
May 16, 2015
Loved it!
I have to say that this was one of the most enjoyable books I have read in some time, I truly did not guess how it was going to end. Loved it!
I have to say that this was one of the most enjoyable books I have read in some time, I truly did not guess how it was going to end. Loved it!
August 11, 2015
I received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.
When I read the synopsis I didn't know what to think about the book at first. With someone being called Ma and someone named Oz I was thinking it was going to be a weird book. I have read books from the author before so I knew a bit of their writing style and liked it. I was thoroughly impressed with plot, setting and characters.
Oz and True live in the new world of bandits, Eaters and raiders and they are twins. Three hundred years ago humans went bye-bye almost. Who and what is left seems to be those that are mutants in some way or form. True seems to be normal but we find out later on she isn't. Oz he for sure isn't normal and we find this out when the Darkness comes out in dire need. Oz, True and their Ma travel from town to town while Oz fights in arenas so he can save money so the three can eventually get their own place to settle down somewhere. The description of the way the Earth looks was done in a way you an imagine the way it is through the eyes of Oz and True.
When True gets kidnapped it is up to Oz and a man named Quinn to save her. Though where True is this is where everything that has happened to the world will have answers. We see the place called Aurora and it is not all easy living it seems that most of the people there are no better than the bad people living above them. True and Oz finally learn who they are as people and it came to a shock to me especially the way they were made to be together.
There is action and there is romance though nothing to much and an unbreakable love.
When I read Oz's unselfish move I got a bit teary eyed as it takes someone who loves someone else more than himself to do the unthinkable.
The characters were well developed Oz is a very protective guy over True but we see his compassion for helping others in need. True seems to be able to take care of herself but we really see her shine when Oz isn't there to help her out of trouble. The world created above and the world created below are both awesome and when they come together it is AWESOME. With the two main characters being in the spotlight and being well written the secondary characters were done just as great and you get a bit of their backstory as you read. Overall an amazing story being told.
When I read the synopsis I didn't know what to think about the book at first. With someone being called Ma and someone named Oz I was thinking it was going to be a weird book. I have read books from the author before so I knew a bit of their writing style and liked it. I was thoroughly impressed with plot, setting and characters.
Oz and True live in the new world of bandits, Eaters and raiders and they are twins. Three hundred years ago humans went bye-bye almost. Who and what is left seems to be those that are mutants in some way or form. True seems to be normal but we find out later on she isn't. Oz he for sure isn't normal and we find this out when the Darkness comes out in dire need. Oz, True and their Ma travel from town to town while Oz fights in arenas so he can save money so the three can eventually get their own place to settle down somewhere. The description of the way the Earth looks was done in a way you an imagine the way it is through the eyes of Oz and True.
When True gets kidnapped it is up to Oz and a man named Quinn to save her. Though where True is this is where everything that has happened to the world will have answers. We see the place called Aurora and it is not all easy living it seems that most of the people there are no better than the bad people living above them. True and Oz finally learn who they are as people and it came to a shock to me especially the way they were made to be together.
There is action and there is romance though nothing to much and an unbreakable love.
When I read Oz's unselfish move I got a bit teary eyed as it takes someone who loves someone else more than himself to do the unthinkable.
The characters were well developed Oz is a very protective guy over True but we see his compassion for helping others in need. True seems to be able to take care of herself but we really see her shine when Oz isn't there to help her out of trouble. The world created above and the world created below are both awesome and when they come together it is AWESOME. With the two main characters being in the spotlight and being well written the secondary characters were done just as great and you get a bit of their backstory as you read. Overall an amazing story being told.
May 22, 2015
My rating: 3.5 stars
This is a tough book for me to rate. It started off very strong. I loved the dark, gritty world True and Oz lived in, and was instantly drawn into their story. I couldn't put it down, and the descriptions of the people and towns they came across felt real and raw and had me wanting more. Then True got taken and it changed. Everything I had loved about the beginning was gone, and I had a really hard time connecting to the story after that. I did a lot of skimming toward the end.
What lost me was the introduction of all the fantasy-like creatures, and that's really more of a personal preference. I don't care for fantasy, and avoid reading any books that have vampires, werewolves, fairies, and in this case, evolved creatures that are half man, half beast. I just don't care for it. But like I said, that is a personal preference.
Overall this was a pretty good read. It's told from third person POV, which I often have a difficult time getting into, yet I had no problem getting into this story. There were times when I felt like the writing was a bit juvenile considering the mature content and the fact that it was a NA book. Oz especially bugged me once he started traveling with Quinn. In the beginning he was strong and in control and sure of himself, but around Quinn he acted like an insecure teenage girl. I didn't think his character was consistent. I also felt that the "romance" aspect got very muddled and started to feel really forced. It was a bit disturbing to begin with I liked that the attraction was explained, but that didn't make it easier to root for them. But other than that, I found the story entertaining.
***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
This is a tough book for me to rate. It started off very strong. I loved the dark, gritty world True and Oz lived in, and was instantly drawn into their story. I couldn't put it down, and the descriptions of the people and towns they came across felt real and raw and had me wanting more. Then True got taken and it changed. Everything I had loved about the beginning was gone, and I had a really hard time connecting to the story after that. I did a lot of skimming toward the end.
What lost me was the introduction of all the fantasy-like creatures, and that's really more of a personal preference. I don't care for fantasy, and avoid reading any books that have vampires, werewolves, fairies, and in this case, evolved creatures that are half man, half beast. I just don't care for it. But like I said, that is a personal preference.
Overall this was a pretty good read. It's told from third person POV, which I often have a difficult time getting into, yet I had no problem getting into this story. There were times when I felt like the writing was a bit juvenile considering the mature content and the fact that it was a NA book. Oz especially bugged me once he started traveling with Quinn. In the beginning he was strong and in control and sure of himself, but around Quinn he acted like an insecure teenage girl. I didn't think his character was consistent. I also felt that the "romance" aspect got very muddled and started to feel really forced. It was a bit disturbing to begin with I liked that the attraction was explained, but that didn't make it easier to root for them. But other than that, I found the story entertaining.
***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review.
March 12, 2016
I was given this for an honest review.
This book had me thinking what would happen to us if the world ended up like there's? Would people just loose there humanity? Yeah more then likely alot will, but there's always those left that hold on to it and carry on fighting.
True and Oz are brother and sister travelling, keeping alive. At the beginning I was a bit weary with the sexual tension with these too. But I've read Amos Cassidy books before and I read some of the reviews so I haven't given up on it. I'm glad I didn't give up on this OMG!!!!!!! when Oz and True get separated they go through there own issues. Oz getting help from Quinn to get to her, and True realising she's stronger then she thought. Well she would have to be to survive. There is alot of emotion in this book and so much sorrow that you can't help but feel for the characters. I was so upset at the end I thought I had it figured out but noooooo it went in totally different way and gutted me.
Im glad I finally got round to reading this.
This book had me thinking what would happen to us if the world ended up like there's? Would people just loose there humanity? Yeah more then likely alot will, but there's always those left that hold on to it and carry on fighting.
True and Oz are brother and sister travelling, keeping alive. At the beginning I was a bit weary with the sexual tension with these too. But I've read Amos Cassidy books before and I read some of the reviews so I haven't given up on it. I'm glad I didn't give up on this OMG!!!!!!! when Oz and True get separated they go through there own issues. Oz getting help from Quinn to get to her, and True realising she's stronger then she thought. Well she would have to be to survive. There is alot of emotion in this book and so much sorrow that you can't help but feel for the characters. I was so upset at the end I thought I had it figured out but noooooo it went in totally different way and gutted me.
Im glad I finally got round to reading this.
May 17, 2015
I should rate this at 3.5 stars as I found the storytelling a bit hit and miss. I liked much of it but not all. The dystopian set up several hundred years after a nuclear war was promising. The survivors hidden in their bunker conducting genetic research which led to immortality was Ok but it was the fanciful creatures explained by genetic mutation that blew the plot for me. Multiple races with their own cultures and traditions appearing in desolate wastelands were unconvincing alongside the ability to cross wastelands the meet up as if nothing had happened.
My final disappointment and unevenness to report is the charactersisation, The led girl True her brother Oz and associated principle characters were fine but the lead bad guy Henderson was not convincing. He was supposed to have led the immortal survivors for hundreds of years, raping and killing at will.
Clearly the ending (the book is fulfilling and not a stupid to be continued) is set up for a sequel.
My final disappointment and unevenness to report is the charactersisation, The led girl True her brother Oz and associated principle characters were fine but the lead bad guy Henderson was not convincing. He was supposed to have led the immortal survivors for hundreds of years, raping and killing at will.
Clearly the ending (the book is fulfilling and not a stupid to be continued) is set up for a sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2015
I loved the plot and the characters. The story was so exciting and engaging that I didn't want to put it down! True is funny and strong! I do wish her character development had been more connected as she seemed to have a personality change over night. The only reason I would not give this 4 stars is the inscetuous tension between True and Oz. I understand it for the sake of the story, but it made me very uncomfortable. Regardless, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anybody looking for a new dystopian. Aurora was a quick read, but it made me feel too, which is what is truly important.
July 23, 2015
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a true and honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from the beginning. I found Hope and Oz to be a likeable characters even though Oz had a darker side to him. I enjoyed how their characters developed and changed with things that came to light. I thought it had a few similarities to The 100.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had me hooked from the beginning. I found Hope and Oz to be a likeable characters even though Oz had a darker side to him. I enjoyed how their characters developed and changed with things that came to light. I thought it had a few similarities to The 100.
April 21, 2015
I like this book a lot. it's packed with suspense, action and twisted love.
December 18, 2016
Not what I expected. Fantastic Story.
Loved the characters.
Kept me turning through the pages to see what happened next.
Another book coming?
Loved the characters.
Kept me turning through the pages to see what happened next.
Another book coming?
January 14, 2016
That plot twist tho :p
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews