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Bliss #1.5
Tin Man
Petty thief Ashoka “Ace” King knows better than to get in the way of Tophet’s Anti-Terrorist Unit. Rightfully feared in Tophet’s crime-ridden underbelly, a face-to-face encounter with an ATU is almost certainly a death sentence. But Ace has never been one to follow the rules.
Soren Lau might be an ATU rookie, but he’s not naive enough to believe everything his superiors tell him. Then again, he’s not stupid enough to disobey them, either. If he doesn’t shoot and kill as ordered, he might be next on their list.
But when Soren meets Ace, a moment’s hesitation is all it takes to put both their lives on the line. They don’t know each other, they don’t trust each other, and there’s no way in hell they can both walk away from this alive. But with suspicion and mortal danger mounting against both of them—and the forbidden attraction blazing between them—there’s nothing they can do but try.
Word 35,500; page 134
Soren Lau might be an ATU rookie, but he’s not naive enough to believe everything his superiors tell him. Then again, he’s not stupid enough to disobey them, either. If he doesn’t shoot and kill as ordered, he might be next on their list.
But when Soren meets Ace, a moment’s hesitation is all it takes to put both their lives on the line. They don’t know each other, they don’t trust each other, and there’s no way in hell they can both walk away from this alive. But with suspicion and mortal danger mounting against both of them—and the forbidden attraction blazing between them—there’s nothing they can do but try.
Word 35,500; page 134
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 18, 2015
1 person is currently reading
303 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Henry
103 books2,280 followersI like to tell stories. Mostly with hot guys and happily ever afters. They gotta work for it though. No free lunches on my watch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 20, 2022
"the point of no return had been the moment he hadn’t pulled the trigger."
✦ i am so sad that there are no more books set in this world. dystopian MM is forever gonna be my favourite genre. i really wish we had more books, because the potential for more world building and more stories in this world was huge.
✦ i loved the fucked up dynamic Ace and Soren had. i really wish they had gotten a longer book and a more developed plot.
✦ while i didn't particularly love the romance in book 1, i loved the messed up, dark world the authors created, so i'm very happy i finally checked this book out too!
✦ i am so sad that there are no more books set in this world. dystopian MM is forever gonna be my favourite genre. i really wish we had more books, because the potential for more world building and more stories in this world was huge.
✦ i loved the fucked up dynamic Ace and Soren had. i really wish they had gotten a longer book and a more developed plot.
✦ while i didn't particularly love the romance in book 1, i loved the messed up, dark world the authors created, so i'm very happy i finally checked this book out too!
July 21, 2015
Judge Dredd is a sweet bottom into possessive dirty talk
A vignette that complements Bliss rather well, although this story does stand alone. Henry and Belleau's dystopia is only an eyelid's thickness away from current reality. Ace and Soren have extensive backstories, which makes the . . . peace? reckless hope? they find in each other all the more deserved.
Hot, slightly hurty sex with a little breath play: thank you very much, ladies.
Hey, disclaimer: I'm friends with Lisa, but I like to think I'm still objective about her work. Except her TW fanfiction. There's no objectivity there. Objectivity got locked in a box, and I put that box inside another box, and then I posted it to Aucanquilcha and had it dropped down a fumerole.
July 20th?!
*pouts, stares at calender*
A vignette that complements Bliss rather well, although this story does stand alone. Henry and Belleau's dystopia is only an eyelid's thickness away from current reality. Ace and Soren have extensive backstories, which makes the . . . peace? reckless hope? they find in each other all the more deserved.
Hot, slightly hurty sex with a little breath play: thank you very much, ladies.
Hey, disclaimer: I'm friends with Lisa, but I like to think I'm still objective about her work. Except her TW fanfiction. There's no objectivity there. Objectivity got locked in a box, and I put that box inside another box, and then I posted it to Aucanquilcha and had it dropped down a fumerole.
July 20th?!
*pouts, stares at calender*
July 15, 2015
***3 StArS***
Ashoka “Ace” King a petty thief crosses paths with one of the Tophet’s Anti-Terrorist Unit Rookie's Soren Lau. Soren's job is to shoot and kill as ordered, from he's command unit.
Ace and Soren's encounter leads to grabbling, plenty of hot sexual tension, lines crossed....both in danger.....leading them both on the run.
Overall not a bad read, I'm not usually a sci-fi girl...but I couldn't resist as Lisa Henry wrote it. As always she draws you in, with her great character building, and good plot.
ARC kindly provided by Netgalley & Riptide in exchange for honest review.
Ashoka “Ace” King a petty thief crosses paths with one of the Tophet’s Anti-Terrorist Unit Rookie's Soren Lau. Soren's job is to shoot and kill as ordered, from he's command unit.
Ace and Soren's encounter leads to grabbling, plenty of hot sexual tension, lines crossed....both in danger.....leading them both on the run.
Overall not a bad read, I'm not usually a sci-fi girl...but I couldn't resist as Lisa Henry wrote it. As always she draws you in, with her great character building, and good plot.
ARC kindly provided by Netgalley & Riptide in exchange for honest review.
Read
June 13, 2015Tin Man is a novella set in the Bliss universe.
Violence, sex, and, well, more violence really. But coming out the other side, there's a hopeful ending.
Any questions, ask away!
Violence, sex, and, well, more violence really. But coming out the other side, there's a hopeful ending.
Any questions, ask away!
June 23, 2015
**ARC, kindly provided by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. Many Thanks.**
August 4, 2015
Despite a strong beginning, Tin Man ended up being very meh.
This novella is set in Tophet, a crime-ridden city ruled by a tyrannical government, which arbitrarily executes its citizens for a number of different "crimes". This includes being homeless and unemployed, taking part in labour union protests, and being homosexual. This is where we meet Ace, a petty thief who scrapes by, and Soren, a member of Tophet's Anti-Terrorism Unit, a security force that spends more time executing innocent civilians than it does catching terrorists. When the two meet, they begin a game of cat and mouse, seeking out and evading one another, while also trying to stay clear of both the government and the criminal underground.
My main issue with this book is that I just didn't understand why Soren and Ace were together, and what exactly made them repeatedly risk their necks to spend some time together. I wouldn't necessarily call it insta-love, but it's close enough. There isn't any build up to their relationship. Their jump from enemies to forever-and-ever happens very quickly. I didn't buy it.
In the preceding book, Bliss, the relationship development is also very shaky, but it could have been explained away by the effects of either Stockholm syndrome or the chip implantation. In this case, there was nothing skeevy to explain why the two MCs fall for each other so quickly.
That being said, the suspense was very well-written. Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau have a knack for dystopic world-building. There's an underlying feeling of danger throughout the story that kept me wondering when it would all come crashing down. And when it finally does come crashing down, it was from a completely different angle which I didn't see coming at all. Also, the sex was hawt. There was dirty talk and a submission kink, and bit of breathplay too. Fun stuff.
Overall, 'Tin Man' was just okay. The romance wasn't believable for me, and was very rushed. But there was good worldbuilding and an entertaining dystopia setting.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
This novella is set in Tophet, a crime-ridden city ruled by a tyrannical government, which arbitrarily executes its citizens for a number of different "crimes". This includes being homeless and unemployed, taking part in labour union protests, and being homosexual. This is where we meet Ace, a petty thief who scrapes by, and Soren, a member of Tophet's Anti-Terrorism Unit, a security force that spends more time executing innocent civilians than it does catching terrorists. When the two meet, they begin a game of cat and mouse, seeking out and evading one another, while also trying to stay clear of both the government and the criminal underground.
My main issue with this book is that I just didn't understand why Soren and Ace were together, and what exactly made them repeatedly risk their necks to spend some time together. I wouldn't necessarily call it insta-love, but it's close enough. There isn't any build up to their relationship. Their jump from enemies to forever-and-ever happens very quickly. I didn't buy it.
In the preceding book, Bliss, the relationship development is also very shaky, but it could have been explained away by the effects of either Stockholm syndrome or the chip implantation. In this case, there was nothing skeevy to explain why the two MCs fall for each other so quickly.
That being said, the suspense was very well-written. Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau have a knack for dystopic world-building. There's an underlying feeling of danger throughout the story that kept me wondering when it would all come crashing down. And when it finally does come crashing down, it was from a completely different angle which I didn't see coming at all. Also, the sex was hawt. There was dirty talk and a submission kink, and bit of breathplay too. Fun stuff.
Overall, 'Tin Man' was just okay. The romance wasn't believable for me, and was very rushed. But there was good worldbuilding and an entertaining dystopia setting.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
July 16, 2015
ARC of Tin Man provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave.
4.3 Stars
Tin Man is the second book in the Bliss universe. In Bliss, we're painted a vivid picture of a very Stepford type community. Clean air, no crime, everybody's happy, etc. Of course, none of that was really true, it was mostly propaganda and some very sinister acts on the part of members of the government.
In Tin Man, we're given the story of Tophet, Beulah's trashy neighbor. Here, there is, indeed crime and poverty, and something very like Marshall Law has been instituted. And, of course, like Beulah, we have a government run amok. They are labeling their homeless as terrorists and having their Anti-Terrorist Unit(ATU) kill them in the streets. Lovely place, that.
Soren is a young recruit. He was conscripted into the ATU, which he was initially happy about because it gave him some job security and a chance to do good. He didn't know that the ATU was being used to get rid of general undesirables and since he started to figure that out, he feels a tremendous amount of guilt. What choice does he have, though? If he gets labeled a subversive, then it puts his whole family in jeopardy. And Soren has secrets, too. He is gay, with a streak of a humiliation kink. The gay is a crime punishable by death.
Ace is a petty thief. He's been on the streets about 10 years, or so, since his father was imprisoned for trying to create a union at his job. Ace gets by. He's not violent and really only wants to survive it all. Everyone knows the ATU are killing the undesirables in the city and Ace just wants to avoid them. That chance encounter with Soren is not what he needs to stay below the radar. But what's done is done. Now they just have to get through it.
One night, while out on patrol, Soren encounters Ace and, when given the kill order, he hesitates and ends up chasing Ace through an abandoned and crumbling building. That hesitation puts Soren on a path he didn't think he'd find himself on and he's faced with seeing the people his government has labeled "terrorists" as - people. Ace also sees that not all ATU soldiers are killing machines. Seeing each other as "people", though, is a dangerous proposition and one wrong move could end in death for one or both of them.
For such a short book, I felt a decent amount of world building was done. And you don't have to read Bliss first, though that will give you a broader picture of what can happen when a government takes too much control. Paint a bright and shiny picture or a dark and dirty one, the people are not free.
Tin Man was not a long enough of a story to get an HEA, and I wouldn't have likely believed it if we were given it. We do get a strong HFN, however, which I very much liked.
4.3 Stars
Tin Man is the second book in the Bliss universe. In Bliss, we're painted a vivid picture of a very Stepford type community. Clean air, no crime, everybody's happy, etc. Of course, none of that was really true, it was mostly propaganda and some very sinister acts on the part of members of the government.
In Tin Man, we're given the story of Tophet, Beulah's trashy neighbor. Here, there is, indeed crime and poverty, and something very like Marshall Law has been instituted. And, of course, like Beulah, we have a government run amok. They are labeling their homeless as terrorists and having their Anti-Terrorist Unit(ATU) kill them in the streets. Lovely place, that.
Soren is a young recruit. He was conscripted into the ATU, which he was initially happy about because it gave him some job security and a chance to do good. He didn't know that the ATU was being used to get rid of general undesirables and since he started to figure that out, he feels a tremendous amount of guilt. What choice does he have, though? If he gets labeled a subversive, then it puts his whole family in jeopardy. And Soren has secrets, too. He is gay, with a streak of a humiliation kink. The gay is a crime punishable by death.
Ace is a petty thief. He's been on the streets about 10 years, or so, since his father was imprisoned for trying to create a union at his job. Ace gets by. He's not violent and really only wants to survive it all. Everyone knows the ATU are killing the undesirables in the city and Ace just wants to avoid them. That chance encounter with Soren is not what he needs to stay below the radar. But what's done is done. Now they just have to get through it.
One night, while out on patrol, Soren encounters Ace and, when given the kill order, he hesitates and ends up chasing Ace through an abandoned and crumbling building. That hesitation puts Soren on a path he didn't think he'd find himself on and he's faced with seeing the people his government has labeled "terrorists" as - people. Ace also sees that not all ATU soldiers are killing machines. Seeing each other as "people", though, is a dangerous proposition and one wrong move could end in death for one or both of them.
For such a short book, I felt a decent amount of world building was done. And you don't have to read Bliss first, though that will give you a broader picture of what can happen when a government takes too much control. Paint a bright and shiny picture or a dark and dirty one, the people are not free.
Tin Man was not a long enough of a story to get an HEA, and I wouldn't have likely believed it if we were given it. We do get a strong HFN, however, which I very much liked.
July 23, 2015
Review Now Available @ Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words
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Ughhhh. I need this. So badly.
I'm on pins and needles waiting for my review copy.
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Ughhhh. I need this. So badly.
I'm on pins and needles waiting for my review copy.
July 29, 2015
I am treating this book as a stand-alone as I haven't read the other book in the Bliss series.
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The first thing that drew me to Tin Man was the striking cover, which stands out among the other MM books and isn't the typical science fiction/dystopia cover one would expect either.
Tin Man is a gripping gritty tale of life in Tophet, a place where anyone can be deemed a terrorist and no one is above suspicion. The punishment is harsh, swift and requires no justification. It is carried out ruthlessly and without question.
Ashoka 'Ace' King is a small-time criminal, forced to steal and sell himself so as not to die of hunger. Although acutely aware of the injustice and misery surrounding him, Ace tries to steer clear of trouble, especially the infamous Anti-Terrorist Unit which has claimed the lives of his friends. That is until he encounters, and is held at gunpoint, by a mindless larger-than-life Robocop figure determined to end his miserable existence by putting a bullet right through his skull.
But the ATU soldier he encounters is a rookie agent, a naive kid with the face of an angel. He hesitates despite a clear order to shoot Ace, which sets events in motion.
In Tophet no one is safe, there are no "good guys" and sworn enemies may find themselves on the same side of the barricade, questioning the world surrounding them.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and, as with most interesting novellas, I can only regret that there's a limit amount of pages filled with the adventures of the MC's and hope that Soren and Ace's story will be expanded upon in further books in the Bliss series. This may be a tale about the abuse of power and the breakdown of a society, but it is also a lust story about two very different men who find themselves not only thrust together through circumstances, but also drawn together by something more basic and reliant on one another for their very survival.
ARC of Tin Man provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
The first thing that drew me to Tin Man was the striking cover, which stands out among the other MM books and isn't the typical science fiction/dystopia cover one would expect either.
Tin Man is a gripping gritty tale of life in Tophet, a place where anyone can be deemed a terrorist and no one is above suspicion. The punishment is harsh, swift and requires no justification. It is carried out ruthlessly and without question.
Ashoka 'Ace' King is a small-time criminal, forced to steal and sell himself so as not to die of hunger. Although acutely aware of the injustice and misery surrounding him, Ace tries to steer clear of trouble, especially the infamous Anti-Terrorist Unit which has claimed the lives of his friends. That is until he encounters, and is held at gunpoint, by a mindless larger-than-life Robocop figure determined to end his miserable existence by putting a bullet right through his skull.
But the ATU soldier he encounters is a rookie agent, a naive kid with the face of an angel. He hesitates despite a clear order to shoot Ace, which sets events in motion.
In Tophet no one is safe, there are no "good guys" and sworn enemies may find themselves on the same side of the barricade, questioning the world surrounding them.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and, as with most interesting novellas, I can only regret that there's a limit amount of pages filled with the adventures of the MC's and hope that Soren and Ace's story will be expanded upon in further books in the Bliss series. This may be a tale about the abuse of power and the breakdown of a society, but it is also a lust story about two very different men who find themselves not only thrust together through circumstances, but also drawn together by something more basic and reliant on one another for their very survival.
ARC of Tin Man provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
August 9, 2015
****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****
4.25 Stars -
What to say about Tin Man? How about: Omg! The book just ended!! I mean… Yeah, it was kind of a happily for now ending (depending on your definition of happy), but there is so much more story there!!!! I need more of the story! Okay, now that I have the exclamation points out of the way, we can talk more rationally.
What we do get of the story is good, dark and gritty with lots of moral ambiguity. All lines are grey and it’s pretty clear the government is not one of the good guys. Ace is just scraping by and Soren is starting to question the “truths” that he knows when they meet. I loved the chemistry between the two. I enjoyed the world and the world building. This is the first book I’ve read in this universe and I definitely want to read more.
It would have been a 5 star read except that it ended too soon. There just wasn’t enough there for me to be satisfied. The writing was great though, easy to read and I was captivated by the story. Please, please, pretty please write a sequel to Ace and Soren’s story ladies!!
4.25 Stars -
What to say about Tin Man? How about: Omg! The book just ended!! I mean… Yeah, it was kind of a happily for now ending (depending on your definition of happy), but there is so much more story there!!!! I need more of the story! Okay, now that I have the exclamation points out of the way, we can talk more rationally.
What we do get of the story is good, dark and gritty with lots of moral ambiguity. All lines are grey and it’s pretty clear the government is not one of the good guys. Ace is just scraping by and Soren is starting to question the “truths” that he knows when they meet. I loved the chemistry between the two. I enjoyed the world and the world building. This is the first book I’ve read in this universe and I definitely want to read more.
It would have been a 5 star read except that it ended too soon. There just wasn’t enough there for me to be satisfied. The writing was great though, easy to read and I was captivated by the story. Please, please, pretty please write a sequel to Ace and Soren’s story ladies!!
July 22, 2015
Tin Man by Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau
The Bliss series is a must-read for fans of sci-fi and dystopian stories. The characters are so intense, and their chemistry can be felt emanating off the Kindle. It's the complete opposite of Bliss, and if you haven't read this series you need to pick it up!
Head over to the HEA blog for a Q&A with Lisa and Heidi like...
Why is Soren so drawn to Ace?
Lisa and Heidi: Ace is Soren's tipping point. I don't know if who he is as an individual even matters — at least at the beginning — so much as the moment in time he represents. The moment when Soren suddenly stops unquestioningly obeying orders. He doesn't even know Ace's name when they first encounter each other, and Ace should be nothing to him but a law-resisting, filthy-mouthed crim, but Soren sees him sacrifice himself for another man, and when the order from ATU command comes in to execute him, Soren ... hesitates. Doesn't refuse, doesn't take a stand, nothing that drastic, but he falters, and for the very first time, he thinks for himself, lets some part of himself other than fear and insecurity rule him.
and more!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/bo...
The Bliss series is a must-read for fans of sci-fi and dystopian stories. The characters are so intense, and their chemistry can be felt emanating off the Kindle. It's the complete opposite of Bliss, and if you haven't read this series you need to pick it up!
Head over to the HEA blog for a Q&A with Lisa and Heidi like...
Why is Soren so drawn to Ace?
Lisa and Heidi: Ace is Soren's tipping point. I don't know if who he is as an individual even matters — at least at the beginning — so much as the moment in time he represents. The moment when Soren suddenly stops unquestioningly obeying orders. He doesn't even know Ace's name when they first encounter each other, and Ace should be nothing to him but a law-resisting, filthy-mouthed crim, but Soren sees him sacrifice himself for another man, and when the order from ATU command comes in to execute him, Soren ... hesitates. Doesn't refuse, doesn't take a stand, nothing that drastic, but he falters, and for the very first time, he thinks for himself, lets some part of himself other than fear and insecurity rule him.
and more!
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/bo...
July 11, 2015
Lisa Henry and Heidi Belleau write beautifully crafted and unforgettable fiction. Tin Man is set in the dystopian Bliss universe. It oozes thick dystopian goodness. Anti-Terrorist Unit member Soren Lau begins to question whether all is as it seems and in a moment of indecision he disregards a direct order to kill petty thief Ashoka “Ace” King, placing both their lives in jeopardy.
Tin Man depicts a stark world where human life has little value and yet when juxtaposed with moments of compassion and kindness contrasted with huge social and environmental deprivation this story is truly memorable.
Soren has been carrying a deadly secret and in the aftermath of his actions Ace discovers what it is. Ironically living in the underbelly of Trophet criminals with nothing left to lose may have more freedom than their more reputable neighbours. Both men are drawn together and may need to rely on each other to survive.
This is a short intensely gripping story and there is scope for a further instalment. Bliss was one of my favourite reads of 2014. It has been wonderful to return to the keenly drawn world building and discover more about the town of Trophet (in contrast to the uncomfortably utopian community of Beulah explored in Bliss).
In my opinion,this is dystopian writing at its best. A celebration of life, love, passion and integrity in the bleakest of circumstances. Obviously I would have preferred a longer read but the writing skill displayed in Tin Man is entirely captivating and has a depth that many longer novels can only hope to achieve. Fingers crossed for more in the series please.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Tin Man depicts a stark world where human life has little value and yet when juxtaposed with moments of compassion and kindness contrasted with huge social and environmental deprivation this story is truly memorable.
Soren has been carrying a deadly secret and in the aftermath of his actions Ace discovers what it is. Ironically living in the underbelly of Trophet criminals with nothing left to lose may have more freedom than their more reputable neighbours. Both men are drawn together and may need to rely on each other to survive.
This is a short intensely gripping story and there is scope for a further instalment. Bliss was one of my favourite reads of 2014. It has been wonderful to return to the keenly drawn world building and discover more about the town of Trophet (in contrast to the uncomfortably utopian community of Beulah explored in Bliss).
In my opinion,this is dystopian writing at its best. A celebration of life, love, passion and integrity in the bleakest of circumstances. Obviously I would have preferred a longer read but the writing skill displayed in Tin Man is entirely captivating and has a depth that many longer novels can only hope to achieve. Fingers crossed for more in the series please.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2015
Set in the Bliss universe this still has bleak, ominous Dystopian elements, but from what I've heard about Bliss, I don't think is quite as dark or disturbing in its content as its predecessor. However Tin Man, with its message of a future that doesn't paint a pretty picture, is still a gritty, suspenseful read that introduces us to two fabulous main characters...small time criminal Ashoka 'Ace' King, and Soren Lau, a rookie agent with the Anti-Terrorist Unit aka ATU, sent to clear the streets of its so called 'dangerous' inhabitants.
Like the rest of his peers who live hand to mouth on the streets of Tophet, Ace thieves, then fences his spoils primarily to keep food in his belly and live. It's a lawless society where everyone does what they can to exist; some more violent and dangerous than others but for the most part the 'Crims', as they're known, are just a suppressed sub-society, breaking laws because it's the only way to survive daily.
The ATU is supposed to have been formed to police the more violent, underground terrorist factions that have sprung out of the squalor and oppression of its time, but it turns out their presence on the streets has a more sinister intent; something a newly recruited Soren finds out when after being instructed to execute who he'd been told was a "most wanted" crim, on his first patrol, begins to realize that perhaps his first kill wasn't quite so cut and dried as he was taught to believe, and his chosen career not so heroic.
For rest of review follow Link-> http://bit.ly/1LxcJlM
Like the rest of his peers who live hand to mouth on the streets of Tophet, Ace thieves, then fences his spoils primarily to keep food in his belly and live. It's a lawless society where everyone does what they can to exist; some more violent and dangerous than others but for the most part the 'Crims', as they're known, are just a suppressed sub-society, breaking laws because it's the only way to survive daily.
The ATU is supposed to have been formed to police the more violent, underground terrorist factions that have sprung out of the squalor and oppression of its time, but it turns out their presence on the streets has a more sinister intent; something a newly recruited Soren finds out when after being instructed to execute who he'd been told was a "most wanted" crim, on his first patrol, begins to realize that perhaps his first kill wasn't quite so cut and dried as he was taught to believe, and his chosen career not so heroic.
For rest of review follow Link-> http://bit.ly/1LxcJlM
October 9, 2015
4.25 stars.
Tin Man is set in the same universe as Bliss, the first book in the series. Yet these are completely different stories. In Bliss, we get only a mention of Tophet city, while the book is set in a utopian community of Beulah. Tophet is anti-Beulah in every sense. It's gritty, dirty, dangerous, corrupt...people don't live there, they survive. And as if poverty and famine aren't enough, the population is totally repressed and are terrorized by the government military troops.
Soren Lau, an Anti-Terrorist Unit soldier, is young and new to military. Already forced to kill criminals, he's in doubt and starting questioning the orders he's given by his commanders. Ace is a thief, a mere criminal who's very unlucky to come across Soren on his patrol. And when Soren is getting an order to execute Ace on the spot, he hesitates...and that moment changes everything.
"I don't know what I was. What I am. To you. All I know is, that night I was supposed to kill you, or you were supposed to kill me, but we changed the rules. We both walked away. That wasn't nothing."
What follows is a sweet (for Lisa Henry, at least), poignant, but occasionally violent and dark story of overcoming fear and daring to reach for freedom and happiness. The ending was ambiguous, but full of hope..
I'd really like more books in this series. Can't let go of this world yet.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.**
Tin Man is set in the same universe as Bliss, the first book in the series. Yet these are completely different stories. In Bliss, we get only a mention of Tophet city, while the book is set in a utopian community of Beulah. Tophet is anti-Beulah in every sense. It's gritty, dirty, dangerous, corrupt...people don't live there, they survive. And as if poverty and famine aren't enough, the population is totally repressed and are terrorized by the government military troops.
Soren Lau, an Anti-Terrorist Unit soldier, is young and new to military. Already forced to kill criminals, he's in doubt and starting questioning the orders he's given by his commanders. Ace is a thief, a mere criminal who's very unlucky to come across Soren on his patrol. And when Soren is getting an order to execute Ace on the spot, he hesitates...and that moment changes everything.
"I don't know what I was. What I am. To you. All I know is, that night I was supposed to kill you, or you were supposed to kill me, but we changed the rules. We both walked away. That wasn't nothing."
What follows is a sweet (for Lisa Henry, at least), poignant, but occasionally violent and dark story of overcoming fear and daring to reach for freedom and happiness. The ending was ambiguous, but full of hope..
I'd really like more books in this series. Can't let go of this world yet.
**ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.**
July 4, 2015
I love the way Lisa Henry write dystopia, I always get sucked into the story right away, and next thing I know, the book is over. The same thing happened here, although this book was a little on the short side.
Ash is a petty thief, he's gay, he's a criminal; these are all things punishable by death in this world. He's not a bad person, but poor people don't have a lot of choices or help from their government, so their fate is sealed more or less.
Soren is an ATU rookie, part of the team who's executing the orders to terminate crims and terrorists. He's still wet behind the ears, and his own personal integrity clashes with what he discovers behind the issues ordered to terminate certain people. When he starts to think for himself and hesitate on following the orders given to him, that's when his life changes forever. Soren is hiding a secret so big, he'd be executed on sight if it ever comes out: he's gay. But even knowing the consequences doesn't stop him from acting on his desires every so often: to be used and dominated.
The night Ash and Soren cross paths is the beginning of their future together, and the day Soren's life changes completely. Sparing Ash's life is a spur of the moment decision on Soren's part, but he never anticipated the sexual tension between them, or the personal needs that will no longer be ignored. Ash is exactly what Soren craves in partner, and Soren doesn't let the chance of being taken advantage of by Ash go to waste.
When both their lives are in danger and they have to count on each other to keep alive, their relationship changes and becomes one based on trust. I loved those two together. There plenty of violence in this book, plenty of sex, and some beautiful moments that shows vulnerability on both MCs parts. I loved it!
Ash is a petty thief, he's gay, he's a criminal; these are all things punishable by death in this world. He's not a bad person, but poor people don't have a lot of choices or help from their government, so their fate is sealed more or less.
Soren is an ATU rookie, part of the team who's executing the orders to terminate crims and terrorists. He's still wet behind the ears, and his own personal integrity clashes with what he discovers behind the issues ordered to terminate certain people. When he starts to think for himself and hesitate on following the orders given to him, that's when his life changes forever. Soren is hiding a secret so big, he'd be executed on sight if it ever comes out: he's gay. But even knowing the consequences doesn't stop him from acting on his desires every so often: to be used and dominated.
The night Ash and Soren cross paths is the beginning of their future together, and the day Soren's life changes completely. Sparing Ash's life is a spur of the moment decision on Soren's part, but he never anticipated the sexual tension between them, or the personal needs that will no longer be ignored. Ash is exactly what Soren craves in partner, and Soren doesn't let the chance of being taken advantage of by Ash go to waste.
When both their lives are in danger and they have to count on each other to keep alive, their relationship changes and becomes one based on trust. I loved those two together. There plenty of violence in this book, plenty of sex, and some beautiful moments that shows vulnerability on both MCs parts. I loved it!
June 26, 2015
Extreme opposites attract meets I know I shouldn’t but I’m going to anyways. Soren has not been with Tophet’s ATU (anti-terrorist unit) for long. During his short time he has realized that things are really not as they are presented or how they should be. He knows that the roof over his head and the food in his belly should not be taken for granted and he should just tow the line to make sure that those things remain a constant in his life. All that begins to change when he hesitates on a direct order from Command.
Live another day. That is how Ace makes it through the days that accumulate into life. Most of the time he does not know where or when his next meal will come. He does what he has to do to make it from day to day. Sometimes he steals, sometimes he roots through trash, he always survives. Survival has become increasingly difficult with the way the ATU who seems to be on a constant extermination mission.
All it takes is just one decision and everything in Soren and Ace’s futures is irrevocably changed. Lines are crossed that have dire consequences for both men. Tophet does not tolerate amoral elements and both men are on the wrong side of the morality laws. Neither seems to care when they discover that they are caught up in the middle of something bigger than Tophet, Command, and the territories across the borders.
I enjoyed the story. I found the world, its politics, its citizens, and all of its complications fascinating. At the end of the novella I was left wanting more. There is so much mystery and unknown that I was left with questions. Tin Man is part of the Bliss universe and I have not read Bliss. By the blurb and from what I read here I’m guessing that Bliss takes place years after Tin Man, but I’m not positive on that.
Live another day. That is how Ace makes it through the days that accumulate into life. Most of the time he does not know where or when his next meal will come. He does what he has to do to make it from day to day. Sometimes he steals, sometimes he roots through trash, he always survives. Survival has become increasingly difficult with the way the ATU who seems to be on a constant extermination mission.
All it takes is just one decision and everything in Soren and Ace’s futures is irrevocably changed. Lines are crossed that have dire consequences for both men. Tophet does not tolerate amoral elements and both men are on the wrong side of the morality laws. Neither seems to care when they discover that they are caught up in the middle of something bigger than Tophet, Command, and the territories across the borders.
I enjoyed the story. I found the world, its politics, its citizens, and all of its complications fascinating. At the end of the novella I was left wanting more. There is so much mystery and unknown that I was left with questions. Tin Man is part of the Bliss universe and I have not read Bliss. By the blurb and from what I read here I’m guessing that Bliss takes place years after Tin Man, but I’m not positive on that.
September 20, 2015
This second book from the Bliss universe finds us in the lawless streets of Tophet where Ace has a hand to mouth existence living off petty theft and burglary.
And then one day he finds himself being pursued by a rookie from the Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU).
Soren Lau knows that his job is to execute 'terrorists' but he finds himself at Ace's mercy and realises that although they are different, him being law abiding and Ace being a criminal, they have one thing in common.Their attraction to men makes them both criminals. And so they find themselves on the same side against an oppressive regime.
I didn't like this as much as book one (Bliss). This time the story felt a little predictable. Book one was gripping, tension filled and drew me in from the beginning this book felt like a run of the mill mm story.The writing is good but it lacked tension and suspense. I found myself questioning Soren's actions when he first ran into Ace because his encounter just didn't feel plausible. And the story just didn't pick up the pace for me.
So although it is a nice enough story it isn't as memorable as the first book which really raised the bar. I was a bit disappointed but will definitely read the next in the series.
Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
And then one day he finds himself being pursued by a rookie from the Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU).
Soren Lau knows that his job is to execute 'terrorists' but he finds himself at Ace's mercy and realises that although they are different, him being law abiding and Ace being a criminal, they have one thing in common.Their attraction to men makes them both criminals. And so they find themselves on the same side against an oppressive regime.
I didn't like this as much as book one (Bliss). This time the story felt a little predictable. Book one was gripping, tension filled and drew me in from the beginning this book felt like a run of the mill mm story.The writing is good but it lacked tension and suspense. I found myself questioning Soren's actions when he first ran into Ace because his encounter just didn't feel plausible. And the story just didn't pick up the pace for me.
So although it is a nice enough story it isn't as memorable as the first book which really raised the bar. I was a bit disappointed but will definitely read the next in the series.
Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2015
My Review:
I really enjoyed the introduction into this world with Bliss, so when I saw this one was coming available, I jumped at it.
This book takes place in the neighboring sector of Tophet where things are not ideal in this dystopian world. People are desperate, jobs are scarce, kids are starving and the roving ATU units are rumored to be executing the crims (criminals....i.e. mostly petty thieves who are simply trying to survive). Ace is one of those crims and he comes up against Soren, who is a rookie ATU cop.
Soren is just happy to have a job. He knows how rare that is, but as things progress on the job, he's beginning to wonder if he's really working for the good guys. Not everything adds up. He's also gay which is considered a crime punishable by death in this society. Not exactly ideal for someone in his place. But he's continuing on with his job and random back room hookups until he runs into Ace and Ace's friend. His orders...execute. A moment's hesitation is all it takes to throw both of these guys worlds into complete disarray.
This is a dark and gritty world, which makes it hard to read. There's nothing dark and gritty about the story...it's just the overall sensation leftover from the world is more than a bit depressing. As such, this book didn't get as high of a rating for me. It's definitely not a book that you walk away from feeling happier for having read it. But there is a Happily For Now ending to the story even if the guys' world is left very open-ended. For this happily ever after girl, I like to think that things work out for them in the end....but wow, that's so unlikely in this world. See, there's that depressive feeling.
But I did enjoy the guys story. They are stuck in this awful, horrible world and manage to find some hope with a connection between them. I liked the two of them together and although they start out on opposite sides, they form a great team. I just want to think that they managed to live long, healthy lives after the end of the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the introduction into this world with Bliss, so when I saw this one was coming available, I jumped at it.
This book takes place in the neighboring sector of Tophet where things are not ideal in this dystopian world. People are desperate, jobs are scarce, kids are starving and the roving ATU units are rumored to be executing the crims (criminals....i.e. mostly petty thieves who are simply trying to survive). Ace is one of those crims and he comes up against Soren, who is a rookie ATU cop.
Soren is just happy to have a job. He knows how rare that is, but as things progress on the job, he's beginning to wonder if he's really working for the good guys. Not everything adds up. He's also gay which is considered a crime punishable by death in this society. Not exactly ideal for someone in his place. But he's continuing on with his job and random back room hookups until he runs into Ace and Ace's friend. His orders...execute. A moment's hesitation is all it takes to throw both of these guys worlds into complete disarray.
This is a dark and gritty world, which makes it hard to read. There's nothing dark and gritty about the story...it's just the overall sensation leftover from the world is more than a bit depressing. As such, this book didn't get as high of a rating for me. It's definitely not a book that you walk away from feeling happier for having read it. But there is a Happily For Now ending to the story even if the guys' world is left very open-ended. For this happily ever after girl, I like to think that things work out for them in the end....but wow, that's so unlikely in this world. See, there's that depressive feeling.
But I did enjoy the guys story. They are stuck in this awful, horrible world and manage to find some hope with a connection between them. I liked the two of them together and although they start out on opposite sides, they form a great team. I just want to think that they managed to live long, healthy lives after the end of the book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
September 9, 2015
Tin Man is set in what I would equate to District 12 of The Hunger Games. Things like vagrancy, immoral sexual conduct, and petty thievery are punishable by death. The government’s Anti-Terrorist Unit is charged with rooting out terrorists and shooting on site, but often those who commit lesser crimes become victims.
Instead of Katniss and Peeta there are Ace and Soren, two incredibly hot gay males. Soren is on the government’s Anti-Terrorist Unit, and Ace is living on the streets, stealing to get his next meal. The two are in quite a predicament when Soren hesitates to kill Ace when ordered to by his superiors, and Ace in turn, saves Soren’s life. There’s an immediate attraction between the two, even when they are trying to kill each other. Their lifestyle, of course, is considered immoral and both men must decide what to do about how they feel for one another.
This book had such a Hunger Games feel to it, I cannot help but make comparisons. An oppressive government, people starving with no way out. However, this was far from young adult. The sex is hot, but the story is even better. It is what I would refer to as smut with substance.
As a short novella, I wanted much more of the story. I really enjoyed this, and I cannot wait to see where the series goes. I want more Ace and Soren! This is a great read if you enjoy M/M. Four stars.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in turn for an honest review.
Instead of Katniss and Peeta there are Ace and Soren, two incredibly hot gay males. Soren is on the government’s Anti-Terrorist Unit, and Ace is living on the streets, stealing to get his next meal. The two are in quite a predicament when Soren hesitates to kill Ace when ordered to by his superiors, and Ace in turn, saves Soren’s life. There’s an immediate attraction between the two, even when they are trying to kill each other. Their lifestyle, of course, is considered immoral and both men must decide what to do about how they feel for one another.
This book had such a Hunger Games feel to it, I cannot help but make comparisons. An oppressive government, people starving with no way out. However, this was far from young adult. The sex is hot, but the story is even better. It is what I would refer to as smut with substance.
As a short novella, I wanted much more of the story. I really enjoyed this, and I cannot wait to see where the series goes. I want more Ace and Soren! This is a great read if you enjoy M/M. Four stars.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in turn for an honest review.
August 18, 2015
Copy from netgalley
"I don't think you're helpless. Not for a second. Whether your sight comes back or not, you're never gonna be helpless. Your the same killer I met in the alley."
Well this book kinda came out of nowhere and hit me square between the eyes. I think the blurb sounded interesting but what sold it to me was the cover...come on be honest...who doesn't find that cover hot??
What I actually got though was a highly original story, one that stood out in the crowd. Its basically the story of two men falling for each other, two men who are so opposite to each other they shouldn't even look in each others direction but just can't stay away. Its a story of loving against the odds, about learning that when you find someone who has your back even when the world tells you they shouldn't, that maybe they are the right person for you, just what you have been looking for. I don't want to give too much away but the setting is unique, imagination catching and gives it that little edge of danger that keeps you reading longer than you should.
The writing is fantastic and the character building is great. The chapters come from multiple POVs but I think they are clearly marked to say who's talking, and its great to see each situation from both characters.
All in all this was a gritty love story that I loved!
"I don't think you're helpless. Not for a second. Whether your sight comes back or not, you're never gonna be helpless. Your the same killer I met in the alley."
Well this book kinda came out of nowhere and hit me square between the eyes. I think the blurb sounded interesting but what sold it to me was the cover...come on be honest...who doesn't find that cover hot??
What I actually got though was a highly original story, one that stood out in the crowd. Its basically the story of two men falling for each other, two men who are so opposite to each other they shouldn't even look in each others direction but just can't stay away. Its a story of loving against the odds, about learning that when you find someone who has your back even when the world tells you they shouldn't, that maybe they are the right person for you, just what you have been looking for. I don't want to give too much away but the setting is unique, imagination catching and gives it that little edge of danger that keeps you reading longer than you should.
The writing is fantastic and the character building is great. The chapters come from multiple POVs but I think they are clearly marked to say who's talking, and its great to see each situation from both characters.
All in all this was a gritty love story that I loved!
July 5, 2015
I have some mixed feelings about this one though I would say that the most predominant feeling is that I found it compelling.
It's a dystopian world I found to be believable and tragic. It's always fun to see characters that should hate each other come to be attached to each other and that was certainly played up here.
On the other hand there was some (what I would consider) dubious consent and under-negotiated breath play which made me a little uncomfortable.
This is also part of a series which I didn't realize when I started (I should have done my research) so it would seem more might be coming. I'm glad for that because I didn't feel like the story between these two characters was settled. The story doesn't end abruptly but it doesn't seem complete either.
I was a little uncomfortable here and there but I think I will be looking for others in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It's a dystopian world I found to be believable and tragic. It's always fun to see characters that should hate each other come to be attached to each other and that was certainly played up here.
On the other hand there was some (what I would consider) dubious consent and under-negotiated breath play which made me a little uncomfortable.
This is also part of a series which I didn't realize when I started (I should have done my research) so it would seem more might be coming. I'm glad for that because I didn't feel like the story between these two characters was settled. The story doesn't end abruptly but it doesn't seem complete either.
I was a little uncomfortable here and there but I think I will be looking for others in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2015
Right, take a moment.... So.....Think of the words sublimely brilliant, then add every pithy expletive from your personal arsenal to the front of them.
Yup, that's my description of this book. Seriously, there are so many others who have waxed lyrical on the brilliance of this story that I could not improve on a single comment or word.
Frankly, I'd put this on the required reading list of students studying literature and dissecting each lil' nuance for meaning regarding the dystopian future it portrays. Yes!! This is that good...trouble is, it'd darn tootin' need to be given an *R* rating.
...and a sequel? Ohhh.eMmmm.Geee. p-leeeaze...... my first love was always science fiction and this?....wo-haaa....*fans face*
Yup, that's my description of this book. Seriously, there are so many others who have waxed lyrical on the brilliance of this story that I could not improve on a single comment or word.
Frankly, I'd put this on the required reading list of students studying literature and dissecting each lil' nuance for meaning regarding the dystopian future it portrays. Yes!! This is that good...trouble is, it'd darn tootin' need to be given an *R* rating.
...and a sequel? Ohhh.eMmmm.Geee. p-leeeaze...... my first love was always science fiction and this?....wo-haaa....*fans face*
January 5, 2016
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Wow! I absolutely love this book! I was sucked in from the beginning, and by the end I was blown away. Books like this make being a reviewer well worth it. Ace is a petty thief trying to make it meal by meal in the totalitarian state of Tophet. Though he tries to keep a low profile, he has the unlucky occasion of running into one of Tophet’s Anti-Terrorist soldiers who is intent on killing him. Ace manages to live through the attack and at the same time saves the government soldier. He soon learns the man’s name is Soren, and though Soren is a trained killer, he’s also very young and beautiful. Ace sees humanity in Soren that he wasn’t expecting to see. He realizes that though Soren is part of the machine that oppresses them, he is also a victim of the same system. Soren desires men, but Tophet’s morality laws would earn Soren death if he were ever caught indulging in a man’s company. Despite being the most unlikely of lovers, the two men are drawn to one another. In their hurried and risky encounters, they realize that some things are worth dying for.
I loved the dark world the authors create. The totalitarian state of Tophet was so oppressive that I couldn’t fault either man for the path he takes. I can see how Ace would want to get away and live on the fringes of society. However, in a world where unemployment and vagrancy is punishable by death, I can also understand why Soren would accept work as a government soldier. In addition to the love affair between the two, there are a lot of things in this book that are scary due to being too close to reality. Whereas Ace questions everything, Soren represents the obedient soldier found in every totalitarian regime who will follow orders blindly even when told to take another’s life. Soren also doesn’t question it when his employer requires him to have a chip implanted in his head. A government experimenting on their soldiers in this way is just as frightening as the fact that many soldiers would comply with the order.
Overall, this is a book that makes you think as well as feel. I really would love to see more of Ace and Soren in future installments in this series. I recommend Tin Man to anyone who loves dark futuristic fantasy, government conspiracy themes, or enemies to lovers.
Wow! I absolutely love this book! I was sucked in from the beginning, and by the end I was blown away. Books like this make being a reviewer well worth it. Ace is a petty thief trying to make it meal by meal in the totalitarian state of Tophet. Though he tries to keep a low profile, he has the unlucky occasion of running into one of Tophet’s Anti-Terrorist soldiers who is intent on killing him. Ace manages to live through the attack and at the same time saves the government soldier. He soon learns the man’s name is Soren, and though Soren is a trained killer, he’s also very young and beautiful. Ace sees humanity in Soren that he wasn’t expecting to see. He realizes that though Soren is part of the machine that oppresses them, he is also a victim of the same system. Soren desires men, but Tophet’s morality laws would earn Soren death if he were ever caught indulging in a man’s company. Despite being the most unlikely of lovers, the two men are drawn to one another. In their hurried and risky encounters, they realize that some things are worth dying for.
I loved the dark world the authors create. The totalitarian state of Tophet was so oppressive that I couldn’t fault either man for the path he takes. I can see how Ace would want to get away and live on the fringes of society. However, in a world where unemployment and vagrancy is punishable by death, I can also understand why Soren would accept work as a government soldier. In addition to the love affair between the two, there are a lot of things in this book that are scary due to being too close to reality. Whereas Ace questions everything, Soren represents the obedient soldier found in every totalitarian regime who will follow orders blindly even when told to take another’s life. Soren also doesn’t question it when his employer requires him to have a chip implanted in his head. A government experimenting on their soldiers in this way is just as frightening as the fact that many soldiers would comply with the order.
Overall, this is a book that makes you think as well as feel. I really would love to see more of Ace and Soren in future installments in this series. I recommend Tin Man to anyone who loves dark futuristic fantasy, government conspiracy themes, or enemies to lovers.
July 20, 2015
Brilliant, is all I can say. I wish I had read the first book in the series, Bliss, but that is needed, I just want to see what the 'perfect' part of the world is like, so I can feel that crash that readers must have felt when they read Tin Man. Tin Man is a beautiful, yet harsh portrayal of the 'other' side of the fence, where the world is not so perfect.
We see the harsh, dirty and often mad world of those who can barely get by. As a slap in the face, the government also has special units hired to take care of business. To the outside world, this appears as them getting rid of all those who break the law and are causing havoc in their perfect existence.
However, a new recruit sees through all the lies. We are taken through the life of both our new recruit and a petty thief, who isn't violent and only steals to survive. As they meet, there is a spark between them, both romantically and to learn just what exactly the other side is like. Our recruit starts to open his eyes and question the actions of the unit, as he sees that they are merely getting rid of those that are undesirable. Our thief also sees that there are people in the unit who care.
As they get closer to each other, the moment of hesitation, the spark turns into so much more. They learn about their world and their actions, as well as learning about themselves. In this world, being gay is against the law, meaning that our petty thief would be wanted for more than one infraction and our officer...well they better not get caught.
I loved the amount of depth in both world and character that the authors were able to squeeze into this short read. None of is felt crammed together or rushed, it just flowed. We saw the world through the eyes of the characters, and could actually imagine what it would be like to be there. Again, I can only imagine how much depth there would be by reading the first book as well. They have done a brilliant job to make the world and the actions of people very real and believable.
I love the characters. They all have personalities that either fit together or clash, leading to a very real world. It's not all love, but there is a slice of it, with our two characters, which I think only adds to the depth of character and story. We are the only ones to know their little secret.
Overall, this was an excellent read. I would love to read the first book and more by these authors. They have brilliant writing styles and their work is very believable and addicting to read!
We see the harsh, dirty and often mad world of those who can barely get by. As a slap in the face, the government also has special units hired to take care of business. To the outside world, this appears as them getting rid of all those who break the law and are causing havoc in their perfect existence.
However, a new recruit sees through all the lies. We are taken through the life of both our new recruit and a petty thief, who isn't violent and only steals to survive. As they meet, there is a spark between them, both romantically and to learn just what exactly the other side is like. Our recruit starts to open his eyes and question the actions of the unit, as he sees that they are merely getting rid of those that are undesirable. Our thief also sees that there are people in the unit who care.
As they get closer to each other, the moment of hesitation, the spark turns into so much more. They learn about their world and their actions, as well as learning about themselves. In this world, being gay is against the law, meaning that our petty thief would be wanted for more than one infraction and our officer...well they better not get caught.
I loved the amount of depth in both world and character that the authors were able to squeeze into this short read. None of is felt crammed together or rushed, it just flowed. We saw the world through the eyes of the characters, and could actually imagine what it would be like to be there. Again, I can only imagine how much depth there would be by reading the first book as well. They have done a brilliant job to make the world and the actions of people very real and believable.
I love the characters. They all have personalities that either fit together or clash, leading to a very real world. It's not all love, but there is a slice of it, with our two characters, which I think only adds to the depth of character and story. We are the only ones to know their little secret.
Overall, this was an excellent read. I would love to read the first book and more by these authors. They have brilliant writing styles and their work is very believable and addicting to read!
August 24, 2018
I really enjoyed this! Set in the Bliss Universe in the city of Tophet, this is a wonderful story. It’s from alternate POV’s and even though this is a short story, it’s packed full of emotion and action.
Our two MC’s Ashoka “Ace” King and Soren Lau are from two opposing parts of this dystopian world. Soren is a member of the Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) set up by the government to deal with the “crims” who are considered the immoral scrounge of society and all criminals. Soren must follow the orders of command even if that means shoot to kill. But in the back of his mind he has a sense of wrongness for what’s happening. He also recognizes the hypocrisy of working for a system that would easily condemn and punish him if they knew of his preferences which are considered immoral.
Ace is a “crim”. Jobless, homeless and living a hopeless life day by day is forced to steal to survive. Ace has a good heart but a lot of bitterness and anger towards the government who has ruined his and so many others lives with their oppressive rule and warped views on morality.
When Soren encounters Ace he’s ordered to kill him but pauses and isn’t able to do it. So begins the battle between the two as violence erupts and culminates in an intense meeting of bodies as attraction takes over and slowly over time their perceptions of each other changes to something altogether different. Ultimately leading to a certain level of understanding and acceptance.
While the basic concept of the story is not new... the story as a whole was interesting, engaging and moving which was no surprise to me considering the authors. The sexual tension between the two was palpable and the action in this book was crazy! Lots of violence but that’s the world they live in and by extension part of who they are.
But dammit I wanted more! I’m freakin’ pouting right now (seriously my bottom lip is sticking out as I’m typing this review) LOL!!! What the heck. I want more of Soren & Ace! Definitely recommend as a great short read.
ARC kindly provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Our two MC’s Ashoka “Ace” King and Soren Lau are from two opposing parts of this dystopian world. Soren is a member of the Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU) set up by the government to deal with the “crims” who are considered the immoral scrounge of society and all criminals. Soren must follow the orders of command even if that means shoot to kill. But in the back of his mind he has a sense of wrongness for what’s happening. He also recognizes the hypocrisy of working for a system that would easily condemn and punish him if they knew of his preferences which are considered immoral.
Ace is a “crim”. Jobless, homeless and living a hopeless life day by day is forced to steal to survive. Ace has a good heart but a lot of bitterness and anger towards the government who has ruined his and so many others lives with their oppressive rule and warped views on morality.
When Soren encounters Ace he’s ordered to kill him but pauses and isn’t able to do it. So begins the battle between the two as violence erupts and culminates in an intense meeting of bodies as attraction takes over and slowly over time their perceptions of each other changes to something altogether different. Ultimately leading to a certain level of understanding and acceptance.
While the basic concept of the story is not new... the story as a whole was interesting, engaging and moving which was no surprise to me considering the authors. The sexual tension between the two was palpable and the action in this book was crazy! Lots of violence but that’s the world they live in and by extension part of who they are.
But dammit I wanted more! I’m freakin’ pouting right now (seriously my bottom lip is sticking out as I’m typing this review) LOL!!! What the heck. I want more of Soren & Ace! Definitely recommend as a great short read.
ARC kindly provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Follow Crack A Book Cafe :)
Website / Twitter / Facebook
July 23, 2015
Soren is part of an elite anti-terrorism unit, but lately he's been questioning the morality of his orders. He's also living with the fear that his homosexuality will be discovered and he'll be punished for breaking Tophet's morality laws. Ace is a thief by necessity, having been blacklisted from gainful employment due to his father's teamster activities. When Soren meets Ace in an alley and is given the order to shoot, he hesitates. The two find themselves drawn to one another despite their dramatic difference in station, and both begin to question everything they thought they knew about life on the other side of the tracks.
This novella is competently written but mostly unfulfilling. I haven't read Bliss, the full length work that preceded this story, so I don't know whether a deeper knowledge of the world (and characters? Not sure if they appear there) would make this novella a more meaningful read. As it stands in this work, the dystopian world and its conflicts seemed incredibly generic, and the characters weren't interesting enough to compensate.
Thanks to Riptide and NetGalley for providing an electronic review copy.
This novella is competently written but mostly unfulfilling. I haven't read Bliss, the full length work that preceded this story, so I don't know whether a deeper knowledge of the world (and characters? Not sure if they appear there) would make this novella a more meaningful read. As it stands in this work, the dystopian world and its conflicts seemed incredibly generic, and the characters weren't interesting enough to compensate.
Thanks to Riptide and NetGalley for providing an electronic review copy.
September 25, 2015
At the beginning I was rather into this story interested in seeing which path it would take. In the end it descended into average for me. Soren and Ace both had a potential to be interesting and complex characters. Both of them challenging the way the see things and what life is suppose to be like especially Soren. Instead their relationship which for me isn't too believable descends into a aggressive sexual haze.
August 18, 2015
Two great authors who leave me fulfilled and happy. I want more.
April 14, 2023
3.5/ 5->⭐'s | 4.3/ 6->⭐'s
My scale goes as follows:
1 bad
2 OK
3 good
4 really good
5 very good
6 great
Good characters, very good plot, really to very good sex. It's a short story, so there's only one blow job, one frottage, and one penetrative sex scene. There's a light D/s dynamic, with some nice dirty talk while they fuck.
It's a nice story, I only wish it was longer, especially as the D/s aspect becomes more pronounced in the last few pages, and I would've really liked to have seen more of them together like that.
The blurb made me think one of them was gonna kidnap the other and keep him as a sex slave, was a little disappointed at first that it wasn't the case, but I still liked it.
Instead there's a short struggle which one of them wins, but then the sex is consensual (albeit under a slight D/s dynamic) and then he is let go.
(Only for them to meet up more times after that, obviously.)
Overall I really liked it, too bad there's no continuation, I would've totally read it! I will probably read this again some day, as this is already my second read through of this book.
I really wish Lisa Henry wrote more of the darker stories, concentrated on characters with a power exchange dynamic, she's so good at it!
And that she would stop wasting her talent on normal boring books, filled with sugar and flowers. 😉
My scale goes as follows:
1 bad
2 OK
3 good
4 really good
5 very good
6 great
Good characters, very good plot, really to very good sex. It's a short story, so there's only one blow job, one frottage, and one penetrative sex scene. There's a light D/s dynamic, with some nice dirty talk while they fuck.
It's a nice story, I only wish it was longer, especially as the D/s aspect becomes more pronounced in the last few pages, and I would've really liked to have seen more of them together like that.
The blurb made me think one of them was gonna kidnap the other and keep him as a sex slave, was a little disappointed at first that it wasn't the case, but I still liked it.
Instead there's a short struggle which one of them wins, but then the sex is consensual (albeit under a slight D/s dynamic) and then he is let go.
(Only for them to meet up more times after that, obviously.)
Overall I really liked it, too bad there's no continuation, I would've totally read it! I will probably read this again some day, as this is already my second read through of this book.
I really wish Lisa Henry wrote more of the darker stories, concentrated on characters with a power exchange dynamic, she's so good at it!
And that she would stop wasting her talent on normal boring books, filled with sugar and flowers. 😉
June 12, 2017
2.5 stars
Things are bad when a book co-written by Lisa Henry gets only 2 stars from me (and they’re all for the good writing and the idea of the story).
I know I’ve been hard to please lately and at this point I’d start wondering if it’s me, not the books. For now and in this case, I’m pretty sure it’s still the book.
The way Ace and Soren got together was implausible and rushed to say the least, even with a dystopian setting and a heavy dose of suspension of disbelief.
The first encounter could have been perfect to establish a tentative trust between men on opposite sides and set the base to make the following development feel more believable.
Instead, the connection between them felt forced and I arrived at the end of the book still asking myself why Ace and Soren were together, no trusting their HFN at all.
Things are bad when a book co-written by Lisa Henry gets only 2 stars from me (and they’re all for the good writing and the idea of the story).
I know I’ve been hard to please lately and at this point I’d start wondering if it’s me, not the books. For now and in this case, I’m pretty sure it’s still the book.
The way Ace and Soren got together was implausible and rushed to say the least, even with a dystopian setting and a heavy dose of suspension of disbelief.
The first encounter could have been perfect to establish a tentative trust between men on opposite sides and set the base to make the following development feel more believable.
Instead, the connection between them felt forced and I arrived at the end of the book still asking myself why Ace and Soren were together, no trusting their HFN at all.
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