Mercury Striking

Scorpius Syndrome #1

by Rebecca Zanetti

With nothing but rumors to lead her, Lynn Harmony has trekked across a nightmare landscape to find one man—a mysterious, damaged legend who protects the weak and leads the strong. He’s more than muscle and firepower—and in post-plague L.A., he’s her only hope. As the one woman who could cure the disease, Lynn is the single most volatile—and vulnerable—creature in this new and ruthless world. But face to face with Jax Mercury…

Danger has never looked quite so delicious…

Genres: Romance, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic, Romantic Suspense, Science Fiction, Suspense, Paranormal

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 26, 2016

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti has published more than seventy novels and novellas, which have been translated into several languages, with millions of copies sold world-wide. Her books have received Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus starred reviews, favorable Washington Post and New York Times Book Reviews, and been included in Amazon best books of the year.

Rebecca has ridden in a locked Chevy trunk, has asked the unfortunate delivery guy to release her from a set of handcuffs, and has discovered the best silver mine shafts in which to bury a body…all in the name of research. Honest.

Reviews

[Val ⚓️ Shameless Handmaiden ⚓️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Zombie Walking Dead, I Mean Ripper Stars

So you know those books you request from Netgalley...

...then realize a year later that you still haven't read?

Then you randomly open your kindle one day and it's staring right at you...



...Judging you and your procrastinate tendencies...

Well, that was this book for me.

Shame on me.

In fact, I requested this bad boy, blurb-unread, at the advice of a friend who deemed it a must read, if I remember correctly.

Well, after reading a couple things from this author before (her military/spec ops series), imagine my surprise when I cracked this thing open and realized it was not merely an action romance (as I was expecting)...but a post-apocalyptic thriller-ish romance reminiscent (to me anyway) of The Walking Dead, The Strain, or Resident Evil.

Now, let me just say.

This kind of shit is NOT usually my bag.

So when I realized the direction this book was going, I thought to myself, did I really just read what I thought I read? This is going to be a Zombie book?

No way.

But...



Yeah, I quickly realized this was legit.

And despite my initial misgivings, I really enjoyed this thing.

As I mentioned, this was a post-apocalyptic tale about the world following the ravaging effects of - you guessed it - some crazy, wazoo virus thing.

Although, in this book, it's NOT a virus.

It's a BACTERIUM.

But you know what?

Virus...? Bacterium...?



It's all the same to me.

But anyway, this bacterium thing has killed over 90% of the population - legitimately - and now the survivors are doing their post-apocalyptic super bacteria virus survival thing.

HOWEVER.

(There is always a "however" in super bacteria virus survival movies, people.)

People killed by the super bacteria, become one of three things:

1) A crazed, Zombie-like, eat your face off type of "Ripper."



2) An unemotional, completely non-empathetic, but functional serial killer type "Ripper."



3) Or a "recovered" non-Ripper...with somewhat "enhanced brain abilities."



Not only were all of those exciting happenings going on, but this was all taking place in my hood, Los Angeles.

Hello 405 freeway, how I loathe love you!

AND, there was a Hispanic, purple-wearing LA gang called the Twentys...



Who had evolved from just regular gang-banging...

...to post-apocalyptic survival-banging.



So yeah, lots going on here.

In fact, the reason I'm not giving this 5-stars is that sometimes I felt like there were too many things going on. Too many enemies to focus on.

Which made it drag a little in some parts for me.

Otherwise, I really enjoyed the shit out of this thing.

Jax was an awesomely hot, alpha male hero and Lynne was okay too.

I've already started reading book two...and it didn't even take me a year...

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

She was everything he didn’t deserve, everything good, and he’d make sure she stayed safe for the rest of her life, no matter what he had to do.

Rebecca Zanetti's Sin Brothers series was easily my favorite that I read by her...until I read this book. I'm hooked and there's no looking back. Now admittedly I'm not a reader that enjoys the post-apocalyptic world in my books. But Rebecca is one of the few authors I was willing to make an exception for because I truly love her work, and boy was I glad that I did because I loved the absolute hell out of this book. It's not your typical post-apocalyptic zombie story. It's so much more than that and with an intriguing twist to boot. The world building is rich and captivating, the romance is sizzling hot, and the set up is so enticing that you'll be hooked from the very first chapter!

Were you like this before Scorpius, Jax?"
"Like what?" he whispered.
"A killer without remorse. A survivor at all costs. So.... cold.
"Yes. I've always been like this."

When a deadly bacterium struck and killed off 99% of the population, it left the survivors...different. If they managed to survive the Scorpius induced fever, their brain was forever altered either heightening their intelligence but turning half of the infected into Rippers. These Rippers coming in two kinds; highly organized and intelligent serial killers or just plain crazy. Lynn Harmony was the former head of infectious diseases at the CDC until she got infected and an experiment for a cure on herself went wrong and gave her a very distinct blue heart. Now with people believing she's the carrier for a much deadlier strand of the bacterium, she's forced her to go on the run. Desperate for a cure she believes may be out there, she's going on nothing but the rumor of the existence of the one man that may be able to help her; Jax Mercury.

Jax is an ex gang member turned army special ops that is now the leader of a vigilante group of Scorpius survivors. When Lynn "Blue Heart" Harmony shows up on his door with the promise of a cure in exchange for a favor she won't name yet, he's intrigued and suspicious. There's an instant spark of attraction between them, even though they couldn't be more different. The chemistry sparks up right away and only intensifies with each new day that Lynn spends at his camp.

Any chance you could get lost in the moment?"
"Green eyes, if I got lost in the moment, you'd be bent over the bed, face in the pillows, begging to come with every fiber of your being. I'd make you promise everything.

There is a novella that sets up the series that I haven't read yet; On the Hunt. That being said, I had no problems falling right into the set up of the world building. The chemistry between Jax and Lynne was easily my favorite part, but I highly enjoyed this new world that Rebecca Zanetti has written. Think Mad Max meet I Am Legend. The story itself is action packed with not a dull moment to be found. There's twists at every turn that are enough to keep you on your toes and eagerly turning the pages. And did I mention the romance? Because oh my ovaries was it hot!

Sweet, you could've handled. Sure, there would've been emotion, and that's tough. But this way? My way?
This way, I'll own you."

Lynn was a fantastic heroine with just enough backbone to make her the right sort of kick ass but also with a vulnerability to endear her as well. Jax was everything I love in a hero; damaged with a hidden vulnerable side with a dash of dirty talker. He was absolute perfection. There's a slew of secondary characters introduced as well, that caught my attention right away. The main one being Raze. Lucky for me, his story will be next and the set up for it? Shiver inducing.

I have a feeling that fans of Rebecca Zanetti will be eating up this series with the same fervor I had. Filled with action and suspense, captivating characters and super sexy romance, this book managed to hit every single one of my checkboxes.

He dropped his forehead to hers, his hand encircling her nape. Then he slid out and back in, the feeling as close to heaven as a killer like he would ever find.

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

Graphic is stock purchased and created by me for DGR blog. Please don't share without permission

Find me on:

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Walking Dead fans: aren't we sad to see Rick being all afraid and non-killy? Well, you need this book. Our hero, Jax, is the leader of a group of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world after a bacteria kills most of the population, and he is a killing machine. A good killing machine. The kind we love because deep down he has a heart of gold.


It's the apocalypse. The only thing left was the Cheeto factory. Sheesh!

Unlike our heroine, Lynn, who has a heart of a blue neon light like an old K-mart special. She is Patient Zero of the bacterial infection that has killed most of the country (we aren't sure about the rest of the world yet). She worked at the CDC and was infected first by Scorpius Syndrome, so they tried a bunch of experimental treatments on her that included shooting her heart up with squid blood. And, we all know that squid blood will give us glowing blue hearts. It's science.


Squid. Is there anything they can't do?

Since the government is always evil, they wanted to keep Lynn a prisoner for their nefarious plan of trying to find a cure for the disease that is wiping out most of humanity. Jerks! So, obviously, Lynn runs away, asking the feared, but strong, (and sexy), leader, Jax to protect her in exchange for information about the disease. What better way to protect someone than to have sex with them?


Well, if I have to...

You're still wondering how this relates to the Walking Dead, right? One word - zombies. Wait, they aren't actually zombies, but survivors of the disease whose brains have been damaged making them killers. So, two words - not-zombies. Wait, that's one hyphenated word. Well, you get it.

The not-zombies have had their brains fried from the disease and it burned out their empathy centers in their brains. This is bad because apparently without empathy we all turn into serial killers. Some of them become mindless killing machines, but others keep enough brain power to be organized sociopathic killers. It's like a society filled with Hannibal Lectors. You do NOT want to be around these guys at dinner time.


Don't mind the squid taste...

The book is focused on this group of survivors in a world that is dog-eat-dog, and it is pretty brutal. Don't get too attached to characters...

I liked all of the people in the book. They were unique and diverse with complicated motivations and survival mechanisms. There was a ton of action, but we still got to know the characters enough to be intrigued. There was also a romance, but it took a back seat for most of the book. Jax was a great alpha leader, and Lynn was smart. They eventually turn into a strong couple.

"If there are bullets, I'm between you and them. If you get taken, I'm hunting you down till my last breath. And if you end up in hell, I'll storm the fucking place until the fires go out."

Oh, that was so romantic! Just like what my husband said to me on our way to the Black Friday sales. *swoon*

I am really looking forward to the rest of this series.

[WhiskeyintheJar · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

****Full Review****

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

With a deadly disease unleashed on the world, Lynne, the former head of the CDC (Center for Disease Control) is on the run. Known as "Blue Heart" because after contracting the Scorpius disease, experiments on her to find a cure have colored her heart and the veins surrounding it blue, Lynne is trying to make it to a clinic known as "Myriad" and hope the rumors are true and a cure is there. Running from her ex-boyfriend, who is now the President of the United States, she looks for help from Jax Mercury. He was a Delta Force soldier who gathered a group of people together to try and survive against the illness, Rippers (people who have been turned into serial killers by the disease), and other survivors. Food is scarce but trust is even rarer in this time, Lynne and Jax are going to need a lot of the former if they're going to survive.
 
As book one in a new romantic suspense apocalyptical series, this started off into the action right away, so much so I felt pretty lost for most of the beginning. There is apparently a novella that actually starts off the series and begins the world building in regards to the deadly disease Scorpius being discovered, unleashed, and its effect on the world. I would highly suggest reading that first so you don't feel as left behind as I did reading this one. As the story went on I was able to get a better handle on the current world setting but unfortunately, this didn't happen until well into the second half. The disease and how it affects everyone, some die, some survive to become carriers, and some become Rippers was a little muddled. The Rippers and their different sociopathic tendencies, some become serial killers and some thoughtless rabid beasts seemed like too much variation for a 300+ novel, all the ideas aren't fully flushed out. However, as this looks to be a building continuous series, maybe in later books the ideas introduced here will become more fully formed.
 
Lynne's part in the Scorpius disease as the head of CDC was another part I never felt like all the dots connected, but again, reading the novella could help here as she is introduced in that one. There was more telling of her toughness, escaping her imprisonment and making her way across what is left of the United States to Jax in L.A. but not a lot of showing. In fact, a lot of instances happen "off screen" with characters talking about them later. Her game plan of partnering with Jax, specifically because she heard about him on the news before things really fell apart, felt somewhat forced but lucky her, he turned out to be super hot. Jax had more of a backstory than what is usually afforded typical alpha heroes but his character, too, felt forced. The added in minor BDSM play in the bedroom felt obligatory for what the current market wants. They did have good interplay with each other but there was a lot happening in this story to interrupt them.
 
The story leaned a lot on the sexual side; there are many bedroom scenes in the beginning and middle. I didn't feel a connection between our leads, insta-attraction that morphs into insta-lust are the basis for their relationship, and so, I found them more filler than engaging. There were a plethora of secondary characters, Jax's medic friend Tace, the mysterious Raze, the possibly psychic little girl Lena, Cruz who heads the rival gang Twenty, Lynne's ex-boyfriend and president of the United States Bret, and many more. Jax's fighting Cruz for resources and because of an old feud and Lynne's trying to find a cure for Scorpius while running from Bret, all this with the end of the world theme made for a very busy book with nothing being able to fully be focused on. The story appeared to be fighting with itself as to if it wanted to be a romance, suspense, or end of days book; the parts weren't always cohesive.
 
The concept of a deadly disease wiping out ninety-nine percent of the population and the aftermath is intriguing and parts of the world building are here for that but there were a lot of half formed and dangling threads, too. This has many high ratings; I'm the dissenting voice on this one, so read the novella and maybe give this a try if looking for a more sexual apocalyptic story. The hero and heroine who star in the second book are introduced here and their story does look to be interesting.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 - "All the gentleman are dead, baby. Soldiers and survivors are what we have now." Stars!

If you were to tell me prior to reading Mercury Striking that I would willingly read a romantic suspense book that has the inclusion of Zombie type characters as part of its main theme, I would have promptly told you 'Hell No'. As a reader, film goer and just general human being, I do not do horror no matter what the level in any shape, type or form. But this is Rebecca Zanetti, and I just couldn’t resist.



And I am glad I did, because although there are some gruesome bits (on my level of gore anyway, most people would probably not be bothered) this book is an absolutely outstanding read. I think my rating probably attests to that, and quite simply Mercury Striking is Rebecca Zanetti doing what she does best, and with extremely entertaining results.

"What is it about you and death? You just love to dance with it."

The story, set-up, characters and general development across all points was perfectly paced, and although not necessary I would recommend that you try to read the prequel novella Scorpius Rising if you can as it gives you all the background into Lynne Harmony, and more depth into why she’s known as Blue Heart.

"I like the blue."

Jax Mercury was all sorts of Yummy, alpha, dark, a dirty mouth, plenty of action, and pretty much everything I look for in my romantic reading heroes, the fact he wasn’t shy about clearing out the enemy, zombie or otherwise, also made him pretty indispensable.

"You’re beautiful… In case I forget to tell you, you’re beautiful."

But I think the main thing that strikes as the story progresses is that for all his strength and leadership, he is really just a man struggling to survive, deal with his losses and his demons, whilst protecting those around him that look to him for direction and leadership, and work out his feelings for a woman that has come into his life and brought about emotions he doesn’t really want to deal with at the most challenging of times.

"I lead with actions, not words..."

This wouldn’t be a Zanetti book without some stellar sexy-times, and she delivers in spades for this couple. Lynne is a strong woman in her own right, and the pair of them together although do not deny they have insane chemistry are both keeping the deeper parts of themselves hidden, and this just added to the fight for dominance in between the sheets, and although Jax invariably wins, Lynne definitely gives as good as she gets.

"There’s only you. From day one, the second you marched into my camp, there’s only been you."

Keeping emotions out of the equation proves to be more and more difficult for them as the story progresses, especially when it becomes apparent that Lynne has more than just a few military figures after her, and the knowledge she possesses, forces Jax’s protective instincts step to the fore especially as the risk to the rest of his people increases as well. Vanguard Territory all of a sudden becomes an extremely dangerous place to be.

"If there are bullets, I’m between you and them. If you get taken, I’m hunting you down till my last breath. And if you end up in hell, I’ll storm the fucking place until the fires go out."

I don’t really want to give much more away, this is a story you will get lost in and struggle to put down until its end. I just wish we didn’t have to wait so long for the next book.

"Don’t regret us."

Shadow Falling is due to release in September, and I cannot wait to see what story the author has in store for the elusive and brooding Raze Shadow. He figured quite strongly in Mercury Striking but you don’t really discover much about the man underneath.

"We can’t erase where we’ve been."

ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my absolute pleasure to provide the above honest review.

[Astrid - The Bookish Sweet Tooth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Blue Heart Stars

Prettier Review @ Vanilla & Spice Books

The next world war will be between man and nature. Nature has never lost

When I read I seem to always have scenes from movies (not necessarily characters) with a similar theme in my mind and thus applying colors for the book. In this case it was the desert yellow-brown of scenes from Mad Max. Why my mind does that, no idea but it works for me to be in a certain mindset when I read to feel the atmosphere.

We are thrown into a world of utter devastation, martial law and vigilantism. 99 percent of the population in the United States have been killed by a bacterium called Scorpius. People infected with it die quickly but horribly. Those who survive have a good chance ending up being Rippers, creatures with hightened intelligence but total lack of empathy, turning them into organized serial killers or zombie-like beings, mindlessly killing humans in horrible ways. Those who survive the infection without becoming serial killer or zombie turn into...something more, enhanced humans. It's Charles Darwin's evolution theory of the survival of the fittest at work.

Lynne Harmony is a scientist, former head of the infectious diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and has survived the infection, leaving her with a blue heart which glows in an electric neon blue. She is hunted by the government under the pretense that she is carrying an even more dangerous streak of the bacteria. Half of the survivors of Scorpius are scared of her, the other half wants her dead. Lynne has only one option left, finding Jax Mercury, the infamous leader of the Vanguards, a vigilante group of people living in the abandoned City of Angels. Jax Mercury isn't known for mercy but she hopes she can strike a deal with him - trying to find a cure in exchange for a favor she reserves the right to name at a later time.

When the world still had order and law Jax was a member of Delta Force. His training is what helped him survive in this hostile world. He is the unwilling leader of a merry group of civilians turned into soldiers. He has claimed a big territory in Los Angeles for his people, trying to give thim his protection and knowledge. The only way Jax knows, to give the ones he has sworn to protect the best survival chance is by keeping his distance. When Lynne Harmony, also known as Blue Heart, walks into his camp asking for protection he is willing to accept her deal, despite Jax' inability to trust anyone. And Lynne Harmony sets off his alarm bells.

"The second you crossed into Vanguard territory, the very moment you asked for my helf, that's exactly what you became.
"What?" she asked, sounding breathless now.
"Mine."

They both feel an instant attraction but neither of them can afford an emotional entanglement. Sex is used as a stress reliever, especially because they seem to have an explosive chemistry. So how do they keep feelings out of the equation when they start to see more than a warm body in each other?

At the core, Lynne Harmony was a helaer, a nurturer and now she offered herself.

Oh my. Jax is such a lovable jackass. Alpha to the core, dominant, tortured by his past, amazingly loyal once he started to trust. His flavor of protection is particular and single-minded. He is ruthless in his actions and focused to lead his group. And his most surprising trait? He is literate and loves to recite quotes from philosophers and classic literature.
Lynne is a wonderfully intelligent and strong heroine with a big dash of sweet who knows to choose her battles. Her snark is cute and comes out before you're being dragged into the waves of the world's devastation. She stands up to Jax and their fights are highly entertaining.

"Have I given you any indication I'm afraid of you? I know you're in charge here in your little fiefdom, but I've survived more than your very worst, Jax Mercury."

Yes, there is a scene that could be interpreted as abuse when Jax punishes Lynne with a belt and while I'm not a fan of that particular scene I can see it happening with the weight that rests on our hero's shoulders.
Together they burn up the pages, the smexy times are aplenty and scorching. Jax' dominance is incredibly sexy but his sweet is devastating.

There is a row of intriguing secondary characters I look forward to reading about. I had a quick search to see how many books there will be in the series and so far there seem to be six stories planned for now and this makes me all kinds of happy! I loved the world building in the novella Scorpius Rising and I'm really glad it paid off to read it before this one and Shadow Falling since it makes me care about the characters who are also mentioned.

I don't read a lot post apocalyptic books although I find them fascinating. The devastation of a dystopian world is scary but at the same time fascinating and intriguing. You are basically thrown back into a world without civilization. You have to fend for yourself, food is scarce, fuel for cars the same, people are scavenging and raiding for the most essential things you need to survive.

I really like this authors writing style. She surprises with twists and turns and sweet words.
Rebecca Zanetti delivers an entertaining tale about finding love and friendship in the most unlikely places and times and I can't wait to read the next installments of this world.

[Denisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome!


This is one of the best dystopias I've read (and I don't say that lightly). I absolutely love the world builder and the character development.

The romance part was why it didn't get a full 5 stars from me, it didn't really tickle all my senses (what a weird thing to say, but you get the idea, right?).


Anyway, it was really well written and worth reading, especially if you like dystopias.

[Sunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 star. ARC Review

“In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule.” —Friedrich Nietzsche

Mercury Rising is an explosive debut for Rebecca Zanetti’s latest, The Scorpius Syndrome. It’s a dystopian series in which a pandemic wipes out over 90% of the population in the United States. It is unclear how the rest of the world has fared because communication is limited. The infrastructure is decimated and the government is trying to re-group. Resources are limited. People are scrambling for food and water. Luxuries do not exist and humankind is pared down to the bare essentials.

Mercury Rising features the former head of the CDC’s Infectious Diseases division, Lynn Harmony. In the prequel, Scorpius Striking, Lynn is infected by a colleague driven mad from the disease born of the Scorpius virus. She survives and now is on the run from members of the government who are trying to use her as a guinea pig, and from the anger of the people who think that she is patient zero. She is trying to make it to Los Angeles, a stronghold held by mercenary, Jax Mercury. While the world around them is disintegrating and people are devolving into barbaric behavior, Jax is the only one that is seemingly strong enough to defend Lynne while she tries to find the hidden research facility rumored to have the cure.

I love the dark nature of this book and it’s emphasis survival. At the beginning of each chapter is a quotation about the nature of human beings when stripped bare. I like this investigation into the dark side of human behavior. It reminds of my first dystopian, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding. How do human beings behave when they’re in existence mode? Is it survival of the fittest or do human beings fight for honor and humanity?

What makes Rebecca Zanetti’s book so interesting is plausibility of the story. In the age of biological warfare, the idea for the plague is real and that makes this premise terrifying. The Scorpius bacteria comes from a meteor that crashed in the United States. The bacteria causes flu-like symptoms that most often leads to death. Few have survived. However, some of those who have, suffer brain damage in the area where empathy resides. Without empathy, they become sociopaths. It’s difficult to determine who has and has not been infected, including the President of the United States. We are also left to wonder, “What happened to the rest of the world”? Because we are a mobile society, surely, other countries are impacted, right? It is uncertain. If not, how vulnerable is the United States to attack? We no longer have the military might. Ms. Zanetti does a fantastic job asking the hard questions.

As far as dark heroes go, I really like Jax Mercury. He is a retired member of the Army’s Delta Force. Having lost both his brother and fellow soldiers, Jax is guilt ridden over his inability to protect. His past loss drives him to protect those who belong to his territory. His character is blunt and forthright. His starkness represents the dire situation of the times. He makes difficult decisions, but he still has a conscience. He still tries to make morally right decisions, even if it costs him.

Jax and Lynn make no apologies for their attraction for one another. It’s simply about lust. “When death loomed near and survival became everything, biology made a fighter, a soldier, like him desirable. Need easily created lust.” Added layers of desperation and loneliness draw this couple to each other. You can almost see them drawn to each other like magnets. I am not normally a huge fan of insta-love scenarios, but I’m happy with this start. Why? Because, lust here is about satisfying the need for human touch. It is a purely physical release. Ironically, honest lust leads to something more that develops over the length of the story. Having gotten the initial sexual tension out the way, they are free to drop their protective layering and let in emotion. In what has to be the best declaration of love from a stoic soldier, Jax declares:

“You’re smart and spirited, and I never thought I’d meet anybody like you. If there are bullets, I’m between you and them. If you get taken, I’m hunting you down till my last breath. And if you end up in hell, I’ll storm the fucking place until the fires go out.”

What more can a girl ask for?

Rebecca Zanetti also has a keen ability to write amazingly suspenseful action scenes.  Technical details enhance, not detract, from the action. The details add layers that help draw the picture. Chase scenes, fight scenes, shooting scenes, I found myself holding my breath for long periods of time. I finished each section gasping for air.

If you are a fan of urban fantasy and dystopian thrillers, you won’t want to miss this one. The edgy characters and non-stop action makes this a book you cannot put down. My apologies ahead of time for I am certain you will be joining me as we wait impatiently for the release of the next book.

Originally posted at Scandalicious Book Reviews

[NMmomof4 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Overall Opinion: I was in the mood for something different and this seemed right up my alley! I'm intrigued by post-apocalyptic romances, so if anyone has any suggestions-- I'd love to hear them! I think the storyline, world building, characters, and steam were all good...but the actual romantic connection felt a little lacking. I also was bummed there wasn't more closure as I went in thinking this was a standalone, but that's my bad! I didn't hate it or anything and I did enjoy a lot of it. A solid 3.5 stars read for me.

Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Lynne and Jax's story. Lynne is on the run and willingly gets captured by Jax's people because she needs his help. She is known as the CDC employee that started the outbreak of a brain altering bacteria that wipe down out majority of the population, so Jax is not eager to trust her. Lynne knows she needs Jax to find a secret lab and to collect whatever information there to help find a cure or at least a way for humans to live with the bacteria. There are some suspenseful scenes, some sad moments, some sexy times...and there is a HFN ending.

Point Of View (POV): This alternated focusing mainly on Lynne and Jax in 3rd person narrative with a few sections focusing on side characters as well.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.

Instalove: Kind of. Not much development going on for stronger feelings from lust but "ILYs" are shared in the end.

H (Hero) rating: 4 stars. Jax. While there is still a lot of mystery surrounding Jax, I liked him. He was hard on the outside but a sweet guy on the inside.

h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Lynne. I appreciated her intelligence and how she handled herself in scary situations.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed

Push/Pull: Not really

Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story. Some light bondage and spanking

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Mild The h's ex is one the main bad guys

Sex scene with OW or OM: No

Cheating: No

Separation: No

Possible Triggers: Yes Loss of loved ones (off and on page) and captivity/violence/murder/assault (on page)

Closure: This ends is a decent place but not with real closure for the characters and their situation. I would call it a loose HFN ending.

Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers

- Does Not have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
- Does Not have the h or H pushing away
- Does Not have a separation between the h and H
- Does Not have abuse by mcs
- Does Not have a HEA ending

[Lonna | FLYLēF · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mercury Striking is a nice balance of action and romance. I enjoyed the action a lot more than the romance because I find Mercury's personality to be militant, hard, and practical—perfect for a high-intensity, action thriller. Take this same personality into the bedroom, though, and I’m a bit disappointed. I find the romance to be too stiff, mechanical, and perfunctory. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to fans who prefer a lot of action with a practical measure of romance.

{ I received this title in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, especially to the author and publisher, for kindly giving me an opportunity to review this title. }

[nick (the infinite limits of love) · Rating 1 out of 5]

HE BEAT HER WITH A BELT.

I don't care if they are in a "primitive society" as the asshole called it but beating a woman is never okay.
And then to have them have sex in the same day without an apology? Yeah no.

Authors stop romanticising abuse.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Imagine a world where a new bacteria gets released that causes pretty much everyone to either:
a) Die (most of the time)
b) Become a mindless/dumb killer
c) Become a genius serial killer with no empathy or
d) Become something somehow "more" than you were before

This is the world this book is set in - it's like a dystopian zombie book only with killers instead of zombies. I found the concept to be interesting but there were some things that I picked up on in the book that kind of annoyed me a little

- at one point they were rushing back to their base because dawn was coming, then later they were rushing back because night was aporoaching, so which is it that's dangerous?
- the blue heart thing didn't really come into play as much as I was expecting
- there was no reason for the President to let Jax go, only to later set him up to be attacked by the rival gang at the President's own base. Why wouldn't he kill Jax when he was alone and have the rival gang attack Jax's base after they got Harmony out, while Jax was away/dead? Wouldn't that have been easier and less risky?

But I still think I will read the next book because I'm curious about what else might happen in this world.

[AJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 post-apocalyptic, action-packed, exciting and romantic stars

I’m a huge Rebecca Zanetti fan. She writes fantastic action/adventure, suspenseful, sexy and romantic stories, and she’s totally nailed it with this one! Full of sensational characters living in a terrifying world, they face danger and violence and a true struggle for survival. There are lots of surprises and on-the-edge-of-your-seat excitement, and the romantic (and super-hot) love story woven throughout satisfied the romance reader in me. I was enthralled from start to finish.

While this is technically book 1 in The Scorpius Syndrome series, part of the way through reading, I realised that there was a prequel novella, Scorpius Rising (available in the compilation On the Hunt), so I put this book down to read that one, and it set the stage nicely for everything that was happening. It’s set only a few months before this book, and while I wouldn’t consider the prequel a necessary read, and this book is definitely easy to follow without it, I’d recommend reading it to give you a good base for the story.

Set in a present-day post-apocalyptic Los Angeles, a bacteria has spread across the US (and possibly the world), wiping out 99% of the population. Those that have survived the bug have been left either been turned into a ‘Ripper’ - completely altered and stripped of humanity - or have recovered, but have been enhanced in some way (eg. with additional intelligence). Technology has broken down, essentials like food, water, clothing and gas are scavenged and hoarded, and society has completely fallen apart.

Lynne Harmony is a brilliant microbiologist and ex-head of the Infectious Diseases division of the CDC. She was involved in the initial discovery of the bug and worked tirelessly to develop a cure. She ended up being infected, but survived, and she is now on the run from an elite forces group who are mercilessly (and somewhat mysteriously) hunting her. She is searching for now-abandoned scientific facilities, looking for research carried out on the bacteria which may lead to a cure, and this has led her to LA where she seeks out notorious vigilante, Jax Mercury, offering herself and her knowledge in exchange for his protection.

Jax is the badass leader of a group of survivors. He lived his childhood on the streets before coming a soldier in the special forces and he has established a camp in the middle of an LA which is overrun by violent gangs. He now shelters a few hundred people who work together to protect each other, fight off attacks and scavenge for supplies, doing whatever it is that is necessary to survive. And, he is sensational! A total badass, he didn’t ask for the role that he’s been thrust into, but he does what is necessary to protect ‘his’ people. His ruthless badassery melds brilliantly with his intelligence, wit and sarcasm, and I loved his dry sense of humour in the face of everything he is dealing with.

The second they lost hope of survival, they lost everything. “Hope is the dream of a waking man.”
Tace snorted. “I like that quote better than the we’re all gonna die quotes you spouted yesterday.
Jax rubbed his aching temple. “I was moody.”

Lynne is also a great character. Strong and brave, she has overcome a lot already in the story, but the way she stands up for herself and does whatever is necessary to protect herself and fight to do everything she can to help with the bug is amazing. As a known survivor of the bacteria, she is viewed as a threat and hated on site by a most of Jax’s people, but he recognises the potential of having such a brilliant mind among them, so he agrees to take her in. Their attraction is evident from the very beginning and as Lyn settles in and assimilates herself into Jax’s compound, that attraction sizzles and after enduring months of hardship and little contact with others, they are drawn together in a way that is intense, passionate, and totally freaking hot!!!

He grabbed her hair and wrenched her head to the side, his gaze capturing hers. ”This is fucking. Full bore, I’ll take you and make you come so hard you’ll forget the world for a few minutes. But that’s all it is. Not love, not forever, and not a way to manipulate me.”

Yep, Jax may have some emotional issues, but his life has been hard, and we get to see that in great detail as the story progresses and our characters are forced to deal with terrifyingly violence, betrayal, death, and the challenge of simply living in the world as it is. It’s exciting and suspenseful with some mystery and shocks, but there is also a nice amount of emotion. It’s heartbreaking in places, and I even teared up at one point, but the character development through it all is really well done as Jax reveals his vulnerability, learns what it means to be a true leader, and allows himself to truly feel - and the slow yet consistent relationship progression shows that beautifully.

“If there are bullets, I’m between you and them. If you get taken, I’m hunting you down till my last breath. And if you end up in hell, I’ll storm the fucking place until the fires go out.”

“I’m not good at this.” Taking her hand from his jaw, he pressed it against his heart. “You’re in here. Stay safe.”

This is a fantastic read. Fast paced, action packed, full of intrigue and excitement, with a great romance and a lot of heart, I was totally hooked. The book finishes off well, though there is a lot more story to be told, and with a number of other characters set up nicely for their own books, I am really excited to continue on with this series and can’t wait for Raze’s book up next.

I loved it – 4.5 stars.


An Advanced Review Copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far this book goes to the top of my favorites list on the shelf of best books of 2016.

5 ‘If I could give it more then I bloody would stars’

It’s been a long time since I can say that I can give a book 5 stars or more. A big thank you and smackeroo to Kensington Press for this book.

From this sentence alone I was hooked.

She forced strength into her voice. “You don’t want to kill me without taking me to Mercury first.” Jax Mercury, to be exact. If he still lived. If not, she was screwed anyway.





Time is running out for Lynne Harmony (how I love this name) The Scorpius bacterium has turned half of the world crazy and the other half wants to see Lynne dead as she is apparently the reason for the bacteria to have broken out. Which is actually due to a meteorite. Very cool Ms. Zanetti, I loved the idea.

Lynne is public enemy no. 1 because she was the first to be infected and with enough vitamin B her heart turned blue. Lynne previously worked for the CDC and were trying to find a cure but Lynne had to leave. It becomes clear later on in the book. Vitamin B is the key which is in high demand.
After three months she makes it to LA. She finally comes face to face with Jax Mercury a fine specimen of a man. Brutally cold but does what needs to be done. A former member of a gang in LA, turned military, turned leader for the Vanguard. He protects those that can’t protect themselves. An Anti-Hero in my book. Lynne seeks sanctuary, offers the possibility of a cure and he has to kill someone for her. Jax has a specific connection with death.

“What is it about you and death? You just love dancing with it.” Jax drew himself up short. “Excuse, me?” “Come on, dude. You were in a street gang and then joined the most dangerous unit in the army. Now you lead a vigilante group trying to survive a murderous contagion, and the first time you get with a woman she’s the deadliest of them all. You dare death”

He shows remorse although he thinks he shouldn’t.

Lynne comes clean about everything how there is a lab that can be found called Myriad where there is the possibility that no more inoculations will be necessary. I was fascinated by this plot and the human behavior that some wanted to save humanity and others were willing to let it run its natural course.

“Tell me you’re not the one that I’m supposed to kill,” he said his body on alert. Silence ticked around the dented car for a moment. “Not yet, no.” Great. All he needed was a depressed biological weapon in the form of a sexy brunette to mess with his already fucking fantastic daily schedule.

They have some fucked up chemistry at the beginning but most likely because they don’t want to act on it and he is a broody SOB.

”If you were mine then you’d know how to fight.” Where that thought came from, he’d never know. She squirmed on his lap, fully contained. “Good thing I’m not yours, now isn’t it?
“That’s where you are wrong, Lynne Harmony. The second you crossed into Vanguard Territory, the very moment you asked for my help, that’s exactly what you became.” “What?” she asked, sounding breathless now. “Mine”

Lynne is on the run from her ex Bret Atherton who is a Ripper, and the President of the United States not all of them are stupid. They develop certain skills. He is a sociopath and an organized killer. People who become infected turn to rippers if they survive and have sociopathic tendencies. Not all of them some skills are enhanced which happens to Tace. Well at least he lived.

There are great secondary characters. I was also upset that two of the secondary characters I liked died.

This book is original, face paced full of action with sweet moments and one of my favorite genres dystopian/post-apocalyptic and it is not YA which is a bonus for me. Don’t get me wrong the dystopian YA books out there are good but I need one with adults. There are a lot of twists and turns that added to excitement to the book.

There were some things that bothered others and that he spanked her with a belt harder than he wanted and he didn’t apologize up to you if you don’t like that, it didn’t bother me that much to be honest.

They have natural chemistry as I already mentioned above but in the times that they are they agree on sex just sex. They are scorchin and good together.

“Any chance you could get lost in the moment?”
He grinned against her mouth and leaned back, brown gaze warm. “Green Eyes, if I got lost in the moment, you’d be bent over the bed, face in the pillows, begging to come with every fiber of your being.”

But he has a softer side to him.

For a badass, dangerous killer of a soldier who had no problem wielding a belt, Jax Mercury sure liked to cuddle. And he had his moments.

He placed his hand over her heart and waited until her gaze lifted “I like the blue” *swoon*
As did Lynne.

I’ll protect you, Jax” *sigh*

When he does speak he knows his shit.





Bring on Raze and Vinnie's book.

Book received by Kensington Books‏ in netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

[Marta Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mercury Striking is listed as number one in the Scorpius Syndrome series but I feel it only fair to warn other readers that there's a prequel entitled Scirpius Rising in the anthology On The Hunt that really sets the scene . Lynne Harmony worked for the CDC but became infected by a mutated strain of an alien bacteria. Worse still although Lynne has pulled through millions across the world have succumbed to the deadly infection and now Lynne is hunted but this clever woman has a plan.
Jax Mercury knows all about fighting and death. Scorpius doesn't just kill, it can change the infected leaving behind sometimes enhanced humans but more often then not what survives is known as a Ripper. Rippers lose their empathy and sanity as they become little more than deadly killers. Yes the Scorpius bacteria is now the enemy that Jax faces but when the woman known as Blue Heart arrives in his territory Jax begins to learn just how challenging leadership really is!
I loved this but I do think that's probably partly due to having all the background information from Scorpius Rising. As this book begins Lynne isn't just looking for asylum she is searching for the place that continued her research before everything fell apart. Lynne is hated, feared and believed to be the cause of the deadly plague that has infected ninety nine percent of the US. She needs a strong ally in this hostile landscape . What she hadn't expected was to find a protector who will do whatever it takes to save those he considers to be "his". Jax may lead the Vanguard group but his ways may not suit all. Tough yes but can this leader really hold it together in this post apocalyptic world they now live in. Lynne doesn't just need him to scavenge or fight she needs him to kill but just who is the target?
Wow I am in awe. Two strong personalities that drive this story and yet there's a certain humour here too. If you enjoy alpha males then badass Jax will leave you salivating but there's also an incredible vulnerability about him. Lynne is pragmatic , courageous and a total spitfire at times. Yes she is a survivor but she challenges Jax at every turn giving readers a passionate story that could melt your kindle ! There's drama , action and even painful betrayal within these pages but the author drops real emotion in too so beware it might just take you unawares. You won't close this book feeling you have all the answers but you will get a sense of hope and rather intriguingly there's developments that are so tantalising I just can't wait to read what happens next
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wondered how a story about post-apocalyptic horrors and zombies could be wrapped around a love story. However, I wasn't worried. Rebecca Zanetti is one of my favorite authors for a reason and with this introduction to The Scorpius Syndrome, she's shown a whole new side to what she can create and I'm impressed!

Jax Mercury was a military man. Once a gangbanger, he was now the protector of so many survivors. He was just trying to keep everyone alive, defending against other territories and gangs who wanted to take the meager supplies they had. He became a hero without intention. Oh... and he was delicious!

Then there's Lynne. Once the head of her department at the CDC, she was seen as the reason why the human race was becoming extinct. With a distinctive blue heart due to the Scorpius bacteria, she was viewed as either the harbinger of death... or the cure. Hunted, she believed that her only hope was finding Jax and taking advantage of his legendary heroics.

There was plenty of action and intrigue to be found here. One particular death scene left me stunned. I hate when a character I adore ends up dead 😭😭😭

There was no love lost between Lynn and I for most of this story. She kept secrets, tried to manipulate Jax, and turned me off in too many ways. It took me a while to warm up to her, however, I did by the end. I absolutely loved Jax! He was in denial about so many things, including the hero he had become. He was sexy, protective, dominant, brave, and determined. There's just something about an alpha ex-military hero done right that really does it for me. And Zanetti did it right here.

[Mindy Lou's Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know this is labeled book one, but you really need to read the .5 novella first. It gives you the very beginning of the bacteria outbreak. What caused it, what they tried to do to cure it and even some of the characters that will play a big part in this series. I think some readers would be confused in the beginning if they jump into this book first.

I found a great description of what The Scorpius bacteria is and what it does to people. This was in a training session our main character Jax quoted to the group who he was sending out to scavenge for supplies. I think it will help people to understand what this book series is about.

“You have to understand that the bacteria does not always kill human beings; sometimes the patient survives, but the Scorpius bacteria still remains within the body, stripping a small part of the brain. The contagion alters brain activity in everybody who is infected, but only turns half of the folks into killers. We don’t know why. It might have something to do with oxytocin, which is a chemical we think relates to empathy. Some folks lose it all, and some only part or none.”

To battle this bacteria, Lynne Harmony and Nora, who you meet in the novella, have discovered the need for Vitamin B. The Vitamin B is helping people to survive the bacteria and keeping them from turning into Rippers.

Rippers are the survivors who have been stripped of empathy mentioned in the quote above. There are two types of Rippers. The ones that are mindless and the ones who are extremely intelligent and can function as a human.

The problem is the bacteria has spread much faster than what they can do to research and the world has basically shut down to the point that it resembles the end of times. Not only are the survivors scavenging to find any necessities they can since there is no longer any in production, they are also having to fight off Rippers and any other formed group wanting these things for themselves.

This book focuses on Lynne and Jax. Lynne is the scientist who has been working on a cure from the beginning. Jax is military who has rounded up survivors and has created a safe place in L.A. Lynne comes to Jax for help to find a lab that has more research to help her with creating a solution to help their bodies naturally produce the Vitamin B they all desperately need.

In the middle of all this chaos, we get the to watch Lynne and Jax fall in love and the things they will do to keep everyone around them alive.

I'm seriously loving this series. The creativity the author has put into this storyline has blown me away. There is so much going on with all these people just trying to survive. You really get a sense of what the world would become if something like this were to truly happen.

I love how unpredictable the bacteria infection is. You don't know what the character will become if they survive the infection. There are hints that some of these survivors are being enhanced by the bacteria and I'm looking forward to where the author will take it.

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I picked this book for a number of reasons—a Z author, a quick read, a little blast of fantasy before returning to my regular reading fare. This is very much a Beauty and the Beast tale set in a violent post-apocalyptic world.

Lynn Harmony is used to being the smartest person in the room, a high-powered researcher in the CDC. Then the Scorpius bacterium is loosed on the world from a meteorite (shades of The Andromeda Strain). Scorpius is deadly to most people, but a few survive. They either go crazy or become conscious-less killers known as Rippers. Now the President of the United States (and Lynn's former lover) is a Ripper and he wants her and her research back under his control.

Lynn grabs her uncle, a former cop, and heads towards a hidden lab to see if she can devise a cure. When her uncle is killed, she walks into Jax Mercury's territory and she thinks she knows what she's doing—finding a powerful protector who can help her locate the covert lab. She has no idea that he will be so unexpectedly gorgeous and charismatic. Jax hates that Lynn knocks his socks off too. The last thing he needs is emotion. They agree—just sex, no strings attached. The best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray.

So this is a romance, part Forced Proximity (Jax keeps Lynn in his rooms) and Opposites Attract (the beautiful, brainy woman and the strong, ruthless warrior). What made it all palatable to me was the political manoeuvring, the disease research, and the group survival situation. It's a high stakes game and no one could be more surprised than me to discover that I really want to read the next book! I need to know more about the rescued FBI agent, Vivienne.

[Carole (Carole's Random Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/

I had a great time with this book! After reading the prequel novella, Scorpius Rising, I was eager to dive into the first full book in the series. All of the action, adventure, and romance that I have come to expect from Rebecca Zanetti with an end of the world setting? Yes, please! I had high hopes and I was not disappointed. I was entertained by this story from beginning to end and couldn’t wait to see Jax and Lynn make things work.

Lynn has people looking for her everywhere and she knows that she needs help so she seeks out Jax. Jax is the leader of a group in the Los Angeles area. Lynn is easy to identify because she now has a blue heart as a result of surviving the bacteria that is now plaguing the world. Lynn was part of a group of scientists working to cure the bacteria when she contracted the disease and may now be the key to fighting the infection.

I liked Jax and Lynn as a pair. I thought that they had great chemistry together and their personalities matched up well. While Lynn had a lot to prove to the rest of the community, Jax seemed to know that she could be trusted right away and he took his promise to protect her seriously. There were some pretty serious situations within the community and I liked seeing how they were able to work things out.

I believe that this was the first time that I have listened to Michael Pauley’s narration and I thought that he did a good job with the story. I thought that the voices that he used for both the male and female characters were well done. I thought that he had a nice voice and I am looking forward to listening to him narrate the rest of the series.

I would definitely recommend this book to others. I was glued to my headphones while listening to this book and was invested in seeing things work out for Jax, Lynn, and the other members of their community. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall rating: 4.5 "Blue Heart" stars!

Triggers:
Cheating: No
Love triangle: No
Sex with om/ow: No
Intimate pasts: The hero definitely had casual sex over the years throughout his life and no relationships or "love." The last time he had sex was about a year ago. I honestly don't recall about the heroine - how much sex she had. She definitely had a few relationships, especially with one of the villains. She didn't love him though. Anyway, it's been about a year for her as well since she last slept with him.
Push/pull: Both fought their feelings for each other considering the circumstances, etc. The hero was the first one to recognize his though
OW/OM drama: There is a woman, Sami, one of the hero's team members who tried to put the moves on him, but then when she tries to push into his room, she sees that the heroine is mussed in his bed. So she soon realizes that her moves are too late. She apparently tried to kiss the hero like 6 months before that, but he pushed her away. He didn't want to worry about women with everything else going on, so he decided to blow her off at that point as well. The heroine was obviously different for him.

The heroine's ex is a villain of the story so he does come after her, but doesn't really cause drama. He is a villain and that's it.

HEA: HFN

My review:

This was a good romantic suspense. I haven't had the pleasure of reading anything similar to one of my favorite shows - The Walking Dead, so this was a new genre of sorts for me.

I really can't say I had any issues with any part of this book. Of course with any romance, I like a full a complete HEA with epilogue. Obviously, this book is part of a series so the ending is just HFN, but I look forward to the next installment and seeing more of these two MCs in the next one :)

I am interested in Raze's book, especially because he has been celibate too - at least it seems that way. I wonder if Sami will end up with Tace. I didn't like her at first in this book, but then she turned out to not be such a troll, so I am on the fence about her book.

Sorry this is the best review I can come up with. I am running on little sleep right now!!! LOL

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book, the world is ravaged by the spread of bacteria (found in a meteorite) that can turn people into psychopathic killers. We got the heroine, Lynne, a top scientist that trying to find the cure for this disease and Jax, a leader for a small group based in LA that fought against the maniacs that wanted to kill everyone.

So... that didn't actually pan out the way I thought it was going to be. It was an okay book, I guess. I just don't feel anything for any of these characters.

I felt disconnected with the relationship between the main couple. I felt no chemistry whatsoever. What made them like each other in the first place? I see no instant connection at all, except that she was asked to take off her shirt right in the beginning. Is that it? Is the blue heart what made Jax felt attracted to Lynne? What? Why?

The world building was kinda lacking too. I hope that we could see the community they built, interaction with other people, the dynamic in the group, but we didn't get that. I don't even know how this small group of people function other than scavenging for food and supplies. I think I might've hope for too much in this aspect.

However, the fact that this is a post apocalyptic world with psychopathatic killers due to a Scorpius bacteria and the main villain in this book is the PRESIDENT OF UNITED STATES, it got me man. 😂 That hits too close to home.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received for review

Good start to a new series. Lots of back story of course which made it slow in parts. Great chemistry, romance and hot bedroom scenes between Lynne and Jax. Lots of crazy people aka Rippers running around creating chaos. Great secondary characters that I can't wait to know more about, but Ms. Zanetti is on my poop list for one thing.

[Izy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating~ 4.5 stars

An ARC was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.

I might be (ok alot biased) since I really enjoy and love Ms. Zanettis books that I had to request for an ARC. And I read this book while I was on my flight to my holiday destination which made it a hell of a interesting flight.

I would suggest everyone read the anthology On the Hunt because it introduces the world of scorpius syndrome and it features a great couple as well. I have surmised what happens to Lynne in the anthology to help with any confusion.

In the post apocalyptic world, USA is under attack from a new kind of space bacteria. The bacterial infection called scorpius syndrome, fatal to some of the population and to others making them deadly. The bacterium responds differently in different people, in some it leads to them completely losing themselves and their moral compass becoming psychopaths with the intention of infecting everyone, while others though carriers of the disease are still for the lack of a better word humane. It is said that bacteria also makes psychics out of some but as of the ending of the book, alot of the information on the bacteria is unknown. The population alive is barely scarping by with little electricity and food supplies left over.

As as biomed student, this was very intriguing to me and it spoke to my science geek side. I loved the whole concept of the bacteria but I digress, moving on the romance and the protagonists.

Lynne Harmony was one of the scientist working on the syndrome when it was first discovered at CDC. Unfortunately during said work she got infected and her best friend used the only work in progress vaccine to help her which resulted in Lynne getting a fluorescent heart which glowed blue. At the end of the book in the anthology Lynne is in hospital trying to recover from the infection. I really enjoyed Lynne, not only is she a genius, she’s also extremely strong and a kickass heroine.

Jax Mercury is a former special ops and the reluctant leader of the survivors of the infection in California. Jax has been trying to keep his people alive with the help of some of the people in his camp by hunting resources (anything from food to fuel to medication). Jax is like Ms. Zanetti’s other heroes, an alpha male and also a badass with a sharp mind. Jax finds himself falling in loves in with Lynne, a woman who is said to carry a deadlier strain of the disease.

Lynne and Jax; from the moment they meet share mutual attraction and at the same time distrust. They had great chemistry and I liked how their relationship developed. Both compliment each other and are extremely lovely people with pasts that have made them stronger.

The book also has tons of action, along with some violence and a fight for survival in a new world. Jax and Lynn find themselves looking for a cure against the bacteria while trying to hide from authorities that comprise of sociopaths bent on building a new world under their control and fighting against old enemies.

This is an excellent start to the series and I can’t wait for the next book Shadow Fallowing which will be about Raze and Vinnie!

[maggieandteddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really was taking a 180 from my usual genre. I've been wanting to branch out. So I picked this book.
Sci-Fi, with some romance thrown in. I have other Zanetti books in my library, but I wanted to start with book one in this Series.
I took my sweet time reading this. I'm not a skimmer, but I really read word for word. I really got into the futurist post-apocalyptic thriller. There's really no date given, but I got the impression that this could have taken place in the very near future.
Scorpius is a killer bacteria that spreads with often deadly outcomes. Or causes the victims brain to malfunction and turn into a Ripper- a crazed killer with no remorse. Some survivors gain brain function and physical strength. I was riveted to this story.
Lynne, is a survivor of Scorpius and former CDC scientist, making her way west to L.A. to find a cure and to get away from her Ripper ex-who's hunting her down. Lynne finds shelter in "Vanguard", a fortress in the inner-city of Los Angeles. Jax Mercury is their leader. A real Alpha Male. When Lynne shows up and seeks help, Jax is naturally suspicious of her. The entire group fears her, since they know that she had Scorpius. Her heart has turned blue- and glows blue through her clothing!
Vitamin B is the only remedy that eases the early symptoms. There's a constant chore of looking for food, fuel and medical supplies. Very few people have survived, so LA and the surrounding area is nearly abandoned. Cars are abandoned on the freeways and roads. It's bleak and scary. Of course, like cockroaches, gangs have survived. The common enemy of the Vanguard is "The Twenty", headed by Cruz. He's a life long nemesis of Jax. Pre-Scorpius, Jax escaped the violence and gang life by choosing the military over prison. Cruz has resented it ever since. He's constantly after Jax and those under his care.
There's no electricity so no internet. No running water (they bathe in rain water with Dawn dish soap). Yep, I told you it's bleak.
And yet, there's always this hope. Lynne and Jax filled each other's sexual needs- and companionship. Jax later admits this too.
The secondary characters were great supports to the story. Raze, is a big strong silent type. Tace is the medic, with Lynne assisting. Sami is a spunky ex cop who can't shoot a gun but can kick butt with her martial arts skills.
I was so anxious to see how this came out. There was hope. Does Jax show his softer, compassionate side? Will they find a cure?
The story just ended. No HEA in this one. HFN-the reader can decide. I guess so.
Book 2 preview at the end of this book. Book 2 is coming out in September! what?!
I told my husband about this book, I said that this better NOT be another "Lost" (the effing continually cliffy TV show that had a freaking WTF ending!!!)
Thanks for the ARC Net Galley. I haven't decided if I'll read the next book. 4 stars since it had me hooked and thinking. What if??
***************
*Edit, I'm changing my rating to 5 STARS-since, I cannot get this book/series out of my mind. I'm so anxious for book 2. My heart has been so BLUE ^_~

[Tanja ~ KT Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven’t read Scorpius Rising from the On The Hunt anthology, stop and read it now. It isn’t a “must”, but in my opinion it really sets the stage for Mercury Striking.

Fans of an apocalyptic type read will no doubt devour this one. It us unlike anything I have read from Zanetti before. I’d say that Walking Dead meets the Sin brothers is the best way to describe it. The world has changed, and those that have survived it are either enhanced, or worse: a zombie-like creature set on tearing you limb from limb. I have never been a watcher of the Waking Dead series, and honestly my weak ability to tolerate the more gruesome parts had me doing some skim reading. I am sure, however, that many will absolutely love it.

As for our couple, those who’ve read Scorpius Rising will have already met the brilliant Lynn Harmony. She has been on the run and the propaganda being blasted and spread about her isn’t all together true. She needs help, information, and in all honesty, a friend and ally in finding a cure.

Jax Mercury has garnered a reputation. He is fast, deadly, and comes with a past divided in two camps: adolescent gang member and decorated solider. This combination has put him in a precarious situation. He must defend his grouping of people within the compound while keeping the rippers and rival gangs out. Supplies are scarce and the moral and safety of his people must come first.

Lynn has made her way to Mercury and is seeking asylum. Neither of them expects the relation that grows while Jax is keeping her safe from the enemy as well as his own people. Jax will learn how to become a real leader while finding the answers they all seek.

It’s an engrossing mixture of sci-fi apocalyptic contagion and a couple finding respite in the heat of battle. One of Zanetti’s best works to date.



Follow us on  
KT Book Reviews
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest

*Posting on KT Book Reviews 26 Jan 2016 / Posted to Netgalley 14 Dec 2015

[Ezi Chinny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review at Oh My Shelves Blog
I think the author definitely elevated her game in this book. I admit that I love Rebecca Zanetti’s writing. Whenever I open her book, I feel confident that I will get both a good plot and likeable characters. While this novel book was no exception, she really took time to lay the foundation to what I believe will be an exciting new series.

I read the prequel awhile ago and I don’t remember much from it. So I don’t feel like it affected my enjoyment of this book. The world building in this book was very impressive and sufficed for me to know what's going on. The author really made sure to paint the gritty Los Angeles where it almost reminded me of Mad Max and the Thunderdome society. There is chaos, anarchy, and confusion everywhere. Yet in Jax’s camp, he set up some order to quell the pandemonium and address the myriad rumors about Scorpius. I also liked the supporting cast and they gave the group some diversity and personality. Bravo!

While Jax and Lynne had the same kind of style I am used to from the author (i.e. insta-attraction, feisty and stubborn females, alpha males, steamy sex), the storyline was laid out methodically. Jax was this hard and unyielding leader in a world that required firm and decisive control. That’s why I liked Lynne coming into his life. His feelings for Lynne kept him for being a cold-blooded automaton. They had to learn to trust each other outside the sheets, and allow for emotional intimacy, something neither one desired to do. As they try to figure out what they doing with each other, Jax's camp is staving off other scavenger groups. There was a number of things happening here featuring action-packed scenes, suspense, intrigue and romance. I already see this series on TV or a movie. It has all the makings of great cinema. It wasn't a quick read, but it was a satisfying one. I am already looking forward to the enigma known as Raze, whom will probably be exposed more in book 2.

*Special thanks to Kensington Books via Netgalley for the e-arc, which was given in exchange for an honest review

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.

Ooooo Rebecca Zanetti! *grabby hands* I was crazy excited for a new series from Zanetti. The woman can write action and suspense like you wouldn't believe and a new world kicking off with a pretty badass cover? I'm in!

The quick of it is that the world has been hit with a deadly bacteria. Billions are dead and the world is pretty much a gritty war zone. One the heroine (who many blame for the horrors they've been through) is desperately crossing in order to find the one man who can help her. That can protect her and provide a way for her to maybe save them all from the hell they've been plunged into.

First off, I loved the characters. Lynne and Jax are survivors. They managed to overcome everything that's been thrown at them. Danger, death, heartache and loss. And they life to fight another day. Jax pulling together survivors and keeping them under his protection and Lynne never giving up on finding a cure or at least a way to slow down the bacteria trying to destroy them all. They're both a bit broken (totally expected) but there's a strength to both of them that was admirable. The romance? Slow moving despite the attraction and heat. I liked it though. They have a lot of crap they have to deal with including trust issues. I loved seeing them find comfort with each other despite everything surrounding them.

The suspense was different for me. I don't read too many post-apocalyptic storylines. And this one had a lot of grit. There's nothing pretty, easy or sexy about the way these people are living. They're getting by on bare threads and are seriously fighting for survival. Against the bacteria that's still a threat, against gang members trying to steal their supplies, against those who have been infected and gone crazy, and against the President of the US who is out to get Lynne. It's brutal and harsh.

Alright. So, as a whole Mercury Striking was an interesting read. But it was missing something for me. It took me forever to get into this one. I'd say the 50% mark or just passed it. I'm not even sure what it was other than it was slow and just didn't grab my attention. There weren't any huge surprises/twists I didn't see coming or moments of whoa! It was just reading without total engagement. It wasn't bad but not what I typically expect writing-wise from Zanetti. It did pull me in though. While the storyline (I'm guessing that's what it was since it was slower more ambling pace) didn't grab me the characters as a whole did. I enjoyed the main characters but I also liked the support cast and getting to slowly know them. So a decent start to a series though not perfect. I am curious to see what'll happen next for this ragtag group of survivors.

______________
Jan11--This one isn't the easiest to get hooked on. I'm just about 50% in and mildly involved. It's not like the Sins Brothers that hooked me right away. It's an interesting world but there's nothing really grabbing me so far. :/

Dec1--Oooo there are some squee-s happening, people. Some squee-s happening.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lynn Harmony is in search of freedom. Blamed for starting the Scorpius Syndrome, she is hunted and a pariah to mankind. Her hope lies in Jax Mercury, a leader in the Vanguard group and survivors of this plague.

Zanetti has two very powerful characters that bring this story to life. The hostile world climate is on the brink of imploding and you can truly believe Jax and Lynn have what it takes to survive but I wasn’t 100% all in to them being a couple.

I was very excited when I found out about a new series by Zanetti and with her world building alone, I was not disappointed. The world building was superb then add in the unique dystopian circumstances that has you guessing till the end. Overall, I really enjoyed Mercury Striking.
I received this ARC copy of Mercury Striking from Kensington Books - Zebra in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication January 26, 2016.

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of Mercury Striking from Zebra via Netgalley in exchange of an honest and unbiased review*

Mercury Striking is a very powerful dystopia suspense novel, where most technology is down, and what is left of humanity is fighting against a horrible bacteria for survival.

[RachelW (BamaGal) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me say right off the bat that I have struggled with Zanetti's books in the past. This new apocalyptic series, however, looks to be right up my alley. Mercury Striking is not a perfect read by any means. The wordbuilding for the setting could be a little better; but overall I am quite pleased with the book and this world.

Lynne Harmony is the nation's top microbiologist. When a pandemic begins after a highly infectious bacteria is brought to earth during a meteor shower, she is brought in by the government to help stop the spread of the bacteria. Unable to contain the pandemic, 99% of the world's population dies. The bacterial infection usually ends in a painful death; but survivors often have enhanced capabilities. It also causes a few to have the intense desire to spread the disease, usually by way of biting the victims. Lynne herself has been bitten, but is injected with a controversial and untested agent which leaves her 'changed'.

After being held by the new untrustworthy government as a carrier of the infection; she escapes and makes her way to California, needing vital research supplies being kept at a secret lab there, called Myriad. Once she arrives, she meets up with a ragtag group of survivors being led by the enigmatic Jax Mercury…who may help her, or may turn her over to the government.

Mercury Striking takes place fully in the post-apocalyptic aftermath of the pandemic, when survivors are struggling to stay alive against all dangers being thrown at them. Although it can be read standalone; I recommend reading Scorpius Rising first. It is a ss from the On the Hunt anthology; and takes the story back to the beginning, when the meteors first hit and the pandemic begins. I felt it helped me get ready for this barren, dangerous new world; and although not the lead character, Lynne is first introduced to the reader.

While the book is at heart a romance, there was more than enough action and plotline to keep me invested in this post-apocalyptic world. I really think (hope) I’m going to like this series. This is a genre I typically really enjoy, and I'm looking forward to reading more in this series and world. Lots of interesting characters being introduced, both primary and secondary.