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The Society #2
The Usual Apocalypse
8 hours and 18 minutes
Relationships can be tricky when people can't lie to you, so Agent Matthew Whitman focuses his unusual powers on solving cases for the Society. When a fellow agent is found murdered, Matt is given a major assignment: find her killer. First he must find Brennan Mitchell, whose brother was a victim in the murdered agent's last case.
For sixteen years Brennan thought his brother was dead. Now, a Society agent is confronting him with the impossible—his brother is alive. While Brennan is grateful to be reconnected with his brother, he doesn't want to be pulled into any Society business. But the attraction between Matt and him is electric. After indulging in sensual encounters together, Brennan finds himself drawn into Matt's investigation, and they become embroiled in something much larger than a run-of-the-mill murder case. Something darker and more dangerous than either man could have ever imagined.
81,000 words
Narrated by Blake Bodkin
Relationships can be tricky when people can't lie to you, so Agent Matthew Whitman focuses his unusual powers on solving cases for the Society. When a fellow agent is found murdered, Matt is given a major assignment: find her killer. First he must find Brennan Mitchell, whose brother was a victim in the murdered agent's last case.
For sixteen years Brennan thought his brother was dead. Now, a Society agent is confronting him with the impossible—his brother is alive. While Brennan is grateful to be reconnected with his brother, he doesn't want to be pulled into any Society business. But the attraction between Matt and him is electric. After indulging in sensual encounters together, Brennan finds himself drawn into Matt's investigation, and they become embroiled in something much larger than a run-of-the-mill murder case. Something darker and more dangerous than either man could have ever imagined.
81,000 words
Narrated by Blake Bodkin
Audible Audio
First published September 1, 2011
4 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Christine Price
5 books37 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Christine Price lives with her husband, two psychotic cats and a dumb Anatolian shepherd in Edmonton, AB. Her fascination with the written word began at a young age with a one-page story titled “My Mother is a Werewolf” and took off from there. In her spare time, she enjoys reading good books, drinking good wine and fine-tuning her mental filters.
Christine Price lives with her husband, two psychotic cats and a dumb Anatolian shepherd in Edmonton, AB. Her fascination with the written word began at a young age with a one-page story titled “My Mother is a Werewolf” and took off from there. In her spare time, she enjoys reading good books, drinking good wine and fine-tuning her mental filters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
September 4, 2011
4.5 stars
In all honesty, I'm kind of speechless on what I want to say in this review. I absolutely loved this book. It caught my attention and held it to the point all I wanted to do with my day is read it. I loved it so much, I'm willing to overlook a few things but it's still so hard for me to properly rate the story. God, why can't GR just give us half stars?!?!
Matt is a detective for an agency that deals with paranormal crimes. He meets Brennan when he makes a promise to someone on a previous case to find his brother. The attraction is instantaneous and a relationship flares to life between them. When a well loved agent is killed in her home, Matt is assigned to find her killer and close the case she was working on. In doing so, he puts not only himself, but Brennan in danger, learns stuff about himself he never knew and comes to terms with his hidden fears.
I loved both Matt and Brennan. Matt is spunky. He's a balls to the wall type of guy, one who no one can lie to. Or at least, mostly no one can lie to him. Brennan can. He's an unusual type of guy who has the ability to read minds. Bren can dig through your mind and take from it whatever he wants. He has an eclectic type of character and style and seeing these two together was a real treat. Very entertaining and put a smile on my lips because neither of these men are used to being in a relationship with feelings as strong as they have for one another. It was fun just seeing them work through those feelings and the shock they gave themselves when they realized what those feelings were. I honestly did love it.
The mystery of the story was a good one. I guessed who the killer was about half way through the book but the anxiousness and anticipation I had about being proven right or wrong along with the little niggle of doubt I felt made the story even more enjoyable than it already was. The suspense throughout a majority of the story had me hanging from the edge of my seat.
While I loved the story, there were some things I had a problem with
Even with all that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm seriously considering going back and reading the first one in the series (a menage) as well as look forward to any other book in this series (hopefully it's Morgan's book!). Although, IMO, I do NOT think it's imperative to read the first book - In Darkness Bound. I was perfectly fine without reading it. Wasn't lost or confused about any terms.
This is definitely a book I'll be recommending to as many people as I can. So, everyone should totally buy this book and read it ;-P
In all honesty, I'm kind of speechless on what I want to say in this review. I absolutely loved this book. It caught my attention and held it to the point all I wanted to do with my day is read it. I loved it so much, I'm willing to overlook a few things but it's still so hard for me to properly rate the story. God, why can't GR just give us half stars?!?!
Matt is a detective for an agency that deals with paranormal crimes. He meets Brennan when he makes a promise to someone on a previous case to find his brother. The attraction is instantaneous and a relationship flares to life between them. When a well loved agent is killed in her home, Matt is assigned to find her killer and close the case she was working on. In doing so, he puts not only himself, but Brennan in danger, learns stuff about himself he never knew and comes to terms with his hidden fears.
I loved both Matt and Brennan. Matt is spunky. He's a balls to the wall type of guy, one who no one can lie to. Or at least, mostly no one can lie to him. Brennan can. He's an unusual type of guy who has the ability to read minds. Bren can dig through your mind and take from it whatever he wants. He has an eclectic type of character and style and seeing these two together was a real treat. Very entertaining and put a smile on my lips because neither of these men are used to being in a relationship with feelings as strong as they have for one another. It was fun just seeing them work through those feelings and the shock they gave themselves when they realized what those feelings were. I honestly did love it.
The mystery of the story was a good one. I guessed who the killer was about half way through the book but the anxiousness and anticipation I had about being proven right or wrong along with the little niggle of doubt I felt made the story even more enjoyable than it already was. The suspense throughout a majority of the story had me hanging from the edge of my seat.
While I loved the story, there were some things I had a problem with
Even with all that, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm seriously considering going back and reading the first one in the series (a menage) as well as look forward to any other book in this series (hopefully it's Morgan's book!). Although, IMO, I do NOT think it's imperative to read the first book - In Darkness Bound. I was perfectly fine without reading it. Wasn't lost or confused about any terms.
This is definitely a book I'll be recommending to as many people as I can. So, everyone should totally buy this book and read it ;-P
November 4, 2024
I've read this book three times now, and I'm upping my rating to the full 5 stars. I love the characters, the relationship, the story, the writing. It's one of those books that makes me feel and lingers in my mind and makes me want to keep coming back to it. I'm gonna leave my old review as is though, so don't judge me if it's a little cringey 😅
---
I've read this book twice, first the normal way, then the audiobook some years later, and it turns out my thoughts are very similar. I really liked it, even more than the first book!
For one thing, I felt the characters in this one were much stronger and had more depth.
Matt was my favorite character in the first book, despite being a side character, so I was excited to see he got his own book. He was quippy, funny, smart, observant, confident, and a good person who wanted to help others... but he was a lonely workaholic. I feel like I rarely see workaholism as a character flaw, so that was interesting. Because of his powers that make it impossible for people to lie to him or around him, he had a crappy childhood and relationships that never lasted, so he started throwing himself into his work, but that only made relationships even more doomed to fail. He was this mixture of confidence and rumpled, suppressed sadness, and altogether he was just so easy to love.
Brennan was great too. Forward, confident, outgoing, sexual, and completely himself. At first I was uncomfortable with how forward he was, but then I remembered he could read minds, and Matt was probably projecting his thoughts and attraction, so I was able to let it slide.
Their romance was great too. Just the right amount of angst and struggle. A good helping of passion and scorching hot sex. But more than that, I could understand and feel their connection and their love, and I wanted them to be together.
There were also some interesting paranormal powers. Matt's ability to make people tell the truth. Brennan's mind-reading and telekinesis. Umbra's shadow manipulation.
I didn't love the audiobook narration by Blake Bodkin. It didn't match how I imagined the characters sounding (which I know is subjective and not the narrator's fault), especially Brennan, and it could be hard to tell characters apart sometimes as the voices he did weren't that different. But he did make the narration and dialogue sound natural.
Overall, this was a great book with lovable characters, an angsty but sweet romance, and a well-plotted mystery that kept me hooked!
*Although this is part of a series, you could probably enjoy this one as a standalone without reading the first book since it's about different characters, though it does have some ties to the previous story.*
*I've read this book multiple times. This review was written after my 2nd read.*
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // 1st Read Date: 2016 // Format: Ebook*
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // 2nd Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
*Rating: 5 Stars // 3rd Read Date: 2024 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Fans of Matt in Book 1 of Christine Price's The Society series. Anyone who likes angsty but sweet m/m paranormal romance, lovable characters, and mystery.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
---
I've read this book twice, first the normal way, then the audiobook some years later, and it turns out my thoughts are very similar. I really liked it, even more than the first book!
For one thing, I felt the characters in this one were much stronger and had more depth.
Matt was my favorite character in the first book, despite being a side character, so I was excited to see he got his own book. He was quippy, funny, smart, observant, confident, and a good person who wanted to help others... but he was a lonely workaholic. I feel like I rarely see workaholism as a character flaw, so that was interesting. Because of his powers that make it impossible for people to lie to him or around him, he had a crappy childhood and relationships that never lasted, so he started throwing himself into his work, but that only made relationships even more doomed to fail. He was this mixture of confidence and rumpled, suppressed sadness, and altogether he was just so easy to love.
Brennan was great too. Forward, confident, outgoing, sexual, and completely himself. At first I was uncomfortable with how forward he was, but then I remembered he could read minds, and Matt was probably projecting his thoughts and attraction, so I was able to let it slide.
Their romance was great too. Just the right amount of angst and struggle. A good helping of passion and scorching hot sex. But more than that, I could understand and feel their connection and their love, and I wanted them to be together.
There were also some interesting paranormal powers. Matt's ability to make people tell the truth. Brennan's mind-reading and telekinesis. Umbra's shadow manipulation.
I didn't love the audiobook narration by Blake Bodkin. It didn't match how I imagined the characters sounding (which I know is subjective and not the narrator's fault), especially Brennan, and it could be hard to tell characters apart sometimes as the voices he did weren't that different. But he did make the narration and dialogue sound natural.
Overall, this was a great book with lovable characters, an angsty but sweet romance, and a well-plotted mystery that kept me hooked!
*Although this is part of a series, you could probably enjoy this one as a standalone without reading the first book since it's about different characters, though it does have some ties to the previous story.*
*I've read this book multiple times. This review was written after my 2nd read.*
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // 1st Read Date: 2016 // Format: Ebook*
*Rating: 4.5 Stars // 2nd Read Date: 2020 // Format: Audiobook*
*Rating: 5 Stars // 3rd Read Date: 2024 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Fans of Matt in Book 1 of Christine Price's The Society series. Anyone who likes angsty but sweet m/m paranormal romance, lovable characters, and mystery.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
August 27, 2011
4.5 stars. Very good paranormal m/m romantic suspense about an agent who works for a paranormal investigation organization and is very good at his job because people can't lie to him. Usually. When he takes over an internal affairs investigation because the previous investigator and her husband were found murdered in their beds, he has no idea that his life is about to change irrevocably in multiple ways.
I didn't realize that there was a previous book ( In Darkness Bound ). I see some reviewers have complained that it wasn't a romance - rest assured that this most definitely was.
I didn't realize that there was a previous book ( In Darkness Bound ). I see some reviewers have complained that it wasn't a romance - rest assured that this most definitely was.
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March 30, 2017Price drop to $0.99 at Amazon US, 3/30/17!
November 2, 2011
Amazingly good paranormal mystery/romance novel. Matt is an agent with the Society, a secret organisation that polices the paranormal. He's a workaholic, obsessed with his job and spending long hours and nights at the office. His paranormal ability is that people are unable to lie to him. A follow up on an old case leads him to Brennan, a vet who also has psychic powers and, despite that fact that neither man is good with commitment, the two are drawn into a relationship. At the same time a murder of a leading member of the Society has been committed and Matt and his assistant Tate are put in charge of finding the murderer.
I loved everything about this book. The superb characterisation of the MC's and secondary characters, the witty banter and attraction between Matt and Brennan and also the great working relationship between Matt and Tate, and the mystery plot which is complex and very enjoyable. Even if you removed the romance you would still be left with a cracking good crime/thriller.
Even though this is a paranormal, the world building is kept to a minimum and the function and history of the Society and it's members is not clear until quite a way through the book. There are a couple of mentions of vampires and werewolves and other paranormal beings but they are not a part of this tale. This vagueness about Matt's work and colleagues just added to the all round mystery for me.
IMHO this book is one of the best of 2011. Reminded me a little of the Psycop series by Jordan Castillo Price in terms of great plot and characterisation and the whole 'psychic thing. I didn't read the first book in the series In Darkness Bound and I don't think I missed out on anything. I hope the author writes more like this in the future.
I loved everything about this book. The superb characterisation of the MC's and secondary characters, the witty banter and attraction between Matt and Brennan and also the great working relationship between Matt and Tate, and the mystery plot which is complex and very enjoyable. Even if you removed the romance you would still be left with a cracking good crime/thriller.
Even though this is a paranormal, the world building is kept to a minimum and the function and history of the Society and it's members is not clear until quite a way through the book. There are a couple of mentions of vampires and werewolves and other paranormal beings but they are not a part of this tale. This vagueness about Matt's work and colleagues just added to the all round mystery for me.
IMHO this book is one of the best of 2011. Reminded me a little of the Psycop series by Jordan Castillo Price in terms of great plot and characterisation and the whole 'psychic thing. I didn't read the first book in the series In Darkness Bound and I don't think I missed out on anything. I hope the author writes more like this in the future.
November 17, 2018
More like 3.5 ⭐'s for me. It was good but I just wish I felt more of a connection between Matt and Brennan. It was more of a suspense who done it and work was Matt's whole world mostly. There at the 75% mark of the book Matt had a decision to make and unfortunately work won out 🤨
The other disappointment was not more interaction with the previous characters Chris, Vance and Simon from the first book. Chris was in there twice but nothing was said about his other boyfriends AT ALL!?!?? I wish we got to read the brothers having more of a relationship and sharing their experiences while they were apart when Chris thought Brennan was dead. I know it was Matt's and Brennan's story but something would have been nice about the trio.
Thank goodness Matt decided not to take anymore responsibilities at work so in away he took a stand for his relationship with Brennan... 😉
The other disappointment was not more interaction with the previous characters Chris, Vance and Simon from the first book. Chris was in there twice but nothing was said about his other boyfriends AT ALL!?!?? I wish we got to read the brothers having more of a relationship and sharing their experiences while they were apart when Chris thought Brennan was dead. I know it was Matt's and Brennan's story but something would have been nice about the trio.
Thank goodness Matt decided not to take anymore responsibilities at work so in away he took a stand for his relationship with Brennan... 😉
April 12, 2012
4.5
If you are concerned about the paranormal elements and that's what has kept you from reading this book, don't let that stop you. It's all very subtle and weaved into the story easily.
I really enjoyed this book so much. The pacing was perfect! I had action, intriguing story, cops, a romance that made me so happy, a unique plot...so much to offer.
Matt and Bren are such endearing characters that just worked so well that I craved scenes with them. Every scene created intimacy and shared experiences that really made them so dimensional. The secondary characters added to the mystery and overall story development and world building.
I really can't wait to read more from this author and I really hope I get more of Matt and Bren.
If you are concerned about the paranormal elements and that's what has kept you from reading this book, don't let that stop you. It's all very subtle and weaved into the story easily.
I really enjoyed this book so much. The pacing was perfect! I had action, intriguing story, cops, a romance that made me so happy, a unique plot...so much to offer.
Matt and Bren are such endearing characters that just worked so well that I craved scenes with them. Every scene created intimacy and shared experiences that really made them so dimensional. The secondary characters added to the mystery and overall story development and world building.
I really can't wait to read more from this author and I really hope I get more of Matt and Bren.
November 11, 2011
The subject of this book is something I really enjoy. For me it's about super powers rather than super heroes and when a books pushes the idea to its limits I just know I'm going to love it.
I am sorry I haven't read the first book in the series, because after this one I am terribly intrigued. The mystery side of it took me somewhat by surprise because usually I am very good about guessing who the bad guy is. Maybe I wasn't focused enough or maybe the book is just so good. I'll leave that to personal opinion.
The guys, well, each of them is different and each of them is special because of it. They had a certain dominating quality which didn't smother the other characters. I liked that. Funny lines were set in the right places, emotional situations just emotional enough and the love relationship had a steady course. Really, all pluses there.
My remark would be the details. I do want them especially when the setting is something new and the world something original. Really, I want to know every angle of a certain power instead of being left guessing what all it could entail. In that aspect I thought the plot was too wide to tie all the novelty into a comfortable and familiar setting. With the story ending, I still had questions and I in general didn't know enough.
I do like this authors work, and I am looking forward to reading more. Addicts like me always need a fix a good story can provide.
I am sorry I haven't read the first book in the series, because after this one I am terribly intrigued. The mystery side of it took me somewhat by surprise because usually I am very good about guessing who the bad guy is. Maybe I wasn't focused enough or maybe the book is just so good. I'll leave that to personal opinion.
The guys, well, each of them is different and each of them is special because of it. They had a certain dominating quality which didn't smother the other characters. I liked that. Funny lines were set in the right places, emotional situations just emotional enough and the love relationship had a steady course. Really, all pluses there.
My remark would be the details. I do want them especially when the setting is something new and the world something original. Really, I want to know every angle of a certain power instead of being left guessing what all it could entail. In that aspect I thought the plot was too wide to tie all the novelty into a comfortable and familiar setting. With the story ending, I still had questions and I in general didn't know enough.
I do like this authors work, and I am looking forward to reading more. Addicts like me always need a fix a good story can provide.
May 7, 2014
Nice, but not outstanding. It had a good crime/suspense part, although a bit confusing. The cases seemed to be over-lapping and it sometimes came across as sloppy.
The love story was ok. For me it was rather bland, though both MCs were likable.
It was a little sudden - the whole falling for each other. I'd imagine that guys with issues wouldn't fall so fast and hard and throw all their concerns over board...
The world-building was confusing to me too -until I saw, that this is the second installment (I haven't read the first one).
Nice enough, but not a series I will follow.
The love story was ok. For me it was rather bland, though both MCs were likable.
It was a little sudden - the whole falling for each other. I'd imagine that guys with issues wouldn't fall so fast and hard and throw all their concerns over board...
The world-building was confusing to me too -until I saw, that this is the second installment (I haven't read the first one).
Nice enough, but not a series I will follow.
June 23, 2015
4.5 STARS
November 11, 2012
The sequel was so much better. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. The only impediment is that, as good as it was, I know I won't be re-reading it any time soon, so that drops its rating. I'll give it a 4.5 star rating.
It was a very enjoyable read. And fans of paranormal, mystery, action, humourous characters and m/m will definitely like it too.
It was a very enjoyable read. And fans of paranormal, mystery, action, humourous characters and m/m will definitely like it too.
November 11, 2011
I enjoyed this Story featuring Matt and Brennan. It was more my speed than the first one In Darkness Bound. I would have liked to get more on what Matt's abilities were about.
April 16, 2017
As someone who normally steers away from novels involving the paranormal I actually enjoyed this book. Matt has kept his promise to Chris and located his older brother, Brennan. Now if only Brennan were not so drop down georgeous maybe he wouldn't be falling for him. How can the workaholic be falling for the one man who usually never goes for more than mister right now. Matt's investigative work comes with certain dangers, but when that danger threatens the ones he's come to love he's forced to develop and use paranormal powers that even he didn't know he had. Again like the first book in this series the paranormal was there, but was not the driving force behind behind the narrative. This turned into a really good page turner.
September 23, 2011
This is a Quickie Review. For the full review, please visit The Romanceaholic.
Expected Release Date: September 26, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Carina Press
Author’s Website: http://www.christinepricewrites.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Sequel to In Darkness Bound
Series Best Read In Order: Probably.
Steam Level: Steamy
Matthew Whitman is married to his job. An agent in the Society, a group of paranormal agents whose job it is to solve crimes done by their own kind, he learned at an early age that his “talent” which prevents people from being able to lie to him also precludes him from most types of relationships as well.
When Chris, a man rescued from the clutches of an evil scientist, asks his help in locating his brother, Brennan, Matt agrees. Brennan is nothing like Matt expected though — promiscuous, brash, and incredibly sexy, he also has the unique ability of being able to lie to Matt.
For Matthew, a relationship with Brennan feels surreal. Not only is there explosive chemistry, but Brennan’s ability to resist Matt’s powers make him completely different from any other man Matt’s ever known.
When Matt’s current case, investigating the brutal murder of a fellow agent, spills over into his personal life, however, Matt and Brennan are both pulled into a conspiracy far more dangerous than either of them have ever encountered.
I didn’t realize when I first picked up this story that it was part of a series. Having never read the first novel, I admit, I felt a bit lost at times. The intricacies of the Society, as well as the “mad scientists” from the first novel, often left my head spinning. That said, however, the relationship between Matt and Brennan more than made up for it.
I also enjoyed the murder mystery, and I admit, the culprit totally caught me off-guard.
Unfortunately, in the end, there was so much information on the Society and things that felt like I had obviously missed from not having read the first novel, that I couldn’t absolutely love this one. Add to that the fact that I felt that both Matt and Brennan’s psychic abilities were a bit under-used throughout the story, and even the wonderful romance and intriguing mystery couldn’t land this one on my top shelf.
That said, the romance was wonderful, the love scenes were delicious, and the several twists the plot took were enough to keep me from being able to put this one down for long.
Recommended for fans of workaholic heroes finally finding a life outside of work, of promiscuous heroes taming their ways for the man they are falling for, and of satisfying mysteries with unforeseen twists, all sprinkled liberally with the paranormal.
4/5 Stars
Expected Release Date: September 26, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Carina Press
Author’s Website: http://www.christinepricewrites.com/
My Source for This Book: Netgalley
Part of a Series: Yes, Sequel to In Darkness Bound
Series Best Read In Order: Probably.
Steam Level: Steamy
Matthew Whitman is married to his job. An agent in the Society, a group of paranormal agents whose job it is to solve crimes done by their own kind, he learned at an early age that his “talent” which prevents people from being able to lie to him also precludes him from most types of relationships as well.
When Chris, a man rescued from the clutches of an evil scientist, asks his help in locating his brother, Brennan, Matt agrees. Brennan is nothing like Matt expected though — promiscuous, brash, and incredibly sexy, he also has the unique ability of being able to lie to Matt.
For Matthew, a relationship with Brennan feels surreal. Not only is there explosive chemistry, but Brennan’s ability to resist Matt’s powers make him completely different from any other man Matt’s ever known.
When Matt’s current case, investigating the brutal murder of a fellow agent, spills over into his personal life, however, Matt and Brennan are both pulled into a conspiracy far more dangerous than either of them have ever encountered.
I didn’t realize when I first picked up this story that it was part of a series. Having never read the first novel, I admit, I felt a bit lost at times. The intricacies of the Society, as well as the “mad scientists” from the first novel, often left my head spinning. That said, however, the relationship between Matt and Brennan more than made up for it.
I also enjoyed the murder mystery, and I admit, the culprit totally caught me off-guard.
Unfortunately, in the end, there was so much information on the Society and things that felt like I had obviously missed from not having read the first novel, that I couldn’t absolutely love this one. Add to that the fact that I felt that both Matt and Brennan’s psychic abilities were a bit under-used throughout the story, and even the wonderful romance and intriguing mystery couldn’t land this one on my top shelf.
That said, the romance was wonderful, the love scenes were delicious, and the several twists the plot took were enough to keep me from being able to put this one down for long.
Recommended for fans of workaholic heroes finally finding a life outside of work, of promiscuous heroes taming their ways for the man they are falling for, and of satisfying mysteries with unforeseen twists, all sprinkled liberally with the paranormal.
4/5 Stars
January 18, 2020
So Many Problems
1. Reveal of Matt’s paternity via his casefile was an awkward info dump. I’m not sure casefiles should be written like that.
2. Relationship between Matt and Brennan feels shallow and moved too fast. He helped you get in touch with your brother … so it’s fucktime? Oh and now you have a relationship? Okay …
3. Author trying to characterize Matt as a witty ~geek, but he just comes across as bland or trying too hard. No idea how he’ll act from one minute to the next, but it’s not due to unpredictability, it’s due to him having to act that way for Plot Reasons.
4. Has no one in this thing ever been to an actual office? Matt says he “put on his mask of professionalism” but rarely does act professionally? Too many people acting unprofessionally in this book. Have any of you actually worked in an office, goddamn you.
Some scenes that really irked me:
Matt is kidnapped and imprisoned, Tate calls Brennan to tell him what happened. I respect (I guess) that you want to give Matt’s “loved ones” a heads up but this seems like it’s outside of job protocol.
While Matt is in hospital Tate suddenly tells Brennan that if Matt wakes up and finds Brennan there, “he’s going to assume that you want as much out of the relationship as he does.” BITCH YOU’RE THE ONE WHO CALLED HIM OVER. But basically it’s an excuse for Brennan to go on a rant about how much Matt means to him because the author can’t show, only ever tell.
Then by chapter 33 after Brennan brings Matt to meet his parents, their relationship is on the rocks. Brennan asked Matt to choose between him and his career.
YOU HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR THREE WEEKS, WHAT THE FUCK LEAVE ME ALONE.
1. Reveal of Matt’s paternity via his casefile was an awkward info dump. I’m not sure casefiles should be written like that.
2. Relationship between Matt and Brennan feels shallow and moved too fast. He helped you get in touch with your brother … so it’s fucktime? Oh and now you have a relationship? Okay …
3. Author trying to characterize Matt as a witty ~geek, but he just comes across as bland or trying too hard. No idea how he’ll act from one minute to the next, but it’s not due to unpredictability, it’s due to him having to act that way for Plot Reasons.
4. Has no one in this thing ever been to an actual office? Matt says he “put on his mask of professionalism” but rarely does act professionally? Too many people acting unprofessionally in this book. Have any of you actually worked in an office, goddamn you.
Some scenes that really irked me:
Matt is kidnapped and imprisoned, Tate calls Brennan to tell him what happened. I respect (I guess) that you want to give Matt’s “loved ones” a heads up but this seems like it’s outside of job protocol.
While Matt is in hospital Tate suddenly tells Brennan that if Matt wakes up and finds Brennan there, “he’s going to assume that you want as much out of the relationship as he does.” BITCH YOU’RE THE ONE WHO CALLED HIM OVER. But basically it’s an excuse for Brennan to go on a rant about how much Matt means to him because the author can’t show, only ever tell.
Then by chapter 33 after Brennan brings Matt to meet his parents, their relationship is on the rocks. Brennan asked Matt to choose between him and his career.
YOU HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR THREE WEEKS, WHAT THE FUCK LEAVE ME ALONE.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2012
I really loved all of Matt and Brennan's scenes; they're both great and I loved them together, but the case really bored me and I ended up skimming a lot of it, so I can't give this book more than 3 stars.
September 11, 2012
Brilliant thriller! It's 4am. I'm finally going to sleep. Couldn't put the book down till I finished it.
April 25, 2015
Now I'm gonna read the first book lol
August 8, 2018
Slow Starter
I struggled to get through the first 30 - 40% of this book because I found the Dalhousie papers confusing and boring. To be fair, perhaps, that was because I didn't read the first book. It felt like there was a lot of missing information. But, the writing was good and the investigation fascinating which made it unputdownable once it took off. So, for that reason, I'm giving this four stars.
I struggled to get through the first 30 - 40% of this book because I found the Dalhousie papers confusing and boring. To be fair, perhaps, that was because I didn't read the first book. It felt like there was a lot of missing information. But, the writing was good and the investigation fascinating which made it unputdownable once it took off. So, for that reason, I'm giving this four stars.
July 22, 2023
2,75-3/5
The romance was fine. And no I didn't read the previous book so I was of course totally lost on how the worldbuilding actually works but it's okay. I wan't really there for the book in itself but more for its "u" title...
The romance was fine. And no I didn't read the previous book so I was of course totally lost on how the worldbuilding actually works but it's okay. I wan't really there for the book in itself but more for its "u" title...
December 28, 2024
Queer urban fantasy and solid follow up to the first book on this series. A pity it’s not a stand alone because this book had better relationship development and through plot than it’s predecessor. Some clunky transitions in the world building here and there but nothing jarring in the narrative.
May 4, 2017
2nd book of a wonderful series - doesn't end in a cliffhanger but I want more of these characters and anything else this writer produces. Unfortunately, I can't find anything.
December 29, 2018
This book didn’t grab me completely but it was an interesting story.
March 16, 2018
audio I hope there is a book 3!
September 12, 2011
Witty banter to the rescue! Funny dialog and observations almost, but not quite, made me forget that there is some weird shit going on in this book.
So yeah, the book is funny and engaging, even if the MCs are pretty much sickeningly perfect and cute and understanding and instalovers, and you can dredge up another few adjectives in the same vein, if you want. I liked them. They were very likable. They were meant to be likable. But even the relationship between Matt and Tate is more interesting, if you think about it.
So now the world building. I hardly know where to start.....
This is book two. I was good and read book one (In Darkness Bound) before book two and almost didn't even start on book two, because book one had such a vague notion of world building and the MCs (m/m/m) didn't make me feel the love at all. Now I am wondering whether book one wasn't a prequel meant to be read after book two. How else would you explain that this mysterious Society, that pretty much every character in these books is a member of, doesn't even get explained until halfway book two? Why leave the reader wondering for an entire book and a half what the fuck we're dealing with?
Then, after we get the infodumpy history of the Society since WWII, I am still wondering. Is this an alternate universe / alternate history story? Or is this supposed to be some Super Sekrit Society us muggles aren't aware of right now? Dun dun dun dunnnnn. Are 'normal' (read: not part of the Society or related to its members) people in this book aware of this Society? I don't know. I don't think we ever meet any 'normal' people. Is the Society the government? Is it a government institute, something like a paranormal FBI? Or is it Super Sekrit and hidden from the government? Two books and I still don't know.
Even though the Society started out hunting all 'non-humans'* the definition of which included all people with paranormal gifts, after an internal revolution, it now seems to be made up of mostly paranormal people. Obviously, that changes the rules you would normally apply for your characters, and it changes the expectations that the reader has. But, and this for me is a big one, it doesn't mean that the characters can now do whatever the fuck they want. Teleport! Read thoughts! Diffuse car bombs with your mind! Become beings of light! If, as an author, you're not going to play by the rules of the 'real' world, you need to make sure that you establish a solid set of new rules and limits for the world you create. What happens if you don't? Well, what happens for me is that as a reader I have no clue when a character breaks those limits and does something extraordinary. Several times I only figured out in retrospect that a character has done something special. The emotional impact of the scene was sadly pretty much lost by then. Sometimes I'd figure it out halfway through a scene because it read like a climax and I'd feel like a spectator coming in to watch the match during overtime, trying to catch up with the excitement of all fans jumping up and down in the bleachers, but not quite succeeding because I wasn't there for the build up. 'Wait, what, he just scored? Oh, yay, awesome!'
*About the non-humans. In one scene we get an offhanded remark mentioning 'vampires, werewolves and Fae' as part of this world. I had my WTF moment about the vampires halfway through book 1, but since we do not meet any werewolves, let alone Fae and they are never mentioned in this book again, I'll say it again: WTF? If they are there, I want to see them. If I don't get to see them, please don't fuck with my mind and don't mention them.
So yeah, the book is funny and engaging, even if the MCs are pretty much sickeningly perfect and cute and understanding and instalovers, and you can dredge up another few adjectives in the same vein, if you want. I liked them. They were very likable. They were meant to be likable. But even the relationship between Matt and Tate is more interesting, if you think about it.
So now the world building. I hardly know where to start.....
This is book two. I was good and read book one (In Darkness Bound) before book two and almost didn't even start on book two, because book one had such a vague notion of world building and the MCs (m/m/m) didn't make me feel the love at all. Now I am wondering whether book one wasn't a prequel meant to be read after book two. How else would you explain that this mysterious Society, that pretty much every character in these books is a member of, doesn't even get explained until halfway book two? Why leave the reader wondering for an entire book and a half what the fuck we're dealing with?
Then, after we get the infodumpy history of the Society since WWII, I am still wondering. Is this an alternate universe / alternate history story? Or is this supposed to be some Super Sekrit Society us muggles aren't aware of right now? Dun dun dun dunnnnn. Are 'normal' (read: not part of the Society or related to its members) people in this book aware of this Society? I don't know. I don't think we ever meet any 'normal' people. Is the Society the government? Is it a government institute, something like a paranormal FBI? Or is it Super Sekrit and hidden from the government? Two books and I still don't know.
Even though the Society started out hunting all 'non-humans'* the definition of which included all people with paranormal gifts, after an internal revolution, it now seems to be made up of mostly paranormal people. Obviously, that changes the rules you would normally apply for your characters, and it changes the expectations that the reader has. But, and this for me is a big one, it doesn't mean that the characters can now do whatever the fuck they want. Teleport! Read thoughts! Diffuse car bombs with your mind! Become beings of light! If, as an author, you're not going to play by the rules of the 'real' world, you need to make sure that you establish a solid set of new rules and limits for the world you create. What happens if you don't? Well, what happens for me is that as a reader I have no clue when a character breaks those limits and does something extraordinary. Several times I only figured out in retrospect that a character has done something special. The emotional impact of the scene was sadly pretty much lost by then. Sometimes I'd figure it out halfway through a scene because it read like a climax and I'd feel like a spectator coming in to watch the match during overtime, trying to catch up with the excitement of all fans jumping up and down in the bleachers, but not quite succeeding because I wasn't there for the build up. 'Wait, what, he just scored? Oh, yay, awesome!'
*About the non-humans. In one scene we get an offhanded remark mentioning 'vampires, werewolves and Fae' as part of this world. I had my WTF moment about the vampires halfway through book 1, but since we do not meet any werewolves, let alone Fae and they are never mentioned in this book again, I'll say it again: WTF? If they are there, I want to see them. If I don't get to see them, please don't fuck with my mind and don't mention them.
February 4, 2012
"With great power comes great responsibility." Isn't that how Peter Parker's uncle said it? Then there's the flip side, "Who watches the watchers?" In other words, who makes sure that the ones who have that great power use it responsibly?
In Christine Price's futuristic The Usual Apocalypse, the great powers involved are of the paranormal variety, and the ones who take responsibility just call themselves "The Society". The Society polices those who have paranormal ability. It also finds children who have talent, and it solves crimes against the talented. It's a combination of the police and the FBI and the CIA. It even has its own Internal Affairs division!
The story in The Usual Apocalypse is the one about all the chickens coming home to roost, and not in a good way. I mean the chickens, not the story. The story was great.
The Society went through a really, really dark patch during a time when it was run by a group that treated the talented as experimental subjects rather than people. Talent doesn't seem to be native to the human population. Anyone with significant talent can be thought of as not human, because they are descended from someone who wasn't. Truly.
But the housecleaning was swift, thorough and brutal -- and nearly a generation ago. But Agent Matt Whitman is tying up one of the loose ends. One mad doctor tried to recreate her sick, twisted experiments. Matt shut her down, finally, but wanted to give something back to the men whose lives she nearly destroyed. Six months later, he finally got a lead on Brennan Kincaid, one victim's younger brother.
Matt finds Brennan and brings his brother back to him. Reuniting the two brothers should have been the close of a long and brutal case. But then, senior agents start dying, and it all ties back to the bad old days, and all the deep, dark secrets come out of the shadows. No one is able to hide, not even the super-secret head of the Society. Because someone is trying to bring the bad old days back again.
Escape Rating B: I got wrapped up in the story, and wanted to know more. The Society is interesting. It reminded me of what the Council might have been like in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series if the Psy had kept their humanity and managed to police themselves instead of going completely Darkside. The Society went over the edge and pulled themselves back. I enjoyed the way that Matt and Brennan's relationship developed. How to get a workaholic to stop being a workaholic is all too easy to relate to. Matt and Brennan both have paranormal talent. Brennan hears people's thoughts. Matt can make anyone spill their secrets by asking a question. This is an incredibly cool talent for a cop. One of the neat things about futuristic stories is exploring the differences. In this author's world, there is way more prejudice against Matt and Brennan because they have paranormal talents than because they are gay. Good romance, good mystery, neat world-building.
In Christine Price's futuristic The Usual Apocalypse, the great powers involved are of the paranormal variety, and the ones who take responsibility just call themselves "The Society". The Society polices those who have paranormal ability. It also finds children who have talent, and it solves crimes against the talented. It's a combination of the police and the FBI and the CIA. It even has its own Internal Affairs division!
The story in The Usual Apocalypse is the one about all the chickens coming home to roost, and not in a good way. I mean the chickens, not the story. The story was great.
The Society went through a really, really dark patch during a time when it was run by a group that treated the talented as experimental subjects rather than people. Talent doesn't seem to be native to the human population. Anyone with significant talent can be thought of as not human, because they are descended from someone who wasn't. Truly.
But the housecleaning was swift, thorough and brutal -- and nearly a generation ago. But Agent Matt Whitman is tying up one of the loose ends. One mad doctor tried to recreate her sick, twisted experiments. Matt shut her down, finally, but wanted to give something back to the men whose lives she nearly destroyed. Six months later, he finally got a lead on Brennan Kincaid, one victim's younger brother.
Matt finds Brennan and brings his brother back to him. Reuniting the two brothers should have been the close of a long and brutal case. But then, senior agents start dying, and it all ties back to the bad old days, and all the deep, dark secrets come out of the shadows. No one is able to hide, not even the super-secret head of the Society. Because someone is trying to bring the bad old days back again.
Escape Rating B: I got wrapped up in the story, and wanted to know more. The Society is interesting. It reminded me of what the Council might have been like in Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling series if the Psy had kept their humanity and managed to police themselves instead of going completely Darkside. The Society went over the edge and pulled themselves back. I enjoyed the way that Matt and Brennan's relationship developed. How to get a workaholic to stop being a workaholic is all too easy to relate to. Matt and Brennan both have paranormal talent. Brennan hears people's thoughts. Matt can make anyone spill their secrets by asking a question. This is an incredibly cool talent for a cop. One of the neat things about futuristic stories is exploring the differences. In this author's world, there is way more prejudice against Matt and Brennan because they have paranormal talents than because they are gay. Good romance, good mystery, neat world-building.
September 20, 2011
This book was reviewed for musings of a bookworm
I found this book really interesting and it was complex without being complicated. This is the second book in this series and I have not read book 1 but I have to say it was not necessary but I will be reading it just because this one was so good. The premiss of this book was learning to be comfortable with who you are and growing into your own power. This is a very good romantic suspense and I liked how the romance flourished between Matt and Brenn but was not all plain sailing, this made both of them all the more real for me. I definitely will be reading more about the society and Umbra.
I found this book really interesting and it was complex without being complicated. This is the second book in this series and I have not read book 1 but I have to say it was not necessary but I will be reading it just because this one was so good. The premiss of this book was learning to be comfortable with who you are and growing into your own power. This is a very good romantic suspense and I liked how the romance flourished between Matt and Brenn but was not all plain sailing, this made both of them all the more real for me. I definitely will be reading more about the society and Umbra.
October 15, 2011
More 2,5...
After having read and liked yesterday ''In Darkness Bound'', I was a bit disappointed now. Some parts were definitely boring for me, insta-love, at times lame internal dialogue (I mean the little bits in italics when a character is thinking/talking to himself), too much & too detailed sex, info-dumping about the background of the society Matt work for and about his personal history made through the retrieval of an unbelievable report of another agent: a report with dialogue in it? and we are not talking about relating police questioning.
On the positive side I liked a lot Matt's assistant, Tate, Brennan and also poor Matt fighting his addiction to work. This conflict in the relationship was depicted very realistically.
After having read and liked yesterday ''In Darkness Bound'', I was a bit disappointed now. Some parts were definitely boring for me, insta-love, at times lame internal dialogue (I mean the little bits in italics when a character is thinking/talking to himself), too much & too detailed sex, info-dumping about the background of the society Matt work for and about his personal history made through the retrieval of an unbelievable report of another agent: a report with dialogue in it? and we are not talking about relating police questioning.
On the positive side I liked a lot Matt's assistant, Tate, Brennan and also poor Matt fighting his addiction to work. This conflict in the relationship was depicted very realistically.
July 5, 2014
It's pretty hard to juggle plots and Price failed to do it in this book. The murder mystery aspect was good, and well tied into Matt's backstory. The romance aspect might have been good as well, though I personally thought that neither of the characters behaved realistically in their situations. (Oh, my brother's alive? Let me just MOLEST THE GUY WHO TOLD ME instead of asking for more information or calling him or anything. There was maybe a 1% freaking out, 99% "oh, ok, that's cool. Hey, I'm gonna fuck you!")
Together, it felt like I was reading two separate books and just switching between them every chapter or so. If they were both good books, that might have been ok, but... the romance plot was seriously lacking.
Together, it felt like I was reading two separate books and just switching between them every chapter or so. If they were both good books, that might have been ok, but... the romance plot was seriously lacking.
August 27, 2011
I didn't realize this was the second in a series when I started reading it. I got lost in the storyline a few times and didn't understand the world at first. I went back and read the first book to get the full experience of the Society. That being said, I ended up really liking this book. Matt and Brennan played well of each other and made a likable couple. I would've liked more of a back story on Brennan then what was written, but it wasn't missing enough to take away from the story. The rest of the characters were well written, too. I'm guessing by the way it ended that there will be more in this series. I'm actually finding myself to looking forward to it.
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