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Strain #3
Bane
The weapon that nearly destroyed humanity may be their only salvation.
Rhys Cooper’s unique immunity to all three strains of the virus that nearly annihilated humanity has brought him the unwanted attention of Clean Zone scientists. They’ve summoned him for testing—ostensibly in the hopes of finding a vaccine—but Rhys’s partner, Darius Murrell, has good reason not to trust any government. He and his comrades in Delta Company were unwitting test subjects for Project Juggernaut, the military experiment that gave them superhuman abilities and unleashed the pandemic. Doubting the government’s intentions, Delta Company refuses to let Rhys go alone.
Fear of infection has kept Zach Houtman and his lover Nico Fernández apart for a decade. They meet rarely, just long enough to coordinate their spying on the head of the government’s virus research division. Secretary Littlewood is a vicious predator, and they suspect he’s trying to acquire the strain of the virus that would make him superhuman. To stop him, they need the perfect Rhys.
For Rhys, helping them might cost him his relationship with Darius—or his life. For Zach and Nico, even if their plan succeeds, they still face the ultimate can infected and uninfected people ever live together safely?
Word page 279
Rhys Cooper’s unique immunity to all three strains of the virus that nearly annihilated humanity has brought him the unwanted attention of Clean Zone scientists. They’ve summoned him for testing—ostensibly in the hopes of finding a vaccine—but Rhys’s partner, Darius Murrell, has good reason not to trust any government. He and his comrades in Delta Company were unwitting test subjects for Project Juggernaut, the military experiment that gave them superhuman abilities and unleashed the pandemic. Doubting the government’s intentions, Delta Company refuses to let Rhys go alone.
Fear of infection has kept Zach Houtman and his lover Nico Fernández apart for a decade. They meet rarely, just long enough to coordinate their spying on the head of the government’s virus research division. Secretary Littlewood is a vicious predator, and they suspect he’s trying to acquire the strain of the virus that would make him superhuman. To stop him, they need the perfect Rhys.
For Rhys, helping them might cost him his relationship with Darius—or his life. For Zach and Nico, even if their plan succeeds, they still face the ultimate can infected and uninfected people ever live together safely?
Word page 279
279 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2015
39 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Amelia C. Gormley
25 books226 followersAmelia C. Gormley published her first short story in the school newspaper in the 4th grade, and since then has suffered the persistent delusion that enabling other people to hear the voices in her head might be a worthwhile endeavor. She’s even convinced her hapless spouse that it could be a lucrative one as well, especially when coupled with her real-life interest in angst, kink, social justice issues, and pretty men.
When her husband and son aren’t interacting with the back of her head as she stares at the computer, they rely on her to feed them, maintain their domicile, and keep some semblance of order in their lives (all very, very bad ideas—they really should know better by now.) She can also be found playing video games and ranting on Tumblr, seeing as how she’s one of those horrid social justice warriors out to destroy free speech, gaming, geek culture, and everything else that’s fun everywhere.
You can find her self-published Impulse trilogy almost anywhere ebooks are sold, and check out her catalog of Riptide Publishing releases at their website.
(NOTE: If you are sending me a friends request just to try to promote your books to me or invite me to release events, I will unfriend and block you. I don't use GoodReads to spam people and neither should you.)
When her husband and son aren’t interacting with the back of her head as she stares at the computer, they rely on her to feed them, maintain their domicile, and keep some semblance of order in their lives (all very, very bad ideas—they really should know better by now.) She can also be found playing video games and ranting on Tumblr, seeing as how she’s one of those horrid social justice warriors out to destroy free speech, gaming, geek culture, and everything else that’s fun everywhere.
You can find her self-published Impulse trilogy almost anywhere ebooks are sold, and check out her catalog of Riptide Publishing releases at their website.
(NOTE: If you are sending me a friends request just to try to promote your books to me or invite me to release events, I will unfriend and block you. I don't use GoodReads to spam people and neither should you.)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 21, 2015
This series has been an emotional rollarcoaster from start to finish. I loved every second of it.
'Bane' is set two years after the events of Strain. Darius and Rhys are in a monogamous relationship, but they're far from set in stone. Which is understandable, given the circumstances under which they met and that Rhys' continuing health would always be questionable. But the two are taking it one day at a time, and having copious amounts of kinky sex in the mean time.
At the end of book 1, there was a big question mark over Rhys and Darius. It seemed almost impossible that they'd ever completely move beyond what Rhys had to do in order to survive, and the abuse he had suffered at the monastery. The author did an excellent job of bringing that all to the forefront and laying it bare, so that Rhys and Darius could finally begin a life that was truly their own, free of any burdens. Between the heartfelt talks and the visceral sex, Darius and Rhys kept me riveted.
On the other hand, Nico and Zach have spent the last decade apart. Zach's stubborn conviction and Nico's refusal to put Zach in harm's way have kept the two from one another. But they do meet for a few moments a year, just long enough to coordinate their plan to bring down Secretary Littlewood.
At points I really didn't like Zach. He was getting on my nerves. But I could still respect his dedication to doing what was best for the greater good. By the end, I was just glad that Zach and Nico finally got their HEA.
The thing that stands out most in the book is the storytelling. Amelia C. Gormley weaves a tale that left me thoroughly impressed. All of the question I had from the preceding books were finally answered, and in a way that I couldn't have guessed. How the two couples stories' related to one another, the Bane virus, and everything that had transpired since the first outbreak. And how the four found a solution to a seemingly unsolvable situation. It was marvellous.
I'll be honest and say that I read this for Darius and Rhys' story more so than the other two. Which I don't think I can be blamed for, considering how book 1 put me through the wringer. I loved getting back to those two and seeing them get their closure and HEA. I'm really hoping that Gormley visits them again sometime soon!
The Strain series isn't for everyone. But if you're looking for something dark and edgy that's also action-packed, I'd highly recommend these books.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
'Bane' is set two years after the events of Strain. Darius and Rhys are in a monogamous relationship, but they're far from set in stone. Which is understandable, given the circumstances under which they met and that Rhys' continuing health would always be questionable. But the two are taking it one day at a time, and having copious amounts of kinky sex in the mean time.
At the end of book 1, there was a big question mark over Rhys and Darius. It seemed almost impossible that they'd ever completely move beyond what Rhys had to do in order to survive, and the abuse he had suffered at the monastery. The author did an excellent job of bringing that all to the forefront and laying it bare, so that Rhys and Darius could finally begin a life that was truly their own, free of any burdens. Between the heartfelt talks and the visceral sex, Darius and Rhys kept me riveted.
On the other hand, Nico and Zach have spent the last decade apart. Zach's stubborn conviction and Nico's refusal to put Zach in harm's way have kept the two from one another. But they do meet for a few moments a year, just long enough to coordinate their plan to bring down Secretary Littlewood.
At points I really didn't like Zach. He was getting on my nerves. But I could still respect his dedication to doing what was best for the greater good. By the end, I was just glad that Zach and Nico finally got their HEA.
The thing that stands out most in the book is the storytelling. Amelia C. Gormley weaves a tale that left me thoroughly impressed. All of the question I had from the preceding books were finally answered, and in a way that I couldn't have guessed. How the two couples stories' related to one another, the Bane virus, and everything that had transpired since the first outbreak. And how the four found a solution to a seemingly unsolvable situation. It was marvellous.
I'll be honest and say that I read this for Darius and Rhys' story more so than the other two. Which I don't think I can be blamed for, considering how book 1 put me through the wringer. I loved getting back to those two and seeing them get their closure and HEA. I'm really hoping that Gormley visits them again sometime soon!
The Strain series isn't for everyone. But if you're looking for something dark and edgy that's also action-packed, I'd highly recommend these books.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
October 11, 2015
You say you want a revolution...
Well, this is a more main stream post-apocalyptic story than Strain was. It dialed back the intensity and "questionable" aspects of Darian and Rhy's relationship. I hate to say it, but the rawness is gone and white picket fences are looming.
I haven't read Juggernaut and I'm wondering if that might have helped a little bit with some of the characters met in the Clean Zone. And yes, that name is suppose to sound as offensive as it is.
While the controversial sexual aspects, dub con/ rape, have been eliminated and overall it is toned down, there are some notable exceptions: masochism, public activity, and bloodplay. Flashpoint words have been added to provide the edge and sometimes they are just launched and then not followed up on.
Now I don't have a problem with opening issues for discussion, but just lobbing fire grenades like that and then letting them fizzle out is provocative for no reason.
The plot of this story revolves around Rhys, and his offer to assist efforts to the counteract the Bane strain by undergoing testing. The Jugs have legitimate reasons for not trusting the powers that be and walking in with Rhys has everyone a bit cagey. Then, a surprising coincidence sets them on high alert.
We meet a new couple: Nico and Zach. Their relationship is longstanding, but the issues surrounding Bane have kept them separated more than together. Again, the greatest weakness of the story are the villains. Villains more caricature than character as with Littlewood, and McClosky is a burnt husk of a person.
There's a interesting discussion of Rhy's masochism and the extremeness of it demonstrated via bloodplay. I liked this exploration a lot. The characters do more introspection.
Also again, there's the grand decision which is convoluted and the solution simple, which they ignored in the first place to set up grand conflicts, so that didn't work for me. Essentially the characters make some decisions which are illogical, and it's not due to emotion overriding judgment. Either I'm missing something or there are issues with the characters' reactions to the virus and possible infection. The epidemiology is confusing,
In contrast to that there is a bizarre impotence regarding medical treatment, a fatalism espoused as we watch Nico and revisit Rhy's experience with exposure. In some ways telling one not to worry, what will be will be, and expounding that it is out of one's hands--you can't do anything. Disturbing undercurrent. Nonetheless, it was entertaining and a nice wrap up for the Delta Company.
Overall, a testosterone fun-filled dystopia.
Favorite passage:
Well, this is a more main stream post-apocalyptic story than Strain was. It dialed back the intensity and "questionable" aspects of Darian and Rhy's relationship. I hate to say it, but the rawness is gone and white picket fences are looming.
I haven't read Juggernaut and I'm wondering if that might have helped a little bit with some of the characters met in the Clean Zone. And yes, that name is suppose to sound as offensive as it is.
While the controversial sexual aspects, dub con/ rape, have been eliminated and overall it is toned down, there are some notable exceptions: masochism, public activity, and bloodplay. Flashpoint words have been added to provide the edge and sometimes they are just launched and then not followed up on.
"And traditionally, when white people decide that they’re afraid of brown people, it doesn’t go well for the brown people.”
Now I don't have a problem with opening issues for discussion, but just lobbing fire grenades like that and then letting them fizzle out is provocative for no reason.
The plot of this story revolves around Rhys, and his offer to assist efforts to the counteract the Bane strain by undergoing testing. The Jugs have legitimate reasons for not trusting the powers that be and walking in with Rhys has everyone a bit cagey. Then, a surprising coincidence sets them on high alert.
We meet a new couple: Nico and Zach. Their relationship is longstanding, but the issues surrounding Bane have kept them separated more than together. Again, the greatest weakness of the story are the villains. Villains more caricature than character as with Littlewood, and McClosky is a burnt husk of a person.
There's a interesting discussion of Rhy's masochism and the extremeness of it demonstrated via bloodplay. I liked this exploration a lot. The characters do more introspection.
"That maybe one day the Alpha strain would just . . . take hold. Then I’d really be one of you. I wouldn’t just be your ‘pet civvie.’”
Also again, there's the grand decision which is convoluted and the solution simple, which they ignored in the first place to set up grand conflicts, so that didn't work for me. Essentially the characters make some decisions which are illogical, and it's not due to emotion overriding judgment. Either I'm missing something or there are issues with the characters' reactions to the virus and possible infection. The epidemiology is confusing,
In contrast to that there is a bizarre impotence regarding medical treatment, a fatalism espoused as we watch Nico and revisit Rhy's experience with exposure. In some ways telling one not to worry, what will be will be, and expounding that it is out of one's hands--you can't do anything. Disturbing undercurrent. Nonetheless, it was entertaining and a nice wrap up for the Delta Company.
Overall, a testosterone fun-filled dystopia.
Favorite passage:
“You ever come to me and say you want my marks on you because it’s what you want, I’ll give you anything you ask for. But not if it’s to make a point to anyone else. We ever do that, it’s gonna mean something just between you and me.”
~a copy provided by Netgalley and a review submitted~
August 6, 2015
I received this book as an ARC though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked seeing how the threads of Nico and Zach's story wove together with Rhys and Darius's. I liked that their meeting wasn't necessarily positive, and that their goals weren't always in sync. I appreciated that the author didn't use this as an opportunity to vilify anyone, and that by getting in different character's heads I was able to understand what happened, and why from all perspectives. It added a lot of richness to the story for me, and I appreciated that.
The plot was nicely paced, and it really brought together a lot of the lose threads from the previous two books. It took both story lines, and really melded them together without making one more important or central than another. It showed how much all these characters were connected before they even met. The resolution was well done, and it left me feeling satisfied. There were no miracles, and everything that happens felt supported by the story, and the world building. Another great addition to this series.
I really enjoyed this book. I liked seeing how the threads of Nico and Zach's story wove together with Rhys and Darius's. I liked that their meeting wasn't necessarily positive, and that their goals weren't always in sync. I appreciated that the author didn't use this as an opportunity to vilify anyone, and that by getting in different character's heads I was able to understand what happened, and why from all perspectives. It added a lot of richness to the story for me, and I appreciated that.
The plot was nicely paced, and it really brought together a lot of the lose threads from the previous two books. It took both story lines, and really melded them together without making one more important or central than another. It showed how much all these characters were connected before they even met. The resolution was well done, and it left me feeling satisfied. There were no miracles, and everything that happens felt supported by the story, and the world building. Another great addition to this series.
September 22, 2015
You know the drill - Prism Book Alliance® Reviewage Here
Oh, Rhys and Darius, how I’ve missed you! So… what’s up? Besides revenants wanting to kill and eat you, fears of infection from multiple strains of Bane, and various other challenges in trying to stay alive, of course.
** to the audience **
Let’s find out!
The intersecting of Rhys and Darius’ story from Strain with that of Zach and Nico’s from Juggernaut here in this book creates an immediately mature forest filled with possibilities for conflict, surprises, and maybe, just maybe, even some good endings. Or, at least, beginnings to a future that includes more than just death and loss and betrayal.
I’ll do my best not to spoil anything here, as that is our practice here at PBA, but just know that if you haven’t yet read Strain, book one of this series, you might see a few things beyond what’s in the blurb for it, as well as Juggernaut, book two. All three books are connected in so many ways that it’s a challenge to review this one without mentioning some characters and basic detail from the other books.
I found myself asking many questions as I was reading. I love when an author makes me do that. Would there ever be a way for the Jugs to have children? What would a meeting between Darius and Nico look like? Would there be another battle and, if so, who would be left standing? Who would end up in charge? And are we humans always doomed to revert to the very same mistakes we’ve suffered through before? Why can’t we choose the better path, the one less littered by isolationism and the scramble for power at the expense of others?
If you can’t tell already, reading this book makes you an active participant, not a passive viewer.
Promises are important. They’re precious, yet sometimes treated like a commodity. Changes in value and follow through are inevitable. For Rhys, there’s this…
Were they saying it to reassure Rhys that he wasn’t being as foolhardy as he felt? Or did they really believe it?
Nearly every character in this book encounters this dilemma, most of those instances involving the difference between life and death. Oh yeah, the stakes are high, even higher than before, higher than ever. With knowledge comes decisions and choices, none of them easy for any of these people. There passage above goes on much longer but some of it refers back to what we learn in “Strain”, so I’m not including it. Hopefully the impact is still significant. All of these people have lost so much. For some, practically everything.
The tendrils of emotion, mystery, fear, anger, desperation, desire, and danger continue to grow and weave together in tighter and more complicated ways. The points where one ends and another begins continue to disappear, fading and fraying and threatening to make all of the effort for naught.
Darius has become obsessed with wanting a real life for Rhys, whatever the cost. For his part, Rhys wasn’t letting Darius off that easy. He was fighting for them to have that life together, he’s fighting for everyone. So is Zach. And Nico? Lawdy, I was riveted.
Meanwhile, on the writing front, Gormley strikes a great balance in reminding us about past events and universe rules for this world without overdoing it: the Jugs and their strain of Bane and the ramifications, for them and for those in the future who could be forced with infection; the different strains and what they mean, if and how they’re changing. What possible cures, if any, could there be? And what would that mean and for whom? For everyone? Or anyone at all?
Just as the physical stakes are sky high in this book, so are the emotional ones. And the surprises! They just kept coming, clever without being cheeky or obvious. I was rubbing my hands together with glee about the implications. My heart truly started racing, especially during the last quarter of the book. What this all means is that the relationships and connections between these people are the backbone of this story. This fact is never forgotten, never traded on unfairly or cheaply, never allowed to lose its importance.
I never thought I’d say this, but I was brought to tears more than once, something that rarely happens to me while reading, especially by a story of this type.
He shuffled away, leaving Xolani pacing by the ruins. He was almost out of earshot when she called after him, “Rhys?”
“Yeah?” He glanced back at her, waiting as she shuffled her weight awkwardly from one foot to another.
“I’ve never been prouder of the fact that I argued to save your life that day at the monastery than I am right now. You’ve grown into an incredible man. I’m glad I got to see it happen.”
The final chapters of this book are beautiful, each storyline deftly transitioning from one to the next and back again. Every difficult scene, and there are many, is worth suffering through for what we get in the end. The entire story is so well done, but the finale exists on another level, all its own.
Each book in this series has its own tone and style and yet they are clearly connected and work best when read together, like some mega-length super-novel. Gorgeously plotted, I know I’ll be reading them again, in quick succession. I can’t wait to see what I maybe missed the first time around, and experience some of the same emotions. To say I’m satisfied is the epitome of understatement.
Oh, Rhys and Darius, how I’ve missed you! So… what’s up? Besides revenants wanting to kill and eat you, fears of infection from multiple strains of Bane, and various other challenges in trying to stay alive, of course.
** to the audience **
Let’s find out!
The intersecting of Rhys and Darius’ story from Strain with that of Zach and Nico’s from Juggernaut here in this book creates an immediately mature forest filled with possibilities for conflict, surprises, and maybe, just maybe, even some good endings. Or, at least, beginnings to a future that includes more than just death and loss and betrayal.
I’ll do my best not to spoil anything here, as that is our practice here at PBA, but just know that if you haven’t yet read Strain, book one of this series, you might see a few things beyond what’s in the blurb for it, as well as Juggernaut, book two. All three books are connected in so many ways that it’s a challenge to review this one without mentioning some characters and basic detail from the other books.
I found myself asking many questions as I was reading. I love when an author makes me do that. Would there ever be a way for the Jugs to have children? What would a meeting between Darius and Nico look like? Would there be another battle and, if so, who would be left standing? Who would end up in charge? And are we humans always doomed to revert to the very same mistakes we’ve suffered through before? Why can’t we choose the better path, the one less littered by isolationism and the scramble for power at the expense of others?
If you can’t tell already, reading this book makes you an active participant, not a passive viewer.
Promises are important. They’re precious, yet sometimes treated like a commodity. Changes in value and follow through are inevitable. For Rhys, there’s this…
Were they saying it to reassure Rhys that he wasn’t being as foolhardy as he felt? Or did they really believe it?
Nearly every character in this book encounters this dilemma, most of those instances involving the difference between life and death. Oh yeah, the stakes are high, even higher than before, higher than ever. With knowledge comes decisions and choices, none of them easy for any of these people. There passage above goes on much longer but some of it refers back to what we learn in “Strain”, so I’m not including it. Hopefully the impact is still significant. All of these people have lost so much. For some, practically everything.
The tendrils of emotion, mystery, fear, anger, desperation, desire, and danger continue to grow and weave together in tighter and more complicated ways. The points where one ends and another begins continue to disappear, fading and fraying and threatening to make all of the effort for naught.
Darius has become obsessed with wanting a real life for Rhys, whatever the cost. For his part, Rhys wasn’t letting Darius off that easy. He was fighting for them to have that life together, he’s fighting for everyone. So is Zach. And Nico? Lawdy, I was riveted.
Meanwhile, on the writing front, Gormley strikes a great balance in reminding us about past events and universe rules for this world without overdoing it: the Jugs and their strain of Bane and the ramifications, for them and for those in the future who could be forced with infection; the different strains and what they mean, if and how they’re changing. What possible cures, if any, could there be? And what would that mean and for whom? For everyone? Or anyone at all?
Just as the physical stakes are sky high in this book, so are the emotional ones. And the surprises! They just kept coming, clever without being cheeky or obvious. I was rubbing my hands together with glee about the implications. My heart truly started racing, especially during the last quarter of the book. What this all means is that the relationships and connections between these people are the backbone of this story. This fact is never forgotten, never traded on unfairly or cheaply, never allowed to lose its importance.
I never thought I’d say this, but I was brought to tears more than once, something that rarely happens to me while reading, especially by a story of this type.
He shuffled away, leaving Xolani pacing by the ruins. He was almost out of earshot when she called after him, “Rhys?”
“Yeah?” He glanced back at her, waiting as she shuffled her weight awkwardly from one foot to another.
“I’ve never been prouder of the fact that I argued to save your life that day at the monastery than I am right now. You’ve grown into an incredible man. I’m glad I got to see it happen.”
The final chapters of this book are beautiful, each storyline deftly transitioning from one to the next and back again. Every difficult scene, and there are many, is worth suffering through for what we get in the end. The entire story is so well done, but the finale exists on another level, all its own.
Each book in this series has its own tone and style and yet they are clearly connected and work best when read together, like some mega-length super-novel. Gorgeously plotted, I know I’ll be reading them again, in quick succession. I can’t wait to see what I maybe missed the first time around, and experience some of the same emotions. To say I’m satisfied is the epitome of understatement.
September 10, 2015
More than 5 Stars
Having a squee moment. I don't allow it often, I'm too old to freaking squee, but I loved this book. God, how I enjoyed being back with Darius and Rhys. You guys are the reason I read...
Strain was a tough book with non-con and rough sex by many of the Juggernauts from Delta Company with a then eighteen year old virgin, Rhys Cooper. But it was always Darius who pushed him to save his life, and it was always Darius who Rhys would open for. Two years later and they are exclusively together. Their volatile sex life continues in Bane but there is love and a deep bond too. Rhys has been summoned to the Clean Zone so he can be "tested" for his antibodies to all strains of the virus that kills or turns people into revenants. But Darius is not letting his boy go without a fight. Xolani has become like a mother to him and she isn't letting him go anywhere either. None of the Jugs trust the civvies and there is bad blood between them.
Then there's Zach and Nico who are also fantastic. Zach is still deeply religious, not a zealot but a true believer in God. And he's still resisting the Alpha strain for his own spiritual reasons. Because he and God don't believe it's his calling to be infected.
It keeps Nico and Zach intimately apart for a decade but they are still in love. Still see each other twice a year. Still searching for the answers to a cure or immunisation to the Strain. Zach is deep inside the machinations of the Department for Pandemic Research and Prevention, headed up by Senator Littlewood, only Zach is in the Clean Zone, not the secret lab. Nico searches for that lab and why people are disappearing from the Clean Zone. Most disturbingly, young men who are of a type that Nico understands all too well.
And there's slimy, vicious, agenda-driven Senator Littlewood. I wanted him nailed to a tree in Juggernaut, but he's still hanging around... and he's a bastard antagonist.
Bane is a fabulous (third) book. I don't know if more are coming - please let there be more - and while this is not exactly a HEA, it is a good ending as far as I'm concerned. If you haven't read any of these books and you think you might like to try, I recommend you start at Juggernaut and then go to Strain (heed trigger warnings) then on to Bane. Pure. Awesome.
Full NSFW review at
Having a squee moment. I don't allow it often, I'm too old to freaking squee, but I loved this book. God, how I enjoyed being back with Darius and Rhys. You guys are the reason I read...
Strain was a tough book with non-con and rough sex by many of the Juggernauts from Delta Company with a then eighteen year old virgin, Rhys Cooper. But it was always Darius who pushed him to save his life, and it was always Darius who Rhys would open for. Two years later and they are exclusively together. Their volatile sex life continues in Bane but there is love and a deep bond too. Rhys has been summoned to the Clean Zone so he can be "tested" for his antibodies to all strains of the virus that kills or turns people into revenants. But Darius is not letting his boy go without a fight. Xolani has become like a mother to him and she isn't letting him go anywhere either. None of the Jugs trust the civvies and there is bad blood between them.
Then there's Zach and Nico who are also fantastic. Zach is still deeply religious, not a zealot but a true believer in God. And he's still resisting the Alpha strain for his own spiritual reasons. Because he and God don't believe it's his calling to be infected.
It keeps Nico and Zach intimately apart for a decade but they are still in love. Still see each other twice a year. Still searching for the answers to a cure or immunisation to the Strain. Zach is deep inside the machinations of the Department for Pandemic Research and Prevention, headed up by Senator Littlewood, only Zach is in the Clean Zone, not the secret lab. Nico searches for that lab and why people are disappearing from the Clean Zone. Most disturbingly, young men who are of a type that Nico understands all too well.
And there's slimy, vicious, agenda-driven Senator Littlewood. I wanted him nailed to a tree in Juggernaut, but he's still hanging around... and he's a bastard antagonist.
Bane is a fabulous (third) book. I don't know if more are coming - please let there be more - and while this is not exactly a HEA, it is a good ending as far as I'm concerned. If you haven't read any of these books and you think you might like to try, I recommend you start at Juggernaut and then go to Strain (heed trigger warnings) then on to Bane. Pure. Awesome.
Full NSFW review at
September 27, 2015
A nice continuation and conclusion to the Strain Universe, I felt Bane was definitely an improvement over its predecessor. Taking place two years after the events of Strain, we follow Rhys and Darius on another, more political adventure. Furthermore, we have the addition of characters from Juggernaut: Zach and Nico.
Despite skipping Juggernaut, I was able to read Bane and enjoy it despite the POV shifts to Zach and Nico. Did I like them as much as Rhys and Darius? No, I didn't. But their story was an easy one to understand. Amelia Gormley did a good job with not leaving me in the complete dark - yes, I know there was more to them than what was said. But I pretty just felt like I got the gist of it, enough to move on. (And if I was more curious of their backstory, I could always go back to read the prequel).
In terms of our main couple, Rhys and Darius did take a majority of the spotlight. Bane took their relationship onto a new level. It was more physical in Strain (what with all the sexing), but it definitely went to a whole new level of emotional in this sequel. And yes, there was less sex in Bane - and thank goodness! It was a bit much in Strain. Fortunately, the physical intimacy was restrained and allowed for more room exploring something a bit more.
Overall, Bane is every bit the successful sequel I was expecting. This dystopian world finally got the conclusion I felt it needed. I'm a little sad it's over, but I wouldn't have it end any other way.
Despite skipping Juggernaut, I was able to read Bane and enjoy it despite the POV shifts to Zach and Nico. Did I like them as much as Rhys and Darius? No, I didn't. But their story was an easy one to understand. Amelia Gormley did a good job with not leaving me in the complete dark - yes, I know there was more to them than what was said. But I pretty just felt like I got the gist of it, enough to move on. (And if I was more curious of their backstory, I could always go back to read the prequel).
In terms of our main couple, Rhys and Darius did take a majority of the spotlight. Bane took their relationship onto a new level. It was more physical in Strain (what with all the sexing), but it definitely went to a whole new level of emotional in this sequel. And yes, there was less sex in Bane - and thank goodness! It was a bit much in Strain. Fortunately, the physical intimacy was restrained and allowed for more room exploring something a bit more.
Overall, Bane is every bit the successful sequel I was expecting. This dystopian world finally got the conclusion I felt it needed. I'm a little sad it's over, but I wouldn't have it end any other way.
September 27, 2015
I have to say I was kind of bored with this. It brings together the story lines in Strain and Juggernaut. I actually reread Strain and that was as great as I recall, but this one kind of left me cold. I just wasn't feeling the Nico/Zach thing, though Darius and Rhys are still smoking hot. Plus, there were no zombies in this one. Pity.
July 21, 2015
This is the third book in the STRAIN world and should absolutely be read after JUGGERNAUT and STRAIN. It picks up the story where both JUGGERNAUT and STRAIN left off, bringing their romantic pairs (Rhys and Darius from STRAIN and Zack and Nico from JUGGERNAUT) in direct contact to save what is left of the world.
This series of books is set approximately 100 years in the future after a military-developed supervirus decimated the population. People left on the planet? Estimates are in the ten thousands--the majority of them uninfected survivors living in small-to-large enclaves, the largest a settlement in Colorado Springs. The others are experimentally-treated soldiers, Jugs, who help comb the country to kill the lingering revenants--ravenous, Bane Gamma infected zombie-like persons.
Rhys is a survivor who is likely to be immune to all three strains of the Bane virus, and the scientists who remain in Colorado Springs want to test his blood and determine if a vaccine can be developed. Rhys' partner, Darius, is a Jug who will not leave Rhys to the whims of the scientists. The Jugs are outcasts, and rather bitter about it, due to their lethal blood. He and several other jugs travel from the Seattle area to keep Rhys safe.
They encounter Zack in Colorado, as he is a health worker for the scientists--this meeting is scarring for Rhys who was the subject of abuse from Zack's father and brother for nearly half his life. Over the course of testing, however, they build a rapport, and Zack confides in Rhys, Darius and the other Jugs about the disappearances in the compound, and how he knows that there are real scary things going down--likely due to the machinations of the sadistic Secretary Littlewood.
There are lots of political issues with the still developing society in Colorado, not least of which is a forced breeding program. Zack enlist Rhys's cooperation to help discover the secret lab of Littlewood, and the chase--quite literally--is on.
If you were hoping Zack and Nico would work things out, they do, but it's not pretty--for a long time. I just marveled at the deft plot twists and fantastic use of character in this book. I could honestly see and feel the scenes unfold. The love between Rhys and Darius is as harsh as their world, and it's erotic and delicious, too. Expect extreme monogamy. Yay! Also, expect the Jugs to save the freaking day, yet again. I hate to say it, but this book is frighteningly on-point with contemporary issues (think: corporations buying up the natural park lands) and with the supramilitaristic response when faced with the viral outbreak.
Rhys was a child when the outbreak occurred, and his adult insight--as he travels past burned out hospitals and tenements where the infected were locked down and incinerated alive--is poignant. Darius' constant love is engaging, Zack's commitment to his purpose (to remain Bane Alpha-free) is as noble as it is frustrating. Nico has known for years that he could sexually transmit safety to Zack, but Zack feels called to remain unprotected. His faith has a surprising reward and gave me the ability to breathe again--after holding my breath so long in fear that Zack would become infected and turn revenant.
The series is phenomenal, and I cannot love it more. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
This series of books is set approximately 100 years in the future after a military-developed supervirus decimated the population. People left on the planet? Estimates are in the ten thousands--the majority of them uninfected survivors living in small-to-large enclaves, the largest a settlement in Colorado Springs. The others are experimentally-treated soldiers, Jugs, who help comb the country to kill the lingering revenants--ravenous, Bane Gamma infected zombie-like persons.
Rhys is a survivor who is likely to be immune to all three strains of the Bane virus, and the scientists who remain in Colorado Springs want to test his blood and determine if a vaccine can be developed. Rhys' partner, Darius, is a Jug who will not leave Rhys to the whims of the scientists. The Jugs are outcasts, and rather bitter about it, due to their lethal blood. He and several other jugs travel from the Seattle area to keep Rhys safe.
They encounter Zack in Colorado, as he is a health worker for the scientists--this meeting is scarring for Rhys who was the subject of abuse from Zack's father and brother for nearly half his life. Over the course of testing, however, they build a rapport, and Zack confides in Rhys, Darius and the other Jugs about the disappearances in the compound, and how he knows that there are real scary things going down--likely due to the machinations of the sadistic Secretary Littlewood.
There are lots of political issues with the still developing society in Colorado, not least of which is a forced breeding program. Zack enlist Rhys's cooperation to help discover the secret lab of Littlewood, and the chase--quite literally--is on.
If you were hoping Zack and Nico would work things out, they do, but it's not pretty--for a long time. I just marveled at the deft plot twists and fantastic use of character in this book. I could honestly see and feel the scenes unfold. The love between Rhys and Darius is as harsh as their world, and it's erotic and delicious, too. Expect extreme monogamy. Yay! Also, expect the Jugs to save the freaking day, yet again. I hate to say it, but this book is frighteningly on-point with contemporary issues (think: corporations buying up the natural park lands) and with the supramilitaristic response when faced with the viral outbreak.
Rhys was a child when the outbreak occurred, and his adult insight--as he travels past burned out hospitals and tenements where the infected were locked down and incinerated alive--is poignant. Darius' constant love is engaging, Zack's commitment to his purpose (to remain Bane Alpha-free) is as noble as it is frustrating. Nico has known for years that he could sexually transmit safety to Zack, but Zack feels called to remain unprotected. His faith has a surprising reward and gave me the ability to breathe again--after holding my breath so long in fear that Zack would become infected and turn revenant.
The series is phenomenal, and I cannot love it more. I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
September 23, 2015
Bane is sequel to Strain and boy did it not disappoint. Bane needs to be read after Strain and the prequel, Juggernaut. This novel is the culmination of all that has transpired in the previous books. Not that I had any doubts, but the author delivered everything that I was looking for.
The post-apocalyptic atmosphere is vivid as ever, especially with how well the author laid the groundwork in the previous books. By the time you read Bane, you will have a very clear understanding of what has happened and why, as well as who the main characters are and how far they’ve come. I was very impressed with how distinctive all the characters remained, considering that they were all thrown together in this novel. On the one hand, we revisit Darius and Rhys, who have a big age difference and a kinky as hell sex life. When I first read Strain, I felt a little short-changed in the character development department, especially for Darius. It seemed that Rhys was the axis around which Darius existed. He was concerned with all things Rhys and I felt as if I didn’t really get to know who Darius was. None of that happens here. Darius and Rhys have been together for a while and throughout this book their relationship grows by leap and bounds. Rhys is growing up and his maturity bleeds into the way he deals with his partner and life after the infection destroyed everything. Darius shares a lot about his fears for the future as well, and the relationship development is very smooth and organic. It was truly something amazing to see and the author did a bloody fantastic job portraying all of it to perfection. If you enjoyed the raunchy sex scenes in Strain, you will get a kick out of this. It’s all very monogamous, kinky, and emotional as well. Killer combo!
The second couple in this novel are Nico and Zach ( bonus! ). Their relationship is more tortured, considering they were separated for damn near a whole decade and they were always scared to death when having sex because of the virus. The events that started in Juggernaut come to a head in Bane, with Nico and Zach playing an integral part in the plot twists. Their relationship is more tender, more gentle, reminiscent of a different time almost. It served as a great contrast to Darius and Rhys’ relationship and as testament to the author’s ability to balance several very distinct characters in one novel.
I won’t talk about the plot, as half the excitement is reading to see what’s going to happen. I will say though that the way the author delivered the story was nothing short of competent and the HEA –for all involved, was magnificent.
If you’ve read the previous novels, I can’t imagine you’ll need much prompting to pick this up. If you haven’t, go back to the prequel and the first novel, because this series is top notch.
Highly recommend!
ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The post-apocalyptic atmosphere is vivid as ever, especially with how well the author laid the groundwork in the previous books. By the time you read Bane, you will have a very clear understanding of what has happened and why, as well as who the main characters are and how far they’ve come. I was very impressed with how distinctive all the characters remained, considering that they were all thrown together in this novel. On the one hand, we revisit Darius and Rhys, who have a big age difference and a kinky as hell sex life. When I first read Strain, I felt a little short-changed in the character development department, especially for Darius. It seemed that Rhys was the axis around which Darius existed. He was concerned with all things Rhys and I felt as if I didn’t really get to know who Darius was. None of that happens here. Darius and Rhys have been together for a while and throughout this book their relationship grows by leap and bounds. Rhys is growing up and his maturity bleeds into the way he deals with his partner and life after the infection destroyed everything. Darius shares a lot about his fears for the future as well, and the relationship development is very smooth and organic. It was truly something amazing to see and the author did a bloody fantastic job portraying all of it to perfection. If you enjoyed the raunchy sex scenes in Strain, you will get a kick out of this. It’s all very monogamous, kinky, and emotional as well. Killer combo!
The second couple in this novel are Nico and Zach ( bonus! ). Their relationship is more tortured, considering they were separated for damn near a whole decade and they were always scared to death when having sex because of the virus. The events that started in Juggernaut come to a head in Bane, with Nico and Zach playing an integral part in the plot twists. Their relationship is more tender, more gentle, reminiscent of a different time almost. It served as a great contrast to Darius and Rhys’ relationship and as testament to the author’s ability to balance several very distinct characters in one novel.
I won’t talk about the plot, as half the excitement is reading to see what’s going to happen. I will say though that the way the author delivered the story was nothing short of competent and the HEA –for all involved, was magnificent.
If you’ve read the previous novels, I can’t imagine you’ll need much prompting to pick this up. If you haven’t, go back to the prequel and the first novel, because this series is top notch.
Highly recommend!
ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2016
I only read this for those sowrongsoright Darius/Rhys scenes, that both repulsed me and kink-started my motor like whoa in Strain. It's all somewhat more established and tamer in Bane, which was to be expected but still a bit of a shame. On the bright side; the lack of gang-bang/c-dump in favor of one-on-one time with the boys was nice.
September 29, 2015
This was an ok end to the trilogy. I think I enjoyed
the most. I wasn't as invested in Zachs and Nicos relationship. Rhys and Darius were definitely more readable and Hot!
the most. I wasn't as invested in Zachs and Nicos relationship. Rhys and Darius were definitely more readable and Hot!
March 8, 2017
5 HUGE STARS
I don't know if this is the final novel in this awesome series but for all lover of M/M dystopian hell AND romance, these books are a must read.
I don't know if this is the final novel in this awesome series but for all lover of M/M dystopian hell AND romance, these books are a must read.
October 4, 2016
Okay, the premise that this could be / should be read as a standalone book is ludicrous. You need to know and understand these characters' past to really connect with their future. I thought everything progressed in an agreeable and conceivable way. Rhys and Darius and the entire band of players are front and center. In fact, Amelia Gormley did an excellent job integrating Zach & Nico's relationship into the story. There's not much I can say that's not a spoiler so I'll say the pacing was good, questions were answers and all the characters developed well. I had a strong sense of place and ... I'm glad I read this bad boy!
March 3, 2019
4.5 stars
I soooooo enjoyed this series and I’m so sad to see this series ending. I have to say my favorite couple was Nico and Zach 💗.
I soooooo enjoyed this series and I’m so sad to see this series ending. I have to say my favorite couple was Nico and Zach 💗.
October 29, 2015
4.5 stars
Bane does an excellent job of tying up the Strain series. Separate storylines of characters from both of the previous books merge. The reader has witnessed the beginning and evolution of this pandemic. Now, the goal is to find a solution to combat this plague that would allow coexistence between all surviving members of the human race.
I like how there are different strains of the virus presented. It seems more realistic because diseases do mutate and adapt. Also, a tragedy of this magnitude is sure to bring out the best and worst in people. Nothing ever comes easily. It's a constant fight just to stay afloat.
The action and romance are great. The struggle is real. Elements of chance, karma, fate, luck, destiny, politics, religion, revenge, sacrifice and love are present. The mix of everything together keeps it interesting, and the end is satisfying.
I love this series and will look for more from this author.
September 11, 2015
3.5 stars
This is the sequel to Strain. It was a pleasant surprise to see a prequel and sequel released for Strain. Strain was released last year and worked as a standalone. I remembered thinking the premise of Strain was a bit extreme and seemed more an excuse for gratuitous sex, but the author was pretty thorough about developing the premise, characters, and storyline that she made the story work. Strain had the shock value with starting right in the middle of a world gone wrong. The prequel, Juggernaut, is the backstory of how that dystopian world came to be with a set of new characters, and Bane brings both storylines and sets of characters together.
I don't feel either have the strength of Strain or would stand alone as well without reading Strain first. Bane struggled with bringing both sets of characters and their stories together. The characters from Juggernaut seemed less developed compared to the characters from Strain. The spygame Nico and Zach have been playing seem a little flimsy, something to keep them busy until their storyline meets up with that of the Strain one. Zach’s religiosity and acceptance did not seem as forced as in Juggernaut, where it seemed he was praying often to remind readers he was devout (though without the bigotry and hypocrisy of his brother). In Bane, it added to his character better, especially when he makes some key choices that affect his life and those around him. The sci-fi premise seemed somewhat less developed, with new ideas and developments thrown in, especially the final twist and complete new direction. I appreciated the story not going the expected route, even with the race against time plot with the scientists trying to find a vaccine for the virus plus the added pressure of one of the main characters needing it. Still an enjoyable read.
I read this title as an ARC through Netgalley.
This is the sequel to Strain. It was a pleasant surprise to see a prequel and sequel released for Strain. Strain was released last year and worked as a standalone. I remembered thinking the premise of Strain was a bit extreme and seemed more an excuse for gratuitous sex, but the author was pretty thorough about developing the premise, characters, and storyline that she made the story work. Strain had the shock value with starting right in the middle of a world gone wrong. The prequel, Juggernaut, is the backstory of how that dystopian world came to be with a set of new characters, and Bane brings both storylines and sets of characters together.
I don't feel either have the strength of Strain or would stand alone as well without reading Strain first. Bane struggled with bringing both sets of characters and their stories together. The characters from Juggernaut seemed less developed compared to the characters from Strain. The spygame Nico and Zach have been playing seem a little flimsy, something to keep them busy until their storyline meets up with that of the Strain one. Zach’s religiosity and acceptance did not seem as forced as in Juggernaut, where it seemed he was praying often to remind readers he was devout (though without the bigotry and hypocrisy of his brother). In Bane, it added to his character better, especially when he makes some key choices that affect his life and those around him. The sci-fi premise seemed somewhat less developed, with new ideas and developments thrown in, especially the final twist and complete new direction. I appreciated the story not going the expected route, even with the race against time plot with the scientists trying to find a vaccine for the virus plus the added pressure of one of the main characters needing it. Still an enjoyable read.
I read this title as an ARC through Netgalley.
October 1, 2015
4.25 star
I'm not really a fan of dystopia novels. I tend to stay away from them because it seems to be more world-building then romance for me. It's not usually my cuppa. Amelia Gormley has managed to suck me into her world. I had Strain on my kindle for a entire year before I picked it up. I was immediately sucked in. I wanted more Rhys and Darius too distinctly different people. Decades separate them and they have managed to be a favorite of mine. This book was no different. We got to see a softer side of both guys. I was dreamy sighing the entire book. Surprisingly I was on edge a couple of times. Sure the alphabet agencies, and medical stuff got scrambled but I finally got it. Then Zach and Nico were here. Man I really wanted them, and she did them so well.
Now that they bad guys have been eliminated, I'm hesitant to know what's next? What's next for Delta company and the civilians. First is there mpreg somewhere in the future? I hope it is! That would make my damn day. I really enjoyed this installment. I can't wait to the next, and can't give away the plot but Rhys and Darius rock.
I'm not really a fan of dystopia novels. I tend to stay away from them because it seems to be more world-building then romance for me. It's not usually my cuppa. Amelia Gormley has managed to suck me into her world. I had Strain on my kindle for a entire year before I picked it up. I was immediately sucked in. I wanted more Rhys and Darius too distinctly different people. Decades separate them and they have managed to be a favorite of mine. This book was no different. We got to see a softer side of both guys. I was dreamy sighing the entire book. Surprisingly I was on edge a couple of times. Sure the alphabet agencies, and medical stuff got scrambled but I finally got it. Then Zach and Nico were here. Man I really wanted them, and she did them so well.
Now that they bad guys have been eliminated, I'm hesitant to know what's next? What's next for Delta company and the civilians. First is there mpreg somewhere in the future? I hope it is! That would make my damn day. I really enjoyed this installment. I can't wait to the next, and can't give away the plot but Rhys and Darius rock.
September 21, 2015
I loved the first book Strain. it was surprising, heavy duty bdsm, and a fun read even with the dystop reality of a zombie world. This book seem to have tried too hard to replicate a great premise. I found myself skimming through the sex, which disappointed me?
The only reason I gave it a three was it did tie up the loose ends of strain..
The only reason I gave it a three was it did tie up the loose ends of strain..
August 14, 2015
Going in to Bane I was expecting the dark and dreadful circumstances of this world. Juggernaut and Strain have thoroughly prepared me for that. Bane is just as grim but there is finally a little bit of light at the end of this post pandemic tunnel. Amelia has brought the characters from Juggernaut and Strain together in this installment. Together they will put everything they have up against the people that are continuing to bring what little is left of the world down.
The threads that were left unresolved with the other books in this series have been woven together and wrapped up quite nicely. Nothing of the resolution seemed rushed, too simple, or convenient. The suspense of how things could possibly work out held to the very end. Everything within the pages here seemed completely plausible and made perfect sense for this world.
Everything that Delta Company, and Zach and Nico come up against has been so dismal. Zach and Rhys come together under circumstances that neither wants to be in yet both know it is for the greater good of mankind. Darius and the rest of Delta Company do what they have always done and protect what is theirs, even when letting go of Rhys for the short amount of time that they must goes against everything they believe in. They see the good that Rhys can do for what is left of the population and hope that Zach wants what he claims to.
All of this makes for one amazingly intense read that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it.
Favorite quote, Zach to Nico: “We lost ten years to this.”
The threads that were left unresolved with the other books in this series have been woven together and wrapped up quite nicely. Nothing of the resolution seemed rushed, too simple, or convenient. The suspense of how things could possibly work out held to the very end. Everything within the pages here seemed completely plausible and made perfect sense for this world.
Everything that Delta Company, and Zach and Nico come up against has been so dismal. Zach and Rhys come together under circumstances that neither wants to be in yet both know it is for the greater good of mankind. Darius and the rest of Delta Company do what they have always done and protect what is theirs, even when letting go of Rhys for the short amount of time that they must goes against everything they believe in. They see the good that Rhys can do for what is left of the population and hope that Zach wants what he claims to.
All of this makes for one amazingly intense read that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading it.
Favorite quote, Zach to Nico: “We lost ten years to this.”
December 24, 2017
What a ride. While i'd love another one I cannot say that I need it. I want it. But I don't need it.
Yes definitely "tamer" and less gritty - but still grittier than many. I liked the growth of Rhys here. It felt like his story - and he grew not only in height, weight, and muscle but mentally. Really excellent world building and strong characters (incl secondary) set this one apart from the norm. I highly recommend the series.
Yes definitely "tamer" and less gritty - but still grittier than many. I liked the growth of Rhys here. It felt like his story - and he grew not only in height, weight, and muscle but mentally. Really excellent world building and strong characters (incl secondary) set this one apart from the norm. I highly recommend the series.
January 6, 2020
Book 2 in this series but there are 2 books in front of this one. They can be read out of order but work better if read in order.
We read more on the struggles of the Jugs and other survivors of this pandemic. We see old prejudices still growing in a new world that can't afford them. Old friends return to share their tales.
All in all a wonderful series that will take you a journey.
We read more on the struggles of the Jugs and other survivors of this pandemic. We see old prejudices still growing in a new world that can't afford them. Old friends return to share their tales.
All in all a wonderful series that will take you a journey.
March 19, 2020
This was the perfect ending to a perfect series. It warms my heart to know that steps were finally being taken to bring a fractured world together again. I will miss all of these characters so much now that I have completed this trilogy but they will always have a place in my heart. Here's to the Jugs and the civilians who love them unconditionally. They built a beautiful life for everyone and they all lived happily ever after. I couldn't ask for a better story.
April 21, 2021
Un-fucking-believably awesome! This book blew me away and I had so many emotions coursing through me as I read, that I honestly feel exhausted. So many wonderful characters.
I never would have forgiven the author if Zach had died. Thank you for finding that completely realistic solution to the dilemma and giving the Jugs, plus uninfected civilians a chance at a future for all.
I never would have forgiven the author if Zach had died. Thank you for finding that completely realistic solution to the dilemma and giving the Jugs, plus uninfected civilians a chance at a future for all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2018
★★★★☆ ~ 4 Stars
This is the final story in the trilogy and ten years into the apocolypse, Zach and Nico are reunited and Rhys and Darius are becoming more of a team.
Secretary Littlewood rears his ugly head again when it's found that Rhys is immune to all the Bane virus strains and he plots to get his murdering hands on Rhys, he just has to get through Darius.
Zach are finally together again and then Zach is infected by Nico's blood and the fears they've had along could spell the end of them.
The world will never be the same again, but there's hope for the future and this tied up all the loose ends.
This is the final story in the trilogy and ten years into the apocolypse, Zach and Nico are reunited and Rhys and Darius are becoming more of a team.
Secretary Littlewood rears his ugly head again when it's found that Rhys is immune to all the Bane virus strains and he plots to get his murdering hands on Rhys, he just has to get through Darius.
Zach are finally together again and then Zach is infected by Nico's blood and the fears they've had along could spell the end of them.
The world will never be the same again, but there's hope for the future and this tied up all the loose ends.
April 30, 2023
I have a shit-ton of thoughts on Bane, so it will be a real challenge to keep this review brief and concise. Be that as it may, I’ll try. No promises, though.
Conceptually speaking, Bane is the most unique romance/erotica novel I’ve read so far. Being the third instalment in the Strain series, it has the unenviable task of ensuring the plotlines of the first and second book dovetail as seamlessly as possible. I suppose that whether it achieves this goal is up to each individual reader. As far as I’m concerned, it both succeeds and fails in different ways.
Whereas Juggernaut focused on the relationship between Zach and Nico and Strain on the one between Rhys and Darius, Bane has the distinction of featuring both pairs. If memory serves, this is something I’ve never encountered, not only in romance and erotica, but fiction in general.
That said, it wouldn’t be fair to claim that Bane is proportionately divided between the two sets of lovers, nor that it gives each pair an equal share of focus. Intentionally or otherwise, the book is partial to Rhys and Darius, and dedicates far more time to them than to Nico and Zach. I’d say the ratio is somewhere around 65:35.
Naturally, I can’t say why that is. Perhaps because Darius and Rhys are a wilder and more popular pairing. Perhaps Gormley found their relationship more interesting to explore. Perhaps it was entirely accidental.
Whatever the case, this meshing of the two, largely separate, storylines is done really well. Both Juggernaut and Strain can be read as standalone novels, but Bane wouldn’t make much sense if read without the appropriate context.
The plotline is full of unexpected twists and turns, and is far more thriller-y and fast-paced than either of the preceding books. I won’t go into detail here, since the narrative is extremely convoluted and everything keeps changing from page to page, so I’ll just stick to some general thoughts.
Bane should’ve been longer. While it’s an exciting thriller that loves throwing one curveball after another at the reader, all that action leaves little time for important character interactions. The conclusion of the trilogy, both as it pertains to the events of this novel and the predicted future happenings, comes across as… I hesitate to use the word convenient here, because using that term would rob the story of its merit.
Perhaps it is somewhat convenient that all the plot threads get resolved in one way or another, but I honestly can’t be mad about that, because it honestly doesn’t feel like a copout. Gormley never strays from the established in-universe rules, nor does she introduce indigestible, farfetched plot mechanisms to arrive at the desired ending.
Everything that happens makes sense. The solution to the problem was introduced in Juggernaut, but treated so offhandedly that no reader in their right mind would’ve ever considered such a minor plot point relevant in the grand scheme of things. It’s been buried deep enough in our minds almost to be forgotten, though not deep enough to feel like it’s coming out of left field.
And, for that, I take my hat off to you, Ms. Gormley. You reeeally had me there for a moment. Or two. Or twenty. You managed to create a suspenseful situation that spanned entire chapters and that genuinely had me worried one of the characters wouldn’t make it.
What’s more, the drama wasn’t contrived, but organically generated. Our lovers’ fates and the fate of their entire world were arrived at and dealt with so superbly, that I honestly don’t know what to say but kudos.
Given that Rhys and Darius, though the former especially, receive most of the spotlight, their development is at the core of the novel. It drives the plot forward. In fact, Bane can justifiably be called a Rhys-driven narrative. Rhys is the one who makes the majority of the decisions, Rhys is the one who moves the plot along, and Rhys is the one who is involved in most of the action—of the thriller and sexual nature alike.
Bane takes place two years after the events of Strain, and two years have done our boy a world of good. Far from the scared, bashful, sheltered creature he used to be, Rhys has now fully come into his own. Even though I loved Strain-Rhys with his quiet bravery and stubborn defiance, I gotta admit I love Bane-Rhys just as much, if not more.
Much like he transformed his undernourished, near-emaciated body into a strong, athletic one, Rhys also underwent a major character development. He now refuses to be seen as a victim, takes charge of his destiny, and is loud and proud about his wants and desires.
Darius doesn’t develop too much. The changes we observe in him come about not so much as a result of his own growth, but as a reaction to Rhys’s. Paradoxically, Darius learns to both hold onto Rhys tighter and let him go and be free and independent. Their power dynamic is much more equal in Bane. Darius’s wonder and amazement at Rhys’s growth perfectly mirror the readers’. We stand back and watch in awe and with pride how far our boy has come.
Zach and Nico are critical to the events that unfold, but aren’t explored all that much. They’re essentially the same characters we met in Juggernaut. Nico is by far the least attended-to character in the quartet, and is conspicuously absent for long stretches.
Conversely, Zach gets more than a few chances to shine. He doesn’t change all that much either, but his steady constancy greatly adds to the plot. And I am still amazed by the fact that his saintlike patience and serenity don’t bother me. Probably because, unlike his father and brother, Zach doesn’t indulge in any sanctimonious bullshit.
Bringing all these different personalities together is an ambitious move, but the author somehow makes it work. There are so many fantastic character interactions here. Pairing up Zach and Rhys is a stroke of genius. Pairing up Rhys and Schuyler is a stroke of genius. Bringing McClosky and Littlewood back is a stroke of genius.
That’s why I feel Bane should have been longer—to allow for more character interactions. I wanted more scenes of Darius and Nico interacting, more of Nico and McClosky, Nico and Littlewood, Joe and Zach, and so on and so forth. Whenever Rhys and Darius went off on their romantic little rendezvous in the woods, I felt like screaming at the pages, “No! What are you doing? Bring them back so they can interact with the other characters some more!”
Bane continues exploring the themes introduced over the preceding books, from religious fundamentalism to othering marginalised groups perceived as threats. It dives into the paranoia the Jugs’ presence causes in this thinly-veiled AIDS allegory. It continues examining what the worth of life is when the things we consider essential become scarce.
But the most prominent theme, and the one heavily explored across all three books, has got to be that of power. Power unchecked. Power without responsibility. Power as a tool of subjugation. In this world, we see some characters keeping their unequal advantage in check and we see others living out the mantra that might makes right, selfishly grabbing for more power on top of the considerable amount they already wield. In short, it’s a joy to read.
I could honestly go on and on, praising Bane and the entire series for their fantastic characters, tight storytelling, relevant themes, and some of the best literary sex I’ve ever had. However, I did kind of promise to keep this review short and sweet (for me, everything under four-thousand words is short and sweet).
Even though Bane isn’t perfect and even though I’ve outlined some of the problems I’ve had with its plot and bemoaned some of the opportunities it missed, I feel no compunction whatsoever about giving it five stars. The issues I have with it pale in comparison to how awesome reading it felt. I was nearly breathless as I ploughed through the chapters, needing and wanting more of the action, more of the feels, the twists, the turns, the interactions, the smut, the social commentary, and all the rest this book provides in oodles.
What’s more, I’m amazed that a series of post-apocalyptic novels that features zombies, a lethal virus, characters mercy-killing their loved ones, and monsters going off the deep end and raping and murdering people managed to make me feel so freaking good and optimistic. I have no idea how that’s even possible, so I’ll just repeat—my hat’s off to you, Ms. Gormley.
Conceptually speaking, Bane is the most unique romance/erotica novel I’ve read so far. Being the third instalment in the Strain series, it has the unenviable task of ensuring the plotlines of the first and second book dovetail as seamlessly as possible. I suppose that whether it achieves this goal is up to each individual reader. As far as I’m concerned, it both succeeds and fails in different ways.
Whereas Juggernaut focused on the relationship between Zach and Nico and Strain on the one between Rhys and Darius, Bane has the distinction of featuring both pairs. If memory serves, this is something I’ve never encountered, not only in romance and erotica, but fiction in general.
That said, it wouldn’t be fair to claim that Bane is proportionately divided between the two sets of lovers, nor that it gives each pair an equal share of focus. Intentionally or otherwise, the book is partial to Rhys and Darius, and dedicates far more time to them than to Nico and Zach. I’d say the ratio is somewhere around 65:35.
Naturally, I can’t say why that is. Perhaps because Darius and Rhys are a wilder and more popular pairing. Perhaps Gormley found their relationship more interesting to explore. Perhaps it was entirely accidental.
Whatever the case, this meshing of the two, largely separate, storylines is done really well. Both Juggernaut and Strain can be read as standalone novels, but Bane wouldn’t make much sense if read without the appropriate context.
The plotline is full of unexpected twists and turns, and is far more thriller-y and fast-paced than either of the preceding books. I won’t go into detail here, since the narrative is extremely convoluted and everything keeps changing from page to page, so I’ll just stick to some general thoughts.
Bane should’ve been longer. While it’s an exciting thriller that loves throwing one curveball after another at the reader, all that action leaves little time for important character interactions. The conclusion of the trilogy, both as it pertains to the events of this novel and the predicted future happenings, comes across as… I hesitate to use the word convenient here, because using that term would rob the story of its merit.
Perhaps it is somewhat convenient that all the plot threads get resolved in one way or another, but I honestly can’t be mad about that, because it honestly doesn’t feel like a copout. Gormley never strays from the established in-universe rules, nor does she introduce indigestible, farfetched plot mechanisms to arrive at the desired ending.
Everything that happens makes sense. The solution to the problem was introduced in Juggernaut, but treated so offhandedly that no reader in their right mind would’ve ever considered such a minor plot point relevant in the grand scheme of things. It’s been buried deep enough in our minds almost to be forgotten, though not deep enough to feel like it’s coming out of left field.
And, for that, I take my hat off to you, Ms. Gormley. You reeeally had me there for a moment. Or two. Or twenty. You managed to create a suspenseful situation that spanned entire chapters and that genuinely had me worried one of the characters wouldn’t make it.
What’s more, the drama wasn’t contrived, but organically generated. Our lovers’ fates and the fate of their entire world were arrived at and dealt with so superbly, that I honestly don’t know what to say but kudos.
Given that Rhys and Darius, though the former especially, receive most of the spotlight, their development is at the core of the novel. It drives the plot forward. In fact, Bane can justifiably be called a Rhys-driven narrative. Rhys is the one who makes the majority of the decisions, Rhys is the one who moves the plot along, and Rhys is the one who is involved in most of the action—of the thriller and sexual nature alike.
Bane takes place two years after the events of Strain, and two years have done our boy a world of good. Far from the scared, bashful, sheltered creature he used to be, Rhys has now fully come into his own. Even though I loved Strain-Rhys with his quiet bravery and stubborn defiance, I gotta admit I love Bane-Rhys just as much, if not more.
Much like he transformed his undernourished, near-emaciated body into a strong, athletic one, Rhys also underwent a major character development. He now refuses to be seen as a victim, takes charge of his destiny, and is loud and proud about his wants and desires.
Darius doesn’t develop too much. The changes we observe in him come about not so much as a result of his own growth, but as a reaction to Rhys’s. Paradoxically, Darius learns to both hold onto Rhys tighter and let him go and be free and independent. Their power dynamic is much more equal in Bane. Darius’s wonder and amazement at Rhys’s growth perfectly mirror the readers’. We stand back and watch in awe and with pride how far our boy has come.
Zach and Nico are critical to the events that unfold, but aren’t explored all that much. They’re essentially the same characters we met in Juggernaut. Nico is by far the least attended-to character in the quartet, and is conspicuously absent for long stretches.
Conversely, Zach gets more than a few chances to shine. He doesn’t change all that much either, but his steady constancy greatly adds to the plot. And I am still amazed by the fact that his saintlike patience and serenity don’t bother me. Probably because, unlike his father and brother, Zach doesn’t indulge in any sanctimonious bullshit.
Bringing all these different personalities together is an ambitious move, but the author somehow makes it work. There are so many fantastic character interactions here. Pairing up Zach and Rhys is a stroke of genius. Pairing up Rhys and Schuyler is a stroke of genius. Bringing McClosky and Littlewood back is a stroke of genius.
That’s why I feel Bane should have been longer—to allow for more character interactions. I wanted more scenes of Darius and Nico interacting, more of Nico and McClosky, Nico and Littlewood, Joe and Zach, and so on and so forth. Whenever Rhys and Darius went off on their romantic little rendezvous in the woods, I felt like screaming at the pages, “No! What are you doing? Bring them back so they can interact with the other characters some more!”
Bane continues exploring the themes introduced over the preceding books, from religious fundamentalism to othering marginalised groups perceived as threats. It dives into the paranoia the Jugs’ presence causes in this thinly-veiled AIDS allegory. It continues examining what the worth of life is when the things we consider essential become scarce.
But the most prominent theme, and the one heavily explored across all three books, has got to be that of power. Power unchecked. Power without responsibility. Power as a tool of subjugation. In this world, we see some characters keeping their unequal advantage in check and we see others living out the mantra that might makes right, selfishly grabbing for more power on top of the considerable amount they already wield. In short, it’s a joy to read.
I could honestly go on and on, praising Bane and the entire series for their fantastic characters, tight storytelling, relevant themes, and some of the best literary sex I’ve ever had. However, I did kind of promise to keep this review short and sweet (for me, everything under four-thousand words is short and sweet).
Even though Bane isn’t perfect and even though I’ve outlined some of the problems I’ve had with its plot and bemoaned some of the opportunities it missed, I feel no compunction whatsoever about giving it five stars. The issues I have with it pale in comparison to how awesome reading it felt. I was nearly breathless as I ploughed through the chapters, needing and wanting more of the action, more of the feels, the twists, the turns, the interactions, the smut, the social commentary, and all the rest this book provides in oodles.
What’s more, I’m amazed that a series of post-apocalyptic novels that features zombies, a lethal virus, characters mercy-killing their loved ones, and monsters going off the deep end and raping and murdering people managed to make me feel so freaking good and optimistic. I have no idea how that’s even possible, so I’ll just repeat—my hat’s off to you, Ms. Gormley.
September 20, 2015
Bane is the grand finale of the Strain series. The two worlds that were created in Strain and Juggernaut collide with one common goal... to take out Littlewood and McClosky and save one of their own from their twisted machinations. The clean zone scientists have learned that Rhys is immune to all three strains of the virus. What's worse is that the sexual predator and deviant, Littlewood controls the clean zone, and Rhys is exactly the type of victim Littlewood longs for. Rhys and Darius along with their team of Jugs team up with Zach and Nico and devise a trap for Littlewood, using Rhys as bait. But when it backfires they have to scramble to try and uncover the location of Littlewoods lab before Rhys becomes his next victim.
I have really enjoyed all the books in this series. Gormley created a pretty sick and twisted world in the wake of the Juggernaut virus that wiped out the majority of humanity. The survivors have to learn to live together, work together and trust one another or they may wind up dead, or worse, suffering from the Rot. Rhys is probably my favorite character of this series, he's very young and naive when the series starts, and his innocence is shattered in an attempt to save his life. An odd sort of love story bloomed from the violence that ensued in that first book. In Bane, readers will get to see a different side of Rhys, a stronger side, a man that is willing to do anything to save his misfit family and the man he loves. Being so young and innocent and forced to submit to some pretty horific things, Rhys was sort of shy and withdrawn. As time progressed he started to beg for the pain, thinking that that pain made him human. Now his love for Darius has come full circle, for Darius as well, and Rhys learns that what he needs is just Darius.
Nico and Zach have been through the ringer as well, though their journey was not quite as disturbing as Rhys and Darius'. In an effort to protect Zach from what he is, Nico has basically left Zach alone for a decade. Chance meetings and stolen moments over the years are all these two have. Nico is willing to walk away from Zach and their love if it will keep Zach safe and alive. Unfortunately, the decision is taken from them when Zach is exposed.
It was interesting to see how the two different groups had to learn to work together and trust each other if they hoped to find Rhys and then to save Zach. Bonds were formed, friendships and trust grew stronger, but none of those things are enough to combat the Rot. I also really liked the way Gormley wrote each relationship completely different. Rhys and Darius, and Zach and Nico. Each couple is a human/Jug pairing and each couple is vastly different from the other. The one thing they had in common was their passionate, unwavering love for one another.
Definitely a must read in my opinion, but I will warn you, it's a dark dangerous world in the Strain universe. The characters are devious and disturbed at times, the plots are strange and twisted, and the sex is down right raunchy, but addictive!
I have really enjoyed all the books in this series. Gormley created a pretty sick and twisted world in the wake of the Juggernaut virus that wiped out the majority of humanity. The survivors have to learn to live together, work together and trust one another or they may wind up dead, or worse, suffering from the Rot. Rhys is probably my favorite character of this series, he's very young and naive when the series starts, and his innocence is shattered in an attempt to save his life. An odd sort of love story bloomed from the violence that ensued in that first book. In Bane, readers will get to see a different side of Rhys, a stronger side, a man that is willing to do anything to save his misfit family and the man he loves. Being so young and innocent and forced to submit to some pretty horific things, Rhys was sort of shy and withdrawn. As time progressed he started to beg for the pain, thinking that that pain made him human. Now his love for Darius has come full circle, for Darius as well, and Rhys learns that what he needs is just Darius.
Nico and Zach have been through the ringer as well, though their journey was not quite as disturbing as Rhys and Darius'. In an effort to protect Zach from what he is, Nico has basically left Zach alone for a decade. Chance meetings and stolen moments over the years are all these two have. Nico is willing to walk away from Zach and their love if it will keep Zach safe and alive. Unfortunately, the decision is taken from them when Zach is exposed.
It was interesting to see how the two different groups had to learn to work together and trust each other if they hoped to find Rhys and then to save Zach. Bonds were formed, friendships and trust grew stronger, but none of those things are enough to combat the Rot. I also really liked the way Gormley wrote each relationship completely different. Rhys and Darius, and Zach and Nico. Each couple is a human/Jug pairing and each couple is vastly different from the other. The one thing they had in common was their passionate, unwavering love for one another.
Definitely a must read in my opinion, but I will warn you, it's a dark dangerous world in the Strain universe. The characters are devious and disturbed at times, the plots are strange and twisted, and the sex is down right raunchy, but addictive!
October 9, 2015
I’m not entirely sure what to say about this book. I mean it was good…very good. More than that, Bane gives a satisfying conclusion to the story that started in Strain. But that is also my problem, this is the conclusion of a story I’ve lost myself in. From the moment I met Rhys and Darius in Strain I have been spellbound by their story and it is sad to have to say goodbye to them, Zach and Nico and all the other Juggernauts now.
Don’t get me wrong, I can’t fault the way the story ended. I’m delighted that Amelia C. Gormley managed to find a way to give the book a positive and hopeful ending without asking me to accept implausible or too good to be true scenarios. When I finished reading the epilogue I could see a possible future for the characters I’d grown to love and the world they live in. It was also clear that the struggle to rebuild a world had really only begun. The chances of getting it right had improved greatly, but there was no guarantee humanity would get it right this time around either. If the story had to end, this was an ending I could happily live with. I’m just not happy the end had to come.
A lot happens in this book. All the threads from Strain and Juggernaut are pulled together in Bane in a credible fashion. The characters were as captivating as they had been in the previous books, and I find they’re still playing on my mind even though some time has passed since I finished the book.
Unlike with the previous books I don’t really want to get into the storyline, for two reasons. First of all I don’t think I can do it justice. I’m both as afraid of saying too much as I am of not saying enough, so I’ll let the blurb do the outlining for me. Because, and that’s my second reason, I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing this book without prior knowledge, without knowing what to expect and without having any idea how a positive ending might even be possible. I would not want to deprive other readers of what was, for me, an exhilarating reading experience.
I’ll keep this review short and sweet so, and will end it with the same words I ended my review for Juggernaut with, because they are as true today as they were then, and apply to the full trilogy.
“I’m very impressed with everything Amelia C. Gormley has achieved in these books. Her writing is masterful, her characters multi-dimensional and her devastating story-line draws you in and holds you captive long after you’ve finished reading the last chapter.”
Ps. There’s a part of me that will never stop hoping to meet these characters again at some point in their future.
Don’t get me wrong, I can’t fault the way the story ended. I’m delighted that Amelia C. Gormley managed to find a way to give the book a positive and hopeful ending without asking me to accept implausible or too good to be true scenarios. When I finished reading the epilogue I could see a possible future for the characters I’d grown to love and the world they live in. It was also clear that the struggle to rebuild a world had really only begun. The chances of getting it right had improved greatly, but there was no guarantee humanity would get it right this time around either. If the story had to end, this was an ending I could happily live with. I’m just not happy the end had to come.
A lot happens in this book. All the threads from Strain and Juggernaut are pulled together in Bane in a credible fashion. The characters were as captivating as they had been in the previous books, and I find they’re still playing on my mind even though some time has passed since I finished the book.
Unlike with the previous books I don’t really want to get into the storyline, for two reasons. First of all I don’t think I can do it justice. I’m both as afraid of saying too much as I am of not saying enough, so I’ll let the blurb do the outlining for me. Because, and that’s my second reason, I thoroughly enjoyed experiencing this book without prior knowledge, without knowing what to expect and without having any idea how a positive ending might even be possible. I would not want to deprive other readers of what was, for me, an exhilarating reading experience.
I’ll keep this review short and sweet so, and will end it with the same words I ended my review for Juggernaut with, because they are as true today as they were then, and apply to the full trilogy.
“I’m very impressed with everything Amelia C. Gormley has achieved in these books. Her writing is masterful, her characters multi-dimensional and her devastating story-line draws you in and holds you captive long after you’ve finished reading the last chapter.”
Ps. There’s a part of me that will never stop hoping to meet these characters again at some point in their future.
December 7, 2024
Bane is a lot more well-rounded than it's predecessors. It marries the plots of Strain and Juggernaut, which are already pretty different, and brings the series to its conclusion.
While Strain to me almost was more erotica than dystopia romance, Bane has a dystopian action with romance elements. The romantic plots, centering around Darius and Rhys, and Nico and Zach, are pretty prominent, and there are plenty of sex scenes, but there is also a solid action/conspiracy plot going on.
I liked what the book was trying to do with its plot around the virus, and specifically the Jugs. It added elements of xenophobia, though they were not explored in depth.
I would still not call the books plot-heavy - things all happen very fast and pass rather easily. But I actually quite enjoyed that. Mostly because some of the plot points are really rather gruesome, so I was glad things never escalated or lingered in any more detail.
Content warnings include: BDSM (D/s, rough sex, whipping, blood play, scarification), torture (electroshocks, forced orgasm), abduction, violence, infection; Mentions of: forced reproduction, violent torture and death, pedophilia, corruption.
While Strain to me almost was more erotica than dystopia romance, Bane has a dystopian action with romance elements. The romantic plots, centering around Darius and Rhys, and Nico and Zach, are pretty prominent, and there are plenty of sex scenes, but there is also a solid action/conspiracy plot going on.
I liked what the book was trying to do with its plot around the virus, and specifically the Jugs. It added elements of xenophobia, though they were not explored in depth.
I would still not call the books plot-heavy - things all happen very fast and pass rather easily. But I actually quite enjoyed that. Mostly because some of the plot points are really rather gruesome, so I was glad things never escalated or lingered in any more detail.
Content warnings include: BDSM (D/s, rough sex, whipping, blood play, scarification), torture (electroshocks, forced orgasm), abduction, violence, infection; Mentions of: forced reproduction, violent torture and death, pedophilia, corruption.
April 29, 2017
4.2 Stars
While I liked this one a whole bunch it definitely felt different than the first one (and even more from the prequel). Still gritty but not as non-con based or deliciously depraved.
I'm glad to see both sets of MCs finally, truly together though...and I'm hoping that the comment from ACG about a possible 4th installment comes true because I just know there's gonna be some tension arising from the establishment of a new settlement. Can a conflict be solved without resorting to war or killing, without loss of life or liberty in this new world? Is the past doomed to repeat itself in other, just as deadly ways?
I also want to know for certain that the discovery of that "cure" really did pan out on a large-scale basis. Something tells me that the exposure and recuperation wasn't quite as "easy" or as relatively harmless as it was painted. Also, babies are an important side story/angle in these books so was the "immunity" passed on from infected/recovered mothers? Is there a way to make it all work so that those Jugs who wanted to have children, could?
Yeah, I'm sure there's even more that I'm not even thinking of to tackle so I'm going to cross my fingers...
(Massive thumbs up for the multiple examples of gender and sexual fluidity in ALL of these damn novels. So happy to see it done in a way that made such a thing seem completely natural, normal & commonplace, even if everything else about this future seemed to suck balls.) (And not in the fun way.)
While I liked this one a whole bunch it definitely felt different than the first one (and even more from the prequel). Still gritty but not as non-con based or deliciously depraved.
I'm glad to see both sets of MCs finally, truly together though...and I'm hoping that the comment from ACG about a possible 4th installment comes true because I just know there's gonna be some tension arising from the establishment of a new settlement. Can a conflict be solved without resorting to war or killing, without loss of life or liberty in this new world? Is the past doomed to repeat itself in other, just as deadly ways?
I also want to know for certain that the discovery of that "cure" really did pan out on a large-scale basis. Something tells me that the exposure and recuperation wasn't quite as "easy" or as relatively harmless as it was painted. Also, babies are an important side story/angle in these books so was the "immunity" passed on from infected/recovered mothers? Is there a way to make it all work so that those Jugs who wanted to have children, could?
Yeah, I'm sure there's even more that I'm not even thinking of to tackle so I'm going to cross my fingers...
(Massive thumbs up for the multiple examples of gender and sexual fluidity in ALL of these damn novels. So happy to see it done in a way that made such a thing seem completely natural, normal & commonplace, even if everything else about this future seemed to suck balls.) (And not in the fun way.)
May 30, 2015
Wah, I have no words for this story. Waited for over a week to get my thoughts in order before rating it.
Amelia C. Gormley is definitely one of the most original and awe-inspiring authors in the M/M landscape. She lures you and holds you captive in a world that seems so real you almost touch it. she makes it look like it's all so very possible it's quite scary.
The book revolves mainly around Rhys, whose story I haven't yet read to my utmost shame, and his lover Darius, but also touches a bit on Zack and Nico's relationship, the couple from the previous book.
It's really complex and hard to talk about the plot because I'd pretty much reveal the whole story. what I can say is that the ending was quite unexpected. I had a bit of love-hate relationship with Zack, but I think i totally get his whole philosophy because I have the tendency to rely on my instincts a lot, just like him, so I can't really blame him. However my heart kinda hurt for Nico for pretty much the whole book. You'll get what I mean.
Point is, this series is mind-boggling. definitely not the type I usually go for. Not sweet, not full of fluffyness, not cozy at all! But so very interesting, intriguing, captivating and beautiful in its own alien way. You need a certain state of mind to open up to it, but I doubt you'll regret it.
Amelia C. Gormley is definitely one of the most original and awe-inspiring authors in the M/M landscape. She lures you and holds you captive in a world that seems so real you almost touch it. she makes it look like it's all so very possible it's quite scary.
The book revolves mainly around Rhys, whose story I haven't yet read to my utmost shame, and his lover Darius, but also touches a bit on Zack and Nico's relationship, the couple from the previous book.
It's really complex and hard to talk about the plot because I'd pretty much reveal the whole story. what I can say is that the ending was quite unexpected. I had a bit of love-hate relationship with Zack, but I think i totally get his whole philosophy because I have the tendency to rely on my instincts a lot, just like him, so I can't really blame him. However my heart kinda hurt for Nico for pretty much the whole book. You'll get what I mean.
Point is, this series is mind-boggling. definitely not the type I usually go for. Not sweet, not full of fluffyness, not cozy at all! But so very interesting, intriguing, captivating and beautiful in its own alien way. You need a certain state of mind to open up to it, but I doubt you'll regret it.
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